Nana’s Playlist
I’ve been playing Scrabble with my Nana since I was about 10 years old. I didn’t win a game until I was 19! Not a single solitary game. Nana never just let you win. She said, “You never learn or get better if someone just lets you win. It is about playing your best game whether or not you win. It is about learning new words and how to play strategically.”
So when I started jumping up and down, celebrating my first victory, she told me she wasn’t going to play with me anymore if this was my sportsmanship when I won. I have learned a lot from my Nana.
As the years have gone by we became more evenly matched, and we just enjoyed playing. We’d be pumped when one of us played all their letters or used an interesting word.
The best was when we could play on the deck when the weather was nice. I even made a Nana Playlist on my iPod of Glenn Miller Band, Bye Bye Birdie Soundtrack, Beach Boys and other oldies, silly songs, and Disney soundtrack tunes to listen to on those days. I’d crack up because inevitably she’d get up and start dancing when one of her favorite songs would come on.
I lost my Nana on March 11th. And the thing I will miss most this summer is those games and her dancing on the deck.
So in honor of her…here’s two of her favorite dancing songs from the Nana Playlist. I hope they inspire you to dance.
The Rivingtons- “The Bird is the Word”
Glenn Miller-“In The Mood“
His Infinite Supply
I can only do my best with what I have in my hands right now. My resources are finite and limited. But God is unlimited and the definition of infinity and beyond! He is the beginning and the end and everything in between.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Thank you Apostle Paul for that reminder in Phillipians 4:19.
Point to ponder while you wander…A Father who loves me with infinite resources and everlasting love now that is something worth rejoicing in and being grateful for!
Self-Condemnation is arguing with Jesus
“Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one–for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:33-34 NLT
When you chose to receive Jesus as your savior, you went into right standing with God immediately! You will probably need to work out some behaviors, thoughts, beliefs, and the like. But as far as God is concerned you’re in the clear.
When you condemn yourself (meaning to disapprove of, criticize, revile, berate, find fault with) you are actually arguing with Jesus who is pleading on your behalf!
Stop arguing with Jesus! Love yourself! Love yourself right now. Just as you are. You are worth loving. You are beautiful. You are valuable. Jesus believes you are worth it, so you should too!
Point to ponder while you wander…”So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NLT
Still…Raphah
“Be still, and know that I am God!I will be honored by every nation.I will be honored throughout the world.” – Psalm 46:10 NLT
Still is H7503 raphah…to sink, relax, let go, abandon, to be quiet.
Visualize sinking in a hot bubble bath and breathing deep.
True Peace
Some times in the middle of the biggest storms you have the deepest peace. That’s the peace Jesus left with us when He ascended, the kind that allows you to sleep in the boat during a hurricane.
“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27 NLT
To me the biggest miracle wasn’t Jesus calming the storm, it was Jesus being able to rest in the middle of the storm.
Point to ponder while you wander…”Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJV
God is Fair
“The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; He sets the standards for fairness.” Prov 16:9
God is good. He gives everyone the same love, the same hope, and the same right to choose. The rest is up to you.
It makes me angry when people blame God when people are sick or dying. God didn’t give your loved one cancer or anything else. He doesn’t have sickness to give and it’s not who He is.
God gives life. He sent Jesus to take sickness and defeat death. God is good.
Sometimes the choices that lead to someone’s illness came from their bad choices or someone else’s. Sometimes there’s no one at fault. Sometimes bad things just happen.
But blaming the One who loves you more than anyone else could possibly attempt to love you and distancing yourself from Him when you’re hurting or grieving is the opposite of what you should be doing.
God isn’t responsible for your life. You are. You may be in a bad spot because of your choices. You may be in a bad spot because of someone else’s bad choices. Or you may be going through a purification process that’s no one’s fault. No matter what your struggles are know that God is good, fair, honest and just. And…
1. God is for you, not against you.
2. God turns things around for good to those who love Him.
3. God is good. All day every day.
4. God is hopelessly in love with you.
5. Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it.
6. God doesn’t want a single person to perish. Hell was originally created for Satan and the angels that followed him…not for humans.
7. Jesus thinks everything He went through was worth it…because it was for you…the one He loves.
All this is true. Reread it. Meditate on it. Bathe in it. Stew in it. Whatever it takes for you to understand and believe it.
Point to ponder while you wander…God is good. And we are equal in His eyes. He has no favorites. He works within the confines of our choices to bless us as much as He can. Why? Because He’s good!
Musical Monday-Shades of Grey
In continuation of my random post last week on my love for Davy Jones…here’s a few of my favorite Monkees’ songs. Part of the fun of the Monkees is that the videos are so fun and random. My inner kid still LOVES them.
Shades of Grey. I always thought it was a pretty song, but the older I get, the more I appreciate the meaning of the lyrics. It’s probably my favorite.
Gonna Buy Me A Dog. It’s funny. Listen to it.
And last but not least….Daydream Believer.
A 10 Year Old’s Inspiration
When I was 10 I fell in love with an English actor I thought was about 9 or 10 years older than me. My logic was when I’m 20, he’ll be 29. #perfect
Like I said, I was 10.
I had been watching his show for about 2 weeks, when my Nana sat down with me to watch this “weird new show” I was telling her about. Then she ruined my day.
The conversation went something like this…
Nana: “Oh my goodness! I haven’t seen this show since your mom was your age!!”
Jill: “Isn’t it fun? Wait! What???”
Nana: “These are reruns Missy. This show is from the 60’s.”
Jill sits in silence as she tries to process.
Nana: “One of my nieces actually kissed the lips off of one of his posters.” (Points at the love of my life).
Jill shakes her head in disbelief as she realizes the love of her life for these two long weeks is not 19 nor is he 20. He is… (gulp)…in fact…41.
#NOOOOOOOO
#TotallyDevastated
#DreamCrushed
The show was The Monkees and the dreamy guy was Davy Jones.
I may not have ever met him, but this dreamy maraca and tambourine playing Brit inspired my love for England, musicians, British accents, and my dream of going to England. And while in England I discovered that I love tea, Jane Austin’s Mr. Knightly (played by Jeremy Northam in 1996’s Emma), and riding in the front on the 2nd level of double decker busses. So thanks for the inspiration, Davy! 😉
Point to ponder while you wander…My dream of going to England was inspired by a dreamy kid on a 1960’s TV show that I watched 20 years after it originally aired. That dream came true 11 years later, when I studied at the University of Derby.
Inspiration is everywhere, my blog reading friends. So keep your eyes open and Dream Big!
A Hot Mess
“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant…Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand.” Ps 73:21-23 NLT
We may be a hot mess at times, but He still wants all of us, always.
jillbeingstill 