Liz's Letters

I love my friends!

Just for fun Friday...it is time for Friday Fill In! To join in, visit: 1. I'd really like to be on vacation right now . 2. OUCH is the word you'd most often hear me say (YELL) if I stubbed my toe. 3. Possession is not something that I have, it is all God's. 4. I really like Captain Jack Sparrow. 5. Marshmallows and fire go together like man and woman: very opposite but come together to make something really good. 6. My prayers for healing in a broken friendship will continue to go on and on. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with two of my very best girlfriends for dinner and a collage making party, tomorrow my plans include Step Study class number 3, lunch with my sponsor, a nail appointment and worship service . And Sunday, I want to have a grand time at the Superbowl party at my house! Go Cardinals! (post on that later!)

My son's girlfriend, Thien , is an absolute blessing! One of the things that I love about her is that she diligently emails me. And when she emails me, it is a lovely, well thought out letter and usually with pictures! This is a picture that she sent me of the Thanksgiving meal that she and Adam prepared for her family. I was jealous because the turkey they made sounded like it was mouth watering good. It was fun for Adam and Thien to merge each of their cultures and traditions into the American holiday, Thanksgiving. Also new to Thien was the Christmas tradition of Santa filling the Christmas stockings for all to open bright and early on Christmas morning! She was slightly unprepared to have her photo taken at such a ghastly hour of the morning. She remedied that with the above idea! *I found out that is not her under that blanket...but my other son (who does NOT like to have his picture taken, Aaron) HaHa...joke was on Mom!* But more than anything, I love her letters. They ar...

It's Thursday! I love Thursdays because I take special time to ponder and pray about the verses in God's word that have meant a lot to me as I walk with Him. I was excited to get to "Y" because of of my very favorite scriptures begins with "Y", using the word "Your" as we talk to God about how wonderful His love is. This particular scripture is one that I go to whenever I feel that I have wondered away from Him and it is a song (by Third Day) that I sing when I want to praise Him for how deep, how wide, how big His love really is! More than I can imagine! Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV) For more ABC's of the Word visit Grey Like Snuffie

It is Yes To God Tuesdays, and time for my summary of Chapter 4. The title is Speaking Truth To Your Issues. One of the thought questions at the end of the chapter is: What kind of issues crowd your thought closet? Mistakes I have made. Relationships that are unreconciled. I am not good enough. When those are the thoughts that dominate my thinking, I know that I am not allowing the Holy Spirit to control my thoughts, I am not taking every thought captive. (sigh) It is sometimes so hard. Last week, I said "I could practice switching a negative thought to a positive thought, but that won't help me as much as discovering where the negative thought came from in the first place and taking care of that." The answer was in this chapter! It is about my faith! Jennifer writes, " By faith we receive truth. By faith we believe truth. And by faith we act on that truth. Soul talk can never be a substitute for faith.... ...Soul talk is faith's companion, not its replacem...

Been cleaning out my thought closet and let me tell you what, I am so eager to throw some of this old, dirty stuff away. While I go through some of these toxic thoughts, God is also good enough to me to add to it some areas where I need to confess sin. As I throw out the negative thoughts, there are memories attached to them that I need to deal with. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. Proverbs 26:22 Sometimes my faulty thinking has allowed me to make grave errors in judgement. Pain has sometimes influenced my wanting to take revenge. Sometimes, I have given in to the temptation. And like the scripture says, the consequenses went deep into who I WAS. (not who I am) Gossip is so big in our society that we have created an entire industry around it. Gossip magazines, newspapers, and television shows air out all kinds of stuff that is not our business. It makes it difficult to tell the difference between what is okay to talk about and wh...

While doing a little blog browsing the other day, I ran across the blog Musings of a Future Pastor's Wife , by Rachel. Her blog title caught my attention. Upon visiting her blog I decided that I might be missing out on something very entertaining by not watching the television show Lost. Another thing that I decided was it would be fun to play a little letter game. When I am not feeling necessarily creative, and my brain is just a little tired, I love these fun little games. Check it out: If you want to play, leave a comment on this post letting me know, and I’ll assign you a letter. You write about ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter, and post it at your place. When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain continues on and on... Rachel assigned me the letter "B". I don't know why the letter "B" but here I go........ 1. Barnes and Noble bookstore. I am crazy about books, and music, and coffee. This ...

It is Friday again and time for the Friday Fill - In! 1. Oh, I am so blessed by my friends . 2. I am making personal changes, big and little. 3. During work hours , I try not to spend too much time on blogs . 4. 80 degrees ; are you kidding me??? (that is the temperature today in Texas!) 5. Right now I'd like to be taking a nap. 6. My wine corker is my favorite gadget. I don't have to have help opening a bottle of wine at all! 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner out with our best friends, Dan and Lori, tomorrow my plans include Step Studies in the morning, a little housework, and attending the worship service at 5:00. Sunday, I want to go to see a movie with my husband. For more Friday Fill-Ins, click the link below. They are quite entertaining!

