I was writing at Starbucks for the day. The internet wasn't free, so I decided not to go online---I thought I would probably get more work done that way. I planned to write blog posts; but I soon found that neither my flash drive nor my laptop contained the drafts I intended to finish. My drafts are backed up in email, but I didn't think it was worth the time or effort to log on. So, instead, I organized some story files, then decided to go through the blog drafts I did have.

I opened the first file in a series of three that I had jotted down, but never developed---a "Goal Quest" series. I didn't feel particularly qualified to guide others on their goal quests today, but I opened it anyway.

I was facing a short paragraph that confronted me with an unexpected challenge:

"Get away by yourself to a quiet place, and take a good look at your life. What is your purpose? What do you want to accomplish? Write down everything that comes to mind, and study the list. What is important to you? What do you want to do?"

I had written the words weeks ago, but I never expected myself to be the audience. Shocked, I took in my surroundings. Cool and sunny, peaceful if not silent. Quiet. I had nothing else to work on, so I started writing down the answers to my questions. I finished with this:

~~I want to live independently and freely

~~I want to drive my own transportation; go where I want whenever I want

~~I want to write and create freely in a peaceful, relaxing environment

~~I want to live the most I can live, without limitations of worry, health, or fear

~~I want to be free to be myself

I saved the document, looked out the window for a minute, and wondered---How? I felt the vague notion that I needed action steps for my goals. I thought perhaps taking action steps would prepare me for the time when the goals become reality. So I opened a new note and began typing the first goal that came to mind:

Goal: Buy/Lease a mini SUV

Action steps: Practice driving

I stopped there. It felt aimless. Preparing is good, but how do I achieve what I'm preparing for? Feeling a sense of the ludicrousness of the situation, I opened up the second document in my Goal Quest series. Maybe I had some pointers for myself, I thought.

The first thing on the page was James 1:6-7:

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord."

A beautiful tune began playing in Starbucks then--I could only half-hear it. I caught the words, "Got in her car..."

I looked out window again, watching all the mini SUVs fly past. Two young women, one pushing a stroller, appeared to my right, walking along the sidewalk in front of me. I thought of the future, of having a family. Facing all these goals I had just written, the goals I wanted so much, I reflected that my lack of faith is what's crippling me. I can't see how to achieve what I desire most. I feel like I'll be stuck here forever. I panicked at the helplessness.

I turned to the Lord on a cry of my heart: "How??"

My eyes fell on the young woman who was now at my left. She was pulling her sweatshirt jacket over her shoulders, and suddenly I saw the words printed across the back in big, bold letters:

DO WORK

"Oh, God," I whispered as tears stung into my eyes. "Oh, God." I've been hearing the word "work" for months, in answer to my pleas. I know the work I need to do, and I've been trying to do it. But I still feel frozen by fear and doubt...doubt that it will accomplish anything. Doubt that I can accomplish anything.

I let the feeling soak in--the feeling of hearing God speak. And then my ears caught a few more words from the quiet song in the background:

"You'll never be alone, no matter what. You're going to be okay."

I cried all the more. It's the answer to all my prayers. The key I need to unlock the future I desire so much. I will work, and God will make magic out of it. Somehow, for the first time, the realization sank in. I believed it.

The future is now.

I left Starbucks, and walked back into my busy life with a new, soul-stirring sense of peace and security. God will make it work.

Pop picked me up, and as he turned the ignition, the car radio came to life in the middle of an advertisement for the new "Chronicles of Narnia" movie, which debuts this weekend. I heard Liam Neeson's rich voice--as the character of Aslan the Lion, who represents Christ--ask:

"Are you prepared for the wonder that awaits you?"

Yes, Lord. Yes.

Subscribe to my blog

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

Days, weeks and months passed.

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
"Today is a gift, that is why it is called

Breakfast Pizza. Yummy! I want some now.

Chore Bowl. Best idea ever. I'm getting my son and HUSBAND in on this one! Daughter is too young. Laugh.

Artful Concrete flooring OMG I love this!

Chalkboard Cloths and Placemats. Cute idea!

Linen Pear Sachet Tutorial

How to make a Cathedral Quilt

25 ways to simplify your life with kids.

100 Best DIY sites on the web.

20 Energy and Brain Foods.

Photography and The Law

Recycling Electronics for Free by Mail.

Add Speech Bubbles to Photos at PicBite.

