MOVING!!!

After much deliberation, I have decided that I will be transferring my blog to Wordpress. The primary reason behind this decision is the flexibility it offers me to maintain multiple pages as well as the option to create my website when I am ready to do so. I am grateful for the usage that I maintained on Blogger and hope you all will check out my new page. simplylivingthelife.wordpress.com

Just Out of Reach

My daughter figured out how to roll over from her back to her stomach this past week. Now, every time I lay her down on her play-mat, she will flip over. The problem is, while she is physically able, she will rarely flip herself back from tummy to back. I find myself amazed watching her. My four month old will flip to her stomach and proceed to try and figure out a way to move (what will later result in scooting and subsequently, crawling). She grabs onto the mat; she legs try to find traction. Finally, frustrated and tired, she starts to cry because she can't quite figure it out. She wants to move, but her body does not have the coordination to make it happen, yet.
I find that we are like this a lot. We see something that we want and we flip over to ascertain it, only to become frustrated in the pursuit because we aren't quite ready for that venture. I think God planned it that way. Not that we would fail, but that while we were still spiritually immature, there would be certain things that we would not be able to reach on our own. We had to get to the point of crying out to God to help us. Sometimes, that means He will move that thing that we desire within our reach. But sometimes, it means that he will pick us up, comfort us, and lay us down to try again, knowing that the journey and the struggles help us to grow and mature.
As I picked up my crying little girl, she is now content to just sit on my lap. I know that when I lay her down, she will try to get the toy again, even though it is just out of her reach. But for now, she is content just to be with me. Do we give find that much peace in the arms of our Heavenly Father? Or are we so focused on what we want that we push him aside as he tries to comfort and reassure us?

Our Own Little Bubbles

We live in a world of individual "comfort zones." In his book, Outlive Your Life, Max Lucado refers to these as our clamshells. We have our bubble that we walk gingerly within and pray that something doesn't come along and pop it.

We that God for the blessings he has provided and fell sad when we see a homeless man, dishuveled and unbathed, sleeping beneath the freeway. A single shopping cart holding all of his earthly belongings. "Oh," we say to ourselves. "I wish we could do more to help." Then we turn away, blow up our little bubble and don't dare to step closer to that man, at the possibility that our little world could be torn beyond mending.

We like the idea of sending a check, but if an opportunity to go in and get our hands dirty, our bubble is blown up around us. Because we maintain this comfort zone mentality, we shrink our potential to change the world.

A.W. Tozer once said that, "when we bring God down to our level we are left with a God that can't astonish us." We like God to fit inside our lives, our bubbles, rather than chasing after Him. God has gifted us all with such unique gifts that when we settle to live within our comfort zone, we are settling to live safe. Mark Batterson says it best. "Jesus didn't die to keep us dafe, he died to make us dangerous." (Chasing the Wild Goose)

If each of us to a single step outside of our own little safty bubbles, what would we be able to accomplish? I'm not even suggesting extreme change. I am proposing that we each take a step out. That a single step would open doors to a drastic change that we can't even imagine.

What was the final command Jesus left his disciples with before returning to heaven?
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Mat. 28:19)
Jesus' last command can be simplified into a single word--GO. A command, not a suggestion. It is a simple directive that leaves no room for question, complaint, or confusion. And yet, we (more often than not), respond with a resounding "no."

Who are we to do anything except obey and still we are audacious enough to cast this instruction aside as though it were merely another man's suggestion.
GO. Step out of your bubble and cast away the safety net. And be ready to be amazed at the Glory that God is sure to reveal to you in your obedience.

Faith of a Child

I had a reality check this afternoon as I read my mail. Kyle and I have been supporting 2 boys through Compassion International since we were in college. The one that I began supporting on my own is now in 5th grade (he was 4 when I started my support). His name is Heisner and he lives in a small village in Guatemala. When he was little he loved cars and the stickers that I would include with my letters. As he grew, so did his love for soccer. I remember he once wrote and asked that I pray for him because some boys were making fun of him.
The letter I received today included thanks for his Christmas gift which purchased a pair of pants, a shirt for school, and a toy car. But it wasn't his thank you that put me in my place. It was another prayer request.

