Man's Empty Praise...

I am someone who likes to be told I'm doing a good job... I think most of us are like that.  We may not like to admit it.  I mean, there's a humble thing that we're supposed to do as a Christian.  And even when we are humble about something, we still appreciate a "Good job" or thumbs up - appreciation is huge.

I guess the problem comes when the ONLY thing you want are pats on the back from others - from people..
When you dont care as much about the pat on the back from God...

We have some talent in our church & our Worship Minister put together this video that you see below to use over a few weeks of series... it started with the first corner & then the next week, they'd replay it, adding in the next "square" & the instrument he was playing.  In the end, its a collection of gorgeous music - showing how when all of our own unique sounds come together, the music it makes is perfection...

The song he did this to was "Be Thou my Vision" ...

Now, I love old hymns - I grew up on them my whole life - but I have a hard time with the words like thou, thy, thee ...(Did old time language like "T's") ...

But on the 3rd week - the verses was...

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine inheritance now & always

Thou & thou only first in my heart;

High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

The words "Man's empty praise" hit me...

Such a good reminder... while its nice to have those pats on the back, ultimately, its "empty" - its not what matters...

I dont know about you, but that actually makes me want to do MORE because I know then its not about man... about pleasing them - or really, NOT pleasing them.  Because when you go to do something sometimes, you run into the opposite - people being upset with you - people not appreciating what you do because its not what THEY want... but what if its something that God wants?  You do it anyways, because man's praise ... or criticism... is just empty...

For me - those three words encouraged me - not to worry about what people say - what they think of what you do - when they dont appreciate your heart...Its all about God & the praise we can give HIM!!!!!

Be encouraged today as well... that its not about what others say... its what God says about your life...

You're all I want in Heaven!  You're all I want on earth! -Psalms 73:25

Can you hear my screams?

For those of you who didnt see the news on Facebook yesterday... or for those of you that heard a constant scream through the day being carried by the wind & wondered what that was - it was me...screaming with screams of excitement!  Why?  Because my husband is the most awesome husband EVER!

Steven Curtis Chapman is coming to town in October... that alone makes me happy.  But then I got word that for the cost of the premium seats, you get to go to a 30 minute meet & greet with the MAN himself & his beautiful wife, Mary Beth!!!!

I called Ricky almost shaking when I heard this...

He said, "I'll get the tickets for you for our anniversary" .... Let the screaming commence!!!!

Ricky told me, "its my dream for our anniversary for you to go see the man you wish you could marry"... ahh honey... true... but not really... but kinda...

I now need to go over classes on "how to take a photo" with Ricky... we have 50 days to work on this.  He even said last night, "If I mess up that picture, I know you're going to go immediately file for divorce" ... oh, my husband knows me so well! 

I'm just praying I dont get so nervous when I meet him face to face that I throw up on his shoes or something.... or just freeze & say nothing but stare... or even pass out...

I'm excited to meet Mary Beth as well... And their boys are going to be there too... You all dont even understand - I have watched all their children grow up at the concerts & in pictures... I feel like I know this family!  Yes, my name is Rebecca Jo & I'm a crazed fan... but this crazed fan is finally going to meet these people in person...

Are you hearing the screaming again?

Yep - no more having to rush the stage...

Speaking of which - I will be seeing Steven & Mary Beth at Women of Faith this weekend as well.... See?  Crazed Fan...

Did you ever get to meet your favorite star?  Was it everything you thought it would be? 
Who WOULD you want to meet that would cause you to scream nonstop?

Project 365-27

Sunday - August 8 - I refuse to let my daddy up!!! ....Sunday mornings, we get the newspaper & read through it in bed... its a weekly tradition.  Well, our Sydney is getting so old, she cant jump up on the bed anymore.  So Ricky will pick her up & put her on the bed with us.  She crawled up in his lap & wouldnt budge.  Literally, she laid like this for over an hour... until Ricky's legs were numb.  But he was a good dog-daddy & didnt move the whole time. Now that's love...

Monday - Aug 9 - it never fails.... It always goes like this... get my nails the same length to make a French Maniure look nice... & then my nail broke during lunch... URGHHHH - that makes me so mad!!!!  It never fails, they will all soon start breaking, one by one... stupid finger nails.

