Call me a ham, okay?

In some circumstances, I love to be the center of attention. In my family we called that being a "ham." At one point I lost my "haminess" and started going to Toastmasters, and regained that natural love of public gab.

I think I'm at a place where I can present confidently and authentically- but know I am a work in progress. I found these notes from a friend (thanks Margaret!) and am sharing the highlights so I can refer to this again in the future.

• Cut down on background. For a 15 minute presentaton, background should be less than a minute. I know it's important to you, but NO. ONE. CARES. (Or they can ask you in the Q&A.)
• Begin with the bottom line- it reigns in expectations and makes everyone happier.
• Include a call to action before the "Questions?" slide. A call to actions keeps the momentum from the presentation and reinforces your bottom line.
  
• And, from Toastmasters, "Take a breathe. Slow down. Smile." 

Calling Upon the Name

"And Seth, to him who was born a son, and he called his name Enos; then began men to call upon the name of the Lord"

Not until then? Was it because the memory of Eden was becoming dim, and the easy communication with the Lord who walked in the garden In the cool of the evening was no longer possible? Was it a longing cry of homesickness as the Lord called out when Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the forbidden tree, "where are you?" In wounded love, so were el's people now beginning to ache from their wounds and to call out to their begetter? Was that the beginning of conscious, verbalized prayer? In the Garden, prayer has been all of life; eating, knowing each other, sleeping, all were part of prayer. So wasn't the Fall the braking of life into fragments which needed to be put back together by prayer? (83)

From "And it was good" by Madeleine L'engle.

Nothing but Prayer

Perhaps, if we walk with God our sense of wonder is untouched, we retain our joy at being simply who we are, faulted and flawed, but God's. Perhaps if we walk with God, our lives are truly nothing but prayer (85).

From "And it was Good" by Madeleine L'engle

Crosswalk Musings

I was just standing at the crosswalk watching multiple cars speeding by without stopping- like they legally should- and I was getting so angry I stuck my tongue out at one! That did a lot of good (ha ha). And I realized (correction, He convicted me) how much I was sinning by being angry and hating the people, and the Holy Spirit said, "what if you bless them instead of cursing them?"

I don't know what will happen. I think it would change my attitude for sure.

 "So Lord, bless the women going 40 miles an hour in the black SUV, bless her day, in Jesus name! "

I do feel better. Thank you Lord!

One goal

My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.

-Oswald Chambers