Pulling the Plug

The first of the year involved a whole lot of crazy

for our family so we kicked off 2013 with

"Just Survive January"!

Last month we had a blast with

"Fill-a-Bucket February"

based on the idea in this book.

Tomorrow we are entering into

"Media-Free March"

as we focus not only our hearts, but also our minds

on our Savior's sweet gift of salvation.

Enjoy the approach of spring & all things new!

Have a blessed season of Resurrection Celebration!

Romans 6:4

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death,

so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,

so we too might walk in newness of life.

Speed. I am NOT Speed.

Every time my feet hit the pavement for a run I'm reminded that I am no Lightning McQueen!

The last 2 weeks as I've returned from my running break I've gone out without my watch. It's been amazing how freeing it is to not concern myself with my speed. If I were an aspiring Olympian or if I supported my family financially by winning races the watch would be vital for my training (and my family would starve).

Thankfully, however, this is not the case.

I'm a 38-year old Mrs. & Mom. My running is for my own enjoyment & sanity. It is for my health. And ultimately it is an act of obedience & worship to my God.

Being fast is not my goal.

As I ran yesterday morning the Lord took this little tidbit of truth a step further for me.

Being fast is not my goal in life, either.

My desire is not to be Lightning McQueen.

My desire is to be Tow Mater.

Have you seen him?

Years of wear & tear.

Missing parts.

Certainly not the most attractive piece of machinery.

Definitely not the smartest.

Not really anybody's 1st choice.



BUT HE KEEPS GOING.

He's not a race car.  He's a tow truck. And he's in it for the long haul.

Hebrews 12:1

"...let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."

I don't need to be first. I need to finish.

Endurance.  I AM Endurance.

HE LOVES ME! (He really does!)

Lately, I find that I'm ending many sentences with the phrase, "Because He loves me".  Thankfully, this truth is beginning to infiltrate my mind & heart.

I've always been aware of the love of God & have never questioned His love for others.  In situations with friends or family who are struggling I'm quick to remind them that God loves them.  I believe this to my core.

However, I struggle with believing that He loves me.  I do know that He loves me, but like many other Christians I believe that in some way I have to earn that love.  That somehow I need to be better before He really loves me.

Crazy how we can believe things so strongly for others & yet somehow can not apply it to our own lives.

The week before Christmas I saw a friend/former co-worker at the grocery store.  We had not chatted in a while so we crammed a year or so into a few minutes of conversation.  As she was taking in a portion of my updates she grabbed my grocery list, penciled a book title along with the author's name on the back, & strongly recommended that I read it. Loving the idea of a new book I added it to my online wish list as soon as I got home.  Days later I was excited to see that Joy had posted her end of the year reading list.  As I was browsing her list there was the book that my friend had suggested!  Just a couple of weeks later, Grace Full Mama announced that she was joining Ruth at GraceLaced for a study of THAT book. 

Certainly I believed this was something I should pursue! 

My husband bought me THAT book, Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick, for Valentine's (early so I could join the study beginning on January 30).  Well, I've not done the first post about what I'm gaining along the way, but I am reading along & personally answering the questions at the end of each chapter.  Truly, I'm not just reading the words of this book, I am soaking up the truth of them!

So, though I'm not a timely blogger or an excellent wordsmith I am a-okay, y'all, BECAUSE HE LOVES ME!

Letting Go of Lust & Holding On to HIM

Romans 13:14

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and make no provision for the flesh

in regard to its lusts.

In times of weariness I want to crave Christ instead of coffee. 

In moments of weakness I want my head bowed before the  King instead of over this keyboard.

In my everyday escapes from the mundane duties I want to sing to my Savior instead of searching these sites & spaces.

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh

and the lust of the eyes

and the boastful pride of life,

is not from the Father,

but is from the world.

As women of God, let's choose excellence before accessories.

Let's turn to the Comforter instead of cookies or clothes.

Let's choose the Holy Spirit instead of hot dogs & hamburgers or high-dollar houses.

Let's reach for our Bibles instead of reaching for the brownies.

Let's enjoy Jesus instead of junk food or jewelry.

Let's be filled with more of His Spirit instead of more sugar.

Let's look to His face instead of looking for french fries, fudge, & frivolity.

Let's choose to be consistently educated instead of constantly entertained; let's sit before the Teacher instead of the TV.

 Philippians 3:18-20 

For many walk, of whom I often told you,

and now tell you even weeping,

that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 

whose end is destruction,

whose god is their appetite,

and whose glory is in their shame,

who set their minds on earthly things. 

For our citizenship is in heaven,

from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior,

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Instead of falling into every temptation, let's learn to fall at His feet - the feet of the One who has not only defeated His own temptations, but will one day silence the Tempter himself. 

James 1:13-15  

 Let no one say when he is tempted,

“I am being tempted by God”;

for God cannot be tempted by evil,

and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 

But each one is tempted when he is carried away

 and enticed by his own lust. 

Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin;

and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

When Did This Happen?

Apparently, I blinked.


My baby

became a boy.

My firstborn has been surviving outside the safety of my womb
for FIVE whole years now.

It is an honor to be this man-child's mommy. 

 Here are 5 reasons why:

1.  he is a LEADER

being the firstborn makes this come pretty naturally for my boy.  he comfortably fits into the big brother shoes & he takes his role very seriously.  he encourages his brother & rescues his sister on a regular basis.  it is a privilege to watch from my front row seat.

2.  he is a LEARNER

he is his daddy's geek.  mommy is somewhat of a bookworm, but daddy & his oldest are math & science guys.  everything needs to be an equation.  there's always something to figure.  his eagerness to know more will serve him well always.

3.  he is a LAUGHER

the boy is funny & he thinks life is funny.  he laughs when it's appropriate & he laughs when it's not appropriate.  he laughs a lot & he laughs BIG.  i'll always remember when a college group came to minister at our church & they carried on & on about how great his laugh is.  he has THE BEST laugh & it is absolutely contagious.

4.  he is a LOVER

he is NOT touchy-feely affectionate with others besides his closest peeps (thankfully i'm in that group!), but his love runs deep.  he loves the least & freely gives his money, his prayers, & his heart on their behalf. 

5.  he is a  LISTENER

this is how he leads & learns so well.  he listens well.  he hears what matters & he does so with more than his physical ears. 

I love you, E!  So much more than great big gobs of greasy, grimy gopher guts!   ;o)  (Did you know I was gonna say that?!)

What I'm NOT Sayin'

Sometimes there are thoughts pounding on the brain or convictions beating on the heart & there is an urgency to capture all of it in black & white.  However, with only spurts of time to do the capturing  the "all of it" can get chopped into merely highlights.  This would be the case for me in posts like this one that I rapidly recorded while it was burning on the inside.

For my own satisfaction I need to add a few thoughts on the subject of the Great Commission.

This powerful charge that closes Matthew's gospel is not a sweet little pep talk for the incredible men & women serving in foreign lands.  If we are Christ-followers the commission, the charge, the call, the command is for US, for you & for me.  The Commission does not stand alone, but comes alongside many other scriptures that direct us to love & serve others.  And what I'm saying is that loving & serving require giving of ourselves & sometimes, our stuff. 

Acts 2:44-45 

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 

and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Luke 12:33

“Sell your possessions and give to charity;

make yourselves money belts which do not wear out,

an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.

Mark 10:21

Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack:

go and sell all you possess and give to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

I'm NOT saying that as believers we can't have a decent car or a lovely lamp.  I'm NOT saying that we can't enjoy a beach break or a mountain getaway.  I'm NOT saying that we can't sip on our specialty coffee or relax at a favorite restaurant. 

I'm NOT suggesting that we walk around in sackcloth & ashes begging for alms.

I AM suggesting that we wake up to the fact that there are precious men, women, & children who do wear nothing more than sackcloth & walk with bare feet through much worse than ashes.  I am suggesting that they should not have to beg us for food, clothes, shoes, & shelter.  Most of us have the means to take care of the poverty-stricken.  We think we don't, but we do.

Our thoughts are that we can't afford to give what it would take to support a homeless person, an orphaned child, or a starving family.

This is true in one sense.  We can not afford to make a difference if we indulge in a latte every time we have a craving.  We can not afford to make a difference if we redecorate our homes every time a new throw pillow or shower curtain catches our eye.  We can not afford to make a difference if we have to own every convenience & wear the latest trends. 

I believe that the God of the universe, my sweet Father in heaven delights for me to enjoy simple pleasures.  In no way, however, do I believe that He delights in my overindulgence at the expense of His other children.

God provides for us & He provides for others through us. 

Did the ones we are called to support get their daily bread or did we opt to get our nails done?

I'm just sayin'.

Facing Their Giants

(Please note that no dogs were harmed during

or following the taking of this picture.)  ;o)

My family was hanging out at the dinner table (after dinner) when I read this post to myself. They all kind of jumped when I hooted & hollered after reading it. I'm sure my behavior would not be considered acceptable or "precious". ;o)

Jen, if you're wrong on this one I'm content to go down with you because I completely agree!!!  Yes!! Yes!! Yes!!

Just take a peek at these brave younguns in scripture:

Joshua
Joshua 1:1-2, 9-11  Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel...
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you, to possess it.’”



David
1 Samuel 16:11-14, 18  And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward...
Then one of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him.”

1 Samuel 17:32-51
David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.”  But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock,  I went out after him and ^]attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”  Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor.  David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off. He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.  Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance. The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

Esther Esther 4:14-17  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai,  “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him.   Mary Luke 1:26-38  Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.”  And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Will we trust

the Lion-Tamer

(Daniel 6) 

with the lives

of our children?