Yeah!!! We are finally taking some time off - I haven't felt like it has been summer yet. We are leaving Sunday morning and have no clue where we are going. Crazy isn't it. My man thinks the best times occur spontaneously. We did that last year and ended up in Savannah - great fun. Baby girl is going this time and we can't wait to get out of here. Any suggestions out there about fun places to go on the spur of the moment? These have been my recommendations so far and no confirmation made yet:
1. Tybee Island outside of Savannah
2. Grand Canyon
3. Gatlinburg - my favorite vacation spot as a kid and baby girl has never been
4. San Antonio
Any thoughts?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Paradox of the Walk with God
Yesterday morning we traveled to hear my father-in-love preach at a church whose pastor is out of town for a while. All the family is in so the three brothers (my man and his two older brothers) sang with their dad and then just the three of them for the congregation. Such a sweet time to listen to them. I am always amazed how they can not see each other for such long periods and then pick up with their singing as though they practiced together every day. Oh well, the family visit is a post for another day - on to the message that we heard. Father-in-love preached on our walks with God. The benefits it brings. The joy and contentment amidst the challenges. One of the statements he made that stuck with me all day was that our christian walk is more important than our christian talk. Got me to thinking about how my theology lines up with my reality. Am I living out what I believe?
One of the things I have been praying for this year is for God to grant me more wisdom. Everything I read about wisdom lets me know it is not something I will just wake up with one day in possession of. It is an ongoing process. Baby girl and I were running last night and I was thinking about the sermon from that morning. I started to feel some discomfort while running (not a shock at my age!) that caused me to ask myself,"Why am I doing this again?" Then I started to think about the paradox of our Christian lives. More specifically the paradox of sin and discipline. I find it interesting that besides our rebellious human nature one of the reasons people sin over and over is it brings them pleasure at the time. They want what they want and when they want it because it feels good in that moment. Please know I am one of the "They." We sin because we think it is going to bring us happiness and contentment. Yet discipline which is uncomfortable yields fruit in our lives. Interesting paradox isn't it? Discipline brings benefits, sin brings death.
I started to ask myself while I was running what are the benefits of this new discipline I have incorporated into my life? Well, physical benefits obviously. I feel better. But the other benefits it has brought to my life I have discussed on here before. Stretching beyond my comfort zone, setting goals, making it a habit and practice in my life.Yet, I still have to make that choice every day to discipline myself.
I wondered about the times in my life when I was in a pit of sin. Why did I continue to do those things I did. Because I bought the enemy's lie that it was "good" based on a feeling at the time. How did I feel afterwards? Miserable. Funny, enduring discipline seems miserable at the time yet afterwards, I feel great. Paradoxical.
What does the bible say about effects of living in the moment and being caught in a pit of sin? I was looking and found the following from John MacArthur:
Taken from Faith Works by John Macarthur.
Sin grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), dishonors God (1 Cor. 6:19-20), keeps our prayers from being answered (1 Peter 3:12), causes good things from God to be withheld (Jer. 5:25), robs us of the joy of our salvation (Ps. 51:12), inhibits spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:1), brings chastisement from the Lord (Heb. 12:5-7), prevents us from being fit vessels for the Lord to use (2 Tim. 2:21), pollutes Christian fellowship (1 Cor. 10:21), and can even endanger our physical life and health (1 Cor. 11:29-30).
I want none of that. NONE OF IT. What does it say about discipline? A few things:
Job 5:17
"Blessed is the man whom God corrects so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty."
I want some blessing!
Proverbs 3:12
"The Lord disciplines those He loves."
I find comfort in knowing He loves me.
Proverbs 7:23
"The corrections of discipline are the way to life."
I long for abundant life.
Proverbs 13:18
"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored."
I want abundance and honor not shame.
Proverbs 15:32
"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding."
Could it be that discipline is going to bring me some of that wisdom I keep asking for?
Hebrews 12:10-11
"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
The next verse is my prayer-
Oh Lord, strengthen my feeble arms and weak knees. Make my paths level for my feet so that I may not be disabled but rather healed.
