Burning vs. warming

Who's been burned? And who has felt the warmth of God's love and just the hint of light from the firework's show He can produce when things go right?

I want the the fireworks...and the warmth! I'm done with getting burned.

I am a die-hard "Dancing with the stars" watcher, I can't help it. I have danced in my earlier years and along with the choreography and the songs, not to mention the costumes, I love it!!!

The other night, Shawn Johnson performed a rumba with Mark Ballas, that, well was wonderfully romantic and beautiful. And left something to the imagination, gasp!

Judge Len Goodman appropriately spoke up saying, "The rumba is a bit like a fire, it can warm and it can burn, and for me sometimes the rumba's are too hot, but I think you got this just right."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuqe0pGFnXM

Carrie-Ann, however harped on the idea that she was uncomfortable because she was young and thus she didn't dance it well because she lacked that romance. Shame on you Carrie-Ann! Romance is a story, and it never looks the same. It can differ in so many ways, and I for one am with Len, I appreciated the fact that it was romantic and not sex in heels and sequins.

It is amazing how some view romance as sex, and some view romance as relationship. I am one that embraces the latter. Romance is such a beautiful story that reaches beyond the intimacy, it reaches into so many aspects of our lives. Friendship, companionship, respect, loyalty, peace, trust. Those are feelings I want in my life.

I truly was blessed by someone speaking up for the subtly of romance; think of how wonderful t.v could be if we left so many things unseen and to the imagination. How many times must we be burned by the world before we realize we want the warmth that comes from the true definition of the word love - God! He is the only one, with holy fire that can warm us, yet burn away the bad and ignite us without consuming us. Hallelujah!

Happy Birthday Grown up girl

Well tomorrow I turn 30 - and I thought I would jot down some things I have learned over the years, and know-that-I-know:

1. God is real and sees me

2. Jesus was flesh, God in the flesh

3. Pumpkin pie for breakfast is NEVER BAD!

4. BBQ is the best meal I have ever had

5. Dogs are angels

6. Family is crucial

7. Love is harder than I thought, but oh how worth it.

8. People are almost never "worrying or spending time wrapped up in me"

9. The mountains own a piece of my soul

10. My mom is human, and I love her anyway.

11. Work is work for a reason; it is meant to stretch us

12. Friendships take time, and patience

13. Knowledge is power, power is not always knowledge.

14. The bible is not just a book

15. Dreams are attainable, but prayer must come first.

16. Laughter is the best medicine

17. I am my Heavenly fathers child, and boy, does He love His Girl!

18. I will make it; I have the LORD with me.

19. Worrying wastes time and energy, why waste something I'm low on anyway.

20. Life is meant to be lived, and what better way to live, than to give.

My prayer is that for this time on I will work on some new hurdles:

1. To trust God with my heart and let Him direct my path of relations.

2. To be a good steward of my time, money, energy.

3. To be bold in the places where the threat of insecurities pop up.

Here's to the next 30! And even more, in Jesus name!

California Dreamin'

California ! What images come to mind when you hear that word? Sun, beach, surfing, palm trees, warm breezes, sunsets, tans? Most consider California to be a postcard, literally, of paradise. Well I have been a resident of California for half of my life now ( I was born and raised in Southern Oregon and we moved to Southern California when I was 15 - and I will be 30 in April.) And I have found something ironic about the paradise we encounter everday.

We hardly ever see it!

Our days begin with waking up early (too early) and making our way to the freeway, fighting other cars full of anxiety and starbucks to get in the lane that will get us to where we have to be sooner. We work all day, maybe not, probably not doing what we really wish we could do and find ourselves yet again on the same freeway going home hoping to catch the magnificent painting of God across the sun-setting sky. Don't get me wrong, when I catch the sight of the full white clouds against the blue sky above me or the full moon lighting my otherwise darkened kitchen before bed, I am joyful and peaceful inside. But what struck me was in all this working to live where it is this beautiful, we rarely get to enjoy the beauty.

