A sense of adventure

I've been asked, the last couple of days, when my next blog would be posted. It's both flattering and humbling to realize that there are those of you that find my words inspiring and entertaining. Thank you for all your encouragement and support! Seriously...your kind words have spurred me on these last few days. Here are my latest thoughts....


     If we live free...if you lived free...what would you do different now then what you have been doing? I've been thinking a lot about this....this word/concept/principle...living "free." Free from fear, condemnation, shame and disappointment. Free from others' judgement and limitations. How would I live differently if I believed I was free?
    The other day I was going through my day fighting feelings of shame and guilt. Quoting my scripture, praying my prayers and REALLY trying to talk myself out of the funk that fuzzed my brain and spirit. Then this crazy idea came to my mind (leave it to the HS to do that)....if I'm free...if there's no condemnation for those that believe in Christ...what am I doing right now? I was condemning myself. Living in the same self-judgement and criticism I have submitted myself to for years. So, it occurred to me, if I was free, if I'm not condemned...what would be different? WELL...for one I would look at my mistakes and failings as...lessons...painful ones, hard ones... but the lessons that clearly Jesus saved me from, however, it's my own humanity that has subjected me to. I would not sit and analyze every wrong motive, thought, action and belief that leads into the shame that can bind and create a stronghold....I would accept that I did wrong and move on. I would understand my heart and spirit is motivated to live for Christ, think and act upon that reality and believe what God has said about me! 
     SO, ironically today....after days of meditating on this...I had a really bad emotional day (of course...leave it to the enemy). A day I actually woke up with a pain so real in my heart to that I bawled while I worked out and...even when I took a shower. BUT THEN I thought....if I was free to feel and let be....what would I be doing differently?
     Honestly, I'd feel without fear or abandon. I would realize that growth and development only make me more of the woman God wants me to be. I would dive into the things I love like art, travel, music and love. I would take a pottery class, plan a vacation with friends, sing in the worship team and love my family and friends as though I might die tomorrow. Even more so...I realized...1) I love to plan things. I love parties, get togethers and adventures. Some of the most fulfilling moments in my life were when I took a team to a foreign country, and the experiences there changed their lives forever. The stories I tell to this day cause laughter, tears and inspiration. 2)I also love to get people together that are from every area of my life (church, school, social, work and random). I love creating groups that offer an opportunity for safety and genuine growth. I've loved that I have had friends from all walks of life that attended parties and activites that are meant to connect complete strangers because they trust me.
      The other day I was reminded that there are many that don't know where to look for networking or adventure....especially within the realm of safety and Christianity. SO...for the sense of adventure...why not! Why not plan fun activities that allow others to meet and make connection. Why not ask others if they want to go on vacation or a mission trip? Why not take a stranger to lunch or dinner? Why not? The most fun memories and moments of my life were instigated by the sense of adventure. The desire to do something different and out of the ordinary. To know someone I wouldn't normally befriend or even think to know. An action that I would normally be paralyzed by fear to pursue. The sense of adventure...the essence of God's wild nature. WHY NOT!?!?!?! I think the sense of adventure...when motivated and inspired by God..propels us to the edge of life that we could never dream we could go.

Survival Plan


Read my Bible - Psalms 27


Worship - yes

Work out - yes, 45 minutes on my treadmill


Do something for someone else - well I helped out family this weekend...love that I can do that



Do something for myself - loved on a client today


Eat well - i think so...calorie conscious at least


Emotional state: happy


High point: Sapulpa "sat" today...it was exciting


Low point: woke up sleepy


Tip of the day:  a little bit of chicken broth in homemade tomato sauce...makes ALL the difference