Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Monday, February 04, 2013
Steal my show
This is probably my favorite song right now. Can you imagine if we all had this attitude?
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Lord, Be Glorified: Worship Link Up
Today, I am linking up with Kristi for her weekly Worship Link Up.
I told you that our spring revival services were held last week. Well, one of the songs that really spoke to me was Lord, Be Glorified (I think that is the title because every time I look it up it has different titles and lyrics).
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified!
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.
In Your church Lord, be glorified, be glorified!
In Your church Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.
In my home Lord, be glorified, be glorified!
In my home Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.
In my words Lord, be glorified, be glorified!
In my words Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.
The verse about my home touched my heart. You see, I think sometimes when we are out in public, we can put on a good show. We know that people are watching us and we make sure we are acting all Christian-like.
But it is at home where our mask comes off. That's where real life happens.
Kids don't do what they're told. They fight with each other and tell their mom, "No." The house gets in a mess just as fast as you can clean it up. Dinner plans get scrapped. The pets make messes or noises or chew up your iPad and cell phone cords. You feel unappreciated, tired, and just ready to burst.
At home, we lose are tempers, we yell, we make threats, we roll our eyes or stick out our tongues like children. We act a way that we would never act in public.
That does not glorify God.
He wants us to glorify Him where ever we are. We shouldn't put on a show when we are out. We should show the love of God everywhere, especially at home. Our kids watch us. They know when we put on a show. They know when we are wrong in our actions. It is up to us to set a good example, the true Christian example.
So please join me in making our homes a place that truly glorify the Lord.
Remember, to listen to the video, you must mute the play list at the end of the page.
Thank you, Kristi, for allowing me to link up with you this week.
I told you that our spring revival services were held last week. Well, one of the songs that really spoke to me was Lord, Be Glorified (I think that is the title because every time I look it up it has different titles and lyrics).
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified!
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.
In Your church Lord, be glorified, be glorified!
In Your church Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.
In my home Lord, be glorified, be glorified!
In my home Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.
In my words Lord, be glorified, be glorified!
In my words Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.
The verse about my home touched my heart. You see, I think sometimes when we are out in public, we can put on a good show. We know that people are watching us and we make sure we are acting all Christian-like.
But it is at home where our mask comes off. That's where real life happens.
Kids don't do what they're told. They fight with each other and tell their mom, "No." The house gets in a mess just as fast as you can clean it up. Dinner plans get scrapped. The pets make messes or noises or chew up your iPad and cell phone cords. You feel unappreciated, tired, and just ready to burst.
At home, we lose are tempers, we yell, we make threats, we roll our eyes or stick out our tongues like children. We act a way that we would never act in public.
That does not glorify God.
He wants us to glorify Him where ever we are. We shouldn't put on a show when we are out. We should show the love of God everywhere, especially at home. Our kids watch us. They know when we put on a show. They know when we are wrong in our actions. It is up to us to set a good example, the true Christian example.
So please join me in making our homes a place that truly glorify the Lord.
Remember, to listen to the video, you must mute the play list at the end of the page.
Thank you, Kristi, for allowing me to link up with you this week.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Little Children
This morning, I made this to showcase my kindergarten Sunday school class:
Later, I checked my daily scripture on my cell phone, and it was Matthew 19:14.
Coincidence? I think not.
Jesus loves children. We read about that in scripture and sing about it as well.
Children are precious blessings.
As a mom, God has given me an amazing responsibility. I want to raise my boys to be God fearing men. Christian men of honor who glorify their Father in all they do.
My worst fear???
That I will mess up.
I fear that I will do something that will impact them to the point that they either turn from Him or resent me.
It is hard.
Sometimes I am too hard on my kids. I forget how little they are. When you are with them everyday, you see the potential they have and want them to reach that potential. Then when the do something that goes against everything you've taught them, you just can't believe it. I know, my kids are 9, 5 and almost 2, what could they possibly do? Its the little things, disobedience, smart mouthing, laziness, just not caring about things or not taking pride in certain things. I know that as a parent, I have to pick my battles. Sometimes I realize that too late when an unnecessary battle slaps me in the face showing me I was the one who was at fault, not my kids.
