Early morning and you wake up peacefully. A spark in your heart, a light step, a sleepy smile. Your soul is already praising God for this brand new day-a gift to you and your loved ones. Suddenly you remember the day, the night before. The tears, the doubt, the uncertainty of the future. Just hours before when you could barely muster a smile for your precious daughter. When cooking and cleaning seemed like monumental tasks that you couldn't complete. There was crippling fear that everything you had grown used to and was secure in could be ripped from you within the day. You wonder why is there joy in me right now? Why is my heart so thankful and at peace? Why am I excited for today with no fear of what it may bring? Along with the remembered sorrow of yesterday, you also remember pouring your heart out before God. Tearfully begging Him for mercy and guidance. He reminds of you of His promises and reminds you of His faithfulness. He reminds you that in a situation so hopeless and so confusing He sees the whole picture and has a plan. That He will perfect His perfect will in you. Even though it didn't seem possible, sleep overtook and your precious Lord sent his angels to minister to your soul and you wake up with unmistakable peace from Him.
Maybe you finally get it. Get that this life is never going to fully satisfy your longings. Not circumstances, not friends, not a husband, not children, not a job, not financial security; that the life to come is where your hope lies. Thankfulness washes over you for this God-given perspective as your soul continues to rejoice in Him despite the trials in your life.
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
My Church
I'll never forget the day I heard these words:
"Why are they coming here? Don't they know this is a home school church? They aren't going to last long (and sadly they didn't)."
I was young. Barely in high school. I had no response to that statement at the moment, but it has never sat well with me. What church do I go too? There have been many labels placed on various churches over the years-mine being no exception. Labels that are put on by both the members and members of different churches, but honestly, mostly by members. Labels that I have heard with my own ears.
What church do I go to?
A home school church. Well, if you home school you are more than welcome, but that is not my church.
A church where women wear only dresses on Sunday. You are more than free to wear a dress, but that is not my church.
A church where our children can sit through the entire sermon without moving or playing in the nursery. Feel free to try, but please don't tell me that is what defines my/our church.
A church where youth group is not allowed and we only sing hymns because all other songs are unholy. If you attend a youth group yourself I will never judge you for that. Hymns may be our song leaders first choice, but let's allow them the freedom to have that choice. If someone prefers a church band, wonderful. Let's worship our Lord together.
A church where girls are not allowed to work outside the home. There are some who believe that and they are God's children just like you and I. That belief does not define the church I attend.
A church where outsiders can't feel welcome because of the supposed overbearing conservatism. I pray this isn't my church.
A church where we believe no physical contact until marriage and talking to the opposite sex is frowned on. If this were my church, I would have been kicked out long ago.
Do you see the pride in some of these labels that we give our church? Which by the way, it is never our church. It's God's church.
This is the church I want to attend:
A church where Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross alone is what defines us and not our labels.
A church where we are showing deference to one another and outdoing one another in brotherly love and acts of service.
A church that when people look at it and at us, they are drawn to Christ and nothing else.
A church that believes in true worship to our Creator.
A church that above all virtues pus on love which binds us together in perfect unity.
What church do you attend?
"Why are they coming here? Don't they know this is a home school church? They aren't going to last long (and sadly they didn't)."
I was young. Barely in high school. I had no response to that statement at the moment, but it has never sat well with me. What church do I go too? There have been many labels placed on various churches over the years-mine being no exception. Labels that are put on by both the members and members of different churches, but honestly, mostly by members. Labels that I have heard with my own ears.
What church do I go to?
A home school church. Well, if you home school you are more than welcome, but that is not my church.
A church where women wear only dresses on Sunday. You are more than free to wear a dress, but that is not my church.
A church where our children can sit through the entire sermon without moving or playing in the nursery. Feel free to try, but please don't tell me that is what defines my/our church.
A church where youth group is not allowed and we only sing hymns because all other songs are unholy. If you attend a youth group yourself I will never judge you for that. Hymns may be our song leaders first choice, but let's allow them the freedom to have that choice. If someone prefers a church band, wonderful. Let's worship our Lord together.
A church where girls are not allowed to work outside the home. There are some who believe that and they are God's children just like you and I. That belief does not define the church I attend.
A church where outsiders can't feel welcome because of the supposed overbearing conservatism. I pray this isn't my church.
A church where we believe no physical contact until marriage and talking to the opposite sex is frowned on. If this were my church, I would have been kicked out long ago.
Do you see the pride in some of these labels that we give our church? Which by the way, it is never our church. It's God's church.
This is the church I want to attend:
A church where Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross alone is what defines us and not our labels.
A church where we are showing deference to one another and outdoing one another in brotherly love and acts of service.
A church that when people look at it and at us, they are drawn to Christ and nothing else.
A church that believes in true worship to our Creator.
