To be or not to be....

Get out of the boat

2011-12-06T10:32:00.000-05:00

Okay so today I turn on the radio which I rarely do at work and I listen to family life today they had Priscilla Scheier on there teaching out of Judges chapter 7 which I've been studying judges and them she was talking about Gideon and how God dwindled down his army. I went on to read a little more, and actually before God dwindled down his army he threw a fleece out and asked God to show him what to do and then God gave an answer and you know story Gideon throws a fleece out again and God was patient with him because he is reassuring him of what was to happen.

From there she quoted Christine Caine and I really enjoy listening to Christine Caine and so I thought well I'm going to go look at this quote on the Internet so I can post to my Facebook and lo and behold what did I find... I found that Christine Caine is the founder of A21 campaign which is a campaign I've been following that is combating human trafficking, which if you know me is huge passion of mine I didn't know that she was the founder of that so from there I went to her blog and what was the title of today's??? Getting out of the boat. I was BLOWN away for the reason that God had really been laying that phrase "get out of the boat" on my heart for so many months now, dating back all the way to March but I haven't heard it the last couple of months and so the phrase "get out of the boat" has so much more of a meaning to me now after what I saw in Africa and the human trafficking that happens on Lake Volta.

Then I was reminded how when I was a IHOP earlier this year, I was in the prophecy room and a guy prophesied over me about a boat and rotors and he wasn't really quite sure what that meant but I do! I need to go back and find that because I recorded it and see what the meaning God has for my life right now.

I LOVE the way God reminds us that He is in charge and has a plan.

2011-11-19T11:34:00.001-05:00

Find Your Mark meeting Tuesday, November 22 at LUMC at 7:00!

2011-11-09T14:22:00.000-05:00

We get up to an alarm, a warm bed, a cup of coffee, warm clothes...

Do we think?

We go to work and complain about our jobs, wishing for Friday to come...

Do we think?

We come home, cook supper, wash dishes, sweep, spend little quality time with our families...

Do we think?

We do it all again, day after day after day...

Do we think?

Do we think about those starving not too far away, those needing a kind word just down the block, that someone that would give anything for a warm hug, someone to love them.

Do we think?

About those some 7,000 kids trafficked on a Lake so many miles away, working 16 hour days with little sleep and one meal a day

Do we think just how blessed we are that God choose us to lead the lives we are when he could have put us in someone else's situation?

I know I didn't used to but how could I not now. It haunts my thoughts daily but I must choose to Seek Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with my God.

It only takes one, will you be that one?

Photo by Rachel Johnson of Touch A Life

2011-11-07T09:24:00.002-05:00

Seek Justice
Love Mercy
Walk Humbly with your God
Micah 6:8

God is pleading with Israel is this chapter, He is saying to them that He has brought them out of Egypt, He saved them from bondage. He isn't asking for burnt offerings, He has shown them what is good and that is to SEEK JUSTICE, LOVE MERCY, AND WALK HUMBLY WITH HIM!

He wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. To look for the injustices of the world, to allow His Spirit to move through us to stand up for those that cannot stand up for themselves. To be sold out for Him and answer the call to GO!

Where is your mission field today?

Not quite the same...

2011-11-02T08:50:00.002-04:00

I have been back from Africa exactly 13 days and for exactly 13 days I have felt I just do not fit in here anymore.

A lot of emotions, a lot of trying to sort out those emotions, and a lot of my heart swelling to a place I didn't think it could go.

Africa had always been a dream of mine. I have always had a passion for Africa but little did I know exactly how much my heart I would leave in Ghana. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done, and one of the most challenging things.

The flight was long and I slept very little. We landed in Accra, Ghana and as soon as my feet hit the ground I was overtaken by emotion. I cried and cried, overwhelmed that I was in a place I so long dreamed about.

Everyone has asked me to tell them about the trip but that is the most difficult thing to do because I do not feel I can accurately explain what I saw and felt and experienced. I can tell you this, I will NEVER be the same.

We got the opportunity to spend a couple days with 47 kids who had been rescued from child trafficking, if you haven't watched the video I posted a couple weeks ago please do. These kids were the most amazing, happy kids I been around. For kids that have experienced the darkest days anyone should they are so loving. I was amazed at how all 15 of us had one or 2 kids that latched onto us. I am pleased to be able to sponsor one that I bonded with. William has an amazing smile that will melt your heart.

One other incident that sticks out to me was a time when we got "stuck" in water on the way to Kete Krachi (which we never made it to). Our bus was stuck in knee high water, and for as far down the road as you could see people from the closest village ran to help us. There were probably 60 kids or so. We were stuck for about 7 hours total I think. At one point Stephanie and Pat had laid hands on the bus and were praying. I asked a girl that was 13, that could speak English, if she wanted to go pray with me on the bus to which she replied "yes, but I will pray in my language". I said that is fine, she then turned around and said something to the other kids and they swarmed the bus to lay hands on it and began to pray aloud in their language. IT was one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard.

These people that have far less than us Americans have something that is of greater value than we do... a sense of community and a faith so strong. A huge lesson to be learned there.

The Touch A Life Foundation

2011-09-29T14:03:00.000-04:00

Is it really happening?

2011-09-29T13:58:00.002-04:00

Welp, we are almost down to single digits for my Africa trip. I remember blogging, what seems like forever ago, my desire to go to Africa one day. Who know that would be in 10 days!

I am honestly not all jumping up and down with excitement because I don;t think it has really sunk in yet. I have done a lot of preparing but it is a little surreal. and to be honest I am trying not to make this trip my whole life, well because if it was then coming back would be a little disappointing.

I know that I am not perpared mentally for what I might see but I am thankful I get to experience it with 14 other amazing people. Two of them being my daughter and my sister.

I am going to post a video to my blog for you tp check out where and what we will be doing. I thank you in advance for your prayers.

Summer... Gone??

2011-08-24T08:32:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe the summer is almost gone!

To be honest, I have been completely lazy this summer. This is the first summer we have had "off" in a long time. So I spent a lot of time in my recliner. Mainly reading, I bought a new Bible and I LOVE it. Ed, on the other hand bought 3 in the last few months! I have really enjoyed re-reading the life of David. For someone that had SO many fleshly issues, he was still called a man after God's own heart. I can relate!!! Well not to the adultey, murder plotting part but I think it brings so much hope for us today as we struggle to live in this fallen world!

Yes, I am still alive...

2011-08-23T13:58:00.002-04:00

Well, it has been almost 5 months since I last blogged.

Lazy, really...

and nothing to say that I thought anyone would want to read...

Alot has been going on since I last blogged so here goes

- Cole is a junior in high school now?!?!?! Let's not even go there

- We are moving Aimee back to OCU today for her sophomore year in college... again let's not go there

- Ed is preaching pretty regularly... and again let's not go there... no really I LOVE hearing him preach. I am just a tad terrified about being a preacher's wife for many reasons. Let's name a few;
1. I do not play the piano
2. I do not wear dresses
3. I do not sing in the choir
4. I am, most of the time, not very humble.
5. BUT I know that my God can do ANYTHING so I am leaving it in His hands

- I leave for Africa in less than 50 days!!! This really hit me this weekend that I will be in Africa in little over a month. I know that I am not prepared for the heartache we will see but I have such a heart for Africa. I am anxious.

For now, that is all.... I will blog more (I hope)

What is your obsession?

2011-03-30T17:30:00.002-04:00

Obsession

Old Webster defines it as:

- noun
1.
the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.
2.
the idea, image, desire, feeling, etc., itself.
3.
the state of being obsessed.
4.
the act of obsessing.

I have found that my "obsession" tends to change with the seasons of my life.

When I was 5 it was matchbox cars and GI Joes. I know you probably find that hard to believe right?!?! Lol

When I was 10 it was slumber parties, my friends and I had THE BEST slumber parties.

At 15 it was boys. Man, what was I thinking?

At 20 it was my tiny baby boy. A precious time in my life

At 25 it was making money to raise a family that I adored

At 30 it was the kids and their sports...

Then it was like a light was turned on. I started living toward the Magnificent Obsession. Striving to live my life in a way that's pleasing to my Savior Jesus Christ!

What is your Obsession?

2011-01-05T07:04:00.000-05:00

Doing things "my" way

As I was reading my daily reading it was about Abram & Sarai. Now, as much as I hate to admit it, my girl Sarai is a lot like me. You see, God promised Abram a son & many descendants but ole Sarai just couldn't wait for God to fulfill that promise so she hatches this plan. Now, I'm not so sure I would have done THIS but ..... She takes her maidservant & decides that it would be a good idea to have her husband sleep with Hagar.

I'm thinking, what in the world made her think of that?? I mean come on, that was bound to cause all kinds of problems. Little did she know!! Now here's the part that cracks me up, when Hagar realized she was pregnant she started showing contempt toward Sarai (well duh) & what is Sarai's reaction?? She tells Abram it's all his fault. She says to him "I gave her the privilege of sleeping with you. The Lord will make you pay for what's been done to me". Really?? Isn't this just like how us women do?? We come up with this brilliant plan & when it fails who do we blame??? I'm my home, it's always Ed.

I could go on about all the problems this one decision caused but we would be here forever. Go check it out yourself in Genesis 16. The lesson for the day.... WAIT for God to do what He says He will do!

2010-12-08T07:33:00.000-05:00

So this thing called parenting....

It's HARD!!!

It's also rewarding, exhausting, emotionally charged, challenging, precious & I wouldn't trade it for the world.

There is no grey area in parenting. There is however, a very fine line in which we must walk like an acrobat on a tight rope. It's moment by moment, I have discovered. I've also learned that there is NOTHING that can make you hurt more or make you feel that overwhelming love that seems as if your heart will explode.

I've learned (& it took me a LONG time) that showing grace & love is more convicting than yelling, screaming, or throwing a plain ole' fit will do. The one thing I want my kids to realize is that no matter what, I love them unconditionally. Yes, there will be consequences for bad decisions at times. But there is also redemption. The one thing I fear is that my kids will try to please me so much that they lose sight of who they are & they play a role.

As much as I love my kids, I know that God loves them even more than I do. That's why it's easy to leave them in His hands. I want me kids to strive to not please me but to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father & strive to do His work here on Earth.

I am blessed with great kids in which I feel we have a special bond. I've tried both ways... The tyrant & the loving, graceful parent. The fine line exists still but it's up to you to decide which one is the way God would have us go.

2010-12-06T07:39:00.000-05:00

December....

I am not a fan of it. I used to be hot natured but now I freeze all the time. I don't care for the dreary weather. I need sunshine, the grey overcast skies just make me blah however just like the winter's on our lives I know we must go through this to experience the beauty of spring.

One would think that a basketball nut like me would love winter but more & more I enjoy summer better. Basketball, well it's just a game. There was a time where it wasn't just a game to us, it was our life. Don't get me wrong, I am a sports fanatic. I like basketball, soccer, baseball & my new love football but it doesn't control my life.

Sports have taught my kids some real valuable life lessons & I am happy they participate in so many of them. I love watching my kids play sports. Cole is in basketball right now & he absolutely loves basketball. He will be playing travel soccer in the spring so that is a new adventure for us. Aimee will have her first college softball season this spring & I intend to make every game of hers. It will be a lot of traveling but it's important for me to be there. So, for now I will bundle up & ride out the winter!!

2010-12-01T08:08:00.000-05:00

2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. 5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Now from the message:

1 You’ve forced me to talk this way, and I do it against my better judgment. But now that we’re at it, I may as well bring up the matter of visions and revelations that God gave me. 2 For instance, I know a man who, fourteen years ago, was seized by Christ and swept in ecstasy to the heights of heaven. I really don’t know if this took place in the body or out of it; only God knows. 3 I also know that this man was hijacked into paradise—again, whether in or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. There he heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden to tell what he heard. 5 This is the man I want to talk about. But about myself, I’m not saying another word apart from the humiliations. 6 If I had a mind to brag a little, I could probably do it without looking ridiculous, and I’d still be speaking plain truth all the way. But I’ll spare you. I don’t want anyone imagining me as anything other than the fool you’d encounter if you saw me on the street or heard me talk. 7 Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! 8 At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, 9 and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. 10 Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

No one knows for sure what Paul's thorn was but we do know that he asked 3 times for it to be taken away. But God didn't grant that prayer. He did however get things greater because he got grace from God, a stronger character, humility & an ability to empathize with others. It also benefited those around him in that they saw God at work in his life. We don't know why some people are spared & others not. We must pray, believe & trust. Nothing separates us from God's love (Romans 8:35-39). & our spiritual condition is always more important than our physical condition.

2010-11-30T08:17:00.000-05:00

My grouping gals, the Ya Ya's & I have started a new study. It's "deepening life together a study in Romans". I won't lie, it's been tough in spots but it is a good one.

Last week I handed out a Spiritual Gift Inventory sheet. Many had never done one before. Unlike myself, I've done several hoping for a different gift. I know how silly is that!! Anyway, this one has 112 questions on it & then you tallied them in a certain order to get your gifts. I did mine & got 2 out of the same 3 I usually get. I just can't seem to shake one lol. Just kidding, a spiritual gift is something God equips you with in order to fulfill His work. It aids us in what we are to do for the Kingdom.

If you haven't done one before I encourage you to do so. The one we used is found at http://www.spreadinglight.com/biblestudy/gifts/gifttest.html

2010-11-03T06:40:00.001-04:00

The very same voice that raised the dead is the same one who still speaks today.

Think about that for a minute. The same God that parted the sea, the same God that healed the leaper, made the lame walk, the same One whose arms were nailed to a cross for OUR sins.

Do we really fathom that? If we did, I dare say we would have much more reverence for Him than we often do. It's so easy to go through life & try to do it ourselves. And boy can that get U-G-L-Y!! This momma can get all tangled in emotions & look out cause she is gonna explode but confessing our dependance on Jesus can calm that storm a' brewing.

Try it today & see what happens!

2010-11-02T11:56:00.000-04:00

I'm reading the book Magnificent Obsession (btw, if I ever get to be a lay director on a walk that will be the theme) anyway, it's by Anne Graham Lotz. This paragraph stuck with me. (Maybe I'll quit asking for those flashing neon billboards).
"And then it hit me: God shows up in the ordinariness of our day, doesn't He? He doesn't show up only when He parts the Red Sea with a powerful wind, or in the banquet hall with handwriting on the wall, or on Mount Sinai with thunder & lightning, or on the Mount of Transfiguration in radiant glory. He shows up in everyday situations, as we are going about our everyday responsibilities in our everyday routines."

It's OUR job to stop long enough to see & hear Him. Have you seen Him lately?? If not I challenge you to stop & listen for His still, small voice.

Guest Blog!

2010-11-01T09:49:00.000-04:00

Thanks Christy for letting me “guest blog” - - we’ll see if you loose a few followers after this LOL !!!

You know, God didn’t say life was going to be easy, He said it’s going to be worth it!

He didn’t say it was going to be comfortable, He said it’s going to be worth it!

He didn’t say it was going to go just how I want it, He said it’s going to be worth it!



I strive to know Him more.

