So I was digging through some old clothes today and found out just how much of a pack rat I truly am. They say the first step to healing is admitting you have a problem. Ok, so I just did! I AM A PACK RAT!!! I found some shirts that I've had for years, I mean, YEARS!! They are sorority shirts from college, and for some reason, I decided to turn a couple of them from long sleeved shirts to short sleeved ones because I'm cool like that. And when I'm talking old shirts, I'm talking about shirts that have 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994 on them. Yes, you can laugh because I did, but I also felt a flood of memories come back when I saw those shirts. For the hayride shirt that has "Not Just Another Fish Dance" on the back, I remember that leaving many of us scratching our heads, saying, "What?" It also brought back to mind who my dates were to these hayrides, and makes me wonder what happened to some of those guys. Then there are the Spring Sing shirts...1992 was my very first Spring Sing show to be in, and we were the Spring Sing Natives. The title of our show was, "In Business to Get a Head". Who can forget the crazy make up we wore, and how hard it was to get it off?? In 1992, we were the Egyptians, that show was entitled, "Take a Walk on the Nile Side". The make up was much easier to get on and off this year. :-) I've posted a couple of pics from those shows which I am in so good luck finding me. ;-) Oh those were such good times and good memories for me. College life was one of the best times in my life, and I was actually blessed to go at two different times which allowed me to connect and be friends with SO many people. I have made friends for life from college, it also helped me move away from home, and not be afraid to explore new areas outside of Illinois. And although I've not mentioned it, I still have all my shirts from the second time I went to school from the years 1996-1998. They're not quite so old!! ;-) One of those shirts is very special to me because my date to his function has since passed away, and I think about him every time I see it. I really don't remember much about "school", but the social life was fantastic. haha! I'm just a sentimental person who likes to hold onto things that mean something to me, so the middle name is Pack Rat, don't judge me!! ;-) Have a great day!!! God Bless!
I absolutely love the changing seasons. I know some people dread this time of year as they know Ole' Man Winter is soon to follow, but for me?? I love it. I grew up in Southern Illinois, and it was great having four seasons. We always got some pretty decent snows up there, too, hence my love for the white stuff. I lived in Florida 10 years ago, and that was a HUGE thing I missed. They don't have seasons there, there were never any changing colors of leaves on palm trees, and snow?? HA! Yeah, right! If it got in the 50's in Florida, it was FREEZING to those folks. :-) Oh, don't get me wrong, I loved living in Florida because of the ocean, Disney World was nearby, and I LOVED the daily afternoon thunderstorms, but man...did I ever miss those changing seasons. I would hear of people talking about driving to Tennessee to see the Fall Foilage. I thought, how sad that these people have to drive for hours to see this stuff when it was in my backyard year after year growing up. When I moved to Tennessee in 2002, I remember being SO excited when I saw the leaves changing color and falling to the ground. I never realized how much I missed it until I was able to see it again, I just always took it for granted growing up in Illinois. Today in Tennessee, the weather is a-changin'!! I loved looking out the window as the wind was blowing and the leaves were falling. It's just another reminder of the awesome Creator who is over all of this. Pay attention to the falling leaves, and be thankful for the seasons (even if you hate winter). God pours His blessings out all around us, just open your eyes, take a look, and thank Him!! :-) God bless and stay warm!!
I love instrumental music, but I also LOVE good acapella singing where you can hear 4 part harmony. When it's done right, it just sends chills down my spine because it's like butta!!! That's why we have so much fun in 1WORD because we like to mess around with crazy sounding harmonies, and when they are tight?? Oh it just don't no betta!! :-) I've always enjoyed the group Acapella, and have several favorite songs by them. As I'm pet sitting this week, I have a view so incredibly beautiful that you just have to see in person because pictures don't do it justice. I put the song "Glory and Honor" on YouTube today. As it was playing, I just sat looking at this tremendous view that the Lord has blessed me with. I LOVE seeing God in creation, He is everywhere if we will just open our eyes and look!! I worked for the Acapella Company in 2004, and I'm probably a little biased to this album that this song is on, Heaven and Earth, because I was one of the Production Assistants. It was pretty cool getting to work with an album that had yet been released, and I got a sneak peak. :-) "Glory and Honor" has always been one of my favorite songs from this album, and I want to share it with you today. I cannot wait to do everything that this song talks about, when I'm there with Him in glory, gathering around the glassy sea with the angel chorus!! Please close your eyes and take a listen to this song. Truly focus on the words and put yourself in Heaven with the Savior. Oh how I cannot wait to get to that perfect place where there will no more sorrow or pain!! Have a blessed day, and remember to thank God for giving you another day of life!!
This past week, a dear, sweet lady who I've only known a short time was laid to rest. Her name is Ann Clifton, but known to many of us as Miss Ann. She was a spunky lady who LOVED pink, and always looked beautiful. I thought she was pretty special because her birthday is the day before mine. Alot of good folks were born in June, just sayin'!! ;-) She was born on June 25, 1922. I'll never forget, this past June on a Sunday morning in church, (actually on my birthday, the 26th) we sang Happy Birthday to Miss Ann. She turned 89 this year, and she was in the height of her glory when the whole church sang to her. She loved every minute of it, and so did the whole church! Suffering from dementia, she always had a smile that was just so sweet. She lifted my spirits so many times, and I can still see that smile right now. Miss Ann passed away last week, she has fought her fight, and now she is HOME! During her service this past Tuesday, pictures were shown of her through her life while the song "I Will Rise" was playing in the background by Chris Tomlin. I sang that song with 1WORD at a funeral recently, and let me tell you, it was tough. Every time I hear that song, it just brings tears to my eyes because isn't it going to be awesome to rise, and have no more sorrow, no more pain, and hear the voice of many angels sing, worthy is the lamb...as I really listened to the words at Miss Ann's service, I couldn't help but see her rising to a new life. One where she will never suffer with dementia or ANYTHING anymore. Miss Ann has run her race, and she is now risen!! I will no longer listen to this song without seeing and thinking of Miss Ann. She sat behind me every Sunday while I sang on the praise team. There will be an empty chair there from now on, but it gives me great joy knowing she's home, and that we will see her again!! I leave you now with the video of Chris Tomlin's song!! May we ALL rise when He calls our name!!
