Better is One Day

I am finding that through my relationship with Christ...just two months with him is better than almost 33 years without. I am not saying I haven't "tried" to be a Christian in 33 years...but I haven't given it my all. I haven't given it the very best that I could.

In the last couple of months...things are changing. My perspective. My drive. My outlook. My relationships. My attitude. My gratitude. My grace. My understanding. My patience. Are they all perfect...uhmmmm NO. But are they better? Yep. I am sure of it.

One of my favorite praise band songs...back up...I used to sing in our church praise band. LOVED IT. God blessed us unexpectedly with our little man Brady and that came to a screeching halt...moving forward...one of my favorite songs was Better is One Day. Yep...you guessed it. Already added it to the playlist. Little did I know when I was singing it, that it came from scripture. You see...I know very little about the bible. I am learning...but, up to this point...I knew very little. In fact, most of the songs that I LOVE LOVE LOVE...come from scripture! Which comes from God...ooooo...I love where this is going.

Psalms 84:1

How lovely is your dwelling place
O Lord Almighty
My soul yearns, even faints for you
for in the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God

The song...

How lovely is your dwelling place
O Lord Almighty
for my soul wants and even faints for you
Oh, here my heart
Is satisfied within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of
Your wings

Better is one day in your courts
Better is one day in your house
Better is one day in your courts than
thousands elsewhere


Okay Lord...I give you my one day. And then I'll give you the next. Because I love what you are doing in my life. I love what you are doing in my husband's life. I love what you are doing for my family and friends...and for complete strangers. AND I LOVE YOU LORD. I believe that one day in your house is better than a thousand elsewhere...just one day. Give him one day.

My heart and flesh cry out
To You, the Living God
Your Spirit's water to my soul
I've tasted, and I've seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You
To You

Better is one day...just one.


Have a blessed Sunday!
Amy

The Runaway

When I was little...I mean pigtails little...I would get angry about things and quite often "run away". I started this mean and ugly trick when I was about 4. I would get angry or upset about really important stuff. For instance...Chele's birthday would come in Sept. and I'd have to wait til Nov. THE NERVE of my parents to not make our birthdays at the same time so that I could get presents too...but to make matter worse, Chele had long hair and my Mom cut mine very short. After we washed our hair, Chele would get to go swing on the swing set to dry her long, beautiful hair and I would have to stand under the hair dryer with Mom rolling my pixie cut...AND THEN Chele would beat me to the front seat...always. You see what I mean? Clearly, Mom and Dad liked her better. I had to do something. I had to make a point. I had to get their attention.

I AM RUNNING AWAY.

That will teach them. I yelled the words and waited for the tears. I had it all worked out in my head. They'd cry and beg me not to leave. They'd fall to their knees telling me how much they loved me and how sorry they were to have Chele first! Yep...it was a fool proof plan.

But that didn't happen.

My Mom calmly said..."Ok honey. If that is what you think is best, I'll help you pack a bag." WHAT? You'll help me pack a bag? Are you serious? I remember telling her I'd pack my own bag...and off to my room I went. I packed Ethel and Lou...my cabbage patch kids...my special pooh bear blanket...a couple of pairs of underwear...some socks and a jacket. As I walked out to the front door, Mom handed me a brown paper sack. In it was a sandwich, some chips and a banana. "I thought you might get hungry while you're away", she said. And the last thing I remember...she said,

"you know you are always welcome to come back and live here, but you will live by our rules. We love you."

AND THEN SHE SHUT THE DOOR. There I was on the porch...alone...with Ethel and Lou and a banana. Because I am stubborn, I sat out there long enough to eat the lunch and then I knocked on the door. I cried and asked if I could come back in. And then...I was not only invited in, but sent to my room for the rest of the day for the "little stunt I pulled". (Mom's exact words)

The other day Brady told me he wanted a new Mom. Ouch. He hasn't pulled the runaway card yet, but I fully expect it from that one. It hurt to hear him say it...but I finally knew what it felt like to hear the words I used to yell at my parents...about twice a week.

And it got me thinking...I don't always say those words to God...but I am a runaway for sure. When things get tough, I run the other way. I say mean things and turn my back. And I can hear him saying the same things that my Mom told me...

You are welcome to come back and live here, but you will live by my rules...because I love you.

The rules of being a Christian are not always easy to live by...but are so rewarding. I won't be trading my God in for a new one anytime soon...and I think I'll try to stay with him when times get tough. Running away never got me very far from my problems and tended to create bigger ones at that. But when I knocked on the door to say I was sorry...they always let me back in.

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Have a blessed Saturday!
Amy

I know that I know that I know

Today I am amazed at his wonder. I have a friend who had a baby yesterday. He was born last night...not sure of the time...but is simply wonderful. Bringing him into this world was no easy task either. But none the less, he is here. And we love him.

As I sat here and wondered what I would write about today, I decided that children would be a good topic. The way they are brought about. The way that they grow. The way that they turn into little people before our very eyes...amazing.

But even more amazing is how they love God. Brady is 3 years old...and already he loves God. He loves him with a love that could only come from a child. Innocently...truly. He doesn't understand the story of creation...or the birth of Jesus. He can't comprehend what happend when the rain came down for forty days or how the seas parted, or how Jesus died on the cross for him...but he loves him. He loves him No Questions Asked. He loves him all day everyday.

I struggle with the No Questions Asked part. Things happen every single day where I just want to throw my hands up and say..."WHY?" or "How could you let that happen?" I stomp my feet and throw fits sometimes wondering why he does the things he does. Thankfully, my boys don't seem to blame God for things that are out of their control. Their minds don't work like that...yet.

As adults, I think we tend to question God far too much. We try to plan our lives so that everything works out according to our plan. When we stray from the plan, we turn on him, knowing that he is behind the detour. We have to learn to trust him like children. Knowing that when we are on a path...it is for a purpose. HIS purpose.

One of the songs we used to sing when I was younger is called Trust in the Lord.
Trust in the Lord
Lean not on your own understanding
Let all of your ways acknowledge him
And he'll make your path straight

which JUST so happens to go hand in hand with this verse...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Children tend to lean on God. They tend to put all of their faith in him...without question. They believe...just believe in him. Pastor Rick says, "I know that I know that I know." They just know...that he is God and that is enough. Let's try to be more childlike in our faith, knowing that just knowing...is enough.

Have a great Friday!
Amy

ps~Congratulations Craig, Trista and Sweet Baby Kane...I love you all!

Strong Tower

The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10

Storm season is quickly approaching. Tornadoes are NO JOKE when you live in Kansas. I used to be fascinated by the storms...the clouds, the movement, the excitement. Not so much anymore. When life was all about me, I didn't have the respect for storms that I needed. Now that life is about the loves in my life, I take on a different approach to stormy weather. I am in the business of protecting my most precious "assets". I used to stand out on the back porch with my Dad watching the clouds swirl, while my Mom and sister prayed in a closet in the basement. (They have a true fear of storms) Mom would yell at me until I was forced by Dad to come and join them. He would eventually pull himself from the storm watching and join us in the closet for shelter. I always figured...when Dad gets scared, I'll be scared. He was so strong. He was so protective. I just knew that until he was truly frightened, I wouldn't get too upset. Don't get me wrong...he respects the storms. He likes watching them...but always knew when it is time to turn and take shelter.


Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Psalms 31: 2

A fortress is defined as a place of exceptional security; a stronghold
A stronghold is defined as a place or means of protection or refuge

The song that comes to mind today is Strong Tower by Kutless. (added to the playlist)
The words for this song really connect the dots between all of these verses and definitions...

