tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59645285676805071742024-03-13T16:07:46.811-07:00Behold Wonderful ThingsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-9794862617048156642012-05-02T22:39:00.003-07:002012-05-02T22:39:59.475-07:00My Dad has 13 lumps growing.<br />
My Cat is sick.<br />
There is no comparison.<br />
I don't think the vet understood when I said our cat wasn't high on the priority list.<br />
Nothing surprises our God.<br />
Again there is no comparison.<br />
These light and momentary afflictions. <br />
That is what they are.<br />
Light and Momentary.<br />
And yet there is a lump in my throat.<br />
A lump.<br />
I am thankful for my Dad.<br />
What a treasure he is to me.<br />
The kindness of the Lord to give him to me as my Dad.<br />
I don't deserve him.<br />
I don't deserve any precious gift.<br />
Jesus. You are most precious. Of all gifts. Most precious.<br />
Thank you for life.<br />
Ever-lasting.<br />
Ever..... lasting.<br />
Whew.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-29643030044059292722012-04-21T22:58:00.000-07:002012-04-21T23:19:29.050-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">If the LORD truly is God, then follow Him. </span><br />
In All. <br />
Is there anything I should holdonto? <br />
Anyone? <br />
Any hope outside of Him?<br />
Any hurt? <br />
Why do we ...hesitate? <br />
Why do we l<br />
i<br />
m<br />
p?<br />
We do not know Him as we ought.<br />
We have not truly seen Him as we should.<br />
Because if we know Him, even a little, we love Him;<br />
we can only trust Him.<br />
It must be that I forget.<br />
My choice to look away.<br />
And loose sight.<br />
I do know You,<br />
I do love You,<br />
I do trust You. More.<br />
But I forget.<br />
Forgive my unbelief, Lord. It is unbelief.<br />
<br />
You are Faithful. You are True. I am Yours.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-33240924640980373452011-07-30T14:53:00.000-07:002011-08-29T15:43:49.586-07:00A Glimpse, Thoughts of Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQJOsc46CwM/TlwWFz4k7uI/AAAAAAAAA28/G8WgMXbxVPY/s1600/A+Glimpse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQJOsc46CwM/TlwWFz4k7uI/AAAAAAAAA28/G8WgMXbxVPY/s640/A+Glimpse.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-21043641102242218732011-05-23T09:10:00.000-07:002011-05-23T09:10:09.309-07:00Schneider Kids 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iteizg4OuWQ/TdqGy3fccxI/AAAAAAAAA2I/QbIMuMSCn8A/s1600/Schneider+Kids+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iteizg4OuWQ/TdqGy3fccxI/AAAAAAAAA2I/QbIMuMSCn8A/s640/Schneider+Kids+2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-91728184689465103362011-05-23T08:32:00.000-07:002011-05-23T08:32:08.859-07:00Schneider's Being Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zaSScMPMASQ/Tdp9mTOYr6I/AAAAAAAAA2A/wwTAzT67M4c/s1600/DSC_0033_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zaSScMPMASQ/Tdp9mTOYr6I/AAAAAAAAA2A/wwTAzT67M4c/s640/DSC_0033_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Okay... we are a normal American family :)... a little scary, but nevertheless it is definitely us!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-84118758923792335712010-12-18T11:44:00.000-08:002010-12-18T11:44:45.258-08:00For Amy, my friend.... so your eyes may have rest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TQ0O-PkyadI/AAAAAAAAAzo/bGAKV07IBgk/s1600/DSC_0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TQ0O-PkyadI/AAAAAAAAAzo/bGAKV07IBgk/s640/DSC_0162.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-63904193509114173642010-11-22T09:05:00.001-08:002010-11-22T09:22:50.910-08:00Winter's First Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TOqi1lxga9I/AAAAAAAAAzI/ZYdoXsFQtrw/s1600/DSC_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TOqi1lxga9I/AAAAAAAAAzI/ZYdoXsFQtrw/s640/DSC_0060.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First Snow!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Covers the Grass.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">No School.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shovel. shovel. shovel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quiet streets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hot chocolate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas music.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Smiles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Taste of winter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Washed as white.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pure white.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First snow.</span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-15350255030529809172010-10-17T18:48:00.000-07:002010-10-17T18:48:35.119-07:00From "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore...<div style="text-align: left;"><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://sunriseface2face.blogspot.com/2010/10/breaking-free.html">"Breaking Free"</a></h3><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Question of the Week:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why do you think Isaiah readily responded to the call?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple... (with the Seraphim crying,) </div><div style="text-align: center;">'Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.' </div><div style="text-align: center;">The foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. "</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Isaiah sees himself against this backdrop and cries out </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Woe is me, for I am ruined!"</div><br />
In the midst of this splendor, in the midst of the glory of God, in the midst of the Seraphim expressing worship, Isaiah sees his makeup.<br />
<br />
Isaiah becomes acutely aware of his uncleanliness before a holy God.<br />
<br />
After receiving cleansing of his iniquity and sin being forgiven, then the voice of the Lord speaks...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?"</span></div><br />
"Here am I. Send me!" is Isaiah's response. Here am I, send me.<br />
<br />