Discipline. Can't walk with God without it. Can't grow with God without it. Sin. Can't benefit from it. Can't survive it. Which do I want? What will I discipline myself to choose?
"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Thank you Lord I just might learn what You are trying to teach me. What a paradox.
One of the things I have been praying for this year is for God to grant me more wisdom. Everything I read about wisdom lets me know it is not something I will just wake up with one day in possession of. It is an ongoing process. Baby girl and I were running last night and I was thinking about the sermon from that morning. I started to feel some discomfort while running (not a shock at my age!) that caused me to ask myself,"Why am I doing this again?" Then I started to think about the paradox of our Christian lives. More specifically the paradox of sin and discipline. I find it interesting that besides our rebellious human nature one of the reasons people sin over and over is it brings them pleasure at the time. They want what they want and when they want it because it feels good in that moment. Please know I am one of the "They." We sin because we think it is going to bring us happiness and contentment. Yet discipline which is uncomfortable yields fruit in our lives. Interesting paradox isn't it? Discipline brings benefits, sin brings death.
I started to ask myself while I was running what are the benefits of this new discipline I have incorporated into my life? Well, physical benefits obviously. I feel better. But the other benefits it has brought to my life I have discussed on here before. Stretching beyond my comfort zone, setting goals, making it a habit and practice in my life.Yet, I still have to make that choice every day to discipline myself.
I wondered about the times in my life when I was in a pit of sin. Why did I continue to do those things I did. Because I bought the enemy's lie that it was "good" based on a feeling at the time. How did I feel afterwards? Miserable. Funny, enduring discipline seems miserable at the time yet afterwards, I feel great. Paradoxical.
What does the bible say about effects of living in the moment and being caught in a pit of sin? I was looking and found the following from John MacArthur:
Taken from Faith Works by John Macarthur.
Sin grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), dishonors God (1 Cor. 6:19-20), keeps our prayers from being answered (1 Peter 3:12), causes good things from God to be withheld (Jer. 5:25), robs us of the joy of our salvation (Ps. 51:12), inhibits spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:1), brings chastisement from the Lord (Heb. 12:5-7), prevents us from being fit vessels for the Lord to use (2 Tim. 2:21), pollutes Christian fellowship (1 Cor. 10:21), and can even endanger our physical life and health (1 Cor. 11:29-30).
I want none of that. NONE OF IT. What does it say about discipline? A few things:
Job 5:17
"Blessed is the man whom God corrects so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty."
I want some blessing!
Proverbs 3:12
"The Lord disciplines those He loves."
I find comfort in knowing He loves me.
Proverbs 7:23
"The corrections of discipline are the way to life."
I long for abundant life.
Proverbs 13:18
"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored."
I want abundance and honor not shame.
Proverbs 15:32
"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding."
Could it be that discipline is going to bring me some of that wisdom I keep asking for?
Hebrews 12:10-11
"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
The next verse is my prayer-
Oh Lord, strengthen my feeble arms and weak knees. Make my paths level for my feet so that I may not be disabled but rather healed.
Discipline. Can't walk with God without it. Can't grow with God without it. Sin. Can't benefit from it. Can't survive it. Which do I want? What will I discipline myself to choose?
"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Thank you Lord I just might learn what You are trying to teach me. What a paradox.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last October I wrote a post about baby girl running a race. I talked about how I was so inspired I just might do the Couch to 5K challenge. Yeah, I blew that off as soon as I posted the blog! A couple of months ago I started to feel something nagging at me. Everyone knows how I love my bible study and all my bible study peeps. We love feeling stretched in our study and in our walk with the Lord. But many times I feel stagnant. I get too comfortable. Does that resonate with anyone? I am someone who knows how to focus on my strengths. I know what I do well and I stay there. Don't venture out much and stay in my comfort zone. As of late, I feel the Lord telling me I can't grow if I won't move. He doesn't want me doing what I do well, He wants to show me what He can do. And I am full aware that He is the only reason I can do anything at all.
