Al strikes again…well, maybe "strikes" is too strong a word

Posted on April 22, 2009 by Fran Hart

This morning as I went about my business I came around a corner and was startled by a visitor. The good news was that this visitor was alive and breathing. In light of the last 3 (yes 3) dead guests, I’m delighted to say that this latest conquest was not conquered. No, he was trying to blend in with the background. He sat still while I ran to get my camera, but disappeared into the laundry room soon after.

Al, oh Al….Look how you nap so innocently. Did this little froggy wear you out? I worried for a minute that Mr. Froggy spit poison at the killer cat because the frog appears unscathed and Al seems whupped.

Surprise # 2 came when I fixed my morning tea and turned around to almost step on the visitor. As you can see, Mr. Froggy was nice enough to clean out dust bunnies from under the washing machine. You gotta love a visitor who jumps in and helps with the housekeeping!

No pun intended.

Loving hubby jumped in and scooped up our guest and dumped her unceremoniously outside into our delightful backyard….for Al to chase again on another day.

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Monday Blueprint Madness

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Fran Hart

I’m amused by the horrors posted on Lovely Listings. I’m finding this to be a pot o’ gold for funny pictures, although not all are blueprint goofs. Fortunately, there are a few I can pick on. Here’s one that made me giggle:

Is this really for people with ultra-long legs? The average joe will be left with their footsies swinging. Orienting this potty back to the wall would make a little more sense….but not much. This is next to the hot water heater, right? Is the water heater really in the shower?

It does look like maybe the toilet has been pulled from its original position and left sitting there for someone else to deal with, but I’m not sure I would have included this photo in my on-line sales pitch.

In case you think the Bible doesn’t have anything to say about bathrooms: “Designate a place … where you can go to relieve yourself.” (Deuteronomy 23:12) This is a good tip in general for homeowners. Bathrooms should be dedicated, not combined with utility rooms or other functional areas. And if your bathroom is a fixer-upper, don’t include photos that reflect the impossible nature of the work to be done!

Peace,

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Café Chat April 18th

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Fran Hart

Today’s topic:

On a scale of 1-10, with a 10 representing the strongest, rate your current prayer life. Why did you rate yourself as you did?
If you are struggling with your prayer life, make a list of possible stumbling blocks to a more intimate prayer life with Jesus.


Make a list of how we can grow closer to Jesus in our prayer life as well.

These days I would say I’m operating in the range of 7.5. This is based on comparison with my own personal best and worst. Most of us can probably look at a time in our lives when our prayer life was in the pits.

After Cursillo I swam in prayer. I woke up every morning and spent about an hour immersed in prayer. These days I stay in close communion with God, but I do wish I was spending more time dedicated to prayer and quiet meditation.

The biggest challenge is making time for dedicated prayer. I’m glad for all of the quick “check-ins” throughout the day but there is nothing like a spa-treatment, right? Fully soaking in the well of living water and emerging fresh and ready to face the world. Just thinking about it makes me wonder how to carve that time back out of my busy days.

A list of how we can grow closer to Jesus in our prayer life:

1) Begin each day with thanks.
2) Consider whose approval I’m seeking at every decision during the day.
3) Imagine that God and Jesus are following my Tweets.
4) Embrace the Spirit within me and allow the Spirit to guide my choices.
5) End each day in prayerful meditation.

I am currently trying to do most of these things. Now that the weather is warmer I should be able to park my sleepy self in the sun room every morning for that spa-like prayer-bath. That would make the biggest difference in my prayer life, no doubt about it. Let item 1 take an hour and the rest of the day flows like buttermilk. Tomorrow is a new day and this week is a week of new beginnings. Check back in next Saturday, I’ll let you know how it’s going.

Peace,

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Hopeless Diamond

Posted on April 17, 2009 by Fran Hart

In another blast from my past…back in the days of LV community theatre.