Even on the days when I have the “cruise control” on, He calls me to dig deeper, to press on.

I love the song “Press On” by Selah.

It speaks to me on many different ways.

Today, this is what is going through my mind;

“If I’m going to press on, does that require ACTION from me?”

I think it does.



As the Body of Christ, we must move.

As believers in HIS holy power and might, we must move.

There are days when I feel like I’m standing out there all by myself and other days when I feel like I have 1000 others tugging the line with me.

Either way, Jesus is with me . . . if I lean on Him, if I press on toward His will for me, I will win the ETERNAL VICTORY – PRAISE GOD!!



So today friends whatever mountain you face, whatever valley is in your path, know that He holds us if we “PRESS ON” toward His will for our lives.

It’s not about us, it’s all about Him.



Keyly Watts

Press On

2010-10-28T15:05:00.001-04:00

I've been asked to work another Emmaus walk this spring. The theme is Press On &
the song is from Selah with the same title Press On.

This song was used on Cole's Chrysalis, as well as another walk I worked. It has
resonated with me. I've been "challenged" to blog about it & soon I will have a
guest blog!!

This is what I wrote to a dear friend today before she gave me "the
challenge"...

I believe there are so many women that deal with "fear" issues & they live
defeated. This theme will touch SO many people team & pilgrims alike. "In Jesus
name, we press on". In Jesus name not my name not your name, in Jesus name.
Amen!!

Life deals us great joys as well as great trials BUT how do we respond to the
ups & downs?

I've often heard that we grow the most in the valleys of life. Not on the
mountaintop. But, who wants to go through the valleys?!?! Not me!

However, we do have to go through those dark times. If you are anything like me
when those times hit it's SO easy to give up & live defeated. But we don't have
to! Did you hear that?!?! We DON'T HAVE TO! In Jesus name we press on! Press on
toward Him & all his riches. He wants to lavish His love on us but why do we
hold back?

Fear

Such an ugly word that controlled my life for SO SO long due to things in my
past that were beyond my control but that I was dealt with. I let the ole scum
dog use it against me UNTIL one day I realized I didn't have to live like that.
Now, let me say that once I realized that my life wasn't all of the sudden all
hearts & flowers. Life is tough, let's face it, it is BUT we MUST press on
toward the ultimate goal.

Jesus is worth it people, he redeemed us long ago. It's our turn to live life
abundantly through Him!!

Read these words to this song & ponder on them.

Press On by Selah

When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all

In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
We find the strength to press on, to press on

Let Go

2010-09-03T23:30:00.000-04:00

I find it timely that God gave a message to someone just Thursday that has spoken to my inner being in a profound way.

That message was "Let Go".

God is saying let go, let go of expectations, wants, hurts, brokeness, unfogiveness, things, people... LET GO, I will catch you. I want you to walk in MY ways not yours. To want what I want, heavenly things not earthly things.

He is calling not only me to let go but you as well... What is it that you need to let go of?

Move in day

2010-08-22T22:02:00.002-04:00

Today we moved Aimee to college. Although I am excited for her future it is sad to drive off and leave her. It will be a long week but we will survive!!

Who's in charge?

2010-08-07T08:41:00.000-04:00

I read this devotional today & thought I'd pass it along.

The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
-Proverbs 16:1-3 (NRSV)

Today's Scripture
Cast all your anxiety on [God], because he cares for you.
-1 Peter 5:7 (NRSV)

ON my patio, where I say my morning prayers and study my Bible, is a white director's chair. Written on it in big red letters, are the words "God Is the Director." I had the chair made because I wanted to see the message as a daily reminder.I tend to forget that God is the one in charge.

As a wife and mother, I sometimes want to direct my husband and my children. As an employee, I often think I know better than my boss. I disagree with people, neighbors, and politicians. Trying to be the director destroys my peace. While I sometimes have the right or the duty to express my ideas, I can't make anyone act on them.

My chair reminds me to give all my cares and concerns to God. God is not only my director but the director of all our lives. God is running the show, not us.Daily, I ask God for my script. I don't worry about the parts other people are playing. I let God direct them. I tell God my concerns, and I ask what God wants me to do. Most of the time, God tells me to let go.

When I'm the director, the show doesn't always turn out well. Letting God be the director insures the best for everyone.

Red Lights

2010-07-29T08:26:00.000-04:00

Do you realize when God is giving you red lights?

Often times red lights are put in our paths but we either choose to ignore them & blow on through or we just don't recognize them as red lights. There is a story in Numbers that is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It is is chapter 22 starting with verse 21. I'm going to paraphrase here so it may not be exact!! There's this guy named Balaam that was called by Balak basically to put a curse on Israel so that God would turn againts his people. (Like God wouldn't see through this) but we do this, don't we?!?! Anyway, Balaam sets out on his donkey to perform this task but God wasn't happy at all with it & placed an angel in the road, when the donkey saw it he turned off & went into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road, again an angel of the Lord stood in the path, the donkey saw this & moved so close to a wall that it crushed Balaam's foot, so yep, another beating. Yet again the angel went to the most narrow part they were traveling through where there was no room to turn so the donkey laid down. Balaam was so mad that he beat her with his staff. Here's the good part..

Wait for it...

The donkey spoke, yes you read that right. God opened her mouth & she asked Balaam what she had done for him to be beating her. This went on for a bit until the Lord opened Balaam's eyes & he saw the angel standing in the way.

Balaam realized he had sinned & said he didn't know God was standing in his way to stop him.

God will try to stop us from pursuing paths that will lead to destruction or harm us. He won't force us to stop but he will try to get us to stop & think about it then he will either put more hurt to get us to top or he will let us carry on & suffer the consequences.

Do you need a donkey to speak to you right now in your life???

Changes

2010-07-22T11:11:00.000-04:00

So, since I have gotten married I have, ahem, gained a few extra pounds. That's being nice! So, my wedding ring doesn't fit. I quit wearing it a while back for this reason & I'm just not a jewlery person. However, I have been amazed at just how many people pay attention to this sort of thing. My boss even approached me a while back & asked if everything was ok. I said yes why do you ask & he said some co-workers had noticed I've not been wearing my ring.

Seriously?!?!

Then today a guy stopped at the gate, I addressed him with my usual hi, have a nice day spill & he looked at my hand, looked back up & said you too, Miss.

Oh well, not only the extra pounds but I have discovered patches of gray in my hair. What the heck?!?! I'm 30...something. I shouldn't be getting gray hair already, right??? (Indulge me here people).

Changes happen. That's a part of life. Some changes I like & some I just dread. Like the approaching task ahead of moving Aimee to college. Ed says I don't get it, she'll be home on the weekends. I say it's not the same as having her home everyday. Then in 3 short years Cole will be folowing suit. Ed is looking forward to it but not this mom!!

2010-07-14T11:41:00.002-04:00

Have you ever noticed just how easy it is to get distracted?? Maybe it's my ADHD but I think most people have the same issues with it!

You're chugging along just fine when the next thing you know you haven't picked up your Bible in a couple of days, or you haven't prayed like you should.

The ole' scum dog is SO good at getting in our mind and keeping us distracted. Our job is to learn to recognize when he is doing this and start taking our thoughts captive. It isn't an easy practice and just when you think you have it mastered it surprises you when you don't!

I get distracted very easy and can get my ole feather's ruffled quite easy as well. I have been working on that hard for a few years now but every now and then I have that occasional mouth overloading the brain syndrome then feel guilty later on. The good thing is no matter how much we neglect God or say things we shouldn't or yell at the dog or whatever He still loves us and wants a relationship with us. That my friends is a reassuring thing!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

2010-07-12T08:51:00.000-04:00

I read this verse today & it made me realize that we need to be living in the reality of God's love for us. Not just say we know he loves us & yada, yada but actually live it out daily!!

Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet God's unfailing love for you will not be shaken.

Through everything, every situation; kids screaming, laundry piling up, bills due, meetings to attend, kids leaving for college (ehhh). Through it ALL if we live the reality that God loves us... REALLY loves us then we can have a "walking faith" that gets us through it all everyday

Barefoot Bandit

2010-07-08T14:07:00.001-04:00

I must admit I have been fascinated to be reading about this kid that being said if he were my son I wouldn't think it was so "neat"!

Barefoot Bandit's Mom: 'I Think It's Kind of Neat'

David Lohr
Contributor

AOL News (July 7) -- For more than two years, lawmen have been hunting Colton Harris-Moore, the elusive 19-year-old "Barefoot Bandit" they believe is responsible for hundreds of burglaries and the theft of at least three airplanes and a $450,000 yacht. Today his mother considers him a harmless kid, but the FBI has a $10,000 reward out for him and may be moving in on an arrest.

"Colt is highly intelligent," his mother, Pam Kohler, said in an exclusive interview with AOL News. "He's just living his life. He's not hurting anybody really, physically, I mean. I think it's kind of neat."

Not everyone shares that view, and a hero-vs.-villain debate is playing out between law enforcement and an Internet-driven fan base.

Island County Sheriff's Office / AP
A self-portrait of Colton Harris-Moore, who police believe to be the "Barefoot Bandit" responsible for hundreds of burglaries and the theft of three airplanes and a yacht.
According to Kohler, Harris-Moore grew up with her on a five-acre plot on Camano Island, Wash. His father walked out on the family when Colton was just 2 years old, but the void was filled by a stepfather whom Kohler says her son grew to love as his own.

But the father-figure did not stay in Harris-Moore's life for long: He died not long after Harris-Moore's seventh birthday. Kohler said the loss of his stepfather "devastated" her son.

Not long thereafter, Harris-Moore began to change and appeared to "disconnect" himself from the outside world, she said.

"There was no father here, so I figured I got to play both parts," Kohler said. "I did my best with him, but he has a strong mind and, when he sets it to something, he does it. We fought like hell when he was at home."

At age 12, Harris-Moore had his first taste of the justice system when he was convicted of theft. Other convictions soon followed, but Kohler says he was often accused of committing crimes for which he was not responsible.

"[The police] were always after him on Camano Island," Kohler said. "One time, I bought him a new bike, and they stopped him on the side of the road, put it in the back of the car, brought him here, and the cop opened the trunk and said, 'Is this Colt's?' I said 'Yes. I just bought it for him.' Because I am poor they did not think I could have bought it for him, and [they] thought he stole it. That's what they used to do all the time -- harass and mistreat him."

Harris-Moore's problems with the law continued, and, in 2007, he was charged with 23 felonies in Island County.

"It was ridiculous," Kohler said. "They made such a big damn deal of everything. He was blamed for everything that happened in [the] county. [The police] even took some of my jewelry, tried to say that he stole it, and put it in evidence against him."

One of the people helping in Harris-Moore's defense was Shauna Snyder, a private investigator and paralegal in Washington State.

"He was charged with residential burglaries," Snyder told AOL News. "There were 23 felonies and, like often happens, the prosecutor did not feel like they had a strong enough case on all of them, and the defense team was able to plea bargain it down. He was 16 years old at the time and sentenced to just about three years. He spent part of it in a juvenile hall and was then transferred to a group home."

There was more freedom for him at the group home, but Harris-Moore -- not one to be "confined," as his mom explained -- did not stay there long; he fled from the facility in April 2008.

Today, more than two years after his escape, Harris-Moore is suspected in countless burglaries round the country, including Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. He is also believed to have committed crimes in Canada and, most recently, the Bahamas. While some of the alleged crimes include burglaries and auto thefts, Harris-Moore is also suspected in the theft of at least three airplanes and a $450,000 yacht.

According to Harris-Moore's mother, he never learned how to fly, evident by the fact that each of the planes he is suspected of stealing has crash-landed. Authorities speculate that Harris-Moore taught himself how to fly by reading aircraft manuals and handbooks.

"I think [the plane thefts are] pretty gutsy," Kohler said. "He just needs to work on his landings. I've also said he should take a parachute."

Since many of Harris-Moore's alleged crimes were committed while he was barefoot, the media dubbed him the "Barefoot Bandit."

Those who know Harris-Moore say he's not the violent type.

"Colton dislikes guns," Kohler said. "I asked him to go to the gun range with me one time, and he didn't want to go. He said, 'No way. I'm not shooting guns.'"

Snyder agrees.

"He's not a violent kid," she said, adding that recent rumors that Harris-Moore had stolen an AK-47 out of a police cruiser are just that: rumors.

"There have never been, to date, any charges filed on any crime like that," Snyder said. "So, if they had evidence of that they would have filed it. Those kinds of rumors and rhetoric have made him sound more dangerous than he is. He's been accused of about every crime this side of the Mississippi now."

Harold Copus, a former FBI agent who has worked hundreds of violent crimes over the years, also doubts claims that Harris-Moore is a violent kid.

"This is not a guy who will turn to violence," said Copus, who heads up Copus Security Consultants in Atlanta. "This is a guy who loves thumbing his nose at authorities. He's not really done anything that is more than just the average garden-variety crime. If I was a victim of that, I would probably take offense to it, but really that's what you get down to.

"It's almost the stuff that legends are made of," Copus continued. "He's creating his own, and I'll bet you they'll be talking about him 30 or 40 years from now."

Not only have several folk-hero-style ballads been written about Harris-Moore, but he also has a huge fan following on the Internet. A Facebook fan page dedicated to him boasts more than 44,000 fans.

"He's out there doing stuff a lot of people would not dare to," said Adin Stevens, founder of the Colton Harris Moore Fan Club. "There are a lot of haves and have nots in the world. [For instance,] this kid would probably have never had the opportunity to fly airplanes, but, there he is -- doing all these things on a whim, and I think that appeals to a lot of people."

Stevens, who owns a screen printing business in Seattle, said he became a fan of Harris-Moore's about a year ago and started selling T-shirts with Harris-Moore's photo and the phrase "Momma Tried." The shirts flew off the shelves and eventually led to the creation of the fan site, which Stevens says brings in thousands of visitors every day.

"He's a modern-day outlaw," Stevens said. "He's building a name for himself, and I think he's enjoying that."

Even Copus says he can't help but chuckle whenever he reads about Harris-Moore in the news.

"You can almost draw a parallel to the times of John Dillinger or Bonnie and Clyde," Copus said. "Now, what they did was obviously more violent, but, at the time, the American people were going through some bad times, and most people are going through a bad time right now, so this is a little bit of the little guys winning right now, and people are cheering him on."

Despite Harris-Moore's attraction and near folk-hero status, not everyone is laughing at his antics -- chief among them Sheriff Mark C. Brown, from the Island County Sheriff's Office.

"I don't agree with it," Brown tells AOL News. "I don't like the sensationalistic media blitz that's taken off about looking at that person as an adult hero. I think he's an adult felon who needs to be caught and sent off to prison."

Former island resident David Peters has taken it upon himself to ferret out Harris-Moore and has created a website devoted to catching him. Like Stevens, Peters also sells shirts on his site, but the message is clearly different: "I support safe communities, not fake heroes," reads one T-shirt, accompanied by Harris-Moore's police mug shot.