Tuesday - Aug 10 - Sweater FINISHED! ... I knitted me up a sweater out of yarn in my stash & I love the way it turned out.  Its actually a tad big in the back, but love the details on the top of it & love the color... Just gotta figure a way to take up some of the slack in the back.  It also still needs 2 buttons sewed on at the top, but gotta find the perfect buttons... you wouldnt believe how fun it is looking for buttons actually...

(Closer view of the details on the top... WOW, that photo edit tool made me see what I'd look like with Black hair!)

Wednesday - Aug 11 - Taking notes... The kiddos were encouraged to write down this point in the youth lesson.  I loved that the young lady in front of me found a way even though she had no paper... write it on your arms!  there's a way to remember!!!

BONUS PICTURE - one of the kiddos sat next to me & just kinda rubbed in how WHITE I am... Tan?  What's a tan?  Take one big guess which leg is mine!  I told her I'm going to post this picture & say I put one leg in the sun & cover the other for an experiment...

Thursday - Aug 12 - Google of Oz... just loved the Google logo for the day... had to take this picture for my Wizard of Oz lovin' momma!

Friday - Aug 13 - Time to start again... I had knitted up this shawl - was almost done with it - but just wasnt digging it.  And I love this yarn so I did what I hate to do - unraveled the whole thing.  But now, I have 3 good skeins of yarn to make a whole new creation....

Saturday - Aug 14 - Step away from the pot roast!!!! .... I had a pot roast in the crock pot with potatoes & carrots... Oh my gosh - it was the best I have ever made... & the smell was incredible in my house during the day.  That smell was driving the dogs a tad crazy I think. Every time I walked by the kitchen, I'd see all four dogs sitting right in front of the crock pot... ready to catch any little bit that may get dropped on the floor!  They did end up getting gravy on their dog food for the evening... couldnt let them wait all day & get no reward...

Got an exciting week ahead of me so gotta make sure the camera batteries are all charged & ready to go!

May you all have click worthy moments in your life!!

Friday Fragments

I am sitting here at my desk sick to my stomach... literally... sick to my stomach!  I was fine driving in & got situated at my desk for the final day of the week when BAM!  Nausea... UGH... I hate being nauseated.  Along with it has come a headache... geez.. this day isnt starting out well... maybe some fragging will help..

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We have a new group of kiddos in the Jr. High Youth since the school year has began.  One little girl who is the most precious little thing I've ever seen always comes up to me & talks & hugs me everytime she leaves.  She even had her mom help make me a beaded bracelet - its actually very beautiful & I have worn it many times to work.  The other day, she came up & said, "I forgot your name.  I was trying to tell my mom something you said & I just said, "You know, that OLDER LADY in class" ..... OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  All the other leaders just went "OHHHHH!!!!!"... I told her in the future, when she cant remember my name, to just say "The beautiful lady in class"... she laughed...(ouch again!)

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I am becoming a cooking fool!  I found a cookbook I bought forever ago that has recipes that are just 5 ingredients or less & oh my gosh - I'm loving this!  This is my kind of cooking!  So far, I've made some homemade pizzas (yum!), Honey Mustard Chicken fingers (YUMMM!), the best meatloaf I've ever tasted in my life (DOUBLE YUMM!), & last night I made "Saucy Pork Chops" (not so yummm)... you cant win them all!  I'm even venturing into the desserts for Ricky this weekend with a cherry cobbler in store.  Yes - my name is Rebecca Jo & I actually like to cook... who knew?

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Anyone see "Remember Me" with Robert Pattinson?  I just caught it on Netflix & loved this movie... was so surprised how everyone kept the ending such a secret... So let me ruin it for you... joking!  I wont do that.. but I really did love this movie.  The sister in this movie just killed me... I never so badly wanted to punch a 10 yr old girl then these bullies in this movie!

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Speaking of NetFlix - They have now got me addicted to "Lie to Me" & then they pull the rug out from underneath me.  There is no Season 2 available on there yet!  That's just cruel....

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Are they serious when they say they are going to make a movie out of that flight attendant, Steven Slater?  I keep hearing of the stars that could play him.  I'm thinking, a good tantrum only lasts a few minutes - how are they going to turn that into a movie?  I have to say - the guy gives me the creeps for some reason. 

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Yeah - this pretty much says it all...Its over 100 degrees today here & with the humidity, our heat index is like 115... Thank you Jesus I work in an office where the air is free-flowing...

