Friday, October 31, 2008
Whatever is true...think about such things.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phillipians 4:8-9)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A great day!
(Blue= Bill speaking) Today was a great day! You already know from below that Laura's birthday was today and we had a little party planned. So we woke up a little earlier than usual and got things going. Sunday School starts at 9:30 and we were a little late. That's only a concern for Will's elementary assembly that starts promptly at 9:30. Our class doesn't seem to get going until @ 9:50 or so! We were all in a good mood all through the morning wishing Laura a "Happy Birthday!" over and over.
Sunday school was very good. One of our Elders is leading a study on Joel. It is very interesting how Joel illustrates the locust invasion and the reason for it! We were blessed to see some people back in class that have been ill or absent for some time. We have been praying for each of them and I felt it was an answered prayer.
On to church. Today we had a special service that gave recognition to the anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation on 10/31. All of our Pastors went over each of the reformer's five solas; Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone), and Sola Christus (Christ Alone). Each subject section began with Scripture that emphasized that point, then the Pastor gave a homily on it and then we sang a hymn or song that emphasized the point. All of them were great and it made for an intriguing Sunday worship service.
Now, on to why I'm posting in the first place: the fifth point, Sola Christus (Christ Alone). We covered this near the end of the service so the song we sang was our closing song. We sang "In Christ Alone" (of course!) which was written by Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty. If you've listened to Contemporary Christian music in the past few years, you've probably heard the version I have on the playlist to the left sung by the Newsboys.
I have to tell you, this is one of the most powerful songs EVER written to me! I know a lot of Christian songs and hymns, but to me none of them speak the whole gospel so well and succinctly as this song. It's not the most powerful music or melody, it is the words. Listen to it. Please!! Misty and I were clutching each other near the end where it says, "Jesus commands my destiny.". Tears streamed down my face as I sang of Jesus standing in victory after taking on my sin. Me, my sin. Why? How? How could He? Why would He? Because He loves me (+you) that much! How awesome! How humbling. How can I not devote everything I do to His glory? Because I am a sinner. I want to write out the lyrics for you, but that would be a lot of space here. PLEASE, I don't think you get the full effect by listening. Do a search for the lyrics and read them as you hear/sing.
In the afternoon we had Laura's party. We were expecting many that couldn't make it. That's OK, some folks that we hadn't expected came. My Dad and Mom came from LA (Lower Alabama) and my brother and nephew came from Auburn, AL. One church friend and her daughter and one neighbor stopped by. It was great! Laura had a blast! Everyone was clapping with and for her! She was laughing and smiling the whole time! Will loved seeing his sister enjoy herself. The weather was wonderful to top it all off. Will got to throw his football with his "Pa", Uncle Jack and cousin John Cooper.
Lately I have questioned God as to why I am where (geographically) I am. I made a prayerful decision a couple of years ago to move my family back to the Atlanta area. Since then I have not seen the clear acknowledgement that what I did is what He wanted me to do. Maybe He will never give me that clarity. Today fortified a truth to me that gives me peace: if I pray to do the correct things and act on what I feel I am led to do, God will honor my prayers. That no matter where I am or what I do, "No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand". That God will prosper me and make me grow in Him no matter where (geographically) I am. I have two healthy, beautiful children, a healthy, beautiful, loving, forgiving, wife that cares for those two children and I am healthy and have a job that I love. We live in a very nice neighborhood and attend a healthy church with other believers that wish to give God the glory He deserves.
Now let's remember all these things this week. Praise the Lord!
Sunday school was very good. One of our Elders is leading a study on Joel. It is very interesting how Joel illustrates the locust invasion and the reason for it! We were blessed to see some people back in class that have been ill or absent for some time. We have been praying for each of them and I felt it was an answered prayer.
On to church. Today we had a special service that gave recognition to the anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation on 10/31. All of our Pastors went over each of the reformer's five solas; Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone), and Sola Christus (Christ Alone). Each subject section began with Scripture that emphasized that point, then the Pastor gave a homily on it and then we sang a hymn or song that emphasized the point. All of them were great and it made for an intriguing Sunday worship service.
