A renewed mind

One of my favorite apps on my phone is one called Pandora...most of you probably already know what it is. For those that don't, it's free radio. I love it because you pick what you want; songs, artists, composers. I keep it on praise and worship station- you give a thumbs up for the songs or the artist you like and it will play it more ofter.

Anyhow, a song that I've not heard in a really long time came on and I was convicted and cried all the way home this morning after dropping the boys off. God has such perfect timing, would you agree? Had I heard it before dropping them off (1) it may not have hit me the same way, or (2) I would have been a mess while dropping them off and their teachers would have looked at me like I was a crazy person...

Growing up in a Church of Christ I often times I don't recognize a song by the music. But as soon as I heard the words "There's a stirring deep within me" it hit me like a freight train. Here I was driving and the Lord indeed started a stirring deep down within! I haven't been very faithful-- I've neglected to use my gifts for His Service. I'm thankful for his grace and mercy!

We all have a gift(s) given to us, even life itself (Isaiah 42:5). I can't give money [yet!], but I can give of my time-- to volunteer, give unselfishly my time to my boys and my husband. Even as I sit here trying to pound out this blog, little Joel comes to ask for pretzels and my first response to him was, "In a second." When it should have been to get up with a grateful heart and get him some pretzels. Which I just did by the way...thank you Lord, again, for teaching me and being patient with me. Doing our everyday job with integrity and respect for others can also be a gift. It takes a lot to give and act as Jesus did on a daily basis!

I want to be ready when my time comes-- to see Him face to face! I don't want to have idle thoughts. I want to always hear that voice calling me!!

Is He calling you? Is it to show someone else grace today? Or, to serve? Teach? Encourage? Contributing to the needs of others? Leadership? Showing mercy? Romans 12:5-8 talks about each of these gifts!

I leave you with the lyrics to the song that touched my heart and inspired this blog:

There's a stirring deep within me;
Could it be my time has come?
When I'll see my gracious Savior
Face to face when all is done.

Is that his voice I am hearing?
"Come away my precious one."
Is he calling me?
Is he calling me?

I will rise up, rise up
And bow down, and lay my crown
At his wounded feet!

Blue eyed beauty!

So, this handsome little fellow...let me tell you a little story about him!

First, let me set the scene for you. This morning the boys and I went to Target for two wedding gifts, a birthday, and a baby gift. As we were walking through the parking lot, as always, we link hands to make a train. Justin wanted to be the engine, so he's up front. As we approach to cross the road right in front of the store, here comes a black SUV; Justin starts to dash out in front of them. I of course immediately yell at him to FREEZE! As soon as we were safely across the road I ask, "Justin, what on earth were you thinking-- running out like that in front of a car?" He sweetly replies, "I was going to stop them with my blue eyes and my freckles." I had to laugh and kiss this sweet little face. Then, scold him to never ever try that again!

Let's see, does he stop you in your tracks?!?

Getting creative

The boys got grounded from their costumes before we left on vacation because they weren't picking them up and putting them away. With this heat, I'm not allowing them to play outside either. They are sick of T.V. and video games. My throat hurts from all the reading (choir practice last night was a challenge). "So, what can we do?" they ask. So, when Daddy got home last night Justin asked him to draw on a costume; one that I won't have to pick up later...! :) You can see Joel getting his there in the background.

One good thing about the heat (if you're looking for a positive) is that I've had lots of time to invest in them-- speaking truth into their little hearts. It's been a time of teaching them brotherly love. And! to turn off lights behind them! ;)

Stay cool people!

A heavy heart

As I lay here in bed writing this, I am heavy laden.

A friend from church died (leaving behind a husband of 20 years and three teenagers) and I will attend her funeral here in a few short hours. Reading her last posts on facebook she gave God all the glory...right up until the very end; Praying for a miracle knowing that God could heal her, but also knew He could call her home at any time. The discernment and wisdom flowing from her mouth (that I didn't quite appreciate at the time) astounds me now looking back! I know she is at the right hand of our Heavenly Father, and has gained it all, but I am so sad for Brent, Jenna, Shawn, and Brennan. What a testimony of faith Jennifer was to so many!

Oh my- how we take life for granted. We don't give back to God what he deserves. We don't praise him like we should, or give him the credit owed. Instead we sit [complacent] in our homes...churches even. We perform our daily tasks of praying, serving in a ministry, tithing, even reading the bible; like it's a to-do list just to be checked off. Is that enough? I say not! He needs more from us than that--he wants us everyday! In Mark it says I can't receive Jesus unless I put others (even the least of the least) before me.

Lord, help me to die to myself so I can serve others as Jesus did! To be able to love/forgive those that have wronged me- as I am sure I need their forgiveness, too.

Matthew 6:19-21 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, here moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Totally smitten!

I just had to capture this little darling!

Johnny has really taken to soldiers and learning about war ever since we went to honor the soldier that died a couple of weeks ago. Kyle has talked to him a lot about what it takes to be a soldier and what freedom is-- the cost that it means, but the glory it brings to God, self, family, our country, etc... We read and watch everything we can get our hands on. I pray that God will use this [now little] boy in a mighty way! That he will be a missionary starting now even at the young age of 8!

Joseph (the son of my childhood best friend, also my moms godson) has been with us all week- he has played war with my boys everyday, all day! We will be sad to see him go home!! He is such a joy!

Following in daddy's footsteps

I'm washing the truck and I look over to see what the little boys are doing, this is what I found! I asked Justin what's wrong with his truck just to learn that the oil was bad and needed changing!
I don't think I can say it enough how much I love being a momma to little boys!!!

Justin and his critters

Meet Tweety the Frog, because he croaks really load. Justin's newest addition (for the day) to the Griffin clan!

I absolutely adore this boy!!