Judge, lest you be judged...

There has been a lot of talk on my social media sites lately about judgement, judging, and passing judgement, etc. People I know have been arguing back and forth for weeks now about whether it's right or wrong and exactly what the definition of it is. I have joined in on quite a few of these conversations and many of them have really got me thinking about my position on this topic. If you want to spark a quick fire of anger and argument call someone out for their sexual immorality, or the abortion they had, or the idols in their lives, or the addiction they refuse to break free from. I promise you that "don't judge" will be the very first thing that comes flying out of their mouth. 

The first time I ever really hard the expression, "don't judge" was from my sister-in-law. I don't remember the exact conversation now but I remember being somewhat put off by her saying this to me because I didn't feel like I was passing judgement or putting something/someone down or trying to make someone feel bad, I was simply speaking the truth as I saw it. Over the years I have heard this phrase said in many different ways and many different contexts. The most popular I see are:

Don't judge someone just because they sin differently that you. 
Don't judge me by my decisions if you don't understand my reasons.
Keep calm and don't judge.
Don't judge me until you know me.
Don't judge someone's choices without first knowing their reason. 
Don't judge my path if you haven't walked my journey. 

Gaaaaaa!!! This judge word, its just so over used and so misunderstood that to the normal every day me, it all gets so confusing and frustrating to see and to be told. I do know two things....I know the minute you make someone feel bad or uncomfortable you are accused of judging them and  I do know that Jesus wants us to judge, but He wants us to do it based on the will of God. 

Lets take a look at the origination of this phrase...

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged". Matthew 7:1.  If you point out someone's sin this is the first verse that will be slapped across your face but the problem is, this is usually where people stop.

Like with so many versus or chapters of the Bible, people tend to just pick one thing they like and they stop there without further interpretation or research. So, let's not be them. Let's go a little further..."For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you". Matthew 7:2. Makes a lot more sense and ties things together when you keep reading huh? 

There are several other versus in the Bible that reference judging; Luke 6:37 talks about not condemning and that you should forgive so that you can be forgiven. Luke 6:41 speaks of how you should remove the plank from your own eye before you try and examine the speck of dust in your brothers eye. John 8:7 is the famous verse where Jesus says that if you are without sin to throw the first stone. Romans 2:1 is basically parallel to Luke in which is says you will be judged to the same point as you judge someone else. Romans 14.10 says that you pretty much should watch out and not treat someone with contempt because you will stand in the same judgement seat as your brother or sister. Romans 14.13 is a great one that speaks about instead of judging that you should make up your mind that you will not put any stumbling blocks in the way of your brother or sisters walk with Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:5 speaks of how you don't need to point out someone else's flaws because God will bring to light everything that we have been trying to hide in darkness and expose the motives of the heart. James 4:11 is where we are told not to slander each other and that if we speak out against our brother or sister we are speaking against the law and when we speak against the law, we're not keeping it but sitting in judgement on it.  I think that 1 Corinthians 4:5 is probably my favorite and I think it's the most telling and easiest to understand on this topic. "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God." 

If Jesus doesn't want us to judge each other then why in the world are there so many versus in the Bible about this topic? 

Society often takes all of these versus out of context and they use them to condemn and accuse the Christian of being "judgmental" when they speak out against sin. What I believe that Jesus is saying in all of these versus is that we are not to judge according to appearance, but we are to judge in righteous judgement. If someone steals, lies, commits adultery, or murder, Christian's can make a righteous moral judgement and say that these actions or sins are morally wrong and that there will be eternal consequences. 

Chuck Colson said, "True tolerance is not a total lack of judgement. It's knowing what should be tolerated- and refusing to tolerate what which shouldn't". - The evidence Bible. 

No one wants to be made to feel uncomfortable in their sin. People are sinful in nature and they want to be left alone to do what they want, when they want, without someone trying to make them feel guilty about it. That's when the ol "Don't judge me!" will come flying out. People will tell you that if you call them out on their sin that you are not being tolerant of them and they will say that what you're telling them is hate speech, that you are judging them, and that you are not treating them fairly. 

