Back in January, I decided to add a few posts to my blog, but discovered I had forgotten my log in and password. As a result, I started a new blog and made two new posts. Well, of course, when I recently went to log back in, I forgot the new info but was able to access my old blog. So.... here are my January posts for you reading pleasure. :)
Fusion Wisdom (posted 1/6/2010)
Today, at Fusion, we talked briefly about the Transfiguration. This passage of scripture (Matt. 17:1-13) has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I thought it was maybe another showing of God's power or another example of Christ's Deity. In Bible study, is was described as a "Mountaintop Experience". It was indeed on a mountaintop and we also discussed the "Mountaintop Experiences" of both Moses and Elijah. We talked about the idea that this was a time of preparation for Jesus' days ahead. I started thinking about my times on the "mountaintop" and that I always want to stay there. The "mountaintop" is a place where I feel so close to God, worship comes easily, distractions are minimal, and direction seems clear. But, what are these "mountaintop experiences" preparing me for? That should be the question that I am asking myself. Am I allowing God to prepare me for His work, or am I just basking in His glow? Is the "mountaintop" about how I feel and what I need, or am I making it about Him? When I leave the "mountaintop", can the people I come in contact with tell that I have been there? Am I outwardly changed by my time on the mountaintop with God?
Leaving a Legacy (posted 1/10/2010)
This morning, our MOPS speaker spoke on Leaving a legacy. This topic has been weighing on my mind as of late. I have been questioning how I appear to the people around me. My kids? My husband? My in-laws and parents? People in the grocery store? My friends? What legacy do they see me passing on? Am I the frazzled, distracted, impatient mom? Or, am I the soft place for my kids to fall? Am I the wife who unloads on her husband as soon as he walks through the door? Or, am I a calm and listening ear? Who do strangers see when they come into contact with me? And, my friends? Am I an encouragement to them? Most importantly, do others see Christ in me? Am I passing on a legacy of faith?
My hope in the coming year is to strengthen that legacy. I want people to know by my words and actions that I am a Christian. I want to pass that baton of faith to my children and our unsaved friends and family. I want people to see love, kindness, hope, peace, and joy when they see me, and I want them to that all of those traits are a result of my relationship with Christ. If I can reflect that, then my legacy will be lasting and beautiful.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hi/Lo Thursday
Thursday has rolled around again, so here goes...
My high for the week is that we started Fusion yesterday. Fusion is a 23 week study of the book of Matthew. I am so excited and hope this study will help me to be more consistent with daily quiet time. Jeanette is teaching the study and there are plenty of gals that I know also attending. There are lots of new faces too, and I am excited to get to know more great ladies.
My low for the week... I don't know. It's been a fairly good week. I guess I still don't feel like I am quite in the swing of things with Cass back in school and Gracie with us during the day. I think I sometimes feel overwhelmed, and I tend to do nothing instead of working on the long list of things that need to be done around the house. Definitely something to work on over the next several weeks.
Father,
Again, Thank you for your Church, these sweet and tender and open people that you have placed in our lives. They reflect Your light so radiantly! Thank you also for this study and please renew my desire for studying your word daily. Father, also, please help me to get "back into the swing of things". You know, Lord, how I tend to allow myself to be distracted. Help me to be a better, more patient wife and mommy and to take joy in the tasks that I face each day.
Amen
My high for the week is that we started Fusion yesterday. Fusion is a 23 week study of the book of Matthew. I am so excited and hope this study will help me to be more consistent with daily quiet time. Jeanette is teaching the study and there are plenty of gals that I know also attending. There are lots of new faces too, and I am excited to get to know more great ladies.
My low for the week... I don't know. It's been a fairly good week. I guess I still don't feel like I am quite in the swing of things with Cass back in school and Gracie with us during the day. I think I sometimes feel overwhelmed, and I tend to do nothing instead of working on the long list of things that need to be done around the house. Definitely something to work on over the next several weeks.
