Caffeinated Randomness: Colanders and a 30 year old teenager!!

There are days that I wish I could get away with taking a whole stack of donuts. I was on a Celiac diet while pregnant with my son, and I dreamed in gooey detail about Krispy Kreme glazed donuts....OH.MY....gonna drool on my MacBook... Just to show you that men really don't understand cravings...my Loverbrains asked me why dreaming about them in detail didn't help me...uh, yeah...like smelling and licking one would help too?!!

I did one of those super dumb things this morning. I took my two children out to do errands...while my youngest is still struggling with a double ear infection and pink eye. Okay, before anyone yells he's been on antibiotics for 48 hours...so I didn't expose anyone! About half way through he melted down. Poor thing. Dumb MomE! Two totally random things are connected to this teary, clingy outing though so...I digress...

I was hunting the dollar stores for colanders. Why? Well, Loverbrains and I decided to do the Global Bucket method of gardening this year. I especially love the "self watering" aspects of this method. You really should check it out. On the advice of my friend (Hi Kerry) I even hunted around the fast food joints to gather FREE 5 gallon buckets. On a random sidenote: Most places looked at me like I had three heads and one guy asked me if I realized they sold them at Walmart for $3. I said, "Yes, and these are....FREE!!" Anyhew...as you'll see from the website you can either put two buckets inside each other or put a colander in the bottom. Loverbrains preferred the latter method because it forms it's own wick. I went to Walmart...they are $5 apiece...yikes-ers says the Frugal Bobbi...so off to dollar store. I did find them at the third dollar store I tried...woohoo!

On my way out of the last dollar store...the store where I finally allowed my melting down crew to buy toys...I was in one of those situations where I parked next to someone who was trying to leave at the same time. You know, where you have to really hustle your kids into the car so they can open their car door and get in? It was a teenager with a little babe in a pumpkin seat carrier. She smiled sweetly and said she was in no hurry. Then (prepare for randomness ya'll) she said she was surprised I had two...since I looked so young. Obviously, she is regarding me as a peer. And then, in my shocked and frazzled (probably not enough coffee) state...I started to giggle. She looked surprised and I told her that I was 30...yeah...THIRTY!!! She said that I looked just like one of her friends from high school (I think she was in high school)...I sweetly told her "thanks" but I'm not sure I am thankful. Gosh, I hope that I handle my children with more finesse than a teen. I was wearing jeans and a polo shirt...with makeup and hair done, ya'll. Maybe I need to find an older look. Ack...I don't know....how would ya'll have taken it??

What thinkest thou on this random day that's in desperate need of an iced coffee.

Well, my bathrooms and floors are clean....and my random post is complete...and off to make an iced coffee I go....Hope your weekends are absolutely fabulous!!

Word FILLED Wednesday: Comfort...

Yes, in my classic Bobbi style I have paired a picture and verse that do not really seem to go together...but stick with me...I'll explain. Well, I'll try anyway...*smile*

This passage of scripture keeps coming up lately...and I sort of take that as God repeating Himself. So, I've been thinking about the ways God has comforted me and then today I had a *aha moment* at Bible Study.

It started right when I pulled in...and a woman started unpacking her kids from the car...and her daughter started throwing up. I grabbed my box of car kleenex and jogged over and gave it to her. I expressed my sympathies and gave her the box (as a gift). I told her it would be okay. I've been there...the Mom desperate to get out of the house and yet required to put everyone but myself first. And that's just how it is sometimes. But God comforted me and sent other Moms to encourage me...and let me know that kids aren't sick forever (even if it feels like it) and that children are a blessing and that childhood is a short season of life.

Okay, now for why I chose a crying baby picture...About a half hour later...a baby was screaming in the foyer. Truthfully, that's rather uncommon... especially at the end of the year. My heart was gripped and I was moved to pray for that baby's MomE as, no doubt, her heart was torn and struggling at dealing with the situation. And do you know why the Holy Spirit could so poignantly impress that need to pray on me? Because, I've been there...the one with the screaming baby. I've been embarrassed and defeated and wondering what I was doing wrong. AND GOD COMFORTED ME...often using wonderful, Godly women who encouraged me to keep trying and keep coming. They prayed for me!!

