Infinity and Beyond

INFINITY 2008

 

Infinity and a day
I'm here to stay
Come what may
Committed to a lifetime
Of yays and nays

 

Infinity and reflection
We don't have perfection
But we do have hope
That HE that started this thing
Can make it never ending

 

Infinity in His presence
For as iron sharpens Iron
We've been given
A challenge like no other
The refiners fire
A forum where GOD develops the best me
And the best you
I'm willing to work at it together
For infinity and forever

-Lyrics by tia 100813

Always Give 100%

Image from ImgAce.com

You've all heard the saying "It will turn around and bite you in the butt".

Well I've got bites all over!

In fact, I have come to realize that there are certain empirical truths that are in the Word of God that just cannot be disputed. The #1 WORD I have found to be true?:

You will reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7)

You know that shotty work you did for your boss last week? And do you remember that day you got to work an hour late and did not account for it? Or what about the time you left work early to address some personal matter?

How about the time you returned that dress that you had already worn 3 times or returned an item that you had bought on sale without the receipt so that you would have a credit for a higher amount?

The list is endless and I know several quite well.

I am realizing that at the end of the day, it will matter. Down the line, somehow it will catch up with you. And even if you don't get caught, or have a fine or get found out, most of the time it is your character that ends up being tainted.

These things do come back and bite you in the butt and sometimes you just end up feeling a lot of regret for some choice you've made.

I've got some of those regrets too.

I wish I had always been an excellent employee in the past, surpassing expectations, showing passion in my work and being someone who is always highly recommended.

I wish I had always served in the church willingly, with the utmost humility and servant's-heart.

I wish I had always shown my family and friends how much I loved them by being open-handed with gifts and genuine tokens of appreciation.

I wish a lot of things that impact character where different in my life. But thank God for now! Thank God for the opportunity to switch gears and be who "I wished" I was!

So lets put some antiseptics on those bites and allow them to heal while we make better choices that will make an excellent impact on others. Down the line you'll find that more people revere and respect you; you will be the type of person whose reputation has already paved the way for you, like Ruth. So is my prayer for you and I!

Wishing you the best!
-tia

Ruth 2:10-12 NLT

Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. "What have I done to deserve such kindness?" she asked. "I am only a foreigner." "Yes, I know," Boaz replied. "But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done."

Inspirations: Z is for Zaner SA

Image by DrAjao

(The SUPERS have resurfaced!)

You guys, this May marked A DECADE since I graduated from College! And although I have been in the field for almost 10 years, I was inspired by an exceptional young lady, the Student Keynote Speaker at The University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) 2013 Commencement activities for The School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.

Her name is Ms. Stefanie Anne Zaner, but pretty soon, the scientific world will know her well as Zaner SA. Well, actually, Ms. Zaner was first know as The Iron Kid of Darnestown who completed 13 years of elementary, middle and high school without a single absence.

Ms. Zaner became just as impressive in College, as she didn't just BS to get a BS! Having received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences: Physiology and Neurobiology this May, Ms. Zaner earned a University Honors Citation and has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and the Primannum Honor Societies. She was the type of student who "camped outside her professors' offices," using all the resources available to her as a student who invested in her own education.

You would think she would forsake all else and face the studies as a "responsible scholar". Rather, she believed in the power and opportunity found in student involvement. She was President of the Charles R. Drew Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Society; Head Recruitment Ambassador for the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, and played the clarinet as a member of the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band and the Pep Band for all 4 years.

Student activity is great; but so is that moo-lah. Ms Zaner was a Teaching Assistant for Biometrics and Mammalian Physiology. She has been a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Child Health and Development. Finding opportunities to apply her book knowledge, she was also a Radiology Assistant at Washington Hospital Center.

Now she is going to complete a Post-Bac Research Training program, then off to Med School! She is impressive indeed! Ms. Zaner is living proof that busy girls get it done--and that they do it big!

So to all my Super Women out there excelling in life;

Skillfully managing spirituality, academia, career, family, service and self;

I salute you!

Zaner SA, I hope to hear more about you through your activities in science, research and medicine; and definitely in the media! You've truly inspired me that it is possible to do it all, and do it well. Congratulations!

Enjoy Zaner SA’s Witty Keynote Address on

The ABCs According to the UMCP Class of 2013

Based on evidence-based research: real student survey responses.

Genius!

Lord, You're Bigger

Image by John Bell

For those who are going through, remember that He's bigger.

If God be for you, who can be against you?

