Thursday, July 28, 2011

All this mess....

This is my ring tone on my phone. Love this song!!


Every time my phone rings it’s a reminder.  I’m always forgetting how big I’m blessed.  I love when my phones rings while I’m in the car with the kids.  This song will be stuck in their heads forever.  How precious is it to hear them sing, “I forget how big I’m blessed!”
And I am blessed. Blessed beyond measure! I have a house to live in.  I have food in my pantry.  I have money in the bank. I have two beautiful children.  I have a husband who provides. We both have good jobs. We both having running vehicles.  I have parents who love me. I have my husbands parents who love me. I have tons of extended family who love me. And I have the Lord. He is my rock and my comforter.         
Thank you Lord Jesus.  You are the great provider.  Thank you for everything you have given me.  I do not deserve it.  In the middle of all this mess, I forget how big I’m blessed. This is the stuff That gets under my skin, but I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing, might not be what I would choose but this is the stuff You use!  AMEN !!!


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Reputation

Philippians 2:1-4  -So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others
Ironically, it’s those who live for their own selfish pleasure that are constantly miserable.  In other words, we gain no real pleasure by seeking our own pleasure. 

Let us live our lives for others. Let us represent our Father.  Let us be known for our kindness and  generosity.  The definition of reputation is overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general . 

If your going to be known for your reputation – make it a good one.

Some clever quotes ……

Your life may be the only Bible some people read.  ~Author Unknown
 Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns!  ~Allison Gappa Bottke
Character is much easier kept than recovered.  ~Thomas Paine
There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.  ~French Proverb

Don't try to be different.  Just be good.  To be good is different enough.  ~Arthur Freed

I never did, or countenanced, in public life, a single act inconsistent with the strictest good faith; having never believed there was one code of morality for a public, and another for a private man.  ~Thomas Jefferson, 1809
Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.  ~Ann Landers
Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking.  There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught.  ~J.C. Watts
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.  ~Oscar Wilde

Live so that your friends can defend you but never have to.  ~Arnold H. Glasow
Have a very good reason for everything you do.  ~Laurence Olivier

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Blessed is the nation....

It was not a coalition of gods that brought our Pilgrim forefathers to this continent. It was not a coalition of settlers (Hindus, Muslims, and Christians) that brought the open Bible to the shores of this great land to establish a government based on the Law of God, and whose mission was to advance the Gospel of Christ. It was Jesus Christ Himself who brought the tiny Mayflower safely to the shores of this land, and it was the blessing of Jesus Christ Himself that made our nation great (a city set on a hill).

Our Pilgrim forefathers never tired of mentioning and praising His Name. Listen to this quote from the Old South Leaflets written on September 26, 1637, concerning the rules and precepts of Harvard College: "Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and his studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of sound knowledge and learning…"

Our Founding Fathers never tired of mentioning and praising His Name. Patrick Henry declared: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

Henry was right. It was precisely because our nation was founded upon the Rock of Christ that America became a haven of liberty and an asylum for so many of the persecuted and downtrodden of our world.

Just before the Revolutionary War, one of the Crown-appointed governors wrote back to England of the condition of the colonists and their resolve to fight: "If you ask an American, who is his master? He will tell you he has none, nor any governor but Jesus Christ." The war cry that spread throughout the thirteen colonies still resounds to this day: "No King but King Jesus!"

Yes, our Pilgrim forefathers and our Founding Fathers knew that it was to Jesus and Jesus alone that we owed allegiance. We Americans need to remember the Rock from which we were hewn. We need to stop apologizing for the Name of Christ and begin praising Him. He is God, and apart from Him there is no other!
                                                                                            (**Taken from Flip Benham)

And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: And he said, the Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. (2 Samuel 22)

This is one of my most favorite songs - sung by one of my most favorite artists.  Click the link below to listen....Enjoy! 




Monday, July 25, 2011

It's my birthday & I'll shop if I want to!

My birthday was this weekend.  My twenty-ninth!  I mean thirty third! Yikes! I had a wonderful time with friends and family this weekend and even had like 30 people wish me happy birthday on Facebook! This girl definitely feels the love!
                                                                                
