Stitches

Surprise!! Let's talk about love.

2012-02-13T00:01:00.001-06:00

What do you think of when you hear the word love? I think of many different things! That warm, fuzzy feeling? Chocolate. More chocolate...Fun things. Easy things.

But, the real fact is that love is hard!

Recently, I have been reflecting on how love looks in different relationships.

I first thought about the requirements given to me in regards to loving my children, my spouse, and others. The love chapter quickly shows how challenging real love can be in these relationships. Just insert your name in each place that the word "love" occurs in the following verses, and you will see for yourself what I mean!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

That's hard.

And then I thought about the way that we are supposed to show our love to God. It leaves me asking, "But, where is the chocolate? Where is the FUN??" My flesh balks.

John 14:15
If you love me, keep my commandments.

Why do I suddenly get a case of the "How about I's?"
How about I worship you in song with my best exuberance?? You would know I love you then, right? How about I give my money to the poor? Or, I know, How about I make some sacrifices? Surely, you know I love you if I do that!

Those things are all good of course, but only if we are walking in obedience first.

Why is obedience so hard? Sometimes I think it is a faith issue. We don't really trust that God has our best in mind. Sometimes it is because God is moving us out of a comfort zone and is calling us to do something that we don't want to do.

You can rest assured that overcoming the "crisis of faith" and following in obedience to God's commands will give you far more than just a warm, fuzzy feeling. What is God asking you to do for Him? Step out in obedience. Today is a great day to say, "I love you."

Show Me The Love

2012-02-06T14:12:00.002-06:00

Yep. Valentine's Day is coming.

And I am not a girnormous fan of Valentine's Day. I'm not like... against it... or anything. But it's just so... lovey. So... mushy. So... girly.

(I guess it's a good thing that I have only boys.)

So as I walked through the grocery store the other day and passed by the aisle that was pink, pink, pink, and then a little more pink... I thought, "Okay, God... your whole thing is Love. It's like... You. So why am I so "blah" about this Love Day? I mean, I love my husband and try to show him all the time. Why should there be an entire day just to repeat what all my other days are about?"

Annnnnnnnnd BAM. In typical God fashion He answered through scripture. My mind went immediately to these verses...

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:34-35

Although I might not be Miss Valentines just because I'm not a fan of the holiday, there are a lot of folks out there that don't like Valentine's Day because it hurts. Like…

widows.

Like, my Mamaw. Loved by my Papaw for 60-plus years and then… alone. Alone in a nursing home on the day that we celebrate Love. Alone. And quite possibly feeling UNimportant. UNneeded. UNcelebrated.

UNloved.

So, this year, I think I'm gonna change things up a bit. This year I'm going to celebrate Valentine's with the fervor of a woman trying to show Christ how much I love Him. I'm gonna do Valentine's Day BIG. By showing the UNloved… Love.

So, Mamaw, get your pink on. Cause lady, we're coming on Tuesday geared up with the Love of Christ.

That… and a lot of chocolate!

Little Things

2012-02-02T10:21:00.001-06:00

Memory Verse: "Great is your love toward me." (Psalm 86:13 NIV)

Marty and I met when we were both students at Iowa State University. Being just nineteen years old, I wasn't looking to find the love of my life. Yet, love indeed found me when I met my sweet husband. Since he was putting himself through school, Marty didn't have more than a few pennies to rub together when we first met. So, it was little things that first got my attention and captured my heart. But it was a bouquet of unique flowers pressed from Lucky Charms marshmallows that truly spoke to my heart and showed me that he was "the one'.

It was a cold January day, just after winter classes had begun and I was very sick with bronchitis. Though Marty had little money for extras, he was determined to lavish me with some get well flowers. With loving creativity, he spent a few thoughtful hours creating a unique arrangement not available through any florist. Those flowers, with their simplistic beauty, touched my heart as none ever had before. The vase was a pill cannister that had been covered in black ink from a permanent marker. A green metal paperclip, carefully outstretched, formed the stem. And colorful pastel marshmallows were pushed together into small delicate flowers. That bouqet, hand-made with love, sat on my desk even after the marshmallows had began to shrivel, for they reminded me of Marty's special love for me.

Our Heavenly Father cares about the routines of our daily lives as well, and blesses us richly through "little things". Scripture tells us"The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass." (Isaiah 40:7 NIV) Tenderly, God cares for each of us as part of His glorious creation. Every sunrise and sunset reveal God's Sovereign order. The rains and the snows deliver sustenance to the grass and remind us of God's daily provisions And just as God cares for the flowers and the trees, God takes a special interest in the needs of His children. Let us be reminded that Jesus' great miracles happened in the midst of the daily routines of everyday life. God hasn't changed. For He is still working through routines every day to show us His great love while demonstrating His sovereign power.

If we are mindful, we will notice God is perhaps most present in the routine, though we often minimize his gifts as coincidence. God, aware of our every need, positions us to receive his blessings and experience his love anew each day. And yet there is more for us to grasp as we ponder the power of the seemingly insignificant routines of each day. For, love, powerfully demostrated in routine random kindness, is never squandered by God.

In moments of sickness, sadness, or uncertainty, it is often a small routine act of love that brings healing and hope. All it really costs is a little time and effort, but the effects are powerful and eternal. Today we can all make a lasting difference in the life of someone near by being aware of the significance of "little things" done with great love. It may be a phone call. An e-mail. Or maybe even just an understanding smile during a difficult moment. "Little things" change the world one heart at a time.

When I'm weak...

2012-01-30T11:30:00.001-06:00

I'm really trying my hardest to "unlearn" how to do things lately. It seems like I am hard wired to do things on my own. And that's just not how I want to live anymore.
I've learned (the hard way) that doing things with my own strength is usually just simply overwhelming. And that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" is really the way to go. But how do I do that??? It seems easy, right? Just let go!!!
So, why is it then, that I have a hard time doing it??? Why can't I let go and let God? I KNOW it's the best way!!! Am I over thinking? Or am I not thinking enough?
I think I have found a solution. For now anyway. And if you see me doing it...you may laugh at me. Because it actually requires me talking to myself...out loud. That's right! I said it. I talk to myself. Because it works.
Give it a try! Next time you feel overwhelmed...say out loud..."Give me YOUR strength Lord". Or maybe just recite your favorite verse out loud. Your life will change! I promise!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New Jerusalem

2012-01-25T22:06:00.002-06:00

In the last few weeks, I've been introduced to a song that I cannot get out of my head. The song is by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and it's called New Jerusalem. You can see the words below:

If words could describe

The longing in my heart
For the place prepared for me
When I think of Heaven's glory
Awaiting the redeemed
All within me rises up
At the thought of what will be

How I long for the new Jerusalem
Just to see my Savior's face
All my heart is in Jerusalem
My home my resting place

I've heard that the streets are paved with gold
And the light there never fades
I've heard of treasures to behold
That words could not explain
And the praise of the saints like an ocean
Holy is the Lamb that was slain

No more crying no more pain
Every tear will be wiped away
All suffering on earth will cease
Forevermore at peace
Jerusalem Jerusalem

As I've pondered these words, I've at the same time been studying Thessalonians, and 1 Thessalonians in particular has a theme of "Jesus is coming back!". On top of that, we have been going through the book of Revelation at church on Sunday mornings, which is obviously about the end times and Christ's return. So, 3 different things--all pointing to the end times and Jesus' return....

Whenever God decides to show me a message in more than one way, I know that it's usually time to pay attention. In this instance, it has reminded me that this is not my home. Though I know that, it is so easy to get caught up in the temporal rather than the eternal. This world is hard, but there are still a lot of things I love about it--family, friends, my church, social media, TV shows, music, books, vacation spots....I could go on. The point is, this world can get rather comfortable. It becomes almost easy for me to hope for a long life rather than thinking about my eternal life--and the eternal lives of others. I lose my focus.

Instead of thinking about if my neighbor knows Jesus, I think about the party I'm attending. Instead of focusing on my eternal home with Jesus, I focus on what needs improved on my home on Earth. I think sometimes it's hard to find a balance. We're supposed to be in the world but not of the world. Yet, the world is what we see and hear all day every day. If we're not careful, we lose sight (or at least I do!) of our purpose.

You see, Jesus IS coming back. He wins, and all those who believe in Him get to spend eternity with Him. So, shouldn't I be focusing on that? Shouldn't I want to reach those who don't know Him? I might be the only chance they get to see Jesus. And when I read the words above about seeing my Savior's face, no more crying, no more pain, I do long for the New Jerusalem. I long to see my Jesus....but before I do, I want to make sure that my friends are going to see Him, too.

Do you know Him? If you do, I can't wait to spend eternity praising Him with you! If you aren't sure, I would love to talk with you about my Lord and Savior, Jesus. He is the reason for everything. He can fill that empty longing inside. He can dry your tears. And He is the only one who will never let you down.

How I long for the New Jerusalem....And how I long to be there with every one of you....

Who are you serving?

2012-01-23T08:00:00.001-06:00

There are many people out there that we share our lives with. Some are those we know well - friends that we call on when we need something or need help with our kids or when we are sick or when we are heartbroken or when we have joyful news or when we want to celebrate.
Others are those that we see often and talk to, but they would not be our first phone call when we need to talk - people at church, other parents at school, teachers, neighbors, even church staff members.
Then there are those that you know in passing - grocery clerks, crossing guards, bank tellers, people at church, neighbors. The lists go on and on.
It is easy to serve those we love and are invested in. We are always ready and willing to jump in and help at a moments notice. It is easy to love on them, care for them, do nice things for them. But what about all those other people in your life? How are you serving them? How are you encouraging them?

Paul had a love for people that is beyond comprehension. He had a deep love for people he had never met. He loved and longed to see people he had only met once. He served all of them with all of his being and he encourages us to do the same. He wanted them to know His Lord and Savior and that was his motivating factor.
I Thessalonians 2:9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

I need to learn more from Paul. I want to love others the way he did. I want to be able to encourage others the way he did. God has given me many people to love and nurture. I love to serve and love on those I know, but I want to serve those other people in my life too.

As I strive to serve others, I challenge you to do that same thing. I am searching for ways to encourage and serve others. It could be as simple as writing a note to express your appreciation for what they do. It could be a kind word when it seems to be a hard day. It could be that you make yourself available to change your plans to do something for another person - run an errand, buy them lunch, take them for coffee and be a listening ear. Be listening for God's direction this week.

I John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love His brother also.

Sacrifice ... Such a Scary Word!

2012-01-19T10:10:00.002-06:00

Confession. God has been calling me to do something. Calling. Moving. Prompting. And I’m excited about what He wants me to do. Seriously excited! What a blessing to know God wants you to do something for Him and to see the path He set before you!

But … in order to follow that path, I have to pay a price. I have to walk away from something else that has meant so much to me.

I struggled with this for several weeks. Is it really necessary? Does that really impact my ability to do this work? Can’t I do both? Please, God? And His answer came as clear as ever, “I never accomplish great things without sacrifice.”

And I answered, “Yes, Lord.”

Oh, that scary word! Sacrifice. Do you know that “sacrifice” is mentioned in the Bible around 300 times? A word central to God’s story of love and redemption. Sacrifice.

Dictionary.com defines sacrifice as, “the surrender of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.” Sounds easy enough. Give up something for something better.

Some sacrifices are easy, or at least don’t require much thought. Sacrificing sleep to care for a child. Sacrificing time to help a friend. Sacrificing eating out to save money.

But what about when it is NOT easy? What about when God starts calling, moving, prompting? God asked Noah to build a boat that would take over 100 years to build. God asked Abram to walk away from his home, his comfort, and later He asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. God asked Moses to confront a powerful Pharaoh. The Bible is full of stories of sacrifice, all leading to the ultimate moment when God offered His Son as the Sacrificial Lamb to pay the price for our sins and provide redemption for all who will believe and accept. God doesn’t accomplish GREAT things without SACRIFICE.

Consider this. “Sacrifice” comes from the Latin word sacrificium, meaning “to make holy.” That is my desire, to grow in Christ, to follow and obey, and to be set apart as a precious child of God.

Holy Father, please show me the things that I need to sacrifice. Help me make the sacrifice. Make my sole desire to obey Your call. In Jesus’ Precious Name. Amen.

Hebrews 13:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (ESV)

Women's Coffee House

2012-01-15T20:45:00.003-06:00

I think this sounds like just the thing to chase away those post Christmas blues. You can visit the churches website to register online. Hope to see you there!

Don't Come Down

2012-01-12T06:22:00.005-06:00

I am writing this post because I am the perfect mother, home-keeper, wife, and Christian.
I am the epitome of the Proverbs 31 Woman.
My children are all able to recite the entire bible and were all saved by the time they were one-year-olds.
The toilets in my house are always clean.
I wear a size 2 jeans and just can't seem to gain weight.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Yeah.... no. Not so much.

I am REALLY writing this post because recently I went through this crazy pity party because I wasn't all those things. Ludicrous that any woman should ever fault herself for not living up to some impossible standard, butttttt we do. We do fault ourselves so often for not being this perfect woman that we have built up in our mind.

I mentioned it to my husband one of those nasty rainy days recently when it felt like simply nothing was right with the world and I guess he could tell. Here's a snippet of our conversation:

Hubby: How are you doing?

Me: I just don't know... am I doing a good job at this whole staying home thing? I mean I feel like I'm a decent mother and a decent wife, but Lordy, I'm a horrendous homemaker. And... and... well... and I'm just not used to not being good at something.

Hubby: Well, what do you think is keeping you from being a good homemaker?

Me: Hmmmmmmmm. I just don't feel like I have enough time. And when the crunch time comes down to it and I have to choose... I choose to spend time with our boys. Or sometimes I choose to spend some time for just me. And when I choose those "other" things then the house seems to fall apart.

(My husband then walked over to me and put his hands on my cheeks, got tears in his eyes, and looked deep into my soul)

Hubby: January. You are doing a good work. Do not come down. Every moment of you with our boys is irreplaceable. You are irreplaceable. You are doing a good work. Do not come down.

Needless to say, I think he said more than that but I pretty much turned into a blubbering mess after the first few words.

He is pulling that phrase from Nehemiah 6. Nehemiah is rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem and his enemies want to meet with him and keep sending him messages to come down to some valley so that they can talk to him... they want him to quit building the wall. Nehemiah's response?

"I'm doing a great work; I cannot come down."

Our Enemy so desperately wants us to not spend time with our children. He wants us to ignore our husbands. He wants us to work our hands to the bone and forget to read The Word of God. He wants us to slave away in vain at becoming The Impossible Woman.

The Enemy wants you to stop doing your great work. He wants you to come down.

But I am here to tell you...

"You are doing a great work; do not come down."

His Voice

2012-01-11T12:13:00.002-06:00

Last night my phone rang with a number that I didn't recognize. It listed my town and the number, so I assumed it was someone I knew and answered it. The person immediately started in with, "Hey! You have a minute?" And I immediately went into figure out who I'm talking to because obviously I'm supposed to know mode.

Within a sentence or two, I realized it was a dear friend of mine who was evidently calling from a different phone number than I have in my phone for her. At one point in the conversation I finally said, "Is this your home phone?" and I told her that I hadn't known who it was right away. She answered with, "Oh, sorry. It's me!" For some reason it was funny to me because it was someone whose voice I clearly should recognize--as indicated even in her answer of "It's me!"

As I thought back on it this morning, I thought about when God calls. He doesn't call me up on the phone (at least He never has!), but He certainly calls me. He calls me to obedience, and He speaks clearly if only I'd listen. But, do I know His voice well enough to hear Him? Do I have to think through all the possibilities of who it might be before I realize it's Him, or am I walking closely enough to Him that I can recognize His voice within the first sentence or two?

In John 10:4, it says ...his sheep follow Him because they know His voice. I want to live in such a way that such a thing could be said of me. I want to know His voice.

Lord, I pray that I would take the time to hear Your voice, that I would attune my heart, my mind, my everything to You and that I would hear You when You speak. I want to know Your voice, and I want to follow You with all I say and do.

His Time

2012-01-05T09:55:00.001-06:00

His time is not my time. It's not a fact that I like to submit to on most days, but nevertheless, it is a truth I am learning to accept. Reluctantly.

Most days, in stubborn independence, I try to conquer my challenges in my own strength. For a time. Only to fail. In my striving, I find myself discouraged and bewildered. It is then that I must stop and remember that God is never early or late. And, this part bothers me most of all...I simply do not know His timing.

The truth is, I have had more than one temper tantrum with God about the timing of His plans. Sometimes He seems late. Other times, I feel as though He is early. But the truth is His timing is perfect. So, I surrender to several truths and I cling to them in my seasons of waiting.

I cannot control God, for He alone is sovereign.
I cannot put Him in a box, for He is not limited by my human perspective.
I cannot put limits on His power, for His greatness is beyond my ability to imagine.

All I can do is give my circumstances to Him and believe that He "will make everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) It's a promise that endures even when the events around us seem anything but beautiful.

Right here.
Right now.
In my doubts.
And despite my fears.
God is at work, though my eyes do not always see Him moving. Instead,I am called to trust. Believe. Endure. After all, there is only room for one God in my life, and it is not me.

I consider the road ahead. Unknown twists and turns are before me. There will be days of joy and days of pain. Days of triumph, but also devastation. And in both, I am reminded, that I remain in the center of God's will. Rather than doubt His goodness, I must know my LORD so well that I am not shaken during seasons of shaping. Of molding. Of waiting.

Truly, there is much I shall never understand as He weaves my life into His beautiful plan. And it IS beautiful. It shall all beautiful. In His time.

Sovereign King,
You are ruler of all. Lord of Lords. All-knowing. All-powerful. You are God. Help us to accept your timing and to trust you in all things. When you appear late, help us to remember that we only see part of your picture. In those moments, Father, draw us nearer to your heart and closer to your presence, so that we might lean on you while we wait. We praise you for you are making all things beautiful in your perfect timing.

-Amen

Reflection: What are you waiting for? Do you trust God's timing?

Happy New Year!!! Wishing you lots of...brokenness for 2012!?!?!?

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

Did that title get your attention? Let me explain...
2011 (and 2010 if we are keeping track) hasn't been an easy year for us. It has been trying...and overwhelming...and down right hard more often than I would have liked. And to be honest...I really hope that your 2012 can look a lot like that.
Have I lost it??? Am I wishing bad things on you and yours? Of course not!!! I hope that you can get out of 2012 what we got out of 2011 as painlessly as possible. But, I do hope that you can gain an understanding of what we learned and obtained through these times.
Because when I say that this past year has been rough...I have to follow that up with saying that it has BY FAR been the most amazing, beautiful, blessed year of my life. My husband agrees...and (depending on the day you ask), I'm pretty sure my kids would too. I think that this new way of understanding living started when we traveled to Uganda to adopt our son (October 2010).
It continued as we started the transition to becoming a family of 4. It has continued as we have walked through my almost 5 year old's juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment. Then when my husband fell through a church's ceiling while working (as a firefighter) on a structure fire. Through his surgery and 8 months of rehab - and working a desk position. Through the financial burden that put on us. When we realized that our transition to "normal" life with our son would last far longer than we anticipated due to the things he went through before we got to him. Lots of things have happened...and we have just sort of sailed through. Put our heads down and trudged forward. Didn't always do it right, but for the most part...we have been thankful for it all. With every hard time...there is triumph to celebrate. And we have (again, for the most part...nobody is perfect) chosen to focus on the triumph.
And there have been these incredible moments...that I really can't explain...the kind of moments that make me tear up with joy to think about them. The moments where my son looks up at me (despite his history) and says that he loves me. When my daughter sits in my lap, takes a deep breath, takes her shot like a champ, and shows this pure, brave, proud smile...cause she knows that she. is. amazing. The moment I found out that my husband caught himself with his shoulder and was dangling above church pews...then pulled himself up with ligaments and tendons that were shredded. The moment our friends came together to bless us and help us make ends meet.
I am sharing this with you for a reason. I want you to understand that this life we live isn't easy (who can argue with that???). There are people I know who are going through things right now that I can't imagine going through. They make my year look like a walk in the park...yet they have peace. Sure, they hurt and cry, BUT they know that as long as you KNOW JESUS, everything is going to be OK. In fact, it will be so much better than OK. It will be perfection.
So, what I am really saying is that I hope your hear is filled with HIS peace, HIS joy, and HIS understanding. Not your own. Because HIS love isn't circumstantial. And HE will carry us through every moment of every day of 2012. We need only to be still.

Perfect Peace

2011-12-29T09:59:00.000-06:00

If your life is anything like mine, you've probably spent the last week or two among a lot of family. The holidays usually bring about time with family members who you otherwise might not see on a regular basis. For us, we had my family here, and then, a few days after they left, we headed out of town to spend time with my husband's family. In the last week and a half, we have seen more than twenty family members--though the majority of the time was spend with our parents, siblings, and in-laws.