Father,
Again, Thank you for your Church, these sweet and tender and open people that you have placed in our lives. They reflect Your light so radiantly! Thank you also for this study and please renew my desire for studying your word daily. Father, also, please help me to get "back into the swing of things". You know, Lord, how I tend to allow myself to be distracted. Help me to be a better, more patient wife and mommy and to take joy in the tasks that I face each day.
Amen
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
What DTR Has Meant to Me (Thus far)
Two Sundays ago, Pastor Johnny started a new sermon series called DTR (Define the Relationship). At the start of the series, I was so excited to learn that we would be delving into Ruth. It is one of my favorites. I love the story of Ruth...of her devotion to Naomi... of the love story between her and Boaz... and of God's amazing provision. Last Sunday, we really started getting into the story and Johnny talked about the three DTR Principles listed below:
#1 Your relationship with God affects ALL of your other relationships.
#2 You must try to see things from the other person's perspective.
#3 You must speak with love, even when you hurt.
All of these principles are profound and true, but the third one really struck a cord with me. Johnny used the example of Naomi telling her old friends to call her Mara because she was bitter and left with nothing. She forgot so quickly that she had a devoted daughter-in-law in Ruth and that Ruth was truly a stranger in a strange land. How her words of sorrow and despair must have hurt Ruth, who had also lost much. It reminded me of the priest in Romeo and Juliet asking Romeo over and over "There, art thou happy?" when Romeo was weeping to him over what he would lose due to being banished. I wonder how often God feels like asking us the same thing?
Always before, when reading the book of Ruth, I have identified with Ruth's devotion and courage and hoped that I could be a woman like that. This time I reflected on times in my life when I have felt how Ruth must have when Naomi wailed and moaned to her friends. I also pondered how many times my words, spoken in haste, have made someone else feel as Ruth must have felt.
Father,
Thank you for this sermon series. I am so excited to get to dive into Ruth. Please, continue to reveal new principles and meanings to me in this story that I love so well. Guard my tongue, Lord, that I might speak carefully and with love. You know that I often speak the first words that come to mind without regard for how they may affect others. Help me to be slower to speak and quick to apologize when I do speak without love. And, Lord, let me always remember that even in the lowest of times I am blessed because I have a hope that can never be extinguished.
Amen
#1 Your relationship with God affects ALL of your other relationships.
#2 You must try to see things from the other person's perspective.
#3 You must speak with love, even when you hurt.
All of these principles are profound and true, but the third one really struck a cord with me. Johnny used the example of Naomi telling her old friends to call her Mara because she was bitter and left with nothing. She forgot so quickly that she had a devoted daughter-in-law in Ruth and that Ruth was truly a stranger in a strange land. How her words of sorrow and despair must have hurt Ruth, who had also lost much. It reminded me of the priest in Romeo and Juliet asking Romeo over and over "There, art thou happy?" when Romeo was weeping to him over what he would lose due to being banished. I wonder how often God feels like asking us the same thing?
Always before, when reading the book of Ruth, I have identified with Ruth's devotion and courage and hoped that I could be a woman like that. This time I reflected on times in my life when I have felt how Ruth must have when Naomi wailed and moaned to her friends. I also pondered how many times my words, spoken in haste, have made someone else feel as Ruth must have felt.
Father,
Thank you for this sermon series. I am so excited to get to dive into Ruth. Please, continue to reveal new principles and meanings to me in this story that I love so well. Guard my tongue, Lord, that I might speak carefully and with love. You know that I often speak the first words that come to mind without regard for how they may affect others. Help me to be slower to speak and quick to apologize when I do speak without love. And, Lord, let me always remember that even in the lowest of times I am blessed because I have a hope that can never be extinguished.
Amen
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Hi/Lo Thursday
Well, it's a Thursday and I am on Blogspot, so here goes.
My high is that I am off to Bunco with my mother-in-law in a few minutes. Bunco is a fun group game and there's always great food at Bunco parties, so those make it a high point. Mostly, though, it reminds me to be thankful for sweet in-laws who live nearby. I am so blessed with Bill and Pat. They love me as their own daughter and smother the kids with affection. I could not ask for better and am thankful that they are a part of my family.
