Monday, April 26, 2010
Let your light shine
I think God's trying to get my attention. We sang Mighty to Save at church yesterday. If you're not familiar with it, it talks about God's power to save...how He can move mountains, save us from our sins, give us hope. There is one part in there that I was really moved by yesterday:
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus
I thought about that a little bit. Am I shining my light so that others can see? Truthfully, I feel like my light might be flickering a little bit. I still feel confident that Dave will get a job, even though right now the options seem a little bleak. However, on a daily basis...my pursuing Jesus feels a little less than par. We studied Mary and Martha last week in our lifegroup. Martha invites Jesus to her home and then becomes the seemingly ideal hostess...trying to make everything "perfect" for his visit. She is working herself to the bone. Yet, she, even in her good intentions, misses the point. Jesus just wanted her to spend time with him, like Mary chose. We talked about whether you were a Mary or Martha. At first, I thought I identified with Mary. When we have large crowds of people over, I love spending time with them, talking with them, etc. Yet, when it comes to my savior, why is it that I am more of a Martha? My entire day can go by, and I am "busy"-cleaning, taking care of children, even trying my best to get caught up on church duties...yet all that busyness often detracts me from just sitting and making time with Jesus. Why do I do that? When I write it down, it seems really silly, but that's been my reality.
Because of that, my light has begun to flicker. Yet, every time I open the word, I feel like it's a drink of water to someone who is parched. It feels so refreshing. This morning, I read about Treasures in Jars of Clay.
The verse I read said: "For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ"- 1 Corinthians 4:6
Again, struck with the idea of God's light shining within us. I continued reading and it talked about how this power is from God and not from us. That even though we are hard pressed, we will not be crushed. The very end part got me too: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Tony talked about this yesterday in his sermon. How we are to fix our eyes on Jesus. Jesus is the center.
So, if you haven't noticed, I think God is trying to get my attention: and He is succeeding. I want my light to shine and I want my eyes fixed on Jesus.
Lord, forgive me when I have been apathetic. Forgive me for putting so many other things before you. You are so much more worthy Jesus.
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus
I thought about that a little bit. Am I shining my light so that others can see? Truthfully, I feel like my light might be flickering a little bit. I still feel confident that Dave will get a job, even though right now the options seem a little bleak. However, on a daily basis...my pursuing Jesus feels a little less than par. We studied Mary and Martha last week in our lifegroup. Martha invites Jesus to her home and then becomes the seemingly ideal hostess...trying to make everything "perfect" for his visit. She is working herself to the bone. Yet, she, even in her good intentions, misses the point. Jesus just wanted her to spend time with him, like Mary chose. We talked about whether you were a Mary or Martha. At first, I thought I identified with Mary. When we have large crowds of people over, I love spending time with them, talking with them, etc. Yet, when it comes to my savior, why is it that I am more of a Martha? My entire day can go by, and I am "busy"-cleaning, taking care of children, even trying my best to get caught up on church duties...yet all that busyness often detracts me from just sitting and making time with Jesus. Why do I do that? When I write it down, it seems really silly, but that's been my reality.
Because of that, my light has begun to flicker. Yet, every time I open the word, I feel like it's a drink of water to someone who is parched. It feels so refreshing. This morning, I read about Treasures in Jars of Clay.
The verse I read said: "For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ"- 1 Corinthians 4:6
Again, struck with the idea of God's light shining within us. I continued reading and it talked about how this power is from God and not from us. That even though we are hard pressed, we will not be crushed. The very end part got me too: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Tony talked about this yesterday in his sermon. How we are to fix our eyes on Jesus. Jesus is the center.
So, if you haven't noticed, I think God is trying to get my attention: and He is succeeding. I want my light to shine and I want my eyes fixed on Jesus.
Lord, forgive me when I have been apathetic. Forgive me for putting so many other things before you. You are so much more worthy Jesus.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Garage sale prayers
OK, I'll say it. I have prayed about finding specific things at garage sales this summer. Before you laugh, let me tell you...God has certainly been faithful.
I've been looking for bedding for Callie's "big girl" room for awhile. She's happy in her toddler bed, so I wasn't too worried about it. We happened upon this one garage sale and I found the PERFECT bedding for her room. I couldn't believe it.
Last year, I looked everywhere for an outdoor playhouse for the kids. This year, I have been scanning craigslist like mad. I had a lot of almost hits, but nothing came through. I was feeling a bit discouraged and so I prayed that I would be able to find an affordable playhouse for the kids so that they could play with it this summer. Lo and behold, that weekend, there was a garage sale in my neighborhood that was advertising a playhouse. The kids and I decided to walk by the house the night before and they already had it set up. I asked if my kids could play in it to see if they liked it. Well, they did. They let me "buy" it then, even though I wouldn't have cash until the morning. Apparently, the next morning, before the garage sale had even started, someone asked them to buy the house, but they said that it was already sold. We definitely felt God's hand on that. And, the kids play in it everyday.