I want my kids to be proud of me, to say that they know I've done my best job. I want them to know that everything I did whether it was the right thing or a mistake, that I did it with love and only the best intentions. I want them to know that I pray for them and want them to be the men God has planned for them.
I think God was trying to remind me that I have to let my kids be little. I have to be more patient and understanding. I have to remember that I am a child too; His child. I mess up and He loves me and punishes me. He wants what is best for me.
Later, I checked my daily scripture on my cell phone, and it was Matthew 19:14.
Coincidence? I think not.
Jesus loves children. We read about that in scripture and sing about it as well.
Children are precious blessings.
As a mom, God has given me an amazing responsibility. I want to raise my boys to be God fearing men. Christian men of honor who glorify their Father in all they do.
My worst fear???
That I will mess up.
I fear that I will do something that will impact them to the point that they either turn from Him or resent me.
It is hard.
Sometimes I am too hard on my kids. I forget how little they are. When you are with them everyday, you see the potential they have and want them to reach that potential. Then when the do something that goes against everything you've taught them, you just can't believe it. I know, my kids are 9, 5 and almost 2, what could they possibly do? Its the little things, disobedience, smart mouthing, laziness, just not caring about things or not taking pride in certain things. I know that as a parent, I have to pick my battles. Sometimes I realize that too late when an unnecessary battle slaps me in the face showing me I was the one who was at fault, not my kids.
I want my kids to be proud of me, to say that they know I've done my best job. I want them to know that everything I did whether it was the right thing or a mistake, that I did it with love and only the best intentions. I want them to know that I pray for them and want them to be the men God has planned for them.
I think God was trying to remind me that I have to let my kids be little. I have to be more patient and understanding. I have to remember that I am a child too; His child. I mess up and He loves me and punishes me. He wants what is best for me.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Why would God become a man?
I got this as an email today and wanted to share it.
There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to
let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like
Christmas.
His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have
faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy
Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve
service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come,
but he refused. "That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower
Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the
children left, and he stayed home.
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a
blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding
snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he
heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window.
Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet.
When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have
been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of
wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they
got caught in the snowstorm and could not go on. They were lost and
stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their
wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A
couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would
be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It is warm and safe;
surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked
over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited,
hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just
fluttered around aimlessly and did not seem to notice the barn or realize
what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but
that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into
the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread
crumbs trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was
getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the
barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction
except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn
where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!" he
exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive
the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't
follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he
said out loud.
Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and
carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild
geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight
into the barn-and one by one the other geese followed it to safety. He
stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes
earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save
them! Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why
would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!" Suddenly it all made
sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese - blind, lost,
perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and
save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized. As the winds and
blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful
thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ
had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm.
He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank You,
God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"
There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to
let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like
Christmas.
His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have
faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy
Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve
service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come,
but he refused. "That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower
Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the
children left, and he stayed home.
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a
blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding
snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he
heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window.
Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet.
When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have
been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of
wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they
got caught in the snowstorm and could not go on. They were lost and
stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their
wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A
couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would
be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It is warm and safe;
surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked
over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited,
hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just
fluttered around aimlessly and did not seem to notice the barn or realize
what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but
that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into
the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread
crumbs trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was
getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the
barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction
except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn
where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!" he
exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive
the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't
follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he
said out loud.
Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and
carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild
geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight
into the barn-and one by one the other geese followed it to safety. He
stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes
earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save
them! Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why
would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!" Suddenly it all made
sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese - blind, lost,
perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and
save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized. As the winds and
blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful
thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ
had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm.
He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank You,
God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"
Saturday, September 12, 2009
How Great is Our God
My family appreciates the prayers you've sent up to our Heavenly Father for my cousin Jason. HE IS HOME! Although he has experienced some complications due to all he has been through, Jason is doing quite well. God still performs miracles, and He is the Great Physician!
