Monthly Archives: May 2009

May 13, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Little Gratitude Goes A Long Way.

Yesterday, my husband bought me lunch. 

I told him, “Thank you for lunch, babe.”

It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for Kris to buy me lunch.  And, it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for me to thank him.  I just think it’s important to always verbalize my gratitude to him. 

Whether he is taking the trash to the curb, washing Anna’s hair, or flying a trip to provide for our family, I want him to know I’m thankful. 

So, I tell him. 

And, an added bonus?  It keeps our hearts soft toward one another.

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May 12, 2009 · 6:00 am

He Makes All Things Good.

Good news.  I didn’t throw up. 

This past Saturday, I spoke at a Mother-Daughter Luncheon.  Anna participated in the annual fashion show revealing how she completely despises the spotlight.  I’ll see if I can get a video clip to post in the near future. 

I seriously enjoy that girl.  She’s a good balance for me and keeps any legalism I may exhibit from time to time in check. 

On Sunday, I spoke at Eagles Way Church.  I have to say I don’t take for granted the opportunity for God to use me from that pulpit.  My grandfather stood from that pulpit.  My dad stands from that pulpit every week.  My grandfather loved God’s Word more than anyone I’ve ever known.  My dad loves the Kingdom more than he loves himself.  They are both selfless men in that pulpit.  And, I had a heightened awareness that the pulpit is not about me.  Not.One.Bit.

I was nervous.  But, I had a calmness and peace that I knew could only come from God.  So, thanks to all of you who were praying.  Just another reason why I love the body of Christ.

Bigmama told me, “You did a real good job.  But, I was hopin’ you’d get happy in the end.”

“What do you mean by ‘happy’ Bigmama?”

“You know.  Where you get all excited and quote a bunch of scriptures,” she explained.

I love that woman.  She can say whatever she wants to me.  It was, after all, her husband who stood from the pulpit first.

I was pretty tired Sunday afternoon.  I spent the afternoon watching some cheesy Lifetime movie with my mom.  She loves cheesy Lifetime movies.  And, I love her.  I also apparently love cheesy Lifetime movies, because once I start watching one, I have to watch it play out.  Cra-zee.

After a delayed flight, we made it back to Oklahoma.  When I tucked Anna in, she told me, “God and Jesus make good things.”  It reminded me of this scripture in Romans 8:28:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

The verse that follows says, “For God knew his people in advance….” 

God loves you.  He knew you before you were ever conceived.  He was already on the other side of whatever you are going through right now long before you were thought of.  He has already made all things good.  Don’t lose heart.  Your victory is on its way.  And, if I need to get happy and quote a bunch of scriptures to remind you, just let me or Bigmama know.

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May 8, 2009 · 6:00 am

You Cannot Lose My Love

You Cannot Lose My Love
by Sara Groves

You will lose your baby teeth.
At times, you’ll lose your faith in me.
You will lose a lot of things,
But you cannot lose my love.

You may lose your appetite,
Your guiding sense of wrong and right.
You may lose your will to fight,
But you cannot lose my love.

You will lose your confidence.
In times of trial, your common sense.
You may lose your innocence,
But you cannot lose my love.

Many things can be misplaced;
Your very memories be erased.
No matter what the time or space,
You cannot lose my love.
You cannot lose,
You cannot lose,
You cannot lose my love.

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John Henry & Anna Marie,

You cannot ever, ever, ever lose my love.

I love you,
Mom

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May 7, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Little Mommy Check-Up

Today, I’ll share one thing that’s been buggin’ me about me as Mom.

I nag.

Too much.

I didn’t really think of it as a nag.

But, it is.  Really, it is.

Here of late, I’ve realized that tend to expect too much out of my children.  I fail to choose my battles wisely.  I’m teetering on the edge….maybe, I’ve fallen over the edge of being a bit legalistic as a parent.  I so want them to make the right decisions, that I nag them when they make poor choices.

Do you really think they will want to come to me with their insecurities, their mistakes, and their problems if they are afraid I will nag them?  Or, even worse, make them feel less than the beautiful, child of God they are?

No.

So, I’ve made a commitment to change this.

It doesn’t mean that Anna will get away with cutting up my bedding or John Henry will get away with telling a lie.