My low is that Monday was the sixth anniversary of Bryan's death. It makes for a tough week and I tend to get a bit melancholy each time this year. I wish that I could be in VA to see his family and place a token on his grave. I miss you, Bry.
Father,
I thank you again for being a God who is with us in our highs and lows. It is a comfort that You are a constant. Thank you for providing high points during the low times in our lives to help us through. Thank you for the people who share Your love and ease sadness.
My high is that I am off to Bunco with my mother-in-law in a few minutes. Bunco is a fun group game and there's always great food at Bunco parties, so those make it a high point. Mostly, though, it reminds me to be thankful for sweet in-laws who live nearby. I am so blessed with Bill and Pat. They love me as their own daughter and smother the kids with affection. I could not ask for better and am thankful that they are a part of my family.
My low is that Monday was the sixth anniversary of Bryan's death. It makes for a tough week and I tend to get a bit melancholy each time this year. I wish that I could be in VA to see his family and place a token on his grave. I miss you, Bry.
Father,
I thank you again for being a God who is with us in our highs and lows. It is a comfort that You are a constant. Thank you for providing high points during the low times in our lives to help us through. Thank you for the people who share Your love and ease sadness.
Friday, May 22, 2009
My Testimony
I have posted this in Cafemom and Myspace, but thought it would also make a good blog. I have learned that I love the story that God is writing, even the tough spots. He sometimes lets us face dark days so that we might better see His light. And, He never leaves us. Even in our darkest moments, He is there.
Psalm 28:7 (KJV)
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."
So, this could be a bit long, but here goes. As a kid, my family didn't go to church. My parents were both raised in church, but we just didn't go. I always knew there was a God and when I was in the fourth grade, my neighbors started taking me to Sunday School with them. In fifth grade, one of the girls from Sunday School was in my class at school. We became best friends and I started going to children's choir and GA's (Girls in Action) with her. Her parents were wonderful people. Both of my parents worked, so on Wednesdays (when we had choir) I would ride the bus home with her. Her mom would feed us dinner and get us to church. I accepted Christ as my personal savior in Children's Church at age 12. My friend's mom, Mrs. Whetzel, was there. Shortly after I began regularly attending, my parents also joined the church. We started going together as a family.
Throughout middle school and high school, I was very involved in church activities. Youth Group, Sunday School, Youth Choir, Youth Drama, Church League Softball, Youth Ministry Council, etc. Most of my free time was spent at church and many of my closest friends were from church. I stayed out trouble during those years by staying busy with church activities, and I loved it.
My college years were a bit tumultuous. All of a sudden, there weren't all of these church activities to fill my time. My closest church friends went away to college, while I stayed home and I lost the positive influence that they had on me. I backslid big time. I let myself go down roads that I knew were wrong and didn't think (or care) about the example that I was setting to those around me. I met my husband during this time. He was not a Christian at the time and I entered into the relationship while I wasn't behaving as one. After about 6 months of dating, we moved in together and 6 months later we moved from VA to TX.
For some reason, even though I wasn't living to glorify Him, God chose to bless me with my husband. Despite my incongruous lifestyle, Trey accepted Christ and we married after 3 years of dating. (He is a terrific husband and father). Shortly after we married, we joined a local church and started attending a newly formed Sunday School class for young marrieds. We got pregnant about 2 months after we married but didn't share the news with our new class right away because there were several couples who were struggling to get pregnant. At about 10 weeks along, I miscarried. We were devastated and finally shared with the group. These wonderful people prayed for us and loved us through that hard time. Within 18 months, we saw 4 babies born to the class. I can't give the story justice here, but God truly showed that He answers prayer in ways that we don't even expect.