It's also funny to me what we as a society choose to say is ok to judge and what is not ok to judge. I read a story about a woman that was in line to vote for President and she made a remark saying, "Well, we aren't supposed to judge". I thought wow, choosing NOT to judge a political candidate on election day?! No wonder our nation is in such a mess. 

My opinion on these versus, or my interpretation is that we are to judge ourselves first, and then we can judge other's behavior. I get this from Luke 6:41. To me this means that I need to check my own behavior before I go out and start telling other people how to behave. I need to get my heart right with the Lord before I can go out and teach other's how to get their heart right.

 I see it all tying together with hypocrisy. How can I be addicted to some sort of substance and in the midst of my addiction go out and try and tell other people that they need to get off of drugs or alcohol? How can I tell someone not to steal when just the night before I stole? 

I think if one verse in the Bible best describes my generation and the society we live in its Isaiah 59:7- 8, "Their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, devastation and destruction are in their highways. They do not know the way of peace, and there is no justice in their tracks; they have made their paths crooked, whoever treads on them does not know peace". We have screamed at each other DON'T JUDGE ME so much that this is no peace. We have succumbed ourselves to sin so much that we don't even recognize what is right and just any more and we allow the sinner to be comfortable in their sin because we just want to get along. But we're not really getting along are we? But how can I live in peace and harmony with Christ if I don't discern between what is sinful and what is not sinful? What about Revelation 2:2? "I know your deeds; your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false". Why would God be please with these people if judging sin was wrong? Is it not impossible to find someone a liar without judging them? I think it's important to judge on a regular basis so that we are properly serving and honoring God. 

I think the problem is with most Christians is that they are afraid of someone accusing them of being mean, or being uncharitable. The danger there is that they are bending on their moral teachings. My dad has a saying he uses quite a bit, "How do they know they are in need of a Savior if we do not point out their sin". As Christians I think we are far to fearful of the PC police and we are bending and twisting to the morals of this world instead of standing on the Word of God and condemning sin for what it is. Sex outside of traditional marriage is wrong, killing the unborn is a sin, stealing is a sin, murder is a sin, lying....is a sin. I don't want to sin by being a liar and I am lying if I don't judge sin for sin. If I don't call you out on what you are doing wrong, then I am doing an injustice to you by not allowing you to be convicted by God, and I am lying to you. Wisdom is being able to discern good from evil and we're in trouble if we as Christians refuse to do it because we're afraid we might lose a few friends. 

So the question is then...how are we supposed to judge? I think there is quite a bit of guidance in the Bible for judging. Going back to my favorite verse on this topic, 1 Corinthians 4:5 is where I see the real heart of the matter of judging and where I get the most upset with people. Let's review that verse one more time...."Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God." 

 I am all for judging sin. I am all for "Love the sinner, hate the sin". I think that God wants us to judge sin, I think it's required that we judge sin, and I think if we don't judge sin we are actually living in sin and sinning against God. I just don't think that we should place ourselves in a position where we are above someone else and I don't think that we should try and take the authority of God and judge someone's heart or their hearts intention.

 You see, we are all not finished yet. We are all clay in the Potter's hands. He is not quite finished with us yet. I personally have a lot of growing and learning left to do. I many sin but in my heart I desire Christ and I am still learning my path and I'm still being rebuked by Christ. He will get me where He wants me, in His time. And he will do the same with all of you.  

So when we judge we need to make sure that we are judging:

1.  Scripturally. Our standard is flawed, it is not God's standard so we have to use His word as our standard. 

2. Don't judge when God's Word is silent. If God is silent about the subject then we don't have to judge it. God will. Don't make more out of a topic than God makes out of it. 

3. Pray for good judgement ability. When Solomon received his kingdom, he asked God to "Give therefore they servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" 1 Kings 3:9. We should pray for good judgement ability so that we don't sin against God. 

4. Be fair. A truly fair judge is blind and deaf to outer influence so all parties should be treated fairly such as family members or friends. 

5. Judge in truth. Don't judge someone or something without all the relevant facts. A Japanese proverb says to "search seven times before you judge."

6. Judge mercifully. If you are quick to judge others harshly, then I truly believe that God will see to it that you receive the same from others. You reap what you sow. Has God not been merciful to you, even though you didn't deserve it? 

