A Few Gifts

A few gifts......

The Lord has been showing me

ways to "guard my heart"

a little better!

It determines the course of my life!

wow~

 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to

strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

 You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.

2 Chronicles 16:9

I want Him to see me, a heart FULLY committed to Him~

(not sometimes, not usually, not 90%, FULLLLLY)

here

BELIEVE IT!

A surprise March 1

blanket of snow!

I sure love warm weather

but it's always fun to have some of this~

Gorgeous morning!

Sunshine after the snow

Taken on my run

Beautiful, invigorating run!

a small sign

after the snow

someone had stuck twigs

in little melting Frosty

HAPPY FRIDAY~

Ten Years~

We all have a memory of where we were

when we heard about the twin towers.

The devastation that took place that

dark day will be forever etched in our mind.

 I have been watching memorials

all day and still can't believe that it has been 10 years!

I was homeschooling my 2nd grader (now senior)

at the diningroom table while my 2 year played at our feet.

I remember being worried and heavy hearted about

something ridiculous and then my friend Kim called

to ask me if I had the tv on...from then on we were glued

to the tv for weeks. We never finished school that day!

"If my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven,

and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Chron. 7:14

Heal our land, Lord..turn our eyes to YOU!

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

A New Season~

Friday night thoughts:

Darkness falls,
a restless heart
calmed only by Your words,
Your promises,
Your sweet love
pouring on us as we breath
in another day, praying we
lived better than yesterday
Rid me of blindness that can
cause me to look to ways not from
You!
You, Father, are ALL I want,
Expand my territory, strengthen tired bones,
fill empty hearts with joy from YOU!
I love You,
(do I live like you know that?)
tracy~

I've got You when all I've got is gone

Oh Lord, I've got You, I've got You

Jesus, I've got You!

Shaun Groves

 

LOVE, LOVE these words!

Our family verse for the year!
The five of us read this together before sayin
good-bye to Darren in Cali!
Beautiful Promise!!

Hello, Class of 2012~

Source: windmillsnat.tumblr.com via Becky on Pinterest

Tomorrow I will be back in the office, ready for a new school year!

Wow, 2011-2012 school year! This will be my second year out of the classroom

and it still feels strange to not be setting up my room and getting ready for my 4th graders!

I'm ecstatic to be working with the class of 2012 this year, most of all because I taught this class

when they were in first grade 11 years ago! Amazing...time stinkin flies, ya'll!

AND, the best reason, my Miss Molly is a senior!

I feel refreshed after spending some sweet time in California. Helping Darren get set up and into the groove of his new job was priceless. I know we have quite a year ahead of us being
apart for 9 months, but

I also am ready to embrace it!

Source: flickr.com via Becky on Pinterest

My verse for the week!

 But you'll welcome us with open arms
when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
Stand guard over our celebration.
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
for decking us out in delight.

Psalm 5:11

Delight us, Lord! For that is why You are famous,

You are so good at welcoming us and giving us a party..

YOUR love is AMAZING!

Still~

~STILL~

calm, hushed, peaceful, placid, restful, serene, quiet, stilly, tranquil



incourage.me

 1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word on the prompt, “Still.”



2. Link back here and invite others to join in.


3. Get a little crazy with encouragement in the comments of the five minuter who linked up before you.

JOIN!   InCourage.me

STILL

50 some houses and 70 some jobs..that's what our summer has entailed,

job searches, house hunting.

It's also been filled with bike rides, hikes, trips to Portland, lots of runs,

a day on the lake tubing, days of waiting, trying to be STILL

So true to the ways of God, it never quite turns out like you would think.

Always wilder and crazier than we could've imagined.

I see the limits to everything human,

but the horizons can't contain your commands!”

Ps. 119:93

Husband got a job, I'm sitting in our new home.

He is leaving to work out of state, Cali, to be exact.

We have always wanted to move back there,

it just came a year earlier than WE would've planned

BE STILL

I'm with the kids in an apartment.

Not what I would've imagined.

BE STILL

Excited about the new possibilities for Darren,

(looking forward to some income)

Excited for the new school year,

letting Molly finish her senior year at the same school she

started kindergarten. Blessings~BE STILL

“What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered—you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I'll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words. Save me! I'm all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom.....I'm only concerned with your plans for me. I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain your commands!”

