It's Not My First Rodeo
Monday, March 12, 2012 - Posted by Ulovebeth - 0 comments

I want to go to the rodeo, but somehow life keeps holding me back. I had a few opportunities at the beginning of the rodeo season, but I did some other things...and now, I have a pending trip home with very few days left to visit the bulls and cowboys and fried food fixers.

Honestly, I'm almost in a panic. I have to get to that rodeo!

I feel like a cowgirl version of Cinderella. To complete that storyline, I also don't have any boots to wear! Do you know how embarrassing it is to be a Houstonian without a good pair of boots? I bought a pair of boots several years back that have been worn until the heels are just wonky and both unfixable and unwearable.

If you've never been to the rodeo, you have to go. You need to get over the traffic and the crowds and the funky smells, and just take it in. The rodeo is the place where country comes to town. I know I can get some good fried crawfish some place else, but I really want it from the rodeo. I want to see those high school kids chase the calves and get pulled all over Reliant. If I miss the rodeo, it's like skipping a monumental seasonal change--like missing the Starbucks Holiday drinks or something.

Rodeo, one way or another, I will be there with boots on. Regardless or not of bippity-boppity-boo sweeping a wave of bedazzlement cowgirl glory on me -- or if I just have to wear some city slicker wear, I'm going.


Forbidden Love - Together at Last
Thursday, February 09, 2012 - Posted by Ulovebeth - 1 comments

In honor of the approaching holiday, I wrote a poem about one of my forbidden loves--it was a young love of which my parents never seemed to respect or understand.

To My Beloved Goob

Goober Grape, Goober Grape.
You are my sweet escape.

Are you peanut butter? Are you jelly?
I don't care. Just get in my belly!

Goober Grape, Goober Grape.
It's too much sweetness to take!

When we're together, I'm not alone.
Uh-oh, I think I got you on my phone.

Goober Grape, Goober Grape.
I've loved you since I was eight.

My momma said no at the grocery store.
But now, it's you and me. Forevermore.


RTVS - Repeated Television Viewing Syndrome
Thursday, January 05, 2012 - Posted by Ulovebeth - 1 comments
I don't have cable. I'm not home enough to really soak up the cost of having cable television on a full time basis. But, I did invest in a small Roku box last year that enables me to stream the internet through my television. I've purchased Netflix (which I will probably cancel very soon) and Hulu Plus. I use Hulu Plus the most. It's basically like having a DVR of sorts. I can watch shows that have already been aired anytime I want.

But the bad part of this, is that I have become a t.v. junkie. I also have both of these methods on my iPhone as well. So t.v. is available to me at anytime.

I've always been drawn to the t.v. But before I had the Roku, I would just wind up addicted to reruns of Frasier and Everybody Loves Raymond, so maybe it's not as bad as I think it is. [CLASSIC DENIAL]

If you are looking for some shows to explore to waste time, I've included my reviews of the shows of which I'm most addicted. I do not have any reality shows in the mix, because by watching these shows, I'm supporting actors and writers and not reality television. I don't want to watch real life. If I'm going to entertained, I need a good story--not clever editing! (I'm a t.v. purist.)

Modern Family
This show makes me laugh. I love the craziness of the situations. My favorite character is Phil Dunphy. He has such a great heart, but he's an odd bird. It makes for a great combination. "What's the plan, Phil?!"

Parks and Recreation
This show didn't interest me until I was prompted by family members who told me it was funny. I think it's a great idea for a show--because who would think to have a show about a Parks department? And it's based in Indiana! Not many hit T.V. shows go for those themes. But this works.


Arrested Development
I tried to watch this show a few years ago, and I thought it was boring. I couldn't catch the humor. The colors of the set seemed blah and I didn't know why everyone else liked this show so much. So, via Hulu Plus, and also prompted by the recent announcement of a possible movie, I watched the first episode. I am now working my way through the seasons, and I'm hooked (no offense to Buster!).