"I ask that you please pray for my family, for my mother who in a few says will be operated on her stomach." (direct translation from Spanish)

This family has nothing of physical value. They have limited food and clothing (much of it provided through support from organizations like Compassion International). With my own mom looking at potential surgery I can imagine the stress that comes along with a family member not feeling well and needing something as serious as surgery to make it better. I have to remind myself, with facing my own mom's procedure, that God is in control; that he has everything in the palm of his hand. And that is in the United States where I don't have to be concerned about the cleanliness of the hospital that may lead to further infection or trying to figure out how it is going to be paid for, facing the realities of choosing between food or medical care.
We worry about everything when, in reality, we have nothing to worry about. In the United States we focus on every little thing that could possibly go wrong. For this little boy, living in a third world country, receiving support to meet his daily needs, he writes to me and asks for prayer. How incredibly humbling. I am reminded again and again of simple faith. Pure and true and the way that God always intended it to be.

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and..." NIV - Online Bible Study

Matthew 6:25-30 (NIV)

Audience of One

I remember beginning to think about what I wanted to be when I was in middle school. At the time I was really good at science and had found an organization where I could sponsor a gray wolf. You know the programs where they have people sponsor and animal (I've seen them for whales and certain endangered species). Essentially the organziations use the money raised to keep research prjects alive and to help keep these animals alive and healthy. This whole sponsorship thing that I was a part of made me want to work for them--a wolf biologist, working with this same pack in the Sawtooth Mountains just outside of Boise, Idaho. Makes me cold just thinking about it.
While I still consider wolves to be my favorite animals, I discovered pretty quickly that, while I was decent in biology, I did not have the gifiting to make that my field of study. I preferred words to formulas. I discovered that I had been given a distinct personality for a reason. Even as a child, I was always outspoken. This led to some rather intense arguments between me and my mom but it also led to me being very passionate about what I believe.
When I was younger and wanted to be a biologist, I had specific dreams of being out in the wild doing research on a particular wolf pack. As I grew older (and transitioned through about a dozen other job scenarios), my focus became more person--be a voice for those who can't (or won't) speak for themselves. While I still stand very close to that, it has shifted a little more...be a ready ear for those who need it and a sound voice of guidance.
You see, God is continuing to work on my heart but ultimately, as long as I am seeking His approval, I will find that I am successful in the end. Galatians 1:10 reads,

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

It's good to want to meet your own expectations. It is good to want your parent's approval. It is good to appease your suppervisor or teacher and it is good to want to be successful. What is not good is putting those approvals above the approval of God. We need to focus our dreams on God and what will happen is amazing. Our dreams will begin to come true! When our focus is God and our desire is to serve Him, we will succeed. When our dreams are given to us by God, we will achieve them to greater levels than we could even imagine on our own. When we perform for an audience of One, we will always receive a standing ovation and a job well done.

Revolve

This weekend, through a series of events, I was able to go with 7 of our high school girls to a conference called The Revolve Tour. For anyone familiar with Women of Faith, it is from the same organization, just created especially for the quirkiness and wonderfulness that is a teenage girl.
Everything that this conference is doing is my heart's desire. I love seeing girls being themselves. To forget, even if just for a couple days, about the judgments that are passed by others. To praise God with all of their hearts and to see Him in a new light.
I praise God for each of the 4,000 teenagers that took part in the conference in Lakeland, FL. I am thankful for all of the leaders who brought those girls. I pray that, because of a weekend of dreaming, lives will be changed.
I have so much more on my heart but, amazingly, I am at a loss for words. So I will close (as it is already much too late for me to be up) with an encouragement. To any girls reading this--you are beautifully and wonderfully made. God loves you for who you are, not who other people tell you that you need to be. Learn to love you and your life will be brighter and happier and more amazing than you could begin to comprehend.
To any parents/adults--tell your daughters and the young ladies in your life how special they are. Let them know that you care, even when you feel the gray hairs pushing through. Let them hear you say that you love them, that you think they are amazing. I know that teenagers (girls especially) have a tendency to pretend to not care...it's a front. They want to know that you will always be there, even when they are at their very worst (and I am sure some of you parents think you've already experienced that first hand) :) Love them for who they are...Princesses to the God of the Universe!

