Saturday, December 24, 2016

Chasing vs. Leading

Hmm, I've been chasing my thoughts.  I wonder what would happen if I started leading my thoughts?

What if, when I had a thought about a story, I wrote it down?  When I have a thought to call someone, I write it down?  When a thought of an aunt comes to mind, I write it down.  Later in the day, when I make time, I can look at the thoughts that came to my mind earlier in the day.  I let those earlier thoughts be led to action of making the call or writing the letter.  Or I could toss the idea out and discard it.

Hmm, this is something for me to consider.

By the way, in about forty minutes it will be Christmas 2016.  Thanks for chasing after thoughts and ideas with me!

Merry Christmas, my friends!  May God bless you in so many unexpected ways!

Cindy

Monday, December 12, 2016

It’s almost that time...to set goals and make plans or plan to just wing it again, ever chasing those wandering thoughts and hope-filled ideas.

It seems at the beginning of a new year, some of us, instead of setting goals, we make of list of things to quit...cigarettes, overeating, procrastination...

For me, year after year, it has been giving up procrastination, yet, guess what...I’ve procrastinated giving up procrastination.  But, that’s part of the sin, isn’t it?

I ordered a planner.  A nice planner.  One that, for me, was quite an investment.

I’m printing off my 2016 NaNoWriMo project.  The rough draft is not yet finished.  In fact, there is no clear ending yet.  But, I’m thinking my planner will aid in helping me to put a dent in that procrastination resolution and get my manuscript done by a certain date, which I have not yet set.
So, my friends, are you planning any big changes for 2017?

I’ve got to go chase after those meandering thoughts,
Cindy

Trust in the Lord with all Your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Friday, December 9, 2016

Words - Thoughts - Ideas ... Allowing Them to Wander, for the Time Being

Thankful.  
Grace-dependent.  
Trust.
Faith.
Grace extending.
Writing.
Reading.
Praying.
Grateful.
Prayerful.
Forgetful.
Forgiving.
Family.
Bible.
Christmas.
New Year.
Hope.
Goals. 
Friendship.
Coffee.  
Ideas. 
Sewing machine.
T-shirts.

These words are floating around in my thoughts.  

What’s on your mind?

Saturday, November 19, 2016

NaNoWriMo

November.  Can't help but translate November into NaNoWriMo month when I hear it.  What?  What is NaNoWriMo you ask?  National Novel Writing Month.  Every November thousands of people all over the world determine to write a novel of 50,000 words.  Does that sound easy?  Crazy?  Stupid?  Exciting?  Ridiculous? Yeah, it's probably all of those things.  Well, maybe not stupid.  ðŸ˜ƒ

I have had many distractions since my last birthday, the big 5-0.  I've had a big loss and big life changes.  My GMG (Good Morning Girls) leadership has been just about anything but leadership.

I started an 8-week fitness program through www.FitnessBlender.com that should have been done last week, but I lost a week during a family member's hospitalization.  And I'm still two days behind due to an illness at the very end of the program.

And I decided to dive into NaNo.  I'm writing a story that I hold dear to my heart and it scares me to write it.  It also scares me that it will be all for naught.  Yet, honing our writing skills by practice is still a good thing, is it not?  :) The fears of "what if someone reads it?" and "what if no one reads it?" hound at me.

Yet, here I am...writing.  Attempting NaNoWriMo 2016.

Here's a "widget" so I can hold myself accountable.  Eek!  Scary! 😟

http://nanowrimo.org/widget/LiveSupporter/cindy-q.png

Prayers appreciated for this grace-dependent girl!

Cyndie (my niece's spelling :) )


Happy NaNo


Oh!  p.s.  I have been wanting to join American Christian Fiction Writers for several years and guess what!  I joined in September.  Eek!  That too scared me.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

NaNo November

November 2016 I have been typing away to hit the mark of 50,000 words in 30 days.  Today we watched as the election results came in.  I didn't get any words written for my novel.  But I did get to spend time with my husband and relax.  

Tomorrow...well, later today, after I go to bed, get up and go to work, then come home, then go to my son's football practice, then I will write :)  Oh!  dinner will have to fit in the schedule at some point too.  :)  

Tonight I pray for all of those participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and for all of their family and friends who put up with the craziness that is NaNo :) 

Thank you for reading and participating in the chase of my wandering thoughts and ideas.

Ever dependent on His grace,
Cindy


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Thoughts on Dismissive Attitudes

Hello Sisters! It's been awhile, I know.

I've been distracted with family health problems.  Glad to be back :)

Just wanted to share some of my wandering thoughts and ideas regarding dismissive attitudes.  Being dismissed can hurt.  Yes, sometimes it is just our pride that is hurt, but sometimes it can be our spirits that get hurt.

How many times have we said to someone or been told by someone that God wouldn't ... ?

  • God wouldn't use fiction books to teach truth...
  • God wouldn't use exercise to minister to you...
  • God wouldn't use a fool to effect change...
  • God wouldn't __________ (fill in the blank with another dismissive phrase)
I have been blessed and learned many truths through reading fiction.  I've learned a lot about grace through reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.  I've learned compassion and forgiveness from reading Color the Sidewalk For Me by Brandilyn Collins.  I have learned a great many wonderful things from reading fiction. 

In exercise, I've had some wonderful prayer time and realized truths about myself about giving up or believing that I can do this side-raise through Christ who gives me strength.  I've also had to exercise self-discipline through physical exercise.  

