Seeing The World As A Non Facebooker

People claiming not having Facebook keeps others out of their business.

This makes me chuckle.

Facebook isn't how non Facebookers perceive it. 

There are boundaries. 

Every ounce of your personal business isn't poured out. 

Manage how openly you share. 

Choose what not to share.
Friend who you wish.

A few weeks ago, my Bible study class started a new study called Breathe by Priscilla Shirer. My precious Bible study leaders followed their heart in the direction the Lord called them in choosing what study to do next. The Breathe study is base off the Sabbath, not necessarily on Sunday but allowing yourself margins and boundaries daily to create tranquility for our soul. 

One of the first exercises suggest writing anything that holds too much control over your current season of life. I wrote, social media. Out beside social media, I continued writing, "I really don't like writing social media. I feel God uses me through social media." One of my natural strengths is balance and boundaries. When the study kicked off I wasn't sure it would be worth much.

The month prior, I held an online art auction. The money raised I donated for liver cancer research. My heart was bulging out of my chest claiming a break from facebook, social media. When we openly talked in class about the first exercise. I spoke up about social media. Most of the class could relate. We all agreed to challenge each others limit of social media intake. 

The first week went well for me. The second week one of my leaders suggest deleting the apps from our phone. It's been nice breaking free. The world through non-Facebookers eyes is amazing. I can sit peaceful at a red light. Usually, my thoughts race knowing what status to post next. Don't get me wrong. Facebook is a great outlet/platform geared towards being a writer, blogger, artist and photographer. The time away God is using to speak to my soul. 

He is realigning my time. 

How my time is freeing:

carpool is not spent scrolling FB/IG

I don't wake up scrolling social media

my mind is not constant spining for the next status or the next picture I will post

how many people liked my post/picture

Things I've done instead:

deleted old emails

deleted old pictures

deleted apps

organized apps

conversed with God deeper

take fewer pictures

relaxed my mind

enjoyed a day tailgating with friends/football game

My Bible study has a prayer wall. Once a day from my desktop I check in, then scroll through my home page and share blog post. Outside of this I am enjoying the freedom from Facebook.

Things God conversed with me:

stop taking so many pictures

a steadily check on social media is exhausting

listen to the season of your life
foucus on your writing
organize your writing skills

you've grown as a writer

the time will come for the final edits on you second book, even if it's after the first of the year when you mentioned to your audience/readers/platform it would be ready late fall

He used exhaustion from the online art auction to pull me in closer to Him. "Listen to what I have to say." Facebook is reminding you of everything you don't have. The walk closer to Him is reminding me of everything I already have-own, blessed with, growth, enjoy, born with, acquire etc. 

Discovering a social media break was worth the study to me.

When I wait you strengthen my heart. Psalm 27:14

How to know if you maybe in need of a social media break:
tired of seeing everyone's pictures
check it first thing every morning
look at it throughout lunch and dinner
don't hear what others are saying around you
sudden urge to take pictures of your every move
urge to show off only your highlight moments in life
urge to show off material possessions

My encouragement is to take a break.

Delete the apps from your phone.

Be free.

See.

I said God

Saying something about God in written words is easy.

Saying something about God to the guy at the cash register is a little harder. I handed him my receipt along with the item I was exchanging. We walked over together looking on a table for the new item. Once we found what I was looking for, I proceed to ask him about another item. We walked over to a shelf on the wall. 

This is a store I've shopped in for years. So knowing their normal sales procedure and knowledge of the products, I could almost guess he'd not worked there long. 

After helping me find the second item, I asked him how long he had worked there. His response, "about three weeks". By this time we were back at the register, I smiled nodding my head. "Oh, three weeks. That's cool." 

"Yea, my wife got me this job for now. I used to work at such and such police department."

My eyes lit up, "really". I proceed to tell him I was very familiar with that line of work as it's in my family. "Yea, the administration was a little off and I just needed a break." Expressing I understood, "will you ever go back into law enforcement?" He wasn't quite sure. 

It happened in that moment, I said, "You know, God could have been using the struggle to remove you from there. He could be pressing you on to something bigger and better He has in store for you. Don't give up on law enforcement. There's a need for it more this day and time than anything. I know it can be scary to be out there."

He nodded his head. We talked a little more, I showed him how to combined punch cards. Paid. Said, "You have a good day." Walked out of the store.

This part right here is between you, the reader, and me only. "He'd be better off on the road."

I know without a doubt God was using me in this guys life. This was a store, I typically don't like to go in. Simply, because it's way out of my way. It was something on my to-do list I set out to conquer. I could've gone any other day. He might not have been working another day.