"[I] started the website because I noticed there were a lot of articles out there, and [Stevens'] website was contributing to this folk-hero status," Peters told AOL News. "I knew some of the people from the smaller communities in the Northwest, and I knew they did not agree with what the website was saying, and I knew they didn't look at him as a folk hero or any kind of hero."

Peters said he has received some tips via the website, which he has passed on to law enforcement, but his main goal is to continue raising the reward fund so that someone who might be assisting Harris-Moore will "do the right thing" and turn him in.

Peters speculated that Harris-Moore could be taken into custody within the month, and he may be correct.

On Tuesday, the FBI announced that they had a "solid indication" that Harris-Moore is responsible for the weekend theft of an aircraft from a hangar in Bloomington, Ind. The plane was found crashed and abandoned Sunday off the coast of Abaco Island in the Bahamas. As a result of the incident, the FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the "Barefoot Bandit."

"Colton Harris-Moore has gone from a regional nuisance to an international problem," Special Agent Steven Dean with the bureau's Seattle office told KOMO 4 News. "We need to step up our efforts to get him."

Today, authorities on Abaco Island are continuing a large-scale search for Harris-Moore and are investigating his possible connection to a vehicle theft that occurred not far from where the plane crashed.

"It was probably him," Harris-Moore's mother said, adding, "We've not talked in the last few weeks, but the last time we did he was doing good. I tried to talk him into turning himself in because I got him one of the best damn lawyers around, but because he's a kid and I'm a mother -- ya know, kids just don't listen to their mothers."

While she said she would like to see Harris-Moore again, Kohler said that, at this point, he would probably be better off heading to a non-extraditing country where he could finally live in peace.

"It's gone on so long that I pray it keeps on going; otherwise, he might get hurt," she said. "And if he gets hurt, it won't be because of him. It will be because of overzealous cops."

Despite the fact that her son is constantly on the run and keeps in touch only on a sporadic basis, Kohler said she does believe he follows articles that are written about him.

"Tell him to send me a round-trip ticket to the Bahamas," she said. "I mean it. Can you print that? I've never been there, but [I've] been wanting to go all my life. [If he does,] I'll send you a post card."

Wild Olive Tees

2010-07-07T21:01:00.000-04:00

These shirts are so great! Check out their website!

2010-07-07T08:38:00.000-04:00

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. — Colossians 4:2 NIV

It’s easy to get so caught up in the physical challenges of our days that we forget the very real spiritual battle that rages on around us. We have an enemy who would love to keep us so distracted and busy that we forget to focus on what really matters: our relationship with our Father. Jesus knew this and he purposely pulled away, not only from the crowds, but even from his friends, to be able to be alone with his Father. He obviously craved that time to restore himself.

Of course, not all of us are refreshed by being alone the way Jesus was. Each of us has a unique, God-given personality that affects how easily we’re distracted and by what, what helps us refocus and what doesn’t.What matters is finding a place where you know you can block out other distractions and enjoy being with the Father, who longs to spend time with you.

Even more important is making the commitment to fight our human tendency toward distraction. Sometimes I will take a notebook and write down twenty things that I love about being God’s daughter.

I can only imagine that our specific declarations of love to God are precious to him.

— Sheila Walsh Excerpted from A Grand New Day © 2008 by Thomas Nelson

2010-07-06T07:12:00.000-04:00

I received the following in an email & thought it was too good not to share. All too often we try to do things on our own.

Monday, July 05, 2010

God made you to work with others

by Rick Warren

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

"As you walk through life, remember that you're not supposed to do everything on your own. You need other people to walk alongside you, but you also need other people to work alongside you."

God put us on earth to do a certain work that only we can do. Ephesians says that God made us to do good works and that he planned in advance what we would live our lives doing. However, he didn't plan for us to do that work alone. We need people to work with us.

You know the feeling you get when you do too much work on your own. You get exhausted and burned out. Why? Because you're trying to do your work alone, while God never meant for you to go through life working alone.

God tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:9 that "two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together" (NCV). When you work as a team, you get so much more done. Plus, having good teammates alongside you is a whole lot more fun and less tiring!

Picture this: Individually, each of us is like a snowflake; on our own, we can't make a big difference. However, when one fragile snowflake sticks together with a lot of other snowflakes, they can stop traffic. Like snowflakes, we can make a big difference if we work together, each one of us doing only our small part.

Did you know that when we work together here on earth, we're actually practicing for eternity? In heaven, we will all have to work, but each of us will have just a small piece of work, so we'll never get overloaded or tired. Still, though no one will carry a heavy burden as each one of us does our small part, all the work will get done.
As you walk through life, remember that you're not supposed to do everything on your own. You need other people to walk alongside you, but you also need other people to work alongside you. As you share the burden of your work with fellow Christians, you'll find that you actually accomplish more for the glory of God.

2010-07-04T13:01:00.000-04:00

RAGGED OLD FLAG

I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down."
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town."
I said, "Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.

He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down.
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town?"
I said, "I think it is." He said, "I don't like to brag,
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writing _Oh Say Can You See_.
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams."

"And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag."

"On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low by the time it was through.
She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam."

"She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.
In her own good land she's been abused --
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused."

"And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.
And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more."

"So we raise her up every morning,
Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground
And we fold her up right.
On second thought I DO like to brag,
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

Written by Johnny Cash

Nudge

2010-07-02T10:02:00.002-04:00

I was lovingly reminded by a dear friend today that I have not updated my blog in 7 weeks.... wow, that is almost 2 months! Now, it isn't that I didn't know this. I knew it and I check other blogs often but it is that I really couldn't find anything that I thought you all would want to hear me talk about or it would probably turn into a whining party! But here I am...

The last time that I did blog I talked about Isaiah 6:8 "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" This verse keeps tugging at my heart and to be honest I haven't really spent as much time with God lately as I should be (hence the absence of blogging I suppose). All too often I am a stubborn, impatient person. I know, I know you just can't believe that, unless you know me well than you are laughing to yourself thinking "no way" in the most condescending voice you can come up with!

When I heard the verse it struck a cord with me deep down but I just couldn't figure out why or what God was telling me. But did I persist to figure it out? nope, I just kinda ran away from it until today when dear sweet Keyly emailed me to "nudge" me along. I am SOO thankful for good Christian friends that can put a little perspective back in our lives and ask the hard questions of us. When I read her email I though yea yea, I know but as I began to ponder on it I knew it was from God. SO, I am on my quest once again to figure out where God wants me to go and dear friends would you pray with me that I figure it out soon?

What can we pray about for you all??

Thanks Keyly for listening to the "nudge" to email me today!

Whom shall I send?

2010-05-18T09:05:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 6:8 "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said Here am I. Send me.

Isaiah is becoming one of my favorite people in the Bible. Sorry Moses, I still love your studdering, & your feelings on unworthiness because I so relate BUT I'm taking a new approach. Isaiah was active, but he didn't set out to be a prophet. He was a scribe in the royal palace in Jerusalem. A good career but God had other plans. His encounter with God forever changed him. He portrayed the God he served. God didn't tell him he would have great success, as a matter of fact God told him the people wouldn't listen.

Now I don't know about you but if God told me to preach, write & minister to people who wouldn't listen to me I'm not sure I would have continued BUT isn't that where we are often times in our daily walk with the Lord? Sometimes we talk to people about God they simply don't want to listen but should that stop us?

We can use Isaiah as an example to respond to God with "Here am I Lord, send me".

2010-05-15T16:55:00.000-04:00

Music for the Dance
by Max Lucado

Let's imagine that you want to learn to dance. Being the rational, cerebral person you are, you go to a bookstore and buy a book on dancing.You take the book home and get to work. You do everything it says.

The book says sway; you sway. The book says shuffle; you shuffle. The book says spin; you spin.Finally, you think you’ve got it, and you invite your wife to come in and watch. You hold the book open and follow the instructions step by step.You continue to read, then dance, read, then dance, until the dance is completed. You plop exhausted on the couch, look at your wife, and proclaim, “I executed it perfectly.”“You executed it, all right,” she sighs. “You killed it.”“What?”“You forgot the most important part. Where is the music?”

Music?

We Christians are prone to follow the book while ignoring the music. We master the doctrine, outline the chapters, memorize the dispensations, debate the rules, and stiffly step down the dance floor of life with no music in our hearts. We measure each step, calibrate each turn, and flop into bed each night exhausted from another day of dancing by the book.Dancing with no music is tough stuff.Jesus knew that. For that reason, on the night before his death he introduced the disciples to the song maker of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7–9).Of the three persons of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is the one we understand the least. Perhaps the most common mistake made regarding the Spirit is perceiving him as a power but not a person, a force with no identity. Such is not true.The Holy Spirit is not an “it.” He is a person. He has knowledge (1 Cor. 2:11). He has a will (1 Cor. 12:11). He has a mind (Rom. 8:27). He has affections (Rom. 15:30). You can lie to him (Acts 5:3–4). You can insult him (Heb. 10:29). You can grieve him (Eph. 4:30).The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. He is not Popeye’s spinach or the surfer’s wave. He is God within you to help you. In fact John calls him the Helper.Envision a father helping his son learn to ride a bicycle, and you will have a partial picture of the Holy Spirit. The father stays at the son’s side. He pushes the bike and steadies it if the boy starts to tumble. The Spirit does that for us; he stays our step and strengthens our stride. Unlike the father, however, he never leaves. He is with us to the end of the age.What does the Spirit do?He comforts the saved. (John 16:7).He convicts the lost. (John 16:8).He conveys the truth. (John 16:12).Is John saying we don’t need the book in order to dance? Of course not; he helped write it. Emotion without knowledge is as dangerous as knowledge without emotion. God seeks a balance. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

What is essential is that you know the music is in you. “If Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life” (Rom. 8:10). You don’t need a formula to hear it. I don’t have a four-step plan to help you know it. What I do have is his promise that the helper would come to comfort, convict, and convey.

So think about it; have you ever been comforted? Has God ever brought you peace when the world brought you pain? Then you heard the music.Have you ever been convicted? Have you ever sensed a stab of sorrow for your actions? Then you’ve been touched by the Holy Spirit.

Or have you ever understood a new truth? Or seen an old principle in a new way? The light comes on. Your eyes pop open. “Aha, now I understand.” Ever happen to you? If so, that was the Holy Spirit conveying to you a new truth.What do you know? He’s been working in your life already.By the way, for those of us who spent years trying to do God’s job, that is great news. It’s much easier to raise the sail than row the boat. And it’s a lot easier getting people to join the dance when God is playing the music.That’s what makes God, God.

Tent City

2010-04-23T05:54:00.000-04:00

As I pulled up to the paper dispenser this morning the short, white headed & white bearded elderly man on the front page caught my eye. If you know me at all you know that I absolutely adore elderly people, especially the adorable little old men.

The article had me curious so as I began to read it I began to be discouraged. You see, this man named Hal Taylor, of Bloomington, has taken it upon himself to provide shelter for homeless people in the way of tents in his backyard. A friend of his picks the homeless up each night at 9 & takes them to Taylor's house then at 8 the next morning they are picked up & taken back to town.

Now at this point this sounds like the story is applauding this man's effort to help out the less fortunate. Not the case at all, it is about the uproar the neighbors are causing & wanting the city to do something about it. As I continued to read I was shocked at the speculation that his neighbors were making. They basically were saying these homeless were you everyday run of the mill criminals that may or may not be targeting their houses to rob from.

The story went on & on about how uncomfortable they felt & how it was bring the value of their houses down.

Seriously??

Are we more worried about our comfort & the value of properties then the welfare of those around us who are more than likely homeless for no fault of their own. Even that being said who are we to judge their position?? Aren't we called to "go"? I don't ever remember reading in the Bible where we are commanded to be comfortable & stock pile possessions & shun others because they may not look like us or have the possessions we have.

So to you Hal Taylor, I say bravo! I applaud your efforts to help those around you who are less fortunate & to step out of the modern day society & reach out to those around you.

Matthew 25:40 I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

2010-04-12T06:38:00.000-04:00

Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

As we know, the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. It is his goal is to steal, kill and destroy our joy and our REAL identity given to us by God. It is important for us to remember in ALL that we face and ALL that we do, God has provided us with other Christian SISters to encourage us, stand beside us and help us fight the good fight.

It is imperative that we have friends that will give Godly advice, speak truth in love, and help bring us closer to our Lord. Today I ask you, "Do you have YOUR cord of three strands?" If not: find two women and ask them to be your "Accountability SISters" as you fix you eyes, heart and mind upon the SIS WOW each week. Ask if they would join you Monday to get the "Word Of the Week." At the end of the week the three of you would come together, whether church, work, conference call or skype and say the Scripture together. Before you know it, you will be talking about how this verse spoke to you personally or how you were able to use it in a specific situation. And ultimately, life-long reliable friendships are formed

2010-04-08T09:07:00.000-04:00

Dashed Hopes
by Max Lucado

“I had intended …”

David had wanted to build a temple. And who better than he to do so?

Hadn’t he, literally, written the book on worship? Didn’t he rescue the ark of the covenant? The temple would have been his swan song, his signature deed. David had expected to dedicate his final years to building a shrine to God.

At least, that had been his intention. “I had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of our God. So I had made preparations to build it” (1 Chron. 28:2 NASB).

Intentions. Preparations. But no temple. Why? Did David grow discouraged? No. He stood willing. Were the people resistant? Hardly. They gave generously.

Then what happened?

A conjunction happened.Conjunctions operate as the signal lights of sentences. Some, such as and, are green. Others, such as however, are yellow. A few are red. Sledgehammer red. They stop you.

David got a red light.I had made preparations to build it. But God said to me, “You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.… Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts.” (1 Chron. 28:2–3, 6 NASB, emphasis mine)

David’s bloodthirsty temperament cost him the temple privilege. All he could do was say:I had intended …I had made preparations …But God …

I’m thinking of some people who have uttered similar words. God had different plans than they did. One man waited until his midthirties to marry. Resolved to select the right spouse, he prayerfully took his time. When he found her, they moved westward, bought a ranch, and began their life together. After three short years, she was killed in an accident.

I had intended …I had made preparations …But God …

A young couple turned a room into a nursery. They papered walls, refinished a baby crib, but then the wife miscarried.

I had intended … I had made preparations …But God …I had intended …I had made preparations …But God …

What do you do with the “but God” moments in life? When God interrupts your good plans, how do you respond?The man who lost his wife has not responded well. At this writing he indwells a fog bank of anger and bitterness. The young couple is coping better. They stay active in church and prayerful about a child. And what about David? When God changed David’s plans, how did he reply? (You’ll like this.)He followed the “but God” with a “yet God.”“Yet, the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For He has chosen Judah to be a leader; and in the house of Judah, my father’s house, and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel.” (1 Chron. 28:4 NASB)

Reduce the paragraph to a phrase, and it reads, “Who am I to complain? David had gone from runt to royalty, from herding sheep to leading armies, from sleeping in the pasture to living in the palace. When you are given an ice cream sundae, you don’t complain over a missing cherry.David faced the behemoth of disappointment with “yet God.” David trusted.His “but God” became a “yet God.”Who’s to say yours won’t become the same?From

Facing Your Giants
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2005) Max Lucado

God's will for your life

2010-04-07T10:43:00.000-04:00

I'm pretty sure God's will for my life doesn't involve snakes. That much I know!! I have had a fear for snakes & when I say fear, I mean an obessiveness about it. I had nightmares since childhood about them & they were always terrifying dreams where I would wake up screaming & standing on top of my bed. Poor Ed!! Anyway, about 6 months ago I killed the snake in my dream & I haven't had a nightmare since.

