Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe… Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without complaining? EVERYTHING???
Pretty sure I’m not shinin’ like a star in the universe every day.
You?
Filed under life, Spiritual Journey
I’m a little late getting started this morning. Our power went out last night for a better part of the evening, and well, you can’t exactly go to bed when it’s so dark can you? That would just be odd. So, I stayed up in the family room with, well, my family. And, I’m not sure why I keep using, well, “well.” I’ll stop it now.
When the electricity goes out, there are no distractions. Ever notice that? Of course, the tree falling into my parents’ backyard crushing a part of their fence caused a slight commotion, but there was no blaring of a television or surfing of a browser that turned our heads from one another.
Instead, we took turns trying to remember as many Reba McIntyre songs as we could. That game appropriately started with none other than “The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia.” Oh, and me belting it out like the red-headed diva herself, all sans the red head and ultra skinny waste. And, great vocals. Perhaps, it was my vocals that led to John Henry insisting on playing some 38 Special. That and the fact that he’s never heard any Reba. How did my parenting go so wrong?
Before we mustered up the courage to go to bed in the dark, we sat around and talked about our friend, Phil. Phil stood in the presence of His Creator, the object of his affection, only a few days ago. We talked about how there was no age discrimination in the lives he touched. He touched the old, the young, and the really, really young. I watched a 16 year old girl with uncontrolled tears covering her beautiful, young face, because one 63 year old man touched her life.
Phil Purser didn’t pastor a large church. He wasn’t a missionary to some foreign land. But, he was a pastor and missionary wherever he was to whomever he was with. And, he was the greatest encourager I have ever known.
May we power off more often, so our heads do not turn from one another. And, may we all grow up to be a Phil Purser.
Filed under life, making an impact
I wanted to title this post “All the Single Ladies,” but I just couldn’t make it work. Another blog, another day.
I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Kim Heinecke. I met Kim in my bible study almost a year ago, and we instantly connected. Our stories of divorce are similar. And, our stories of how God healed our broken hearts are even more similar.
I want you read her testimony. Besides it being one of the most beautiful pieces of writing you will ever read, it will make you want to fall in love with your Father all over again – whether you’re single OR married.
Kim writes:
“It is my testimony that when the Lord becomes the fountain of everything meaningful in your life – when He is your companion, your protector, your provider – you will never be lost or disappointed by what happens or doesn’t happen on your journey.”
Read Kim’s testimony here. It’ll be the best thing you read today.
I assure you.
Filed under disappointment, divorce, God Stuff, Motherhood
Yesterday could have hardly been better. Between eating breakfast at a hometown local favorite, Cindy Beall re-entering the blogging world, and a big Beluga whale smiling at me, it was dang near perfection.
We took the kids to the Georgia Aquarium. But, not before eating at Murphy’s. Nothing like a pancake shaped like Mickey.
I could’ve almost purchased my Yolo board with what we spent on our Aquarium tickets. Oh, but we were making memories, right? Okay. Sure.
Here are a few of our pics.
Anna hardly walks anywhere. Why walk when you can skip? Or dance for that matter?
You can tell Kris is hardly fazed by her prance. We’ve grown accustomed to the fact that she lives in Annaville.
And, finally, my favorite pic.
I mean, I’ve never made a Beluga whale smile before. My dad said this is just the way these whales look. Whatev’. I think he saw something inside of me that made a part of him happy – made him feel complete. Or, he just looks like this. I choose to believe otherwise. Yes, yes. He is totally smiling at me.
Then, we all celebrated by eating seafood.
Not. Even. Kidding.
Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness
We watched Jim Carrey’s “Yes Man” last night. Carrey plays this character who pretty much says no to every request until he goes to some insane “Yes” rally where he learns to say yes to everything. He does. And, his life takes an interesting turn.
At times, I say yes to more things than I want to say yes to. And, I probably say no to more than things than I should. By saying yes to too many things, I’m certainly not setting my boundaries well. And, by saying no to too many things, I’m not experiencing life to its fullest – not to mention, placing myself in more opportunities to see God at work.
Last week, we visited our friends, Mike and Shari, in Florida. Shari convinced me to try the stand-up paddle board. I initially hesitated, because my thirty-something year old body and balance isn’t what it used to be. But, I eventually ignored the little chicken inside and surrendered. The result? I loved it. I really did. I loved it so much, that I’m saving up my money to buy my very own. So far I’ve saved $1.75. At this rate, I’ll own a YOLO board in 2029. But, that’s something, right?
What is something you wanted to say yes or no to and did the opposite…..and glad you did?
Filed under life
Here’s is what I’m noticing.
