Thursday, May 26, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Coffee-Toffee Frosty
I've walked eleven days in a row now and absolutely love the Cardio Trainer app, by the way!! For one thing, the icon is cute and easy to spot on my phone ;)
It looks like this.... 
Last time I exercised eleven days in a row, I fell off the wagon on day twelve, day thirteen, and the tens of days afterwards! But, Cardio Trainer is helping me to stay motivated so I'm pretty sure that when day twelve hits tomorrow (Lord willing!), I will be quite happy to go on the planned hike with my brother, which is up the side of a cactus-filled mountain above his neighborhood. Lord, keep us safe, please! :)
Back to Cardio trainer... it keeps a calorie medal on my phone's task bar. It's fun to see a bigger number each time the workout is finished. Right now it's at 1500. It also keeps track of the distance I've walked, which is at 21 miles now!
Which brings me to this Coffee-Toffee Frosty from Wendy's that I'm eating, enjoying, and sa-vor-ing right at this moment.... I DESERVE IT! Twenty-one miles, after all! There- that's my point ;). (I'm a sucker for these Frosties.)
I'm really enjoying the walks. It's a good time to pray, even out loud. It's a good time to listen to God. And, I thoroughly enjoy His creation, whether it be the cool breeze, the woodpeckers pecking high up on the palms, the doves sitting on the cool, wet grass, or even Libby, who has gotten very good about staying beside me even when a rabbit or a cat begs a chase!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Deep Roots
"And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done."
Usually when I find a verse that speaks to me, I look up cross references to find similar phrasings of the same truth. Ephesians 3:17, 19 says, "I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God."
What a beautiful thing... our roots growing down receiving nourishment from the perfect, rich soil of our Creator's marvelous love. And as our roots reach down, our branches strengthen and blossom with new growth.
This growth doesn't happen on it's own though, and God isn't the one who sinks our roots down. He says, "Let your roots grow down" because in order for us to have a growing relationship with him, we sink our roots into all that He is by seeking him and obeying him. What a place to sink your roots into - a soil that is perfect, the soil where GOD is.
Sink your roots in by trusting. Let them go deep. The deeper you sink them in, the more firmly you will stand.
Do things God's way-
When you are tempted to worry (and thereby ruin your day), trust that God has his eyes on you, that he has a solution in the works. Let that be good enough because it is. Your roots will go deeper and He will work beyond what you could have dreamt up on your own.
When a fear rises up in you and you are tempted to let it stop your forward motion, remember that God has commanded you to be courageous. If he has commanded it, it must mean that there is something great he wants to show you just beyond you being courageous. Don't let fear stop you from sinking your roots in him.
When you face tragedy, count on God to comfort you. Seek him in the pages of your Bible...He will comfort you, and your roots will sink deeper.
When you need daily strength, ask God for it. He will answer, and you will find your roots have gone a little deeper.
Same thing with wisdom for all the situations we face- he just wants us to ask for it, and he will give it.
When you find God nudging you to make the decision that is the obedient one, be obedient. Your roots will go deeper.
Heed the warning God gave in Jeremiah 17:5-6:
"Cursed are ones who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the furture. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives."
And, then in verses 7 & 8, consider the blessing of trusting God.
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Every day, each moment we get to choose- shallow, poor, deadening soil or the deep, rich soil of God's marvelous love... hmm :)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
On Friday, several of the youth in our church went to downtown Phoenix and served six hundred BBQ'd hot dogs to the homeless. They also gave a huge amount of clothes that had been donated. It was awesome in so many ways.
I love seeing the purpose on our students' faces as they set up and served. Their smiles, also, are priceless! They put their faith and love for Christ into action; they back up what James 1:25 says - "The person who continues to study God’s perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what His teachings say."Several parents helped alongside our teens. I love it when the age groups come together to get a task done. I guess, for me, it makes it feel like a church and not just a single age group...it's about unity! From sorting clothes, to setting up the grill and serving the meal, everyone worked together.
My husband, Jim, brought his little pocket trumpet and played tunes while people waited in line to get their food. A huge highlight for me was seeing this guy's face light up (the one on the left in the picture) when Jim played "Amazing Grace." Immediately after, he requested that Jim play "Jesus, Lover of My Soul". I know that to stand in this line and wait for food must be difficult, but no matter how bad the circumstance is, Jesus can still make a face shine with joy.We go because we love Jesus. He has done so much for us that our response is to go and do the same. I am beyond thrilled to see our youth rising up to show the world who Jesus is, both in their actions and in their words.
