Yvonne Olson

Son Bathing & Chicken Soup

Yvonne — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:48:17 +0000

Ah, the pure pleasure of basking in the sun. 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. As the tropical aroma of suntan lotion wafts through the air, and glistens on my skin, I bake at just the right temperature. “Ding!” time to turn over and roast the other side. I’m so relaxed laying on my beach towel napping in the summer heat. I’m convinced this perfect day will never…

Hey! What’s that smell? Eeeew, Lucy! I just realized the “office puppy” pooed on the ground, and my perfect day-dream was abruptly ended. I reluctantly came back to reality, and alas, I continued to walk the dog (with my down coat on), in the 45 degree weather.

As I think back, to the warmth of the California sun I encountered a few months ago, I can’t help but want to escape there. I would gladly trade the overcast, rainy, cold days of Washington State, for a chance to bask in the California sun.

The Other Bathing

Sure, the sun is comforting, as it’s rays penetrate the skin and warms up the body. But there is a different kind of bathing that I am fond of as well - bathing in the Word of God. I love soaking up the warmth of God’s word, and lathering myself with the companionship of the Holy Spirit. Taking time to “sit at the feet of Jesus” is the best kind of bathing any soul could receive. After all, the Son of God is the light of world (John 1:9), and if the natural light through the sun creates warmth, then also the Spiritual Light will create a warmth for the soul. Yes, you guessed it, that proverbial “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

Chicken Soup

What is is about chicken soup that brings healing anyway? I mean, think about it - for generations we have eaten chicken soup for a medicinal use of the common cold. Eating the hot soup with chunks of chicken goodness and tons of tasty noodles, we warm up, and are closer to healing than before we started.

Reading the Word of God is like eating chicken soup. As you drink the broth of truth, and bite into it’s chunks of goodness, you begin to heal. You’re instantly attracted to it’s base, and can’t wait for another swallow. Spoonful by spoonful, you habitually drink it in. Mmm…one more bite. Okay, one more. As the spoon clanks against the bowl to reach that last noodle, you delight in the final bite. You’re finished and full, thankful for the nutrition, and looking forward to your next meal.

Have you felt the warmth of God’s Son? Have you tasted the goodness of the Lord today?

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8

Filling the Chasm of Life

Yvonne — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:59:14 +0000

It was an overcast day, with occasional drops of rain here and there. I was taking a break at work, playing with the “office puppy,” when I thought about how God wired dogs to chase after things. In fact, they take pleasure in running after just about anything.

Puppies want to play all the time. Many times I have been at my desk plunking away at the keyboard, when Lucy abruptly reminds me she wants to chase the ball. She pushes at my legs with the ball in her mouth, or sets her front paws on my lap, hoping I will give in and play.

Chasing After the Void

Just as God gave puppies the desire to chase after balls, He gave us the desire to chase after Him. When we chase after anything other than Him, we find a void-less chasm that constintly begs to be filled. Whether chasing after money, possessions, relationships, or status, it’s all meaningless without God. The only way to fill that void is with the One who created it.

Do It Yourself Fulfillment

Imagine standing on a cliff overlooking the Grand Canyon, with it’s ever wide chasms. You have a need to fill it, so you try to toss in as much dirt as possible, but you come up short. Even with the mass amounts you’re pouring into it each day, over and over again, you still fail to fill it. We do that day in and day out, when we chase after anything but God. Eventually, we stop using dirt, thinking that is our problem, and try something different. But all along, we don’t realize the One thing that will take care of our obsessive behavior to fill the void – God Himself.

The Chasm Filler

The void we have in us can only be filled through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because Jesus died for our sins, He fills the ”Grand Canyon” chasm that separates us from God. When we accept Jesus as our personal savior, we no longer have to fill our lives to make it complete - God’s Holy Spirit fills the void in us. Believing Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave, and confessing that with our mouths is the only way to God, and the only way to fill the chasm of life (Romans 10:9-10).

Have you met the Chasm Filler, Jesus Christ? If not, you can meet with Him today by going to http://www.needhim.org/. He’s waiting to fulfill your life and your destiny.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

Filing Taxes Last Minute – 3 Tips to Win Over Your CPA

Yvonne — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:26:14 +0000

I find it difficult to have pity on people who procrastinate about filing taxes on time.

