Currently Watching Vertigo//2005. U2 Live from Chicago see related

BIG NEWS ALERT

OK, I'm making the switch...top reasons why:

• I want to view comments from ANYONE who wants to comment (hint hint) - not just xanga folks
• xanga bugs me...
• all the cool kids are doin it
• I like the setup better (photo albums, interfaces, etc)

Anyway, go HERE for my blog now. Bear w/me as I relearn a new sw program to get it right, but for now, go THERE for all the goodness and excitement of my blogs (ok, that was a stretch).

www.krisdmurphy.typepad.com

Currently Reading The 12 Essentials of Godly Success: Biblical Steps to a Life Well Lived By Tommy Nelson see related

Do you play well with others?

I thought I did, too. See what you think about yourself.

Brent and I are reading thru a book together on godly success (written by our pastor)...the chapter I'm in right now is on relationships. In the book he says:

"Wisdom is not truly wisdom unless it is lived out in the context of relationships...You can't be significant away from people. 'He who separates himself seeks his own desire.' (Prov 18:1)"

Then, he goes on to give 40 ways to ensure failure in relationships. Sounds wierd, I know. But, as I read thru it - it was wierd - it was as though God put a flashing arrow next to my weaknesses. I saw ME and saw immediate and obvious examples in my own life. Ugly stuff. So, as I circled the ones He showed me, I also wrote that nasty laundry list in my journal and started my new quest to pray over each and every one of these. Do you remember what Jesus said was the greatest commandment? I assure you, it wasnt "be sarcastic to get a few laughs"...it was to love God AND your neighbor. Hmmmm. Not sure how I'm doing, but pretty sure God is going to throw a few more of those flashing arrows in my life in the coming days/weeks/months. How're you doing? See any arrows?

1-Are you a loner?
2-Are you a bad listener?
3-Do you give your opinion before people ask?
4-Are you argumentative?
5-Are you unforgiving?
6-Do you say tings to cut someone off at the knees?
7-Do you explode when you get mad?
8-Are you too blunt?
9-Do you drop the ball when people are relying on you?
10-Are you a selfish person?
11-Do you make fun of other people?
12-Are you 2-faced?
13-Can you not keep a secret?
14-Are you an inflexible, controlling perfectionist?
15-Are you an insensitive person?
16-Are you unsympathetic or unfeeling?
17-Do you use other people?
18-Do you have uncontrolled anger?
19-Are you rude?
20-Do you have a critical spirit?
21-Are you a mooch?
22-Are you a liar?
23-Are you sarcastic?
24-Do you have trouble admitting you're wrong?
25-Are you a pessimist?
26-Are you inconsiderate?
27-Are you self-centered?
28-Are you overly sensitive?
29-Are you codependant?
30-Are you jealous?
31-Do you run hot and cold in relationships?
32-Are you cold?
33-Are you lazy?
34-Are you arrogant?
35-Do you raise your voice?
36-Do you make false promises?
37-Do you slander others?
38-Do you have a problem with authority?
39-Do you always think you're right?
40-Are you pompous?

If you're clear on all - you're either lying or you're Jesus Christ. Funny, there were some that were obvious and clearcut...some I was like "hmmmm, well, uh, umm...". In my case, hemhawing equals a defiant spirit pretending to NOT be guilty. Argh. Gulp. It hurts to examine yourself...especially when you want to be good so bad. But, ya know, knowing how bad I am is part of what I'm thankful for...knowing how bad I am, reminds me of how bad I needed God to come down here and "wash over a multitude of things" (any Sara Groves fans recognize that line?). If you're A-OK on all of those, then I guess you dont need a Savior. I sure do.

This prayer ends the chapter...I made it personal. Hope you do, too.

"Father, relationships can be messy. I am sinful and needy. Help me to come to You first before I manipulate and aggravate the people in my life. Protect me from myself--help me to be instrument of good rather than force of destruction. May I represent You well as I treat others with dignity and respect, leading them to a closer walk with You."

"Did You come that we might just survive? DId you come so we could just get by? DId you walk among us so we might merely limp along beside? I was bound I have been set free. But I have settled for apathy. Did You come to make me new and knew I'd crawl right back into the skin you found me in...its where I am not where I've been. You make me wanna live. You make me wanna live. You came to shake us and to wake us up to something more than we've always settled for...and You make me wanna live."

I wanna really live. I wanna wake up to something more. Good resolution? I think so, too.

Currently Listening Kansas By Jennifer Knapp see related

Happy Almost New Year!!

I'm back in action...back from Breckenridge with my side of the fam staying at bro's house there. Its their dream home...unbelievable. Here's the view from their porch...and their porch...
 

"Best view in Breck" as my bro says...it was truly amazing. Notice the treeless area up TOP of the ski area. Yea, more on that later...as a teaser, let me just tell you there were double diamonds and taking skis off and HIKING involved. My brothers are nutso...another blog for another day.

