tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353400501419776322024-03-14T02:18:21.374-04:00Mornings with Tracey Mike & DaveMornings with Tracey, Mike and Dave features Positive Hits, news, traffic, weather and compelling conversation each weekday morning. Live 5:30-10am(eastern US)Monday-Friday.Tracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-78914689547243020252013-05-29T18:32:00.000-04:002013-05-29T18:32:03.013-04:00The Squeeze: Saving Face<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpJunTVaah4/UaaBVtocXVI/AAAAAAAABHE/lOq89WQNJBw/s1600/freeimage-7912070-web+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpJunTVaah4/UaaBVtocXVI/AAAAAAAABHE/lOq89WQNJBw/s320/freeimage-7912070-web+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When you squeeze a tube of toothpaste, what comes out of it? When you squeeze an orange, what comes out of it? How about when you crack an egg or press down a bottle of perfume? The best of what’s in there comes out: toothpaste, juice, the egg, fragrance.<br />
<br />
In many things, the part you want to get to can only be gotten to by applying pressure, turning up the heat; that’s when you see what’s really inside.<br />
<br />
That’s why it says in Romans 5:3-4 that "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."<br />
<br />
So let me ask you, what’s coming out of you when you get squeezed?<br />
<br />
I did a retreat in Chicago years ago with women in a Korean church and we were talking about brokenness. I was making a point of how God brings wholeness through brokenness and to illustrate my point, I took a glass vase, a very small, thin glass vase, and I threw it on the concrete floor. It didn’t break. I thought, “Hmmmm…that’s never happened before.” I picked it up and threw it again….and then again…and then I picked up the still intact vase and just slammed it against the concrete wall.<br />
<br />
I went over to it, picked up the still perfect vase, and got chills. God was teaching me that moment, and I could feel the Holy Spirit moving in my own heart. I looked up at these ladies and said, "Why don’t you trust God with your brokenness? You don't have to pretend to be perfect with Him. You must be willing to surrender your self-sufficiency and admit your need for the Lord if you truly want to know Him."<br />
<br />
And then I really got brave and spoke about something that I know is an issue in many Asian cultures.<br />
<br />
I said, "You are more concerned about appearances and saving face, and you refuse to expose your weakness. God says He loves you and He desires to do a beautiful thing in you, but you must be willing to be broken and cry out to Him for help."<br />
<br />
There was silence in the room for a few moments and then I saw tears on the beautiful faces of those young women, some sobbing. God had their number. This issue of saving face and not appearing weak is one of the biggest barriers to an authentic relationship with Christ.<br />
<br />
It says in Psalm 51:17, "My sacrifice O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, God, you will not despise."<br />
<br />
And 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”<br />
<br />
When you're being squeezed and the pressure is turned up, don't pretend you got this. Admit that you don't and cry out to the Lord for help. God wants to show up for you!<br />
<br />
He will do something beautiful in you, and you will know Him even better, if only you would trust Him in your brokenness.95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-57506632706403882682013-05-08T09:01:00.001-04:002013-05-08T09:01:27.618-04:00Don't Fake It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I fancy myself a runner. I’m not a real runner mind you, but I do a pretty good impression of one. After all, I have the right shoes and they weren’t cheap. I have some real Under Armour garb like the real runners have. I have run a few 5k races and have saved all my race bibs to display proudly on my fridge in case anyone happens to come over and wonder, “Hmmm… She sings okay, but is she a runner?”<br />
<br />
As much as I enjoy this fantasy that I’m a runner, I’m surrounded by some real runners in my family. My cousins Wendy and Chrissy have run half marathons. <br />
<br />
I have friends that have done multiple full marathons and triathlons. I admire them so much, but I don’t run WITH any of them. Whatever that thing is that they have developed inside of them - that determination, that perseverance through the physical pain, that very low percentage of body fat… it intimidates me. I want it, but haven’t been able or willing to pay the price for it. <br />
<br />
But, oh, if you were to see me run in the park!<br />
<br />
It’s about 2.5 miles around, and I can do it without stopping. After all, I have done a few 5K’S which are longer than that. The problem is I haven’t been training like I was when I had a race coming up, so my stamina isn’t what it was. I was out there running one day last week and started out really well. I was at a good pace and hear come some folks from my church walking towards me. I love it when that happens. You see people you know at the park and they just happen to catch you when you’re rockin’ the run. That’s what happened. To them, I looked like a real runner. They smiled and said hello and gave me the thumbs up and nod of approval as if to say, “You go girl!” I enjoyed thinking about them talking later about how “that Tracey is quite the runner, isn’t she?”<br />
<br />
The problem is, this path at the park is a big circle around a lake, so people you see coming toward you, you will see again, eventually. My run started off great, but soon I was sucking wind and slowed down to a walk. I was enjoying this pace, until I saw up ahead, through the trees, them coming back again. The church folk. So I timed it just right, and started running again just so that when we passed one another, they would catch me in a beautiful gazelle-like stride. Once again, I got those big approving smiles and even a little hand-clap. Oh, yes, I am a runner. To them. <br />
<br />
You see, I can do a little work and make it look like I’m a legit runner, if you catch me at the right time. But you put me out there on race day with runners and spectators, a real course, and a chip in my shoe that’s timing me, and the truth is gonna come out. <br />
<br />
Many of us try to live our spiritual lives the same way. We admire people with such a mature faith, who know the Bible so well and carry themselves with a peace and a confidence that is rare. Sure, they go through hard times, but they just seem to come through with even more strength than they had before. You want what they have. You’d like your life to look like that, but you can’t fake being a Christian any more than you can fake being a runner. Sooner or later the trials are going to come, the squeeze is going to be on, and what’s really on the inside is going to come out. Even if you’re able to somehow manage behaving in such a way others may think you’re legit, the truth will come out sooner or later who was really your source of strength. <br />
<br />
And here’s the thing. It might be fun for a moment to “act” the part of whatever it is you’d like to be, but there’s nothing like the real joy that comes from doing the real work that’s required to accomplish the goal. <br />
<br />
To be a runner who can run a marathon, you’ve got to train. <br />
<br />
To be one of those Christians with that steadfast faith you admire, you’ve got to train…and trust. <br />
<br />
Train by seeking the Lord and pursuing real relationship with Him by studying His word, worshiping Him and living in obedience to Him. It is, as Eugene Peterson says, “a long obedience in the same direction.”<br />
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And trust. The hardest work has already been done by Jesus on the cross on your behalf. Trust in Him. <br />
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The overflow of a life lived like that will bring you more than a nod of approval from people. It’s the pure joy of hearing your Savior say the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have theSon of God does not have life.” - 1 John 5:12</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:13</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
