What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I am overwhelmed with the blessings in my life. We got away to nearby Santa Fe, rode the train, played in the snow...it was great. We have some family in from Houston for a few more days and sometimes I get overwhelmed at cooking and keeping everyone happy. This prompted a verse to come to mind.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
When you think about the verse, it's kind of hard to not work with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. Working at cooking meals, making people feel at home while they are away from theirs, working at our daily jobs that are not in ministry.
Everything we do should glorify God. That is what oozing is all about. You can ooze the Holy Spirit while you are working on quarterly reports, preparing a mailing and making phone calls.
It's a challenge. Can you take this verse to heart this week? What will be your biggest challenge?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. pecans
2. the possibility of snow
3. rocking chairs
4. hand sanitizer
5. groomed dogs
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Giving Thanks
If I was to list the things I am thankful for, I don't know if I could stop. It's not just the big things like a great job, or my health, but also the little things like peanut butter and biscuits at the local diner.
I can honestly say that I am thankful for the bleeding disorders that my children have. I've experienced a lifetime with them both and it has made me grow and will turn my boys into strong men.
I am also thankful that several years ago I learned that Thanksgiving does not have to be "done" a "certain" way...i.e. "Martha Stewart."
I am in a hotel in Santa Fe with my family, having a Thanksgiving feast (that I'm not cooking) at the Marriott with a leisurely movie thrown in. What a glorious day it will be! Surrounded by the mountains in what I deem "God's Country."
My prayer for you is that you do not get too overwhelmed by Thanksgiving. Don't be "Martha" (Luke 10:38-42)! Enjoy the company as "Mary" enjoyed listening to Jesus. It was a time she did not want to pass up.
Our lives are filled with charmed moments. Moments that we will hopefully be awake enough to experience and hopefully wise enough to appreciate (Katrina Kenison, The Gift of an Ordinary Day).
Blessings to you and your families on this day of thanks. Let's keep our days of thanks going throughout the entire year. Write down the things you are thankful for and go back and revisit your list. You'll be amazed at how you view the world.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. family flying in safely
2. hearing my little one breathing as he is snuggled under the covers
3. rest
4. new cameras
5. a treasured new book The Gift of An Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison
I can honestly say that I am thankful for the bleeding disorders that my children have. I've experienced a lifetime with them both and it has made me grow and will turn my boys into strong men.
I am also thankful that several years ago I learned that Thanksgiving does not have to be "done" a "certain" way...i.e. "Martha Stewart."
I am in a hotel in Santa Fe with my family, having a Thanksgiving feast (that I'm not cooking) at the Marriott with a leisurely movie thrown in. What a glorious day it will be! Surrounded by the mountains in what I deem "God's Country."
My prayer for you is that you do not get too overwhelmed by Thanksgiving. Don't be "Martha" (Luke 10:38-42)! Enjoy the company as "Mary" enjoyed listening to Jesus. It was a time she did not want to pass up.
Our lives are filled with charmed moments. Moments that we will hopefully be awake enough to experience and hopefully wise enough to appreciate (Katrina Kenison, The Gift of an Ordinary Day).
Blessings to you and your families on this day of thanks. Let's keep our days of thanks going throughout the entire year. Write down the things you are thankful for and go back and revisit your list. You'll be amazed at how you view the world.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. family flying in safely
2. hearing my little one breathing as he is snuggled under the covers
3. rest
4. new cameras
5. a treasured new book The Gift of An Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison
Monday, November 23, 2009
Our ultimate reward
Had a scare this weekend. My husband had to go to the emergency room. He is a diabetic that has controlled his diabetes through diet and medication for several years, but now it seems as if he may need to go on insulin.
He was not feeling great and found out that his sugar was extremely high.
When you have someone (or you are) in the hospital you start to think about life ending. I've been doing that a lot as I've gotten into my "forties." I always have assumed that I would be the one to "go first" because I can't imagine my life without my husband. I just adore him.
