We are on the brink of another "Black Friday"or "Good Friday" as it is traditionally known. Ever since reading C.J. Mahaney's The Cross Centered Life, I have been in love with the cross. I find that it isn't just a symbol to me. My heart gets so full when I think about that day. The Journey has a Good Friday service and it is one of my favorites in the year. It means something to hammer a nail in the cross and realize that we are the ones that put Him up there. We are also the ones that kept Him there. He endured the worst pain imaginable so that my life would be immeasurably better. I'm always humbled thinking of this.
It's easy to wear a cross. It's just as easy to say that we would die for His sake. But none of us have actually had to do it, so we don't know how hard it was for Him. I haven't had to give up anything (that was important) but He gave all He had, down to the last drop of blood. He hung there praying for us, praying for me . . . and everyday I rub His image in the dirt. It's a habit that has to be formed, to wake up everyday and remember the reason that you are still alive. The cross was His end, now it is my beginning. He was humiliated so that I could lift Him up.
The cross is more than a symbol. It's the death that I deserve, but was spared from. He will forever bear those scars, the least I can do is share those scars and wear His name on my heart.
How Deep the Father's Love for Us- Phillips Craig & Dean
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Chapter 12- Walking Shoes
Let's consider shoes for a moment. Most people don't go around bare foot unless they are in their our house or yard. If we are going to be doing any walking outside of those two areas we put on a pair of shoes, right? There are a lot of choices these days: flip flops, sneakers, high heels, low heels, lace-up sandals, slip-on loafers, and the list goes on. Many women have an "addiction" to shoes. I am not immune to this desire. I love shoes. I like to match as best as possible. I can't wear my gray sneakers if I am wearing brown pants. I just can't! I have at least a few black shoes to wear with my black pants, and a few pairs of brown shoes to wear with brown pants. I, however, love bright colored shoes. I have a pair of hot pink sneakers that are so fun!
When shopping for shoes there are a lot of things to consider. Do I want a casual pair? Maybe a sporty pair? Is this for work, or school, or play? Do I want open toe or closed? How about comfort? Do we buy shoes that we will be comfortable walking long distances in? Even in high heels there might be a lot of walking. I hear those Dr. Scholl's insoles are good things to invest in.
I haven't really thought a lot about walking in someone else's shoes. The literal thought is not very pleasant. What if their shoes are too small or too big? But when you think about the struggles that others are going through, wouldn't it bring things to a different perspective if we were to attempt to walk in their shoes?
Last night I got a small glimpse of what it is like to walk in Jesus' shoes. To 100% know that he only had days before he was going to die. To know that he loved 12 men with every fiber of his being, but still have to leave them. Even leaving them with his counterpart, the Holy Spirit, would have been difficult. He spent their "last supper" washing their feet. He talked about what he was going to do, knowing that they really didn't understand. They wouldn't understand until after his trial and then death. He wanted to stay, to continue leading them and teaching them. However, he was called to die. He was called to be their sacrifice and ours. He spent the evening looking at each person and praying for them individually. He was going to die, but he wanted to spend their last meal serving them and demonstrating his love for each of them.
What would it be like be facing death? To feel the inevitable bearing down on us? Would we be able to serve others, those we love? Would we embrace our destiny with the grace that he did?
I hope to walk in His shoes more often. It's a moving feeling. I think I might try it with other people as well. I might be able to help a little more. You never know, maybe it will be like my Reebok Easy Tones, and make my butt look better, or at the least my heart.
When shopping for shoes there are a lot of things to consider. Do I want a casual pair? Maybe a sporty pair? Is this for work, or school, or play? Do I want open toe or closed? How about comfort? Do we buy shoes that we will be comfortable walking long distances in? Even in high heels there might be a lot of walking. I hear those Dr. Scholl's insoles are good things to invest in.
I haven't really thought a lot about walking in someone else's shoes. The literal thought is not very pleasant. What if their shoes are too small or too big? But when you think about the struggles that others are going through, wouldn't it bring things to a different perspective if we were to attempt to walk in their shoes?
Last night I got a small glimpse of what it is like to walk in Jesus' shoes. To 100% know that he only had days before he was going to die. To know that he loved 12 men with every fiber of his being, but still have to leave them. Even leaving them with his counterpart, the Holy Spirit, would have been difficult. He spent their "last supper" washing their feet. He talked about what he was going to do, knowing that they really didn't understand. They wouldn't understand until after his trial and then death. He wanted to stay, to continue leading them and teaching them. However, he was called to die. He was called to be their sacrifice and ours. He spent the evening looking at each person and praying for them individually. He was going to die, but he wanted to spend their last meal serving them and demonstrating his love for each of them.
What would it be like be facing death? To feel the inevitable bearing down on us? Would we be able to serve others, those we love? Would we embrace our destiny with the grace that he did?