Beautifully Healthy Skin

It was the standard run of the mill immediately before the featured presentation; “fasten your seat belts, turn off your cell phones”, etc. Of course, in the theater business, no time should be wasted without product placement, so even this short predictable intro was sponsored. And the product, you guessed it from the enclosed image, was Coca-Cola.

The Coke was performing acrobatics on the screen; it was taking a ride in a roller coaster. It was spilling, bubbling, and enticing everything in its path. My fellow movie goers were already licking their buttery fingers and loosening their belts, completely oblivious to the excitement (although the subconscious, no doubt, was being methodically programmed). I was unimpressed (I don't even drink soft drinks), but I was paying attention.

The background music completely captivated me. The instruments used in the jingle were quite contemporary; electric guitar, keyboard pads, drums, the works, but the composition, the way in which the instrumentation was woven, ah, it was a classical masterpiece, a work of art.

The first thought that came to my mind was “whoever wrote this must have studied Counterpoint”. The proportions, the pacing, the polyphony of this aural experience could not be explained in any other way. And then, sadly, I realized that I was probably the only person in the theater to even notice this beautiful composition.

My thoughts drifted as I was trying to imagine who the composer might be. Perhaps an intern who graduated from a conservatory several years ago, dreaming of professional film scoring, still struggling to break into the industry, slaving away at copying other (less talented) people’s music. Perhaps happy to have the opportunity to write something that will be heard by millions of people.

Perhaps an old pro who has done many similar jobs in the past, needing this one to pay for the mortgage, or braces for a child, bored with writing for subjects he/she did not care about, after giving up hope for an epic blockbuster, or an independent high quality drama.

Nameless, faceless, invisible. Wherever you are, whoever you are, I recognize your talent and I tip my hat to you.

I recall this experience as I consider the role of music in our society and the societies that have gone before us. I was raised with a great respect for the arts. In my understanding music was always linked with spirituality and with the sacred, even if it was written for “secular” purposes. I’m not sure I am ready to let go of this ideal, but the more I learn the craft of music business and music composition, the more I fear that my infatuation with music is in danger.

Perhaps making music is like making love. When you do it for money it ceases to be love and becomes something else…

In 2004, a fresh face with a sweet but powerful voice and a story to tell the world won the Pantene Pro-Voice concert with this heartfelt song, "Miss Invisible". As a plump child growing up of mixed heritage, Maria Digby struggled for acceptance almost all her life. This song was her plea for more acceptance and less judgment in the world today. It's a song that is very dear to her, she says, because it's not just a song; it's her story about life in junior high school (secondary school) just trying so hard to accept herself and to be accepted. I sincerely hope this song will be a source of comfort for some of you the way it has been for me :). Because deep inside, at the end of a long and tiring day, perhaps, all we really need is to know that we're not alone and that someone truly understands.

"Miss Invisible" lyrics:

Verse 1:

There's a girl
Who sits under the bleachers
Just another day eating alone
And though she smiles
There is something she's hiding
And she can't find a way to relate
She just goes unnoticed
As the crowd passes by
And she'll pretend to be busy
When inside she just wants to cry
She'll say...

Chorus:

Take a little look at the life of Miss Always Invisible
Look a little closer, I really really want you to put yourself in her shoes
Take another look at the face of Miss Always Invisible
Look a little harder and maybe then you will see why she waits for the day
When you'll ask her her name

Verse 2:

In the beginning, in the first weeks of class
She did everything to try and fit in
But the others they couldnt seem to get past all the things that mismatched on the surface
And she would close her eyes when they laughed and she fell down the stairs
And the more that they joked
And the more that they screamed
She retreated to where she is now
And she'll sing...

And one day just the same as the last
Just the days spent in counting the time
Came a boy who sat under the bleachers just a little bit further behind...

He would then turn on sweet, soft music that would stir emotions locked deep inside. He would sit by my side as I offer to share my perfectly made and displayed breakfast with him. We would talk of our dreams and of what a wonderful day it would be. He would proceed to tell me that he had already prepared the cats breakfast (we feed them a special breakfast every morning) and that once I was done and ready to go, that he had a special day planned.

Then, as soon as I would be ready, we would leave in a flash with the windows down on a peaceful, sunny day. The wind would whip through my hair as the radio played my favorite song. Immediately upon the song's end, the DJ would come on and say that this song was dedicated to *me* by *my* beloved husband of 5 years who was going to give me the best day ever because he loves me so.

Bradley would then look over at me with the childlike smile he often carries as his eyes would twinkle in the reflection of light. I would feel consumed by a warm tingly feeling in the inner most parts of me and a deep appreciation for my soulmate.