Back to baby girl and her running. She will be in high school this fall (yuck) and is on the Cross Country team. Her peers have been running much longer than she has and she was feeling pretty inadequate one day. I jumped in Momma mode and told her she can do anything she puts her mind to allowing the Lord to help her do. Yeah! Then she said, "And so can you Momma." Uh, of course I can. But we are talking about you baby not momma. Yet her statement stuck with me.
I started to think about all the kids I teach and the excitement they have about venturing into their futures and I realized I don't want to be done venturing. So I picked up the idea of doing this Couch to 5K thing. Baby girl and I did it together with our goal being the Firecracker 5K race held every Fourth of July weekend. It seemed forever away. We ran every week except for the week I cried every day because my knees hurt so badly. Worked that issue out and moved on. Some days have been better than others but today was the day and I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND BABY GIRL DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were so excited this morning. More than anything I want my kids to see that you never are too old or set in your ways to do something totally out of your comfort zone. And those of you who know me, know that any athletic endeavor is WAY out of my comfort zone. I spent much of my running time over the last few months praying. At first praying I wouldn't permanently injure myself, but then praying and listening. Such a sweet time. No, I don't think that my calling has changed to being some kind of marathon runner, but I won't stop running. I do know that what Philippians says is true "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." He is preparing me for something and when the time comes I will be less afraid and more confident that I can step out in faith and leave my comfort zone. Wherever He leads I'll go. Praise God.
My sweet man and my sweet kids were there cheering me across the finish line. Baby girl beat me but not by much. My boys kept telling me they were surprised by how soon I finished and that they were proud. It's a great feeling to hear your kids tell you they are proud of you. And a great feeling for my man to greet me with a big ole bear hug telling me he was proud of me. They are my heartbeat.
Happy Fourth of July weekend! Celebrate our independence as a nation, but if you know Christ, celebrate the true freedom that comes from being His child.
Back to baby girl and her running. She will be in high school this fall (yuck) and is on the Cross Country team. Her peers have been running much longer than she has and she was feeling pretty inadequate one day. I jumped in Momma mode and told her she can do anything she puts her mind to allowing the Lord to help her do. Yeah! Then she said, "And so can you Momma." Uh, of course I can. But we are talking about you baby not momma. Yet her statement stuck with me.
I started to think about all the kids I teach and the excitement they have about venturing into their futures and I realized I don't want to be done venturing. So I picked up the idea of doing this Couch to 5K thing. Baby girl and I did it together with our goal being the Firecracker 5K race held every Fourth of July weekend. It seemed forever away. We ran every week except for the week I cried every day because my knees hurt so badly. Worked that issue out and moved on. Some days have been better than others but today was the day and I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND BABY GIRL DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were so excited this morning. More than anything I want my kids to see that you never are too old or set in your ways to do something totally out of your comfort zone. And those of you who know me, know that any athletic endeavor is WAY out of my comfort zone. I spent much of my running time over the last few months praying. At first praying I wouldn't permanently injure myself, but then praying and listening. Such a sweet time. No, I don't think that my calling has changed to being some kind of marathon runner, but I won't stop running. I do know that what Philippians says is true "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." He is preparing me for something and when the time comes I will be less afraid and more confident that I can step out in faith and leave my comfort zone. Wherever He leads I'll go. Praise God.
My sweet man and my sweet kids were there cheering me across the finish line. Baby girl beat me but not by much. My boys kept telling me they were surprised by how soon I finished and that they were proud. It's a great feeling to hear your kids tell you they are proud of you. And a great feeling for my man to greet me with a big ole bear hug telling me he was proud of me. They are my heartbeat.
Happy Fourth of July weekend! Celebrate our independence as a nation, but if you know Christ, celebrate the true freedom that comes from being His child.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Better late than never
Okay people pretend Father's day wasn't a whole week ago. I have been full steam ahead this week with no down time to blog. We had such a great father's day weekend. We got to make the rounds and spend time with all the dads in our life. God so richly blessed me by giving me two earthly fathers that I call Daddy. They are both precious to me and I love them so very much. Two fine examples of what a Godly man is. Then the Lord saw fit for me to meet a handsome young man who already had three little ones and I fell head over heels in love with my man while watching him be a daddy. I am still head over heels! On Saturday we went to see my daddy who cooks fish for his church every year. I have decided this fish fry should take place in February. Here I am with my Daddy. Think I look like him? My hair was suffering from the oppressive heat. We are so spoiled with air-conditioning aren't we. My grandmothers probably never had a tantrum at the weather because of what it did to their hair!
