Breathe....come on, really, just take a deep breath & breathe...
Right now at this moment, today, September 29, 2008, we're experiencing HISTORY in every sense of the word. This day will be talked about for years to come, the DOW has taken a literal dive.
The bail out plan has been rejected by the House, Wall Street is freaking out, we're all maybe a little less "wealthy" today than we were a few weeks ago, times are feeling kind of shaky, I know, I'm with you in that.
But, let's get perspective again.
What are the good things?
1. We're ALIVE, that's always good.
2. There WILL be another plan, something will eventually be passed to help our economic situation, and to be quite honest, I don't know if many of us in middle class America really even "agreed" with that $700 billion plan of debt anyway! Maybe, just maybe, those in key political positions are choosing to LISTEN to the American people.
3. God will take care of His children...we may suffer in some ways, along with others who don't even acknowledge God at all, because we live in the same world & are affected by the same things that affect anyone else. The difference is this, we have a Father who will provide for & take care of His children. We don't have to be anxious, we don't have to fear, this has not taken God by surprise & since we belong to Him, we're in good hands! God will KEEP His people through the crisis, even if we face the most difficult days ahead, He is still with us, He is still for us, He will still cover us, and possibly even reveal Himself to us more than ever before!
4. We are reminded that our treasures on earth are very temporary, they fade, they're here today & gone tomorrow, we've all experienced that just moments ago...but maybe that's why God encourages us to store up for ourselves "treasures in heaven," those are the treasures, the accounts, that are ETERNAL, everlasting, they do not fade away. Maybe, just maybe, this will shift our focus a bit.
5. God will keep our minds in PERFECT PEACE. I know, sounds crazy, right? But He will, He can do that. We may "start" to feel the same panic that is sweeping across our country right now, but even as I write this, amazingly, I feel a sense of peace. I know it's not my own. His Spirit WILL fill our lives as we are yielded to Him & open to what He is saying right now, in our world, in these very uncertain times.
Here's some verses from the Word I'm CHOOSING to meditate on through the remainder of the day...I've already realized that sometimes I need to TURN OFF the panic of the media & TUNE IN to the Word of God.
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3
"But, I trust in you, O Lord, I say, You are my God, My times are in your hands...how great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you." Psalm 31:14-15,19
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34
"And He will be the STABILITY OF YOUR TIMES, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge, the fear of the Lord is his treasure." Isaiah 33:6 NAS
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Happy Birthday Dawson!!! 7 Years Old Today!
Celebrating Your Birthday with Star Wars Things...
...Friends & Family...
...and a Night at the Astros Game!
Dawson John-Paul, "beloved little gift of God," you live up to every bit of the meaning of your name!
7 years ago today, you came into the world & changed our lives - forever! We had thought of you & prayed for you for so many years, even wondered sometimes if God had heard us, He did! God knew just the moment in time that you were to be born, He knows every detail of your life now, and He knows every plan & purpose for your future - He loves you so incredibly & so do we!
You came along and just rocked our world Daws, every 6 pounds 3 ounces of you! You showed us what it's like to go without a full night's rest for many nights on end, you showed us how much joy there is in experiencing all the "first's" - first steps, first words, first child, first everything!
We have grown so much in being your mom & dad...you proved to us that a mother's heart extends far beyond what I could have ever imagined, you proved to us that a father's love for his child is completely unconditional...one little life - yours - taught us more about how very much God is just crazy in love with us.
You are - our champ, sweet Dawsie Pie, little slugger, basketball playing, bike riding, light saber flashing, lego building, swimming, sliding, hummer driving, friend to many, fast talking, bold & leading, big brother - DAWSON!
We love you buddy!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 20, 2008
"A man's steps are directed by the Lord, how then can anyone understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24
Feeling a little "uncertain" in these uncertain times? You're not alone. This has been quite a week as we've witnessed the devastation that one hurricane can bring to a densely populated area, as we've all felt the roller coaster ride of the ups & downs on Wall Street, as we've seen large banks asking the government for help or else risk crumbling, not to mention the huge political debates going on & on & on, and the war we are still fighting, etc....
There's so much! We just can't figure it all out at times. Politics, our economy, wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, rising costs of fuel, risk of layoffs & rising unemployment - all of these things, even by themselves, seem so HUGE to get a grasp on, yet they all directly affect us in one way or another right here at home.
One thing I felt like God spoke to me this very morning & I'll pass it on to you right now, is this, "DON'T PANIC." Don't worry if you can't figure everything out or if you're feeling somewhat "confused" by the world events surrounding us right now. We can be absolutely reassured that God is SOVEREIGN, that He knows & understands all that is unfolding before us, & that HE HAS A PLAN. He's not up there wringing His hands, like many of us are here, I'm sure of that! Some things we may never understand, we may never quite see what His timing is all about as we continue to wait for something we've longed for, we may never understand why He seemed to direct us to a certain place for a certain period of time in life, we may wonder why He has allowed us to experience "hard" things in life instead of protecting us from all pain. Some things may become more clear as the years go on, God may choose to show us exactly how He was at work even in the midst of uncertainy. But, whether of not we ever understand completely, we can REST in the fact that we serve a God that WILL direct our steps as we seek after Him, that WILL give purpose in everything we walk through in this life, even the difficult things, maybe ESPECIALLY the difficult things! We can know beyond any doubting, that GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME & OUR TIMES ARE IN HIS HANDS.
Thinking of you today, may He cover you with peace this weekend!
Feeling a little "uncertain" in these uncertain times? You're not alone. This has been quite a week as we've witnessed the devastation that one hurricane can bring to a densely populated area, as we've all felt the roller coaster ride of the ups & downs on Wall Street, as we've seen large banks asking the government for help or else risk crumbling, not to mention the huge political debates going on & on & on, and the war we are still fighting, etc....
There's so much! We just can't figure it all out at times. Politics, our economy, wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, rising costs of fuel, risk of layoffs & rising unemployment - all of these things, even by themselves, seem so HUGE to get a grasp on, yet they all directly affect us in one way or another right here at home.
One thing I felt like God spoke to me this very morning & I'll pass it on to you right now, is this, "DON'T PANIC." Don't worry if you can't figure everything out or if you're feeling somewhat "confused" by the world events surrounding us right now. We can be absolutely reassured that God is SOVEREIGN, that He knows & understands all that is unfolding before us, & that HE HAS A PLAN. He's not up there wringing His hands, like many of us are here, I'm sure of that! Some things we may never understand, we may never quite see what His timing is all about as we continue to wait for something we've longed for, we may never understand why He seemed to direct us to a certain place for a certain period of time in life, we may wonder why He has allowed us to experience "hard" things in life instead of protecting us from all pain. Some things may become more clear as the years go on, God may choose to show us exactly how He was at work even in the midst of uncertainy. But, whether of not we ever understand completely, we can REST in the fact that we serve a God that WILL direct our steps as we seek after Him, that WILL give purpose in everything we walk through in this life, even the difficult things, maybe ESPECIALLY the difficult things! We can know beyond any doubting, that GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME & OUR TIMES ARE IN HIS HANDS.
Thinking of you today, may He cover you with peace this weekend!
Things Are "Nuts" Around Here!
My first mistake was giving Noah the bag of pistachios to eat.
My second mistake was trying to work on the computer while he & Gracie "played" & ate pistachios.
I just couldn't get to him fast enough (moms, I know you know the feeling)! Almost like it's happening in slow motion & you can already see what's going to happen next. He even came to show me his "trick" - you know the trick, the "pistachio in the nose" trick??? Where you can just barely see it, but then, it was too late - he sniffed & away it went! UGH! Have you ever tried to retrieve a pistachio from the nose of a screaming 2 yr. old? NO FUN & almost completely impossible!
Of course Troy & Dawson were out having a fun Father/Son time at Cubscouts (why am I always here by myself when things like this happen???).
I was kind of hoping it might just "fall out" on its own with a cough or a sneeze or something, no such luck...the pediatrician told me on the phone, "it MUST be removed & by the way we're closing in 30 minutes." That was all I needed to hear! Away we went.
We're home now, all is peaceful once again (Noah & Gracie are sleeping), for probably just a brief few moments, but I'll enjoy every bit of peace while it lasts. I know many of you can relate & have your own rocks, pebbles, & nuts stories. I'm sure I'll laugh about this in the days to come & we'll be sure to tell his children what a "handful" their daddy was!
I looked again at that picture I just posted earlier this morning of our little Noah. Yep, that's him all right, personality so captured in that one photo - superman cape on his back, football cleats on his feet (2 sizes too big), half dressed & headed outside to play, ALL BOY & we love him to pieces!