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My brother sent me pictures... the twins started kindergarten this week...I cant believe it... but look at the difference from the first day to the second... the air has definitely been let out of their sails... they must have gotten a quick reality check on the joys of early mornings for school... Only a good 16 years ahead of school for them... cant wait to see the faces they make when they realize THAT!!!

YIPEE - school is going to be great!  Riding the bus is exciting... we've been waiting for this all our lives!

You mean we gotta do this AGAIN?  This bites...

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Well, seeing pictures of the twins did make me feel a little bit better... I think I need a Diet Coke to help with this nausea... its a cure-all, right?

Happy Friday everyone!

Hey Soul Sister...

I'm walking around the house this morning, getting ready & just kept singing...

"Hey Soul Sister - Aint that mister mister..."

Actually, I sing "Hey Soul Sister - didnt want to kiss her" ... dont ask me why - Ricky & I both sing it that way.

I hate this song...

When we were getting ready to leave, Ricky jokingly said, Why are you singing that song?  I told him I had no idea since it drives me nuts anyways - which he knows - which is why he asked me why I'm singing it.

He said when the alarm went off, it was the song that was on the radio.  He knows how much I hate it, so being the good husband he is, he let the whole song play out.

You need to know - I am a SLEEPER!  I can sleep through most anything... I have people who can attest to that (Julie, are you shaking your head, YES!) ... so that alarm didnt phase me.  I usually wake up when Ricky tells the dogs to "go get momma" - then they all jump on the bed or the side of the bed, barking & licking my face.  Thats my morning wake up call...

And then I thought about how I had that song in my head... didnt even KNOW I had heard it - it subconsciously got into my head.  Wasnt even aware of it...have you ever had that happen?  You get something in your mind & you wonder, how did that get there?  Only to find out, you just heard something on the radio,  TV, or something someone around you just said & you heard it...but not really heard it?

Then I thought, how many times do we just let sin in our lives without really even paying any attention to it?  Its so easy to hear songs with horrible lyrics, or tv, or foul language & it just slips in our minds & its just THERE - without us even really being aware of it...

This stupid song by Train really showed me once again how we need to be on our toes... always aware of what's going on around us - always keeping up our guard....

And I will put an apology disclaimer here now if I have left you with "Hey Soul Sister" stuck in your head...

Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. -1 Peter 5:8

The most unbelievable blue eyes...

Mama Kat's prompt this week was so easy for me to pick...

3.) The most unbelievable blue eyes you’ve ever seen…

If you've been around my blog for awhile, then  you know I have some of the most beautiful blue-eyed babes in my life... I just narrowed it down to two pictures though because I could SWARM you with oceans of blue... but I think this is proof enough...

Our Beautiful Blue Eyed Baby Isaac... isnt he the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen?

My Niece Madi... her eyes arent only blue, they're BIG... a perfect combination to break hearts when she's older...

(The funny thing too - Pictures of Madi & Isaac when they are babies, you cant hardly tell them apart... they look identical with their blond scalps & huge blue eyes... its really funny...)

Our girl Julie also has some amazing eyes, but I dont have a great picture of them... add that to the list of things I need to do - get a picture of her eyes!!! ... & my SIL Melissa has some stunning eyes that are the kind that you just have to stare at... And the queen of blue eyes, my momma... just fits with all the blue she wears in life anyways.

So, do you have blue-eyed babes in your life?

Legacy

OK - I think I should be earning some commission for promotion of this Bible Study now... Kelly Minter, you can just come up & go to lunch with me instead - that would be the best payment ever!

We finished it up last week & our last group time had some interesting conversations going on.  For me, a part of honesty came out.  The title of the study shows Ruth - Loss, Love & Legacy.  So towards the end of the study, it really focuses on the "Legacy" part of Ruth's life.  And that Legacy shows how the lineage of Jesus comes along...

So a focus was on having children & the legacy that follows through generations...

For me, someone who has never had a child of my own, it ended up making me feel like I am useless - not leaving a legacy in anyway...  There was even a point where you were supposed to write a prayer about the legacy you want to leave behind & I was just so BLAH about that part of the study, I just wrote, "I cant talk to you right now God"... which is kinda funny because its not like God didnt know what was going on in my heart then anyways.  But you know women, its a stomping the foot & storming out of the door moment. 

