Sister Talk

Well, due to some technical difficulties this post is a day late, but better late than never.  I hope you enjoy and send us your questions.  We want to answer them!

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this is getting really annoying...a note from Jackson

Dear Pet Pal,

So my mom (she's the crazy blonde in the picture) has decided to infringe upon my personal privacy and it's getting annoying.

First, she has the audacity to bring two white, fluffy dogs into my house.  They play with my toys.  They sleep in my bed.  And then, because they are on a strict no human food diet, she won't give me baby carrots for treats.  She says, "It's not fair Jackson.  If they can't have any then you can't have any."

The audacity!  Just thinking about it gets me mad.

If my mom decides to keep one we're going to have problems.  Big problems.

Then, if all that other stuff was bad enough, Miss MK came and stayed all day last Thursday.  Don't know who MK is?  Well I'll tell you who she is.  She is the terror in my nightmares!  She rides me like a pony.  She chases me around the house.  One time she caught me and tried to take me on a walk.  I resisted.

Don't get me wrong.  I love the kid.  Baby.  Toddler.  I'm not quite sure what she is.  I do love her.  But she has taken to giving me hugs and riding me.  She's like a 30 pounder...at two!  I can only imagine what five will be like.  My mom loves her more than the wind and waves (and Mom really loves storms and oceans so that's saying a lot.)

I guess MK's really not that bad and my new friends aren't that bad either.  I guess I'm just a little bit selfish.  I really like attention.  And I miss my mom.  She hasn't been home very much lately.  I know she loves me because she takes me on walks and lets me sleep in her bed.  I just miss her.

Well, Pet Pal, thanks for reading,

Jackson

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Sunday Social--Working for the Weekend

As always, thank you Neely and Ashley for this link up opportunity.  I have definitely been enjoying meeting new blogger friends from the Sunday Social.  

1. What is your dream job? 

Ok.  I might have to get complicated here and maybe even a little crazy.  I absolutely love doing what I do now.  It's the best job calling I could have ever asked God for.  It's perfect for me and I love knowing that I'm impacting lives in a positive way.  But if I could choose a job that is just for me I'd probably want to be...either a psychologist or a politician or a performer (but only I can actually be famous)...Or a stay at home mom...or a professional shopper.  I could make a profession out of that.

2. If you had just won the lottery and didn't need to work for money, what would you do with your time? 

I'd travel the world spending my money on good causes.  You can change a lot of people's lives with money.

3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I've always said that if God hadn't called me to be a preacher that I'd be a politician and if that didn't work out I'd be a psychologist.  If that didn't work out, I'd resign myself to being an interior decorator.

4. What piece of career advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field? 

Depends on the gender.  If you're male, get married.  If you're female, go for your masters and consider getting married.

5. Biggest Pet Peeves either in life or in blogging or at work: 

Seriously I have so many that I don't know if I could list them all.  (More of that here.)  My main problem or pet peeve is actually myself.  I'm passionate about everything.  If I care about something at all then I am all over it all the time.  I guess I'm saying I annoy myself.  I'm fairly certain that my life would be a lot less complicated if I just didn't care so much.  (That sounds egotistical, but I'll trade you minds if you want and then you'll understand.)

6. Biggest Fears: 

Failure, mediocracy, and insignificance.  Those three words are the scariest in the world.

Thank you for reading.  I look forward to meeting you on the blog hop.

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Parenting Series: Nurturing Creativity

The following is an article written by my mother, Linda Dillon.

Linda has been a mom for 29 years to many children.  Some have been her own but she has raised, or helped raise, hundreds of kids into adults.  Linda spends most of her time serving in the local church where her husband pastors, but, like most women, she enjoys a good pair of shoes, a cup of coffee, and shopping.

Creativity is a lost art in children today.  It's almost sickening to realize that we raise our children to be entertained and to absorb rather than to give and to make the world a better place.  Parents are always telling and asking me about things to do with their kids so they can avoid hearing their children complain of boredom.  (Being bored is a post within itself and I'll have to write about that another time.)  But regardless, of this culture standard to entertain and pander to our kids we are only hurting them and the creative experience.  We can use our influence to impact our children's lives and the lives of children around us.  We can nurture the creative mind that each person is born with.  In turn, that nurturing can help change the world.