With Noah around, every day is an adventure.
My second mistake was trying to work on the computer while he & Gracie "played" & ate pistachios.
I just couldn't get to him fast enough (moms, I know you know the feeling)! Almost like it's happening in slow motion & you can already see what's going to happen next. He even came to show me his "trick" - you know the trick, the "pistachio in the nose" trick??? Where you can just barely see it, but then, it was too late - he sniffed & away it went! UGH! Have you ever tried to retrieve a pistachio from the nose of a screaming 2 yr. old? NO FUN & almost completely impossible!
Of course Troy & Dawson were out having a fun Father/Son time at Cubscouts (why am I always here by myself when things like this happen???).
I was kind of hoping it might just "fall out" on its own with a cough or a sneeze or something, no such luck...the pediatrician told me on the phone, "it MUST be removed & by the way we're closing in 30 minutes." That was all I needed to hear! Away we went.
We're home now, all is peaceful once again (Noah & Gracie are sleeping), for probably just a brief few moments, but I'll enjoy every bit of peace while it lasts. I know many of you can relate & have your own rocks, pebbles, & nuts stories. I'm sure I'll laugh about this in the days to come & we'll be sure to tell his children what a "handful" their daddy was!
I looked again at that picture I just posted earlier this morning of our little Noah. Yep, that's him all right, personality so captured in that one photo - superman cape on his back, football cleats on his feet (2 sizes too big), half dressed & headed outside to play, ALL BOY & we love him to pieces!
With Noah around, every day is an adventure.
All "Good" Things Must Come To An End...
If you're under the age of 18, live in the Houston area, and been blessed to have "power" on most of this past week, chances are you've actually had quite a fun time off from school during this post hurricane clean up, like an added on week of summer bonus! But alas, all good things must come to an end (I'm smiling as I say that).
I think most people share my heart in feeling the need to get back into a schedule & routine around here, or at least as much as possible.
Our kids have kept themselves (& us) quite busy though! Gracie has cut her hair 2 times now (Lord help us), I've stopped counting the number of times she's got into my make up & lotion, there's brand new chalk art drawings all over the once blank walls of the hallway (oh my), there were 2 small "floods" in the upstairs bathroom this week, not due to Ike but due to "tikes," I'll bet you can guess which dynamic duo in the family got the water running... I've put a stop to ALL "gymnastics & stunts" taking place off the stairs, couch & beds and continue to thank God that we have not yet had to make an emergency room visit. The ducks of the neighborhood pond have probably been fed more this week than ever before, they're full. Dawson has about rode his bike into the ground up & down our street, & has enjoyed every moment of "house hopping" between here & the neighbors.
But the big news is this - school is soon to be back in session! Our Cy-Fair district is planning to resume classes on Tues., Sept. 23rd. Other districts of course will take much longer, but we know they're working as hard as they can to get things back together for our children.
Life continues on...
I am glad that through Ike, not only have we had this great "bonding" experience with friends & neighbors, but I've also become an "expert" texter, ha! I got a quick lesson from the teenager around the corner, thanks Nicole, & am now becoming more & more proficient at texting, miracles still happen today.
This techno generation is so out of my league, I'm doing all I can to keep up with my 6 yr. old!
Hoping you all are feeling BLESSED today!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Hurricane Pictures - WOW, This Is Amazing!
Hey ya'll!
Here we are on Friday, Sept. 19th, one week ago today we were beginning to prepare for the arrival of Ike. Now, 7 days later, Houston is coming back to life ever so slowly. From what reports now say, 46% of us in the Houston / Galveston areas now have power back, 54% unfortunately still do not. They're hanging in there & I'm blessed by the incredible attitudes & patience of so many we know that are still awaiting power. We've been amazed to hear of so many "neighbor helping neighbor" stories from different parts of the city, what a great thing! So many volunteers have come in to help & serve the many people who have such huge needs, Lord bless them. We pray that wondeful verse from Proverbs would be true for those who are continuing to serve so sacrificially, "...he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Prov. 11:25
We're waiting to hear about the start of school again...we may or may not be starting on Monday, it's yet to be determined. Whether or not our school district starts, I've decided we're starting here! We're getting into a schedule, even if it means a little "home-schooling" for awhile. I know Dawson will be thrilled. (:
Here's a website with some great photos of different areas & countries that were affected by Ike. Our friend Monica in Indiana even said that Ike was pretty fierce there, amazing, that thing traveled a long ways, it was relentless! Thought you might want to take a look at these amazing pictures! Click here:
hurricane ike
These are the people who were sadly, very affected by this storm, as you can see. Please continue to pray for them & for God's provision, healing & rebuilding as time goes on.
love you all, have a great weekend with those you love!
Here we are on Friday, Sept. 19th, one week ago today we were beginning to prepare for the arrival of Ike. Now, 7 days later, Houston is coming back to life ever so slowly. From what reports now say, 46% of us in the Houston / Galveston areas now have power back, 54% unfortunately still do not. They're hanging in there & I'm blessed by the incredible attitudes & patience of so many we know that are still awaiting power. We've been amazed to hear of so many "neighbor helping neighbor" stories from different parts of the city, what a great thing! So many volunteers have come in to help & serve the many people who have such huge needs, Lord bless them. We pray that wondeful verse from Proverbs would be true for those who are continuing to serve so sacrificially, "...he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Prov. 11:25
We're waiting to hear about the start of school again...we may or may not be starting on Monday, it's yet to be determined. Whether or not our school district starts, I've decided we're starting here! We're getting into a schedule, even if it means a little "home-schooling" for awhile. I know Dawson will be thrilled. (:
Here's a website with some great photos of different areas & countries that were affected by Ike. Our friend Monica in Indiana even said that Ike was pretty fierce there, amazing, that thing traveled a long ways, it was relentless! Thought you might want to take a look at these amazing pictures! Click here:
hurricane ike
These are the people who were sadly, very affected by this storm, as you can see. Please continue to pray for them & for God's provision, healing & rebuilding as time goes on.
love you all, have a great weekend with those you love!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 18, 2008
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
Never before has this verse had such literal meaning to me as it has in the past week. As Hurricane Ike raised it's fierce winds & storms around our city Friday night, I can guarantee you that EVERYONE wanted to be in a "strong tower." Noone wants to be left out in the rage of a storm without a safe place to run to. I love those words "are safe" in this verse, which literally means to be "set on high," to be "out of danger." I think the officials spoke it so bluntly & clearly last Friday morning as they gave warning to those along the west end of the Galveston island, "Get out now, or you will face certain death."
Who are we to think we can do this "life" thing on our own? I don't know about you, but there have been SO many times in life that I've just been at the end of myself, I just know without a doubt that I need Someone stronger than me to take the blunt force of the storms of this life. Without a strong tower of refuge...without a safe place to run to when we face the powerful blows that can leave us reeling, wondering what has happened, we can be rendered absolutely POWERLESS.
And powerless, we have been. Of course, this week, we've seen the actual effects that a "lack of literal power" can have on an entire huge city! We have been stopped in our tracks, slowed to a halt, the 4th largest city of our nation has STOPPED for a brief time as we were rendered powerless. It will take days, months, maybe longer, if ever, to get back to the place we once were!
I can't help but correlate that to our personal lives...have you ever felt "powerless?" Maybe your lack of power hasn't come from a hurricane, maybe it's come from something called cancer, or chronic illness, or addiction that has rendered you powerless to fight back. Maybe it's come from divorce or broken relationships, from an untimely death of someone you loved dearly, from near financial ruin or incredible financial pressures. Wherever it is that you have felt powerless in life, please know that there is ONE WHO IS ALL POWERFUL! He is our Strong Tower, we CAN run to Him & be SAFE. Don't try to do this life thing without Him, don't keep getting blown down by the storms & winds, run to the ONE who will take the blows for you, sheltering you in His care. It certainly doesn't mean that we won't face the storms...we will...if you've lived long enough, you already have, but what it does mean is that we don't have to do it on our own. We can have a sustaining strength, and amazingly, even joy, in the midst of some of the fiercest of storms that may come our way.
Thinking of you today, be blessed! Love you all & are so thankful for your prayers!
Never before has this verse had such literal meaning to me as it has in the past week. As Hurricane Ike raised it's fierce winds & storms around our city Friday night, I can guarantee you that EVERYONE wanted to be in a "strong tower." Noone wants to be left out in the rage of a storm without a safe place to run to. I love those words "are safe" in this verse, which literally means to be "set on high," to be "out of danger." I think the officials spoke it so bluntly & clearly last Friday morning as they gave warning to those along the west end of the Galveston island, "Get out now, or you will face certain death."
