Not For Me

Day after day I welcome ideas, comments, insights to challenge me to open my mind just a bit more. Where I’ve drawn the line in the past is at R rated movies. well, I confess, after seeing two R movies over the last couple of weeks, I’ve renewed my stand. Especially when it comes to sex scenes; I was, am, and will always be a prude.

What happens in the bedroom, should stay in the bedroom. Not unlike what the LGBTQ+ community has fought for. What business is it to anyone what consenting adult anyone kisses? I don’t need to see anyones bedroom antics, I don’t care if you are gay, straight or anywhere in between.

Friends, don’t ask me to go see an R movie, the answer will be a hard – “NO thank you!”

Disney anyone?

“and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:23‬a NIV

#exclosetedgay #LGBTQ+ #lgbtqchristian #gaychristian #progressivechristian #sexuality #GodisLove #GodisFaithful #HeMadeMe #youarenotalone #lovewins #iamnotanoxymoron #authenticself #bornthisway #gaybygod #religionshouldnthurt #LovelsLove #YouAreLoved #YouBeYou #Queer #DeconstructingFaith #bisexual #gay #lesbian #nonbinary #transgender #Igbt #ReligiousTrauma #SpiritualGrowth #EvolvingFaith

!!! look … Look … LOOK !!!

you know how you take on a home project and one thing always leads to another (and another) and before you know it is taken way longer than expected? well, that’s publishing for me and quite frankly this whole project has been as such. writing/editing/formatting/publishing is not for the faint of heart.

just when i thought one was complete, sure enough another issue lurked. self-publishing wasn’t any different. this weekend i thought i’ll get up on Saturday, finish it up in the a.m., then i’ll have the rest of the weekend to start working on the long list of neglected. nope!, it did not go down that way. BUT it did go down! after 2 full days, of maybe 1000 steps per day, i’m elated to share my latest cover … and … a pic proving the Proof is on the way!

just like every other season of this project, the Lord had a reason for where i stepped. without Saturday’s events, essentially having to REreformat the entire book, i wouldn’t have this new and improved self-made cover:

take a look at the binding! my old one had been system generated with non-matching fonts … Now They Match!

can you tell i’m just a wee bit excited?! i was able to submit and order my Official Proof from Amazon KDP.

Official Proof here on Saturday!

Final Stages have arrived! I’m going to go out on a limb and say I should be FINALLY hitting the Publish button on Labor Day (9/5/22) … seems appropriate huh?

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I Really Could

If this book did one thing for me (believe me it did many many things) it allowed me to relive how the Lord provided ALL my needs, even when i didn’t feel worthy.

Tears stream as i read and reminisce about the Tribe God gifted my family. Life is better when the people surrounding you lift you up, not drag you down!

Surround yourself with these kind of people … more importantly, BE this kind of person!

i love all of you TCM’ers! thank you for teaching me Unconditional Christlike Love!

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:19

I Can Almost Taste It

it has been a long time coming … a difficult journey to say the least. and here i sit, on the brink of hitting the PUBLISH button for my book. the process from living the story – to writing the story – to editing – to formatting – to publishing has been much more grueling than i could have ever imagined. filled with so many twists and turns and arbitrary rabbit holes, that if anyone told me it was this hard, i probably would not have started. but here i sit, beyond excited to finally have MyJourney available for whomever wants to read it.

here’s a sneak peek of what is coming your way:

Front cover design – by me

YES the page count is correct!

Back cover design – by me

i am beyond thankful for everything the Lord has carried me through and allowed me to experience throughout this process. He always had a plan!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

keep’em open

3 people in 2 weeks said i should read this. last time this happened was with Mel Robbins 5 Second Rule. the Lord used the book to make, arguably the biggest decision of my life, to this point. let’s see what You’ve got for me this time Lord!

Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both. Proverbs‬ ‭20:12

Unique Circumstance

humor aside – i’m so glad He doesn’t listen to us.

today in these very unusual times – let’s remember the circumstances in which Jesus conquered life! believe what He says to and about you … and know He wants His best for you!

Thanks for not staying dead, Lord! and proving to us You are unique and in control!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. Romans 6:9

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; John 11:25

someone

someone needs to see this today!

i love when i find reminders in my bible … and most times the re-finding of them is so perfectly timed.

as you reflect on what this season truly means to you, remember His love for you is boundless and is what kept Him bound to the cross!

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

I Love This so so much

i know i’ve written many times about the little things, so this is most likely redundant.

it’s the little things that add up. the more we look for opportunities to do the little things, the more we’ll be prepared to do the even bigger things. PLUS, the feeling you get when God uses you (even to make someone smile) is immeasurable. Joy comes from the inside out!

the meticulous planning on God’s part is tremendous, how wouldn’t we benefit from doing good?

to be ready to do whatever is good, Titus 3:1b

Mini Me

my life’s purpose has been something i’ve searched for relentlessly. i desire to do what the Lord calls me to do, when He calls me to do it. i could note for you a sizable list of mini-purposes; the times He has used me throughout my life as a vessel for Him.

i’ve come to figure out, if i am continuing to love those He daily brings into my life and follow Peace in all areas, He equips me and i am fulfilling His purpose for my life. as i do that, He looks at the bigger picture and is working my ‘main’ purpose through the minis.

Lord, bring the big one!

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; Acts 13:36a

when

sometimes we get stuck. we pray and pray for a certain thing to happen or in some cases for anything to happen … nothing (or so it seems). and so, we press on in our normal, waiting patiently, knowing God is in control.

in these instances when i’m not sure exactly where (or when) He is leading, i pray “when it’s time Lord, point and push, so i know it’s You and not just me getting restless!”

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7