Our pastor today spoke on 'Engageing a Lost World'. I know this lion can get kinda deep, but this is a tough subject. What stood out to me was that he said, "Living a standout life, gives you a platform." I may have not always lived a standout life, but I am not ashamed of anything I have done nor would I hide anything I have done. In saying this, my relationship with God and the love I have found in Jesus Christ has changed me so much, I can now say that I live a standout life. And I can only hope I am starting to build a platform.
Last Sunday we spoke about living righteously, today pastor said, "Self-righteousness is arrogant but righteousness (through Christ) is humble strength." Lions love strength, so I LOVED this statement!! I also spoke about 'the lion's light' last week, and this ties right in. My righteousness through Jesus Christ is my (humble) strength, I am proud to live a standout life, and doing this will allow me to shine my light for more to see.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - J.C.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Gaelic Blood Vow
For my husband...
You are blood of my veins, you are bone of my bone.
Yours is my body, that we may be one.
Yours is my soul until our worlds end.
Yours is my body, that we may be one.
Yours is my soul until our worlds end.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
More Than Friendship
I had the pleasure of speaking to one of my best friends today. She lives in Brooklyn and we do not get to catch up as often as we would like, we had success today!! We spoke about anything and everything, just the way I like it. It was wonderful and refreshing to talk to someone who knows me so well, but so sad that she is not a part of my daily routine anymore.
Someone I respect very much recently told me that women's lack of relationships with other women is a big part of marital problems that lead to divorce. After some contemplation... I believe this statement to be true. Women used to be together all day, cooking, cleaning, making and mending clothes, taking care of each others children, teaching their children, even helping one another give birth. Think of how much they must have shared... stories they told, life lessons shared, secrets, tears and overwhelming joy. Thinking of how intimate, sacred and special these relationships must have been stirs something inside of me, that is how I came to my conclusion about the truth of this statement.
Speaking to my friend today made me think of this, and it made me want to cultivate and cherish my female relationships even more than I do already. I adore my husband but he can not, and should not be, all things to me. I think for a lot of women this realization would be life changing, for them and for their husbands.
One of the things I spoke to my dear friend about today was this verse below...
Which one are you?
"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way". CS Lewis
Someone I respect very much recently told me that women's lack of relationships with other women is a big part of marital problems that lead to divorce. After some contemplation... I believe this statement to be true. Women used to be together all day, cooking, cleaning, making and mending clothes, taking care of each others children, teaching their children, even helping one another give birth. Think of how much they must have shared... stories they told, life lessons shared, secrets, tears and overwhelming joy. Thinking of how intimate, sacred and special these relationships must have been stirs something inside of me, that is how I came to my conclusion about the truth of this statement.
Speaking to my friend today made me think of this, and it made me want to cultivate and cherish my female relationships even more than I do already. I adore my husband but he can not, and should not be, all things to me. I think for a lot of women this realization would be life changing, for them and for their husbands.
One of the things I spoke to my dear friend about today was this verse below...
Which one are you?
"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way". CS Lewis
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Lion's Light
"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded..." Luke 12:48
This verse has been on my heart. I sometimes feel overwhelmed when I think about what I have, compared to what others have. Am I lucky? Fate? Just in the right place at the right time? I don't think so... God placed me in my parents house, in NY, in America, as his disciple for a reason. There is a Christian song I like, it starts out 'my life is a light for your cause'. Every time I hear it I know why I have been given the opportunities I have and experienced the things I have... my life is a light. And I am responsible for shining my light as brightly as I can.
This verse has been on my heart. I sometimes feel overwhelmed when I think about what I have, compared to what others have. Am I lucky? Fate? Just in the right place at the right time? I don't think so... God placed me in my parents house, in NY, in America, as his disciple for a reason. There is a Christian song I like, it starts out 'my life is a light for your cause'. Every time I hear it I know why I have been given the opportunities I have and experienced the things I have... my life is a light. And I am responsible for shining my light as brightly as I can.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Mental Drifter
Rainy Tuesday... the kids and I are reading books, painting and baking cookies. I'm so glad I did all my running around yesterday so I can enjoy today at home.
I have been feeling so good, my anxiety has decreased tremendously in the past 3 weeks. I have been focused on approaching God with a heart of thanksgiving. I try and start and end my day in thanks, nothing better than starting your day focused on all you have, but it really helps me at night. Night time is when I start to get hard on myself, thinking about what I could have done better that day, so ending the day in thanks puts my head in the right place.
I'm a thinker, a mental drifter... both a blessing and a curse. Besides focusing on a thankful heart, I am learning how to relax again. Sounds weird but I lost it... I felt (and still feel) the need to be ready for anything all the time. I don't think I would have ever described myself as uptight, I am now. Learning to rest in the shadow of God's love sounds so easy... it's not, but I am happy knowing that I'm doing my best.