Our first stop of the day, would be a shopping complex, where every store was unique like a downtown square. Bradley, knowing how much I love to just look at different things, would say that I could have whatever I wanted that day. This pleasing offer would make me giddy like an excited infant, ready to tackle everything before me.

I would find 2 or 3 treasurable items to remind me of this day, though, the day would not be over. Bradley would then take me for lunch, to a quaint little itallian restraunt, hidden to the world, where it feels like the guest is the center of attention. Everything would be perfect... the lighting, the music, the feel, the service and the food.

After lunch, we would proceed to a beachfront in the heat of the day, where the breeze from the ocean would be much appreciated. As we would walk, barefoot through white sands, we would run periodically through the waves that would collide against the shore.

Down the way a bit, would be a man selling bread to feed to the seaguls... so, we would purchase a loaf to see who could throw it the highest and who could get a bird to eat out of their hand. A boy would stand off to the side, holding a kite he was given by his father. Facinated by the intreague of the boy, we would sit and admire.

Then, as it came time for the sun to set, we would walk to a rocky hill.  Climbing up the hill, we would spot the perfect place to watch the sunset. Together we would sit, cuddled and warm while the feeling of stillness and freedom would sweep across our hearts. The magnificient colors portrayed in the sky would be breath taking.

Once the sun would be completely set, we would then go to a very high place (driving of course). There we would walk to a secluded spot in an open field and lay side by side. Looking up at the vast array of stars amidst the blackness of the universe, we would talk about random, out of the ordinary things. The feeling of how incredible everything was and how small we are would run through our thoughts as the impact of posibility toward the lack of gravity, would amaze us, as to how we could stay on the earth and not just float off into space.

After awhile, Bradley would lean over and share a poem that he wrote about me, about us, which would bring me to tears as it would bind our hearts even closer, which we never imagined was possible. Once the day would be done, we would go home and our closeness would be a memory that could not be beat by any poem, movie or dream allowed. This would be my perfect day.

So, I have a thing about blankets. I have a collection of them. I love them. I love to make them, and I love old vintage ones that someone else's hands made. I love to cuddle underneath them, and curl up with them, and look at them, and pet them fondly. There's little that's better than a nice blanket, in my book.

So when The Husband returned from an excursion to his grandmother's home to move some things, he walked in holding a vintage blue and white floral quilt and asked if I wanted it. Of course I said yes. I'm so happy to have something beautiful of hers in my home.

I've also been a manic garage saler in the last couple of weeks. You know how it is, with all the researching and trying to get there early to find the good stuff that goes into serious garage saling. It's more work than I usually put in to it. I have come home with a few cool things, including that polaroid spectra, some fabric, a vintage fan to join one that we've owned for a few years, and some doilies that I have some ideas for. What I've really been looking for, though, is vintage quilts. I took last Friday off, for various reasons, and went out hunting, thinking since it was Friday, I might have better luck finding those things that usually get snatched up immediately. Well, one that I went to started on THURSDAY, and he'd sold the quilt he'd advertised, of course. Man, the working folk don't get many chances to score the cool early stuff.

I went to visit my mom on mothers day, and she and my grandmother and I took a bit of mamma-daughter time together at a really cool antique store in my hometown. I bet my mom never thought I'd be the one suggesting we go antiquing together. I remember going in there with her when I was little and being so bored. But now? Oh my, I wanted to just sit down, put down roots and live in that place. So many vintage jars and mixing bowls and red wing crocks and glassware. Yum. Have I ever told you I have a soft spot for jars? That's probably a whole other story though. It drives The Husband insane.

Anyway, a couple of beauties came home with me. My grandmother purchased the lightweight yellow X pattern quilt as a housewarming gift for us. There are a couple of blocks that need small pieces of fabric replaced, and probably a binding to help with a torn edge, which I plan to do by hand as carefully and mindfully as possible with some fabric from my stash that hopefully will blend well with the beautiful vintage fabrics already in the quilt. I'm a little hesitant to add a binding, only because I hate to add something major that the original maker didn't include, but if I don't, the edge that is torn will just get worse. How do you all feel about mending/adjusting vintage quilts like that?

I'm usually not partial to loud quilts, and this one is a little busy, but oh my, the vintage fabrics in it are just delicious. I wish I could show you all of the lovely bits, but that would end up being a ridiculous wall of pictures. This lovely thing totally reminded me of Erin when I picked it up, who happens to be making this pattern right now, and I kind of feel even more connected to her now that I have a vintage version of this quilt. Hey, girl, how's that X quilt going, anyhow?