I was reminded of this fact a few days ago while I was at work.  One of my young friends, Miss G,  began babysitting for my employer.  Miss G grew up as the youngest of three girls and her mom believed in encouraging creativity and active imaginations in her girls.   Miss G was hired to baby sit for my my employers two year old grandson, Baby M.  Baby M has absolutely everything any two year old could want.  He has toys and age appropriate video games and movies.  His grandmother gives him love and respect.  Seriously, there's nothing more a child could want.  But on this day those toys and video games and movies just weren't quite enough for Baby M.

While watching a movie, Baby M began throwing his toys--all his toys--violently across the room.  Miss G did her best to control the toy throwing, but when she just couldn't anymore, she did the next best thing.  She used her imagination.  She gathered all the blankets in the house and began to build a tunnel all over the furniture.  Obviously, this behavior became distracting to Baby M.

"You're crazy.  You are playing with yourself." he said to Miss G.  He's mind, though young, was not geared or open to this game. 

After Miss G finished she had Baby M follow her through the tunnel.  It was great!  Imagine going through a jungle with monkeys chasing close at your tails or hiding from dinosaurs or exploring a deep, dark cave.  

I was taken back to the days when my four children were little and we did the same thing.  We actually built a tent and slept out all night in the den of the house.  We played circus and had music and dancing.  We threw candy to each other.  Greatest of all was when they were really small getting the pots and pans out and playing them as drums.

Maybe we've lost the art of being creative ourselves.  We depend on teachers, magazine articles, and news recaps to tell us, show us, and inform us what to do.  In same cases they even do it for us.  What about putting your "thinking cap" on and coming up with something great to do with your kids this week that doesn't cost a dime?  And I'm not saying put the kids in the backyard and let them play on the trampoline either.  Spend time with them not money on them.

Dust off the brain and go for it.  Your kids will love your creative side and they will learn to be creative themselves.  You. Can. Do. This.

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a Note to You, Woman

Printable 

(source)

To the women of the world

     To the ladies of the present

     To the females of tomorrow

Value who you are.

Remember your past, yes, but remember that it is this: your past.  

Learn from it.  

Grow from it.  

Avoid repeating it.  

       But leave it...Leave it all in your past.

Step up

Step out

Step forward

     For yourself

          For those who are paralyzed

               For those left in the bondage of self doubt

You can do this.

Be bold.

Be strong.

Classy.

Loving.

Compassionate.

       Be more than the women of the past.

Have passion and always act in wisdom

Respond always in faith.

Be more, because you are more.

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{Vegetarian is the Way} and Pinned it Made It Challenge

Yesterday (Monday) marked a full two weeks of my new journey as a vegetarian.  I would have to say that it has been surprisingly easy.  Besides from a little dizziness after a long walk I haven't felt any negative side effects.  Further, I've lost five eight pounds (I weighed again this morning) simply by changing my diet.  That's fairly remarkable if you ask me.

Every once and a while I want something sweet.  I came across this recipe on A Beautiful Mess.  I pinned it to my Give Vegetarian a Try board and baked it up this weekend.  I did make a few alterations namely the addition of a tablespoon of Mexican vanilla.

Pretty delicious if I say so myself...

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Announcing...Sister Talk!

Introducing our very first vlog in a new series Sister Talk.

 Sister Talk is a new series that will be posted most Mondays. If you have a sister you know you argue and fight with them, but you also love and defend passionately their reputation.

We (Dalayna and I) hope you enjoy this video.   It may be a little long, but it's our first one and it's totally worth the time.

Make sure to leave us a comment with topics that you'd like for us to discuss...or argue...or laugh about. We're ready to have a ton of fun. Are you?

Sister Talk Week #1

from Danette Dillon on Vimeo.

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Sunday Social Week 7

The accessories are never accessories.  That's just their name.  They are the outfit.  And we all know the mother of all accessories is the purse.

Today I'm linking up with Ashley and Neely for the Sunday Social.  I owe these ladies a huge thank you.  They do a lot of work to host this link up.  

Stay around a while and find some new friends.  Oh, and don't forget to follow along!

1. What is your favorite handbag you've ever owned?

About five years ago I owed a Coach handbag.  I loved that purse.  It was the first purse that I owned that was "worth money."  It was that purse that changed my view of designer handbags.  Because of that bag I made up my mind to invest in nice quality purses.

I wish I had a picture to share with you...

2. What is your dream handbag you lust over?

Source

At a grand total of $1,700 this Louis Vuitton Retiro PM is anything but cheap.  But I have to say that I love the design.

3. What are the daily essentials in your purse or work bag?

Nude lip gloss, wallet, iPhone, and mascara...I'm a frequent crier.