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure..." Psalm 16:9
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
LOVE
I have been feeling so good, my anxiety has decreased tremendously in the past 3 weeks. I have been focused on approaching God with a heart of thanksgiving. I try and start and end my day in thanks, nothing better than starting your day focused on all you have, but it really helps me at night. Night time is when I start to get hard on myself, thinking about what I could have done better that day, so ending the day in thanks puts my head in the right place.
I'm a thinker, a mental drifter... both a blessing and a curse. Besides focusing on a thankful heart, I am learning how to relax again. Sounds weird but I lost it... I felt (and still feel) the need to be ready for anything all the time. I don't think I would have ever described myself as uptight, I am now. Learning to rest in the shadow of God's love sounds so easy... it's not, but I am happy knowing that I'm doing my best.
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure..." Psalm 16:9
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
LOVE
Monday, July 25, 2011
Godlight
"Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are "patches of godlight" in the woods of experience." (CS Lewis)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday Thoughts
Church was great today, Pastor spoke about being 'as bold as a lion'... so this little lion felt right at home :)
We have to be able to boldly approach God before we can boldly reach out to others. If we are having doubt and uncertainty then we are not living righteously (righteous: morally right or justifiable). This is what I do... I didn't read my bible enough this week, I should have prayed about that, I didn't spend enough time with my kids this week or I was not the best wife today. Constantly focusing on what I am not doing, forgetting I am righteous through Christ. My relationship with God will not change if I didn't read my bible, or if I wasn't the mom of the year. God's love for me is perfect, my actions do not define his love for me... WHEW!! I know this in my heart, but we are all to hard on ourselves, especially when we are trying to please God. We will have consequences for our sin, but not condemnation (condemnation: to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on).
John 16:8-11 When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted. (The Message)
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We have to be able to boldly approach God before we can boldly reach out to others. If we are having doubt and uncertainty then we are not living righteously (righteous: morally right or justifiable). This is what I do... I didn't read my bible enough this week, I should have prayed about that, I didn't spend enough time with my kids this week or I was not the best wife today. Constantly focusing on what I am not doing, forgetting I am righteous through Christ. My relationship with God will not change if I didn't read my bible, or if I wasn't the mom of the year. God's love for me is perfect, my actions do not define his love for me... WHEW!! I know this in my heart, but we are all to hard on ourselves, especially when we are trying to please God. We will have consequences for our sin, but not condemnation (condemnation: to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on).
John 16:8-11 When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted. (The Message)
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Sully
Sorry it has been a week since my last post, busy week. After everyone recovered from their sickness, we had gymnastics, swim team tryouts, physical therapy, speech therapy and an evaluation for Sully at a new behavioral program. For all who are new to me, Sully is developmentally delayed and has a feeding tube (used to be for food, he eats now, but he still gets water through the tube). Sully is 2.5 years old and still has no language and is not walking.
Recently my husband and I decided to call a behavioral therapy program and have him evaluated, the eval was on Friday. It was eye-opening for me and just a wonderful experience overall. They recommended treatment with them, and they really feel like they can make a difference. Insurance has decided not to cover this ABA therapy because Sully does not have an 'official diagnosis'. Sully is not autistic, no known neurological disorders or any genetic disorders.
So for the past few days my husband and I have been talking about our budget and how much we can afford to spend on this program, or how we can get a diagnosis? We haven't come up with much, but we were staying faithful that it would all work out. After church this morning we were talking with friends and enjoying the afterglow of service. Out pastor stopped to say hi and pray for Sully, he took Sully in his arms and prayed with him softly, Sully LOVED all the hugs. I also spoke with a friend about the ABA program and how excited we are to get that started. After we got home my phone rang and it was the friend I had just spoken to at church. She said she remembered that she knows a family who is looking to sponsor a child in this particular program!!! Nothing is final, but we hope to meet with this couple and finalize this amazing gift/blessing as soon as possible so Sully can start the ABA therapy right away.
I am overjoyed and overwhelmed by this. I have had the honor and privilege to witness God's love through Sully more than once, and it smacks me in the face every time. God must have big plans for Sully.
Recently my husband and I decided to call a behavioral therapy program and have him evaluated, the eval was on Friday. It was eye-opening for me and just a wonderful experience overall. They recommended treatment with them, and they really feel like they can make a difference. Insurance has decided not to cover this ABA therapy because Sully does not have an 'official diagnosis'. Sully is not autistic, no known neurological disorders or any genetic disorders.
