Moving on...

So, I decided to “give up” blogging for Lent. My reasoning was to use the time that I would have spent writing and reading blogs, to instead be in communion with my Jesus. It worked (except for ONE time (okay twice!) that I read someone else’s-:o( )! A lot has happened in these past 40 days, a lot of GOOD has happened. I will admit that I HAVE “missed” you all and I hope you haven’t forgot me :o). I have also decided to start a new blog. I am going to name it “faith dialogues”(I hope you don’t mind Alison!) b/c that is going to be it’s sole purpose. I have discovered in this blog that I really started getting away from WHY I had started blogging in the first place (to discuss Jesus and His continuous work in my life) and had started talking too much about myself and what I was doing-who cares about all that! It won’t be important in the long run. So I say ‘adios’ to the life of my mind-it’s been fun, it’s been entertaining, but now it’s time to get down and dirty-just the way I like it-you dig?

Check out the work in progress: http://www.faithdialogues.blogspot.com/

Another day, another dollar.

I just got home from spending time w/one of my babies (I have several girl "babies"-it is a special privelage to be called one of my babies, I have girl-friends, but there are the exceptions and this girl is one of them. I was supposed to go somewhere else tonite, but decided on dinner and a movie w/her-Becca, she is unique to me, not only b/c I loved her instantly, but also b/c oddly she looks like my twin (the whole red hair and brown eyes thing). We saw "27 dresses", perfect chic flic (and also destined to be ME)-ha ha! I had a good time :o)

I have a ton going on, God (in my opinion) has literally handed me a perfect second job (like I don't have enough going on!) and I couldn't be more grateful. Next week is sale week at our spa, I have approx 33 massages booked and half of them are 85 min ones! EEEE GADS!!!!! My arms may just fall off-no joke! I am just so happy and content w/my life right now (until the next curve ball!), I am so happy w/who God has placed in my life-so many incredible people, thrilled. I wish I didn't have to work EVERY saturday-oh well, that's life-and I LOVE it.

Love You Jesus.

"I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". ~John 16:33

Good songs :o)

the video to this song is kind of cheesy, but I LOVE this song-close your eyes and listen to it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgq84vTIsKE

and then do the same thing w/this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwJEdo1FlMo&feature=related

(one) Pilgrim's "Progress"

I feel like I can only write “the good blogs” when something is laid on my heart-poems (or my version of a poem) are easier, they come to me in a matter of minutes, and most of the time-make no sense (to me at least). This “thought” was given to me today- “just do it”, I know we’ve all heard this slogan before, but it’s actually a good one taken in a different context. Risk. In my small group we just finished up a study called “Chasing Daylight” by Erwin McManus. Basically it was about making the most out of each day and life in general, but there was an awesome chapter on taking risks. I’ve listened to many Christian speakers and preachers and they all seem to have their own versions of this. Erwin believes you should “go until you hear no”. One of my favorite (as most of you know) preachers-Joyce Meyer says that when she asks God for something and doesn’t hear anything she “goes for it” until she hears a “no”. I’ve heard others who simply say that if God isn’t giving a clear “yes”, then you should assume “no”. I prefer the first two, especially lately-I’ve reached the point (only through my Jesus) that life honestly is all about taking risks-more precisely-for God. Sometimes you just need to do things you wouldn’t think about doing in your (oh so) “normal” state. I am stubborn by nature, but amazingly enough-God is melting a little of that off. The things that I am passionate about, I am passionate about for a reason.

Back to risk :o) “Through Christ I can do all things” right? I see that more and more each day, the more I “step out” for God the more I begin to see His plan for me unfold, and it is so beautiful! I have always known God is going to do something amazing w/my life and let me tell you-I am open, I am literally like a piece of play dough for God, as far as risk is concerned-I will do anything, give up anything, and go anywhere for Him. I seriously don’t understand a lot of things in my life, but I think-right now-I’m not supposed to. I am not afraid to “look dumb” in front of people-I am just me, I am not afraid to look like a “goody goody” (trust me that was not the case about two years ago)-I hold firm to my beliefs. I just keep on doing the same things I have always done-I try to live more like He lived (and lives) each day, and although I don’t deserve ANYthing-I get “glimpses” that He’s still right by my side, that it’s ok if no one else “gets me”, b/c He does, that it’s ok to feel weak and lonely b/c He’s strong and is holding my hand all the time. I just LOVE Him. I can’t say that enough. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Good stuff from C.S. Lewis: (A Grief Observed)
“When I lay these questions before God I get no answer. But a rather special sort of ‘No answer.’ It is not the locked door. It is more like a silent, certainly not uncompassionate, gaze. As though He shook His head not in refusal but waiving the question. Like, ‘Peace, child; you don’t understand.’”

“The best is perhaps what we understand least.”

Grapes of Wrath.

A surprisingly rigid stance
An unexpected invitation
Lead to lengthy deliberation
With mild provocation

Not to sound pretentious
Because the truth is all that matters
We’ve got these walls built up
Like glass that should be shattered

The timing is perfectly off
So thankful for this pick
Grateful for the waves they bring
Although the lull-makes me sick

Know that change is inevitable
And this door is wide, wide open
Like a morphic resonance
Absorbing every movement spoken

Don’t be angry, it is what it is
Life is a blur and the world is fading
Just trying to make sense of it all
Admiration and respect, that’s all I’m saying.
Mr. ........

~RlR

Upcoming good times.

I'm going to two shows in the next two weeks, and I'd like to put the invite out there for whoever wants to join me. I'm inviting more people (JenniP!) to these next two b/c I think they'll be worth it:
1.) This coming Saturday, the 26th at the Brewery in downtown Raleigh, these guys are playing http://profile.myspace.com/loveandreverie, along w/Dakota Darling (see link in one of the blogs below). This show starts at 8pm.

2.) The next Friday, Feb 1st at Lincoln Theatre-also in downtown Raleigh-an AWESOME (sometimes vulgar-oh well) 80's cover band called The Breakfast Club http://www.thebreakfastclub.com/, if you can't come to the previous-you should definitely go to this one. Their show starts at 10pm.

I'm excited and you should be too.
Peace and Love.

Oh snap...

change is a'coming...bring it on!!!