QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Of course I have this book on my shelf; it's somewhere.

 This weekend, I found myself exhausted. A look inside my house and you will see remnants of everything I've done for the past two weeks scattered around. Unpaid bills, camping equipment, cookbooks, a folder full of accompaniment tracks, and a sewing machine are all reminders of projects started and then interrupted. I've broken every organizational law and feel like I need to go back to clutter rehab. If I could implement three of my own personal rules of uncomplicating life, I would be able to see my way to the light soon.

One of easiest ways I have found to cut down on chaos is to put things away where you found them. Not only that, try not to touch it more than once. In other words, don't set it down on the way to where it belongs, put it where it belongs right away.

Another great tip is setting aside time in your busy schedule to clean-up and reorganize yourself after projects. My sister says I'm busier that a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest. I would agree with her. Having two teenagers who don't drive yet runs me ragged. I thought this kind of thing would ease up as I became more experienced, mature, whatever you wanna call mothering with more years under my belt. I don't feel like I'm better at this yet. Maybe when I'm a grandma. WAIT! I am a grandma!!!

Me zipping through my smooth life!

The last and most important of my rules is, "Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today." Oooo, I felt that one reach out and bite someone. For those of us who do this, pressure is the very ingredient that jump-starts are creativity. Deadlines looming overhead make us face up to and finish the inevitable. The way I tap procrastination energy is to make up a fake deadline in my mind, before the task is due. It works!

How about you? What are three simple ways to make life less complicated? Please share so we can all get better at this!

Thanks for your input,
Chrissy Larson
aka cyberpsalmist

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Positively Charged 
by Chrissy Larson

In the midst of a hectic life, we have to make sure to find ways to keep our spirits high. From the time I take my warm toes out from under my sheets to the time I put them back again, life has the potential of getting me down. Here are three things to keep your head up: think the best of people, remember to smile, laugh at your mistakes.

I don't know how many times in a day I have the opportunity to get offended but I can honestly say it's usually a lot. From the way someone speaks to me to the blank stare I get when I ask a perfectly sane question, I can choose to take things personal or give people the benefit of the doubt by letting comments, inflections, and physical expressions roll off my back. Psalm 119:165 says, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." When I choose to think the best of someone, I eliminate offense.


On the flip side of that, my countenance sets not only the mood in my house but affects people in my path. Most days, it's easy for me to smile. Those muscles, from what I am told, were the first to get a workout when I was an infant. But sometimes I have days when the gray cloud just won't disappear over my head. It's best if I don't have to leave the house, make important decisions, or answer many questions. I simply put up a Red Flag Warning, stating it's bad weather up ahead and my family seems to understand that tomorrow should be a better day. No matter how dismal my day is though, I still try to put a smile on my face. It makes a difference, even for me.

In my work,  I meet many interesting people. On one particular job, the woman I was working for had many awards and accolades displaying her service and generosity to various schools and organizations. With a letter signed by the president himself, she was one of President Bush's "1000 Points of Light" for making a difference in Jacksonville. I asked her to lunch after my work in her home was finished because I wanted to know her secret to success. The most significant thing she said to me over a Chick-Fil-A sandwich was, "My husband taught me to laugh at my mistakes." I thought about that for awhile and decided it was extremely profound. We make enough mistakes to disqualify ourselves from anything positive or good. If left to my own opinion of me, I am a hopeless loser. But the truth of the matter is humanness is humorous. If God can laugh and move on then why can't we?


So why not laugh at your mistakes? You are funny, especially when you do something stupid! While you're laughing at yourself, a smile will naturally take over your face. That's a good time to roll off offenses and make sure you're dishing out as much grace to others as you would hope to receive yourself. Since life is so full of negatives, be the positive charge as often as you can :)


What is your #1 tip for being happy?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

It's Never Too Late!

Have you ever said that to someone?
To yourself?

What makes or breaks this statement is the strength and conviction behind it. It means I either believe in you more than you believe in yourself OR you believe in you more than anyone else.

Over a year ago, I had a very serious talk with the Lord about some pretty major issues going on around me and in my life. Instead of answering me directly, He subject jumped me. (That's when you ask a question and instead of an answer, the person changes the subject. I HATE THAT!) The Lord gave me a challenge instead of an answer. He said to my spirit, "I want you to take it up a notch." What a wide-open statement! I could apply it to whatever arena of my life I wanted to. I asked the Lord for more clarification and He said, "Do something you never said or thought you could do... something others said you could never do. I'm gonna teach you courage."