I related this to satan. In my dreams the snake represented satan & just until recently I have finally gotten it as far as God. Have I perfected "it"... Nope & I hope I would never say that I have cause that would mean I have stopped growing.

God's will for our lives is divine. An appointment by Him to further His kingdom. Are you striving to find out what that will is on your life? I'm thankful God can use me right where I am. I just pray I continue to seek ways in which to be used by him... Right where I am!!

Maundy Thursday

2010-04-01T08:14:00.000-04:00

Maundy Thursday

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them."
John 13:12-16

•John's gospel describes the Last Supper without mentioning the Eucharist. Instead, it describes Jesus washing his friend's feet.

•On his knees like a servant, Jesus turned human status upside down. Do I celebrate with the community of those who serve?

In Remembrance of Me Cheri Keaggy

2010-03-31T16:23:00.001-04:00

Holy Wednesday

2010-03-31T06:32:00.000-04:00

Holy Wednesday

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. Matthew 26:14-16

• There were two treacheries. Judas went out to grab his money, betrayed Jesus, and then killed himself in despair. Peter, despite his protests, would deny his Lord; he faced his own appalling guilt, then wept bitterly. His failure was not the end of the mission, but the beginning.

• Success is what I do with my failures. Teach me to trust in your love Lord, no matter what I have done, and to learn from my mistakes and even from treachery.

2010-03-30T05:48:00.000-04:00

Tuesday

Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." But I said, "I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God."
Isaiah 42:1-4

• God knows me intimately, even from my first moments. He has a plan for me; whatever talents I have, he can put to use.

• Do I stand in the Lord’s way, with my own plan? I worked hard, I tried my best but now I have nothing left to give. Is this now the lord’s time when my way seems blocked?

Holy Week

2010-03-29T06:38:00.000-04:00

Monday

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
Isaiah 42:1-4

• "My servant will not cry or lift up his voice or make is heard in the street… he will faithfully bring forth justice."

• That is our mission too, Lord: not by force or violence, but by gentle, faithful persistence to bring forth justice on the earth.

Here I am....

2010-03-24T11:15:00.000-04:00

"Here I am, Lord send me. All of my life, I make an offering".

I just heard that song by Downhere on the radio. I wasn't going to blog on it since my buddy Susan did but I think since it keeps popping up I will.

Have you ever prayed that prayer that said "Lord, I'll do what you want & go where you send"? Then as soon as you prayed it you say "as long as it's not to Africa"! Not me cause if you know me you know that's my dream but I digress....

You know what I mean when you put yourself out there to be used by God or well you do it in theory only. Thinking he wouldn't ask the important stuff of you, after all who am I, right?!?!

If you remember right he used the lowly & meek to do His work.

I urge you to honestly look at your life & pray that prayer with a sincere heart & sit back & enjoy the ride!!!

Tuesday Tunes!!!

2010-03-23T15:29:00.001-04:00

This video is awesome!! Plus it is my favorite song!!!

David Crowder Band's "O Praise Him"

Turn your ear
To Heaven and hear
The noise inside
The sound of angels
The sound of angel¡¯s songs
And all this for a King
We could join and sing
"All to Christ the King!"
How constant
How divine
This song of ours will rise
Oh, how constant
How divine
This love of ours will rise
Will rise...

CHORUS:
O praise Him!
O praise Him!
He is Holy!
He is Holy, yeah!

Turn your gaze
To Heaven and raise
A joyous noise
Oh, the sound of salvation come
The sound of rescued ones
And all this for a king
Angles join to sing
"All for Christ the King!"

CHORUS [2x]

Oh la la la la la...

O pra-ise Him!
O pra-ise Him!
He is Ho-ly!
He is Ho-ly!

How infininte and sweet
This love so rescuing
Oh how infinitely sweet
This great love that has redeemed
As one, we sing...

"Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
He is Ho-ly!
He is Ho-ly!" [2x]

O pra-ise Him!
O pra-ise Him!
He is Ho-ly!
He is Ho-ly!

Oh, La la la la la la...

"Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
He is Ho-ly!
He is Ho-ly!"

O pra-ise Him!
O pra-ise Him!
He is Ho-ly!
He is Ho-ly!

Oh la la la la la la...

It's a jungle out there

2010-03-22T14:08:00.003-04:00

We are doing the Bible study "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado in our Sunday school class.

Now, in case others from class are reading this I will admit, I have been... well.... a little, let's say stubborn in this area BUT today I made a vow to do better. I tried to use the excuse that I am already doing the "Battlefield of the mind" study in our small group and that I was reading my Bible daily (most of the time, I got stubborn there for a week recently as well) and that I just didn't have time for yet another lesson.

Well, that ole friend "conviction" made a visit today so here I am! I read the chapter for this week and was filled with hope to say the least. It has been a rough time around here with Ed's work being very slow and not knowing how we were going to pay our bills at times, so I got a little hopeless. However, this made me feel a lot better. . . .

"For many people, life is-well, life is a jungle. Not a jungle of trees and beasts. Would that it were so simple. Would that our jungles could be cut with a machete or our adversaries trapped in a cage. But our jungles are comprised of the thicker thickets of failing health, broken hearts, and empty wallets. Our forests are framed with hospital walls and divorce courts. We don't hear the screeching of birds or the roaring of lions, but we do hear the complaints of neighbors and the demands of bosses. Our predators are our creditors, and the brush that surrounds us is the rush that exhausts us. And for some, even many, hope is in short supply. Hopelessness is an odd bag. Unlike the others, it isn't full. It is empty, and its emptiness creates burden. Unzip the top and examine the pockets. Turn it upside down and shake it hard. The bag of hopelessness is painfully empty."

He went on to say that we need 3 things that would help.

1. A person - not just any person. You don't need someone equally confused. you need someone who knows the way out.

2. Vision - you need someone to lift your spirits, someone to look you in the face and say "This isn't the end. Don't give up. There is a better place and I'll lead you there."

3. Direction - if you only have a person with renewed vision, all you have is company. If he has a vision but no direction, you have a dreamer for company. But if you have a person with direction-who can take you from this place to the right place-ah, you have the one who can restore hope. OR to use David's words, "He restores my soul."

"Our shepherd majors in restoring hope to the soul. Whether you are a lamb lost on a craggy ledge or a city slicker alone in a deep jungle, everything changes when your rescuer appears. Your loneliness diminishes because you have fellowship. Your despair decreases, because you have vision. Your confusion begins to lift, because you have direction. Note you haven't left the jungle, it is still a jungle, it hasn't changed but you have"

Hope comes when you have someone who can lead you out of the jungle. Hope comes when you turn to the one who made the jungle you are in. Hope comes with you put all your trust in the one who can to rescue you.

Who are YOU putting your trust in?!?!

Timeout

2010-03-11T07:15:00.000-05:00

In the game of basketball you have a coach, players, referees, fans etc... The coach's job is to lead the team, instruct them on the plays. Offense, is to score the points to get the lead, defense if to make sure the other team doesn't score. They get 5 timeouts a game. 3 full timeouts, or a minute, & 2 30 second ones. The purpose of the timeouts is to regroup the team & make a plan to execute in order to succeed.

Basketball is a lot like life. It's fast paced, stressful at times, rewarding at times & a lot of work to get right. As in the game of basketball, life also has those same characteristics. Although I don't think we value the "timeouts" near like we should.

How often do you stop & have a "timeout" with God? How often do you let God be your "coach" & guide your lives daily??

This started it all....

2010-03-09T14:02:00.002-05:00

Psalm 27:1 (New International Version)

Of David

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

God lead me to this verse yesterday. As soon as I read it I was burdened, I am sure you are asking why this verse would cause anyone to be burdened. God laid on my heart some situations that have been happening lately. He also told me it was time to do something about it. I was SO scared to act on what he was telling me to do. I took some time and prayed about it, I asked for confirmation. (I have been known to asked for a flashing billboard) however, I haven't gotten my confirmation in that form as of yet!!!

My confirmation came in the form of the person I wanted to talk to. So I called the Ya Ya's and we pounced!! We are a bunch of strong willed women and when we get a plan look out!!!

God led yesterday in a HUGH way through so many people. When we get out of His word, get too busy, or put it off we begin to let doubts fill our minds. We let the ole scum dog get a hold of us and control us in ways we do not see. I have been guilty of this lately. It is so easy to let it happen.

We have to DAILY strive to lead our lives to please God. It isn't an easy task but it is essential to our living fully in Christ!

Interrupted

2010-02-25T07:58:00.000-05:00

I read a blog this morning that talked about being interrupted. Most of the time we think of being interrupted as a bad thing but not in this case.

How often do thoughts, bad thoughts run through your head?

How often, as the blog I read today said, do you "cuss" in your mind?

How often do you get caught up in that tidbit of gossip??

How often often does that "bad driver" make you call them names you wouldn't if others were around??

Man, this really hit home for me. I'll be honest here, often times I get frustrated when driving at others & what do I do?? I say outloud (while alone in the car) "you idiot" or "moron".

The blog I read talked about asking to be "interrupted" when the things asked above happen. Interrupt my thoughts, my words, my actions.

I want to see people through God's eyes. To realize that no matter who they are, that they are a child of God & he loves them right where they are.

But honestly, that's hard. But then again, being a Christian & trying to DAILY walk in it is hard. It's a constant work in progress. That all too often I don't take seriously enough.

Lord, interrupt me. My thoughts, my words, my actions. Make me be more like you, Lord!

Unredeemed

2010-02-19T14:23:00.002-05:00

Found this new song by Selah called "Unredeemed". Selah speaks to my heart in about every one of their songs. I can't seem to get the video to load just yet but maybe later, here are the lyrics for now.

The cruelest world
The coldest heart
The deepest wound
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter nights
The wasted years

Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

For every choice that led to shame
And all the love that never came
For every vow that someone broke
And every lie that gave up hope
We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But you never know the miracle the father has in store
Just watch and see
It will not be
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

The cruelest world
The coldest heart
The deepest wound
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter nights
The wasted years

Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

For every choice that led to shame
And all the love that never came
For every vow that someone broke
And every lie that gave up hope
We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But you never know the miracle the father has in store
Just watch and see
It will not be
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

I am the mom!

2010-02-17T07:40:00.000-05:00

Got this from Lysa TerKeurst today.. Loved it!!

I am the MOM

So.

Yeah.

Today's post isn't for my mommy friends who don't struggle. I love you. I applaud you. I heart you mucho. But I can't join your club.

I wish I could.

But my reality disqualifies me. I find being a mommy the most stretching thing I've ever done. I carry with me evidence of this stretching. Marks on my body. Marks on my heart. It's thrilling. Heartbreaking. Sweet. Exciting. Disillusioning. And incredibly unpredictable.

Just when I think I've figured a few things out and I'm about to shine my mommy halo, something happens. Something loud and tearful and frustratingly difficult. And I find myself knee deep in drama wondering if I will survive this season of 4 teens and one pre-teen.

It makes me laugh when I think back to being pregnant with my first child nearly seventeen years ago. I was convinced I would die in the child birthing process.

I even set up a special meeting with my doctor to go over exactly what happens in the birthing process and tearfully gave him all the reasons I was convinced I would not survive this process.

What in the world?

I so wish I could go stand in front of my little, um huge, pregnant self and say this:

"Honey, you will not perish giving birth. This part of motherhood will seem like a walk in the park in just a few years. You will not only survive giving birth but you are about to spend the next twenty years having your tiny little brain and your tiny little heart experience more highs and lows than you can shake a stick at.

Just remember one thing... You are the Mom. That's right you da' mama. Repeat after me... I am the Mama. I am the Mama. I am the Mama! Don't ever forget that.

"Yes, I would tell my little huge pregnant self that because it's easy to forget sometimes who's really in charge. My kids want to be in charge. And while they certainly have the strong wills and wonders of leadership... it's immature leadership. Leadership that needs to be shaped and molded and corrected and reigned in.

1 Corinthians 4:20 says, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."

This reminds me I am not left to my own pitiful attempts at this daunting task but because of Jesus I have power. Real power. Not just theories and words given by human parenting experts whose advice may or may not work. I have power to rise up be da' mama.

The mom my strong willed, delightful, amazingly capable, beautifully adventurous, wildly wonderful, and uniquely special kids need. I have been perfectly designed, shaped, molded and assigned these children because I have what it takes to be their mom.

I have what it takes to be the mom!

You have what it takes to be the mom!

Now, be the mom!

Not sure who else needed this little pep rally this morning. But I sure did. Now I must go seek out the mouse that has been rattling my trash and taunting me the whole time I was writing this post. Poor little mouse who thought I'd be all screams and squeals and just let him pick through my trash.

He's about to face an empowered me. I AM THE MOM!

Love that.

2010-02-16T12:10:00.003-05:00

Have you missed me???

I'd say not but then again you never know!

I haven't blogged lately, I was doing so good but then it got to be a point where I felt like I was just rambling on and on and on for no reason. So, here I am again!

As I look outside I see winter settling in. The cold, frigid temperatures, the snow covering everything. Just when we think it is about over or the worst of it anyway, it starts up again.

This makes me think of the winter of our lives. I see so many people hurting right now. Winter has settled in and doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon. In those times in life, we have a choice to make. Yes, it is easy for me to say because I am not in that place right now but we have to remember that God knows our struggles, he knows our fears. Most of all he wants us to come to Him with them, share our load with Him. He will take the burden from us if only we let Him. I read a book once called "On hinds' feet" and in it the author said that it's in the valleys that we grow the most, but we must remember the ultimate goal is to reach the top of the mountain.

Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Senior Night

2010-02-05T15:44:00.003-05:00

Senior night came and went.... and just that fast too! It was a bittersweet night, with Aimee having been out most of the season with her injury and surgery the season has been somewhat different for us. However, coach dressed her and started her, then pulled her out after about 3 seconds. She was very emotional, which is to be expected! Just seems as if this year is flying by too fast and my girl will be away at college in no time!!!

Here are a few pictures from the night! Love the one with Cole, he is a whole head taller than her now!!

Crazy...

2010-02-02T06:06:00.000-05:00

It seems that everyday lately is "just another manic Monday". There has been so much to keep us busy between ballgames, scholorships, school work, & church. To be honest we've let all the "busy" invade & I hate it when that happens.

It's so easy to get busy & let it take charge of our lives. I think.... NO, I know that's a ploy of the ole scum to keep our minds off of God & boy is he good at it. I don't know about you, but I can let things rule my life mainly because of my OCD, it has to be done a certain way.. my way & trust me that's not always a good thing, just ask Ed!!