You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I see

During storm season, we need to seek shelter from the storm. During life, we need to seek shelter from Satan. He is there. He is waiting. He is tempting. He is swirling around our lives like the storm clouds just waiting to destroy our homes. If you take shelter in Christ...allow him to be your strong tower...your refuge...your stronghold...your safe place...you will be safe from the storm...no doubt. Have a good day!
Amy

Thirsty

Come to the water you who thirst and you'll thirst no more
Come to the Father you who work and you'll work no more


John 7:37

On the last day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.

Come to the water, you who thirst and you'll thirst no more.

Have you ever been so thirsty that you could hardly stand it? I like Diet Coke. I like it a lot. I used to drink it all of the time. I am slowly weaning myself from drinking so much pop...but I have what some like to call a "small addiction" to pop. I have for as long as I can remember LOVED pop. Stay with me...there is a point.

There are moments when all I can think about is how good a big diet coke will taste. I will spend the day slaving over laundry (ha) and cleaning the house (ha ha) and eventually I get thirsty. All I can think about is that carbonated dream in a 32 oz cup that will make me not thirsty anymore. The other day, I needed to go to the grocery store. I gathered my coupons and list and headed off that way. But on the way there, I decided I was thirsty. I stopped for what Chele (sister) and I like to refer to as a "BIG POP" at the gas station. As I shopped, I drank. I was there probably 30 minutes and drained that thing. One problem.

I was still thirsty.

Sometimes I think that faith can be like that. We thirst for his knowledge. We thirst for his love. We look in all the wrong places and drink anything but the "water". In the end, we are still thirsty. The bible says it so clearly...so simply...

Isaiah 55:1

Come all who are thirsty, come to the waters.

He offers us love. He offers us forgiveness. He offers us salvation...eternal life. Just hearing the words makes me thirsty. If you are looking for something to quench that thirst...that longing...Love is Here. Christ's love is here and readily available for anyone who comes to him.

This does not mean you cannot drink Diet Coke. (Thank goodness) It just means that in order to truly quench your thirst...you need the water. Have a great day!

Amy

ps~ I added the song Love Is Here by Tenth Avenue North to the playlist for today. Such a great song...anyway, I also changed the order of the playlist so you could hear the songs I have added recently first.

Everyday Deserves a Chance

This morning, I decided to start a new devotional. It is another Max Lucado book called Everyday Deserves a chance. The devotion today talked about being grateful for every day. Not just every day, but every minute of every day. Every activity...every thought.

It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance, but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

Luke 17:11-13

Max Lucado goes onto describe the horrible nature of lepers appearance. They were awful to look at and they sounded almost as bad as they looked. Most people turned their backs on these people...but not Jesus. He had compassion.

The definition of compassion in my bible is~loving sympathy; empathy

The word love is defined as~strong affection, desire or devotion.

The kind of love that Christ shares we talked about a few weeks back...agape~ meaning unconditional, unearned

Jesus did not turn his back on the lepers when everyone else did because he had compassion. He had sympathy that came out of love. He had a love for those men that no one else could find it in their heart to posses.

"Go and show yourselves to the priests.' They went, and while still on their way, they became clean."

Luke 17:14

When one of them saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus, praising God in a loud voice. Then he bowed down at Jesus' feet and thanked him. (And this man was a Samaritan.) Jesus said, "Weren't there ten men healed? Where are the other nine? Is this Samaritan the only one who came back to thank God?"

Luke 17: 15-18

It is important to have a grateful heart everyday. Jesus healed these men and they were so wrapped up in his Glory that they forgot to thank him.

Yesterday I was a little bummed it was Monday...I don't really like Mondays. The weekends are so great having Coach and the boys at home. But Monday came and went. Instead of complaining, I should have been thanking God for blessing me with that day and all it brought forth. All in all, it was a pretty great day. Now on to Tuesday. Grateful. Today, be grateful for the good, the bad and even the ugly. And Heaven knows there can be ugly. Embrace it and be sure to say thanks.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to see your compassion through the bad times.

Amy

You are God and I am Not

You are God and I am not. Pastor Rick said these very words yesterday in our JAM service and it struck a chord. Don't get me wrong...I heard everything else, but how powerful is that statement?

You are God and I am not.

I am amazed sometimes by his intervention in our lives. Just yesterday, I woke up wondering what I might write about on this blog. As I said in the blog, I kept hearing the song in my head...How Great Thou Art.

I typed and I typed...wondering...where is this going? I have no idea if this is even going to make sense. As I finished and clicked the "publish post" button my thoughts went directly to him.

I trust you God.

I told Coach a little about what I wrote about and said..."I am not sure it will be very good today." I am sure God was thinking...

I am God and you are not. I wrote those words on your heart.

We went to JAM and my blog went hand in hand with Pastor Rick's message. I was amazed. My jaw dropped over and over at the "irony" of it all. And then I heard the words...

You are God and I am not.

Suddenly, I remembered who is doing all of this. It isn't me. It isn't about me. It isn't about what others think of me. It is about HIM. He is God. He is Awesome. He is powerful. He is amazing. He is God alone.

Today as I humble myself to what the Lord is doing in my life, I will remember who is in control of my life...and I will give him credit. I will remember which one of us is in need of guidance, direction and life.

I am adding a song to the playlist called...You are God Alone by Phillips Craig and Dean. It says...

You are not a God created by human hands
You are not a God dependent on mortal man
You are not a God in need of anything we can give
By your plan, that's just the way it is

Have a great day!
Amy

How Great is our God

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

How Great Thou Art


When I woke up this morning, I heard this song in my head. Since I have been introduced to contemporary Christian music, I don't listen to hymns very much anymore. There are some I don't miss at all...and then there are some that I loved so much as a child. I am a firm believer that God puts things in my head that he wants me to hear, think about, and accomplish. I am trying more and more to give him credit for my thoughts...he is after all the maker of the universe. Is it so unlikely that he could come up with my thoughts? Probably not. Especially since he lives in my heart. I was thinking with this song, that maybe I need to tell HIM more how great I think he is. I get so sidetracked sometimes with my prayer requests that I forget to say...How Great thou Art! And after what the Lord has done in me these past couple of months...I at least should tell him that!

The splendor of a King,
clothed in majesty~ Let all the earth rejoice,
all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
and darkness tries to hide
it trembles at his voice, trembles at his voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great How great is our God

How Great is our God

This is one of my favorite (yes I have a lot of favs) contemporary Christian songs. How great is our God? Don't you just wish you had the courage to say that to people? When something goes right in their lives? "How great is our God?" Would they look at you funny? They might. Would they think you were a bible beater? possibly...but here is where we need to be...Do we care? Is it about them? Is it about what they think? Nope. Not anymore. As this change comes within us...his love for them will be visible on the outside. And their reaction might surprise you. They might look at you and say..."he is pretty great!" Yep he is pretty great! Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the change within me that I forget to tell others how great he is. And I WANT THEM TO KNOW HE IS AWESOME! I want them to feel what I feel.

Today if you are going to church or to worship somewhere...tell him how great you think he is. And don't hesitate to let others know that the change they are seeing comes from him. Everyone should know how Great our God is...don't you think?

Have a blessed day!
Amy

We did it

Well we did it. Today is day 30 of my Just like Jesus devotional. I realize this is more than day 30 of the blog...but sometimes my thoughts get in the way of finishing the task. BUT...we did it! We finished a devotional from cover to cover! I am so excited because I don't know that I have ever finished something so important before. Woo Hoo!

Okay about today's devotion...it is called The Heart Jesus Enters. As I was reading, a song came to mind. (Already added it to the playlist...please listen if you have time)

Hungry I come to you for I know you satisfy
I am empty but I know your love does not run dry
So I wait....for you
So I wait....FOR YOU

I'm falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus you're all this heart is living for

Yesterday's verse was Hebrews 11:6

God.....rewards those who earnestly seek him (NIV)

Max Lucado gives another bible translation

He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (King James Version)

Diligently-what a great word. Be diligent in your search. Be hungry in your quest, relentless in your pilgrimage. Let this book be one of dozens you read about Jesus and this hour be one of hundreds in which you seek him. Step away from the puny pursuits of possessions and postions and seek your King. Max Lucado~Just Like Jesus

WOW

Let this hour be one of hundreds in which you seek him. Let the last 30 days be the beginning baby steps on our journey. Don't stop here. Don't stop now. I hear you Lord. I am hungry for more. I want to learn more. I want to be like HIM more. Are you with me?

"And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him"

I'm falling on my knees
Offering ALL OF ME
Jesus..you're all this heart is living for

Have an Awesome weekend!

We will never be the same

If you are reading this blog, you probably hear the first song on the playlist daily. I added that song the day I started the blog simply because I love it. I love the words. I love the meaning. I love the group. Just all around love it. But as I have listened and listened to it more, I have come to truly feel the lyrics.



You came here for redemption of us all

That we may live for the Glory of it all..the glory of it all



As Easter approaches...the words take on a whole new meaning. He came here. God sent him here. To do what? To save us. It seems like a simple concept. He came here. He did good works here on the earth. He was doubted. He was mocked. He was put to death. Three days later he rose from the dead. He came here for redemption of us all that we may live for the Glory of it all.



What does that mean? The Glory of it all? I have an idea.



Glory...to give honor or praise



He...God...made the Heavens and the Earth. He made the sun, the moon and the stars. He made us. He is the maker of the world...and we are to give him honor and praise. We are to honor him for his accomplishments. We are to praise him for his majesty. We are to thank him for the gift of salvation. We are to love him and to show his love to others. He came here to redeem our souls.



Redeem....to buy back, to repurchase, to rescue.



He sent his only son to rescue us from the world. A world where bad things happen to good people.



There are times in my life that I can remember thinking the words that are in this son...we will never be the same. There are people in my life that I have met that I have walked away from thinking...I will never be the same. And I am forever thankful. Accept Christ into your heart and see the world through his eyes. You will never be the same. I promise.

Reflection

What do you see when you look in the mirror first thing in the morning? What do you see when you look in the mirror before bed at night? Are you happy with what you see? (Uhm...no. Not always.) I am not talking about the pretty hair that comes with getting out of bed. Or the bloodshot eyes that come with a tiring day. Look beyond the physical...what do you see?

For the past(almost) two months, we have been on this journey. I don't know about all of you, but I am learning. And I am loving it. What I see in the mirror is changing. I see it, others hopefully see it, and God sees it. It is not easy. But being a good, solid follower of Christ isn't easy. It is fulfilling beyond measure...but not easy.

The devotion today talks about truly seeing Jesus. When he was born, the shepherds saw the star in the sky...but it wasn't enough. They needed to see Jesus. The same thing happened with the Kings. They saw the star, but they needed to see Jesus. And they did. They made the journey to see the King.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

God......rewards those who truly want to find him.

So where can the spirit of Jesus be found? How can we help others see what we have already begun to see?

The spirit of Jesus is found in the word. And I am learning all kinds of things through listening...and reading...and seeing what he is doing in my life. The spirit can also be found within us. And we have a responsibility to pass it on.

Go back and look again at your reflection. Look deep into your eyes...is the change there? Can you see him? Because that is where others will look. If you are reading this today, you are changing. If you are changing from the inside out...others will see it too. They will see the change that is HIM in you.

This change is not temporary. It is everlasting. Be a reflection of Jesus today. Be a reflection of Jesus everyday. You may be the only bible someone reads...show them Jesus through you.

Today's song is called From the Inside Out and I believe it is by Hillsong. I love the words. I just added it to the playlist so please listen if you have time. Love this song...

In my heart and my soul. I give you control. Consume me from the inside out.
Let justice and praise, become my embrace.
To love you from the inside out.

Everlasting. Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending. Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise
From the inside out, oh my soul cries out.

Everlasting. Never ending. I give you control. Consume me.
Today I am yours Lord. Let others see you in my reflection.
Amen

Amy

Everybody clean up the house!

When Brett was little, his favorite show was Bear in the Big Blue House. They had a song on that show called Clean up the house. It was so cute and catchy...and it made him want to "help" me clean up the house. I say "help" because when Brett was little...I was very different than I am now. Things had their own place. Cars went in one basket...blocks in another. Trains in one tub...tracks in another. When Brett helped, I would re-do his portion of the cleaning to satisfy my crazy craving to have a "perfect house". My how things have changed.

Friday night, I am hosting a Southern Living at Home party. If you aren't doing anything, come on by! I would love to have you. However, do not come expecting a clean...super clean house. I was just sitting here thinking of all the things I have to do before all of my dear friends come over. The list is endless. So, I'll probably do what I always do. I will clean the bathroom, run the sweeper and take everything from my kitchen counter, throw it into any available laundry basket, and set it on the washer. I will close the laundry room door and pray that no one opens it. My sister will open it. No doubt. She always does...and then she says something like..."I see you cleaned today." ha ha.

I was thinking about the similarities in my "cleaning" method and my life with Christ. Sometimes, it seems like when I am around people, I try to clean up my life. I straighten and tidy...but there are still things I am hiding in my laundry room. Rather than dealing with the skeletons in my closet, I hide them and hope that no one ever finds them. What I am beginning to realize is that I can't hide those things from God. He has super man x-ray vision. He can see through my laundry room door. He knows. Oh how he knows. I am learning that avoiding those skeletons doesn't make me the Christian that I should be. Rather than a quick straightening of my life, I need a deep clean. I need Christ to help me with this process...and I am learning that all I have to do is ask.

Shortly after Tanner was born, I asked Coach if he liked him. He assumed all responsibility for Brett after Tanner came into this world. I was feeding, changing, rocking, bathing...you name it...with our new baby, and he was preoccupied with our 2 year old. After I asked him if he liked Tanner, he said, "why would you think that?" Of course, I calmly responded..."because you don't help me with him." Coach told me something I have never forgotten.

All you have to do is ask.

My point...Christ is there for us. He is there to help us pick up the pieces...he is there to help us find the right path...he is there to help us deep clean our lives. He is there. Ever present. All we have to do is ask. Ask for him to come into our hearts and make our lives pure. Ask for forgiveness. Ask for salvation. Just ask.

So, for my party...maybe I'll start earlier. Maybe I'll really get things put away, cleaned and straightened. Maybe I'll have everything ready and won't stress about my guests coming over. Or...maybe not. Who knows. But I know that I will be recruiting God to help me with the closets...for sure.

Have a blessed day!
Amy

Running

When people used to ask me if I ever ran...I'd reply with..."Only if someone is chasing me." And that was the truth. I am not a runner. I have tried jogging. I have tried walk~jogging. I have tried full out running. (I didn't get very far with that one, but I tried.) So, I found it quite interesting that in today's devotion...it was all about running the race.

Hebrews 12:1

Let us run the race that is before us and never give up.

Never? Oh great. When I tried running, I got MAYBE two houses down...and gave up. This could be tricky. Thank goodness God's race has absolutely nothing to do with actual running.

