My good friend Ruth always says, "We need to remember to remember," when referring to the goodness of God or His Truth. Remembering is a holy process through which our hearts dwell on God's care of us and leads to rejoicing. The opposite would be forgetting to remember the good things God does for us daily, leading us to despair and unbelief.
“Don’t be dejected and
sad, for the joy of the LORD is your
strength,” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Remembering the goodness of the Lord (be it a good cup of coffee, laughing with a friend, or a deep moment with Jesus) keeps me strong as I go about my pilgrim journey towards HOME.
"Father, help me remember to remember!"
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Random Things
I have so much going on. Here's a list of some things happening with us.
-We're changing churches! A new pca plant has started right in our hometown of Helena, and we're super excited about joining them to impact God's Kingdom.
-I want to get a pick-up for my violin. I want my violin to be louder without the hassle of playing in a mic (feedback issues, etc.).
-Alexander is the sweetest, cuddliest, most adorable little muffin that ever lived. ;) We're enjoying being mommy and daddy to him.
-I am currently reading The Nanny Returns and When Helping Hurts. The latter is a very informative book on helping the poor.
-Justin wants to get a lap steel guitar. (You know the Hawiian sounding instrument--Justin says it's "country.")
-School is presently overwhelming me! I have a stack of papers to grade, and they are taking me FOREVER! Pray for me!
-My friend Molly is still living down the street even though she was supposed to move months ago! This has been such a blessing to me (though I do feel for Nate and his long drive!). Molly and I are going to make scones to take to our respective Thanksgivings next week. She's the best!
-I am doing a Beth Moore Bible Study and it is so rich. I am really learning a lot and have enjoyed the structure of a workbook.
-I recently visited Whole Foods and I LOVE this store! I wish everyone could shop in this European-like store. I felt like I was transported to a different country! It was like all of the specialty shops in France rolled into one store. Too bad it's 35min from my house and a dozen eggs costs $6! I'm still going to try to go once or twice a month.
-I really want to go see a movie in the movie theater. My last movie was during the summer (Twilight saga).
-Some friends of mine are joining me in our own "Secret Church" night hopefully in December. We're planning on listening to the Holy Spirit Secret Church. We're doing this because tickets for the real Secret Church sold out in 6 minutes! So we decided to make our own. :)
-Justin is playing along to a country song on his banjo as I'm typing this. He's standing in front of me serenading me with his twangy thumb picking style. I love it.
Good night.
-We're changing churches! A new pca plant has started right in our hometown of Helena, and we're super excited about joining them to impact God's Kingdom.
-I want to get a pick-up for my violin. I want my violin to be louder without the hassle of playing in a mic (feedback issues, etc.).
-Alexander is the sweetest, cuddliest, most adorable little muffin that ever lived. ;) We're enjoying being mommy and daddy to him.
-I am currently reading The Nanny Returns and When Helping Hurts. The latter is a very informative book on helping the poor.
-Justin wants to get a lap steel guitar. (You know the Hawiian sounding instrument--Justin says it's "country.")
-School is presently overwhelming me! I have a stack of papers to grade, and they are taking me FOREVER! Pray for me!
-My friend Molly is still living down the street even though she was supposed to move months ago! This has been such a blessing to me (though I do feel for Nate and his long drive!). Molly and I are going to make scones to take to our respective Thanksgivings next week. She's the best!
-I am doing a Beth Moore Bible Study and it is so rich. I am really learning a lot and have enjoyed the structure of a workbook.
-I recently visited Whole Foods and I LOVE this store! I wish everyone could shop in this European-like store. I felt like I was transported to a different country! It was like all of the specialty shops in France rolled into one store. Too bad it's 35min from my house and a dozen eggs costs $6! I'm still going to try to go once or twice a month.
-I really want to go see a movie in the movie theater. My last movie was during the summer (Twilight saga).
-Some friends of mine are joining me in our own "Secret Church" night hopefully in December. We're planning on listening to the Holy Spirit Secret Church. We're doing this because tickets for the real Secret Church sold out in 6 minutes! So we decided to make our own. :)
-Justin is playing along to a country song on his banjo as I'm typing this. He's standing in front of me serenading me with his twangy thumb picking style. I love it.
Good night.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Eat, Pray, Love
Tonight I watched the move Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts. I have never seen a movie quite like it. I think I really liked it, but I'm still processing. There were moments I thought, "When is this going to end?" and moments I thought, "This may be one of the best movies I've ever seen."
Julia plays Liz, who is on a journey to find out who she is and what makes her happy--her "balance." She learns about pleasure vs. American "entertainment" in Italy--the slowing down and enjoying of life's good things. She learns about listening to herself, forgiving herself, and healing in India. In Mali, she learns to love without fear (or in spite of fear). In the end, she makes you want to go on your own journey of self-discovery.
Some of my favorite quotes include:
"This baby is demon possessed." "No, I think she's just teething." "Same thing."
"Ruin is a gift. Ruin leads to transformation."
"Sometimes you have to forego the balance in your life for a time to pursue love."
"God is present in me as me." -- What do you think about that? In a sense, I guess that's true. God lives in us, He's our Creator, and the totality of who we are is from Him, for Him, and because of Him.
Amidst the guru worship, you can find universal Truths that apply to everyone. You can learn from Liz as she mourns and grows--miserable yet grasping for hope. And she finds her hope from several small communities that she forms in each place she goes. People who love her and accept her. This is what we are made for!
