Do You Bite?

I'm guessing I was probably six or seven years old when the vacuum cleaner incident happened. My cousin who is four years older than me as asked  to see the vacuum cleaner, which I at the time was  playing with.  When I refused to give it to him, he yanked it out of my hand. It was then that I proceeded, to use my greatest weapon at the time. I took a big  chunk out of his skin. Yes, you read that right.  I was at one time a world-class biter :-)  I clearly remember my mom asking me why I had  bitten my cousin. I was even more surprised that he hadn't chosen to bite me back. The only thing I can figure, is I had caught him off guard. I don't remember what my punishment was, but I'm quite sure it was a long time before I chose to bite anyone.    I may have outgrown my  biting others habits, but admittedly I do bite my lip when I am nervous.   I would dare say most of us outgrow our physical biting tendency eventually.  While we may not go around biting people in the traditional sense that children often do, biting often takes a another form as adults.  We don't often think about how we verbally bite those around us, but it is a reality nonetheless.  I am a big words person, as hopefully you've noticed.    The majority of the time, I hope that I am a person who chooses her words carefully, but all have our moments right?  Words that may seem harmless, when  coated in sarcasm, can hurt, even when this is not the intention.  I love sarcasm when it is playful, but there is a line between playful and harmful.    Have you ever been on the receiving end of biting words? Have you found yourself being the one who's doing the biting? Maybe your biting simply to retaliate or fight back against someone who has verbally bitten you.  The reality about physical biting is, we hopefully outgrow that habit.  Biting  with words is a much harder habit to break.    Even in moments of anger, the words of Jesus were seasoned with truth  and gracious tones.  As a blogger and writer, I love the fact words have power!    The world vastly underestimates the power of words and tone.  I am learning that just because our words and tones may be acceptable to others, it does not mean that our words are  pleasing to the Lord's ears.  What are some ways you offer words of life to those around you, instead of words that bite and tear others down?    The more I live, the more I am discovering that you can correct in kindness or disagree in a loving way without biting.  The hard thing about biting words is that leave a mark on the memory and the heart, but the world around us tells us that we must accept biting words as the normal way.  We live in a society that has bought into the absurd idea that we are are unaffected and unaccountable for the words we say.  I have said my share of critical words, so I am not the example to follow, but Jesus is.  Jesus proves it is possible to speak bold truth without biting.    Do our words exalt others or tear them down? Do our words bring healing and change, or hurt and confusion.  Do our words offer help or are those words dripping with criticism just below the surface?         In the heat of intense moments biting and callous words are a  strong tendency, and that  is when I have found prayer is so often a lifeline.   Here are some ways I find helpful when I find myself biting others with words or being  stung by biting words.

• Were the words given with the intention of biting, or were those words just poorly delivered either by me or to me?  
• If these were biting words attempt  find the reason or source behind it.        
• Repent when I am the biter , when I am being bitten/vent feelings and thoughts to God, and in journal. .
• Stay focused on the moment, not situations of the past.  
• Don't harbor it/if the matter can't be confronted/ Pray and ask God to enable moving on.   

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  Eph. 4:29

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Mt. 12:36  Text taken from here

Macy's 2011 Winter Photo session!

Sorry this is way to close for comfort, I had to call for back up!

                    

Thank you all so much for your honest feedback on Blog topics.  I appreciate it so much!  Before I begin posting on more serious topics, which I hope will possibly be tomorrow.  I wanted to post some very special pictures of someone very important to me!     Macy's 2011 Winter photo session!
Do you have a special pet that you treat more like a human?  Today in my house, I decided it is Pet Appreciation Day!  Thankful for God's perfect, gifts, or in Macy's case almost perfect gifts!

A Day of Memories in Downtown Chattanooga!.

Mom and me.  We had a great time.  You would never know in this my stomach had been hurting the whole day.  Sometimes you gotta push through the pain and not let anything stop you from enjoying life.

Later that evening mom and I met some friends on the Southern Belle Dinner Cruise(Chattanooga's Riverboat.More Here This was a place we stopped to site see before we got on the actual Riverboat.  I won the cruise..

I've said before I love Butterflies!

Downtown Chattanooga  It was a beautiful day for an outing since we live within the city limits we hardly ever go downtown.

Inside Willa Collections.  I love their clothes but they aren't meant for non skinny types.  But, if you are ever in the area, it's a nice place!Willa Collection

My mom painted and decorated this chair for the "Chair Affair" to benefit On Point the chair can be viewed @ Willa Collection located in Downtown Chattanooga.More Chair Affair Info
   

                                        

So here are some highlights of the best day of Fall Break...  I may not have gotten a trip to the beach, but this was pretty great too!  So I was too busy yesterday for Half Full Friday this week.  Sometimes writers must remember that we must never become so busy writing about our life that we fail to live it, or we will find we will have nothing to write about.            
God reminded me this morning He desires for me to acknowledge Him, in the every day details, not just in the moments we categorize as spiritual.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 

Let them Be Them and You Be You!