Happy Birthday

Birthdays are a topic of debate among many. Young children will count down the months, days, and hours before finally being able to celebrate whereas (mostly) older people do whatever they can to have their birthday forgotten, ignored, and brushed under the rug. I fall into the first category. I love birthdays. I attribute much of this to the love and adoration that my mom always put into "our special day."
You see, birthdays are unique in that we are celebrating the day that we came into the world. It is an oportune time to take an ordinary day and create a celebration. Because everyone has one, there is no chance of offending someone while celebrating. Because it is only once a year, we feel completely justified being selfish for 24 hours and making it "all about me."
Some birthdays just seem to carry more weight than others. For example, 10 is a very important years because you are now in the double digits (a very critical milestone for fourth graders everywhere). Likewise, 13 (teenager), 15 (drivers permit), 16 (sweet and drivers license), 18 (adult), 20 (no longer a teenager), 21 (obvious), 25 and subsequent 10 year increments (30, 40, 50, etc). I think it is planned to have the bulk of the "important" birthdays when you are still excited about celebrating and less when you are more inclined to lie about your age.
I have reached one of those milestones: 25. I remember thinking that 25 was so old when I was younger. I had a picture in my mind of what it would be like, what I would have accomplished, where I would be...Interestingly enough, most of those things that I invisioned are fullfilled. I have graduated from the University of Florida; I am married; and I have had my first child.
As I reflect on the time that God has given me thus far, I have to admit how abundantly I have been blessed. So on this day, as I celebrate 25 years of life, I thank God for each moment that He has given me. I have taken advantage of some and reached new potential in others. I thank Him for the life I have lived and the years that are still to come and I pray that I always take a moment to enjoy another year of life, no matter how old I am.

Sin without Shame

I am starting to see more and more that we are a generation of sin without shame. Whereas less than 50 years ago, it was beyond rebellious, pretty much unheard of, to live with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Respect was not an option, whether it be toward parents or a teacher, or any adult period. The idea of having a child outside of wedlock was astronomically uncouth and bared the equivalency of a scarlet letter.

Today, I am beginning to wonder what environment my daughter will be subject to as she grows. Even more than that, how do you convey the Gospel to a generation that does not regard sin as just that, sin. How do you explain to someone who sees nothing wrong with sex outside the confines of marriage, that God created this beautiful and sacred gift that should only be shared between husband and wife? On that note, how do you explain to someone that marriage in and of itself is to be between a man and a women, when, to that individual, that "religious ideal" is degrading and segregationist? The Gospel is built around the fact found in Romans that "ALL have sinned and fallen short." So for those who don't see wrong in their lives, where is the need for a Savior?

I know that I have well surpassed any quota of sin that could possibly exist, and yet I have found grace at the foot of the cross. Because of this I know that I too must extend grace and mercy to those around me who are steeped in sin. I understand that I am to love the sinner but hate the sin. I know all of that. What I don't know is when that grace and mercy needs to be in tough love. When forgiveness is eternal and invariably available and should be offered unceasingly (especially from me-a sinner-to others), when do I switch from that shoulder to cry on when they have fallen to the man up approach?

I find it easy to sympathize with those who have fallen in the areas that I had struggled with (and thankfully, by God's grace, overcame). Where is the line and how do I lead in this Sin without Shame generation without becoming condescending and judgemental?

Lessons learned in 2 months

It is hard to believe that my little girl is almost 2 months already. She is starting to hold her head up, look around at the voices talking to her and kick her legs like nobody's business. She loves to swing her arms and hit a rattle on her play-mat, to sleep on mommy or daddy's chest rather than her crib, and she is even starting to have wonderful "conversations"

Over these past couple months since she was born I've learned a couple things and I thought I would share them.

First, Sleep is relative. When the baby is crying at 4 AM and cried unless they were held the entire day prior, everything is a blur. You want to sleep and given a single second to lay your head on a moderately soft surface, you probably would, but right now, the baby is the priority.

There are very few things in this world that beat baby snuggles Especially in the mornings. I'm still blurry eyed (though that is pretty much all the time anymore), somewhat drowsy and even if I don't go back to sleep, I don't want to get out of bed. So I bring I lay my little girl on my chest and love every moment. She sleeps so soundly in the moments and hugs me with her little arms. I know that it won't last but those are some of my favorite times.

A single smile really can brighten your day The first time that I saw Samara smile I thought my heart would melt. I'm talking about those real smiles, not the ones that just kinda happen that usually accompany gas. The first time I was given this gift was early one morning. I went to pick her up out of her crib, talking to her, and saying good morning and I was rewarded handsomely. She turned her head toward me and smiled. It didn't matter how early it was or how late I had stayed up with her the night before. All was forgiven in one precious smile.