Since then, I have continued to grow in my walk. I hope to never travel down the dark road that was my late teens and early twenties again. My life isn't perfect and I have faced some dark days, but God has been constantly there. He has protected me (most often from myself) and forgiven me. He has loved me and placed people in my life that have nurtured me and my faith. I owe everything that I have and all that I hold dear to Him and His gift of grace. I can't wait for the day that we will meet face to face.
My favorite verse since I was a child is John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV)
As I have aged and grown, I have started to really love the Amplified version of the same verse.
"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."
Psalm 28:7 (KJV)
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."
So, this could be a bit long, but here goes. As a kid, my family didn't go to church. My parents were both raised in church, but we just didn't go. I always knew there was a God and when I was in the fourth grade, my neighbors started taking me to Sunday School with them. In fifth grade, one of the girls from Sunday School was in my class at school. We became best friends and I started going to children's choir and GA's (Girls in Action) with her. Her parents were wonderful people. Both of my parents worked, so on Wednesdays (when we had choir) I would ride the bus home with her. Her mom would feed us dinner and get us to church. I accepted Christ as my personal savior in Children's Church at age 12. My friend's mom, Mrs. Whetzel, was there. Shortly after I began regularly attending, my parents also joined the church. We started going together as a family.
Throughout middle school and high school, I was very involved in church activities. Youth Group, Sunday School, Youth Choir, Youth Drama, Church League Softball, Youth Ministry Council, etc. Most of my free time was spent at church and many of my closest friends were from church. I stayed out trouble during those years by staying busy with church activities, and I loved it.
My college years were a bit tumultuous. All of a sudden, there weren't all of these church activities to fill my time. My closest church friends went away to college, while I stayed home and I lost the positive influence that they had on me. I backslid big time. I let myself go down roads that I knew were wrong and didn't think (or care) about the example that I was setting to those around me. I met my husband during this time. He was not a Christian at the time and I entered into the relationship while I wasn't behaving as one. After about 6 months of dating, we moved in together and 6 months later we moved from VA to TX.
For some reason, even though I wasn't living to glorify Him, God chose to bless me with my husband. Despite my incongruous lifestyle, Trey accepted Christ and we married after 3 years of dating. (He is a terrific husband and father). Shortly after we married, we joined a local church and started attending a newly formed Sunday School class for young marrieds. We got pregnant about 2 months after we married but didn't share the news with our new class right away because there were several couples who were struggling to get pregnant. At about 10 weeks along, I miscarried. We were devastated and finally shared with the group. These wonderful people prayed for us and loved us through that hard time. Within 18 months, we saw 4 babies born to the class. I can't give the story justice here, but God truly showed that He answers prayer in ways that we don't even expect.
Since then, I have continued to grow in my walk. I hope to never travel down the dark road that was my late teens and early twenties again. My life isn't perfect and I have faced some dark days, but God has been constantly there. He has protected me (most often from myself) and forgiven me. He has loved me and placed people in my life that have nurtured me and my faith. I owe everything that I have and all that I hold dear to Him and His gift of grace. I can't wait for the day that we will meet face to face.
My favorite verse since I was a child is John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV)
As I have aged and grown, I have started to really love the Amplified version of the same verse.
"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sweet-Bitter May
Another May has come and almost gone. May has become a tough month for me over the past six years. I am certainly traveling an emotional roller coaster this time each year and I have started calling the month Sweet-Bitter May.
I can't call May bittersweet, because six years ago May started out very sweet. Not bitter at all. Six years ago on May 9th, Sweet Baby Cass blessed Trey and I with her presence. We went from being a couple, to being a family. Cassandra was much anticipated and very much prayed for. After Trey and I married in October of 2001, we wanted to start having children right away. We did get pregnant almost immediately, but unfortunately I miscarried. We were heartbroken, but turned to a wonderful group of people at our new church. As a group, we prayed continually for babies and God answered abundantly. Cassie was our answered prayer. Our blessing. Our treasure. Our joy. God is always good, always has perfect timing, and always loves us. He showed us all of those things on that early, sweet May day.