4. What's in your purse (with pictures)?

Seriously!  I'm going to have to clean my purse out before I take any pictures!

Thanks for reading!  See you next Sunday.

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a trip to the hospital

(source) (source)

One of my favorite things in life is to meet new people and to hear their stories.  Often times, my job leads me to places and events where new people abound.  Instantly I find myself surrounded by new histories and stories rich in character.  And because of my job, I hear stories of heart ache and happiness...the stories that often get left out of your general dinner conversations.  Sometimes as I sit in hospital rooms and living rooms I imagine that I'm actually in a scene from a movie listening to the main character tell the beginning of their life story right before a flashback in the narrative.  I'll never forget the hospital visit to led me to the foot of the bed of a 90 year old woman who was a nurse or something of that sort during World War II.  She lay unconscious as her nurse retold some of her stories.  That was an interesting, if not ironic, occasion.

Yesterday, though,  my job led me to a hospital room where one elderly, faithful member of my congregation sat in bed.    She never complained about her condition and only spoke of God's ability to heal her body.  But as I stood there she began to recount some of the history of our church.  She is one of the few who have been here since the beginning.  Her and her family made an investment in this church and its future and they are still making that investment.

She recounted a conversation that she and her husband had a few weeks ago.

"You remember when Oklahoma had that big lottery a while back?  Well, I asked my husband what he would do with all that money if he won."

I asked, "What'd he say?"

"He said, 'Well, I wouldn't win because I don't believe in gambling, but if I ever had a million dollars I'd first write my tithe check and then I'd ask Pastor Mike what else was needed for the new building and I'd give it to him.'"  She continued, "I asked him if there was any left if I could have a new dress."

To the average reader that may just seem like a retold conversation that happened a few weeks ago between an older couple, but to me it really speaks so loud of the character of this couple.  Conversely, I see the stark differences between my generation and their generation.  It inspires me to long for something that they've got and I need...commitment to the cause of Christ no matter the sacrifice.

If I won a million dollars, yes, I'd my pay my tithe first and my taxes, but then I'd get out of debt and I'd buy a house.  I would do things with the money to make my life and my family's life more comfortable.  I'm sure I'd give money to my church and other charities.  I know I would.  But the bulk of that money would most likely go towards my future and the future of my family.  I suppose that really there's nothing wrong with using the money to make my future and my family's future better, but how is that going to advance God's ultimate purpose in the world?  Ah-hah.  That is what makes it wrong.

I know in my heart that I'm deeply committed to the cause of Christ.  More than I want any single thing, I desperately want to see the lost saved, the believer discipled and the hurting healed.  I want to see God restore His Church to a community of people who have the power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives to see the world radically transformed through His love.  BUT all of that takes a sacrifice.  It takes a sacrifice of time, money, energy.  It takes me sacrificing what I want for what HE wants.

So...I'm probably not going to be able to spend that a million dollars to make my life more comfortable.  In fact, that million dollars is probably going to have to make my life extremely uncomfortable.  I'm probably going to have to use the million dollars to give more to the poor.  I may have to adopt some children.  I may have to be a foster parent.  I may have to sell everything I own and move to Africa.  I may have to invest in the lives of silent trafficked humans of our world.  I may have to.

But it would be worth it.

Sure, my life wouldn't be comfortable.  I'd be doing things and going places that are no where near comfortable, but I'd be happy because there's no better place than the center of God's will.

In Pastor Mike's message from Sunday (that's my pastor) he said, "Pay now so you can play later."  Do the hard work now so you can relax later.  Maybe we could apply this:  Give your life, your all, now so you can receive for an eternity later.

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Pink & Gold Color Inspiration

True, this color combination screams of girliness, princesses, butterflies, & macaroons, but there is also something almost royal of a gold and pastel pink grouping. I especially loved this combination paired with black and gray accents.

I hope you enjoy looking over these pictures and don't forget to stop by the pinterest board for more pink & gold inspiration.

1, 2, 3, 4

5, 6, 7, 8

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Linky Party: Musical Mondays

Music is my job. Literally. I'm always listening to music.

Today I found this song so I though I'd share it. It's actually a worship song from a church called HillSong in Australia.



I've also been listening to a lot of Christmas music, but since it's still July I won't bore you with that. I will leave you with this song that recently has made an appearance in my subconscience.



Enjoy!