Patience is an option not a virtue I am not a patient person by nature. Sadly, when taking a spiritual gifts test, mercy receives the lowest score. When I was pregnant, I didn't know how I would handle the stress that accompanies a newborn, but for some reason, it hasn't been a problem. I know she is trying to tell me what is wrong even when it is conveyed by crying to the point of giving herself hiccups. There has been only one time that I lost my patience and told my husband I needed him to take care of her while I went to bed. In my own experience, that's a good percentage. My only mindset with my daughter is how can I make it better and I choose to have the patience that I don't normally harbor to find the solution.

you can do an amazingly large amount of things one handed I always kind of laughed to myself when people talked about what was an accomplishment after having a baby (remembering to eat, getting a shower and getting dressed, etc.) I couldn't imagine forgetting to eat. But when the baby is crying every time you lay them down, or they are hungry (again), they take priority and the other things take a back seat. The trick is to hold the baby in a way that they won't fall back since they can't support themselves yet, and make yourself a sandwich as quickly as possible. Or when walking the dog, make sure that the hand that is holding the leash is not the dominant hand supporting the baby. Who needs two hands? :)

from the second they come into the world, time flies I have looked at her pictures from the hospital and it is amazing how much my little girl has changed in a matter of 8 weeks. She's growing up and suddenly the days are blurring together. Where she was completely helpless, she can now sleep through the night and has learned that sucking on her hands can comfort her for a little bit where before only mom could fill that docket. I know that if I turn around for a single minute, she will be holding herself up in full confidence and getting ready to walk. The days seemed like years when I was a child, but now that I have a child of my own, they are mere moments flying past. I can only pray that I savor them each one by one.

Dance with the King

This song by Beckah Shae is the epitome of my prayer for my daughter. Each night, as I rock her gently to try to help her sleep, I pray. I thank God for every little thing about her, from her tiny fingers and toes to the sweet little snores that she makes. But more than anything, I pray that she will know God. I pray that she will see who He is from a young age and seek after Him with all her heart for the rest of her life.

That is my prayer for my daughter. And how great is it that we have a promise like this for each and every one of us? The King of creation has prepared a place for each of us. He desires to wrap his arms around us and welcome us in, overwhelming us with his love. How great is Jesus that He died so we could have this dance. I'm just amazed and in awe of the love of my Savior.

Dance with the King by Beckah Shae

Come! Come In!
You’re invited into this room to dance.
The King has prepared all this for you.
He’s been waiting for you.
Won’t you come!!!

Can you feel His love around you?
His arms stretched out and reaching for you?
There’s only peace in this place.

Listen close, you’ll hear the sweet sounds,
Of heavens angels singing all around,
Welcoming you to this dance.

Halleluiah, You have ravished my heart.
Round and round we go,
to the sound of Oh,
Halleluiah!

Peace that’s surpassing all understanding,
Joy unspeakable, and Love Everlasting!
This is where you belong,
Right here close to His heart!

Can you feel His love surround you?
His arms held tight and wrapped around you?
There’s only Love in this place.

Beautiful and worthy are you,
To the Great I Am before you.
Come rest in His delight.

Matthew 22:1-14
2 Samuel 6:14
Revelation 22:17
Psalm 30:11
Zephaniah 3:17

Samara birth announcement :)

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The Prayer Pin Reminder

As I was putting on my sneakers this morning, I caught sight of something that I tend to ignore. Attached to one of my laces is a small, bright orange safety pin with several brightly colored beads on it. It was given to me as a "prayer pin." The idea of this simple pin is to act as a reminder; to catch my attention and call me to pray for the person that gave it to me, to lift up my friend in prayer. Interesting thing about this particular pin is that it was given to me several years ago by a girl who I came to love as my little sister, only to have her decide that she wanted nothing to do with me or my family who had also welcomed her as family. You see, there came a time when she wanted to make a choice in her life that none of us agreed with and we expressed our concerns to her as we felt a family that loves you should. It was not what she wanted to hear and with that, she stepped out of our lives completely.

Months after the fact I would wake up with her name so desperately on my heart that I would cry out to God in tears, not knowing why. I still don't know why. I heard that she had a baby recently; I heard back and forth that she may have gotten married…but I don't have any connection to her outside this single orange pin that is still attached to my right shoe.