I also prayed for a picnic table (in the above prayer). We found this the same weekend we found the playhouse. In almost brand-new condition. The kids now eat on it for every meal. They love it...and I love it, because it's less clean up in the kitchen. :-)
Finally, when Dave and I were just starting out, Kohl's had this awesome dog/cat bathroom stuff: shower curtain, accessories, etc. We wanted to have it so badly, since Dave was a vet. However, we didn't have kids at that point, and we didn't have the extra money. By the time we did, it was gone. So, for years now, I've kept my eye out for dog/cat shower stuff, in hopes to do the kids bathroom with it. Especially since my kids are such animal lovers. Well, I think it may have been just this last week that I actually remember praying about maybe finding it at a garage sale. The prayer was simple, "I realize this is a long shot Lord, but I would really like to be able to find this dog/cat shower curtain" So, this morning, we hit some neighborhood garage sales. I just happened to glance down...and there it was. It is actually the EXACT one that I had prayed for...years after it had ever been in the store. It came with the shower curtain, the hooks, 2 hand towels, two washcloths, a dog bathmat, and two framed pics. Basically, I just redid the kid's bathroom for not that much money. Score! Coincidence? I don't think so.
Thank you Lord for providing for us in all things, but even for the specific things. We feel your provision and blessing in our lives.
I've been looking for bedding for Callie's "big girl" room for awhile. She's happy in her toddler bed, so I wasn't too worried about it. We happened upon this one garage sale and I found the PERFECT bedding for her room. I couldn't believe it.
Last year, I looked everywhere for an outdoor playhouse for the kids. This year, I have been scanning craigslist like mad. I had a lot of almost hits, but nothing came through. I was feeling a bit discouraged and so I prayed that I would be able to find an affordable playhouse for the kids so that they could play with it this summer. Lo and behold, that weekend, there was a garage sale in my neighborhood that was advertising a playhouse. The kids and I decided to walk by the house the night before and they already had it set up. I asked if my kids could play in it to see if they liked it. Well, they did. They let me "buy" it then, even though I wouldn't have cash until the morning. Apparently, the next morning, before the garage sale had even started, someone asked them to buy the house, but they said that it was already sold. We definitely felt God's hand on that. And, the kids play in it everyday.
I also prayed for a picnic table (in the above prayer). We found this the same weekend we found the playhouse. In almost brand-new condition. The kids now eat on it for every meal. They love it...and I love it, because it's less clean up in the kitchen. :-)
Finally, when Dave and I were just starting out, Kohl's had this awesome dog/cat bathroom stuff: shower curtain, accessories, etc. We wanted to have it so badly, since Dave was a vet. However, we didn't have kids at that point, and we didn't have the extra money. By the time we did, it was gone. So, for years now, I've kept my eye out for dog/cat shower stuff, in hopes to do the kids bathroom with it. Especially since my kids are such animal lovers. Well, I think it may have been just this last week that I actually remember praying about maybe finding it at a garage sale. The prayer was simple, "I realize this is a long shot Lord, but I would really like to be able to find this dog/cat shower curtain" So, this morning, we hit some neighborhood garage sales. I just happened to glance down...and there it was. It is actually the EXACT one that I had prayed for...years after it had ever been in the store. It came with the shower curtain, the hooks, 2 hand towels, two washcloths, a dog bathmat, and two framed pics. Basically, I just redid the kid's bathroom for not that much money. Score! Coincidence? I don't think so.
Thank you Lord for providing for us in all things, but even for the specific things. We feel your provision and blessing in our lives.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What's in your backyard??
We took the paddleboat out this morning and had quite an experience. We found 21 frogs and 2 turtles. It was so fun to go "frog hunting". Above are a few of the better pictures of some of our finds. Too fun.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Happy 2nd Birhtday Callie!
My little girls turns 2 today. I just decided to look back a bit to the last two years. Our dear sweet girl had to wear boys clothing when she was first born because we thought she was an "Owen". Coming out a girl was a wonderful surprise. We love having our Callie.
At 4 months, she was in the hospital for 15 days with a staph infection in her neck. She was such a trooper!
Turning One
At the end of Nov, she fell off a chair and broke her arm. Poor girl. Though, she really rocked her pink cast.
Happy 2nd birthday Callie girl!
At 4 months, she was in the hospital for 15 days with a staph infection in her neck. She was such a trooper!
Turning One
At the end of Nov, she fell off a chair and broke her arm. Poor girl. Though, she really rocked her pink cast.
Happy 2nd birthday Callie girl!
Friday, April 2, 2010
I LOVE garage sales
I hit the find of the summer thus far (OK, it just began, but I really got lucky). I've been looking for a twin bedspread for Callie for awhile. I haven't found anything that I've really liked. I stumbled upon this Pottery Barn quilt, with sham, and bedskirt for a steal at this garage sale...and fell in love. Even better, I took it home and it PERFECTLY matches Callie's new paint color! YES!!!
I HEART it!
Now, just to find an outdoor playhouse...we'll see what the summer holds.
I HEART it!
Now, just to find an outdoor playhouse...we'll see what the summer holds.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
OK, I'll say it...my kids are pretty stinkin cute.
We took advantage of the beautiful day yesterday and got their kids in their Easter gear for some pictures. It was actually a lot of fun. I got to use my photo shop a bit and touch them up, which was also fun. :-)
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