Now, on to why I'm posting in the first place: the fifth point, Sola Christus (Christ Alone). We covered this near the end of the service so the song we sang was our closing song. We sang "In Christ Alone" (of course!) which was written by Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty. If you've listened to Contemporary Christian music in the past few years, you've probably heard the version I have on the playlist to the left sung by the Newsboys.
I have to tell you, this is one of the most powerful songs EVER written to me! I know a lot of Christian songs and hymns, but to me none of them speak the whole gospel so well and succinctly as this song. It's not the most powerful music or melody, it is the words. Listen to it. Please!! Misty and I were clutching each other near the end where it says, "Jesus commands my destiny.". Tears streamed down my face as I sang of Jesus standing in victory after taking on my sin. Me, my sin. Why? How? How could He? Why would He? Because He loves me (+you) that much! How awesome! How humbling. How can I not devote everything I do to His glory? Because I am a sinner. I want to write out the lyrics for you, but that would be a lot of space here. PLEASE, I don't think you get the full effect by listening. Do a search for the lyrics and read them as you hear/sing.
In the afternoon we had Laura's party. We were expecting many that couldn't make it. That's OK, some folks that we hadn't expected came. My Dad and Mom came from LA (Lower Alabama) and my brother and nephew came from Auburn, AL. One church friend and her daughter and one neighbor stopped by. It was great! Laura had a blast! Everyone was clapping with and for her! She was laughing and smiling the whole time! Will loved seeing his sister enjoy herself. The weather was wonderful to top it all off. Will got to throw his football with his "Pa", Uncle Jack and cousin John Cooper.
Lately I have questioned God as to why I am where (geographically) I am. I made a prayerful decision a couple of years ago to move my family back to the Atlanta area. Since then I have not seen the clear acknowledgement that what I did is what He wanted me to do. Maybe He will never give me that clarity. Today fortified a truth to me that gives me peace: if I pray to do the correct things and act on what I feel I am led to do, God will honor my prayers. That no matter where I am or what I do, "No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand". That God will prosper me and make me grow in Him no matter where (geographically) I am. I have two healthy, beautiful children, a healthy, beautiful, loving, forgiving, wife that cares for those two children and I am healthy and have a job that I love. We live in a very nice neighborhood and attend a healthy church with other believers that wish to give God the glory He deserves.
Now let's remember all these things this week. Praise the Lord!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Almost One
She will turn one tonight as she sleeps. This little baby girl I love. She had a fun bath with lots of splashing fun. I have spent the day preparing for a drop in Birthday Party tomorrow. At first I thought that it might just be our little family, but it seems that we might have quite a few people here tomorrow.
A Year Ago Tonight
I was to be induced, but was already in labor. We're on our way to Atlanta Medical Center to deliver a beautiful baby girl!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Pictures From Our Walk
In my last post I took a stab at an experiment with exhortation. So far I've had no takers on comments. I was asking for people to comment on one thing that they have prayed about and feel is beneficial to stop and "make happen". You know, one of those "I've really got to do that" things.
Well I took that walk. Not a very big deal, I guess. It was a big deal for me. I had wanted to stop and breathe in this little part of creation around me instead of just driving through it. I wanted to let my sweet girl look at the wonders of trees , flowers, and a bright sun. We spend some time outside, but this was intentional. I wanted to get those walking muscles going again. I prayed and this I believe was beneficial. I listened to my Ipod part of the way. I was singing My God's Enough and Never Alone by Barlow Girl and Agnus Dei by Third Day.
I certainly don't want us all to be bogged down by our little lists nor do I think that we have to cross off all of the things on that list. I just think that there are certain things that we, especially those of us that seem to procrastinate, should "make happen". Even this Stay At Home Mom of two kids, one in school, is pretty busy, but I want to intentionally ask God to show me the things that I should "make happen" and free me from those things that are unnecessary.
Here are a few pictures from our walk:
Starting Out
Across The Street From Our House
The Neighborhood Swing
(Laura Ann is too little just yet. She is working on removing her footie.)
I loved the way these trees looked against the fence.