She finds joy in leaving behind a miserable life to become temporarily more miserable but stronger, braver, and truer to herself in the end. Everyone wants to be known and loved. Everyone wants to be happy. Liz finally meets people who know her well and love her as she is.
As I viewed the beautiful sunsets and ocean views present in the film, the common grace of God astounded me. What beauty He allows us to enjoy! What joy there is to be had in the pleasures of life! It gives a glimpse of heaven. When everything will be made right, and we will all worship the right Person. I can be so judgemental and think that I have all the answers. I enjoyed learning about God, myself, and humanity tonight from a medicine man in Mali and a struggling woman who made hard choices in an effort to find peace.
Julia plays Liz, who is on a journey to find out who she is and what makes her happy--her "balance." She learns about pleasure vs. American "entertainment" in Italy--the slowing down and enjoying of life's good things. She learns about listening to herself, forgiving herself, and healing in India. In Mali, she learns to love without fear (or in spite of fear). In the end, she makes you want to go on your own journey of self-discovery.
Some of my favorite quotes include:
"This baby is demon possessed." "No, I think she's just teething." "Same thing."
"Ruin is a gift. Ruin leads to transformation."
"Sometimes you have to forego the balance in your life for a time to pursue love."
"God is present in me as me." -- What do you think about that? In a sense, I guess that's true. God lives in us, He's our Creator, and the totality of who we are is from Him, for Him, and because of Him.
Amidst the guru worship, you can find universal Truths that apply to everyone. You can learn from Liz as she mourns and grows--miserable yet grasping for hope. And she finds her hope from several small communities that she forms in each place she goes. People who love her and accept her. This is what we are made for!
She finds joy in leaving behind a miserable life to become temporarily more miserable but stronger, braver, and truer to herself in the end. Everyone wants to be known and loved. Everyone wants to be happy. Liz finally meets people who know her well and love her as she is.
As I viewed the beautiful sunsets and ocean views present in the film, the common grace of God astounded me. What beauty He allows us to enjoy! What joy there is to be had in the pleasures of life! It gives a glimpse of heaven. When everything will be made right, and we will all worship the right Person. I can be so judgemental and think that I have all the answers. I enjoyed learning about God, myself, and humanity tonight from a medicine man in Mali and a struggling woman who made hard choices in an effort to find peace.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Put on love
I have been greatly blessed of late by reading the Message Bible. (modern translation by Eugene Peterson) I have laughed with Paul, wept with Jesus, and enjoyed God's message to me in a new way. Here are some of my favorite passages...
from Psalm 100
"For God is sheer beauty, all generous in love, loyal always and forever." Amen!
"I'm on your side. You're not alone." Paul to the Colossians (convicted me about my attitude toward others--I want them to feel this from me)
"Everything finds its purpose in Jesus."
We are "woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God [which gives us] minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ (who contains the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge)."
from Psalm 18
"God is the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. God made my life complete when I placed ALL the pieces before him."
"But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am."
"Awaken to the holiness of life."
"Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort."
"Let Christ displace worry at the center of your life."
I was struck also while reading Mark 14 that at the very first Lord's supper, Jesus thanked God as he broke the bread and poured the wine--symbolizing the breaking of his body and the pouring out of his blood. All of our suffering is redeemed by God. If Jesus can thank God for the greatest suffering that ever took place on Earth, can I thank him for all of my suffering?
from Psalm 100
"For God is sheer beauty, all generous in love, loyal always and forever." Amen!
"I'm on your side. You're not alone." Paul to the Colossians (convicted me about my attitude toward others--I want them to feel this from me)
"Everything finds its purpose in Jesus."
We are "woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God [which gives us] minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ (who contains the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge)."
from Psalm 18
"God is the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. God made my life complete when I placed ALL the pieces before him."
"But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am."
"Awaken to the holiness of life."
"Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort."
"Let Christ displace worry at the center of your life."
I was struck also while reading Mark 14 that at the very first Lord's supper, Jesus thanked God as he broke the bread and poured the wine--symbolizing the breaking of his body and the pouring out of his blood. All of our suffering is redeemed by God. If Jesus can thank God for the greatest suffering that ever took place on Earth, can I thank him for all of my suffering?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
5 months ago
Five months ago I had never seen you smile. I didn't know what your hungry cry sounded like. Making you laugh wasn't my favorite past-time. My time didn't belong to you. I could eat a sandwich without taking 5 breaks. I never ran around the house to get things done. I hadn't ever given you one kiss. You didn't know how to roll over or touch your feet. Your two bottom teeth where still tucked away beneath your gums.
Five months ago I thought I knew what being a mother was, but I had no clue what I was about to enter into. This little man demands my all--and I want to give it to him--he aks me to lay down my own desires for his, twenty-four hours a day. But when he opens his mouth to let me know that he wants to give his momma a wet, sloppy kiss, my heart melts into a thousand pieces. Sometimes we just stare at each other and smile or laugh.
Five months ago I didn't know that God loves me in the same way that I do now. I long for him in ways I couldn't imagine five months ago. Because this all-encompassing, never-ending, joy-filled, heart-wrenching thing we call motherhood pushes me into the arms of my heavenly Father to know him--not asking for anthing else besides Him. And He's everything.
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