Once Upon a Time

I was in a friend's home and a commericial for this show appeared on t.v. and my friends started buzzing about the latest episode. It's from the creators of Lost. I thought the plot sounded ridiculous--two worlds are crossed: fairytale world and modern day Storybrook. But I love this show. The acting and writing are so-so, but the scenery of the fairytale land is beautiful. It's made me think about how we, as humans, have a spiritual world around us that is very real, but we never see. And how we are more than what we appear to be--anyway, maybe I'm reading too much into that show! Whatever the case, I like it.


Refocus. Christmas Purpose.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 - Posted by Ulovebeth - 0 comments

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Christmas can get kooky. Sometimes the happiest time of the year can just go plain wrong. Remember, it's about adoring the baby. It's about the greatest gift from God--not about what your got that didn't fit or was the wrong color. It's about letting the love of Christ fill your heart--not about the treats that will fill your belly. It's not about focusing on who is or isn't with you this year. He is always with you.

Enjoy Christmas. But the only way to truly enjoy it, is by letting Jesus be your joy. You can't package, manufacture, buy, or hand make joy. It's the overflow from the gift from God.

I'm preaching this to myself today, too. Read. Pray. Repeat.

Be blessed.

love,
me


Cold Mode! Winterizing the Wardrode
Thursday, December 01, 2011 - Posted by Ulovebeth - 0 comments


I have been begging God to take summer away from Houston, and I believe we are finally past 90 degree days for awhile! Now, I have a problem getting my wardrobe and internal body temperature to morph into cold mode.


I am so sick of my summer clothes. Some people prefer summer dresses and shorts, but due to my inability to bake myself a nice tan color (my skin color options are "lily white" and "I'm-Not-Really-A-Waitress Red"), I like to cover myself with as much clothing as possible. My dream of putting aside my summer duds is now here! But I don't quite know what to wear...


One thing I've been doing is the old "add some leggings to your summer dress" trick. But honestly, it's boring me. And sometimes when I'm not sitting completely lady-like in my dress, I want to say, "It's okay! I have on leggings!"


I also had to dig out my sweaters from my guest room closet. When you're memory is bad, the process of digging out winter clothes almost feels like you are opening a Christmas present. "Oh! I didn't know I had this! Thank you, self!"


The other issue I have with the weather transition is figuring out when to break out an official coat. I have a few coats, but not all of them match my outfits. When I lived in states with temperate climates, I purchased a new coat every year. I had coats for everyday, formal, and outdoor occassions. Now, I have a hodge-podge of coats and jackets--basically leftovers from ten years ago. It seems like a bit of a waste buying a coat if I'm only going to wear it for the week that I'm in Kentucky for Christmas. The rest of the year, it takes up space in my closet and just sits gathering dust mites.


Maybe I've just invented a business as I comb through my clothing dilemma...


Perhaps, there could be an online "clothing/coat rental service" for those of us in the South that are traveling to colder climates. Can I tell you how tired I am of wearing the same wool lime-green J.Crew sweater circa 1998 to holiday events? I'm sure there are others out there like me.


Anyway, until my online rent-a-coat is up and running, I'll either pack on the layers or see what Target can offer me for a good deal on something warm.



Give Me Some Sugar!
Thursday, November 03, 2011 - Posted by Ulovebeth - 0 comments
I'm on a no-sugar kick right now. That means, cupcakes, cookies, and candy (the Evil Three C's)--are not entering my belly right now. By avoiding these, I'm hoping my sugar-free belly develops a shrinking feature.


I eat a lot of sugar. I know sugar is not so great for the bod, but it tastes so good!

I usually start off my day with some oatmeal--pre-sugared. Then, I take in some coffee with creamer--and flavored syrup. At the office, I have to just have a bite of that candy my co-worker has at her desk (why do co-workers torture us like this?!). Then, I go home and fantasize about going to get some gelato. Hopefully, I do not have any previously purchased ice cream in my freezer, because if I do, at this point it's gone (why is it so much fun to watch the Biggest Loser while eating ice cream?!).