Well I took that walk. Not a very big deal, I guess. It was a big deal for me. I had wanted to stop and breathe in this little part of creation around me instead of just driving through it. I wanted to let my sweet girl look at the wonders of trees , flowers, and a bright sun. We spend some time outside, but this was intentional. I wanted to get those walking muscles going again. I prayed and this I believe was beneficial. I listened to my Ipod part of the way. I was singing My God's Enough and Never Alone by Barlow Girl and Agnus Dei by Third Day.
I certainly don't want us all to be bogged down by our little lists nor do I think that we have to cross off all of the things on that list. I just think that there are certain things that we, especially those of us that seem to procrastinate, should "make happen". Even this Stay At Home Mom of two kids, one in school, is pretty busy, but I want to intentionally ask God to show me the things that I should "make happen" and free me from those things that are unnecessary.
Here are a few pictures from our walk:
Starting Out
Across The Street From Our House 
The Neighborhood Swing
(Laura Ann is too little just yet. She is working on removing her footie.)
I loved the way these trees looked against the fence.Almost Home
Happy After Our Walk
A Challenge And Offer For Prayer
Today I plan to take Laura Ann on a stroller ride through our neighborhood. We have wonderful sidewalks and even a golf cart path into the next neighborhood. I have walked with the entire family but haven't taken Laura Ann on my own. When I lived in Dothan, I was a regular walker. It helped to have some really wonderful sisters in Christ to walk with. I remember when it got really cold and I thought,"Surely we won't walk today, because of the children" (my friend's children -Will was in school). Well Amanda said: "I'll meet you at the mall today" Might I add that she bundled her weeks old baby in the stroller and we soldiered on outdoors for a while before that!!
I got out of the habit of walking when I got pre-eclamptic (high blood pressure and related issues) again in probably the 5th or sixth month of my pregnancy with Laura Ann. The doctor actually told me to stop walking. This was the doctor in Dothan. My doctor here probably would have had me running and lifting weights the hour before I delivered! I'm just joking, I think. He really wants me to "build muscle!".
Walking with Laura Ann in the neighborhood is one of those things that I have been letting slip through the cracks. You could say that I haven't been a good steward of a good gift that God has given me. Walking with my little girlfriend is one of those "I've got to do that" things. I have a lot of them. Finishing baby books, putting pictures in albums, figuring out how to fully utilize my expensive (to me) digital video camera, reading something besides assigned school and church work with my son, going on a date with my husband... the list goes on and on. I'm sure that we all have some lengthy lists. I'm sure that there are some things that we shouldn't really bother with, but what about those things that are from the Holy Spirit's prodding? Today I'm picking this one thing. I'm sure something in the daily routine will not get done. It is OK. Laura Ann will enjoy some time outside with just her Mama. God has given me a gift in a beautiful daughter, legs that can walk, lovely sidewalks in a great neighborhood, no job outside the home that competes with my time to walk with her (unless you count my volunteer lunch lady job :)) and a neat stroller that my sister gave to me.
What is on your list? I challenge you to pick something. Pray for the Holy Spirit to enable you to do it if it is beneficial. Pray that the burden to do unnecessary things is lifted. I plan to pray that right now.
I would love to get some comments from anyone about the one thing on your list that you have prayed about and feel led to do (or just spend 10 minutes starting the process) this week. I know that there are some readers that I don't know personally, but comment away. I would love to pray with you about it! As you can tell I don't get that many comments and I probably have partially selfish motives for requesting them but if prayers are sent up that is great!
Now for my prayer... I'll let you know if we go on that walk. I believe that we will!
I got out of the habit of walking when I got pre-eclamptic (high blood pressure and related issues) again in probably the 5th or sixth month of my pregnancy with Laura Ann. The doctor actually told me to stop walking. This was the doctor in Dothan. My doctor here probably would have had me running and lifting weights the hour before I delivered! I'm just joking, I think. He really wants me to "build muscle!".