Psalm 119:93



Fun Things Wednesday

 

Here 

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

Today I'm just doing a fun post about FUN WEDNESDAY!

Join us!

My favorite energy drink,

 I love Advocare and truly believe it got 

me through my training to run my first half marathon in April!!

Do you have a favorite "pick me up" drink (besides coffee ; ) 

Have you been SPARKED?

 here

I love spending time here and I love 

even more..getting gift cards of LOVE in the mail

from one of my favorite soul sisters KELLI ; ) 

 Sweet surprises like that just bless my socks off..ha!

Here is my favorite Bible treasure I came across this week!

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

This sums up our entire calling as a Christ follower! I have had many conversations lately about the return of Christ, when it will be, are we in the end times, when will we see Him face to face?? Here we go, my friends!! When we tell the whole world..all nations..THEN THE END WILL COME!! Let's get busy! 

 This is the second Radical book by David Platt.

I wrote about the first one here.

Unleashing the people of God for the people of God!

Also a great read if you are looking for a book that encourages you to take the leap!

The last two things are just for fun and two things that I LOVE but will probably not do-or wear!

My friend Beth, has a cute little nose ring and I want one so bad! It's so little and darling!

I'm just not able to wear it to work...or I would have one tomorrow ; )

 (with a tat on my foot..ha)

I can't wait to get some of this for my girls! They have been dying to try it!

Crackle nail polish! Again, looks fun but I prob won't wear black polish!

Happy Hump Day!

What fun things make you happy?

Flashback~



Journal Flashback~

Written in my journal June 15, 2010

How Great Thou Art,

Your hand provides and Your love sustains! 

my soul sings for You!

My heart cries for You!

Genesis 11 & 12 (The Tower of Babel and The Call of Abram)

*Faith means acting on our beliefs.

 God give me the strength to ACT!

*We have only the Lord's WORD as our guide

A life of faith is not a life of mounting

up with wings but a life of walking and not fainting!

There is healing & salvation,

comfort and joy,

tender mercies,

IN YOUR NAME!

Lord, all that I have is yours!

------------------------------------------

I love going back and reading through my journals.

I'm not sure what my heart was feeling when

I wrote this hodge podge of thoughts and prayers,

but today, I write it again....IN YOUR NAME, JESUS, IN YOUR NAME!

Breathing~

I read this inspiring, thought provoking post this week over at INCOURAGE! It was a post that I could so relate to in this season of life. JUST BREATHE! That is where I am living...a "just breathe" mode. This post may not make much sense if you haven't read the article. Be sure to stop by INCOURAGE and read...soon!

THE MIND! I think we all battle the "dungeon of the mind" I also think what I battle with the most is feeling disconnected from who I am.... how did I get here, who am I and how did I get here so fast. I don't even recognize me sometimes. (like she described in JUST BREATHE) Alot of it is normal life changes, getting older and things so different from what I used to call normal- a child in college (I don't really "mother" tim) I'm not an elementary teacher after 16 years of teaching, I'm not a pastor's wife, after 20 years of ministry,  I have no church family and in a few weeks, we won't even have a home!! Who am I?

BUT it in an odd way, some things feel right..Tim is supposed to grow up, I was done teaching and I love my new job,  we knew we were done at our previous church and we WILL have a home.
I want to end with..I do have that deep ABIDING peace, I do have deep ABIDING joy, don't lose too much sleep at night and look forward to a new day! We are literally resting in the palm of His hand right now! JUST BREATHING!!


Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!  People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.  Isaiah 30:18-19

ABIDE still

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.  Jude 1:22-23 (more thoughts on this passage next time, but read it again..so much "meat")

Even in times of frustration and waiting, I try to remind myself that God is still thinking about me. I KNOW that He is working everything out for our good. His delays don't necessarily mean denials. So, on those days when your spirit is encouraged, His presence is evident, your day seems brighter, rejoice, it’s a sign that He’s near, He's working, He's a calm in the storm and good things are about to happen. Remember my word for 2011? ABIDE!!

ABIDE in HIM..that's what I am doing!

here

......and still be calm in your heart!