To see my husband sick just scares me. He's doing great now but these things happen and make us think about our mortality. Sometimes I find myself thinking about what I would do if my husband passed away. Where would I live, what about the kids, etc. It's crazy thinking but I think part of that thinking is Satan getting his hands on me.
What I should be thinking about is what my ultimate reward will be when I die! I will get to spend eternity at the feet of Jesus. It's time to not be scared of death but to prepare in our hearts for the day that we will meet God.
I lack quite a bit of wisdom where death is concerned. I pray that God give me the heart and soul to prepare for it.
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. choclate milk
2. an organized coat closet
3. a clean fridge
4. modems
5. possibilities
He was not feeling great and found out that his sugar was extremely high.
When you have someone (or you are) in the hospital you start to think about life ending. I've been doing that a lot as I've gotten into my "forties." I always have assumed that I would be the one to "go first" because I can't imagine my life without my husband. I just adore him.
To see my husband sick just scares me. He's doing great now but these things happen and make us think about our mortality. Sometimes I find myself thinking about what I would do if my husband passed away. Where would I live, what about the kids, etc. It's crazy thinking but I think part of that thinking is Satan getting his hands on me.
What I should be thinking about is what my ultimate reward will be when I die! I will get to spend eternity at the feet of Jesus. It's time to not be scared of death but to prepare in our hearts for the day that we will meet God.
I lack quite a bit of wisdom where death is concerned. I pray that God give me the heart and soul to prepare for it.
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. choclate milk
2. an organized coat closet
3. a clean fridge
4. modems
5. possibilities
Friday, November 20, 2009
Surprises
It touches my heart when someone thinks of my boys. Yesterday, one of our church members brought me a Lightning McQueen bag filled with goodies (from her little grandson) for my Christian. Since he'd been in the hospital, they had been thinking of him and made him a goodie bag. He loved it!
When we got home, a few hours later, there was a package at the door. For my Lance. It was from his old Sunday school teacher at our previous church. She made him his favorite...Snickerdoodles!
I was so touched and overwhelmed at the love shown to my children yesterday. A couple of nice acts that made each of them feel special.
Have you gone out of your way lately to touch someone's life? It's the simple things that often mean the most.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. the morning chill
2. a filthy house
3. having time to take off
4. road trips
5. peace
When we got home, a few hours later, there was a package at the door. For my Lance. It was from his old Sunday school teacher at our previous church. She made him his favorite...Snickerdoodles!
I was so touched and overwhelmed at the love shown to my children yesterday. A couple of nice acts that made each of them feel special.
Have you gone out of your way lately to touch someone's life? It's the simple things that often mean the most.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. the morning chill
2. a filthy house
3. having time to take off
4. road trips
5. peace
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Plans
Where is the best place to catch a virus? The hospital. I've been dealing with one for a few days in addition to living around Christian's schedule of IV antibiotics(6am and 6 pm until Thanksgiving...a 2 hour infusion).
It's just one of those things...when you "plan" things just happen.
I'm looking forward to a getaway to Santa Fe over Thanksgiving. And then we will be preparing for the biggest birthday party of the year!
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. dry toast
2. a messy desk
3. a wonderful babysitter
4. paperweights
5. space heaters
It's just one of those things...when you "plan" things just happen.
I'm looking forward to a getaway to Santa Fe over Thanksgiving. And then we will be preparing for the biggest birthday party of the year!
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. dry toast
2. a messy desk
3. a wonderful babysitter
4. paperweights
5. space heaters
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Hospital Moments
My Christian is in the hospital, again. He has an infection in his implanted port. It's been a weekend of keeping my three year old entertained while being alone in the hospital.
When you are in the hospital out of your hometown you have to manuever well. Did I pack enough clothes, since I'm not sure how long we'll be staying? Can I sneak down fast enough to get something to eat? Do I have enough time to run across the floor to wash my clothes? And of course, am I fast enough to get the bucket to him when he gets sick?