Who are we to think we can do this "life" thing on our own? I don't know about you, but there have been SO many times in life that I've just been at the end of myself, I just know without a doubt that I need Someone stronger than me to take the blunt force of the storms of this life. Without a strong tower of refuge...without a safe place to run to when we face the powerful blows that can leave us reeling, wondering what has happened, we can be rendered absolutely POWERLESS.
And powerless, we have been. Of course, this week, we've seen the actual effects that a "lack of literal power" can have on an entire huge city! We have been stopped in our tracks, slowed to a halt, the 4th largest city of our nation has STOPPED for a brief time as we were rendered powerless. It will take days, months, maybe longer, if ever, to get back to the place we once were!
I can't help but correlate that to our personal lives...have you ever felt "powerless?" Maybe your lack of power hasn't come from a hurricane, maybe it's come from something called cancer, or chronic illness, or addiction that has rendered you powerless to fight back. Maybe it's come from divorce or broken relationships, from an untimely death of someone you loved dearly, from near financial ruin or incredible financial pressures. Wherever it is that you have felt powerless in life, please know that there is ONE WHO IS ALL POWERFUL! He is our Strong Tower, we CAN run to Him & be SAFE. Don't try to do this life thing without Him, don't keep getting blown down by the storms & winds, run to the ONE who will take the blows for you, sheltering you in His care. It certainly doesn't mean that we won't face the storms...we will...if you've lived long enough, you already have, but what it does mean is that we don't have to do it on our own. We can have a sustaining strength, and amazingly, even joy, in the midst of some of the fiercest of storms that may come our way.
Thinking of you today, be blessed! Love you all & are so thankful for your prayers!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A Different Kind Of "Normal"
As the clean up continues from Hurricane Ike, life around here is desperately trying to become "normal" again. But it's definitely a different kind of "normal." I think that way of thinking will remain for a very long, long time. Whatever was our normal routine & life from before Ike brought much devastation to this city of Houston, Galveston & others, is gone...just a memory of what things were like before.
Several mornings I've woken up just thinking to myself, was that a dream? Did that really happen? I'm quickly reminded, yes, it's real, & get myself up & out of bed to get going for another day, wondering what it will bring.
We're thanking God still that we were able to get power back on here Monday evening. We were the last block in our area to get it, who cares, IT'S ON!!! We are so grateful. Anyone reading this from a battery laptop, who needs a place to come stay, please come! Bring your laundry, come to eat, don't stay where you are without electricity &/or water!
As of yesterday, 34% of Houston & Galveston area's population had power restored, 66%still had not. Hopefully those numbers have changed even overnight as crews from literally around the country have come in to help with this power outage from the storm. I don't know if you have ever lived in a big city without power, I hadn't, it's very interesting to see how much we depend on clean water, on power, one thing leads quickly to another in the order of what is affected! Life certainly has come to a stand still, especially in those downtown & coastal areas. Gas is still at a minimum, food & bottled water is there in some places, many stores still cannot open due to the power outage, so people have to travel to find some. Our garbage pick up came yesterday, but since they're running out of fuel too, we're not sure if they'll be back for awhile. School in our Cy-Fair District is now out through Friday as they attempt desperately to get their buildings restored. Restaurants close at 6PM because they've run out of food. Starbucks is a rare find in this suburbia world now.
Rescue & recovery is well under way as teams are now able to get into some of those areas most affected. From what I understand, officials are not allowing the media to fly over the most devasted areas during recovery efforts, they are unfortunately now finding many who did not make it through the storm.
This is the time where more personal stories are beginning to come out. Troy & I know many families who have had trees fall on their houses or garages, on their cars, etc..., many who are still without power. We know several whose family beach houses are GONE. FEMA is here, President Bush toured the city yesterday with our Governor, but I think the greater impact of relief & help have just been felt by neighbor helping neighbor, by friend helping friend. People WANT to help. There's a spirit of generosity & desire to serve that often comes out in these times of greatest need, of greatest devastation. I pray that continues...this whole thing is going to take "awhile."
I'm incredibly thankful that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psa. 46:1 So, even if we face "trouble" from hurricanes, from stock market drops, from life events that would make us want to crumble...we can find STRENGTH & REFUGE in Him. HE IS OUR SAFE PLACE.
Several mornings I've woken up just thinking to myself, was that a dream? Did that really happen? I'm quickly reminded, yes, it's real, & get myself up & out of bed to get going for another day, wondering what it will bring.
We're thanking God still that we were able to get power back on here Monday evening. We were the last block in our area to get it, who cares, IT'S ON!!! We are so grateful. Anyone reading this from a battery laptop, who needs a place to come stay, please come! Bring your laundry, come to eat, don't stay where you are without electricity &/or water!
As of yesterday, 34% of Houston & Galveston area's population had power restored, 66%still had not. Hopefully those numbers have changed even overnight as crews from literally around the country have come in to help with this power outage from the storm. I don't know if you have ever lived in a big city without power, I hadn't, it's very interesting to see how much we depend on clean water, on power, one thing leads quickly to another in the order of what is affected! Life certainly has come to a stand still, especially in those downtown & coastal areas. Gas is still at a minimum, food & bottled water is there in some places, many stores still cannot open due to the power outage, so people have to travel to find some. Our garbage pick up came yesterday, but since they're running out of fuel too, we're not sure if they'll be back for awhile. School in our Cy-Fair District is now out through Friday as they attempt desperately to get their buildings restored. Restaurants close at 6PM because they've run out of food. Starbucks is a rare find in this suburbia world now.
Rescue & recovery is well under way as teams are now able to get into some of those areas most affected. From what I understand, officials are not allowing the media to fly over the most devasted areas during recovery efforts, they are unfortunately now finding many who did not make it through the storm.
This is the time where more personal stories are beginning to come out. Troy & I know many families who have had trees fall on their houses or garages, on their cars, etc..., many who are still without power. We know several whose family beach houses are GONE. FEMA is here, President Bush toured the city yesterday with our Governor, but I think the greater impact of relief & help have just been felt by neighbor helping neighbor, by friend helping friend. People WANT to help. There's a spirit of generosity & desire to serve that often comes out in these times of greatest need, of greatest devastation. I pray that continues...this whole thing is going to take "awhile."
I'm incredibly thankful that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psa. 46:1 So, even if we face "trouble" from hurricanes, from stock market drops, from life events that would make us want to crumble...we can find STRENGTH & REFUGE in Him. HE IS OUR SAFE PLACE.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Music To My Ears...WHIRRRRRRR....
We went to sleep last night by the wonderful sound of a generator, thank you LORD! It's loud, but I've never heard a more beautiful sound. (: Friends of ours, the Bailiffs & Durrenbergers, both passed the generator our way after their power came back on, that's a true neighbor for you ! We're very grateful. We were able to get our next door neighbor hooked up on our power source through an extension cord, so our street is staying fairly powered up through one another's generators. We have to pick & choose what we want to "generate," of course the fridge wins hands down, a few lights, the TV & the computer & cell phone chargers for now.
We woke up this morning to nice cooler weather, the high today is supposed to be 82, what a welcome relief!
Power is coming back on in bits & pieces around the Houston area, from what they said last night, 81% of customers are still WITHOUT power, so it's very slow going. This is a true test of patience in every sense of the word. I ventured out yesterday to get a few grocery items, that was an adventure! Had to wait in a line just to get into the store, they were only allowing a certain number of people in at a time. After getting in, most refrigerated items were gone of course, no milk, no eggs, no ice, etc...we're still good with what we have for awhile though. We're thankful for every bottle of water & every last drop of milk. Gas lines continue to circle through the parking lots of stores unless you get there first thing in the morning, the challenge is just to find a place that has some first, then most people are willing to wait, there's just no other choice. Troy went early this AM to load up on some generator gas.
This whole experience has reminded me of how amazingly blessed we are as a nation. These are just things that we don't often HAVE to experience, I think I'll be much more grateful for the things we have after this is over, I pray that God will help me to remember. I started thinking yesterday, how many times have I just taken ALL of these things so for granted? How often have I stopped to thank God for my refrigerator??? I mean, have you ever? Don't think I ever have to be honest! I do now! What about ice, the garbage disposal, or AC, lights, gas for our cars, a phone line, a roof over our heads (which unfortunately many, many people don't have anymore in this area of the U.S.!). And, how often do we thank Him just for family, for friends, for neighbors? We simply would not, could not, want to endure this alone. I can't even imagine going out to the store without checking first to see if someone else needs something, we're just so depending on one another to get us through this. A dear friend who knows how much I love my coffee sent me a text message yesterday after her power came on to see if she could bring me a cup! Another friend brought over extra gas for the generator when we began to run low. All of our front doors are like revolving doors with kids coming in & out these few days, everyone is playing with everyone else, life just seems so simple for our kids, I'm glad that they seem protected from this stress, thank the Lord for that. We had a street cook out last night with gas grills, we're all just trying to keep each other company & those moments have really actually been fun & bonding, I can see how God is working through this for good.
