Impressions

Wow! What a week I’ve had! We are so busy at work right now – Credentials Committee meeting coming up which means we have files to get ready for the Committee. We are also interviewing for a Credentialing Coordinator (which is what I am) because my friend, D, left for a new job about three weeks ago! It’s hectic, believe me!

We interviewed two applicants this week – one yesterday and the other one today. I have the best boss and when we have an open position, she has all of the Credentialers – there are five positions, but only four of us on staff right now – participate in the interview because we are the ones who will be working with any new employee that comes into our office. I think it’s great to be included. It makes great sense to me that we would have a say in who is hired to work alongside us!

During the interview we all ask questions, we all answer questions and describe to the applicant what the duties consist of as a Credentialing Coordinator. The interview is normally about an hour long, but can be longer depending on the number of questions the applicant may have regarding the job.

Now, we have the responsibility of deciding which of the applicants we think would “fit” better in the position! Not always an easy task! We not only look at experience, but also personality because we spend a lot of time together and it’s important that we are all comfortable together! It works! We have a great group of women in our department and I think the fact that the entire staff is a part of the selection process is the reason it works so well!

As we were doing the interviews and meeting afterward to talk about our impressions, I really thought a lot about how important those first impressions are in getting to know a person. Sometimes it’s hard to read a person in just an hour’s time, but other times – you can read and “sense” so much in that time! It made me think about the impression that I make when meeting someone new.

The other girls at work, when describing me, always comment that I am quiet! I guess that’s true to some extent, although I don’t see myself in that same way. I like to consider myself a student of human nature. I think that sounds much better! I am quiet but I’m listening all the time. I learn a lot about what’s going on around me and really try to get to know other people by watching their expressions, listening to the tone of their voice and reading body language!

I’m a very private person and find it difficult to share my personal life with others – even most of my friends! It’s a trait that I am working on because I think sometimes, it makes life more difficult – more overwhelming. I tend to hold inside problems and feelings that I’m dealing with because I don’t want to give the impression that I’m weak or “needy”. Not only does this keep me from making deep friendships, but I know that it’s not what God intended for us as his children!

”Carry each other's burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

We are made to be dependent on each other – to help each other through the difficult times and to rejoice together during the good times! I really struggle with this, although my co-workers are definitely helping me to learn to share my life with them – helping me to step out of my comfort zone! They are so genuinely caring and I am truly beginning to feel that – within the walls of the Medical Staff Services Department – I am safe! I am not judged – only loved! It’s an awesome feeling. It’s a feeling that I am becoming more dependent on every day.

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us

as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1,2

I am constantly working to better myself and to live my life as God would have me to live. I pray that the impression I leave on those I meet is that I am first and foremost a fully devoted follower of Christ! I pray that everyone I meet can see – even if meeting me for a brief period of time – can see Christ living in me! I pray that the impression I leave is always kind and caring!

Philippians 2

(1) “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion,

(2) then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love,

being one in spirit and purpose.

(3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

(4) Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

In His Love and Blessings
annb

How Privileged Were You?

"The “How Privileged Were You”

I found this meme floating around and thought it looked like it might be interesting to see where I fall – how Privileged I was!

It's important to note that this is copyrighted, so if you put this up on your blog, please note the following: From What Privileges Do You Have?, based on an exercise about class and privilege developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois Indiana State University (ty Klady for the correction - see comments). If you participate in this blog game, they ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright.

Bold the true statements.

1. Father went to college.

2. Father finished college.

3. Mother went to college.

4. Mother finished college.

5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor.

6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.

7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.

8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.

9. Were read children’s books by a parent.

10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18.

11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18.

12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.

13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.

14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs.

15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs.

16. Went to a private high school (but on scholarship).

17. Went to summer camp.

18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18.

19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels.

20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18.

21. Your parents grandmother bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them.

22. There was original art in your house when you were a child [kid’s work is original!]

23. You and your family lived in a single-family house.

24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home.

25. You had your own room as a child.

26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18.

27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course.

28. Had your own TV in your room in high school.

29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college.