Another few, crazy days of hospital living. But through all the craziness we had some great moments. Moments that will never be taken away. Moments that may have not happened at home.
We spend lots of time looking out of the big window in our room that overlooks the university campus talking about the snow on the mountains, the colors of the leaves, the birds, the airplanes and the cars below. We get lost in our conversations.
When I put Christian to sleep, we were lying together in his bed looking at the ceiling. I had brought his nightlight, which shines the moon and stars on the ceiling. We had our quiet time of talking about the stars and "Luna." A quiet, precious moment in the craziness of the hospital.
As I have been getting stressed this evening, I hang onto those moments. I hang onto the smile from across the room that my sweet son flashes as he is watching "Thomas." And I smile at the lone choo choo on the windowsill that my thirteen year old once called his own.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. The Ronald McDonald House
2. crushed ice
3. Skype
4. straws
5. choo choos
When you are in the hospital out of your hometown you have to manuever well. Did I pack enough clothes, since I'm not sure how long we'll be staying? Can I sneak down fast enough to get something to eat? Do I have enough time to run across the floor to wash my clothes? And of course, am I fast enough to get the bucket to him when he gets sick?
Another few, crazy days of hospital living. But through all the craziness we had some great moments. Moments that will never be taken away. Moments that may have not happened at home.
We spend lots of time looking out of the big window in our room that overlooks the university campus talking about the snow on the mountains, the colors of the leaves, the birds, the airplanes and the cars below. We get lost in our conversations.
When I put Christian to sleep, we were lying together in his bed looking at the ceiling. I had brought his nightlight, which shines the moon and stars on the ceiling. We had our quiet time of talking about the stars and "Luna." A quiet, precious moment in the craziness of the hospital.
As I have been getting stressed this evening, I hang onto those moments. I hang onto the smile from across the room that my sweet son flashes as he is watching "Thomas." And I smile at the lone choo choo on the windowsill that my thirteen year old once called his own.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. The Ronald McDonald House
2. crushed ice
3. Skype
4. straws
5. choo choos
Friday, November 13, 2009
"I'm Not Who I Was"
"God, thank you for not letting me be who I used to be."
Over the past eight years my life has taken a huge turn. My faith strengthened, I learned a lot about myself and my direction in life completely changed. I was a teacher living in suburbia trying to keep up and now I have a job that allows me to work from home, with a husband who is a pastor (in an itinerant system), and I have a new found passion for preaching God's word.
Back then I told someone, who I used to be close to, that they were "dead to me." Those words haunt me. Satan had his grip on me then in a very bad time in my life.
It's amazing how much freedom I feel now! I can never take those words back and I don't think that person will ever forgive me, all I can do is pray for them, but I know I'm not who I was, and I thank God for that!
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. volunteering with the local band program
2. reed diffusers
3. door prizes
4. 1/2 days off
5. breakfast at the local diner
Over the past eight years my life has taken a huge turn. My faith strengthened, I learned a lot about myself and my direction in life completely changed. I was a teacher living in suburbia trying to keep up and now I have a job that allows me to work from home, with a husband who is a pastor (in an itinerant system), and I have a new found passion for preaching God's word.
Back then I told someone, who I used to be close to, that they were "dead to me." Those words haunt me. Satan had his grip on me then in a very bad time in my life.
It's amazing how much freedom I feel now! I can never take those words back and I don't think that person will ever forgive me, all I can do is pray for them, but I know I'm not who I was, and I thank God for that!
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. volunteering with the local band program
2. reed diffusers
3. door prizes
4. 1/2 days off
5. breakfast at the local diner
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Perspective
The things I worry about...
my weight
money
exercising
car problems
my house not being clean enough
what I want to be when I grow up.
Doesn't the Bible clearly tell us a few things about worry?
In Philippians 4:6 we are commanded "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
All of our needs are to be brought to God rather than keep to ourselves in worry.