We are truly blessed in our nation! Take a moment today just to say thank you to God for ALL that He has given us, especially all that we have so taken for granted. He has been so good to us. Please remember to pray for those still in dangerous places, those who are continuing to do rescues & recovery. There are still areas around Galveston that they have not yet been able to even get into, but people were there before the storm.
I read a verse this morning, "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." Prov. 15:3
That brings me comfort to know that He is watching...that HE is aware, that HE is protecting, that He will bring recovery & healing to our city through time.
love you all, I'll keep posting as I'm able to!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Hurricane Clean Up Continues...
Hey everyone,
We're still doing well, no power yet though. A few neighbors do have generators, so we're getting by. All generators through the areas anywhere nearby have now been allocated for FEMA, so there's no getting one now! Actually we heard there were none in the whole state of TX. We drove around our area of Cypress & the neighborhood last night, we were amazed at how "hit" this area really had been, lots of trees down, fences down, the soccer fields look like a small lake, etc... We are thanking God every moment for the safety HE has given through this. Our Cy-Fair District schools are closed through Wednesday, at least, and many other area Houston districts look like they will probably be closed as well.
Life is trying to continue on as much as possible. Stores are slowly beginning to open as power becomes available, lines are long everywhere, gas lines are incredible, we're very glad we're not needing to fill up anytime soon. Clean up around the area has begun & will need to continue for a very long time it seems. Some highway systems are still closed, but slowly reopening & becoming more & more congested as people who have evacuated try to return. Officials are urging any of those in the evacuee zip codes NOT to return at this time. Some areas are getting power back, those close to police/fire stations are blessed to get power first. Anyone passing through Conroe, I just heard on the radio, that they have NO GAS, no power, fill up before you get there - for any of you friends coming back from the Dallas area. There are alot of flooded areas of course, I'm sure you've seen more than we have, since we haven't been watching the news.
Another big storm came through last night, lots of thunder, lightening, more rain, but, thankfully, the cooler weather comes in tonight! Thank the Lord for those Northern winds, goodbye hot humid weather!
The kids on the street hop from house to house playing here & there, everywhere, they're being troopers through this. For all you campers out there, this really is like "camping," except that you're at home, we've got the flashlights, gas grill for cooking, etc..., we were all asleep last night by about 9:15 (of course awakened hours later by the storm, but at least we got some good sleep in).
The water system is still working, PRAISE GOD! I feel like I can continue on, even with our little ones, as long as we have water. It's amazing the things you "can" do when you have to, isn't it?
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU for your continued prayers for Houston!
I'm reminded that we are in the midst of living a "historical moment" in our city's history. We're getting through ever so slowly...it's a "bonding" time among our neighbors & city, we'll take each day as it comes, we're on that pathway to clean up & rebuilding!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
It's Still Raining!
Is it really only 1:10 pm??? Feels like it should be midnight! We're beginning to get some cabin fever around here...winds are beginning to die off, but the rain continues. Dawson took off for the neighbor's house to play, we're trying to keep kids "entertained" without power!
Still have water, flood warnings continue, lots of other parts of the city have seen pretty major devastation, so we're feeling like things are fairly stable around here for now.
We hear a cold front is coming in tomorrow - that's great news without A.C. - but, it's bringing more rain, not good.
All church services are of course cancelled for tomorrow, don't know about school & other things yet. They say power may stay off for some time. We'll see how long we can endure it before we need to "jump ship." 4 million people with cabin fever might start to get kind of messy!
thanks so much for your calls, text messages & continued prayers for our city!
we'll stay in touch...
Storm Is STILL Here!
Hey everyone...wanted to take a quick minute to update while Troy still has battery on his laptop. The winds continue to rage outside, the rain still coming down, we have NEVER seen anything like this, that's for sure! It was a long, long night, lost power about 2am. Praise God, the kids slept through most of it, we had a "camp out" in our room. We still have water right now, but I'm not sure how long that will last. No flooding in this area as far as we can tell, of course, we haven't been able to get outside yet, so much for the great video footage we were going to capture, ha! Troy did get a little from the front porch, we'll try to post it soon. His email is tmcdaniel@second.org or you can add comment here on blog. Our cells are good for texting still as of now...713-907-7835 Troy's, 281-704-7499 Debbie's. We're feeling safe inside, our house is strong, we feel strong & we know that God is STRONGER than the winds! Please pray for all of those near coastal areas that are still there...Woodway area has flash flood warnings out through most of the day...I don't think we've see the whole extent of damage yet, people still can't even get outside, at least not here in the northwest area. We heard what seemed to be the beginning of a tornado late yesterday, it seemed to dissipate before damage. We're getting a crash course on natural disasters this weekend. The kids are doing fine right now, they really don't seem afraid at all, they're seeing this as an adventure right now & are enjoying making home movies. (: We keep reminding them we're safe here inside. We have great neighbors on all sides, we're all in this together & are sticking together through this storm, we have walkie talkies & are in communication as we need to be with one another. Praise God for family & friends like all of you!!! Thank you for your prayers, keep praying, we feel them! Pray for those in harms way right now or in flooded conditions & dangerous winds. This thing is fierce!!! God is amazing. We love you all so much, we'll keep you posted as we can.Thursday, September 11, 2008
Happy Birthday Gracie Anabelle! 2 Years Old Today!
Our sweet little Gracie pie, you are pure JOY to us! We love you so much, you've brought more laughter to our home than we thought we could hold, your life is a blessing to sooooo many of us! Keep climbing twinkle toes, you can do ANYTHING you set your heart to, God is with you, for you, & constantly surrounding you!
We love you to the moon & back, and then some more...Mommy & Daddy
Verse For The Day - September 11, 2008
"A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25
Here in Houston, TX this morning, we find ourselves looking right down the barrel of something called Hurricane Ike, you've probably already heard of it, right?(: All around this area & along the coastline of Galveston, we've waited for the news that this hurricane has taken a turn, it hasn't...and doesn't look like it will. Galveston is already beginning to experience some surge along the seawall & it hasn't even started raining yet. Our beloved little Kemah area looks like it may be flooded out badly. Many people in low lying areas & along the coast have evacuated or are doing so right now.
I can't help but think back to the devastating effects of recent hurricanes in other areas that have hit close by, Katrina, Rita, even Gustav. I thought of how this city of Houston, with all of its great resources & large population has always quickly reached out to others who have been "hit." I remembered walking through the George R. Brown Covention Center (set up as a shelter) after Katrina, seeing the sea of faces of people who had lost literally EVERYTHING, many not even knowing where family members had ended up or if they were even still alive.
I'm praying today that this verse will ring true for our city & our coastal areas, that God would, in His mercy, spare us from the destruction this powerful hurricane could bring, that even if there are some "after effects" from the storm, that He would bring "refreshing" to His people here.
If you're reading this today, would you pray for us, and especially for our friends near the coastal areas or in flood zones? We are so incredibly dependent on God!
I'm so thankful to already see the powerful "neighbor effect" around our areas, people want to know each other are O.K., people call to check in, call to see if you need another bottle of water while they're at the store, to double check & make sure you don't need to go ahead & evacuate out to a safer place, to let you know they have a generator if you need one, it's wonderful to see how people CARE, especially in times where darker things are looming in the distance!
We're living by this verse today, we will choose to be generous in ALL that we have, that God has so graciously given, we are trusting Him to bring REFRESHING to His people as we choose to walk in a way that refreshes & helps others.
We can never go wrong if we stand on His Word, it's timely & RIGHT ON ADVICE in every season of life.
If we lose power tonight, I'll catch up with you in a few days...bless you!
Here in Houston, TX this morning, we find ourselves looking right down the barrel of something called Hurricane Ike, you've probably already heard of it, right?(: All around this area & along the coastline of Galveston, we've waited for the news that this hurricane has taken a turn, it hasn't...and doesn't look like it will. Galveston is already beginning to experience some surge along the seawall & it hasn't even started raining yet. Our beloved little Kemah area looks like it may be flooded out badly. Many people in low lying areas & along the coast have evacuated or are doing so right now.
I can't help but think back to the devastating effects of recent hurricanes in other areas that have hit close by, Katrina, Rita, even Gustav. I thought of how this city of Houston, with all of its great resources & large population has always quickly reached out to others who have been "hit." I remembered walking through the George R. Brown Covention Center (set up as a shelter) after Katrina, seeing the sea of faces of people who had lost literally EVERYTHING, many not even knowing where family members had ended up or if they were even still alive.
