The book I read last night was a great piece of fiction set in the GA mountains. If you want a fast, entertaining read with a great message. This is a great summer read.
Well, better get back to work and finishing postaging books to send out so I can go home and get things done while I'm feeling half decent. Good news at our home....nobody hugging a toilet today :). Wooo hooo!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Edge of Eternity
Finished Randy Alcorn's Edge of Eternity on our beach trip. GREAT BOOK!! Gives a neat perspective on life and how we effect the now for eternity and in the spiritual. Definitely a recommended book.
Had a fabulous time with family at the beach. I always wished I was a consistent journaler that wrote down all the great things we do as a family, the funny things the children say, the "special times" in life that the Lord touches and more. But as much as I love to write, it's a discipline I have not mastered. Same idea with pictures. I thought as a young mom I could "NEVER" forget some of the great faces the children make or those beautiful "moments" would always last in my mind's eye but I remember far less than I'd like.
I guess my prayer now as a mom is that although I've had "ENORMOUS" goals that I've not even come close to accomplishing, I hope the Lord will use me to make good deposits in my children that will benefit them and their relationships with the Lord. I pray He'll fill all the gaps I leave with good and holy things. That the things I mess up, He'll reveal to me that I can make "right" with my children before they leave home and that I'll have ears to hear Him. That my children will be able to overlook all our flaws and see Jesus in our home. And that in finding Him, they'll find purpose and passion for living EXTRAORDINARY HOPE-filled lives in Jesus.
Had a fabulous time with family at the beach. I always wished I was a consistent journaler that wrote down all the great things we do as a family, the funny things the children say, the "special times" in life that the Lord touches and more. But as much as I love to write, it's a discipline I have not mastered. Same idea with pictures. I thought as a young mom I could "NEVER" forget some of the great faces the children make or those beautiful "moments" would always last in my mind's eye but I remember far less than I'd like.
I guess my prayer now as a mom is that although I've had "ENORMOUS" goals that I've not even come close to accomplishing, I hope the Lord will use me to make good deposits in my children that will benefit them and their relationships with the Lord. I pray He'll fill all the gaps I leave with good and holy things. That the things I mess up, He'll reveal to me that I can make "right" with my children before they leave home and that I'll have ears to hear Him. That my children will be able to overlook all our flaws and see Jesus in our home. And that in finding Him, they'll find purpose and passion for living EXTRAORDINARY HOPE-filled lives in Jesus.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Glory to God
What a busy season I'm in. We just finished swim team and the children got their trophies the other night. Michael waltzed down from the stage with his trophy in hand and said "This isn't real gold!". I had to break it to him he was not in the Olympics. This week on top of working we are also taking care of Sandi's horses, cats and dogs. It's been fun. The Lord has revealed to me more and more this summer His great favor upon our lives. At every turn, He seems to be blessings us in incredible ways. First of all with another blessing due next year. Then when I'm at my sickest in this pregnancy, He has provided meals (free) almost daily. Without me asking, without my hand out, He has given me a friend that has treated us to lunch in her restaurant several times, given us free coupons to chick-fil-a, the children found free coupons in my car for the kiddos to have Krispy Kreme (not healthy - I know), invited to eat with others and more. He gave the boys a free weekend at the lake in a gorgeous home with jet skis. He gave us a week at the beach free in a week 1/2. He's given us a membership at a tennis/pool club. He provided free bathing suits, goggles and a swim cap when we went to purchase at the swim supply store.
I will now give you the 5 steps to gaining favor with God - NOT!! The only thing I have done is to open my eyes to His abundant generosity to us every day from the cooler morning, the tomatoes on our vine, the blooming flowers, the sky blue pink sky He paints for me in the evening. He is always available to us, speaking to us, loving us. What an awesome God!! The only thing I know of why He's so generous with us is that my heart's desire is to live a life fully given to Him. Trust me it doesn't look the way I want it to. In my dream world I'd always be the perfect patient Mother; the dream wife that lives to serve her husband - waking before him and always having the perfect spread on the table before he even gets out of the shower and of course, always available to meet his every need; the perfect servant of God who always devotes hours of time to spend with Him in study, worship and prayer and a fantastic housekeeper and homemaker on top of giving my children the most amazing God-filled education in the world. Trust me, I'm far short from attaining any of these. I dream and strive for big goals and fall far short.