So I learned something today that has brought me strange freedom!  My mom took a spiritual gifts test today, and found that one of the things that comes natural to her is exercising faith.  For years my mom has said things like have faith God will take care of it.  To which I would roll my eyes and huff and puff always at a loss as to how  faith always seems to be her response.  I on the other hand, have a tendency toward mercy.  While she is more a suck it up kinda gal.  Most of the things we fight about come down to the different ways in which God has designed us.  Don't get me wrong as Christians we are all called to walk by faith and not by sight, but for some faith is like breathing, and for those like me, choosing faith is constantly at war with doubt and mistrust.  Instead of embracing the gift God has entrusted her with, I have often mocked it, and been at times envious of it.  Likewise I think my strong tendency toward mercy leaves her wondering, did this child really come out of me? I also become angry with myself for not being more like her. The truth is the church today has much the same issue, we want others to look, act, and behave like us, but the ironic thing is we were never created to be carbon copies of one another.  The truth is I love my mom and she loves me.  She is not me, and I am not her.  We are two different people created by the same Holy God!  So while we are similar, we are not the exact same, nor were we meant to be.    So see how this hits you.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Eph. 4:2-3.Find it Here  That I am learning can only happen when we submit to God, and ask him to do the impossible in and through us.  So I guess the prayer is Lord help me bear with others, and Lord enable others to bear with me.  God knew this would be hard concept for us finite humans, but He addresses it clearly.  I have a feeling this may be a post, that I myself will revisit often.   What do you think?  I mean I guess I knew this in my head, but never really got it, you know?
Reaching for the Higher,

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     Here is a devotional I found that I wanted to share with you all!

What's in your Pudding?

Photo from www.Dailyapple.blogspot.com

Hi Groupies:

I was going to post snow pics from last weekend, but mom already deleted the pics off her camera before I could upload the pictures here. I hope you like the color of this font, it is one of my favorite colors. This is another one of my Saturday posts. I wrote at the beginning of the year, that my theme for the year will be take Me Higher. One way I want to be taken higher is in my love for Christ and others. I don't mean out of obligation, because real love isn't out of guilt or ritual, but comes from relationship. If ever there were one worthy of my love it is my Creator and Savior! He loved me first! Before I knew what love was, He was loving me! If you came into my bedroom right you would discover that there are at least 2 things I love, movies, and music! I own all kinds of movies. The next ones I would like to buy are: "Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad All By Myself, and The Blindside" I want to see "Love Happens" & The remake of Fame" I know you must be thinking okay you are so "ADD" you started writing about loving Jesus, and now you are writing about loving movies? Stick with me, there is a connection here. As far as music goes, I like 60's 70's A tiny bit of Country music, and a lot of " Christian music" I could say more about that, but it would get me off track. It would be easy to come to the conclusion I love movies, but it is not always as simple to determine or measure a person's love for Christ. I have Bible Verses on my wall, and I go to church regularly, but none of this is proof that I love Christ or others. In Fact, there are those who outwardly claim to love Jesus, but it goes no further than religious objects. Jesus gives direction on how can examine if we love Him. Remember that saying the Proof is in the Pudding? John 15:10 If you keep My Commandments, you will abide in my love; just I have kept My Father's Commands and abide in His Love." Real Love goes deeper than outer appearances or superficial gestures. If you are at all like me, you may talk and hear a lot about grace, but find yourself rarely waking in it daily, but the joy comes in walking a little more in the reality of grace, than the day before. I had a light bulb moment this morning. I hope it really sinks in, and doesn't not just leave as fast as it came. I cannot truly love God without loving the people He Created, and I cannot truly love people without loving The Creator. I know that thought did not originate with me. Though the wording is different the concept can be found in 1 John 3 & 4. I really have to with God's help, love each member of my family better, before I can transfer that love to a lost and hurting world. Can you relate? What keeps you from loving God, and people more? I can think of a lot of things that keep me from loving God and others better, but the number one reason is S-E-l-F. FYI I LOVE SATURDAYS!

Desiring the Higher things,

So, What is on your menu?

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Hi,

Hope you all are enjoying your Saturday. It has been a snow filled Saturday for us here. A little over 4 inches where I live. It is unheard of to have three snows in a year here, and winter is likely far from over. I will try and post some pics later.

It has been hard to do a many of my projects without Microsoft Excel or Word. I am using a low grade of Open Office, and holding my breath that it will stay in one piece when I get the programs, as far as the formatting.

Anyway, I think lately I have kind of gotten away from what this blog is about which is to glorify God. That can be done a number of ways, but it cannot be done through pessimism or silence. As I sit here drinking my Ice Tea, one verse comes to mind. Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." I am quick to want filling, but how hungry and thirsty am I for righteousness? Sure I'm hungry for food, hungry for attention, affection. I'm thirsty for approval, a good story. Can it be said the same for righteousness? There is nothing right apart from Christ, as He is All that is RIGHT! When I am quick to pursue other lovers to be filled, I am disappointed every time. I am stubborn and want to control things, but the Bible says I will be blessed and filled if I pursue more of Christ, and less of me. See John 3;30. In a world where finding ourselves is seen as the goal, how do we die to self focus and shift to Christ focus? Any thoughts?

Was I dreaming???

It actually snowed in Chatt Town today! Snow almost never happens here, so when it does it is a BIG deal! These are photos shots outside our house, but the ones of kids are at my aunt's house, she e-mailed those today. It has been a more hectic week for me, so I was worn out last night. I went to bed @ 10:30, which I never do, and I took a nap 2 hours today! It was a treat to wake up to snow and homemade hot coca! I feel well rested for the first time this week, What a blessing!

The love of two brothers!

My cousin Brady who is 3 spent the night with us last night, and then later today his dad brought over his little brother Jackson who is 6 months, These boys have such love and affection for each other now, and it is the most tender thing to witness! I pray on a regular basis that these boys will have a close relationship with each other throughout their lives. It would bring such joy to me, as I know how difficult sibling relationships can over time become, as age and life begin to take a toll. Enjoy these pictures of "Brotherly Love"