I'm praying today that this verse will ring true for our city & our coastal areas, that God would, in His mercy, spare us from the destruction this powerful hurricane could bring, that even if there are some "after effects" from the storm, that He would bring "refreshing" to His people here.
If you're reading this today, would you pray for us, and especially for our friends near the coastal areas or in flood zones? We are so incredibly dependent on God!
I'm so thankful to already see the powerful "neighbor effect" around our areas, people want to know each other are O.K., people call to check in, call to see if you need another bottle of water while they're at the store, to double check & make sure you don't need to go ahead & evacuate out to a safer place, to let you know they have a generator if you need one, it's wonderful to see how people CARE, especially in times where darker things are looming in the distance!
We're living by this verse today, we will choose to be generous in ALL that we have, that God has so graciously given, we are trusting Him to bring REFRESHING to His people as we choose to walk in a way that refreshes & helps others.
We can never go wrong if we stand on His Word, it's timely & RIGHT ON ADVICE in every season of life.
If we lose power tonight, I'll catch up with you in a few days...bless you!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 10, 2008
"The memory of the righteous will be a blessing..." Proverbs 10:7
I had the chance to have lunch today with one of the most amazing women I know. When I read this verse this morning and then sat with my dear friend Kristi at lunch a few hours later, I thought, wow, this is a woman who knows all about how true this verse really is. You see, Kristi lost her husband Billy 4 years ago through a motorcycle accident. As a young widow, she knows what it's like to walk through the deepest pit of pain, grief, & loneliness, but yet, she didn't get stuck there...over time, she MOVED FORWARD, she was determined to carry on the work & ministry that God had called their lives to, even though He had taken Billy home much sooner than they had ever expected. Billy is still very much "alive" here too, even in our home, we talk of him frequently, we laugh at so many "Billy" stories (if you knew him, you know what I mean!) - his memory is living on through the lives of so many people he touched during his years on this earth. He was an evangelist in every sense of the word, he lived it, he breathed it, he was called by God to proclaim His Word & that's what he did WHEREVER he was! The memory of Billy Hobbs will always be a BLESSING to our lives.
But, there's more...the great thing is this - because Kristi had the heart to continue on the ministry that God had called them to and that Billy had helped to begin in 2002, Alamo City Mercy Foundation has just completed their first orphanage in Kenya, Africa. They are staffed & now ready to receive 36 orphan children, ages 3 - 7! These children were often referred to by others as "chokoras," children of the dirt, but where some saw "dirt," Billy & Kristi saw HOPE. The memory of Billy Hobbs is now a blessing extending even to the lives of these precious children that God has not forgotten, though many others had. Through work in Africa, Brazil, India, Turkey, and now even Iran, Kristi is continuing on in the ministry of proclaiming Christ to people who are hurting, to those who need to know HIM, encouraging other believers who are literally persecuted in their own countries because of their faith in Jesus Christ. If you're interested in learning more about how to volunteer, pray for, or support this great ministry of Mercy Foundation, go to http://www.alamocitymercyfoundation.org/.
I recently heard a quote that said something like this..."Seek not to have your name written in stone, but seek to have your name written on people's hearts." Billy Hobbs is a name remembered by so many people all over the world, just as this verse says, his "memory is a blessing." But more importantly, because of his faithfulness & obedience to God, the name of JESUS has been written across many, many hearts.
And, because of Kristi's boldness for Christ & faithfulness to continue on, many others, like myself, are also challenged to remember to be MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THINGS OF ETERNAL VALUE, rather than only the temporary things that can seem to so easily consume our days. Praying that God will show us today a specific way that we can be a BLESSING in the life of someone else - that we can look past ourselves and our own needs or wants and begin to ponder how WE would want to be remembered in this life. Love you Kristi...love you friends, have a blessed day!
I had the chance to have lunch today with one of the most amazing women I know. When I read this verse this morning and then sat with my dear friend Kristi at lunch a few hours later, I thought, wow, this is a woman who knows all about how true this verse really is. You see, Kristi lost her husband Billy 4 years ago through a motorcycle accident. As a young widow, she knows what it's like to walk through the deepest pit of pain, grief, & loneliness, but yet, she didn't get stuck there...over time, she MOVED FORWARD, she was determined to carry on the work & ministry that God had called their lives to, even though He had taken Billy home much sooner than they had ever expected. Billy is still very much "alive" here too, even in our home, we talk of him frequently, we laugh at so many "Billy" stories (if you knew him, you know what I mean!) - his memory is living on through the lives of so many people he touched during his years on this earth. He was an evangelist in every sense of the word, he lived it, he breathed it, he was called by God to proclaim His Word & that's what he did WHEREVER he was! The memory of Billy Hobbs will always be a BLESSING to our lives.
But, there's more...the great thing is this - because Kristi had the heart to continue on the ministry that God had called them to and that Billy had helped to begin in 2002, Alamo City Mercy Foundation has just completed their first orphanage in Kenya, Africa. They are staffed & now ready to receive 36 orphan children, ages 3 - 7! These children were often referred to by others as "chokoras," children of the dirt, but where some saw "dirt," Billy & Kristi saw HOPE. The memory of Billy Hobbs is now a blessing extending even to the lives of these precious children that God has not forgotten, though many others had. Through work in Africa, Brazil, India, Turkey, and now even Iran, Kristi is continuing on in the ministry of proclaiming Christ to people who are hurting, to those who need to know HIM, encouraging other believers who are literally persecuted in their own countries because of their faith in Jesus Christ. If you're interested in learning more about how to volunteer, pray for, or support this great ministry of Mercy Foundation, go to http://www.alamocitymercyfoundation.org/.
I recently heard a quote that said something like this..."Seek not to have your name written in stone, but seek to have your name written on people's hearts." Billy Hobbs is a name remembered by so many people all over the world, just as this verse says, his "memory is a blessing." But more importantly, because of his faithfulness & obedience to God, the name of JESUS has been written across many, many hearts.
And, because of Kristi's boldness for Christ & faithfulness to continue on, many others, like myself, are also challenged to remember to be MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THINGS OF ETERNAL VALUE, rather than only the temporary things that can seem to so easily consume our days. Praying that God will show us today a specific way that we can be a BLESSING in the life of someone else - that we can look past ourselves and our own needs or wants and begin to ponder how WE would want to be remembered in this life. Love you Kristi...love you friends, have a blessed day!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 9, 2008
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life." Proverbs 9:10-11
Do you ever wish you could turn back the clock & have another chance at some of the "wrong" decisions you made in the past? Do you ever feel like you wasted some of your years on things that didn't really matter in the light of eternity? Do you feel like you've just blown it too many times & wish you could wipe out those moments with some kind of huge eraser?
JOIN THE CLUB! Been there, done that, I've felt & thought those same things many times.
The great news is, just as these verses say, as we seek to know more of God & more of His wisdom, HE will make the MOST of our time, enriching our lives in every way. The Bible even says in Joel 2:25, that God will "restore the years the locusts have eaten away." Wow! Even those moments that maybe were not our "best moments" of life, maybe those years that seemed so difficult & trying, God says He will RESTORE them. He will use them for some kind of good in our lives - in us & maybe through us to encourage someone else.
Maybe even now, you feel that you're just beginning to see how important "time" really is, and you want to begin to MAKE THE MOST of every day by finding the purposes of God for your life. You're on the right track, don't stop, keep going right down that path of seeking after God with your whole heart! He will never leave you or desert you...things may not always go our way in this life...but God will never disappoint you. He will see you over every rocky path, and carry you through every storm, He will deepen & enrich your years more than you ever dreamed possible.
Never believe the lie that you have done too many "awful" things or that you're "too old" to really make a difference. With God - wow - anything is possible!
Do you ever wish you could turn back the clock & have another chance at some of the "wrong" decisions you made in the past? Do you ever feel like you wasted some of your years on things that didn't really matter in the light of eternity? Do you feel like you've just blown it too many times & wish you could wipe out those moments with some kind of huge eraser?
JOIN THE CLUB! Been there, done that, I've felt & thought those same things many times.
The great news is, just as these verses say, as we seek to know more of God & more of His wisdom, HE will make the MOST of our time, enriching our lives in every way. The Bible even says in Joel 2:25, that God will "restore the years the locusts have eaten away." Wow! Even those moments that maybe were not our "best moments" of life, maybe those years that seemed so difficult & trying, God says He will RESTORE them. He will use them for some kind of good in our lives - in us & maybe through us to encourage someone else.