PEACE

Did you leave me a sweet comment recently on my Dove's Eyes post? Tell me who you are because I want to tell you how much I love you :)

ENDURE~

When I see you, I see mercy You call me worthy,

you see beauty, you see purpose, you see value,

you see who I am! (misty edwards)

"I have PROMISED to meet all your needs according to My glorious riches, Your deepest, most constant need is for MY PEACE! I have planted PEACE in the garden of your heart where I live; but there are weeds growing there too;  pride, worry, selfishness, unbelief. I am the Gardener, and I am working to rid your heart of these weeds.....sit quietly with Me, trust Me...PEACE will flourish! TRUST Me even in the troublesome situations, THANK Me even in the trials, the PEACE  they can produce far outweighs the trials you endure!"

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Thank Me for troublesome situations, the Peace they can produce far outweighs the trials you endure!

Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17

"And I will meet all your needs

according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus"

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving

for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Holding fast to these words, saying them all day,

writing them on my forhead, on note cards on my mirror

even singing them, ; )

here

He's Totally Himself!

here

For Jesus doesn't change—

yesterday, today, tomorrow,

he's always totally himself.

Hebrews 13:8

*His faithfulness is joy to my soul

*His power overtakes me

*His plans humble me

*His love changes me

*His voice calms me

*His fire shakes me

*His eyes never leave me

*In the dark, He sings over me

Ever present, gentle whisper....

I'm undone~

*tracy*

Here Comes the Sun

Our friends invited us to their Bible study tonight! A little apprehensive, we decided it was what our souls needed most! When we arrived, the warmness from them was sweet. It was like they had been waiting for us. They were interested in us, wanted to know our story, they wanted to pray over us, but before they prayed, a gentleman spoke up and said although he doesn't know what we have been through, we are coming out of the car wash that has been tossing us around and the sun is now shining on our face. Funny little vision he got, but yep, I would say we have been tossed and scrubbed and a little bruised in the car wash..I'm ready for the sun!  These sweet couples, older than us, years wiser than us,  gathered around and began storming the gates of heaven on our behalf! They loved on us, encouraged us and were our "stretcher bearers" for the evening. Strangers...brothers and sisters!

"IF YOUR LAW HAD NOT BEEN MY DELIGHT, I SURELY WOULD HAVE PERISHED!" Psalm 119:16

Here comes the sun!~

We had a nice little weekend around here. It started with a date with our 12 year-old, just the three of us. We took her out to dinner and then to redbox to get a movie. It was nice just focus on her. She talks so much, all the time, that sometimes I don't think I hear half of the things she says because I'm on overload from her words and the volume level of those words..ha! All I can say is..she is me! She makes us laugh everyday with her craziness and it was nice to hang out with her.  Saturday, Darren and I went for a run. I think I am going to take a break until my official training for the half marathon starts next week. My legs cramps are out of control and I want them to heal! Darren ran 13 miles yesterday..he ran my half marathon..crazy! We did squeeze in a late night movie Saturday night. We saw the Green Hornet. Loved it! By far the best part of the weekend was having a group of ladies spend some time praying over our family yesterday. I have so much I want to write/journal about our time together. We spent a few hours in worship and prayer, just 6-7 of us, seeking GOD! Powerful stuff happens when you cry of to Jesus, just sayin :) If you haven't listened to this song I posted Saturday, LISTEN! I have it blasting right now! COME AWAY, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE! (thankful for that: )

My power verse for this awesome Monday....getting my containers ready for Him to pour MORE into our lives!

"There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit" Romans 5:3-5 (the Message)

A Lovesick Worshiper

here

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, why do I wonder if I'm sinking?

He will never leave you or forsake you, why do I wonder if I'm alone?

I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, why don't I operate in it?

He commands us to WATCH and PRAY, why do I moan and worry?

He leads me to the Rock that is higher than I, why do I run the other way?

IF God is for us who can be against us?

 I lift my eyes to the Father and cry,

ABBA~

Lift me up

so I can show

the whole world

who you are!

I am here to do YOUR business!

Bring rain to this drought stricken land and re-align my heart to love YOU more!  

-Your Lovesick Worshiper~

Predictions for 2011~ His Word Endures Forever~

Ten Predictions for 2011

With so much uncertainty in this world it's easy for fear to overtake me sometimes. Walking through the tough stuff of life, watching friends deal with the unimaginable situations and realizing again and again that we have no control over what life holds for us. This is my first memory verse for 2011

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Ps. 73:26

I did not write these but a friend sent these to me. Powerful, truth, comforting..on Christ the solid Rock I stand!