The word race is from the Greek word agon, meaning AGONY. (Can I get an Amen?) Max Lucado goes on to say that the Christian race is not a jog, but rather a demanding and grueling, sometimes agonizing race. It takes massive effort to finish strong.

The book talks about how many people start the race but with time, fall off the path. They still come to church and make their offering, but their heart is no longer in the race. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we are so full of life from that decision. I would imagine (since I have never actually ran a race) that at the beginning, you feel refreshed and ready. You might even start out on a pace that might be hard to keep throughout the race. And then as times get tough, we tend to slow down, or even stop all together. We quit. We give up. (Coach is not a big fan of quitters...yikes) Jesus was not a quitter. The book gives the example of Jesus being tempted by the devil for 40 days. Can you imagine being tempted for 40 straight days? I am afraid I might give up. But Jesus did not. He stayed in there and he fought the fight...he finished. He also finished the race while others doubted him. Coach knows that I am a woman that needs a lot of encouragement. I have just recently started working out in hopes to train for a race myself. Go ahead...laugh. Get it all out. I have a long way to go before I reach my "next to impossible" goal...but coach is helping me. He knows that everyday he has to encourage me. This is not necessarily his way of coaching, but he knows to get me to my goal I need to hear his "kind" words. Jesus was doubted through this race. His followers turned on him...doubted him...yet he finished.

Jesus didn't quit running. Temptations didn't deter him. Accusations didn't defeat him. Nor did shame dishearten him.

Hebrews 12:2

Jesus...accepted the shame as if it were nothing.
Max Lucado~Just Like Jesus

Shame. Disgrace. Embarrassment. I know those feelings. I know there are moments in this life that I am not proud of. Moments I'd like to keep private. Moments I'd like to forget.

How did Jesus finish the race? How did he face everyone with shame that he did nothing to earn?
Because he knew the ending. He knew that he would cross that finish line and it would be worth the pain. Purpose through pain.

I am not a runner. I am not a runner. I am not a runner...YET. I am in training. I am in training everyday as I write this blog. I am in training to finish this race with dignity and pride. When my race is finished, I'll have a heart just like his.

Have a great day!

Amy

Mercy

John 8:3-7

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act." "Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say." They were saying this, testing Him , so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down with his finger and wrote on the ground. "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.

I am a stone thrower. I hate to admit that. I hate to even see the words typed out in front of me. But it is true. I have been known to throw a stone. I am not proud of myself...I am not sure why I gave myself the authority to judge others...but I have done it. Not only have I thrown stones, but I have used my Faith as a crutch. Hypocrite. Stone Thrower. Ugh.

The simple fact that I have thrown the stone means I too am at the center of the court. The sin of judging people is just as bad as the sins others have committed. WHAT? Yep...you heard right. There is no level of sin. One is not greater than the other. They are all bad and they all hurt Him. The one we are trying to be like...Jesus. Yet, he forgives. It is called Grace.

Grace~benevolence, favor...God's gift of good things which are NOT deserved.

Remember yesterday's definition of the love He has for us? Agape...unearned...unconditional. He loves us when we have done nothing to earn it. He forgives us when we do not deserve forgiveness. His Grace is nothing, but Amazing...and I am so thankful. I have thrown stones...and justified my actions by their (the people I am stoning) actions...but, God says

He who is without sin.

That would NOT be me. I have sinned. I have fallen short. BUT His mercies set me free. Today I will challenge myself to keep my stones to myself. God has forgiven me for yesterday...thank goodness...so today I will just try to stick with fixing myself. His Mercies are New each day...THANK YOU LORD.

Psalms 119:156

Great are your mercies, O Lord.

Have a great day!
Amy

Details

Brady was 19 months old in the video below. At the end he tells himself "good job"...wants to take a "picture" and wants to say "cheese". We might have taken a few pictures of him when he was little. ") Enjoy
Amy

Too Good Not To Share

You'll need to pause the playlist to hear the sound on this video.


Sometimes you need a gentle reminder that God is there. Sometimes you need to see the love for Christ in the heart of a child. At Church yesterday, our pastor did a sermon about the true meaning of love. It was an amazing, eye opening sermon that helped me see the different kinds of love that are in this world today. He told us that there are four words that mean love in Greek, and went onto tell us the definitions of all four. The first and most important word was Agape, meaning~unconditional, unearned, selfless.
At the end of his message, he went on to show the picture of a little baby that was being baptised at the next service. He explained to us how that child was loved by God before he even knew what God was. That the love God had for that baby was unearned. But God would work in his life from the moment he took his first breath (or even before) to help that child say yes to him. When the child finally has enough knowledge to know that Christ should be in his heart, he will accept him and make his heart a home.
Until he does that, he'll be loved anyway. He'll be loved by God...unconditionally, unearned, and selflessly. I feel like we have an obligation to our boys to love them in that same capacity. To love them unconditionally.

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:16

God is Love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

We love because God loved us.

We are to forgive because God forgives us.

Thanks PR for a great message...do I have to pay royalties for this?

Have a blessed Monday!
Amy

Love is...

Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love Never Fails.

This verse is such a true description of love. Someone once told me to put your name in place of the word love...

Amy is patient...not so much. Amy is kind...I try. Amy does not envy...oops...or boast. Oh dear. This is not good.

Let's try something else.

Let's put God's name in place of love.

God is patient...(Thank Goodness) God is kind. God does not envy or boast. God is not proud. God is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered..and keeps not record of wrongs. NO RECORD. All we have to do is accept him into our hearts and ask for forgiveness. A-MA-ZING. God always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres...God never Fails.

Isn't that so true? God never fails. He is always there for us. He is always protecting us. He is always teaching us. He ALWAYS loves us. His love never fails.

To have a heart like HIS, we are to love like he loves us. Are there going to be times when I fail...of course. But his love forgives...and so should mine. My prayer is to love with God's love today and everyday from now on. Even to those who wrong me or those I love...I will love them with God's love. Because he never gives up on me...and I owe him at least that.

Today's song is How He loves Us by the David Crowder Band. The first verse goes like this...
Oh...How he loves us Oh...Oh How he loves us...Oh how he loves...
He is jealous for me...His love's like a hurricane I am a tree...
Bending beneath the weight and the wind of his mercy

Can you picture that? The trees that are bent so far back by hurricane winds that they could snap at any given second. His love is that powerful. It leaves NO doubt. Amazing.

Thank you Lord for your Amazing Love. May I show others the love that you have shown me.
Amen

Happy Love Day to All & Happy 8th Birthday to my son Tanner. I love you buddy!
Amy

Without Warning

Disaster strikes sometimes without warning. The family here in Mulvane who suffered an immeasurable loss this week will tell you that. The families from the 2007 Greensburg tornado would also tell you that very thing. Disaster comes without warning. We have storm warnings...that isn't what I am saying. The storm itself, we are warned about, but the disaster afterwards is a different story.




This is a picture of the aftermath of the tornado that ripped through Greensburg almost three years ago. It left nothing, but a path of destruction for all to see. I can't even imagine what these people must have been thinking as they came out of what used to be their homes to take a look at what used to be their town.

Along with yesterday's devotional...we sometimes wonder Where is God? Why would he let something like this happen? I am sure that the people of Greensburg prayed and asked for God to spare them from this too...but look at the picture. This town was anything, but spared.