7. Don't forget to judge yourself. 1 Corinthians 11:30-31, "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." If you take your own accountability first and set yourself straight, there isn't a whole lot others can say about you. If you refuse to judge yourself and improve yourself as a child of God then you are leaving it in His hands and everyone else's hands to judge you. You cannot secretly be sinning, or outwardly be sinning and try to call someone out because it will come back to bite you. 

**One more thing of great importance about judging. There is a huge difference between judgement of someone's sin and judgement of someone's appearance. I get really irritated with this one. You can form a perception or an opinion of someone based on how they look or dress or how they style their hair, or what music they listen to or the type of car they drive. This is completely different than "judging". This is more commonly called, "Don't judge a book by it's cover". Just because someone looks different that you doesn't mean they are a bad person. It doesn't mean that you have the right to put them down, insult them, or make assumptions about their life or their morals. Be careful about this because some of the nicest and most kind hearted people you will ever meet look completely different that you do. 

I want to know what you have to say. What is your opinion on this hot topic or what is your experience with it? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Turn your negative...Positive!

I don't know about you guys but I think genetics plays a huge role in just about everything and whether it's nature or nurture, I also think that genetics plays a part in how we generally feel and how we speak to ourselves. I come from a background of just general negativity. My father is a real "debbie downer" and I grew up watching him be a negative person. I watched him negative self talk and negative talk to everyone around him. He rarely had a positive thing to say and most of the time things were very gloom and doom in our home. We couldn't really go anywhere, do anything, or plan anything because to him, there was no point. This was a really hard way to live for a growing girl who had the world at her fingertips and all sorts of wonderful dreams that should have came true.

My mom is at heart a dreamer and a naturally positive and fun little social butterfly and I am so thankful for that ying-yang I had growing up. If it weren't for her, I would be a whole lot more negative that I am now (which is usually pretty negative). 

At times I've tried to pass off my negativity by saying, "Oh, I'm just a realist". Which is partly true. I do pride myself on being real about things. I don't think that being delusional is any more of a positive trait than being a Negative Nancy. 

But, realism can also be a dream squasher if you let it negatively impact your scope of viewing things in life. For example, yes, I am discouraged with the world today, there are a ton of things that frankly just piss me off. That's real. Life sucks sometimes. Terrible things happen. Christians are persecuted. Children are murdered in the womb all in the name of "choice". Kids are kidnapped and murdered. Women are beaten by their husbands. Women are raped by complete strangers. Men are picked on and emasculated by fembot-nazi's and kept away from their children and not involved in any decision making in their own home. I could go on and on right? These things are real. Very real. But what I choose to do about them says a lot about myself. I can shut myself away and choose not to be a part of society because it's so dang repulsive, or I can choose to let my light shine and try and make a difference. I can try and come up with a solution to these issues and be productive, or I can become part of the problem. I talk to myself in negative demeaning ways that constantly keep me discouraged, or I can speak positive and true language that builds myself and others up, not down. It doesn't just happen. You have to change your behavior to get different results.

So what are ways that you accomplish turning your negative talk into positive talk? There are tons as I've discovered! 

1. Control your thoughts. The Bible says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." ~ Philippians 4: 8-9

You have to take charge of your mind. It takes effort and it takes practice but you can do it. Instead of saying, I can't, say, I'm going to try. When negativity seeps into your thought process, you have to take control of your thoughts and turn them the other direction. Starting out your day with just one positive thought can affect your whole day. I used to wake up and dread the day. The first thing that ran through my mind when my eyes popped open was, "Oh crap, here we go again. Wonder what idiot is going to piss me off today". Seriously, I did. How sad is that. Now when I open my eyes, I force myself to say, "Thank you Jesus for another day, please help it to be great!" I'm not saying it's easy and I'm not saying I don't have those days that negative thoughts seep into my brain. I am human living in a negative world. But I, nor you, have to do it all at once, baby steps are just fine! 

2. Read Scripture. I started something on my Facebook that I didn't know would even be read. But, when I don't do it, people say something. I started something I call, "A verse a day keeps the devil away". Each day (or at least I try each day, sometimes I miss a day or two) I post scripture that is relevant either to current things happening in the world or something that just struck my heart that day and made me feel better. Memorize scripture, dwell on it, let it seep into your brain so that the words play over and over in your mind. It's the bread of life and it's enough to sustain you. It's made to uplift you. And when you fill your mind with it, there isn't room for anything else. 