The graphic red and white quilt is just. so. cool. A bit smaller, lightweight, and in such great condition, I think it's going to be an addition to our growing collection of cuddle-on-the-couch blankets. In fact, I hung out with it on the porch last night. Perfect for spring snuggling. It's all hand stitched and hand quilted, and I can just feel the creativity and love in every one of those minute stitches. The pattern of it is so contemporary, it reminds me of watermelon seeds, or Memorial Union terrace chairs. It just makes sense in our home, in every way.

So, now I think my search for vintage quilts is at an end, for now, at least.

         You see a need somewhere; and maybe you have an idea, a product, or maybe a service that you could utilize, to help change things for the better.  Can YOU make a difference ?  You bet you can!!!  Your inner voice is trying to motivate you.  If you only knew HOW, to make an IMPACT on things, to make a difference; things would be different.  Maybe, you could motivate other people to take action as well. 

         All you have to do is, get noticed by enough people; and, things could change.  I have the answer you have been searching for, whether it is for your business, personal goals, or maybe, it is a humanitarian intervention that is calling out to you. 

          What you need is the book, The Impact Factor: How to Get Noticed, Motivate Millions, and Make a Difference In A Noisy World!  Go to this free site and register for free information on how to help you, help yourself and those around you.  It costs you nothing!!!   Register here:  http://theimpactfactor.net/?id=35 

          Ken McArthur is a successful business man, an entrenpreneur, an author, a business mentor; and, an all around NICE GUY with lots of integrity.  Ken recognizes the power of IMPACT on both a business and a personal level.  Ken is committed to communicating the power of Impacting the world in a positive way.  See here: http://theimpactfactor.net/?id=35

           You see, we all leave a legacy of Impact in our everyday choices, in our areas of expertise; just by living our lives.  Why not harness the power of impact to be as effective as we can be by making a choice to positively Impact the world ?  Our areas of impact could be education, the environment, business, humanitarian aid, adoption, poverty, diseases/illnesses, finance,health, fashion, entertainment, spiritual enlightenment, crime, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, sports, elder care....the list goes on and on.  You know your heart and your skills; how do you want to change the world ?  What is your passion ?  Do it...what are you waiting for ?  http://theimpactfactor.net/?id=35

          Go to Ken's free website and pick up lots of videos and audio recordings that will help you make an Impact in many areas of your life, and the lives of those around you.  Then, do yourself a favor and purchase his book.  You won't regret it.  This book could change your life; who knows, it may change the world if you put the message of the book behind everything that you do!  Check it out here:  http://theimpactfactor.net/?id=35

I realized that Life is in the Contrasts. We can't ever appreciate the sunshine unless the rain falls down sometimes.

So I pray that God in his infinite wisdom will help me to remember that Life is in the Contrasts when  the rain falls down.

Oh and why not give the rather difficult font game a shot? I only scored 14 out of 34 though. Boo.

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.550962&w=425&h=350&fv=] video source posted with vodpod

If you have questions, please contact me either by phone or email:

  delanae@family-tales.com

425-698-3488 (mobile) or 425-605-7716 (home)

Edit : Edit
Comments : No Comments »
Tags : Creative Memories, digital scrapbooking, Family, fun, Heritage Makers, photos, scrapbooking, Slideshow, Template Books, vacation
Categories : Blogroll

So I've decided to come up with a new fitness program, one that's far more enduring... I call it "faith fitness". 

Faith fitness is the process whereby you work to increase your capacity to believe. 

Much like how with physical fitness, you don't suddenly wake up slim, beautiful, and healthy (at least I don't).  Rather, there's a regime of exercises you have to follow, and a diet as well. 

The same is true with faith fitness.  You can't simply expect yourself to suddenly "have faith".  Faith is as much a journey as it is a destination.

Over the next few series of posts, I'll be outlining my program for faith fitness.

What's more, the program is free (and therefore backed by my 100% money back guarantee).  And I guarantee results that will last beyond a lifetime.

I hope you'll join me in the program.  Stay tuned...

Rusty

Usually, I can control myself from reaching that point but today I lost control and sunk into that miserable feeling of the world crashing down on me. It all started after I took my finance exam today, I could only miss 2.5 points on the exam to get an A, and I know I already missed 3 points and the professor said she wouldn't curve the test. I left, and all I could think about was that test, my score, my final grade. I got overwhelmed and could not calm myself down. I was trying to let it go and wait till I see my final score, and I was doing okay until my sister called.