30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16.

31. Went on a cruise with your family.

32. Went on more than one cruise with your family.

33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.

34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.


Well, I answered 10 out of 34. Not sure where that puts me as far as “privileged” but as far as I’m concerned – I was so privileged/blessed that I can hardly believe it! I grew up in a home where God was the center! We had Bible study, prayer and sang praises to the Lord – all at home. We also were at church every time the doors opened! My Dad was the church custodian for many years as well as driving the church bus to youth activities. My Mom was a Sunday School teacher for most of her adult years.

Tell me, how much more privileged could one be?

In His Love and Blessings
annb

I signed up for PayPerPost!

Yay! I'm approved! I'm pretty excited about having my blog approved for PayPerPost!

I had seen the ads around BloggyLand, but wasn't sure how payperpost worked or if it was really worth my time. I had read people's comments and blog posts all over the place...saying they were making money by blogging. I didn't know any of the people personally, so I just figured they were HOPING to make money.

My SIL, Annie, had been placing payperpost ads on her blog and when she posted about her PayPerPost experience, I thought it might be something I could do too! Since I know Annie - in real life - I trusted her testimony.

My daughter, ,Elizabeth, has also started blogging for money with payperpost and I know that she's doing well with it, also.

I went to the payperpost site and read through the policies, submitted my blog for approval...and now I'm really anxious to get started. Oh, wait...This is my start!

Basically the way it works is that I will have opportunities from which I can select the ads I'm intestested in and want to post about on my blog. If I see something in the opportunities posted that I have personally experienced or something that interests me, I'll blog about it. There will be no copying and pasting here.

I hope you won't be discouraged or bored with my posts. Each one will be labeled PPP (Pay Per Post). I like giving my opinion and, who knows, you may see something I've posted about that you find interesting and want to check out for yourself!

So, that's what I'll be doing. Yay! And, let's see...what to do with the extra money I'll be making? Some new furniture would be great, clothes and shoes are always fun, a trip would be really nice! Hmmmm . . . this may be half the fun - trying to figure out where to spend the money! I'm sure I won't have any trouble with that!

Seriously, payperpost CAN bring in some really great cash. I might as well do my part to share in the wealth, right?

word of mouth ethics

Check it out!

If you know me, you know that I struggle with weight issues and have my entire life. I want 2008 to be a year of change for me - a time for reflection and revelation in my life - a time to better myself spiritually, physically and emotionally.

A while back as I was searching for "helps" on the internet, I came across a site that is proving to be a great help to me in applying healthy principles to my daily life. It is a site called "Loving Miracles" written by Dr. Annette Colby, RD, Master Healer and Nutritionist.

One of the things that caught my eye and sparked my interest in this site was the fact that Dr. Colby seemed to believe in the connection between spirituality and happiness. She sends out newsletters with articles that apply to daily life.

In the first newsletter I received after subscribing, she writes, "Thank you for your interest in the "Eating Peacefully" newsletter! Each issue is designed to provide enlightening articles which touch the spirit, enliven the body, and nurture the mind. Keep up the good work you are doing on creating greater success, happiness, and abundance!

Tell Your FriendsOur community of love and support continues to grow as we share the loving energies of our hearts, minds, and bodies. Please consider forwarding this newsletter to your friends, associates, and professional lists. Your recommendation is how we grow, and the information contained in this ezine will help them grow.

So when you have time, go to her site at http://www.lovingmiracles.com/. I think you'll be glad you did, especially if weight control is an issue with you.

