Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes ... and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday's Token
A Puritan once said that the death of a loved one "will make life a little less sweet and death will be a little less bitter."
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Psalm 25
My mom reminded me of this Psalm this morning. How it spoke to my heart! It was the balm to my hurting heart. God is so good to us. He is so faithful when we are not. He is good to us BECAUSE HE is GOOD.
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your loving kindnesses, For they have been from of old. Do not remember the asins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. My eyes are continually toward the Lord, For He will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me bout of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins. Look upon my enemies, for they are many, And they hate me with violent hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me bbe ashamed, for I take refuge in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For i wait for You. Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles.
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your loving kindnesses, For they have been from of old. Do not remember the asins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. My eyes are continually toward the Lord, For He will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me bout of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins. Look upon my enemies, for they are many, And they hate me with violent hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me bbe ashamed, for I take refuge in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For i wait for You. Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
2am Ewing House
Jackson runs in our room screaming:
Brad: "Jackson, what is wrong?"
Jackson: "I had a bad dream!"
Brad: "Ok, get in bed with us for a bit."
Jackson (who has settled a bit): "Dad, will you pray that I won't have any bad dreams?"
Brad: "Yes" (as he falls back asleep)
Jackson: "Dad, pray out loud right now!"
Brad: "Ok, Jackson." He prays aloud.
God asks us to come to Him like little children. I learned a little bit last night what that is like. Childlike faith is when we believe that if we ask right now Jesus is going to answer us. It is also knowing when we need others to help pray for us! Maturity comes when we know we need help and we ask.
Sometimes we need to pray out loud! There are some situations that we just need to get down on our knees and literally voice OUT LOUD that we need Him! We need Him NOW!
Jackson runs in our room screaming:
Brad: "Jackson, what is wrong?"
Jackson: "I had a bad dream!"
Brad: "Ok, get in bed with us for a bit."
Jackson (who has settled a bit): "Dad, will you pray that I won't have any bad dreams?"
Brad: "Yes" (as he falls back asleep)
Jackson: "Dad, pray out loud right now!"
Brad: "Ok, Jackson." He prays aloud.
God asks us to come to Him like little children. I learned a little bit last night what that is like. Childlike faith is when we believe that if we ask right now Jesus is going to answer us. It is also knowing when we need others to help pray for us! Maturity comes when we know we need help and we ask.
Sometimes we need to pray out loud! There are some situations that we just need to get down on our knees and literally voice OUT LOUD that we need Him! We need Him NOW!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Give and You Shall Receive
Last night as Brad and I were headed out, we stopped by the mailbox. I love getting mail around Christmas. I love to get all the Christmas cards, to see the pictures and how big everyone has gotten and to just get an update on everyones lives. I started opening them in the car and one had a large bill wrapped around it. I was very shocked and looked at first to see if it was real. It was. I told Brad, "Look, our friends have sent us some money." The best part of the whole thing is that Brad had just dropped off an envelope for a couple in our church who had lost their job and he had sent them the same amount. I was just floored at God. He promises that He will provide our needs and that he will be our provider. I was having one of those days when life was throwing me some curves and I was wrestling with God over it all. God used that small thing to show me that He was still in control and He was handling everything. He knows all and controls all.
I will be honest, every time we put a check in the mail to someone, we don't always receive the same back and at the exact same time but God knew that last night I needed Him to show me some of Him. He did! He showed up big time.
We are really working on our hearts and our family this Christmas about what we do with our money and how much we spend on things that are useless. Our prayer is that our money would be used for those who need it and not for more toys to fulfill the flesh. It is always a struggle but Christmas is especially hard when we are so bombarded with all the "stuff" I am trying to keep control of the spending and gifts.
God is showing me that the best way to teach me and my boys about money is to give it to those in need. When we give to others, we are instantly filled with true joy and a desire to do more. I pray this season we find those in need and give to them, that we don't use this time to spoil and indulge an already indulgent heart.
As for the extra money from our friends, we are putting it towards our fund for the family to go to Peru in January. It is an expensive trip but we know that God has called us to go. It is neat to watch God provide the means for us to go and minister to a world that needs him so much.
I will be honest, every time we put a check in the mail to someone, we don't always receive the same back and at the exact same time but God knew that last night I needed Him to show me some of Him. He did! He showed up big time.