I do wonder if part of His generosity is due to the fact that against family wishes, doctor's wishes, and sometimes common financial sense we still allow Him to bless us with children in His timing and ways. I have found when we allow Him to give us His children to raise for His glory He truly does provide in AMAZING ways for His own. I have probably spent far less over the last 22 years on the 7 blessings He gave us than most folks spend in 2 years providing for their blessings. If I don't allow my pride to get in the way, people will bend over backwards to give us hand me downs that are in like new condition. We've been given furniture when people were redecorating. We've been given a dishwasher because on my husband's cabinet job the folks wanted to update their kitchen. He's allowed me to stretch my husbands pay to spend far less on groceries than some families I know that have only 2 children. That doesn't mean we've not had hard financial, relational, or other times because we have. BUT GOD, in his infinite mercy, has never left us nor forsaken us, given up on us due to our shortcomings and failings. He continues to guide us and teach us and love us. He is an amazing God and I hope to continually, daily, moment-by moment all my days fall more and more in love with Him. And NEVER settle for the mundane, no purpose life of "making it" day - by - day. May I always be passionate for Him and live zealously to further His kingdom and allow Him to make me a trophy of His grace. And I better end my praises to Him or the horses will never get fed today. :) Praise you Lord Jesus and I do give you ALL the glory for anything good in my life. And I know it's nothing that I can do or earn but your abundant grace and favor upon my life. Praises to the King of Kings!!!
I will now give you the 5 steps to gaining favor with God - NOT!! The only thing I have done is to open my eyes to His abundant generosity to us every day from the cooler morning, the tomatoes on our vine, the blooming flowers, the sky blue pink sky He paints for me in the evening. He is always available to us, speaking to us, loving us. What an awesome God!! The only thing I know of why He's so generous with us is that my heart's desire is to live a life fully given to Him. Trust me it doesn't look the way I want it to. In my dream world I'd always be the perfect patient Mother; the dream wife that lives to serve her husband - waking before him and always having the perfect spread on the table before he even gets out of the shower and of course, always available to meet his every need; the perfect servant of God who always devotes hours of time to spend with Him in study, worship and prayer and a fantastic housekeeper and homemaker on top of giving my children the most amazing God-filled education in the world. Trust me, I'm far short from attaining any of these. I dream and strive for big goals and fall far short.
I do wonder if part of His generosity is due to the fact that against family wishes, doctor's wishes, and sometimes common financial sense we still allow Him to bless us with children in His timing and ways. I have found when we allow Him to give us His children to raise for His glory He truly does provide in AMAZING ways for His own. I have probably spent far less over the last 22 years on the 7 blessings He gave us than most folks spend in 2 years providing for their blessings. If I don't allow my pride to get in the way, people will bend over backwards to give us hand me downs that are in like new condition. We've been given furniture when people were redecorating. We've been given a dishwasher because on my husband's cabinet job the folks wanted to update their kitchen. He's allowed me to stretch my husbands pay to spend far less on groceries than some families I know that have only 2 children. That doesn't mean we've not had hard financial, relational, or other times because we have. BUT GOD, in his infinite mercy, has never left us nor forsaken us, given up on us due to our shortcomings and failings. He continues to guide us and teach us and love us. He is an amazing God and I hope to continually, daily, moment-by moment all my days fall more and more in love with Him. And NEVER settle for the mundane, no purpose life of "making it" day - by - day. May I always be passionate for Him and live zealously to further His kingdom and allow Him to make me a trophy of His grace. And I better end my praises to Him or the horses will never get fed today. :) Praise you Lord Jesus and I do give you ALL the glory for anything good in my life. And I know it's nothing that I can do or earn but your abundant grace and favor upon my life. Praises to the King of Kings!!!
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