The Confessing Lunatic

I recently read a Facebook post from one of Jim's younger cousins that shows a Godly wisdom beyond the earthly age of many. She was describing how God is teaching her that her view on service is not as God intended (my take on what she said) and that Jesus Christ should be the object of her heart -- not service. Part of her post included a quote that I was almost certain that I had read before so being the curious one, I Googled the quote and discovered that C.A. Coates had written an article entitled, " Occupation with the Object " is where the quote came from. I am struck in particular by the thought that we become restless and discouraged when our service isn't doing any good. Consider what Coates says, " Very often young believers who have not even peace with God are encouraged to take up service, and they become so occupied with what they are doing that they are not at leisure to learn or to take their place in the favor of their Father. Hence, so long as th...

Everyday I am reminded of God's peace but none more so as this weekend. Sunday after we came home from church, we found our older dog, Copper, on his back in the backyard, obviously in distress. He was caught in our electric fence and for the several hours we were away, he was unable to get to shade or water. As Jim went outside, he looked at me and said, "I think this is it." Immediately all our children began to cry. We've known for a while that Copper was not well and probably would not be with us for long. We've tried to prepare the children but nothing, other than prayer, really can prepare them for the loss of a friend. Jim picked up Copper and brought him inside. As the kids stood around us crying, I watched as Jim tried to get Copper some water. Jim and I looked at each other knowing the answer to the question, "What should we do?" but we wanted the kids to come to the same conclusion. I'm not sure what was harder in this situation -- watchin...

But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and...

"I want the presence of God Himself, or I don't want anything at all to do with religion...I want all that God has or I don't want any." AW Tozer, The Counselor, 40.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to a women's conference last last month and it was just what I needed. I left worn and weary and returned refreshed. What made it so special was the music. It was so nice to be a part of worship and not leading worship. The songs were mostly unknown to me but they touched my heart none the less! One of the songs that touched me was Hillsong's "At the Foot of the Cross." Work has been particularly difficult -- not just professionally but personally as well. This morning as I was refusing to acknowledge that it was time to get up, the Lord kept bringing this song to mind. It was as if to say, it doesn't matter what you're going through, I've been there. It doesn't matter how much you're burdened. Lay it down...and I will take care of you. So I want to share the words here. I hope that they will touch you as much as they touched me. At the foot of the cross Where grace and suffering meet You have shown me Your...

Mother's Day was an awesome day! It started with breakfast in bed -- Jaden made me eggs, Jordan made toast with butter and copious amounts of blackberry jam, Caitlin poured a Diet Pepsi into a tall glass with crushed ice and Jordan placed everything on the tray with great artistic flare. I've taken a picture and if I get my act together and download the picture from the camera, I'll post it here. Worship was a treat...the message was different yet insightful. We learned a number of scriptures relating to the role of mothers in raising children while receiving items to plant -- soil, seeds, water and a vessel (cup). Then after a wonderful meal with Jim's parents and grandmother, we went to my parents house. It was wonderful just sitting having a conversation with my mom and dad. The kids were being noisy so we sent them home to watch TV. Then after a long nap, we watched the final episode of Amazing Race 14. Our favorite team won so that was the culmination of a great d...

1. When 50% (or more) of the people around you are the same height as you (that is if you're 5 ft tall)! 2. When you have salad offered to you at the breakfast buffet at your hotel. 3. There's no one speaking English or Spanish for that matter. :o) 4. The toilet not only has a bidet but a dryer in the toilet, too. Eek. 5. They do not use ice in your drink unless you specifically ask for it. 6. You look for Diet Coke and find "Coke Light" which tastes nothing like Diet Coke. Yuck. 7. The hotel has slippers in "lockers" where you can trade the slippers for your shoes. 8. All of the tops of the high-rises are painted green to simulate grass since there is none in the city. 9. Those same roof-tops are littered with plastic wash basins. 10. You open IE, go to Google.com and can't read a thing because it's all in a foreign lanugage!