Posts filed under 'Faith'
So you are in for a double blog today, folks! It is my turn to tell you all what I am thankful for not only this day, but every day. I probably won’t say it very eloquently as Jenna did, but nonetheless it is true from my heart.
As I told them both today, I am thankful for both sets of our parents. I am not ashamed to say that they provided for Jenna and me as we went through college. I am thankful that they gave us just enough, but not too much. Many of our friends will have student loans to pay off for years because either their parents didn’t or couldn’t afford to put them through school. I do not say this in a proud or conceited way; I am truly thankful because without this debt hanging over us we are able to begin saving for the kids’ college and our retirement. We are able to own our house and buy things without creating more debt. I hope to be able to pass on this blessing to my children and hopefully someday payback our parents in some way.
Recently in our small group we were asked, “What one thing/activity/place stirs your affections for Jesus/God?” It is the thought of my children. Never in my life have I understood more clearly the depth of the sacrifice that God made when he gave Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. The thought of giving Colby or Kennedy to die for someone else is completely beyond comprehension. If ever I need a reality check of the depth of God’s love for me (and you), this is all I need to think about. So with all that being said, I am thankful that God is not selfish. God is not proud. God is faithful to me even when I am not faithful to Him. God can forgive. God can forget. God loves me, and He loves you, too.
9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
– 1 John 4:9-11
What are some of the things you are thankful for?
November 22nd, 2007
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against these things, there is no law.” - Galatians 5:23-24
Why am I blogging about the Fruit of the Spirit today? Because I think in order to be thankful, you must possess the fruit. Have you ever noticed that the fruit are listed in the order of their acceptance? It’s much easier to possess love than self-control. I can be joyous rather easily but I have to work on being gentle, etc.
Today I want to tell you what we are truly thankful for. This probably isn’t a shocker to you. Most people say what they are thankful for on Thanksgiving day. But I want to tell you that we are thankful every day. Each day Colby tells me who he is thankful for. And each day I pray for something I’m thankful for. So, my list is rather long… here’s a few highlights.
I am truly thankful for the health of my family. This comes at an odd time, I know, because Colby has been running fever for the past few days. But, I know very many people who have cancer or whose kids are constantly sick. I am thankful for the hope that Colby WILL get better… when I think things are tough, I think about those parents that admit their kids into the ER because their symptoms are far worse than my kids’. I’m thankful that I have never had to do so, and I pray I will never have to do so.
I am thankful for running water. (The last time I said this was 10 years ago, when my family was out of town and the hot water heater exploded above my bed, dripped down to the first floor, and did a total of $20,000 worth of damage to my parents’ house. Then, I was thankful that I got to pick new wallpaper and drapes.) In talking with some missionary friends, I really am glad to have a dishwasher, a clothes washer, and hot water to take showers. And with the cold weather coming in last night, I am looking forward to having a hot shower here soon.
I cannot be thankful enough for the freedom to worship God the way I do. I don’t take full advantage of this like I should, and right now I own more Bibles than some people ever will in their lifetime. Many people gave their lives so that I could be devoted to the church’s service and its ministry. I don’t have to be penalized for or hide my beliefs, because I can exercise them the way I want! Again, I am truly thankful for the liberty that is in Christ Jesus.
If asked, a number of people might tell you they are thankful for their family members. This is also true for us. I know Kevin would say that I am a blessing to him, as he is to me. Our children are also huge blessings. We truly understand the agony that God went through when he sacrificed his only Son for us, and we are thankful we never have to endure what He did. We don’t need to observe Christmas or Easter to remember this… it is an everyday remembrance.
So, do we possess the Fruit of the Spirit by being thankful? I know there are many more Fruit I am aspiring to possess. And, there’s other Scriptures I’m aspiring to be like.
“Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
November 22nd, 2007
Our church just finished the 40 Days of Community campaign. Tonight we had our Celebration Service. Kevin and I were part of a (not-so) small group that had 17 members, and we met weekly to discuss the readings of the accompanying book, Better Together.
