Negating Negativity

I just got off the phone with someone I love dearly. However, I really struggle with the negativity I always hear. It really is hard to remain upbeat for any length of time before I am looking for excuses to get off the phone. I would love to be able to negate the negativity in my own life and I can't do that listening to it.

I think the phrase "negating negativity" really appeals to me. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines it this way:

negate: to cause to be ineffective or invalid

negativity: marked by absence, withholding, or removal of something positive

I think I'll strive toward this goal (the end toward which effort is directed )

Don't you just love dictionaries?

cream colored ponies

Thanks to Erica for the words to my song~!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad.

(Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein)

Favorite Things

In Re: "The Sound of Music" and the song Julie Andrews sings. I can't think of the name of it, but several of the words are "these are a few of my favorite things." Donald can tell you the name of the song, most of the words, who sings it, etc., etc.......

Not me, but I may be able to get a phrase or two out of it; and if I'm really lucky I'll know who sings it.

Maybe there's a song out there with the phrase "a few of my favorite people." That would be more appropriate for this post, but I can't think of one. Too bad Donald isn't home~!

Why I don't wear high heels~!

http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/showbiz/2007/05/29/vo.miss.usa.falls.miss&wm=10

A song for today

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:14

I'm pretty sure I've discovered how important it is for me to have a song in my heart. Some days I just wake up with a line from a song in my heart and I find myself singing it over and over all day. I used to NEVER sing out loud for I am not blessed with a good voice. God tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord and I'm afraid I fall into that category. But I can, and often do, offer this sacrifice of praise to my God.

The past week I have not had a song. Life has been a struggle and I have not had much joy in my life. I have let circumstances and words control me. I have really tried to snap out of it.......maybe that's my problem. The "me" in my life usually gets me in trouble. I really can do nothing of myself. The only way to have peace in this life is through Him. He lives in me so I am set. I have victory through Him. Why do I not "know" that some days and let "me" be in charge?

The fact is I need His salvation EVERY day. I know my name is written in His book and I do not need to continue asking Him for that kind of salvation. But I still need saving. I need saving from myself mainly. I need saving from circumstances that I let control me........not the circumstances themselves but from the way I view them and think of them. I need a new perspective; His perspective, not my own.

I'm asking God for a song for today. And I'm listening.

However, Wherever, Whenever

"The Lord does whatever pleases him." Psalm 135:6a NIV
The Message, modern translation, says it this way, "He does just as he pleases - however, wherever, whenever." I really like that translation.

Our pastor spoke on this today. It is true and should be so simple.......I am not God (duh). I do not know what is best (duh again). I am not in any position to decide what is best for me or anyone else. I am NOT in control. Left to myself I would be doomed.

However I find myself trying to figure out ways that God can do things. These instances usually come about when I am praying for something I need or think I need. Like God needs MY help in figuring out what and how to do something. Just who do I think I am??

Romans 12:3 says: "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." (The Message)

God brings it all to me; He doesn't need my help in figuring things out. Understanding who God is and what he has done for me........that's what I need to contemplate.

Nine lives and a black cat

I'm glad we have two cats. They are both males and get along very well. Jupiter took to Arnold from the moment he arrived. They keep each other warm when it's cold. It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 4:9 where it says two are better than one. Okay, maybe I'm taking it totally out of context here, but it does make me think of that verse.

I've heard that cats have nine lives. Arnold has already used several of his. He was hit by a car several years ago. His leg was fractured and he had a cast. In it's entirety it meant that he stayed in the house for several weeks. He LOVED it. He still tries to come inside and is perfectly happy to lay on Hannah's bed and sleep. The picture of him in my magazine basket portrays his life as it would be if he were a house cat. He and Bright, Bethany's golden retriever, get along splendidly.

Back to the nine lives. After the broken leg episode there is the time he disappeared for two weeks. We searched the neighborhood many times, put an ad in the newspaper, checked out several calls we received, and visited the animal shelter quite often. I finally accepted the fact that he probably wasn't coming back. Hannah and I went to Brownsville for a week with Donald (back when he was traveling). One morning Ben called and asked to speak to Hannah. She burst into tears and told me that Arnold was home~! Ben went out to feed Jupiter and there he was. Very dirty and very, very skinny, but it was Arnold nevertheless.

Hannah thinks that Arnold is hers. Don't tell her I consider him mine~! Maybe it's because I have lots of cat stories from when I was young. I always wanted a solid black cat and would have named him Black Magic. My dad would never have let that happen (he did not like black cats), but there's still time. In the meantime I'll just enjoy the two we have.