I began to toss that idea around in my mind and recall saying, "Ill never ride my own motorcycle." Then I remember my husband said that to someone in a conversation, "You'll never see Chrissy riding a motorcycle. I'm lucky to get her to ride on the back of mine." I knew what I needed to do but it wasn't going to happen easy.

I began to do some research and started talking around. I found out about a Confidence Building Class for women who wanted to learn to ride. It was a one hour class taught for free at The Roar in Daytona Beach, Florida. I grabbed my sister, who was ready to get her endorsement and together, we took the class.

Shortly after that, we both signed up for our motorcycle endorsement class and before you know it, I had "Motorcycle Also" stamped on my driver's license. I found a bike in Tampa, Florida that suited me and trailered it straight to The Roar for them to service, as well as have them make adjustments to custom fit it to match my vertical challenges.

The first test of my courage came the day The Roar called me to say my bike was ready for pick-up. I would have to drive it home from Daytona Beach. Gary charted a scenic route for my maiden journey and followed me in the car as I captained my ride back to Jacksonville. Was I scared? Yes. Did it take courage? Absolutely! But I accepted the Lord's challenge and took it up a notch. He showed me there was more to me than meets my own eyes and there is way more to Him than the eye can see.

There's not a ride that goes by where I don't sense God's power and strength. I feel Him in the wind and smell Him in the breeze. He fascinates me each time I go for a cruise and often times, I'm able to share my story with biker wanna-bes who have no idea the short distance between their wishes and what could be their realities.

Just so you know, I'm not done stepping it up. I have had the Lord speak to me very specifically about other challenges, some of which I have already taken Him up on. On a side note - Remember those serious questions I mentioned before? Even though He side-stepped me, somehow many of those questions were answered along the way. Go figure :)

What if Jesus told you to "step it up a notch?" What would that entail for you?

PUT ME TO THE TEST

by Chrissy Larson

I have a love/hate relationship with tests. They certainly serve a purpose, in that the results generally prove something to somebody.

Last week, I had eight vials of my precious blood go to a lab. A technician somewhere examined it, looking for stuff (in other words, I'm not sure what.) Because I am frequently involved in research projects, I may never learn the results, unless they are not good. In my case, no news is good news.

That same week, I had to administer a test or final exam to 14 high school students. Personally, it was less painful than giving blood, but some of them probably would have taken the needle instead. It was my way of testing their knowledge to see if they walked away with what I was pounding home, week after week. Napoleon Dynamite surely would agree with me in saying this class taught them "skills."

Next week, my younger children will have the opportunity to participate in year-end testing. Some folks prepare ahead by having their kids study or brush up with test prep booklets. I, on the other hand, send them in cold turkey, assuming that if they didn't learn it by now, it's too late. (Not to say that preparing is a bad thing; on the contrary.)

My kids asked me why they had to take tests and I think my answer shocked them. I explained the results were not for me, but for them; that their scores would be compared to other children their age on a national scale. I also told them I was NOT concerned about the results; their score did not matter to me as much as it should matter to them.

At that moment, their disposition changed from fear to freedom. I was not the mean taskmaster (looking for a reason to ground them for the entire summer) they thought I was. It was a new feeling for me, as the weight of this responsibility shifted from mine to theirs. This is not to say that I am fully responsible for their education . . . it's just that I want them to own it for themselves.

Jesus wants us to understand this concept too. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."(The Message)

There is liberty in facing the truth. When we avoid it, the chains of bondage grip us all the more. I suppose this is why James called testing a gift; he understood Jesus when He said, " And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

As I begin to fully understand God's motives, I am less likely to cower upon hearing Him call me to His exam room. I've come to learn the benefits and willingly utter, "Go ahead . . . put me to the test."

What do YOU think?

HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT . . .

Spring is such an amazing time of year. I am drawn to the sunshine that is ever-pouring from God's heaven. The weather has been surprisingly dry, allowing the atmosphere to be crisp and clear. This is such a fresh change from our normal haze of humidity. The sky seems bluer and the grass greener.



Too bad this season is so short. Before you know it, we'll be shutting doors and windows and turning on the air-conditioning for months to come. My husband thought I was crazy today when I chose to take a longer route in order to avoid the expressway. My reason for using back roads which would take twice as long? I wanted to roll down the windows and let the wind blow through my hair.


Today, I didn't want to be in a hurry. I'll be that tomorrow. I wanted to enjoy the day and the memories that Springtime always brings. When I was young, I used to ride my bike to an open field and spend hours looking through four leaf clovers, hoping for a trefoil. I can still remember how the March winds danced over the long, silky grass, doing a wave just for me. Clovers were sweet and dandelions in abundance; buttercups under my chin revealed I was a butter lover.

