Lord I pray and thank you for the thoughts on living unoffended. Please allow me to always live that way. Offense is a choice. When we choose to live offended, we take anger to a whole ‘nother level. Our anger turns to rage and poisons everything in turn our thoughts become harvested actions of our offended life.
Luke 7:23 says Blessed is he (anyone) who is NOT offended by Me.
Jesus was telling the disciples of John the Baptist to share this message with John. John was Jesus’ cousin. He was beheaded. Read the chapter its worth your time.
I read in Mark Batterson’s book Praying Circles Around Your Children – the phrase “living unoffended” and it won’t leave me alone. I believe I live a pretty unoffended lifestyle. People and life don’t easily offend me. I realize that what has become second nature to me is a harvest of making a choice NOT to be offended over many years.
I woke up with a flood of thoughts this morning. I brought veterans before the Lord, I brought the name of each one of my children before Him, My parents, my pastors, my husband and as the flood of thought continued I decided to get up, after all it probably is almost 6 in the morning anyway was my thought. Haha! 3am. God, you have such a sense of humor. I choose not to be offended by the lack of sleep. Speak, Lord Speak.
What did you say?
Kirsten said to me the other day, “mom wouldn’t it be great if we could create a filter for our mouths, like if something was about to come out that wasn’t good, it would be translated into something worth saying and then come out?” What a great thought! I began to think on it and it used to be a prayer of mine. I used to pray that God would put a gate on my mouth, that only things that were uplifting, gracious, kind, praiseworthy would come out of my mouth.
So, while thinking on that I had to take an account of my “mouth”. Ever think about what comes out or where it comes from? I know we ask ourselves that question when things come out of our kids mouths and we are really quick to blame – school, peers and others. But what about looking in the mirror at ourselves?
Josh said something about “a clean garage and it’s about time to get rid of things that we have carried around for years” where did that phrase come from? His father. (HAha)
It is not always pleasant hearing the things we have sown with our mouths into the minds of our children. It isn’t cute (forever) the things we think are cute when they are 2 or 3 years old.
Thoughts, good or bad, when chewed on in our minds, sink into (are sown into) our hearts. That is when thoughts start to become action. It becomes truth to us, only because it is something we have fed on mentally for a period of time until it became nourishment OR poison to our system. If you eat rotten fruit, it will make you sick. You would never think to pick up something maggots are eating on to nourish yourself but that is what we do when we eat on (think on) sin, the sin of others or unjust things done to us. It’s like poison. Before we know it, we have allowed it to be sown into our hearts and lives - the harvest will be painful. We don’t have to continue to the cycle. It is a choice, if you have taken your sin, hurts, past, mistakes to the Lord – don’t continue to eat them. LEAVE them with HIM, stay and watch in AWE as He burns it up but don’t relish in it. Just because it is familiar to you doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
So back to my mouth, I took account of the things that came out while driving – ouch! Stupid and dumb are not words I want sown into my children, especially while driving and adding the phrase “that need Jesus to the end” doesn’t make it taste any better coming out of your mouth.
I said to one of my children the other day – “I don’t like the phrase you keep using, I hope it taste bitter every time it leaves your mouth” The result – terrible acid reflux in my own life. Seriously, don’t say something to you children and expect God to NOT deal with you on some level. Even though, this phrase did not originate with me, it wasn’t good and if I am going to ask my children to account for their words, I better be accounting for my own. God will make sure of it. I am thankful He does. I am so very thankful that He deals with us in love.
If you take an account of your words (spoken, text, facebook status, etc.) you will see quickly if you live offended. I will touch on this thought briefly – the bible says in
Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
If we do what the bible teaches, meditate on its truth, it will be like that filter Kirsten was telling me about. It will be the filter that everything flows through before it goes from your mind (meditating) and sinks into your heart (nourishment for mind, body and soul) and then out of your mouth.
Thank you Lord for the lesson on my words, the power of my thoughts and choosing to live unoffended through the power of Your son, Jesus. Amen!