Here is Savannah and her Daddy. She is a blessed young lady. I think I will go remind her of that since she is sore in bed after helping her daddy do yard work for five hours yesterday. She wasn't feeling too blessed but it won't kill her. Someday she will appreciate her daddy's work ethic. I sure do.
Savannah and her Grandaddy! He spoils her and thinks she does no wrong. It is annoying. Oh, but I think the same about my grandpeeps so I will forgive them.
On Sunday morning we drove to hear my father-in-love preach at my sister-in-love's church. He brought the Word and Shelley sang a solo that had us all bawling. I love my father-in-love so much. He is never boring and makes me laugh almost as hard as he makes himself laugh! I don't have pictures of that and I am sorry about it. It was a great morning and a great lunch with all that side of our family. The whole bunch will be here next week and I will have plenty of pics to post.
Here is Savannah and her Daddy. She is a blessed young lady. I think I will go remind her of that since she is sore in bed after helping her daddy do yard work for five hours yesterday. She wasn't feeling too blessed but it won't kill her. Someday she will appreciate her daddy's work ethic. I sure do.
Savannah and her Grandaddy! He spoils her and thinks she does no wrong. It is annoying. Oh, but I think the same about my grandpeeps so I will forgive them.
On Sunday morning we drove to hear my father-in-love preach at my sister-in-love's church. He brought the Word and Shelley sang a solo that had us all bawling. I love my father-in-love so much. He is never boring and makes me laugh almost as hard as he makes himself laugh! I don't have pictures of that and I am sorry about it. It was a great morning and a great lunch with all that side of our family. The whole bunch will be here next week and I will have plenty of pics to post.After lunch we headed to my other parents house and spent the rest of the day hanging out and playing. Every year my mama measures the kids on a board she has and they all get excited to see how much they have grown.
PawPaw and Graham.
My other daddy, baby sister and me.
PawPaw and his two favorite boys. Graham is always staring at Connor trying to figure out what he is doing. Come to think of it, all the rest of us usually are too!
Connor is never as happy as when he is getting to drive something! He was thrilled to drive the tractor.
It won't be long and our little men will be big men. This pic makes me smile because Connor is holding Graham's hand. Probably because he doesn't want Graham to touch the steering wheel. That is his domain. When we put them up there Connor said,"Tell him to sit back or he will fall out when we go." As though we were going to crank it up and send the two of them off together!
This used to be our little man and now he is a daddy. And a great one. We are so proud of Jeremy and watching him parent is such a treasure and a joy.
Indulge me here. I have been playing around with my pics on the computer and thought this was cool. I am no pioneer woman but this is our posse of horses!
I am obsessed with taking pics of the sky. God paints some amazing things on His canvas of sky and I don't want to miss any of it. This sort of represents what I felt this past weekend. So much love and gratefulness I could burst. Thank you Lord for all the special fathers in my life, but especially thank you for being my Heavenly father who will never leave me nor forsake me.
PawPaw and Graham.
My other daddy, baby sister and me.
PawPaw and his two favorite boys. Graham is always staring at Connor trying to figure out what he is doing. Come to think of it, all the rest of us usually are too!
Connor is never as happy as when he is getting to drive something! He was thrilled to drive the tractor.
It won't be long and our little men will be big men. This pic makes me smile because Connor is holding Graham's hand. Probably because he doesn't want Graham to touch the steering wheel. That is his domain. When we put them up there Connor said,"Tell him to sit back or he will fall out when we go." As though we were going to crank it up and send the two of them off together!
This used to be our little man and now he is a daddy. And a great one. We are so proud of Jeremy and watching him parent is such a treasure and a joy.
Indulge me here. I have been playing around with my pics on the computer and thought this was cool. I am no pioneer woman but this is our posse of horses!