-- Tracey 95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-2672931013506913232013-01-22T13:12:00.003-05:002013-01-22T13:12:50.283-05:00An Open Letter to Skinny People - by Tracey<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->The scale is your friend. Except when you’re busting your butt to lose some weight and it’s not moving. Then, it becomes the most discouraging, de-motivating, obnoxious thing in your home. Then you’d like to throw it out on I-95 during rush hour… or take it back to the store because clearly, it must be broken. Then, drive directly to your favorite diner and have some pie. Or a whole pie! Because nothing you do differently, seems to matter. <br />
<br />
Ok, I admit it - I may sound a little angry right now. I am.<br />
<br />
I have worked hard to lose weight and I did lose about 60 pounds about 2 years ago. I kept most of it off but then, over the fall, my old default mode kicked in and I started using food for comfort. Again. I got on the scale and realized that 12-15 pounds had snuck back on and my battle wasn’t over. I never really thought it was. <br />
<br />
This weight thing I’ve struggled with for years is like my thorn in the flesh and I have always feared it coming back on me like an old addiction. I will be 49 years old this year, and this thing I’ve battled for decades is still a struggle. You feel me? Or maybe you don’t? <br />
<br />
Unless you’ve been there, it’s hard to identify with this struggle. And so, with that in mind, I write this to you. For all of you who by the grace of God, have been either genetically blessed, consistently made wise choices with food and exercise, or who maybe even struggled long, long ago, but figured it out. Consider this an open letter from your friend Tracey. In no way, does this letter represent everyone’s process and story, but I do believe there is enough commonality here, that many can relate to it. So here it goes… <br />
<br />
Let me start by saying, I am not jealous of skinny people. If anything, I admire the inner strength that many of them have to fight their own demons a different way. I have always fought my demons with food. I can remember when I was about 14 years old, my mother and step-father were getting divorced and I suddenly became insatiably hungry. I never connected why. I was athletic and didn’t have a weight issue at all and so I probably burned up all those calories up so no one knew, except me and God… that I was eating like crazy during that time. Anything I could get my hands on. Which at 14 years old, was usually breakfast cereal. Did my mother ever wonder why a box of Apple Jacks or Raisin Bran would disappear just days after bringing it home? <br />
<br />
It was the first time in my life I can remember using food to help soothe some inner anxiety I was feeling. It didn’t work. It only took the edge off for a short while and left me all alone. A few years later, my mom re-married and my mom, sister and me, moved into his house. Their first year of marriage was a difficult one and while I tried to press through their late-night yelling matches, I was getting hungrier and hungrier. I started to gain weight and between the age of 18- 20, I had probably gained 60 pounds. Still not connecting why I was so hungry, I eventually married and gained more weight. To be lonely as a single person is one kind of pain. To be lonely as a married person, is a slow death. <br />
<br />
And so I took a lover. Food. And once again, food let me down. It promised me a quick relief to my deep pain and quick relief it was, as the pleasure centers of my brain would go wild with happiness with a sugary treat or late night Taco Bell run. But as soon as that wonderful feeling faded, I was alone again wondering what I could do to make the pain stop. Food was never a good boyfriend. So I’m not quite sure why I rang him up again this year, while I was dealing with some private pain, but it turns out, I still had his number- and he still had mine. <br />
<br />
Here are some things to know about those of us who fight this battle that may help you in your relationships:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li> <b>Be supportive- not superior.</b> If you are blessed enough to have never dealt with this struggle, be thankful and humble while you support your friends’ umpteenth attempt at losing some weight. We haven’t given up- so don’t give up on us. Just because this isn’t your issue, doesn’t mean that you are a better person and have no issues. We are all fighting battles. The weight issue is one we fight publicly for everyone to see. What’s yours?</li>
<li><b>You are not the food police.</b> There is nothing I hate more than people seeing me out somewhere and critiquing what I am eating. You have no idea how I’ve eaten all week, or all day.. When people say to me, “Tracey, I don’t think that is on A Better Weigh..” I want to say.. It’s not. But I burned 900 calories at the gym today so shut it. </li>
<li> <b>Shame is a big thing</b>. Many of us that battle our weight deal with this. So please.. don’t “should “ on us. You should this and you. should that… Choose your words, your timing and your tone carefully. We want your love and support- but as soon as it turns to judgment, I feel shame and won’t hear another word you say. </li>
<li><b>Lead by example.</b> You want to be a great encouragement? Model good choices and healthy living. Show me what it looks like consistently. If you know I’m struggling, maybe you could skip dessert one time when we’re out to dinner and not tell me how great you’re doing with food and how your clothes are all loose and maybe we could even talk about something else. Beating this thing is possible and it’s a process. I am so much better than I was. I actually caught my issue before I needed to grab another size out of my closet and I am back on track. That is a victory for me. </li>
<li> <b>Be thankful.</b> If you’ve lost weight and you’re doing great- I want to cheer you on and I want to hear about it. But… be careful. Be reverent and thankful to God for your success. You have no idea what hard life stuff could trigger those old demons to come back. And if they do, I don’t want shame to keep you from trying again and staying in the process. </li>
<li><b>Pray & Think.</b> If you know someone you love is going through a hard time emotionally and food has been their go–to source of comfort, pray for them, and offer some fun, healthy alternatives to get them through this season. Have some social gatherings that don’t center around food. </li>
</ol>
<br />
I hope this is helpful as you relate to people you care about who struggle with weight. I am currently trying to lose some pounds and I am working out almost every day, even using an amazing personal trainer. I am eating very healthy and sticking to my diet plan with a few exceptions- like Ravens football games… And that blasted scale is barely budging. I actually cried this morning when I got on it because I’ve been working so hard and I don’t understand. <br />
<br />
As my trainer Chris Welsh says to me, “Come on Tracey. You can do this You’ve got this. Keep going”, slowly the old negative tapes in my head that say, “I can’t do it”, will be replaced. And while the scale may not show it just yet, I know that like a seed in the ground, there is something happening underneath the surface that is producing in me a beauty and strength that will be evident one day. I can feel it. God is in this with me. Unlike food, He is a great source of comfort and peace and I am still learning how to be satisfied in Him.<br />
<br />Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557243312562080478noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-18516345874394099252012-12-18T08:50:00.000-05:002013-05-08T09:10:43.845-04:00How's Your Life?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRpy4sWAL7E/UYpOxyVy_oI/AAAAAAAABDI/GhIVExPZxIk/s1600/freeimage-7985007-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRpy4sWAL7E/UYpOxyVy_oI/AAAAAAAABDI/GhIVExPZxIk/s320/freeimage-7985007-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We like to mark things off. Once we do, we then group them into sets. We take the sets and pull them together to make groups of sets. Seconds turn into minutes, hours into days, weeks into years, and decades into centuries. It’s what we do and best of all – it was designed for us.<br />
<br />