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Sunday Social Link Up: Best Vacation Ever

Hello all,

I hope this Sunday is finding you well. Today I have already been to church, experienced the presence of God, and ate lunch while watching some Netflix. Sundays typically are not restful for me, but I'm fine with that. In an couple of hours I'm going to be working with eight teenagers who love God and want to serve Him. Helping train and direct the youth praise and worship team is so fun. I love those kids so much. They are so passionate and most of them a dedicated. Plus, I get the opportunity to pour into their life and build them up.

Thank you to Ashley and Neely for hosting this link up. It's a lot of work for them, but a lot of fun for us. It's so interesting to read everyone's responses.

Thanks for stopping by and here's my answers.

1. Best trip you've ever been on?

This was a toss up for me between a couple of trips. In High School my parents made some serious sacrifices to take my family of so BIG vacations and I'm so happy they did. Those vacations were very fun and relaxing, but they were also a growing time for our family. I loved them.

Last summer, though, I went on a working trip with the before mentioned students to Phoenix. Yes, it was a work trip, but seriously, it felt like a vacation. The sponsors were wonderful. The kids were wonderful. The places we went were wonderful. Because we drove, we took some extra travel days to make the journey more bearable. As we traveled historic Route 66 we grew together. Here's a few pictures from that trip.










































2. Best idea for a girls weekend trip?

I'm going to have to go with...Dallas!

Being from the south there are a few things that us ladies know how to do: big hair and shop. I don't know a better place on earth to perfect those two things than Dallas. I mean, can you think of one?

3. Best idea for a couple's trip?

I'm not a couple (obviously) but I think that San Antonio would be the perfect place to go for a couple's trip. It's like this perfect balance of fun and romance.

4. Best vacation of the cheap?

Ok, I know that this is kinda laughable, and you're going to have to go to a time share meeting but Branson is your best bet.

Sign up for those $99 vacation package and you get up to a five night stay at a nice time share with pools and all kinds of amenities. Sometimes they even give you credits for shows and dinner.

Sure it's Branson, but it's Branson. And the Landing is so nice. You'd like it.

5. Place you'd most want to visit?

I would LOVE to go to Rome. I've always wanted to. I love history and what better place to go than the birth place of modern civilization?

6.  Travel necessities?

This next picture are my travel necessities. Enjoy exploring.

Vacation Travel Necessities by danette-dillon featuring a ruffled swimwear

Clu sheer cardigan / Monsoon button shirt / Quiksilver shirt / Sequin tee, $23 / Zimmermann ruffled swimwear / Hache linen shorts / CP SHADES winter white pants / Glamorous a line mini skirt, $23 / Hermes sandals / ALDO high heel / Valextra luggage / Brown leather shoulder bag / 18k jewelry / Aurélie Bidermann 18k jewelry / MICHAEL Michael Kors michael kors jewelry / Chain jewelry / Tech accessory / Aspinal of London Holy Bible

Have a wonderfully, blessed day!

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Afternoon Concert

I love music.  {I guess I better since that's my job.} I love going to concerts.  And an afternoon concert in the park or on the monument is the perfect reason to--wait for it--GO SHOPPING!

This is what I would choose if money wasn't an option.

Afternoon Concert by danette-dillon featuring flower jewelry

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Think about it, Do it

I'm sharing this commercial because I avidly believe in it's message.  I hope it leads you to think about life and your family and driving safety.

Some driving safety suggestions:
1.  Slow down in construction zones.  There are workers on the road and their life is precious.
2.  Discourage passengers to help. Encourage passengers to have fun but be safe.  I drive with teenagers in my car quite often.  They love to open the door while the vehicle is moving.  Be honest with them and explain why this is dangerous.  Recently, I told one of them why this made me so agitated and they stopped acting a mess.
3.  Buckle up.Yes, it's the law, but it also saves lives.  I know quite a few people who disagree with me, but I've seen the statistics and I've experienced the loss.  It does save lives.
4. Move over for emergency vehicles.  They are either going to a medical emergency or leaving one and if you or your family member was in that vehicle you'd want everyone to move.  Seconds matter.
5.  Pay attention.Do not text and drive.  If you're tired pull over.  The great thing about technology is we all have apps that can take care of texting.  I know that my commute to work takes at least 30 minutes.  I can get a lot of work done in 30 minutes especially correspondance but resist the urge to text and drive.  I just downloaded a new app.  It's called Voice and I can text, email, update Facebook, and tweet all with my voice.
I know that these are all tips that you've read or heard but it only takes one mistake to end a life.  I do pray that God protect your steps and your ways.  Thank you for taking the time to read this post!