Maybe even now, you feel that you're just beginning to see how important "time" really is, and you want to begin to MAKE THE MOST of every day by finding the purposes of God for your life. You're on the right track, don't stop, keep going right down that path of seeking after God with your whole heart! He will never leave you or desert you...things may not always go our way in this life...but God will never disappoint you. He will see you over every rocky path, and carry you through every storm, He will deepen & enrich your years more than you ever dreamed possible.
Never believe the lie that you have done too many "awful" things or that you're "too old" to really make a difference. With God - wow - anything is possible!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 8, 2008
"For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord." Proverbs 8:35
There's a store in Houston I've enjoyed shopping in for the past few years & over the course of time, I've had the opportunity to get to know one of the girls who works there. From our prior conversations I've learned that she is Muslim, and likewise, she knows that I'm a Christian, and whenever I go in & she's working, we just share bits of life back & forth and enjoy talking with one another.
Over the weekend, I saw her as I was shopping, and she shared with me how this was a very hard month for her. In the Muslim faith, this is the month of their fast (Ramadan). They can eat at sun up & sun down, but are not to eat or drink anything at all in between, she told me she wouldn't even wear lip gloss for fear she may lick it off her lips. She told me of how upset she was that other college friends of hers, also Muslim, were choosing not to fast anymore, how they are not taking their religion seriously enough.
As she shared, my heart just broke for her. She was trying so hard to "do the right thing," but for what reason? Wasn't it all in vain? If real love does not compel us to "do the right thing," aren't we doing it for the wrong reasons anyway? As I left that day, I felt like God reminded me that even in Christian circles, we do this very thing. We pray, we fast, we serve, but sometimes for all the wrong reasons. We're not compelled by love. We're looking around & wondering why so & so is not doing ALL that we are, we're so worried about what other people are doing or are NOT doing.
I'm praying today that God will remind us that through HIM, we have LIFE, we have PURPOSE to do all that He calls us to, it is not in vain if we are seeking to honor Him in all that we do.
If you are reading this today, would you pray with me for my Muslim friend? I'm praying that the eyes of her heart will be enlightened to see the TRUTH of Jesus Christ, that our loving & merciful God will chase after her and bring His freedom & LIFE to her & to her family!
There's a store in Houston I've enjoyed shopping in for the past few years & over the course of time, I've had the opportunity to get to know one of the girls who works there. From our prior conversations I've learned that she is Muslim, and likewise, she knows that I'm a Christian, and whenever I go in & she's working, we just share bits of life back & forth and enjoy talking with one another.
Over the weekend, I saw her as I was shopping, and she shared with me how this was a very hard month for her. In the Muslim faith, this is the month of their fast (Ramadan). They can eat at sun up & sun down, but are not to eat or drink anything at all in between, she told me she wouldn't even wear lip gloss for fear she may lick it off her lips. She told me of how upset she was that other college friends of hers, also Muslim, were choosing not to fast anymore, how they are not taking their religion seriously enough.
As she shared, my heart just broke for her. She was trying so hard to "do the right thing," but for what reason? Wasn't it all in vain? If real love does not compel us to "do the right thing," aren't we doing it for the wrong reasons anyway? As I left that day, I felt like God reminded me that even in Christian circles, we do this very thing. We pray, we fast, we serve, but sometimes for all the wrong reasons. We're not compelled by love. We're looking around & wondering why so & so is not doing ALL that we are, we're so worried about what other people are doing or are NOT doing.
I'm praying today that God will remind us that through HIM, we have LIFE, we have PURPOSE to do all that He calls us to, it is not in vain if we are seeking to honor Him in all that we do.
If you are reading this today, would you pray with me for my Muslim friend? I'm praying that the eyes of her heart will be enlightened to see the TRUTH of Jesus Christ, that our loving & merciful God will chase after her and bring His freedom & LIFE to her & to her family!
Having One Of Those Days?
Are you having one of those days???
Feeling kind of "stuck?"
Like you're just making a mess of everything around you?
you can't quite get at what your reaching for...
and you can never seem to find what you're looking for...
and you just can't even begin to see around all that you have to do?
Just take a deep breath & SMILE....
Remember - God has a bigger plan for your day than you do!
He loves you SOOOOO MUCH..
have a great day!
Love, Gracie (:
Feeling kind of "stuck?"
Like you're just making a mess of everything around you?
you can't quite get at what your reaching for...
and you can never seem to find what you're looking for...
and you just can't even begin to see around all that you have to do?
Just take a deep breath & SMILE....
Remember - God has a bigger plan for your day than you do!
He loves you SOOOOO MUCH..
have a great day!
Love, Gracie (:
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 6, 2008
"Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family."
Proverbs 6:16-19 from the Message Bible
I think it's so interesting how it's kind of human nature to "rate" sins - like some just seem more serious and should likely have a more severe consequence or punishment than others.
Other types of "sin" are really quite "acceptable" in our culture today, they just seem rather "mild," don't they? I mean, how bad can just one "little white lie" be? Or is it really so bad to show some "pride" when we've worked really hard to accomplish something?
But amazingly, God places those particular sins right along next to murder! Come on now, can that be fair?!
As I read these verses today, I thought of the book that Troy & I have been reading through, it's called "Respectable Sins," by Jerry Bridges. Whew, talk about conviction & digging deep! I have to kind of take it in sections, maybe because God still has so much to do in my heart & life, but it's such a true picture of where many of us are in our Christian networks & circles. As Mr. Bridges says in the book's preface, "we have become so preoccupied with some of the major sins of society around us that we have lost sight of the need to deal with our own more 'refined' or subtle sins." Ouch. He goes on to address sin issues such as anxiety/frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, pride, selfishness, anger, impatience/irritability, sins of the tongue, judgmentalism, envy, worldliness, etc..., ugh, I knew I'd better crack this book open when I felt the pangs of conviction just in reading through the table of contents!
But, let me end with a note of HOPE for all of us out there who struggle! When we come to a place where we can see a truer picture of who we really are, sin & all, we can then come to a place where we can see a truer picture of WHO HE IS...our Redeemer, our Savior! The Bible says that when we are forgiven through Jesus Christ, and we confess what we've done wrong and turn from it, God wipes out our sin. Boom, it's gone. Like a dry erase board, never to be remembered. Wow, I am so needy for God to continue to work in this fleshly heart of mine, if you're feeling that same way today, know that I'm with you friend - living a life of complete dependency upon our God - HE is our HOPE!
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family."
Proverbs 6:16-19 from the Message Bible
I think it's so interesting how it's kind of human nature to "rate" sins - like some just seem more serious and should likely have a more severe consequence or punishment than others.
Other types of "sin" are really quite "acceptable" in our culture today, they just seem rather "mild," don't they? I mean, how bad can just one "little white lie" be? Or is it really so bad to show some "pride" when we've worked really hard to accomplish something?
But amazingly, God places those particular sins right along next to murder! Come on now, can that be fair?!
As I read these verses today, I thought of the book that Troy & I have been reading through, it's called "Respectable Sins," by Jerry Bridges. Whew, talk about conviction & digging deep! I have to kind of take it in sections, maybe because God still has so much to do in my heart & life, but it's such a true picture of where many of us are in our Christian networks & circles. As Mr. Bridges says in the book's preface, "we have become so preoccupied with some of the major sins of society around us that we have lost sight of the need to deal with our own more 'refined' or subtle sins." Ouch. He goes on to address sin issues such as anxiety/frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, pride, selfishness, anger, impatience/irritability, sins of the tongue, judgmentalism, envy, worldliness, etc..., ugh, I knew I'd better crack this book open when I felt the pangs of conviction just in reading through the table of contents!
But, let me end with a note of HOPE for all of us out there who struggle! When we come to a place where we can see a truer picture of who we really are, sin & all, we can then come to a place where we can see a truer picture of WHO HE IS...our Redeemer, our Savior! The Bible says that when we are forgiven through Jesus Christ, and we confess what we've done wrong and turn from it, God wipes out our sin. Boom, it's gone. Like a dry erase board, never to be remembered. Wow, I am so needy for God to continue to work in this fleshly heart of mine, if you're feeling that same way today, know that I'm with you friend - living a life of complete dependency upon our God - HE is our HOPE!
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
Friday, September 5, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 5, 2008
"For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths." Prov. 5:21
Anyone who says that the Bible is not "relevant" to today's world or that it seems rather "boring," needs to read Proverbs 5! Oh, it's relevant all right - most definitely, it was then & is now. Just like times long ago, we live in a world where sexual temptations lurk everywhere - even on prime time TV, prostitution & adulterous affairs break up homes & marriages, men & women both are led astray by the enticement that "the grass is greener on the other side."