The verse that I found to send out for my "text message ministry" today is: Proverbs 21:23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. I laughed when I saw this verse because all too often I let my mouth overload my brain. Thankfully, most peopke know me & tend to ignore me when I "spew". However, that isn't an excuse for the behavior. I'm working on it!

I told Ed yesterday that when I feel my kids are being wronged, look out because I turn into this 3 headed monster that will spew fire at anyone or anything in my path. It's not a pretty sight... & often I just hang my head after I morph back into myself. As I said, working on it!!

Fight or Flight

2010-01-26T09:59:00.000-05:00

Most people that know my know that Moses is ont of my favorite people in the Bible. As I was reading in Exodus today I got tickled at the way I am so much like him.

Moses: God spoke to him through a burning bush, turned his staff into a snake, made his hand leprous then healed it, turned the Nile water into blood.

Now, I don't know about you but I have been known to pray for God to show me answers in flashing neon billboards. Now, that hasn't happened yet but there has been tuggings, yearnings that have been strong & what do I do? I turn into Moses & run or say "Who am I? I can't speak well enough". But in that off chance that I do follow what I'm being led, it usually turns out to be a big blessing at a little inconvience to myself.

Are you a Moses??

2010-01-20T10:02:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Susan sent me a link to a blog that was right on. I wanted to share the post with you from Lysa TerKeurst. By the way, I am also a "fried okra mamma"!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Three things every mom should know

I think one of the hardest things about motherhood for me is my tendency to blame myself for the wrong choices my kids sometimes make. The second hardest thing is trying to figure out how to fix their issues.Being a mom is tough. Especially when you are hyper aware the situation your child is in will carry with it great consequences. Never is there a deeper sorrow then that of a mother who feels helpless.So, that's what I'm addressing today based on a comment Marilyn sent in yesterday.

I take great comfort in knowing the advice I'm offering isn't my own. It's straight from God's truth. After all, He knows what it's like to deal with wayward children. He feels our pain. He knows our sorrow.

Marilyn wrote:I need prayers for me and my daughter. Found out Friday she is doing things with her boyfriend I do not approve of. We had a talk and she told me my values are not hers. She has not had an encounter with God like I have. She still feels like she is a good person, whatever that means. I weep for her soul and pray for God to touch her and draw her back to Him. I pray that I am able to let her go into His hands. She is 19 and off at college, old enough to make her own decisions and to deal with the consequences, but I still want to fly out and rescue her from bad decisions. Nobody told me being a parent was so hard!

Oh sweet sister. Boy, do I feel your pain. I too would want to fly out and rescue my daughter. But I'm afraid I'd also want to threaten that boy with what the mama in "Blind Side" said she'd do to her son if he did inappropriate things with a girl.I'm not saying I would actually do what she suggested.I'm just saying I would want to.

Because honest is the way I roll y'all. And Southern women can be as sweet as our tea until you mess with one of our kids. Then we become more like fried okra. Hot. Tough on the outside. All squishy and messy on the inside.

So.I have to set my fried okra response aside and ask what a Jesus girl should do in a situation like this.

Ephesians 6: 10-12 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Based on this truth, here are three things us mamas should know:

1. God doesn't call us to find a power within ourselves to face the issues we'll face with our kids.

He calls us to put on His armor because what we are facing is a battle. A battle of epic proportions. His weapons aren't silly little spiritual suggestions that might or might not work. His weapons are certain. His belt of truth. I must park my run away mind in the assurance of God's love for me and my child.His breastplate of right choices. I must stop reacting in the flesh and choose to battle this with my praises and prayers.His gospel of peace. I must walk in the assurance and peace that even when I can't see things changing, God is working on my child's behalf.His shield of faith. I must have faith in God's timing and in His ways.His helmet of Salvation. I must trust God's ultimate desire for my child is for her to have a close relationship with Him. Though this seems like an unlikely part of this process, God will bring good out of even this.His sword which is the Bible. I must read God's love letter to me every day. And hold those truth as the life line between God's security and my shaky heart.And His gift of prayer. I must see prayer not as a last resort but as the very thing God's most courageous followers turn to first.Ephesians 6: 13-18 assures us with these in place, we will be able to stand. These things will help us tap into a power beyond ourselves.

2. The battle isn't against our child and their choices.

It feels like the battle is against our child. Boy does it ever! But, in reality, the battle is against Satan's schemes. There will be some battles we face with our kids that will be impossible to win in the flesh. I suspect in this situation, the more this mom tries to fight against her daughter's choices, the more it will drive this daughter into the arms of her boyfriend. There is something terribly appealing when young lovers feel like they are renegading against the world together. Satan twists truth. He hides consequences. He blinds reality. He has schemes perfectly designed with our weaknesses in mind. Therefore, we have to battle Satan. He's the real enemy here. And because we are Jesus girls, we hold the power for victory in our prayers and praises to God.

3. The battle is taking place in the heavenly realms.

Oh how my fried okra self wants to fight this battle with what I can see. Remember... I would want to do unspeakables to unmentionables. Ahem. But that would fix nothing except land me in jail. So, I must fight this battle with the only thing I have that can reach into the heavenly realm. My praises and prayers. Praises for who God is and prayers for Him to remove Satan's influence in this situation. If ever I'm tempted to doubt how powerful praises and prayers are in battle a quick read of 2 Chronicles 20: 1-24 soothes this mama for sure.I so relate to the feelings expressed in 2 Chronicles 20:12, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."And I so want the victory seen in 2 Chronicles 20: 22, "As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against (their enemies), and they were defeated." Verse 27 goes on to say, "...all the men of Judah (and fried okra mamas) returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord has given them great cause to rejoice over their enemies."The thing that bridges the gap between feeling powerless like verse 12 and the victory in verse 27 is our praises and prayers. I can't fully explain it. But I can proclaim it. Our prayers and our praises are powerful and effective. Yes, being a mom is really tough. But we can take great comfort in knowing we aren't alone. Like I said, one of the biggest things we have in common with God is the struggle of dealing with wayward children.Since God, the perfect parent, has dealt with this since the beginning of time- I think His is the best advice around.

2010-01-14T15:26:00.001-05:00

The Living Room:
When Your Heart Needs a Father
by Max Lucado

"Our Father who is in heaven …” With these words Jesus escorts us into the Great House of God. Shall we follow him? There is so much to see. Every room reveals his heart, every stop will soothe your soul. And no room is as essential as this one we enter first. Walk behind him as he leads us into God’s living room.

Sit in the chair that was made for you and warm your hands by the fire which never fades. Take time to look at the framed photos and find yours. Be sure to pick up the scrapbook and find the story of your life. But please, before any of that, stand at the mantle and study the painting which hangs above it.

Your Father treasures the portrait. He has hung it where all can see.

Stand before it a thousand times and each gaze is as fresh as the first. Let a million look at the canvas and each one will see himself. And each will be right.

Captured in the portrait is a tender scene of a father and a son. Behind them is a great house on a hill. Beneath their feet is a narrow path. Down from the house the father has run. Up the trail the son has trudged. The two have met, here, at the gate.

We can’t see the face of the son; it’s buried in the chest of his father. No, we can’t see his face, but we can see his tattered robe and stringy hair. We can see the mud on the back of his legs, the filth on his shoulders and the empty purse on the ground. At one time the purse was full of money. At one time the boy was full of pride. But that was a dozen taverns ago. Now both the purse and the pride are depleted. The prodigal offers no gift or explanation. All he offers is the smell of pigs and a rehearsed apology: “Father, I have sinned against God and done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21).

He feels unworthy of his birthright. “Demote me. Punish me. Take my name off the mailbox and my initials off the family tree. I am willing to give up my place at your table.” The boy is content to be a hired hand. There is only one problem. Though the boy is willing to stop being a son, the father is not willing to stop being a father.

Though we can’t see the boy’s face in the painting, we can’t miss the father’s. Look at the tears glistening on the leathered cheeks, the smile shining through the silver beard. One arm holds the boy up so he won’t fall, the other holds the boy close so he won’t doubt.

“Hurry!” he shouts. “Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get our fat calf and kill it so we can have a feast and celebrate. My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost but now he is found!” (Luke 15:22–24).

How these words must have stunned the young man, “My son was dead …” He thought he’d lost his place in the home. After all, didn’t he abandon his father? Didn’t he waste his inheritance? The boy assumed he had forfeited his privilege to sonship. The father, however, doesn’t give up that easily. In his mind, his son is still a son. The child may have been out of the house, but he was never out of his father’s heart. He may have left the table, but he never left the family. Don’t miss the message here. You may be willing to stop being God’s child. But God is not willing to stop being your Father.

From The Great House of God
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1997) Max Lucado

A bunch of Nimrod's

2010-01-14T11:58:00.000-05:00

Have you ever called anyone a "Nimrod"?

I'm not sure if I have but I've heard the term used enough to know it's not a positive thing to be called a nimrod!

But, did you know there actually was a man named Nimrod in the bible? Yep, I was reading in Genesis chapter 10 & came across him. He was acrually a mighty hunter but as it said in the commentary peopke with great gifts can become proud, & that is probably what happened to him. Some consider him to be the founder of the great, godless Babylonian empire.

Funny how when we let ourselves get caught up in what WE can do how easily we can forget to give God the credit.

Don't be a "Nimrod", remember the One who is almighty & mighty to save!

Love on the move

2010-01-08T09:45:00.003-05:00

I heard a statement from the lead singer of Leeland that said "Love isn't love unless it is on the move". It hit deep for me, the Ya Ya's have been talking a lot about love lately while doing the "Crazy Love" study by Francis Chan.

Love isn't supposed to just sit idle, it would be easy if we as Christians were only called to stay in our own little groups or families and practice love. Ok, well maybe not so easy ALL THE TIME with your family, but you know what I mean. We are call to "Go". Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

He didn't say sit at home and stay all warm and cozy and think about reaching others for me. He said to "GO". The hard part is it gets us out of our comfort zones BUT Jesus didn't call us to be comfortable either. Think about all the uncomfortable situations he was faced with. He took the ultimate uncomfortable position and dies on the cross for all of us. That is what we need to be thinking about when we are feeling called to do something that might make us a little uneasy.

What would happen if we all viewed others as Christ views them??

Try it this week and see how your attitude changes.

2010-01-06T14:27:00.001-05:00

Looking for the Messiah,
Part 2
by Max Lucado

Some missed him.

Some miss him still.

We expect God to speak through peace, but sometimes he speaks through pain.

We think God talks through the church, but he also talks through the lost.

We look for the answer among the Protestants, but he’s been known to speak through the Catholics.

We listen for him among the Catholics but find him among the Quakers.

We think we hear him in the sunrise, but he is also heard in the darkness.

We listen for him in triumph, but he speaks even more distinctly through tragedy.

We must let God define himself.

When we do, when we let God define himself, a whole new world opens before us. How, you ask? Let me explain with a story.

Once there was a man whose life was one of misery. The days were cloudy, and the nights were long. Henry didn’t want to be unhappy, but he was. With the passing of the years, his life had changed. His children were grown. The neighborhood was different. The city seemed harsher.

He was unhappy. He decided to ask his minister what was wrong.

“Am I unhappy for some sin I have committed?”

“Yes,” the wise pastor replied. “You have sinned.”

“And what might that sin be?”

“Ignorance,” came the reply. “The sin of ignorance. One of your neighbors is the Messiah in disguise, and you have not seen him.”

The old man left the office stunned. “The Messiah is one of my neighbors?” He began to think who it might be.

Tom the butcher? No, he’s too lazy. Mary, my cousin down the street? No, too much pride. Aaron the paperboy? No, too indulgent. The man was confounded. Every person he knew had defects. But one was the Messiah. He began to look for Him.

He began to notice things he hadn’t seen. The grocer often carried sacks to the cars of older ladies. Maybe he is the Messiah. The officer at the corner always had a smile for the kids. Could it be? And the young couple who’d moved next door. How kind they are to their cat. Maybe one of them …

With time he saw things in people he’d never seen. And with time his outlook began to change. The bounce returned to his step. His eyes took on a friendly sparkle. When others spoke he listened. After all, he might be listening to the Messiah. When anyone asked for help, he responded; after all this might be the Messiah needing assistance.

The change of attitude was so significant that someone asked him why he was so happy. “I don’t know,” he answered. “All I know is that things changed when I started looking for God.”

Now, that’s curious. The old man saw Jesus because he didn’t know what he looked like. The people in Jesus’ day missed him because they thought they did.

How are things looking in your neighborhood?

From A Gentle Thunder
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1987) Max Lucado

2009

2010-01-03T14:55:00.001-05:00

As I looked back on 2009 I basically thought it sucked. Then, I realized that I was letting December overshawdow my whole year.

December was probably the worst month I can remember having in many years. It threatned to get me down. So, I was ready for it to be over.

Today as I sat in church I got to thinking about some things Pastor Jeanne was talking about & I realized that this year was a pretty good year for my family. Yes, we had some rough times but for the most part it was a good year. We, as a family, made some decisions for Christ & I believe the ole scum dog really went to work to try to destroy the work in us. To be honest with you, we almost let him.

So, as we start this new year. 2010 will be another great year & my hope & prayer is that we continue to lean on God's promises & His plan for our futures.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you & not to harm, plans for a hope & a future.

2009

2010-01-03T14:55:00.000-05:00

2009-12-24T09:51:00.000-05:00

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger

Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliness hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?
It’s who we’ve waited for

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me

All for me
All for you
All for me
All for you

2009-12-24T09:50:00.000-05:00

2009-12-22T08:18:00.000-05:00

We're pressed on every side by troubles, but we're not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We're hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we're not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I love this verse because it's packed full of promise & hope. It has been a rough December for me. The ole scum dog has really been working hard in my life. Either by depression, business or strife BUT I must remember that Jesus has overcame this world & he has made a place for us with Him.

It's getting so close to Christmas & I'm not ready but I've decided that's ok. I want to stop & remember what this season is all about. Not about parties, gifts, decorations & lights but it's about Jesus choosing to come to Earth as a man & to suffer for each & every one of us. A lowly baby in a lowly stable but such an oh so HUGE God!!

2009-12-19T09:45:00.000-05:00

Max Lucado must have been thinking about me when he sent this email out. Enjoy!!

A Message From Max
Christmas blessings, Friends!

If we don’t watch out, the holidays can stir the Scrooge within us. We make lists of what we want, drop hints about what we want, tell Santa what we want. This season of economic stress can make us even more tight-fisted and hard hearted. So how can we un-Scrooge our Christmas? Simple: let’s continue the great Christmas giveaway. By seeing Christmas, not as the time to receive, but as the time to give. Let’s imitate the stargazers, the mysterious magi, who went great lengths to give great gifts.

Why does scripture showcase their story? Part of the reason is Herod. If the New Testament has a Scrooge, it is the jealous King of Israel. When he heard that the wise men were in search of a king, he grew suspicious and angry, ordering the slaughter of every child under the age of two.