On a technical note, I felt compassion and didn't actually comfort this mother. However, I did sign up to do childcare that first day of next year...when ALOT of babies will be crying and ALOT of MomEs will need comforting.

In studying the life of Jesus (especially His death and burial) I'm also comforted to understand that He very truly does understand my every grief and sorrow, temptation, embarrassment, etc. infinatum. I used to think, "Yeah, yeah...He's God, of course He "gets" it." But now I see that
He was perfectly God and Man. Luke 23:47 says he was the only "righteous man."

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrew 4:15-16

So, how has God comforted you? How have you then comforted others?? When trials are happening and God offers you His comfort...remember it is a gift you can share!

From me personally, as a mother of young children...sometimes having a Godly woman come and tell me that she's been praying for me...well, it can be a great big comfort. So, if you pray for a young Mom...just gently tell her that you do...She'll feel a little less alone...and be reminded that God knows her every need.

For more WFW head over to Susan's where she's FOREVER HIS.

Tube Tuesday: Lead Me...

For My Loverbrains...

One day, far away, you gently won my heart
And one night, by candlelight, we made a vow to never part
And then it seemed just like a dream
When wide eyed, side by side
We faced the future holding hands

Years fly, they hurry by, the simple times are gone
Bills due, a kid or two, a week can feel eight days long
By fading light, let's kiss goodnight
And then we trace God's daily grace
Thankful we're still holding hands

There's a hope that won't let go
There's a truth we know
God is holding us
In His arms

Thoughts stray far away to all that lies ahead
In frail days when strength fades
Will we still mean all that we said?
Our love's secure, so rest assured
Come what may 'til that day
We'll walk forever holding hands

By God's grace 'til that day
We'll walk forever holding hands

Holding Hands by Steve Green

Holding Hands - Steve Green

Chiming in: We Rest On Thee...

Photo Courtesy of thetravelpeach.com

Just the other day, my friend Barbara shared some of her Stray Thoughts on the movie The End Of The Spear, our true spiritual battle against the foe Satan and she shared the lyrics for "We Rest On Thee." It was the song the group of men (with Jim Elliot and Nate Saint) often sang together.

Being the song hunter I am...I immediately went a-hunting. Truthfully, I was hoping for a good Tube Tuesday. I didn't find a video per se but I did find a great acapella recording video. My mind thinks back to the last night these men sang this song together. Most likely, it probably wasn't this gorgeously harmonious...but...it was a sweet savor to God.

I read Through Gates of Splendor last year...and if you haven't read it...don't wait any longer. It's one of those perspective giving things...like I was saying last week. I'm with Barbara...why don't we sing this song at church? I'm gonna ask. Easy guess, it's probably not in the hymnal.

Caffeinated Randomness: Ice Cream Coffee and Neti Pots!

photo courtesy of sportorfoon.com

I had a bunch of random thoughts yesterday...and I thought to myself, "Self, you'd better write these things down now cuz you aren't remembering things like you used to, ya know." Well, I didn't write them down...so my randomness will be splotchy! Sorry...HA!

First, I love this picture of ice cream with coffee...I mean how many ways can you spell YUMMO! Delicious, tasty, yummy, decadent...If I had vanilla bean ice cream in my freezer right now...it'd be a done deal ladies...yeah!

Next, my daughter is on a decided princess kick. She's wearing her full bustled Cinderella dress EVERYWHERE. Well, not in public but only because she hasn't thought to ask. We're having our gutters replaced and the guys working on the house got a chuckle out of watching her. She comes swirling out of the house...singing little songs from the top of her "castle" (aka. swing set)...bossing her little brother around. She has a distinct personality change when she dons the dress. She sings ALOT and she bosses ALOT! Which if you think of Disney princesses...I guess that sort of works. Primadonnas!