Speaking of love…see the ”follow me”  gidget over there.  >>>>>>>>>
Add your email, please.  I’d like to see who all reads my blog.  I promise I won’t sell or share your information.
Back to my birthday!  On Friday night I celebrated with my 3 boys. Josh had had to work at the fire station on my actual birthday.  First, my favorite part. We opened presents!  Jakob was a big help as he pulled everything out of the bag for me and was just as excited as I was to see what was in there. 
From Jakob, I got a lovely fold up pocket chair. That he immediately wanted to use! It will be great for all the football practices we have coming up.  Thank you baby Jake!
From Nathaniel, I got a pair of pretty pink sunglasses, a 4 pack of yummy Starbucks Double Shot Espresso & Cream, and I rubber bracelet that said Proud to be an American.  Thank you Nater!
From Joshua, I got a pair of yoga pants, a tank top and new hot pink sports bra.  I recently started Zumba classes and need some workout clothes.  Thank you Hubbie Bubbie!
For dinner, we went to Villa Grande and had their table side guacamole! MMMmmmmm! And I had two of their large margaritas!  MMMmmmm!  I had dinner too!
On Saturday, my actual birthday,  the kids and I went to Stonebriar mall with my neighbor and her girls.  I went mostly to school clothes shop for the boys but there were some pretty good deals for myself that I just could pass up!  Like at The Body Shop, where I got two banana shampoos, two banana conditioners, a watermelon moisturizer and big pink beach bag for $19.00.  I actually saved $21.something.  That’s more than I spent!
We had lunch a Sbarro’s and then went to the Disney Store to “just look around”. Well, they had their Winnie the Pooh characters on sale for $10, and I couldn’t resist Eeyore!  


Later that evening, I sent Josh this picture in a text that said, “Since my real jackass isn’t here tonight, this one will do!”  Pretty funny, I thought!

After the Disney store, I got talked into buying a $299 flat iron for only $99.  And because it was my birthday, I got my hair done for free.  They showed me how to do these ringlets with my flat iron.  Also, my hair NEVER holds a curl.  I got my curled around 1:00 took this picture around 6:00 and Still Curly!! It actually stayed curly till I washed it the next day!


Our final stop was across the street at Old Navy.  I had a $15 off $50 coupon that I had received for my birthday that I fully intended on using for school clothes.  But, I cannot go in Old Navy and not look at the clearance rack!  I ended up with 3 shirts and some denim trousers!

When we got home the neighbor girls want me to curl their hair so I spent the rest of the afternoon playing hair dresser with them.  I never get to do that since I have stinky boys!  ;o)
After that we went to dinner with the neighbors, where I got this picture taken.




On Sunday, we went to the lake for some wake surfing and R & R. Then to my in laws to wish the best father in law in world Happy Birthday!  His is the day after mine!  I got a $50 gift card from them to Ebay!  Thanks Mimi & Papa!!  I have a serious Ebay addiction and probably need help.  But not right now ‘cause I’m "watching" a Canon SLR XTi Digital camera!  :o) 
I also got $$$ from my mom and from work. And I think from my Dad.  He called to say he mailed his card late, but there’s usually money in there!!  So, thank you Mama, Law Office and Daddy!

I had a great weekend and I am so blessed to have such great friends and a wonderful family. Thank you, Lord! You’re awesome!

Friday, July 22, 2011

I'm gonna let it shine...

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,
 Won't let Satan blow it out,I'm gonna let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out,I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes,I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes,I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
   God is very much like a professional diamond cutter when it comes to polishing and grinding our solid rock faith.  Naturally God is always pleased with our rock solid faith, but yet, God goes further…He subjects us to years of pressure, heat and trials to transform us from unpolished rocks into diamonds in the rough.  Then, as when our faith becomes like a diamond in the rough, God continues to grind and polish us so that the texture of our faith can sparkle with the brilliance of the light of Christ.
    
     God is never satisfied with the texture of our rock faith.  He always tries to transform our faith into something beautiful as a diamond.  If we experience the grinding and cutting pain of our faith experience in whatever situation we find ourselves in, it may be that God is trying to transform our simple faith into a vibrant and living faith.  If we resist God’s efforts to transform our living faith by not moving deeper into experiencing God’s love, we will always remain as a rock.

     Would we want to spend the rest of our life as a  rock? Or will we be willing to take up the pain of being pressured, cut, grinded and polished by God’s hands so that our faith may shine like a brilliant diamond? When our faith is polished and becomes beautiful as a diamond, the light of Christ will sparkle in all directions in us and everyone who sees the light of Christ in us will appreciate the mystery and beauty of God’s love all the more.

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine !

Thursday, July 21, 2011

A Brave Little Boy

The lady that babysits my children after school has a son named Dylan.  This is his story.



 
Dylan is now 6 years old and a super great kid. He is needing back sugery and his parents are in need of your prayers and support. 

This Dylan with his older brother.


Please follow Dyans story at CaringBridge and keep him and his family in your prayers.


Matthew 18:19
"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."

Psalm 20:1-5May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;May He send you help from the sanctuary,And strengthen you out of Zion; May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice.May He grant you according to your heart's desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.



Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Confliction

This post has been removed per the request of a concerned family member.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Trust in the Lord with all your heart !

It is one thing to have faith in God, to know that God exists, and that He is all-powerful and that there is nothing that He cannot do or accomplish – but it is quite another thing to be able to completely trust God with your life and to completely trust Him to properly handle it for you, especially if everyone in your past has let you down in one form or another.

I believe that faith and trust go hand in hand. They are like a one-two punch. First you must have faith that God exists, that He is who the Bible says He is, and that you are truly saved under the shed Blood of His Son Jesus Christ. However, there is now one more big step you must take after you have this kind of faith in God.

Once you are saved, then you must be willing to fully surrender your entire life over to God the Father so that He can then enter you into His perfect plan and destiny for your life.
  1.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5)
     
  2. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass … Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him …” (Psalm 37:4-7)
     
  3. “Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon His God.” (Isaiah 50:10)
     
  4. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” (Psalm 125:1)
     
  5. He trusted in the Lord God of Israel … For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments … The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went.” (2 Kings 18:5-7)
     
  6. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3)
     
  7. A good man … will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies.” (Psalm 112:5-8)
     
  8. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him … But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:8-10)
     
  9. “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” (Proverbs 16:20)
     
  10. “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
     
  11. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.” (Isaiah 57:13)
     
  12. Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but her leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:5)
  1. Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help … Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God … Who keeps truth forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.” (Psalm 146:3-7)
     
  2. He who trusts in his riches will fall …” (Proverbs 11:28)
     
  3. Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Friday, July 15, 2011

Let us Pray

Hello Prayer Warriors!
I receive an email from a reader yesterday.  I have received permission to share with you some of her email as well as my response.  I think we have all been here at one time or another.  Let us come together and pray over this courageous woman who wants so badly to commit to be the wife that God wants her to be.  Lord, help her.  Give her the compassion she needs.  Fill her heart with love and kindness.  Let her see the good in her marriage.  We love her, Lord, and need your help.  In Your glorious name,  Amen. 
From reader…I liked your blog about forgiveness and about honoring your man, but how do you do that…..
I have a huge problem of having built up resentment and holding a grudge and in turn not offering complete forgiveness. How do you do it?? I pray for God to help me, I pray that he will help me forgive and let go of resentment, but it is still there and seems like it will never go away, no matter how hard I pray for it. You amaze me….. How do you just let that go, pretend it never happened and not hold a grudge or resentment? I really envy you that you are able to do that.
I love this part…………”I have to remember to be patient with him. To put aside my high expectations of how a perfect husband would lead his family spiritually, or behave socially, or perform financially.  I must keep my hope in God, not in my man. Then I will not be disappointed.”
How do you do that when you feel like your hopes, dreams, expectations of the kind of husband/father for your kids you want and need fall so short of what you actually have?
And then this…..”I also have to remember my words and actions can help to construct a secure husband.”  I do know that mentally, but how do you actually go about doing that when they are letting you down all the time, how do you build them up and be encouraging to them when they continually disappoint you with  their actions and behaviors????? How do you just swallow that, let it go, and be positive? I know the answer is prayer and I have prayed till I am blue in the face, but when it comes time to be nice and encouraging and loving, I just can’t. 
Maybe my expectations are too high, maybe I’m not forgiving enough, maybe I am too prideful, I don’t know the answer, but I do know I want to be more like you. I want a forgiving heart, I want to say, I love the one God has chose for me, I get teary eyed EVERY time I read your blog, seriously every single one has made me emotional, I’m not sure why, I think God is working on me, thru your words, because every day your blogs pertain to something I have been praying about and not seeming to be able to hear an answer.
Your blogs have helped me and you have some very wise words, so I was just hoping you could give me some advice. And I read your blogs and I know what I should do (be forgiving, respect his authority, show love and kindness, honor him, and encourage him) but it is so much easier said than done.
My response….I am really glad that my words are helping you but you see they are helping me too.  They make me accountable for my actions.  I'm putting my thoughts and beliefs out there for the world to see.  
I decided a long time ago, (for lack of a better phrase), that I have made my bed, and so now I'll lie in it.  Now, I don't mean that in its most extreme way.  I love Josh.  I always have.  Even when he has hurt me.  I will not give up on him or us. But God has a plan for us. I believe that and its keeps me going. I also believe that God will reward us for sticking through thick and thin, and being married to the end of our days.
Again, it’s my faith in God, not Josh.  I'm not perfect, Josh isn't perfect, and my children aren't perfect.  But we work together (most of the time) beautifully.  
Forgiveness is just something I give God.  I just let it go.  I refuse to not think about "whatever" anymore.  Sure, the devils tries to sneak thoughts or "what ifs" into my head but I won’t let him.  I know it’s him and that makes it even easier to ignore. It took me a long time to get here too.  I can’t say it was easy.  I work hard for my marriage.  And sometimes it is very one sided.  But again, I will be rewarded someday. 
My one suggestion would be to bite your tongue.  When he is being offensive don't say anything.  Your silence is sometimes all it takes for him to ask, "What’s wrong?"  By then you are probably calm enough to speak to him respectfully.  Telling him that he has hurt you by his actions is like a knife in the gut sometimes.  He loves you and wouldn't want to hurt you for anything. 
These are my personal thoughts.  I’m no marriage counselor, and my marriage has been and is far from perfect.  But I work with what I have and enjoy what I have.  I think being grateful goes along with being respectful.  And being respectful goes along with being forgiving.  I hope these words help a little and I will pray for you. 
 Does anyone else have any words of wisdom?