In His Love and Blessings
annb

Thursday Thirteen #1 - again

Thirteen Things That Remind Me I'm Getting Older 1.... My baby turned 18 yesterday! How can I be old enough to have an 18 year old baby? 2.... My first-born will be 27 in a couple of weeks! You know how close to 30 that is? 3.... I was a key-punch operator in my early 20's! We were talking about the key-punch operators and ancient computers today at work. Remember the noisy machines with the keyboard you typed on making holes in the cards that were then carried to another building and put into huge computers and gave you printed reports! Yeah, I think that's pretty old! 4.... My son gets a thrill out of hearing me answer him when he (loudly) asks me my age when we are in public! Really, I don't see the humor in it, but he certainly enjoys it! 5.... I have decided to stop coloring my hair! You know what it costs to have highlights put in? Why should I spend all that money when I have my own God-given gift of beautiful silver highlights! 6.... I now opt for comfort rather than fashion for my shoes! If comfort and fashion actually make it together in a pair - what a find! 7.... I fall asleep on the couch around 9:00, 9:30 every evening! That used to be the time I was just heading out for an evening of fun! 8.... I have to stand up and walk a bit at least once every hour! If I sit in one place (such as my desk at work) any longer than that, I get stiff! Yeah, try walking that out! 9.... I need to invest in lotions - hand, body, face, heel cream, cuticle cream, anti-wrinkle cream, elbow cream . . . the list goes on and on! 10... I'm thinking about buying our cemetery plots! Yes, I really am! If you knew you would be needing a "home" - a place to move into - wouldn't you want to pick it out early? Who wants to wait until the last minute when everything's been picked over! 11... My 5th grandchild will be arriving in a couple of weeks! Number 5! I guess I never thought about the number of grandchildren I would have - they outnumber my children now! 12... I find that I usually have to drive in the right hand lane of traffic because everyone else is passing me! I think they're just all in too big a hurry! 13... Last but not least - I did turn 50 in November! That a real milestone and I'm enjoying my maturity, wisdom and new discounts I'm discovering come with age! In His Love and Blessings annb

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


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"Be Transformed"

Last November, my daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, Michael gave me an early birthday present by paying my way to a women's retreat that I attended with Elizabeth. I have to tell you, that weekend changed so many beliefs that I have carried with me throughout my life!

Cheryl, the speaker at the retreat is an amazing women and truly touched my heart with her words! I posted about the retreat here.

I received an email from Cheryl the other day and wanted to share the contents of that message. Elizabeth and I have started a study together - meeting one night a week - on this same book that Cheryl talks about - both at the retreat and in this message, "Be Transformed".

On the Email loop, Rita asked me to explain about the book Be Transformed and why I liked it so much. I thought you might be interested in my response.

Resting in Grace,
Cheryl

Rita mentioned a book called Be Transformed and asked what I thought of it.
Anyone who has talked to me in the last year or who came to our retreat - knows what I think of this book.

It has powerfully impacted my life. It has affected the way I interact with my children, with other people, and absolutely how I teach God’s Word.
But most importantly of all, it has helped transform my relationship with Christ.
Why? Why would just a book have that much effect?

I will tell you.
GRACE

I am not simply talking about God’s grace that reached out through eternity and chose me and brought me to Himself and redeemed me apart from ANY merit or work on my own.

I understood that about Grace before.

I could cry about it and how thankful I was for His saving me through His Grace. But that was kinda where my understanding of Grace stopped.

Be Transformed explains HOW to LIVE in Grace.

You see, we are saved apart from following any rules or manmade plan or good works of ANY kind.

AND because of Grace, that is the way we are supposed to live. FREE in CHRIST – apart from any rules or manmade plan or good works of ANY kind.
I don’t want to PLEASE Him anymore. I don’t want to perform or meet any standard or list or do great works ANYMORE!

Because I want to live in Grace, as He planned. Letting HIM DO IT ALL!
My job is to know Him and to love Him and to Trust Him. THAT’S IT!
The more I know, and love and Trust Him, the more I will obey Him and follow Him and be transformed to be like Him.

But there is a HUGE difference between this and what I used to believe and do and how I used to live.

Before because I loved Him and appreciated all He did and does for me, I wanted to please Him and work HARD at it.

OH what a burden it was though. I was NEVER EVER even close to doing what I needed to do to please Him. I loved Him SO much. But I just couldn’t do enough to merit what I wanted to do for Him

But Grace changes all that!

I am free to love Him. And to trust Him. Then I am empowered and choose to obey.

The motivation behind TRYING TO PLEASE HIM and simply TRUSTING HIM is 10 Universes apart and has changed my life.