I can't speak for your family, but in our families, we have a lot of different opinions and viewpoints among us. Some of us are very black and white while others of us see every color of the rainbow; some of us value presents while others value presence. We are a mixed bunch.

However, as I've pondered this time, and as I've talked with a couple other family members about this, I've been reminded of Psalm 133:1 which says, How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!

We aren't all alike--God didn't create us to be cookie cutter versions of each other. He designed us with free will, with differing opinions and varying interests...and yet, He also spoke throughout the Bible about living in unity with one another.

He doesn't say we all need to agree on everything. He doesn't even say we have to like all of the choices someone makes or even like how they treat us. But, He does say in Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

This isn't always easy for me. There are things people do (family or not) that just flat out make me mad. Accusing me of behaving in a way that I wouldn't, not respecting me, treating another member of my family poorly--those things make me a little crazy. I do not like to see injustice, and unfortunately I am quick to feel entitled to "fixing that." But God tells us that justice is His, and I have to trust that He will take care of it. It's not my job to tell others what they've done wrong; I don't need to take matters into my own hands. The God of the Universe is quite capable of handling it, and I know that His ruling is always just and right (as seen through the redeeming grace of Jesus) whereas mine would too often be based on a momentary feeling or hurt.

As you finish out this year, will you focus with me on the unity that God desires? Will you willingly lay aside the hurts others have caused and "turn the other cheek" so that you can be Jesus to your family (and others)? I know it won't be easy,--it will probably be really hard at times--and I know I, for one,will probably mess it up sometimes, but I want to live at peace with others. I want to finish this year the way I want to live out next year--at peace with everyone. Will you join me?

Solid Ground?

2011-12-26T08:00:00.002-06:00

I went this week with my family to our family ranch in west Texas.

We go often this time of year, mostly because it is deer season. My husband and sons LOVE to hunt and be outdoors. It is a fun time - they hunt, we ride four wheelers, the kids run and play outside. When it gets dark, and we are all back inside, we play games.
It is great to get away for a few days from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. We have limited phone access and no internet, so we really do "get away."

This trip brought a couple of challenges as we left to go out there and as we came back.

The morning we were to leave, I woke up with a severe case of vertigo. I had felt it some the night before - the rooms seemed to be spinning as I was laying in bed. It did not subside when I got up, so I made a trip to the Urgent Care clinic. We were headed to an area where it is a bit of a drive back to "civilization" and I didn't want to get out there and have more problems. Luckily, it was diagnosed as a virus and was given some medication in case it got worse. It cleared up by the next day.

The night before we were to leave to come home, it began raining (yay - we have been in such a drought, it is badly needed). What we didn't count on was the mess it would make of the ranch road. We have about a 2 mile drive from the ranch house to the paved road. The kind of "dirt" is a clay like substance. When it got wet, it was like driving on ice. One of our vehicles, pulling a trailer, got stuck several times and it took them 45 minutes to make the 2 mile trip. As we left a little later, it seems like we slid all the way down the road - sometimes the car was travelling down the road sideways.

Both of these events reminded me of how uncertain things in life can be. We often feel like the world is spinning out of control. Or we seem to slip and slid our way through situations. Events can leave us feeling like there is no place to get firm footing.

But I do have a place to stand on solid ground. I do have hope that my world is not out of control.

I am so thankful that Christ came to this earth at Christmas to give me that stability. That even as a baby in a manger, He righted my world.
I pray that you also have this hope and stability. That you know my Saviour that can give you firm footing and help you get back on your feet.

And as you head into 2012, I challenge you to help others find their way in this unstable world.

Happy New Year!

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2011-12-22T08:48:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the music. I confess I am one of those people that starts listening to Christmas music on November 1. Music has always been in my heart. It is part of my heritage, the legacy handed down to me from generations of musicians and singers.

Actually, more accurately, we are loud singers, singing praises to our Lord with all our heart & soul. I have many childhood memories of my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, singing in church or in my grandparents' living room, all with big, booming voices.

As an adult, I always enjoyed returning to my parents' church to hear their choir sing. My dad would stand in the center of the back row, and even over the orchestra I could hear his voice.

I missed going to their Christmas program this year, but my sister went. She shared the same experience, and said, "I don't know if his voice is really that strong and loud or if I just know his voice."

Oh, wow! What a wonderful lesson this Christmas! Do you hear your Father's voice?

In John 10, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd. He says, "The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice," [John 10:2-5 NIV]. He continues, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me," [John 10:14 NIV].

Do you hear Him and know Him? Will you follow?

Do you hear the Holy Child crying in the manger, crying "I am here?"

Do you hear the Angels singing on high, singing "Come and worship?"

Do you hear the boy in the temple, teaching "I am here doing my Father's business?"

Do you hear Jesus on the seaside, calling, "Come and follow?"

Do you hear Him, teaching, "Love one another as I have loved you?"

Do you hear Christ on the cross, praying, "Father, forgive them?"

Do you hear Jesus on the mountain top, charging, "Go and teach others?"

Over the orchestra, over the music, over all the noise and busy-ness and craziness of this Christmas season, take a minute to stop and listen. Hear God's voice. Hear Him and Know Him.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Stitches! Thank you for joining us in the journey with God. May your Christmas be rich with God's blessings and love.

Bread and Stones

2011-12-19T07:09:00.004-06:00

Here in the Herod house we celebrate Christmas with many traditions. We have some unique ones! We eat Swedish Pancakes, eat Pepparkrakor and two tone fudge, and light off fireworks, or eat shrimp and barbecue wings,build gigantic sandcastles on the beach, and play corn hole. However, we also include traditional things like sending Christmas cards, opening a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve, getting a new ornament that represents an interest each child had that year, preparing our hearts by doing Advent, and reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning. And of course, we give gifts!!

The other morning I just happened to read the passage in Matthew 7 about our Father giving gifts to us. Many people view God as a spiritual Santa, and we all know that this isn't the case. His ultimate goal is not to grant our wishes and make us happy,but rather to work in our lives to complete the good work He has begun in us. But the fact remains that every good and perfect gift DOES come from Him.

My children begin discussing what they would like for Christmas the first time a Christmas commercial airs in November. They begin to ask. And, they ask. And, they ask. This is how we ought to pray! If I pay enough attention, I notice that they are asking for some of the same things over and over again.I figure out what is really of interest to them. Our prayers to God are as revealing. I try really hard to get those things for my children most of the time. Sometimes, they ask for something over and over and it is NOT in my plan to give it, or in their best interest to receive it. (Celeste wanted an iPhone...not gonna happen!) She liked the IDEA of having an iPhone because she saw an older friend that had one. What I know as her Mom, is that she will reap much more joy from getting that mini Pillow Pet to match her big one! I tend to think about God's gift giving in this same light. He knows the BEST gifts to give.

Effective Prayer
Matthew 7:7-11
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You parents-if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."

What do your prayers reveal about your desires? What gifts from God do you have to be thankful for today? What way can you give back to him?

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift! Merry Christmas!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Or Is It?

2011-12-15T14:17:00.000-06:00

Is it the most wonderful time of the year? For many I am sure it is but there are so many that it is not. For some people the holiday season is the hardest time of the year. With Thanksgiving and Christmas about a month apart that can make it a hard month or so.

If you have a friend or loved one that has gone through a difficult situation this year or even in years past the holidays can easily bring a range of emotions for that person. Perhaps they have lost their job, lost a loved, gone through a divorce or a variety of other things.

I think we get so busy in our own lives with all the hustle and bustle of the season that we sometimes don't take time to stop, smile and possibly make someones day.

Christmas is not suppose to be about the hustle and bustle and having to be somewhere way too many nights of the week. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, our Savior. We need to let others see Jesus in us at all times and that is at Christmas time too.

This Christmas when you see someone, especially when you are so busy you don't know what to just stop and smile and tell that person "Merry Christmas". You may never know what it could mean to them. You may be the only person that really acknowledges them the whole day. You never know what a second of kindness during this time of the year may mean to so many.

Will you join me this Christmas season and make a conscious effort to slow down and let those around you see Jesus in you.

Merry Christmas to each of you and Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

With Love

2011-12-08T08:48:00.009-06:00

With a warm cup of coffee in my hand, I glanced at our December calendar and took a deep breath. Then, I decided that today was going to require something more than caffeine. This evening, alone, I have to be in three places nearly all at once. It seems that most days this time of year look the same.

Wrapping.
Decorating.
Baking.
Parties.
Shopping.
Concerts.

"How did I let it get away from me again?" I think to myself.

Don't get me wrong. It's all good stuff. Still, every year, in the midst of the Christmas crazies, I begin to feel a bit unraveled. And every year, right about now, I begin to reassess how Christmas is going to look for our family. Clearly, I can't do it all. And, if I choose to chase after the insignificant this Christmas season, I will miss the most important thing of all...Christ, himself.

So I am taking a close look at our family calendar and I am desperately trying to scale back our "have to's" in order that we might spend more time celebrating our Savior. The world is fighting back. Hard. Commercials, marketing gifts I can't afford, bombard me and my children throughout the afternoon. Images of the "perfect" Christmas mock me as holiday movies replay on my television. And then there is the decorating. So. Much. Decorating. Still, I am holding my ground. I simply refuse to let Christ be lost in the middle of the chaos.

Over the years, I have placed some simple anchors in place to keep our family grounded in the real reason for the season. Our Nativity, a treasure from my childhood, sits in its usual place in the hallway, so that it might greet us as we walk through the door. Each evening, our family gathers together, if only for a few moments, and we read a Christmas devotional and countdown to the "big day". And every Sunday, we sit at our dining table and light a candle on our family Advent wreath. Still, I long for more. This time of year, my heart desires to look upon Christ and worship him for all that he is and all that he has done.

When I read the Christmas story quietly and simply ponder the beauty of that silent night over 2,000 years ago, I am reminded that Christmas is about just one thing. Big love. Jesus humbly left his throne in Heaven. He came as a baby and was born of a teenage Virgin. Christ, fully man yet also divine, led a sinless life and then offered that life as a sacrifice for me. He took my sin and my place on a Cross, so that I might be reconciled to God. By his sacrifice alone, I have eternal life in the presence of the LORD. It's a free gift from my Savior to me. And he did all of this for love.

So, this Christmas, I will follow the example of my Savior. In the middle of the busyness, I choose to "do everything in love". (1 Corinthians 16:14) As I hustle through the obligations that will not go away, I will take my Jesus with me. This Christmas season, in all I do, with everyone I meet, I choose to show the love of Christ. And while I hope to conquer the items on my "to do" list, I aspire to greater things as well. There is still time to trim the list and make a little more room for my Savior. After all, it is HIS birthday for which we are preparing.

Perhaps, you have a calendar that looks like mine. Maybe you have a list in your head of what you feel "must" be done to make this a "merry Christmas". This year, I challenge you to prayerfully sift through the distractions. You can't do it all. The best part is, you don't have to. This is one Christmas party where you are free to just come and be. For, Christ has already prepared everything that really matters. And he did it, for you, with love.

Merry CHRISTmas!

The Christmas Tree...

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

We put our Christmas tree up yesterday and it was just so much fun! I tend to be a little "particular" about how things are decorated...and I gave up on the tree about 3 years ago...when we had a little one in the house trying to ~~sabotage~~ help. :)
And it is actually very liberating!!! I know...I know...who finds this "task" to be liberating??? It sounds a little cooky, but I really did. I don't have a theme. There is no ribbon or tinsel. There are lights and there are ornaments. The ornaments are SO VERY sentimental, and they each tell a story. There are some that have been around longer than my kids! This makes me want to put them all up myself so they don't get broken, but I hold back on the freaking out and let the kids do it. And they are so careful and gentle - for the most part! When needed...there is hot glue.
The tree is lop-sided and crooked. It is uneven and totally not symmetrical like it should be - trust me...I have major issues with things being "just right". Ha!
But...so are we!!! We are sometimes a little "off"...and messy...and broken. But we are just right in the eyes of our God... Just like our Christmas tree is perfect in my eyes.
Thank you Lord for this time to celebrate and think about the birth of our Savior!

Is Jesus Enough?

2011-12-01T06:30:00.001-06:00

I've heard it be said (and I've said it myself), "Jesus is enough. Jesus + nothing = everything. Jesus is all I need." And it's true, He should be enough. If I received no other good gift in my life, it would be enough because it would be eternity with Jesus. But I am spoiled.

You see, I've been given a lot of good gifts in my life. From the beginning, God has given me other good gifts, "bonus" gifts if you will. I was raised in a godly family. I was surrounded by people who loved God. I went to a Christian university where I was surrounded by more people who loved Jesus, and who taught me more about what that meant. I married a godly man and I birthed two amazing children. I was allowed to go to South Africa three different times and learn more about reaching the world while also falling in love with a whole different group of people--people who have influenced our decision to grow our family as we now are adopting from Africa.

We now live in an incredible town with more than I could ever ask for. We have great neighbors, schools, sports teams, our church family, and, of course, friends. Nothing beats the friends I've made in the last nine years. And I mean it: NOTHING beats the friends we have here. We have been abundantly blessed.

So, what if God took it all away? Would it still be "enough" for me?

I've been thinking about that this week, and I have to tell you, it's rather unsettling to me. You see, I want Jesus to be enough, but I find myself saying, "but, God....". And I find myself becoming rather pouty at the idea that God might ever take away anything that I'm not comfortable losing. Selfish? Yes. Honest? Yes.

What about you? If God told you today to do something that didn't fit into your plans of what your life should look like, how would you respond? Would you immediately find joy and peace or would you struggle? (Please tell me I'm not the only one who would struggle!)

As I move forward in this Jesus life, I want Jesus to be enough--even though my humanity argues it even as I type it. My spirit wants Him to be enough; my flesh says I want it all. It seems like a battle that may not be reconciled fully until Christ returns or I join Him in Heaven. But, I want to continue to fight the battle. I don't ever want to grow so comfortable that I fail to reach the lost. I don't want to grow so comfortable that I no longer grow.

I want to live the Jesus life, even if it hurts.

Traditions

2011-11-28T08:00:00.001-06:00

As we go through November, I am always thinking of ways to make the upcoming holidays - both Thanksgiving and Christmas - more meaningful for our family. Now whether or not that always comes to fruition is another story! My main goal is to focus more on Christ - as He is why we celebrate Christmas. My secondary goal is to do things as a family. In the busyness of the Christmas season, it is easy to get caught up in the activities and parties. All of that will fade, but the memories we make with our families will last forever!
I wanted to take a few minutes and encourage you to find something that works for your family. It could be something you do once, or something that is repeated every year. Some may work when you have younger kids, and you may have to change the activity when they get older. Maybe you need to start a new tradition with your grandkids! Maybe you need to "adopt" some kids whose grandparents live far away! Here are a few ideas to get you started - or maybe you have some great things you love to do with your family that you could share with us!

Advent activity or Jesse Tree: Both of these are great ideas to focus on Christ throughout December. The Advent wreath/candles would probably be better for older kids, while the Jesse Tree could be a great one for younger kids. Don't stress out if it does not go just as you planned. Doing something like this over and over really does pay off in the long run! There are also some great books and ornament activities that are just as good - we have a ornament for all the names of Christ and an explination for each. This doesn't get done every year, but it is something worth doing!

Christmas programs: Find out when different churches are presenting their Christmas programs and pick a few to go to as a family. There are so many GREAT presentations out there, this is a great family outing. When it is over, go out for hot chocolate and talk about your favorite part!

Christmas Eve: Make plans now to attend a Christmas Eve service. I have found this ALWAYS sets the mood and puts our focus back on Jesus!

Birthday Cake for Jesus: Make a birthday cake/cupcake/cookie for Jesus. This is something that should be done before ANY presents are opened and, again, brings our focus back to the reason we celebrate.

Christmas cookies: Make and decorate Christmas cookies with your kids/grandkids. Then share them with your neighbors or take them to an assisted living center/fire station/ police station.

Angel Tree: Adopt a child from the Angel Tree and take your kids/grandkids shopping for that child. It certainly is a great teachable moment for your kids and a way for them to give to others.

Now for some ideas that are just for fun!

Camping by the Christmas tree: After you have finished decorating the tree, let the kids sleep by the tree for a night. They will think this is the best thing EVER! I have to admit, I have never introduced this one at our house, but know several people that make this a daddy/kid event. :)

Christmas lights: I don't know anyone that does not like looking at Christmas lights! Find out in advance some neighborhoods that have great Christmas lights. Get your kiddos ready for bed. Have them go get in the car!! You might want to have some fun snacks to take in the car. Then spend an hour riding around looking at Christmas lights and listening/singing to Christmas music. We have done this a couple of times and our kids think it is great!

Christmas PJs: One of the gifts our kiddos get every year is new pajamas. They have always been matching PJs - although I am not so sure that is still going to "fly" with a 10 and 13 year old! They get to open these on Christmas Eve and wear them to bed. They don't have to be Christmas themed - it is just fun to get new pajamas.

Ornaments: We also get our kiddos an ornament to commemorate the year. I try to make sure their name and the year is on the ornament somewhere. These will be the ones I give to them when they are out on their own.

As I said before, you have to find what works for your family. I hope these have given you some new ideas, or inspired you to come up with some new ones of your own (we would LOVE to hear from you). Treasure this time with your kids and/or grandkids!
And don't lose focus of why we celebrate. Our God gave US the greatest gift ever when He sent His precious child to earth to be our Saviour. Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross - for He came to earth as a baby so He could die in our place. We can spend eternity with God because of His sacrifice. If you would like more information about this, I urge your to call your local church or FBC McKinney (972-542-0041). There will be someone there that would love to talk to you.

Merry Christmas!

Crazy Love

2011-11-17T13:00:00.000-06:00

Have you read this book? This fall my Bible Study group decided to read this book rather than do one of our normal studies. As we were looking into it we realized there was a workbook and DVD's that go with it.

We are not finished with this book yet as we just went through chapter 5 this week but let me tell you, this book will make you really think! It is amazing how when we go back and read scripture like we have never read it before what we read. I want to start reading scripture like I have never seen it before...even if it is a scripture that I have memorized. This book really makes you examine your walk with God.

I have not read the whole book but I think this would make a great Christmas gift for someone. It is one of those books that I think you could read many times and get something out of it every time.

If you have Crazy Love I would love to hear what you thought about it.

Child Of God

2011-11-10T13:25:00.001-06:00

For the past few weeks, I have been studying the Hebrew names of God. One of my favorites is "Abba" which means "God the Father". It literally translates into the word Daddy". Furthermore, I was surprised at the revelation in my Bible study class that Christianity is the only religion where God reveals himself as our Father. The Bible assures us, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18NIV)

Because of what Christ did for us, we have been adopted into God's divine family. Scripture teaches that "even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure." (Ephesians 1:4-6 NLT)

Hear the truth about whose you are and understand the depth of God's love for you.

He is your Father.

He loves you.

He chose you.

He adopted you.

He approves of you.

You bring him pleasure.

You are His child.

Truly, our enemy has been on the assault against fathers for decades, for he knows the power associated with such a role in a child's life. Too many children are growing up without a father. Some of us go our entire lives without knowing the unconditional love of an earthly father. For many, the absence of a father leaves an empty place that leaves us continually yearning.

Fortunately, we are never alone for God claims himself as the "father to the fatherless". (James 1:26) As your Father, he will not fail you. And "just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him." (Psalm 103:13). He is Abba. God the Father. And He loves you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

Perhaps you are lucky enough to have a wonderful earthly father. Count your blessings. But if you are amongst the multitudes who are wandering through this life fatherless, take heart. Lift your eyes to Heaven and remember...you are a child of God.(1 John 3:1)

What a coincidence!!!

2011-11-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

As we celebrated Orphan Sunday this weekend, I was reminded of several things, but one that I couldn’t shake is how God seems to work things out so…PERFECTLY. It just seems to come so naturally for me to think for a moment how “neat” something is and then move on…without really thinking about it. I may even think…what a coincidence that is…but that would just be crazy. I truly believe that there is no such thing. What some people call coincidence actually is just God’s awesome, perfect planning. And nothing less.

For example:

· While we were in Uganda adopting our son, we went on a day trip to Jinja to see the beautiful sights. While we were there we were introduced to another family adopting a little boy. That little boy is now one of our son’s favorite people. And their parents…whom we met in Uganda…and who also live in the DFW area…are some of our favorite people too. Our families have become great friends!

· We met some friends who have a heart for Africa and orphan care. We have so much in common and become friends! Then they decide to commit to moving to Zambia for full time mission work. They need to rent their house in August. Our lease on our house is up in August. We now skype with them from their own living room.

· We have a little boy who was hungry before we brought him home…like the real kind of hungry. Today he sat at a table with us at church and helped find sponsors for children who have no food to eat.

· A man shared his heart about the orphan…and how God is calling each of us to do something. He is currently waiting for a court date so he can bring his little girl home from Ethiopia. We then watch a video about a father’s heart and how a father will do anything…travel across the world…to get to his child. (You will want to watch this video, by the way. Check out “depraved indifference” by Eric Ludy on youtube.)

