Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

He loved the Lord with all his heart
Devoted himself not just playing the part
One night, late on a stormy sea
He heard Jesus say "Come to me"
On Jesus alone he fixed his gaze
Stepped out of the boat and onto the waves
He braved the waters until he looked away
Then he began to sink straight away
Fix your eyes on Jesus, focus only on Him
Don't look around at a world that's grim
On his solid rock you'll stand
When you're feeling lost just take His hand
Keep your eyes on Jesus
and keep Him in your heart
From your presence he'll never part
When the world looks cold and grey
Keep focused on Him and he'll light the way

Honor

Honoring my parents is what I will do

Mistakes were made, that is true

But they don't define us only He does

My mother was beautiful and was kind

Mistakes we made, she put behind

She showed me how to live and showed me how to love

He showed me how to be strong

Only in our weakness He comes along

You both were a great example to me

Of how I should love and who I want to be

Mom and Dad today I want to honor you

In my words and my deeds and all that I do

Happy Birthday

Today is my husband's 39th birthday. 11 years ago I married my love and although we agree on most of everything in life there are a few things in which we don't see eye to eye. One of these things would be how to spend your birthday. You see my idea of a birthday well spent is surrounding myself with my kids. Birthday breakfast in bed in which the hubby and kids would make and then clean up, but that never happens so I'll settle for some coffee, it's the love that counts. I would play with the kids all day, no housework done on the birthday, go out for a relaxing birthday dinner, maybe even have some cake. But the main thing about my birthday is that I want a day of no kids fighting and the family just playing together. That's a great birthday for me. Now the rule in our house is that it's your birthday so you should get to call the shots of how the birthday is spent. My husband's idea is sleeping. He wants to nap, get some sushi, nap some more and allow my kids and I to lavish him at dinner time. I'm not sure why this is his activity of choice on his birthday but it is his birthday and he should get to spend it however he wants. So as I sit here writing this birthday longing, my husband lays in bed napping. And I sit here like I have ants in my pants waiting to shower him with love and gifts and his favorite meal. I get so excited about birthdays and I just want to celebrate. He works hard and his idea of celebrating is taking the day off and napping. Don't get me wrong, I am glad he gets to do whatever he wants on his birthday, I'm glad he gets to relax and rest on his much deserved day off. I'm also glad that he allows us to lavish him for a time later today. Because he is the love of my life and I want to celebrate his life. I want to celebrate the day that God chose for his birth and celebrate another year of being able to love him.

Birthdays aren't about the age, it's about celebrating a life and I am very grateful for his.

So God, thank you for Virgil. Thank you for his life and his love and his spirit. Thank you for sending him to me for a lifetime.

Beautiful Day

This morning I enter the gardens and the busyness of the world seems to melt away. Outside of the gardens, the people continue to hurry to work but inside is a protected sanctuary. The thick clouds hang low in the sky blocking the sun from peeking through. But the shining sun isn't needed to find the peace that fill this garden sanctuary. The music fills the air and everywhere are traditional chinese beginning their dance. Notice the peace on their faces as they slowly perform their routine that has been memorized by the decades. Among the flowers, they center themselves for the day that lies ahead of them and find their peace. Among the flowers, I do the same only in a different way that has been memorized by the decades.

I close my eyes and listen to the sounds that surround me. The gentle Chinese musics, the trickling of the water in the fountains, and the birds greeting one another with their morning song. I can smell the scent of the flowers, too many to name and with the breeze comes the scent of breakfast at a nearby diner. I focus in on God. center....center...center...Guide me today Lord. Guide my steps, my actions, my words and my thoughts. Make your plans for me today Lord. Lead me...center...center. I open my eyes and notice the church in front of me in the far off distance. An older building with beautiful pillars and steeple. The doors are open, inviting the people to come..."Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest..."

Directly in front of me I can see God's masterpiece all around me and I marvel at His work. So many colors; virbrant red, gentle pink, golden yellows, precious orange, and greens of every shade. God has painted an amazing picture today. All over the city and all over the world, the scenes look different but the intent is the same. The beauty of this day brings glory to God. As I begin my day, my prayer is that I will do the same. Good morning God! Thank you for this beautiful day.

How powerful is God?

Quote Taken from stuffchristianslike.net

I went ahead and figured out how powerful God is.

Considering that this is probably a question philosophers and theologians have struggled with for thousands of years, that’s pretty nice of me. Who knew one day a random blogger would figure it out and share it for free. What can I say? I’m a giver.

So here it is:

God is slightly less powerful than Mutton Hollow Chevy.

That's it. That's the answer. If you have some other things you need to go do or other blogs you want to read you can probably skip out right now, having been exposed to that little gem of knowledge. But if you've never heard of Mutton Hollow Chevy, who is slightly more powerful than God, allow me to explain.

When I started stuffchristianslike.net, I had to go with a .net address because someone already had .com. A small church themed online gift shop had that web address. They sold puzzles of Jesus and what not. I felt like .net was not nearly as cool as .com but oh well, that was what I had available.