The length of our lives is just a drop in the bucket compared to how long our life in eternity is. Make it worthwhile!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Women of Faith
Last weekend I went to my third "Women of Faith" conference. If you haven't been to one, I highly recommend it. Check it out…they could be in a city near you soon! :)
I loved how this weekend worked out. I needed a little time to myself (so I chose to spend it with thousands of women and the very few men that were there!) and I had hardly given the conference a thought because I didn't think I could afford it. Well, last week I discovered I might possibly be able to swing it, so I looked up the theme of the conference online. It was "Imagine" based on Ephesians 3:20 (look it up!). It's one of my favorite verses, and since God has given me a creative side, I love both expressing it, and being encouraged to do so.
I spent the first part of the session of Friday by myself soaking everything in like a sponge…thoroughly enjoying it. I found a great seat, row one in the stands, and about six feet from the woman that translated for the deaf that attended. That was one of the many highlights for me. There is something very beautiful about the worship songs being signed, so expressive!
One thing I love about this conference is that the stage area is called “The Porch”. And, that’s exactly what it feels like. The speakers get up and share, and their stories and lives are so easy to relate to that it feels like you could easily sit on the porch with them talking about anything and everything.
The speakers covered the subject of “Imagine” so well. They touched on areas like finding your strengths, making them more prominent in your life, expressing your God-given self even through tragedy and hurts, encouraging your kids in their abilities, and more. God gives us strengths, abilities, and talents for a REASON; they should not be hidden away. I like what one of the speakers (Marcus Cunningham) said regarding personal strengths, “Use it. Claim it. Contribute it.” Everyone wins when you use your strengths and talents. And, when you use them to lift God high, he does more with them than we could ever imagine.
When the afternoon session was over, I went over to GCU to pick up Alyssa so she could attend the rest of the conference with me. The day session was open seating, and evening and Saturday’s are the seats you pay for. I don’t know why I didn’t buy the seats at the end of the row! I even thought of it when I was selecting my seats online. For me, it’s key, because I can tend to feel claustrophobic when I feel closed in. Alyssa and I had the third and fourth seats into the row, and when the two women sat down in the first two seats, I told Alyssa, “We gotta move.” She gave me a look, and I decided to stay put and give this claustrophobia a run for its money. Yeah, I get through it! Lol.
Lisa Harper spoke during that evening session. She is such a great speaker and a great story teller. I must confess that for a short part of her talk, I instead listened to the woman behind me. I didn’t want to listen to the woman behind me, but she made herself very audible! Long story short, somebody coming into the row bumped the (glass) bottle of tea the woman had, and it fell. Then the woman made it a point to let the other woman (and us because the commotion caught our attention) know that this was a $5.00 bottle of tea that just broke. All the while, I was disappointed my attention wasn’t focused on Lisa Harper. The ridiculous thing about this exchange, though, was that this bottle of tea was fermented! It STUNK! Fortunately we had just a few minutes more until break, and I scanned the arena looking for open seats. We found great ones three rows from stage. For the rest of Friday evening, and most of Saturday, this is where Alyssa and I sat. It was great!
There were a few times during the conference where God must’ve stopped the goings on of Heaven and told everyone to look and listen (that’s what I think anyway :). When Natalie Grant sang “It Is Well”, and the audience spontaneously responded and sang with her on the chorus, she held her arms open wide and received the blessing of that, tears running down her cheeks. It was beautiful, both the sound of the voices, and watching her being ministered to. And, I know God must have been smiling wide when the six year old daughter of one of the singers from “Mary Mary” got up on stage and sang, while playing with the tassels on her dress, “God Bless America”. What a great voice!!! And, huge loads of cuteness!
So anyway, to wrap this up, if you have never been, go! I wish I could have instantly memorized lots of what the speakers said. You’ll enjoy it. And, just a tip…the arena sells bottles of water for $5.00, but Starbucks on site sells grande pumpkin spice lattes for $4.75! It’s like striking gold!!
I loved how this weekend worked out. I needed a little time to myself (so I chose to spend it with thousands of women and the very few men that were there!) and I had hardly given the conference a thought because I didn't think I could afford it. Well, last week I discovered I might possibly be able to swing it, so I looked up the theme of the conference online. It was "Imagine" based on Ephesians 3:20 (look it up!). It's one of my favorite verses, and since God has given me a creative side, I love both expressing it, and being encouraged to do so.
I spent the first part of the session of Friday by myself soaking everything in like a sponge…thoroughly enjoying it. I found a great seat, row one in the stands, and about six feet from the woman that translated for the deaf that attended. That was one of the many highlights for me. There is something very beautiful about the worship songs being signed, so expressive!