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Cheerful Giver

I went to give blood yesterday.  It wasn’t that I really want to but they called and said they needed it. So, it was the right thing to do. Right?
I mentioned before how I don’t tithe as much as I should.  Why is it that I can so freely give up my own blood, that which my body needs to survive, that which is also unpleasant to give, and not be just as willingly free with my money.  Isn’t my money just as God given as my blood is? Look what God gave me. 
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
I most definitely do not give 10% as the Old Testament instructs me do.  What does that say about my faith?  It says I don’t trust God enough to replenish what I give to him. 
And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.-  Genesis 14:20


 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff, shall be holy to the Lord. - Leviticus 27:32


Above are a couple of verses that mention the percentage of ten.  Here are some other verses that offer a different way to tithe.


Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce ;-  Proverbs 3:9


Your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.  -2 Corinthians 8:14


Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  -2 Corinthian 9:7
I think that that Lords wants us to give from the start (firstfruits). Before paying bills, before buying groceries, before getting that pedicure.  I think 10% is a good round number, however, there will be times  when you can (and should) give more, and then there times when you can’t.  The biggest point is to trust wholeheartedly the Lord our God and faithfully know that He will provide.  He will replenish.  He will sustain.  Can I get an Amen?
Above all, all tithes should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God.  We must be cheerful givers.
*The greatest giver this world has ever known was Jesus Christ. Leaving behind the riches and glory of His heavenly kingdom, He came to Earth and willingly gave His life so that we could keep ours. As God predestined His children to be conformed to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29), there can be no better way to emulate Jesus Christ than by giving selflessly the way He did. Our Savior Himself told us: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Quite simply, then, our greatest motivation for cheerful and generous giving should be that it pleases the Lord and reflects His gift of salvation to us.*

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Honoring My Man

The best thing my husband ever did for me (*he did it for him not me) was getting his heart right with God.  We were spiritually mismatched for a very long time.  Once this happened it is amazing the strengthening that took place in our marriage.
I have loved my husband from the moment I met him.  Really, that does happen! But I have never loved my husband more than the day he finally became the spiritually leader of our family.
I am so thankful for the one God has chosen for me. My husband wasn’t and isn’t perfect, but the Lord knew he needing molding and that he was still a work in progress. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be patient and strong through the process of making him the man you want him to be.


It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him…Genesis 2:18.


My husband is still under construction.  I have to have an attitude of acceptance, respect, and adaptation. I also have to remember  my words and actions can help to construct a secure husband.
I have to remember to be patient with him. To put aside my high expectations of how a perfect husband would lead his family spiritually, or behave socially, or perform financially.  I must keep my hope in God, not in my man. Then I will not be disappointed.
Enjoy life with … whom you love, all the days of your vain life that He has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.  Ecclesiastes 9:9
And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.  Hosea 2:19


Ultimately, it is God who makes it possible for us to honor each other and serve one another and care for each other and forgive each other in marriage. Our differences make it difficult to live in harmony, but God gives us the power to work through those differences with love and humility.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I LOVE MY SPOUSE!  THANK YOU LORD FOR JOSHUA!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Random Ramblings

Yawn.....


I have not been sleeping well again for about the past month.  It seems like the longer I go without a good nights sleep, the more my mind seems to ramble.  The things I think about at 3:00 in the mornings are sometimes just plain moronic.  I can't begin to explain all the weird things that pop in to my head. 


Besides worrying about everyday things like what I have to do the next day, like printing out the kids school supply list or not forgetting to lay out the chicken when I get up. I plan out things. And I always feel like I should get up and organize or clean, but I don't. By morning, that feeling is long gone.


