Day #13: Favorite Quote(s)

Favorite quotes!
First one...

"I'd rather be a hammer than a nail."

Paul Simon

Meaning  it is better to be an active force than to let others (or something) drive you.

I heard this on a Christian radio show many years ago, and it has stuck with me.




Honestly, I didn't even know who Paul Simon was.
So just before posting this, I did some research and found out
it was Simon of Simon and Garfunkel and this quote is actually a song lyric!

Who knew?!

"What is an ambassador's responsibility?

Not to change the people to whom he is sent, but to represent the King whom he serves."

Lydia Prince


I was deeply moved reading about Lydia's early life in the book Appointment In Jerusalem,
where this quote comes from.

It is a great reminder for us as Christians,
that we aren't out to change people, because we can't,
rather we simply need represent God and the truths of His kingdom
through our lives, words and actions.

~~~~
I'm linking up at Anchored in Love Divine
for the Blog Everyday in February Challenge!

You're Going to Be Okay...{Coffee for Your Heart}

“No matter what happens, you’re going to be okay because..."

 

 Okay is a relative term.

 It could mean different things to different people.

Okay in America, means you will keep your nice house, your cars,

and be able to afford eating out once in a while.

Okay in a third world country

means you will have a hut roof over your head,

water for your needs and enough food to eat one ample meal a day.

Okay is a relative term.

When I think "it is going to be okay",

it might mean I can't make that car payment and my vehicle gets repossessed.

But God is on His throne.

I might have to turn down the heat to 58 degrees and wear Eskimo layers because I can't afford the bill.

BUT God is on His throne.

It might mean I eat mostly beans and rice,

But GOD is on His throne.
It might mean I live in a country that persecutes me for my faith,
But God IS on His throne. 

Okay to me means, God is still God, He is still there, no matter what happens on this earth.

And no matter what happens, which side of okay I end up on, He will always be there.

He gives me the grace for each day,

and even if worst comes to worst, God is still God, 

and I will get to see Him on that throne. 

 

Everything is going to be okay because God is on His throne.

~~~~
Linking up Wednesdays with Holley Gerth and many other wonderful ladies, with Coffee For Your Heart.

Day #11: A Traveling Story

 Want to know a secret?

I hate flying.

Okay, maybe hate is too strong a word, but I certainly don't like it.

However I've kept it no secret on this blog that I want to travel.

Hmmm....
Does anyone else see a problem here?

Yeah, see, in just a few seconds you made the connection
that flying fears and world wanderings don't exactly co-habitat very well.

Believe it or not,
it wasn't until this past December that I was able to connect the dots.

My brother and I had the chance to go visit some of our family
in Minnesota just before the holidays.
And while I was really looking forward to the trip- I was dreading flying.

I would much rather make the 24 hour drive than fly it!

Seriously,
I was almost making myself sick with anxiety.

Now,
it isn't the act of flying so much that I dislike,
it is security and whole rigmarole of maneuvering the airport,
gates, times, tickets, luggage, that gets my stomach in a knot.

When I was younger, I used to fly on many occasions
in a small 4-seater airplane with my uncle.
Back in those days I had lots of problems with my ears hurting,
and that was the reason behind my fear of flying
Since then, my ears don't pain me like they used to,
but I don't fly in a small 4-seater any more either.

 So, the nigh before our departure to Minnesota
I was in the throes of anxiety, when it suddenly struck me...
"This just won't do. 
Someday, I want to travel to other parts of the world.
I certainly can't walk there!
In order to get where I want, I have to overcome this fear!"

This gave me just the transfusion of steal I needed in my veins
to march tall and unshaken through the airport.


Never mind that in the midst of my confident stride down the loading ramp,
 I left before the stewardess could give me my ticket.
Never mind that my brother had to grab my ticket along with his own and jog after me
so I could even get on the plane.
Never mind that this scene played out in the view of a dashing fellow traveler,
who in fact, I was trying to put on my best "I got this" act for.
Yeah.
That doesn't matter.

What matters is that I made a giant step towards overcoming my flying fears.
Even if that means my brother jogging after me, I still feel it was great progress.

Cold? Who's cold! I'm Epic Man!

What's orange and white and cold all over?Me!

 In the end, we were both able to enjoy freezing our bums off
in the beautiful winter wonderland of our home state!

Yes.
I'm wearing blaze orange and boots that about four sizes too big.
Don't judge me.
Hey, you would too in below zero temps!
And besides, I had been weakened by living in Texas for five years.