It seems that Solomon spoke with some history here when he gave instruction to his son in this passage. As you probably know, he did have QUITE a lot of wives & I'm thinking he didn't marry them all just for the verbal communication, if you know what I mean! But in several verses he says "pay attention to my wisdom," "listen to me," etc... - you can almost feel the warning in his words as he writes this.
God has given us this great & incredible gift of sex intended only for within the confines of marriage, that's where it's safe, that's where it most enjoyable, that was God's intention from the very beginning of time! Unfortunately human nature & the world we live in always want to pervert & change God's gifts to make it fit more into our "lifestyle," or what seems right or feels good to us.
Moms of sons - let's pray for our little guys as they grow up, that we as parents can teach them true respect & honor of women, that God would protect them & shield them from unneccessary temptations & help them to make the right choices WAY ahead of time - before they find themselves in a tempting moment.
Moms of daughters - let's cover our precious ones in prayer that God would shield them from any evil, danger, or temptation, that they would always know WHO they belong to & believe with confidence that their lives & bodies belong first & foremost to Jesus Christ.
Praying that as wives & husbands, we will love each other the way that God intends, that our eyes will be only for one another & that our hearts would not be led astray by meaningless temptations.
Lord help us to keep our families strong for this generation & for the generations to come!
Anyone who says that the Bible is not "relevant" to today's world or that it seems rather "boring," needs to read Proverbs 5! Oh, it's relevant all right - most definitely, it was then & is now. Just like times long ago, we live in a world where sexual temptations lurk everywhere - even on prime time TV, prostitution & adulterous affairs break up homes & marriages, men & women both are led astray by the enticement that "the grass is greener on the other side."
It seems that Solomon spoke with some history here when he gave instruction to his son in this passage. As you probably know, he did have QUITE a lot of wives & I'm thinking he didn't marry them all just for the verbal communication, if you know what I mean! But in several verses he says "pay attention to my wisdom," "listen to me," etc... - you can almost feel the warning in his words as he writes this.
God has given us this great & incredible gift of sex intended only for within the confines of marriage, that's where it's safe, that's where it most enjoyable, that was God's intention from the very beginning of time! Unfortunately human nature & the world we live in always want to pervert & change God's gifts to make it fit more into our "lifestyle," or what seems right or feels good to us.
Moms of sons - let's pray for our little guys as they grow up, that we as parents can teach them true respect & honor of women, that God would protect them & shield them from unneccessary temptations & help them to make the right choices WAY ahead of time - before they find themselves in a tempting moment.
Moms of daughters - let's cover our precious ones in prayer that God would shield them from any evil, danger, or temptation, that they would always know WHO they belong to & believe with confidence that their lives & bodies belong first & foremost to Jesus Christ.
Praying that as wives & husbands, we will love each other the way that God intends, that our eyes will be only for one another & that our hearts would not be led astray by meaningless temptations.
Lord help us to keep our families strong for this generation & for the generations to come!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 4, 2008
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23
I started running today...again...it was a rather "short" run, well, it was actually a "very short" run, to be honest, it was a really long walk. (: I guess the important thing is that I at least STARTED to run! There have been so many times in my life that my well intended plans to eat better & get back into heart healthy shape quickly fall by the wayside - until, I get back on track yet again.
So here we go - again.
But I was thinking about these words as I ran this morning - it's such a great verse for this "heart healthy" culture that we live in! I mean we hear that everywhere, the importance of "guarding our hearts" - keeping our lives free from the things that would not be HEALTHY for our hearts. And then I think, how many of us "guard our hearts" more "physically" than we do "spiritually?" How often have I done that without even thinking about it?
We even teach our children about healthy living, being active, eating right. In my "younger" days, I was such a junk food eater, I could have existed (& probably did a few years) on chocolate, coffee, & french fries, ugh! But I would NEVER DREAM of letting our children pour that into their little lives, no way! We naturally want to teach them to make wise choices in what they choose to eat & what they do in order to have a healthy life & heart.
I can't help but think how that MUST carry over in the spiritual training & equipping of our own kids. If we allow "junk" food in - that's what our heart will pour back out, junk.
Let's equip them to make wise choices in what they allow in - let's tell them WHY we choose to not watch certain things or WHY we choose to not play some type of video games or WHY we don't want to put things into our bodies that make us act "goofy." Let's show them the incredible things to pour into their hearts - the Word of God, spending time with God & with others who love Him, fun up beat music that honors Him - there's so many good things that we can help fill up those little hearts with! Let's instill in them the reality that the Bible is NOT a big book of "don'ts," but that God wants for us to live a life of freedom & joy, He wants the very best for us!
And, in the long run, we'll be teaching them how to make those choices - on their own - it's not always easy, there's temptations everywhere out there for all of us. Wow, we live in a real world with a real enemy who wants nothing more but for us to pour junk in. Praying for all of us today, that God will help us parents to do all that we can to keep our families "heart healthy."
I started running today...again...it was a rather "short" run, well, it was actually a "very short" run, to be honest, it was a really long walk. (: I guess the important thing is that I at least STARTED to run! There have been so many times in my life that my well intended plans to eat better & get back into heart healthy shape quickly fall by the wayside - until, I get back on track yet again.
So here we go - again.
But I was thinking about these words as I ran this morning - it's such a great verse for this "heart healthy" culture that we live in! I mean we hear that everywhere, the importance of "guarding our hearts" - keeping our lives free from the things that would not be HEALTHY for our hearts. And then I think, how many of us "guard our hearts" more "physically" than we do "spiritually?" How often have I done that without even thinking about it?
We even teach our children about healthy living, being active, eating right. In my "younger" days, I was such a junk food eater, I could have existed (& probably did a few years) on chocolate, coffee, & french fries, ugh! But I would NEVER DREAM of letting our children pour that into their little lives, no way! We naturally want to teach them to make wise choices in what they choose to eat & what they do in order to have a healthy life & heart.
I can't help but think how that MUST carry over in the spiritual training & equipping of our own kids. If we allow "junk" food in - that's what our heart will pour back out, junk.
Let's equip them to make wise choices in what they allow in - let's tell them WHY we choose to not watch certain things or WHY we choose to not play some type of video games or WHY we don't want to put things into our bodies that make us act "goofy." Let's show them the incredible things to pour into their hearts - the Word of God, spending time with God & with others who love Him, fun up beat music that honors Him - there's so many good things that we can help fill up those little hearts with! Let's instill in them the reality that the Bible is NOT a big book of "don'ts," but that God wants for us to live a life of freedom & joy, He wants the very best for us!
And, in the long run, we'll be teaching them how to make those choices - on their own - it's not always easy, there's temptations everywhere out there for all of us. Wow, we live in a real world with a real enemy who wants nothing more but for us to pour junk in. Praying for all of us today, that God will help us parents to do all that we can to keep our families "heart healthy."
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 3, 2008
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
If you asked a big group of people what their favorite Bible verse was, odds are, many would quote these verses. They're so great! It's kind of like this incredible nugget of wisdom for life as we journey out into the world early on & then even as we continue to walk through different life phases.
But, it's been at many of the times in life that I've felt the PAIN of poor choices or lack of making a wise choice, that I've realized this great "quotable" verse that we often just skim over as we read, really has deep significance & truth in ALL that it says.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." the active BELIEVING in God with your entire being & existence, the reality that He is God & we are not...
"lean not on your own understanding..." that means not relying solely on our own "ability" to figure things out, or on our wealth & what we own, or on ALL the friends who we ask advice from of what we should do in a certain situation (of whom many may not even be truly following God's paths themselves...)
"in all your ways acknowledge Him..." turning over EVERY area of life to Him, not ignoring or restricting His influence over any part of our lives by thinking we want to "handle that part ourselves"
"and he will make your paths straight." that literally means He'll make them "plain" - wow, I love that! We don't have to wonder how God will show us what to do...His Word says He WILL make it clear to us.
So, those times I find myself in a "grief!" of a situation, I've learned to first go to God, to think through whether I've "acknowledged" Him over that area or whether I just started going my own way because it seemed like the best way to go. Of course, sometimes we face problems just because we unfortunately live in a fallen world where bad things happen, but many times, we face problems because we've chosen to go our own way & forgotten to seek out what God might say first.
If you, like me, want to save yourself from any more unnecessary grief today, "trust God, don't lean only on the way you see things, acknowledge that He is God & we are not"...and He'll do the rest.
If you asked a big group of people what their favorite Bible verse was, odds are, many would quote these verses. They're so great! It's kind of like this incredible nugget of wisdom for life as we journey out into the world early on & then even as we continue to walk through different life phases.