We are really working on our hearts and our family this Christmas about what we do with our money and how much we spend on things that are useless. Our prayer is that our money would be used for those who need it and not for more toys to fulfill the flesh. It is always a struggle but Christmas is especially hard when we are so bombarded with all the "stuff" I am trying to keep control of the spending and gifts.
God is showing me that the best way to teach me and my boys about money is to give it to those in need. When we give to others, we are instantly filled with true joy and a desire to do more. I pray this season we find those in need and give to them, that we don't use this time to spoil and indulge an already indulgent heart.
As for the extra money from our friends, we are putting it towards our fund for the family to go to Peru in January. It is an expensive trip but we know that God has called us to go. It is neat to watch God provide the means for us to go and minister to a world that needs him so much.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tuesday's Token
I am going to start sharing quotes that I find that I like on Tuesday's. Here is one that spoke to me today. I am reading Practical Theology for Women by Wendy Horger Alsup and love this one.
It is from C.S. Lewis in The Weight of Glory
"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinate joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
I think that this speaks for itself.
It is from C.S. Lewis in The Weight of Glory
"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinate joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
I think that this speaks for itself.
Monday, December 8, 2008
50 Things
Life is just so busy and I haven't had much down time to just post thoughts. I decided to do what my sister did and tell 50 things about me.
50 Things About Me... (My friend Jennifer did this awhile ago and I am just getting around to it)
1. Do you like blue cheese?YES
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Yes, unfortunately
3. Do you own a gun? YES
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? None, just a diet limeade
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like Hebrew National Hot dogs
7. Favorite Christmas Song? Oh Holy Night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? coffee
9. Can you do push ups? Yes, barely
10. What is your favorite movie? French Kiss,Steel Magnolis, When A Man Loves a Woman,
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Wedding Ring
12. Favorite hobby? Reading
13. Do you work with people who idolize you? No
14. Do you have ADD? Yes
15. What's one trait that you dislike about yourself? Irritable
16. Middle name(s)- Lowery
17. Name a thought at this moment- I really wish it would quit snowing
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: Christmas presents
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly have: Water , Milk and OJ right now
20. Current worry right now? Drew, he's 12 enough said
21. Current dislike right now? SNOW
22. Favorite place to be? With my family - Mexico
23. How did you bring in the New Year? Hanging out with the family
24. Favorite vacation spot? Mexico
25. Name three people who will complete this? No idea
26. Whose answers do you want to read the most? No idea
27. What color shirt are you wearing? cream and brown
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No
29. Can you whistle? No
30. Favorite color? Red
31. Would you be a pirate? No
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I normally don't
33. Favorite girl's name? No idea
34. Favorite boy's name? Drew, Jackson and Jake
35. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing
36. Last person that made you laugh? Brad
37. Best bed sheets as a child? My mom buys the best sheets and pillows
38. Worst injury you've ever had? Busted face from a bike acccident
39. Do you love where you live? not so much
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
41. Who would you like to meet? Kay Arthur
42. How many dogs do you have? O
43. Does someone have a crush on you? Hopefully my husband
45. What is your favorite fictional book? oh man - anything by Francine Rivers,Karen Kingsbury, the list could go on and on
46. What is your favorite candy? Dark Chocolate
47. What is your favorite sports team? Cowboys
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Praise songs!
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? sleeping soundly in my warm bed
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Where is my coffe??
