No dropped calls!

My cousin Laurie sent this to me and it really made me go OUCH. So I thought I would share my "pain" with you. In these kind of frightening and unsure times - this is something I needed to read . . .

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities?

And no dropped calls!

Really cool video

My buddy, Don Crane (who just started blogging) sent me this video today and I had to share it with you guys. Pretty cool!!




Happy Monday!

Conquering our fears . . . together

In May, when we went to the indoor water park - my oldest daughter was scared to go on the water slide. I told her she needed to do 'one thing that scares her every day' so that maybe she won't be so scared of things anymore. (I didn't want to tell her that I was scared too!) But we both rode it, and we both LOVED it. It was really worth it.

This year, my oldest daughter was finally old enough to ride the roller coasters with her Daddy at the amusement park. He was SOOO excited! She . . . was not. I had to remind her of our 'one thing that scares us' rule.

Since Hunkahubby knew he would probably only get one chance to ride a roller coaster that day - he went on the one HE really wanted to ride on (which - with a double-helix among other things, was probably not smart for his green roller coaster buddy).

Here they are before they got on the ride. As you can tell - she is NOT thrilled, but she is still smiling.

And here she is after having survived the roller coaster . . . according to Hunkahubby, she screamed, screamed some more, and then just cried. Poor thing. She has sworn off roller coasters for the rest of her life. And Hunkahubby probably has 2 more years before the other two are tall enough.

But Mommy had her 'one thing that scares her' moment as well. In the water park, we decided (okay - it WAS my idea) to go on a ride with 4 people per innertube that goes through this large purple enclosed slide. It didn't look that scary.

Except - I kind of forgot one thing . . .

I'm a tad claustrophobic.

And the minute the innertube took off (with me and my two girls in it) I was plunged into complete darkness. And then water splashed over my face. I panicked. But I didn't scream. I didn't let the girls know how freaked I was (they couldn't have seen me anyway). I just kept breathing and praying for the ride to be over.

When we got to the end - the ride attendants just about had to pry my fingers off of the innertube, and my body was so stiff I could hardly stand up. I was shaking for the next 20 minutes. But I DID IT, right? (NEVER again.) Open water slides, I can handle - enclosed . . . NUH UH!!

My daughter and I bonded over facing our fears and hating it. LOL

What have you done lately that scared you? Was it worth it? Would you do it again?

40 Ways to Live a Better Life

I was forwarded this email this weekend. I do not know the origin (if you do, please comment and let me know!) but I wanted to share it with all of you. A lot of these tips are great ideas to remind us how to live our life to the fullest.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to. (Silence, with three kids??? Really??)

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and/or prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. (I love this one.)

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. (Yes, this is a good one for all of us!)

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, flax and other seeds, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life. (Oh boy do I have clutter that needs clearing!)

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. (AMEN!!!!)

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. (HAHAHAHA, I love this!)

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what the journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business. (Wow.)

28. GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. Doesn't have to be everyday but consistency is key. (Or email them)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.
You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Share these tips with the people you care about.

Have a great Monday!

The calm before the storm

If you've been watching the news, you know that Indiana has been getting some not so fun weather lately - tornados, flash floods, and very severe thunderstorms. We don't have a basement, so we have spent a lot of time in our closet next to the stairs. (Well, the kids have . . . Hunkahubby and I don't quite fit.)

After a week of storms, and the promise of another on the way - Hunkahubby went outside and took some awesome pictures at sunset - I wanted to share them here.

(All photos by Hunkahubby)

These pictures remind me of the song "Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns. Here is an excerpt of the lyrics:

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus: I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For you are who you are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

And as a Pastor of mine used to say -

"Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is."

If you have a minute

Please go to this post and read an amazing poem by a 15 year old dealing with cancer.

Have a great Friday everyone and a wonderful weekend!

Have you ever just had a really OFF week?

I have had one this week. I'm not sure why - but nothing has gone right. I hate it when that happens.

So today I'm making a conscious choice to have a better week from here on out. I went in search of some inspiration.

The first thing wasn't really inspiring - but it did make me laugh enough to get me out of the "funk" I was in.



Okay - so my days weren't THAT bad, not in that respect.

But the thing that really helped me was listening to music and this particular Amy Grant Medley really helped calm me down, give me peace, and remind me of what is really important.

Here are the lyrics:

Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain

Be still my soul, thy best, thy Heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end

Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake
All now mysterious will be bright at last

Delight yourselves in the Lord
Yes, and find your joy in Him
Be known for your gentleness
And never forget the nearness of our God
And don't worry - whatever is going to come
Just tell God every detail
And the peace of God that no one understands will come to you
No, don't worry
Just tell Him every detail and His peace will come to you

I tried to post the song so you could listen to it, but it isn't working correctly. I'll keep trying, but I think you can listen to it here if you download the free rhapsody player.