The other thing to get a chuckle over is little Mr. Potty Training. He's doing really well. What's funny is that he'll be playing along and then suddenly shriek, "MomEEEEE, I's gotta go potty!" He holds himself and does the penguin skuttle towards the door. Just for bragging rights alone...I'd like to say that he has had no pee pee mistakes for four days...including naptimes and nighttimes. Poopoo...well, we're still working on it. I've actually been desperate for success and tried to get him to just pee on the flowers...but then discovered that my son is very modest...and was mortified at the very thought of "showing himself" to the outdoors! Hehehe! Oops!

photo courtesy of lifesatrip.com

Last, a rather random plug for the Neti pot! Hahaha...I just realized that's a pun! Plug...get it! Hehehe! No, really...it's the world's greatest invention. I chose this picture because I don't think people realize how they work. I'm annoyed I didn't try this three years ago when I first heard of it. My Loverbrains is usually a one sinus infection after another kind of guy. Allergy season is just unbearable! BUT SINCE DOING THE NETI POT...we haven't been to the Dr. since Fall. He uses it twice a day...I usually only do it once. His allergies are still bad enough to mean Zyrtec daily...but he doesn't honk and blow in between like he used to...and it's so nice! I'm serious...If you have ANY congestion problems AT ALL...get over the EW factor and just try this. Give it a week. I hope it is as happily life changing for you as it's been for us!

So, that's it for my randomness today...Gonna go make an iced coffee and think about putting vanilla ice cream on the shopping list. Have a great weekend, filled with random loveliness.

Deep Thoughts...

Photo Courtesy of scienceblogs.com

Sometimes, I just need a little healthy perspective on my life and my "persecutions." I weep as I read writings from The Hiding Place...and not because it brings me down...but because it encourages me to go beyond my peaceful, little comfort zone, to be thankful for so many freedoms, and to stop my incessant whining to God that He is not enough for me. He takes it personally...as well He should!

"Fridays--the recurrent humiliation of medical inspection. The hospital corridor in which we waited was unheated and a fall chill had settled into the walls. Still we were forbidden even to wrap ourselves in our own arms, but had to maintain our erect, hands-at-sides position as we filed slowly past a phalanx of grinning guards.

"How there could have been any pleasure in the sight of these stick-thin legs and hunger-bloated stomachs I could not imagine. Surely there is no more wretched sight than the human body unloved and uncared for.

"Nor could I see the necessity for the complete undressing: when we finally reached the examining room a doctor looked down each throat, another--a dentist presumably--at our teeth, a third in between each finger. And that was all. We trooped again down the long, cold corridor and picked up our X-marked dresses at the door.

"But it was one of these mornings while we were waiting, shivering in the corridor, that yet another page in the Bible leapt into life for me.

"He hung naked on the cross.

"...The paintings, the carved crucifixes showed at least a scrap of cloth. But this, I suddenly knew, was the respect and reverence of the artist. But oh--at the time itself, on that other Friday morning--there had been no reverence. No more than I saw in the faces around us now.

"'Betsie, they took His clothes too.'

"'Ahead of me I heard a little gasp. 'Oh, Corrie. And I never thanked Him...'

WordFILLED Wednesday: Prepared...

As I've mentioned before, my favorite Bible study is going through the book of John this year. Due to this fact we are spending more time focusing on "Easter" after the date...in much detail. I must admit my first reaction to this was, "ugh...this is so heavy and sorrowful...I want to move past to the joy and hope." It has become very clear that is not what God wanted for me...I have a lot to learn from Christ's sufferings.

Are you ever shocked by how truths of scripture just flow out of your mouth without you really thinking about them? Do they lose their emotional value and weight? In dealing with small children this is often the case...I am thankful (truly) for Christ's death on the cross for my sins but I forget the awfulness of that sacrifice..or maybe, I just want to move on to the joy and hope. You cannot fully have one without the other. If you do not truly understand your awful rotten sinfulness you will not have the fullest joy and hope for the future.

