Awakening

One of my favorite songs is this one by Sara Groves. I love the words in this song. It really speaks to me as a pastor's wife and that I need to focus on how real Jesus is and how I need to make Him real in my life. Here is a video of the song. It is not Sara singing but this girl does a great job singing it. Don't forget to pause the music below.


Dress down your pretty faith. Give me something real.
Leave out the thee and thou and speak to me now.
Speak to my pain and confusion.
Speak through my fears and my pride.
Speak to the part of me that knows I'm something deep down inside.

I know that I am not perfect, but compare me to most,
In a world of hurt and a world of anger I think I'm holding my own.
And I know that you said there is more to life.
And I know I am not satisfied.
But there are mornings I wake up and I'm just thankful to be alive.

I known now, for quite a while, that I am not whole.
I've remembered the body and the mind, but disected my soul.
Now something inside is awakening,
Like a dream I once had and forgot.
And it's something I'm scared of and something I don't want to stop.

And I woke up this morning and realized that Jesus is not a portrait.
Or stained glassed windows or hymns or the tradition that surrounds us.
And I thought it would be hard to believe in, but it's not hard at all.
To believe I've sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.

And He's not asking me to change in my joy for martyrdom
He's asking to take my place.
To stand in the gap that I have formed
With His real, and His sweet, and His real amazing grace.

And it's not just a sign or a sacrament.
It's not just a metaphor for love.
The blood is real and it's not just a symbol of
It's not a sign or a sacrament.
It's not just a metaphor for love.

The Blood is real and it's not just a symbol of,
It is real, it's not just a symbol of,
His blood is real, it's not just a symbol of
your faith.

So leave out the thee and thou and speak now.

Try Not To Explode!

My first graders very random conversation with me this morning....


"You know you shouldn't sneeze and fart at the same time!"

Of course I could not let that one go without further discussion so of course I asked her, "why?"

She replied, "Because you will explode!"

"Really...Explode!", I replied

"Well not explode like when you die" she said.

"Whoa we explode when we die...why was I never told this?" I thought to myself.

She then said to my surprise, "I exploded once!

"What?!" I asked in a very concerned voice. She then went on to explain that it isn't really exploding more like blowing up like a balloon which still caused me to probe this a little further...

Trying not to laugh, I then said, "I don't remember you floating away!"

My brilliant first grader than said, "I was to heavy too do that!"

I love conversations with 6 year olds!

The sad thing now that I am thinking about the conversation...I never corrected her on any of her thoughts. Yikes, I better remember to do that.

My Little Duct Tape Queen!

My daughter is probably one of the most creative persons I know. She loves to make things and not just any things her own ideas. Even now her room is drowning in duct tape scraps, pom poms, scissors, cardboard, scraps of who knows what and just all sorts of crafty items. Our next house will have a basement with a corner dedicated to her imagination. She will spend hours creating the most amazing things. Get out your scissors, get some duct tape and see what your kids can come up with....you might just be totally amazed.
She had a little help with this one since I won't let her use my glue gun!

Oh and here is my "Not Me Monday"!

I would never let the daughter above take duct tape to church. And I would most certainly not let her make projects in the front pew. And what kind of mother would let her daughter supply said duct tape to our senior pastor's daughter who also was making things next to her. And this would never be happening during worship...no not me... not ever! LOL

Today, let your kids be creative and....

Today my baby turns ONE!

Today, my baby turned one! I feel it was just yesterday I was counting down the days till his due date. I remember at church for the last three weeks of pregnancy everybody saying, "You haven't had that baby yet!" I could hardly wait for his arrival and now he is one!

How amazing he is to me. I never thought that he could bring me as much joy as he has. He is truly God's great gift to me. He lights up a room when he is there. His smile is adorable and his eyes melt your heart. Everyday, I thank the Lord for allowing him to be given to me. Our children are such precious gifts and blessings. Lord, bless him today!

Here are some pictures of his day! We went to Bennigan's after some toy shopping. What a great day of celebration of the birth of the sweetest baby boy in the world!

Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.


Happy Birthday Baby and boy did we...

Oooh my favorite sandwich at Bennigan's! Love it and had to take a picture of it! The Monte Cristo!

Being in the state of Forgiveness!

Three times in the past week I have had a discussion about forgiveness. I know that God wanted to work out forgiveness in my life again. I am always finding myself amazed how He sees right through me into my very darkest hidden areas of my heart. I am reminded by Him that I must learn what it means to be in the “The State of Forgiveness”.