I still pray for her as she crosses my mind, though I don't know any specifics to lift up for her. But something today prompted me to remember the dreams that she had when I first met her. Her heart was so big and she was as mature as she was immature due in part to her background. She had to grow up when her mother abandoned her and her brother and sister in Russia. She had to make adult decisions when no child should about how to best care for herself and her siblings. By God's amazing grace she was introduced to His love through a shoe box, distributed by Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. By His continued providence, she and both of her siblings were adopted into a family, together, and came to live in the United States. She wanted to go into missions, to help other orphaned children have hope and see the hope that God can bring, even in the darkest times…and now, she is still living in a small town in Florida with a very little baby and possibly a husband that has no understanding of what missions are or why someone would leave their comfort to fulfill them. But still I prayed for her heart. I prayed for her life, whatever it may be. And mostly I prayed that she wouldn't lose sight of the dreams that God placed on her heart.

How many of us do that? We are given a dream, a vision, which is clearly only from God. But we let it filter through the realities of our lives and what we're left with is nothing outside of the norm. It is no longer anything more than what we are already doing in our comfort zones. How often do we actually chase after those dreams, even when they don't make sense right away, and get the opportunity to see God work in ways that are so far beyond what we can comprehend? How many dreams have I let go because I was afraid or comfortable?

Priorities in Jesus

John 21:15-19

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you."

"Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.  Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

"Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you."

"Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said.  A third time he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go." Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me."

I was reading a commentary (also called the exegesis—from a word meaning the critical interpretation on a text, especially of the Bible), and it pointed out something I had always missed in this passage. Look back at the passage. What name does Jesus use when speaking to Peter?

If you remember in scripture, it was Jesus who changed his name from Simon to Peter (John 1:41-42). Cephas (in Aramaic) or Peter (in Greek) means 'rock', and Jesus had said that "on this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). No pressure there! But just as Jesus had said that Simon Peter was going to be fundamental in the founding of the church, He also knew that he would deny Him at His greatest time of need (Matthew 26:33-35) and Peter did just as it was foretold (Matthew 26:74-75).

So in the 21^st chapter of John, why would Jesus address Peter (the one He re-named) by his original name of Simon? One commentary likened it to "as if he had forfeited that of Peter though his denying him." Jesus knew that Peter needed to come clean to recommit himself to the work that lay ahead of him. Jesus began by asking "do you love me more than these?" Peter answered, truthfully, that you know I love you, but never claimed to love Jesus more than the others. Peter realized that Jesus knew the depth of his heart and soul and answered with truth and integrity. His love of his Savior was being tested and questioned, but not without reason. Jesus had great plans for Peter to "feed his sheep," to lead the lost to the truth that could only be found through the cross. Peter was being examined and proven that he was indeed the right one for this job.

What about you? If Jesus asked you right now, "Do you love me more than these?", what would be your honest answer?

What does God require of His disciples?

Read Luke 14:33, Luke 14:26-27, and Matthew 10:32-39

What is keeping you from giving everything you have to following Jesus?

How can you rid yourself of those things?

Like Jesus told Peter he would help to found the church, what do you feel God pressing on your heart to do?

--Keep in mind, this does not have to be monumental. It can be as simple as being a good example for your little brother or sister, or as big as what you want to major in for your college degree (and career). **Also remember that God will not always tell you the complete answer right away, He does love to teach you patience and trust in Him**

 

I am what I am

Kyle and I finally watched The Express last night. I love sports movies. They have the same awesome predictability of romantic comedies (insert "chick flicks"), but with a tie into the sports world which means that guys will watch them without complaint. Without going into an entire review of the movie, which was great mind you, the basic plot is the story of Ernie Davis. If you are unfamiliar with his story... **1. this is a spoiler alert for the movie 2. really sad in an incredibly uplifting kind of way** Ernie Davis was a boy who grew up in the heat of segregation, was recruited to Syracuse University, helped lead them to their first national championship, and was the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted by the Browns but never played a single game because he was diagnosed with Leukemia and died at the age of 23.

At the beginning of the movie, there is a scene at the dinner table where Ernie's grandfather (affectionately called Pops) has Ernie (with a stutter) read from the Bible. The verse read is 1 Corinthians 15:10, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

The way that this single piece of scripture was played out in this young mans life caused me to stop and look at the way I live my own life. "by the grace of God I am what I am..."