Do you ever pray prayers where God answers you so clearly? It's like He hands you the "Here's your sign!" sign. Sometimes I wish He would answer me more clearly on things, but yesterday, He definitely answered me with the "Here's your sign!" sign!! There is conference going on next month that I want to attend in another state. I really wanted to go, but just didn't want to make the trip alone, and honestly? I didn't even know if I would be free the weekend when it's going on. Well, it just so happens, I emailed a friend on Facebook yesterday about a job. Not a job for me, but a friend's son. One thing led to another, and he asked me to give him a call yesterday afternoon...so I did. Those of you who know me know I really dislike talking on the phone, and I haven't talked to this friend in several years, but I did call him. We had an extremely uplifting spiritual conversation, and before I knew it, we'd talked for an hour. Funny how talking about God makes time just seem like a few minutes. :-) We were just about to get off the phone and he says, by the way, I'm attending this conference next month, would you want to go with me? It just so happens to be THE conference I was wanting to go to. I about fell out of my chair because I've been writing in my prayer journal that if the Lord wants me to be at this conference, please make a way!! Not only has He provided a way, but I get to go with a dear friend that I've not seen in several years!! So, I told my friend YES, and I would register for it online as soon as we got off the phone. So, as I'm registering, I wondered what the cost may be. One of these conferences went on last weekend in Lubbock, TX, and I saw it cost $50. I was thinking, oh man, that's a bit out of my budget, but I was gonna make it work because I just feel I need to be there, and that God wants me there. So I continue registering, and I read the words...."This conference is FREE!!!" Again, my mouth hits the floor because are you kidding me?? FREE? I had all of these "signs" given to me that say, "Julie, GO!!!!" I LOVE when God is so clear on things, and you know you're working for Him when He guides your steps where He wants you to go. I could not stop smiling the rest of the day when all of this happened because how could I ever doubt God's existence when he answered my prayer so clearly? This all worked out because of God. He knew I needed to talk to my friend, Tim, yesterday. He just worked every detail out perfectly!! I hope you get to experience a "Here's your sign!" prayer because there's nothing that gives you a greater high than knowing you got a direct answer from the Lord, our God!!! God Bless!
Sometimes I'm just overwhelmed at some of the messages I receive. I never realize who is reading my Facebook page until out of the blue I get an email like the one I'm going to post below. It does my heart good to know that I'm touching lives through Facebook, and maybe even people who don't tell me. I've recently been praying for God to use me to just touch peoples lives and encourage them. All I want to be is a "light" for Him, and wouldn't you know...just a few days after I started praying this prayer, I received this email. If you know me, you know how much of a softy I am, so of course, I started crying. Not a sad cry, but just a cry of how faithful our God is to answer our prayers. I think some people view my life as perfect because I don't have any problems, and compared to so many, I DON'T have problems, but trust me, I have my downer days just like anyone. I just don't choose to display it on Facebook or Twitter. :-) So when I receive an email like this one below, the people that write these things to me just don't know how much they uplift and humble me, especially on the days I'm feeling a bit blue. So to those of you who encourage and uplift me through your kind words, it means more to me than you know, and I appreciate it so much. I cannot take any credit though, as it is all God. He works through me to lift you up. God has certainly blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life, I just don't deserve all that I have!! What about you? Who have you encouraged or uplifted today?? We need to make it a practice to uplift someone whose day isn't quite so bright!! Just remember, you don't know who is reading your "stuff" on Facebook, so use it for God's glory!! :-)
Hello Julie, I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate your spirit and how happy you are (at least as much as I can tell from Facebook). Things are a bit rocky for me and I definitely appreciate and draw strength from others who are so joyous about their relationship with the Father and the chance to serve others. Just wanted you to know that you are shining a bright light, and that light has encouraged me today. Thanks for that...keep shining...it's working.
I saw the movie, "Courageous" this past weekend. I have to say that it's one of the best movies I believe I've ever seen. It is made by the same church in Georgia that brought us "Flywheel", "Facing the Giants", and "Fireproof". I think with each movie they make, the better they get. This movie will make you laugh, cry, and most of all, think!!! I made a promise to myself several months ago to stop spending money on "junk" movies that Hollywood keeps throwing in our face, from now on, I will only be spending my money on Christian or positive movies. Not only will I save money this way, but I will feel better about being a Christian, and not going along with the world and watching whatever comes to the theater. I just have to stop filling my head with "the world" because it is affecting us as a body of Christ. I'm amazed at the way Christians just "blend in" in the world now days. I don't want to be a blender and fit in, I want to make a difference in the world and the lives of others. How can I be Christ when I just "go along" with whatever the world says is ok?? Anyway, another blog for another time. ;-) I advise every one who reads this blog to go support this movie. It doesn't matter if you're a father or not, married, single...whatever, GO SEE IT, and support a Christian movie for a change instead of the Hollywood garbage. I can assure you, you will feel better after seeing a movie that uplifts Christ than the fleeting, smutty junk Hollywood has to offer. I'm so thankful to this group of people who continue making movies to spread the love of our God. I know God is working through these people to make a difference!! God bless, and GO SEE THIS MOVIE! :-)