You know after I lost my father in April a dear friend in Christ sent me the verse about Jesus saying blessed is him who isn't offended by Me. At the time it was sent, I was like what does this mean? I am not offended...I am so thankful that I looked up those verses and meditated on them. It can be very easy to become offended by the Lord, like the loss of a loved one. We go through all sorts of emotion - anger is one of them. If you are experiencing this emotion - I pray that you don't let it turn into something it was never meant to be. God is just and we don't understand His plan or timing BUT we have to trust and believe in Him. Don't let your anger turn into a foothold the devil has in your life. Lord I pray for anyone that is angry over the loss of a loved one. Lord, I pray they aren't offended by you. Reach down and wrap your loving arms around them. Tenderly whisper your truth in their hearts and minds. Help them find rest in you once again.
I am thankful for Your providence! Amen
.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Wilderness What?
At 2am I kept hearing (thinking) read Luke 4, Luke 4, go look at Luke 4...so I got up and got my glasses, bible and laptop. I go to bible gateway so that I can look at multiple translations for the same passages.
Luke 4 opens with the Wilderness, my very first thought, not gonna lie, was wilderness what? Oh, no Lord? I read the whole chapter in a few translations. Several things caught my attention. I wanted to list a few - maybe food for thought? maybe just for Stacy (in which case - thanks for reading anyway)
Luke 4:13 says that after being tested to the extreme - the devil retreated temporarily - lying in wait for the next opportunity.
The bible says Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee(Retreat)...we send him packing when we stay resolved and believe God's word and speak God's word to any and all situations.
The devil is seeking whom he may devour - don't give him an opportunity in your life.
Verse 32 in the message caught my attention because it used some very illustrative words - "—his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative, not the quibbling and quoting they were used to."
forthright - direct, straightforward, without evasion
confident - full of conviction, certainty
authoritative - able to be trusted as reliable, true
quibbling - to argue or raise objections about TRIVIAL matters. Evade the truth. OUCH!
The word is so powerful and the word pictures it paints leaves me in awe.
Lord that I may be found forthright, confident and authoritative after spending time with you! People are so done with quibbling - they don't need another DEBATE or show, they need truth! Thank you for being the source of truth!
After spending time with His Father in the wilderness, Jesus left with power to heal the sick, Shut the devils mouth and proclaim the truth.
I need more time with my Father. I don't like the sound or thought of the "wilderness" as I feel that’s been the bulk of March - August...but I do want to pray for people and them be healed, I do want to send the devil packing every single time he thinks he has an opportunity to tempt or test me and more than anything I want to proclaim the message of hope with authority!
This chapter ends with Jesus finding a quiet place to be ALONE with His Father again, EARLY in the morning. Ministry will wear you out and your only source of strength is to be alone with the Father. After the crowd finds him, they beg him to stay and I love His answer to them - "42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
This chapter ends with Jesus being the example of what he later calls us all to at the end of the four gospels. One word sums it all up - GO!
**Please be in prayer with me as CLC goes to Fort Lenord Wood, Waynesville and shares God's love this coming Sunday.**
** Please pray for our missions team that is leaving the end of October to Haiti.**
** Please pray for me that I will take every opportunity to meet with my Father no matter the time, study the word and do the very next thing in obedience even if its 2am, 3am or midnight.**
I pray for you all!
MUCH LOVE
Never Give Up!
Endure
.
Luke 4 opens with the Wilderness, my very first thought, not gonna lie, was wilderness what? Oh, no Lord? I read the whole chapter in a few translations. Several things caught my attention. I wanted to list a few - maybe food for thought? maybe just for Stacy (in which case - thanks for reading anyway)
Luke 4:13 says that after being tested to the extreme - the devil retreated temporarily - lying in wait for the next opportunity.
The bible says Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee(Retreat)...we send him packing when we stay resolved and believe God's word and speak God's word to any and all situations.
The devil is seeking whom he may devour - don't give him an opportunity in your life.
Verse 32 in the message caught my attention because it used some very illustrative words - "—his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative, not the quibbling and quoting they were used to."
forthright - direct, straightforward, without evasion
confident - full of conviction, certainty
authoritative - able to be trusted as reliable, true
quibbling - to argue or raise objections about TRIVIAL matters. Evade the truth. OUCH!
The word is so powerful and the word pictures it paints leaves me in awe.