But most of all, I loved to pick wild daisies, plucking petals until the rhyme turned out right. Who wants to hear, "He loves me not!" My young heart hoped there would be someone who would love me one day.

I was right. I found Him in 1977. His love never relented and He romances me to this day. I always wanted someone who would adore me and care for me the way He does. His love goes down deep as sometimes that's where I hide; but He also celebrates with me in my high places. I've never known a love like this.

Daisy or not, one thing is for sure . . .
HE LOVES ME!

The Outlets

by Chrissy Larson

When you hear the word "outlet," what do you think of?

For those longing to shop and not be stuck in an enclosed building, the outlets are a great alternative to the indoor mall. If you happen to have extra money, where else would you rather be on a fine Spring day such as the those we have been experiencing lately, but strolling down a sidewalk, gazing in store windows. Every time the door swings open, the smell of retail wafts past your nose and out steps a contented addict with their "fix" in hand. Plastic-type bags never truly fill the void. But when you are handed your newly purchased merchandise in a paper-handled bag, you know you are in the zone. If you score a garment bag, life is very good!

If your addiction is fishing or boating, the word outlet might remind you of the place where you take your boat on any given day. An excuse to go can be conjured up in an instant. Living in what's known as "River City," there is one water inlet/outlet after another. I see folks on the river everyday reeling their addiction, who need no reason for getting out a pole and some bait.

However, most of us envision an electrical plug; the outlet being a place where we can plug something in and get something back. Electricity is one of best commodities ever invented by man! That plastic plate on my wall represents convenience and in just a matter of a seconds, my life becomes easier after I "plug it in."

But an outlet can also be a place or opening through which something is let out. For me, writing is that place. I never would have thought for a million years, that I had anything worth writing, much less any interest to others. This kind of mindset will keep us from doing just about anything. One day I woke up and said to myself, "I don't care if anyone ever reads what I have say, I just need the outlet." This begins my blogging journey.

The first time I heard the word "blog," I wondered if it was a new global warming term. Maybe Al Gore made it up and since I never follow him, I could have missed it. But the Internet (which he supposedly created) was full of them. At first, I was overwhelmed by information but after a little investigating, I found help. I decided if I was really going to do this (even if just for myself,) I wanted to do it right.

Last summer, I took several online classes, one of which was a Blog Writing Course (very reasonably priced) that literally walked me through the process, step by step. By the time I finished, I not only had the knowledge to set up my own blog site, I had a new confidence to express myself on the world wide web. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who is or has entertained the idea.

Blogging is one of my outlets . . . an opening through which I can let it all out. This freedom of speech allows me to bellyache and moan from the depths of my soul. But better than that, I have the liberty to scream from the top of my lungs that Jesus is King and His return is imminent.

What is your outlet and why does it work?

I'M AN OPEN BOOK by Alaina Wenrich

One of my most favorite things to do would be to read. I could just curl up in my room for hours with my ipod and a stack of books and I'd be ecstatic, heck, leave me alone in the library for a few hours and I couldn't be happier. One of the best things about books is their ability to draw you into them, so that you feel as if you're there with the main character, helping them through the trials they face. It's the authors of those kind of books that simply amaze me.

I practically grew up on fantasy books. It was always the ones with the pretty covers, the ones that just stood out and caught my eye, that I wanted to read. Some of my favorites as a child were The Hobbit, A Wrinkle in Time, and of course The Chronicles of Narnia. These books have remained with me as cherished favorites of my childhood, and will always hold a special place is my heart, but if I were to choose a favorite among my favorites, I would have to choose Narnia, the world that C.S. Lewis created is just too splendid to give up.

What would you say was your favorite book? If you don't have a favorite book, or if you just can't choose, then tell me your favorite genre of books.

ANGELS AMONGST US

With the economy in crisis, stress levels at an all-time high, and depression knocking on 2009's door, some can truly relate to George Bailey in Frank Capra's classic, "It's A Wonderful Life." Watching this mans life through the camera lens of an angel named Clarence gives us just the "rear-view reflection" needed for the days to come.

The movie has many high points as the laugh meter rises to the top time after time, but I must say that one of my favorite parts is the very beginning when we hear numerous prayers being offered by those who believe He truly hears us. The camera slowly zooms out as requests are being made known and everyone seems to be clamoring at once. The script allows for a small cast of voices crying out to Him with various supplications. Yet God, in all His glorious splendor, chooses to listen and is moved by those who tug on His merciful heart.

As far back as my memories serve me, I remember my mom being a "tugger." Even if it was after I had fallen asleep, I still recollect her tip-toeing into my room to say a soft-spoken prayer over me. Each time she prayed, she tugged at His heart, asking for my safe passage through this life, as well as His blessing. Those words cover me to this day; their goal was and still is to accomplish all that was intended in the words which came off her lips.