I am obsessed with taking pics of the sky. God paints some amazing things on His canvas of sky and I don't want to miss any of it. This sort of represents what I felt this past weekend. So much love and gratefulness I could burst. Thank you Lord for all the special fathers in my life, but especially thank you for being my Heavenly father who will never leave me nor forsake me.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Happiness
Happiness is:
Watching the grandpeep jump in the pool.
Again
And again.
Looking at his sweet face.
Seeing him love his Aunt Sabanna
Listening to their tunes.
Watching the grandpeep jump in the pool.
Again
And again.
Looking at his sweet face.
Seeing him love his Aunt Sabanna
Listening to their tunes.Have a great weekend everyone. I know I will!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Theme Week
Okay I need some ideas from my flock of followers (did you know a flock was a handful?hehe). In an earlier post I referred to theme week cooking as one of my things on my to do list. - I have already started Sense and Sensibility all you fellow Austen fans.
I know I want to do Italian week, Cajun week (my sister wrote about a bunch of yummies she ate in New Orleans last weekend and it made me so hungry for some Cajun fare). My man would simply like fried chicken week but that is a no go. Maybe Mexican week, home- cooking week? I don't know I thought maybe you all could give me some new fresh ideas. How about it?
I know I want to do Italian week, Cajun week (my sister wrote about a bunch of yummies she ate in New Orleans last weekend and it made me so hungry for some Cajun fare). My man would simply like fried chicken week but that is a no go. Maybe Mexican week, home- cooking week? I don't know I thought maybe you all could give me some new fresh ideas. How about it?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thank You
Today is my anniversary. I love things that require celebration - Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, anything that requires a tribute to someone or something. Today not only calls for tribute and celebration for my man and me but more importantly to our God. Thanks to Him.
Thank you Lord for your institution of marriage. That You ordained it and meant it to be a joyous relationship. Not a perfect one but a good one. Thank You for giving that to us. Thank you Lord for establishing and ordaining the husband as the head of the household. I use to struggle with this in my independent flesh (in many other areas too!). But thank you Lord for showing me that this is not a curse or a punishment for a woman, it is a blessing and submission to You comes first. Thank you Lord for that verse that says wives submit yourselves unto your husband (and I do) and the one that follows that says husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church(and he does). The two concepts work together not against each other.
Thank you Lord for giving us Your word that tells us everything we need to know for our marriage to work, and thrive, not just exist.
Thank you Lord that you bring restoration, renewal and forgiveness. If You can forgive us why would we not forgive each other?
Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a wife to this man I love with all my heart. Thank you for making us each others very best friend.
Thank you for our beautiful family that we love immensely.
We will celebrate today. We will thank God over and over for another year and we will renew our contract with each other! We will remember that day all those years ago that we made a vow and promise to our God first and each other second. We will remind ourselves that we have no idea what our future holds but we trust the Hand that holds it.
Happy Anniversary to my sweet man! I love you.
Thank you Lord for your institution of marriage. That You ordained it and meant it to be a joyous relationship. Not a perfect one but a good one. Thank You for giving that to us. Thank you Lord for establishing and ordaining the husband as the head of the household. I use to struggle with this in my independent flesh (in many other areas too!). But thank you Lord for showing me that this is not a curse or a punishment for a woman, it is a blessing and submission to You comes first. Thank you Lord for that verse that says wives submit yourselves unto your husband (and I do) and the one that follows that says husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church(and he does). The two concepts work together not against each other.
Thank you Lord for giving us Your word that tells us everything we need to know for our marriage to work, and thrive, not just exist.
Thank you Lord that you bring restoration, renewal and forgiveness. If You can forgive us why would we not forgive each other?
Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a wife to this man I love with all my heart. Thank you for making us each others very best friend.
Thank you for our beautiful family that we love immensely.
We will celebrate today. We will thank God over and over for another year and we will renew our contract with each other! We will remember that day all those years ago that we made a vow and promise to our God first and each other second. We will remind ourselves that we have no idea what our future holds but we trust the Hand that holds it.
Happy Anniversary to my sweet man! I love you.
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