1. The Bible will still have all the answers.


2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still honor the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.


8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't It Great To Remember Who Is Really In Control,

And that;

"the Word of the Lord endures forever."

 1 Peter 1:25

Keeping His Word in My Head! ABIDING!

I can't tell you how excited I am to be doing Siesta Scripture Memory again this year. I did this two years ago with my sister-in-law and absolutely loved memorizing scripture, having note cards around my house, have an accountability partner and seeing the fruit of all that took place in my heart that year. I am so hungry to get deeper into His Word, hear His voice, and ABIDE in Him!

This is a portion of what Beth included in her blog yesterday:
 Only God knows what this particular year has in store for us. He alone sees how the path will wind, and climb, and fall, and rise again. We do not have control over the future as we glance ahead to 2011 but make no mistake. He does and we, His lavishly loved daughters, can indeed prepare to live what He thoughtfully brings our way victoriously. On this first day of the new year, we are not victims. We are called to live as victors, holding up the Shield of Faith in one hand and the Sword of the Spirit in the other.We need BOTH.


So, here is to a new year, a new day ahead as we stand as VICTORS! Lavishly loved daughters!
Join me in doing this! GO HERE and sign up!

Jan. 1, 2011

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

ABIDE (trust, love, faith and more)

In 2011 I will:
ABIDE:
 to remain stable and fixed in a state! 
I like the sound of that.
To press in,
To draw near,
To stay close,
To ABIDE! 
That is my word for 2011
and in 2011 I will.... 

*Look for the Holy in the ordinary moments of my day!

*Work on being present!

*I will view each day as an adventure, planned by God, my Guide.

*Instead of staring into the day, with my check list of things to get done, I will be attentive to HIM and all the HE has prepared for me!

*I will trust that He is with my each moment whether I sense His presence or not.

*Be more thankful and trusting! Life lived close to Him is never dull!

*ABIDE..no matter how long and hard the road is, the safest place is right next to HIM! ABIDING!

*Store up relationships, not treasures.

For 2011 I will

*Live like I serve a God that makes the ordinary life extraordinary and live like I serve a God that is capable and waiting to pour that out upon me!

Paul, in his letter to the Romans talked about becoming a “living sacrifice.” The translation of Romans 12:1 from The Message says it nicely:

Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.


This is our family verse for 2011! As a family, we are thanking God for what He has brought us through in 2010 and looking ahead for what He has for us in 2011~

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”
Thornton Wilder

ON MY LIST~ red letter words

Red Letter Words~

I have this nativity scene, pieces of it and I've

wanted to complete it and hope to do so this year.

I love this sign from RED LETTER WORDS so much

I'm ordering it..Merry Christmas to me!

I love everything from RLW though..

like this

and this...........

and this...........

Blessed is the family who delights in the WORD

and study it day and night. They shall be like a tree

firmly planted. Ready to bring fruit in every season

and everything they do shall prosper

Psalm 1

(One of my favorite passages!)

I could go on and on!

Check them our for yourself

HERE

Tossed Like a Duck, Cared for by THE SHEPHERD!

Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
John 10:6-10 (The Message)

I saw this little video on my son's facebook and had to borrow/steal it! It's so funny/sad! This poor mama duck must be frantic as her little ducklings are being tossed about. We must look like the little duck sometimes, being tossed by the wind, over and over and over again, then we get our bearings, find our focus point (Jesus!) and keep going, looking for our leader and not taking our eyes off of the one that cares for us! Thankful we serve a God that tends to ALL of our needs! He is our shepherd that KNOWS us, CARES for us and longs for us to have eternal life...a life far more than we could've ever imagined!

Tossed by the wind~


He tends to our needs~Beautiful





“I am the good shepherd; I know

 my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—

and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

John 10:14-15

THANKFUL FOR MY SHEPHERD:

*A Savior that KNOWS me!

* A Savior that pursues me!

*A Savior that has more for my life than I can imagine

*A Savior that FORGIVES

*A Savior that believes in second chances...and third...and fourth etc!

*A Savior that is all about GRACE

*A Savior that came in the form of a baby..in a stable, a humble birth, to change the course of history... A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING!