Monthly Archives: May 2013

Trading Sorrow For Joy??? It’s A Great Trade!! Do It!!

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“Surely He took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows.”

Isaiah 53:4

“Why did Jesus live on earth as long as He did?

Why not step into our world just long enough

to die for our sins and then leave?

Why not a sinless year or week?

Why did He have to live a life?

To take on our sins is one thing,

but to take on our sunburns,

our sore throats?

To experience death,

yes —

but to put up with life?

To put up with long roads,

long days,

and short tempers?

Why did He do it?

Because He wants you to trust Him.” 

By Max Lucado

Trade your sorrow!

Trade your shame!

Lay them down for the Joy of the Lord!!

Trade your sickness!

Trade your pain!

Lay them down for the Joy of the Lord !!

Say,

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

Amen!”

You’re pressed…

But not crushed…

Persecuted…

Not abandoned…

Struck down…

But not destroyed …

You’re blessed beyond the curse…

For His promise will endure…

And His Joy’s gonna be your strength!!

Sorrow may last for the night…

But, His Joy comes with the morning!!

Amen!

Go ahead!  Make the Trade!!

Wake Up!! You Need A Hero!!

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“And in this way all Israel will be saved,

as it is written,

‘The Deliverer will come from Zion,

He will banish ungodliness from Jacob.’”

Romans 11:26

Losing your faith?

Falling off the edge?

 You’re not superhuman…

 Someone needs to save you from the hate…

 From another day in the world we live in…

 You need a Hero to save you now…

 To save your life…

 To save you just in time…

 Fight today to live another day…

 Speak your mind today…

 Your voice needs to be heard today…

 Make a stand…

Don’t destroy yourself!

You need a  Hero…

 He’ll fight for what’s right!

 He’ll help you survive!

You’re in the fight of your life…

 You’re not ready to die!

 He’ll fight for the weak!

 He’ll make ’em believe!

 You need a Hero living in you!

 Speak your mind even if it kills you tonight…

 Be ready to die…

 Your Hero’s not afraid to give His life…

 Your Hero’s gonna save you…

 Just in time!!

 

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

 but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

 John 3:17

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Say This Every Morning!!

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Thank You! Thank You!

1 Chronicles 29:13

“Now,

our God,

we give You thanks,

and praise Your Glorious Name.”

Lord, even while I’m drinking my morning coffee…

All I can do is thank You for this life…

I never deserved!

Thank You for the grace…

I know I don’t have to earn!

Jesus…

It would have been easy for You to walk away!

But…

You love me…

You love me…

Your mercy is proof…

All I can do is…

Say, “Thank You!”

Such a beautiful world…

It brings tears to my eyes…

So beautiful to be free!!

Thank You…

For love…

For hope…

For all Your ways…

For everything You do!

What else can I say???

But…

Thank You!  Thank You!

1 Chronicles 16:8

“Give thanks to the LORD,

call on His name;

make known among the nations

what He has done.”

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1 Chronicles 16:34

“Give thanks to the LORD,

for He is good;

His love endures forever.”

I Can’t Be A Writer!!

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No one around here will let me think!!!

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If my dream is to be a writer…

I need to write!

To write…

I need to think!!

Here’s the scenario:

Get up late…

If I’m not working…

Get the coffee churning!  Ha!

Or, rush home from work, or from wherever…

Hurry to get everything done around the house…

Well not “everything!”

But enough to make me happy!

Eat, so my brain can function…

Sit down at the computer in the den…

Check my e-mails…

Gather my thoughts…

Compile my notes…

Download my photos…

Prepare to think…

Get ready to create!!

Ahhhhhhh…

The moment’s here!

And then!!!!!!!!!

It starts….

“Hon,

Can you peel the eggplant for dinner?

Put away the groceries?

Bread the chicken cutlets?

Send out this bill?

Call the pharmacy?”

And on and on…..

“Mom,

Where’s my whatever???

What do we have going on for Saturday?

Do I have to vacuum today?

Can I use this den space to play my games?”

And our Crazy Siberian…

She’s the worst!!!

She’ll be perfectly fine…

Relaxed…

Just lying around…

Watching TV with us…

But, as soon as I get my behind on my comfy chair in the den…

To sit down right in front of my computer…

And start to imagine…

Start to formulate a wonderful idea…

About something I’m passionate about…

“Ahhhh, yes….

It’s time to write!”

She barks to go outside!

She barks for a treat!

She barks for some attention…

Who knows…

She just barks…

It’s soooo annoying!

Then I get angry…

And whip out the dreaded fly swatter…

And warn her…

It doesn’t help!!

She’s spoiled by all of us!