But, it's been at many of the times in life that I've felt the PAIN of poor choices or lack of making a wise choice, that I've realized this great "quotable" verse that we often just skim over as we read, really has deep significance & truth in ALL that it says.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." the active BELIEVING in God with your entire being & existence, the reality that He is God & we are not...
"lean not on your own understanding..." that means not relying solely on our own "ability" to figure things out, or on our wealth & what we own, or on ALL the friends who we ask advice from of what we should do in a certain situation (of whom many may not even be truly following God's paths themselves...)
"in all your ways acknowledge Him..." turning over EVERY area of life to Him, not ignoring or restricting His influence over any part of our lives by thinking we want to "handle that part ourselves"
"and he will make your paths straight." that literally means He'll make them "plain" - wow, I love that! We don't have to wonder how God will show us what to do...His Word says He WILL make it clear to us.
So, those times I find myself in a "grief!" of a situation, I've learned to first go to God, to think through whether I've "acknowledged" Him over that area or whether I just started going my own way because it seemed like the best way to go. Of course, sometimes we face problems just because we unfortunately live in a fallen world where bad things happen, but many times, we face problems because we've chosen to go our own way & forgotten to seek out what God might say first.
If you, like me, want to save yourself from any more unnecessary grief today, "trust God, don't lean only on the way you see things, acknowledge that He is God & we are not"...and He'll do the rest.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Noah & Gracie's First Day at "School!"
Gracie & Noah started "school" today and had a great first day! They'll go on Tues. & Thursdays to Fairfield Baptist Mother's Day Out - if anyone wants to go have coffee on those days, I'm now free for a few hours, yea! (:
Women - We are WARRIORS!
I'm in the "aftermath of a storm" around here. No, Hurricane Gustav did not hit Houston, did not come anywhere close to our house actually, but "3 little tornadoes" have blown around here all weekend & whew! It's time to pick up the pieces! (:
I got everyone squared away this morning in their "school" (thank you Lord), and as I began to clean up, clean out, etc.., God reminded me of something, a drama called "The Warrior," written by an amazing dramatist named Donna Lagerquist from Willow Creek. Back some years ago, I had a chance to do this drama piece in our church & it really helped to shape my future way of thinking about "domestic stuff." I always remember now that I have a choice, I can squander away this time that I'm working by complaining of all these things I hate to do, or by having some talk show on in the background complaining about something in the world "they" don't particularly like either - or, I can remember that I AM A WARRIOR. It's hard at times for us moms, or women, to see ourselves in that light, I mean, we're a lot of things to a lot of people, but a "warrior?," come on, now really...
But it's so AWESOME that as we go about our day, everything we touch can remind us to give PRAISE to God or to PRAY for someone else! When we're washing our seemingly endless loads of laundry, "Lord, thank you that you are our "Stain Remover", that you are the "Softener" in our lives!" As we wash dishes, "Lord, clean the inside of the cup of our lives, let our inside be pure & spotless." As we pick up toys, "God, I thank you for these little ones You have blessed our lives with, just as a toy brings such joy to a child, may our lives bring JOY to others around us today." As we plug in the vacuum, "Father, give us endless energy today, help us to stay plugged into you." As we pick up little pieces of legos scattered around the room, "Lord, you are the ONLY ONE who can pick up the pieces of our lives & make something good, I pray for "so & so" who is needing to see a real picture of that from you today!"
O.K., it could go on & on, fill in the blanks for your house...the awesome thing is that I always feel like I've accomplished more from cleaning that day. Our work is not in "vain" anymore, we can connect with God, intercede for others, make the hours count for something of more significance than just "getting the house cleaned." That way too, when the legos get spilled out again a few hours later, I don't mind so much, maybe I need to pray for "so & so" again. (:
The Lord bless you WOMEN WARRIORS out there - you are making a difference in our world today because of your prayers!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power...and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10, 18
I got everyone squared away this morning in their "school" (thank you Lord), and as I began to clean up, clean out, etc.., God reminded me of something, a drama called "The Warrior," written by an amazing dramatist named Donna Lagerquist from Willow Creek. Back some years ago, I had a chance to do this drama piece in our church & it really helped to shape my future way of thinking about "domestic stuff." I always remember now that I have a choice, I can squander away this time that I'm working by complaining of all these things I hate to do, or by having some talk show on in the background complaining about something in the world "they" don't particularly like either - or, I can remember that I AM A WARRIOR. It's hard at times for us moms, or women, to see ourselves in that light, I mean, we're a lot of things to a lot of people, but a "warrior?," come on, now really...
But it's so AWESOME that as we go about our day, everything we touch can remind us to give PRAISE to God or to PRAY for someone else! When we're washing our seemingly endless loads of laundry, "Lord, thank you that you are our "Stain Remover", that you are the "Softener" in our lives!" As we wash dishes, "Lord, clean the inside of the cup of our lives, let our inside be pure & spotless." As we pick up toys, "God, I thank you for these little ones You have blessed our lives with, just as a toy brings such joy to a child, may our lives bring JOY to others around us today." As we plug in the vacuum, "Father, give us endless energy today, help us to stay plugged into you." As we pick up little pieces of legos scattered around the room, "Lord, you are the ONLY ONE who can pick up the pieces of our lives & make something good, I pray for "so & so" who is needing to see a real picture of that from you today!"
O.K., it could go on & on, fill in the blanks for your house...the awesome thing is that I always feel like I've accomplished more from cleaning that day. Our work is not in "vain" anymore, we can connect with God, intercede for others, make the hours count for something of more significance than just "getting the house cleaned." That way too, when the legos get spilled out again a few hours later, I don't mind so much, maybe I need to pray for "so & so" again. (:
The Lord bless you WOMEN WARRIORS out there - you are making a difference in our world today because of your prayers!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power...and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10, 18
Monday, September 1, 2008
Verse For The Day - September 1, 2008
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." Prov. 1:7-9
It's interesting that the importance of having a "fear of the Lord," or a reverence for Him is mentioned in both the first & last chapters of Proverbs, almost as if to say, "every bit of wisdom enclosed in this book is dependent first & lastly on whether or not we have a fear & a deep respect for God."
In this culture of information overload that we live in, the quest for more knowledge & education is highly sought after. That's what we want for our own kids, right? Good schools, good education, good grades - as parents, that is what we so often seek after on behalf of our children!
But it seems that the "knowledge" being referred to throughout Proverbs has, as it's very foundation, the complete AWE of God's power & the desire to LIVE FOR HIM above all else.
As I walked my little guy into his first grade class this morning, I remembered what so many friends with older children have told me, "Debbie, don't blink, these years will be gone before you know what's happened to them." Those words truly make me "not want to blink." Parents, we don't want to miss it, I know I don't & I'm fairly sure that you don't either. We only have these few precious years to impact our children with the KNOWLEDGE of Christ & impart WISDOM into their little lives. God says in His Word, it will make their lives beautiful! Like a "garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."
We can't impart that if we're not walking in it ourselves though. The old saying "do as I say not as I do," just doesn't cut it in training our children. Wow, our kids can see through that in a split second! I know, that's very unfortunate at times! (:
Let's ask God for HIS wisdom today...and remember...
"he who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it." Phil. 1:6
Thank the Lord, we're not finished yet!
It's interesting that the importance of having a "fear of the Lord," or a reverence for Him is mentioned in both the first & last chapters of Proverbs, almost as if to say, "every bit of wisdom enclosed in this book is dependent first & lastly on whether or not we have a fear & a deep respect for God."
In this culture of information overload that we live in, the quest for more knowledge & education is highly sought after. That's what we want for our own kids, right? Good schools, good education, good grades - as parents, that is what we so often seek after on behalf of our children!
But it seems that the "knowledge" being referred to throughout Proverbs has, as it's very foundation, the complete AWE of God's power & the desire to LIVE FOR HIM above all else.
As I walked my little guy into his first grade class this morning, I remembered what so many friends with older children have told me, "Debbie, don't blink, these years will be gone before you know what's happened to them." Those words truly make me "not want to blink." Parents, we don't want to miss it, I know I don't & I'm fairly sure that you don't either. We only have these few precious years to impact our children with the KNOWLEDGE of Christ & impart WISDOM into their little lives. God says in His Word, it will make their lives beautiful! Like a "garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."
We can't impart that if we're not walking in it ourselves though. The old saying "do as I say not as I do," just doesn't cut it in training our children. Wow, our kids can see through that in a split second! I know, that's very unfortunate at times! (:
Let's ask God for HIS wisdom today...and remember...
"he who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it." Phil. 1:6
Thank the Lord, we're not finished yet!
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