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For the Love of Coffee

It was Christmas morning after a long Christmas Eve.  I was about nine but I always thought I was an adult and I always acted more self-important than I actually was.  After all, I am the oldest grandchild on that side of the family.  As I sat at my grandma's kitchen table with my great-grandma sitting next to me I got up the courage to reach over and take that mug.

This was it.  This was the moment I proved my adulthood.  I made the journey and was ready for my task.

As I felt the warm heat from the dark liquid my heart began to race.

If I had only known that my life would be forever changed.

This one addiction would drive me to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

I would drive all the way across town for one smooth drop of that dark, chocolate liquid.

So here, on Christmas morning, I began up the road of addiction, one that I still haven't quite gotten under control.

Coffee--the bane of my existence.  If only you were so good.

Now your turn has come.  Link up with me,  Dalayna from Pointing Up and Elizabeth from Fearless and Frugal.  We're also hosting a giveaway.






a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Summer To Do List

1.  See Moonrise Kingdom pronto




2.  Pay off two credit cards...                   ...because I should have already done it.
3.  Lose twenty pounds while continue my Vegetarian is the Way process.  (You can read more about that here.)
4.  Launch the Blue Jay Boutique online.  The Blue Jay Boutique is my artistic release.  I like to make vintage inspired crafts and restore vintage dishes.  (You can read more about that here.)
5.  Finish redecorating me room.  That means curtains, blinds, artwork, and cleaning out the clutter.  Pictures to follow, I'm sure.
6.  Take several small day trips to places like Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Fort Smith, Arkansas, & Springfield, Missouri.  I love these towns so much.
7.  Spend a significant amount of time investing in this blog and it's community.  I'm enjoying meeting new people.  Right now I'm in the planning stages of a blogger get together in Tulsa.  If you know of any bloggers that might want to be a part email me.
Do you have any small summer goals you'd like to share?

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A New Journey

I've decided to take a journey.  This journey will have to be a day by day commitment for me.  Over the course of the next few weeks, I'm committing to try the vegetarian lifestyle.

I'm not even considering veganism yet and perhaps never.

Here's what I am committing too eating...or not eating.

For the next week I will not eat......chicken
                                                 ......beef
                                                 ......lamb
                                                 ......turkey
                                                 ......crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster)
                                                 ......or any other meat

I will still eat...................................eggs
                    ...................................fish
                    ...................................butter
                    ...................................cheese

I plan on sharing my dietarian eating habits with you, my readers, as a way to hold me accountable.  Also, if you have an recipes I would love for you to send them my way.  (I really like this recipe from one of my sponsors "Happy in Life, Young in Love."  It's a Black Bean Burger.  Yum.)

I really believe this is going to be fun and I would love to hear your journey about eating or any other lifestyle change.

What's a lifestyle change you're working on?

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Sunday Social Link Up

Ok...here we go...

What is your favorite TV show of the past?

In order from least favorite to most favorite...actually there's a tie between all four...

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

The Young Riders

Magnum P.I.

Remington Steele

Is it weird to think that all of the leading male characters are still hot because I totally do.

What is your current favorite TV show?

Downton Abbey

Criminal Minds

The Closer

Which reality show would you NEVER do?

I can't imagine myself ever doing a reality show because they're not real.  I guess if I had to choose one it would be...

Keeping Up with the Kardashians because I'm not one.

Which reality show would you LOVE to do?

Again...none...maybe the Glee Project.

What is the TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?

This is hard for me...

I guess...

Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson

Which TV character would you want to date?

Hands down, Dr. Spencer Reid.

There is no contest!

Well, this is fun.  Thanks for taking time to read of my television addiction on the Sunday Social.  Thank you to the hosts, Ashley and Neely, for working so hard on this link up.  They are so fun!

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I did something crazy last night

I did something kinda crazy on Thursday night.

On Wednesday, I became extremely ill.  Thursday I was somewhat better but still quite sick so I called into work and took the day off.  (Side note...I hate taking entire days off, but I don't mind being late.)  So of Thursday I was shut in my house ALL DAY!  When I couldn't take it anymore I went to Vision (a church service).

I know up to now there hasn't been anything too crazy going on.  I'm getting there.