God is good like that. He is tiny stepping stones for some of us. And big gaping leaps for others.

What a great opportunity to shine His love in this guys life. It's easy to share a word from God or even scripture on Facebook, on my blog, in a book, at church or Bible study. This was the real deal. I didn't set out to say this. It rolled off my lips before I knew it. I felt His empowerment. Hopefully, this guys soul ruffled with His spirit like mine did. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Act 1:8

I pray this equips him. And is used as a piece of his story one day. May he remember it for life. 

My thoughts are: 

This guy may have been saved as a child but not currently walking. He may have been out of church for awhile needing this reminder to follow Him again. He may have never had someone mentioned God to him and draw closer to knowing Him. Or he may have been already listening for Gods favorable voice and heard it in that moment. 

Go beyond what you normally do. Ask God to show up in places He wouldn't normally in your walk. Ask him to use you in others life in public in your daily routine.

Say, God. 

It's in the mail

Friday I was feeling alittle on top of the world

and thought I'd share something with my

facebook buddies...

This was my facebook status from Friday!  

*when/win

(oh boy at how my mind works)

Well one of my readers guessed it right...

Styrofoam

If you've read Daddy's Briefcase chances

are you already knew that but

just didn't get a chance

at

guessing!

Well be on the look out for future

give aways. Not sure when they

will be but maybe when

the moment

is feeling just

right!

I

heart

feeling

lead to do

something!

This painting was inspired by  

Chris August's song Starry Night

I wanted to share with you a little behind

the scenes of just how I came up

with this painting.

This is my original sketch....

me working it out of my head

on to paper.

Listen to the words of the song...

these are the words that

stuck with me while painting....

birds that sing

tallest trees

desert sand

He is everything

painted sky

moon reflects the sun

starry night

autumn leaves

I may be FREE but it's not free to be told that!

March 7th I visited my liver doctor!

In 2005, he set me FREE, meaning I didn't

have to do follow up appointments with him any

longer that after that amount of time and no

reoccurring tumors on my liver I was good to go.

I've been back twice since 2005,

one being around 2008

and the other this year, March 7th.

Learning to live and deal with the fact

of surviving cancer and looking for and

waiting for signs or symptoms that it could

or may return some days can near get the best of you!

Luckily, my scans and blood work were

clear once again. Only if it was free to be told

that your free. The release of the anxiety of it all,

I'll pay for it! It ain't cheap, but I've got this.

I am very thankful for my husband who

understands and is willing to provide for me

through this life I have been handed.

Have I ever told you !?!?!

Have I ever told you I like to make dressing, really I do!?!?!

Have I ever told you we are not called to happiness, we are called to Him!?!?

Have I ever told you the movie Game Plan is a cute movie between a father and daughter!?!?!

Have I ever told you that I've forgotten what music is on my ipod, that's how long it's been since I used it!?!?!

Have I ever told you how thankful I am for my life!?!?

Have I ever told you that if your on my facebook friends list you prob just read all the above!?!?!

Facebook Status #3

I love when I learned something new.
I am a big fan of American Idol, its one of the few
shows I actually watch.

And to hear on the radio the other day that Jason Castro
is now a Christian singer and song writer, my heart just
melted. Check out his new song: You Are The One

I shared this on facebook one day recent!

I also asked for his new CD for Christmas,

so we will see, I can't wait!

Facebook status updates...#2

Okay I am no marriage expert,
but hubby does call me "Dr. Phil",
nor do I proclaim to have a perfect marriage
but after being married for 15 years now,
hmmmm let's just say I have seen it all.

Not just through my marriage but friends as well,
and being a wedding photographer. So I am
always on the look out for helpful insight on marriage.

Facebook Status Posted on September 22
"I saw this, this am...tried posting it from my phone, but it didn't work...so here you go - it's from focus on the family!!!"

Ten Secrets to a Successful Marriage

Facebook status updates...

Okay so I am not gonna lie to ya, it's hard having a family and writing a book. Things tend to get neglected...I tend to updated my facebook status rather than coming over here writing up a blog ...so I want to share a few status updates with you, the first one is from August 24th- "As hard as it was six years ago to give up my dream job to be a stay-home mom, boy my life would be so different, I am so glad I listen to God's calling....is he calling you to be somewhere you can't see yourself, be sure to listen...to his calling!!! :)"

and I attached this video, from a local church...



August 22: "Pinelake Inside Out: Values - Leveraged Living" from Pinelake Church on Vimeo.