There's always another...

QUIZ!!!!

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have high extroversion. You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends. You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation. Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!" Conscientiousness: You have low conscientiousness. Impulsive and off the wall, you don't take life too seriously. Unfortunately, you sometimes end up regretting your snap decisions. Overall, you tend to lack focus, and it's difficult for you to get important things done. Agreeableness: You have low agreeableness. Your self interest comes first, and others come later, if at all. In general, you feel that people are not to be trusted. And you're skeptical that anyone else really feels differently. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Breaking up is hard to do...

Some friends and I have just started going through a 13-week Bible study on personal revival together. The scripture to memorize for this first week is Hosea 10:12:

Break up your fallow ground, for now is the time to seek the Lord, till he comes and rains righteousness upon you.

That phrase, "Break up your fallow ground", has stuck with me for the last couple of days...

We have this romanticized notion of what the experience of sanctification is supposed to look and feel like. We pray---"God, make me more like you", "Change my wicked ways", "Deliver me from this temptation", "Take away these evil thoughts"---and then believe (or maybe it is a hope of self-preservation?) that an easy metamorphisis or a subtle shift will take place in our hearts and minds---overnight or over time---at the supernatural hand of the Holy Spirit and we will be changed.

The metaphors used in Scripture for the process of sanctification, however, are brutal: refinement by fire (like metal), pruning (like a tree), death to self (crucifixion), breaking up of fallow ground---all processes that involve intense heat or piercingly sharp objects---in short, pain.

But when pain comes, we are thrown into a tizzy, our trust takes a hard blow and/or, deep down, part of us wonders if somehow God has forgotten us, or worse, his responsibilities. Ironic, isn't it?

Word on the street...

You Should Be a Song Writer

You have the ability to evoke emotion, tell a story, and hook someone... In a very small amount of words, perhaps with some deft rhyming. Even if you can't write music, you can sure write compelling lyrics. Lyrics so good, people will have them stuck in their heads!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

What have I done...?

Oh. My. Gosh.

I bought a house! And here it is:



Does this mean I'm a real Grown-up now? :)

A wild hair...

So today as I was driving to work I heard this song on our public radio station (WFPK) and the chorus was:

Hair styles and attitudes
Are they related?
Hair styles and attitudes
How do they connect?

Which I thought was quite oddball...UNTIL I started thinking about it...!

Take me, for example. I have naturally curly hair, which can be somewhat unruly. And I usually let it go au natural---no heavy products or appliances involved in the "fixing" thereof. But, occasionally, I take the necessary pains to smooth it out into a straight look. I keep it long or medium length so that I have some flexibility to "do" stuff with it. No fussy, high-maintenance cuts for me, but it's gotta be long enough to put in a pony tail when I don't want to worry about it.

My general persona, or attitude (maybe?), is kind of the same! I'm usually pretty laid-back and most often casual, something of a cautious rebel (and, no, that's NOT an oxymoron). But, when the occasion requires, it's possible for me to exhibit a certain degree of smooth style and grace. Flexibility and spontaneity are definitely key aspects of my general outlook on life, and I am often able to cast worries aside when I don't want to think about them.

Then I started thinking about some of my friends and how/whether their hair style reflects their personality/attitude... I can DEFINITELY see the connection... :)

Think about it! Then tell me your thoughts.

If you've had too much noise...

Psalm 131 is show-and-tell for how to become peaceful inside... This quiet psalm can make you highly sensitive to 'noise.' It is an instrument with which to detect gusts, tremors, or thrashing in the soul... The noise tips us off to what's going on.

The static of anxiety, irritation, despondency, or ambition makes sense from within the logic of a proud heart. If you are not proud, then quietness and composure make sense... Even self-belittling tendencies--low self-esteem, self-pity, self-hatred, timidity, fears of failure and rejection--fundamentally express pride failing, pride intimidated, and pride despairing. Such pride, even when much battered, still finds someone else to look down on...

Most of the noise in our souls is generated by our attempts to control the uncontrollable. We grasp after the wind. We rage, fear, and finally despair...

Be still, my soul. All that is hard now will be forgotten amid love's purest joys. This slight, momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17). Psalm 131 lives with eyes open.

- David Powlison, from Seeing With New Eyes

God has not promised to rescue us according to our time schedule. If it appears that your prayers are unanswered, do not dishonor the Lord with unbelief. Waiting in faith is a high form of worship. In some respects, it excels the adoration of the shining ones above.

God delivers His servants in ways that exercise their faith. He would not have them lacking in faith, for faith is the wealth of the heavenly life. He desires that the trial of faith continues until faith grows strong and comes to full assurance. The sycamore fig never ripens into sweetness unless it is bruised; the same is true of faith. Tested believer, God will bring you through, but do not expect Him to bring you through in the way that human reason suggests, for that would not develop your faith.

- Charles Spurgeon, from Beside Still Waters

Quizzes, quizzes and more quizzes...

Your Hidden Talent

Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people. You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together. Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly. People crave your praise and complements.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Your Five Variable Love Profile

Propensity for Monogamy: Your propensity for monogamy is low. You see love as a gift that you should give to many. It's hard for you to imagine being with one person at at time... Let alone one person for the rest of your life! Experience Level: Your experience level is high. You've loved, lost, and loved again. You have had a wide range of love experiences. And when the real thing comes along, you know it! Dominance: Your dominance is medium. You tend to be the one with more power. You aren't a total control freak in relationships.. But of course you don't mind getting you way! Cynicism: Your cynicism is low. You are an eternal optimist when it comes to love and romance. No matter how many times you've been hurt - you're never bitter. You believe in one true love, your perfect soulmate. And if you haven't found true love yet, you know you will soon. Independence: Your independence is low. This doesn't mean you're dependent in relationships.. It does mean that you don't have any problem sharing your life. In your opinion, the best part of being in love is being together.

The Five Variable Love Test

My time of day...

You Are Noon

You are upbeat, ambitious, and never at loss for energy. You have a lot that drives you in life. The desire to be the best, and a secret hope of fame and power. And while you definitely have a Type A personality, you are still fun to be around. You have a ton of charisma and a genuine interest in others. You are adored by many.

What Time Of Day Are You?