Today's devotion is called Learning Hope from the Master. It talks again about that night in the garden of Gethsemane...how when Judas betrayed Jesus, God still saw Good in the Bad. In our opinion, Judas was a bad dude. He was a thief...a criminal...and a betrayed Jesus. But Jesus did not see him that way. Jesus saw the purpose through pain.

"It must happen this way to bring about what the Scriptures say." Matthew 26:54

Jesus chose to see his immediate struggle as a necessary part of a greater plan.~Max Lucado, Just Like Jesus

Can you even imagine? Choosing a struggle? No thank you. I would choose for all to run smoothly here thank you very much. But that is not how God sees it. Thy will be done...I know, I know.

Wouldn't you love to see the world through the eyes of Jesus? Where we see unanswered prayer, Jesus saw answered prayer. Where we see the absence of God, Jesus saw the plan of God. Max Lucado~Just Like Jesus

It is hard for us to embrace a struggle. It is hard for those of us who look at this picture, to see ANY good in the bad. But I would guess that if you sat down and talked with someone who went through this tragedy, you'd be able to see things more clearly. Who knows what good came out of this bad...but knowing My God...I know it did.

Our challenge is to look at our struggles through HIS eyes. To see them all the way through knowing that there is hope on the other side. If you are struggling with something today...big or small...rest assured he is with you. And that nothing he does is without purpose.

Have a great day!
Amy

Thy Will Be Done

I learned the Lord's Prayer when I was very young. I have said it over and over in my life. But not until recently did I start to "really" understand what it meant. The part that always sticks out in my mind...

Thy Will Be Done.

Do you understand the meaning of that sentence? Thy will....HIS...not ours. That can be so hard for us here on earth. I have a very hard time letting HIS will be the one that gets done. I have a terrible habit of turning and twisting things into my own will. We tend to fight things that happen in our lives all because we are afraid of the pain and suffering that will come if we don't. After bad things happen, we try to "fix" them. Most of the time in my case, I make things worse. I am not much of a handyman. I keep going back to the verse...Be Still and know that I am God. Because in times of struggle and sadness, sometimes still is exactly what we should be. Instead of scurrying around trying to fix and mend, we need to endure the pain and suffering to truly learn what God is trying to teach us.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed...

"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39 NIV

How many times have we prayed that prayer? I know personally? It comes quite often. We may not ask him in those words, but we say things like...

Please Lord, don't let this happen. or Lord, I am begging you to save this or that.

Our prayers are genuine. When we struggle...we are begging for him to come in and show us his almighty power. And when those things we pray for go unanswered, we might get upset with him. I know I have. I have begged him for things before...and the next day I find my request unanswered. I view that as "overlooked". How do you think Jesus felt that night in the Garden? In the absolute worst night of his life here on earth, he requested and God immediately did...nothing.

Jesus endured suffering that is beyond comprehension for us...AFTER he had prayed to God to make it stop. But did you hear the words he said after he asked for God to take the suffering away? Yet not as I will, but as you will. Thy will be done.

Jesus neck deep in rubbish. That's how I would have described the scene. But that's not how Jesus saw it. He saw something else entirely. He wasn't oblivious to the trash, he just wasn't limited to it. Somehow he was able to see good in the bad, the purpose in the pain, and God's presence in the problem. Max Lucado~Just Like Jesus

It is almost impossible for us to see the purpose in the pain. Pain can be unbearable. Pain can be unexplainable. But pain and suffering are not without purpose.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

I just used this verse the other day, but it is so appropriate for today's devotion. Without suffering, there is no hope.

Bring the rain, by Mercy Me is one of the best songs to describe today's devotion...listen, pray and know that even though God may not give us the answer we are begging for...he knows.

Happy Friday!
Amy

10 going on 21

This is my Brett. He is my oldest son and he is 10 going on 21. I never understood that expression until I had kids. Now, I totally get it. I had Brett when I was 21 years old. He was born three days before our first anniversary. So needless to say, our first year of marriage was...interesting. Nothing like going from single, to married, to parent in one years time. Life with Brett has been incredible. He is an amazing kid with a very soft heart. He is the image of his Dad complete with drive and motivation...most of the time. He absolutely HATES coats...loves shorts...and enjoys all sports.

The other day, I was having what I would consider to be a challenging day. Life was just "complicated" that day. I bought an uppercase living expression to put on our bathroom wall and decided to put it up. I should have known on that day...it was a bad idea. The saying?...Be Still and know that I am God. Oh Lord...I am trying.

As I am hanging the saying, the boys were at the table finishing their dinner...fighting. The fighting was getting ridiculous, but I tried to block it out. I wanted to see the beautiful words on my wall. It was a nightmare. The words were ripping...they were not staying on the wall...and the letter o in the word God completely ripped. I was heartbroken. One because it was ruined...two because my little "blessings" were screaming from the living room, three because Coach was at conferences, and four because the day had gone from complicated to STRAIGHT BAD. So...we loaded up to run some errands. I went to the mailbox to pick up our mail when I found it. Coach and Brett are big fans of Sports Illustrated the magazine. There it was...in all its glory.

The Swimsuit edition.

If it hadn't been four degrees outside, I probably would have slid down the side of my dirty minivan to cry right there on the street. I regained composure and stuffed the magazine in my coat. Ugh.

You see, a few weeks back, Brett...my 10 year old blessing...found a picture in my SELF magazine. It was a girl that was wearing a bikini...standing on a beach. He said something that has haunted me ever since...Woo-woo.

Woo-woo. ugh. I can't breathe. I am having a nervous breakdown...I can feel it. Someone call 911...the room is going dark. Did anyone else hear that? Woo-woo? Do you know what that means?

Woo-woo...translation...Hubba Hubba...Sexy Momma. I am going to throw up.

Yep...I am definitely having a breakdown here. The last time I felt like this was...well...March 17th, 2006. The day we found out we were going to have THIRD child! ("Does two lines mean positive?", Coach said) Oh Lord...seriously?

My baby...my ten year old baby...just saw a woman in a bikini and NOTICED! Up to now he has never noticed. What do I do? How do I deal with this?

I know...I will cancel every subscription to every magazine. I will cancel cable and home school him. I will save you Brett! I will save you from lust! I will save you from falling in love with women who have no idea who you are and what you are about!

Wait a minute...I know what I will do. I will pray for him. I will pray that he meets a wonderful woman who will love him like Coach and I love each other. I will share my love for Christ with him. I will equip him with the knowledge he needs to make the right decisions with his heart when his mind thinks otherwise. I will teach him to love a woman with the love that Christ has given us. I will be open with him about all that frightens me and I will take this one step at a time...with God. And then, I will roll up the magazine and whack him upside the head with it. Wait...I already did that...right after the "woo-woo".

Have a great day all!
Amy

I'm rubber, you're glue

Words can be so painful sometimes. Just yesterday I had an experience where someones words hurt my heart. I am an emotional person, as I have told you before. I don't like to be criticized, humiliated or attacked. When that happens, I tend to let everything else fade into the background and focus my thoughts on the negative.

Today's devotion talks about how Jesus had a guarded heart. I was so amazed by the words...Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.~Proverbs 4:23

Above all else...really? That is to be first on our list? To guard our heart? But, why?

When Jesus was here on earth, he was very guarded. When people tried to make him King, he disappeared. Most people would love to be crowned King! But Jesus knew his purpose. He did not let the thought of being worshiped himself come into his heart.

"He slipped off and went up the mountain to be by himself" John 6:15

After Jesus announced his death on the cross, his apostle Matthew objected.

"Impossible Master, that can never be!"~Matthew 6:23

Do you know what he did? He sent Matthew away telling him he had no idea how God worked. I wish I had the courage to stand up for myself like that. He guarded his heart.

