Titus 3:3-7 At one time we too were foolish...But when the kindness & love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth & renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Songs from a series
(PS. the only video I could find of this song that I likes was this one, but I didn't mind, because I thought it was very fitting. The movie the Notebook definitely puts a great story to the words of this song.)
100 years - Five For Fighting
I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
I'm 33 for a moment
Still the man, but you see I'm a they
A kid on the way
A family on my mind
I'm 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy, Time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
15 I'm all right with you
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
Half time goes by
Suddenly you’re wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on...
I'm 99 for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
15 there's still time for you
22 I feel her too
33 you’re on your way
Every day's a new day...
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
Live Like You Were Dyin - Tim McGraw
He said I was in my early forties,
With a lot of life before me,
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
I spent most of the next days, lookin' at the x-rays,
Talkin' 'bout the options and talkin' 'bout sweet time.
Asked him when it sank in, and this might really be the real end.
How's it hit ya, when you get that kind of news.
Man what ya do.
And he says,
I went sky divin',
I went rocky mountain climbin',
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull name Fu Manchu.
And I loved deeper,
And I spoke sweeter,
And I gave forgiveness I've been denying,
And he said someday I hope you get the chance,
To live like you were dyin'.
He said I was finally the husband,
That most the time I wasn't.
And I became a friend a friend would like to have.
And all the sudden goin' fishing,
Wasn't such an imposition.
And I went three times that year I lost my dad.
Well I finally read the good book,
And I took a good long hard look at what I'd do
If I could do it all again.
And then.
Like tomorrow was a gift and you've got eternity
To think about what you do with it,
What could you do with it, what can
I do with with it, what would I do with it.
I went sky divin',
I went rocky mountain climbin',
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull name Fu Manchu.
And I loved deeper,
And I spoke sweeter,
And I watched an eagle as it was flyin'.
And he said someday I hope you get the chance,
To live like you were dyin'.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Be Blessed
Bless you-after a sneeze.
God bless you- Tryin' hard to say somethin churchy. Or writing a letter asking for money.
Bless her heart-Awww, she's is such an idiot.
Bless their soul- What a Dummy!
(Ok, for some of you who say those things and really are "blessing" someone, I apologize)
Most of you know that I work for a Christian bookstore. I was recently chewed out by a wonderful customer (note the sarcasm) because we don't say "Have a blessed day" or "God bless you". I must say, I was completely taken back.
I have been chewed out by a number of customers on all sorts of things. Everything from a bible not being on sale (chewed by a pastor), a Hymnal having "Worship" on the cover instead of Baptist(chewed by a Music minister), to a Minister's discount not being given to a church member (note I said a MINISTER's discount not given to a CHURCH member)
But.... this one topped the chart. Her argument was, because we are a Christian bookstore, we should shine God's love to our customers. We should be telling everyone, "have a blessed day" and "God bless you". Right before she hung up the phone she said," I just want to help you all out, and I wanted to bless your day." I guess she was shining "God's love" by chewing me out.
What did this woman REALLY want? To cause trouble? Constructive criticism? To make me laugh? To bless me? To scold me?
I know what she SAID she wanted, "to bless my day". But I can guarantee you ,that did not happen. After I got up off the floor from my laughter, I began to think about all that she had said. (and then I started laughing again at the fact that she was almost Yelling at me. but then I gained my composer and began to think again, (while still giggling))
It did make me think about the whole "blessing" thing. I know that if I said "have a blessed day" to every customer the I dealt with, it would quickly become meaningless. (That hoping it had meaning in the first place.) I wonder how often that happens in our lives. How often do we say, "Have a great day. How are you doing today? It is great to see you. I love honey (to your loved one of course. It would be kind of odd if you said that to the check out lady at Walmart or the hole puncher at Sams... Sorry I digress)
My lesson for the day..... mean what you say and say what you mean.
If I had one month to live..... My blessings would be real and I would definitely mean what I say. Living Life without regrets.
God help me to be authentic and transparent. Help me live with no regrets knowing that my life is just a mist. Help me to show up for each day that you gifted me.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Busy couple of weeks
Happy Birthday Hubby!! It was Sept. 11 (I am a little late with the post)
Mr. Lincoln Eyes!
All my children
Karate Kids
I am not sure what this is but Pey called it "Karate".
Hope you enjoy. I will catch up soon.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
For this moment!
What if you are living in a situation, whether it be good or bad, and it is THE very reason/purpose that God created you for?
What if you were created to work in a crappy job, just so you could have that 1 encounter with a person, and change their life?
What if you were created to speak kindly to someone, who is thinking of death?
What if you were created to have crohns disease so that you could have that 1 moment with someone, and let them know that you understand their pain?
What if you were created for this school year, so that you could be that 1 teacher who changed their life?
What if your moment was Sept. 11? Your moment was to say.. "Let's Roll".
What if you were created for today. Only today. How would you live differently? Would you go through the day keeping a lookout for "your moment"?
What if you missed YOUR moment because you were in a bad mood, tired, held a grudge, scared, selfish? What if you missed one of those moments and it cost them their life or their eternity?
Well that is how I see life. God created us for special moments. For life changing moments.
I know that God created us to have many life changing special moments that are meant to point others to Him. I also know that God doesn't NEED us to fulfill His plans. But, what a great privilege that we can be a part of the incredible story that He has written.
God please help me to be aware of what is around me. Help me not to miss the "moment" that you created me for. Thank you for letting me a part of this story that you wrote before life existed.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A date with a Pirate.
- He must be handsome.
- He must be funny.
- He must have a great "ARRRRRRR!"
- And he MUST wear a patch.
Today I got my date with my pirate.