Have you ever noticed that we never ask someone “How was your year?” We ask about their day or their week. In the right circumstances, maybe even their month. But you never ask someone about their year. It is too much to convey in a few words. We have highs and lows. There may have been a marriage, a baby, or a first home. There may have been a divorce, a parent’s death, or a bankruptcy. There may have been some of both. How do you balance out the good from the bad over the last twelve months?<br />
<br />
You can’t.<br />
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God didn’t make us to live twelve months at a time. He gave each of us one life to use as we see fit. <br />
<br />
“Already There” is the latest song from Casting Crowns, and this lyric has been running constantly on the iPod in my head:<br />
<br />
“One day I'll stand before You <br />
And look back on the life I've lived<br />
I can't wait to enjoy the view<br />
And see how all the pieces fit” <br />
<br />
God created time for us to mark things down, but He already stands at the end of time as we know it. One day we will see how the celebrations or tragedies of this year fit into the larger picture He has painted for each of us. We will see how our actions, our words, and our lives have affected so many because our one life is the picture within the picture of all He created.<br />
<br />
As the New Year approaches, think on this: instead of making a resolution to change one thing in your life, focus on changing the one life you are living. <br />
<br />
<br />
-- Mike95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-3939283924567305042012-07-31T22:40:00.000-04:002012-08-04T10:10:50.201-04:00Go Fly A Kite!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I will admit it. I get a bit emotional when I fly a kite. Now, if you know me, you may be thinking, “So? You cry at McDonald’s commercials.” This is different. Kites take me to a deep place. Even the brightly colored ones with tree frogs and dolphins on them, although I’ve never teared up over a Pokemon kite. Yet.<br />
<br />
When it comes to kites, I don’t pretend to know what I’m doing. A few years ago, quite spontaneously, I bought a kite in a shop on the boardwalk in Ocean City, MD, and so began my infatuation with them. It’s kind of like when there’s a dessert that you can only get in this special place and you don’t get there very often but every time you’re there you must have it and it thrills you like the first time. It’s a special joy for me when I get to the beach and just around sunset, I get out there with my kite.<br />
<br />
No one ever showed me how to fly a kite. I just strung her up and went for it. Someone who knows what they’re doing may be mortified at my lack of expertise. This last time, I had actually threaded the kite backwards! It didn’t seem to matter. You see, the wind in all its invisible glory, is far more powerful than the kite.<br />
<br />
It’s almost as if the kite has no choice but to radically obey the twists and turns of air that take it wherever it demands. And the beauty of seeing something so completely surrendered..,this is what takes my breath away.<br />
<br />
We are a people who protest when anyone tries to tell us what to do or where to go. We have this crazy false sense of autonomy. We think we know better. I don’t know about you, but me being in charge of me, hasn’t worked out so well.<br />
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I am certain I am at my best, when I am a kite...and the Holy Spirit picks me up and takes me farther and higher than I ever imagined. <br />
<br />
And so, yes...I tear up when I fly a kite. Part of it is just the joy of seeing such a tangible expression of freedom and grace and imagining that this is what we were made for. The other part of it, is simply regret. For all times I thought I knew better and resisted what God was desiring to do in me. For all the times I resented His plan and His power to direct my life. For all the ways He took me in directions I never wanted to go and I kicked and screamed all the way ...while all He was trying to do, was bless me.<br />
<br />
TraceyTracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-23936116461585119152012-05-19T11:08:00.000-04:002012-05-22T11:10:14.140-04:00Heart In The CloudsBest. Day. Ever.<br />
<br />
Feet on the ground but heart still in the clouds. <br />
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The most exhilarating experience of my life. <br />
<br />
Stepping out in faith and surrendering! <br />
<br />
Free falling and then flying...I never want to lose the feeling of total trust. <br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FXgd6TEvqY8" width="560"></iframe>95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-10258937558135885202012-03-08T09:16:00.008-05:002012-03-09T05:58:28.390-05:00Remembering An American Hero<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rwVnWRQS_2Q/T1jEyh4UsOI/AAAAAAAAAqs/Z_hoJy8I-vw/s1600/423447_3389622421346_1293152593_33363209_1320950561_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rwVnWRQS_2Q/T1jEyh4UsOI/AAAAAAAAAqs/Z_hoJy8I-vw/s400/423447_3389622421346_1293152593_33363209_1320950561_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717536099313955042" border="0" /></a><br />Hi friends,<br /><br />We lost one of our own this past week. Major Robert Marchanti was killed in Afghanistan. Our hearts are broken for the Marchanti family and inspired by the courage and sacrifice of this amazing man of faith. I had the honor of speaking with Bob's daughter, Leah, as she shared a bit about an American hero, who she called Dad. Please pray for the Marchanti family.<br /><br />Listen here to my conversation with Leah Marchanti: <a href="http://www.951shinefm.com/PodCast/mp3/LeahMarchanti.mp3">CLICK HERE</a><br /><br />TraceyTracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-13596787233250117862012-01-09T21:20:00.005-05:002012-01-09T21:58:22.620-05:00365 Days of New- Recap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nBa0-fFFAQ/TwupJQcpNQI/AAAAAAAAAqg/iB1rcMc88e0/s1600/390673_10150497192678684_599368683_8766255_798073970_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nBa0-fFFAQ/TwupJQcpNQI/AAAAAAAAAqg/iB1rcMc88e0/s400/390673_10150497192678684_599368683_8766255_798073970_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695832130239149314" /></a><br />Hi friends! <br />My word for the year is "NEW". Last year, I had been feeling a bit of that mid-life thing creeping up on me, and even fighting the blues a bit. But in God's word, I was reminded, that while I may be bored with me, He isn't. In fact, in Christ, I am a new creation. (2Cor.5:17) I wanted to really embrace the idea that God is still making me new and that there are things about me I have yet to discover. I want to challenge my comfort zone, look forward to new experiences and intentionally open my heart to new things, ideas, learnings, etc... So, I made a goal for myself that I would do something new, that I've never done before- every single day of this new year. We're nine days in and so far, I'm having fun!<br /><br />I promised to give you a recap so you can see what new adventures I'm having, and I am open to your suggestions too. Some of these might seem insignificant, but to me, they were a way of seeing myself differently- no matter how small. I do have some bigger things planned too and I trust the Lord will lead me through this thing and show me what He wants to show me. <br /><br />So far, here's what I've done:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan. 1</span>- Stayed for 2 back to back church services on a Sunday that I wasn't serving/working. I was glad I did. I needed to hear the message twice and even responding to God in worship- my heart was so much softer the 2nd time. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan. 2</span>- Bought art supplies. A table-top easel, canvases, and paints. Never been an artist, and felt like a little kid picking this stuff out. I have it sitting on my dining room table but haven't had the courage to start yet. Waiting for the right day to take the next step and paint something. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan. 3</span>- Took down my Christmas tree. Before February! I am infamous for leaving it up way too long. I just love it so much I put off taking it down. This year, I wanted to know what it would feel like to be practical. (hated it)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan. 4</span>-Paid for a stranger's coffee in line behind me in the Barnes and Noble. Awkward at first, but I think it made her feel good and it certainly gave me a lift! I prayed it would just make her feel special- like God could see her. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan. 5</span>- Had dinner with my friend Lorraine and her new husband Tim for the 1st time. It was a joy to see her so happy and to finally spend some time with this wonderful man I have heard to much about but not really had the chance to know yet. People ask me, if it's hard when my single friends meet someone and I'm still alone. Honestly- never. It comes easily to me to rejoice with the people I love. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan. 6</span>- Got my first ever manicure with dark brown nail polish. I see the young girls with it and thought it was time I give it a try. Guys, I know this is no big deal from your perspective- but trust me. Picking out the color when you get a mani/pedi is one of the simple pleasures of life and very seldom, do we venture off into new colors. Sometimes, just doing something a little unexpected- can be a real kick!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan.7</span>-My dear friends, The Cabellons, just had a baby girl. I got to hold precious Ruby in my arms-just one day old. So fresh from God and with that mysterious heavenly scent that only a newborn can have. I hope that this new thing, gets repeated many, many times. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan. 8</span>- I led worship at Bridgeway which is always a privilege, but what was new, was I taught the congregation a new song. It's called "No One Higher" by Martha Munizzi, one of my favorites. It is a joy to see and hear a few thousand people grab ahold of that new song and start singing it like they mean it. They did. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jan.9</span>- I took a walk around my neighborhood, at night, by myself. I've never done that or even felt like I wanted to do that. Especially in January, but it was actually very pleasant. And... I started the post-holiday dead Christmas tree judging contest. <br /><br />There you have it. I already have something planned tomorrow that will stretch me. Also, Mike and Dave will pick something new for me to do from all the suggestions many of you have made. New is good. <br />So far. <br /><br />Newly Yours, <br />TraceyTracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-62163334159482609052012-01-02T20:19:00.008-05:002012-01-03T06:39:47.273-05:00365 days of New<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGbcW0SG5_A/TwJhgyFTqDI/AAAAAAAAAqU/vLHwOSEHymA/s1600/photo.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693220094777468978" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGbcW0SG5_A/TwJhgyFTqDI/AAAAAAAAAqU/vLHwOSEHymA/s400/photo.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
I chose a one word theme for my life this new year- instead of making resolutions. One word- that I prayed about and believe God gave to me. One word that could be a way for me to focus, get back on track if I lose my way, and look for God to teach me about. <br />
<br />
My word is... NEW. <br />
<br />
2Cor. 5:17 says, "Therefore if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone, the new has come." Problem is I don't feel so new. <br />
<br />
And of course there's this one: Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?" No- I don't always perceive it. But I want to.<br />
<br />
And how about Lamentations 3:22-23 "...His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Why do I live in old shame instead of embracing God's new compassions?<br />
<br />
New. <br />
<br />
The word isn't impressive, scholarly word, or even the slightest bit unusual or groundbreaking, but what God is speaking to me about that word is transforming- to me. I have been weighed down the last few months with some old stuff. New hurts have triggered old ones to come to the surface. I have believed things about myself that aren't true of me and I have doubted others love for me because they weren't giving me what I expected. I have been disappointed. <br />
<br />
You know how it is when you first meet someone? There is an eagerness to know each other, a genuine interest, a grace to believe the best because you don't have any history to hold over their heads. Even if someone is a scoundrel to everyone who knows them; with every new person they meet, there is a grace to now be better... a fresh start to be the person you want to be - in this relationship. A newness. <br />
<br />
After awhile we stop learning about each other and put people in boxes, refusing to see that they are deeper still than what we know and there is more beauty to be revealed. We fall out of love. We fall out of interest. We think it's their fault. But perhaps, we have stopped allowing them to be -new. Familiarity breeds contempt so they say. I think it's true and I have felt the sting of being on the receiving end of people no longer caring to know more of who I am. Disenchanted, bored, and shutting me down so I don't even believe there's more of me worth sharing. <br />
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I have also been on the giving end of that kind of treatment. It grieves me and I want to love better than that. <br />
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There's so much more to this that God is showing me, but for now, I just want to share with you that "New" is my word. I will strive to believe that God is telling the truth about me, and making me new every day. And I will allow others to be new too. I won't hold history over their heads. I will get to know them again. I want to be the kind of friend that breathes life into people and helps them re-create. And I want to challenge myself to dig deeper and find new things inside of me that God put there for a reason. <br />
<br />
One practical way of embracing my word is this. Starting January 1st, I have begun a personal quest: 365 days of NEW.<br />
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Every day this year, I will do something I haven't done before. It could be as little as, trying a new food, or taking a new route... Or it could be as adventurous as, well... I'm not telling just yet. But I will keep you posted. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, I wasn't working at church like I usually am, and yet I stayed through two services back to back because my pastor asked me to. That was new. <br />
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Today, January 2nd, I bought my first set of art supplies. I'm 47 and I'm sure I haven't painted since elementary school. Perhaps it's just my version of a mid-life crisis, but I'm going to paint something, by golly. Just like this new year of my life- a blank canvas is waiting, full of possibilities.<br />
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TraceyTracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-41307938468432348692011-12-16T05:46:00.007-05:002011-12-16T06:34:33.491-05:00Mom's Christmas Breakfast Casserole<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmWslu_N3ks/Tusph43Gg1I/AAAAAAAAAqI/IyiO0-H6wdI/s1600/brunch-casserole-egg-01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmWslu_N3ks/Tusph43Gg1I/AAAAAAAAAqI/IyiO0-H6wdI/s400/brunch-casserole-egg-01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686684616661304146" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Verdana;font-size:12px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; "><p>Hi friends!<br /><br />Every year since I was a wee one, my mom has made this delicious breakfast for Christmas morning. We love it so much and only get it once a year. Many of our listeners have adopted it as their Christmas morning breakfast so, we wanted to share the recipe with you once again!<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Linda's Breakfast Casserole</span><br />Ingredients:<br />
6 slices of bread, crusts removed<br />
Butter (to lightly coat the bread)<br />
1 lb of bacon (or your choice of meat like sausage, steak, chicken, etc)<br />
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (we like shredded cheddar)<br />
