The Gift of Thank You

July 23, 2008 | quotes

God has given us the gift of 86,400 seconds today. How many of those have we used to say “Thank you”? –Unknown

Needles in the face

July 22, 2008 | daily ramblings, fitness/health

How do they do it? How do women allow (pay for) dermatologists to put needles in their face to have seamless expressions and make wrinkles disappear?

Yesterday I went to the dermatologist because I found three small spots on my face. Two on the side of my nose, and one right on top of my lip. I thought they would go away, but they didn’t, so off to the doctor I went.

“You’re right, Suzie. I think these are suspicious,” he said.

Then he brought out a needle. (more…)

A teen’s faith walk

July 18, 2008 | faith, family

One vehicle for my passion is ministry to teens and parents of teens. This is a recent post that I shared with Hearts at Home readers (an Intl. ministry to moms).

Your Teen’s Faith Walk

I love how little children view God.

Shelby, age 7, says, “God gets sad if you tell a lie, or if you hurt someone, or if you sneeze on someone on purpose.”

Sara, age 6, says “God is in love with your heart. He made people with hearts and he also made trees. But people are harder to make than trees.”

It’s a simple view of faith, and I wish it remained that way. But having worked with teens, I see many youth arrive at the teen years with mixed messages, confused precepts, and often a hunger to know God in more than a hanging-out-in-a-pew kind of way.

What are teens saying about God?

Amanda, age 18, says, “I am constantly being stretched to love God more passionately, to pursue Him more wholeheartedly, and to minister to those around me.”

Gemma, age 13, says, “My parents could impact my faith if they would believe it themselves.”

Janelle, age 15 says, “I need to figure out some things on my own, including where I stand with God and making God my own instead of my parents’ God.” (more…)

Stay true to yourself

July 17, 2008 | family, ministry life

I had a great time at the leadership conference yesterday. The audience was amazing and receptive. The women who put this together worked hard and it showed in every detail.

At lunch I listened to a keynote. She was engaging, funny, and a good speaker. But I struggled with her message.

She shared life lessons from her journey to a top CEO. Some of them were:

*If you want to be a leader, you can’t make every ballgame, class party, or event for your child. It’s not fair, but it’s life. Get over it.

*If you want to be a leader, dress for success – no heels (if you wear heels, make them “man heels”), less makeup, no long hair (high school hair), dress professional*Business is business — don’t take it personal

 

As I listened, I thought if that is leadership, then I don’t want it. (more…)

Pursuing Your Passion

July 15, 2008 | ministry life, quotes

Tomorrow I will speak at a Leadership Conference and I’m pumped! The topic is Pursuing Your Passion: Doing What You Love w/o Thought to Money, Fame, or Kudos!

Passion is a watered-down word that is used to describe everything from realationships to Godiva chocolate to our career choices. It’s a great word, but what does it really mean?

I’m passionate about writing.

Really? That’s awesome. What if I asked you to write a 100,000 word book on the joy of calculus? Is it still true? (more…)

a quote that made me think. . .

July 14, 2008 | quotes

“God had given me a gift of discernment, so I can usually spot a fake a mile away. I hate it when I look in the mirror and find one.” Pastor Rudy Rasmus, author of Touch: Pressing Against the Wounds of a Broken World