Yelling at God...

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At my local grocery store, they have these cool registers that allow you to self-checkout. I love using them. I was at the store on Wednesday, and after grabbing the few items I needed I started scanning my groceries.

On my way to the checkout, I briefly notice a man and woman having a conversation while standing in the entrance to the cereal aisle. As I started my checkout their conversation began to get a little more intense. Eventually the man started yelling at the woman, and I stopped to glance up at them. Once I start to pay closer attention, I realize that the woman is the store manager, and the yelling man is a dissatisfied customer. Even though I can't hear every word they're speaking, it's obvious that he is not happy. He starts to get louder and louder, until eventually he is screaming at her.

I immediately started to feel intensely uncomfortable.

I hate yelling.

As someone who grew up in a house, where there was lots of yelling and screaming, I sometimes find it hard to be in intense situations. I want to flee them instantly.

On my way home in the car, I was praying, and questioning...

Is yelling at someone ever okay?

I'm not talking about yelling at someone to warn them of danger, or the teenage girl who yells for Justin Bieber.

I'm talking about screaming and yelling at another human being.

Do we ever deserve the right to speak to another person like that?

I think in this instance, the man in the store was yelling because he felt like he wasn't being heard. But the ironic thing is that when we start yelling, we become so intent on getting OUR point across, WE STOP LISTENING.

If we really believe that we are all created in the image of God, when we yell at another person, aren't we really yelling at God?

I think witnessing this situation really made me stop and look at how I treat people. I know how yelling makes me feel...have I ever made someone feel like that? Have I ever ignored the divine in someone else, wanting to get my message across so badly that I didn't care how it made them feel?

The sad thing, is that I'm sure I have.

What I learned on Wednesday is that the heart of conflict isn't who's right or wrong...it's in how we choose to treat each.

Would love to hear your feedback...What are your thoughts on yelling?

Put me in Coach!

I am still in Las Vegas, and part of me feels like I'm a high school basketball player who's been benched. I'm sitting on the sidelines, on the edge of my seat just waiting. Hoping that at any moment the coach will call my name, and tell me it's my turn to play...

On Sunday, I got to share a little about 24-7 Ibiza at church. It was awesome, as I always love talking about what we do in Ibiza.

It was a bit challenging, because the pastor gave me 5 minutes to share! Don't get me wrong, I was very thankful for the opportunity...it's just that as I began to write out everything I wanted to share, that 5 minutes got smaller and smaller. I had to cut, and edit and really get to the heart of what we do.

The purpose of his invite was to help me with fundraising, but anytime I get to share about 24-7 Ibiza I want people to understand what it means to me. I wish I could just zap them to the West End on a Wednesday night at about 2:00 in the morning. If I could do that, I think my fundraising goals would be met a lot easier!

Trying to explain the streets in words can be tough. But I do my best, and then pray that the Holy Spirit does the rest!

Still wondering what goes on in Ibiza? Just check out the What's Poppy Doing in Ibiza? page of my Ibiza blog.

In Response to the non-Rapture...

Julian Walker aka Jewlee Jewels

My sister Dovey had her first boy at the end of April. After Three girls, I think she may be in for a bit of a surprise!

Hot Off the Presses!

Even though I'm not in Ibiza yet (still waiting on my visa) I have officially launched the monthly Poppy in Ibiza Newsletter. The May issue has been sent out to all my subscribers, full of the latest Poppy in ibiza news.

If you want to subscribe, just fill out the form found on the right sidebar on my Poppy in Ibiza blog. Here's a peek at what you'll be receiving each month...



And that's just the top half! Check out this months full newsletter HERE

This week, I've been reading the book of John, and John 4:34 really stuck out to me.

Then Jesus explained: "My Nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work."

Here's how Webster's defines the world Nourishment: Sustained with what's neccessary for life, health and growth. To strengthen, build up or promote. To Cherish, foster, or keep alive.

There is nothing like the feeling you get when you know you're doing exactly what God wants you to. It's the ultimate sense of PEACE. I love that Jesus uses the word Nourish. By doing God's will, we not only find peace, but we also find spiritual growth. Doing what God wants for us each day is the thing that sustains us!

Jesus should be our example as he looks to God to nourish him, and not anything else. God wants to sustain us, to strengthen us, to build us up and promote us.