Apparently they went out of business or sold their domain to someone else though because now, if you type the .com version of this site, you will be taken to Mutton Hollow Chevy, a small car dealer that specializes in 1955-1957 Chevy parts. I'm not sure why they registered a Stuff Christians Like URL. I guess the hope is that if you searched for wry Christian satire but instead found a Chevy dealer you might stay at their site and buy a 1957 Billet Hood Latch Support Bracket instead. (You know the one I'm talking about, it’s all Billet Hood Latches these days boys.)

I'd like to say that when I found out that, once again, someone from Mutton Hollow had scooped me, my first thought was "aw shucks!" But that would be a lie.

My first thought was more like this:

"I am so dumb! How could I let that happen? I am screwed. If I was smarter and more web savvy that wouldn't have happened. That kind of nonsense would never happen to a real blogger. When my book comes out, people who don't know this is a .net are going to accidentally type .com and never find me and I'll never sell any books and never get a second book deal and will waste this opportunity that God has given me. It's all over. It is all so freakin’ over."

I know that probably sounds dumb, but it's true. I felt sick to my stomach and kind of panicky and really ashamed of myself. And I've felt that way before about other things, but do you know what I don't ever do? I don't ever take thoughts like that to their natural conclusion. I don't ever spend time reflecting on what that thought says about me and what it says about God.

This time I did.

And do you know what I found? If that thought is true. If Mutton Hollow Chevy has somehow sunk the Stuff Christians Like ship by reserving the .com version of this web address, if they've effectively limited the size of this ministry, if they've dashed the opportunity to reach people for the Lord, than Mutton Hollow Chevy is slightly more powerful than God.

Don't get me wrong, He's big and mighty and "Almost All Powerful." He set Stuff Christians Like in motion, but in a late game changing move, Mutton Hollow Chevy showed up and limited even Him. He had plans that were pretty amazing, but unfortunately they involved me getting the .com address and since I don’t have that, God is limited too. The dreams He had just got a pair of Mutton Hollow-sized handcuffs put on them.

That's ridiculous and I hope right now you are laughing both at the shallowness of my faith and my dedication to repeating the phrase "Mutton Hollow" which is delightful to say I don't care who you are. But I promise you've done the same thing before in your own life.

At some point, you've had a fear you thought was more powerful than God.

You lost your job and worried that unemployment was more powerful than God.

You lost a boyfriend and worried that being alone was more powerful than God.

You got in credit debt and worried that Visa was more powerful than God.

Your dream did not turn out the right way and you thought the circumstances were more powerful than God.

It's so easy to do this, but today, as new worries crop up, I'm trying to do things I little differently. With each new fear, I'm trying to stop long enough and ask myself a simple question:
"Is this more powerful than God?"

Is Mutton Hollow Chevy more powerful than God?

Is a possible layoff at work more powerful than God?

Is __________ more powerful than God?

So far, every answer has come back with a resounding no. I still worry. I'll still walk through the hollow of the shadow of death from time to time, but with that question and a God that loves to answer it, I think I'm going to be alright.

And Mutton Hollow, please know that when you’re ready to give me that .com I, much like the band Journey, will be waiting right here for you with open arms.

How would you write this question today about your own life?

Finish this sentence:

Is _________ more powerful than God?

The Rusher

He finds his line and takes his place

He takes his ready stance

He crouches down like a sprinter getting ready to dart from the line

His strong arms reaching slightly

His hands opening and closing as if preparing themselves for the work

His long legs seem to go on for miles

His chiseled leg muscles are tight in anticipation of the work ahead

His face, serious and eyes fixed on the prize

The ball snaps as if in slow motion

He immediately darts from his line

His hair violently blowing in the gentle breeze

In only a second, certainly no more, he is upon the quarterback

The quarterback swerves left and swerves right

Trying to find some way out, but alas, he is no match

He matches his footsteps and his outstretched arm reaches

His eyes still fixed on the prize

His hand firmly grasps the flag and pulls it free

The quarterback is sacked

He is a rusher

And he is my son

Happy Mother’s Day

On this beautiful Mother's Day

I look back on memories and wish I could say

…I'm sorry.

 

You see my son has turned 18

And I've looked back on the life I've led

I look back on mistakes I made

And what my mother must have felt

But a discouraging word was never said

 

She was always supportive and encouraging,

Always loving and constantly teaching

Looking back I remember seeing her

Always there waiting in the wings

For me to realize my mistakes

And there she was offering comfort and healing

 

A woman after God's own heart

I never met a woman who got closer

Though many tried to look the part

After years of refining and pruning

Now she stands before Him…Perfect

 

She taught me the most important lessons in life

To love God and his people with all of my might

I love you mom and I wish you were here

You'll be my mentor all of my years.

It’s Game Time!

