Basketball is not a new phnomenon.  I just wasn’t introduced to its intricacies until several years ago and had the pleasure of my team not only doing well, but winning (twice!).  I say this as Kyle has the NCAA championship on (Kansas and Davidson is currently in process…Davidson ahead at this moment but its back and forth…good game).  Now, I never got into basketball because I didn’t understand it.  I didn’t know the fouls and intricacies of the game that make it so interesting.  Since being educated on such things (via my fiance who loves the game and played some himself), I have noticed that my enjoyment in the game has multiplied and I also was to learn to play myself.

I don’t think this is uncommon, or for that matter that this observation is unique.  I do believe that taking note of this has helped me with others who feel the same way about things I love (such as football with my brother-in-law, who grew up on soccer).  This can (and does) extend outside of the sports arenas into everyday life.  Where we are faced with conflict how often is it that the conflict arises because one or more of the individuals just does not understand all of the intricacies of the issue?

Just a little food for thought.

I feel the need to write more consistently lately, for one reason or another.  Granted the fact that I am exhausted, about 3 hours past when I normally crash, and have absolutely nothing on my mind right now probably does not help.  One of my friends detests blogs that ramble on in diary form, speaking of nothing but air.  He tries to form his around an article, discovery, once a very specific observation he made that he even included pictures to further his explanation.

To be honest, I prefer the to-the-point blog versus…well…this one.  But where I find myself is in somewhat of a rut; somewhat of a very large rut.  I have lost the time to do what I most enjoy doing and find most relaxing.  I use words to express myself on paper rather than in speech to avoid the trouble that is sure to follow had the other option been taken.  I use times like these to delve into and relish in a theory or idea that I play with in my mind and piece apart as best as I am able.  I use writing as a de-stresser, as a soothing mechanism, as a mediator, as a peace-maker.  I know the harshness that comes from words and I know the pure and living power that lives in words.  When misspoken, lives are changed, either for the better or for the worse (profound statement isn’t is?…what I mean is words have the capability of changing the life of someone, sending them over the moon (“will you marry me” or simply, “I love you.”) versus destroying someone or tearing them down (“I hate you” or “don’t bother, you wouldn’t make a difference anyway.”-lies that have been told to too many).

I think that is why I love writing.  In my head I have thoughts that bounce around so many times, they begin to bump and meld into one another.  When I write it, it is as if I immortalize a piece of my idea, something that sounds, well, pretty cool.  So as I begin to fall back into my routine (hopefully, we’ll see how I do), please bear with me.  I used to have a constant 30 or so that checked in each time a new post came up (that was cool!) whereas after two months I had 10 (imagine that).  I never had over 50…I never even had 50.  Perhaps I will peak an interest, who knows.  I might just have something worth saying

In the mornings I, despite griping about the early morning wake up that is required for work, greatly enjoy driving to work because for the first time ever, I catch the sun rise every morning.  I use this glorious sight as my reminder that I am not in control (very obvious by my rushing and running about in the early morning dash to attempt to get out of the house by 6:40 AM) but rather that God is in control of this universe (thankfully) and he has painted this beautiful masterpiece just for me (or so it seems at that moment).

Also in that same moment I often take a breath and begin by simply saying, “Good morning.” I figure I need to get myself squared away before the day truly begins with the general public and the best way to do that is to have my first conversation be with my Father in heaven.  He and I talk all the way into work.  Sometimes just praise for his beauty, and thanksgiving for everything he has given me, sometimes it is a plea for something I feel I need or desire.

This morning I began with a thankful heart, but it was greater than I normal.  For whatever reason I was overwhelm with how much my God has given me and done for me (and human kind) and then I began talking with him about rational and how I just could not understand it.

What was interesting was that I kind of began ranting, not at God but about different topics such as my desire to learn more about the language and context in which His word was written.  Then how some people see the need to dissect each and every word to the point of taking it out of context beyond what was ever actually said.

Interestingly enough, I took that thought to the Constitution, particularly with regards to the first amendment.  We all know “Freedom of religion.”  Our Founding Fathers came from a country whos government was butting into the business of the church, restricting how they were  worshiping Jesus Christ.  When they came and developed  America, they never said to keep Jesus out of the government, ironically, to keep the government our of worshiping Jesus (a little backwards from how it is today interestingly enough).