The ladies from the study were so kind & comforting as they were assuring me I make a difference in my step daughters lives & even the kids in our youth group... their words were hugs sent from afar...

I did leave the study feeling a part of my heart hurt though...

Then, this Sunday, my Sister-Friend Lynn & her daughter, Carly go on stage... a total surprise to me.  And they sang a duet.  "Legacy" by Nicole Norderman.  Now, I love Nicole Norderman - have seen her in concert many times, & for some reason, this song never crossed my mind in all the time of the study of "legacy" - how I think Satan tries to block things when you need them the most.  But our God is even  smarter then that stupid devil (There you go Dawn!) & God made sure I heard this song... & through the best way possible - from my best buddies!!!!

I loved it even more because the song says SO MUCH about leaving a legacy - but yet, it doesnt mention one time about having a child is the most important way to leave a legacy...

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough

To make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace who

blessed your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

Yeah!  That's the kind of legacy I want to leave!!!  My heart so lightened up about the whole issue...

And ladies - for those of you who are moms - what an amazing legacy you do get to leave behind in your beautiful children... but ladies who dont have the children you pray for, know you too can leave a mark - make a difference in others lifes...

The words that speak the most to me in the song:

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred

Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Yep... as long as I hear those words at the end of my life, then that's all that matters...

So, what about you - are you leaving your own Legacy?

Project 365-26

Another week - another camera full of pictures... here's the beginning of August in Rebecca Jo-Land...

Sunday - "I'm no fool" ... Yep, its hot... gotta be hotter when you're a dog with lots of fur.  But dont think my doggie, Sydney, doesnt know how to keep things cool.  She literally, every night, will lay down on top of the air vent.  I've gotten up to pet on her after she's laid there for awhile & that doggie is cooler then cool!  .... its cute & all, but the bedroom gets all stuffy since she's sucking up the air...but how do I make her move?  With a face like that, she'll get her way everytime....

Monday - She's a woman? .... we got to meet Lindsay out for dinner & its just crazy for me to look at her & think she's a woman!  She's still the baby, dang it! And yes, she turns 22 in 2 months - & she still looks like she's 13, so that doesnt help! We're so proud of her though - she just got a Theater Scholarship for her acting!!!!  So the girl who hated school more then anything may be putting in a few more years....

Tuesdsay - Bye Bye Ruth... thats what the post-it says (though you cant see it very well)... I have so enjoyed that study... we had some good talks going on via Chatzy... made me so sad to say goodbye to this study.  But Dawn is all on it & getting us ready for another study on Jonah!  Time to learn from a big ole whale!  If you want to join us, be sure to check out Dawn's blog:  http://dawnscottagecorner.blogspot.com/ - she'll have more info coming up on how to join in.

Wednesday - never grow up!!!.... You all know I love these youth kiddos!  And I love them for reason #574 - because they may be growing up, but they are still full of fun & play.  It keeps me young myself... but obviously not young enough to try & climb up a door frame.  We do want the church to stay standing....

Thursday - Love you too Dad!!!... I got home & my dad called & said, "Did you get a note today?" - HUH?   Then he asked what door I came through.  I came through the garage.  He told me to go look out my front door.  He had driven by earlier in the day & left a note in my wreath.  I think I told you all before how he used to leave me notes when he worked in my office building - I'd never know where they would turn up... this was a fun surprise that made my day...

Friday - Welcome Home Chayla!!!! .... Chayla, one of the awesome kiddos from church spent the past month in Florida with her dad.  And when one of us is gone, it just feels like a part of us is missing... so when she came home, a friend of hers threw a Welcome Home Party.  There were LOTS of people who missed this young lady...Glad she's back home with us!

Saturday - It finally happened!... Its official - the mark of a runner - no toe nail! I know some of you have traveled the pictures of my dying toe nail & Saturday was the end of this story.  Its been hurting & slowly peeling away from the skin.  I've kept it band-aided up but took it off for my shower.  Then I looked down & it was literally just hanging on by the side.  It just took a tiny tug & the whole thing was off... It freaks me out to look at my toe now.  But the new nail is already coming up... I figure it'll be full grown, just in time for the next Mini Marathon...to get bruised again & to fall off again...

Excited to see what the next week holds & the things my camera captures...