You may remember when I had asked you to pray for my cousin Patrick, his wife Melissa, and their unborn baby girl. Melissa recently gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Isabella Faith, and they are both doing well.
It is amazing that with the advances in technology and medicine, that some doctor's give up hope on the sick. Yet, our Lord works miracles and heals. What He has done in the lives of my cousins is proof.
A little while ago, I went into the bedroom to find some clothes hangers. I always have to have the TV on something good while I'm digging throught the closet so I started flipping through the channels. I saw Chris Tomlin's name appear on the screen so I stopped. He started singing How Great is Our God (song 29 on the playlist below). As I sang along with him and the thousands of other people at the Harvest Crusade in California, I began to think how great God really is.
I look back at my life and the miracles God has performed in my life, the ways He has watched over me, protected me, guided me, and loved me. He has blessed me in so many ways. I can see where He has had His hand on my life. I see how He placed people in my life for a reason: those that prayed for me and those that challenged me, those that tore me down and those that picked me up.
When I first become a Christian, I would compare myself to others. I wanted to be that type of mom or that type of woman. I would feel inadequate, but I soon came to realize that the best I could be was me. I wasn't these other Christian women that I was coming to know. I wasn't supposed to be like them. I was supposed to love like Jesus loved. That's what God wanted for me. He placed those women in my life to teach me, to fellowship with me, to encourage me and for me to do those things for them and others as well.
You know, I am not perfect (shocker, uh), but the One who is perfect is in control of my life. Why should I allow fear and worry to rule my heart? Whatever He puts before me, I know He will be with me. I can count on God. He has never let me down and I know He never will.
The best decision I ever made was to open my heart to Jesus Christ. I'll never forget that day. I know God had His hand on my actions that day, but I also know that ultimately, it was my decision. God calls us, but we don't always respond.
How Great is Our God that He did not give up on me when I didn't answer His call in a revival.
How Great is Our God that He gave me another chance; He sent Dr. Copass to Calvary Baptist Church to walk me through the sinners prayer.
How Great is Our God that He sent His son Jesus Christ to come to earth, humble himself, die for my sins, and rise 3 days later defeating death.
How Great is Our God that He has prepared a place in heaven for me.
How Great is Our God that I can always depend on His love, comfort, and peace regardless of what is placed before me.
How Great is Our God!
Can you say that?
If not, I pray that you would come to know Him, that you would search out His will for your life.
I pray that you would be able to sing with me, HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!
You may remember when I had asked you to pray for my cousin Patrick, his wife Melissa, and their unborn baby girl. Melissa recently gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Isabella Faith, and they are both doing well.
It is amazing that with the advances in technology and medicine, that some doctor's give up hope on the sick. Yet, our Lord works miracles and heals. What He has done in the lives of my cousins is proof.
A little while ago, I went into the bedroom to find some clothes hangers. I always have to have the TV on something good while I'm digging throught the closet so I started flipping through the channels. I saw Chris Tomlin's name appear on the screen so I stopped. He started singing How Great is Our God (song 29 on the playlist below). As I sang along with him and the thousands of other people at the Harvest Crusade in California, I began to think how great God really is.
I look back at my life and the miracles God has performed in my life, the ways He has watched over me, protected me, guided me, and loved me. He has blessed me in so many ways. I can see where He has had His hand on my life. I see how He placed people in my life for a reason: those that prayed for me and those that challenged me, those that tore me down and those that picked me up.
When I first become a Christian, I would compare myself to others. I wanted to be that type of mom or that type of woman. I would feel inadequate, but I soon came to realize that the best I could be was me. I wasn't these other Christian women that I was coming to know. I wasn't supposed to be like them. I was supposed to love like Jesus loved. That's what God wanted for me. He placed those women in my life to teach me, to fellowship with me, to encourage me and for me to do those things for them and others as well.