And the stargazing Savior-seekers? We don’t know much about these men. We don’t know their country of origin or their nationality. We don’t know the size of their caravan. The crèche on the front lawn suggests a trio of magi. But we aren’t given a number. The stargazing element surprises us, as does the fact that these are Gentile astronomers seeking a Jewish Messiah. A curious assortment on a curious journey.

…the wise men went their way. Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11 NLT)

They made no requests. No favors. No petitions. The wise men wanted only one thing: the privilege of giving gifts to Jesus. What a contrast: hard-hearted Herod on one side, the gift-giving wise men on the other. We’d like to be numbered among the wise and generous, wouldn’t we?

Here are three ways to un-Scrooge your Christmas:
1. Help a needy person in a foreign country. The wise men did. They issued international aid to a peasant family. We can do the same.

2. Extend a hand to the needy in your area. In Bexar County, where I live, 1 in 4 children suffer from food insecurity. That is to say, they aren’t sure about their next meal. Chances are, there are needy in your area as well.

3. Assist a struggling family in your neighborhood. Don’t think for a minute that your neighborhood has no families in trouble. People who have never faced depletions are doing so. People are upside-down in their mortgages, concerned about their careers, anxious about their fixed incomes. You can’t solve their problems but you can be a kind neighbor. You can bake some cookies, bring some groceries…you can be the presence of Christ in your neighborhood.

May you experience the joy of Jesus this Christmas!

Max

P.S. And if you’re able to remember UpWords Ministries in your 2009 year-end giving, we’d be very grateful. Your help enables us to provide, via radio and internet, spiritual encouragement to millions each year. Donate here.

[AC] Advent Conspiracy 2009 Promo Video

2009-12-17T14:13:00.001-05:00

My friend Susan knew I'd appreciate this so she told me to check out her blog and this website. See what you think!! Thanks Susan!!!

2009-12-16T16:48:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

2009-12-14T14:02:00.002-05:00

I have decided that it is true, I am a scrooge.

I really really despise what this world has done to Christmas. It is so commercialized. To be honest I wouldn't care if I didn't even have a tree up. The kids always decorate for Christmas anyway. I put off shopping until the very last minute and the tree and decorations come down Christmas night.

See, I am a scrooge! But as I got to thinking about it I realized that I don't live for this world. The reason I live was born so many years ago on that cold night, in that inadequate stable. It was enough for Jesus though. He came to save the lost, in whatever state we may find ourselves in. So, while I may not be a big fan of Christmas I am a big fan of CHRISTmas!!

2009-12-10T10:26:00.000-05:00

Found this blog today, check it out as the post was excellent!

http://www.hisfavoritedaughters.com/2009/07/we-are-not-orphans.html

2009-12-10T09:30:00.000-05:00

Christ in Me
by Max Lucado

Like Mary, you and I are indwelt by Christ.Find that hard to believe? How much more did Mary? No one was more surprised by this miracle than she was. And no one more passive than she was. God did everything. Mary didn't volunteer to help. What did she have to offer? She offered no assistance. And she offered no resistance. Instead she said, "Behold, the bond- slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

Unlike Mary, we tend to assist God, assuming our part is as important as his. Or we resist, thinking we are too bad or too busy. Yet when we assist or resist, we miss God's great grace. We miss out on the reason we were placed on earth-to be so pregnant with heaven's child that he lives through us. To be so full of him that we could say with Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20)

What would that be like? To have a child within is a miracle, but to have Christ within?

To have my voice, but him speaking.
My steps, but Christ leading.
My heart, but his love beating in me, through me, with me.

What's it like to have Christ on the inside?
To tap his strength when mine expires or feel the force of heaven's firesraging, purging wrong desires.
Could Christ become my self entire?
So much him, so little me
That in my eyes it's him they see.
What's it like to a Mary be?
No longer I, but Christ in me.

From Next Door Savior

Winter Blues

2009-12-09T14:56:00.003-05:00

I get the winter blues every year but this year seems worse! As Aimee came in for our nightly talk last night (she lays with me for about an hour, and sometimes just sleeps there!) we got to talking about some things going on in her life and I told her I will miss this next year when she is at college. I honestly think that is most of my problem this year.... this senior year is killing dear ole mom!!

Cole usually walks in and calls Aimee a loser, hugs me good night and off he goes to his room. He spends most of his time in his room. Aimee is usually by my side, so I think I will get a little (hmph) lonely next year!

Cold weather, wind and snow do not go well with me! It makes me want to just stay in bed with my head under the covers. I have dealt with depression in my past and at one point was medicated for it. I was on meds for about a year, I can say I have done well since then but there are still times when I feel the dread looming over me. I fight it off as best I can and with the help of God it usually works. Ed is so sweet about it, he tries his best to make things better when I get down. Usually he just drives me crazy cause I just want to be left alone but he also knows that is when I get worse so that is why he persists and I love him for it!

I am all settled in for the night! I am going to attempt to fix supper, although nothing sounds good, then I plan on watching Kentucky Basketball!!! Ed has to teach confirmation class tonight and the kids have youth so I get some alone time and cuddle time with Chopper!! It is going to get WAY cold tonight so stay warm!!

Chopper

Control

2009-12-07T11:03:00.000-05:00

I have been struggling a lot lately with my kids getting older & making their own decisions. I worry that they might not make the best decisions, but today as I was having a talk with my Abba Father, or Daddy I was reminded that it's not about what I want for my kids but what His plan is.

Ouch!

I know His ways are much higher & better than mine but I tend to want to control... Well most everything!! As I was praying & discussing this with Him I was reminded of Moses. I really, really like Moses for a number of reasons. He, like me, argued with God, tested Him & so forth before he just trusted Him. This is something I struggle with! Anyway, God spoke to me & reminded me that when Moses' mother couldn't hide (control) him any longer, she released him into the Nile & what happened??? He sent Moses back to her!

In Exodus 2 it tells the story of Moses birth. His mother hid him for 3 months (i.e. Christy trying to protect her kids & make their decisions for them). When she could no longer hide him, she released him into the Nile where Pharaoh's sister intercepted him. She couldn't nurse him so Moses sister asked if she would like for her to go get one of the Hebrew women to nurse him. She said yes & he was returned to his mother to care for him until he was old enough to go back to Pharaoh's daughter.

I need to learn to let God have my kids & trust that I have instilled the proper values in them to make the right choices. But I choose to pray God gives them wisdom beyond their years to let them know when the choice they are about to make isn't in the will of God. I pray that he directs their steps & that they not look side to side but keep their eyes focused forward.

CHRISTmas

2009-12-06T19:55:00.002-05:00

This time of the year both is very joyous for me and drives me nuts!!!

Everyone is SO busy trying to get things ready for Christmas and so worried about what people are calling it that they forget the meaning of Christmas! No, I do not like that they are calling it "Happy Holidays" or a "Holiday Tree" but I also think that we as Christians are supposed to be witnesses buy our actions. While, it is a sad thing we do not have to get in such an uproar over it. We need to just carry on with CHRISTmas as we know it.

The birth of Jesus, our Savior.

I was so overwhelmed when my kids told me they wanted to take a part of their Christmas money and support a child through World Vision, and not to just start the support but to pay for a year upfront. That is 360.00, which is most of their Christmas to be honest. We have support a child through World Vision before. We will sit down as a family and pick a child to support from Africa, because most of you that know me know that I have a heart for Africa.

I hope you all stop and take the time to read the CHRISTmas story this year as a family and spend some time thanking God for His ultimate sacrifice!!

He lives within you

2009-12-03T06:07:00.000-05:00

He Lives Within You

by Max Lucado

The virgin birth is more, much more, than a Christmas story; it is a picture of how close Christ will come to you. The first stop on his itinerary was a womb. Where will God go to touch the world? Look deep within Mary for an answer.
Better still, look deep within yourself. What he did with Mary, he offers to us! He issues a Mary-level invitation to all his children. "If you'll let me, I'll move in!"
Proliferating throughout the scriptures is a preposition that leaves no doubt- the preposition in. Jesus lives in his children.

John was clear, "Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them" (I John 3:24 NIV, emphasis mine).

Christ grew in Mary until he had to come out. Christ will grow in you until the same occurs. He will come out in your speech, in your actions, in your decisions. Every place you live will be a Bethlehem, and every day you live will be a Christmas. You, like Mary, will deliver Christ into the world.

God in us! Have we sounded the depth of this promise?
God was with Adam and Eve. God was with Abraham. God was with Moses and the children of Israel. God was with the apostles.

But he is in you. You are a modern-day Mary. Even more so. He was a fetus in her, but he is a force in you. He will do what you cannot.

What's in a name?

2009-12-01T08:01:00.000-05:00

I had to laugh last night at our Crazy Love study when I asked someone to mark where we left off at so we know where to start at next time. My sister said "Malachi" only she pronounced it Ma-locsh-i. I laughed, & said what?? She said someone had once said it that way. So that got us talking about the "big" words in the Bible.

What do you do when you come across a name you can't pronounce? Andi said she will call them Mr. M (if it was Malachi for instance). I've heard people say so & so. I've also heard people call them by a very common name like Fred. I know for me if I just skim by the name the passage looses something. The names make it personal & are there for a reason! I often hear radio segments where the speakers pronounce names different than what I do & sometimes I have to really think about what they said.

We get so used to things being OUR way that we sometimes don't realize that OUR way may just not be the right way! Well, darn it. I don't know about you but I like things my way. Sometimes a little too much I do believe! That's been a hard struggle for me in waiting on God's timing cause I want it when I want it & how I want it, by golly! But I am learning to "Be still & know that He is God" & although I'd sometimes like to know the plans for me, I trust him to work whatever HE needs to through me!

Jeremy Riddle - Sweetly Broken / Lyrics

2009-11-28T09:30:00.001-05:00

Sweetly Broken lyrics

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it's suffering I do drink
Of it's work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

Chorus:

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

2009-11-25T10:43:00.000-05:00

7 ways to interrupt the flow of Joy from your heart:

1. Doubt

2. Selfishness

3. Worldleness

4. Critical Spirit
- bitter, negativity

5. Impatience

6. Apothy
- coldness, lukewarmness

7. Rebellion

2009-11-24T05:53:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been a very eventful week or so. I knew that Aimee's senior year would be packed full of "stuff", but I never predicted it would be surgery.

Poor girl. Most everyone knows that she has had problems with her shoulder. It has, now, dislocated 3 times. The latest in her basketball game this past Friday against Loogootee. When I heard her scream I knew THAT scream. I'd heard it before. I knew her shoulder was out. The concerning thing to me was that she was wearing her Sully Brace, & didn't really overextend her arm & it popped out again. The first thing in her mind were the words Dr. Love had spoken last year when she partially dislocated it. "Next time it happens you will need surgery".

I am thankful that Will Walker was there at the game Friday. The first one, he said, that he has been to in 10 years. He is the nurse practitoner that she sees at Norris & Love's office more than Dr. Love actually. He came down to the trainer room after Ed & Andy Burkhardt carried her off the floor. He got her Sully Brace off, looked at it & popped it back in. Now the last time she had to have this done it was at Salem Hospital when she was 14. They gave her an IV & pain meds & had her sit for about 30 minutes before they would put it back in place. Will called in some pain meds for her & told us to come to the office on Monday.

As bad as it was when she was 14 to have her mom dress her, fix her hair, & other things that she would rather me not discuss I'm sure. It's probably much worse as an 18 year old. The good thing for me is she slept with me, which put Ed on the couch but, I loved it!

We were in the doctor office yesterday for about 4 hours. Will came in & saw us & then said "I didn't want to tell you this Friday night but I had never put one back in". Aimee & I just laughed & told him how thankful we are that he was there. Dr. Love came in, didn't even examine her, sat down & said well here we are again. Then he reminded us of what he had said last year. He said xrays won't do good at this point but said he wanted a MRI done & said surgery is what he recommends, as soon as next week. We were expecting that but the next part we weren't. He said that at 3 months her arm would be starting to feel better but that 6 months is the target date to be fully released. I saw her mentally adding up the months, when she turned to me & said but that's June... What about softball? It broke my heart, missing her senior year of basketball was bad but softball was devastating to her. She had the MRI at 1230, we will know final information of what exactly they plan to do by noon tomorrow if not before.

While this is a blow to her, she also knows it's best to fix it now. We are so blessed with friends & family that stopped what they were doing to pray & offer assistance. Friday night Andy Burkhardt, Jason Hennette, & Sandy Hovis jumped right in & helped & for that we are thankful. So many others offered help & said prayers, for that we are truly thankful. She has a long road ahead of her but we will make it through.

Tonight I plan on spending some time with Cole, as he has been some neglected in the past few days!!

You're the man!!

2009-11-20T10:55:00.000-05:00

What do you think of when you hear "you're the man" today? Probably that someone did something good or just made the winning basket or what not. But I want to look at what it meant in 2 Samuel.

2 Samuel 12
(New International Version)

Nathan Rebukes David

1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4 "Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him." 5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity." 7 Then Nathan said to David, "YOU ARE THE MAN,This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.' 11 "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' " 13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die." 15 After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, "While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate." 19 David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked."Yes," they replied, "he is dead." 20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21 His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!" 22 He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' 23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." 24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; 25 and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

Nathan was sent by God to David. He tells him a story & what does David do? He gets angry with the title subject in the story. When Nathan says to him "you're the man".

OUCH!!

Has this ever happened to you? Some injustice gets you worked up only to have God say to you "you're the man". I dare say we all have at one time or another. BUT the story goes on. David doesn't just wallow in his sin he gets up & goes on. He is forgiven from God as we see. I like to read the Psalms because there is such anguish, such true to life crying out to God for strenght beyond ourselves but there is also hope in the Psalms.

Take some time to read this story & also go to Psalms 51 & read what David wrote. Talk to God today, he's a great listener!!

Pursue the Virtue of Contentment

2009-11-19T14:45:00.001-05:00

Pursue the Virtue of Contentment
by Max Lucado

A businessman bought popcorn from an old street vendor each day after lunch. He once arrived to find the peddler closing up his stand at noon. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

A smile wrinkled the seller’s leathery face. “By no means. All is well.”

“Then why are you closing your popcorn stand?”

“So I can go to my house, sit on my porch, and sip tea with my wife.”

The man of commerce objected. “But the day is still young. You can still sell.”

“No need to,” the stand owner replied. “I’ve made enough money for today.”

“Enough? Absurd. You should keep working.”

The spry old man stopped and stared at his well-dressed visitor. “And why should I keep working?”

“To sell more popcorn.”

“And why sell more popcorn?”

“Because the more popcorn you sell, the more money you make. The more money you make, the richer you are. The richer you are, the more popcorn stands you can buy. The more popcorn stands you buy, the more peddlers sell your product, and the richer you become. And when you have enough, you can stop working, sell your popcorn stands, stay home, and sit on the porch with your wife and drink tea.”

The popcorn man smiled. “I can do that today. I guess I have enough.”

Wise was the one who wrote, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income” (Eccles. 5:10 NIV).

Don’t heed greed.

Greed makes a poor job counselor.

Greed has a growling stomach. Feed it, and you risk more than budget-busting debt. You risk losing purpose. Greed can seduce you out of your sweet spot.

