Kinship

As I was thinking about what to post, the word kinship popped into my head.

Kinship, as defined by dictionary.com, is
Noun
1. the state or fact of being of kin; family relationship.
2. relationship by nature, qualities, etc.; affinity.
Origin:
1825–35; kin + -ship

I like the second definition. An affinity. That means I feel something for you because we like some of the same things.

I like to read Christian romance novels. A lot. I feel kinship to others who like to read the same.
I like to write and create Christian romance novels. A lot. :) Again I feel a kinship to other writers (of romance or otherwise).
I have children. There is a kinship between mothers, no matter their ages.

With whom do you feel a kinship?

Blessings,
Ginger

Monday Worship: Hallelujah

I completely forgot to post on Friday for the A2Z Meme, and so I'm combining Friday's H post with Monday's worship post.

No particular song in mind today, well, there is, but it's not available on YouTube. Why? Because it was written, and sung today, by our seventeen year old pianist.

It was such an awesome song, and when I have permission I will post a copy of the words. "Here I Am" was about giving our dreams to God, laying them at the foot of the cross, and letting Him have them.

So why did I name this post Hallelujah?

First let me give you a definition of hallelujah (from dictionary.com):

interjection

1.

Praise ye the Lord!

noun

2.

an exclamation of “hallelujah!”

3.

a shout of joy, praise, or gratitude.

4.

a musical composition wholly or principally based upon theword “hallelujah.”

Also, hal·le·lu·iah.

Origin: 

1525–35;  < Hebrew halălūyāh  praise ye Yahweh; cf. alleluia

The original Hebrew is what we did in church with "Here I Am"--we praised God. The glory of God fell in the room, and it was WONDERFUL!

Blessings,
Ginger

Bummed...

I missed A in the A to Z meme last week, so I'm trying for B this week.

Bummed

I went to dictionary.com and looked up Bummed...you know I have to be totally informed. Of course, it doesn't have bummed, instead it sent me to bum...too many definitions of that to post here. Then I found the one I was looking for: 

disappointing; unpleasant.

That's how I've felt recently. Disappointed and unpleasant. It's already August and it doesn't feel like I've done much of anything all summer, even though it seems like I've been run ragged.

It's like laundry or dishes...you know you did it, but there's little evidence that it's been done because there's always more to do - and I truly think both laundry and dishes multiply like rodents.

I've posted on my blog before about my inability to trust others - or maybe it's just myself I don't trust. I don't know. Somehow I am unable to make true friendships - deep ones, ones that allow you to call and just chat, or if there's an emergency - to call in the middle of the night. I have a lot of surface friends-people I chat with online, or in church. I can smile and fake it with the best of them. What I WANT and I think what I NEED in my life is someone who can teach me how to deepen my relationships.

I don't like to be vulnerable. It opens me up for hurt, and I don't like to be hurt. Well, no one does, but I think I have a bigger aversion to it than others. But you know what I've found over the last few months...it hurts not to be vulnerable too. Why? Because I see all these people around me who have close relationships and I realize I don't have that. I've never really had it.

The old adage - what you don't know can't hurt you - comes to mind. But I think it can and does.

So...wasn't that an encouraging post? But you know what...I'm just being real, and I'm still bummed.

I hope your summer is going better and is far more productive than mine.

Blessings,
Ginger

Rush, Rush, Rush

Rush, Rush, Rush

You've done it. So have I. We've rushed through a day just trying to get to the next thing on our to do list.

It happens a lot this time of year. Go to work, pick up the kids, find a sitter, get to the Christmas party of the evening, come home and crash. Only to start over the next day with a few variations. Maybe instead of a Christmas party, it's a Christmas performance, or a shopping excursion (when they're rushed it yanks all the fun out of shopping).

But what if this was your last Christmas? Would you do the same things? Buy the same presents? Go to the same parties?

As the world moves away from the REAL Reason for the season (yes, it's now a cliche, but it works), I challenge you to move toward Him. Cast aside all the trappings, even if for only a moment, and focus on giving Him thanks.

Put the to do lists away. Stop rushing about. Focus on the creator of Christmas.

C-Comforter (John 14:16)
H-Healer (Psalm 103:2-4)
R-Righteous one (Psalm 116:5)
I-I am (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58)
S-Son of God (Luke 22:69-70)
T-Truth (John 14:6)
M-Maker of all (John 1:3)
A-Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13)
S-Savior (Luke 2:11)
 

What can you do without this season?

Blessings,
Ginger