In 1 Peter 5:7, we are instructed to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God does not want us to carry around the weight of problems and burdens. In this verse, God is telling us to give Him all of our worries and concerns. The God wants to take on our problems because He cares for us. God is concerned about everything that happens to us. No worry is too big or too small for His attention. When we give God our problems, He promises to give us the peace which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
I recently heard about a woman who is battling cancer. She had lung cancer which has now spread to her brain. She has five children and she is 41 years old. 41. That's my age. I can't begin to imagine what she is dealing with. She's fighting for her life and I am struggling to figure out what the next right thing to do is.
Yes, I believe we all have our struggles and I am not trying to make light of what anyone deals with just because it is not a life threatening illness, but I think it is important that we put our lives into perspective. There is always someone dealing with something huge - probably bigger than anything in our own lives.
I know my Christian's chemo is a big deal, but I have also put it into perspective. I know that the children around him in the infusion suite are also dealing with huge doses compared to my son and they have their struggles, but it doesn't make ours any less important. We just have to give everything over to God and know that His will is being done.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. muffins
2. the Nomads
3. new windows
4. dust
5. flash drives
my weight
money
exercising
car problems
my house not being clean enough
what I want to be when I grow up.
Doesn't the Bible clearly tell us a few things about worry?
In Philippians 4:6 we are commanded "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
All of our needs are to be brought to God rather than keep to ourselves in worry.
In 1 Peter 5:7, we are instructed to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God does not want us to carry around the weight of problems and burdens. In this verse, God is telling us to give Him all of our worries and concerns. The God wants to take on our problems because He cares for us. God is concerned about everything that happens to us. No worry is too big or too small for His attention. When we give God our problems, He promises to give us the peace which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
I recently heard about a woman who is battling cancer. She had lung cancer which has now spread to her brain. She has five children and she is 41 years old. 41. That's my age. I can't begin to imagine what she is dealing with. She's fighting for her life and I am struggling to figure out what the next right thing to do is.
Yes, I believe we all have our struggles and I am not trying to make light of what anyone deals with just because it is not a life threatening illness, but I think it is important that we put our lives into perspective. There is always someone dealing with something huge - probably bigger than anything in our own lives.
I know my Christian's chemo is a big deal, but I have also put it into perspective. I know that the children around him in the infusion suite are also dealing with huge doses compared to my son and they have their struggles, but it doesn't make ours any less important. We just have to give everything over to God and know that His will is being done.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. muffins
2. the Nomads
3. new windows
4. dust
5. flash drives
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Doubt
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Why do we let doubt even creep in to our minds?
I wish I could say that the above verse is on my heart all of the time, but often times, I begin to worry about things. "Will the shop find out what's wrong with my vehicle, will Christian's chemo have a good result when it's all over, will we stay in our current pastorate longer than a year..."
I know I could worry myself sick about everything, but then I'll be missing out on something really important...LIFE! Satan works hard at getting us when we are down. Even while things are going along great and we have that split second of wonder and doubt, Satan works his way in to destroy the good in our lives.
We have to keep our priorities in check...keep all of the important things on our list active in all that we do. We have to remember that doubt can destroy.
"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." -Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV)
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. direct deposit
2. rental cars
3. phone cords
4. bookmarks
5. journaling
Why do we let doubt even creep in to our minds?
I wish I could say that the above verse is on my heart all of the time, but often times, I begin to worry about things. "Will the shop find out what's wrong with my vehicle, will Christian's chemo have a good result when it's all over, will we stay in our current pastorate longer than a year..."
I know I could worry myself sick about everything, but then I'll be missing out on something really important...LIFE! Satan works hard at getting us when we are down. Even while things are going along great and we have that split second of wonder and doubt, Satan works his way in to destroy the good in our lives.
We have to keep our priorities in check...keep all of the important things on our list active in all that we do. We have to remember that doubt can destroy.
"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." -Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV)
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. direct deposit
2. rental cars
3. phone cords
4. bookmarks
5. journaling
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