Jersey Mike: The Weekly Hodgepodge




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Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

Security or freedom? Can you have both? Explain.

Depends on your perceived source of both.  Not to go political, but I am speaking from experience, not theory.  If I attempt to acquire all of my freedom and security from the government, I will be sorely disappointed.  For example, if I place my financial security in what the government doles out, I will be only mildly secure, but have no real freedom to earn more and grow on my own.  However, if I recognize that my security and freedom come from the Lord, I am genuinely safe and secure (Psalm 91).

If you could visit any historical American site what would it be? Why?

Does a national monument constitute a historical site?  I've mentioned before that I would like to travel and experience some of America's greatest historical sites, including the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial in New York.  Why?  I've only seen pictures or videos of or read about these places in books.  I want to experience the reality of these awesome landmarks.

Free as a bird, free reign, be free of, free enterprise, free trip, walk away scot free, free for all...which 'free' phrase can best be applied to your life in recent days or weeks? Explain.

I got nothing.

Something in your fridge that's red? Something in your house that's white? Something in your view that's blue?

Something in my fridge that's red?  Bell peppers, pasta sauce, salsa, catsup.
Something in my house that's white?  The walls.
Something in my view that's blue?  My GMM poster in my cubicle:

Most of the other decorations in my cubicle are crimson (#RollTide).

July 27th is National New Jersey Day. Have you ever visited The Garden State? If so where did you go? Are there diners where you live? Have you tried Taylor Pork Roll? Do you like to play Monopoly? Salt water taffy-yay or nay? How do you feel about shopping at the mall? Springsteen, Sinatra, or Bon Jovi-you have to pick one. Raise your hand if you know why these add-on questions are appropriate on National NJ Day. 

Nope, never been to New Jersey and don't know what Taylor Pork Roll is.  I'm not sure what differentiates a diner from a café, but there are several diners/cafés close by.  However, the only local establishment I've been in is called Le Peep.  No, it isn't a fancy French restaurant (I wouldn't know what to order or how to order it).  Their yummy breakfast menu reminds me of a cross between Cracker Barrel (without the gift shop) and Huddle House (without the cigarette smoke and snarly cooks).  I enjoy playing Monopoly, but it's not really a one-person game.  Have never had real salt water taffy, nor have I perused any of the malls in my area.  I'm a girl of the 80's, so you know my answer is Bon Jovi all the way. 

Insert your own random thought here.

Happy Independence Day, y'all.

Five Minute Friday: "Ocean"

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The first thing that came to mind when I saw the prompt was this song:

For me, grace is like the ocean; the more I experience it, the more I want of it.  I've spent much more time swimming in God's grace than the actual ocean.  However, the few times I've been to the ocean (or the gulf), I really wanted to bask in all the sights and sounds of it, yet never got the chance.  My oceanside excursions were always in the midst of busy activity--conferences, revival meetings, and one awesome band exhibition (#BlowSoutherners).

Do I partake the grace of God like this?  Am I so busy with the stuff I'm supposed to do that I miss the splendor surrounding me?  Have I left myself so unsatisfied and distant that it seems impossible to reach that place of peace again? 

When thinking of home, I think about how close I lived to the gulf and how I let fear keep me from travelling there alone.  There should be no fear in God's grace, but there is.  Being afraid that the grace isn't there (maybe God's mad), or that we'll frustrate His grace (Galatians 2:21).  But, like the ocean, grace is always there in all its beauty, waiting for us to dive in.

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Five Minute Friday: "Restore"

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Psalm 51:12-13 is one of my favorite scripture passages:

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

After years of losing and leaving so much, I'm finally in a position to begin restoration.  Restoration; making things new, making the ugly beautiful, finding friendship in the midst of loneliness.

Like the restoration of a property, restoration of a life is difficult and messy, but the results make it all worth it.

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