Before you change your job title, examine your perspective toward life. Success is not defined by position or pay scale but by this: doing the most what you do the best.

Parents, give that counsel to your kids. Tell them to do what they love to do so well that someone pays them to do it.

Spouses, urge your mate to choose satisfaction over salary. Better to be married to a happy person who has a thin wallet than a miserable person with a thick one. Besides, “a pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life” (Prov. 13:7 MSG).

Pursue the virtue of contentment. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6 NIV). When choosing or changing jobs, be careful. Consult your design. Consult your Designer. But never consult your greed.

From Cure for the Common Life
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2006) Max Lucado

Safeguards

2009-11-17T11:25:00.000-05:00

Remember back in the old days when castles had moats with fire breathing dragons???

Well, maybe you don't really remember but use your imagination here.

How about large 4 legged animals to "guard" our homes?

What safeguards do you use to guard your heart?? We've been talking a lot lately in the Ya Ya's about Love... Crazy Love to be exact. We've talked about taking our thoughts captive daily to help "safeguard" our hearts.

Also surrounding yourself with Christian friends. Although I caution you on this one because we tend to get in our little groups where everything is all fine & aren't we sweet with our dress on & our patent leather shoes... Man that was a memory from my childhood BUT I digress. We all too often get in our little groups & a few things happen:

1. We want to pretend everything in our life is just so great, nothing goes wrong. It's all roses etc... I challange you to find people with whom you can be completely honest with even if it scares you to death to be that honest cause when you find that group there won't be judgemental attitudes but love.

2. We don't reach out to others. We are in our little group of Christian friends & it's all warm & cozy so we forget about that part in the Bible where Jesus COMMANDS us to Go, to all nations preaching the good news. It's scary to put yourself out there but it wasn't a suggestion. It was a commandment!

Another way to safeguard yourself is to listen to Christian radio throughout your day. Or Christina CDs etc... This has been a big help in my daily walk.

What safeguards are you taking to guard your heart & mind??

The Blindside

2009-11-14T20:09:00.003-05:00

I cannot wait to see this movie!! These types of true stories touch my heart in a big way.

Michael Jerome Oher (born Michael Jerome Williams Jr. on May 28, 1986) is an American professional football player for the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football at, and graduated from, the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). His life prior to college is the subject of Michael Lewis's 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, and a movie titled The Blind Side, scheduled to be released on November 20, 2009.

High school career
Michael Oher played football in his freshman year at a Memphis public school, but didn't play football again until his junior year at Briarcrest Christian School. His senior year, he took over at left tackle. In 2004, Oher was ranked the No. 1 offensive line prospect in high school, and it was also said that "Michael Oher's ability and his body — the only thing you could compare it to was Orlando Pace's."

College career
After receiving scholarship offers from the University of Tennessee, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama, and North Carolina State University, among others, Oher ultimately decided to attend the University of Mississippi, the alma mater of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, with whom he was living at the time. His decision was not without controversy. The National Collegiate Athletic Association suspected that the Tuohys had taken Oher in and added him to their will in order to secure his services as a player for their school, but an investigation did not affect his eligibility. Oher's high school coach Hugh Freeze also created the appearance of possible impropriety by taking a job as UM's assistant athletic director for external affairs twenty days after Oher signed a letter of intent with the school. Freeze claimed that the offer was not an example of quid pro quo for encouraging Oher to attend Mississippi, but rather the result of a pre-existing relationship with Mississippi offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. The NCAA later ruled that Freeze had committed secondary violations by contacting Memphis-area prospects on behalf of the school before he had officially become an employee.

Oher started in 10 games as a guard during his first season with Mississippi, becoming a first-team freshman All American. He shifted to the position of left tackle for the 2006 season, and was named to a variety of preseason All-Conference and All-American teams. He was named a second-team SEC offensive lineman after his sophomore season and a first-team SEC offensive lineman after his junior season.

On January 14, 2008, Oher declared that he would be entering the 2008 NFL Draft. However, two days later, he announced his withdrawal from the draft to return to Ole Miss for his senior season.

After the 2008-2009 college football season, Oher was selected to the AP All-American first team.

Professional career
2009 NFL Draft
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Oher in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Oher was the 23rd pick in the first round, a pick Baltimore received from the New England Patriots in exchange for the Ravens' 1st and 5th round picks. The Tuohy family was there to witness the moment.

(* represents NFL Combine)

Baltimore Ravens
On April 26, 2009, he was assigned the #74 jersey, which was his jersey number at Ole Miss. On July 30, 2009 he signed a 5 year, $13.8 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He started the 2009 season at right tackle, but was moved to left tackle after an injury to line-mate Jared Gaither. In week eight, he returned to right tackle. He currently has a listed height of 6'4" and a listed weight of 310 pounds. His 40 yard dash time is 5.32 seconds. Oher has thus far started every game for the Ravens this season.

Personal life
Oher was born to Denise Oher, who suffered an addiction to crack cocaine. As a result, he received little constructive attention during his formative years. He repeated both first grade and second grade, and attended eleven different schools during his first nine years as a student. He also alternated between time spent in various foster homes and periods with no fixed address until he was sixteen years old. Oher's estranged father was murdered while Oher was a senior in high school.

Oher applied for admission to a private school, Briarcrest Christian School, at the instigation of acquaintance Tony Henderson, with whom he was staying temporarily. Henderson was sending his son to the school in order to fulfill the dying wish of the boy's grandmother, and he decided that Oher might as well come along. Although the school's football coach was interested in Oher, school administrators did not feel that he was capable of handling the school's academic workload due to his scant educational background; however, he was admitted after he attempted to qualify for admission through a home-study program that removed him from the public education system.

A couple with a daughter at the school, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, allowed Oher to move in with them and began taking care of his needs after becoming familiar with his difficult personal circumstances. They also connected him with a tutor, who worked with him for twenty hours a week. He eventually brought his 0.9 grade point average up to 2.65. Later, the Tuohy family adopted him.

What do you smell like?

2009-11-14T08:19:00.001-05:00

Heard this today and thought it was SO good. Had to share!

What Do You Smell Like?

What do you smell like right now? That may sound like an inappropriate question, but did you know that the Bible tells us how we should smell.

Our sense of smell is given to us by God, and is in large part for our pleasure, to allow us to enjoy the many beautiful fragrances all around us. How much duller life would be if we couldn't smell!

Have you ever noticed that aromas and fragrances were evidently very important to God? In the law given to Moses, he established sacrifices that were to give a pleasing smell and aroma. He gave the formula for the incense to be burned on his altar, a unique aroma that was never to be used for any other purpose.

There's a very interesting passage in
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 about aromas:

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

You know, perfumes are distinguishable. You can recognize one from another pretty easily. I wear a certain brand, and quite often someone will identify it. They know the smell; it's distinctive. Well, we note in this passage that those of us who are believers also give off an aroma. God intended for us to be fragrant people, with a distinctive smell that can be identified.

You want to know the name of this Christian perfume? It's The Knowledge of Jesus Christ. When you wear this fragrance, it will be recognized. We are to spread everywhere the fragrance that we know Jesus, that he has impacted our lives and as a result, we're different. That he has top priority in our lives.

Are you spreading this fragrance everywhere you go? "Everywhere" has to include our jobs, our homes, our community, our social engagements. Some Christians like to put on their knowledge of Jesus Christ perfume on Sundays, but prefer not to wear it during the week. Obviously God intended for us to smell like his children all the time.

How well I remember, quite a few years ago now before I was walking with the Lord in obedience, when I was painfully reminded that I didn't smell like a Christian. A co-worker and I were chatting one day, and I mentioned that I went to church. He looked at me and said, "Yeah?" I went on to explain that I always went to church and it was an important part of my life. "Gee, Mary," he said, "that really surprises me. I never knew you were religious."

It was like a convicting dagger to my heart, because what he was saying to me was, "You don't act like I'd expect a real dedicated Christian to act." Of course he was right. I was not spreading everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Sadly many Christians are in that same boat.

Things are a little different now, thank God. For years I taught public seminars across the country on business topics, and quite often one of the attenders would approach me cautiously, with a questioning look on his or her face, and say something like, "You're a Christian, aren't you?" They smelled the aroma of Jesus Christ, and recognized it because they wore the same perfume. And we immediately shared our mutual love for the Lord and felt that special closeness because we wore the same perfume, the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It's exciting when that happens.

Do people ever smell the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ on you? Even the strangers you meet for brief moments should be able to detect from your face and your manner that there's something unusual about you. God's been convicting me that often I lose that wonderful aroma of Jesus Christ when I'm dealing with strangers. I need to take time to spread that good aroma through smiles and kind words, going out of my way a little bit to help someone else.

There are many ways we can spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and those of us who go out to a working world everyday have a wonderful opportunity to smell like Jesus because we're there, working closely with people who don't know Jesus personally. Our lives should carry his beautiful aroma to those people we rub shoulders with day in and day out. Ask yourself if you smell like Jesus today.

However, note that the passage says that the aroma of Jesus Christ has different effects on different people. To those who know Christ or are searching to know the truth, it is the aroma of life. But to those who are perishing and who have no desire to live any other way, it is the aroma of death. The fragrance of Jesus Christ will attract some people, and it will repel others.

Now, Paul tells us that God has purposely placed us with this distinctive smell among two kinds of people: those who are being saved and those who are perishing, knowing full well that our aroma would attract one group and repel the other. That shouldn't surprise us because, as we read in this passage, "we are to God the aroma of Christ" among these people. What aroma did Christ have? For some people he was the aroma of life; and for others the aroma of death.

To the man possessed of a legion of demons, bound by chains, naked and mad, Jesus was the aroma of life as he delivered him from his bondage. To Zacchaeus, a notorious sinner sitting in a tree, Jesus smelled like life, and he followed him. To Mary Magdalene, delivered from seven demons, Jesus was the fragrance of life, the first life she'd ever known. To Peter, who left his smelly fishing boat to follow Jesus, he was the sweetest smell in the world.

But the religious leaders found Jesus' aroma quite intolerable. They hated his fragrance. To them it was the smell of death, because Jesus threatened their authority, their influence, their livelihood. He forced them to look inside and see what they were really like—dead men's bones and everything unclean—and they hated his aroma. They wanted to destroy him. It made them most uncomfortable.

I remember a business assignment, which put me for a short period of time in the company of two individuals who were not Christians. That experience sharply reminded me that when we wear the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, it will have different effects on different people.

One of these two individuals had a seeking heart. She liked the aroma of Jesus Christ that she sensed in me. She asked me questions, wanted to stay in touch, admired the peace I have. I wrote to her several times, we talked on the phone and met for lunch. I think she is one of those who Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 2:15 as one who is "being saved," that is, one who wants to know truth and will accept it when she hears it.

It was a delight to spend a little time with her. I was excited to get to know her and to realize that God had brought our paths together.

However, the other person with whom I spent a couple of days had a different reaction. She quickly found me a bit intolerable and our time together was not terribly comfortable. I believe that I treated her with kindness and hopefully with gentleness, but if you're wearing the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, there's no way you can spend two days with a person and cover up the aroma! It is a strong fragrance; you can't just ignore it. Some of the things I shared with her as to my own experience and beliefs made her most uneasy. I think she was quite glad when our two days together ended.

The first encounter made me feel real good, but I didn't feel good about the second one. Why had she reacted to me that way? What did I do wrong? In rethinking that experience, I couldn't nail myself for anything inappropriate. Finally, I had to realize that for this person, the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ was the fragrance of death.

If you are wearing the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, you will have these opposite reactions from people, depending upon whether they're looking for truth, or whether they prefer to stay in their darkness. So, when you feel rejected by others because of your faith in Jesus, don't assume guilt or take it personally until you check it out with the Lord.

What may be happening—what often happens—is that they just don't like the aroma of Jesus Christ. It makes them uncomfortable because it convicts them inwardly. Therefore, they may react negatively to you, when actually what they're truly reacting to is the fragrance of Jesus Christ which they smell on you.

Now, we have to be very careful that we're not spreading another fragrance and calling it "The Knowledge of Jesus Christ." Sometimes we excuse ourselves by saying that people don't like us because we're Christians, when actually what they're reacting to is another smell, one that isn't Christ-honoring, one that is a result of our self-life and our lack of compassion and love for others.

That's why it's important that we examine carefully the negative responses to our fragrance, and make sure we are not being unnecessarily offensive or combative. The fragrance of The Knowledge of Jesus Christ doesn't pick fights; and it is always kind, even when direct.

How do you wear the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ? It comes by spending time in his presence and "putting him on" each day, just as you do your perfume. It happens automatically when you get to know him.

How well do you know him? How much time do you spend getting to know him? If that's not a high priority in your life, then the aroma you are spreading is likely not the aroma of Jesus Christ. If we're not in our worlds, smelling like Christians who know Jesus Christ, then we fail those around us who are searching for truth. God has placed us among these people for the purpose of smelling like Christ to them. If we don't do that in our worlds, who will?

And remember, God has a sense of smell, too. What do you smell like to God? His nostrils are totally accurate; you can't fool Him. He sees underneath the words you say and he smells the aroma you give off. Are you a sweet-smelling fragrance to God? Does your life bring honor to his name so that he likes what he smells? If you're wearing the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, you can rest assured that he's pleased and satisfied with your aroma.

Well, what do you smell like? It's a good question, and one we should be asking ourselves everyday, before we head out into our worlds. You know, friends, this old world isn't here for long. And we will face God some day to give an account of how we spent our brief time while we're here. Don't let the world shove you into its mold and force you to wear its perfume. Use the opportunities God is giving you today to spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Those opportunities will never come your way again. Don't blow them.

Alone time

2009-11-13T14:31:00.003-05:00

I've been real bad about working my gate in the mornings then going to get lost at work. Let's just say not everyone that I work with are very caring, jovial people, or let's be honest only a very few are!

So, in order to keep my sanity (and their heads from being bit off) I have, for a while now, just kinda gotten lost. My work days are my time with God really. I have OCD horribly and I have a routine I like to follow. I know what programs are on when that I enjoy listening to on 88.1 or 88.7 and I don't like to be interrupted.

Ole' Francis Chan has really been shaking me up lately though and I have felt convicted about not making myself more available. So, today I ventured out of my comfort zone and had lunch with a few of the guys. I must say while trying as it may have been it was actually nice. We talked, laughed and just enjoyed each other's company.

They all know my stance on spiritual matters and sometimes we get into really good "Jesus" conversations. I dare say I will get out of the woods and make myself more open a little more!

Exhalt God always!

2009-11-11T07:21:00.000-05:00

Psalm 34 (New International Version)

Psalm 34 Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the LORD at all times;his praise will always be on my lips.

2 My soul will boast in the LORD;let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him

What do you do when fears come? Do you bury your head in the sand? Or do you put your eyes on Jesus?