Lord that I may be found forthright, confident and authoritative after spending time with you! People are so done with quibbling - they don't need another DEBATE or show, they need truth! Thank you for being the source of truth!
After spending time with His Father in the wilderness, Jesus left with power to heal the sick, Shut the devils mouth and proclaim the truth.
I need more time with my Father. I don't like the sound or thought of the "wilderness" as I feel that’s been the bulk of March - August...but I do want to pray for people and them be healed, I do want to send the devil packing every single time he thinks he has an opportunity to tempt or test me and more than anything I want to proclaim the message of hope with authority!
This chapter ends with Jesus finding a quiet place to be ALONE with His Father again, EARLY in the morning. Ministry will wear you out and your only source of strength is to be alone with the Father. After the crowd finds him, they beg him to stay and I love His answer to them - "42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
This chapter ends with Jesus being the example of what he later calls us all to at the end of the four gospels. One word sums it all up - GO!
**Please be in prayer with me as CLC goes to Fort Lenord Wood, Waynesville and shares God's love this coming Sunday.**
** Please pray for our missions team that is leaving the end of October to Haiti.**
** Please pray for me that I will take every opportunity to meet with my Father no matter the time, study the word and do the very next thing in obedience even if its 2am, 3am or midnight.**
I pray for you all!
MUCH LOVE
Never Give Up!
Endure
.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Standard
Are you going through something?
If not Thank God. If you are Thank God.
Isaiah 59:19b When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
I am so thankful for the WORD. Our standard, our weapon. The standard was and will always be Jesus Christ.
stan·dard (stndrd)
n.
1. A flag, banner, or ensign, especially:
a. The ensign of a chief of state, nation, or city.
b. A long, tapering flag bearing heraldic devices distinctive of a person or corporation.
c. An emblem or flag of an army, raised on a pole to indicate the rallying point in battle.
5. Something, such as a practice or a product, that is widely recognized or employed, especially because of its excellence.
Check out those definitions for STANDARD -
1. His banner over me is LOVE.
a. He is the ensign or standard-bearer. He bears the standard, He is the lead in my life.
b.HERALDIC??? History of and annoounces something to come! He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our soon coming King, MIGHTY in battle.
c.He is the rallying point in ANY battle. Scattered in thought? Run to Jesus!
5. He bears the mark of excellence. ( I am so thankful that He does nothing half hearted)
Thank You God for raising up a standard. Thank you that I can run to the Standard. That when I feel overwhelmed, the wind and waves of the impending flood are about to consume me, YOU, Oh God, in Your love and might have raised up a standard against the enemy. The standard being your Son, Jesus! I am thankful that today and everyday I can trust, listen, obey and lean into You. I am so thankful that today You thwarted the enemy and his assignments! AMEN
The song on my heart this morning -
God you are my God
And I will ever Praise You
Oh, God you are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek you in the morning
I will learn to walk in your ways
Step by step you will lead me and I will follow you all of my days!
If not Thank God. If you are Thank God.
Isaiah 59:19b When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
I am so thankful for the WORD. Our standard, our weapon. The standard was and will always be Jesus Christ.
stan·dard (stndrd)
n.
1. A flag, banner, or ensign, especially:
a. The ensign of a chief of state, nation, or city.
b. A long, tapering flag bearing heraldic devices distinctive of a person or corporation.
c. An emblem or flag of an army, raised on a pole to indicate the rallying point in battle.
5. Something, such as a practice or a product, that is widely recognized or employed, especially because of its excellence.
Check out those definitions for STANDARD -
1. His banner over me is LOVE.
a. He is the ensign or standard-bearer. He bears the standard, He is the lead in my life.
b.HERALDIC??? History of and annoounces something to come! He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our soon coming King, MIGHTY in battle.
c.He is the rallying point in ANY battle. Scattered in thought? Run to Jesus!