Hope you all have wonderful memories you want to capture... even if its gross toes! :)

Friday Fragments

Its Friday...Friday... Friday!!!!  Looking forward to the weekend - got lots of plans... of knitting & reading & cleaning & a good run ... those are the best weekends.  But for now, lets frag...

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I thought this was weird... its not in the wrong place... as you can see, there are more of them in the same slot... but its labeled "HIS BIRTHDAY" ... I'm sure there are some men who I guess would appreciate this, but if I were to get this birthday card for my husband, or my dad or my brother with this man dancing on the front of it, they would probably think it was odd... the inside was definitely not a joke-y card either - very serious. Maybe its just me.... the best part, Ricky was totally DYING of embrassment when I pulled out my camera in the middle of Hallmark... when will he ever learn that's what bloggers do....

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I tried all day yesterday to win tickets to the "So you think you can dance" tour... I'm a loser.... I was in the middle of a conversation at work & heard the words "Caller number 15" - I just stopped the conversation & RAN to the phone... yes, I want to yell at Kent with all the other 14 yr old girls...

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Do you know I totally forgot about the "Spat of the week" until someone reminded me.  Oh, you know we still have our spats.... so back by popular demand:

Spat of the week:  Huey Lewis .... (see, didnt you miss the wonderful things we spat about?) ... yes, we had a good spat about Huey Lewis & the News - particurly the song "I want a new Drug" & the lyrics.  Its always fun when you think you know the words to a song for years only to find out you were totally wrong.  And because I'm a big girl, I can admit - I was the one wrong about the line "or make me feel three feet thick" .... hence, where the spat comes in.  Because Ricky is not a good winner.  He likes to rub it in.... You think you're so smart Mr. Man... bring on the lyrics to "Happy to be stuck with you"... I'll show you I know my Huey Lewis!

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I read in a magazine this morning the "word of the month" is TOILET MUMMY ... its when you cover the toilet in a public with toilet paper to avoid at all costs your rear end touching anything porclein.  I do that...especially in those gross bathrooms you dont even want your feet to be touching the ground.  It did go on to say that its very rare you can catch any kind of disease from a toilet seat, but who wants to take chances?  So next time you cover that seat, you have an official term you can use... dont say you dont learn anything on this blog....

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And look what I found looking for a good picture of a Toilet Mummy.... they now sell things you can keep in your purse so you dont have to use toilet paper - which you know is always out anyways...

Isnt this picture hilarious though for advertising? Because everyone should look fashionable sitting on the commode... And I like the line at the bottom - "Because you never know" ...

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Now this is recycling!  I love it!  I have a whole huge bin of water bottles.  I want to make this... maybe bedazle it & sell it as a premium cell phone holder?  I wonder if its safe for that plastic to be around the outlet?  But kudos for the genuis that thought of this...

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So Reality Steve was WRONG about the Bachlorette outcome!!!! I know he claims he changed his site like at noon the day of the show, but that doesnt count!  When you tell people for MONTHS that Ali picks no one & then you change it a few hours before, it doesnt mean you got it right.  ABC must be catching onto his source.  Needless to say, I enjoyed being surprised that she did pick Roberto... the Latin Lovah.... I'm keeping fingers crossed that they work out... only because I like Roberto.  He seems like a really buen chico ... that's Spanish for good guy... & I actually had to Google that it.... I originally had Bueno Muchacho ... which putting that in Google, I found out is actually a person on Facebook... & a restaraunt in California...

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Anyone watching "Work of Art"?  I really have enjoyed that show & totally think my brother would win if he were on there... but I have to say, art is crazy!  I know "art" is interpretive but some of this stuff, I'm thinking, seriously?  And it wins!!!!  Like this picture... it won the challenge.  They had to create an outdoor sculpture.  They just sorta built a thing you could lay back on & look at the sky ... & they laid weird shape things around in a circle... & it won... I think I need to start looking at the piles of clutter in my house & tell everyone its art - a statement...

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I have two words for you... PRINCE POPPYCOCK ... I love this man... if you dont know what I'm talking about, then you are missing out on the most theaterical man you'll ever see... his make up & costumes are beautiful... & in the words of Sharon, "he's FABULOUS!" ... I hate opera, but I would listen to him anytime

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Hope you all are FABULOUS today ... Happy Friday!!