Uzziah the king has died, Isaiah sees the King of kings high and lifted up, he cries out in his awareness of his uncleanliness, his iniquity is taken away and his sins are forgiven... then he responds to the call with "Here am I, send me!"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Do we <span style="font-size: x-large;">see our exalted Lord</span> or are we blinded by ourselves? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Do we <span style="font-size: x-large;">sense our unworthiness and sin</span> or do we hide in self-righteousness? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Do we<span style="font-size: x-large;"> cry out to Him</span> or are we too proud? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Do we <span style="font-size: x-large;">recognize we are forgiven</span> or do we wallow? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Do we <span style="font-size: x-large;">respond to his call </span>on our lives with "Here am I, send me?" no matter what the cost...<br />
Are we ready to be sent?<br />
Are we willing to respond to Him?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here am I, Lord, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here am I.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-57558777311651144462010-09-29T13:51:00.000-07:002010-09-29T13:51:58.155-07:00Our friend Micah Tuttle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TKOlXqZo4rI/AAAAAAAAAxk/kUppXbqqB9M/s1600/DSC_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TKOlXqZo4rI/AAAAAAAAAxk/kUppXbqqB9M/s640/DSC_0537.jpg" width="428" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alek just studied the boa that resides in South America.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day, he comes up to me and shows me a lego man</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">saying</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"This is Uncle Micah!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then he points to our map where we have depicted a man with a boa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had shown him the picture of Micah and their large boa they had seen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The image isn't an exact replica... but you can see similarities. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alek with his sense of humor and enjoyment of Legos did a fairly good job, I think! :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-14494107771059534162010-09-17T22:55:00.000-07:002010-09-17T22:55:54.586-07:00Call to KnowHow little I know You. How little I long to know. <br />
Let me know you even in my faithlessness, <br />
For from you and through you and to you are all things.<br />
You have chosen to show mercy on me an object of wrath prepared for destructions...<br />
<br />
Help me to long for you, to search for you, to thirst for you...<br />
Though I cannot understand the depths...<br />
I want to understand all I am able<br />
As deeply as I am designed to know you.<br />
<br />
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.<br />
Jesus, I want to know you.<br />
In my regenerate self, I want to know you.<br />
My flesh wars within. It wages in deception.<br />
<br />
I am a stranger on earth;<br />
Do not hide your commands from me.<br />
This world is not my home.<br />
I am a stranger here.<br />
<br />
Romans 11 <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28228">33</sup>Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! <br />
How unsearchable his judgments, <br />
and his paths beyond tracing out! <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28229">34</sup>"Who has known the mind of the Lord? <br />
Or who has been his counselor?" <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28230">35</sup>"Who has ever given to God, <br />
that God should repay him?" <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28231">36</sup>For from him and through him and to him are all things. <br />
To him be the glory forever! Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-35620801393193284512010-08-03T12:23:00.000-07:002010-08-03T12:26:35.749-07:00Another's Servant<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28269">Romans 14:3</sup>The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, <i>for God has accepted him</i>. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28270">4</sup>Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. <i>And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.</i><br />
<br />
A lesson reminded to me yesterday as I continued through Romans... I carry the law so many times for other believers of how they should live, what they should be doing. What arrogance! What pride! Do I really think that I am able to judge someone else's servant? Who do I really think I am? <br />
<i> </i><br />
It is subtle. Not so obvious judgment. Sounds like exhortation. Sounds like glory given to God for how he worked in my life.<br />
<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-19365">Jeramiah 17:7</sup> "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, <br />
whose confidence is in him. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-19366">8</sup> He will be like a tree planted by the water <br />
that sends out its roots by the stream. <br />
It does not fear when heat comes; <br />
its leaves are always green. <br />
It has no worries in a year of drought <br />
and never fails to bear fruit." <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-19367">9</sup> The heart is deceitful above all things <br />
and beyond cure. <br />
Who can understand it? <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-19368">10</sup> "I the LORD search the heart <br />
and examine the mind, <br />
to reward a man according to his conduct, <br />
according to what his deeds deserve."<br />
<br />
The Lord has searched my heart and found deceit in it.<br />
<br />
I am one who trusts in the LORD and have placed my confidence in him.<br />
I have seen him carry me through the drought and the heat and then I have found that my heart is deceitful even in the expression of his carrying me.<br />
<br />