Little Bear decided to play "catch the flying stuffed animal" with his sister. Normally this isn't a bad game to play. But this game would typically require that you catch the "flying stuffed animal" with your hands. Well, Bear decided to catch with his face.
The story goes like this:
Bear comes screaming into my bedroom holding his eye. I have no idea if he is missing an eye, got something stuck in it, or all of the above. I am holding his arms down so he won't rub his eye, while trying to look into his eye (which thank the Lord was still intact). I could see a small scratch on his cornea, so I was a little nervous. I wasn't sure what kind of doctor to go see. The ER, a pediatrician, an opthamologist????All the while I am asking Pey Pey (a 3 year old)what happened.
Pey: Fraydo did it!
Mom: (While fighting to look into Bear's eye as he screams and is freaking out) Pey! what happened to Bear?
Pey: Fraydo did it mom! Fraydo!
Mom: Pey! I am serious. What happened? And DO NOT tell me Fraydo did it. (Thinking at this point that Fraydo MUST be a new imaginary friend.)
Pey: MOM! Fraydo the chicken got Bear's eye.
Mom: Oh! You mean Alfredo the chicken. (Light bulb moment. The big girls named a beanie baby chicken, Alfredo.)
Pey: UH, yeah! (her toned screamed, DUH!)
Fast forward 30 minutes or so.....
We called an eye doctor and had an appointment. Hubby and I took the little guy to the eye doctor around 4pm today. After getting him some numbing drops he was much better. In fact he was putting on his usually show. He had everyone in the office laughing up a storm. They put some medicine in his eye and then put a patch on it. As soon as they taped the patch on, he let out a nice "ARRRRRRRR!" "I a pirate now".
He is sleeping now and we have a follow up appointment tomorrow. It has been an adventure of a day. But after all.... isn't that what life with a pirate is supposed to be.
Much Love.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Conversations heard around our house #2
Pey: Mom, when I grow up I'm gonna be a boy.
Mom: Pey, girls don't grow up to be boys. God made you a girl.
Pey: No, no, no mom, I grow up to be a boy, then I die and become a girl again. Ok?!
(There were so many things wrong with that statement that I just shook my head and went
on :-)
____________
This morning...
Mom: Good morning Bear.
Bear: Mom,The sunshine has not eatin' breakfast yet.Mom: ??????HUH?????
Bear: and ...He's a boy.
Mom: Who?
Bear: (frustrated) The sunshine!
Mom: Oh. How do you know?
Bear: Because when he grows up he will be big like me.
Mom: Oh, ok. (what was I thinking.)
____________________
Pey: Mom, I am going to church. HEY BUB!!! Let's go to church ok?!?
Mom: Ok, see you later. (They go hand in hand down the hall to their bedroom. I can hear them talking and going on and on about something.)
Mom: Hey guys, what are you doing?
Pey: Shhhhhhhhh! We are in church with Brenna and Ken.
Mom: Ok, tell them hi for me.
Pey: Ok mom. BrennaKen mom says hi.
___________
Bear: Can you get me some apple juice?
Mom: Sure, but I can't do it, unless I get a kiss from a prince.
Bear: Oh, oh! I am a prince!
(Then he laid a big kiss on me.)
That last one is my favorite. God always knows how to make me smile. And He usually uses one of the "jewels" that lives with me.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Something New
2 Sundays ago our pastor preached a sermon that put words, to my feelings. He spoke about the purpose of the church. (I know this wasn't the only thing that he spoke about, but this is the part that God wanted me to hear. I know this because I don't remember any of the other stuff.
:-) Sorry Daniel.)
Since the first Sunday we came to Lifepoint Church, we have loved it. To be quite honest I questioned why. Is it the style of music? Is it the breath of fresh air? Is it the comfortable style? Is it the friendliness of everyone? Is it the great preaching? Is it the children's ministry? or Is it a rebound church? (Like a rebound boyfriend. You know you can date pretty much anyone after a bad break-up and they will look like Prince Charming.) Somewhere down inside I think that I have been afraid that I love this church only because......it ISN'T our old church. (if you have ever been in ministry and had to leave a church, you understand this feeling. It is the feeling of relief. It is the feeling of the elephant FINALLY stepping OFF of your chest.)
But then Daniel preached this sermon.
And I realized why I love being a part of my new church.
I will try to summarize what I heard last Sunday.
He told the story of "the woman at the well." He talked about the Living water of Christ.
And then he said,"That's what we (the church) are. A watering station. We are here to hand out the living water of Christ."
That's it!
That was what I heard 2 Sundays ago. I heard a man state a vision for our church, that should be the vision for every church. Church shouldn't be about programs, calenders, self-service (aka:Church service) Church should be about handing out water.
As I sat in my seat 2 Sundays ago, my light bulb went off. I got it. Daniel put into words, what I had been feeling. I love my church because it's priority is reaching broken people, and handing them water. Reaching me, and giving me water. Helping me reach others and hand them water.
This past Saturday Hubby got to be a part of a "Gas buy down". Our church went out to a local gas station and dropped the price buy 50 cents. Then they pumped their gas and washed their windows.
Gas Buy Down 2008 from Josh Lazar on Vimeo.
Some might ask why in the world would we do something like that? Or they must have tons of money to just throw around.
Nope! They were just "handing out water" and loving on a community. The really cool thing is... you can search youtube for gas buy down. And you will see that we are not alone.
I don't tell you any of this to boast or brag about "our church". Because the truth is... Each church can be a watering station.
Or life is tough right now. That is no secret to most of you. But we know that God has a great purpose. It is our honor to spend this season of our life being apart of a church that has this as it's passion. It gives a little bit of purpose to all of the hard ships that we have been facing recently. Because of those things, we get to be a part of this.
Thank you God. Thank you for the rain. It always makes the grass greener.