If I had a nickel for every time our pastor said “small group”, I could put both Colby and Kennedy through college and grad school. It is important to him and to our church body to be involved. We have been part of small groups before, and I’m a part of several small groups right now - CBS, MOPS, handbells, choir, mentoring/discipling, etc…. I think, though, that it is “easy” for me to be involved in that because I stay at home. I have heard before that it’s hard for men to get to know other men and be involved in any group, but I don’t think that’s because of a lack of effort. (At least on Kevin’s part, and he’s the only man I talk to.) I think it’s because of a lack of time. If men are supposed to work 40+ hours per week (and it’s always more), and THEN come home to be husband and father to preschoolers, where’s the time to spend? And, when you add on Kevin’s responsibilities at church, he’s completely strapped for time. How could he possibly have the energy to go and bare his soul?
I say all this because we are truly praying about our involvement in small groups. We love the idea of doing one together, but maybe we should do separate ones? We’re also struggling with the time commitment. We liked our 40 Days small group because they were incredibly respectful of our time, but that particular day of the week is not too conducive to our other ministries.
Right now I’m writing this and I’m about to fall asleep. We have had an incredibly busy early Thanksgiving weekend with Kevin’s folks (and we’ll post pictures at a later date), AND we just got home from church and got the kids to bed. Yes, it’s almost 10:30 pm. I’m not sure how much more we can bend our time before we break it.
November 18th, 2007
No, I’m not talking about the TV station. This is the name of my current Bible study - Community Bible Study.
Shala told me about CBS last year. Her biggest joy was the children’s program, which Colby I have come to know and love. My wish is that if I am going to learn about the Bible, I want my kids to learn the Bible too. (Kennedy goes to the children’s program too, but the curriculum starts at age 1.) Colby learns wonderful songs and can tell me the Bible story each week. They put Bible verses to music, and he loves it.
This year the name of the study is Servants of God. We have already been through the book of Joshua and are currently finishing up Judges. Next is Ruth. After that comes…. (can you tell me?) We’ll finish in May with 2nd Samuel.
So why am I mentioning CBS right now? We did just meet today, but Thursday, November 29th is “Bring a Friend to CBS” day. If you are in the BCS area, please let me know if you want to be my friend and come to Bible study with me! I have thoroughly enjoyed the study and the core group I’m in, and I think any of you would love it. (Email me if you’re coming, especially if you have kiddos and need “childcare”.)
November 15th, 2007
I always knew there was a difference between boys and girls, despite the obvious. But, now that we have a son and a daughter, it has proven to be fact. About four years ago, I read the book Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. He speaks of the innate differences between boys and girls and how our culture has taken to emasculating males, in so many areas. (I highly recommend it, whether you have a son or not; it is very appropriate in dating/marriage as well.) So many early childhood experts want for boys to play with dolls or have exposure to the same toys girls have. And, they want girls to play with cars and balls and swords too.
Colby is a wonderfully compassionate and caring child. He is incredibly empathetic to his baby sister and to his friends when they cry. BUT - he is ALL BOY.
We have a bubble sword. Colby wants to chop down our trees with it. Colby has a play kitchen outside. He cooks acorns, makes sure they’re “not too hot”, and then throws them in the air. Kennedy has baby dolls. Colby kisses them, then throws them in the air. (After all, they are toys.)
When we bought our house, it came with a makeshift wooden playground in the backyard. It’s actually not so much of a playground as an A-frame with a few steps and a plastic slide. We move the slide often because it collects water when it rains. Colby likes to move the slide himself, to dump out the water and to play on it. One day I noticed he had moved it to the fence. Here is one of the sweetest and most boyish moments I have captured with the camera - Colby, as King of His Castle.
(He is throwing acorns down the slide.)
Then, he runs down the slide to collect more acorns.
Sometimes he falls off the slide, but he just looks for more acorns!
I told Colby to stand on top of his slide and say, “I! AM! COLBY!” He said, “I, COLBY!”
Oh, how we have been praying that Colby would be like Joshua, a brave and courageous man. And, as part of my CBS lesson last week, that Colby would be like Gideon, a mighty warrior!
November 12th, 2007
(Has anyone seen that funny SNL skit from the 70s with Dana Carvey as the Church Lady?)