Romans 8:31

Lord, You're Bigger

Lord You’re bigger than all of this,

You’re bigger than pain and oppression,

Your bigger than sickness and depression,

You’re bigger than lack of direction,

You’re bigger.

You’re bigger than what we hold on to,

When life seems so hard to bear.

You’re bigger.

And I dare anyone to defy You

For You’re bigger than all.

Who can be against me when You are for me.

You’re bigger.

Lyrics by tia 2003

Say Yes to Life- Performance Version

Back in August, we shared a piece called Say Yes to Life, found here.

Because this was an extended version, we've revised it to fit right with the instrumentals that inspired the flow.

Here is the performance version but be sure to read the extended lyrics.

SAY YES TO LIFE

Agitated.

Feels like all hope is gone.

Feels like I’m stuck and there’s

No one there to save me.

Separated.

From both my God and man

I just don’t understand

How I could feel this way

I gather myself, take victory from all

I cannot afford to have destructive thoughts

Determined to rise and live on instead

I say yes to life. I am no longer dead.

Frustrated.

When did it come to this?

I really just want to quit

I don't know how I can go on

I gather myself, take victory from all

I cannot afford to have destructive thoughts

Determined to rise and live on instead

I say yes to life. I am no longer dead.

Oh O…………h Lord! Oh, O………h Lord!

Oh O…………h Lord! (2X)

Daily I struggle…

My very heart deprived

It must be better than this

Hear my heart, hear my thoughts; take heed to my call!

I gather myself, take victory from all

I cannot afford to have destructive thoughts

Determined to rise and live on instead

I say yes to life. I am no longer dead.

I gather myself, take victory from all

I cannot afford to have destructive thoughts

Determined to rise and live on instead

I say yes to life. I am no longer dead.

Oh O…………h Lord! Oh, O………h Lord!

Oh O…………h Lord!

There’s nothing left to embrace

But for one glimpse of Your face

Lead me Lord, Lord take control. Before You I fall!

-Lyrics by tia 2010-2011

We live but once

Special thanks to All is Well-Inspire for sharing the following quote which inspires my post today.

I shall pass through this life but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to my fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again ~ Etienne De Grellet

This quote really hit home for me because I too have been thinking about the fact that we live but once. We’ve got one life to live, one opportunity, and each moment is a chance to focus on something special, something important to us; something fulfilling and that has lasting impact.

Why not spare that extra few minutes to talk to a friend? It doesn’t hurt to pick up the phone to call a relative you haven’t talked to in a long time.

So you have a few dollars in your pocket; why not give it with the opportunity. The impact might be momentary but you will make an impact. Check out The Good 30 Day Challenge.

You have that concept, that idea; are you going to selfishly let it die with you because you don’t see how you will gain from giving it? It is better to sow it and let God take care of the increase. Trust Him.

We have a limited time on earth; each of us have a time to go. Let’s grab hold of the legacy our parents and grand parents have to pass on, lest they leave without sharing all that is on their hearts. I recommend getting a voice recording device and recording special dialogues where you dig deep into their lives and experiences, extracting the richness of your heritage.

Let’s invest in our children. Every moment counts, because each moment that ticks away inches them closer to adulthood and it is what we do this moment that will impact their destinies.

We live but once; let’s make the most of the life we've been given, and may He say "Well Done" on that faithful day.

Lyrics by tia 2011

The Value of Life

I've been thinking a lot lately about what is important in life.

Turns out that many things that were so important years ago won’t even matter any more

I think to myself, when I die will God say unto me ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant. Thou obtained a double doctorate and honors in all of your coursework. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

Would He commend me for amassing wealth beyond measure and making a name for myself?

Or rejoice over all of the church events I planned, all the services I attended, and all of the “hard work” I put in at the expense of my mandated responsibilities?

Would he consider all the people I ignored on a day to day, relationships I forfeited, people I overlooked…all the grace and compassion that I withheld because I was too busy?

And lately I’ve been thinking of my son, young as he is. What will I teach him about value? If I were to loose him before his time, would I say ‘if only he had done better in school’ or ‘I wish I had disciplined him more’(which by the way happens most of the time because I refuse to pay attention to him and give him my undivided attention)? I think I would wish that I had spent more quality time with him, listened to him more, hugged and kissed him more, taught him intentionally, played leisurely with him—showed him that I love him!

Excuse me ya’ll; I’m going to go play cars with MM. His smiles and giggles definitely make it worthwhile and it is those memories that I will cherish even as I “lose” his childhood and innocence.

I welcome discussion.

-Lyrics by tia 2011