So let's get busy doing the things that God wants for us each day. And remember, It doesn't have to be some huge undertaking...it could be showing kindness to your neighbor today. It could be showing forgiveness to someone who's hurt you. The cool thing, is that if we ask, God will show us what to do...

Happy Veggieversary!

One year ago today, I stopped eating meat...

It's been an awesome year, as I've stretched myself by trying foods that I'd never given a chance before. Did you know that asparagus rocks?!

So Happy Veggieversary to me! Here's to another 50 years!

Meditate, Ponder & Chew

I've been reading the book of John, and have literally been in the first two chapters for like a week! I'm once again amazed at the depth of God's word...

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 1:2 -
"But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night."

Here's how the message version puts it -
"Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night."

I recently discovered this great quote..."Reading the Bible without meditating on it, is like trying to eat without swallowing." - Anonymous

If we dont' stop to ponder, meditate, chew, contemplate, consider and reflect on God's word, we can't be nourished by it.

As I read John chapter 1 vs 14 jumped out at me.
"So the word became human and made his home among us. He was FULL of unfailing love and faithfulness."

First of all, "the word became human and made his HOME among us"...I could spend a lifetime pondering that and still not get the depth of it! God didn't just come to visit us, he came and made his HOME among us!

But the part of the verse I spent some time considering is how John describes Jesus. Here's a man who walked pretty closely with Jesus, and saw him in all kinds of different situations. Yet he doesn't just say that Jesus was loving and faithful, he kicks those two attributes up a notch by saying that Jesus was FULL of Unfailing love and Faithfulness. He didn't love a little, he gave it out in abundance.

He gave it to people who society had deemed unlovable

He gave it to people who didn't deserve it

And he didn't just give them love, he gave them a love that never fails, never stops. A love that continues to give no matter the circumstance.

After reading that verse, I am challenged to do the same. To be so full of love that it just pours out of me, and touches everyone that I come into contact with. To love people that society tells me are undeserving of love. To stick with and lavish love on people who annoy me! To let unfailing love define me...

Tiesto

Thanks to some "Connections" I ended up with a free ticket to see Tiesto this past weekend. It was AMAZING! It's kind of funny to me that I wanted to see him all last summer while I was in Ibiza, but in the end I had to wait until I came back to the states to have the pleasure!

Discipline is Not a Dirty Word

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One of my top 10 favorite movies is The Last Samurai. I watched it last week (for like the 30th time!). There's a scene in the movie where Tom Cruise's character starts talking about the Samurai. Here's what he says...

“From the moment they wake, they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue…I have never seen such discipline.”

Every time I watch this movie, I’m always struck by that line.

I start to think about my own life, and my lack of discipline, and wonder…what if?

What if I woke up each day with that kind of devotion towards my relationship with God? Completely putting away yesterday and tomorrow and just focusing on TODAY.

Some nights when go to sleep, I have this moment of clarity. As I lay there in the dark, I look back on what I did that day, and sometimes recognize that I didn’t really do much of anything that matters.

I spend so many of my days worrying about and longing for what’s coming…or dwelling on and regretting the past…what about today? I want to let those things go, and give God my focus NOW.

What can I learn today?
How can I do to grow in my knowledge of God today?
Who can I serve today?

I don’t want to live my life on auto-pilot. You know what I mean. Those days you wake up and start going through the motions of life. You’re just doing what you normally do, without even thinking about it, and before you know it, it’s 3:30, and you haven’t really put forth much effort.

I want to be AWAKE and ALIVE for every second of the day. I want to be OPEN and ready to SEE and HEAR…

I’m really trying to have that attitude today as I’m anxiously waiting for my Spanish Visa. Instead of worrying about how long it’s taking, or dwelling on the fact that I want to be in Ibiza like YESTERDAY, I want to focus on God here in Las Vegas in this moment. What can I still do while I’m here?

New Name...Same Poppy!

I decided to give my blog a new look and a new name...still not sure about this background, so don't be surprised if it's different the next time you stop by! The title is based on one of my favorite Phil Wickham songs...Divine Romance.




Your innocent blood has washed my guilty life
In your presence God, I'm completely satisfied
For you I'll sing and dance
Rejoice in this divine romance
Lift my heart and my hands to show my love...to show my love

I also added a "tag line" - Girl + God = Limitless possibilities...I think I'm just now at 40 starting to belive that's true...With God I can do all things!