Suggestions Please!

I got an iTunes gift card for my birthday over a month ago from some great friends and just can't figure out what is worth using it for. I have gotten so out of the loop music wise since I have a toddler now and we mainly listen to VeggieTales and Bible songs on CD.

What songs are on your top 10 right now?  What is a must download? I like all types of music... except twangy country. :)

Words of Wisdom

Now that I am getting up there in age (ha!), I thought I would share some truths that have influenced my life in powerful ways. As always, I invite and welcome feedback!

I first heard this from my former college campus pastor, Gabe. When it hit me right between the eyes and sunk into my heart, the way I thought about things, and reacted to things, and handled things changed forever. It is the concept of being Character Driven versus Emotion Driven. A concept that has been long lost in this generation. Here is what I mean:

Character Driven people: 

Do right, feel good

Are Commitment driven

Make Principle based decisions

Actions control Attitude

Believe then See

Create Momentum

Asks, what are my responsibilities?

Steady

Leaders

Emotion Driven people:

Feel good, then do right

Are convenience driven

Make popular based decisions

Attitude controls actions

Have to See to Believe

Wait for Momentum

Asks, what are my rights

Moody

Followers

Which category do you fall under? Which do you wish you had more of? 

What Are Your Thoughts?

My hubby had a great post today, he does Saturday Smackdowns and usually throws somebody/something under the bus in a search for truth and justice... here is his latest on Social Justice Issues, such as Abortion... read here and tell me your thoughts!

Ross' Saturday Smackdown

Mountain Top Moments

It's been a while, I was doing great blogging, but life caught up with me and I've been real busy lately... I hope to make this blog more of a priority as my schedule evens out soon. Anywho... Just got back from being guests at a youth retreat where my hubby got to speak and I got to help lead small groups. It got me thinking about those Mountain Top experiences we get in our lives.

So many times we go on a retreat, or to a conference, or just have an amazing quiet time. And the experience with God may get you pumped up for a few days, or weeks even... but how can we become more consistent? How can we "keep the candle burning" as Wilson Philips sings? (yes I did just reference Wilson Philips!)

I have a few thoughts.

Meet God on the Mountain Top, every day! Sure you "met" Him during that experience at a conference, etc... but we need to continue to go meet with him. SPEND TIME WITH GOD CONSISTENTLY! (I am preaching to myself here too). Yeah it's hard work. Mountains are steep, hard to walk and take time and energy. But it's always worth it, isn't it? I'm using it as an analogy here if you didn't get it. Think of every day taking the time to go up on that "mountian" with God. Seek him in your room, or wherever you do it... and know going into it that it's not always going to come easy, so pace yourself (meaning, add it into your daily schedule).

Get Accountable. I don't know about you, but if I don't have someone asking me the tough questions, or checking my blind spots... it's not gonna happen. We all need a wing-man (or wing-woman). We need someone with an outside perspective that can show you your weakness, and can encourage you to overcome it. If your weakness is consistent time with God... make them hold you to it, and vice versa. Make a commitment to yourself and/or with another person to not turn the TV on or Computer on until you have spent your time with God.

Push Through. You may not feel that tingly sensation EVERY time you sit down and read the Word or pray or worship God. But don't give up! Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. That means we have to fight for this relationship with God. We are not always going to feel like it, we are not always going to want to put in the effort to make it to the top of that mountain. But we have to meet with Him if we want Him to meet with us. We have to be forceful and approach His throne with confidence. Just like you have to fight to keep up your friendships, you gotta fight for this one even more. 

When was your last Mountain Top Experience? Any advice to keep the candle burning? 

Favorite Sporting Event?

What is your favorite sporting events to watch?

I would have to say hands down, the most under-rated, most exciting and most unique is the X games. I LOVE the X games! My favorite would have to definitely be the Winter X Games, but summer X Games is pretty fun too. (It's on right now if you haven't noticed)

One thing I look forward to as my boys get older, is their love for the X Games growing.... One of my goals is to take them to the Winter X Games one day when they are older. I would LOVE if they were actually in the events themselves, but I'll be happy watching with them from the side lines too. :) I have already noticed with Aiden when I flip through the channels on TV if an event from the X games is on, he immediately says "STOP!" Love it!

What's your favorite? College football? Olympics? Gymnastics? Ice Skating? Cheerleading Competitions? Golf? I do appreciate all of those, but none compare with X Games for me. :)

Summertime Memories

What were some of your favorite Summer memories growing up?

Here are a list of a few that came to my head. I like getting fresh ideas for not only myself, but so we can start some traditions with the boys.

- Camping & Tubing down rivers
- Drive In Movies (my brother and I would lay in sleeping bags on top of my parents mini-van) so fun!
- Slumber parties, ALL the time.
- POOL DAYS
- Summer vacations... at least one significant trip a summer (NY, DC, Grand Canyon, Vegas, Smokey Mountains, ATL, Keys, Bahamas, to name a few)
- BBQs all the time
- NO SCHOOL
- Summer Camps (Volleyball, Art, Youth Group, etc)
- Busch Gardens & Adventure Island (we lived near it)
- BEACH DAYS