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Cor. 5:12
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." 2 Cor. 8:9
"You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." Rev. 3:17

I know some of you are still wondering how I ended up with a picture of an Austen wedding with Revelation 19 on it. Well, I'll tell you... perhaps the most interesting thing that I got out of this week was that contrast of him becoming naked and humiliated on the cross...for me. Why did he do it? We are naked and filthy rags before God...but when Jesus became our sacrifice he was naked and carried all our sins...and because of that...I'm clothed in wedding clothes...pure and white! Do you see what it says..."fine linen, clean and bright...HAS BEEN GIVEN HER TO WEAR!" Hallelujah, that's my Savior!

Join the other WFW ladies....HERE.

Tube Tuesday: Redemption through the Potter's Hands

Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Savior
I know for sure, all of my days are held in your hands, crafted
into your perfect plan
You gently call me into your presence guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through Your eyes
I'm captured by Your holy calling
Set me apart, I know you're drawing me to yourself
Lead me Lord I pray

Chorus:
Take me, Mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the Potter's hand
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter's hand
You gently call me into your presence guiding me by your Holy Spirit
teach me dear lord to live through your eyes
I'm captured by you holy calling
Set me apart, I know your drawing me to Yourself
Lead me lord I pray

Meditation Monday: Refiner's Fire

"But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver." Mal. 3:2-3
I thought about doing memory monday with my own thoughts on refining fire but after reading this article by John Piper...(one of my favorites to read lately)...I just had to share. Emphasis added...is mine.

"He is a refiner's fire, and that makes all the difference. A refiner's fire does not destroy indiscriminately like a forest fire. A refiner's fire does not consume completely like the fire of an incinerator. A refiner's fire refines. It purifies. It melts down the bar of silver or gold, separates out the impurities that ruin its value, burns them up, and leaves the silver and gold intact. He is like a refiner's fire.

It does say FIRE. And therefore purity and holiness will always be a dreadful thing. There will always be a proper "fear and trembling" in the process of becoming pure. We learn it from the time we are little children: never play with fire! And it's a good lesson! Therefore, Christianity is never a play thing. And the passion for purity is never flippant. He is like fire and fire is serious. You don't fool around with it.

But it does say, he is like a REFINER'S fire. And therefore this is not merely a word of warning, but a tremendous word of hope. The furnace of affliction in the family of God is always for refinement, never for destruction."

by John Piper 1987 For the whole article go HERE!

photo courtesy of...mercerislandblogger.com

Caffeinated Randomness: Gratitude...the lack thereof...

A tiny tirade for your Caffeinatedly Random pleasure....

There are many topics of etiquette that are falling by the wayside even in *ahem* polite society. I have written passionately about this subject before...where I accuse many of my generation to be too busy to be grateful. Truthfully, I consider the lack of thank you writing to show a total lack of gratitude altogether.

I'm not talking about the solitary thank you that you might have forgotten to send. Yes, you are remiss at not sending it...and probably still should but no, that's not what I'm caring to address. It's the weddings, birthdays, graduations, showers...where large sums of money are expected to be dumped without any shown gratitude at all.

I adore my Real Simple Magazine and pore over it's contents most happily. I was at first surprised by THIS article where the writer for Modern Manners suggests that there be a "no-opening-gifts-in-public-policy" because it is "a bore to watch someone else open presents, and it’s just as agonizing for the recipient, who has to ooh and aah at the right decibel over and over again. And then there’s always someone who is going to feel self-conscious about what she brought once she sees everyone else’s offerings. "

Truthfully, I think the reason I initially balk at such a suggestion is that it is often ALL I have to hope for in way of gratitude/thanks for the gift I'm giving. I desire to know if the gift, I so carefully selected, was to their liking. Most recently however, I've heard the sentiment that a person shouldn't be pressured to lie about gifts they receive and don't like. I think that this is missing the point of gratitude entirely. Gratitude-a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. Evidently, it is too much to ask that a person show thankfulness and appreciation at the receiving of a free gift...no matter how ugly, cheap, duplicate, etc.

