What is going on?? The past few days I've heard so many stories regarding children being found dead. I'm actually afraid to turn on the news, afraid I'll hear of another.
*2 children, ages 4 and 1, found in trashbags beneath a sink in South Carolina
*9 year old girl in Atlanta shot while in her own home on computer... a result of a drive by shooting
*a 12 & 10 year old found dead in the Boston, MA area, murdered by their mother
*18 month old ran over by her Daddy's SUV in Ohio
*a woman in Maryland had 4 fetuses found in her home & now authorities are digging for more
*woman in Las Vegas backs over her 20 month son.
That's 7 children & 4 unborn children. I feel so bad for the families of all these children. I pray for their comfort during this difficult time.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Our Buh
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GREATEST MOTHER-IN-LAW IN THE WORLD!
I couldn't have hand-selected anyone better for the 'job'!!
I LOVE YOU!
Where does the time go???
Last night we were watching the video montages that I put together of Nate's 2nd year and Alex's first year. All those memories seem like just yesterday. Sometimes the days get long and I'm ready for a new day. I need to quit rushing. I need to sit & enjoy them being little. I need to quit being so 'ready' for the next phase of them growing up. The challenges aren't going to just disappear. All ages are going to come with challenges. One day, these boys will think they're too big for Mommy to hug & kiss on and then I'll be longing for the long days again. I looked back and just a year ago and see how much Nate & Alex have grown and it just amazes me. They are best friends, even though they fight like cats n dogs. I pray for God to guide me in raising these boys to be fine, young, God-honoring men. Look at Thing One & Thing Two a year ago and now.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Patience
Back...
Just read the daily devotion for today from RBC.org. I find myself struggling with patience. I want answers now. I want reward now. I want results now. I can't imagine WHY!?! With a 3.5 year old, 2 year old and 9.5 month old... patience should be a given, right?! Galatians 6:9. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at proper time we will reap harvest if we do not give up". (Thanks so much to Shannon J. for pointing out this verse to me!) I have to remind myself this constantly. Many times I want to reap the benefits of mine & Allan's parenting now! But, I think our Sunday school teacher nailed it on the head when he said that Parenting is delayed compensation. And, I know that God is always trying to teach me something while I'm waiting. God's timing is always perfect. My timing, not so much. So, in the mean time, I stand fast in prayer and know that in due time, God will reward Allan & I for our efforts in parenting.
Here's the devotion from rbc.org
July 29, 2007
God’s Delays
I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me. —Habakkuk 2:1
Waiting is hard for me. I want answers now. Postponements perplex me; deferrals daunt me. I’m baffled by God’s delays, wondering why and when. “How long, O Lord?”
The prophet Habakkuk wanted answers as well, but God chose to take His time. “I will stand my watch . . . to see what [God] will say to me,” Habakkuk wrote (2:1). “The vision is yet for an appointed time,” God replied. “Wait for it; because it will surely come” (v.3).
Faith never gives up. It knows that despite appearances, all is well. It can wait without signs or significant indications that God is at work, because it is sure of Him. “Each delay is perfectly fine, for we are within the safe hands of God,” said Madame Guyon (1648–1717).
We too must learn to view each delay as if it were “perfectly fine.” Postponements are reasons to pray rather than grow anxious, impatient, and annoyed. They’re opportunities for God to build those imperishable but hard-to-acquire qualities of humility, patience, serenity, and strength. God never says, “Wait awhile,” unless He is planning to do something in our situation—or in us. He waits to be gracious.
So take heart! If God’s answer tarries, “Wait for it; because it will surely come.” David H. Roper
Soon shall the morning gildThe dark horizon rim,Thy heart’s desire shall be fulfilled—“Wait patiently for Him.” —Havergal
God stretches our patience to enlarge our soul.
Just read the daily devotion for today from RBC.org. I find myself struggling with patience. I want answers now. I want reward now. I want results now. I can't imagine WHY!?! With a 3.5 year old, 2 year old and 9.5 month old... patience should be a given, right?! Galatians 6:9. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at proper time we will reap harvest if we do not give up". (Thanks so much to Shannon J. for pointing out this verse to me!) I have to remind myself this constantly. Many times I want to reap the benefits of mine & Allan's parenting now! But, I think our Sunday school teacher nailed it on the head when he said that Parenting is delayed compensation. And, I know that God is always trying to teach me something while I'm waiting. God's timing is always perfect. My timing, not so much. So, in the mean time, I stand fast in prayer and know that in due time, God will reward Allan & I for our efforts in parenting.
Here's the devotion from rbc.org
July 29, 2007
God’s Delays
I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me. —Habakkuk 2:1
Waiting is hard for me. I want answers now. Postponements perplex me; deferrals daunt me. I’m baffled by God’s delays, wondering why and when. “How long, O Lord?”