And when Jesus was called to heal the sick girl, he was mocked by the family. He was told she was dead, and he told them she was only sleeping. They laughed at him. Those people laughed at JESUS! Do you know what he did then?

"he put them all outside"~ Mark 5:39-40

He was not allowing people to stand there mocking him while he did the work of the Lord. He guarded his heart.

I am amazed that he didn't doubt himself. When someone doubts or humiliates me, I doubt myself. I start rethinking my thoughts...wondering if I did the right thing.

Here is the cool part...I can guard my own heart by giving my thoughts to the authority of Jesus.

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me"~Matthew 28:18

Max Lucado writes...If you give him authority over you, your guilty thoughts are no longer allowed. If you give him authority over you, bad ideas cannot remain in your thoughts. To have a pure heart...a guarded heart...we must submit all thoughts to the authority of Christ.

Love it. If I put him in charge of my thoughts, and my heart, I won't have to look back and wonder if I did the right thing. Because we are to be Just like Jesus, and the right thing is all he knows...got it. Protect your heart by allowing him to be in it. I feel better already!

Have a blessed day!
Amy

Safe

The news of yesterday's fire stopped me in my tracks. Since I found out what happened, my thoughts have been elsewhere and my heart is so heavy with sadness. I don't understand. I can't wrap my mind around what happened to that family. I looked at the boys last night as we were getting everyone ready for bed and just silently thanked God for the time I have had with them. Even the time when they are fighting with one another...or the times that we were up all night with them as infants. I am thankful for the challenges that they have brought into our lives. I am thankful for the love that we share as a family. I am thankful for the roof over our head and the heat that keeps us warm at night. I am thankful for the cars we drive and for the family that supports us.

Today I feel vulnerable. Anytime after something like this happens, I think it is natural to feel that way...the sadness, the worry, the fear. Could it happen to us? The brutal truth...yes it could. But we can't sit around waiting for bad things to happen to us. We have to give that worry to God. So today when I start to think about that family, I am going to turn to my own family and tell them how much I love them. And today when that fear trickles in, I will go to God and ask him to keep us safe. Not just safe from harm, but safe from doubt.

For in my day of trouble, he will keep me safe in his dwelling~Psalms 27:5

You will be safe in his arms, you will be safe in his arms
The hands that hold the world, are holding your heart
This is a promise HE made, he will be with you always
When everything is falling apart, you will be safe in his arms

That is the chorus for the song Safe by Phil Wickham. I will try to load the song to the playlist, but it wasn't available last time I checked. Try to google it today and listen. It is a wonderful song with such a powerful meaning.

It is a promise he made...to all of us. And we are forever safe in his arms.

Have a blessed day.
Amy

Prayers Needed

Calling all blog readers. Please pray for the family in Mulvane that lost their two small children in a house fire today. They were 3 and 4. That statement sends chills down my spine...three years old and four years old. Brady is three. My heart is heavy and my mind is overwhelmed.

Lord, be with them. Allow them to feel your touch. Wrap your loving arms around their broken hearts. Help me to understand.
Amen

Amy

Can I get a witness?

Do you ever tell lies? Because I do. I am not proud of myself when I lie, but never have I ever felt as bad as I did this morning in reading my devotional. When I lie, I like to think that I do it for the "right reasons". Sometimes I lie so I don't hurt other's feelings. Sometimes I lie to soften the blow...but I lie. Sometimes I lie over little, bitty things. Other times I have lied over big, huge things. I get so angry with my boys when they lie to me and I have developed the Mommy sense that tells me exactly when they are lying. (Man I hated that when I was growing up...how did she know?)

Today's devotion talks about the difference in a witness in court and the followers of Christ. A witness in court is under oath to tell the truth...the whole truth...and nothing but the truth. But when they step down, they are no longer held to that standard. We as Christians are to never step down. We are expected by God to tell the truth...the whole truth...and nothing but the truth...always. I can tell you from experience that lying has never, ever saved feelings. I always think it will help to not hurt people...but in the end, they are always hurt more because I have lied.

Jesus never lied. He was always honest. He never spoke a word of untruth...WOW. Never? Are you sure? Because it is so easy to do. NOPE. NEVER. He always spoke the truth because God has very strict rules about lying.

The Lord HATES a lying tongue~Proverbs 6:16-17
God destroys liars...and HATES those who kill and trick others~Psalms 5:6

Max Lucado says that the hard line is because of one reason...Dishonesty is an absolute contrary to the character of God.

Oh ugh...that one stung a little. If we are trying to be Just like Jesus, lying cannot be in the cards...and that I'm afraid is hard for us. But God always speaks the truth. Satan on the other hand, used lying as his first tool against mankind. The book says he didn't seduce Eve, he didn't sneak up on her...he simply lied. "God says you'll die if you eat the fruit? You will not die." Genesis 3:1

Big Fat Liar.

I challenge you today to be honest...all day...the whole truth...and see where it gets you. Lying is a hard habit to break, but if we want to be Just Like Jesus, we cannot tell a lie. Food for thought...for sure. Have a blessed Monday all!
Amy

Staying on task

One day I was cleaning our house. (My sister used to have a rug that read...My house was clean yesterday, sorry you missed it. LOVE THAT) After I clean a bathroom, I usually try to light a candle if people are coming over. I found a tealight candle and took it to the kitchen to light the candle. Along the way, I found some laundry that needed to be thrown into the washer, so I set the candle on the dryer. I then went to the kitchen and the phone rang. After the phone call, I went back to the bathroom to put something away and set the lighter down on the counter of the bathroom. Hours later, I found the candle...sitting on the dryer. So I put it away. Even later in the day, I found the lighter again, remembered the candle, and went to light the candle again. Good grief.

I have what some might call a "real problem" staying on task. I cannot usually get from point A to point B without a million distractions. Trying to write this devotional right now, I have my three year old and my almost eight year old fighting at the table behind me over a toaster strudel...and my brain is struggling to keep up.

Not too long ago, Coach opened the refrigerator to get something to drink. Next to the orange juice, he found two small plate racks...hmmmm. Not sure why or how, but obviously I got distracted while putting them away. We have also found dog food and the cordless phone in the fridge before...like I said, who knows.

What I do know is that Jesus was never distracted. He was always on task...he followed his targets and when he was done here on earth with all of his tasks, he said, "It is finished". John 19:30

Can you even imagine? With us...the Nelson Family, it is never finished. We always have laundry, or house cleaning to do. There are bills to pay, games to attend and too many people to call, see or keep up with.

Max Lucado gave an example in the devotion today and it was about a sample lady at the grocery store. She was there to help people sample the celery~to sell the product by allowing people to taste it. But every time he walked past the "celery lady" she was organizing the celery on her tray rather than allowing the public to try the product. How many times do we get distracted with the organization and the display of our life only to miss the true task we've been given? Oh...daily. But there is a way to help stay on task. To have a focused heart. We must keep our eye on the prize every day by going to God with our thoughts. I am learning that through all of this, my tasks are not so much what I thought I should be doing, but more what he is asking of me.

Does that mean I can let my house go or not do the laundry? No...I still have to do all the things that make this family run smoothly...(I am laughing as I write that), but if I have a Jesus focused heart we'll be Just like Him. Let's try it together.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

I would imagine if we stay on task through this journey, the reward will be pretty sweet...the crown of righteousness...that sounds worth it to me.