I do the same for my children now, whether they are near or far. Already, I pray for their yet-to-be spouses, as well as the grandchildren I will soon hold. As a mother, tugging is my business, but as a believer, tugging is essential to my existence. Once you start tugging in sincerity, you become addicted sensing His pleasure in the asking. Strangely, because of this act, His heart is moved.

More than ever before, I feel an urgency to tug. As much as Hollywood attempted to portray this, we need to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit when we pray. Just as many lifted the name of George Bailey to the heavens, God is calling His people to pray. If we could zoom the camera out the way Frank Capra did, we too would begin to hear the consistency in God's agenda.

This generation is very unique. Truly, these are exciting times to be alive in and 2009 will soon be overflowing with so-called change. Can prayer make a difference? Let me narrow this down even further . . . are there angels assigned to personally assist you? According to George Bailey, there are. Read Psalms 91:11-12 and let me know what YOU think.

(The story you are about to read is 100 % fictional)

Just the other day, I needed to sign some important documents. Because of the nature of my business, signing them in person was a requirement. The office happened to be on the 18th floor of the Modis Building in the downtown area.

I noticed a commotion as I approached the elevators but somehow in all the confusion in the lobby, I wound up in the same elevator as presidential candidate Senator John McCain. There I was, face to face with him. Before I knew it, the doors were closing and secret service came pouncing towards us like a bunch of cats chasing catnip.

I must have been a sight, gawking at him with my jaw touching my chest. He broke the ice by shaking my hand and politely introducing himself. I gasped, knowing exactly who he was. When I told him my name, he smiled and said it was a pleasure to share the ride with me. He further expressed how the security slip-up might serve as a much needed break from the maddening crowds he was so accustomed to.

I nervously stared at the numeric display ascending from one floor to the next, when all of the sudden, the elevator gently came to a stop. We both looked at each other in surprise. I hesitatingly remarked, "Maybe your break will be a bit longer than you expected."

After security assured him via his ever-ringing cell phone we would be fine and the elevator would be repaired momentarily, he asked if sitting on the floor would make me feel uncomfortable. I responded by joining him. I debated in my mind for what seemed like forever, whether or not I should bring up the many issues I was concerned about. As soon I said, "Would you mind if I . . .” he interrupted and replied, "No, go ahead."

The rest is a blur. We must have sat there for a good thirty minutes when the elevator jerked and began its rise back to the top. As my floor approached, I quickly expressed my appreciation for the one-on-one moments we shared. Waving goodbye, I stepped out on to the 18th floor. The doors closed behind giving the Senator two and a half more minutes of solitude as he rode to the building's private top floor.

What did we talk about? That is for me to forever hide in my heart. But I learned so much about him in those few minutes.

Here's my opinion: John McCain is truly a hero. On the subject of negative campaigning, he could sling plenty of mud at his opponent but chooses not to at this time. Maybe what he faced as a POW explains his reaction to keep quiet in the face of persecution and ridicule. I know God honors this no matter who wins this race.

I feel deep concern for where this country is headed in light of the "change" that is promised by the other camp. Socialism is not only knocking at our front doors, it believes it can come in and put its feet on our furniture. Adopting this type of thinking, just because we as a nation are tired of taking care of ourselves, is not worth the consequences.

Voting correctly is one of the most powerful rights we physical possess, but praying fervently moves the heart of the Father. We need to ask God for mercy as a nation and cry out to Him to save us in our time of need. Praying is not the "least we can do," it is definitely the MOST we can do!

IMAGINE YOU GOT STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR WITH ONE OF THE TWO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES. WHO WAS IT AND WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOMEWORK?

Some of my readers have known me for as long as I have been on this earth, maybe even changed my diapers.

But some of you are my newest friends.

The beauty of the blog is that we have found interesting things out about each other in a modern, techno kind of way.

Did you know I am a songwriter? I have several recordings as well, but that's another subject.

My goal this week is to bring the lyricist out in you and ask you to pen a song about your feelings for, of all things, homework. For help with rhyming words, check out www.rhymezone.com. If you need inspiration, sit outside one night this week under the harvest moon. Get out your guitar or harmonica for musical support and opine away. Who knows, the neighborhood hound dogs may even join in!

Here goes . . .

(Folksy, country flavor)

Ode to the Essay
by Chrissy Larson

Verse 1:
It was thirty two years ago I did my time,
In a High School that's so far away;
There was Algebra, Spanish and Chemistry too;
English Comp and the five part ess-ay.