As my commentary says: God promises great blessings to His people, but many of these blessings require active participation. He will deliver us from fear (34:4), save us out of our troubles (34:6), guard & deliver us (34:7), show us goodness (34:8), supply our needs (34:9), listen when we talk to him (34:15), & redeem us (34:22), but we must do our part. We can appropriate His blessings when we seek him (34:4, 10), cry out to Him (34:6, 17), trust Him (34:8), fear Him (34:7, 9), refrain from lying (34:13), turn from evil, do good & seek peace (34:14), are humble (34:18), & serve Him (34:22).

Are you doing your part??

2009-11-10T16:43:00.002-05:00

I wish I had some words of wisdom to give to you but I do not.

It seems more and more I get "blogger's block". I have been down in my back since Saturday, I went back to work today. Still not pain free, but I could walk so that is a plus. I am a VERY independent person, so it's hard for me to ask Ed to help me bathe, get dressed and pick up things I may have dropped on the floor. My family has been more than good at helping out where needed. It's also very nice having a chiropractor in the family. Although I have noticed we tend to have some pretty strange conversations.

Anyway, I am up and moving today thanks to Mikey and Susan. Still in pain but slowly it's getting better.

I can't believe basketball season is among us. Aimee's first game is this Thursday and Cole has his first scrimmage next Thursday. My babies are growing up!!

2009-11-05T08:55:00.001-05:00

Got this devotional from my Mom. Wanted to pass it on!

A Sacred Interruption
By Leslie Snyder

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Twentieth century theologian and philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr penned the following prayer, now commonly referred to as “The Serenity Prayer.”

It reads:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.
Amen

Most people are familiar with the first four lines of this prayer as it has been made into wall hangings, bookmarks, prayer cards and other Christian resources. However, most are unfamiliar with the second stanza, which seems to carry the fuller meaning of the prayer. In a hurried world in which we keep a breathless pace, it feels almost sinful to stop and rest. Every day advertisers plead with us to purchase “security” for our futures. Investors encourage us to plan for our retirement and our children’s education. Every day, thousands of hardworking employees are “downsized” or let go, resulting in chaos, instability and loss of confidence. How then are we to experience this type of “serenity” when our world seems out of control? Psalm 46:10 reads, “Be still and know that I am God.”A popular bumper sticker says it this way, “I know God and you ain’t Him!” So often we attempt to orchestrate our lives in such a way that there is no room for God to interrupt with His own plans. When we follow this prayer, we create some margin, some sacred space for God to penetrate our over-scheduled, busy, restless lives. As you look over your calendar today, is there room for God to “interrupt”? The Scriptures declare, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

GOING DEEPER:
1. What can I cut from my schedule today to allow for God to interrupt?

2. Am I open to the sacred interruptions God brings my way?

Sidewalk Prophets "The Words I Would Say" w/ LYRICS

2009-11-04T16:41:00.001-05:00

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,

The scum dog chronicles

2009-11-04T11:16:00.000-05:00

Today I laugh in the face of fear!

Man, that sounds like such a bold statement. But the past couple of days I couldn't have said that. I'm amazed at how the ole scum dog (satan) works. Why do I still say that. He knows right where to get us at & he will pull out all strings.

Today I come boldly before the throne of God & thank Him for who HE is. I thank Him that he's spoken for my heart. Today, I say the devil will not rule in my life.

I'm getting better at that whole "counting it all Joy" stuff that Tami always talks about. I'm learning that I can do ALL things through Christ. But I'm also learning that trials can also knock me on my butt faster than anything if I let them.

The ironic thing is that God works it for good because I have really great friends who are there for me through anything. That being said, I'm also thankful to have those friends who have the same issues that I do. It helps encourage us. Today, I'm in a role reversal with a dear friend of mine. We just seemed to have switched places from where I was the last couple of days. God is good though!

So, today I'm jacked up on Jesus like a kid on Mountain Dew =)

2009-11-03T16:04:00.000-05:00

I promise to get inspired to write soon!!

Who loves ya baby??

2009-11-01T14:37:00.002-05:00

God does that's who!!

So, why is it that we don't really get that?? For me, I've always known in my head that God loved me but I'm not sure I really got it in my heart.

Why?

Because all we have to base "love" on is our earthly relationships. Earthly relationships aren't perfect but God's love is..... Earthly relationships will always in some way or another let us down.... God's love will not!

Love, which patient, kind, does not envy or boast, is not proud or rude, is not self-seeking or easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. This consummate Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres and never fails. (1 Cor 13:4-8)

After reading that verse no wonder we can't fathom God's love for us. I love my family but I am often not patient, kind and I am rude for sure. BUT God loves me and my family more than I can ever imagine!!!

So, who loves ya baby???

2009-10-29T06:22:00.000-04:00

Unfailing Love
by Max Lucado

“Love,” Paul says, “never fails” (1 Cor. 13:8 NIV).

The verb Paul uses for the word fail is used elsewhere to describe the demise of a flower as it falls to the ground, withers, and decays. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment.

God’s love, says the apostle, will never fall to the ground, wither, and decay. By its nature, it is permanent. It is never abolished.Love “will last forever” (NLT).

It “never dies” (MSG).

It “never ends” (RSV).

Love “is eternal” (TEV).

God’s love “will never come to an end” (NEB).

Love never fails.

Governments will fail, but God’s love will last. Crowns are temporary, but love is eternal. Your money will run out, but his love never will.

How could God have a love like this? No one has unfailing love. No person can love with perfection. You’re right. No person can. But God is not a person. Unlike our love, his never fails. His love is immensely different from ours.

Our love depends on the receiver of the love. Let a thousand people pass before us, and we will not feel the same about each. Our love will be regulated by their appearance, by their personalities. Even when we find a few people we like, our feelings will fluctuate. How they treat us will affect how we love them. The receiver regulates our love.

Not so with the love of God. We have no thermostatic impact on his love for us. The love of God is born from within him, not from what he finds in us. His love is uncaused and spontaneous.

Does he love us because of our goodness? Because of our kindness? Because of our great faith? No, he loves us because of his goodness, kindness, and great faith. John says it like this: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us” (1 John 4:10 NIV).

Doesn’t this thought comfort you? God’s love does not hinge on yours. The abundance of your love does not increase his. The lack of your love does not diminish his. Your goodness does not enhance his love, nor does your weakness dilute it. What Moses said to Israel is what God says to us:The LORD did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! It was simply because the LORD loves you. (Deut. 7:7–8 NLT)

God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.He loves you when you don’t feel lovely.

He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you. Always. No matter what.

This is his sentiment: “I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved” (Rom. 9:25 MSG).

This is his promise. “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” (Jer. 31:3 NLT).

From A Love Worth Giving

Weekend over...

2009-10-25T15:30:00.003-04:00

Doesn't it seem like the weekends just fly by?!?!?

It's 3:30 on Sunday and we are just getting settled in. Sectional was yesterday, we lost our game to Barr Reeve but I think they played well considering they were playing the #1 team in the state! We ended the season 19-7, which is the best season for many, many years now. Basketball season here we come!! This is my favorite sport season, I LOVE basketball. Love to watch my kids, UK and most any college basketball. hard to believe Aimee's senior year is flying by!! Which also means Cole's freshman year is flying too!!

Wednesday we go to Hanover to meet with Aimee's counselor as well as the softball coach. We are interested to see what all we learn then!! Hanover is a beautiful campus. I am looking forward to seeing it this time of year!

Last night we had a Sunday School dinner with all the other classes, it was so nice! Today we had the Pastor appreciation dinner, the turnout was great. Pam, our youth leader along with Dianna (another youth helper) presented pastor with a prayer shawl, it was beautiful. The youth also wrote essays on a lesson out of the Crazy Love study. It was titled "What will I do with my life before me". I was very proud of Aimee and Cole for what they wrote and how they presented it.

Ed and I went to do laundry and now we are settled in. I already have my jammies on and I plan on not doing much the rest of the evening. This week our Crazy Love lesson is on "Not being lukewarm" and let me tell you, it convicted me. This lesson was the turning point in the book so far for me. It really makes you think. I always look forward to our grouping with the Ya Ya's, not so sure about leading this study but there seems to be ample sharing at this point. I hope for more to step out and share.

Have a great week ahead!!

2009-10-23T07:56:00.000-04:00

When You Are Low on Hope

by Max Lucado

Water. All Noah can see is water. The evening sun sinks into it. The clouds are reflected in it. His boat is surrounded by it.

Water.

Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the west.

Water.

He sent a raven on a scouting mission; it never returned. He sent a dove. It came back shivering and spent, having found no place to roost. Then, just this morning, he tried again. With a prayer he let it go and watched until the bird was no bigger than a speck on a window. All day he looked for the dove’s return. Now the sun is setting, and the sky is darkening, and he has come to look one final time, but all he sees is water.

Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the …You know the feeling. You have stood where Noah stood. You’ve known your share of floods. Flooded by sorrow at the cemetery, stress at the office, anger at the disability in your body or the inability of your spouse.

You’ve seen the floodwater rise, and you’ve likely seen the sun set on your hopes as well. You’ve been on Noah’s boat.And you’ve needed what Noah needed; you’ve needed some hope. You’re not asking for a helicopter rescue, but the sound of one would be nice.

Hope doesn’t promise an instant solution but rather the possibility of an eventual one. Sometimes all we need is a little hope.

That’s all Noah needed. And that’s all Noah received. Here is how the Bible describes the moment: “When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf!” (Gen. 8:11 NIV).

An olive leaf. Noah would have been happy to have the bird but to have the leaf! This leaf was more than foliage; this was promise. The bird brought more than a piece of a tree; it brought hope. For isn’t that what hope is? Hope is an olive leaf—evidence of dry land after a flood. Proof to the dreamer that dreaming is worth the risk. Don’t we love the olive leaves of life?

“It appears the cancer may be in remission.”

“I can help you with those finances.”

“We’ll get through this together.”

What’s more, don’t we love the doves that bring them? Perhaps that’s the reason so many loved Jesus.

To all the Noahs of the world, to all who search the horizon for a fleck of hope, he proclaims, “Yes!” And he comes. He comes as a dove. He comes bearing fruit from a distant land, from our future home. He comes with a leaf of hope.

Have you received yours? Don’t think your ark is too isolated. Don’t think your flood is too wide.

Receive his hope, won’t you? Receive it because you need it. Receive it so you can share it. Love always hopes. “Love … bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:4–7 NKJV, emphasis mine).

From A Love Worth Giving

2009-10-22T14:27:00.001-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tuesday Tunes

2009-10-20T16:02:00.001-04:00

From the corner of my eye
There's a tear I'm trying to cry
But the feeling can't be found

Like a note thrills in a song
When I play it again, it's gone
Cuz it was never in the sound

And it keeps me wanting
That mysterious thing
Like a night is waiting for a dawn

Every prayer I say (a little closer)
To my resting place (a little closer)
Where my final breath
is the beginning
To never needing
And I will find my last Amen

I could swear I have two hearts
[ Downhere Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
One to stay, one to depart
This sad, tragic kingdom

And it burns me down to the core
Because I know
there's so much more
It's just a pale reflection

And it keeps me wanting
That mysterious thing
Like an outcast waiting to belong

And while the thrills are fading
The joy is in the waiting
Somewhere in the grand design
It's good to be unsatisfied
It keeps the faith and hope
a little more alive

Happy Birthday Ed!!

2009-10-19T15:09:00.003-04:00

Today is my Ed's birthday!! Words cannot express what a great husband and father he is. I love him for the little things he does for me like; tucking me in every night, changing the oil on my car, listening to me gripe and whine, helping me and babying me when I am sick (and I am NOT a good sick person), being active in our kids life, going to church with me... I could go on and on but just know this: My life wouldn't be near as blessed without him.

2009-10-17T15:10:00.000-04:00

Do for Others What God Does For You by Max Lucado

You and I have the privilege to do for others what God does for us. How do we show people that we believe in them?

Show up. Nothing takes the place of your presence. Letters are nice. Phone calls are special, but being there in the flesh sends a message.

Do you believe in your kids? Then show up. Show up at their games. Show up at their plays. Show up at their recitals. It may not be possible to make each one, but it’s sure worth the effort.

Do you believe in your friends? Then show up. Show up at their graduations and weddings. Spend time with them. You want to bring out the best in someone? Then show up.

Listen up. You don’t have to speak to encourage. The Bible says, “It is best to listen much, speak little” (James 1:19 TLB). We tend to speak much and listen little. There is a time to speak. But there is also a time to be quiet.

That’s what my father did. Dropping a fly ball may not be a big deal to most people, but if you are thirteen years old and have aspirations of the big leagues, it is a big deal. Not only was it my second error of the game, it allowed the winning run to score.I didn’t even go back to the dugout. I turned around in the middle of left field and climbed over the fence. I was halfway home when my dad found me. He didn’t say a word. Just pulled over to the side of the road, leaned across the seat, and opened the passenger door. We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. We both knew the world had come to an end. When we got home, I went straight to my room, and he went straight to the kitchen. Presently he appeared in front of me with cookies and milk. He took a seat on the bed, and we broke bread together. Somewhere in the dunking of the cookies I began to realize that life and my father’s love would go on. In the economy of male adolescence, if you love the guy who drops the ball, then you really love him. My skill as a baseball player didn’t improve, but my confidence in Dad’s love did. Dad never said a word. But he did show up. He did listen up.

To bring out the best in others, do the same, and then, when appropriate:Speak up.

You have the power to change someone’s life simply by the words that you speak. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21 NKJV). That’s why Paul urges you and me to be careful. “When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger” (Eph. 4:29).

Earlier I gave you a test for love. There’s also a test for the tongue. Before you speak, ask: Will what I’m about to say help others become stronger? You have the ability, with your words, to make a person stronger. Your words are to their soul what a vitamin is to their body. If you had food and saw someone starving, would you not share it? If you had water and saw someone dying of thirst, would you not give it? Of course you would. Then won’t you do the same for their hearts? Your words are food and water!

Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged. Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down! Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.

From A Love Worth Giving

God in the beauty shop....

2009-10-16T06:23:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I had a hair appointment, I really enjoy going where I go because the girls are a hoot and we always have a good time. Well yesterday as I was getting my hair "touched up" I felt God nudging me to talk with them about Him. Well I was a little hesitant because I do not know exactly where they are in their walk. I prayed that if this was of Him that he give me an opening....

Well God never lets us down!

Another customer asked my hairdresser how life was treating her and her reply was "wonderful except I wish I was a better Christian". I thought aha BUT I still waited... man I can be so dense at times! A little while later she looked at me and said "I can't quit cussing, I try but I still do it". I said well it sounds like you are aware of it and are trying. We talked a while about that and then she said "Have you heard of Crazy Love"...

I was like YES!! I said as a matter of fact I have, we are doing it in my women's group as well as Sunday school. I said "This book is changing my life... for a while now I have prayed that God would soften me, make me LOVE more and see people through His eyes". As I thought about it I thought after all He has done for me how can I NOT share Him with others. She went on to say that I always have good things on my facebook and she enjoys them. I went on to tell them there are NO perfect Christians but we serve the one perfect God and there is nothing we can do that merits His love, mercy and grace. We talked for a while and I left feeling good about the day.