She asked me about it, and I didn't really want to talk about it. I tried to explain to her the situation and in typical big sister fashion she just tried to feed me sympathetic lies of it will all be okay, don't let it get to you, and whatever happens..happens. I could not get her to understand me, and all of a sudden I could feel the flow of tears rush through me, and at first it was just a few tears, but then I caved and cried so much I couldn't even breathe.

I know, I know, I should not let a test make me so miserable, but can you try to put yourself in my shoes. If you were half a point away from an A, wouldn't you want to cry your heart out knowing that you ended up with a B because your professor wouldn't curve by half a point? I blame myself for not doing better, I blame myself for not being smarter, and I blame myself for not trying harder. I blame only myself for the situation I am in, but can you just try to understand me.

I feel like no one understands me but me. I try to explain myself to people and they only see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear. Do you know how frustrating it is to have a soul that needs to be freed but everyone is holding on to my chains. I feel contained in this life, this world, this body. I feel like I am suffocating and I am just so frustrated with myself the most.

So after I hung up with my sister, my mom called me not even five minutes later, I assumed my sister had called her saying I was crying like crazy ,but it turned out it was just a mother's instinct and fate that she called when she did. I told her about it, and being my mom she told me that "an A would be nice because that is what you desire, but your life is not over if you get a B. There are some people who would love to get a B so don't cry, don't be sad, happiness is for you always."

I love my mom, but those were not the words I wanted/needed to hear. I don't really know what I needed someone to say. It is just that no one ever seems to say the right thing to make me wake up out of my funk. I guess sometimes we just have to let it sink in, cry if need be, and then hopefully be strong enough to move past it.

That last part is the hardest part to achieve. You see being able to move past something would be for me to let go of the fear, acknowledge what happened, and then formulate my next step. But I always get stuck on letting go of the fear. That fear inside of me is my personal demon. It is the shadow following my steps and I am unable to escape it. I have not learned how to control it to the point of letting it go. So many times in my life I have stopped short because I think about all the "what ifs" and "maybes" that come with that choice or decision.

God, I am such a coward. I have this life and I am refusing to live it because of things I cannot control. If I died today I would be leaving so much behind because I haven't even taken those steps in the direction of my dreams. I hate myself for that, I despise this weakness inside of me that makes me question myself so much. I hate this debilitating feeling of not being able to just be, just breathe, just live. I get stuck inside of the tangle of my mind and lose sight of the door out.

I keep asking myself what do I really want in this life. How can I stop going around in circles and just find my direction? How can I stop being the same sad rag doll of a human and learn to embrace the person that I am and accept what I am not. How can I learn that my dreams don't have to be limited by fear or reality, but that I deserve to dream a grand and beautiful dream. That I deserve to be happy.

Sometimes I think that I end up like this because I don't have enough self-worth. That I don't have enough faith in myself, in my dreams, in my existence. I feel lost because I haven't found my purpose, my reason for living. I feel confined by society and what I think it wants from me. When it comes down to it I just don't know; and not knowing makes me feel out of control, Feeling out of control makes me fearful, and feeling fearful makes me stop.

I don't want to stop anymore, I want to keep going forward. I want to shake away all the cobwebs in my head and my heart and just run free, be free, and live free. I want/need to have my happiness in this world. I don't want grandness but peace. I don't want to be envious but content and satisfied. I want to wake up in the morning and know that what I do matters. That my existence matters my words matter, my heart matters. that I matter.

Sometimes I question that...if I matter. Some might say how can I say such a thing, but it is true. I wonder if I disappeared today what would I leave behind. I wonder if I left today who would search for me. I know it is silly thinking but I just wonder how much do I affect the people around me. I know that I matter but I guess I question how much. You see, sometimes I feel I give more of me away to people that they give to me. I feel like they matter more to me than I matter to them. I know it will never be equal but can't it be closer.

I have this heart lying inside of me aching for someone to hear it beating. I guess maybe I want to be acknowledged the way I acknowledge others. I want to be thought about, remembered...I want to be a good memory to people. When, I think like this I feel selfish for wanting so much...but my soul is hungry for this feeling of being loved, needed, and wanted the way I love, need, and want others.