So I end up…

Getting up…

Getting the treat…

Taking her out …

And giving her attention!!!

All my thoughts…

My beautiful, creative thoughts…

Just completely left my mind!!

Come back, come back…

Sweet, precious thoughts!!

This is why I often write at 2 am!!!!

When everyone’s asleep!

My fantasy…

Is to be alone in a cottage on the beach…

For at least 3 full entire days and nights!!!

Dear Lord…

I love my family, my home, and my life…

But, is that too much to ask for???

Just a little time to think!!

“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”

Philippians 4:8

I Caught God Coloring The River Again Tonight!!

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I’m going to let it carry me away!!

“Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink!

For the Scriptures declare,

‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'”

John 7:38

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Held in chains?

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The river is free!

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Covered in stains?

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The river is clean!

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Lost your way?

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The river found you!

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See the river?

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Feel the river?

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Let go of all you hold onto!

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Let it all wash away!

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Broken inside?

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The river is love!

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Thirsty and dry?

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He’s more than enough!

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Drowning in lies?

The river will save!

Dance in the river!

Stay forever!

Let go of everything…

But Jesus!!

Let Him carry you away!

Carry you away in the river!

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,

bright as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb…”

Revelation 22:1

Did You Hear The One About The Aspiring Comedians?

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Stage 2 Improv

Warming up!!

Improv

Photo/Info-Courtesy of:

http://www.naplesnews.com

http://stage2improv.net/

The cast of…

Stage 2 Improv

(From left) Michael Santos, Judith Gangi Santos,

Guy Glover, Kate Ebaugh, Steven Johnson, JamieLynn Bucci, Casey Debrowski (my son!!!), Nancy Swartz and Brad Goetz.

Take My Life…Please!

Locals with a funny bone are trying their skills at Improv.

The Naples Players school ends this week…

And the big test…

With a live audience…

Starts next week!

P.S.  See web-site for dates, times, and details, if you’re in the Naples area!!

Stage 2 improv…

Is a Naples-based improvisational theatre group…

Featuring scenes, games, and songs that are created right before your very eyes!

If you liked the television show “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?”

And the improv troop, The Second City, you’ll love this!

The actors utilize information given by the audience to build the show!

Every scene and game is driven by suggestions from the audience…

Some games may even feature audience participation!

You never know what an evening will bring…

Which makes each show different from the next!!

Stage 2 Improv

Was founded in the winter of 2012…

By Judith Gangi Santos and Mike Santos…

(co-founders of the former comedy group Naples City Improv).

Here’s my son’s bio!!!

“Hi.

I’m Casey.

I like math and theater.

And improv.

I really like improv.

I like cheese too.

It’s good.

School = FGCU graduate.

I act there sometimes.

I improv there lots of times.

Work = Teaching.

Acting = Dog Sees God and Our Town.

I have a snake and a doggie.

They’re cool.

Thanks to all my friends and family for keeping me as insane as I am.”

The crazy family he speaks of…that’s us!  Ha!

Break a leg?!?!?

Why do they say that???

“Love you!”

And

“God Bless!”

Seems safer to me!!

“And so

He will make you happy

and give you something

to smile about.”

Job 8:21  CEV

Born Again!!

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John 3:3

“Jesus replied,

Very truly I tell you,

no one can see the kingdom of God

unless they are born again.'”

Searching all these years

Not at all who I thought I’d be…

Lost…

You found me here!

Broken beyond repair…

You came along…

You sang Your song over me!

Feels like I’m born again…

Living for the very first time in my life!

The love I feel is so much more real than anything!!

The life I have now is only the beginning!!!

Feels like I’m born again!!!!!

Feels like I’m breathing

Feels like I’m moving

You came to me…

Gave to me Life…

  A Love I’ve never known…

Love I’ve never felt before

Feels like I’m living…

For the very first time!!!

Look into the mirror…

Are you who you wanted to be??

Living the way you wanted??

Your eyes remind you you’re not free!

Are you tired of going solo??

Then, never go there again!!

This is what it is…

This is who I am!!!!

I finally take my stand!

I met the one with two scarred hands!!

Giving Him the best of…

Everything that’s left of…

The life inside of me…

I’ve been Born Again!!!

You’re living in fear…

Sick of people telling how you should be…

Where’d you get your info??

Let me tell you what I believe!

We are the ones He called by name…

We’re never gonna look back…

Let go of the guilt the shame…

This is who we are!!!

We’re Born Again!!

Sayings vs Scripture…

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Let’s dispel these “stinkin’ thinkin’ sayings…

And focus on Scripture!!

My hairdresser and I were talking…

As usual…

About our walk with the Lord…

As usual…

And we started talking about what people (friends and family) say…

That really doesn’t ring true with Christian beliefs!