For a long time, I wondered why God made me "strong willed" (this can also be read as stubborn, bull headed, and occasionally showed itself as defiant). I allowed myself to get emotionally involved in menial issues, worked into a tizzy, only to find that I was the one hurt or in trouble in the end. I wondered why I couldn't just keep my mouth shut and what good I could possibly do when I couldn't even control my own actions, let alone the words that came out of my mouth. I tried to skirt responsibility, but it always came back to bite me in the end.

I still wonder at times about why God made me "what I am." I don't know if that will ever go away, but I don't try to run from it anymore. Ernie Davis provided hope for people that were chastised and rejected. He showed them that no one could take away that which God had given him in the first place. And he did it with respect and honor for those around him.

The last line in the movie is, "Thing is, I don't know how much more is in front of me, and as you see from the number of pages if you've read this far, I did have a few things to say and I'm not sure how to end this, or even if I want to. It's funny. Most people think my life has been all about football. I've even thought that myself. But football is just a game. What matters is what you play for. Sometimes when the game is close and everything is on the line, that's when you forget the crowd and the noise. That's when it's just you against somebody else to see who is the better man. That's what I like about the game. Because at that moment, you are friends and you are enemies and you are brothers." (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469903/quotes?qt1149240)

What are we playing for? We have been created uniquely and perfectly by the grace of God. He has a plan for each and every one of us, but what are we doing to live it out? You may not know what you have been created for. I am sure that Ernie Davis had no idea that he was going to be an inspiration decades after his death at 23, before he even had the opportunity to play pro ball. I don't know what my impact will be, but I do know that if I live each and every day with my heart set on serving God with the best of my abilities, that He will honor that. God sees the big picture where I see just a strand. We don't know how our lives will intertwine with others but maybe, just maybe, if we focus on God rather than what we see as our shortcomings, those things which we thought of as burdens or "mistakes" will become that which glorifies God the most.

Snoopy and Me...when Kyle is gone

To serve as reminder to anyone not in my family who reads this, or anyone who happens upon the treasure trove of random thoughts, inspirations, and occasional nonsense, Snoopy is our 7 or 8 (we think) year old pointer/lab mutt that Kyle and I got from the humane society several weeks after we got married. He is ridiculously adorable and pathetic, frustrating and endearing, all in one slender 50 pound, black and white package. We started with an older dog to "break in" Kyle. I have always grown up with dogs around me. We had big dogs, my family had big dogs. No offense to those people who have small dogs, but they just do not qualify as "dogs" to me. I like ones that are larger than my cats (well, my mom's cats, but either way, both of whom are over 15 pounds). Kyle on the other hand, had a dog for a very brief segment of time and then none. Advantages of getting an older dog include that they are already trained on the basics: house trained, basic commands, etc. Older dogs also tend to be calmer so, in our case, it is a great advantage to those still in an apartment and don't have a backyard for the dog to take out all of his energy. It also helps with extending the duration of one's furniture. Puppies like to chew everything.

ANYWAY...
Snoopy got to stay with my parents while Kyle and I went on a trip to Colorado to see Kyle's family. Snoopy loves staying with my parents. I think this is two fold: 1. They live on a farm so he gets to run like a puppy free of any boundaries to the point that he limps around for the next week; and 2. my mom is a sucker with him (sorry momma...you know it's true!) We were in Colorado for 9 days and while we were out there, Kyle learns that he is going to have to turn right back around for a 2 week business trip. I come home, pick up Snoopy but at this point he hasn't seen Kyle in almost 3 weeks. It may sound odd to some, but he is all out of sorts when Kyle isn't home. He'll lie by the door waiting for him. He'll look at me like I'm forgetting something when I say we're going to bed before Kyle has shown up...He is just very out of sorts.

Most recently Snoopy has taken up a very needy persona. He'll be stuck to me and when I sit down to do some work, he'll sit right next to me and start to whine. It's very bizarre. It's similar to how he acts if we haven't taken him out for a walk and he really needs to go...but in this case, it's for absolutely no reason.

Needless to say, I am grateful that Kyle will be home as of tomorrow to put my dog at ease with the world.

grace

The goodness of God’s grace is that it has absolutely nothing to do with us. We can’t make it, we can’t destroy it. Its existence is so far beyond us and yet…it is the one thing that God gives to us without question and without ceasing. We continually fall short; we mess up time and again, and still at the end of the rope when all else seems lost—grace, God’s amazing, implausible, unmatchable grace.