I hope all of you find peace today. (And I hope those office people eventually found some peace too!)

My newest health inspiration

I want to share a new website I found . . . well, kind of found . . . okay so it was on a link at the end of an email . . .

This is a website about my friend Kristen who is blogging about her weight loss experience and wanting to be an inspiration to others who are trying to lose weight. I was very inspired and am really happy that she is doing this. SHE LOOKS GREAT!!!

Don't you think????

I am ready to get back on track myself, thanks to her and this awesome website. Check it out - great food reviews and recipes. :-)

Have a great evening.

Sad News

Larry Norman, "the father of Christian Rock", died on Sunday.

This news saddens me. I had the honor of attending one of his concerts several years ago. He was simple person with a simple, yet profound message. And he was really funny.

On his website,he posted a final message to everyone that included these words:

"I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home."

Here is a tribute video someone did of Larry - singing my favorite song, "I am a servant."




Goodbye Larry. We may mourn, but Heaven is rejoicing.

Song of the Day

This song is from 2005, but I had never heard it. I will post a live video of the song and the lyrics below. I wanted to share it because I really needed to hear this today - so maybe you do too!



The Real Me

Natalie Grant

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break
How much will they take before I'm empty
Do I let it show, does anybody know?

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I'm tired of the song and dance
Living a Charade, always on parade
What a mess I've made of my existence
But you love me even now
And still I see somehow

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into
A perfect tapestry
I just wanna be me

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

And you love me just as I am

Wonderful, Beautiful is what you see
When you look at me

Update on Christian vs. Christ follower

I had to post an update after my friend Barry commented on the videos I posted earlier today. I also believe you have to be careful about 'mocking' people who DO wear the 3-piece suit to church. I have no problem with people who dress up to go to church.

I have no problem with people who wear Christian t-shirts, cross necklaces, or have 400 Christian bumper stickers on their car.

What I do have a problem with is the people who have all the trappings, but don't have a relationship to go along with it. They can quote you Bible verses from Genesis to Revelation . . . but they don't know what the words mean.

God doesn't want our STUFF - he wants US. Sure, I could wear a Christian t-shirt, WWJD bracelets, a cross necklace and drive my minivan with Jesus is my co-pilot bumper sticker and not have any clue about the Grace of God. (And what bothers me most is when one of the people who obviously wants everyone to know they are a Christian, flips someone off who cuts them off in traffic, or is rude to a service worker in a restaurant or store - giving that person a very bad opinion of 'Christians'.)

People should know we are Christians by how we act and how we love. Not just how we love non-Christians, but also how we love each other. But we shouldn't love one MORE than the other. If a non-Christian walked into a church in a 3-piece suit and a Christian walked in wearing a tie-dye shirt, ripped jeans and no shoes . . . would you treat them differently, not knowing anything about their relationship with Christ?

My point is -- no human KNOWS another person's heart . . . which is why we should "Love one another." Not - love other Christians. Not - love the sinners. Love one another. Period. And if we worship Jesus while listening to U2 or Tommy Walker . . . it's still worshiping Jesus.

All of that being said . . . I do agree with Barry on his point about getting hung up on the terms "Christian" and "Christ-follower". Using a different term isn't going to change how people perceive things. I was a little disturbed by the end of each video that showed the "Christian No More" logo. Mostly because - doesn't the word Christian essentially mean Christ-follower anyway?

Okay, my rant is over. Thanks Barry for such great talking points!!

Christian vs. Christ Follower

My gorgeous husband found some really funny videos on YouTube last night and I absolutely had to share them here. They've been online since May of last year - so if you've already seen them . . . well then watch them again, they're funny!

It seems like the term "Christian" has been given such a negative connotation.

What does it mean if you're a Christian? Does it mean you dress up every Sunday and go to church? Does it mean you look down on those that don't?

An Illinois church created these videos (a parody of the Mac vs. PC ads which I looove).

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6


I think these are great - and a good way to demonstrate how certain beliefs have become so skewed and that the most important part of being a "Christian" is believing in and following Jesus - not all the "stuff" that people associate with church.

What do you think about these videos?

(FYI - if you are interested in showing these at your church or youth group - there are high resolution videos available for purchase here.)

30 Day Sex Challenge

Okay, one of my favorite blogs posted about Relevant Church's new campaign:

The 30-day Sex Challenge.

Check it out. Interesting concept.

What do you think? A good way to draw people in? Or turn people away?

Half-hour late . . . but this is my Friday post

Found this on photobucket . . . liked it . . . thought I'd share

Upward Basketball

I promised I'd come back and post something real today - but I am having a hard time finding inspiration.

So . . . I'm going to give a mini-commercial for Upward Basketball.