Words can not even fully describe this deepness inside of me. This well of feelings, thoughts, and emotions. I don't want to feel like I am incomplete or inadequate. I want to feel complete and happy as I am and who I am becoming. I want to wake up and know in this world there is one person that knows who I am, acknowledges the layers in me, and sees me for who I truly am and not as I appear to be. I want to stop feeling alone among the crowd. I want to know that tomorrow when I open my eyes someone will be there watching over me, needing me, understanding me, and God, loving me.

I often wonder if I turned out this weird because of how I grew up, Do I seek the love that I lacked from someone who was supposed to love me aka my father. I often wonder if my story starts and ends with the fact that maybe I am still that little girl waiting to be pulled into the warmth and out of the darkness.

I just don't know....I pray that even in the midst of this fog around me that the light continues to shine upon me giving hope that the clouds will clear and I will bask in the warmth of the sun as I stare up as the vastness of the sky.

If there was a song to describe me it would be Linkin Park's

"Somewhere I Belong"

(When this began)
I had nothing to say
And I get lost in the nothingness inside of me
(I was confused)
And I let it all out to find
That I’m not the only person with these things in mind
(Inside of me)
But all the vacancy the words revealed
Is the only real thing that I’ve got left to feel
(Nothing to lose)
Just stuck/ hollow and alone
And the fault is my own, and the fault is my own

[Chorus]
I wanna heal, I wanna feel what I thought was never real
I wanna let go of the pain I’ve held so long
(Erase all the pain till it’s gone)
I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I’m close to something real
I wanna find something I’ve wanted all along
Somewhere I belong

And I’ve got nothing to say
I can’t believe I didn’t fall right down on my face
(I was confused)
Looking everywhere only to find
That it’s not the way I had imagined it all in my mind
(So what am I)
What do I have but negativity
’Cause I can’t justify the way, everyone is looking at me
(Nothing to lose)
Nothing to gain/ hollow and alone
And the fault is my own, and the fault is my own

[Repeat Chorus]

I will never know myself until I do this on my own
And I will never feel anything else, until my wounds are healed
I will never be anything till I break away from me
I will break away, I'll find myself today

[Repeat Chorus]

I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I’m somewhere I belong
I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I’m somewhere I belong
Somewhere I belong

I hope in this world all the lost souls out there find their way, because I really don't want the sadness of knowing there are so many like me...

Night Treasury, originally uploaded by antigenre.

I heard an old Marillion song the other day that I heard many, many times when I was living in Malta about 15 years ago. The song, That Time of the Night, will forever be associated with the first few weeks I spent there. It was February, and I was living alone in a huge apartment with excessively high ceilings, almost monastic furnishings and a barely functioning pay phone. It was rather chilly (the limestone building had no insulation) and very lonely. Things got better, though, once I made some friends and it got warm enough to go to the beaches.

I made this treasury with that song and that time in mind. Click here to see it before it expires Saturday morning!

(c) 2001, 2005 Doug Britton (Permission granted to print for personal use)

Introduction: What you do matters.

This study is adapted from Self-Concept: Understanding Who You are in Christ.

You have a purpose-to touch the world for Christ.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Notice two points in this verse:

• God created you. You are not an accident.
• God has a plan for you.

1. You are created to know God.

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3).

I am the bread of life (John 6:35).

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Romans 10:9-10).

Would you like to learn more about knowing God? If so, click here for a Bible study on "salvation" (or being "born again").

2. You are created for God's glory.

Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made (Isaiah 43:6-7).

3. You are created to praise God.

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O lord; they will bring glory to your name (Psalm 86:9).

I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever (Psalm 86:12).

4. You are created to grow the fruit of the Spirit.

The type of person you become is more important than your successes and failures in the world.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

5. You are created to spread the Gospel.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples (Psalm 96:3).<-p>

Make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted (Isaiah 12:4).

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20).

6. You are created to use the talents God gave you.

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully (Romans 12:4-8).

7. Do not minimize your role.

All Christians collectively form the body of Christ. The body is formed of many different parts (Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). All are important. It does not matter what part of the body you are.

On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it (1 Corinthians 12:22-24).

Overcome jealousy or bitterness.

Don't be upset if you do not have a place of prominence, for, as you read in the above verse, God gives special honor to people with "less honorable" roles.

Do not downplay the value of what you do.

Don't compare yourself to others or give up if someone seems to do a better job than you. Of course there are others who have more talent! If all the evangelists or witnesses or teachers in the world decided to stop trying because someone else did a better job, where would we be?

What counts is that you be faithful.