I was delighted to find the perfect gift for an approaching bridal shower in our church. I shared my excited anticipation with the bride-to-be...and also had the blessed, calm opportunity to address this issue, so dear to my heart. I was delighted that she shared my sentiments almost exactly...and had the thank-yous from her family shower completed and posted. Brava! I wish all my admonitions were so received.

To put a final spin on this topic...I must say that as I composed this tiny tirade I was personally convicted at what level of grateful I am daily showing for the FREE GIFT bought for me, at so high a price.

Eph. 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

2 Cor. 9:15, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

Deep Thoughts...

Photo Courtesy of planetware.com

The Church of Christ is continually represented under the figure of an army; yet its Captain is the Prince of Peace; its object is the establishment of peace, and its soldiers are men of a peaceful disposition. The spirit of war is at the extremely opposite point to the spirit of the gospel.

Yet nevertheless, the church on earth has, and until the second advent must be, the church militant, the church armed, the church warring, the church conquering. And how is this?

It is the very order of things that so it must be. Truth could not be truth in this world if it were not a warring thing, and we should at once suspect that it were not true if error were friends with it. The spotless purity of truth must always be at war with the blackness of heresy and lies.

~Charles Spurgeon

I heard a piece of this quote the other day...so went a hunting as I usually do. It was a bit harder to find this time. Part of the problem with finding Spurgeon's works is that they are vast and the search engine comes up with a badillion things to look at...and then you can't really narrow it down when you don't know what you're looking for. HA!

What I get from this is that God's truth is unchangeable. God and truth can't be separated. John 14:6 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Truth doesn't change for society or over time. We cannot afford to just be comfortable but instead must lead in truth, using God's Word. We can't give up on the world or our unsaved loved ones. We are told (commanded) to teach and pray!

Where in your life is God calling you to defend the Scripture? What truth of Scripture do you struggle with because of how the world views it?

WordFILLED Wednesday: Something new...

I find it interesting to look back over the last decade of my life...to look at God's massive changes in me from 20 to 30. I'm grateful for the changes but they have not been painless. Some were life changes, like marriage and babies. Some were deeply spiritual, like dealing with marriage, moving, church issues, and parenting. Recently, I read the verse above, and it struck me that I'm not even sure I'm the same pot anymore. I feel like The Potter has broken and formed another pot and is still shaping it as seems best to Him.

Have you ever watched a potter work? They bang on the clay...and pat pat pat it...and yank a lump off...and tenderly form edges. Sometimes the wheel spins crazy FAST...and sometimes slowly, to almost a standstill. Are ya catching the analogy here? Sometimes I feel marred, and spanked soundly. Sometimes I feel that my life is spinning just too fast. But then I remember, I DO know that MY POTTER loves me...and that His plan is perfect. For one thing...he knows what He's making. That makes me think of the other "clay passage."

"But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’"Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" Romans 9:20-21

Yeah, I'm a really vocal pot...and I think that's one of those things He's scraping off of me lately. In some ways I'm finally seeing the need for my words to have quality over quantity. Well, some days at least. It's a slow process...and My Potter is ever patient in forming me to fit His perfect plan.

The question for me is am I willing to be quiet and let Him work? To trust that He knows my full purpose...He knows completely my future. It needs to be okay with me if I'm a showy teacup or an ordinary dinner plate. I tend to think that's one of my big hangups with this whole MomE the Domestic Engineer role. It's so ORDINARY...and cyclical...and really hard.

*OKAY God, I get it...I'll be an ordinary MomE...for you. The best MomE I can be...for Your Glory!*

Join WFW...with Lori at all you have to give...

Tube Tuesday: Only Hope...

There's a song that's inside of my soul.
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold.
But you sing to me over and over and over again.

So, I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

Sing to me the song of the stars.
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope.