(If you aren't a religious person, that's ok, you can still fill your mind with positive words. There are tons of self-help books out there that are on the topic of positive speak. Find what works for you, but, don't reject something because it seems strange or outside of your realm. Step outside yourself and take a chance!)

3. Journal. Journaling has become such a huge help and relief to me throughout the years. Instead of throwing out my negativity to the world through being grumpy or mean or having a negative disposition I write what I am feeling down in my journal and I get it out of my head. I basically talk to myself and try and sort out why I feel the way I do. You can do this as a prayer journal or just as a normal dump book. The point is, get the negative out of your head so that you can put positive things in your head and change your outlook. 

4. Don't play the victim. You create your life. Take responsibility. Each day you make a choice to be a part of the problem or be a part of the solution. Don't dwell on the past and let it define your future. Don't use your past mistakes as an enabler to make future mistakes. Own your life. If you don't like something about yourself, your job, where you live, what you eat, etc, etc, do something about it. 

I realize that sometimes it's easier said that done but just setting and dwelling on your problem isn't going to make the problem go away. Thoughts can be sneaky little devils that can control everything you do and impact every area of your life if you let them. Again, it's about taking your thoughts captive and not allowing them to control you. 

5. Break old habits and create new ones. I have a ton of bad habits. Who doesn't right? But breaking just one bad habit and replacing it with a positive habit can have a huge affect on your life and how you think. If you have a habit of not exercising, change it. Instead of setting at your desk all day, get out and take a walk. Instead of popping down on your couch after dinner and watching your favorite show, DVR that sucker and go take a walk, alone or with your family. If you smoke, quit. If you drink to much, slow it down, or quit. If you eat to much junk food, start eating more healthy snacks. I know, I know...sounds sooooo easy right? Ha! No, it's not easy, never said it would be. But, as long as it took you to develop that habit, it will take just as long to break it so you better just go ahead and get it over with. And negative self talk, trust me, it's a habit. Break it. The more bad habits you break, the happier you will be, and the happier you are, the less negativity you will put out into the world. 

6. Help someone. Get out there and do something for someone else. It's really hard to speak negatively about yourself or others when you're helping someone. Go sign up to be a volunteer at a homeless shelter (if you're in Des Moines I know just the one for you!) Go volunteer to hold babies at the hospital or to read to sick kids on the cancer floor. Bake cookies or brownies or cook a meal and take it over to a neighbor. Go visit the elderly person down the street that probably is pretty lonely. Go wash someone's car, mow their lawn, babysit their child, run an errand. There are so many ways that you can help another person and again, it's extremely difficult to be a negative person when you are doing something so kind and helpful for someone else. Plus, it just might show you that your life isn't as bad as you thought it was.

7. Get a Positive Partner. It's a lot easier to do things when you have someone to hold you accountable. So either fill your life with positive people or get yourself a partner that will hold you accountable when you start to get negative. Hold them accountable as well. When you start seeing negativity seeping from someone's life, tell them. Give them a positive thought or action to think about or do instead. I have found that it's a lot easier to be objective about someone else's life than your own. When you're outside of a situation you can see things more clearly. When you take your mind off of your own problems and focus on someone else and trying to help them, it will be positive in your life as well.

8. Get rid of the negative people in your life. Just like finding positive people to fill your life, you have to get rid of the negative people as well. Do you have that person in your life that is just drama 24/7? That is constantly putting you down or making you feel guilty about something? We all have them. They can be a parent, a sibling, another family member, a boss, a "friend", someone at church, someone at your child's school, anyone. I know that it's hard to cut people out of your life, especially when they are family, but sometimes you just have to. God expects you to forgive those who have harmed you but He doesn't expect you to continue a destructive and negative relationship. You don't have to be held captive by someone just because you're tied to them by blood. You don't have to live with a spouse who destroys your soul. You don't have to continue being friends with someone who offers nothing to you that is good or positive. Break the tie and brush the dirt off your shoulder and move on!

