You Can't Stop the Beat

I was thinking that I was tired. But not really tired. Then, it hit me! I was beat. Tired to me means that you are worn out in more ways than just being sleepy. Usually, it seems like it's kind of a bad connotation to it. However, beat implies that it's a good sleepy tired.

Today was a good Sunday. I had church, youth, and then I just hung out with a couple. It was just nice. I felt like everyone was on topic tonight. Everyone was participating...even when times were rough. I was really impressed with some of their answers. It allowed the lessons to go in different directions then what were intended. It was just a nice lesson.

Then, after, I got to hang out with a couple of the older youth. They were just a hoot. I love getting to go to Starbuck's (shout out to Thomas...we went to "his" store). It's just neat to get to have discussions that are more in depth and more about their life. It was neat. We talked about movies, t.v. shows, and most importantl, God. It was just casual conversations. Then, we got goofy and took lots of random pics.

It's just is a wonderful day when you can further those relationships around you. And so, at the end of a long day, I have no problem saying, "I'm beat."

From Hairspray lyrics, "'Cause you can't stop the motion of the ocean or the sun in the sky You can wonder, if you wanna, but I'll never ask why And if you try and hold me down I'm gonna spit in your eye and say That you can't stop the beat!"

At the end of a day, you're eventually going to be tired. It'll be sleepy time. So, I would rather enjoy the day and be beat. After all, sometimes, you just can't stop the beat.

Nonsense and Tomfoolery

Encourage one another and build each other up.
-1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

I know that picture to the left is completely contradictory to the above scripture...but it makes a great point!

Sometimes in life it is so much easier to see the lemons, the glass half empty, and/or see the rain clouds.

It amazes me how each day people can wake up and see the big rain clouds. Instead, of seeing that the rain waters the plantation, gives animals something to drink, but more so cleanses (unless it's acid rain, but that's a whole another story).

Why is there so much unhappiness? I look around and I see God's beauty everywhere. There's lemonade stands, glasses half full and rainbows. I know all so cliche's but so true. When in our life, someone asks us to do something, maybe we should be more like the Kappa Phi club, and our response be, "I'd love to!"

A lot of times, we are just talk. We aren't actively seeking to be something more. Instead, we like to tear people down. We make excuses and we fuss. As Christians, we are called to try and encourage. If someone is having a tough time, then we try to focus on the positive. Yet, we don't always.

I'm just agitated that people are agitated about working. Yes, there is a limit. There is a time that no is the answer. I struggle with that, but I get it. However, there are some things that are pretty clear. So, why is that we complain about a job that we are paid to do? I'm not sure.

I like that picture and the saying. Because sometimes, that would be so much easier is to cut out the blister. Those unhappy people would be better off complaining elsewhere.

However, as Christians, that's not what we are called to do. It's tough. But, we are to encourage and try to empower one another. Anne Lamott states, "You do what you can. Then you get out of the way, because you're not the one who does the work."

This was such a powerful statement to me. We have to be willing to allow others to step up and lead. You hope for the best. But, if you're leading, then sometimes, we have to get out of the way. We talk about sabbath, yet, we don't do it. This plays into all of that. We don't encourage others around us to help with the different jobs by showing appreciation. Then, the "unhappy" people will either, 1. stay and be continually unhappy or 2. leave and not have learned anything from that experience.

It's important to know that everyone is a community. This means that we are to be uplifting as much as we can to those around us to build them up. So, wherever you are, encourage one another and take time for yourself.

*I know kind of loopy. It's late. But those are my rants at 2:00 in the morning.

Groovin' All Week

The last couple of days has been really kind of happy days. It made me laugh and think about Happy Days the t.v. show. Do you remember that theme?