Also in 2003, May ended quite bitterly. On May 25th, a close friend died suddenly. I grew up with Bryan and am not sure that I realized how much I cared for him until he was gone. As a kid, Bryan was mischievous and funny. He cared about others and stuck up for his friends. His sisters and I were close, and as a result, we loved one anther's brothers. Early on, Bryan was like another kid brother to me. As we got older, he became a friend. In the last several years of Bryan's life, he struggled with a lot of demons, but in the last year, he had started to turn things around. And then, suddenly, he was gone. May shattered. I packed my bags and my two week old, sweet, May joy and flew into my greatest sense of loss, regret, and bitterness.
Now each May, I am reminded of one May where I experienced for the first time one of God's most precious gifts and also one of life's most bitter losses. I watch my little girl grow and learn each year and am amazed at the joy I feel. Each May we celebrate her birth and remember the gift God gave us. I smile and reflect on this little girl who is getting bigger and smarter and yet has maintained so much of her sweetness. I also pause frequently each May and remember my friend. God has tempered my grief, but always I feel the loss. I struggle with the regret of not saying all of the important things to Bryan when I had the chance, but hope that I've learned from that bitter loss to be transparent to others, most importantly those whom I dearly love.
I can't call May bittersweet, because six years ago May started out very sweet. Not bitter at all. Six years ago on May 9th, Sweet Baby Cass blessed Trey and I with her presence. We went from being a couple, to being a family. Cassandra was much anticipated and very much prayed for. After Trey and I married in October of 2001, we wanted to start having children right away. We did get pregnant almost immediately, but unfortunately I miscarried. We were heartbroken, but turned to a wonderful group of people at our new church. As a group, we prayed continually for babies and God answered abundantly. Cassie was our answered prayer. Our blessing. Our treasure. Our joy. God is always good, always has perfect timing, and always loves us. He showed us all of those things on that early, sweet May day.
Also in 2003, May ended quite bitterly. On May 25th, a close friend died suddenly. I grew up with Bryan and am not sure that I realized how much I cared for him until he was gone. As a kid, Bryan was mischievous and funny. He cared about others and stuck up for his friends. His sisters and I were close, and as a result, we loved one anther's brothers. Early on, Bryan was like another kid brother to me. As we got older, he became a friend. In the last several years of Bryan's life, he struggled with a lot of demons, but in the last year, he had started to turn things around. And then, suddenly, he was gone. May shattered. I packed my bags and my two week old, sweet, May joy and flew into my greatest sense of loss, regret, and bitterness.
Now each May, I am reminded of one May where I experienced for the first time one of God's most precious gifts and also one of life's most bitter losses. I watch my little girl grow and learn each year and am amazed at the joy I feel. Each May we celebrate her birth and remember the gift God gave us. I smile and reflect on this little girl who is getting bigger and smarter and yet has maintained so much of her sweetness. I also pause frequently each May and remember my friend. God has tempered my grief, but always I feel the loss. I struggle with the regret of not saying all of the important things to Bryan when I had the chance, but hope that I've learned from that bitter loss to be transparent to others, most importantly those whom I dearly love.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Special Gift
This past weekend was a lot of fun. Mom, Dad, and Andrew were in town for a visit. We threw a birthday party for the boys and celebrated my birthday and Dad's birthday, too. Mom and Dad did a really sweet thing for my birthday present. They got me a nice, fluffy robe, which is cool (or rather warm). But, the sweet part is that Mom put together two picture albums for me. They contain pictures from my growing up years and also of Mom, Dad, Andrew, and Timi, and other family. I LOVE to look at pictures. They just never get old to me. I look through the kids albums all of the time and have made a habit of looking at our wedding album each time I dust the chest on which it is displayed. Their gift just proves how much my mom knows me. She gave me a gift that I couldn't put a price on and helped me to remember sweet childhood times on a day that we often reflect on days past. Thank you, Mommy for your thoughtful gift and for the simple, but profound joy I will feel every time I flip through the pages of those albums.
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