9. Smile. When you feel bad on the inside it's pretty easy to look bad on the outside. But here is another way you have a choice to control yourself. Force yourself to smile. People will smile back, and even if they don't, at least you might have been the only positive in their day and that will make you feel pretty dang good about yourself.

10. Do things that make you happy. Music, reading, movies, my son, my husband, shopping, volunteering, school, friends, eating, cooking, church, the Bible, God and Jesus, talking, writing, and learning. All of these things make me happy. The more of them I do the happier I am. Fill your life with things you enjoy. When you're busy doing things fun, there is no time for the negative to get in. Music my friends is therapy. Get in your car and blast your favorite song and sing it as loud as you can! Focus on that music or book that lifts you up and makes you feel good.

11. Don't worry. Stop worrying about tomorrow and what tomorrow holds. Worry creates stress, stress creates negativity. To stay healthy, worry just enough for today and put faith in the only One that actually controls tomorrow.  The Bible says, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:24.

And finally, pray. Pray for positive things and they will come to you. Accept Jesus into your heart and you will naturally become a positive person. You can't control it, it just happens. I hope that I have helped you realize that you can control your life, you can control your actions, your thoughts, your feelings, and your world. Just doing this blog has helped me be a more positive person!!

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

Pretty (Miserable) In Pink

If you know me, you know that I am a complete klutz. I have rolled my ankles more than once, broken toes, jammed fingers, had a dislocated knee cap, etc, etc, etc. But, in my 35 years on this planet I have never broken a major bone. What is funny about this is when I was younger I had so many cousins who had broken legs and arms and I thought having a cast was thee coolest thing in the entire world and I wanted one! 
Why in the world would this crazy chic want to have a broken bone you are probably asking....? Yeah...I dunno. I'm weird like that. I've always wanted what other people have...I have a problem with coveting. I admit it. When my friends got their periods...I wanted mine. When friends got braces...I wanted them. When someone broke a bone and had a cast...I wanted one. Well, I can say I have accomplished all of these things and now, I just want to turn back time. 

Here we were...me and this girl...my BFF, just hanging out with our kids and our husbands and some other friends, having a great time with drinks and snacks and fire and fun...

I went to take out some cheese and crackers to everyone and as I went to step off the stairs, I missed the last one and went down like a sack of potato's. I heard a bunch of snapping and popping sounds and immediately got nauseous and hot flashes. I did not however think it was broken. Right away I knew I couldn't put weight on it but seriously...thought it was just a bad sprain. 

Went to the Dr and got the bad news....this bone has a little nice crack in it....Who knew that such a small step could cause such an injury and that such a small little break could cause so much pain. :( Thankfully to the Lord above however, the joint is still in tact so I am not going to have to have surgery. 

This is not my actual X ray but it shows what I broke 

Left ankle is the one that is broken

Needless to say, I was devastated :(  This means 4-6 weeks of doing absolutely nothing but setting in my bed. Yes, I have crutches but I'm going to tell you one more thing about myself...not only am I the worlds biggest klutz but I am also incredibly out of shape because I have let myself go. I am extremely embarrassed to say that I cannot even lift my own body weight. I've been hobbling around on these crutches for 4 days now and my right leg and my arms are so sore I can barely move them. I am completely drenched, sweating like a pig, and out of breath trying to get from my apartment to my car. That is another issue...I live on the 2nd floor of my apartment so leaving entails going down two flights of stairs, on crutches. Me...doing this...NO WAY, NOT HAPPENING! Doing this will only guarantee another broken bone or a cracked noggin. 

What I have realized once and for all, it's time for a lifestyle change, like it or not. Sure, I've done the whole, "yeah man, I'm gonna get healthy and I'm gonna work out" routine like a kazillion times and I've always quit about a week into it. But...I have realized that this time I cannot quit, no matter how hard or inconvenient it may be because I cannot ever go through this again. You don't realize how important staying in shape and having strength is until you injure yourself and have to depend on other parts of your body to sustain the one part that isn't working. I personally don't plan to ever do this to myself again, but you never know what might happen and I don't ever want to catch myself in a position where I can't function because of a broken bone. 

I've been setting on Pinterest and Instagram pinning and looking at workouts for months and months for what? To just look at them? No more! I'm not getting any younger and it's time I take charge of my life instead of setting around and coveting all these people's bodies that are muscular and toned and in shape. 

