redefinING

I haven't been much of a blogger lately and I'm not really sure why. It's probably part not wanting to bore anyone with the things that have occupied my time, part me not wanting to bore myself, and part me trying to figure out why I even write anything in the first place! A lot of people blog to have a record of all the fun, exciting, memorable things that happen in their families. Others blog to just get stuff out of their heads. And still others for many different purposes. I haven't really figured out which category I fit into, but I'm leaning more towards just needing a place to think out-loud.

I feel like I'm very much in an ...ING place in my life. Thinking. Redefining. Reforming. Learning. Transforming. Sinning. Confusing. Convicting. Questioning. Reading. More thinking. ING is a powerful little suffix that has shown me over and over again that as badly as I want to have all the answers and do all the right things, I'm just not there yet. And, even better, I never will be! But, there is great comfort in knowing that!

Anyway, the deep thoughts are usually stirred up by something I've read or heard and these are a few things that have both convicted and challenged me...read at your own risk!

Guilty! Working on it!

I have several!

There's always hope!

These guys are far smarter than I and so are the people who have kindly brought these posts to my attention!

NERD ALERT!! NERD ALERT!!

I guess in my old age I'm getting a bit wiser when it comes to all things financial, which is kind of strange considering I graduated from college with a degree in Finance! Anyway, in my younger day, I liked to have nice clothes, nice furniture, nice electronics, nice computers, a nice car. Unfortunately, all that nice stuff costs lots of nice money! Even more unfortunate, I didn't mind spending it!

So, imagine my surprise when I watched the TLC show "Extreme Couponers" and became hooked on the idea of getting stuff for FREE. Now, I don't think I'll ever be as extreme as the people on that show, but the idea of paying nothing for things that I (or someone I know) will really use is kind of exciting. See, N-E-R-D!

Anyway, I'm a week in and have made a couple trips to various stores in the area. According to my calculations, I have collected $23.19 worth of merchandise totally free!! That's like a quarter tank of gas!! Which is probably about how much gas I used to get all that free stuff! :)

Stronger

I've currently got this song by Hillsong on repeat...

Stronger

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

No beginning and no end
You're my hope and my defense
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all
There is none

So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher
So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all