Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Baseball Fever
Things are in full swing around here. It is hilarious to me that we Hog fans are the Kentucky Wildcats on Cade's baseball team. You should have seen Eric when he first donned the blue shirt and hat...blasphemy, I tell you! The Wildcats had an amazing night of ball! Everyone was hitting! Cade had a great night with a ton of outs at first. The team even had their first grand slam! Go Wildcats! (Did I just say that??) Eli loved hanging with the team in the dugout and Sam loved playing in the dirt. Me? Well, let's just say I had a little fun with the camera!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Majesty, Grace, and the Ocean
One of my favorite things to do while at the beach is to sneak onto my balcony early in the morning and watch the ocean. Of course, "early" in my vacation vocabulary is anything after 8 am. We were 12 stories high this trip and the view was incredible!
After sitting there for a bit, listening to the crashing waves and reflecting on all possible things, I like to open up the Word. I don't know how to say this, but God speaks more clearly at the beach. It would be a great reason to move there, don't you think?
While watching the waves powerfully crash and then recede again, I was dumbstruck at how this is even possible! Looking out, I viewed a mass of never ending water that plummeted to a depth that I am sure I cannot fathom. And yet, the strong waves would simply creep up to a point and then stop. I know there is a scientific reason for all of this...tides, yada yada...but I was so intrigued by it all. The ocean is the one thing that continually reminds me of God's power and grace intermingled. Crashing, hungry waves stop at the shoreline and refuse to consume beyond the designated line that God grants them. God is all-powerful and majestic and yet good all at the same time. He doesn't use his power to crumple us underfoot but to redeem.
While looking at a few of the waves coming in, I noticed that they were either a muddy shade of brown or green. They reflected nothing of the true blue color of the ocean when looked upon as a whole. It reminded me of the past heartbreaking year. Things happen to us that are incomprehensible and quite frankly, don't seem to reflect what we know of God and His character. We don't always understand things and when we single them out against God's grand plan, we lose sight. Things look inconsistent with His nature. But, if we are able to reflect back to His Whole Being and character, we will once again be able to see His glory. Once again, by the grace of God, the ocean will appear blue when viewed in its entirety. When thrust into something much bigger than us, we will either choose to believe and say "It is well with my soul," or we will be tossed by the angry waves forever.
I believe the song, "It is Well With my Soul" was written on a ship crossing a vast ocean. Here is the history to this powerful hymn:
"Two years after the fire (that claimed his finances and occurred after his son had died), Horatio Spafford planned a trip to Europe for him and his family. He wanted a rest for his wife and four daughters, and also to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their evangelistic campaigns in Great Britain. He was not meant to travel with his family. The day in November they were due to depart, Spafford had a last minute business transaction and had to stay behind in Chicago. Nevertheless, he still sent his wife and four daughters to travel as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre, expecting to follow in a few days. On November 22, the ship laden with his wife and daughters was struck by the Lockhearn, an English vessel, and sank in few minutes.
After the survivors were finally landed somewhere at Cardiff, Wales, Spafford's wife cabled her husband with two simple words, "Saved alone." Shortly after, Spafford left by ship on his way where his beloved four daughters had drowned, and pen at hand, wrote this most poignant text so significantly descriptive of his own personal grief – "When sorrows like sea billows roll..." The hymn "It is Well with My Soul" was born.
It is noteworthy that Horatio Spafford did not dwell on the theme of life's sorrows and trials, instead, focused in the third stanza on the redemptive work of Christ, and in the fourth verse, anticipates His glorious second coming."
He lost all five children. All five. And yet, God graciously got him to a place of saying it was well with his soul. He believed God to not only be Majestic, but Gracious as well. He clung to the reality of the cross and the hope of being reunited with his children.
Give us grace to live our days in a way that will always say, "It is well..."
After sitting there for a bit, listening to the crashing waves and reflecting on all possible things, I like to open up the Word. I don't know how to say this, but God speaks more clearly at the beach. It would be a great reason to move there, don't you think?
While watching the waves powerfully crash and then recede again, I was dumbstruck at how this is even possible! Looking out, I viewed a mass of never ending water that plummeted to a depth that I am sure I cannot fathom. And yet, the strong waves would simply creep up to a point and then stop. I know there is a scientific reason for all of this...tides, yada yada...but I was so intrigued by it all. The ocean is the one thing that continually reminds me of God's power and grace intermingled. Crashing, hungry waves stop at the shoreline and refuse to consume beyond the designated line that God grants them. God is all-powerful and majestic and yet good all at the same time. He doesn't use his power to crumple us underfoot but to redeem.
While looking at a few of the waves coming in, I noticed that they were either a muddy shade of brown or green. They reflected nothing of the true blue color of the ocean when looked upon as a whole. It reminded me of the past heartbreaking year. Things happen to us that are incomprehensible and quite frankly, don't seem to reflect what we know of God and His character. We don't always understand things and when we single them out against God's grand plan, we lose sight. Things look inconsistent with His nature. But, if we are able to reflect back to His Whole Being and character, we will once again be able to see His glory. Once again, by the grace of God, the ocean will appear blue when viewed in its entirety. When thrust into something much bigger than us, we will either choose to believe and say "It is well with my soul," or we will be tossed by the angry waves forever.
I believe the song, "It is Well With my Soul" was written on a ship crossing a vast ocean. Here is the history to this powerful hymn:
"Two years after the fire (that claimed his finances and occurred after his son had died), Horatio Spafford planned a trip to Europe for him and his family. He wanted a rest for his wife and four daughters, and also to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their evangelistic campaigns in Great Britain. He was not meant to travel with his family. The day in November they were due to depart, Spafford had a last minute business transaction and had to stay behind in Chicago. Nevertheless, he still sent his wife and four daughters to travel as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre, expecting to follow in a few days. On November 22, the ship laden with his wife and daughters was struck by the Lockhearn, an English vessel, and sank in few minutes.
