Random Thoughts from a Walk in the Park

And God saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. - Genesis 1:31

I've heard it said that all things in the physical world represent something spiritual. Everything can be made into a metaphor. I went for a walk earlier today on this beautiful fall day and pondered a lot of things, one of which was what to write for this blog.

The topic I came up with was more of a collection of random thoughts than anything, each one inspired by something I saw and each worthy of its own blog post. God's creation is definitely good for a lot of things! 

1. The caterpillars are out. Soon they will be in their cocoons, transforming into butterflies.

This is the time for many people and organizations for setting goals and preparing for the upcoming year. Nature follows this pattern as well as in the fall the "old" dies to make way for the new. Leaves fall, caterpillars morph, grass goes dormant. 

What one thing, if implemented in your life over the next 6 months would make the most impact on your life? 

2. We see butterflies wander, eagles soar and flowers bloom and we marvel at the beauty of it all.

Do we also marvel at the "suffering" and hard work required over weeks and months that brought the beauty to fruition? The change process is tough and not seen by most. Butterflies morph from crawling caterpillars. Eagles aren't born flying. Flowers culminate from a seed buried in the earth.

Are you going through a transformation and getting tired of the process? Be patient with yourself and endure to the end. Soon you will soar.

3. God must have known how much we would enjoy the splashes of color on once green tree leaves and the richness of a blue sky on a clear day.

If the fall color was ever present, would we still appreciate its splendor? If it was never cloudy would we appreciate the clear blue sky?

Sometimes things are taken away from us so we appreciate what he had. What are you thankful for today? Thank God for that gift. If you are thankful for a person, let them know they are appreciated today. Good things don't last forever here on earth.

I too, can say that what God creates is very good.  What can you add to my list? Add it to the comments below!


Live and Learn

What an interesting week I have had.  It has been a week of surprises, good and bad.  It has passed both fast and slow.  I've been both focused and scattered.  I can't believe that I haven't posted here since Wednesday.  And today with this post, I have so many things to say that I can't find one thing to say.  What an interesting dilemma.  So, I think that I will just post here some random things I have learned or relearned through this past week.  As with all good learning, all can be tied to key points in the bible.  While I have not posted the verses here because I have not taken the time to look them up, I'm sure I could find a reference for all of my key points.  That can be your homework assignment.  :)  Then we can all learn from my life.

I have learned...

  • Less of me means more for you.  In speaking twice this week and having to deal with a lot of unexpected personal issues in my family, I've learned that the more I let God take charge, the better I can be for everyone else. 
  • There is freedom in structure.  This may seem like a paradox but it is true.  Knowing that I've scheduled time in my week for work, physical fitness, ministry & time with friends allows me to live in the moment rather than in worry that I will not finish all that I need to do.
  • God's message of hope transcends all generations.  The good news of the Gospel is not old news but a reminder of the hope it provides speaks to young and old alike.  It's power never ceases.
  • An authentic friend is a rare gift from God.  We should make time each week to nurture the relationships in our lives.   
  • Slowing down speeds up progress.  By seeking God's direction through prayer, we can do less but accomplish more.  Strange but true.

This isn't all that I have learned this week.  I'm going to mull over some of my more skeptical "learnings" and save my public thoughts regarding them for another day when I am sure they are truths worth sharing.  What have you learned or re-learned this week that you can build on in the upcoming week? 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.


Dysfunctional Holiday

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (He 12:1 NKJV)

I had a new revelation just last night regarding the New Year's Day holiday.  With an old year ending and new year beginning there is a strange feel to the last day of the year, December 31.  We take a look at the year behind, sometimes with celebration for things accomplished, sometimes with relief that we made it through at all.  We look at the year ahead with hopes for new beginnings and the hopes of achieving new goals and dreams.  Some of us - I am one of these - can't wait to get started on the new just for the excitement of the new challenge.

But wait!  We can't get started on our new year right away, can we?  We have a holiday where businesses are closed and college bowl games are being played.  We get our new year off to a slow start because we are sleep deprived from staying up to close out the old.  For some of us, myself excluded from this one, our new year starts in a fog of a hangover.  Does anyone else think that the whole concept of the holiday is flawed?  Personally, I think the official holiday and day off should be on December 31, not on the first day of a new year.  Then we could all start the next race of our lives in a little better shape. 