I give you my destiny.
I'm giving you all of me.
I want your symphony, singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs, I'm giving it back.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

The Spiritual Journey that is Potty Training

I've been praying about potty training my youngest for months. I committed the unpardonable by beginning potty training and quitting. I suppose I "sealed my fate" right there. My eldest is a strong willed child so I was thinking...what are the odds the youngest is also strong willed? But, he is... in a totally different way. She's dramatically strong willed...he's quietly strong willed. Oh, Lord...give me strength!!

Not that I'm saying it's all about me...but there are spiritual lessons to be learned. We are doing an awesome study in Sunday School...Quieting A Noisy Soul. Yesterday, it was pointed out that discontent, anxiety, anger and despair are all forms of unbelief. I am basically saying to God that he is not doing enough for me, that God Himself is not enough for me and that I need something more. So, this really hit me hard...my anger really grieves me. It is my response to what I cannot control...and often, my children fall into the category of beyond my control. Potty training is definitely in that category.

So, headed into this whole potty training adventure (again) I really wanted to be holding onto God's Word...literally, I'm writing it out on cards. Two verses really shouted out at me...

Phil. 4:19, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Ps. 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer."

Because this week...and as many weeks as it might take...I want to remember that God supplies all my needs. He supplies daily sufficient grace, a patient tongue, a listening ear, a calmed spirit. And, anyone who knows me knows that for me those things are ONLY a God thing.

Of course, I'd appreciate your prayers too. If you come to visit we have all sorts of stars and candy if you put your pee pee and poo poo in the potty!

Picture Courtesy of bitsofgaming.com

Caffeinated Randomness: Half Caff

My stomach feels sensitive...so I've only had a half a cup of coffee...so we'll call this a half caff randomness day...okay!?

My parents came to visit for a brief visit. I hadn't been able to go see my parents since Thanksgiving. I was so excited. The kids had a hard time going down for naps cuz they were so excited...I'd told them they would be there when they woke up from naps. I read a book...and waited...impatiently...

Now, if I were a swooning type of girlie...like you read about in Jane Austen-like times...I wouldn't have fluttered to the ground here next...cuz my Dad surprised me by giving me his old MacBook...cuz he had upgraded. It was a total surprise!! I am so excited...beyond words...beyond tickled pink...I'm tickled MacBook White! I joked for years about them needed to check my luggage when I leave them...cuz MacBooks are so small and stashable! Hehehe! Anyhew...in case I didn't express it enough....THANK YOU *happy little Bobbi dance*!!!!!

We were having an awesome visit. I was making a Greek Feast again...and my Mom was helping me cut and slice. It's so nice just to cook with her...cuz we talk while we chop, etc. And then...Emma who'd been following around after Grandma and Grandpa happily...suddenly started complaining of stomach pain...and then...yup, you guessed it...BLAHHHHHHHH!!!! She had some sort of intestinal woe going on...All.Through.Dinner.

So, hence...my stomach has been tense and nervous ever since. Part of it is kicking into MomE mode (responsibility)...part of it is grossness (hello, it was during dinner)...and part of it is my TRUSTING GOD issues (where I begin worrying about it and wondering what the future of pukedom holds for me.)

Thankfully, Mom and Dad were totally relaxed and understanding...and Praise the Lord (He answers prayers) and so far no one else has been ill. A bit green around the gills...maybe. AND...even though I slept stiffly (HELLO OUCHY CRINK IN MY NECK)...no one awoke during the night and needed their sheets stripped, etc. Praise God from whom ALL BLESSINGS flow! Um, totally no pun intended there...sorry!

So, now they've headed back for their long journey home...and I'm sitting here typing on MY MacBook...*sigh*...man, life is good! Not wanting you to think that my praise to God is conditional on my getting updated technology,etc...cuz...even if the sweet boobahs awake from nap sick and icky...God is still good...all the time!!

All the time, God is good!!

Is He your hiding place?