And then there are the weird random things that come. Recently, on different nights, I have remembered and thought about my childhood.  Like Mom taking me and Christy out on the deck to open our birthday presents.  We both got play brooms.  Or the little hiding spot in the hallway by my bedroom door where I would hide the dukes of hazard match car.  Cant remember why I hit it there, but I did.  In both of these memories I couldn't have been more than 3 or 4.   Why in the world am I thinking about these things?? 
I cant even recall now some of the things that I ramble on about in my head now,  but they are weird.


I also lay there and pray. I pray for my family, I pray for the soldiers, I pray for my aging parents, I pray for my children, I pray for my husband, I pray for forgiveness, I pray for our debt, I pray for sleep!


I am so tired......Yawn.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Sinners Like Me

La de dah de dah
La de dah dah de de

I heard this song while we were on the boat over a week ago.  It has been playing in my head ever since.  I wake up with it. 
http://youtu.be/9tGHyNpOQL0


Friday, July 8, 2011

Forgiveness

Forgiveness.  Is it a conscious choice or an emotional state or both?
The Bible says that we must forgive by faith. Out of obedience. 
But because we are human this is sometimes very hard to do.  We have to prepare ourselves emotionally to “buck up” if you will, to “dust yourself off and get back on the horse”, to close a hurtful wound and just move on.
So, I say both.  We choose to forgive because the Lord has commanded us to do so. Then we prepare our hearts to do it. 
Jesus taught what has now become known as the Golden Rule, treat others the way that you would like to be treated. (Matt 7:12)
How often do you find yourself not doing this? 
If you don’t practice the Golden Rule, why should those around you?  Do you find yourself holding a grudge and not forgiving because you have been wronged in some way? 
People get their feelings hurt.  People make mistakes.  We are all sinners. 
What Would Jesus Do?  Seriously.  I tell my children when they are unsure if the choice they are making is the right one, ask yourself,  What would Jesus Do ? 
He would forgive. And He did forgive. All of us. 
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  (Colossians 3:13)
Forgive and forget.  It’s really simple.  Don’t be selfish. No one owes you anything.  Close your heart to hatred and open it for love and understanding.
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (1 John 4: 20) 
I’ll leave you with a quote from. Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian woman who survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust.
 "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Our Family Rules

1. Pray Often.  
         ~  Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye   receive them, and ye shall have them.   Mark 11:24


2. Find your identity in Christ. 
         ~ And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.   Deuteronomy 28:1


3. Encourage others. Love Others. 
        ~  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.   Ephesians 4:29


4. Be thankful.
        ~ Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1


5.  Be kind. Listen. No yelling or Elbowing.
        ~ Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12


6.  Slow dance in the kitchen.
       ~ No verse.  I just love a good slow dance in the kitchen.  I love the one God chose for me.


7.  Always be looking for ways to serve others.
       ~ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.  1 Peter 4:10


8.  Fill the house with music. Worship.
       ~ Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.  Ephesians 5:19


9.  Hug one another. (daily)
       ~  Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.  Proverbs 23:25


10. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  James 1:2-4


Here is a painting of the House Rules I did for my breakfast area.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Here goes nothing.....

Well, here goes nothing. 


I am utterly and completely bored therefore I have started a blog!


First, I'll introduce myself. 


I am Terri.  Born of Bill and Annette in July of 1978.  I have two sisters, Becky & Christy.  I have a brother that lives with Jesus.  His name is Randy. 


When I was still but a child (seriously!), I met and fell in love with my husband Joshua.  We eloped when I was 18 years and he was 22.  After, getting our marriage certificate, we looked in the phone book for a Justice of the Peace. Found one that worked on the square in a frame shop.  His  name was Uncle Russ.  Very romantic, I know!  The best part (well not the best) was that I totally forgot is was my mothers birthday.  At least, I'll never forget her birthday! We will be married 15 years this year. That is a crazy long time!  Not always fun, but definitely worth it.

After several years of practicing, Josh and I finally made a baby!  Nathaniel Ellis, 9 pounds 10 ounces, 21 inches long beautiful (large!) baby boy.  Our pride and joy!  He's 10 now and not so cute, quite mouthy and pretty stubborn but I love him so much it hurts sometimes.


Not too soon after came Jakob Anderson Lee. 7 pounds, 13 ounces, 19 inches long beautiful blond headed angelic baby boy. Jakob was our surprise gift from God.  God sure knows what he's doing!  I cant imagine life without my baby Jake.  Even at 7 now, he still seems angelic. (but only when he's asleep!) Not really....he's the sweetest boy you'll ever meet.  And I love him so much it hurts too.


These are my boys.  Precious.