These are just a few examples of how God has the most impeccable timing. It reminds me that we need not worry about the details of this life. He has it all taken care of for us. We just need to pray, take one step at a time, and follow His plan for us. What is God perfectly working out for you…right now?

Challenges

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1: 2-4 MSG

The past several months have been challenging for our family. It seems like each "challenge" on it's own has been manageable, and yet when we've had them all happening at once, it has led to a hard season.

One of my husband's co-workers left the company and left an unfilled position in the process. The company is reorganizing, so they are not hiring right now--which means my husband has two people's jobs while only getting paid for the one. To say this is stressful for him feels like an understatement because of the amount of extra work it has added to his life (and the amount of sleep it has taken away from his life!). And I don't know about your house, but in my house, one person's stress can cause an unbalanced household pretty quickly.

Besides his job stuff, we have now been on the wait list for our adoption for ten months. (That is longer than a pregnancy in case you were wondering--ha!) We anticipate possibly another year of waiting. This in and of itself is hard as we long for a daughter we don't yet know, and our biological children pray daily for us to get our call soon (aka our referral). It is difficult enough as an adult to understand why this process takes so long--try explaining it to a 5 and 7 year old as they want their sister here now.

We also have had to deal with the fact that the financial piece of the adoption has left money tighter than it's been since I first became a stay-at-home mom. We know it's all worth it, and we trust God to provide, but it is challenging.

(Aren't you glad you're reading this right now?! Don't you feel encouraged?!)

But....

In the midst of these challenges (and I won't list anymore, as I fear that I will just depress those reading it), God is at work. Let me say it again, God is at work.

We may not see the whole picture (and right now we don't), but God uses trials to mature us and develop us (I love how James 1:2-4 says it in the Message version quoted above.) He does see the whole picture, and He knows the beautiful outcome.

In the midst of our trials, God reminds me:

*Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

*The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14)

*The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. (Psalm 138:8)

*Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

*We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

I recently heard a quote from Hudson Taylor that says this, "I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done." And though I have no idea what all God is up to in our lives right now, I know that as His children, we are a great work of God. So, though it sometimes feels impossible, and oftentimes feels difficult, we are on our way toward "done." And when I am done, I pray that I have fought the good fight and finished the race in a way such that my Lord will tell me, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

It may be hard; it may feel almost impossible, but I don't want to get out of life's challenges prematurely. I want to grow and mature in the Lord until the end of my days. Let's fight the good fight together. As believers, we know we win in the end. These momentary trials are nothing compared to the eternal glory we will one day see.

My hope is in the Lord--no matter what. Will you, too, rest in Him today?

What Can You Do?

2011-10-31T08:00:00.003-05:00

Over the last few years, I have had the honor and privilege of walking with several families through the adoption and foster care process. Most of these have been international adoptions for children with special needs. Some have been foster care situations. Some have been easier than others. This prompted me to ask - are we also called to adopt?

After much prayer and searching, I can honestly tell you that God has not called our family to adopt - domestically or internationally. He has, however, called us to be a part of adoption.

I know many of you have heard all you want to hear about adoption. You are tired of people talking about it, because frankly, you were not called to adopt either. And if you were not called to adopt, why do we have to keep going over this? Because He has called you to be a part as well.

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

James 1:27 This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

If you are to be a part, what CAN you do?
Adoption is a process and there are many things you can do to help and support those that are called to adopt.
1. Pray. This is probably the biggest and most important thing you can do for those going through this process. Pray for wisdom to get through the paperwork. Pray for all members of their family to understand why they are doing this. Pray for endurance - for some this is a llloooonnnggg process. Pray for comfort - things don't always go as we have planned. Pray for God's perfect timing for adding a new member to their family. Pray for them to adjust and bond quickly to having a new family member. Pray for that waiting child - that he or she would feel God's love and comfort and somehow know that his or her forever family is on their way.

2. Serve. There are many ways you can serve adopting families. Bring meals to them - just like having a new baby, they have a new family member that needs their love and attention more than anything right now. Not having to fix a meal would be a burden released. This could even come in the form of making a meal and freezing it - then delivering it during their waiting or traveling time so they can fix something on their own time table. Have a "Welcome Home" party or shower. Families may not really know what they need until they get that child home. Having a get together, formal or informal, is a great way to support these families. Offer to take the other kids for a while - take them to lunch with your family or on a playdate. This will give mom and dad some one on one time with their new child.

3. Give. Even though domestic adoptions don't have the high costs associated with them that international adoptions do, there will still be some needs come up that the family might or might not have anticipated. A few extra dollars here and there would be a great help to these families. You might even consider a gift card to a restaurant, Target, or WalMart. International adoptions usually have a VERY high financial cost and most families have stepped out in faith that God will provide the funds to proceed. God does provide - through people like you giving a few dollars. Support their fundraising efforts. Spread the word through social media sights and email. Everyone giving a little will help each person reach their goal.

4. Love, Accept, and Support. Whether or not you agree with or understand a family's decision or call to adopt is not really important. God has called you to love. Love that family. Love that child. Accept their decision as their call from God - because it is their call. Support them and ask them how you can help. Show an interest in the process and prepare to be blessed!

As we head into November and National Adoption Month, I challenge you to look around and find ways you can support those who are called to adopt. It might be a card to let them know you are praying for them. It might be an encouraging word as you pass in the hall at church. It might be bringing them a meal. Whatever you can do, make a difference for that family today!

To Self Condemn or Serve Christ

2011-10-23T23:09:00.004-05:00

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Last week I wrote on my personal blog that there are times when I feel like I am just not good enough. I'm not a good enough Mom, friend, evangelist, cook. You name it. My shortcomings could change daily, but what is steadfast is the opportunity to fall into a rut of self condemnation.

The verse says it was EVIDENT that Peter and John were uneducated and common. Like, people noticed! Peter and John could very easily have fallen into the trap of self condemnation which would have stifled their voices, but they didn't. And God used them. Greatly. How was this possible? They had been with Jesus.

We don't have to be free from failures, or feel that we need to have all of the answers to be used by God. We shouldn't succumb to self condemnation and deny God the opportunity to use us for His glory- even if that means people might notice our shortcomings! How is this possible? All we really need to do is just be with Jesus.

Some additional food for thought:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

"God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold, and loving, and sensible.
2 Timothy 1:7

Coming November 4th & 5th

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

The Fall Women's Retreat is quickly approaching. This years speaker is Devi Titus. For more info on how to attend this event go here.

Glory Days

2011-10-10T12:07:00.015-05:00

I am writing this on Monday morning. The kids are at school. My husband is at work. The dog is laying at my feet. And I have surveyed the damage of a weekend at home together. Visions of an F5 tornado come to mind as I look around at the mess in my midst. With a sigh, I decide to sit down and enjoy a second cup of coffee before taking on the day. "It's Monday," I think to myself with a smile.

I'm a mom. Most days, you will find me running errands, folding laundry, settling disputes between my kids and chauffeuring them from place to place. After that, I take on the additional tasks of homework, dinner, and bedtime. Whew! It makes me a bit tired just writing all that down! On the surface, these don't exactly appear to be my "glory days". I am not running for office. I am not powerfully influential. I don't receive a paycheck for the work that I do each day. In fact, if I am foolish enough to let the world define my worth, I might feel pretty insignificant.

However, that would be a short-sighted mistake on my part. For God wants me to look at the reach of my life with an eternal perspective. His perspective. He wants me to build a lasting legacy that points to Him in everything I set myself to do. In that, my life brings him glory. Both the menial tasks that fill the hours of my busy days, and the bigger moments that shape and mold the hearts of my children, are opportunities for me to glorify my Heavenly Father.

As a mother of three, and a woman of faith, I have tremendous influence on tomorrow. The way I interact today will shape and mold the hearts of my children forevermore. For a piece of me goes with my kids wherever they may go, both today and far into the future. If I am to see God glorified in a task this big, my heart must be aligned with His. Daily, I must remember that I am the heart of this home. In the quiet of the post morning crazies. In the middle of the afternoon chaos. In the midst of the evening grumpies. I must remember...these are my "glory days".

This is my legacy. Therefore, I must live well, for little eyes are watching and learning in everything I choose to do. It's true for us all. As women of faith, we must remember that we are building tomorrow in what we choose to do today. So, ladies, "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17 NIV) These, are in fact, glory days.

Whether you are serving at home or your responsibilities take you further into the world, you are shaping the future. So, get up. Finish your coffee. And then confront the day with passion and purpose. Believe me, I know it is hard to get too excited about laundry, coupons, or sibling squabbles. Consider this instead...today is your chance to build a legacy. So, be the woman God made you to be, smile knowingly to yourself, and then "do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

How God used Africa to change our family...

2011-10-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

My husband and I were reflecting recently on how God works. How He uses places, things, people...to change us. We have no idea what is going on at the time, but it is pretty great to look back and see what He did. And why would we go through it, then keep it all to ourselves??? That would be pretty crazy...so here goes. :)

Our Uganda story started in 2008 when Josh (firefighter/paramedic, all around everyone’s favorite, nice, funny, sweet guy) felt lead to go on his first mission trip. Our family was struggling at the time…holding tight to the promises we made to one another, but not enjoying life together. When I heard that Josh felt lead to go to Uganda…I thought…maybe God would wreck him while he is there. Not because I didn’t love him, but because I knew he needed to be broken. We both did…though I wasn’t aware of my need for brokenness at the time. My hope was that Josh would leave for Uganda and come back a different man. I wanted it to happen in 2 weeks. Ha! When he returned some kind of different, but the same person…I was heart broken. Though Uganda affected him in a big way his first time there... it wasn’t the way I wanted. He was able to work with the hospitals and people of Uganda and make a difference in their lives. It changed him. But…what we didn’t realize at the time was that the change taking place was only the beginning of a very long, broken, and beautiful journey.

It was the very next month after he returned that I decided I could no longer live with his alcoholism. It wasn’t good for our family…and I was done fighting. So, I hired a lawyer and pursued a divorce I said I never would pursue. The decision wasn’t one that I took lightly. I had wanted out for years to be honest. I struggled with it and fought with it…but felt like it was what needed to be done. I prayed and pleaded with God and felt like the only way we could reconcile our marriage was if he went to treatment and got real help. Did I think he would do that? Of course not!!! Was I going to tell him that if he went, then I would stay??? Of course not!!!

So, when he called me a couple weeks later to tell me that he had checked himself into an inpatient rehab facility…I was pretty irritated. I was finally out! But, I was reminded of my promise to God…and forced myself to be thankful…thinking it wouldn’t last. When Josh asked me to come to a family session with his counselor, I forced myself to do it. And when I got there…I saw a different person. A broken person. One who really wanted to change and one who felt God move in his life. A man who was fighting for his life…who wanted to do any and everything he could for GOD and HIMSELF first. Part of me knew he was different the first time I saw him, but I didn’t want to seem foolish so I told myself to be cautious. Reluctantly, week after week, I visited with our little girl. And, week after week I saw the same, new, broken man. So…I started to take my focus off of him and place it on myself. What I saw was a broken woman. One who needed help just as badly.

After lots of work, prayer, growth, and pain…I was able to surrender my life to the Lord. A God that I knew very well…and had walked with for a long time prior. But, until then…He was a God that I was afraid to trust. I lived life differently now.

After 3 months of treatment, Josh was ready to join the “real world” and get back to work. He moved into an apartment and we started dating again. It was so much fun! Like falling in love with him for the first time. With counsel and lots of prayer, we renewed our vows on the day he celebrated one year of sobriety. Josh struggled with the decision to miss going to Uganda again at about the same time. He felt like the Lord was tugging at him to go back, but he had just gotten hired on with a new fire department and we had a lot of rebuilding to do, so he stayed home and we spent more time together as a family…the 3 of us. It was a beautiful thing!

With more work, counsel, prayer, and growth we came to realize that our lives were a direct result of the grace of a powerful, amazing, beautiful God. Slowly, but surely, we lived as much for Him as we could. And we started to feel called by Him to move forward with growing our family. After lots of discussion (and more prayer), we decided that the way we would do this is through adoption. I felt like God wanted us to adopt from another country. Josh was very sure that it was from our own. So we prayed for guidance. And then it was time for the Uganda trip again. God made it very clear that He wanted Josh to go this time around. And we did all that we could to make sure it happened. When he left, he was so excited to see it through his new eyes. And I like to think that God was too.

When he left I started to pray. Not really sure what it was for…but I knew that He had something for him. When the phone rang and I was literally journaling prayers for Josh…I was awestruck. I wrote the prayer “Move in Josh so much that he won’t be able to deny what you have for him.” Not a minute after I put the period on the sentence, the phone rang. It was Josh…standing at Sanyu Babies Home in Uganda…letting me know that the Lord told him clearly that our next child was in Uganda. And I knew that he was right! It was exactly what I thought too!

It wasn’t 4 months later and we were standing in that same babies home preparing to bring our son, Owen, home. This 4 months was full of twists and turns, pain, fear, trust, and so many other emotions. God made it crystal clear that Owen was our son and that he always intended it to be this way.

After my own experience in Uganda…and Josh’s 3 trips…it’s as if a part of our hearts reside there. We have grown to LOVE this country and it’s people. Not only is our son from there…but we truly believe that God has used this place to teach us things that we could not have learned anywhere else. We both hope to go back soon. We collect medical supplies and ship them to the people of Uganda…to help the people who have helped us so much more than we could ever give them.

So, as you can probably see…in 2011…our hearts are still being changed and effected by Uganda. It will forever be a part of our family and our hearts. We can’t wait for the day we get to take our whole family (whatever that may look like) to this place that has blessed us so much.

Dependence

2011-10-06T05:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes "church" doesn't happen at church. Tonight I was fortunate enough to go for a run/walk by myself while my husband and the kids were at church (as in the physical building). I had planned to meet a friend, but she wasn't feeling well, and I knew I needed the exercise. So, I went--alone. And really, I think I was a little grumpy about it. I prefer to walk with someone because it makes the time go by so much faster, and I was dreading doing the miles by myself. But, get this, I wasn't alone. You know why? Because as I went around the lake, God joined me. (I mean, really, He was there all along, but I let the world get out of the way enough to allow Him in.)

He spoke to my heart, and though it isn't always easy to hear, I listened. I felt Him asking who I depended on. My thoughts turned to the book I'm reading, Kisses From Katie (which I highly recommend by the way). In the book, Katie talks about returning to America for 4 months after having lived in Uganda for a year. She struggles with her time back in the States, and one of the key things she realizes is how in Uganda everything she did was dependent on the Lord. However, in America, she depended much on herself or those around her. We have so much stuff that it can get in the way of God.

After reading that yesterday, I saw the Truth in my own life today. I thought about how when I am sad, I will oftentimes seek out a friend. I thought about how often I depend on my happiness rather than the joy that is found in Christ alone. I thought about how I depend on myself to get things done rather than relying on the Holy Spirit who lives in me. And though I don't think God calls us to do this world alone, I do think He wants me to find my strength in Him alone. He longs for me--for us--to get away from the clutter that fills our days and to look to Him. He longs for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He promises to be with us, so why do I sometimes act like I am all alone?

If the only thing Christ ever did for me was die for my sins, I have still received the greatest gift ever given. And yet, He blesses me with so much more than that. Why then do I so often blow off the One who has given me everything I could ever need? Why do I find my worth in my spouse, my children, my friends, my church? The Lord is everything we could ever need and more.

And so, my walk became "church" tonight. God reminded me that I can lean fully on Him. He is my refuge, my strength, my strong tower, my rock, my salvation, my peace, my joy....He is everything I need. He is the only One worthy, and I will choose to rely on Him rather than the temporary things of this world. He is my all in all, and on Him I will depend. Thank you, Jesus!

What Voice do You Hear?

2011-09-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, I woke with a start in the middle of the night from one of those super-scary, way-too-real nightmares. I sat there in the dark, too afraid to move, questioning the reality or non-reality of the dream, experiencing pure fear. And I heard in my heart and soul what must have been angels singing, “But the voice of truth tells me a different story. The voice of truth says do not be afraid.” Thank you, Lord (and Casting Crowns) for this wonderful song. I immediately felt at peace, recognizing the dream as false. My fears were calmed. I drifted off to sleep, singing those lines over and over again.

I heard the whole song on the radio yesterday. Truthfully, I don’t know that I ever paid attention to all the lyrics. It was just one of those songs that played on the radio enough that the chorus was familiar and comforting. The verses hit a chord with me this time. The first verse:

Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And He's holding out his hand.

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
You you'll never win.”

I wonder what lies we – as women, wives, moms, friends – are listening to these days. Lies that steal our faith and courage. Lies that poke at us and laugh at us. Lies that leave us shaking with fear, that leave us unable or unwilling to act.

- You’re not good enough.
- You can’t make a difference.
- You’re too busy.
- No one loves you, cares about you.
- You’ve messed up too much.
- You’re all alone.
- You need more (fill in the blank).
- Your opinion doesn’t matter.
- Your small contribution doesn’t matter.
- YOU don’t matter.

Lies. All lies. And there are so many more. What lies are you hearing? Satan is the Father of Lies. His desire is to trip us up, to stop us from looking to God, to remove us from God’s army of mighty warriors.

The chorus of the song:

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story.
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth.

The Voice of Truth is calling out.

- You are my child.
- I love you.
- My yoke is easy and my burden is light.
- I forgive you. Your debt is paid.
- I am all the strength you need.
- I will give you all you need.
- I am enough for you.
- I know you and care for you.
- YOU matter to ME.

Commit to the Lord today (and every day), “Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.” I pray that as you go through your day you can discern the truths, God’s truths, and ignore all the rest.

Life...One Puzzle Piece At A Time......

2011-09-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 (NIV)

Sometimes, life is just not what we thought it would be, is it? It may not be what we thought it would be but it is the life God has given us and he sees the big picture when we only see very small pieces of it. Think of it like a puzzle. Isn't it amazing how you may have 1000 pieces laying on the table and one by one they all start fitting together and then you have an awesome picture at the end.

We never know how many pieces there are in our puzzle of life. One by one the pieces fit together. I think we sometimes try to force a piece of the puzzle to fit somewhere that it doesn't and then we are kind of stuck until we take that piece out and put the right piece in and let God do with our life what He wants to do.

Think of all the different puzzle pieces in your life. Your family, friends, work, church, situations you have been through, and the list goes on and on.

Are you trying to make pieces work that don't? What a comfort knowing that God is in control of our life and he can carry us through any situation if we let Him.

Forget Me Not

2011-09-14T22:38:00.008-05:00

If you were a fly on my wall on a typical morning before school, you would hear the following...

"Got your lunch? Your homework? Your cell phone?"

Like many other preoccupied teenage boys, my son is forgetful.It's not his fault. In fact, I am sad to admit that he most certainly inherited this trait from his dear mother. Still, each day, we go through a checklist of tasks before and after school so that nothing important is left forgotten.

Like any other dutiful mom who is memory impaired, I have tried to pass on tricks to assist my son with his affliction. We make lists. Use an academic planner. And I confess, I even sometimes resort to good old fashioned nagging.(A technique proven to be completely ineffective I might add) Still, he remains forgetful.

Many of us are...

We forget God's love.

We forget God's promises.

We forget God's character.

We wake up, the world dark all around us, and we forget.

But what if we made a pledge to ourselves to NO LONGER forget? How would our present circumstances appear differently if we remembered the truth in God's word?

Never forget...

We are chosen. (You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." John 15:16)

Dearly loved. ("I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me." Proverbs 8:17)

Secure. ("For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39)

And God is FOR us! ("And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28)

He remembers us in our darkest moments and leads us into His light. ("The Lord remembers us and will bless us." Psalm 115:12 NLT)

While our enemy attempts to lure us into desperation with fear and lies, we are empowered by God's unshakable truth. So today, I must make a choice. Rather than allow my challenges to tell me who my God is, I must choose to look up and remember. Despite how circumstances appear today, I "will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me." (Psalm 103:1-2 TLB) For He is worthy of remembrance.

As a beloved daughter of the King most high, I must pause and remember whose I am. He is the great "I Am". The LORD of Lords. Almighty God. And He will forget me not.

Afraid of the Dark...

2011-09-12T09:03:00.000-05:00

I was doing my “Mommy duties” (can’t remember exactly which one) when I tuned into what the kids were watching on PBS. It was a show that was all about not being scared of the dark. They had all the kids go around the classroom and observe what they saw. The backpacks were on the shelf. The fish was in his bowl. The board was there, and the chalk. All the usual things were in their usual places. She then turned off the light and asked them what was now in the classroom. The kids, of course, walked around and felt the backpacks, fish bowl, board, chalk…and you get the point. Everything was the same. Lights on or off…exactly the same. So, there isn’t really anything to be afraid of, right?