The prophet Habakkuk wanted answers as well, but God chose to take His time. “I will stand my watch . . . to see what [God] will say to me,” Habakkuk wrote (2:1). “The vision is yet for an appointed time,” God replied. “Wait for it; because it will surely come” (v.3).
Faith never gives up. It knows that despite appearances, all is well. It can wait without signs or significant indications that God is at work, because it is sure of Him. “Each delay is perfectly fine, for we are within the safe hands of God,” said Madame Guyon (1648–1717).
We too must learn to view each delay as if it were “perfectly fine.” Postponements are reasons to pray rather than grow anxious, impatient, and annoyed. They’re opportunities for God to build those imperishable but hard-to-acquire qualities of humility, patience, serenity, and strength. God never says, “Wait awhile,” unless He is planning to do something in our situation—or in us. He waits to be gracious.
So take heart! If God’s answer tarries, “Wait for it; because it will surely come.” David H. Roper
Soon shall the morning gildThe dark horizon rim,Thy heart’s desire shall be fulfilled—“Wait patiently for Him.” —Havergal
God stretches our patience to enlarge our soul.
Weeeeeekend!!!!
We've had a great weekend!
Alex spent the night w/ Granny on Friday night. Allan worked at the church on Saturday morning. So it was just me, Seth & Nate. Once Daddy got home, we enjoyed hanging out together.
And, thank the Lord for all this rain we're getting! I just wish the rain didn't come with millions and millions of FIRE ANTS!
Hope your weekend was nice & relaxing!
Alex spent the night w/ Granny on Friday night. Allan worked at the church on Saturday morning. So it was just me, Seth & Nate. Once Daddy got home, we enjoyed hanging out together.
And, thank the Lord for all this rain we're getting! I just wish the rain didn't come with millions and millions of FIRE ANTS!
Hope your weekend was nice & relaxing!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Relaxing Sounds
Here's to wishing I could still step out on the deck and hear the ocean!! Oh, how I miss the soothing sound of crashing waves.
Have I Caused You to Stumble?
Lately, I have come across several verses on stumbling. It is our prayer that our family's actions or words have not caused anyone to stumble. The Bible tells us it's wrong to cause others to stumble.
Romans 9:33 - See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.
I hope that I'm not the stone or rock that causes anyone to stumble... therefore, I must watch my words & actions carefully because people are always watching.
1 Corinthians 10:32 - Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or church of God.
1 Peter 2:8 - "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message.
Unsaved people need to know God's true message so as Christians we need to make sure our life conveys what we are proclaiming ourselves to be. If we're professing to be Christians, but our life, actions & words, doesn't reflect that... then we're causing others to stumble.
Romans 9:33 - See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.
I hope that I'm not the stone or rock that causes anyone to stumble... therefore, I must watch my words & actions carefully because people are always watching.
1 Corinthians 10:32 - Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or church of God.
1 Peter 2:8 - "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message.
Unsaved people need to know God's true message so as Christians we need to make sure our life conveys what we are proclaiming ourselves to be. If we're professing to be Christians, but our life, actions & words, doesn't reflect that... then we're causing others to stumble.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Cry Out To Jesus
Last night while I was out mowing the lawn, I was jamming to songs on my iPod. I have Third Day's 'Cry Out To Jesus' song on there & just really realized how crazy good that song is. The lyrics address anyone who is struggling with any of life's issues.
Read the lyrics and if need be... CRY OUT TO JESUS!
Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day (2005)
To everyone who's lost someone they love long before it was their time.You feel like the days you had were not enough when you said goodbye.And to all of the people with burdens and pains keepin' you back from your life.You believe that there's nothing and there is no one who can make it right.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,and love for the broken hearts.There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing He'll meet you wherever you are.Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.
For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on They lost all of their faith in love.and they've done all they can to make it right again still it's not enough.For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains you try to give up but you come back again.Just remember that you're not alone in your shame and your suffering.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,and love for the broken hearts.There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing He'll meet you wherever you are.Cry out to Jesus.
When you're lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you you just reach out, you just cry out to JesusCry to Jesus.
To the widow who suffers from being alone, wipin' the tears from her eyes. For the children around the world without a home, say a prayer tonight.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,and love for the broken hearts.There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing that meets you wherever you are.There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,and love for the broken hearts.There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing that meets you wherever you are.Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.
Read the lyrics and if need be... CRY OUT TO JESUS!
Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day (2005)
To everyone who's lost someone they love long before it was their time.You feel like the days you had were not enough when you said goodbye.And to all of the people with burdens and pains keepin' you back from your life.You believe that there's nothing and there is no one who can make it right.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,and love for the broken hearts.There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing He'll meet you wherever you are.Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.
For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on They lost all of their faith in love.and they've done all they can to make it right again still it's not enough.For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains you try to give up but you come back again.Just remember that you're not alone in your shame and your suffering.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,and love for the broken hearts.There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing He'll meet you wherever you are.Cry out to Jesus.