You know, I am not perfect (shocker, uh), but the One who is perfect is in control of my life. Why should I allow fear and worry to rule my heart? Whatever He puts before me, I know He will be with me. I can count on God. He has never let me down and I know He never will.
The best decision I ever made was to open my heart to Jesus Christ. I'll never forget that day. I know God had His hand on my actions that day, but I also know that ultimately, it was my decision. God calls us, but we don't always respond.
How Great is Our God that He did not give up on me when I didn't answer His call in a revival.
How Great is Our God that He gave me another chance; He sent Dr. Copass to Calvary Baptist Church to walk me through the sinners prayer.
How Great is Our God that He sent His son Jesus Christ to come to earth, humble himself, die for my sins, and rise 3 days later defeating death.
How Great is Our God that He has prepared a place in heaven for me.
How Great is Our God that I can always depend on His love, comfort, and peace regardless of what is placed before me.
How Great is Our God!
Can you say that?
If not, I pray that you would come to know Him, that you would search out His will for your life.
I pray that you would be able to sing with me, HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Just Do It
There is a sign at the First Baptist Church where Carson goes to daycare that reads, "Time is precious; spend it wisely."
So my question to you is.....
What are you waiting for?
Are you waiting for all the bills to be paid off?
Are you waiting for the kids to get older?
Are you waiting for......?
This list could go on.
If there is one thing I've learned, it is that life is short and you need to enjoy it. God blesses you each day that you wake up. He has blessed you with Creation. He has blessed you with your health, your job, your friends, your family. Look around at all that you have.
So many people walk around with a frown. They won't spend a dime on a piece of Key Lime pie for dessert at a restaurant. They won't swallow their pride and say, "I'm sorry."
We weren't made to live with regrets. When I come to the end of my life, I want to know that I did everything I could to leave a legacy. A legacy with my family, my friends, my church, strangers who never knew me personally. I want my family and friends to know the real me, not the afraid to show my real self me. I want to know that I took advantage of every opportunity that God placed before me to make a difference.
We get one chance at life here on this earth. We should do something with it. Allowing God to be the center of our lives will ensure that we have hope and have left a legacy of hope with others.
Please don't waste your time with things that don't matter. Glenda reminds us each Sunday to lay up our treasures in heaven. Make a difference in someone's life today. If you haven't opened your heart to Jesus, that is the first thing to do. Then decide to live out His will in your life. You'll be a new person and those around you will want that for themselves.
So my question to you is.....
What are you waiting for?
Are you waiting for all the bills to be paid off?
Are you waiting for the kids to get older?
Are you waiting for......?
This list could go on.
If there is one thing I've learned, it is that life is short and you need to enjoy it. God blesses you each day that you wake up. He has blessed you with Creation. He has blessed you with your health, your job, your friends, your family. Look around at all that you have.
So many people walk around with a frown. They won't spend a dime on a piece of Key Lime pie for dessert at a restaurant. They won't swallow their pride and say, "I'm sorry."
We weren't made to live with regrets. When I come to the end of my life, I want to know that I did everything I could to leave a legacy. A legacy with my family, my friends, my church, strangers who never knew me personally. I want my family and friends to know the real me, not the afraid to show my real self me. I want to know that I took advantage of every opportunity that God placed before me to make a difference.
We get one chance at life here on this earth. We should do something with it. Allowing God to be the center of our lives will ensure that we have hope and have left a legacy of hope with others.
Please don't waste your time with things that don't matter. Glenda reminds us each Sunday to lay up our treasures in heaven. Make a difference in someone's life today. If you haven't opened your heart to Jesus, that is the first thing to do. Then decide to live out His will in your life. You'll be a new person and those around you will want that for themselves.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Shack
Several weeks ago after one of our Esther meetings, Hilarie and I sat planning the kids' birthday party when the phone rang. It was our pastor, Dr. Copass. Before getting to the purpose of his call, he asked if I had ever read The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. I answered that I hadn't and he said he had a copy floating around and thought I should read it. The next Monday, my friend Lesley asked me during our planning if I had ever read it. I laughed, "No, but I guess I'm going to!" She was a little shocked at my reaction, so I had to explain to her about my phone call the week before. Lesley brought me her copy and I started reading it while on spring break. I've been working on it for 2 weeks and finally finished it after getting home from church today.