Romans tells us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” so we can all agree that everyone is a screw-up (I mean that in the best sense). But even once you grapple with that idea (that we all have royally messed up and God will still extend grace to us), it goes on to assure us that it’s not just this onetime deal. Instead, God continues to extend his grace to us so that “just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21)

This is no excuse to continue in our sinful ways but rather to encourage us that God knew we would fall down. He did not send Jesus to die on the cross for the “well” but for the “sick.” Because, if we were all perfect, there would be no point in having a Savior; we wouldn’t need one. God loves his broken people. He adores and cherishes his blemished children. He longs to bring each of us into his embrace, to swathe us in his love and grace and give us so much of it that we can’t help but rub it on the people around us.

This is the one thing that most separates followers of Jesus from the rest of the world. We have received God’s grace. That doesn’t make us better, rather challenges us to a new level. We are tasked with sharing that grace with others, even when they don’t understand or comprehend it. We are given the challenge of explaining to a world that thrives on justice and revenge what grace can do in their lives. We have been sent as ambassadors on a mission of loving the unlovable, of caring for the deserted, and befriending the ones who only want to cut us down and tear us apart. We are tasked with this because it is grace. And that is God’s gift to the world.

Colossians 1

I read Colossians 1 in my devotions last night. I re-read it again today. I desperately want to write about it but for some reason can't grasp the insight that I want to portray. So...I guess you'll have to wait to see what God reveals to me. Until then... :)

Jesus in the quiet rain

I love falling asleep to the sound of rain. The pitter patter as it hits the buildings and falls to the sidewalk outside my window. Typically I find little to no correlation to rain and the Middle East, but for some reason, last night as I heard the rain pink against my window pane, I was reminded of a song. We are beginning to work on Christmas music at choir and one of the songs is called Winter Snow. No, snow is not the same as rain falling, though I find I have a similar emotional response to watching a gentle snow storm out the window. Part of the chorus reads, “You came like a winter snow, quiet and soft and slow.” Like those words, I found myself drawn into the serenity of the rain and found my mind in the Middle East, over 2000 years ago.

Jesus came in the middle of the night. He was born in an indiscreet town, in a barn with animals surrounding him. No one knew outside of his mother, Joseph, and the shepherds who got a heavenly invitation to come and find him. No one knew, and beyond a handful of people, no one cared. The King of the Universe had just been born as flesh into our world. The Savior of the World had made his entrance without fanfare or even recognition.

He was rejected by those he came to save.
For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground ; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (Isaiah 53:2-3)

When Isaiah said he was forsaken of men, he used the Hebrew word “chadel” (pronounced khaw-dale'). Quite literally, that he was rejected or deserted. Did you ever think about the word desert? We use it in the noun form as a desolate place, a place that is lacking something. In the verb form, it is to leave without intent of return. Jesus was left, with no one having the intent of returning to him and yet, he saved them…just as he saves us today.

I fully believe that we are living very close to the end times. What very close means, I don’t have any idea, but I see the impending return of the Christ who was deserted the last time he came. Oh, but this time will be different.

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Those who have put their faith in Jesus will be changed into eternal beings to live with Him forever. We will be changed and Jesus, who previously came unnoticed, will ride in victoriously in His royal right. Everyone will know who He is and will bow at his feet. All Glory be to God.

For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.”I have not spoken in secret, in some dark land; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek Me in a waste place '; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, declaring things that are upright. "Gather yourselves and come; Draw near together, you fugitives of the nations; they have no knowledge, who carry about their wooden idol And pray to a god who cannot save.”Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none except Me. "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. "I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. "They will say of Me, 'Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.' Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him will be put to shame. "In the LORD all the offspring of Israel will be justified and will glory." (Isaiah 45:18-25)

Hebrews 10

Many believers are familiar with Hebrew 11. It has been dubbed the "Hall of Faith," recording the heroes of Christianity for their faithfulness. Hebrews 11:1 is a common memory verse for Sunday school classes,

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see

But like many of the books in the New Testament, Hebrews is a letter. Reading that letter in full rather than split into later instated chapters, we find a wonderful cohesiveness and little nuggets of revelation. Hebrews 10 is full of so much information that I don't feel qualified to provide much of an exegesis. However, I would like to highlight some points that struck my interest.

