A Fun Filled Weekend

With the sunshine we couldn't resist spending just about all of our time outdoors. Saturday we went to the local Farmer's Market, had lunch with my brother and his wife, did some shopping, and then went to the Armed Forces Day at the neighboring Army base.

Today we played in the front yard while hubby worked on what he called his 'Honey Do List'. It was stuff the really need to be done. As we watched we had snacks.

Then it was time to wash the cars. Water and bubbles equals sopping wet kids with soap in their eyes, so we hosed them down. Once the crying stopped they started to have fun again.

Wonder how much longer he will be willing to run around outdoors in Super Man undies. I'm so glad they are little and I'm loving every minute of it.

Let it Remind You Too

I have to admit that at times I take the symbol of the cross for granted. I can pass one on the road, see one on a chain and not even take note of it. How refreshing it is that my son recognizes the cross and it's significance. Driving in the car tonight on the way to visit friends we passed a large church. L said,

"There is a cross just like Jesus died on,

He hung on there with a crown of thorns,

and had nails in his hands and his feet."

I am so thankful that my son has accepted Christ, knows He died for him, took his punishment, and knows it is our mission as Christians to share that love with friends and family. I love that boy!

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Mark 16:16

Death Is Not Dying

Make time for the video that I am posting a link to below. The video is 55 minutes long and titled Death is Not Dying; A Faith that Saves. Don't let the length stop you from watching.

http://deathisnotdying.com/fullvideo/

Really take the time for this. Her faith is so inspiring.

DADDY'S GIRL: Knowing God as Father

(My Mom and Dad)

Is it the second week of May already? Jumping back into the book study - although I fear I probably lost most of you - this chapter focuses on loving and knowing God as Father. The author of the chapter, Mary A. Kassian, draws out all of the similarities between our earthly father and our Heavenly Father. For that reason I enclosed a photo of my dad. For me my father was everything I could have dreamed of in a dad. I had an excellent example of how God my Father loves me, relates with me, cares for me, protects me, and enjoys spending time with me because my dad was (and IS) that way with me. I am blessed to have that as a basis for my understanding of what God wants of his relationship with me, so THANK YOU DAD.

Some women do not have a strong relationship with their father and therefore it can leave them hung up on the idea of God as a Father. The bible points out that our innermost being cries out for a father,

"And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Gal. 4:6)

"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Rom. 8:15-16)

There were a couple of heart wrenching stories that depicted our longing for a father and a loving father's desire to find and hold his child. All the boys sitting on the steps of the court waiting for a dad to forgive them and take them back and the Father who dug through ice with bloodied hands just to hold the body of his son again. There is no denying the deep connection between a father and his child and it was designed that way so that we can better appreciate the relationship God desires to have with each of us.

There were three passages that I felt summed up the chapter very well.

First, "The Father appreciates your obedience. He appreciates your disciplines of prayer and fasting and being in the Word. He appreciates your service. But more than all these things and at the center of the Gospel is this: The Father wants your heart. He does not want rote obedience, conformity, service, sacrifice, and ceaseless ministry from you. If He does not have your heart, these things mean nothing to Him. Living in a love relationship with God is the key to enjoying and delighting in Him and experiencing His delight in you. If you truly understand this and take it to heart, it will revolutionize your life and will allow you to begin to experience the joy and victory that Christ has already won for you." (p.58)

Second, "Do you wonder why you feel no peace in your heart? Do you wonder why you feel restless and unsettled? Do you wonder why you feel frustrated? Perhaps it is because the Holy Spirit in you is crying "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" But you are busy, occupied with other things. Or you are too afraid to look into the Father's eyes and let him love you." (p. 56)

And the final thought: "How well do you know the Father? Are you going ever deeper in your relationship with Him? Are you confidently and joyfully entering into the Father's presence? Do you experience His love for you as His daughter?"

Discussion and Food for Thought

1. What spoke to your heart from this chapter?

2. What comforts do you find in your relationship with God as Father?

3. Does God have your heart?

She Sells Seashells

Is it wrong to make my adorable daughter who has a TERRIBLE lisp say tongue twisters? Instead of saying her s's she says them as a th sound - very daffy duck like. I have to say it is one of my favorite things in life at this moment. Little things like J's lisp, or the way M says "Eeeew Gossss" or when L says "Redonkulous" (he got it from the movie BOLT). Anyway, those little voices are getting bigger everyday and I am just doing my best to take it all in.

Another cute thing today was when we were at the grocery store the older two were singing Jesus Loves Me and M was trying to sing along. They kept asking if I wanted to hear them sing it again.. of course I did.. even it was for the 50th time. It caught on because a little girl we kept passing in the aisles was singing it a few aisles later. See the love of Jesus is contagious! :)