My oldest son coaches a flag football team and when Saturday rolls around, he brings his team into a huddle and they start to chant. He yells, "What time is it?" and they yell in response, "It's Game Time!" He is getting them pumped up, excited, and passionate about the game they are about to play.

At church our pastor has been teaching a series called Warrior and this weekend was about the Passionate Warrior. At small group tonight we were talking about what we're passionate about. As I sat there I could see a vision of all of us in helmets and flak jackets, with our weapons in hand, crawling on the ground with bombs falling around us. We are at war! There is a real enemy and his name is Satan. We're not playing a game, we're fighting a war. We are fighting for the hearts and souls of those around us. The stakes are high! Instead of flak jackets, we're putting on the breastplate of righteousness; our combat helmets are helmets of salvation; our weapon the sword of the Spirit! Ephesians 6 says, "finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power that you may be able to take a stand against the devil's schemes.

I am fighting for my brother, his wife and son. I'm fighting for my father in law, and for the women in my church and community. I'm fighting for my friends, my children, and my husband. I'm fighting for you! I believe in God. Even more, I believe God. His word is true. I believe everything written in His book. I take a stand by faith, knowing he's already won the war. I'm fighting so that "none should perish". I'm fighting for this city, this country, this world. I am a Jesus Freak and I'm proud. What are you fighting for?

 

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, whom for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

WHAT TIME IS IT????

Socialization?

One of my homeschooling friends just emailed me and told me a funny story which I just had to share. She was at the hair dresser who was grilling her about homeschooling and asking her if she thought her kids missed out on socialization. Now, first of all, anyone who worries about homeschool kids not being socialized has never met a homeschooling mom. But what makes this such a funny story is that the person who was asking this has a 16 year old daughter who just had a baby. She was into drugs and caved to peer pressure and now this woman is a grandmother. Yep, my kids sure miss out.

Now, I'm not saying that all public school kids are into drugs or sex so please don't misunderstand me. But I think it's funny that the question is coming from a woman who has had these problems. Let's not throw stones and judge to hastily.

So if any of you are worried about my kids being socialized let me tell you a little bit about their schedule. They have PE every week where they play with about 50 kids. They are at church about 3 times a week, and we have a very active homeschool group that keeps them pretty busy. Sports each spring and fall and who knows when else.

I love homeschooling. Yes, public school has it's benefits. The public school system has dedicated teachers who really do try their best to give the kids a good education. Not everyone can or would want to homeschool. But for me, I wouldn't trade homeschooling for anything.

Keep on Rolling

This weekend at church Pastor Chris talked about changes. God never changes...everything else does. This caused me to reflect on the past year.

In the last 15 months my mother died, my oldest boy graduated high school and started college and in my family my boys had 5 broken bones.

Pastor Chris gave a wonderful illustration of how we get through the changes in life that naturally happen. He mentioned the movie Twister where 2 people held on as tight as they could to water pipes that ran very deep underground. They tethered themselves to these pipes as the tornado raged all around them. That is how we should hold on to God as the storm rages around us. Hold tight to the truth that God never changes. Hold tight to His promises. He is always faithful and will work everything for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

If my mother were still here, I would be far too busy with doctor's appointments and would not be able to be as involved as I am at my church. I wouldn't be able to work in women's ministry. I miss my mother terribly but the truth is, the change happened and God used it for good. The same thing is true about my father's passing. Had he still been living I never would have agreed to move across the country so far away from him. I never would have found this amazing church or formed the fantastic friendships that I have, I'm not even sure I would be homeschooling my kids. The horrible change came, which I never would have wanted, and God used it for good.

Whatever changes you may be going through, tether yourself to God and His promises. He will be there and He will work it for good, even though it may seem like nothing good could possibly come from it.

I hate change! And yet, I thank God that He is the one in control of the changes.

Thought for the day

Today I was doing my daily reading in the book of John, specifically John chapter 6. This is where he talks about Jesus feeding 5,000 with 5 fish and 2 loaves of bread. He asked His disciples to feed the 5,000 followers that were gathered. One disciple says they would have to work for a month to feed the people and it still wouldn't be enough. Andrew brought a boy with 5 fish and 2 loaves to Jesus and says "this boy has 5 fish and 2 loaves but it isn't enough." I don't know why I never saw this before but today my thought was this. Why, if Andrew knew it wasn't enough, did he bring the boy with his food to Jesus? Answer: he brought him to Jesus in expectation and faith. It's as if he is saying to Jesus, "I found this boy and he's willing to sacrifice his food because we both believe you will do great things with it. " It's faith in action!

That's what God calls us to do. Bring Him the fish and loaves knowing it's not enough and ask Him to do the miraculous. Prayer, faith, action.

We often pray, especially in financial situations, and tell God that what we have isn't enough and we ask Him if He will do the impossible but we are filled with fear and unbelief. Sometimes we may have to pray in that unbelief until we can get out of His way and pray with faith that He will answer our prayers. He wants to give us the good gifts, but we must be faithful, we must do our part, we must truly trust Him.