5. He bears the mark of excellence. ( I am so thankful that He does nothing half hearted)
Thank You God for raising up a standard. Thank you that I can run to the Standard. That when I feel overwhelmed, the wind and waves of the impending flood are about to consume me, YOU, Oh God, in Your love and might have raised up a standard against the enemy. The standard being your Son, Jesus! I am thankful that today and everyday I can trust, listen, obey and lean into You. I am so thankful that today You thwarted the enemy and his assignments! AMEN
The song on my heart this morning -
God you are my God
And I will ever Praise You
Oh, God you are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek you in the morning
I will learn to walk in your ways
Step by step you will lead me and I will follow you all of my days!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Don't Run
I remember my dad saying if you don't want to do this we can leave right now. LOL
I so wanted to say I do to Chris Waldmann. I remember saying our vows in such tender tones and feeling his lips against mine when the minister said, "you may kiss your bride". We then realized the ceremony was over and it was time to walk back down the isle together united. I remember watching the video later and cracking up because we practically ran down the isle together.
20+ years later we still experience tender touches, soft spoken tones and great timing.
We know how important our marriage covenant is and wish to make it stronger by attending marriage encounters like Romance Uncensored.
Enjoy the video and remember...
Don't Run...
Don't Run RU from Zach Lee on Vimeo.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Undivided
James 1 from the message
2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
James 1 from the NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
I know I put the same set of verses up there two times. I love to read the bible from multiple sources.
About a month ago when Steph was hopping out of the van at school. She said, "mom I got the perfect Cd for you to listen to". At first I was like oh no, because if you know Steph you know she LOVES music, ALL music and has made herself praise cd's, happy cd's...my point she names her cd's and it is like a signature for her mood or train of thought. She realizes that music can be mood altering. So I wasn't sure what message she was sending me that day until she shut the door with an "I love you, mom". As the cd started I was like what is this, Ha!It was the book of James dramatized. I listened to it over and over for weeks. Then I began to read it in different versions. I have prayed that God would renew my love for His word and He has. I don't wake or sleep without reading it. It is like water to my soul.
Little did I know then that it was setting the stage for the last two weeks in my life. It truly has made my mind be undivided. I am solely single focused on what God wants in this moment. My prayer is how can I show love today? In what way can I obey and bring you glory?
I have had "a sheer gift" the last two weeks and "an opportunity for great Joy". My prayers are focused on the Lord helping me to stay undivided. Chris said either we are doing something wrong or this is a testing of our faith. (knowing full well what he believed) I said well, hun I have no control over the car breaking down, auto accidents that result in the van being totaled, chicken pox, allergic reactions or medical opinions of what is wrong with me or death of loved ones. He said correct! So stand firm knowing that the trying of your faith is working out patience in your life.
It is truly settling to know that God is in this moment with me. I know to some of you I might sound totally silly. But I HAVE TO BELIEVE. All the songs, post and comments on facebook have been my true colors coming out and I pray that not to look good for you but ONLY that God be glorified in all of this.
In the last two weeks, God has also used people to speak these verses to me. I am thankful for the "warm hugs from God" as I call it. If I have said to you - Thanks for being Jesus with skin on, its because to me in that moment you represented Christ in an authentic way. Thank you!
I am undivided and my attention is set like a flint on only one....the lover of my soul, my savior, Jesus
2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
James 1 from the NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
I know I put the same set of verses up there two times. I love to read the bible from multiple sources.
About a month ago when Steph was hopping out of the van at school. She said, "mom I got the perfect Cd for you to listen to". At first I was like oh no, because if you know Steph you know she LOVES music, ALL music and has made herself praise cd's, happy cd's...my point she names her cd's and it is like a signature for her mood or train of thought. She realizes that music can be mood altering. So I wasn't sure what message she was sending me that day until she shut the door with an "I love you, mom". As the cd started I was like what is this, Ha!It was the book of James dramatized. I listened to it over and over for weeks. Then I began to read it in different versions. I have prayed that God would renew my love for His word and He has. I don't wake or sleep without reading it. It is like water to my soul.
Little did I know then that it was setting the stage for the last two weeks in my life. It truly has made my mind be undivided. I am solely single focused on what God wants in this moment. My prayer is how can I show love today? In what way can I obey and bring you glory?
I have had "a sheer gift" the last two weeks and "an opportunity for great Joy". My prayers are focused on the Lord helping me to stay undivided. Chris said either we are doing something wrong or this is a testing of our faith. (knowing full well what he believed) I said well, hun I have no control over the car breaking down, auto accidents that result in the van being totaled, chicken pox, allergic reactions or medical opinions of what is wrong with me or death of loved ones. He said correct! So stand firm knowing that the trying of your faith is working out patience in your life.