Thank you for searching my heart, opening my eyes to see. Help me to not judge your servants for I have no right to judge. You are able to make your servant stand. You have accepted him. Why would I judge him? It is only by you that I am able to stand. I am not acceptable and yet you have accepted me by your power and your name, accomplishing for me what I am never able to do. Praise you Jesus. <br />
<br />
Forgive me for, in my pride, judging. <br />
<br />
I am but dust.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-8273985183462433462010-07-21T13:29:00.001-07:002012-03-23T14:07:44.474-07:00Grateful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TEdYYQE5mfI/AAAAAAAAAsk/PSGantFmgcI/s1600/Jun+17,+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TEdYYQE5mfI/AAAAAAAAAsk/PSGantFmgcI/s640/Jun+17,+2010.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-20828663202416244102010-06-30T14:10:00.000-07:002010-06-30T14:10:49.844-07:00Little Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TCuyw6W_vFI/AAAAAAAAAqA/0Qt_ZWyfjk8/s1600/Recently+Updated4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TCuyw6W_vFI/AAAAAAAAAqA/0Qt_ZWyfjk8/s640/Recently+Updated4.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-58276644636472183242010-06-28T15:27:00.000-07:002010-06-28T15:28:14.566-07:00Praise Him By NameDo I notice you when you do great things in my life?<br />
Do I notice you and praise you when you orchestrate regular things?<br />
Do I cry out to you in my distress?<br />
Do I worship you because you are faithful, because you are good, and because you are God Most High and Savior of my weary soul?<br />
Do I acknowledge you by name as your mercies flow to me every morning?<br />
<br />
.... OR<br />
<br />
am I busy making granola,<br />
frustrated again at the messes the kids have left around ,<br />
frustrated that we had watched another game instead of having a date,<br />
or bothered that I was weary in heart?<br />
<br />
Look at the book of Esther?<br />
Where do they cry out to their God for mercy when they face destruction? <br />
Where do they offer God praise for all that he did in saving the nation from annihilation?<br />
Where do they fall on their faces in worship of the awesomeness of a God who orchestrates the minutest detail to derail the enemy of the Jews? <br />
Where?<br />
This is so sad.<br />
This book used to be a "fairy tale" book to me... Look at the wonderful people who did wonderful things! The bad guys lose. The good guys win!<br />
But this time, it was a sad book to me. Where, Oh God, do they acknowledge you by name, call on you by name and worship you by name? Where do they fall on their faces? Where do they cry out to you? Where do they celebrate your deliverance? Where?<br />
<br />
Wake up!<br />
Offer Praise, adoration!<br />
Come to me in your distress!<br />
Call on me and I will answer!<br />
<br />
Lord help me not to miss out on the workings of You in my life or be too distraught, distracted or self-sufficient to bring praise and honor to You, the Savior of my soul!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-36081128917027269612010-06-20T22:44:00.000-07:002010-06-20T22:44:21.228-07:00Behold His Face!I found a verse that I hadn't noticed before.<br />
<br />
"For the Lord is righteous.<br />
He loves righteousness.<br />
The upright will behold his face."<br />
<br />
Psalm 11:7<br />
The whole psalm is a reminder "to whom do I take refuge?"<br />
The answer being the Lord<br />
<br />
What is the Lord like.<br />
What is He?<br />
He is righteous. All will be made right. That is who He is. There is no other refuge.<br />
<br />
What is the heart of God?<br />
He loves righteousness. <br />
He loves it.<br />
His heart is set on what is right.<br />
<br />
Now for the awesome cream.<br />
The upright will behold his face!<br />
We who are upright!<br />
We who take refuge in him.<br />
We will behold his face!<br />
Here it doesn't mention his glory, his strength, his power to destroy our enemies, nor his mercy for us as we trust in him, nor his lovingkindness...<br />
But look and see how intimate.<br />
Here he says we will behold his face! His face!<br />
Oh to look on him, to behold his face!<br />
To see his eyes looking into my heart, to enjoy the grin on his face, to behold his person!<br />
The upright will behold his face!<br />
To gaze on the love of my soul.<br />
He has made me upright. He says it will happen. I believe it!<br />
I long to behold his face. I worship you Father. I long to behold your face. <br />
Come Lord Jesus.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-14536438330673722982010-06-18T23:18:00.000-07:002010-06-18T23:22:41.314-07:00A Gift of A Day<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TBxgyb4HypI/AAAAAAAAAnY/uPP6ZA-w6Cs/s1600/Recently+Updated2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TBxgyb4HypI/AAAAAAAAAnY/uPP6ZA-w6Cs/s400/Recently+Updated2.jpg" width="307" /></a><br />
A beautiful day.<br />
Sunshine on faces.<br />
Peanut butter sandwiches.<br />
<br />
A family day.<br />
Biking through the woods.<br />
Which way is north?<br />
<br />
A restful day.<br />
Just the five of us.<br />
Together and enjoying just being.<br />
<br />
These are the jewels to remember.<br />
These are the moments to take.<br />
These are the hearts we cherish.<br />
Talking together.<br />
Discovering splendor.<br />
Fatigue and laughter.<br />
These are the jewels to remember.<br />
<br />
A gift of a day.<br />
Each one is.<br />