It's a fun little song. How wonderful it would be if like the song, every day was a happy day. Sometimes, skies are grey, we frown and we're down, sometimes, we get a paper cut. However, even in those moments we should have happy times. I know when skies are grey - I appreciate them because I know soon it might rain! And how great it is to play in the rain! When we frown...it's so sad. But when we are sad, usually, we learn from those moments of struggle. Now, a paper cut. Sometimes, they are so bad, we get a band-aid!! How exciting is that?!? Band-aids are so wonderful because I'm stuck on band-aids and band-aids stick on me!

Pretty much the world is out there waiting for us to go and enjoy the wonders of God's creation! For me...it's time to take a deep breath and allow God's beautiful world fill my lungs.

Remember each day is a day of joy! It should be a day filled with happiness!

This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

Psalm 118:24

Asking too Much

I'm always afraid that sometimes, I might be dominating conversations. I would hate to do that. That is the last thing I would ever want to do. There's a comic bit by Brian Regan. It's about a guy who has approached those that like to talk about themselves.




Those moments that people just go on and on about themselves is tough sometimes. There are times that I listen. For the longest time of my life, that's what I did...I listened. However, now, there are times that I would like to be listen to. People perceive me to be a listener and that is what I'm going to do and I will.

However, sometimes, I like to be able to just be able to talk without someone trying to take the conversation by force. There's a few people like that in my life. For the most part, I'm learning how to cope with it. I've learned that with them I just have to listen. There really isn't a chance of getting to have a conversation with them. It will probably always be a monologue about themselves. Which, I suppose is great, unless you've walked on the moon.

I actually might just be asking too much.

Get Over It

God is amazing. I think of today and just how it has been a pogo stick of emotions. There's been ups and there's been downs. But it seems as though my downs, immediately, like a pogo stick seems to bounce right back up there. But really, it's just because God is all powerful.

Today, here's a few things that went askew. The T-shirts were just plain cray cray. People either did not order the right amount of sizes, kept track, and/or were not happy about the design. Also, people were not happy about the price - because that meant the college students at our church and new members were getting a free shirt at their expense.

Really, I think what gets me all riled up sometimes is conflict.

I'm not a big fan of conflict. I try to avoid it if I can. Also, I prefer to just focus on the positive things of life.

Today, though, I taught a Sunday school class. It was filled with people who are triple my age. It was a neat experience. Today, though their scripture they asked me to teach was James 4:1-12. It was an incredible reminder for me. Also, our pastor preached on Joseph and his brothers and the conflict within them.

There are times in life that we hold on to things that are not worth it. We dwell on those trivial things such as - my friend didn't text me back the forward, someone cut me off, my roommate used the last roll of toliet paper; the last one is important though because that means you have a dirty tush.

Why is it that allow ourselves to be consumed with those things? I know I'm guilty of it. There's time I allow myself to get fussy about things that don't matter. I realize it, so I don't try fixing it with others because they are silly. But, I still allow it to be like a worm in an apple. I allow the worm to keep gnawing at my insides. Which in turn finally rots the apple; which, would be our hearts. James 4:8 says "Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world."

I love that. It makes me realize that I have to put aside my asinine conflicts. I need to allow God to work in my life. I, also, need to work to become closer to God.

A good way to draw closer to God is to focus on the injustices of the world. Not the Bobby got a bookmark and I didn't kind of things but the things that truly matter in this world. There is so much hurt and it's because of people. Those people that interfere and those who don't.

There are people who interfere and make things worst. I don't mean to be self-righteous sounding, not that I know all the solutions. But I've seen people and the "work" they do. Sometimes, it causes more hurt than does it fix it.

But there are so many people in our world that God has blessed with gifts. They have so many skills that go unuse. Because like most, they run. They do not step up to the plate. The sit back and try to mask their abilities. Or sometimes, they say, not I.

I'm not going to lie. I belong to both. We all do. We all, well, hopefully, all want a better place for everyone. So, if you are holding on to conflicts or doubts, they are both are our worst enemy. As our senior pastor said in their benediction today "so, go, and get over it."