Fitness Friday: Funny & Favorite Running Song (currently)

 

Aqua Coffee with Her Snippyness, me.

I've been snippy lately.  I've been making a lot of uncommon, disorganized mistakes.  I've been late for things, unprepared for things...in short, very unlike my normal self.  

Now, I've had some 'excusable' reasons.  I am sick and tired of being sick.  Enterovirus, followed by upper respiratory infection, followed by stomach flu (kids), followed by cracked ribs.  Ya, get the picture.  I've been dying to take charge of my house again but deterred by sick littles, personal weakness and home repairs (spelled new furnace).  I also have my parents on my mind...a lot.  It is a constant battle to give them to God...and not worry.  To trust in His plan...and believe that He will make a way where it seems there is no way.

Sadly however, most of my snippyness is NOT excusable...

For example, in the style of Laura Numeroff,  If you back into your garage door on Sunday morning, especially after a costly furnace repair...even though it was an accident...your husband will still be (justifiably) upset.  Being snippy does not help the situation...in fact, it is wrong.

Snippy is a sin.  There is no excuse for prideful, lashing out in anger...puffed up, offended defensiveness.  I need to STOP it!  DROP to my knees in repentance and seek God's forgiveness and will...and then ROLL with His plans for me.  I need to reconnect with His Word and His character.

And thankfully, in all this Snippyness God is merciful.  God is not leaving me the same.  He is humbling me.  I make mistakes, not so I can grumble and complain against my husband, er, ultimately God, but so I can learn and  extend grace to others...grow in my knowledge of God's character...and learn to be grateful in hard things and stupid mistakes (like screwing up the time for my kid's first Taekwondo white belt graduation by three hours!).

Oh Lord, Please put a guard on my lips.  Delay my speech so that I don't burst forth with snippyness but speak words that lift others up and glorify You.  Please let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You.  Please give me a heart of gratitude in all things.  Amen.

Your Grace is Enough...

Great is Your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

Great is Your love and justice God
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me [x2]

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

Your grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I see your grace is enough
I'm covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me
For me  

SOAP: Exodus 14

I'm sure this Bible study method has been around for a long time...but it's a recent discovery to me...and I'm enjoying it...so, I wanted to share...

S- (Scripture)-  Exodus 14

O- (Observations)-

-to show God's glory

-gave reasons to trust and follow

-prepared to fight (GO forward) but no actual fighting.

-it was all God.

A- (Applications)-

-I do not deserve salvation---as I cringe and complain.  But, God is faithful to keep His promises.

-He is a wall of protection between me and the enemy.

-When I have faith in God's promises I can have peace in my heart.

-TRUE faith depends on what God says, not what we see or how we feel.

Faith is NOT Superstition...believing in spite of evidence.

FAITH is obeying in spite of consequence.

P- (Prayer)-

Oh Lord, I am so unworthy of Your love and salvation.  Help me to live as Your beloved redeemed...acting only in Your power.  Please teach me to be STILL with peace in my heart.  Oh Lord, I long to show You TRUE FAITH in obedience in spite of consequence.  Help me to fully rely on You!  Amen.  

STILL....

Hide me now 

Under Your wings 

Cover me Within 

Your mighty hand 

When the oceans rise and thunders roar 

I will soar with You above the storm 

Father you are King over the flood 

I will be still, know You are God 

Find rest my soul 

In Christ alone 

Know His power 

In quietness and trust 

When the oceans rise and thunders roar 

I will soar with You above the storm 

Father You are king over the flood 

I will be still, know You are God

Pumpkin Creamer

I love pumpkin creamer...and this year I've been making my own healthy version.  I'll share my tweaked recipe...thank you Pinterest for almost too much info and inspiration!

3 c creamer or almond milk

1/4 c Stevia

1 can pumpkin purée

1-2 t vanilla

Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice (to taste)

( I use ALOT...I like it Spicy)

Enjoy!!

Yield: see above!

When my heart is torn asunder...

When my heart

Is torn asunder

And my world

Just falls apart

Lord You put

Me back together

And lift me up

To where You are

There is hope

Beyond the suffering

Joy beyond the tears

Peace in every tragedy

Love that conquers fear

I have found redemption

In the blood of Christ

My body might be dying

But I'll always be alive

You have turned

Mourning to dancing

You have covered me with grace

The struggle here

May last a moment

But life with You

Will last always

There is hope

Beyond the suffering

Joy beyond the tears

Peace in every tragedy

Love that conquers fear

I have found redemption

In the blood of Christ

My body might be dying

But I'll always be alive

When the age

Of death is over

And this world

Has been reborn

I'll be there

Beside my Savior

This is our GREAT

And rich reward

There is hope

Beyond the suffering

Joy beyond the tears

Peace in every tragedy

Love that conquers fear

I have found redemption

In the blood of Christ

My body might be dying

But I'll always be alive

By Phil Wickham

Back Jack Hodgepodge!