I have even been the fool who God has used in small circumstances and seen Him use others I thought were fools yet they led me to a truth.

I hope I remember this the next time I'm tempted to be dismissive of someone's shared ideas or thoughts.  

Living grace-dependent,
Cyndie (spelling courtesy of my niece :) )


Thursday, August 25, 2016

Presence

Exhausted I fell into bed.  A nap.  A glorious nap.  It had been a long, tiring day.  My body was tired.  My energy spent after another day of attempting to hold myself together after a summer of major life events.  It was taking its toll.  

An interruption.  Someone wanted me to take them somewhere.  No greeting.  No concern for me.  Just that someone needed to go somewhere.  

I was irritated and offended.  Before any words escaped my mouth, a single thought penetrated all the swirling self-centered thoughts.  The way I perceived I was being treated was not any different than the way I treat God.  Except, you know, I treat Him even worse.  

It just struck me, I don't greet Him and welcome Him and sit with Him just enjoying the quiet.  Enjoying His presence.  

No, I tell Him what is going on with my friends and family, peppering needs and problems and desires.  

Oh sure, I read Scripture, His written Word.  But not so I can just hang out with Him.  No, I read it so I can grow and learn and find answers and encouragement for myself and others.  Now, I don't think those are bad habits.  But, I do think that I need just some quiet time, some time of being still in His presence.  

Thanks for chasing my wandering thoughts with me.

Cindy

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Thoughts, Procrastination, and Life

I had an idea for a blog post the other day.  I was in the shower.  That’s where I do some of my best thinking.  At least it seems that way.  Ha.  

But, as you can see from there not being any posts for the past several days that, well, I didn’t write it.  I thought it was really good and there’s no way I could forget it.  It was so clear.  Well, I procrastinated.  Guess what that means.  It means I didn’t remember it.  I remember some components, but not how I had planned to link all of it together.  

Somehow, thoughts of the effects of a hurting foot and how it affected the rest of one’s body and how a severe case of dermatitis on the thumb at the same time could adversely affect the activities of daily living in ways we don’t often think about.  My brain linked these thoughts to the Scripture that describes how the church is not made up just an eye or just a foot, but of many parts and how we need all of those parts.  If a part of the church is not healthy, it impacts the rest of the church.  

I really wish I could remember how I was going to write it.  Alas, I am writing this post instead.  

Praying that I will work on this “sin” of procrastination.  

That’s a hard one.  

Thanks for being part of my journey of chasing my wandering thoughts.  

-Cindy-

1 Corinthians 12
Proverbs 24:30-34

Monday, July 25, 2016

Defensive.  

I've done something wrong.  When confronted I can hang my head for a moment, then nod in agreement and--then what?  Make a false promise to never do that again, make an earnest promise to never do that again and hope for the best, or make the earnest promise that I won't do it again and put plans in to place to help keep that promise.  

I've done something wrong.  When confronted, I can squeeze my watering eyes, give my head a shake and dig in my heels before speaking.  I can be defensive.  I can explain and excuse what I've done because of this circumstance or that one.  However, one problem with being defensive in this scenario is, if it's wrong, should it be defended?  If I defend wrong or sinful choices is that to my benefit?  Will it make me better?  Will it make the situation better? 

Ugh!  Defensive.  It seems like a good idea.  But--sometimes it's harmful.  Actually, a lot of times it's harmful.  It seems good for the moment, but in the long run, it just reinforces the poor choices and makes it harder the next time I'm faced with this same choice.  

I'm looking forward to reading James next week :) 

--Prayer--
Father God, I need to make changes in my life.  I need be quiet and listen for Your call in the little things.  Jesus, I am dependent on Your grace, I can't make it through one hour without having a selfish thought, feeling defensive for things I've done or left undone, said or left unsaid.  I am reminded through Your Word that I can do all things through You who gives me strength.  Your Word doesn't say I can do all things easily or I can do all things without a hitch.  It does say I can do all things through You who gives me strength.  It doesn't say I can do all things without problems.  It does say I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  Holy Spirit, lead me where I need to be today to do what I need to do and say what I need to say, keep me from going where I shouldn't, doing what I shouldn't, or saying what I shouldn't.  As I look forward to beginning James next week, please prepare my heart and mind for what You will teach me.  Jesus, I pray in Your name.  Amen.

Thanks for chasing my wandering thoughts with me.  

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Shackles of Shame Dissolve by Grace

"You are tripping me out, woman," he said.

I glanced at his reflection in the rear-view mirror.  I was quiet, then turned to face him.  "What do you mean?" I asked. 

"I thought you'd be cussing me out."

I was confused.  "Why?" I asked. 

"Because of what I did to you 30-something years ago."

My heart lurched in my chest, he needed the truth.  

"If I had to stand under the weight of all the sins I had ever committed, of every bad thought I ever had or every bad word I had ever said about anyone, I couldn't stand.  I couldn't possibly stand under the weight of it all."  These words tumbled out.  "Only by grace can I stand.  Only by the grace of forgiveness, the grace of Jesus can I stand."

I am not a good person, I know that.  I am a forgiven person though.  It is only by the grace that I have received that I am able to extend grace to others.  Grace is not mine to keep, but to live in and to extend.  

It is my prayer that he will be set free from the shame that has kept him shackled for the last 30-something years.  

Know that you can be free from these shackles too.