This one we noticed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-61551616225659504982010-06-17T14:50:00.000-07:002010-06-18T23:08:14.726-07:00You Are My Home<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are we ready to move?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love our home</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">His timing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">His grace for our needs,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">His kindness in His gifts to me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am ready. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love the adventure.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What does he have next?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will he lead as he has lead before? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How do we wait?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wait patiently for the Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wait patiently.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will I plant tulips this year?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> I never did at this home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Curtains?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This world is not my home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am a vapor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">But maybe I'll plant at our next home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I counted 60 moves.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">25 feet down homes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There were more. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Some back and forth. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Homes, boarding schools,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Furloughs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">How do I put roots down?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">...<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You are my roots.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You are my strength.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In You I run. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In You I soar.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In You I find great comfort and joy.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You are my home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TBvIM3pjISI/AAAAAAAAAm8/pBsqHl83rwk/s1600/Recently+Updated3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TBvIM3pjISI/AAAAAAAAAm8/pBsqHl83rwk/s400/Recently+Updated3.jpg" width="285" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-68798484378101132872010-06-10T15:12:00.000-07:002010-06-18T22:00:57.343-07:00Kyla... 11... so full of life... so precious...<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This picture makes me smile</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TBFioOTYTvI/AAAAAAAAAkA/xwGw0cfcgZI/s1600/DSC_0217-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TBFioOTYTvI/AAAAAAAAAkA/xwGw0cfcgZI/s640/DSC_0217-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Did they think the air was full of sugar... or were they just full of sugar :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-66864416172949258192010-06-10T15:04:00.000-07:002010-06-10T15:06:30.854-07:00Character of Submission - EstherThese two verses in Esther 2 show something about the character of Esther.<br />
Up to this point we do not hear much about her character. Watch how she responds to those under whose authority she was placed. In neither case did she <u>choose</u> to go under their authority. Look at her humility.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-12740"></sup><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-12740">15</sup> When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. (NIV)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It seems simple enough and yet, she trusted Hegai (with whom she had already won favor from the very beginning) and only did as he suggested, not presuming to know better than he and God points it out in the story written of her life. This detail could have easily been bypassed. She recognized that she did not know what would be the best to take in with her to the king, but rather she knew to take advice...<br />
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Can you imagine the life that Esther had been thrust into? Forced into relationship with the king with no choice, and if not pleasing, to end the rest of her days in the "second" harem. Would we think it's about time to start a pity party, to let bitterness creep in "justified?"...<br />
<br />
But Esther "won the favor of everyone who saw her." If she had been demanding, self-centered, and critical or pious... would this have been said of her? Would Hegai have given her the best treatment?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-12745">20</sup> But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">just as Mordecai had told her to do</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">as she had done when he was bringing her up.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (NIV)</span></span></span></div><br />
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Here again, Esther follows instructions of one in authority over her and keeps a family nationality secret for no other reason than because Mordecai, her cousin, (daughter of his uncle) told her to do so. It says "she continued to follow Mordecai's instruction <u>as she had done when he was bringing her up</u>." This tells again of her character of submitting herself under the authority she has been put under even as a child.<br />
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In both cases, she could have done as she pleased: chosen her own things to take in to the king and told those around her of her own nationality. But she chose to listen to the advice of those in authority over her.<br />
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These small tests set the stage for the larger test to be thrown onto her plate which will threaten her very life, but these show the character by which she had lived in becoming prepared for the crisis ahead.<br />
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How do we live in the everyday as Esther did growing up under Mordecai?<br />
How do we respond under the heavier test when life does not present itself in the way we imagined... becoming a concubine of a king? Can you imagine?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-68226088027346937742010-06-07T18:15:00.000-07:002010-06-18T22:01:30.039-07:00My Ode to Amy, My friend<br />
My sister<br />
