Memory in a frame

Last week I went through another bin in the garage of "stuff." As I unwrapped more framed pictures I came across one of my dad. My dad was a very small man, he was quiet, kind and a very intellectual professor. He died at the age of 62, when I was 22 years old. As I looked at the picture of dad tears filled my eyes and I missed him so much. I wanted him here to tell me that everything was going to be ok. I wanted to sit on the sofa with him and just talk. I wanted to tell him all about my spiritual journey and I wanted him to know that my husband ended up becoming a pastor. (My dad was one too.) I missed him so much and the longer I gazed upon his picture the more I missed him.

My dad knew the grace of his Father in heaven. He knew that when he died he would be rejoicing in heaven with Jesus. On my last visit that I would have with my dad he lay in his bed, at home, and spoke these words: "Father, I am ready to come home." What beautiful words for a daughter to hear. They are etched in my memory and I pray that in my last days I too will speak those words with rejoicing and with peace. On his grave were etched these words (he chose them.) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you."

Below is a link about a little girl and her family who desperately need our prayers.
http://believingforaubrey.blogspot.com/

I also want to add that in this life in which I/we live all I want to do is worship Jesus. In every way worship him. I want to worship him as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister...Take a moment to watch and listen to this song (it was also posted on the link that I put up.) I want you to notice that while they sing the song that there are people of all ages and backgrounds around the room - all worshipping. It is so beautiful to me.

May God be praised - honored - worshipped - glorified - above all else in my and in your life.

and in that moment you find peace

As I sit in our basement tonight, just finished watching "You've Got Mail" with my daughter, there is a peace that is sitting here with me. Jesus!!! He is my peace. I don't always feel at peace about everything in my life but pressing into him, through prayer, God brings us to a peace. I was thinking of a line in a movie where the son comes in to talk to his father - it's a quiet morning and the father says "there are times in life when everyone is good, the family is happy, the business is going well and everything is good - and in that moment you find peace." To which the son says "this isn't that moment dad."

I think in life we are always looking for peace. People run around with the business of their life, work, kids, diapers, practices...whatever it may be and peace seems to elude so many of us. But you know what I think the problem is? Getting too busy for your relationship with Jesus. Too busy to spend time with him, too busy to pray, too busy to read his word. It can even be that we just don't want to or know how to have a relationship with Jesus.

Lately my prayer life has not been what it should. I've spent time in the word but my time in prayer seeking the face of Jesus has been poor. I am so thankful that my husband asked me direct "How is your prayer time?" Wow I needed to hear that. It's no wonder I have felt the enemy attack me lately with a number of things. I let down my guard and he got in. Praise Jesus that he always comes to the rescue.

His Spirit in me is just the best.

Have you felt weak lately? Call out to Jesus. He is there waiting for you - longing for you - loving you - longing for you to let him lead you - so let it all go and give it all to him.

SMILE :) JESUS ADORES YOU!

p.s. All of my girls were home last week for my birthday. What a gift from God. Note that in this picture emily just flew in from CA on a red eye and is sick and Nicole was up at 5am with a toddler to pick her up at the airport. Some tired faces but sisters in love.

Into Him

Jesus.

Thats all I want.

I want others to know that this is what we as Christians should be about.

Just Jesus.

Worship is about Jesus.

Relationships are about Jesus.

Work is about Jesus.

It's all about Jesus.

It's not about me - at all.

Sometimes I get in the way.

Sometimes I forget what it's all about.

Then I come back to Jesus.

Psalm 138 says "Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble you preserve my life;...the Lord will fulfill his purpose for me."

I heard a quote recently:

"He wants us to get over ourselves and get into Him."

Jesus is always beckoning us to come to him.
We may wander away but he never leaves us.
We may have our own agenda but the Lord still has his purpose for us - may we never forget that. When we do forget I pray that we hear his voice as he calls us back.

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

attitude check

America is so wealthy, or so we think.

Throughout the bible we read about the poor. Caring for the poor, humbling ourselves, and it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yet why do we ignore the poor so much? Why do we ignore when someone is in need? Or do you/we judge too much and try to explain why they are poor and don't deserve our help? Why do we judge them and quickly talk ourself out of helping them? Some may take our help and definitely use it for good (food, bills) and others may use it in a way that we don't approve. That is not for us to judge. And so often when we do help there is pride involved. 'Look what I did. I am better than they are.' Oh, one may not say that out loud but that is so often the attitude. Remember that Jesus made himself lower, he humbled himself. He became poor - think about that. Jesus - a poor man - would you have ignored Jesus if you would have met him on the street? We are to see everyone with the eyes of Jesus. To look on each person as a child of God.

Today - everyone you greet think "they are a child of God" and see what that does in your day. Find a way to bless someone today. Ask Jesus to give you his eyes. See people through his lense. I love the beatitudes! And my attitude - well it could use some work, how about you?

Matthew 5
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Bonfire anyone?

It's been a quiet house this weekend. It is alot more quiet then it ever use to be and it's taken alot to get use to. With three daughters married in 29 months our home changed rather quickly. Today Tim and I decided we would go for a walk/hike at one of the big metro parks. Since the weather has finally cooled off it made the walk so much more enjoyable. We were talking about life along the way, as most couples do when they take a walk. I like how Tim put it when I asked him if he missed having younger children around, he said "well, we had fun but now we are at a different phase in our life - we get to spend more time with each other but we will also can do more pouring into others."

On our hike today I took this picture. We stopped and just looked for a moment at the dark colors of the trees trunk and the stark green leaves. It is so beautiful.

Last night Angela had the great idea to go outside to look at the stars. As we lay on the blanket, cuddling up with each other we were in awe as we watched shooting stars through the sky. One was so bright and went all the way across. It was awesome. We were quietly laying there when suddenly, right behind me I heard a "meow". Scared me so much that when I yelled the cat must have run far away. Hopefully he will stay gone, he's been hanging around our house way too long anyway.

Well that's about all for today. Not much profound but just a little for me to remember.

Anybody want to come over tonight for a bonfire?

Heart Exposed

I have filled out an application to be a mentor to some pretty traumatized girls. I found this song the other day and I pretty much love every part of this song. If you have 9 minutes now, please close your eyes, turn it loud enough to hear clearly and listen with all your heart.



Love, real love is Jesus - hanging on a tree - looking at me, looking at you.
Remember this day who loves you. If you are looking for love, look to Jesus first. Let him love you, expose your heart to him completely, holding nothing back. If you have been wounded, it is Jesus who can heal your wounds.

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