I spent an entire weekend at our retreat trying to illustrate and explain this. So of course, this email is inadequate.

Be Transformed is best done with someone who has been through it and understands living in Grace.

However, it is such TRUTH that I want everyone to read it and do it and ask the Spirit to show you Christ and teach you the Truth and introduce you into living in Grace. Just get a friend or two who would like to understand this idea and pray and do it together.

Your family will recognize and LOVE the difference in you. You will LOVE living in the freedom of Grace.

Some fear as they did in Romans 6 that this kind of teaching will lead to anarchy and an unproductive Christian life.

As Paul said, “May it NEVER be!”

I would contend that THIS is the way God intended for us to live – completely dependent on Him, living out of His life in me, trusting Him for every single thing in my life not because that’s the “good Christian way” but because I love Him and trust Him so much, I can’t do anything else. I choose to do nothing else!
I LOVE living like this!

So, Rita, I had a little to share about this book. But it isn’t the book that transforms lives. It simply explains it very well. It is the power of God working in a son or daughter who trusts Him and depends on Him.

I would love to hear from some of you whose lives have been changed by learning to LIVE in Grace not simply be saved by Grace!
Let me close with a few verses to encourage you.

1 Peter 5:12 I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

(This is why I close my emails by saying…)
Resting in Grace,
Cheryl

In His Love and Blessings
annb

God vs Science

Have you ever been in a conversation with an unbeliever and try to explain faith to someone who has none? Have you ever felt at a loss when trying to explain the faith that comes so naturally when you are a believer?

A friend of mine sent this to me the other day and I thought it was a great explanation of the power of faith! See what you think!

God vs Science

A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, "Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. "Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From God"

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

Again, the student has no answer.

"Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. "Who created them?"

There is still no answer.

Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.

"Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelled your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?"

"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?" "Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet.

The student begins to explain. "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'.

We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat.

You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something.

You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word."

"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure.

Sir, science can't even explain a thought." It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."

"Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in uproar.

The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. "To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter. "Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain?

No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir."

"So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself.

Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down......

In His Love and Blessings
annb

How's Jace?

I've had a few questions about Jace Campbell since I posted a request for prayer for his family and for baby Jace. His site is at CaringBridge and you do have to have a password to sign in to visit, but the password is your own. You must register your information and then you're able to visit the site. There is no charge for registering.

I thought I would share the last post on his progress written yesterday! You can visit his site here! Thank you for asking about him and for praying! He is doing so much better.

On behalf of Lydia, Rocky and the whole family-I wanted to share the latest with all of you who are so faithful for praying for our family.

Jace had a great day yesterday!! He had his first outpatient physical therapy session since coming home -He was a little champ! The sweet therapists who had cared for him in the hospital worked with him again-they were so encouraged as he has made so many improvements in just a week since coming home. They were of course happy to get to see him again and see the brightness in his blue eyes-and showed his momma lots of new exercises and stretches to do with him at home.

Next our sweet friend Ginger worked with him on his sucking reflex and confirmed that it is definitely getting stronger!!!!

We give GOD the glory!

As each day passes we see Jace growing stronger. We wait and watch expectantly to see him smile, be able to feed on his own and hear his little cry again- We know it's just a matter of time!

We continue to see GOD"S glory being revealed to us.

There are so many things that God is doing in our midst that it would take pages to share -As we watch expectantly to see our sweet boy do new things each day, we have found such strength in drawing close to each other and to Jesus.

Last night we sat down together with Billy's guitar(Andrew played too!) and had some worship time together- I think we had all forgotten how awesome it can be just to worship together! The work that the Lord has done in all of our families, The Campbells, The Burtons, The Whitlocks and The Parkmans, is knitting our hearts together --

We thank Him for the love that is growing in all of our families, for Him and for each other.

We ask that you would continue to pray for strength for all of us-especially Lydia and Rocky.

And continuing to thank God with us for the miracle of Jace! This journey is one that daily builds our strength and hope but mostly our understanding of Christ and His great love for us.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Ephesians 4:20

In His Love and Blessings
annb