Let's hope next time, I'll remember to wait for my own ticket
before sauntering away!

~~~~
I'm linking up at Anchored in Love Divine
for the Blog Everyday in February Challenge!

Hairspray and Terrorists!

Have you ever wondered what my voice sounds like?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but your aren't going to find out today.

Because the voice you get to hear in this latest ShootIt video

is my best 'news anchor' voice, and frankly, I don't think it sounds a thing like me...*coughs*

Anyway,

if you are having a case of the Mondays, watch this video!

I just love the skit in this episode, I laughed so hard.

AND...the cute guy who does the Fun Fact sequence?

That is my amazing photographer brother responsible for all my Refashion Runway pics!

By the way,

just thought you might be interested in knowing that,

according to these tests, White Rain hair spray was the most flammable while Aussie was the least. 

This made me happy, since I love Aussie products!

 

Thanks for watching, tune in later this week for more goings on at Gladness of Heart!

From the Bogus News Network, signing off, this is Blair Loudly. ;)

Day #8: Moving Music

Ahh...music.

That word is...well...music to my ears.

It sends exultant flutters and warm ribbons of deep contentment through my being!

 As with most areas in my life, I have very eclectic taste when it comes to music.
I listen from anything to Christian Worship, Big Band, Classic, Instrumental and Opera
to Christian Pop, Oldies Hits, Flamenco, World/Folk music, and some Techno.
A lot depends on the song and the musicians.

Music is very powerful,
and that being the case, I believe we need to be very careful what music we listen to.
Music goes far beyond sound and words, effecting us to the very center of how we think and feel.
You can completely change your mood, perspective on life, and feelings with a song.

Even within the genres which I like to listen to,
there are songs, but more especially artists, that I won't listen to because
of the spirit behind their music.

When I was young my dad taught me the importance of this lesson.
He would play a song for me, then ask me what the spirit was behind that song.
If you listen intently, not to the words, but to the song- was is the predominant feeling you get?
Is it worship? Serenity? Joy?
Or it is anger? Rebellion? Sorrow?

There is a message in music that is deeper than words and notes,
it is what the song makes you feel, where it wants to take you.
Be careful what you feed yourself with.
Always analyze whether what you are 'hearing' is truthful and healthy.

Sure, I listen to some secular music just for fun,
and I like listening to some Christian rap-ish music every now and again.
But it is just like junk food, you shouldn't make a consistent diet of empty, hallow, self-focused music.
All in moderation.


"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. 
"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
 1 Corinthians 10:23


Anyways.

Getting down from my little soap box,

I'll share just a few of my favorite musical selections with you.
By clicking the links, you will taken to YouTube where you can listen to these amazing songs.



Instrumental and Vocal

Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi

Summer Rain by Hayley Westenra



Worship and Uplifting 
 
Strong God by Meredith Andrews 
(her entire Worth it All Album is mind blowing!)

Safe by Phil Wickham

Here Goes by Bebo Norman



 Christian Contemporary

He Said by Group1Crew

Something in Your Eyes by Shonlock

 All For You by Ty Tribbett
This one will get your groove on!
I love this one when you need some energy!



Crooning Oldies

Beyond the Sea by Robbie Williams 
(or Frank Sinatra or Kevin Spacey)

If you like that song, you will love any of these...I love this genre of music!
Especially Michael Buble.

A Kiss to Build a Dream On
The Way You Look Tonight
 Almost Like Being In Love
La Vie En Rose


Other

New Soul by Yael Naim

 Say by John Mayer


Enjoy!
If you still didn't get your music fix,
you can search through some of my older posts titled Monday Melodies,
where I used to share some of my favorite selections.

~~~~
I'm linking up at Anchored in Love Divine
for the Blog Everyday in February Challenge!

Day #7: Encouragement!

 Encouragement.

That comes in many different forms,

but for me personally, I have found that the right words (and a hug) can make all the difference.

So today I'll keep it simple and share with you a few of my favorite

encouraging words brought you by Pinterest.

You can view my entire board of encouraging and thought provoking words here.

 

 

 

 

 

 Oh, and that hug I mentioned?

Here it is.

You're welcome.

Even better, watch this video about the Free Hug Campaign,

it made me smile SO big!!

 Seriously, watch this heart warming video!

And finally....

 

Go forth into your day with vorfreude!

~~~~
I'm linking up at Anchored in Love Divine
for the Blog Everyday in February Challenge!