So for the past few days my husband and I have been talking about our budget and how much we can afford to spend on this program, or how we can get a diagnosis? We haven't come up with much, but we were staying faithful that it would all work out. After church this morning we were talking with friends and enjoying the afterglow of service. Out pastor stopped to say hi and pray for Sully, he took Sully in his arms and prayed with him softly, Sully LOVED all the hugs. I also spoke with a friend about the ABA program and how excited we are to get that started. After we got home my phone rang and it was the friend I had just spoken to at church. She said she remembered that she knows a family who is looking to sponsor a child in this particular program!!! Nothing is final, but we hope to meet with this couple and finalize this amazing gift/blessing as soon as possible so Sully can start the ABA therapy right away.
I am overjoyed and overwhelmed by this. I have had the honor and privilege to witness God's love through Sully more than once, and it smacks me in the face every time. God must have big plans for Sully.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sickness, Poop and Repairs
Sully is recovering from an ear infection, Jax started with a fever and vomiting yesterday evening and B came home from work around lunch time, shaking like a leaf and hot as fire. Haddy decided to poop in the dining room, then the pool guys came, and so did the dishwasher repair man (claiming nothing is wrong with the dishwasher).
Everyone is now asleep, I think, and I just sat down to watch some mindless TV (dual survival or something). But I am sitting in silence because Jax put an ice water on the cable box and the sweat from the cup dripped into the box and it will no longer turn on.
I am reading the 5th book in the Outlander series by Diana Gabalden, and if Jamie Frasier (hunky main character) can't make me feel better than nothing can :) I should be asleep by 930.
Everyone is now asleep, I think, and I just sat down to watch some mindless TV (dual survival or something). But I am sitting in silence because Jax put an ice water on the cable box and the sweat from the cup dripped into the box and it will no longer turn on.
I am reading the 5th book in the Outlander series by Diana Gabalden, and if Jamie Frasier (hunky main character) can't make me feel better than nothing can :) I should be asleep by 930.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Rainy Sunday
Sunday scooter ride to the beach... it has been raining for 3 days, but it's 80 degrees instead of 100, so I'm happy. Looks like the rain will break tomorrow and the heat will come back and I will hide in the AC again until October :) Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday!!
Sunday Thoughts
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Our pastor spoke on this verse today... the message was about HOPE. I like this verse because it highlights the point that God has not just left it up to us. We can not gain strength from others, we can not gain strength alone... we can only gain strength from HIM. But we have to do our job, we have to be courageous and put our HOPE in HIM, all of it (not some of it).... and that really does take courage.
I have been having trouble doing this lately and I was speaking to a friend about "handing it over" and how difficult it was. She said I need to do it everyday, not just once... and although I know this, I realized I was failing to do this. I was just trying to do it once and be done with it... Silly Lion. So I especially enjoyed today's message, I felt like it reassured my heart.
Hebrews 6:19
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Another verse pastor used today... this is such a promise. HOPE is the way we get closer, past the curtain... who doesn't want to get past the curtain? The curtain isn't something for me that goes away one day and stays away forever. Some days I have the curtain, some days I don't... so when it is there, I have to be courageous and HOPE in HIM, the HOPE will anchor me and bring me closer.
It's so easy to feel loaded down... I know I do. But I have HOPE that what I am going through will only make me stronger and more refined than I was before... kinda exciting!
LOVE
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Our pastor spoke on this verse today... the message was about HOPE. I like this verse because it highlights the point that God has not just left it up to us. We can not gain strength from others, we can not gain strength alone... we can only gain strength from HIM. But we have to do our job, we have to be courageous and put our HOPE in HIM, all of it (not some of it).... and that really does take courage.
I have been having trouble doing this lately and I was speaking to a friend about "handing it over" and how difficult it was. She said I need to do it everyday, not just once... and although I know this, I realized I was failing to do this. I was just trying to do it once and be done with it... Silly Lion. So I especially enjoyed today's message, I felt like it reassured my heart.
Hebrews 6:19
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Another verse pastor used today... this is such a promise. HOPE is the way we get closer, past the curtain... who doesn't want to get past the curtain? The curtain isn't something for me that goes away one day and stays away forever. Some days I have the curtain, some days I don't... so when it is there, I have to be courageous and HOPE in HIM, the HOPE will anchor me and bring me closer.
It's so easy to feel loaded down... I know I do. But I have HOPE that what I am going through will only make me stronger and more refined than I was before... kinda exciting!
LOVE
Daily Verse
Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Have a sweet Sunday...
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Have a sweet Sunday...
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Welcome
Our First book will be Captivating by John & Staci Eldredge. I will Post reading assignments this Sunday. If you need more time to get or download the book please post.... I'm so happy to share my love of books with you!!!
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