When you're lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you you just reach out, you just cry out to JesusCry to Jesus.
To the widow who suffers from being alone, wipin' the tears from her eyes. For the children around the world without a home, say a prayer tonight.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,and love for the broken hearts.There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing that meets you wherever you are.There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,and love for the broken hearts.There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing that meets you wherever you are.Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Jealousy/Envy
Sometimes I feel like I struggle with this issue in life. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what I have. I have been blessed beyond measure: a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally and works his tail off for our family, wonderful children, a nice home, two nice vehicles. Still, I'd like to have exotic vacations, granite countertops, custom-made drapes... but in the end, I wouldn't trade what I have for all the riches of the world. Besides, treasures here on earth are NOTHING in comparison to the treasures in Heaven! Sometimes it's great devotions like this that open my eyes to all that God has blessed me with & to be thankful for it every single day. Thankful that I'm not sleeping under a bridge, Thankful that my children have clean water to drink and we have food on the table, Thankful for great health. I could go on for days about the many, many blessings He has bestowed upon me. Thank You, Lord!
In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
July 24, 2007 – Conquering Jealousy – Psalm 37:1-4
Envy can damage the life of a Christian. Jealousy over someone else’s good fortune can also harm a believer’s witness. These emotions often cause people to act out of hostility and bitterness. And the envious person suffers far more than his target.
We can rid ourselves of envy by first admitting it exists. Like greed, jealousy is an emotion we don’t like to admit we have. But the Lord already knows. We also must realize that feeling envious is the same as objecting to God’s blessing on someone else’s life. Regardless of how we try to rationalize these feelings, we’re in conflict with the Lord. A person cannot be jealous and right with the Lord at the same time.
Prayer is the surest way to strip away resentment. After we’ve confessed our jealousy to the Lord, we must begin praying for the other person. Our petition should contain two elements. First, an offering of thanksgiving for the blessings in his or her life. And, second, a request that God will place love for the individual in our heart.
At first, praying in this way will be difficult. But as love grows, you’ll find the words come more easily and joyfully.
Envy is inappropriate for followers of Christ since it distracts us from the Lord. We have a promise. If we delight in our heavenly Father, He will give us our heart’s desires. We need to refocus our attention upon Him and what He’s doing in our life.
In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
July 24, 2007 – Conquering Jealousy – Psalm 37:1-4
Envy can damage the life of a Christian. Jealousy over someone else’s good fortune can also harm a believer’s witness. These emotions often cause people to act out of hostility and bitterness. And the envious person suffers far more than his target.
We can rid ourselves of envy by first admitting it exists. Like greed, jealousy is an emotion we don’t like to admit we have. But the Lord already knows. We also must realize that feeling envious is the same as objecting to God’s blessing on someone else’s life. Regardless of how we try to rationalize these feelings, we’re in conflict with the Lord. A person cannot be jealous and right with the Lord at the same time.
Prayer is the surest way to strip away resentment. After we’ve confessed our jealousy to the Lord, we must begin praying for the other person. Our petition should contain two elements. First, an offering of thanksgiving for the blessings in his or her life. And, second, a request that God will place love for the individual in our heart.
At first, praying in this way will be difficult. But as love grows, you’ll find the words come more easily and joyfully.
Envy is inappropriate for followers of Christ since it distracts us from the Lord. We have a promise. If we delight in our heavenly Father, He will give us our heart’s desires. We need to refocus our attention upon Him and what He’s doing in our life.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Chocolate Anyone??
Sunday while we were packing for the beach, Nate comes to us & says, "Alex is eating chocolate." Of course, we paid no attention since we were rushing to get packed. Finally, we came down stairs to find this mess! Alex was digging in to the Nestle Quick and had it EVERYWHERE!!
Back to Routine
Well, today was the first day back at work for Allan after 9 days of being at home, which also means back to work for me, too! Luckily, the boys slept in til 9:15 which was a blessing!
It's so hard to get back into normal routine after being on vacation and having Allan home for so many days. We had a really nice time, it just had to end too soon.
We went to the park last night with the Johnsons. Nate & Alex enjoyed feeding the fish, riding bicycles & playing on the playground. It was perfect weather after a rainy start yesterday morning. We got soaked at church.
Off to get a roast cooking for dinner!
It's so hard to get back into normal routine after being on vacation and having Allan home for so many days. We had a really nice time, it just had to end too soon.
We went to the park last night with the Johnsons. Nate & Alex enjoyed feeding the fish, riding bicycles & playing on the playground. It was perfect weather after a rainy start yesterday morning. We got soaked at church.
Off to get a roast cooking for dinner!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Newbie
Sitting here at 1:08 am waiting for our family beach vacation photos to upload to Snapfish.com and it's taking forever! A few people I know have a blog & since we don't have our family's webpage anymore, I thought maybe I could do a blog. We'll see how this goes. Maybe I can post pictures & daily ramblings about our family!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
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