It is just hitting me that Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away, and Christmas is about 6 weeks away… I haven’t started my Christmas shopping, I haven’t even thought about our family picture and Christmas cards, and it’s not helping that our high temperature outside today was 85. Who can think about decking the halls and roasting chestnuts by a fire when it’s that warm outside?
Regardless of what I need to do before December 25th rolls around, this Christmas Kevin and I are debating about what to do with Santa Claus. This is the first year Colby is going to pay attention to the gifts, at least I’m assuming. Kevin and I really like the idea of giving three really big gifts to the kids - like the Three Wise Men. (I know it may not have been Three wise men, but I do like tradition, and however many there were did bring three gifts.) The gifts for the kids would be things they like and have asked for, but limiting it to three so as to not go overboard. And, with that, I just assume the gifts would be from us. I’m all about giving credit to where credit is due, and I don’t really like the idea of Colby thinking we didn’t get him anything for Christmas.
But, Kevin and I did grow up with the notion of Santa Claus every Christmas, and we enjoyed it. I felt really special when I was 8 and I found out who Santa really was… but I couldn’t tell my sisters! Even now, my parents have said that Santa will stop coming when we stop believing. I think Katrina still believes in Santa, at age 17. 
But when Kevin found out Santa didn’t really slide down the chimney and come from the North Pole, he cried. I think he was 6.
So, what do you do for Christmas with your kids? Santa, or no Santa? Any other traditions you want to share?
November 10th, 2007
I subscribe to a Daily Devotional Blog written by Bryant Wright at Right From The Heart. I will copy the post exactly here and then discuss.
“…As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” - Romans 14:11
Will it take six strong men to get you back in church again? Six strong men to carry your body in a casket down the aisle?
The church is a place to worship, to be encouraged, to be spiritually rejuvenated, and a place to learn what it means to have a true relationship with God. There’s no perfect church because there are no perfect people. And imperfect people need God and the forgiveness and salvation He offers in Jesus. I encourage you to find a church. If six strong men have to carry you there, it will be too late.
I don’t think I could have said it any better than he did. There are all kinds of flavors of churches out there. Some traditional, some more modern, some contemporary, some eccentric. Whatever the case is, I think there is a church out there that will fit you. The thing we have to be careful of is finding a church that preaches the truth and not some fluffed up version that sounds all nice and appealing. The truth is not always easy to accept; but our God is a fair, just, and loving God.
My prayer is that if you are reading this then you would find a church home if you don’t have one. Going to church will not make you right with God, you have to earnestly seek Him; but going to the right church will surround you in people that love God and want to know Him personally. They will share the same struggles as you do. We don’t have to go through this life on our own, which is totally contradictory to what is taught in our American culture… “Survival of the fittest”. If you seek Him, you will find Him.
July 30th, 2007
I’m not sure who first said that, but I’d like to guess that it was a Mom of small children. Last week when we were traveling back home from Galveston, both kids were fussy and so I hopped in the back seat and sat in the middle of them. I gave Kennedy her pacifier and let her hold my fingers, which is what she likes to do to fall asleep. I leaned Colby’s seat back and gave him his cup to drink. Then Kevin and I started talking and I noticed they had stopped crying. They were both asleep! I breathed a sigh of relief and then looked at their sweet angelic faces. Tears poured from my eyes. I realized that in that moment, “All was right with the world.” I held hands with them and said a prayer of thanksgiving to God for blessing me with such wonderful children.
I know I can’t always make everything right for them, nor will I be able to in the future, but I am so glad to be their Mommy. God has given me such a great responsibility for them and I only hope I will make Him happy.
Can you guess what time it is right now? *shhhh!* Yep, naptime. Indeed, “All is right with the world.”
July 27th, 2007
This morning Colby asked if he could have some juice. “Peez, Mama,” he said. So I filled up his cup and we went to Kennedy’s room, where I was putting away some of her clothes. Kennedy was sitting in her rocker and Colby sat down next to her and said, “Say prayers, Ken-dee?” Then he put his finger into her closed fist, bowed his head, closed his eyes, and started praying, “Dear God, thank you for food, thank you for Ken-dee, and Mommy and Daddy, AAAA-men.” And with that, he lay down on the floor and started drinking his juice. Kennedy smiled.