6 eggs<br />
2 cups of milk<br />
salt & pepper (to taste)<br /><br />To Make:<br />Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.<br />Butter the 6 slices of bread and place in pan butter side up.<br />Fry bacon (or meat you desire) and crumble over the bread.<br />Sprinkle cheese over the meat and bread.<br />In a bowl, whisk together 6 eggs, salt & pepper and 2 cups of milk.<br />Pour over top the bread, meat, and cheese.<br />Cover with foil and place in the fridge overnight.<br />The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />Pull casserole out and let sit on the counter for 15 minutes (very important if you are using a glass pan!).<br />Uncover and bake for approximately 45 minutes.<br />Let sit for 5 minutes and enjoy!</p><div><br /></div><div style="clear: both; "></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); letter-spacing: 0.1em; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.4em; "></div></span>Tracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-14424927799353389502011-11-03T04:46:00.007-04:002011-11-03T07:28:41.794-04:00I AM NOT MY HAIR<div style="text-align: center; font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am not my hair<br />I am not this skin<br />I am not your expectations no no<br />I am not my hair<br />I am not this skin<br />I am a soul that lives within<br />- India Arie<br /></span></div><br />It's hard to explain how much of my identity has been tied to my hair. My whole life I have had long hair with one agonizing exception - when Mom got me a pixie at age 3. I have the pics to prove how agonizing that was.<br /><br />Since then and all through my teens, twenties, thirties and yes, even my forties, I was girl with the long, blond-ish hair. During this time, something happened inside of me. A core belief formed that my hair was the only pretty thing I had going for me. I thought, "If I didn't have this long, pretty hair, no man would ever be interested." Surely, I wanted one to be interested so, at least I have my hair.<br /><br />To add to this belief I had built up, many people over the years reinforced this idea that men really love the long hair. So, I held onto this hair. Thinking that to not have it would mean that I was less - less of a woman, less pretty, less deserving of love, less feminine.<br /><br />I didn't know how deep these beliefs were hidden in my heart. They were wrong. But they were what I believed.<br /><br />The thing about my Lord Jesus, is He is always challenging me to see myself differently. After all, I am a new creation in Him. He looks at my heart while men (and women) judge the outward appearance. He has been changing me on the inside. But on the outside, I was still the girl with the long hair believing it was my ticket to being beautiful.<br /><br />A few years ago, I did make a big change and went red - a big change from my blonde! Here's the crazy thing...going through old pictures, I discovered my hair was red naturally when I was younger. So red became comfortable. But the red hair was still long-ish and still blond-ish too.<br /><br />Then last year, I went through a metamorphosis and thanks to the grace of God, I met some great people from A Better Weigh and I lost 55 pounds. Surely now...with this long hair and being thinner than I've been since I was a teenager...surely now, my prince would come! Funny how the deep motives of our heart are exposed in times like this. I didn't know I had put God on a timetable and I had a great expectation attached to these big external changes I was making. Well God wasn't budging. Apparently, my long hair and skinnier frame hadn't convinced God that He needed to now jump through my hoops and make my dreams come true.<br /><br />Now nearing the end of 2011, I have had to face more changes. Hot flashes, mood swings, trouble sleeping, feeling like I am crazy, irrationally hungry: Welcome to menopause. I am in the thick of that process and that, along with my weight loss has contributed to a drastic change in the texture of my hair. It's become so very thin that I was concerned.<br /><br />And that's what landed me in my friends' salon yesterday ready to make a change. Well.. not really ready, but willing to try. My dear friends Dean and Mario assured me that my hair would look thicker darker and shorter and that I could really carry that look well. It would suit my complexion...yada...yada...yada. But I'm the girl with the long blondish hair...<br /><br />So I got to the edge of that cliff and I jumped. The thing about hair is: the jump is reversible. But it's still a jump.<br /><br />I wish I could tell you that I love it and all is well today. I wish I could tell you how beautiful I feel and confident and sexy. But the truth is, this was a big deal to me. I had nightmares all night and woke up wondering how I would get through this day being this new person. A new person without the long blondish hair. What could I possibly have going for me now?<br /><br />Well, there is this truth about being a child of God. And the fact that I am so dearly loved by Him that He gave His life for me. And that He is doing a work inside of me. In fact, I am God's workmanship. His master work of art. I have to face the mirror today and grab hold of, maybe for the first time ever, the truth that who I am becoming on the inside is where my true beauty lies. I am forced to see myself differently today without the security blanket of that long blonde hair.<br /><br />So...with trembling and tears sitting right on the brim, I go into this day with short dark hair. People will have opinions. They're allowed. And I will learn, trial by fire, to hold my head up and not live today as a prisoner to anyone's opinion but to truly seek the approval of my God. I should have been doing a better job of that all along- even as the girl with the long blondish hair.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am still Tracey. And who I am...is not my hair.<br /><br /></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-bgkt_UWQQ/TrJ6WncQgYI/AAAAAAAAAp8/pqI0AUTdYJI/s1600/TT%2BNew%2BCut.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-bgkt_UWQQ/TrJ6WncQgYI/AAAAAAAAAp8/pqI0AUTdYJI/s400/TT%2BNew%2BCut.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670729409776091522" border="0" /></a>Tracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-63740433904974932122011-07-19T16:55:00.005-04:002011-07-19T17:12:12.996-04:00CUPS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-30E58TW79S4/TiXyozItESI/AAAAAAAAAp0/NrRqdUu7Xw8/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-30E58TW79S4/TiXyozItESI/AAAAAAAAAp0/NrRqdUu7Xw8/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631173691832078626" /></a><br /><br />Hi friends! Did you know that God is a person, with an actual personality, and you can actually get to know Him? And so many of us carry around these big misconceptions about what He's really like. I used to think that God tolerated me because I was His kid, and I should tread lightly as not to disturb Him too much. I was certain that you should only pray about the really BIG stuff because God was..well, pretty busy.. and only really cared about big, God-sized stuff. <br /><br />It was back in 1999 and I was in the first week on my new job as studio manager for Audio Master. One morning, there were very important clients (V.I.C’s) coming in early for a session for some radio spots. This would be my first time meeting these clients and as the new manager, I wanted to make a great first impression. The first thing they did after depositing their brief cases in the studio was to come back upstairs and gather like vultures around the…wait for it….<br />Coffee pot. <br /><br />I was on it. I learned how to make a pot of coffee just for this job, so I was quite proud the coffee was ready. Just one problem. <br />No cups. <br />I searched in every cabinet, under every counter and in every closet. I went into all 3 studios. The V.I.C’s were getting upset, and still standing around the coffee pot..waiting. <br />I couldn’t leave because I was the only person there besides the engineer doing the session. So I calmly asked the V.I.C’s to have a seat in the studio and I would bring them their coffee. <br />In my hands, I guess… All I knew was that somehow, I needed to make this happen. <br /><br />I went back behind my desk and did what any baby Christian would do. I cried. Just a little. Then, I prayed right there at my desk in the reception lobby. Short and sweet and desperate. Please God help me find some cups. This job is important to me. And if You can’t do that, help me handle this in a way that wins them over. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. <br /><br />A mili-second later, the door swings open and voiceover actor that I had met just a few days prior, walks in, awkwardly balancing the door open with one hand and carrying a large box in the other. “Hi Sheldon. What’s in the box?”, I quipped. <br />“Cups,” he said. <br />My mouth dropped open so that I was barely able to speak. Sheldon opened the box to show me the paper cups he used to advertise his business. They were white cups with blue letters that said, “Sheldon Smith Means Voiceovers”. He said he just happened to be in the area and wanted to drop them off…<br /><br />Yeah ok Sheldon. You can believe that if you want. <br /><br />That was the cup that forever changed my life. If God would seriously bend His ear to a girl like me asking for something so ridiculously unimportant, then He must be actually interested in me. And if God is interested in me like that, then He must really care about the details of my life- even the cups. And if He cares about the cups, surely He cares about the deepest longings of my heart. <br />Want proof? <br />“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.” – Psalm 16:5<br /><br />What have been the "cups" in your life that showed you something about who God really is? Do you trust Him enough to even ask Him.. about cups?<br /><br />His Girl, <br />TraceyTracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-74276717539949340152011-06-17T17:03:00.000-04:002011-06-17T17:03:46.321-04:00The Father's EyesThis teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to.<br />
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But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.<br />
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When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roste because he always puts his heart and soul into every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed.The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games.<br />
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This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."<br />
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Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said."You can go in."<br />
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Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown.<br />
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The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?"<br />
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He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-44794330138362211122011-05-19T10:09:00.001-04:002011-05-19T10:10:15.517-04:00What happens when....<object height="530" width="560"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allownetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.mobypicture.com/static/flash/player.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="flashvars" value="file=http://vid.mobypicture.com/b67a20530a9b021eebe174dd02c0f118.mp4&image=http://vid.mobypicture.com/b67a20530a9b021eebe174dd02c0f118_movie.jpg" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.mobypicture.com/static/flash/player.swf" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="560" height="530" allowScriptAccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="file=http://vid.mobypicture.com/b67a20530a9b021eebe174dd02c0f118.mp4&image=http://vid.mobypicture.com/b67a20530a9b021eebe174dd02c0f118_movie.jpg" /></object><br />
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What happens when your Dad is Bart Millard from Mercy Me and it's his turn to wake you up for school??Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557243312562080478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-89850394372086820452011-04-26T23:44:00.001-04:002011-04-26T23:45:10.592-04:00Interview with Israel Houghton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.951shinefm.com/PodCast/mp3/TMD_Israel.mp3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--A6hAKmpDLw/TbePJTvGkgI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/EjxwyJLdJYE/s1600/IsraelHoughton.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Israel Houghton will be at the Coppin State University Physical Education Complex on April 30th along with Martha Munizzi. <a href="http://spring2praise.com/about.html">Click here</a> for ticket information.95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-26367052571168321402011-03-14T13:31:00.004-04:002011-03-14T15:10:15.587-04:00What I Won't Put Up With<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tEyRb5ifF4U/TX5RspqVxXI/AAAAAAAAApo/JzSECF5SD_s/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tEyRb5ifF4U/TX5RspqVxXI/AAAAAAAAApo/JzSECF5SD_s/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583990415525528946" /></a><br />
Hi friends,<br />
<br />
I was out shopping the other night and I don’t know if I was just super sensitive or if it was something God was showing me on purpose, but I was heartsick over what I witnessed. People were fussing with one another. Openly, just walking in the mall...loudly in the department store. I overheard exchanges between people that triggered something in me. <br />
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The first one was a married couple in Lord and Taylor. <br />
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The man says to the woman in an agitated tone, “Look! How many times do I have to tell you. He doesn’t want one of those." <br />
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She says, “But I just thought----“<br />
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He interrupts, “Well you don’t know what the h____ you’re taking about.”<br />
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I saw another couple in the mall with hands in the air in disgust. He says to her, “Just shut up!” and then walks away from her. She just stands there for a second and then silently tries to catch up with him. <br />
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It was contempt in action. This kind of thing is not a little thing to me. If someone that I am in relationship with talks to me like this I am done. Shut down. Humiliated. Hurt. Ashamed. And done. I lived like this for too many years in unhealthy relationships. I wasn’t respected. I wasn’t treasured and I wasn’t honored. And it damaged me. <br />
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Watching it from afar, I could feel that hurt all over again. And honestly, this is the thing that terrifies me about “being in love.” I long to be in a fulfilling, beautiful marriage with a godly man. I long to be romantic, close, and willing to serve someone. But when I see this, it triggers the pain of the past and the fear of ever going through that again. <br />
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Don’t get me wrong. I know people who love one another will disagree and have difficult times, but there is never an excuse or reason to treat the one you love with contempt. <br />
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And I wonder where did it start? Were there signs of this when they dated? How did it get to the point where this kind of behavior was accepted?<br />
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I find myself at 46 yrs old where I never thought I’d be. Single. Longing for love, but pretty happy just as I am most of the time. And ironically, the Lord has me mentoring young girls and women who want nothing more than to find Mr.Right. <br />
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But their desire to be in any relationship is stronger than their desire to be in a good relationship. What they are willing to accept as normal, what they are willing to put up with, just astounds me. <br />
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We teach people how to treat us. If you allow them believe that it’s ok to humiliate, disrespect and shame you now… what makes you think that they will all of a sudden be wonderful to you if you marry them?<br />