50 Things About Me... (My friend Jennifer did this awhile ago and I am just getting around to it)
1. Do you like blue cheese?YES
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Yes, unfortunately
3. Do you own a gun? YES
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? None, just a diet limeade
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like Hebrew National Hot dogs
7. Favorite Christmas Song? Oh Holy Night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? coffee
9. Can you do push ups? Yes, barely
10. What is your favorite movie? French Kiss,Steel Magnolis, When A Man Loves a Woman,
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Wedding Ring
12. Favorite hobby? Reading
13. Do you work with people who idolize you? No
14. Do you have ADD? Yes
15. What's one trait that you dislike about yourself? Irritable
16. Middle name(s)- Lowery
17. Name a thought at this moment- I really wish it would quit snowing
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: Christmas presents
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly have: Water , Milk and OJ right now
20. Current worry right now? Drew, he's 12 enough said
21. Current dislike right now? SNOW
22. Favorite place to be? With my family - Mexico
23. How did you bring in the New Year? Hanging out with the family
24. Favorite vacation spot? Mexico
25. Name three people who will complete this? No idea
26. Whose answers do you want to read the most? No idea
27. What color shirt are you wearing? cream and brown
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No
29. Can you whistle? No
30. Favorite color? Red
31. Would you be a pirate? No
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I normally don't
33. Favorite girl's name? No idea
34. Favorite boy's name? Drew, Jackson and Jake
35. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing
36. Last person that made you laugh? Brad
37. Best bed sheets as a child? My mom buys the best sheets and pillows
38. Worst injury you've ever had? Busted face from a bike acccident
39. Do you love where you live? not so much
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
41. Who would you like to meet? Kay Arthur
42. How many dogs do you have? O
43. Does someone have a crush on you? Hopefully my husband
45. What is your favorite fictional book? oh man - anything by Francine Rivers,Karen Kingsbury, the list could go on and on
46. What is your favorite candy? Dark Chocolate
47. What is your favorite sports team? Cowboys
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Praise songs!
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? sleeping soundly in my warm bed
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Where is my coffe??
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Cross
I got this from my sister's blog. We all need to hear this!
The Cross
I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving. I really did. Yesterday I went to the doctor and the baby looks good. I heard the heartbeat so as of now we are good!
There is a huge outdoor shopping area near the lake. People come from all over the country for First Monday. We went this past weekend. It was packed and a little crazy. We were in one of the stores. Well actually it is a giant flea market where the shops are either outdoors or in large buildings. My mom and I were looking in one of the really cute shops when I saw a perfect pink and black cross hanging on the wall for BG's room. I turn to mom and told her that I wanted that cross. There were two ladies standing right there by us. They obviously heard what I said and one of the ladies walked over to the wall and grabbed the cross. She then walked right to the cash register to buy it. I just stood there with my mouth open as my daughter ran around the store. My sister saw what was happening and she asked the vendor if they had another cross and, of course, they didn’t. I was having a hard time getting BG to leave the store full of fun little girl things but my mom and my sister were standing outside of the store. The lady who bought the cross walked out of the store, started singing and swinging her arms: “I got your cross, I got your cross” over and over. Now I am even more shocked at this lady’s behavior. I honesty I am mad. I wanted to walk up and tell her a few things. As I was contemplating this my mom said “Well, they must need that cross more than us.” That stopped me. They need the cross as everyone does. I already have my cross! As the Christmas season arrives let’s remember the reason. It was the birth of our Savior. It is a joyous time. A time to share what Jesus did for us - even if it is to share with someone who steals your cross.
The Cross
I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving. I really did. Yesterday I went to the doctor and the baby looks good. I heard the heartbeat so as of now we are good!
There is a huge outdoor shopping area near the lake. People come from all over the country for First Monday. We went this past weekend. It was packed and a little crazy. We were in one of the stores. Well actually it is a giant flea market where the shops are either outdoors or in large buildings. My mom and I were looking in one of the really cute shops when I saw a perfect pink and black cross hanging on the wall for BG's room. I turn to mom and told her that I wanted that cross. There were two ladies standing right there by us. They obviously heard what I said and one of the ladies walked over to the wall and grabbed the cross. She then walked right to the cash register to buy it. I just stood there with my mouth open as my daughter ran around the store. My sister saw what was happening and she asked the vendor if they had another cross and, of course, they didn’t. I was having a hard time getting BG to leave the store full of fun little girl things but my mom and my sister were standing outside of the store. The lady who bought the cross walked out of the store, started singing and swinging her arms: “I got your cross, I got your cross” over and over. Now I am even more shocked at this lady’s behavior. I honesty I am mad. I wanted to walk up and tell her a few things. As I was contemplating this my mom said “Well, they must need that cross more than us.” That stopped me. They need the cross as everyone does. I already have my cross! As the Christmas season arrives let’s remember the reason. It was the birth of our Savior. It is a joyous time. A time to share what Jesus did for us - even if it is to share with someone who steals your cross.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)