I only wish I had a picture. :-) But, I’m confident that won’t be the only time Colby will pray with his little sister. I am so glad I got to witness this first hand and not from someone else’s eyes and ears. And when I told my mom, she said, “Don’t you know that just makes God smile?” I agree. When children pray earnestly, God hears them earnestly.
July 25th, 2007
For those of you that believe babies should be seen and not heard, well good luck with that. But, I found a site today that sells products with a heavenly message. Check out Blessed Baby for more info. Also, enter this contest to win a onesie from Blessed Baby. These would be cute for baby shower gifts, and I plan on getting Kennedy one that says “Faith Baby”, to match her middle name. 
July 11th, 2007
So last night during our prayer time Colby and I were thanking God for our family and friends and then we started to thank God for Christ and what he did for us. Here’s the transcript of the end of our prayer:
Me: Thank you God for Jesus.
Colby: Tank you Jesas.
Me: Thank you that Jesus died for our sins.
Colby: Died sins.
Me: That’s right, Colby. Isn’t God great?!
Colby: Grape!
I couldn’t help but laugh. However, it reminds me how a child is born with a sinful nature and lacking a knowledge of Christ. Both of those together is a recipe for an eternity apart from God. If you have kids or you plan to soon, I encourage you to pray with them.
May 31st, 2007
I have often wondered why we have middle names… most (some?) of us are not called by our middle names, and unless they are family names, there really is not a point, except to sound pretty.
My middle name is Renee. Why? My parents liked the sound of it. Plus, it would roll right off their tongue when I was in trouble: “JENNA RENEE!” Kevin’s middle name is Matthew. Why? His parents liked Matthew for a middle name. But, when we were first dating, I found a verse for him that has become his favorite - Matthew 6:34…
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
When we were first married, we also did a wonderful verse-by-verse study of the book of Matthew in Sunday School. Coincidence of Matthew? I don’t know. But, I know that there are no coincidences with God.
Fast-forward to Colby’s birth. We knew we wanted to name him Colby but we weren’t sure of his middle name.. we wanted it to be Biblical, but we just weren’t sure until we really talked about it and decided on Joshua. One of our favorite family Scriptures is Joshua 24:15 -
“Choose for yourself, this day, whom you will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
We love that Joshua was such a warrior for God. He was a leader, a conqueror, and a musician! (See Joshua 6; maybe Colby will play the trumpet?) So, for Colby’s dedication, we read Joshua 1:9 -
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
We wanted to pray this for Colby (and all our kids) because we know how tough the world can be. With God on our side, there is no one against us.
Kennedy’s middle name is Faith. We also thought about some other Biblical middle names and even Renee. But, when she was born, we looked at her and knew that’s what it should be. While I was pregnant with her, I did Beth Moore’s study, “Believing God”. (Beth Moore writes wonderful Bible studies with women in mind, but men can do them as well, and in fact, I know many men that have enjoyed her studies. I highly recommend them.)
The main premise in Believing God is Hebrews 11, which has been dubbed the Faith Chapter of the Bible. Brother Tim calls it “The All-Star List of Faith” because many of the Verses begin with, “By faith…” and continue with a list of how Biblical giants (and some unsung heroes) have shown faith in their life. I love that this chapter starts with, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Isn’t that the very essence of pregnancy? I had so many hopes and dreams for Kennedy, and I couldn’t even see her! At first, I had to have faith that she really was in my womb, and at the end, I had to have faith that she really was going to come out!
The specific Verse we chose for Kennedy is Hebrews 11:6 -
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
I will not pretend that I earnestly seek God as much as I should, but I know that He has rewarded us with two wonderful children. And, it is our prayer that Kennedy (and Colby!) would come to know their Heavenly Father and earnestly seek Him daily.
Not many people ask my kids’ middle names and if they do, they don’t ask why we gave them that name… But my hope is that they can use their middle names for God’s glory and to increase His Kingdom!
May 30th, 2007
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