Jeanne Marie Playford

I already miss you dear friend but find such peace knowing you are free from the pains of cancer and now are surely with the Almighty. See you in the Kingdom...

Thankful Thursday: Anything You Want Lord, I Got It

This week, Laurel is hosting Thankful Thursday and her theme is security in the Almighty. I was taking some time to worship to a song I discovered about a year ago on http://gospelreggae.com/ by Isaac Blackman, called Surrender. The entire song is about surrendering to the Father - in everything and what perfect timing to meditate on security and trusting in God.

I used to be fearful of many many things and on occasion I have to battle that person inside still but I have learned the importance of what it really means to trust Him. I may be fearful to step out of my shyness to approach a stranger on the street and share the Gospel and that is alright as long as it does not own me and prevent me from still sharing the Gospel message despite how I am "feeling." In those tough times that surrender to Him shows amazing fruit. He always amazes me that way - my finite mind.

The last time I was able to participate in Thankful Thursday I had mentioned the excitement and opportunity to sing for Calvary's Christmas service. I am on the worship team so I do sing all the time and play in a band as well - but singing solos has always been tough for me (I am the harmony queen) but God has really been using ministry opportunities that continue to stretch me and excite me to continue to share in music in so many new and liberating ways.

Those insecurities of how I sound have been taking the back seat recently to the confidence building to honor Him no matter how I feel - my focus is on Him and bringing Him glory and to lead others to focus their hearts and minds on Him...well, the song was amazing and quite honestly life changing. I shared a song by Sam Cook and the Soul Stirrers called Christmas Means Love. The first time I heard the song, it really moved me. We modified the lyrics to be doctrinally sound - it was incredibly soul-full and took me to a place I had never been in front of others before (and perhaps even when I am singing alone when no one is around). My church family was shocked discovering that this other voice had been hiding all this time as was I but let me tell you the years of insecurities and worry just melted from me in that song and I honestly feel like I have become a new woman in some ways - to HIM be all glory.

He has saved me...now that is total and complete security!

Be blessed and stop by Laurel's place for more Thankful hearts!

Blah!

I am thankful each new day given. I have been thinking through a lot in the midst of my very full life. I am at that point where I have so much I would like to write but just don't know where to begin. I did take some pictures (FINALLY) of our new little cozy cottage, a little bit more organized (emphasis on "bit"). So I will start with bites:

Before Images:
http://detroitpistonsfans.blogspot.com/2008/08/dog-house-before-better-late-than-never.html

Fitness Friday: The Add and Subtract Edition

This week for Fitness Friday, Brenda posed the question: "What do you want to add to your life and what do you want to subtract?" My answer: Oh let me count the ways...

SUBTRACTING:
As a result of circumstance, I am thankful to say that I am finally booting my very unhealthy habit of drinking Diet Pepsi. Diet Pepsi was my coffee in the morning and I had to have it all of the time; pretty much all that I drank, seriously.

Starting New Year's Eve, I honestly have had I think two sips but my body literally is fighting against it now and although painful at the moment due to an infection, I am thankful that even the lack of caffeine has not been too bad for me so far and I praise God. I really want to rid myself of that addiction feeling. I have surprisingly developed a liking for Mineral water and even plain ol' water too.

I have been blessed with quite a bit of time off recently for the end of the month which has given me ample time to get myself organized and focused for a new year although I still have a few things I wanted to get done that are just not going to happen for the time-being but that is alright.

Subtracting many pounds...

ADDING:
Always want to increase my time in prayer with the Lord and continued in-depth Bible study which I have really been enjoying this last week with all of my extra time off.

Healthier and creative cooking and meal-planning. Our busy schedules require planning and without planning we resort to pizza too frequently and as much as I would like to ban it all together...planning will prevent us from such indulgences. We both know that when we eat healthier we feel so much better and are more productive over-all. I am hopeful and need to depend on the strength of the Almighty to see all of this through.

Exercise & Training: competitions are not too far off, starting in May, so I physically need to begin getting in shape and shedding many pounds to compete strong in the new season.

These are a few of the many goals I plan to achieve in 2009. Cheers!