Many, many years ago, a friend of mine shared a verse that she held on to during a serious trial in her life. I will never forget the conversation, the circumstances that had been in her life, and also the circumstances that were going on in mine that caused her to share it. God has taken me back to this same verse, many times, as I have hung on to him during dark, dark hours. A few times in my life, I have wondered if my broken heart would ever heal, if my spirit would ever soar, and the question would surface, "Where is my Jesus in all of this?" Tragedy, Death, Unemployment, Betrayal, all of these have been part of my life, even recently. My friend, the same dear friend who shared this verse, is going through a trial. It is a tragedy and one that I cannot even imagine the pain that she is feeling. God provided me the opportunity to share the same verse back at her today. And I pray with all my heart that God will take His words and plant them deep into her soul as she reach...

I love music. It speaks to me, ministers to me, and moves me. I know that music isn't the ONLY form of music, but in my heart, it is one of the top means by which I feel awed and connected to my God. This song does it for me every time. I just wanted to share. Blessings to you my dear family and friends, ~Liz

I will never give up. Love always wins. I pray that reconciliation will occur, that hearts will be softened, that God's grace and mercy will win over hurt and betrayal and that relationships will be restored. I will never give up on what God started. Ever.

Another week has passed. Time again for the Yes To God Tuesday on-line Bible Study hosted by Lelia . Chapter 3 title is Choosing Wise Words. I like this. After the last two weeks of realizing how much I need to clean out the thought closet, the negative and hurtful things that I allow to wallow around in my mind, we get to start on the cleaning. It is about the root - specifically, the root cause of the faulty thinking. My mind is hanging on to something incorrect. The root is what allowed these thoughts to get into my head in the first place. Out of that root grows a fruit. The fruit is the way our thinking plays out. Mine plays out by thinking odd things...like..."If he just asked if I needed help, he must think I am doing a poor job." Hmmm. That's not right. So, to get to the root, to find out what makes me think those things; it goes well with the way I prefer to solve problems...get to the bottom of it. Find out the reason why. I could practice switching a negative t...

I have met a new friend in this wonderful blog world and her name is Gail. When I read her posts, I have to laugh, because so often she says something that so could come right out of my own mouth (fingertips). Her blogs are thoughtful, thought provoking, and well written. And she leaves the most wonderfully encouraging comments on my blog. (don't we all love our comments?) Yesterday, Gail left me a message to check her blog. Lo and behold! I have an award! WOW! To make it even more pleasurable, when I read her introductory paragraph... I laughed again! Her words expressed what I was thinking! AGAIN! You can read her post here. Anyway, I am thrilled to have received this award, and pleased because it is a "Helping Hands" Award. When I started this blog, it was an exercise that was to help me. If this tattered and torn journey of mine can help one person, see God, be brave, continue writing, begin writing, see God , then I am thrilled! Without further delay, I will pay it ...

While making a searching a fearless moral inventory of myself this morning, I ran across this question: How do I behave in ways I would not tolerate from others? What makes me think it is okay for me to act this way? I laughed out loud. And then I had to get serious. I had just completed a list of behaviors that I find unacceptable, then a list of behaviors that I find irritating. On these two lists were things like lying, abuse, not getting help for abuse (especially abuse of children), screaming, controlling, hateful words, selfish.... Whoa. I had to stop. Why do I sometimes think it is okay for me to do some of those things? My answer to myself, for now, was, "I have no idea - how stupid!" Just a thought to ponder. I hope it leads to an answer, and then an end to this sort of ridiculous behavior! "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the...

This morning, I read a devotional reading with the title "Mind Over Madder". It was written by Chuck Swindoll, who I believe has a lot of wisdom and a great way of putting things. It caught my attention because the subject matter is something that hits close to home. Emotions. Particularly Anger. When I have taken those fun (and not so fun) personality tests, my "Emotional" side always wins out. If I had MY way, I would make all of my decisions based on emotions...it is what comes natural to me. But when I do this, I often find myself in a huge mess. Especially when it comes to angry emotions. I have made a fool of myself more times than I care to admit when it comes to anger. Anger flares in me quickly, and I give in to it's strong pull for me to say things or act in certain ways. I know that this part of me does not please God. It certainly does not please the people in my life who are subjects of my anger, and honestly, I cannot stand it myself. ...