Our church is doing this program - and it is an awesome outreach opportunity that teaches children a sport along with GOOD sportsmanship! Parents and children are encouraged to cheer for both teams, and to be supportive of the coaches and the referees. Kindergarten - 2nd grade don't keep score and are not allowed to steal the ball. The players switch out every 6 minutes, so EVERYONE gets a chance to play - and the players are encouraged to work as a team and pass the ball, rather than always just trying to shoot it.

Two of my kids are playing this year and they had their first game on Saturday. It was great fun, which was really the point - the kids are learning but having FUN.

One of the coolest parts of this program is that every practice, the coach has a devotion with the kids and gives them a Bible verse to learn for the next week. At the next practice, if you've learned your verse, you get a green star to Iron on your uniform T-shirt. At every game, stars are given out for Best Defense, Best Offense, Best Sportsmanship, and several other things. (everyone gets a star).


Before each game - they turn down the lights, turn up the music and announce the teams, coaches, and players (making the young kids feel REALLY cool) - then the referees pray with both teams in the middle of the court. It is really an awesome experience, and I'm looking forward to many more years of being involved in this program.

If you love kids, and sports - and you don't have a program like this in your area - I suggest you go to the Upward website, and check it out! Maybe you could start an Upward Sports Program in your area.

Dungy will return for another season

Tony Dungy, coach of the Indianapolis Colts, will return for another season. Yay!

Now - I'm not really a big sports fan, I never really have been. But I love the example that Tony Dungy sets for his players and for other coaches everywhere. He and his team have made me want to become a sports fan.




He was quoted today saying this:

"I love this franchise. I love my family. My decision after my 10th year was, 'Can I give my family and the franchise the energy and passion that they both deserve,'" Dungy said. "I look at this job as a job but I also look at it as a ministry."

I agree. And I hope and believe Tony Dungy's ministry and his legacy will continue long after he's retired from coaching football.

Why I write (and now why I blog) . . .

This is part of a journal entry from a creative writing class I took several years ago . . .


Why do I write? Because if I didn’t, I would probably go insane.

When I’m not writing, things are not right in the world of IzzyBeth. And even when I’m not physically putting things down on paper (or on the computer screen), I am constantly writing things in my head.

Sometimes I get frustrated with myself because I will come up with a brilliant idea while driving down the road, but by the time I get somewhere to do something about it, it has run away with the other thoughts crowding my brain.

I have so many things that I want to write about – but then I get caught up in the reasons why I really want to write it, and sometimes I chicken out and don’t go where my heart is leading me.

I write because it is born in me.

Writing has been passed down through generations in my family (along with TALKING and singing) and I learned to read and write very young.

I have always gone above and beyond whenever assigned something to write . . . and sometimes it gets me into trouble. I don't do it because I'm an overachiever . . .

I write because I really have no choice.

One of my favorite hymns, one of my favorite artists

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

(Painting by Hunkahubby, 2007)

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Dal­lan For­gaill (translated from the Irish by
Ma­ry E. Byrne, Versified by El­ea­nor H. Hull)

Learning to trust . . .

("Crowning Glory" photo by IzzyBeth, Costa Rica)

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like nothing is going right? You feel like no matter how hard you try - you still don't measure up? And then the smallest things start to bother you?

Today has been one of those days for me. I'm stressed about some unknown situations in my life and I am worried about what is going to happen next. I hate that feeling.

And after having my own mini-meltdown - sitting on the floor crying asking God "What am I doing wrong? I've been reading my Bible every day, trying to be a good wife and mother . . . and jumping into those roles more than I ever have . . . what am I doing wrong?"

Well - just as I thought that - this popped into my head . . .

"You're not trusting Me."

Wow. Ouch. And all that stuff.

And I wasn't. I wasn't trusting God. If I am doing all I can do to be the best person I can be, then I have to learn to trust God to take care of me. That is hard. I've always had an emotional caretaker type role. And then when you work in an administrative assistant role - you become somewhat of a caretaker for everyone you work for. At the end of the day - you don't have enough emotional energy to do what needs to be done to take care of yourself and sometimes even your family.

So I've just added a new resolution to my list.

Learn to trust.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Matthew 6:27-34 (The Message) says:

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

I'm trying . . .

This made me cry . . .

Thanks to Barry for posting this (and for his friend Heidi, who he grabbed it from.)

Please take a few minutes and watch this all the way through to the end.

These comments were posted along with the video on GodTube . . .

"Jason Wade wrote this song, "Everything" and the CD that it is on "NO NAME FACE" can be gotten from amazon.com.

A DVD of this and other skits from a "festival" of Christian skits can be gotten at Extremegen.org Online Store.

Ask for Winterfest 2006 Smoky Mountain Saturday Evening DVD and mention that you particularly want the Lighthouse Everything skit that is shown on the internet."