By the time I got to work I realized I had ranted about several different items but they were all a reflection of my heart.  I love God and I love the thought of defending him in some manner be it through government action via activism or through writing which I havent had enough down time to even stop and grasp them in a single coherent thought (as one might notice here).  I pray for further direction that I can serve Him more.

“To wait on the Lord is to demonstrate confident expectation. The Hebrew word for wait may also be translated “hope.” To hope in God is to wait for His timing and His action”

Psalm 27:14 reads…

Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

So many times this summer I prayed for guidance and direction. I also prayed for patience (which I greatly lack) that I may have hope and “wait upon the the Lord.” The peace and assurance that I live with today and a result of living in God’s plan and will for me and a result of answered prayers for that guidance and direction. Today I was reading Jude (a nice short read if you only have a minimal amount of time) which then took me Daniel 10.

This is one of Daniel’s final visions and concerns him to the point of fasting and praying. For 21 days there was no answer and then an angel comes to him telling him, ““Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven.”

Now there is more to the story but it was that verse that struck a chord with me today. He told him that from the very day he had begun to pray for understanding and to humble himself before God, his request was heard. Not after 7 days or after he had performed the correct rituals. Not from anything but humbling himself before God and submitting his prayer before the the Almighty.

How awesome is our Father that he loves us so much that as soon as we cry out to him he hears us? Think of a young child who has fallen and begins to cry. From inside the house his daddy hears his cries and runs to see what has happened and what he can do to make it better. Sometimes he can mend the cut with medicine the eases the pain while other times all he can do is hold his beloved child hurting deep inside because the wound needs to heal on its own and there will be some pain involved. That is God. When we cry out he hears us and holds us tight, sometimes he can do something to ease the pain while other times He knows that the pain will bring about strength, healing, and wisdom that we wouldn’t be able to gain without going through that hurt. But all the while, he holds us close, whispering in our soul “I love you this much” and he stretches out his hands as wide as he can and there on both hands are the scars of love that he bore on the cross to save us.

I found that waiting on the Lord provides me with peace and assurance. I still struggle sometimes but ultimately it comes down to listening for God’s guidance and trusting in His ways (which are so much better than my own). When you wait upon the Lord he will renew your strength (Is 40:1). Love Hope and Believe.

I feels like forever since I have written anything but after working my fist full week at my branch (and going in tomorrow as well) I just haven’t found the time yet.  The term of phrase “finding time” reminds me of what my dad often told me when I said that I didn’t have time for something:

Everyone as 24 hours in a day, its a matter of making time for the things that are important

Profound if you truly think about.  Like I said, I spent this week at work, much like the majority of America does (about 52 hours of my 120 in 5 days).  So, hypothetically, that leaves me 68 hours (the majority of my time) to do what needs to be done Even with working overtime.  Ok, not bad.   Now lets say I actually got 8hrs of sleep a night, there goes 40 of my hours and suddenly I’m left with 28 to make something worth while.  That’s just over 5 hours a day that I would use to get ready, eat dinner, and spend time with friends/family, as well as anything I deemed necessary or important (for example, I do devotions in the mornings).

Now I drew out that long hypothetical math equation to make a point.  If I only had 5 hours a day to put toward the things of importance, how important are they?

I know there are people who have to work 50-60 hours a week (I am required to work 49) but if you have children and a family and do not have to work those hours…why are you?  What are you showing is important in your life, showing as your top priority.  In the same manner, if you have time to offer, why not volunteer for something that would benefit others?  Make the time to make a difference.

We make our time worthwhile by what we do with it, not by how much we have because ultimately, we all have 24 hours to work with.  What are you making time for?

hey all,

I’m at training this week (woo-hoo, I’m learning how to actually do my job!) so I am a little distant. I’ll be back next weekend with more to say so until then…check out my friend’s page: oddlabels.com He is a great guy and an awesome friend.

Until I write again, Becca

ok…so if you read my post yesterday I was excited about my new page that I had added called “The More you Know…” as you can see…it’s not there.  So confused I went to look at it on the edit page under manage (as I thought was ok) and it only has the 1st paragraph I wrote.  I had 7 verses multiple pictures and all thats left is a measly paragraph!!!  What is going on?!?

ok…(grumble, grumble) I got a new page up (yea!) but it is still under construction so the format isn’t quite what I want yet but the idea is there.  I have listed some of my favorite verses for you and I did have (until it was erased about 3 times) an explanation for each verse as well.  SOOOO, needless to say, that will be added and the pictures will be adjusted but, nevertheless, IT’S UP!!!