Fine time to be be Refined

September 21, 2012 by

Today’s post starts with a mini science lesson… (It’s not going to require any complicated chemistry formulas or anything I promise. Hang with me… It IS Friday after all.)

Did you know that it take MILLIONS of years for graphite to be transformed into a diamond? Not only does it take a significant chunk of time, but it also requires temperatures upwards of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and pressure that is 50 times greater than that on the earth’s surface.

Sheesh. That’s intense! (And now you have something to talk about at the supper table tonight. You are welcome.) [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: growth Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Vanilla-Flavored Living

May 23, 2012 by

I’ve always heard that one bad apple can ruin the whole bunch. However, due to the fact that I rarely purchase a whole “bunch” of apples, I have yet to experience this phenomenon. (Although I have dealt with this issue in the area of potatoes. One stinky potato can make the whole bunch yucky in a hurry. But I digress.) [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: attitude, challenge, faith, God, growth, Jesus, lessons, life Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Operation: Fortitude Fitness Month #2

March 1, 2012 by

Greetings once again, beloved followers. It is officially March, and according to the weather reports, it looks like it came in like a Lion for areas in my home state of Kansas with tornados and whatnot. So before I get on with my update, let’s remember to pray for  Harveyville and Pittsburg, KS as well as the other towns impacted by Lion-like weather (Branson, MO and various towns in Illinois.) [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: adventure, blessing, fitness, goals, growth Tagged With: , , , , ,

Operation: Fortitude Fitness Update (Month #1)

February 1, 2012 by
Happy February Folks!!Hopefully this post finds you still moving strong towards your “Getting SMART with 2012” goals… We are heading into month #2 and I’m hopeful that you are still hanging on to your goals and have not already fallen off track like a 6-year-old trying to use their dog to pull their Red Rider Wagon. [Read more…]
Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: faith, fitness, goals, growth, health

You can’t out-give THAT!

November 17, 2011 by

It was November 17, 1985. The blistering cold north wind whipped through the trees in a small northwest Kansas County. A redheaded Kansas rancher lovingly helped his petite yet round little wife to the truck.  Their life changing moment was creeping closer with each passing second.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that was the day I was born. I would say that it changed my life, but to be more accurate, it BEGAN my life. Several hours after arriving at Phillips County Hospital and some pretty intense tugs of the forceps later, I made my entrance in the world.  (Don’t believe me about the forceps part? I still have the bald spot on the right side of my head to prove it. Don’t worry. The doctor said it would grow back in a few weeks. 26 years later, I’m still waiting…) [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: growth Tagged With: , ,

Patience to Flourish

October 17, 2011 by

GUESS WHAT!?!

My peace plant FINALLY BLOOMED!! Eeeeeeeee!

Ok. I should probably back up. At this point, I imagine you are either 1) confused at my excitement or 2) think I have lost my mind. But the answer is neither.

I usually don’t get this excited about blooming flowers either– but I have been waiting about 22 months for Chloe (that’s the peace plant’s name) to bloom. Here’s the thing– I don’t have the greenest thumb in the world. [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: growth Tagged With: , ,

No Devil’s Food Allowed

August 18, 2011 by

So here’s the thing with eating, feasting and cooking. You have to have ingredients. How do we get ingredients? Agriculture. Now, I am not going to get all wound up talking about ag, because many of you know I could go off on a tangent and write a blog that is term paper length on that topic. But in order to feed ourselves and others, we have to first GROW the ingredients.

Just like growing crops or basic household herbs, it all starts with a seed. When it comes to planting things in our brains, we can either plant something that is going to help us feast with God or eventually produce Devil’s food (and sadly not the cake.) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: growth Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page