Verse 2:
Now I needed my credits to walk on that stage,
Hear my name, throw my cap to the sky;
But with essays to write and exams yet to pass,
I couldn't just turn a blind eye.

verse 3:
Through many long weekends and more sleepless nights,
Than I really do care to admit;
I finally tackled what I had feared most,
My efforts paid off, every bit.

Verse 4:
I had intros, conclusions, three mains and a thesis,
The only thing left was my clincher;
Oh no . . . not a brain freeze! I'm 'bout out of time -
I'm ready to end this adventure!

Verse 5:
I finally finished those essays and more,
I "walked" and I did not look back;
But who would have guessed that I needed those skills,
To coach you and keep you on track.

Chorus:
I'm so glad it's your essay, not mine;
Watching movies is really just fine.
To Staples again,
I need a red pen;
I'm so glad it's your essay, not mine
(twice through because it's just that good)

Cyber Psalmist
P.s. I will accept nothing less than a poem!

What ONE Embarrassing Little Truth Can You Tell About Yourself?

"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part,

which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:22

It's almost hard to recall but there once was a time in my life when I was able to watch bits and pieces of morning television shows . At 9:00 Am, I had coffee with Regis and Kathy Lee. They jested and jeered about their lives and let me guess, along with the rest of America, the answer to the daily trivia question. Then at 10:00 Am, Martha Stewart showed me how to grow my own herbs, bake my own bread and weave a basket to serve it in. Everything was easy and perfect in her TV world and I too, dreamed of Living just like Martha. It appeared to come so natural for her, except for one thing. . . an entire staff of employees did the work behind the scenes. The image she portrayed was just a facade.

It reminds me of those old western towns seen on a film set. Many of the buildings are only facades, which are far cheaper than actual buildings. If we could go behind the scenes, we would be surprised by the fact that they are merely held up with supports. Such is the case in Martha's world.

Jesus used the story of Mary and Martha to prove a similar point. Martha appeared to have it together on the outside, but in her heart, she missed the mark. Martha felt like her purpose was to busy herself with household duties. One of her biggest downfalls was expecting everyone else to be as passionate about housework as she was. She began to despise Mary for her lack of concern but not even Jesus felt Martha's tasks were as important as Mary's.

I am truly a Mary stuck in Martha's world. I would much rather worship than wash the dishes; I prefer to fast than to feast; I'd rather press in and hear from the Lord than press shirts and have starched creases. The worship webstream runs more in my house than the carpet steam cleaner. The biggest reason I get on my knees is NOT to wax my floors. Existing in this realm requires I loose some of my Martha dignity.

You see, I love to do those things and I was trained by the best (my mother) to do them well. But I can't quite get myself to prioritize any differently. I get up early, yet stay up late. My accomplishments? They add up to a few new songs written for an audience of One; words of encouragement penned for one that needed His touch; or precious time spent with my kids who will one day be gone from my immediate reach.

What is my embarrasing truth? My house is pretty much a wreck. But one thing is needed, and hopefully I have chosen the good part.

Cyber Psalmist

Do the Math

A few nights ago, my husband woke up around 3:00 Am for no apparent reason. He lay there awhile wondering what he should do next. I've been there myself and it feels as though someone's decided to set off an imaginary alarm clock in my head. I toss a bit, then turn, trying not to disturb anyone. After facing my sleepless denial, I am likely to get up and clean or even work on a project.

I asked my husband what he did during his awake time. He said his mind started going down a list all the near-misses in his life; the really stupid decisions he made as well as risks he had taken, imagining what should have happened. When we're young, consequences don't seem as up-close and personal as they are when maturity knocks on our door. He could not understand his survival rate in comparison to the situations that nearly took his life, nor the reason for the grace that came his way. After reviewing his extensive list, he said he fell peacefully asleep.

I've heard drinking warm milk or cocoa helps insomnia, but then so does a dose of NyQuil PM. One of my favorite movies, "White Christmas," has a scene in which Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney discover they both have trouble sleeping. Bing suggests a glass of buttermilk along with a liverwurst sandwich. That sounds to me like trouble, not a treatment. Then they segue into what I consider to be one of the most beautiful songs in the movie. The lyrics go like this:

Count You Blessings
Irving Berlin
(from the 1954 movie "White Christmas")

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

If you think of all the times you were spared, about every close call, and each near-miss, you'll agree, you shouldn't be reading this blog. But God has decided your divine purpose is greater than what you've survived by the skin of your teeth. Psalm 89:13 says, "You (Lord) have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand."

When you count your blessings and do the math; you'll realize you are exponentially blessed!