Women of Faith - Philadelphia

Blessings were raining down on us at the Women of Faith conference in Philadelphia. This is my second year attending with my Mom. We had a wonderful time. Sheila Walsh is AMAZING. In 30 minutes we were laughing, crying and singing for joy. I need to write her a letter because she just touched my soul.

I also got to see Angie Smith. I have been following her blog for a while about her daughter Audrey, who was taken home to be with Jesus only 2 hours after being born and the touching story of her choice to carry this beautiful child. It is weird. I felt like, "There is my friend. I know her. I read her blog!"

And, Lisa Harper. Oh my gosh. I thought I was going to wet myself laughing.

All I can say is the messages were heartfelt and a blessing. Ya'll need to attend one. Really.

God bless you. Lisa

You Are There by l.m. amorosi

Heavenly Father

No matter where we go...

You are there.

In the depths of indecision, confusion, uncertainty...

You are there.

When we are lost...

You are there.

When we are lonely...

You are there.

When we reach out...

You are there.

Your forgiveness is always there.

Your arms of love are always there.

You always have been and always will be

THERE.

Thank you Father for being THERE when a Father is just what I needed most.

Love,

Your Daughter

1 Corinthians 13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nQy-aP_Koo

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I am boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where are are prophecies, they will cease; where are are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.

America ~ Freedom of Convictions?

I watched a movie yesterday about cyberbulling. It was on a family channel and it was about teenagers cyberbulling teenagers on a social network site. It got me to thinking that it doesn't end in teenage-hood. A very popular Social Networking site that I thoroughly enjoy has become a place where I have been dropped by friends because I don't agree with their political convictions. I am not allowed to be a Republican/Conservative. I am not allowed to have an opinion against the liberal media or politics. If I want to keep their friendships then I must toe the line and agree with every word they say. I thought the whole idea about America was freedom of thought, expression and speech. I have the right to not agree with the liberal media. I have the right to be a conservative Republican. I have the right to question authority. Isn't that what the 1960's was all about? Question authority? Am I remembering it all wrong?

I loved spending time with those friends. We all loved the same band from the 1970s, we followed them to fan gatherings, heck, I crossed an ocean 3 times for this band ... LOL. While I treasure those memories I realize that friendship was one sided in most of these relationships. I thought they were my friends unconditionally; they thought I could be their friend as long as I agreed with everything they said.

Maybe growing up means growing apart. Maybe realizing what true friendship is can overcome the dismissal of so called friends. Maybe moving on really means moving up.

Celebrate a Death?

Today our country was told that the evil mastermind of 9/11 was killed by Navy Seals. On on the one hand I am elated almost sinisterly grinning that this evil man is dead. But is it enough? Is it enough to turn around 9-1/2 years of pointing fingers, accusations, left vs. right, good vs. bad, us vs. them? Is it enough? What I've learned about myself over these past 9-1/2 years is that I profoundly love my God, my Family and my Country. I want only what is the very best for all of them. If I am wishing death on someone I am not giving God my all. If I am causing an argument over politics I am not giving my country my all. And if I create anxiety in my life, that is not giving my family my all. All I can do at this moment is pray that the death of this evil man is a beginning to heal our Country and our World. All I can do is live this moment and try my best to make better choices. God, we are in this together, right?

Yes, I Will!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBN_axD6VeY

Just Imagine ...

Just imagine if there had been an obituary for Jesus. Just imagine being his family and watching what he endured for us. Just imagine your life without the gift of Good Friday. Just imagine and when you do remember to just say, "Thank you, Jesus!"