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It was the love of Jesus that turned it all around for me. If He could be so kind to me...so tender...so full of compassion, grace and mercy...if He could consistently want good for me and put me first and value me so much that He would die for me, knowing how wretched I really am...and He is God...<br />
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Then...how could I possibly put up with a mere man treating me like a dog? <br />
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I can’t and I won’t. <br />
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My dearest sisters, settle for nothing less. Don’t let your desire for romance get in the way of real love. <br />
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Instead of just asking for God to bring that man into my life, I am praying also, Lord make me the kind of woman who loves the way You have loved me. <br />
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I have a long way to go, but in the meantime, I am single and loved perfectly by a God who knows what I need. <br />
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<br />
His Beloved, <br />
TraceyTracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-65211964127235691472011-03-02T21:27:00.005-05:002011-03-03T06:10:42.990-05:00Singled Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JYJd2cd4Q3A/TW8EcL2-ImI/AAAAAAAAApY/0XlxF05J7vA/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JYJd2cd4Q3A/TW8EcL2-ImI/AAAAAAAAApY/0XlxF05J7vA/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579683345601536610" /></a><br />
Hi friends!<br />
<br />
I was on a cruise last week with my family and friends and one of the activities they had on the ship one night, was a salsa dance lesson. Now, I have to tell you.. I LOVE salsa music and love salsa dancing. Problem is- I really don't know how. But I am drawn to it and I've always wanted to learn. So I figured, it's a free lesson. Why not?<br />
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I show up to the class and it became obvious to me rather quickly, that I was the one and ONLY single person in the class. All couples. Nice, happy couples who wanted to learn how to dance together. Now this makes perfect sense, since salsa dancing is with two people. <br />
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I'm not really sure what I was expecting or why I was embarrassed. Perhaps I was hoping there would be just one other single person in the class. Or even a smurf or cyclops. It didn't much matter. Just someone who wasn't paired up and wanted to learn how to dance. On a boat with about 5,000 people on it- it seemed a reasonable hope. <br />
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But no. <br />
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The instructor told all the couples to spread out on the dance floor. I felt my cheeks turn blood red and I tried to slither off the floor, over to the side.. I was hoping that my luck would improve and maybe the floor would open up and swallow me whole. <br />
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But Hans, or Sven, or whatever the instructor's name was, saw me slithering, and in front of everyone, loudly, in a Scandanavian-ish accent said, "Where is your partner?" <br />
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Funny, I've been wondering that same thing for years. <br />
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I answered him like a little mouse. "I don't have a partner. It's ok. I'll just stand over here and watch". <br />
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"No!" he said. "You will dance with me."<br />
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And just like that, the girl with no partner, alone in a room full of shiny happy couples, was singled out to dance. Not with just anyone - with the Master. <br />
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Isaiah 54:4-5 says, "Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated....For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer..."<br />
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And for a few moments, I forgot the pain of being alone in that room and I danced. With the best dancer in the place. He knew what he was doing..skilled and strong, he spun me around and made me feel like as long as he was leading, I could do anything. <br />
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Singled out to dance with the Master. This is the reality of my life right now and while it might not be what I was expecting, I am honored. <br />
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His, <br />
TraceyTracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-13803545577063852852011-01-12T11:20:00.002-05:002011-01-12T11:38:38.607-05:00If I Had To Live My Life OverHere's the poem from Erma Bombeck that we read this morning. There are many versions of this on the Internet, but this is the version she wrote in her column on December 2, 1979. Enjoy and cherish those sweet moments!<br />
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<blockquote><center><a href="http://www.nndb.com/people/054/000104739/erma-bombeck-1-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.nndb.com/people/054/000104739/erma-bombeck-1-sized.jpg" width="154" /></a><i><b>If I Had My Life To Live Over</b></i></center><br />
Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.<br />
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My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.<br />
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If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.<br />
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Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I’d have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.<br />
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I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.<br />
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I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.<br />
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I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.<br />
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I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.<br />
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I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.<br />
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I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.<br />
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I would have cried and laughed less while watching television...and more while watching real life.<br />
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I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.<br />
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I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.<br />
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I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.<br />
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I would never have bought ANYTHING just because it was practical/wouldn’t show soil/ guaranteed to last a lifetime.<br />
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When my child kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner.”<br />
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There would have been more I love yous...more I’m sorrys...more I’m listenings...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it...look at it and really see it...try it on...live it...exhaust it...and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.<br />
<br />
© Erma Bombeck<br />
</blockquote>95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-37257150216911908252011-01-10T13:51:00.012-05:002011-01-10T14:26:40.568-05:00When will I ever stop talking about my weight?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0QsLd-iE_uo/TStb9tAEe6I/AAAAAAAAA6w/EOWPtu39B2w/s1600/Tracey_Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0QsLd-iE_uo/TStb9tAEe6I/AAAAAAAAA6w/EOWPtu39B2w/s400/Tracey_Before.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>Hi friends!<br />
<br />