A treasure from Jesus<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TA2ZGHxNOWI/AAAAAAAAAjs/KUbYqU0GWQU/s1600/May+14,+2010_33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TA2ZGHxNOWI/AAAAAAAAAjs/KUbYqU0GWQU/s640/May+14,+2010_33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-70934523658226676012010-06-05T17:34:00.000-07:002010-06-18T22:01:57.668-07:00Luke<div style="text-align: center;">Luke</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scientist</div><div style="text-align: center;">Explorer</div><div style="text-align: center;">Curious</div><div style="text-align: center;">Contagious Laugher</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet Spirit</div><div style="text-align: center;">Luke</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TAryNppJQYI/AAAAAAAAAiA/KpsshnpkROQ/s1600/Collages10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TAryNppJQYI/AAAAAAAAAiA/KpsshnpkROQ/s640/Collages10.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(color adjustment assistance by Kyla Schneider)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-59398012812971806402010-06-03T16:35:00.000-07:002010-06-03T16:35:29.340-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TAg7UPF7edI/AAAAAAAAAeA/KxgdFyVjuj8/s1600/Recently+Updated-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/TAg7UPF7edI/AAAAAAAAAeA/KxgdFyVjuj8/s640/Recently+Updated-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A moment with Alek</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-23952979987389846182010-06-02T16:08:00.000-07:002010-06-02T16:08:31.499-07:00To whom Do I give glory?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">WRETCHED</span></div>In writing my thoughts I often find that I am caught up in trying to please someone who might read what I have written; that I would somehow be perceived as "spiritually deep," thoughtful, funny or interesting; that <span style="font-size: large;">I<span style="font-size: small;"> would receive glory. </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is a tragedy</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Every moment I write I wrestle with this tragedy.<br />
How easily my motives run askew. <br />
For my mind longs to honor God and yet in the very next moment I dethrone the Lord and seek to put myself on that throne and receive honor. <br />
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Romans 7:14... the struggle between two natures...<br />
"Wretched man (woman) that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! <br />
... however, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.... will also <span style="font-size: large;">GIVE LIFE</span> to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you... if (living) by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.... received a <span style="font-size: small;">spirit of adoption as sons</span> by which we cry out "Abba! Father!... we are children of God... heirs of God... fellow heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him... sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us..."<br />
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Now comes my new most favorite verse...<br />
vs26 "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according <i>to the will of God</i>."<br />
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we are weak. The Spirit helps our weakness.<br />
we don't know how to pray <i>as we should</i>. The Spirit intercedes for us... according to the will of God<br />
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<i>"</i><i>As we should" </i>shows that sometimes we should be praying a certain way or in a certain attitude and yet we, being weak, overcome with struggles, distressed or faint in some way... cannot even see what is the way we should be praying about something... But God, being all gracious and kind, through his Spirit, He intercedes for us according to his will and the next verse after that shows how completely he does this.... "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."<br />
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We groan and long for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body, the creation groans, waiting for the setting free from its slavery to corruption... and then, here, the Holy Spirit groans on our behalf, when we are so nit-witted or overcome, he intercedes according to what <span style="font-size: large;">HE </span>desires to accomplish. <br />
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Praise God for this!<br />
In my new nature I desire that He do all according to his plan and yet in the moment many times I forget my desire, I loose sight of what is good and right and the <span style="font-size: large;">WAR</span> is being raged within my very being... wretched woman that I am... groaning for my adoption... and He intercedes. No one else on the planet may be interceding for me... no one may be praying for me... But the one who searches the hearts and knows the mind of the Spirit intercedes for me according all that God desires!<br />
Praise God for this!<br />
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Do we understand the depth of this?<br />
"If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" ... and then before the throne of God, whenever a charge is brought against us, <span style="font-size: large;">JESUS</span> himself intercedes for us!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Astounding Truth. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Astounding Love. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Astounding Provision.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-54411529472202231662010-05-21T11:10:00.000-07:002010-06-02T10:48:40.174-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be still and know that I am God</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/S_bUbEcByaI/AAAAAAAAAcY/SPsN4NueOsk/s1600/P8290152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/S_bUbEcByaI/AAAAAAAAAcY/SPsN4NueOsk/s640/P8290152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964528567680507174.post-6987782277578113192010-05-18T20:35:00.000-07:002010-06-18T22:03:25.950-07:00My Little Treasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/S_NcT1aHUcI/AAAAAAAAAcA/aEPo6D6OXYA/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EV7njXukQCQ/S_NcT1aHUcI/AAAAAAAAAcA/aEPo6D6OXYA/s640/DSC_0140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alek, my little treasure, learning to go without training wheels!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0