I go back to the Orthopedic Surgeon in two weeks for new x rays and I am praying (please join me in praying) that in the next two weeks the Lord heals this bone to the point that I can at least get into a walking boot and ditch these crutches. After that, it's on....time to get into shape! And don't worry...I will track my progress here on my blog ;)

To be red-haired is better than to be without a head...

So many super awesome things about this time of year...Spring...Green...St. Patricks Day...and...my birthday!!!

I was chuckling to myself today thinking that if you know me, it doesn't matter if you love me or if you hate me, you can never forget me on my birthday. 

St. Patrick's Day!

People all over the world celebrate on the 17th day of March in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Some cities have parades, most revelers wear green, and a few families commemorate the day with traditional Irish fare for their meal. However, not everyone may know who St. Patrick is.

Born in Britain during the 4th century, St. Patrick was kidnapped and enslaved by Irish raiders when he was a teenager. Although he was able to escape after six years and become a priest in Britain, he later chose to return to Ireland as a missionary, in order to help spread the teachings of Christianity to pagans. According to Irish folklore, he also used a shamrock to explain the Christian concept of Trinity to the Irish. In spite of continuous opposition from pagan leaders, he continued to evangelize for thirty years while baptizing newly converted Christians and establishing monasteries, churches, and schools. He died on March 17th and was canonized by the local church.

St. Patrick's Day was first publicly celebrated in Boston in 1737 where a large population of Irish immigrants resided. Nearly 200 years later, the first St. Patrick's Day parade in the Irish Free State was held in Dublin in 1931. During the mid 90's, the Irish government also began a campaign to promote tourism in Ireland on March 17th.

While many Catholics still quietly celebrate this day of religious observance by going to mass, St. Patrick's Day slowly evolved to become a celebration of Irish heritage. Through the years, along with legendary shamrocks, many symbols were included in festivities that are reflective of Ireland's folklore, culture, and national identity (think leprechauns, ethnic cuisine, and wearing green). Other places that join in on this celebration include Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, and Canada, along with many cities across the United States.

I am turning 35 this year, Monday March 17th to be exact. I wanted to share some of my thoughts, memories and favorite things about this day. First, a little history...

I was born at 11:28 pm on March 17, 1979 (which sadly means that I only have 32 true minutes of this birthday) to my Mom Debbie and my Dad Frank. My Momma was in labor with my for a good 24 hours and thankfully got me out just in time for this wonderful birthday. 

My Mom is where I get my Irish and my Dad is where I get my German. Two pretty freaking awesome combo's if you want a drunkin and mouthy angry fire ball...

But that is NOT me at all :)

In fact, I am quite pleasant

Or at least that is what I want you to see.

I have had so many awesome birthdays and one thing about them that have been so great is that I get to celebrate my heritage along with the day I was born. My mom's maiden name is McAdoo and McMaines so how can you get any more Irish than that? 

One of the best memories I have is when my Aunt Phyllis delivered a little special cake and puzzle to me at school for my birthday. I think I was maybe in 1st or 2nd grade and it just made the day so special for me. Recently she made me a cake again and brought it to church for me. It made me feel incredibly special that she took that time to think of me and do something that I would appreciate and that is her baking for me. 

A few years ago we were blessed here in Des Moines to have really great weather (I believe it was in the high 70's that day) and we got to the St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Des Moines and celebrate. It was one of the best birthdays I've had yet and still holds special memories for me. 

This year I'm taking it a little easier only because my birthday falls on a stupid Monday and well, shite, it's cold out there!! 

Every year I have to buy pink cake and pink frosting for my birthday because I love them! I will make cupcakes again so if I have left overs it's easy to take to work and share :)

And of course...what Irish girl doesn't have red hair?

I want to share with you some of my favorite Irish prayers and proverbs...

Christ be with me

Christ before me

Christ behind me

Christ in me

Christ beneath me

Christ above me

Christ on my right

Christ on my left

Christ where I lie

Christ where I sit

Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man

who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of every man

who speaks of me

Christ in every eye that sees me

Christ in every ear that hears me

Salvation is of the Lord.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May you all have a blessed St.Patrick's Day holiday!!!