It is truly settling to know that God is in this moment with me. I know to some of you I might sound totally silly. But I HAVE TO BELIEVE. All the songs, post and comments on facebook have been my true colors coming out and I pray that not to look good for you but ONLY that God be glorified in all of this.
In the last two weeks, God has also used people to speak these verses to me. I am thankful for the "warm hugs from God" as I call it. If I have said to you - Thanks for being Jesus with skin on, its because to me in that moment you represented Christ in an authentic way. Thank you!
I am undivided and my attention is set like a flint on only one....the lover of my soul, my savior, Jesus
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Lift the Lid
A few days ago I posted on Facebook and Twitter that I felt like a load of unbalanced towels in the washing machine. Ha! So I turned off everything, the computer, music and cell phone (I just didn't answer it). I was frustrated, tired and a bit torn. I kept chewing on the metaphor that came to me."Unbalanced load of towels in the washer."
I had a friend text me and I explained that only 2 things stop the annoying noise of an unbalanced machine.
1. You have to lift the lid.
2. You have to redistribute the load.
I continued chewing on this in respect to my day and load. Where did the feeling come from? Why was I feeling like the noise had become too much? Just shutting the machine off doesn't make it stop.
Let me explain.
For those of you that do laundry you know that if you let a wet load set for too long it will begin to stink. So just turning it off in the middle of a spin cycle doesn't fix the problem. You have to do something. It takes more effort than simply lifting the lid and stopping the machine.
I looked back at the text I sent several times. I noticed that the word lid for what ever reason was capitalized. Why did I capitalize that word? hahaha Well, immediately the phrase "law of the lid" came to me. I shrugged and realized God was speaking. So I began to think on it and pray.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with the phrase "law of the lid" let me explain it. John Maxwell is a leadership mentor to many people. He has written numerous books on leadership. The last one I read was Put Your Dream to the Test. A good book but one of my favorites is the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The first law is the law of the lid. There is a lid on a person’s leadership ability and this lid determines their level of effectiveness. The lower a person’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his leadership ability, and the lower his effectiveness. On the contrary, the higher the leadership ability, the greater the effectiveness.
I realized that day that as a parent some of my frustration in our home wasn't something that I needed to change in my children. I simply needed to lift my lid. All that needed to be done in our home I had taken back on and lowered the lid of effectiveness. I was doing things that they could do and my frustration was on me. I did it to myself. They should be given varying levels of responsibility. Accountability was were I was lacking in my "leadership lid". I realized that I not only needed to lift my personal lid but I also needed to redistribute the load.
So point number 2 - Redistribute the load
I had taken on the task that they were given and was left feeling overwhelmed and a bit of a bad parent. That day I realized that I had to redistribute the load. I couldn't keep doing everything and expect my kiddos to grow as leaders. The higher my lid, the higher they could/would grow. I saw an area of weakness in my holding them accountable to chores. I have to lift the lid and expect their best.
I looked at every aspect of my life, from my marriage to my parenting. My personal time with God to serving others. I saw other areas the lid needed to be lifted.
I used to sit in a chair in our living room every night and read my bible or books and study. My kids asked one time why I didn't do that anymore. I realized that they missed seeing me have my personal time. I was still reading and praying but at different times. (i.e. while they were at school) They still need to see me reading my bible.
The greater impact you want to make, the higher your lid needs to be. Fortunately, we can raise the lid by learning. I am still learning and I am thankful for the gentle nudge of the spirit that speaks in our daily lives.
When I turned off the noise of the world and gave my attention to the Lord I realized a few areas I lacked as a leader. I have lifted my personal lid and will continue to strive to keep it lifted higher than the little lids in which I am honored to raise in my home. I want to seize opportunities to assist my kiddos in lifting their lids in leadership.
Philippians 1:3-6 (msg)
Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
It is my prayer that we would continue to seek God for every area of our lives. That we would believe what the verses above say for us and others. That what God began in us, that He will bring it to a flourishing finish. We will grow in Him.