I love Fridays! The weekend is just around the corner. My office is usually pretty quiet and I can get a lot of work completed. Friday nights are reserved for spending quality time with family, friends, or (maybe oddly) simply some quality time with myself. It is also the day that I have picked to post this random, fill in the blank blog posting. I would love it if you would join it. You can get the questions here, weekly. Here is this weeks Friday Fill In! 1. Enough with the cold . I much prefer warm weather and the cold makes my body hurt. 2. Pain causes me to be conflicted, mostly emotional pain. I understand that pain is a part of life, even a life with Christ, but it still doesn't feel good. So, this is conflicting. Joy / Pain. ? 3. I've been craving seafood . I love seafood and can never get quite enough. When I lived on the East Coast, it was much more accessible . When I was visiting Northern Virginia a couple of months ago, I was able to eat seafood every day. I am ...

Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:9, 10 Ok, I am having too much fun with my scripture memory. I chose the second part of my first memory verse because I felt I have verse 8 down pretty well. These verses speak to my heart and helps me know that I am not alone. His guidance is promised in these scriptures and that is something that I strive to do...follow Him. Visit Beth Moore's blog to see almost 1500 women memorizing the wonderful word of God!

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:38 I love this verse. Living Water... I ponder... What IS that, living water. But I know because I have it. It gives life It is life It is Him Living in me. For more ABC's of the Word visit Grey Like Snuffie

(author's words quoted in blue) Reading this chapter, I am face to face with some thoughts that need to come out of my "Thought Closet." Although I have not experienced labels in the same way the example, Dennis, did, I have been called a few things that; although might have some truth to them, they were destructive and hurtful. Truth is, they still swim around in my head, and even though I know my behavior might sometimes reflect those words, but it doesn't mean that I AM that. So........ this chapter has caused me to think about the difference. It seems that when the words come from someone that we believe loves us, they might stick around easier. And if they come from myself, well, then I have the tendency to think they have to be true, after all, I know myself better than anybody...or do I? I love what Jennifer says here, "Until you choose to bring that out-of-place label into the light and make it line up with truth, it will control you. Instead of ...

My former pastor, Ed Young, who I really like and enjoy his teaching, sends out an E-votional every day. As with most devotionals, it is hit and miss with what God is doing in my life. Today's devotional hit the mark. There are some small things in my life, that I need to be more trustworthy with. Lunch Money. Time. Following through and doing what I say I will do, even if is as small as going to the bank for my husband. Good reminder that I though I would pass on today. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10 Can you be trusted? I think the first response for all of us is, “Of course I can!” And there are probably plenty of times when that is true. Most of us can be trusted when we make a promise, or when there are serious consequences at stake. But that is only part of being trustworthy. Can you be trusted in the little things? That is where the rubb...

One day, not very long ago, my children looked like the photo above. In my mind, I remember this day. It was just yesterday, wasn't it?? My daughter, not pictured here, would ask, "Where am I, Mommy?" My reply, "You were not born yet, my sweet. It was before." Before she was born. She is 15. Why does it seem that the picture above, before she was born, was yesterday? My heart searches... for time,.................... for more time................................... wow. One day ...............................................is the little boy on the left (above) the first photo is my life and now this..... High School graduation 2005 My Aaron. The middle child. The one who sometimes feels left out, but the one I love so much that my heart bleeds when I look at him. He is the one who I have big hopes for. The one who was planned to be next. The one who both Daddy and I knew would come. The Certain. The G...

I ran across this on my friend, Carol's , blog. I love random posts and these are fun with a little bit of thought. Fill In - because it is a fill in the blank post. Here is my first one! 1. It's January; I live in Texas which means this week, we had an ice storm and the next day it was 77 degrees. 2. Health is what I crave most right now. 3. Cork and wine go together like shoes and socks . 4. Sleep is so nourishing. 5. Let us dare to make some difficult but necessary changes in our lives . 6. I can relax and feel comfortable in my home. It is safe, warm, and cozy. Other people say they feel the same way when they are here. This is an wonderful answer to prayer. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing , tomorrow my plans include hanging out at home, doing homework with my daughter, and attending a worship service, and Sunday, I want to read all day !

Teenagers need culture. My mom and I thought we would take my daughter and her boyfriend to see the Nutcracker Ballet. We dressed in our Ballet Matinee' duds, some of us a little more casual than others. No worries. It was about having fun, hearing music, watching the dance. Some of us were not sure what to expect...see two teens on the left of my mom. Curious. I suggested that they read the program; after all, it tells the story that we were about to see and hear, only without words. What? A story? To music and dancing only? Curious. But it was wonderful. On the way home from the ballet, we drove through the neighborhood where I grew up. Fate. The owner of my childhood home was in the yard. We all got a tour of the home I lived in when I was the age of this beautiful daughter, on a trip that was to introduce her to some of what I knew growing up. I had not planned that it would include an inside view of my childhood home, but God did. Very neat. There is a very aged, ...