Dr. Copass and Lesley had both reminded me to keep an open mind and to remember the book was fiction. So, I did, and I embarked on an incredible journey.
After reading this book and allowing God to speak to me through it, I've come to better understand that I need to open my eyes and heart to Him in everything I do. Whether I am sitting here blogging, playing with my children, teaching my students, or cleaning my house, God is right there with me. If I listen and watch and have a receptive heart, I will hear Him and I will see Him, I will feel Him and I will know Him. God will reveal Himself to me through my children, Creation, my everyday surroundings. He will reveal Himself to me in a way that He sees fit, in a way that I need. I just have to be open to that. I feel like so many times, I want to feel God close to me or to be able to hear Him, but I don't stop to take it all in, to see if maybe He is and its me that isn't doing my part.
From reading the book, I was reminded that I am not to pass judgement. That whatever has caused me to be bitter or angry, I must hand it over to my Father. I have to remind myself to LET GO AND LET GOD. Sometimes that is so hard to do. Even harder is to forgive. Mack, the guy in the book, had to forgive himself, his father, and the evil man who murdered his daughter. Papa (God in the book) told him that when he was able to forgive, he was handing it all over to Him, allowing Him to be in judgment over what was controlling him. If we really stop to think about it, becoming bitter and allowing that bitterness and unforgiving spirit to control our thoughts and moves is so unhealthy. We are allowing whatever caused that pain to control us. But if we hand it over to God, we can release that pain to him and regain control of our lives.
We all have our own shack. Sometime in our lives, no matter how painful, we must revisit that shack. We have to pour ourselves out and give it to God.
Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding." Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us." We are not always going to understand our circumstances or why things happen. We do have to know that God will work all things for good for those that love and fear Him.
So, if you get the chance, read The Shack, then come back and leave me a comment. Let me know what you think. Let me know how God spoke to you.
Dr. Copass and Lesley had both reminded me to keep an open mind and to remember the book was fiction. So, I did, and I embarked on an incredible journey.
After reading this book and allowing God to speak to me through it, I've come to better understand that I need to open my eyes and heart to Him in everything I do. Whether I am sitting here blogging, playing with my children, teaching my students, or cleaning my house, God is right there with me. If I listen and watch and have a receptive heart, I will hear Him and I will see Him, I will feel Him and I will know Him. God will reveal Himself to me through my children, Creation, my everyday surroundings. He will reveal Himself to me in a way that He sees fit, in a way that I need. I just have to be open to that. I feel like so many times, I want to feel God close to me or to be able to hear Him, but I don't stop to take it all in, to see if maybe He is and its me that isn't doing my part.
From reading the book, I was reminded that I am not to pass judgement. That whatever has caused me to be bitter or angry, I must hand it over to my Father. I have to remind myself to LET GO AND LET GOD. Sometimes that is so hard to do. Even harder is to forgive. Mack, the guy in the book, had to forgive himself, his father, and the evil man who murdered his daughter. Papa (God in the book) told him that when he was able to forgive, he was handing it all over to Him, allowing Him to be in judgment over what was controlling him. If we really stop to think about it, becoming bitter and allowing that bitterness and unforgiving spirit to control our thoughts and moves is so unhealthy. We are allowing whatever caused that pain to control us. But if we hand it over to God, we can release that pain to him and regain control of our lives.
We all have our own shack. Sometime in our lives, no matter how painful, we must revisit that shack. We have to pour ourselves out and give it to God.
Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding." Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us." We are not always going to understand our circumstances or why things happen. We do have to know that God will work all things for good for those that love and fear Him.
So, if you get the chance, read The Shack, then come back and leave me a comment. Let me know what you think. Let me know how God spoke to you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)