Romantic GetAways + Anne Frank #write31days 10-14-16

An explanation of my PAIRINGS posts: I'm a very visual person - a touchy, feely, emotional person. I'm deeply moved by music, lyrics, quotes... and so many scriptures. I've loved writing & taking pictures since I was young. At some point, I decided to put them all together in a sort of "pairing". And, the rest is history.

This "stuckinindiana pairing" is full of memories for me -- a photo from a wonderful time away with the LOML,

Wanna DO SOMETHING?

We are DOING SOMETHING in my town...

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Do YOU wish you could make a positive difference in our community & in our world. In the midst of our busy lives , we still long to do something meaningful.  Well here's a great chance! Beginning this coming Sunday, September 30, we can work together - DO Something Anderson!  During the week, hundreds of volunteers from 7 churches & the community at large are coming together to tackle work projects that the city has been unable to address, due to economic down turn and a shortage of government funding. All of the projects and work sites have been identified by the City of Anderson. Participating Churches:  Celebration Church East Side Church of God Florida Station Church of God Madison Park Church of God Main Street Church of God Park Place Church of God South Meridian Church of God Community Sponsors Bendle Lawn Equipment Herald Bulletin Phillippe Water Ricker's Open to the entire community!! Sign up with a friend or your family!! DO Something Anderson is an initiative designed to make a positive difference in our community.  Volunteers from all over the area will be coming together  & working side by side! Visit the DoSomethingAnderson website... download the project list and sign-up form.  You may sign-up online too! There are a variety of "hands-on" tasks that can be done.  We are also in need of hospitality team members.  There's something for EVERYONE. Won't you join us!!  Through a partnership with city leaders, the 2012 DO Something Anderson Blitz week has been designated as September 30 - October 6. Join us & make a difference! Have a great week! The Communications Gal - cyndee RE: Women's Ministries at Madison Park The best sources for all the information about what the women (young & not-so-young) of MPC are up to can be found via The Tuesday Scoop, our Facebook page & our Twitter feed. For the complete picture of what's happening at Madison Park Church, we encourage you to check the main website daily AND subscribe to the Threads Email Updates. MADISON PARK CHURCH WOMEN'S MINISTRIES MISSION STATEMENT: Loving God... Loving Women... Loving Well Connect with each other & with us in the following ways: FACEBOOK  - "Like" us & Share our page at http://on.fb.me/MPCWomen & http://on.fb.me/MPCZumba  TWITTER  - 'Follow" us & Share our posts at @MadisonPkWomen & @SisterFitness  For Women's Ministries Updates to email addresses, your friends can SUBSCRIBE at http://www.madisonparkchurch.org/ministries/womensmin Find out what's happening in & thru Madison Park 24/7 at www.madisonparkchurch.org

Madison Park Church of God Anderson, Indiana www.MadisonParkChurch.org

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old - 3 No Strings Attached

About 10-15 years ago, a few things began to really "get under my skin" about a dear, cherished, beloved relative. I pondered those things & came to the abrupt conclusion that I too could easily slip into similar and perhaps the exact (gasp) behaviors. It was at that time that I began a new file entitled, "Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old". About 2-3 times each year, I send the file to a few "sister friends" in the hopes that they will NOT let me edit the entries as I get older to suit my fancy. I'm beginning with the first entry & will add others throughout the coming months, years, whatever :)

I began the file with a note to read each time I open it...

Dear "Old" Caitlyn,
As you continue to get "older", please DON’T FORGET the following these guidelines from...
"Young" Caitlyn

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old -- Entry #3

Solomon sitting on the Christmas bags so I couldn't put them away!

3. No strings attached please!  What does it mean to give a gift to someone? Does your gift come with conditions -- is there a cost? Are you giving to get a thank you or to make a big impression? Are you giving your gift with a hidden agenda? The same thoughts go with the intent of a compliment or an invitation to join you in an activity, etc. When growing up, 99% of the time, I felt like there were conditions to the approval & affection that I received. As, I grew up, that perception didn't seem to change much from that one person. Currently, I see that same thing happening in the lives of my children.

Why do we have to attach strings to so many things in our lives. When we give without the expectation of receiving something in return, the joy is immediate with our gift. We aren't sitting in a holding pattern waiting for recognition or accolades! Isn't this they way it was intended? None of us enjoy going on a guilt trip.

Old Caitlyn: DON'T send your loved ones on a guilt trip. Give freely!

Scriptures of the Day: A few scriptures that come to my mind. Acts 20:35: "You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Luke 6:38: "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

SO TODAY... as Deuteronomy 15:10 says, "Give freely without begrudging it, and the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do."

FORMER POSTS IN THIS "SERIES"

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #1 - Sleep Around

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #2 - The World Doesn't Owe Me