It struck me immediately after hearing them talk about it…us adults are afraid of the “dark” too. I know that this is something I am consistently telling myself to overcome. My dark is the future…the unknown…what I am waiting for…the offer…the answer…the hope. It is SO VERY EASY to get anxious about what we don’t know. The “what if” can really overcome us. We often think of the worst case scenario…though that isn’t often what really happens anyway.

Why are we worried? Don’t we have a God who lives in the light? We don’t need the light to see what is happening…if we trust that God sees it and that He will take care of us. Our awesome (I use that word intentionally AWEsome), all-knowing, powerful, thinks-of-it-all God…loves us more than we are able to comprehend. And He tells us in His word that He will never forsake us. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” HE KNOWS. He is bigger than darkness. He overcomes the future, the present, even the past.

So…if we can teach our children that things are the same whether we can see them on not…that we need not fear because it is OK…then shouldn’t we do the same? Because it is truth. We need not fear.

In My Seat

2011-09-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

As we near September 11, many of us find ourselves thinking back to where we were that morning in 2001. I was a middle school teacher at the time, and my classes were doing research in the library that day, so I was standing in the library watching it on TV as it happened. My sister-in-law lived in New York at the time, and my thoughts immediately turned to her as I tried to remain calm for my students while checking in with my family. It was a day none of us will forget, but for this man in the video below, it was a day when someone "took his place."

He does an amazing job of not only telling us how September 10-11 played out for his life, but also explaining how Someone else has taken the place for all of us. This video is a little long (15 minutes), but it was worth every minute of it--not merely to remember September 11, but to think about the One who died for each one of us. Christ, the One and Only, took the place that we deserve and did what we could never qualify to do--He saved us from certain eternal death. I will be forever grateful....

*Thanks to Pastor Richard for posting this video yesterday on Facebook.

Parenting...There Is An App For That!

2011-08-29T14:52:00.003-05:00

I have really been enjoying this new series started by our pastor. This past week was so relevant to where I am in life right now! I desire more than anything to train up my children in the way they should go. It certainly is challenging!

There is one website in particular that I have been using a lot lately, and I thought I would share it with you now. www.kidsofintegrity.com It has really helped me! It provides Scripture, object lessons, parent prayers, kids prayers, and activities that focus on character traits for which we all strive. I hope you find it helpful as well. I especially like the prayers that are written for the parents. I'd love to hear your feedback about it if you decide to use it as well. Go check it out!

Adventures and Lessons in Motherhood...

2011-08-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Being a Mom has been the most amazing blessing I have received. It has also been the most difficult thing I have ever done. I guess that makes sense…I mean…I want to do this right! I love my children more than I can even begin to explain, and I don’t want to mess them up. Can you relate?

So...I will be real..and go ahead and admit it…I…worry…sometimes. Am I doing this the way I am supposed to? Why did I yell like that? Will they become who the Lord wants? Am I getting in the way? Why the familiar “Mommy guilt” feeling? Am I careful with my words? Do I build them up? Do I pray for them enough? I could go on forever…really.

I spend SO MUCH time thinking and worrying…analyzing…that I don’t notice what God is using them to teach me. Isn’t God capable of taking care of them? He has shown Himself worthy over and over. So…I have decided that I am going to do something different. Instead of spending time worrying…over thinking…and occupying my thoughts with junk, I am going to thank God for the priceless, miraculous, life changing things I have learned from Him through them. I don’t think I can possibly fathom them all…but I can certainly appreciate a lot more.

First…my sweet Gracie…4 and a half, biological…beautiful, freckled, full of life, little girl.

· Control does NOT belong to me. Things can go wrong in pregnancy (and life) and there is not a thing we can do about it. BUT, God is bigger than the human body.
· Trust that God will take care of His child. Gracie is His first and on loan to me. God loves her more than I ever can.
· When my Mom smiles and says that God has a good sense of humor…she knows what she is talking about. Strong-willed Mommy = Strong-willed baby…toddler…and hopefully it stops there. J
· Prayer changes things. Our God is mighty to save. If we give Him our life...He will use us. Mold us. Teach us. Show us where to go.
· Love isn’t really a word that can be explained…or described. The love I have for her…is SO deep…I can’t even understand it.
· Most Moms feel the same way as me and struggle with a lot of the same things…but don’t always talk about it. Why is that???
· Sometimes we have to go through hard times and so do our kids. But, God is there the whole time. I don’t always understand why things happen, but I trust that there is reason. And I find it incredibly important to remember that it could always be worse.
· It is SO VERY IMPORTANT to laugh. On those days where you are counting down the minutes until bed time…laugh…it really does help sometimes.
· Coffee is a gift from God. Really.

And then there is Owen…just turned 3, adopted from Uganda…smile that could light up anyone’s heart, strong, inspiring, handsome little boy…

· Boys really are different. They dump things out, and crash things into other things. They are loud and kinda smelly. But…so gentle with Mommy and those times are cherished that much more.
· A child is not conceived only in the belly. Owen has a Mom who carried him for 9 (or so) months. I’ve never met her and never will. But, I love her. Without her…our family wouldn’t be right. And he fits in OUR family perfectly. Like he has always been here.
· Being a Mommy is about taking a deep breath, apologizing, and starting over sometimes. It is OK to not be perfect. It is OK to make mistakes. We all do it.
· We have too much stuff. It gets in the way and takes my focus off of what really matters. A trip to Africa will teach you so much…but that is for another post.
· Adopted children take after their adoptive parents. My husband and Owen have the SAME sense of humor…from the moment we met him. God is so crafty.
· Life isn’t supposed to be easy. It is actually kinda hard. But, there is growth in those hard times. It isn’t fun…but it makes us better. And the gift is finding joy in those hard times. Because IT IS THERE!
· Eye contact, feeding, touching your child’s face, telling them how much you love them, holding them, listening to them…builds strong bonds. You would think this is a given…but it isn’t always. There is no over doing it.
· It is OK to forget everything. It is OK to be walking down the hallway and forget where you intended to end up. This is normal when life is hectic and a bit crazy. Happens to the best of us.
· Espresso…also a gift straight from above!

The list here can go on and on forever too. Some things we learn rank much higher than others. Some are funny. Some are life lessons we can’t live without. The variety is so perfect. They are useless lessons, though, if we don’t stop and allow them to marinate in our thought life. We have to appreciate them. Thank God for them. And then, live as if they matter. What are you learning from your children?

School Time, Prayer Time

2011-08-11T07:00:00.009-05:00

Here in the Dallas area, we are just over a week away from a new school year. Stores are full of school supplies, clothes for the new year, tennis shoes to go with the dress code. Homes are full of mixed emotions: kindergarten parents cherishing their final moments before their little one goes off to elementary school--and the rest of us realizing that the time is here and we are ready to get back into a fall routine. (I'm kidding, sort of....) Kids, too, have mixed emotions--some are excited to see friends and meet their new teacher; others are worried that they won't have friends in their class or that their teacher won't be the one they wanted.

Wherever your family falls in the "ready for school" arena, there is one thing that I know I want to remember as we near the fall routine. I want to remember to pray. Starting now (and maybe some of you started this months ago), we should be praying for the class our child(ren) is in. We should be praying for the teachers and students who our children will encounter. We should be praying for the friends that they have, the curriculum they're taught, the principal leading them. No matter if you're in public school, private school, or even home-schooled, there are challenges that will come up this year, and those challenges should be covered in prayer.

I believe that schools are mission fields, and I want my children to be bold in Christ. It is so easy to get caught up in the task of learning what is deemed important, but I want my children to grow up knowing the most important thing above all else, and His name is Jesus.

Education matters to me. I taught middle school for five years, and I value our teachers immensely, so don't misunderstand me. I want my children to value their education, but I want them to value Jesus more....And so I pray. I pray for the situations they're in, the people they're around, and for them to be unafraid of the Truth--no matter the cost.

I know this task may seem daunting--there's so much that we can be praying for/about when it comes to our children. One way to make this a little easier is to pray with your child on the way to school (if you're able). Start their morning off with God on their minds. Bring their worries about bullies, tests, or even their haircut before the Lord in front of them. Speak praise for the good choices they've made. Ask God to bring Himself to their minds as they go throughout the day. Say a Scripture to have them focus on if there's a particular situation you know about. Stick a Bible verse in their lunch box along with your "I love you" note.

But no matter how you do it or when you do it, do it. Pray. Much difference is made for the Kingdom when we come before the Lord in prayer. Let Him be in charge of this school year--not schedules, programs, or homework. Jesus. He will carry you--and your children. After all, they're all His anyway. He will care for them--He already does.

Now what are you waiting for? Let's pray!

I can't help it!

2011-08-08T10:01:00.002-05:00

Confession time. More times than I should, I find myself mouthing off about a situation that makes me unhappy or is less than desirable. When called on it, my response is usually, “I can’t help it!”

When I say this, I am describing my emotional state. I am so wrapped up in a situation that I am unhappy about, I mean that I can’t HELP but speak up about it. I mean that I can’t HELP but make my feelings verbally known to everyone around me. When I say this phrase, I am literally so compelled emotionally that I have to speak up about what I think in order to sway someone to agree with me.

And then I read this scripture. Acts 4:18-20. Hello?!? Peter and John were faced with severe punishment at this time for just mentioning Jesus’ name to an entire village. The Sanhedrin had the ability to punish Peter and John with jail time (not pleasant, by the way), flogging, or exile. Needless to say, Peter and John were both aware they had the opportunity to meet any number of unpleasant situations for telling an entire city about Jesus.

But what do they tell the Sanhedrin? Peter and John say, “We CANNOT HELP speaking of what we have seen and heard.” Even in the face of punishment or death, Peter and John said, “I can’t help it!”

Sort of puts into perspective my measly rambling about unpleasant situations I am faced with. I pray today for a mind so focused on what Jesus is doing in me that I CANNOT HELP but speak of what I’ve seen and heard that Christ has done in me!

Huh? What did you say?

2011-08-01T08:14:00.003-05:00

If you are like me, I bet there are times that you have uttered those very words. "Huh, what did you say?" Most of the time my children are the ones who hear this phrase.

A while back during BFG, I was sitting with a group of several ladies and a few men for some sharing time. One of the women in our group was holding her infant son and as she was trying to talk, the infant was squirming, babbling, and making a baby ruckus. All of the Moms in the group sat listening intently to this mother share. Not one of us noticed the baby's commotion-until one of the gentlemen in the group spoke up and offered to hold the baby. All of the Moms laughed at our mutual oblivion of the chattering infant.

Over the Fourth of July, my sister in law, explained much to her dismay that she noticed how parents are able to completely tune out their children. It's true. In the multitasking, overwhelming, rewarding job of parenting, I DO find myself tuning out the voices of my children so I can read a five minute article, blog, or think a thought without interruption. However, this often means that at the end of the five minutes I have a kid that is shouting for the fifth time, "Mommy, can I PLEASE have a glass of milk?!" Maybe you aren't so guilty!

Aren't you glad that God is the perfect parent to His children? He hears our whispers. He listens to our whiny voice. He is never oblivious of his children, and He never wants alone time! He sits enthroned on our praises. He tells us to make our requests known. He loves to make conversation with us. We never have to fear that He will utter the words "Huh, what did you say?"

Make sure you tell Him thank you today!

It's Bible Study Time.....

2011-07-29T11:46:00.000-05:00

Summer is almost over and it is time to start thinking about Fall Bible Studies. Below is a list of what is being offered this fall at FBC. You can sign up online or in the Connection.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Begins Sept 11, 4:00-5:30pm

Finding Freedom from a Broken Past $8

Women of Faith, (12-week study)

Facilitated by: Lynda Dodd

MONDAY NIGHT

Begins Sept 12, 6:45-8:00pm

Putting on a Gentle and Quiet Spirit $6

Elizabeth George, (10-week study)

Facilitated by: Laurie Zakarian

WEDNESDAY MORNING

Begins Sept 14, 9:30-11:30am

One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land $12

Priscilla Shirer, (7-week study)

Facilitated by: Denza Williams & Barbara Daughety

Lord, I’m Torn Between Two Masters $10

Kay Arthur, (10-week study)

Facilitated by: Ronda Murray

We Believe? $5

Kelley Mathews, (11-week study)

Facilitated by: Kelley Mathews

A Look at Colossians $5

Terri Phillips, (8-week study)

Facilitated by: Terri Phillips

The Key to Living by Faith $5

Kay Arthur & Pete De Lacy, (11-week study)

Facilitated by: Teri Ussery

A Mom after God’s Own Heart $13

Elizabeth George

(Mom Matters, 11-week study)

Teacher: Dr. Melissa Ewing, Minister to Children

Facilitated by: Gina Hammack & Suzanne Taylor

Grandma's Words

2011-07-18T11:48:00.016-05:00

“You’ve always been strong-willed.” Grandma’s words stung as my wounded heart wilted for a moment. Searching for understanding, I shared my dismay at her characterization of me, her oldest grandchild, and asked her to explain. “It’s not a bad thing,” she clarified. “Ever since you were a little girl, you knew what you believed. And once your mind is set, it will not be swayed. You are strong. I have never worried that you would lose your way.”

It was one of the last conversations I had with my grandmother this side of Heaven. Shortly after, she lost her battle with cancer and God took her home to be in His presence. For years, when I reflected on our exchange, my heart hurt just a little. At the time, I wasn’t sure she knew me at all. Back then, I didn’t feel strong. I didn’t know which way to go. Life for me, a young woman in my early twenties, was filled with uncertainties. At times, I felt as though I had completely lost my way. Nothing was going as I had planned. Most of the time, the world made me want to retreat into hiding. Still, as I have grown, I have come to realize that Grandma saw me with faith filled eyes.

Now, many years later, I finally understand what Grandma was trying to say. She saw the me that was yet to be. And she had faith that God would lead me on my way. As a child, the right path was easy to find, for I had Grandma to walk it with me. She read me God’s word. Took me to Sunday School. She even paid for me to attend the church camp where I received Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was twelve years old. But even more than that, she prayed for me and believed that God would finish what He had started in me, even after she was gone and my life became more complicated.

Truly, my grandmother knew the right path when she saw it. Though she is not here to teach my kids, my grandmother is part of the legacy I am growing in them. Today, as I raise up Godly children in a world hostile to absolute truth, I understand what Grandma saw in me. For regardless of what political arguments may grip our nation, I am determined to raise my son and daughters God’s way. After all, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV)

Grandma knew the way, she passed it on to me, and now I am teaching my own children to follow it as well. It’s the path of Christ and it leads to eternal life in God’s holy presence. To be sure, she would recognize the spunky spirit residing in my three kids, for it is the same one that she saw in me. Those apples seem to have fallen right next to the tree! When I guide my children and teach them His ways, I recognize the strength looking back at me. It is the same look that lit the eyes of a little girl my grandmother understood quite well.

It turns out that Grandma knew me better than I knew myself, and she believed that God was faithful. On my behalf, she claimed the promise that when we “train up a child in the way he should go, when he is older he shall not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NIV) It’s a truth that endures for sons. For daughters. For granddaughters. And now, when I reflect on the words of my grandmother, a knowing smile comes over my heart.

Waving the white flag...

2011-07-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

Here lately it feels like I am waving this flag...vigorously...often. Life is crazy sometimes. The narrow path isn't always easy...and more often it is a little on the tough side. There are days where I feel like I am treading water and just hardly staying afloat. But what bugs me the most about these days...is how blessed they are. The days where I feel overwhelmed and overdone are LOADED full of beautiful children, a husband who loves me, family, a home, friends, food to cook, places to go...and the list goes on. Yet, somehow, I go through that day just trying to keep it all together and fail to notice what incredible things are happening.
Sometimes...I find myself even at the beginning of the day...waving my flag...asking God for help and telling Him that I give up. I am not strong enough...careful enough...thoughtful enough...
But, I find that "giving up" is often a good thing for me. I have to surrender to let Him take over. This often allows me to feel like I have given Him full control and allows me to focus more on what I should be doing - being thankful.
Thankful for so much. From the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning...to the moment my eyelids give out on me...
Trying my hardest to live a life of thanksgiving is changing my perspective. It is allowing me to appreciate more. Love more. Laugh A WHOLE LOT more. Surrender a whole lot more.

"Huh?!"

2011-07-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's summertime, I'm headed on a quick family getaway, and, as a result, I am pulling from the archives today....Here's something from back in '07 on my personal blog:

Oftentimes when I tell Emily something, she looks at me and says, "huh?". Jeff and I have even wondered at times if she has trouble hearing. But I don't think that's it. I think she's a normal 3 year old who is too caught up in her own life and its activities to take time to listen to what I have to say. And sometimes I think I talk too fast or say things that she's just too young to really understand.

Sound familiar? I wonder how many times God says something to me and all He gets in response is "Huh?" I get too caught up in this Earth to hear what He's telling me about eternal things. Or maybe He's telling me something that my brain just doesn't quite comprehend yet.

Or, sometimes I'm just plain disobedient. I choose to "get things done" instead of obeying Him by spending more time in prayer and the Word. I choose to do things in my timing instead of being bold and sharing my faith with others in His timing. I choose to be filled with my flesh rather than with the Holy Spirit.

So many times when Emily is disobedient, I think, "How can I make her obey (take a nap, sit at the dinner table, follow directions, whatever)?" But the thing is I can't. God gave us free will, and she makes her own decisions just like the rest of us. I can, and do, pray that she'll have an obedient heart, but I know her parents, and I know she has our same strong will.So, when Emily is disobedient or when she looks at me and says, "huh?" or just plain ignores me, she is showing me a pretty good reflection of me.

Father, forgive us. Thank You for being slow to anger, abounding in love.

"...Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice...." (I Samuel 15:22)

Happy 4th of July!!!

2011-07-04T09:07:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Blogland!

Today as you are out celebrating, working or having a quiet day at home think about what our freedom has cost. As our pastor mentioned in the beginning of his sermon yesterday "Freedom Is Not Free".

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!!!

Growing.....

2011-06-30T07:00:00.002-05:00

Recently we moved our little girl to a "big girl bed". This was a very hard for me. Seeing the crib pushed over to the side and now a twin day bed in her room showed me again how quickly she is growing up. I am reminded of this post that I posted last August about the lessons we learn from infants. Even a year later I am still amazed at the lessons we can learn from our children.

Now that she is in the toddler phase I am seeing how she mimics so many of the things we do. Seeing her copying things that she sees me doing is a gentle reminder that I want her to see me doing the right thing. I always want Christ to shine through my life and I definitely want my little girl to see Jesus through me. She already loves the Bible. She will see my Bible and go to it and say "Bible" and pick it up and flip through the pages. Even though she is too young to read it - it makes me happy to see her get excited to pick it up.

My little girl still has so many stages of life to go through....we are going through a stage of life until we pass away. One thing I definitely want her to learn is that as we grow up we need to continue growing in Christ also. I want her to see that for our relationship with Christ to grow we have to spend time with God, praying and studying His word. There are so many lessons to teach her over the next 16 years until she goes off to college and I just pray that God will guide both me and my husband in teaching her all that He wants her to learn through us. I pray that she will love Jesus with all her heart and live her life where people see Jesus in her.

You Are God's Masterpiece!

2011-06-29T18:52:00.001-05:00

Today, I had the opportunity to have lunch with 2 very amazing teenage girls. They reminded me so much of my youth, and the insecurities that we each had, have and are going to have.
But.... they also reminded me that I am God's MASTERPIECE!
This blog is going to be very short, but I just wanted to remind each of you reading... that YOU are God's MASTERPIECE! We all have a past. Good or bad, who our family is, choices we made, where we grew up, and word's we have spoken. If we have regrets or things that embarrass us, it is easy to look over our shoulder and get "tripped up." It is easy to believe the lies that Satan might tell you, and think..."I am not good enough, or If they only knew.... would they accept me?"
I am here to remind myself and each of you that God love's you, has a plan and purpose for you, and you are His Masterpiece!
If a runner looks over their shoulder at where they have been or come from, it is a pretty sure thing that they will slow up, or even trip and fall, but if they run toward the goal, they will run swifter, and hopefully without tripping. When we look at our past, we can easily look at circumstances, but when we look to God's word, we can look at what He says, and be used, and filled with his goodness, grace and love.
Don't listen to the lies , but chose to listen to God's word. Be His MASTERPIECE!

Backyard Bible Beach Blast

2011-06-28T09:33:00.002-05:00

This past week was our church's Vacation Bible School. However, rather than being on campus, we do our Bible School at people's houses. This is our second year in a row to do this, and this is my second year in a row to be a host home. Most people use their backyard for it, but my shade is better in the front, so we tend to stay there. We had about 20 children with us this week, and we had a great time! The kids were all ones I know (from church, school, soccer, dance, preschool), and we had a blast! All week long I had parents telling me how much the kids were learning and how they all said they were having so much fun. It was such a blessing to do, and I am grateful I said "yes."