In closing, rather than start this blog year off with just my strange holiday change idea, I'll share with you some quick tips for planning your year.  Try out the tips.  Rather than make a resolution, make a plan.

Tips for the Race

1) What is the one thing that if accomplished this year would make the biggest positive impact on your life?

2) What are the obstacles standing in your way of achieving this one thing?

3) What three small steps can you take starting immediately to eliminate the obstacles in your way?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Janna

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.


About Myself & Christmas

I thought I'd take a break from all of my serious thoughts today (of the Omaha mall shootings, people in desparate need of hope & truth) and have some fun with this little meme about aspects of Christmas.   I found it via Danielle.  Enjoy!  Feel free to comment & play along if you like.   If you participate on your own blog, let me know and I'll come visit! :)

CHRISTMAS MEME

1.  Wrapping paper or gift bags?  If I truly had my way, no present I gave would be wrapped.  Not that I don't like pretty wrapping paper, but I tend to wrap my presents within hours of when I give them to someone.  Seems like a waste of time to wrap and unwrap in such a short time span.

2.  Real tree or artificial?  Artificial because of convenience and consistency. I get the same look every year without having to search a pine tree forest in the cold.

3.  When do you put up the tree?  Most often the first week after Thanksgiving after I've had time to regroup from all of those festivities.

4.  When do you take the tree down? Within a week after the first of the new year.

5.  Do you like eggnog?  No.  Never have, doubt I ever will.

6.  Favorite gift received as a child?  Probably my first stereo.

7.  Do you have a nativity scene?  Yes.

8.  Hardest person to buy for?  My grandma.

9.  Easiest person to buy for?  Myself.  Since I don't shop much throughout the year, I tend to do shopping for myself while I'm out.  Merry Christmas to me. 

10.  Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? I can't offhand about the worst Christmas gift but I received an ugly, heavy leather jacket once for my June birthday.

11.  Mail or email Christmas cards? Both.

12.  Favorite Christmas movie?  The Year Without a Santa Claus "cartoon". I love Heat Mizer & Cold Mizer.  :)

13.  When do you start shopping for Christmas?  No earlier than December 1.  Until a few years ago, December 23. Now, maybe mid-December.

14.  Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, but I'm not telling here what it was.  :)

15.  Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?  My mom's sugar cookies with icing.

16.  Clear lights or colored on the tree?  I have clear on my tree at home, but I like colored as well.  Most importantly, they must all light up when they are plugged in.   One of my life's biggest frustrations is fighting with Christmas tree lights.

17.  Favorite Christmas song?  This varies.  Lately I am loving "Away in a Manger" or "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".

18.  Travel at Christmas or stay home? I will stay home.  Everyone comes to my home for the day most years.  I traveled once many years ago and the holiday was just not the same because we were away from the tradition.

19.  Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? If I sing the Rudolph song I can!

20.  Angel on the tree top or star?  Angel.

21.  Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?  Some on both days.

22.  Most annoying thing this time of year?  Hearing people complain about how much they have to do this time of the year when most of the things they are doing are self imposed.

23.  What I love most about Christmas?  Something about Christmas songs - unless I'm at the mall - puts me in a reflective, sentimental mood, reminding me of all the blessings God has given me.    

____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.


The Blog Meme

Okay Carol.  Mark this down that I'm participating in a meme!  :)  Friends, I've been tagged by Carol and I'm finally getting to this 10 days after the fact.  I don't do many of these, and therefore I don't get tagged very often, but I'll indulge and play because I was so kindly thought of.  Here goes:

1.  Do you like the look and contents of your blog?

I like the content, not because I'm writing it, but because I'm writing about what God speaks to me through His word and I hope that what He teaches me can help someone else in some small way.  As for the look of my blog, I think it is pretty boring.  However, I'm taking steps to get some help for a major design change.

2.  Does your family know about your blog?

Yes they do.  However, I don't think they read it.   That used to bum me out a little, but I'm not writing for them anyway.

3.  Can you tell your friends about your blog?

I suppose if I was a teenager writing about my little life's secrets I might not be able to tell my friends about my blog. But I'm not, so I can.  My answer is "Yes, I can tell my friends about my blog."  I've even written about some of them as "a friend" from time to time.  I don't know how many of them read it though because if they do stop by they rarely leave comments.

4.  Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog?

No.  I don't get a ton of comments so if I only read those blogs whose authors commented I wouldn't read many blogs at all.  But...I read more extensively those blogs whose authors I feel I know through their comments.

