START TRY (playing a game) not to laugh not to cry not to blink TRY (doing something kind) saying something nice being positive playing well with others doing something nice for someone — “just because” TRY (doing something hard) speaking to a stranger comforting my enemy standing up for the forgotten forgiving without being asked laughing at myself loving someone different from me not judging not being rude not ignoring people in need TRY (the unnatural) to think more of others than myself TRY to make today a good day! STOP Won't you join ... Keep Reading...
Search Results for: creative caring
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INSPIRATION & FAITH Free Writes – for 31 Days!
FAIR WARNING: Today begins the 4th annual 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes hosted by Five Minute Friday. My intent is to post a five-minute free write each day in October. Don’t worry… I’ll still work in seasonal thoughts and decor! This is a once-a-year event (so please don’t unsubscribe). 🙂 If you don’t want to read a day's email, you know where the delete button is. Worship: to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission; as a lover (Webster's Dictionary,1828). ... Keep Reading...
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ACCEPT: Five Minute Friday
But I don't want to. Please don't make me. This can't be happening! My brain cannot possibly process this situation. I don't like feeling out of control . . . START If we live long enough, we experience a situation that makes our insides want to scream. We cry, we fight, we grieve . . . but ultimately, our only response — at least the only one that lets us get through the situation — ... Keep Reading...
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OMG
OH MY GOD In this world of social media and "shortspeak", that's what OMG stands for: OH MY GOD This is the first—and almost certainly the last—time I will ever write it. As with many other of today's common phrases, it strikes me as a flippant, tossed-around expression that has little if anything to do with God. That really bothers me. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. (Exodus 20:7) But today... OMG Today it's my heart cry... Oh, my God. MY God. The one who created me, loves me through every one of my good and bad choices, and will not leave me or let me down no matter how bleak the circumstances. The one who's proved himself faithful for all of ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Fridays
Field Trip Friday #1: Great Smoky Mountains National Park In less than 48 hours, Summer 2015 will officially begin. I suspect some of you got a nice jump on it as soon as the kids (and grandkids) got out of school! I hope it is a wonderful season for you and yours. Be sure to fill it to the brim with everything that says "Summer" for you. By the way, I hope you'll leave a comment and tell me what those things are. I'd love to know! Growing up, one of my favorite things about Summer was that it allowed time for the occasional day trip. From picnics to berry picking (still not my favorite) to the zoo or museum, that desire for a little field trip has never left me... so I thought it would be fun to take you along ... Keep Reading...
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Figural linens told me: People matter!
Life Lesson #23: People are important; everyone matters! Figural linens and laces are ones that have images of people, animals, birds, mythological creatures, urns of flowers, etc. incorporated into the design. I love them! Some of my favorites include people–like this Southern Belle from my personal collection... ...or these two collages of fun ones from Kerry. As I expected, you wonderful readers here at My Place have left some nice comments saying how glad you are to be introduced to Kerry. I hope you're checking out her blog and Etsy shop, too! Thanks again, Kerry, for letting me supplement my pics with some of yours! Some of you may ... Keep Reading...
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Jesus as Super Hero (Kids and the Nativity)
Two days 'til Christmas. I hope you're smiling! It's been a quiet Christmas season so far at our house, and I've had lots of time for reflection. I always find it interesting how seemingly unrelated thoughts converge ... My recently-passed mother-in-law's legalistic understanding of the Bible and her fear of letting others see the "real" in her life; her fear of dying. Our friend who lost her battle with brain cancer just last week; the one who saw hearts everywhere she went. A woman who chose to embrace death "and do it well," blessing those around her even as her body drew closer to eternity. A "kids and the nativity" story I remembered reading last Christmas at the blog Sit A Spell. Here's ... Keep Reading...
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Strolling Through A Legacy
Hello my friends! I hope you're all having a wonderful week so far and enjoying this Christmas season. Renaissance Man and I are still trying to figure out how three whole weeks have passed since we headed west to Texas for Thanksgiving ... and now find ourselves smack dab in the middle of Christmas without having even lifted a finger to deck the halls. We arrived back home this afternoon ... finally ... but I have one more post in me to follow the last several. Thank you for allowing me to record the journey ... and for praying us through it. * * * * * Way back in 1855, one of Renaissance Man's ancestors donated land for a church and adjoining cemetery. The property is a significant part of the history ... Keep Reading...
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The Eleventh Hour … What Does It Look Like?
I Skyped with Little Man yesterday. It was obvious our family's three-year-old has made the switch from Thanksgiving mode to Christmas. Imagine that! Renaissance Man and I, on the other hand, though surrounded by Christmas decorations, are living in limbo. We moved his mother to a hospice facility yesterday ... and pray she goes quickly. It would be such a blessing. It's interesting what the Eleventh Hour looks like for different people. My mother-in-law, Frances, is a Christian, spent most of her adult life as a pastor's wife, and for many years has given every indication of being afraid to die. She lived her life doing "the right things" -- perhaps in fear of what God might do to her if she didn't. She's long been a legalistic, "Bible ... Keep Reading...
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Tis the Season …
How I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was delightful, but I must admit that there were some sobering moments. Interestingly enough, I used the words and pictures below to end my last post ... written as I was riding in the car on the way to my parents' home in Texas. You may have seen them. I chose the pictures because it's Autumn ... moving toward Winter ... but the seasonal aspect has become even more poignant over the past week as I find myself in my own Autumn of life. I am thankful for the consistency of the cycle of life ... and the seasons ... ... and whatever lies ahead. In everything ... in all circumstances ... give thanks. I Thessalonians 5:18 My parents, thank God, are in very good health ... Keep Reading...
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Festival of Tables 2012: Part 2
Last week I shared with you Part 1 of our church's 2012 Festival of Tables. Without further delay, let's move on to Part 2. Just click on any collage once -- or twice -- to enlarge ... Do you remember the English nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence?" That was the inspiration for this tablescape. Look closely, and you'll see bees ... the blackbird that was baked in a pie ... and the queen's crown. Guests at this table all received honey (from the table hostess's hive) and freshly-baked scones. The woman who did this table was our church's Media Center director for many years. She definitely knows her books, so encouraging her guests to "check" out her table was an obvious choice for a table theme ... and a good ... Keep Reading...
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Presidential Open House
My dear friend, Kay O'Brien, definitely has a Christmas heart -- and it serves her well in her role as First Lady of Carson-Newman College. The college's mission is to help students reach their full potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant leaders by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community -- and Kay and her husband, Randall, are wonderful role models for the students they serve. Recently, while busy decorating the President's Home for Christmas events, Kay was gracious to let me stop by and take pictures to share with you. She even let me play with her dishes! I can't begin to show you the entire house, but I'll give you a peek -- after I tell you a little interesting house ... Keep Reading...