Happy Sunday!
Amy

Heart of Worship

I am adding a song to the play list called "The Heart of Worship"...so appropriate. So funny too...it was going through my head the whole time I was writing and I never made the connection. Thank goodness God is persistant. Have a blessed day.
Amy

Worship

The definition of worship in my bible says~to express praise and devotion.
It is no secret that I am closest with the Lord through music. I feel him...I truly do. When the music starts and I can put aside everything in my mind...I feel his touch. I believe the words of the songs I sing, and I let everything go. The devotion talks about the "face of worship" and how important it is for our faces to transform during this process. Coach is a very non expressive worshiper. His face never changes...but I can see his worship through his eyes. Trust me...I know when he is listening and when he is not. And it isn't something you can fake. The transformation in our faces is not something that we intentionally do...it just comes naturally. In Matthew 17;2, it says Jesus "was transfigured" not "Jesus changed his appearance". (Max Lucado) Not even Jesus could fake what was happening within him.

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes "Our faces, then are not covered. We all show the Lord's glory,and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings ever greater glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." God invites us to see his face so he can change ours. He uses uncovered faces to display his glory. Max Lucado~Just Like Jesus

Think about your face in a time of stress and worry. Think about your face in a time of sadness, or...anger. Think of how our faces look when we our intentions are not reflecting his. Ugh. I know my face is not pretty sometimes...but God is up to the task. He knows how to soften the hardness. He knows how to change our face to reflect his beauty. "Shadows of shame and doubt become portraits of grace and trust"...I love that. That is an amazing way to look at the change in our face created by Him. But how do does he do this?

Through worship.

King David's definition of worship is in Psalms 34:3

"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together"

Worship is coming together to make our vision of him larger, and more clear. The books says God doesn't change, but our perception of him does. The closer we are with him, the bigger he seems. And that is good...because sometimes our problems appear larger than life...but NEVER bigger than God. Our God is an Awesome God. One of my all time fav songs...because it is so true. If we worship with the image of Him on our faces, not only are we closer to him...but others see it too. Inward change with outward action...love it.

So I challenge all of us to change our face of worship so that through this process, this journey, we can help others come to the Lord.

Have an Awesome weekend!
Amy

Last Train to Awesometown

This is my second post for today...anyone who needs a smile...please google this song. ~last train to awesometown~ Much to my dismay, playslist.com did not have it or I would already have added this little jewel to my blog. Coach turned on the radio this morning to WayFM 90.7 and said to listen. They play the song at 7:05am on Fridays. Our older boys love it and he wanted Brady to hear it too. It pretty much made my whole day. There is absolutely no spiritual meaning behind the song...no verse that I can relate it to...just an AWESOME song. I laugh the whole time it is on and have added it to my ipod. Should I ever decide to take up exercising, I could see myself knocking the elliptical trainer over from training so hard while listening...lol...good grief. If you are in need of my "normal devotion", please scroll down to the next post. Again...have a FAB DAY!
Amy

Prayer

One of my all time favorite sayings is ~When life gets too hard to stand, Kneel in Prayer~ I saw that for the first time a few years ago and absolutely love it. Before I started on my walk with Christ, I found other ways to calm myself during a bad situation. (cookie dough) And there are moments when I still revert back to my old ways...but, mostly I am learning to go to God. The other night on one of my fav. Wed. night shows, the Mom made a pact with her kids that if they would do what she asked of them, she would try to yell less. She felt like they were not holding up their end of the bargain and she said, "I know exactly how to handle this". The very next scene went to her opening up her cupboard and spraying some kind of icing in her mouth. I laughed until I cried...too funny. Oh how I have been there.

Today's devotion talked about going to God throughout the day in order to make going to him a more regular practice. The first time we are to go to God is with our "waking thoughts". When we wake in the morning, we are faced with the troubles we set aside the night before, or the anxiousness of the busy day that lies ahead. Instead of laying there worrying, we should go to God. Give him your first thoughts of the day and ask him to help you. Max Lucado wrote, "Thank you for a night's rest. I belong to you today". I love that...I belong to you.

The next time we are to go to God is with "waiting thoughts". We are to go to him not to talk or to ask, but to listen. Psalms 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God. Awareness of God is a fruit of stillness before God~Max Lucado

We are also to go to God with "whispering thoughts". The book refers to these prayers as short, sentence prayers. After reading a few examples, I realized I do this all day long. "Thank you Lord" or "Help me Father". Sometimes they sound more like desperate pleas, than prayers...but I know he hears me. The books says you don't have to find a church or a chapel to pray to him...if you are in your kitchen and you need him, go to him.

Finally, we are to go to him with our "waning thoughts". At the end of the day, we are to let our minds and our thoughts unravel in his presence. We are to thank him for the good, ask him about the bad, and show him our love through including him in our lives.

This part I loved though...And as you close your eyes, take assurance in the promise, "He who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep". Psalms 121:4 If you fall asleep as you pray, don't worry. What better place to doze off than in the arms of your Father...Max Lucado~Just Like Jesus

Don't you love that? That vision of falling asleep in our Father's arms? Today our challenge is to go to God with our everything. Good Luck and have a FABULOUS FRIDAY!!!
Amy

Ever Present

Emotions are a funny thing. I am very emotional. I laugh a lot. I cry a lot. I cry when I am happy and sad...and I cry when I am frustrated and mad. (I am starting to sound like Dr. Suess) I love to laugh...except when I am nervous. In those situations, I hate laughing...but I do it anyway. It is unintentional, I can assure you...but it totally happens.

Example #1~Shortly after moving into our home, I decided I would like it better if our living room light fixture hung lower. In my mind, this was an easy task. Not so much though. During this not at all easy task, coach asked me to climb up on the ladder (I am afraid of heights) and hold the fan while he went to get something. Keep in mind the fan/light fixture was attached to the ceiling. I slipped on the ladder and fell, pulling the fan out of the ceiling and down with me. What happened next you ask? I laughed. Oh gosh...it was bad. Coach did NOT laugh. I laughed and then cried. I do believe coach helped me up and then asked me to leave the house until he finished the project.


Example #2~For a Birthday present one year, we got our middle son Tanner a Hot Wheels garage/track thing. Good Grief...it took us hours to put it together and it was finally finished. We both grabbed a side and were carefully carrying it down the hallway to his room, when again...I fell (I fall a lot) and the 1000 piece garage went crashing onto the floor. I laughed. Oh gosh...it was bad, again. Pretty sure Coach helped me up again and this time, he walked away. After the nervous laughter went away, I cried and picked up the pieces. Pieces were everywhere. The garage was so disassembled, that I didn't even know where to begin in putting it back together.

Life can be like that sometimes. Things happen that are beyond our control. We all react differently and we end up trying to pick up the pieces. Sometimes all of the pieces are there for us to reassemble. Sometimes, pieces get lost...and we have to figure out how to rebuild our lives differently. But we have to pick up the pieces. I couldn't just leave all those pieces laying around in the hallway because others would trip and fall on them. When things fall apart in our lives, no matter how big or small the problem, we have to pick up the pieces and move forward.

I had absolutely no idea how to put that stupid thing back together. But eventually, Coach came around and I asked for first, his forgiveness, and second, his help. We found the directions and began working together again. Eventually, Tanner had a super cool garage to play with...that I was not allowed to touch.

In life we sometimes have to ask for help...and directions. There is no shame in admitting defeat and asking for help. And there is no better place to find direction than the Bible. God did not put us here without his guidance. What I am learning is that I am not lost and never alone. He is ever present. I love that. At 3:00am when I wake up worrying about "stuff", he is there. When I am having a bad day and just need someone to talk to...he is there. When I am sitting on the floor of my hallway trying not to hate the makers of the Hot Wheels garage, he is there. EVER PRESENT. Think about it.