Chapter 10 begins by telling the short comings of the Law, in and of itself. It clearly reveals that it is simply "a shadow of the good things that are coming" (v.1). We find the Gospel in verses 5-7.

"Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.' "

This is a direct quote from Psalm 40:6-8 (I recommend reading the entire chapter…it's a great cry to God and His faithfulness). I think my favorite word in this quote is, "then." Everything before that word is pointing toward our hopeless state. My husband owns a shirt that reads, "Religion is mans attempt to get to God. Christianity is God coming to us." These verses state the sad situation of the world; we cannot do enough to get into heaven and to get to God. But "then"…see why it is such a sweet word? Then Jesus came to do the will of God and to become the eternal sacrifice for our sins.

In Jewish tradition, the work of the priests is never done. In verse 11 you see this in the author's description,

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins

They can't rest because there is always atonement to be made, but (another wonderful word in this passage) just wait for the next three verses (emphasis added below).

But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy

The High Priest, Jesus, made a sacrifice through his blood on the cross, which paid for all sin, for all time! Because the job was done, we find scripture telling us that He is sitting at the right hand of God. The job is done, the debt has been paid. That is the Gospel.

It is because of these things that as we go into verse 19 we can have "confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus." It is because of these things that we can "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (v. 23)

This is what precedes the "hall of faith" and is the reason why faith is then emphasized. Because the debt has been paid and we can come into the presence of the Living God without fear, how can we have anything but faith?

A Dump Truck of Blessings

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Psalm 68:19 KJV

I don't often read the King James Version, or even the New King James Version of the Bible. I know many people who believe that it is the most accurate translation and some who believe that it is the only accurate translation. Either way, that being said, there are some verses that strike a cord differently when read in a different version than you typically read.

Psalms is a good one to read in the King James. Not for any particular reason than it is nostalgic for me. I don't feel that Psalm 23 is quite the same or as poignant unless read in King James (blame Ms. Cobb, who was the middle school Sunday school teacher at the Methodist church I attended. She was in her 80's at that point and loved by everyone. However, she had us memorize our verses in the King James or NKJ). But even within the Psalms I am familiar with, God speaks. Don't you love it when you see a verse that isn't new, but that morning (or night) when you read it, something changes.

I am not a morning person (I can already hear my parents and husband both chiming in "amens" of agreement). But lately, I have discovered that if I get up early for something (in this case, dropping my husband off at the airport for an early morning flight), I am not able to fall back asleep like I used to. I could probably blame it on the pregnancy if I wanted, though I think my daughter has very little to do with it (now my not being able to sleep through the night, I will definitely blame on her...even more so after she is born). But even with feeling worn, eyes still squinted from fatigue, God utilizes these rare early mornings to speak to me in His Word. What a precious way to make a beautiful morning.

This morning is was a single verse. I am sure that I have read it thousands of times being that Psalms is a favorite of mine when I have anything that is stressing me, worrying me, or lingering in my mind. Still, this verse spoke all the volumes in the world.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Psalm 68:19 KJV

Did you ever think about the fact that God daily loads us down with benefits (think blessings here)? I love the wording in this. When I see words like load, I think of a dump truck. I do not like driving behind dump trucks. They are always loaded down with their cargo. With my little car behind them, I'm always worried that something will fly out of the overflowing back and hit me. Now switch that to God's blessings. Man, wouldn't it be great to be around someone who was so loaded down with blessings from God that one of them flew off of them and smacked you in the face?! That would be awesome! And that's where I see Christians taking this for granted. God has given us a bounty of blessings that we tend to hoard but what we miss is the second part of this verse...

even the God of our salvation.

wow. I mean, seriously...stop and read that again. God daily gives us this GIANT LOAD of blessings...even the God of our salvation. The greatest of all blessings is our Salvation through Jesus Christ and we are selfishly keeping it all to ourselves.
Romans 1:16 says,

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes

God has blessed us beyond what we deserve or could ever earn but the paramount gift that he gives us is our salvation. It is the very thing that will keep us from eternal separation and eternal damnation and we aren't on every rooftop shouting to the world about this fantastic gift that is for every living soul! Paul tells us that it is the power of God and still...we keep it to ourselves.

Maybe we need to be a little more like those dump trucks I'm so scared to drive behind. God has blessed us abundantly, let a few of those blessings fly out and smack some people in the face...and share with them the power of the God who gave them to you in the first place.