5.  Did your blog positively affect your mind?

I think so, but again because of the nature of what I write about.  God's word is life changing.  My writing here the last year and a half has brought me closer to God through teaching His Word to others. By putting my thoughts down on my blog I remember the things I learn better and think about them more.

6.  What does the number of visitors to your blog mean?

To me, this means a number of lives God has used my blog to touch in some way, even if they may have just visited by accident.

7.  Do you imagine what other bloggers look like?

Not really.  Most of the blogs I read have a picture of themselves on their blog so I don't have to imagine! :)

8.  Do you think blogging has any real benefit?

Like any activity, I think that blogging has its benefits and its curses.  As for the benefits, I think that the community of bloggers is very cool.  I like to learn from other people and I think I learn a lot from the blogs I regularly read.  In addition, I've benefited from blogging because it is helping me to practice writing and teaching and plus I've been able to use many of my blog posts to assist in various bible studies I have taught or facilitated.

9.  Do you think that the blogosphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?

I can't quite process this question.  How can you separate real live people writing real live blogs from the real world? 

10.  Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?

I would say that I pretty much avoid political blogs.  Not because I'm scared of them but because I really don't have that much to say regarding politics.  Too much rhetoric over things we can't really do much about. 

11. Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?

I think that constructive criticism is always helpful if done with sensitivity and the right motive.   Any time I can improve in any area because of something someone else notices I will try to implement the change.

12.  Have you ever thought about what would happen to your blog in case you died?

In a word, "no".  Should I give someone instructions to post my obituary here in case I die?

13.  Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?

I can't really answer this question.  I read a lot of blogs and most of the blogs I've listed on my sidebar have made an impression on my life in one way or another.  Thank you all.

14.  Which blogger do you think is the most similar to you? 

This is another tough question.  I've "met" several "kindred spirits" in blogland since I've been blogging.  If you have a sense of humor, have a silly/playful/ornery side, are a deep thinker and love long meaningful conversations, then you might be similar to me.  I'll let others figure this one out.

15.  Name a song you want to listen to?

My most played song of late is the song "Glory" off of the newest Selah album.  I can't stop listening to it.  If you want, you can read about my reflections on it here.  The CD is currently in my car in my cold garage and I'm not going to go out and get it now. 

Well, that is it with the questions.  I suppose now I'm supposed to tag someone with this. Who can I tag?  How about Sara, Sissy and Vicki.  I don't think they do many meme's either.  Come on gals, try this one.  :)

 


The One Shoe Question

Sometimes in life we just have to think really deeply about what takes place in the world around us.  A friend and I had one of those moments as we were coming home from the Kansas City Chiefs football game yesterday and it was a moment I just have to share.  I think that most of you, dear readers, can relate to this, but most of all, I'm hoping that someone can provide the answer to a couple of burning questions:

  1. When you see one shoe lying in the middle or on the side of the road how did it get there?
  2. Regarding the one shoe mentioned in #1, where is the other shoe?

Does anyone else ever wonder these things?  Does anyone have the answers?  I welcome your comments!!  :)


The First Day...

...of a new chapter?

I sit here in my family room relaxing decompressing after three days of being out of town at a CLASS seminar - a three-day seminar to train both current and aspiring Christian speakers and writers.   What an wealth of instruction and inspiration it was!  I am definitely on overload.  The circumstances that brought me to the seminar are certainly not coincidence, and I also wonder what the significance is that tomorrow is my 1 year anniversary of this blog "Bread Crumbs".  Check out my first post here.

I can't believe it has been a year already.  So many things have happened in this year.  Thank you to everyone who has read along with me.  Maybe one day God will see fit to have some of these writings published in a book.  I can't wait to see what God will do in this next chapter of my life and "Bread Crumbs".   

Tuesday night in my hotel room, God brought to my remembrance the following verse:

The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.  (Isaiah 50:4 NKJV)

God has given me the tongue of the learned.  Whatever I have, God has given me so that I can be an encouragement to others.  What those future plans are in either speaking or writing He has for me, I'm trusting God to reveal them to me.  How learned am I?  I think I know just enough to be dangerous.  I know more than I did last week and tomorrow I'll know more than I knew today.   