God gave you talents and abilities. He expects you to develop them. Study Matthew 25:14-30.

Personal application

Have you felt purposeless in life? ___ Yes ___ No

How will you use the above information to live a more purposeful life?

Sara Tucholsky, a 5′2 outfielder for Western Oregon, is at bat with 2 runners in scoring position. She hits the ball out of the park for her first career home run. The two runners ahead of her both cross home plate and turn around to wait for Sara to cross the plate….but no Sara. They look back at first base and see her laying in the dirt by the bag.

In all of her excitement and enthusiasm, she failed to touch first base and when she realized what had happened she went to turn back and her knee gave out. Torn ACL.

In college softball, if a teammate touches or assists in any way the runner is ruled out. If they put in a substitute runner, the home run would be taken away and ruled a double. Western Oregon coach, Pam Knox, was about to send in a substitute runner for Sara and get her off the field when all of a sudden a voice posed the question to the umpire and coaches, ”Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?” That voice was from Mallory Holtman, a senior from the opposing team with most home runs in her school’s team history.

The umpire confirmed that the home run would count and with that being said, Holtman and her teammate approached Sara and asked if they could pick her up and carry her around the bases. Sara was in disbelief that players from the opposing team would help carry her around the bases to record her first home run. Holtman simply told her “you hit the ball over the fence, you deserve it.”

Western Oregon went on to win the game 4-2. Sara Tucholsky’s season and softball career ended that day with the injury but what she witnessed that day was much more valuable lesson that will stay with her for the rest of her life. Mallory Holtman displayed integrity and character and reminded all of us what it means to do the right thing.

Click here to read more about this remarkable story on Espn.com

Despite the name, HateThePlayer is here to show the love too. Here's your feel good, inspirational message for the day:

"Live with courage."

Easy to say, hard to do. Here's where that came from, and some recommended listening:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90100464

Lepas dari topik dan agumentasi yang dibicarakan (mungkin aku gak sanggup juga memahami isi dialog di sana) ada beberapa poin yang menarik perhatianku. Saat Kwik Kian Gie memaparkan hasil kalkulasinya bahwa dengan eksplorasi cadangan minyak mentah dalam bumi Indonesia, yang digunakan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan dalam negeri, maka seharusnya dengan harga jual yang sama seperti saat ini, Indonesia masih mengantongi “keuntungan” dan tidak akan membuat defisit APBN kita. Tapi sekali lagi bukan topik itu yang menarik perhatianku, tapi ternyata bahwa kalkulasi itu kemudian dijadikan dasar “menyerang” statement SBY yang intinya “jika harga BBM tidak dinaikkan, maka subsidi kepada BBM akan membuat APBN kita jebol”

Melihat ekspresi dan mendengarkan intonasi bicara Kwik menyikapi statement SBY itu, betapa tokoh nasional sekaliber Kwik sangat mengkhawatirkan tentang penyesatan informasi dari orang sekaliber SBY. Siapa yang harus di kawatirkan? Sebodoh itukah bangsa ini?

Yang kedua, statement bj Habibie tentang berhenti berpolemik. Dikatakan dalam statement itu, siapapun DPR, Eksekutif, agar duduk bersama untuk berpikir dan mencari solusi dengan satu hal yang harus di garis bawahi. Berhenti berpolemik!!

Berhenti berpolemik dalam bangsa ini, dalam kultur bangsa yang dikatakan sebagai bangsa yang ramah. Betapa sulitnya menjalaninya. Jangankan dalam tingkat pemegang kekuasaan (dan masih memegang). Dalam situasi yang berbeda dalam tingkat yang paling dasar pada masyarakat marginal yang mereka – tentunya bukan siapa – siapa - jangankan untuk berhenti berpolemik, kedewasaan untuk bersedia duduk bersama saja sangat sulit. Entahlah, tapi sepertinya bersedia mendengar dan melihat dengan hati akan jauh lebih mudah untuk melaksanakannya.