Blessings!
Amy

Translator

Yesterday, one of my little ones came to me and asked a question. One of my friends was sitting there watching the whole thing and after the conversation was over, she said,"You are a good. I had no idea what she was saying". When you spend most of your day with two and three year olds, you eventually figure out how to speak and understand their language. And they look at you with such determination when they speak...because they are depending on you to understand the meaning behind the gibberish. Much like adults, they get frustrated when I can't understand them...or when I misunderstand them. One of my little ones uses the same word to refer to my dog and my three year old son. So we are constantly battling it out over which word she actually means. (Bailey or Brady) It is quite comical when it happens, but there are days when I don't believe she finds the humor in the confusion quite like I do.

Today's devotion is called God's translator. Max Lucado says that Jesus didn't act unless he saw his Father act. He didn't 'judge until he heard his Father judge. No act or deed occurred without his Father's guidance. He also said when Jesus walked the earth, he was translating God all of the time. He was so in sync with the Father that he declared,

"I am in the Father and the Father is in me" John 14:11

What if we consulted God with our decisions? Do you think God cares what I wear today or what I make for dinner? Nope. But he does care about my actions. Because my actions should always reflect his intentions.

Romans 8:28,29
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of this son.

We have been called for HIS purpose to be conformed to the likeness of his son. Jesus acted as a translator for God...and if we are striving to be Just like Jesus, we are to be translating too.

Have a great day!
Amy

My Sunshine

One of the questions that was in my devotion this morning said this...How would it affect you to hear God whisper to you, "I delight in you"? To me that would be amazing...to know that the maker of the universe not only loves me, but delights in me. To know that HE...the creator of everything takes the time to tell me that. And the truth is...he does tell us everyday. We just have to be open to hearing it.

There is a picture of coach and I on the side of my blog that I called a "self pic". For anyone who doesn't understand this concept...you take your own picture. Some people (coach included) feel incredibly stupid posing for their own picture. Not me. I am and always have been just fine with people noticing me...right Mom? Anyhoo...I attempted to take a self pic with my three sons. Brady didn't feel like participating at that moment so the older boys and I took a picture.



Of course, as soon as "Brothers" and I took our picture, Brady wanted his taken too. However...Brady had developed what we kindly refer to as the "pirate smile". We are not exactly sure where this lovely trait came from, but it was here to stay. I want you to see the series of events that came next.



Hence the pirate smile.



Okay...let's try again.



So lowering my chin didn't help, but Tyra Banks would be so proud of my angle here.



Changing sides didn't help either.

We tried everything. I even had him say pizza instead of cheese and all we got was an open mouth pirate smile picture. After several takes, little man was done. After going through the pictures and getting a good laugh, we let it go.

Later that night, little man came to me and asked if he could try again with our "pitcher". And this is what we got. He looks absolutely adorable...I can say that because I am his Momma...and I look like...well...what I look like after a long day with this little man.



Yesterday, I told my little man he was my sunshine. And he grinned like in this picture. For the rest of the day he said he was my sunshine and started doing things to make me "happy". It is amazing how a little positive message to our kids can make them turn the day around. Kind of like God telling us..."I delight in you". Try it and see what happens! Blessings!

Song

Just wanted to let you know that I added the song Mighty to Save to the bottom of my playlist. If you get a chance today, listen to the music. It is an amazing song that really moves my heart. Jeremy Camp sang it at the concert the other night and it was incredible!!! Hope you like it!

Mighty to Save

Savior he can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to Save...He is Might to Save
Forever Author of Salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the Grave.

Today's devotion took me a minute to understand. It was two pages talking about people who dance to no music. It described in detail the place they all went and the decorations that were used in their dance hall. It talked about how they went as whole families to this place and sat waiting to dance.

I thought...skip this one. I have no idea where this is going so just skip...but I decided to at least finish it before I moved on.

So...some tried dancing to no music. Some just sat and stared at the others. The ones who were dancing were in chaos...so much that they didn't even notice a musician that came in. The man started singing a beautiful, sweet song. After a few moments, they began to dance...not all, but most.

Suddenly, a man asked the musician, "How can we know what you sing is actually music?"

And the man replied, "Let the man who has ears to hear, use them."

Hmmmm...okay, now I see. When Jesus came, people were not hearing the music. He began teaching and healing and people began to see...they were hearing his word. But what was happening became too good to be true for some and they started doubting him...You can't be singing...this can't be music...if this that you are doing is in fact music...PROVE IT.

How often do we overlook his direction, his word, his music because we are too scared to believe or too stubborn to trust?

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" Zephaniah 3:17

If you have ears to hear, use them to hear his music...and dance.

Amy

Nothin' much

Coach has been reading a book that he got for Christmas called, First Things First by Kurt and Brenda Warner. I would highly recommend this book. Kurt Warner is a professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals. He and his wife have seven children and the book cover reads...the rules of being a Warner...what works, what doesn't and what REALLY matters.

It is funny how God puts us in the right place at the right time. We like to refer to these coincidences as "God Winks" at our house, but basically, they are God's touches that remind us who is in control. We had one of those moments the other day when school was cancelled. We had a snow day and we were watching ESPN when Kurt Warner announced his retirement. He had his whole family there with him and I was so glad that we got to see that. We also had one of those God is in control moments when Brady was brought to this world...yep...we completely get that HE is in control.

So today's devotional is about the three tools that can be used to help us go to God daily. And not just go to him, but to truly hear his word. These are great tools and they kind of go with what I was talking about the other day as far as my consistency is concerned.

The first tool is to find a regular time and place. Some people prefer to have time with God first thing in the morning. Others like to have time with him before bed. Coach used to have his time with God on his way to work. It is a personal preference, but it is important to find that time and make it HIS everyday.

The second tool is to have an open Bible. But before opening the Bible, pray. Max Lucado says, "Don't go to Scripture looking for your own idea, go searching for God's." I thought that was great...how often do I go to the back of my study bible looking for a certain word to lead ME to a certain verse. I need to listen to him more...

And the final tool is to have a listening heart.

The man who looks into the perfect mirror of God's law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who sees and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness" James 1:25

Max Lucado says, "We know we are listening to God when what we read in the Bible is what others see in our lives." I love that. It is so very true...when we can mirror the word with our actions, we truly know what he is trying to tell us...how he wants us to live...how he lived.

So, the First things First book talks about gathering together at the table every night. This is a rule at their house...dinner together...as often as possible. And they also like to list a positive in their day. We also like to gather at the table, but the "every night" part is a bit unrealistic for us. We ARE working on that though. Anyway, we like to ask the boys what they have learned that day. Sometimes they answer with more than I can absorb and sometimes they answer with..."nothin' much". The devotion today says that learning and understanding the bible are much like that of learning in general...Understanding comes a little at a time over a lifetime. There will be days when we absorb a lot from the word...and there will be days where we learn very little. We might take that information and store it away. We may feel like we learned very little that day, but over time, we'll learn how to apply the knowledge that he has given us...and it will be visible for all to see.

Jeremiah 29:12-13

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart"

Have a blessed Monday!
Amy

Side note

Okay, I THINK I got the time changed. Was getting a lot of questions about what time I was writing these posts and the 3 and 4 in the morning times were off just a bit (like two or three hours!) Also, had some comments that "commenting" was too difficult. I have changed the settings and you should be able to comment without all the hassle now. Hope this helps!
Amy