What does that mean, "State of Forgiveness"? To be honest, I have been trying to figure this out for almost two years now. I was sharing on Tuesday with some ladies from my church how God wants us to forgive. We discussed that at times forgiveness comes easy like when my girls do something wrong. I have no trouble forgiving them, my love is too deep for them to not to. Hum....that statement alone gets me thinking about Gods love for me. Then the situation in which a person offends you once....harder to forgive but doable. How about the non-Christian....that sometimes is easier because you understand that they are apart from God. Then I shared with them my struggle....the "Christian" who repeatedly offends day after day...month after month. What then? How can I walk in forgiveness? How do I not become bitter and angry? This is where the "State of Forgiveness" comes in.

I always look to God as my example to show me how to be. God has asked us to be like Him so where else should we look?!

God is Forgiving

Psalms 86 (New International Version)
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

Thanks Lord that you are forgiving. I love the word "abounding" here. I think it gives a wonderful word picture of how much love He has for us ALL. I have a great understanding how much God forgives and how much He forgave me. He sent His son for me so that my sins would be forgiven when I accept Him as my Lord. For some reason I get that... but struggle with why I think I am better than God that I can not forgive. Ouch! Matthew 18:21-35 "The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant" seems to speak right to that.

I Need To Forgive For My Own Sake

Matthew 6:14 (New International Version)
14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Oh yes, this point is purely selfish...I want to be forgiven. LOL Plain and simple, here is a command...you want to be forgiven then you better forgive. Ugh, why is this so hard? Why would I rather live in my self pity and be the victim? Why does my sinful nature always seem to be so strong? Why do I need to have people feel sorry for me? Could it really come down to pride? Could all these questions be actually leading me to the answer? I think they do! I need Christ. I need Him to be my all in all. I need Him alone! I need to Him to clean out every part of me that is not His. I need to give Him every part of me. That means I need to walk in obedience. I have to forgive it is my duty to HIM! It is the least I can do for what He has done for me.

I Need to be Obedient!

Ephesians 4 then sums up everything very nicely...He is talking to the church in Ephesus....Brothers and Sister in the Lord....see where I am going with this? Our Christian friends!


Ephesians 4:20-32 (New International Version)

20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Here again to the church of Colosse...
Colossians 3
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And 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.

Forgiveness for a Christian that has offended you is hard because we all think they should know better. But we are not responsible for their actions we are only responsible for ours. The "State of Forgiveness" is a choice! It is a choice to be in an attitude of forgiveness every day for any offense. It is a choice to serve God, to love Him through our actions. I may not "feel" forgiveness in my heart but I will choose to forgive and I believe I will over time begin to "feel" forgiveness for my brother or sister in Christ! Does it mean it will not hurt? No, unfortunatly not but that is when we allow God be who God is. He will heal our broken hearts and He will be all we need.
Walk in the "State of Forgiveness" and today...

Back 2 School!

Woke up at 7am faces so bright!

Getting them off to school was definitely no fight!

They brushed their teeth and combed their hair.

And we sent them off with a little prayer!

Dear God! Be with them today.

Let them know they are loved in every way!

When Your truth the world often blinds,

Please guard their hearts and minds.

Give their teachers wisdom from above

And fill my children with Your great love.

And as their parent help me to concede

That You, O Lord , are all they need!

And with that I will really try hard to...




Poem written by me just in case you were wondering.

Pepsi and JOY!

Sometimes in life God drops little reminders of what He is trying to do in our lives. The other day while shopping for supplies and trying to check out at the seemingly very busy supercenter and wondering how long this was going to take.... something grabbed my attention. Sitting in a sea of blue pop can bottles that said LOL was sitting a single yellow pop can that said JOY on it. Even now thinking about it...I have to laugh. Thanks Lord for the reminder to Laugh Out Loud and that You alone are my Joy!

So it sits on the back of my stove to remind me everyday to...




Oh, I had to use a bottle opener to open it which surprised me. I was expecting it to twist off. I actually had to dig to find my bottle opener. The girls and I shared the pop. It was almost as good as having it out of a glass bottle.

Where Do The Days Go?

School starts next Tuesday and I find myself asking, "Where do the summer days go?" The older my children get the more I realize how short of time I have with them.

On Sunday, my oldest kept poking me, rubbing my arm and just kept being a little annoying during worship. Of course I snapped at her and told her to stop. Immediately after I was full of regret because there will be a day (very quickly) when she will sit with the youth group and not want to sit by me and be hugged. Needless to say the rest of worship my arm was around her holding her close.

So today, I took my soon to be fourth grader, first grader and one year old for one very long summer walk. Thank you Lord for stopping me and reminding me that life is full of precious moments and joys. Help me not let them pass by unnoticed...

Remember to enjoy your children they are precious gifts from God and don't forget to .....

GET JOY!

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.