Habakkuk 3:19 (Amplified Bible) The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. Habakkuk 3:19 (The Voice) The Eternal Lord is my strength!     He has made my feet like the feet of a deer; He allows me to walk on high places. Chabakuk 3:19 (Orthodox Jewish Bible) Hashem Adonoi is my strength, and He will make my feet like the feet of a deer, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places. Habakkuk 3:19 (New Living Translation) The Sovereign Lord is my strength!     He makes me as surefooted as a deer,     able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 (The Message) Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,     I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer.     I feel like I’m king {or queen} of the mountain!

It might be obvious that in order to be focused you have to stay focused. But obvious is easier said than done, isn't it? We all, from time to time, need help or reminders on staying focused, this article provides some action steps to take when you need that help. And before laying out the action steps the author takes the time to remind us why it's important to have focus. I appreciated the reminders. Without focus we drift, we are directionless, we aren't positive contributors to our families or workplaces or friend groups.  So today focus on how you might need to re-focus. *wink* 

Artist Stefan from ArtCornerShop Artist Igor Sava Artist Liu Yunsheng Artist Unknown

If you are going to make your own tacos for today - try one of these creative and delicious recipes. Well? What are you waiting for? Go forth and eat tacos! 

I love muffins. I especially love mini-muffins. I have no good reason for loving mini-muffins except it feels like I can eat more and justify it because they are "mini." HA! I'm not the only one who loves mini-muffins... My friend Jennifer makes these GREAT muffins simply called "Brown Sugar Muffins" and was kind enough to share the recipe with me years ago. They are a huge hit in my family, the redheads have even requested them as their birthday treat! What I love about them, okay all muffin recipes, is they can be big or mini.  So for this #MuffinMonday I'll pay it forward and share the recipe, enjoy! Brown Sugar Muffins Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups flour 1 cup milk Directions: Mix together butter and brown sugar; add egg and blend. Add flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Combine vanilla and milk wi

Today's #SundaySchool teacher is Eugene Cho . Eugene is a pastor is Seattle, Washington and also the founder of One Day's Wages , a very cool non-profit focused on global poverty. I have a lot of respect for Eugene Cho and his faith. And I'm super appreciative that he shares the wisdom he is gleaning from Christ with those who want to listen. Eugene is a champion of the widow, the orphan, and the disenfranchised. I hope you will listen to him and what he has to say about women, the impact of one day's wages, and our desire to change the world.

Ephesians 6:13 (Amplified Bible) Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. Ephesians 6:13 (Complete Jewish Bible) So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. Ephesians 6:13 (The Message) Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Ephesians 6:13 (The Voice) And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground.

The complete quote by Steve Jobs is this, “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” This is a rather common idea among some of the most successful people. (By the way, successful doesn't mean or equal wealthy.) They realize that there are many good, even great maybe, ideas. But they know they can't say yes to all the ideas. They can only say yes to one. Just like multi-tasking spreads one out thin and reduces us to busy work rather than productivity, so focus can't be on several things at once. Single-tasking and focusing have many of the same characteristics and outcomes. For this #FridayFocus take some time to consider what ideas or opportunities you need to say n

Artist Angela Fehr  Artist Sillier Than Sally Artist  r.bohnenkamp Artist katarzynajaskiewicz

I have nothing to say about today's tag. I mean tacos speak for themselves. It's #TacoTuesday people - go out and have a taco or two! If you want some fancier tacos for a switch-up then check out these.  I gotta go, my mouth is watering. *wink*

I'm here today in defense of the muffin. Poor thing. It really gets a bad rap and I say without cause or reason. Here's just a couple of insults the muffin has to put up with.        See what I mean? Well I'm here to stick up for the muffin because unless it is overbaked, dry, and tasteless muffins are amazing. And they are NOT ugly. Does these look ugly to you? And do these flavor profiles seem uninspired to you? Click here for 28 inspired muffin recipes I hope you are seeing my point. And in further defense of the muffin let's discuss the bran one shall we? Bran has a weird reputation. When I was a kid I thought just the word itself sounded like it would taste like nothing. And I do think bran can be tasteless and bland - but just like any ingredient, it depends on what you do with it. People, there are some really good bran muffins out there that deserve our attention. Here's the Sour Cream Bran Muffin recipe from Epicurious , and i

Today's #SundaySchool teacher is Nadia Bolz-Weber . Nadia is an ordained Lutheran (ELCA) pastor of a church in Denver, Colorado. She is covered in tattoos, is a former drug addict, and loves Jesus but cusses a little. She's the author of three books (so far, I'm sure more will happen down the road): Salvation on the Small Screen: 24 Hours of Christian Television, Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint, and Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People. She's worth giving a listen to - I hope you are challenged and blessed! Here's Nadia talking about the cross: And here's Nadia from a few years ago speaking at an ELCA Youth Gathering. 

Psalm 84:10 (Amplified Bible) For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather stand [as a doorkeeper] at the threshold of the house of my God Than to live [at ease] in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 (Living Bible) A single day spent in your Temple is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a doorman of the Temple of my God than live in palaces of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 (The Message) One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship,     beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God     than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. Psalm 84:10 (New Life Version) For a day in Your house is better than a thousand outside. I would rather be the one who opens the door of the house of my God, than to live in the tents of the sinful. Psalm 84:10 (The Voice) Just one day in the courts of Your temple is greater     than a th

If you spend your time focusing or subconsciously preparing for Plan B then Plan A is not going to succeed. Focus on Plan A can't include any attention paid toward Plan B. And to be on the safe side the only Plan B you should have is to work Plan A. Plan B is usually the thing we don't want as much but it will have to do since Plan A didn't work out. Well, perhaps Plan A didn't work out because we were focused on Plan B instead. I know I sometimes focus more on Plan B, ignoring Plan A, due to fear of the risk Plan A feels like or insecurities I have about my role in Plan A. For the #FridayFocus today, take some time to focus on what you want (Plan A), not what you don't want (Plan B).

Artist Dawn with dawndermanart Artist Sophie with CanotStop Artist Gustav Klimt Artist Unknown

Maybe all these taco tuesdays are creating the muffin tops we are seeing in the mirror!? But you don't have to give up tacos - you can eat delicious ones that are 200 calories or less ! Or if you can afford a few more calories try these for just about a hundred more.   So go get your taco on! *wink*