So as I start this next year or next "chapter" tomorrow, I pray that Bread Crumbs will be a blessing and encouragement to all who stumble upon it.  May you receive a word of encouragement and hope in your weary seasons of life! 

In Him,

Janna


22 Questions

How deep are you letting God into your heart?  God wants to have an intimate relationship with each one of us.  I wonder how many times we are putting a wall up around us to keep Him out of our thoughts.

This morning as I was listening to an audio segment for a women's leadership training program (Called to Influence by InJoy), I heard mention of a set of questions that the members of John Wesley's Holy Club asked themselves each day in their private devotions over 200 years ago.  After hearing them read aloud to me, I knew immediately that I would need to share them!  Reader be warned, these are some very introspective questions.

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I
am better than I really am?  In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me
in confidence?

4. Can I be trusted?

5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?

6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self justifying?

7. Did the Bible live in me today?

8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

9. Am I enjoying prayer?

10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?

11. Do I pray about the money I spend?

12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

13. Do I disobey God in anything?

14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is
uneasy?

15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?

17. How do I spend my spare time?

18. Am I proud?

19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the
Pharisees who despised the publican?

20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a
resentment toward or disregard? If so, what I am doing about it?

21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

22. Is Christ real to me?

What did you think of these questions?  Does anyone want to join me in adding something like this to your daily devotional time with God?


Tagged

I don't know when I last played "tag".   However, I have been "tagged" by a blogger!  What a concept.  My friend Bekah has tagged me with the list of 7's that have been going around the blogosphere.  Okay, Bekah.  I will play.  :) 

SEVEN THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE

  1. Become fluent in Spanish.
  2. Learn how to play guitar.
  3. Travel to Europe.
  4. Hike (or mule ride) to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
  5. Write a book.
  6. Get a bible college degree.
  7. Get my golf handicap below 15.

SEVEN THINGS I CANNOT DO

  1. Drink coffee (yuck).
  2. Eat a grapefruit.
  3. Speak another language fluently.
  4. Sew.
  5. Watch the movie "Love Affair" without crying.
  6. Watch endless hours of TV and like it.
  7. Give up Coca Cola.

SEVEN THINGS THAT ATTRACT ME TO MY HUSBAND (if not married, substitute God or best friend)

  1. Tall, dark, and handsome.
  2. Supports my ideas.
  3. His wisdom and common sense.
  4. His instincts about people and situations and how to handle them (sorry Bek, I stole this one).
  5. His generosity.
  6. His loyalty.
  7. HIs patience with me.

SEVEN THINGS I SAY MOST OFTEN  (Hmmm...I talk a lot to my dogs)

  1. Jessie, shut up!  (my oldest dog -13-who has recently becoming very demanding)
  2. Jessie, do you want one? (said when I'm looking for her when she is hiding somewhere)
  3. You're so cute. (usually to Brandy, my youngest dog (3), a Shihtzu)
  4. Brandy, No. (see #3, cute, but sometimes a brat)
  5. Just kidding.
  6. Let's go potty.  (Hmmm...another dog comment)
  7. You know...

SEVEN BOOKS OR SERIES, THAT I LOVE

  1. Bible.
  2. Lord of the Rings.
  3. Just Give Me Jesus, by Ann Graham Lotz.
  4. My Heart's Cry, by Ann Graham Lotz.
  5. E.M. Bounds on Prayer, by E.M. Bounds
  6. Hinds' Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard
  7. Secrets of the Vine, by Bruce Wilkinson

SEVEN MOVIES I WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN

  1. Sound of Music
  2. Gone With the Wind
  3. The American President
  4. Ten Commandments
  5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
  6. Phantom of the Opera
  7. Wizard of Oz

SEVEN PEOPLE I WANT TO JOIN  IN TOO (You are tagged!)

  1. Anneliese
  2. Tracy
  3. Ali
  4. Sarah
  5. LC
  6. Beth
  7. Melinda

If anyone else doesn't have anything better to do than have fun with this stuff, just leave a comment and let us know where you (and your answers) are.  :)  Have a great evening!


Re-Reads

To my fellow bloggers, faithful readers and welcomed guests -

Question:  Have you ever gone back to read what you have written in the past and had any of the following thoughts?

1) Did I have a ghost writer for this post?

2) What frame of mind was I in?

3) God must have done this, because those words didn't seem like mine!

4) I must have been REALLY tired when I wrote this.  :)

Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!  Your comments are welcomed.