His word for me today....

from my devotional reading this morning;

"All people will know that you are followers if you love each other" (John 13:35) ..... could it be that unity is the key to reaching the world for Christ?
If unity is the key to evangelism, shouldn't it have precedence in our prayers? Should we, as Paul said, "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit throught the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3)? If unity matters to God then shouldn't unity matter to us? If unity is a priority in heaven, then shouldn't it be a priority on earth?
Nowhere, by the way, are we told to build unity. We are simply told to keep unity. From God's perspective the is but "one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16) Unity does not need to be created; it simply needs to be protected.
How do we do that?......Does that mean we compromise our convictions? No. Does that mean we abandon the truths we cherish? No.
But it does mean we look long and hard at the attitudes we carry.

What can we do to protect the unity of God's flock?

Max Lucado
In the Grip of Grace

I know that I have burned many bridges in the past. Many of them with other christians. I have failed in both keeping and protecting unity. so.....

After chewing on that for awhile, I opened my bible this afternoon to this passage....

Romans 12 (The Message)

"Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; pratice playing second fiddle.

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they are happy; share tears when they are down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck up. Make friends with the nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody."


I know there has been alot said recently in regards to unity, love and peace. But I thought that a reminder of protecting & keeping each other was worth mentioning. We are all family. Clearly it was an important reminder for me too, seeing as He had me read it twice today!! It's also worth remembering that the mistakes of the past are in the past and that in His strength we can move ahead. May we continue to protect each other. May we want to keep each other.

just a thought

we are told not to judge a book by it's cover but what about judging a book before all the chapters are written?

different strokes for different folks

ah, yes.....thursday nights. i decided to open my home to anyone who is creative or would like to find their creative side buried deep within. the best part about it so far is watching how differently everyone chooses to expresses themselves. this group is not focused (at all) on perfection or even technique, although we are working on that!! but rather on just enjoying the process.

anywho......for anyone who wants to come out and see what their artistic side may (or may not) look like please do........it really is a fun and relaxing time (right mom??)

clean sweep

yes, it's that time of the year again. time to empty all the closets in the house, go through all the clothes we don't wear. time to take some bags & boxes (5!) down to MCC. it continues to amaze me how much 'stuff' we collect. i've spent the last year, organizing and re-organizing all of it. i finally decided that if it's not being used it's outa here. the only problem is while i'm trying to simplify, my hubby continues to collect. i just get a corner cleaned out and turn around and find myself saying "where the heck did that pile of stuff come from??, i just cleaned it out!"

i can imagine that as God works in my life and in my heart He must turn around daily and say "where did that junk come from, i just cleaned it up!" thank goodness His grace surpasses my habit of collecting junk in my life. funny thing is alot of what I hold on to appears to be important to me but really it's just clutter.

anyway.....back to cleaning.

Today

8am - i wake up to no coffee filters...ahhhh. Gotta have coffee & baby and i have to be out the door in 30 min!!

8:30am - plan b....i'll drive through timmy's and get a cup to go.

9:00am - i'm running late and am stuck in the drive thru. the longest line i've ever seen!!

9:15am - i finally got my coffee but i'm now officially late

9:16am - burn my tongue on the coffee. doh!

12:30pm - i arrive home to an auto wrecker's nightmare outside the front door and in my kitchen. just ask gary about that.

4:10pm - watched my youngest son perform at his tap class. this was the highlight of the day. :)

5:00 - 6:30pm - listened to my son scream for an hour and a half. turns out he decided to add soy sauce to his grape juice during dinner and now his stomach hurts. how'd we miss that one??

7:00pm - drive to the superstore to get groceries.

7:10pm - drive back home to get my purse.

7:20pm - return to the superstore

9:00pm - i'm pretty much done, and exhausted. it was just one of those days

My 5 yr old son, Caleb, was doing push-ups the other morning. He looked up at us after he'd completed a couple of them and said "Man.....I gotta get back into shape"

Focused on the Goal

Phil 3 - The Message

"I'm not saying that I have this all together,that I have it made. But I am well on my way , reaching out for Christ, who has so wonderously reached out to me. Friends don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on the goal, those of us who want everything that God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind. Something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet! Now that we are on the right track, let's stay on it."


I'm so not there yet.......... but I'm not giving up!

the frizz

all this rain has gone to my head, literally! i spent the past few days trying to keep my mane tame but i finally gave up today........yes, it's quite the site. i think it's time for frizz to come back in style.

victory

This past week I accomplished a personal victory in my life. It would be better said that God led me to victory. I've attempted to write about it several times already but have failed miserably in trying to find the right words. Let's see if this one makes it.

I am by nature a quiet and somewhat reserved personality. Unless, of course, you know me quite well. There are many insecurities that I struggle with on a daily basis, the biggest one being how I may be perceived (or judged) by others around me. This past Sunday was the day I faced those who may be critical of me. Sunday was the day I returned to the stage to sing. It was actually my second time back singing but there was something about this day that marked an opening of a new door in my life and at the same time a closing to some of the insecurity that I've allowed to dictate me for far to long. I've been anticipating this day for a year now. Knowing that there would most likely be those who disagree with my presence on stage. I have probably spent the bulk of my time worrying about what others would say or how they might judge me. I failed to think of the blessings God would have in store for me as His child now walking in obedience. As it turned out Sunday was a day filled with blessings. As I sang and looked out amoung the people my eyes kept resting on those who were looking at me with joy on their faces. I was met with smiles and even received a couple of thumbs up. These faces outweighed any looks of disapproval that may have been out there. After I sang I was met with more encouragement and many hugs. For me it was a celebration of restoration in my life. A year ago many of you who love me had a very difficult time persuading me that there would be restoration in my life and in my family if I choose to be obedient. So, thank you to all of you who have loved me, supported me, encouraged me and believed in me during the darkest days of this past year. You are my community and I am blessed to be surrounded by all of you.

There is a silver lining to this day as well. A new confidence gained. I sang out like I never have before. To those of on the outside of my life it may not have seemed like a big deal but to those who really know me.......well, you guys know how big of an accomplishment this really was for me.

Victory!

"...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil 1:6

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Snow

so what is it about the snow that makes us all get so excited....like a bunch of children (i'm thinking of my family members in paticular). i guess those of us who have grown up here know that we are lucky if we see even one snow fall per year.

i love it because it's so bright and white and clean......it covers up my terribly messy yard. once the snow plows hit and the rain begins i know it will become an awful mess. but for right now it is just beautiful.

For our Gracie

A child is born to us
Light of God upon her face
Filled with favor and with love
She's a miracle of grace

She's a miracle of grace

-jason upton (trusting the angels)

blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

And blessed be Your name when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing you pour out I'll turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me
When the world's "all as it should be"
Blessed be Your name

And blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

-Matt & Beth Redman


A wonderful, powerful song we did yesterday. He gives and takes away but still my heart will choose to say..... I have more to say about that line later. As for right now God's still speaking to my heart