I’m not noticing.
Not lately. I’m not noticing
the dimple on Anna’s left cheek.
the way John Henry still snuggles up to his Moosie and Mimi.
the way Kris’ hand rests tenderly on my knee.
the little things.
That really are the big things. I generally try to be intentional about noticing these things. And, the usual crawl of Summer should provide me every opportunity soak up these precious, fleeting moments.
So, today, I’m taking notice.
My very good friend (and a super cool pastor at EWC), Will Doss, asked a very good question last night.
He said, “What is one trait you would tell your son or daughter to look for in a spouse?”
I answered with a broad “someone with a heart after God.” I just tend to believe that when we have a heart after Christ, everything else follows as it is supposed to.
My dad condensed it to “someone who is both faithful and loyal.” In other words, someone who does exactly what he or she says he or she is going to do.
Each of us individually should bring glory to Christ. I think a good question to answer when entering into a marriage is “Will we bring more glory to Christ together than we will apart?”
What would you (or did you) tell your son or daughter? What is one trait you would encourage someone to look for in a spouse?
Here are a few more pics of Anna’s horse camp adventure:
When I first saw Anna on this big horse by her little self, I was slightly fearful. After all, how could someone so small control such a large animal? It reminded me of how James tells us it’s easier to bridle a horse than bridle our tongue. Hmmm.
James 3 says, “We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth…..People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue.”
But, with God’s help, we can bridle it just as we bridle a horse. And, if we are able to do that, imagine how many more blessings we will speak. How much more life we will impart. Every time we open our mouths, we allow others to look into our heart. I hope my words are makin’ my heart look good. But, I know that sometimes, I probably make it look pur-tee yucky.
So, today I’m praying:
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Psalm 141:3
Filed under Kid Stuff, Spiritual Journey
It’s officially summer. Hence, my laziness in writing today. I mean, it’s the heat. It’s sweltering. And, it makes me want to turn down the A/C to arctic temps, snuggle up to a ridiculously long movie like Benjamin Buttons, and eat a box of Junior Mints. Anyhoo, here is a glimpse of Anna’s horse camp experience.
Her BRAND NEW boots – Day Five.
She truly is a country girl. Who also enjoys serving tea, sword fighting, and being a fashion trailblazer.
More pics to come tomorrow.
Happy Summer Y’all. Stay inside. Or in a pool. It’s hooootttttt.
Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness
Randomness Readers, it is with the greatest of honors I give you my mama today. Love her. Lu-huv her. Take it away, Mom.
Do You Know Him as Father?
I would like to thank Dusty for giving me this opportunity to be a guest on her blog. I do not take this lightly. I consider it a huge honor just to be asked. So, in an attempt to be half as interesting and not nearly as funny as my wonderful daughter, here it goes.
This Sunday is Father’s Day, and I would like to share a little of my life and what I have learned from my father.
To provide for our family, my father was a truck driver. He was rarely at home, so I did not have a relationship with him. I saw my dad one week a month (sometimes), and then when I did see him, it truly was a strain and very stressful time. I won’t bother you with those details. Growing up in a family without a “father figure” would become an issue with me later in life as one would probably imagine.
After giving my life to Jesus and growing in my faith, I still felt I was missing out on something. I was longing for something more. A part of my heart ached. There was a part missing.
I cried out to Jesus.
I will never forget to this day how He spoke to me. I can even recall where I was standing at that very moment. He spoke these words to me: “You know me as Jesus, and you know me as Lord. And, My Holy Spirit you know and have experienced. But, do you know me as your Father? Have you opened that door”? In Psalms 68: 5, He said He would be a Father to the fatherless.
Overwhelmed, I couldn’t hold back the tears.
It was then and there that I realized I didn’t know what a father was. It was once said to me the way we see our earthly father is the way we see and accept our Heavenly Father. For me, that was so true. I petitioned God to teach me – show me what a father is, and does! And, it all started from there. He began to teach me about fathers, and how a father loves his children. How a father will protect them, never leaves them, guides them, and how a father longs to give and bless his children.
The Miracle? God restored and gave me an amazing relationship with my earthly father! My father went to be with the Lord in 1985, but I had a wonderful relationship with my father for almost 10 years – one that I would have never imagined. God, our Father, is an awesome God and an amazing Father. Do you know Him as your Father?
I would also like tell my dearest and best friend, who not only happens to be a wonderful father to our daughter, but great father to an incredible church (Eagles Way): Happy Father’s Day Buren Goss. I love you!
Filed under God Stuff, parenting, Relationships, Spiritual Journey
wife, mother, pastor, writer
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