But, it does mean that every once in a while, I’ll overlook those shoes left in the living room.  I’ll lighten up when they don’t handle a situation the way I think they should have. 

I will be more careful – more deliberate – in how I respond to them. 

 I want them to know I’m a safe place.  And, that they can come to me with anything.  Without fear.  Because, I love them so, so, so very much.

Anything buggin’ you moms or dads?

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May 6, 2009 · 7:03 am

He Has A Universe. I Don’t.

Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love, was on the Lifechurch.tv stage yesterday shooting his message for the upcoming One Prayer event.  I could’ve gone to hear him live.

Could’ve.

But, my dear friend, Lance, didn’t tell me about it until it was pretty much over.  I’m not bitter.

Anyhoo, Lance posted a lot of Chan quotes on Twitter yesterday.  This one spoke loudly:

“God does things His way in His universe.  You may think you have a better way, but you don’t have a universe.”

Can you come to terms with the truth that God is God, and He does whatever He pleases? (Psalm 115:3)

And, can you trust that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them? (Romans 8:28)

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May 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Bit of Tuesday Randomness.

Outside my window…Is some very tall grass.  Where in the Sam Hill is my lawn man?

I am thinking… That God deserves my praise no matter what my circumstances are.

I am thankful for… My husband who works very hard to provide for us – and, let’s me hang out with our children and indulge in Junior Mints and chips and queso. 

From the kitchen… I cooking with organic beef I purchased from an itty bitty – and I do mean itty bitty – country meat store.  A big thank you to my friend, Cindy Beall, for leading me to that little gem.

I am reading… 1 Samuel over and over.  It’s the main text for my message this Sunday at Eagles Way Church.

I am hoping… I don’t leave my fly unzipped on stage when I speak on Sunday.  And, that I don’t throw up or do anything else equally disgusting.

I am hearing… My big, yellow lab snore.  I love my big, yellow lab.

Around the house… Is clean.  For the moment.  Oh, only for the moment.

One of my favorite things… Is spending time with my BSers.  That’s my Bible Study gals.  Since we’ve pretty much become experts familiar with the book of Galatians, we are rewarding ourselves this week some fellaship at a new local favorite where I will embarrass myself inhaling the Blessed Banana French Toast. 

Long live breakfast foods and Mexican food.

Feel free to play along.  You can answer one, all or none.

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May 4, 2009 · 6:00 am

What Are The Odds?

The 50 to 1 odds for Mind That Bird to win the Kentucky Derby have certainly not been over-looked in the past few days.  Wow.  What an incredible under-dog (or horse) story.  These kinds of odds remind me of how often we want God decrease the odds in our own life.

But, that’s not usually how God works.

In the book, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, Mark Batterson addresses this very thing.  Take the story of Gideon, for example.  Gideon started out with thirty-two thousand men, and they were still outnumbered by the Midianites.  They were the underdogs with thirty-two thousand!  But, God tells Gideon he has too many men.  And, He orders Gideon to let go of the scaredy-cats.  Apparently, he had a lot of scaredy-cats, because two-thirds of them went home to momma.

Still too many men, God told him.

If I were Gideon, I’d be like, “Do wha?”

So after a drinking contest.  Wait.  No.  After Gideon discharges his men that drink water like dogs (per God’s instruction), he gets down to a measly three-hundred.

300.

Talk about pretty stinky odds.

But, ya know what?  Israel wins.  Midianites lose.

So, why did God not decrease their odds?  Actually, why did he INCREASE them? 

Simple.  Because, He wants all of the glory.  ALL of it.

Judges 7:2 says “The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.”

Mark  Batterson writes:

“Maybe that is why God sometimes invites us to defy impossible odds.  Maybe it is one way He can show His omnipotence.  Maybe God allows the odds to be stacked against us so He can reveal more of His glory……..

Too often our prayers revolved around asking God to reduce the odds in our lives.  We want everything in our favor.  But maybe God wants to stack the odds against us so we can experience a miracle of divine proportions.  Maybe faith is trusting God no matter how impossible the odds are.  Maybe our impossible situations are opportunities to experience a new dimension of God’s glory.”

If the odds are stacked against you today, do not lose heart.  Remember Who is in control.  And, remember, He not only wants, but deserves all of the glory for your victory.

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