"There are no 'if's' in God's kingdom. His timing is perfect. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety. His will is our hiding place. Let us pray that we may always know it. “Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will. Don't let me go mad by poking about outside it.” ~Corrie ten Boom

Picture Courtesy of white-coffee countryliving.com

WordFILLED Wednesday: Singing??

I enjoy singing. I have been blessed with a gift for singing and a love for music. God uses it over and over in my life...when things are wonderful or horrible...music speaks directly to my heart. If you've read much of my blogs you'll notice periods of music posts...and that's usually indicating a rough time...or when I can't share what's happening with the world wide web.

After our Easter Cantata Sunday...I heard many gracious compliments...and also something I'd heard before but never really focused on. I heard that "self depreciating pride" thing...you know, where people say they "can't carry a tune in a bucket" or "I don't really sing..." Lately, I've chosen to encourage people, "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms." Psalm 95:2 Cuz, it's not about us...it's all about HIM!!

Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone should be in the choir, per se. I'll be honest that I have a good ear and that things that are flat (or sharp) make my teeth hurt like I chomped on tin foil. However, I am encouraging an attitude of worship. It is true that it is, er...not some people's gift to sing solos, etc. etc. But...they still should make a joyful noise, right? Of course, every time I go down that path of thought...I think about one summer at BaYouCa...the Baptist youth camp I attended as a child and eventually worked at myself...

This particular summer, I was in my early teens...and tagging along with my family while my Dad taught CPR and First Aid to the Counselors. It was the first week of the Mentally Handicapped week...and a Down Syndrome man was swinging on the swings...as high as it would go...SINGING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS...hymns. I recognized the words...but not the tune! AMAZING GRACE....HOW SWEET THE SOUND...
THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME....
I ONCE WAS LOST...BUT NOW I'M FOUND...
WAS BLIND...BUT NOW I SEE!!!!

As only a teen could, I considered the performance annoying, loud...and horrible. *eye roll* OH, why wouldn't someone make him be quiet? My parents pointed out that it could definitely be considered that he was making a JOYFUL NOISE to the Lord...and that God was pleased.

So, all of that to say...I sure hope that you do SING praises to God...even if it's just quietly in your seat on Sunday...or loudly in your car when you're all alone. BUT do sing...sing praises to him with with a JOYFUL noise...and He will be pleased to hear from you!

Are you grateful for your SALVATION?? SING...SING....SING!!!

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Tube Tuesday: Scary Bedtime Prayer...

Marriage Monday...linky love...

Once again I am choosing to link my two blogs...because I want it clear that I view Marriage as sooooo important...so...head over to MomE & Loving It...

...for more MM linky love head to E-mom's...



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HE IS RISEN!!!

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.
Luke 24:1-8

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To Help us Remember...

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Our family did this for the first time this year. It has been a very good reminder of what we should remember everyday...He died for me!!

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

"His righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Rom. 3:22-26

Emma said, "This reminds of us Jesus on the cross...but, why is my name there?" Because...He died for your sins too, Sweet Girl! We had several interesting conversations about sin yesterday. She listening and trying to take it all in. And, I'm praying...

Take the opportunities you're given...let them all soak in...

In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12

What Could Go RIGHT!?

I hear a lot these days about the importance of being genuine. I like to remind myself that all the genuine truth I speak also needs to be done in love (Eph. 4:15 NIV). I don't know about you, but I long to be most genuine when it comes to my faith...my love for Jesus, my Savior!

I was musing recently that as a Domestic Engineer my mission field is perhaps small, but also rather specific. Mine goes something like this....neighbors, library, zoo, playground....grocery store!

Yes, I was thinking to myself that although I'm already one of the most friendly grocery shoppers I know....I'm not exactly fully genuine, ya know? I mean...I'll smile at everyone and talk to anyone...about anything but I'm not sharing my most genuine, heart held LOVE with these strangers I meet each week!

Why not...well...cuz I tend to think of what could go wrong.

....to keep reading go to .... Evangelism on Aisle 5?