After the survivors were finally landed somewhere at Cardiff, Wales, Spafford's wife cabled her husband with two simple words, "Saved alone." Shortly after, Spafford left by ship on his way where his beloved four daughters had drowned, and pen at hand, wrote this most poignant text so significantly descriptive of his own personal grief – "When sorrows like sea billows roll..." The hymn "It is Well with My Soul" was born.
It is noteworthy that Horatio Spafford did not dwell on the theme of life's sorrows and trials, instead, focused in the third stanza on the redemptive work of Christ, and in the fourth verse, anticipates His glorious second coming."
He lost all five children. All five. And yet, God graciously got him to a place of saying it was well with his soul. He believed God to not only be Majestic, but Gracious as well. He clung to the reality of the cross and the hope of being reunited with his children.
Give us grace to live our days in a way that will always say, "It is well..."
Sunday, May 31, 2009
In Heaven...
...in Heaven there will be lots of dolphins. And I will swim with them.
There is something so "real" and relaxing watching God's creation in its natural habitat doing what God created it to do.
There is something so "real" and relaxing watching God's creation in its natural habitat doing what God created it to do. 
Graduation and Awards!
Proud! I just love my boys and the end of the school year always makes me a proud Momma! Eli kicked off the festivities with Kindergarten graduation! He was awesome! He knew a thousand scriptures and every song perfectly. He even recited a long poem all by himself about a turtle. (first pic) I can hardly believe baby #2 is about to enter 1st grade! Tell me it isn't so!
The next day, Cade had his moment in the sun! The awards ceremony was great fun...he got straight A's and the "CROWN" award...the only 2nd grade boy to receive it! I am so proud of his Christlike character in the classroom!
The next day, Cade had his moment in the sun! The awards ceremony was great fun...he got straight A's and the "CROWN" award...the only 2nd grade boy to receive it! I am so proud of his Christlike character in the classroom!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Beach!
The Beach! When we first arrived, I thought we would be in trouble! You can tell from this first picture that the waves were angry and rain was everywhere! The forecast even called for rain EVERY single day...but God smiled at us and gave us perfect weather! I just can't say how nice it was to get away and not be responsible for anyone. It was very rejuvenating! Thank you, Mom and Amelia for kidnapping me! And a special thanks to Eric and his parents for holding down the fort. 
Ahhh, the dolphin cruise. It deserves a post of its own...and will get one in the future!
wow! I just love sunsets over water.
#1 reason I love the beach: God speaks more clearly there! Maybe that is because everything is turned off: blogs, email, and tv. I'll share more later.
Ahhh, the dolphin cruise. It deserves a post of its own...and will get one in the future!
wow! I just love sunsets over water.
#1 reason I love the beach: God speaks more clearly there! Maybe that is because everything is turned off: blogs, email, and tv. I'll share more later.Oh, and I put up some of my favorites of my sister and her beach photo shoot here:
Thursday, May 21, 2009
umm, i am headed to the beach!!!
I am going to the beach! We are headed to Gulf Shores...the place we last got to vacation with Kiley. Pray away the rain! I will update with pictures! Can't wait for some sand, rays, girl time, reading, shopping, picture taking, seafood, dolphin watching, and sleeping! umm, i heart the beach.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Crucial Times
If you love America, you will be interested in this:
http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com
America has stood by Israel since its start as a country. What right do we think we have to pressure them to give up their land? Sometimes our governing officials are so arrogant. If it is true...that Obama will encourage the Israelites to divide their capital and hand over their God-given land, then I shudder to think of what will happen to our country. If you see an influx of "natural" disasters this summer, I wouldn't be shocked. I know I sound doomsday-ish, but I am angry that powerful law-making people can't take the word of God at face value. I am sure I sound like a drama-Queen, but this is a big deal...it may be the life or death of our country.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.
http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com
America has stood by Israel since its start as a country. What right do we think we have to pressure them to give up their land? Sometimes our governing officials are so arrogant. If it is true...that Obama will encourage the Israelites to divide their capital and hand over their God-given land, then I shudder to think of what will happen to our country. If you see an influx of "natural" disasters this summer, I wouldn't be shocked. I know I sound doomsday-ish, but I am angry that powerful law-making people can't take the word of God at face value. I am sure I sound like a drama-Queen, but this is a big deal...it may be the life or death of our country.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Big Day
Today is a big day in the political/spiritual grand scheme of things. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington yesterday and is set to meet with President Obama today. I know there will be critical points of discussion that will take place. The significance of the Iranian threat will be one of those things. The significance of Israel keeping her land will be another.
Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."
It is comforting to know that these two "kings" are not outside of God's sovereignty or plan. I pray that God's will would be done today...and that His Kingdom would come soon.
We, as Christians MUST remember Genesis 12:3 in times like these.
"I will bless those who bless you (nation of Israel),
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."
Lord, we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem today. Lord, let us be mindful to pray over Washington today as the spiritual warfare must be intense.
*if you want more information, see the blog to the side by "Joel Rosenberg."
Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."
It is comforting to know that these two "kings" are not outside of God's sovereignty or plan. I pray that God's will would be done today...and that His Kingdom would come soon.
We, as Christians MUST remember Genesis 12:3 in times like these.
"I will bless those who bless you (nation of Israel),
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."
Lord, we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem today. Lord, let us be mindful to pray over Washington today as the spiritual warfare must be intense.
*if you want more information, see the blog to the side by "Joel Rosenberg."
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