I do admit, however, that I myself am a procrastinator. But when it comes to filing taxes, I don’t leave them until the last minute. Some of you might be thinking, “But you are single - wait until you are married, and the filing gets more complicated.” Maybe so, but that doesn’t leave me an excuse for popping into my CPA’s office the week (or two) before the April 15th deadline.

It’s one thing if a taxpayer is waiting for a 1099 form, and it still hasn’t arrived, but entirely different if they don’t want to deal with it at all. Taxes still have to be filed, payments made (unless you get a refund), and putting it off until the last minute really puts taxpayers in a bind, as well as their CPA (Certified Public Accountant).

Some taxpayers believe there is still time for the CPA to finish their taxes, even with a week left. What they don’t know, is the piles of returns in his/her office that are ready to be worked on, and the ones in the other room that are close (still waiting for information) to being worked on. Piles, piles everywhere, what’s a CPA to do?

If you are wondering…no, I’m not a CPA, but yes, I do work for one. I see clients come in last minute and expect us to get their taxes done on time, and within a couple of days, as if it’s a fast food restaurant with a drive through. On the other hand, I also see clients who come in and know they might have a chance, but because they are so late, don’t mind an extension.

Here are a few tips to win over your CPA:

Tip #1: If you want favor with your CPA, don’t be in a hurry to get them back (2 days is not long enough to finish the ones before you, and yours), and be open to filing an extension, if necessary.

Tip #2: Make sure you have everything, and it’s in order (like forms together, etc.), current phone number you can be reached (cell phone is best), and you are okay with him/her calling you at 8:00 at night (yes, they are still working then!).

Tip #3: If at all possible, make copies of everything you will turn in. It will save time if they can keep what you give them (and the secretary won’t have to spend an extended amount of time at the copier).

Bonus tip: If you really want to get in good with the CPA, get in good with the secretary, by bringing her a sugar-free vanilla latte, with whip, from Starbucks. (Okay, that last part is my order, but you don’t have to do that.) =)

Finally, when it’s all filed and done, your refund is spent, and your rushing is over, don’t forget to thank your CPA…he/she would love to hear it!

*featured at www.accountingweb.com on 4/14/08

Battlefield “Whoas!”

Yvonne — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:37:40 +0000

As paintballs whizzed by my head, I cried out to God for protection.

I had a false sense of security as I entered the paintball battlefield. I wore a helmet with a shield over my face, and layers of clothing, so if I got hit, it wouldn’t hurt. I had all the confidence in the world this was going to be fun, and somewhat effortless. Besides, I was part of an army, and we were up on a hill. The enemy had taken up position in bunkers – an easy ambush, or so I thought.

This was my first paintball war, and I was determined to forge forward and conquer. I set my mind to advance to the front, with the start of combat. This was it, no time to be scared. All thoughts of anxiety were lost, as I snuck down the hill hidden amidst the sticker bushes. I crouched down behind a tall wooden cylinder, and positioned my gun to fire, when…

A paintball zipped right by my head! “Whoa! That was close!” I thought. At this point, there was a constant stream of paintballs flying by my head. That’s when I cried out to God for help, and retreated to the back.

My idea of a fun and an effortless game of paintball, turned into a lesson of God’s protection in the midst of battle. From the time the paintballs almost hit my head, to the ending of the game, I was constantly praying for the Lord’s protection.

By the conclusion of the first battle, all of my “so called army” was out of the game. That meant one thing; I was the only target left! I did my best to hide out and run when necessary. I learned I couldn’t always fire back, I just had to survive, and that meant not getting hit.

I truly believe that my dependence on God is what got me to the end of the battle. I was in constant contact with my Commander, and as He directed, I moved. Although I eventually was hit, and thus out of the game, I had endured the fight and learned to depend on God for my protection. Not bad for my first paintball game.

As I entered into other wars, I continued to have success because I learned to trust my Heavenly Commander. When the enemy came in like a flood, most of the paintballs that hit me fell straight to the ground, and didn’t explode, which meant I was still in the game! They had to physically leave a mark in order for me to be out.

Are you in spiritual combat right now? If so, are you listening to your Commander (God) and getting your orders from Him, or are you depending on your own thoughts and ideas to win the battle? Listen to Him, and perhaps you will escape with fewer wounds.

“We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.” Psalm 33:20 NLT