1. What's your favorite time of day? Why?

I love early mornings.  Steaming coffee, ticking clocks, my Bible...
2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house?

Toaster.  We have the same cheap one we've had since marriage.  It works.  I hide it in the cupboard.  It doesn't fit real bagels though...that is a bummer. 
3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy?
Repeating myself makes me grouchy.  Hmmm... I might be grouchy a lot.  Only on certain days though...I'm full of hormonal fun like that....
4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see?
I have been to Canada.  Once on a singing tour and once with my grandparents.  Niagara Falls is beautiful.  Definitely a place I want to take my kiddos.  But, I will never go to the top of that Toronto Tower again...glass floor, fear of heights, nuf said.
5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite?
I love loving weird things.  I still do.  I eat sardines and saltines with my Daddy.  I eat onion sprouts, pickled herring, liverwurst and pumpernickel with my Grandma.  They are still fun foods to me.  Just today my kids and I were missing Grandpa so we had smoked oysters and saltines for lunch.  Yummy!!!
6. Do you cry easily?

Didn't used to.....but lately I do.  It's a combo of hormonal shifting, circumstances, weather, age...yeah.  So fun...NOT! 
7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it?

I have!  Just barely....I'll hammer hard here though...I like to be done by Thanksgiving.
8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have been down and out with an upper respiratory infection.  I'd been attempting a detox...no sugar, no gluten, no caffeine.  I think it lowered my immune system and made me vulnerable to the most awful thang out there.  I was flattened for a week...and I still have a bothersome cough.  I do have a wonderful husband though.  SOOOO thankful for him and his sweet care of me!

I AM study with a little coffee and dark chocolate...

As I'm beginning my favorite Bible study this year...that would be Bible Study Fellowship by the by...I've been thinking a lot about the I AM THAT I AM.  How God identifies Himself to Moses and His people.  

It made me think back to my first year in BSF when I studied John.  There are seven I AM metaphors, which tell of his saving relationship with the world.  A great reminder at any time...but especially right now...cuz I have a virus and I'm stuck inside... away from my favorite Bible study, my peeps and my babies.

I AM the bread of life....John 6:35, 41, 48, 51

I AM the light of the world...John 8:12

I AM the door of the sheep...John 10:7, 9

I AM the good shepherd...John 10:11, 14

I AM the resurrection and life...John 11:25

I AM the way, and the truth, and the life....John 14:6

I AM the true vine...John 15:1, 5

A dear friend was just lamenting the awfulness of casual christianity to me...the way so so many of our friends are upset when we point to truth in the Bible that contradicts the bestselling drivel they are touting.  Nothing compares to THE WORD...there's nothing plain or vanilla about it.  It's living and active and sharper than any sword.

Percolating Thoughts...

I'm working on...

~Being okay with doing only what God has prepared for me to do in advance...even when that doesn't look like I'm doing much to everyone else...even if other's are disappointed...even if I have to say no to what I want to do more because their are things I have to do.

~Enjoying the simple moments...the lego building, nighttime cheek kissings, chilly bus mornings, and fall time hikes.

~Learning that God is enough...and He loves me.  He chose me and redeemed me...I am HIS!

~Taking care of my self...body and soul...so I can be healthy enough to care for others.

Coffee black

 

Dear believer, 

Do you understand that God may take away your comforts and privileges in order to make you a stronger Christian? 

Do you see why the Lord always trains His soldiers not by allowing them to lie on beds of ease but by calling them to difficult marches and service? He makes them wade through streams, swim across rivers, climb steep mountains, and walk many long marches carrying heavy backpacks of sorrow. This is how He develops soldiers— not by dressing them up in fine uniforms to strut at the gates of the barracks or to appear as handsome gentlemen to those who are strolling through the park. No, God knows that soldiers can only be made in battle and are not developed in times of peace. 

We may be able to grow the raw materials of which soldiers are made, but turning them into true warriors requires the education brought about by the smell of gunpowder and by fighting in the midst of flying bullets and exploding bombs, not by living through pleasant and peaceful times. 

So, dear Christian, could this account for your situation? Is the Lord uncovering your gifts and causing them to grow? Is He developing in you the qualities of a soldier by shoving you into the heat of the battle? Should you not then use every gift and weapon He has given you to become a conqueror? 

~Charles H. Spurgeon