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16 Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind and soul. He said the second greatest is to love your neighbor as yourself. And a huge part of loving someone is being honest with them, also being the 9 th of the 10 Commandments. Sometimes being honest is difficult because it is painful. I have been in a few situations like this, one in particular was gigantic in my mind. I hid the truth for a long time, torn between protecting trust but also knowing that the truth should be revealed to someone, somewhere. It involved sin and dishonesty in the leadership of a church. But the reason I held it in confidence was because I loved my friend. So, is it right to share the truth even when it could hurt someone? Or should we conceal the truth in order to spare their feelings? Reputation? Or in this case their job? This has become one of the biggest questions that I have ever asked. I had...

In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. Psalm 45:4 For more ABC's of the Word visit Grey Like Snuffie

It's that time again...Yes To God Tuedays, hosted by Lelia at Write From the Heart . The book this time is Self Talk Soul Talk and even though I am a day late in posting, I am excited to be working through this topic with my bloggy buddies! The beginning of this book stirs up things that for so long I thought that I could not control. Years ago, I remember asking my husband how he controlled his thoughts (it seemed to me that he was fairly good at this) and he said he chose not to think about thoughts that were not beneficial. The answer seemed good, but I still couldn't grasp what he was talking about. When he tried to explain further, he used the illustration of a bird flying by, that you just watch it fly over your head but don't let it make a nest. Hmmm. I have managed to do better with this thought control, but have yet to really get a good handle on it and I think this book might just help me with the next steps. It is the stuff in my thought closet! The thoughts tha...

Today is the first day of the online Bible Study, hosted by Lelia. My post is not ready, but it will be tomorrow. Germs had my body down for several days, every time I tried to read, my eyes would close. Antibiotics should do the trick and my post should be ready tomorrow. In the meantime, I received a phone call from my mother today. Some of you know, but some of you do not, that my mother was involved in a very bad accident in September of 2005. She and her husband were on a motorcycle and were hit by a car. Long story short, my mom's dear husband of almost 22 years did not survive his surgery, and my mother has not walked since. The injuries she sustained to her leg were the worst the trauma surgeon had ever seen. His favorite line whenever we asked if she would walk was, "We have already won the lottery..." meaning she survived and the leg is still attached. The news today was fantastic! After so many surgeries that we have lost count, after many, many months (years) ...

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8 (NIV) Recently, I have found myself spending a lot of time reading great things that are based on God's word, but not as much time as I want IN God's word. I prayerfully approached Him, and He was faithful to provide an answer, as He always is. I am committed to memorizing 2 scripture verses per month and posting them to Living Proof Ministries fun and entertaining blog. The first verse I chose because it was the verse that answered the prayer. God shows me the way I should go and I trust Him. What a wonderful way to go through life, lifting up my soul to Him!

Saturday morning, I slept until 9:40 a.m.! I guess I was exhausted and needed the sleep, but I also woke with a little bit of a cold. Yuck. So, I took it easy, as easy as I could in the whirlwind that is my life. I enjoyed coffee with a friend that I only get to see every now and then, but we are soul sisters at heart! We did a tiny bit of shopping, checking our the Christmas clearance at Hallmark - got great deals on 2008 ornaments! Then we met our families at the worship service. A great service, I might add. Perfect for the New Year, but not typical. I don't think I would call my pastor anything near typical. The Holy Spirit is clearly working in this man's life as Matt communicates the truth of the gospel, and challenges us (the church) to walk in a way that honors God to the max! Love it! Sunday peaceful, with a trip to the grocery and a list of healthy menu ideas and recipes from Weight Watcher's cookbooks. (No...not a New Year's Resolotution - I loathe them - but...

Today, I am very grateful for the recovery program that I am in. There are many parts to Twelve Step Recovery and one of my favorites and most helpful is what is called "Step Work". At the beginning of every month, my Home Group has a "Step Meeting." Cool thing is, there are twelve steps and twelve months of every year (was that done on purpose?). For the month of January, we covered Step One last night. We admitted we were powerless over _________________ (fill in the blank) (alcohol, food, emotions, disease, abuse) – that our lives had become unmanageable. As I thought about this step in my life, I recognized that the two words "Admitted" and "Unmanageable" were important for me to remember. Many, many years ago, when a pastor recommended that I attend Al-Anon meetings, I sort of thought he was nuts. Yep. I didn't think the alcoholism in the family that I grew up in had any effect or influence on what I was experiencing at that time....1...