Hal ketiga yang menarik perhatianku adalah. Tidak terbayang bagaimana Metro TV akhirnya berhasil mengumpulkan seorang Amien Rais, BJ Habibie, Yusuf Kala, Kwik dan Hendro dalam satu ruang dialog seperti itu… Great Job 

Namun pertanyaan juga muncul saat menyadari bahwa dialog itu ternyata dijadikan 2 episode dalam rentang waktu seminggu… mmmm… kejar setoran iklan ya? Tapi apakah tidak terlalu lama tenggat waktu penayangannya? Seminggu dalam bangsa ini dapat terjadi suatu reverse issue yang luar biasa. Takutnya topik yang di bicarakan sudah basi deh 

Hal terakhir adalah saat menyadari pembicaraan mereka menyangkut suatu topik yang sangat rumit, melibatkan parameter, indikator, dan instrument yang tidak main – main jika harus berbicara tentang BBM… hmmm… siapa yang tertarik dan paham konteks dalam dialog tersebut ya? Petani? Buruh? Pegawai bank? Pramuniaga Supermarket? Sopir Bus Kota? Entah kenapa hal sederhana ini menjadi sangat komplikated bagiku saat ini ya?

If you're not able to pop over to London's magnificent British Library, visit their extraordinary website here. Using your mouse, you can "turn the pages" of the personal notebooks of Mozart, William Blake, Leonardo DaVinci, and more (complete with audio explanations, selections read aloud, musical snippets, sketches, etc.) A selection of sacred texts from a variety of faiths includes The Lindisfarne Gospels, Sultan Baybars' Qur'an, the 15th-century Lisbon Bible (Jewish), and more.

And, in a stunning bit of synchronicity (See the post from yesterday, 5/13), you can peruse Lewis Carroll's original "Alice," penned and illustrated by Carroll himself; also, some early Jane Austen in her own hand.

There are some technical requirements (I'm on a MAC, and all I know is that when I tried it, it worked!) If you don't have the necessary bells and whistles, there's an "accessible" option that presents the static pages, though I must admit, the real thrill was "turning the pages" of priceless manuscripts (and not having to worry about leaving smudges or stains!).

Thanks to Dara at www.diyscholar.wordpress.com for the tip. Her Do-It-Yourself Scholar blog features the best free courses and lectures the Internet has to offer.

Warning: If this is your kind of thing, don't expect to whip through the website in a hurry! And, alas, the Internet is not very good (yet) at recreating the olfactory experience that brings so many bibliophiles to our knees. Ahhh, paper! Ahhh, ink!

1. Cashmere Cowl, 2. very easy pincushion, 3. cashmere cowl number 2, 4. Class Schedules at Purl and Purl Patchwork, 5. liberty of london swatch portraits, 6. treeline striped cardigan, 7. stalks and blossoms scarf, 8. calla coasters, 9. Elisa's Nest Tote

Don't you just love Purl Bee? And Purl Soho, too. I've been there once and it's a really small shop but packed to the top with fabulous goodies.

A few shots from a recent trip to Amsterdam. In other news I am slowly putting up new work to my website so please check out any sections that have *new by them.

Project Implicit

Project Implicit provides a short online test that provides the opportunity to assess your conscious and unconscious preferences for over 90 different topics ranging from "pets to political issues, ethnic groups to sports teams, and entertainers to styles of music." By taking this test, you'll be assisting psychological research on thoughts and feelings.

The individual sessions take 10-15 minutes. At the end of the session, you will get some information about the study and a summary of your results. Interesting and informative!

About the project

Project Implicit blends basic research and educational outreach in a virtual laboratory at which visitors can examine their own hidden biases. Project Implicit is the product of research by three scientists whose work produced a new approach to understanding of attitudes, biases, and stereotypes.

The Project Implicit site (implicit.harvard.edu) has been functioning as a hands-on science museum exhibit, allowing web visitors to experience the manner in which human minds display the effects of stereotypic and prejudicial associations acquired from their socio-cultural environment.

Take me to Project Implicit!

Here's the scoop on the test behind the project:

It is well known that people don't always 'speak their minds', and it is suspected that people don't always 'know their minds'. Understanding such divergences is important to scientific psychology.

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) shows us that we learn to quickly link or associate sets of ideas in our brains. We might tend to associate the words "sunny" with "good" and "overcast" with "bad". Besides linking the words, we are linking the concepts and feelings that go with those words and we act on those feelings. The IAT is a way to see how closely our brains have linked certain concepts. The strength of the links is hard wired in our brains.

Note that the IAT has not gone without controversy (see Wall Street Journal; Science News Article).

Your turn

So, now that your interest is piqued...

How can we incorporate what we know abotu implicit assumptions into our learning and development practices?  Let's discuss ways to uncover hidden biases and optimize the training experience!

More information:

1. Dr. Anthony Greenwald/IAT Materials
2. http://faculty.washington.edu/agg/IATmaterials/PDFs/R&W.JEPG(2004).pdf