After service, after not eating most of the day, I decided to go out to eat--and here's the crazy part--by myself.  Normally, dining alone is not a big deal for me.  Just slip the earbuds in and listen to a book, watch a movie, catch up on the Hulu.com queue.  But on Thursday I failed to bring the thus described earbuds which left me with my thoughts.

Have you ever been inside my head?  It's a crazy place up there.  Believe me.  I live it.

So here I am and a booth all by myself with my thoughts and I realize that my thoughts about myself do not line up with the way I present myself in public at all.  And I also realized that I wasn't living a life full of integrity.

I know some of you might be worried about what my thoughts were about on Thursday night.  I'm really not in the mood to devolve all of the intricacies of my mind.  I assure you they weren't "bad" thoughts.  The weren't "sin" thoughts, but they were thoughts that lead to emotions and behaviors that aren't me.

I remember so clearly a sermon that the former president of my college, Wayne Benson, shared.  He said, "It matters what people think about you.  It matters more what you think about yourself.  It matters most what God thinks about you.  When they are all the same, that's integrity."

So the crazy thing I did on Thursday (eating in a busy restaurant at night by myself without earbuds) lead me to this conclusion.  I want the woman I am when I'm alone to be the same as the woman I am when I'm surrounded by people.  That's consistency.  That's integrity.


Right now, I'm not there.  I forget that I am the righteousness of Christ through His blood.  I forget that I am chosen--that I am part of the royal priesthood.  I forget that God is in control.  I forget that God is working all things together for my good.  I forget that God will complete His good work in my life.  I forget that He is for me, that He crafted me in all my weirdness together for His glory.  I forget that He is always with me.  


But...even though I forget...He is all those things for me...and for you.


May I just encourage you with this?  Know who you are in Christ.  Live who you are in your heart.

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Blog Star: Hi, I'm Danette

You want to know a secret?  I've always wanted to be a star.  A real one.  Like on stage or on the screen.  At one time I thought I might actually make it.  As a child my parents enlisted me in acting classes.  (I've always had a flair for the dramatic.)  I was in band and choir and took voice lesson.  I was destined.  That moment, for me, never came.

Until now.

Last night while working at a church firework stand my big moment came.

Tulsa Fox 23 came out to the tent to do a segment on firework shooting safety.  Deep inside my heart, I knew this was my chance...the one opportunity that may only come this one time in my life.  I flew into action directing the scene.  After all, it was late.  Most of the customers of the day had came and gone.  But an empty fireworks tent?  What's interesting about that?  Nothing.  People had to be working.  People had to be buying.  People had to help me shine.

After a brief Rachel-Berry-melt-down/outburst/storm-out, I succeed in arranging the other volunteers allowing myself prime camera exposure.  Unfortunately, my outfit of choice, worn only to swear off the hot blistering heat, turned into an epic failure.  My white shirt blinded into the tent background and even with the flower details I looked like nothing more than a white blob with blonde hair.

The grief--the horror--the sickening madness of my failure!  This was the one chance afforded to me to be, truly be, a star.

Dramatic much?  Maybe so, but it was all sure fun.

If you live in the Tulsa area you should totally come buy fireworks from me tomorrow.  We're at the Jake's tent in the old Reasor's parking lot in Jenks.  (That's not confusing at all.)  And if you come see me, Danette, and say that you read this post, I'll give you something extra special.

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No Sermon Needed

Sometimes we forget that God's Word is God's word.  He inspired it.  It's directly God breathed for our encouragement, teaching, correction, and comfort.  To try and add something to make His Word more clear is kinda...well...arrogant.

In recent weeks I've felt like I've been in a cloud partly because it's insane in my life right now, partly because it's blistering hot outside, and partly because of some emotional grief that I'm working through.  But in spite of the insanity in my life, I'm standing on the promise of these next verses and believing that as I trust God He will make me more than a conqueror.

I hope they encourage you.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that our faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1: 6,7

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.  This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be save--and that by God.

Philippians 1:27,28

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4: 6,7

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15: 4

The Lord detests men of perverse heart but He delights in those whose ways are blameless.

Proverbs 11: 20

But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73: 28

You might also want to check out Psalm 1, Psalm 119, Proverbs 3: 5,6, Psalm 27, Psalm 35 just to share a few.  Ultimately, we have to remember to take into authority every idle thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).  I am a daughter of God through Christ Jesus.  I am a joint heir through Christ Jesus.  I am victorious through Christ Jesus.  I have power through Christ Jesus.

Have a wonderful week finding and declaring who you are in Christ!

All Scriptures taken from the New International Version

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