It can be hard to live life with no sugar. Thank goodness I am doing this by choice, and not by a medical mandate. I can't imagine what it would be like to do birthday parties and holidays and weddings (and probably even funerals) without the ability to partake in the sugar fest.


There is a great verse about sugar-overload I think of often from the bible:

Proverbs 25:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.


How many of us have been there? Some of you were probably there about 3 days ago.


Sugar consumption will probably always be a struggle. It puts me on a high, then it puts me on a low. I'm avoiding it for this minute. So stop parading around in my dreams with cookies and cupcakes!


One day, maybe I'll be able to have a better relationship with this powdery, white, wonderful substance. I hope. I pray.





God's Wheels
Thursday, September 29, 2011 - Posted by Ulovebeth - 1 comments




Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

If you ever doubt that God speaks to people, you could be crazy. Some people may feel crazy or sound crazy when they mention God speaking. You will know when you've had God speak to you because it won't be crazy. It will make sense, and the wisdom will flood your mind and bones and bring a peace or understanding that you didn't have before. It's an amazing blessing to hear from God.

Throughout the summer, I had been feeling more and more stressed as I seemed to absorb everyone else's stress. And the hard part, was that this was stress that wouldn't just disappear. Some of these situations had grabbed my heart and demanded attention.

I like being a refresher to people. I like being an encouragement. But I can only be those things if Jesus Christ is refreshing me through the power of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, I might be able to still perform parts of an old pep rally fight song from high school, but for any other boost, I am toast.

I also had my cousin's illness on my brain. She was struggling with cancer for the fourth time in six years, and the last news I had heard was that she was in a hospice care situation. My father's side of the family seems plagued with cancer. Cancer--or even the possibility of cancer--is not a light burden to carry.

I've been fascinated with some videos called on a website called IamSecond.org. The realness of the people in the videos about their struggles and their faith hits my heart.

I've been following the life of Brian "Head" Welch since he gave his life to Christ several years ago. The story of how he hit the bottom of bottoms in what might seem to some the top of the world was fascinating. He doesn't look like your traditional Jesus-lover. I watched Brian Welch's video, and really listened to the verse, Matthew 11:28, that he shared as a verse he heard from a friend that caused him to really stop and examine the meaning. He realized that he was weary and burdened and needed rest. He needed Christ in his life to take those burdens and give him freedom.

Immediately after watching the Brian's video, I noticed a piece of folded paper that had slipped out of my bible from a church bulletin. The only sentence on the paper was Matthew 11:28. It was a bit bizarre since I just heard that verse as the theme of the video. I felt like God was calling me to pray for rest for my cousin with cancer. She loved Jesus and needed rest.

The next morning I got a call with the news that my cousin had passed away. You never want to hear news that a loved one has left this life, but I felt peace knowing her body was at complete rest with Jesus. Her burden was finally gone.

I was hurrying to work and on the drive I was half-listening to a message from Tony Evans. My ears perked up when I heard his southern-gospel-style voice emphatical preach out, "Come to ME--all you who are WEARY and HEAVY LADEN--and I will give you REST!"

He told the story about a time when he was struggling as he carried a load of luggage. Someone stopped him and said, "Sir, do you realize those bags have wheels?"

Dr. Evans pointed out that Jesus has to be our wheels. We have heavy loads, but with Jesus as the wheels, they can move!

Then, that verse hit home to my own life. My burdens might not go away--if fact, they might even increase as I prepare for being part of a new church location and re-enter volunteer ministry with Young Life. But Jesus is my wheels. He is the burden carrier. Not me. He asks for my load.

I have been a Christ-follower for years, and for that relationship to be fruitful and have meaning and impact on others around me, I can't just put it on auto-pilot. It's a daily act of recognizing Jesus Christ is my Lord. My life is directed by Christ.


Hearing Matthew 11:28 caused me to hear God's voice. Burdens aren't for me to carry. He asks to carry the burdens. He gives me rest. When I realize, that God has it all, I get the honor and blessing of being arms of compassion and encouragement of Christ. I love it!


Bring it on, and I'll give it over. Jesus, be my wheels.