Anyway, with 16 people staying in one kidless, ski-couple's million dollar dream home, I'd say things went well. Kids had a blast and logged more hrs making snow caves w/Uncle Jon and sledding in front of Uncle Steve's house than anything else. Priceless...truly. Here's Braeden and his cousin Christopher peeking out the ice igloo...more pix when I get them from my sis's camera...

It was truly a blast...Breck has more snow than they've had in 10 yrs at least...I got to tell/show kids the places I went and things I did growing up visiting in summer/winter up there. Love that place...so many great memories. We're going back in June after Brent does a 1/2 Iron in Lubbock...just the 2 of us...and our bikes of course. Note to self: MUST GET IN BIKE SHAPE.

Here's a couple more pix...more to come. We had an awesome Christmas...really fun w/kiddos. Right now I'm just trying to RE-ENTER from vacation mode and get down decorations...but, here are a few I just had to post. Notice Maya's karate pose...
   

SO much fun...neat to see the kids experience Colo. Oh - and thanks EL for the ski gear for Maya! Although, she was quite the princess...spending MOST of her time inside playing pretty pony or barbies. Great memories...excited about 2006 - more to come.

Currently Listening Amusing By Chris Rice see related

Yea, well, OK - here I am again. I just read Kristen's blog (see sidebar for link) and it inspired me. Wow, taking a quiet moment to STOP and thank Him for my 'stuff'...to really STOP and say thanks...not "I want this and that" - but just "thanks for loving me this much". So, here goes - for this year - here is what I'm thankful to Him for right at this minute...

• Our home...its not perfect, not many window treatments or decorator signature items - but comfy, homey, peaceful, and meaningful. When we bought it 4 years ago, I promised myself I'd thank God everytime I drove down our street. Hmmm, well, I dont do it EVERYtime, but I do it a lot. Will do it more. In past few wks we've started talking about moving a lil West - closer to school, church and a lil more land. NOT SOON - but just talkin. Today, as we pulled in our driveway Maya says "Mommy, I love our home...it feels so good". Oh it does. When the time is right we'll move on, but for now - thank You for this great home
• Christmas tree full of ornaments w/memory attached to each one
• when Maya says things that remind me she is still little - like "I lost that think" when she forgets what she wants to say
• Braeden's healing...yep, thats how we see it. No other explanation...1st MRI read called it a tumor...then same scan, read again was downgraded to cyst. We'll take it. Now we're 'watching it'...I cant even TYPE a sigh of relief that huge
• Watching the kids do "shows" for us
• Watching spongebob or power rangers w/lil goofballs
• My dude. I beam when I think of Brent...he is amazing...my perfect compliment. From the day God stuck him in my mess of a life, it was as if I knew he'd be there til it was over. Sounds hokey, but its true. I look at it like a gift God gave me the day Dad died...a promise that He'd never leave me - never stop taking care of me. Funny, a song says it perfectly - "Cuz He showed me His love by sending me you and its OK now...everything's OK"
• OK OK, you know its coming - my kids. Their smiles, tears, giggles, how I know where each of them is ticklish and their scars and how they happened, that Maya wants to be just like me, and Braeden wants to be just like Dad...that we get to help shape them...their views...their compassion...their future. There is NO greater gift...none.
• riding bikes w/hubby
• comfy jeans
• Confidence. Hmmm, wierd eh? This past year has brought me to a new place. A place where I try really hard to quit seeking everyone else's approval/understanding and only His. Knowing that some decisions, ideas, and words wont be popular...but that I'm not called to be popular. Confidence. Knowing that the "things" that used to seem important - are not. Never doing it perfectly - but trying hard...
• Forgiveness...and the strength to forgive others...and a God who wants us to ask for it and also grant it. Ouch.
• Old stuff - antiques and such
• New stuff - nothing like a new pair of boots (thanks Brent)
• Music. Rarely am I not happier listening to it...even now...got it goin in the background. I give it as gifts. I use it to pray. I 'borrow' lyrics to express my feelings. Love it. Love Johnny Cash - Jack Johnson - Led Zep - Sara Groves - Jars of Clay - too many to name...just goes straight to my bones and I luv it
• The ocean
• The mountains
• My freedom. I heard Braeden telling Maya the other day "Ya know Maya, in some countries in this world you cant even have a bible or believe in God...we're really lucky we live in America!" So precious...so true...as much as I get bugged by the direction of society in this country - there is NO other place on earth I'd want to be. So thankful
• Family
• Friends
• Big yellow dogs - even when they chew up Maya's crocs (ouch)
• Its a Wonderful Life

"Merry Christmas Bedford Falls!"

Currently Listening WOW Christmas By Various Artists see related

"For my eyes have seen your salavation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people." Luke 2:30-31

So glad He came...enjoy the celebration and have a safe new year. Probably signing off til then...unless there is just an EMERGENCY BLOG that must be posted. You never know...

Merry Christmas to you all!