Weight loss and the pursuit of it, has been like a part-time job for me for many years. Maybe even more than part-time. On top of all my other jobs and activities, obscuring any joy I may feel about myself or any accomplishments, stealing my confidence, and my attention and shaming me for failed attempt after failed attempt.<br />
<br />
If you know this struggle, then you know what I mean. How many tears have you cried because you felt so bad about your weight? How long have you felt powerless to do anything about it?<br />
<br />
As a Christ follower, I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) But this battle has beat me up so much that I had nearly given up hope that I could ever change. Yes, I knew the Lord was able, but clearly I wasn’t. Or so I thought. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0QsLd-iE_uo/TStdXhoO_BI/AAAAAAAAA7A/777YBxUmGOo/s1600/Tracey_After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0QsLd-iE_uo/TStdXhoO_BI/AAAAAAAAA7A/777YBxUmGOo/s400/Tracey_After.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>So I prayed and prayed. Lord, please send me some help. I just don’t know what to do. Send me someone who wants to help me and who has the key to unlock this mystery for me.I love it when God answers prayer so specifically. The day that Kate and Corrie and Bill from A Better Weigh came to the station to meet with me, I knew God had said to me, I hear you and here is some help.<br />
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Losing weight is a very personal thing and the way it happens for people is as unique as their struggle. For me, a lack of self- control and feeding my loneliness and hormonal depression with loads of carbs, and sugar, meant that I needed structure and discipline. Accountability with results to keep me motivated. No wiggle room.<br />
<br />
This program was exactly what I needed. It has helped me identify the real reasons I would eat, and to discern when I am actually hungry. There were so many times when I was stressed or upset about something and my first inclination was to feed myself. And I couldn’t. Not only would it mess up my weight loss, but I would then have to admit it on the air, that I had “cheated”. Talk about accountability!<br />
<br />
So I persevered. I set a goal and I persevered. Through parties, nights out with friends, holidays...I never wavered. And on Christmas Eve, I hit my goal. 145 lbs! Now it’s January 10th and I’m still going. Turns out, I could actually go all the way with this program and get.. dare I say it...thin. Me! I never thought it was possible.<br />
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I am 140 lbs today and I’ve lost a total of 46 pounds. But what I have gained is so much more. The feeling of accomplishment that I have set a goal and even surpassed it. The confidence that I can do ministry and reach out to others without feeling self-conscious, but instead, focused on them. The belief restored in me, that I really can change. Transformation is possible. And I can glorify God in an area that I have shut Him out all these years.<br />
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It is with fear and trembling that I say, I am an over-comer. By God’s grace that is what I am. I will never underestimate this struggle and I will never think I have it all figured out. But I have learned so much and I am different than when I started back in September. Different on the inside. You can’t see that change as clearly, but trust me. When you see how different I look on the outside, it is just a small hint of how different I am on the inside.<br />
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Thank you to my friends at A Better Weigh and thank you Lord for giving me the help I needed. I’ll be 47 in April and Lord willing, I’ll be the leanest I’ve been since.. well… a long, long time. And speaking of time, what will I do with all the time I'll have to myself when I quit this part-time job of losing weight? Can’t wait to find out.<br />
<br />
Humbled,<br />
TraceyTracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-4401445621455205632011-01-07T17:20:00.000-05:002011-01-07T17:20:59.446-05:00The Show After The Show #5<center><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8O9XdxmrsAs?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />It is a Purple Friday at SHINE-FM and some do a little more than others! Go Ravens!<br /><br />(A big THANKS to Erin Branham and Tim Duff for being goofy with us!)<br /><br />You can email us at Mornings@951SHINEFM.com</center>95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-32557557830192318822011-01-06T10:10:00.000-05:002011-01-06T10:10:54.901-05:00The Show After The Show #4<center><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1m9LH7lEGFM?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />We come up with a new idea for next week. Tracey deals with an in-studio issue. Mike has another project for Tracey.<br /><br />Email your questions for next week to: Mornings@951SHINEFM.com </center>95.1 SHINE-FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369868917974767667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-3284738113597124002011-01-05T06:08:00.001-05:002011-01-05T06:11:15.172-05:00The Show After The Show #3<center><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bypTmVksuMI?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tracey's Christmas tree must come down!</span></center>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557243312562080478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-79590696960880981382011-01-04T11:26:00.002-05:002011-01-04T11:29:00.187-05:00The Show After The Show Episode #2<center><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/QNM46w889Wg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/QNM46w889Wg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Tracey and Mike discuss dry Christmas trees and fashions when you travel.</div>Tracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-48863463404198315712011-01-03T11:42:00.004-05:002011-01-03T12:17:48.242-05:00Welcome to "The Show After The Show" Episode #1<center><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/IG_6n4thS1c?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/IG_6n4thS1c?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It's Mike's wedding anniversary and Tracey wants to make sure Mike will still be romantic even though his wife is sick with a cold.</span></div>Tracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135340050141977632.post-79599339319722167192010-12-21T08:57:00.015-05:002010-12-21T09:29:47.701-05:00Mom's Breakfast Casserole is back!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__4PBRD8WaaA/TRC3fbyAPoI/AAAAAAAAAog/48FqvpK3A-A/s1600/brunch-casserole-egg-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__4PBRD8WaaA/TRC3fbyAPoI/AAAAAAAAAog/48FqvpK3A-A/s400/brunch-casserole-egg-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553140091209137794" border="0" /></a>Hi friends!<br /><br />Every year since I was a wee one, my mom has made this delicious breakfast for Christmas morning. We love it so much and only get it once a year. Many of our listeners have adopted it as their Christmas morning breakfast so, we wanted to share the recipe with you once again!<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Linda's Breakfast Casserole</span><br />Ingredients:<br />
6 slices of bread, crusts removed<br />
Butter (to lightly coat the bread)<br />
1 lb of bacon (or your choice of meat like sausage, steak, chicken, etc)<br />
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (we like shredded cheddar)<br />
6 eggs<br />
2 cups of milk<br />
salt & pepper (to taste)<br /><br />To Make:<br />Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.<br />Butter the 6 slices of bread and place in pan butter side up.<br />Fry bacon (or meat you desire) and crumble over the bread.<br />Sprinkle cheese over the meat and bread.<br />In a bowl, whisk together 6 eggs, salt & pepper and 2 cups of milk.<br />Pour over top the bread, meat, and cheese.<br />Cover with foil and place in the fridge overnight.<br />The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />Pull casserole out and let sit on the counter for 15 minutes (very important if you are using a glass pan!).<br />Uncover and bake for approximately 45 minutes.<br />Let sit for 5 minutes and enjoy!Tracey, Mike, and Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17625882447148060926noreply@blogger.com1