One thing I love about this conference is that the stage area is called “The Porch”. And, that’s exactly what it feels like. The speakers get up and share, and their stories and lives are so easy to relate to that it feels like you could easily sit on the porch with them talking about anything and everything.
The speakers covered the subject of “Imagine” so well. They touched on areas like finding your strengths, making them more prominent in your life, expressing your God-given self even through tragedy and hurts, encouraging your kids in their abilities, and more. God gives us strengths, abilities, and talents for a REASON; they should not be hidden away. I like what one of the speakers (Marcus Cunningham) said regarding personal strengths, “Use it. Claim it. Contribute it.” Everyone wins when you use your strengths and talents. And, when you use them to lift God high, he does more with them than we could ever imagine.
When the afternoon session was over, I went over to GCU to pick up Alyssa so she could attend the rest of the conference with me. The day session was open seating, and evening and Saturday’s are the seats you pay for. I don’t know why I didn’t buy the seats at the end of the row! I even thought of it when I was selecting my seats online. For me, it’s key, because I can tend to feel claustrophobic when I feel closed in. Alyssa and I had the third and fourth seats into the row, and when the two women sat down in the first two seats, I told Alyssa, “We gotta move.” She gave me a look, and I decided to stay put and give this claustrophobia a run for its money. Yeah, I get through it! Lol.
Lisa Harper spoke during that evening session. She is such a great speaker and a great story teller. I must confess that for a short part of her talk, I instead listened to the woman behind me. I didn’t want to listen to the woman behind me, but she made herself very audible! Long story short, somebody coming into the row bumped the (glass) bottle of tea the woman had, and it fell. Then the woman made it a point to let the other woman (and us because the commotion caught our attention) know that this was a $5.00 bottle of tea that just broke. All the while, I was disappointed my attention wasn’t focused on Lisa Harper. The ridiculous thing about this exchange, though, was that this bottle of tea was fermented! It STUNK! Fortunately we had just a few minutes more until break, and I scanned the arena looking for open seats. We found great ones three rows from stage. For the rest of Friday evening, and most of Saturday, this is where Alyssa and I sat. It was great!
There were a few times during the conference where God must’ve stopped the goings on of Heaven and told everyone to look and listen (that’s what I think anyway :). When Natalie Grant sang “It Is Well”, and the audience spontaneously responded and sang with her on the chorus, she held her arms open wide and received the blessing of that, tears running down her cheeks. It was beautiful, both the sound of the voices, and watching her being ministered to. And, I know God must have been smiling wide when the six year old daughter of one of the singers from “Mary Mary” got up on stage and sang, while playing with the tassels on her dress, “God Bless America”. What a great voice!!! And, huge loads of cuteness!
So anyway, to wrap this up, if you have never been, go! I wish I could have instantly memorized lots of what the speakers said. You’ll enjoy it. And, just a tip…the arena sells bottles of water for $5.00, but Starbucks on site sells grande pumpkin spice lattes for $4.75! It’s like striking gold!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Entirely faithful...
I read a verse this morning that really reflects how I feel. The second part of Psalm 89:8, "Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful."
No matter how difficult some days have been in the last few months and even couple years, I've seen God's goodness in them too. I am convinced that there is nothing God can't touch, heal, help, speak calmness to, and strengthen. He is faithful every day.
Becky started high school this year, which means she just completed the junior high years. Yep, they were filled with the things junior high is filled with...friendship problems, drama, peer pressure, choices, homework stresses, etc...and yet, through her difficult times I saw God working in her life. There is nothing so beautiful and great to watch as this. It's my favorite part of being a parent.
When her freshman year started, at a new school, with new people, I prayed that God would give her a good friend (or two), that like her, even in the midst of all the struggles, temptations, setbacks and triumphs that life and school presents, is growing in their relationship with Christ. So when the first day came that I dropped her off in front of the school, I watched her walk up the school's front sidewalk, guitar in one hand, and her bright yellow backpack slung across her back. I had one of those moments where I knew I was letting her go, and at the same time, waiting with faith to see how God would answer my prayer for her. And by the way, one of my favorite parts of my mornings is watching her walk into school with her guitar and yellow backpack...she is so cool! :)
I could see from day one or two that God heard my prayer. He answered even more than I prayed. He is such a WOW factor for me...I love seeing him work! Becky told me that there is a group of kids from school that go to a church in Phoenix called "Catalyst" (http://ignitephx.com/). She sat with them at lunch and after a couple more days she told me that she wanted to check out their youth group at their church. Well, we are used to driving a distance to church, and this is just about as far in the other direction...lol. I don't mind, though, and I am convinced that God wants us to be united with other believers.
We took Becky and a friend of hers to Catalyst's youth group service a few Sunday nights ago. Jim, Heidi, and I walked in with them since they didn't know anyone and we were a couple minutes late. Right away a youth group leader showed them a place to sit, and another leader asked if we wanted to hang out. We sat in the back and thoroughly enjoyed what we saw...the fellowship of knowing Christ is good anywhere! For now, Becky wants to go every other Sunday night since she likes going to youth group at our church in Anthem on Sunday nights, too. Totally okay with me!
Which brings me to yesterday and today... yesterday when I picked her up after school, she told me that right after I dropped her off yesterday morning, a couple of her friends from Catalyst asked if she wanted to meet with them at the pole for prayer. I could tell from the way she was telling me that she was glad she did. Even though, when she looked around her, kids were pointing and laughing at them. It was obvious she and her friends were praying. But, for me, the best part of the conversation with Becky was when she told me, "It made me happy." God says if you lay down your life for His sake, you will find yours. I think this is the truth what Becky experienced yesterday.
She told me that they were meeting for prayer again this morning in the same place. I was curious to know which pole in the school yard she was talking about. When we drove up this morning, she pointed it out to me. This pole is right beside the main sidewalk and closest to the front doors of the school. Every student passes within three feet of that pole there when going into school every morning. I am so excited by Becky's courage, her friends' courage, and about their deepening, real relationship with the One that offers life at its best! God is so faithful...I can't wait to see how God keeps answering my prayer.
No matter how difficult some days have been in the last few months and even couple years, I've seen God's goodness in them too. I am convinced that there is nothing God can't touch, heal, help, speak calmness to, and strengthen. He is faithful every day.
Becky started high school this year, which means she just completed the junior high years. Yep, they were filled with the things junior high is filled with...friendship problems, drama, peer pressure, choices, homework stresses, etc...and yet, through her difficult times I saw God working in her life. There is nothing so beautiful and great to watch as this. It's my favorite part of being a parent.
When her freshman year started, at a new school, with new people, I prayed that God would give her a good friend (or two), that like her, even in the midst of all the struggles, temptations, setbacks and triumphs that life and school presents, is growing in their relationship with Christ. So when the first day came that I dropped her off in front of the school, I watched her walk up the school's front sidewalk, guitar in one hand, and her bright yellow backpack slung across her back. I had one of those moments where I knew I was letting her go, and at the same time, waiting with faith to see how God would answer my prayer for her. And by the way, one of my favorite parts of my mornings is watching her walk into school with her guitar and yellow backpack...she is so cool! :)
I could see from day one or two that God heard my prayer. He answered even more than I prayed. He is such a WOW factor for me...I love seeing him work! Becky told me that there is a group of kids from school that go to a church in Phoenix called "Catalyst" (http://ignitephx.com/). She sat with them at lunch and after a couple more days she told me that she wanted to check out their youth group at their church. Well, we are used to driving a distance to church, and this is just about as far in the other direction...lol. I don't mind, though, and I am convinced that God wants us to be united with other believers.
We took Becky and a friend of hers to Catalyst's youth group service a few Sunday nights ago. Jim, Heidi, and I walked in with them since they didn't know anyone and we were a couple minutes late. Right away a youth group leader showed them a place to sit, and another leader asked if we wanted to hang out. We sat in the back and thoroughly enjoyed what we saw...the fellowship of knowing Christ is good anywhere! For now, Becky wants to go every other Sunday night since she likes going to youth group at our church in Anthem on Sunday nights, too. Totally okay with me!
Which brings me to yesterday and today... yesterday when I picked her up after school, she told me that right after I dropped her off yesterday morning, a couple of her friends from Catalyst asked if she wanted to meet with them at the pole for prayer. I could tell from the way she was telling me that she was glad she did. Even though, when she looked around her, kids were pointing and laughing at them. It was obvious she and her friends were praying. But, for me, the best part of the conversation with Becky was when she told me, "It made me happy." God says if you lay down your life for His sake, you will find yours. I think this is the truth what Becky experienced yesterday.
She told me that they were meeting for prayer again this morning in the same place. I was curious to know which pole in the school yard she was talking about. When we drove up this morning, she pointed it out to me. This pole is right beside the main sidewalk and closest to the front doors of the school. Every student passes within three feet of that pole there when going into school every morning. I am so excited by Becky's courage, her friends' courage, and about their deepening, real relationship with the One that offers life at its best! God is so faithful...I can't wait to see how God keeps answering my prayer.
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