Mat

I was HERE...and it was really wonderful.
Thanks, Lord, for music.

Backwards Bash

We celebrated Faith's 11th birthday with a fun "backwards" party. We hung meatballs and pasta, cheese and crackers from the ceiling.




We decorated chef's aprons with puff paints




We served wacky food: this is meatloaf topped with mashed potatoes.












We served "spaghetti and meatballs" for cake. It was actually red velvet cake topped with butter-cream frosting and Oreo/cream cheese meatballs.








What a great time we had...memories to last a lifetime!

A picture, a sound

A picture of: a runaway slave (Old Testament times), who thinks her wants and ways are the only ones that matter. She's in the marketplace, looking around. Nothing that meets her eye really satisfies her desires, yet she keeps running to the same, familiar places.

Selah.

Visions are such revealing things...

Oh, to put my Master's wants and ways before my own every time. To lose self. For my battle with grace and justice to be clearly applied to myself: that I would accept His grace and forgiveness without casually dismissing its greatness. To know true repentance in response to that grace. To remember the depth of the greatest love that ever lived, and that it lived and died for me. To serve wholly - with all my heart and all my strength

A sound of: Christmas. A hammer striking a nail, repeatedly.

Yes, angels sang to welcome Him...really, they sang to let us know that He was here. To announce His presence. He came in response to our need. My need. He left glory for a sin-soaked world full of rejection and hate that crucified Him. As it was so aptly put: Jesus went dumpster-diving. He dove, that I might know true repentance in response to grace.


Lord, thank you that you love the prodigal.

O Lord, You lift up my head!
Praise YOUR holy name!

I received this in a "fortune" Cookie:
"It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well."

Funny where wisdom comes from...we surely have to be careful to weigh everything through the fine sifting of the Word of God.

I certainly enjoyed this one, though. Just WHO writes these little gems, anyway???

Look Up

What to do when sadness overwhelms you? When depression wants to grab hold and stay? When the past creeps back in and sets you back years? When all the old emotions, fears, and anger rear their ugly faces and stare at you in the mirror?

Pray. Pour out your soul before the Lord. Whom better to understand your feelings? He loves that person or persons more than you ever could. He is the Comforter.


Pause. Hold your tongue until a proper time and proper attitude to discuss the situation. A heart of love and a motivation to heal the breach not beach the relationship. A soft answer turns away wrath.

Trust. God works all things together for good, to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose. Put your hope in Him.

We can't do this with our eyes fixed on us. Look up - See His eyes fixed upon you. He loves you.

Bebo

I was feeling kinda blue today, and turned to my old friend, Bebo Norman. His voice soothes my soul and reminds me of truths that I may have forgotten to remember. He speaks, and I remember: praise, worship, and thankfulness.

Thank you, Lord, for the tools You have given us to bring us constantly back into fellowship with You. I am constantly touched and awed by Your great love for me.