Walking with Laura Ann in the neighborhood is one of those things that I have been letting slip through the cracks. You could say that I haven't been a good steward of a good gift that God has given me. Walking with my little girlfriend is one of those "I've got to do that" things. I have a lot of them. Finishing baby books, putting pictures in albums, figuring out how to fully utilize my expensive (to me) digital video camera, reading something besides assigned school and church work with my son, going on a date with my husband... the list goes on and on. I'm sure that we all have some lengthy lists. I'm sure that there are some things that we shouldn't really bother with, but what about those things that are from the Holy Spirit's prodding? Today I'm picking this one thing. I'm sure something in the daily routine will not get done. It is OK. Laura Ann will enjoy some time outside with just her Mama. God has given me a gift in a beautiful daughter, legs that can walk, lovely sidewalks in a great neighborhood, no job outside the home that competes with my time to walk with her (unless you count my volunteer lunch lady job :)) and a neat stroller that my sister gave to me.
What is on your list? I challenge you to pick something. Pray for the Holy Spirit to enable you to do it if it is beneficial. Pray that the burden to do unnecessary things is lifted. I plan to pray that right now.
I would love to get some comments from anyone about the one thing on your list that you have prayed about and feel led to do (or just spend 10 minutes starting the process) this week. I know that there are some readers that I don't know personally, but comment away. I would love to pray with you about it! As you can tell I don't get that many comments and I probably have partially selfish motives for requesting them but if prayers are sent up that is great!
Now for my prayer... I'll let you know if we go on that walk. I believe that we will!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
While I Was Blogslacking......
The boys attended a "big football game". I hope that Bill will get a chance to post on this later.
Will had his first girlfriend, a blonde cheerleader.
I had my worst Sunday morning ever. Bill was out of town for a golf tournament and both kids were screaming crying as my liquid makeup exploded all over me and the floor. 
I got to church anyway!!!!
My lunch hit the floor, I'm not sure what day it was now!
Will had his first girlfriend, a blonde cheerleader.
I had my worst Sunday morning ever. Bill was out of town for a golf tournament and both kids were screaming crying as my liquid makeup exploded all over me and the floor. 
I got to church anyway!!!!We celebrated Bridget's 18th Birthday.
My lunch hit the floor, I'm not sure what day it was now!ALL of these people spent the night in our house(minus two of the adult men and maybe one of the boys). That's 30 souls, and it was a blast!!! (Girl Scout Field trip to Atlanta)
Will was FDR for a day at the little White House in Warm Springs, GA for a school project.
The cocktail sauce hit the floor on the Thursday that I planned to post. I mopped with old fashioned Lysol in the brown bottle and my house smells like a hospital.
And life went on and on and on.... We are striving to live as followers of Christ in a busy hurried world.
Life is fun, hectic, hurried, exhausting, rewarding, exciting and hopefully lived to the praise of His glorious grace. Well duty calls, Someone doesn't want to take an evening nap and my threshhold for crying time has been hit. Now I will scoop her up and comfort her and try again at bedtime for sleep. She will turn one next Sunday. More thoughts on that later......
Friday, October 17, 2008
OK so I failed!
I wanted to post and catch up on things so I put a stay tuned on my last post for accountability. Well, it didn't work. When I get to post the pics (one taken yesterday) you'll see how I keep getting tripped up!! My little sister showed up last night so I really need to hang out with her until she leaves for the youth retreat this afternoon. It will be a joy to post whenever it happens! I marvel at you bloggers that seem to keep up your blogs so well and live such full beautiful lives. Maybe I'll be that organized one day!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I haven't left.....
I haven't left, I'm just a blogslacker. I've been doing silly things like cleaning and unpacking boxes, Bible study and the like. (That's sarcasm.... I'm told that my joking is somewhat unclear at times) OK, so my goal is to post something by (hmmmm) Thursday night!!! My baby is in only a diaper after her bath and is crinkling some plastic packaging (too small to do any harm and I am watching her!)Ok I just had to finger sweep a sticker from a package out of her mouth. (She loves to eat paper) (I apparently love writing in parentheses). I really have to put some clothes in the dryer and try to get enough laundry done so that I can justify going to buy some liquid makeup. I sing with praise team Sunday and I really need some make-up to cover the new crop of bumps that I have. Some of us go through that part of puberty quite late I guess! Hope to see you by Thursday!!!
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