She mentioned…

Luck vs Blessings

“Wish me luck…”

No, I’ll pray for God’s blessings!

Or, Superstition vs God’s Care For You

“Knock on wood.”

“Keep your fingers crossed.”

Nope, I’ll look to God, thank you!

I thought about Coincidence vs God’s Favor

Nah, nothing’s just a coincidence, I believe God has a BIG plan!!

We had to really think about these sayings…

Since we don’t think like the world anymore!!!

PRAISE GOD!

Then she said,

“How about people who laugh and say,

‘I’m going straight to hell for that one!’

They laugh!

  Like it’s not so bad to go there?”

It is!

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction,

away from the presence of the Lord

and from the glory of His might,”

2 Thessalonians 1:9

“Right!

And my Mom would say,

‘God’s going to punish you…’

Whenever we misbehaved!”

Why didn’t we hear about His amazing grace…

And His outrageous love?”

“Yeah!!”

She said, “And what about ‘karma?’

Last time I checked, that was called…

Sowing and Reaping!

LOL!

And how about, ‘This is gonna kill me!'”

It won’t!

“No temptation has overtaken you

except what is common to mankind.

And God is faithful;

He will not let you be tempted

beyond what you can bear.

But when you are tempted,

He will also provide a way out

so that you can endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

“Right!”  I said, 

“And my Mom also used to say to us…

When we were especially exasperating…

 ‘I’m going to kill you!’

In my Bible…

‘Thou shalt not kill’

Is one of the Ten commandments!!”

“Right!” she said,

“I asked God to give me some more unChristian sayings…

So that we can expose the lies!!!!

Like, ‘If I eat one cookie, I have to eat them all!’

Since when does a cookie have authority over us?!

LOL!  LOL!

How about, ‘That tickles me to death!’ 

LOL!

Or, ‘Slap me silly!’ 

LOL!  Even louder!!!”

Really???

The Bible doesn’t advocate that behavior!

“God helps those who help themselves.”

Not in the Bible!

“I’ll be happy when….”

You’re a child of God, why can’t you be happy now!?!

“God is gonna send me straight to hell for …..”

God doesn’t want anyone to perish!!

“I don’t have a chance in hell!”

Why would you want one???

“Heaven’s not ready for me…

And hell doesn’t want me!”

Oh, so not true on both accounts!!

Or, is it,  “Hell’s not ready for me…

And Heaven doesn’t want me???”

Either way it’s wrong!!

Hell’s always ready…and Heaven always wants you!!

“Wish upon a star…”

“Thank your lucky stars…”

Forget that and pray to your Lord!

“The Universe!” 

Ugh!!!!

Sounds like you don’t want to offend anyone!

It’s Father, Son and Holy Spirit!!

There’s power in the Name of Jesus!

Just say His Name!

“Don’t mess with Mother Nature!”

HAHAHA!!!!!

God is the Creator of all of nature!

“Gotta think about it, cuz, I really hear some good ones in this salon!!

Like…

‘I should have held the door for Mr. ‘so-and-so’

Because, you know…

My good deeds…

My corporate works of mercy…

They get me to Heaven!’

OUCH!”

Faith in Jesus Christ gets you to Heaven!

“For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only Son,

that whoever believes in Him

should not perish

but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

“Jesus said to him,

“I am the way,

and the truth,

and the life.

No one comes to the Father

except through Me.”

John 14:6

The Art Of Thinking Brilliantly by Graham Cooke

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Watch…

And learn to think brilliantly…

As your God wants you to!!!

“For God,

who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ”

2 Corinthians 4:6

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“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil”

Proverbs 3:5-7

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For the Lord gives wisdom;

from His mouth come knowledge and understanding

He holds success in store for the upright,

He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless

for He guards the course of the just 

and protects the way of His faithful ones.

Proverbs 2:6-8

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“With Him are wisdom and might;

To Him belong counsel and understanding.”

Job 12:13

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Soar!!!

God Of Brilliant Lights!!

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(Only we will know His Brilliance!)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17

Sing it out!

Shout it loud!!

Let the sound of the saints…

Be heard everywhere!

Praise the God who has come…

To cure every broken heart!

He is Lord over all…

His reign will never end…

He’s the Light of the World…

Brighter than the brightest star.

The God of Brilliant Lights…

Is shining down over us…

Breaking through the darkness…

Covering all the earth…

His love is like an ocean…

Forever overflowing…

The God of Brilliant Lights…

Is shining over us

Sinners come to the Cross!

Lay your troubles down…

At the feet of the One…

Whose mercy will abound…

He will never turn away!!

The God of Brilliant Lights is shining over us…

He’s shining over us!!

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