Wind blown

My sweet little Justin had so much fun with his window down this afternoon. It's usually too hot, too cold, the wind would mess my hair up...really I'm just scared they would fall out, so I never let them put their windows down. Once we got to our road they begged because it was so nice outside-- and reluctantly, I agreed. I'm so glad I did! Look at the smile on this boys face. Fear almost made me miss this...

I wonder what else in my life I'm letting fear hold me back from. I "opened the window" a couple of weeks ago and signed up for the prison ministry and I go next week. Scared but looking forward to the "smiles"!!

What is fear holding you back from??

Dog pile

That's a lot off Griffin boys right there!! I'm so lucky. :)

I wonder what God has in store for those three little monkeys on top?

Jesus is the HERO of my story!

As I was doing a Beth Moore bible study this morning, God led me off on a study of my own.  I had no idea what it was going to be about or why it was happening, but I just went with it! I'm not exactly sure how I got from the book of Daniel to the book of Isaiah, but I took great comfort in the forty third chapter.  One verse that really stuck out was this,

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, 

for my own sake, and remembers you sin no more."  

 Isaiah 43:25

Isn't is great God loves us that much?? He doesn't even remember our past sins!! More on this in a moment.

In my Beth Moore study she talked about what God's desire for my life is.  What is God's desire for us...John 15:8,16 says, (v8) "to be my disciples." (v.16) "You did not chose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go out and bear fruit..."  It's humbling knowing GOD CHOSE ME! He gave me specific gifts to do his work.  One is definite-- he gave me a singing voice.  I know He can give  more than one gift, and I know there's more to me than just singing...so what is it?? I've been praying for several weeks now trying to figure out what it is, and what am I supposed to do with it. After reading these verses in John I knew God wanted to share something with me.  I started digging deep and he revealed to me I have the gift of showing mercy!! It has always come so easy to me...growing up I often thought maybe I was too soft; after all most people around me where not so willing to show mercy. 

• Mercy-- compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence; Have mercy on the poor sinner.

I can't share personal stories with out permission of the other party, but one thing I would like to share (what I think compassion should look like) is Osama Bin Laden.  On 9-11 there people in the Middle East standing in the streets singing and dancing over lives lost.  What's equally heartbreaking to me, though, is the night I heard Osama Bin Laden was dead the things I heard on TV and was reading on facebook.  I was glad to hear they got him (dead or alive) because it needed to be done.   War is ugly and even God says it's necessary at times.  But here is a man who didn't know God and had just lost his life.  I was cheerless... We are to mourn as God does, for his people, even the lost.

Now back to our God who doesn't remember our sins.  If you ask for forgiveness you not only receive it, but he remembers it no more!  It comes easy for me forgive and forget. Yes, even forget.  I was really put to the test a couple of years ago.  Even though it took a long time (longer for me than usual) I was able to forgive and ask for forgiveness.  I really have to stop and think about the whole situation to remember details, but I choose not to.  Some say that's foolish and I could get burned again.  I say we are to be just like Jesus and we are to forgive as many times as it takes.  If I harbor resentment from the past it would make it hard to forgive in the future.  Also, I think if we are to be like Jesus- we should forget just as God does.  He tells us in Isaiah 43:18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."

I don't write this to toot my own horn or to brag, but to encourage you. Forgiveness sometimes is a slow process....it doesn't have to be- it's a chose.  Don't let Satan have a stronghold on your life by holding on to bitterness. If you want mercy you have to show it.  I leave you with this last verse:

"This is how my heavenly Fater will treat each of you

unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Matthew 18:35 

Thriving on parched land

Those that live in Texas know, but we have been months with no rain...day after day with over 100 degree temperatures. A few days ago this very tolerant moss rose plant was wilted and dying; It thrives in sunny hot locations where the soil is poor. Even though mine was wilting, it was still green but no flowers. Then, finally Saturday night, it poured down on this thirsty land! The next morning I could barely tell it had rained. Here it is a few days later and it's producing lots of bold color!

I wonder, how many of us are parched and drying up? Or growing, but not producing anything beautiful.  It's only when you're reading and studying God's word daily that you are going to flourish! Over the last couple of years, I've learned that it all begins with prayer.  If I'm studying and not praying it doesn't quite work out for me.  I still end up feeling lost and confused-- very much like this moss grass before the rain.  I would catch myself wondering why my life wasn't going according to plan.  HA! Who's plan?? Well, mine of course. 

One thing that I've come to realize (I've heard all my life, but it's finally it home) is God has a kingdom agenda!  And I'm usually way off the path He has planned out for me. When I'm doing both is when He grants me wisdom and understanding;  That's when I'm able to have boldness and color!

We live in a broken world-- our lands are parched. Satan wants to hold us in captivity-- often times you don't even know it's Satan.  Our culture tells us "Yes, Yes, Yes! Because you deserve it! Use credit and pay it back later!" If you're not building up your faith by praying and studying, you will stay in bondage. Don't become brainwashed by the world and culture!  But, be intentional and very deliberate!!  Practice a little restraint with me this week. I'm not drinking Dr. Pepper, or over eating, or buying unnecessary things. I'm going to watch less TV.  I AM going to show restraint and focus more on God because of it! And let me tell ya, not having Dr. Pepper (just because I can) has been the biggest challenge for me!

As I close out this blog, I'm going to pray for you! That (for even just one of my readers) these words written will spark a flame in your soul. That you'll be intentional in spending one-on-one time with the Lord. That as you learn, God will reveal his plan for your life! That he will put a blaze of passion on your heart and you'll know exactly what to do!!

Sweet brother time...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHH!!!

That's all I have to say about that...

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?!?