Monday, December 27, 2010
The "F" Word
Cute story from the Waldmann Kiddos-
Chris and I didn't want to buy the kids a game system this year because 1. We had a plan for why we bought gifts. 2. We wanted the things we bought to add value to them and to us as a family. 3. We didn't want it to be the ONLY thing they got. 4. We wanted them to earn and save the money for it. So we opted out of the frenzy. We didn't go broke, we didn't buy on credit and we had a wonderful Christmas sharing its true meaning with our kids.
We didn't realize that they would get the money they got or that if you want something bad enough you will pull your resources to get it. They pulled it together last night and Chris went out with them to get the game system.
Here is where it gets real funny. Chris text me and said they are killing me. HAha, I said honey if they can't make up their mind on which system to buy they come home for another day and wait.
Well a short while later hubby and three very happy boys come in with a PS3 and a few games. Here is the story of how this bliss came to be from the words of Chris.
Chris says, "Stacy you had to be there." I asked why. He said I went with the boys to the clerk and asked, "which system do you think is best?" The clerk replied, "if you ask me, PS3 but if you ask my kids Wii." Chris said, "Why is that? This is where the "F" word happens...my boys lean in, every word that drops from the clerks mouth is like life or death to thier hopes of a new PS3. The clerk continues, "well the graphics are fantastic on the PS3, but the Wii is more Family Friendly." Before Chris could say anything else, Caleb and I both said, "Dude, NOT the F word!" haha I knew as soon as Chris said that the clerk used the words family friendly...the boys thought that was the kiss of death to the PS3. ha! Chris contnued his story and we all laughed. I said, "Caleb, he didn't realize he was talking to the a children's pastor did he?"
We do value family time as ultimate time, worth more than any amount of money, irreplaceable. If not done, lost forever. Our kids value it as well, but they did NOT want a Wii and they knew that the clerk almost had dad when he used the F word.
Above all else, value your family. Spend time with them. Invest in it above anything else you deem worthy of time or money. It reaps rewards beyond our comprehension. We don't just say it, we live it. Enjoy your Family time the rest of this week in December and make more of an effort to pour into your family in 2011.
Much love-
Stacy
Chris and I didn't want to buy the kids a game system this year because 1. We had a plan for why we bought gifts. 2. We wanted the things we bought to add value to them and to us as a family. 3. We didn't want it to be the ONLY thing they got. 4. We wanted them to earn and save the money for it. So we opted out of the frenzy. We didn't go broke, we didn't buy on credit and we had a wonderful Christmas sharing its true meaning with our kids.
We didn't realize that they would get the money they got or that if you want something bad enough you will pull your resources to get it. They pulled it together last night and Chris went out with them to get the game system.
Here is where it gets real funny. Chris text me and said they are killing me. HAha, I said honey if they can't make up their mind on which system to buy they come home for another day and wait.
Well a short while later hubby and three very happy boys come in with a PS3 and a few games. Here is the story of how this bliss came to be from the words of Chris.
Chris says, "Stacy you had to be there." I asked why. He said I went with the boys to the clerk and asked, "which system do you think is best?" The clerk replied, "if you ask me, PS3 but if you ask my kids Wii." Chris said, "Why is that? This is where the "F" word happens...my boys lean in, every word that drops from the clerks mouth is like life or death to thier hopes of a new PS3. The clerk continues, "well the graphics are fantastic on the PS3, but the Wii is more Family Friendly." Before Chris could say anything else, Caleb and I both said, "Dude, NOT the F word!" haha I knew as soon as Chris said that the clerk used the words family friendly...the boys thought that was the kiss of death to the PS3. ha! Chris contnued his story and we all laughed. I said, "Caleb, he didn't realize he was talking to the a children's pastor did he?"
We do value family time as ultimate time, worth more than any amount of money, irreplaceable. If not done, lost forever. Our kids value it as well, but they did NOT want a Wii and they knew that the clerk almost had dad when he used the F word.
Above all else, value your family. Spend time with them. Invest in it above anything else you deem worthy of time or money. It reaps rewards beyond our comprehension. We don't just say it, we live it. Enjoy your Family time the rest of this week in December and make more of an effort to pour into your family in 2011.
Much love-
Stacy
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