You see, a few months ago, I was fairly certain that I wasn't going to host this year. A friend had asked me, and I told her I just wasn't feeling it. But then one Sunday, God spoke to my heart about the children I know who don't know Jesus, and I couldn't get it out of my mind. That Sunday after church, I found my friend and told her, "I think I've changed my mind." And from that point on, I didn't look back. I know God had me as a host home this year for a reason. I know that there were people at my house last week who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and I know that they were able to hear about Him and how He loves them and how they can be a part of God's family. I also know that the kids were learning truths through music: Our God is a great big God and He holds us in His hand and through Scripture: Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me. (John 14:6) The Truth was told, and God's Word does not return void, so I trust that He will use our week of Backyard Bible Beach Blast for His glory.

Some of my favorite tidbits from the week include:

A mom told me she asked her son the first day if he made any new friends, and he said, "Oh, I forgot to because I was having so much fun!"

Another mom told me she and her child were memorizing the Scripture verses together, and he was correcting her if she missed even a word. This is a family that rarely attends church--and hadn't at all until a couple years ago.

One of the kids wrote on her water bottle, "Best week ever!"

Another one, who has only been in church once in her life, wrote on hers, "I love Jesus!"

When I asked at the end of the week what their favorite Bible story was, they couldn't decide because they liked them all so much.

Then, when I asked if they would change anything, they couldn't think of anything because they said it was all so fun.

Yesterday, a neighbor across the street came over and told me how she had enjoyed singing along with the children all week while she was out in her yard and how it had touched her heart.

It isn't easy to step out of the comfortable and host a Bible club at your house. It is tiring, it takes work, and it "puts you out there" with your faith in your neighborhood...but I promise you, it is worth it. For any blessing those children received, I think I received ten-fold that blessing. I know there are stories that I have yet to hear about what God did last week, but I know this: God is alive and active and He is here. He rewards those who earnestly seek Him, and I feel that reward in full after a week like I just had. All praise to the Father for the things He has done!

The Narrow Gate

2011-06-23T07:53:00.000-05:00

Lily and Sofie spent their first week of summer vacation at tennis camp. First Baptist Church of McKinney has several sports camps throughout the summer months, and the girls were excited to learn tennis. Every day, I dropped them off at the court, coated in sunscreen, with a water bottle in one hand and a racket in the other.

Learning important skills for the game, such as how to serve overhanded and to use a mean backhand are important if the girls are to be successful tennis players that have a lifelong love for the game. Even so, they are little girls and they inherited their Mama's sweet tooth. To be sure, Lily and Sofie were most excited to receive free ice cream for memorizing their Bible verse. During camp devotions throughout the week, the girls were challenged to "Rise Above" and...

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road the leads to destruction. And many people enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life and only a few will find it."-Matthew 7:13-14

Naturally, we practiced the verse a lot at home to earn that coveted Chik-fil-A ice cream certificate. And as we worked to memorize the words, I was challenged to plant the truth in my daughters' hearts. As we studied the words, we talked extensively about the crossroads before us in the road of life.

At some point, we all make a choice as to which gate we shall pass through. As a woman of faith, I pray my daughters and my son charge through the narrow gate. The world proclaims that it doesn't exist. And yet, God's Word tells us to enter through it. In a lie, straight from the pits of Hell, the world claims there are many ways to God. Still, the truth says there is only one... the narrow gate. It's marked, not by tolerance, but by the blood of Christ. While the world calls it foolishness, only the narrow gate leads to true redemption.

Today, my children walk the road of life with my husband and me. Hand in hand, we spend our days safe in the presence of our LORD. He goes before us and He has our back at the same time. But one day, not long from now, Jack, Lily and Sofie will choose their own path. There is no greater prayer for me as a mother than my desire to see my children "walk in truth."(3 John 1:4 NIV)) And I am aware that each day I am responsible to "train them up in the way they should go so that when they are older they shall not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) It's a responsibility I do not take lightly, as I understand, that for this, I am accountable to my Holy God.

Our journey has already begun and our days together are short. Therefore, as a woman of faith, I am challenged to live out and teach my kids about God's promises. As their mother, I must not fail to "teach them to (my) children, talking about them when (we) sit at home and when (we) walk along the road, when (we) lie down and when (we) get up." (Deuteronomy 11:19) I must not squander the fleeting moments I have with my kids. Instead, I must train their eyes to know the narrow gate for the world will surely hide it from them. The road of destruction will have many disguises. My children must "not forget the things (their) eyes have seen or let them slip from (their) heart(s) as long as (they) live."(Deuteronomy 4:9)

All the days of their lives, I pray my girls and my son continue to seek the narrow gate and walk the road that leads to life in Christ. As mankind continues to strive on the wide road of humanism, another path lies waiting for us all. Only with Christ can we truly "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God." (Micah 6:8 NIV) It's a life of restoration and it is found by walking through the narrow gate.

Planning ahead...

2011-06-20T09:00:00.004-05:00

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

I'm finding the need to remind myself of this at least once a day lately. Because...I like to plan things out and prepare for what may come. I like to know what I can do to make the next step easier and more successful for me and those around me. It really just seems like common sense to me...if I am going into the weekend...I check the calendar to see what is going to happen. If I am going somewhere for a long period of time...I make sure to pack snacks and a cup for the kids. If I am looking at a day of being home...I plan to spend some time in the backyard with the kids so they can get their "crazies" out.
I don't think that there is anything wrong with a lot of my planning. But, I do think that God has been trying to teach me a lesson when it comes to a different kind of planning. The kind where I think I have it all figured out. Our next step...our next child...our 5 year plan...10 year plan...retirement.
What I am REALLY learning is that...well...I just can't figure it all out. And I don't really think that God wants me to. He wants me to LEAN NOT TO MY OWN UNDERSTANDING. Which, to me, means...QUIT TRYING TO PLAN AND FIGURE IT ALL OUT.
Sure...God leads us to be responsible and to make good choices that will impact our future. And, of course, that is necessary and smart. But, I am starting to find great peace in the fact that I can take this life one day at a time and trust that (as long as I am living for Him) He is going to lead me down the path He wants.
He has shown me over and over that He is worthy of my trust and my time. And...to be honest...He is just much better at planning that I am! Now that I think about it...He is much better at EVERYTHING than I am. So...I give up! May your will - not mine - be done Lord!

Remember

2011-06-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

I have spent close to seven hours today scrapbooking. It is not one of my favorite things to do while I'm doing it, but the end result always makes me happy. I love looking back at where we've come from--how the kids have grown, what activities they've been involved in, how things have changed over time. And as I was scrapbooking, it got me thinking about how we are also to "scrapbook" our spiritual journey as well.

Now before you get upset with me because you don't like to scrapbook, let me explain. What I mean is simply that God tells us to remember. He doesn't want us to be the man who looks at himself in the mirror and then walks away forgetting what he looked like.

In Deuteronomy 4:9, God tells us: Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

And again in Isaiah 46:9 He says: Remember the former things, those of long ago....

Our lives are a spiritual journey, which means that we are moving and things are changing as we go. I would hope that I am not in the same place I was 5 years ago in my walk with God because, if I am, that would mean I am not growing in Him.

As we grow, we are to remember. Remember how God brought us to the point we're at now. Just as I can look back at pictures of my kids and remember how they've gotten from point A to point B, I can look back at my life in Christ and see how He has brought me from one place to the next.

So, how do I "scrapbook" my spiritual journey? And how can you? For me, I have found writing is a good way for me to remember what God has done. I do this mainly through blogging and saving some e-mails and documents that I write. I used to keep a written journal but have found that I am better at keeping it via computer. For those who don't particularly like to write, maybe you can keep mementos from particular events in your spiritual journey--a church bulletin from the week you were saved, a picture of a camp where God really spoke to you, a key ring from a mission trip. Or maybe you can keep the writing to a minimum with a journal that is simply one or two sentence entries of things you'd like to remember.

No matter what, I encourage you to do something to help you remember. In the moment, it seems like you could never forget. But then months pass by and you're in a tough situation, and you are forgetting how God has rescued you from something just like this in the past. Remember. Remember.

God does not want us to have spiritual amnesia. He desires--and deserves--our praise. In order to give Him the praise He deserves, we need to remember--because when we remember, we share it with others. And when we share it with others, it becomes part of their God story, too.

Won't you take some time today to remember what God has done for you? Even if you aren't sure about all of this "God stuff," I can assure you that God has already done something for you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for crimes He didn't commit in order to pay for our sins--all of our sins. But the story doesn't end there. God raised Jesus from the dead, conquering death. Because of this, we can be forgiven and have eternal life if we only confess and believe. So you see, we all have something to look back and remember.

What's your story--what has God done for you?

The Waiting

2011-06-13T07:00:00.002-05:00

If I have a favorite thing to do, it most certainly is not waiting.

Waiting is atrocious. I think this is why I like to utilize technology so much. Think about it. If I can carry around an iPhone with me all day long, I virtually have to wait for NOTHING. No waiting in line at the pharmacy. No waiting in line to buy movie tickets. No waiting in traffic because the GPS function tells me where back-ups are. No waiting at the bookstore because I can just order a book from the Amazon app and have it delivered directly to my house. No waiting on international or local news because I can just check Twitter every 30 seconds or so and find out what’s going on somewhere, anywhere on the planet. AND no being put on hold at the pizza place because I can also just order my pizza from my favorite pizza place’s app! It’s FABULOUS!

So this world that I live in and consistently surround myself with conditions me to never have to wait….for anything…ever. So when I’m getting the signal in my spiritual life to “wait” I usually have a huge problem with that.

Waiting requires patience. Waiting requires not having the answer right away. Waiting requires faith and lots of it. I am so conditioned in my daily life to be able to “google” something and immediately find an answer to some question that I have, I get perturbed when I can’t just google answers to questions like, “Lord, who do I know who needs to know You?” “Lord, what does my future look like?” “Lord, why have You not given me what You’ve given other people that I know are no bigger or better Christians than I am?”

There are lessons in the waiting. And in the waiting, my faith builds. And builds. And gets stronger. And larger. Until my faith is something larger than me and my ego and any hardships that might come my way in my lifetime.

But until my faith expands to that large capacity, there are many lessons left to be learned in the waiting. The waiting doesn’t give me the answer, but God does. And when God wants me to wait, I will wait and trust and broadcast to everyone around me what God is teaching me in the waiting.

And I will trust that what I’m learning in the waiting might just be greater than that which I’m waiting for.

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” — Genesis 12:1

Through My Eyes: A Girl's Xtreme Experience With God

2011-06-09T18:41:00.015-05:00

{NOTE: Today's post is from my 14-yr-old daughter, Katherine, who just returned from Xtreme Camp in Oklahoma with our FBC McKinney youth group. Her experience there was so amazing, I decided to let her write about it here at Stitches. Sometimes, we as adults just need to be reminded too... I am in awe of the passion for God I see in this group of teenagers!}
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It's Saturday morning. You wake up, much too early after the late night spent packing (or enjoying your last few hours of technology) and drag yourself out of bed to get ready. You're in a daze, hoping you grabbed everything and attempting a facade of excitement, when really all you are is tired.

You get in the car, after dumping all your luggage in the back, and Mom backs out of the driveway. You're barely keeping your eyes open, halfheartedly carrying on a conversation, inside wondering, Why on earth did I ever sign up for this? I'm not sure anymore... You think about voicing your doubts, but then you're in the church parking lot and they're loading your stuff in a big white truck, and everyone else is putting on the same face you are and saying things like, "I'm so excited for this!" and "I can't wait to get there!" You laugh and commiserate about the early morning, trying to ignore that little voice inside of you that still isn't ready to go, and then before you know it you're on a crowded bus with forty-nine other tired kids, watching all your families in a circle praying for a safe journey, left behind as ten buses pull out of the parking lot. You say hi to your friends in the seat in front of you as you begin the three-hour journey to a camp experience you're not sure you're ready for.

This was my Saturday morning.

The bus ride takes forever-- and yet goes by so fast, you're not sure it really happened. You see new people everywhere, like that girl who's gonna be on your cross country team this fall, and that guy two rows back and across the aisle who your friend is convinced she's half in love with. You tried to sleep some, but no luck, and now there's no chance of sleep until (check your schedule) 11:30 tonight because there is the turnoff to CAMP WALK ON WATER-- AHEAD. Next, a huge crowd of kids (Grant soon informs you, 404) are milling around a wide field, looking for their dorms and luggage. You think you might have stood in this place another lifetime or so ago (last summer).

Everything becomes a blur; finding suitcases, unpacking, group picture on a steep hill, introductory rally, meeting family groups (OH the awkwardness. Am I really supposed to confide in these people?), lunch, swim test. The hottest cross country run you've ever been on, and you just want to quit, but you're the only girl running so you press on anyway. Your head is starting to pound from lack of water; your legs are so sore they don't want to move. And then, eventually, after dinner, when all you can think about is a shower and bed, it's time for worship.

You kind of know what to expect-- sit with your new family group, listen to someone speak, sing a few familiar songs with an unfamiliar band. But what you can't possibly have anticipated is introduced to you in two different names: Pat C. and Ryan Rives.

Ryan comes first, leading you (and 403 of your closest friends) in worship songs that touch your heart now and will later bring you to tears. Even tonight, you wake up a little more, focus just a little harder. You're not used to feeling this affected only seven hours into camp.

And then, Pat takes the stage, and your whole perspective changes. On camp, on life, on God. Everything.

He talks about how God can always bring you back to Him, how He is in control and always aware of everything. It's not your average Saturday night sermon; this is a deep and powerful message, delivered with passion and conviction, encouraging those who do not know Jesus as their Savior to make the most important decision of their lives.. not Monday night or even Tuesday.. but now.

Thirty-two new teens join the family of believers this night. You are in awe of God. But He's not even close to being done yet.

The next night, after a similar day of games and electives (What's the difference between heaven and hell?) and a very awkward first session of family groups, is the night you'll remember forever. It's the night where God calls, and you answer.

The message is about the difference between pledging and declaring, about faithfulness. At the beginning of worship, a short video is shown about people who have never heard the gospel shared in their own language hearing the story of Christ for the first time in their native tongue. The reactions of the children are humbling. Your heart seems to cry out, "THIS is what we need to be doing."

So, when Pat tells everyone that can hear God calling them to ministry to go to the back and talk to counselors, you stand up with about ninety-nine other teens and declare your allegiance to God by saying that you will follow His call anywhere.

In the next two days, you meet more new people and learn more and more about what you need to be doing to make good on your declaration. Your family group grows closer, the awkwardness dissipating as you all get to know each other and start to go deeper. You begin to understand that following God anywhere is a lifetime commitment...and you begin to realize just how long a lifetime is.

Monday night... Monday night is awe-inspiring. Where Saturday and Sunday have affected your mind and your decisions, Monday moves your heart to weep. Monday touches your heart and soul. Monday is when you feel God within you, when you are in awe of His glory and power, when you can see Him everywhere around you and know that He is your Creator and you are His, and He will never let you go. Monday breaks you and heals you, leaving a scar on your heart that won't ever go away.

You've been praying so hard for a friend for so many years, and Monday is when she finally comes up to you to say "My life is changed because of what you did for me." You break down completely, crying so hard, thanking God for working through you, mourning for all who are dear to you that just don't understand His importance and incredible sacrifice, praising God for being who He is.

Tuesday. The last day. Your eyes have been opened to what you need to do, your heart has been broken and healed. You have a deep conviction to follow through, but you're really scared that once you're back home, all this will fade like a half-remembered dream. You don't want it to leave; you want your life to be truly altered this time. You know it was real. You know the last song before you boarded the buses truly meant everything, when you raised up your arms, tears running down your face, and sang:

Oh, I'm running to your arms
I'm running to your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world, forever reign

The bus ride home is dark and foggy. You remember talking to your friends, confiding to them about the experience you had and talking about boys, like the guy one row up across the aisle that your friend knows she's half in love with. You remember falling asleep after the girl behind you plays with your hair, uncomfortably propping your knees against the seat in front of you, your contacts sticking to your eyelids and your mouth crying for water. Then, you're stumbling off the bus in the dark. It's midnight, and you look around in a daze for Mom. She yells your name, and after a brief, confusing exchange, you're in the car on the way home. You talk about so many different things, about your declaration, about how your life will change this time. You can hardly dare to hope, but the conviction is still there, within you. God's not done with you yet.

You wake up the next morning and open your Bible, reading through Philippians, taking notes on what God is saying to you. As you look back over what you've written ("God can use anyone and anything in His plans, even those things that appear to be bad." Phil 1:18; "Sacrifice for God. If you follow Christ, you will have to suffer for Him." Phil 1:29), you know He's only just beginning to work in your life.

This was my Wednesday morning...
****************************************************************************

Links: FBC McKinney Youthquake- http://www.youthquakerocks.com/
Pat Cammarata- http://www.thereismore.net/
Ryan Rives Band- http://www.facebook.com/theryanrivesband
Camp Walk on Water (WOW)- http://www.campwow.com/
Hillsong United, "Forever Reign"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ3KIXadMoY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Summer.....

2011-06-02T13:28:00.001-05:00

Ok, this being a holiday week has really messed me up. I don't know why since it was not like I was off work but for some reason I can not keep my days straight this week. All that being said I just realized that today is Thursday, yes, my day to blog.

School is coming to an end which is always a sign that summer is just around the corner. This is the time to start making all your summer plans if you haven't already. Those with kids out of school for the summer are looking for things for them to do to keep them busy. One thing we should not forget this summer is to include God in our plans. What plans have you made with God for the summer? I know during the school year there are Bible Studies, Wednesday night church, and a million other things going on. But when summer comes so much of that comes to an end to.

Have you found a Summer Bible Study group to join? Maybe a book club?

This summer I have committed along with eleven other ladies to "Read The Bible In 90 Days". I am really looking forward to reading the whole Bible over the summer. We are on Day 2 and so far I am caught up!

There are so many things out there that you can do. If there is not a group in your area doing something why not start one yourself, you may be surprised how many ladies would join you.

I would love to hear some of the studies you all are doing or perhaps the book you have chosen to read over the summer.

Build A Hedge

2011-05-26T07:14:00.003-05:00

Key Verse: "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?" ---Job 1:10

When I was twelve years old, my family moved into my Dad's childhood home. It is a simple farmhouse built with pride over 100 years and has been our family homestead for three generations. And since one wall of the house directly faces the north, our home was sometimes drafty mid-winter. While we didn't mind snuggling up under a warm, fuzzy blanket on a cold winter night, my Dad had the wisdom to build a hedge of pine trees that would grow quickly to shelter our home from the draft.

Today, those trees effectively block the cold of winter, while also serving as a perfect place for my children, neices and nephew to play tag and hide-and-seek. Standing tall, they reach proudly to the sky and give our house a feeling of warmth on the coldest Iowa night.

Friendships are like a hedge in our lives. With love, friends stand with us and protect us from the harsh days of life that sometimes cause our hearts to grow cold. When storms rage around us and the winds of change threaten our security, our friendships act as a shield that blocks the penetrating chill of the world. As we walk through life, we grow and change.

Likewise, our friendships often change as well. Godly friendships are vital in strengthening our walk with the LORD. And so we must carefully choose our friendships in order to build a sustainable hedge. After all, scripture reminds us that "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24 NIV) The number of friends is insignificant to the quality of the bond.

Lasting friendship grows deep through life's challenges and is rooted in God's love. With trust and accountablity these relationships help us to establish Godly priorities as we look to grow in Him together. Such friendships are to be treasured, nurtured, and protected. Despite distance or time, these relationships grow. They protect. They shelter. They endure. They are "a hedge around me and my household" for which I am humbled and grateful. (Job 1:10)

I am grateful for the women in my life that stand before me and shelter me from life's storms. For me, a few Godly women who love me at my best and my worst serve as a hedge of truth, accountability and shared priorities in my life. Truly, they are blessings to me from God and they help me grow in my relationship with Christ and encourage me to be my best for Him.

While some of these women are not geographically near, they are loyal and true. Thankfully, we remain spiritually close, despite the miles that separate us in this world. To these women, I say "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.' " (1 Samuel 20:42) And I imagine a day when we shall greet each other and fellowship for eternity in Heaven.

In the winters of my life, my friendships have been a source of support and comfort that help me feel secure, accepted, and safe. Truly, I offer praise for each one of the dear women I call "my friend" and I appreciate the honesty and strength they bring into my life. They are my friends. I know who they are...and they are my hedge.

Dear God,
I praise you for the gift of friendship. I thank you for the relationships that were temporary but have helped me to grow and learn in a season since past. And I give you thanks for those friendships that endure the challenges of life and grow stronger each passing year. May your hand guide me as I choose my friendships wisely. Let the words shared between me and my friends be sweet as we bring you honor in our conversations. May our actions be like the hands of our Savior reaching into the lives of one another. Thank you God, for my sisters in Christ.
-Amen

Reflection: How strong is your hedge of friendship? Could it be time to trim your hedge?

The Narrow Path

2011-05-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this path lately. Narrow is the gate AND the way. Narrow doesn’t really sound fun to me. Wide…and with lots of other people…sounds much more…well…easy. But, the path that leads to LIFE is narrow. And I want to walk THAT path.

This weekend I took both kids to a park near Scottish Rite to celebrate the hospital’s 90^th birthday. There were animals and crafts, but what caught my eye was this path.

I couldn’t help but want to walk over to it. And I thought of this verse in Matthew 7. The path was BEAUTIFUL, but it was narrow. And it wasn’t really EASY to walk (compared to the big road that was paved next to it), but it was so much more enjoyable. You see, what I am learning is that in order for me to find joy in something, it doesn’t have to be easy. In fact, what makes it joy is finding the good stuff in the hard times. Seeing blessings and living in thanksgiving, even though life isn’t perfect and knowing that there will be really hard times. Here lately, I have to be thankful for that.

As I think more and more about it…I can’t stop thinking that God wants me to walk the narrow path so I can rely on Him to get me through it. If I go the easy route, I may confuse myself and think that I can do it on my own – and that doesn’t allow for any growth nor does it allow me to connect with Him. God likes growth, doesn’t He? And if I am growing in Him, then I am where He wants me to be. Which is also where I want to be.

As I took pictures of the kids (cause I couldn’t let the pretty setting go by without doing that!), I had to think for a moment of the blessings that come as a result of walking the path the Lord puts me on with Him.

Pretty amazing, huh? And what’s even better is that if I get off the beaten path a little bit, He is mighty to save and get me back on track – AND He makes good of all things.

At the top of the path was this…

Don’t we serve a mighty God??? It is like the reward is this beautiful place where I can sit with Him. Such a great reminder (amongst a big crowd and lots of noise) of the stillness and peace of our mighty Savior. He is worthy of our praise!!!

Beans and Rice

2011-05-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

*This post was actually written back in 2008 for my personal blog, but I rediscovered it recently, and the truth presented is just as true today as it was in 2008. I hope you'll still take the time to read it. (As a frame of reference my children were both under 5 at the time this was written.)

Last night our church had a Third World Banquet. For $1/family, we could come and take part in this experience. I knew going in that the food was not going to be what we would normally eat, and I even let my kids eat some food before we went because I knew they probably wouldn't like whatever we were having. As some of you know, I am a fairly picky eater, so I was prepared to eat a few bites and then go hungry for a few hours. After all, it would only be for a few hours. A simulation is just that--not completely real. I mean, we have plenty of food at home, so a Third World Banquet serves as a good reminder, but it is of course not entirely realistic. This was my attitude going in: I've got this figured out. I know you're not really going to feed me much, and the water will probably not taste very good, but I can make it because it's only one meal.

What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that not everyone in the room would be given the same food. We were part of the group who received rice, beans, and dirty water (they added some tea to it to discolor it), but there were people in the room who got to eat at tables (we had no table in our area) and who got to eat meat, drink clean water, and basically enjoy a regular meal. One table even got dessert with their meal. And you know, this was the part that really struck me: We were all in the same room, all deserving of the same meal, but we didn't all get the same meal. This happens every day. Sweet children are starving while my two are given as much as they desire. I got to come home and eat a late meal last night while people elsewhere were dying of hunger. So though my experience last night was temporary, it did remind me of the reality going on all around, even here in America. And it compelled me to continue to do something about it--by sponsoring children with World Vision and Compassion; by telling others to do the same; by giving money to the church and other organizations; by clicking on Free Rice more often; by making a difference in whatever way the Lord leads.

Lord, help us to not take for granted all the blessings we've been given, and show us how to help those who are hungry, those who are hurting, those who need You.

The Outdated Ipod

2011-05-16T07:00:00.007-05:00

So I find myself relating to the outdated versions of the iPod. Do you know which versions I’m referring to? You know…the ones with the click wheel. The versions we were formerly soooooo excited about and waited to see released at Best Buy or Walmart. The versions that were on our Christmas lists every other Christmas because Apple is smart enough to update their technology in far enough increments to keep us interested but also as not to be too frequent to cause us to become apathetic.

But anyway, I relate to those outdated Ipods, poor things. Most days I wake up feeling outdated, worn out, barely able to keep up, overlooked, and needing a good battery charge even though I just got one less than twelve hours ago. And the downloadable “updates” I find that are suppose to help fall far short: think positively, work out regularly, develop a hobby, read a book, go on vacation, etc… Some of these things help for a short time but then just leave me needing another boost of something or other later. The updates don’t keep me going forever.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. (I didn’t invent that.) And when desperate, there is one thing which is constant, never dries up or runs out, and I’ll never find it with a price tag at a garage sale. It is too precious, too necessary, too relevant and useful to be considered outdated, irrelevant, stale, weak.
The Word of God. The Holy Bible. Scripture. It revitalizes. God uses it to ignite change. Even when I read the same text I’ve read 25 times before, there is something new and vibrant that He shows me. He uses it to shine a bright spotlight into the dark corners of my life I like to pretend do not exist. It’s painful and awesome all at the same time!
And when I wake up feeling like that outdated iPod, it is a link I have to a God who tells me I am able to be used for great things. Those words remind me even when I feel like there’s at least a hundred better and more recent versions out there for me to compete with and out-perform, that I am created exactly in His image and exactly the way He intended.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” [Hebrews 4:12]

Only Water

2011-05-12T14:42:00.000-05:00

These past couple of weeks have been really tough for our family, as we lost someone very dear to us. The Lord is carrying us through, with the prayers of friends & family, and many other ways. Earlier this week, I downloaded the latest album by Brandon Heath, and it has been so very comforting and uplifting to me.

I wanted to share a song that has especially touched my heart. It's called "Only Water". My prayer is that it will bring peace & comfort to someone else out there, as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkO3nyZLmi4

"Only Water" by Brandon Heath

There's a shadow coming
As the sky goes black
It's a stubborn rain
On a Nebraska plain

There's a farmer standing
On a thirsty ground
He holds his breath
This is life or death
It's only water

And it washes over me
Like a single river stone
Changes everything
But has no power on its own
It's only water

There's a winding canyon
Where a mountain stood
Miles of earth and clay
Carried far away

But there's something holy
In these cathedral walls
They took a lot of years
And a lot of tears
It's only water

And it washes over me
Like a single river stone
Changes everything
But has no power on its own
It's only water

There once was a wedding
All the wine was gone
They said He's just a man
That's where it all began
It was only water

And it washes over me
Like a single river stone
Changes everything
But has no power on its own

It washes over me
Like a single river stone
Changes everything
But has no power on its own, on its own
It's only water

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:38

Sisterhood

2011-05-09T09:33:00.000-05:00

I grew up in a family of boys--Mom and I were the sole estrogen-producers in the house. That sort of dynamic was great for developing my sense of competition, a love for sports, and a strong throwing arm (seriously, I can still throw a football better than some guys). But not having a sister became a stumbling block for my relationships with other girls. What was this sister thing all about?

During my college years, one friend in particular helped me break through that barrier. Erin had two younger sisters of her own, so she had been living in the hood--the sisterhood--all her life. And after spending three years living with her family (after college, while I was in seminary), my initiation into the sisterhood was complete. And I'm here to tell you, it's nothing like the brotherhood.

Women draw strength from other women in a unique way, I think. Shared experiences, similar tastes, and common physiology all serve as bonding elements that guys, by virtue of their Y-chromosome, just aren't able to join. We love the guys, but some things they just don't understand (right??). A healthy sister relationship, whether by blood or by heart, will encourage and inspire and commiserate and support and rejoice and mourn...sisters need each other. Those of us without biological sisters must reach out to our girlfriends to find a "kindred spirit" in the tradition of Diana and Anne (of Green Gables fame).

Not every sisterhood is a safe place. Rachel and Leah allowed their difficult marriages (to the same man!) destroy their relationship. They set their children against each other, stoking jealousies and hatred that affected the history of their family for generations. Many women struggle to overcome hard feelings and competition with their sisters. They've been hurt, betrayed, abandoned...trusting is hard to do. If you have been or are in that situation, know that there is hope. Jesus makes all things new.

On the plus side, consider Mary and Martha. They had different personalities that caused the occasional conflict--and who doesn't?--but they were united in their devotion to each other, their brother Lazarus, and their Lord Jesus. Nothing in Scripture indicates that theirs was anything but a safe relationship.

And don't forget Mary and Elizabeth, cousins of different ages--Mary was a teenager, Elizabeth was probably over 40 (considered too old to have children). God used both of them in two life-stages that their culture would have written off: Mary was too young, Elizabeth was too old. But look what God did with them! And I love how they came together in a beautiful picture of obedience to God's word and faithful care for one another.

The Sisterhood can be a beautiful place. What are you doing to make yours inviting, safe, and honoring to God?

Computer/Technology & Mommy Guilt...How Do These Go Together???

2011-05-05T08:05:00.021-05:00

Yesterday morning as I was sitting at my breakfast room table waiting for my little girl to finish eating her breakfast I did what I do most mornings...I got on my computer. After I got online and looked at facebook and a blog or two or more I decided I was putting my computer up for the day. I took my laptop and put it in my husbands office. I was going to have a semi technology free day. I say semi because I still had my phone. I will be honest and say I did check FB and my email a few times from my phone. I do not text much so I did not really have to worry about getting lots of text today since most of my friends know either I prefer to talk on the phone or send emails.

I normally keep my computer on the breakfast room table or the kitchen cabinet and when I walk by I will sometimes check FB or see if any of the blogs I read are updated or read the news. It is amazing how much of my day is really lost doing this. I sometimes wish I could figure out how to have more hours in the day, well I think I found out how to do that today.

I was amazed at everything I got done. I cleaned house, got almost caught up on laundry and I ran. WOW!!! I have decided I am going to do this several times a week....part of me thinks I might should do this everyday - I could really get alot of my projects done. While my little girl was eating her lunch I did get it out but then I put it right back up! I got it back out after we were done with dinner - it was around 7:00PM.

Technology is a good thing. When my little girl was a new born and we were staying home, my link to the outside world was my computer! It is the easiest way to catch up on the news if you are like me and are usually busy when the news comes on TV. I also would keep up with my friends through FB and I would blog so that our families back home could see pictures of our little girl.

Technology can cause me to have Mommy Guilt! Just like yesterday while I was cleaning my closet I turned on a show for my little girl to watch. She loved getting to watch it but I felt really guilty that she was watching one of her shows when I should have been playing with her. But on the flip side, it is a good thing too because I was being productive and she was watching something she likes and was entertained for a short time. Am I the only person that feels guilty when I let my little one watch one of her shows so that I can get something done?

Technology is a good thing, we just can not let it take over our life.

I was thinking how much more time I could spend praying and studying God's word if I just turned my computer off.
How much more quality time I could spend with my little girl if I turned my computer off.
How much more time could I spend volunteering for things if I turned my computer off.
How much more time could I spend helping a friend in need if I turned my computer off.

Like I mentioned above, it is amazing how much of your day can be lost on the computer....and you may not even realize it.

What could you do if you turned the computer off?

I am thinking that today may be another computer free day. Does anyone else want to make this a computer and/or technology free day?

HE IS RISE INDEED!!!

2011-04-25T08:23:00.000-05:00

Every year, as I grow in my faith, Easter takes on new meaning. With the growth God has brought my family in the past year…I find myself in awe of what Easter means. Really.

Our powerful, awesome, miracle-working God gave his ONE and ONLY son. For you. For me. I can't imagine a love like the love God has for us. I love my family. Like…I love them so much it hurts and brings me joy at the same time. Yet HE LOVES ME MORE. And He loves them more too. Doesn't it just blow your mind? That a love greater than any we know…is a love that is directed at us?

Then…our Jesus rose again!!! He. Rose. Again. He triumphed over death. An awful horrible death - for you and me. He overcame it. And because of it - I get eternity with HIM. If you know Him…so do you. And the people we love? If they have a relationship with Him, then we get forever with them. Forever without pain, fear, worry, doubt, sadness, poor health. Perfect forever.

So, shouldn't I give my ALL to my God? The one who defies all boundaries of love, grace, and time? Shouldn't I surrender fully to Him?

I have given a lot to God in my relatively short number of years. I gave Him my heart when I was a child. My grief and joys as a teenager. I gave Him my marriage as an adult. This past few years…I have slowly loosened my grip and given Him my children. My clinched fists are getting looser and looser. And I want complete surrender. I want to open them and hold them up high and give it ALL up!!!

Why is that so hard? Why do I even begin to think that I can do a better job at ANY part of this life than He can? Hasn't He proven Himself worthy of my surrender? The answer is easy…YES. Yes, He has. He is worthy of our everything!

As we enter this season…join me in thinking of what we can surrender. Really. Is it that every day, redundant, moment by moment life that is full of fog and to dos? Is it a situation? A person? A fear? Doubt? Just give it to Him…and don't look back. It is easier said than done, but with His help…we can actually do it. And lets help each other out too. Because I'm pretty sure that we will need a bit of encouragement along the way. Isn't it one of God's most precious blessings that we get to experience life with other women? Most often other women very much like us?

I am so thankful that I get to be a part of this blog and "do life" with so many other incredible women. If you would like any help along the way, support, prayer, or if you want to know more about how to grow closer to Him, post a comment below. And Happy Easter!!!

Hidden

2011-04-23T07:12:00.001-05:00

An over scheduled weekend was behind us, and bedtime was fast approaching. With Marty at a business dinner, I was outnumbered 3 to 1, and in the middle of my best delivery of zone defense. Hoping to clean the kitchen and still maintain our regular bedtime routine, I sent the kids into the den to watch a little TV.

Moments later, I heard my middle daughter, Lily emerge with a perplexed look on her sweet face. Immediately, I stopped what I was doing, as tears began to fill her big brown eyes. As I listened to her heart, I realized bedtime was going to have to be briefly postponed. For a teachable moment was upon me, and the world would not wait.

Rather than the "innocent" programming I had anticipated on a children's network that we watch regularly, my children had come upon a show about the world's differing religious views. "How can they not know Jesus, Mommy? How do they not see?" Lily asked in pained bewilderment. As her words penetrated my heart, I was gently reminded that "your eye is the lamp of your body." (Luke 11:34) Lily's faith-filled eyes see her beautiful Savior so easily. How I wish it were so for us all. Sadly, that is not the case.

By now my two other gifts from Heaven had joined us, and all eyes were on me. I took my children into my arms, grateful that God chose me to be the one to lead them to the Cross. Each of them accepted Christ as their Savior at an early age. None of my precious children can recall a time when Jesus wasn't a trusted friend on whom they could call. His love has never been hidden from their lives.

Hoping to speak some perspective into my troubled child's heart, I spoke gently and prayed for wisdom. "Lily, sweetheart. This is a family who believes and truth is all around you. Scripture teaches us that Jesus is the only way to eternal life, and that the gift of grace is ours to receive freely." I continued, "Never forget that even when Jesus walked among us, there were few who could truly see their Savior in their midst. Sometimes life gets too dark for some to see."

For some, the truth is hidden. It was true then. It is still true today. The Bible teaches us "When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness." (Luke 11:35-36) Jesus Christ, alone, is the light that leads the way to salvation. Still, many do not see.

Today, our world is growing ever darker as all of creation groans in the fallout of sin. This world is broken. By poverty. Injustice. Greed. Pride. It is a world gripped by the consequences of sin. As Christ followers, we must have eyes to see the world as it is. But, then we must have courage to share the love of Christ with those whom the truth remains hidden. For "blessed are your eyes because they see." (Matthew 13:16)

Heavenly Father,
We praise You for the gift of eyes that see truth. Because of Christ alone, we are free to approach you boldly, as your adopted sons and daughters. Let us have compassion and patience with those who are blind to the Son. Give us courage to share the truth about who Christ is, so that others may see.
-Amen

Reflection: Is there someone in your midst from whom the truth is hidden?

Sunday's Coming

2011-04-21T07:00:00.001-05:00

As we approach Easter weekend, I pray that each of you knows the One who is Truth, Jesus Christ. Some 2000 years ago, He willingly gave up his life by suffering a horrendous, painful death on a cross so that you and I might be set free. His death was not in vain--because it didn't end there. Jesus was resurrected on the third day, and because He conquered death, we have the victory.

Satan's "victory" (or what he perceived as such) came on Friday--ours came on Sunday. On that Friday, those watching had no idea what was coming. They saw Jesus die, and they thought that was the end. But God had something else in store. Jesus was not dead forever. He was coming back--and that Sunday forever changed the course of man. That Sunday, Jesus rose again; in doing so, He conquered death. And I can not stop giving thanks for the greatest gift ever given. Jesus has saved me from my sins, from the eternal punishment I deserve--and He desires the same for every one of us. Jesus lived a perfect life on this earth; He died for crimes He did not commit; He was raised to life on the third day, and He longs for you to know Him and be in relationship with Him.

Whether you know Him as your Lord and Savior or not, I urge you to watch this video (with footage from The Passion of the Christ). If you have questions about this Jesus and who He is, feel free to leave a comment below. And come Sunday, find yourself in church. We'd love to have you at ours, FBC McKinney. He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!

The Finish Line

2011-04-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I ran my first 5K ever! I decided a couple of years ago I wanted to be a runner but never followed through. Back in December I think it was I thought this next year I am going to run a 5K and that is what I did. I started training for it. I have a friend that is a runner and she would give me tips along the way and answer my one million questions I would have. Finally, the big day came. There was lots of excitement the day of the race. Several of my friends were running which made it nice to know someone there. They finally called everyone for the 5K and I went to line up and then the race started.

Along the way there were moments I got tired. I think the beginning was one of the hardest parts of the race because we were going uphill. My goal was to finish this race. I knew I was not going to come in first place but that I would finish the race. As I was approaching the finish line I could here my name....there were people cheering me on. It was actually Kim who writes for Stitches too and her husband - they had already finished and were standing at the finish line.

Hebrews 12:1-3 says " (1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (2) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Just like I was running my 5K with the "Finish Line" as my goal we have to keep running in this life and keep our eyes on Christ. Can you imagine the day that this race called life is over and Jesus is at the "Finish Line".

As I mentioned there were times the race was hard. While I was training leading up to the race there were times I would wonder if I could really do this. Just like in this life we go through hard times and trials. I look at the second part of verse 1 in Hebrews chapter 12. "and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us". We all have a different race marked out for us and God is with us all the time, He is with us each time we pick our foot up to take that next step.

Whatever you may be going through God is with you. Keep your eyes on Him through whatever your circumstances may be and just think of the day that you cross the Final Finish Line!

S.H.A.R.E.

2011-04-06T07:20:00.007-05:00

SHARE!

S-hare H-ow A-nything R-eceived E-ncourages Several years ago, as I was driving, God gave me a dream. It was S.H.A.R.E. Unfortunately, I have not done as much with it over the years, as I thought I would then, but in my own little world, it has been a great tool and reminder for me. I love to give! Mercy is probably my biggest spiritul gift. I am the "fix it" person. SHARE to me means- Show how anything you receive from God can encourage someone else. That could be on a small or large level. Think about it. You might have a baby item in your house laying around that a new mom is struggling to afford. You might have gotten some free things with coupons, that you may not need. (for that matter, I have people tell me all the time. "I don't use that, so I don't keep that coupon.") I am the type of person that keeps "that" coupon, hoping to be able to give something away, or see someone in the isle at the store, and say, "Would you like a coupon for..." It is amazing how people respond, and the conversation starter that is. There are so many other things that we are given that we can share also. How God helped us through a struggle, how He loves us, but most of all, how He died for each of us. Imagine a world where no one shared those truths. It would be a pretty sad place. So SHARE! From the couponing side of SHARE, I really like the large organized websites lately, who can, buy in bulk and give to us at a discounted price. They SHARE with us, (now they make an income from it, but they share.) If you are going to do something anyway, you definetly should use a coupon. Be a good steward of the income that God has give you.

Here are some of those larger websites that I use for great deals. Enjoy!

http://www.livingsocial.com/

http://www.groupon.com/

http://www.adpages.com/

http://www.couponcravings.com/

Have a great day, and remember to : S.H. A. R. E., Show how anything received, encourages. You never know how you will be a blessing to someone else, or how you will be blessed!

These Are The Days

2011-03-30T13:39:00.003-05:00

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

I am not a big fan of Daylight Savings Time. It's probably because I am not exactly what you would call "a morning person". Somehow, with the time change, morning seems earlier. Waking up to a dark house and stumbling over to the coffee pot makes me long for a bit more time underneath my covers. At least enough time for the sun to catch up with my day.

Finally, the coffee is done brewing and I sit down to take a few moments before my kids wake up to begin their morning rituals. The sky is still dark, but the birds are singing. The house is still. And it is like God is whispering, "These are the days. Rejoice. Don't miss it!"

So I think it over and I understand. These ARE the days...

When my daughters bring me "flowers" that resemble weeds, but are presented with great joy and love.

When my son is still shorter than me and will allow me to hug him in front of his friends.

When my husband kisses me on the cheek gently before he leaves for his job, even earlier than the birds are willing to awaken.

These are the days...

Today, I get to go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Speak words of affirmation and encouragement. Show my family how lucky they make me feel. Thank God for His many blessings.

Now, my kids are stirring and my quiet house is filled with the sounds of them getting dressed and packing their lunches for school. I rejoice for our day together has begun. And I remember to embrace this moment.

For these are the days...

Of my daughter singing to Jesus while she ties her shoes.

Of my son assisting his sister with a glass of milk, while I get a glimpse of the man he will one day become.

Of kisses good-bye and big, bright smiles as my girls ride off to school on their scooters.

Of stolen moments with my teenage man-child, as he shares his thoughts and it is just him and me.

Of phone calls from my busy husband, who calls just to hear my voice.

These are the days. So wake up slowly if you must. Grab some coffee and take a moment to listen to the birds. But then rejoice, for you will never get today back again. And even when you are walking in darkness, there are reasons to embrace the beautiful gift of today.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for today. For all that today will bring. Opportunities to serve you and know you more. Moments of sweetness and joy, even in the midst of the unexpected. Sometimes, we squander our days with worry, bitterness, or dread. Let it not be so. Help us to embrace the promise of today with a heart of praise and gratitude.
-Amen

Reflection: What are the gifts you have in your life today?

The Butterfly Effect

2011-03-25T00:00:00.010-05:00

Last week, I was so blessed to hear many wonderful speakers at a Children's Ministry conference in San Diego. One in particular, Andy Andrews, I'd heard years before at another function, and had been so completely blessed by his message and ministry.

As he spoke to the crowd last week, he reminded us of so many of God's truths. Several things that he said.. I've not been able to get out of my brain since. He spoke at length about the notion of the "butterfly effect". First introduced by Edward Lorenz, a scientist at MIT in the 1960's, the theory proposes that a small change at one place in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere. The popular notion is that "a butterfly flapping its wings in South America can affect the weather in Central Park."

Andy Andrews was reminding us that our actions have consequences. Consequences more far-reaching than most of us ever think about. "There are generations yet to be born whose lives will be shaped and shifted by what you are going to do tomorrow," he told us. So true, that the smallest of actions.. the choices we make.. can have such far-reaching implications.

Though that is certainly true, I feel that God is also speaking to my heart, that He wants me to learn a deeper lesson involving the butterfly.

In my quiet time this morning, I think I finally realized what He was telling me.

Most of us learned, way back in grade school, the life cycle of the butterfly. The gorgeous creations we see flitting through the air, never started out that way in life. They were once caterpillars, until they underwent that glorious transformation. Many times, I have heard the analogy of the butterfly applied to our spiritual lives, as the transformation from the old, sinful ways to a new life in Christ happens.

The message God was speaking to my heart this morning, though, was more of a message about patience.. about waiting. The time God was speaking to me about is that "time in the cocoon". In the dark. When we can't see Him. When we can't feel Him there. When we aren't sure what is next in our lives. The mysterious "in the meantime".

One of my devotionals said it best, "The things He teaches us in the dark, we would never know about otherwise." There is a reason why we must wait on God's timing in our lives. Sometimes many reasons, with many far-reaching implications.

God is using that time to prepare us for what is to come. Only He knows what we are going to face down the road in our lives. Only He knows the people that we are going to come in contact with, and exactly what they will need to hear or learn from us. Usually lessons and truths that we ourselves have learned, while waiting. In the dark.

But to learn those lessons, we must listen. We must listen for all we are worth, for His still, small voice. Sometimes, I am sorry to admit, my prayer time consists of a lot of talking and not much listening on my part. Another of my devotionals hit that point home, when I read "Ever met someone for lunch and the other person talked for an hour and never let you get a word in?" They were referring to the one-sided conversations we sometimes have with God. Either we don't know how to hear His voice, or we don't realize that He still does speak today...

I read further, "Think about how you pray. Do you spend time listening to God? Are you throwing a hurried wish list heavenward, or are you being quiet to listen to God's Spirit?".

I was led to Hebrews 13:5 and these words caught my eye, "...because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" Not just the verse, but I had written a sermon note in the margin that there are actually FIVE "nevers" in the original Greek. "Never, never, never, never, never will I leave you; never, never, never, never, never will I forsake you." I think He really wanted to reassure us.. what do you think?!

God doesn't promise us a pain-free life. He does promise us that He will always be with us. Even when it feels like you are alone. In the dark. In your own little world.. your own little cocoon. This is not all there is. There is a reason God has placed you where you are.

If the walls of your cocoon were to split open too soon, you would never be strong enough to handle what is to come... you would never be strong enough to fly...

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24

Waiting

2011-03-17T07:00:00.002-05:00

Who among us likes to wait? Whether it's a newly engaged couple longing for their wedding day, a mother longing for her baby to be born, a father waiting for his son to return from war, or a student waiting for the last bell to ring before summer vacation, we as a people generally do not like to wait. We want it now--or yesterday would be even better!

Waiting is not something most of us do well. Yet there are times (dare I say many times?) that this is what God has for us. His timing is not like ours, and so we find ourselves waiting for what seems like an eternity (but may only be a week).

Sometimes we learn later why the wait was a good thing or we see something different (better) that came out of that time, but sometimes we are left wondering what in the world God was doing. Sure, we might say we trust His timing, but I think we could all admit to occasionally secretly wondering WHY. Why is this taking so long? Why aren't You doing what I want? Why, Lord?!

I, for one, do not like to wait. I like to feel like I'm in control, and I like things to happen on the timeline I had planned. (Some people would even tell you that I always said I'd get married when I was 23. Wanna take a guess at when I got married? 23--Evidently, God had the same idea for me with that one--and I am grateful.) All that to say, God has been working on me for awhile now on surrendering control and trusting Him. And I thought I was doing a much better job of it...but evidently, I still have some learning to do....

We are in the process of adopting internationally. We started our application on August 16, 2010 and were on the wait list by January 4, 2011. Things were moving at a great pace, and it looked like we'd get a referral and possibly one or both travel dates this year. And then things stopped. Completely. Since we have been on the wait list, not one referral has been given through our agency for our particular country (and we are 100+ on the list based on our best guess). In recent weeks, there has also been some information regarding our particular country which has led us to wonder even more how many years we might actually be looking at when we thought it would be this year.

To be honest, this wait that had suddenly seemed "doable" suddenly became more than I could bear. I was heartbroken, confused, and just at a loss. I cried before the Lord, asking Him to help me understand. And this is what He said, "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it." (I Thessalonians 5:24) "The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14)

Every part of me wanted to believe Him at His Word, but I still felt overwhelmed. Lord, this wait is too hard. It's too long. When will we get our daughter? How many years will we have to wait? But, in the midst of the hard, I kept praying...and I kept asking others to pray. And God has started working on my heart.

The wait is still before us. It still has no end in sight. But, the God of the Universe has told me that He will do this, so I am choosing to trust Him. Yesterday, He spoke to me again, and He said, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13)

I feel hopeful again--not because my circumstances have changed but because my God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and He has promised to fight for me. He will do it--maybe not in the timing I had planned, but He will. And in the meantime, I pray that I might overflow with hope....

I don't know what you might be going through right now, or what you might be waiting on, but I know that the Lord is with you. He takes great delight in you. He rejoices over you with singing. He is faithful and just, and He works all things together for good for those who love Him. He is big enough, strong enough, GOD enough to handle whatever you're feeling. Lay it before Him. Trust Him. He is worthy of all our praise. And whatever He has for you, it's worth the wait.

Psalm 119

2011-03-10T10:44:00.000-06:00

¹ Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
   who walk according to the law of the LORD.
² Blessed are they who keep his statutes
   and seek him with all their heart.
³ They do nothing wrong;
   they walk in his ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
   that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
   in obeying your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
   when I consider all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
   as I learn your righteous laws.
⁸ I will obey your decrees;
   do not utterly forsake me.

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
   By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, O LORD;
   teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
   all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
   as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
   and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
   I will not neglect your word.

¹⁷ Do good to your servant, and I will live;
   I will obey your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see
   wonderful things in your law.
¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth;
   do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
   for your laws at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
   and who stray from your commands.
²² Remove from me scorn and contempt,
   for I keep your statutes.
²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,
   your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your statutes are my delight;
   they are my counselors.

²⁵ I am laid low in the dust;
   preserve my life according to your word.
²⁶ I recounted my ways and you answered me;
   teach me your decrees.
²⁷ Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;
   then I will meditate on your wonders.
²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow;
   strengthen me according to your word.
²⁹ Keep me from deceitful ways;
   be gracious to me through your law.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth;
   I have set my heart on your laws.
³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD;
   do not let me be put to shame.
³² I run in the path of your commands,
   for you have set my heart free.

³³ Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
   then I will keep them to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
   and obey it with all my heart.
³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
   for there I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
   and not toward selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
   preserve my life according to your word.
³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,
   so that you may be feared.
³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
   for your laws are good.
⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
   Preserve my life in your righteousness.

⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD,
   your salvation according to your promise;
⁴² then I will answer the one who taunts me,
   for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
   for I have put my hope in your laws.
⁴⁴ I will always obey your law,
   for ever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom,
   for I have sought out your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will speak of your statutes before kings
   and will not be put to shame,
⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands
   because I love them.
⁴⁸ I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love,
   and I meditate on your decrees.

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
   for you have given me hope.
⁵⁰ My comfort in my suffering is this:
   Your promise preserves my life.
⁵¹ The arrogant mock me without restraint,
   but I do not turn from your law.
⁵² I remember your ancient laws, O LORD,
   and I find comfort in them.
⁵³ Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
   who have forsaken your law.
⁵⁴ Your decrees are the theme of my song
   wherever I lodge.
⁵⁵ In the night I remember your name, O LORD,
   and I will keep your law.
⁵⁶ This has been my practice:
   I obey your precepts.

⁵⁷ You are my portion, O LORD;
   I have promised to obey your words.
⁵⁸ I have sought your face with all my heart;
   be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ I have considered my ways
   and have turned my steps to your statutes.
⁶⁰ I will hasten and not delay
   to obey your commands.
⁶¹ Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
   I will not forget your law.
⁶² At midnight I rise to give you thanks
   for your righteous laws.
⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear you,
   to all who follow your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth is filled with your love, O LORD;
   teach me your decrees.

⁶⁵ Do good to your servant
   according to your word, O LORD.
⁶⁶ Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
   for I believe in your commands.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
   but now I obey your word.
⁶⁸ You are good, and what you do is good;
   teach me your decrees.
⁶⁹ Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
   I keep your precepts with all my heart.
⁷⁰ Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
   but I delight in your law.
⁷¹ It was good for me to be afflicted
   so that I might learn your decrees.
⁷² The law from your mouth is more precious to me
   than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me;
   give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
   for I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,
   and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort,
   according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
   for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
   but I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me,
   those who understand your statutes.
⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
   that I may not be put to shame.

⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
   but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
   I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
   I do not forget your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait?
   When will you punish my persecutors?
⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
   contrary to your law.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy;
   help me, for men persecute me without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth,
   but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ Preserve my life according to your love,
   and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

⁸⁹ Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
   it stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
   you established the earth, and it endures.
⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day,
   for all things serve you.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
   I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
   for by them you have preserved my life.
⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours;
   I have sought out your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
   but I will ponder your statutes.
⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit;
   but your commands are boundless.

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
   I meditate on it all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
   for they are ever with me.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers,
   for I meditate on your statutes.
¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders,
   for I obey your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path
   so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰² I have not departed from your laws,
   for you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
   sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts;
   therefore I hate every wrong path.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
   and a light for my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
   that I will follow your righteous laws.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much;
   preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
   and teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
   I will not forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me,
   but I have not strayed from your precepts.
¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever;
   they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² My heart is set on keeping your decrees
   to the very end.

¹¹³ I hate double-minded men,
   but I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
   I have put my hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Away from me, you evildoers,
   that I may keep the commands of my God!
¹¹⁶ Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live;
   do not let my hopes be dashed.
¹¹⁷ Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
   I will always have regard for your decrees.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who stray from your decrees,
   for their deceitfulness is in vain.
¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
   therefore I love your statutes.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles in fear of you;
   I stand in awe of your laws.

¹²¹ I have done what is righteous and just;
   do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Ensure your servant’s well-being;
   let not the arrogant oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
   looking for your righteous promise.
¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your love
   and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me discernment
   that I may understand your statutes.
¹²⁶ It is time for you to act, O LORD;
   your law is being broken.
¹²⁷ Because I love your commands
   more than gold, more than pure gold,
¹²⁸ and because I consider all your precepts right,
   I hate every wrong path.

¹²⁹ Your statutes are wonderful;
   therefore I obey them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
   it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,
   longing for your commands.
¹³² Turn to me and have mercy on me,
   as you always do to those who love your name.
¹³³ Direct my footsteps according to your word;
   let no sin rule over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of men,
   that I may obey your precepts.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine upon your servant
   and teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
   for your law is not obeyed.

¹³⁷ Righteous are you, O LORD,
   and your laws are right.
¹³⁸ The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
   they are fully trustworthy.
¹³⁹ My zeal wears me out,
   for my enemies ignore your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
   and your servant loves them.
¹⁴¹ Though I am lowly and despised,
   I do not forget your precepts.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is everlasting
   and your law is true.
¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me,
   but your commands are my delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your statutes are forever right;
   give me understanding that I may live.

¹⁴⁵ I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD,
   and I will obey your decrees.
¹⁴⁶ I call out to you; save me
   and I will keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help;
   I have put my hope in your word.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
   that I may meditate on your promises.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
   preserve my life, O LORD, according to your laws.
¹⁵⁰ Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
   but they are far from your law.
¹⁵¹ Yet you are near, O LORD,
   and all your commands are true.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from your statutes
   that you established them to last forever.

¹⁵³ Look upon my suffering and deliver me,
   for I have not forgotten your law.
¹⁵⁴ Defend my cause and redeem me;
   preserve my life according to your promise.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked,
   for they do not seek out your decrees.
¹⁵⁶ Your compassion is great, O LORD;
   preserve my life according to your laws.
¹⁵⁷ Many are the foes who persecute me,
   but I have not turned from your statutes.
¹⁵⁸ I look on the faithless with loathing,
   for they do not obey your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your precepts;
   preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.
¹⁶⁰ All your words are true;
   all your righteous laws are eternal.

¹⁶¹ Rulers persecute me without cause,
   but my heart trembles at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your promise
   like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood
   but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
   for your righteous laws.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they who love your law,
   and nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for your salvation, O LORD,
   and I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your statutes,
   for I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your precepts and your statutes,
   for all my ways are known to you.

¹⁶⁹ May my cry come before you, O LORD;
   give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ May my supplication come before you;
   deliver me according to your promise.
¹⁷¹ May my lips overflow with praise,
   for you teach me your decrees.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word,
   for all your commands are righteous.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me,
   for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, O LORD,
   and your law is my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you,
   and may your laws sustain me.
¹⁷⁶ I have strayed like a lost sheep.
   Seek your servant,
   for I have not forgotten your commands.

Life Interrupted

2011-03-03T07:08:00.000-06:00

Being a busy mother of three rambunctious gifts from Heaven, I know a little bit about interruptions. In fact, like many in this season of life, interruptions are more the norm than the exception. I have to rise pretty early in order to capture some quiet moments and protect them from interruptions. Some days, I feel like that old Army commercial..."Heather Arbuckle. She does more before 9 a.m. than most people do all day!"

This morning, as I started to rush through my list of errands, a catchy tune caught my ear. It's called "This Is The Stuff" by Francesca Battestelli. Long story short, the song paints a picture of those pesky annoyances that plague us in our frenzy. Lost keys. A forgotten lunch. A lost cell phone. As the lyrics to the song so eloquently state..."In the middle of my little mess, I forget how BIG I'm blessed."

As I listened closer and even started singing along, my heart began to feel lighter. Then, I remembered...this is my life, the only one I get, interruptions and all. And I decided, to adjust my attitude and lighten up. For in everything, God is working. Sometimes these interruptions are meant to teach me patience. Others mercy. Still others remind me to laugh at myself. So,today, I embrace life interrupted.

For most of us, life is full of interruptions. Not just the petty small moments of quiet time that get disturbed by sibling rivalry or soccer practice, but major detours that set our feet on a completely unexpected and uncharted path. To be honest, it is that type of interruption that most sets me into an anxiety ridden tailspin. The type A planner in me does not take kindly to a change in plans and I do not often embrace life's interruptions.

But God is in all things, both great and small. And I am called to trust Him. For He promises that "In all things He works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) Did you hear that? In ALL things...even the life interrrupted. So breath deep and sing along. For the Sovereign King sings over you.

Time

2011-02-28T16:16:00.000-06:00

Where does the time go? I can't believe we are at the end of February 2011! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the new year! February & January for that matter had some crazy days for our household. We had a surgery & 3 cases of Strep along with 6 snow days! Anyone of these on their own would have upset our already hectic schedule but then you add in all of these & things were just down right chaos! Finally our weeks are getting back into a familiar pattern. Just as I was settling back in it hit me that we only have one more year (potentially) for our family unit to be under one roof. You see my oldest is a Junior in High School & while he may (if we talk hard & long enough) decide to stay with us his freshman year of college but he might just be ready to launch out into the world. That's when it hit me that time is swirling past me. I had already been working hard to simplify somethings in my life but that was for my sanity. Now it is a necessity for our family to do all we can to enjoy the time we have left under the same roof. So Time is becoming a precious gift in our family. We are working hard to find time to spend with each child & time for each other, family time & time with friends.

My prayer for you today is that you will value the time you have with those that God has placed in your lives & that you will let the ones you spend time with know how important they are to you.

We have girls night (chick-fil-a) & guys night (indoor football arena game) on the schedule for tonight so gotta go run so we can get it started. God bless.

Every Knee Will Bow

2011-02-24T07:00:00.002-06:00

This year I joined a new Bible study group, and we are studying the book of Isaiah. Isaiah is one of those books that I have always found to be hard, so I haven't stayed in it for too long at a time. (Yes, I guess maybe that means I give up easily...) However, I am loving it now. It is still just as hard as it has ever been, but I am not doing it alone, and that in itself makes it easier. There's so much more learning and gleaning when you go through it together. Of course, that is another post for another day....

What I want to focus on today is part of Isaiah that I've just been studying. In the latter part of Isaiah 45, God says, "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth." (v22) He then goes on to say, "Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear." (v23) (We hear this same idea recorded later in Philippians 2:10-11 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.)

Did you notice? He has extended His invitation to all the ends of the earth. And it says every knee and every tongue. There will come a day when every person who has ever lived will realize the truth about God and about Jesus. And at that point, it will be too late for those who didn't realize it before. Judgment will be made.

I know that we don't like to think about it, and we really don't like to talk about it, because it's so much easier to focus on grace and love and not stepping on anyone's toes. I know that I certainly don't spend my days sharing these truths with everyone I meet. I don't start a conversation with, "So, what do you think about Jesus?" Even tomorrow, after this is written, I don't think that is the way my conversations will start. However, I am realizing (again) that I do need to make some changes. I can't let Christianity be a club. It's not about fitting in or knowing the Bible better than the person next to me. It's about Jesus and letting others learn the truth about the only one who saves.

How can I say I love someone and not tell them about Jesus? If Jesus is truly my Savior, my Lord, my Best Friend, the Love of my life, then why wouldn't I want to share Him with others? After all, He died for my sins so that I wouldn't have to....He overcame death and rose again and set me free from eternal bondage (to put it lightly). Shouldn't I want others to have that same gift?

Why do I worry so much about what people are going to think of me that I shy away from telling them about the one thing that matters? If they disagree, they are not rejecting me. They are rejecting Christ. Yet, I grow scared and clumsy with my words, so--more times than not--I just don't speak.

I don't write this thinking that it's suddenly going to be easier for me to share Christ with others. In and of myself, I will still have just as much fear and trembling. However, if I'd just get out of the way and let Jesus speak through me, He's got this covered. He knows how to do it--and He wants to use me...and you...to share Himself with the world.

He's told us the ending. One day every knee will bow--some will be facing their Savior, many will be facing their Judge. I know that I want the people in my life to be bowing before Him in awe of His goodness, not cowering before Him knowing their mistake.

Lord, help us--help me--to be unafraid to share Your truth. Your truth is what sets us free, and we long to share it with the world. You are so gracious to us. You long for each of us to repent of our sins and turn to You. God, help us to be bold witnesses for Your glory. You alone deserve our praise.

Who Is Your Support Group

2011-02-11T08:56:00.000-06:00

"(9)Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: (10)If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

There was a question in our Bible Study this past week that ask do you have a support group in your life. As we stopped to talk about this question for a few minutes the discussion was about who some of those people were. One of groups mentioned that night was our Bible Study group. We know that anytime we need prayer for something all we have to do is email the request out and we have a group of women praying on our behalf.

I have thought about this question more and more. You may have one support group or you may have several. We really do need those "support groups" in life. God sometimes places those people in our lives to hold our hands up just like Aaron and Hur held Moses' hands up in Exodus when the Israelites were fighting the Amalekites.

I think back to when we lost our first little girl. I think about how there were people that held my hands up to help me make it through the days. I have made friends along the way that know the pain of losing a child. I do not know what I would do without them sometimes and know that God placed them in my life.

Last August, I joined MOPS. It has been fun. Getting to know some moms with little ones and hearing the way they do things. It can be as simple a conversation as what someone may feed their toddler for breakfast but sometimes that is just what you may be trying to figure out.

It is heartbreaking to think there are people out there with no support group. No one to talk to when they have a bad day. No one to ask to add them to their prayer list.

Who is your support group? Is there someone you can reach out to today that may not have anyone and be part of their support group? A simple phone call, card or email can brighten someones day and you not even realize it.

Have you ever felt prompted to do something, send someone a card, make a meal, etc...and then been too busy to stop and actually do it only to find out later that is something that person really needed. I have been guilty of that. I know that I need to slow down and listen because God may be telling me to help someone just like He has sent others help me over the years.

Time for a Fresh Start!

2011-02-07T21:55:00.003-06:00

Isaiah 40:31...
...but they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Tonight as I sit here, after a long, snow week, I am excited to get back into the swing of a normal routine. Even if it's only for 2 days. More snow coming our way!

While at home, over the last week, I was able to learn more money, saving tips from friends, organize and cut all of my coupons and get a fresh start on the new year. I feel like I have the new strength that the Lord talks about in Isaiah 40:31.

This blog is actually pretty short, and to the point, because sometimes a fresh start means... Jump In! Get Started! and Don't Wait! There are so many tools available to us now on the computer, in the paper and through magazines. I am just going to give you some of the great websites and money saving avenues that I use or that I have learned about. Please feel free to let me know yours if you have some that I haven't mentioned.
Let's also agree to pray for each other; that we would be good stewards of our finances, yet at the same time... don't spend so much time on the computer that we neglect our time with family and God.
These websites are great tools, but like anything else, they can rob you of time! Check them out, get familiar with them, and use the ones that you enjoy. Don't be overwhelmed. I have placed an (*) by the ones that are my favorites. Enjoy!

* * "All You"magazine (lots of coupons)

* * www.groupon.com

** www.smartsource.com

www.redplum.com

** www.thethriftymama.com

** www.couponcravings.com

www.coupons.com

www.healthesavers.com

www.shortcuts.com

www.cellfire.com

** www.restaurant.com

** www.cashbaq.com

www.couponmom.com

www.upromise.com

www.survivingthestores.com

** www.target.com (get their coupons)

** www.kroger.com (load coupons to your card)

www.dfwmommy.com

www.retailmenot.com

***Also... before you shop ANYWHERE... google or bing the store/restaurant, and see if their are coupons out there. You would be suprised. I just usually type in .. coupons for........

ENJOY!

Rock Eternal

2011-02-02T12:55:00.027-06:00

The past two days we have been homebound due to an ice storm that hit the area on Monday night. While the first day at home was a welcome break from the hectic demands of suburban life in North Texas, the past day has seemed to drag on considerably. Cold, bored, and at times without power, I began looking through old photos.

Not long into my walk down memory lane, I stumbled upon summer vacation pics from Okaloosa Island, Florida. Our family loves everything about the beach and this former Iowa girl never tires of the wonders of the sea. The dolphins. The sunsets. The surf. We love it all. Perhaps our favorite thing to do as a family is play in the sand. For several hours each day, my three children took delight in creating their very own architectural masterpieces in the soft, white sand. And every morning, as we strolled the beach, my kids found the tide had washed their sand castles away.

Some of us never outgrow our desire to build castles in the sand. As we strive to meet life's demands, we erect our very own creations based on worldly desires and human principles. And it seems like the right thing to do. Still, over time we watch helplessly as it all falls away. For, "unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

Truly, the LORD will not allow anything to stand that takes His place in our hearts. We are told "everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:26-27)

We are not to place our hope in wealth, humanity, or infrastructure. All of these things, though reassuring, are temporary. To the contrary, we are told to place our hope in eternal things. Our efforts and investments must be in those things close to the heart of God. Reading God's prayer and regular prayer give us a strong foundation of faith. It is the state of our union with the LORD that most concerns Him, and God does not take kindly to second place. Once we truly understand the heart of God, we are free to build for Him. Only then will our efforts stand up over time and bring Him glory.

The Bible teaches us that "everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)

We are His people. God's ambassadors to a broken world. And as such, we must be mindful that "there is no Rock like our God". (1 Samuel 2:2)It is time for us to build on His promises and invest in those things our Heavenly Father holds dear. For the LORD is building His church on Christ, the Rock Eternal.

He's Got It Covered

2011-01-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

I. am. tired. I don't know about you, but it seems like everyone around me has someone sick in their family right now. For us, my husband was sick last week and missed two days of work (and still isn't really 100%), and this week my daughter is sick and has missed two days of school. And though their illnesses have been fairly minor, it still seems to change so much of our daily routine--and it wears me out. I am not a good caretaker of the sick--I admit it. I am not overly sympathetic of sickness, and I'm not very good at babying the person who is ill. So, when it goes on for more than a day or two, it starts to irritate me. (So sad, I know.) But, I think it also scares me a little. On top of not being a good caretaker, I find that I get a little worried. I like to be in control (yes, I know God probably laughs at my control freak tendencies), so when I don't know exactly what is wrong or how to fix it,--particularly in regards to my family--I get a little panicky (and overwhelmed)--which is where I was this afternoon.

My daughter slept thirteen hours last night and took two naps today which added up to another hour and a half or so. She is seven, so that is a lot of sleep. By the time she was on her second nap, I was in my worried state. So, I prayed. I laid her before the Lord. And I will keep laying her at His feet. After all, He loves her more than me. He knows what is wrong and when she'll feel better. He knows.

And He knows how I feel in the midst of it all. He knows how overwhelmed I am, how I want to cry and scream all at once. And even though it's such a minor thing for me to be burdened by, He cares. God is in the details.

This past week I have been studying Isaiah 40:1-11 which starts out, "Comfort, comfort my people." (v1) God is my comfort. He is also "...the Sovereign Lord" (v10). He's got this covered. "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." (v11) He is my gentle shepherd, leading and guiding me--and carrying me close. Though I may feel weary, He is able to sustain me. He is my refuge and strength. And I am thankful.

As I said in the beginning, I don't know where you are right now. You may be on top of the world--or you may be burdened by something. Sickness. Job loss. Divorce. Death. Cancer. Unfamiliar surroundings. Wilderness. Whatever it is, wherever you are, God's got it covered. Jesus paid the price to set us free through His death on the cross, and He will lead us through whatever we face, big and small, if only we'll let Him.

Thoughts on Surviving Grief

2011-01-17T08:05:00.009-06:00

Our church family experienced a sudden, tragic loss over the weekend--every spouse's and parent's nightmare. A young father of 6 suffered a debilitating series of strokes, never to recover. Many of us initially heard through the Facebook grapevine, moving our community to prayer on his behalf. As we gathered for worship on Sunday morning, the announcement was made that he was to be taken off life support sometime during the day.

It all happened so fast! We had no time to process the sheer unbelievability of it. Even those who didn't know the family were moved to tears at the very thought of what the family will now endure. We are left to trust in God:

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

In light of this, I wanted to share a few practical thoughts on how to deal with grief (whether this specific event or any other). My MOPS group recently heard a speaker discuss this topic, and I borrow some from her material.

If you are the one grieving, allow yourself grace. Be kind to yourself; allow yourself to be sad. Pay attention to your energy and fatigue. When options present themselves, postpone major decisions. Generally speaking, they should be avoided for at least a year if possible.
Accept your limitations. You won't have the emotional or physical energy to be involved in social, sporting, business, church, or other activities to the same degree you previously did. And that's OK. Cut back. On everything.

For those who have a grieving loved one:
Pray, daily or as often as the thought occurs to you. Intercede on behalf of the grieving survivors. Honor their requests for privacy, yet be available to help. Don't ask, "How can I help?" Rather, offer something specific and practical, such as a meal or a gift card. If you are very close, you may serve as a liaison between the family and the larger group of friends or church, setting up a care calendar for meals, childcare, house/yard help, etc.

Lower expectations--extend grace to the hurting. You might not get a thank you card, or a phone conversation. Emotions may flare, words may lash out, tears may overflow.Your loved one will not be the same as before. But he/she will need you nonetheless. Be prepared to give of yourself--not just your stuff or your time, but you.

Don't necessarily hug. Ask first. I remember with my mom, when she lost her husband a few years ago, any sympathetic touch would set off another round of tears. Sometimes she needed it but often it overwhelmed her. Many others react similarly. Be sensitive.

Remembrance
On a positive note, there are thing we CAN do to keep the memory of the deceased person alive. Donate in the person's name--perhaps a favorite charity, ministry, or benevolence fund.
Plant a tree--every year it will spring forth into new growth and renewed life.

Develop new traditions--especially around the holidays.

Hug your loved ones tight each day. Say "I love you." Treasure them for the gifts they are to you, knowing that we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Write notes--the real, snail-mail, handwritten variety--to surviving family, perhaps several months and years later. Just so they know their loved one isn't forgotten.

Talk about the deceased. Celebrate his/her life, even after the funeral when your life goes back to mostly normal.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29

(Thanks to Sandra Glahn for much of this material.)

It's Worth Every Minute

2011-01-14T15:41:00.004-06:00

I am sitting at my computer typing out an email and it hits me today is FRIDAY!!! I am suppose to post on this blog on THURSDAY!!! I have been thinking about it all week so how did I forget to post late Wednesday night or Thursday morning? So, I rush over to the blog as I started thinking what am I going to post about.

It hits me, something I was just thinking about this morning. Being a Stay-At-Home-Mom. Now, if you are not a SAHM please do not quit reading. For a very long time I worked. I worked very, very long hours some weeks, especially before a deadline. Before I was a SAHM I use to think if I ever get to stay home all the things I would do during the day. I would work out regularly, I would meet my friends for lunch, we would have play dates, I would cook wonderful meals all the time and the list goes on.

Even now, I read other blogs and wonder how in the world do they get all they get done in a day sometime. How do they get up, work out, get dressed and have breakfast on the table and it is not even 8 AM yet?? How do they have these little ones always taking the most perfect pictures all the time? How do they.........

I have to stop myself and realize they do not do this everyday or at least that is what I tell myself. They just do not post the pictures where the baby is not looking at the camera or they have not had time to get dressed that day because they were up half the night with a sick baby. They do not post the days where they are lucky just to get a bowl of cereal on the table so everyone can get out the door on time.

I had work friends tell me that being a SAHM was hard work. Well, I have found out they are right. I told my husband recently that I have no idea how I use to do all that I did when I worked 60 hour weeks and then still found time to clean my house, have parties at our house and be involved in all I was involved in.

I do have to say I LOVE BEING A SAHM though! I love the time I spend with my little girl and I have finally realized that if she wants to play then I can clean the house after she goes to bed at night. I can wash that load of clothes in a little while rather than right this second. She is my "employer" I guess you could say. She is why I am a SAHM. As with any job there is a training period where you are adapting to the way things are done and I believe that to be true when you go from being employed in the work force to becoming a SAHM. As a SAHM you do not get vacation time, sick time or personal time. You work 24/7. But you have a WONDERFUL benefit package. To see that smiling face or to have those little arms reaching up to you to be held - it is worth every moment of no sleep, a messy house sometime, piled up laundry and the list goes on......

I know not everyone can be a SAHM and I do not want to offend anyone. I admire all of you moms out there that work and can get done all the things you do in a day!!!

Show Off

2011-01-05T21:11:00.014-06:00

Recently, I received an email that made me giggle. It said, "You must have the gifts of perseverance and patience." When I read those well-meaning, though grossly inaccurate words, I heartily laughed out loud. And, I am pretty sure that Jesus laughed along with me. For few people who know me well would use either of those words to describe my personality.

To the contrary, I have never been very good at waiting. In this fast-paced world of instant gratification, waiting sometimes feels like such a waste of time. It seems I am always in a hurry to get where I am going, and my time-table doesn't always match up with God's. However, as I reflect, I must acknowledge that waiting has always served me well. In my experience, God tends to "show off" most significantly during seasons of waiting.

In Hebrews, we are instructed and assured, "do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36) As we wait for God's promises to unfold, we are called to trust, remember, and endure. It's a lesson many of us seem to be continually learning. Often, it seems that as one season of waiting ends, a new one begins. At times, it feels as though the waiting will never be over.

And so, we must choose to actively trust as we wait on God to act on our behalf. Since God is good all the time, we need not doubt His beautiful intentions towards His people. Indeed, the Heavenly Father is always at work, sometimes behind the scenes, to bring about His purpose in your life and mine. As we fix our eyes on God's sovereign power, God's plans will surely unfold in His perfect timing. But, we must place our trust in Him alone.

Further, we are advised to remember God's faithfulness. Truly. the LORD likes to "show off" in the lives of His children. Recalling His great victories is a good way to ease the angst in our seasons of waiting. Look to the past and remember all that God has done. Be assured that the God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow will surely meet you where you are. Even in our toughest circumstances,it is a certainty that God will accomplish His purpose. Still, He will do so in His perfect timing. And His time-table is not negotiable.

Yet, we are not to be passive as we wait. Rather, we are called to endure. Perhaps this is the most difficult challenge of all. The dictionary definition of endure is "to suffer without yielding; to hold out." One could argue that a better definition in God's kingdom could be "to hold on".

Hold onto God's promises.
Hold onto God's faithfulness.
Hold onto God's power.
Hold onto God's hand.

A new year is upon us and with it come many new beginnings. Some of us are waiting for a new job. A new opportunity. A new start. Our Heavenly Father is in the business of making all things new. Whatever you are waiting for, accept His plan and trust that He will be glorified in your life. Thank God in advance for the blessings to come. Remain in His presence. Cling to His promises. And endure.

Just hold on... and watch God "show off".

New Year - New Beginnings

2011-01-03T13:46:00.000-06:00

The start of a new year has so many people taking the time to re-evaluate their priorities, organize & clean out their homes & lives & declutter everything they can, set goals & dream of what what the new year will bring. My family is no different.

In our business my husband & I spent time in December evaluating our year & looking in amazement at the blessings God brought our way despite a "down" economy and making plans for this year's blessings. In our family we talked about where we would like to go & what we would like to do this next year. In our home we took action & pretty much gutted every drawer, cabinet & closet. We re-arranged furniture & made piles for the trash & piles for Goodwill. Planning & reviewing were necessary but when we actually took action & made a difference in our home I really felt like we were starting a new chapter. It was very refreshing & freeing to let go of some of the "stuff" that was cluttering our house.

As we go thru life there is a lot of "stuff" that clutters up what we should be doing. Things that get in the way, such as a phone ringing to interrupt relationships or stacks of dishes in the way to start dinner or piles of paperwork that screams for your attention & all you want to do is sit & listen to your child's day. Well this year is a year of New Beginnings for me. My goal is to put away the phone when someone needs my attention, have the chores (like dishes) that prevent me from starting something else done as they happen verses waiting till they are in the way, & making time everyday (even if it's just 5 minutes) to listen, really listen to my kids & my husband.

God desires us to give him our time as well. He desires to be number 1 in our lives & to walk thru life by our side. He desires for us to live a "clutter" free life. The best way for that is daily give him our clutter. Let God carry your burdens for you. Walking daily with God will help you discern what is important in your day & what is the "clutter" you need to put aside. James 1:5 says "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

So I am continuing my quest for simplicity by setting my priorities everyday. I will spend a few minutes each day evaluating what I need to be doing & working to keep my life "de-cluttered!"

Blessing

2010-12-30T04:00:00.000-06:00

Today we took down all of our Christmas decorations, tucking them away for another year. It seems like every year as I put them away, I feel a bit sad to see them all go. Perhaps it's just because of the work that goes into putting it all out in the first place--but I think perhaps some of us feel a little sad watching another year go by. Maybe the year had some moments we'd rather hold on to, or maybe another year just means another year older and we're dreading the wrinkles or gray hairs that are inevitably coming. Or maybe some of you are experiencing the opposite feeling and can't wait for the new year because this one was the toughest one yet. Either way, I think the end of the year tends to draw out the pondering within us, the thoughts we don't always think.

For me, the end of the year has become a time where I ask myself questions about what I want to be doing differently, where I ask the Lord what He wants of me in the upcoming year, and where I take time to treasure the gifts I've been given....not gifts that came under a tree, but gifts of people, of places, of memories, and the gift of relationship with Jesus. After all, it all started with God's great gift to us, and I certainly want to remember His faithfulness with each passing year.

This year, God has blessed me with amazing friendships--old and new. He has blessed our family financially. He has blessed us with the gift of knowing Him more. And that's just three of the blessings He's given us. He's also blessed me with a home to live in, a husband and children to call my own, a church family I adore, clothes to wear, food to eat. I could go on and on.

So what about you? How has He blessed you this year? Even if it was the worst year of your life, there has been blessing. The blessing may even have come right in the middle of the worst moment. Maybe the blessing was a meal someone brought over. Maybe the blessing was a smile from your preschooler. Maybe it was a rainbow in the sky. Whatever it was, I know that God loves to give good gifts to His people--we just have to be on the lookout for them.

I encourage you as the year is drawing to a close, take time to think about what God has done this year. You might want to write it down so you won't forget. If you take the time to think about it, you'll definitely want to thank Him for His goodness. I personally like to make a list of one hundred things I'm thankful for from the year. And this year, I'm actually making a list of one hundred people I'm thankful for in 2010.

Whatever you do, however you do it, I hope you'll remember the One who gave it all to us. And I hope that you'll enter 2011 overflowing with the joy of Christ Jesus. Happy New Year!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Merry Christmas from "Stitches"!

2010-12-25T16:34:00.008-06:00

From all of us on the "Stitches" blog team to you and yours, we just want to wish you a Very Merry Christmas!

I hope that you all have had an amazing Christmas celebration with loved ones, and have been touched at some point with the true Spirit of Christmas.

My oldest daughter told me that early this Christmas morning (4 a.m., to be exact), she was awakened. She felt like God was speaking to her heart, and the only message was "I Love You!". In that moment, Christmas all fell into place for her. All the carols, all the gifts, all the well-wishes from loved ones, all the nights at our church's live depiction of the life of Christ.. birth through death. It all was summed up by that one message from the Creator of the universe... I LOVE YOU.

I was reminded of the following story I received this week from a friend. My Christmas gift to you, a beautiful illustration of the love God has for us.. for you.

Merry Christmas!
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The Birds

There was once a man who didn't believe in the incarnation of Christ or the spiritual meaning of Christmas, and was skeptical about God.

He and his family lived in a farm community. His wife was a devout believer and diligently raised her children in her faith. He sometimes gave her a hard time about her faith and mocked her observance of Christmas. "It's all nonsense - why would God lower himself and become a human like us?! It's such a ridiculous story!" he said.

One snowy Christmas Eve, she and the children left for church while he stayed home. After they had left, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening.

Then he heard a loud thump, something hitting against the window. And another thump. He looked outside but couldn't see. So he ventured outside to see. In the field near his house he saw, of all the strangest things, a flock of birds! They were apparently flying to look for a warmer area down south, but had been caught in the snow storm.

The storm had become too blinding and violent for the birds to fly or see their way. They were stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter, unable to do more than flutter their wings and fly in aimless circles.

He had compassion for them and wanted to help them. He thought to himself, "The barn would be a great place for them to stay! It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm."

So he opened the barn doors for them. He waited, watching them, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But they didn't notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. He moved closer toward them to get their attention, but they just moved away from him out of fear. He went into the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread trail to the barn. They still didn't catch on.

Starting to get frustrated, he went over and tried to shoo them toward the barn. They panicked and scattered into every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where there was warmth, safety and shelter.

Feeling totally frustrated, he exclaimed, "Why don't they follow me? Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm? How can I possibly get them into the one place to save them?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. He said to himself, "How can I possibly save them? The only way would be for me to become a bird. If only I could become like one of them! I could speak their language and they could understand me and trust me. Then I could save them! They would follow me and I would lead them to safety."

At that moment, he stopped and considered what he had just said. The words reverberated in his mind: "If only I could become like one of them - then I could save them." As he pondered those words, the bells from the little church where his family was attending the Christmas Eve Service begin to peal the melody to "Joy to the World". And then, at last, he understood God's heart towards mankind as he fell on his knees in the snow and worshipped Him.