Don't get me wrong, people work all over this world, and work hard, probably harder than we do sometimes, I just find it ironic that we work to afford the life to live here and why is that, because somebody put a cost on the beauty and said you had to make this much every month and pay this much for rent. And don't even get me started on mortgages...Who can afford paradise?

I personally want to not forfeit my peace for the price of paradise.

It takes so much time to labor here, we labor to live around things we may not see everday. Oh how I pray God will help me enjoy the beauty of my surroundings.

Worth revisiting...

Jeremiah 29:11
I find this a little odd, posting something like this on a blog called "Choosing to Walk," but actually, in the context that I formatted this blog, it is perfect.With God, I am choosing to walk with, and through everything!Please watch this incredible video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtweZxNGk1Y

It will be one of the most important 8 minutes you will ever spend.

To my Siesta's

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER by Maya Angelou

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
When I say... I am a Christian I'm not shouting I'm clean livin¢. I'm whispering I was lost, now I'm found and been forgiven.
When I say... I am a Christian I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... I am a Christian I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I am weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... I am a Christian I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... I am a Christian I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I¢m worth it.
When I say... I am a Christian I still feel the sting of pain... I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... I am a Christian I'm not holier than thou. I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Closed fist, open hand...

Well, I loved the Oscars last night! Not to mention Hugh Jackman (love those Aussie's).
The glamour, the talent and the show - WHAT A SHOW!!!! But I have to say my most memorable moment was the speech for the winner for Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black for MILK.
Here is why:

"I wanna thank my mom, who has always loved me for who I am even when there was pressure not to. But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he'd want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by the government or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally, across this great nation of ours."http://www.insidesocal.com/outinhollywood/2009/02/dustin-lance-blacks-acceptance.html

Notice, he separated the behavior of the church from God Himself. How refreshing? Why, because very often the "church" does not show the actions and love Jesus spoke of. Very often the "church" is self-righteous, arrogant and hateful (I know because I am part of the church, and my heart has gone to these places at different times, I am not exempt.)
But to have this young, talented man stand there and say, God does love you; made me so happy, because it is true.

Now will I vote differently, for same-sex marriage - no. Why? Because I was saved by my savior Jesus and Jesus was sent by His father, the Almighty God who was as well on that cross. And my Heavenly Father says that Gay and Lesbian activity is a sin. But He doesn't hate His children, He hates SIN!
"Sin isn't bad because it is forbidden, it is forbidden because it's bad." I heard Jon Courson speak one day and it makes sense. God is not hating us and keeping things from us, He is protecting us because His love for us is deeper than any definition of love we could come up with.
My Father in Heaven loves me and you, and if He loves me enough to save me, no matter what, why would I stray from His commandments?
But my life is meant to be lived with a closed fist, open hand mentality. I cling tightly to the beliefs and truth of the LORD. The truth that set me free. But I love and treat all others as potential brothers and sisters in the faith.

Because I once was lost, but now I am found.

Who am I?

I was just thinking this morning, all while I felt down-trodden beyond belief, "Who am I?" Meaning, what do I like, love even? What are those things in life that make me smile and feel good, and why do they always seem a country mile away from me?
Anyway, I made a list and even though I realized this is something none of you need to read, somethings just need to be put in print, er, blog.

Things I love:

1. Jeans
2. Flowers (especially sunflowers, roses and lilacs)
3. Horses
4. Guitars
5. Trucks
6. Dogs
7. Books
8. Old Movies
9. Bamboo windchimes
10. Photographs
11. Potlucks
12. Playing good music, LOUD
13. Writing/receiving letters
14. Italian food
15. Mexican food
16. Green grass
17. Porches
18. American flags
19. River rocks
20. Warm, quiet summer days.

You know who made these my special loves in this order? My LORD! I trust Him so; I have never been in love so for me it is taking awhile to fall in love with Jesus as I hear others say it, but that's OK. God knows me and Jesus knows we are on this walk together. And He is Patient and He is Kind.