“The Curse of the Hopeless Diamond” dinner mystery:

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Thirst for Wisdom

Posted on April 17, 2009 by Fran Hart

“Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.” (Proverbs 13:10)

This is so true, isn’t it? When I’m willing to be humble, I’m far more likely to “let things go.” When I’m rising up to confront challenges, to respond to things I don’t agree with, I’m being prideful. I’m saying “My way of thinking is better than your way of thinking and I’m going to prove it. Let the battle begin.”

I am trying to consciously change my way of approaching these situations at work and at home. So far, I’m already seeing that less energy is required to listen to others than to persuade them to my way of thinking.

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Wordless Wednesday

Posted on April 16, 2009 by Fran Hart

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Tips for Better Living

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Fran Hart

Hug your child(ren) today.

I’m not sure if you know Maddie. Madeline Alice Spohr, 11/11/07 – 4/7/09. I’m not sure if it’s fair to call her an internet phenomenon, but her influence has proven to be far and wide. Maddie was born premature and her Mom was (and maybe still is) gearing up for her 2nd walk in the March of Dimes. Maddie’s short life, her precious visage and untimely demise, have affected many. The blessing is that by the nature of her fame, many may benefit. Life is twisted that way.

But know this…she is not the only lost child. My heart goes out to all of the parents that are reaching out in their grief. I pray for the souls of the little ones, who are surely in the arms of angels tonight. I also lift in prayer the souls of ALL of the children who are lost. Not all of the lost souls are laid to rest. Some lost souls walk the earth today in anguish. Causing their parents grief. Leaving their parents to wonder why. To rail and cry out against the unfairness of it all. Even though I’ve never lost a child…in a way, I have.

To the parents of all lost souls, I pray that we may rest assured that our children are in God’s care, subject to His tender mercy.

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Monday Blueprint Madness

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Fran Hart

I’m not sure why someone deemed it necessary to fill these openings with cinder blocks, but I’m reminded of the two ways we block God in or out of our lives.

First, the obvious: all of us, at one time or another, have probably blocked God out of our lives. Especially if we’re doing something (i.e. “enjoying a lifestyle“) that we believe God would reject. If you’ve spent any time at all in the Old Testament, you know that when God is angry, bad things happen.

Because God has given us the freedom to choose Him (the power is in the choosing!) we are also free to ignore Him – to hold our hands over our ears and sing “la la la la la” as if we can outlast His persistent will for us. We can busy ourselves with our lives and not give Him a second thought. We can put cinder block across any mental openings to ensure that His will can be denied. I’ve done this. I know how it goes.

We can also close God “in” by defining Him in such a way that we are comfortable. Yesterday our church was packed to the rafters. I’m hoping that some of the newcomers are not just “Chreasters.” I’m hoping that they felt the Spirit moving in our midst and that they feel called to return to our blessed congregation. That having sipped from the well they recognize that God’s son is the only source of the living water. Interesting that so many people celebrate his birth and his re-birth, but they miss out on celebrating his life. They’ve put God in a box that they visit once or twice a year. They might think about God once in a while, but they don’t recognize the life changing presence (or maybe they fear the impact of embracing the Spirit?).

Have you boxed God in or closed God out? Are you willing to let God fulfill his promise to you? He has told us that if you seek Him, you will find Him. If you knock, the door will be opened. No amount of cinder block can keep Him from you. Invite Him in (or let Him out of confinement) and He will not just open the doors, He will blow down the walls.

Alleluia!!!

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Rumors

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Fran Hart

From the Lago Vista Player’s production of “Rumors” (circa 2002). What a hoot that was! I’m going to use this in my next staff meeting. I think the team will get a kick out of this, eh?

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Happy Easter!

Posted on April 12, 2009 by Fran Hart

As part of this Easter celebration my darling hubby and I finally watched Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.” I also watched Jesus Christ Superstar. Twice. And we watched a Johnson Ferry Baptist Church production of The Easter Story.

D#2, her husband our precious grandson spent the day with us (us being darling hubby, the Youngest and myself).

And of all things, I’m finding myself exploring the idea of V-logging. Yikes.

Easter is a Season of new beginnings. Fresh starts. Life. I’m willing to see where God is leading me.

Blessings!

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