A church that above all virtues pus on love which binds us together in perfect unity.
What church do you attend?
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Busted
Nothing like being approached by a police officer and told very sternly:
"We'll talk about this when I get home".
Now what can I bake him that will make him forget my little driving error? It's not illegal to bribe the police when you're related is it?
"We'll talk about this when I get home".
Now what can I bake him that will make him forget my little driving error? It's not illegal to bribe the police when you're related is it?
Friday, February 1, 2013
5 Steps to More Energy
I have been blessed with an overflow of energy from the time I was born. My nickname growing up was "Hopper" if that gives you any indication of my energy level. In college I kept adding jobs to my schedule since I just didn't seem to need much sleep. However, taking care of a little girl plus being pregnant and still nursing has taken its toll on me and even I need some much needed pick-me-ups at times until I can get back to normal which will be sometime around June 14th!
1. Drink, drink, and drink some more! Water that is. If drinking tons of water, makes you feel a little sick to your stomach which can happen, try adding slowly each day to your water intake. Not only does it improve your skin and help with appetite control, it also greatly improves your energy. Feeling drowsy? Instead of that afternoon $4.00 Starbucks try a tall iced water instead!
2. Bust out 2 sets of 10 crunches. I know working out is a drag, but anyone can do 2 sets of 10!
3. Do NOT get on the computer, phone or turn on the TV. The screens will make you lethargic.
4. Get a tan! No, I don't mean you have to lie outside in your swimsuit in the middle of Winter. I'm talking about the horrible, hated tanning beds. If you are worried about skin cancer, you can lie on the tanning beds fully clothed. The vitamin D does wonders for your brain. I personally think with as little sun as we get get in NW Washington, going to the tanning salon once every two months like I do for 20 minutes won't be the cause if I get skin cancer. That's my choice though and you are more than free to disagree. You won't be able to deny though, the burst of energy you will get afterwards! About three weeks ago, I tanned for 20 minutes (first time since Summer) walked 1/2 a mile and then drank some H2o. I had energy coming out my pores for the next three days!. WARNING: If you are fair skinned, tanning the full 20 minutes, will give you a burn. So maybe start out with just a 10 minute tan or put your clothes back on for the last half.
Note: Tanning can be expensive, but if you get those Valpacks in the mail, there is usually a free coupon to Dessert Sun. They will try to get you to buy lotion or a package of tans so be prepared to be firm and just stick with the free one. My favorite place though is definitely SOL Tanning in Lynden or Sehome Village.
5. Listen to both these songs for instant energy:
"Stronger" by Kelley Clarkson
"We are Young" by Fun - Don't really understand the verses, but the chorus is just perfect
Not very deep, not very long, but very, very effective steps to more energy. Hang in there! Summer is just around the corner! In fact Summer will be here a week or so earlier this year Lord willing...sometime around June 14. :)
1. Drink, drink, and drink some more! Water that is. If drinking tons of water, makes you feel a little sick to your stomach which can happen, try adding slowly each day to your water intake. Not only does it improve your skin and help with appetite control, it also greatly improves your energy. Feeling drowsy? Instead of that afternoon $4.00 Starbucks try a tall iced water instead!
2. Bust out 2 sets of 10 crunches. I know working out is a drag, but anyone can do 2 sets of 10!
3. Do NOT get on the computer, phone or turn on the TV. The screens will make you lethargic.
4. Get a tan! No, I don't mean you have to lie outside in your swimsuit in the middle of Winter. I'm talking about the horrible, hated tanning beds. If you are worried about skin cancer, you can lie on the tanning beds fully clothed. The vitamin D does wonders for your brain. I personally think with as little sun as we get get in NW Washington, going to the tanning salon once every two months like I do for 20 minutes won't be the cause if I get skin cancer. That's my choice though and you are more than free to disagree. You won't be able to deny though, the burst of energy you will get afterwards! About three weeks ago, I tanned for 20 minutes (first time since Summer) walked 1/2 a mile and then drank some H2o. I had energy coming out my pores for the next three days!. WARNING: If you are fair skinned, tanning the full 20 minutes, will give you a burn. So maybe start out with just a 10 minute tan or put your clothes back on for the last half.
Note: Tanning can be expensive, but if you get those Valpacks in the mail, there is usually a free coupon to Dessert Sun. They will try to get you to buy lotion or a package of tans so be prepared to be firm and just stick with the free one. My favorite place though is definitely SOL Tanning in Lynden or Sehome Village.
5. Listen to both these songs for instant energy:
"Stronger" by Kelley Clarkson
"We are Young" by Fun - Don't really understand the verses, but the chorus is just perfect
Not very deep, not very long, but very, very effective steps to more energy. Hang in there! Summer is just around the corner! In fact Summer will be here a week or so earlier this year Lord willing...sometime around June 14. :)
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