I hope to walk in His shoes more often. It's a moving feeling. I think I might try it with other people as well. I might be able to help a little more. You never know, maybe it will be like my Reebok Easy Tones, and make my butt look better, or at the least my heart.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Chapter 11- Pregnancy
Let's talk babies! This is such a sweet topic. There is something that God instilled in every woman's being that makes her desire to hold, touch and have babies. There might be a part of society that is to blame for it too, though. As children girls are taught how to hold and take care of baby dolls. So there might be a bit of an issue as far as that goes as well, but we'll get into that later.
I have been getting close to wanting a second baby. There is really only two things that are holding me back at this very moment. One being the size of our house. We really don't have enough room for Carter's things (that take up his room, the toy room and the living room) plus bringing all the "new" baby things up from down stairs (swing, bouncer, saucer etc.) The second thing in the way would be my energy level. I barely have the energy everyday to run after two toddlers, but add on top of that the lack of energy that being pregnant gets you, and the late night feedings! I'm not saying I can't do it (with God all things are possible, and just look at Sarah, she runs after two of her own now!), I'm just not sure if I'm ready for the struggle just yet. Soon, though, no worries.
So let's talk about the flip side. I've talk about adoption earlier. That is a tie in here. My heart bleeds for pregnant teens, especially ones I know. I've never watched the tv show "Teen Mom," but from what I hear it's pretty close to the truth. It's a struggle to be young, unmarried, and add a baby to the mix. I love Carter and I wouldn't give him up for the world. But if I hadn't been 26 when he was born, and had a husband willing to support me though thick and thin, I could have never done it. Even now I struggle getting up at night to calm a screaming boy (see Chapter 2). Babies have their joys, and they are worth the struggle. I just can't understand why there is an appeal to have a baby out of wedlock. Here we bring in the point about society being partly to blame. I am part of this so-called society, so I, myself, am not off the hook. Still, there are so many things lost when a "girl" has a baby. No more nights out. No more spending money on yourself. Babies are very expensive. Every dollar will go to clothe, feed, diaper, entertain a child, not to mention all their "safety equipment. Health insurance is the pits are well, but that's a whole nother chapter. No more hanging out with friends at the drop of a hat. I could go on and on about the things a young woman looses when a baby is born. Trust me they are gone for me too, but I am out of that stage of life. I like to think I am "mature" enough to handle a family, but we can debate that later.
Here's a story. Keith had a friend (female) who lived in St. Louis, MO. She did choose to get married first, so there is a little to her credit. She was married just into college, and her husband was in medical school. Just after marriage, she got pregnant with triplets. She was forced to drop out of college and stay home. Her husband still had to go to med school, this is their livelihood we're talking about. Either way, she talked to Keith a lot about the struggle that she was having. Late night hours alone, because hubby was studying. Trying to keep up with three kids. She missed going out with her friends. She was only 19 or 20 when she had these kids. Anyway, if you can't see where this is going, I'll help you a bit. She tried to convince Keith to leave me and join her in St. Louis.
Having babies changes everything. It's a decision that needs to be made with three people in mind, you, a husband, and a Heavenly Father. If one or more of these elements are missing, a woman's life will be a hard one. This is a human being we are discussing, not a puppy that can be given away. This point gets forgot a lot.
I wish there was a way to get young women to listen, because it seems that when I do the talking, my words, though invited, get thrown away as soon as I leave the room.
There aren't enough band-aids in the world to heal my bleeding heart.
I have been getting close to wanting a second baby. There is really only two things that are holding me back at this very moment. One being the size of our house. We really don't have enough room for Carter's things (that take up his room, the toy room and the living room) plus bringing all the "new" baby things up from down stairs (swing, bouncer, saucer etc.) The second thing in the way would be my energy level. I barely have the energy everyday to run after two toddlers, but add on top of that the lack of energy that being pregnant gets you, and the late night feedings! I'm not saying I can't do it (with God all things are possible, and just look at Sarah, she runs after two of her own now!), I'm just not sure if I'm ready for the struggle just yet. Soon, though, no worries.
So let's talk about the flip side. I've talk about adoption earlier. That is a tie in here. My heart bleeds for pregnant teens, especially ones I know. I've never watched the tv show "Teen Mom," but from what I hear it's pretty close to the truth. It's a struggle to be young, unmarried, and add a baby to the mix. I love Carter and I wouldn't give him up for the world. But if I hadn't been 26 when he was born, and had a husband willing to support me though thick and thin, I could have never done it. Even now I struggle getting up at night to calm a screaming boy (see Chapter 2). Babies have their joys, and they are worth the struggle. I just can't understand why there is an appeal to have a baby out of wedlock. Here we bring in the point about society being partly to blame. I am part of this so-called society, so I, myself, am not off the hook. Still, there are so many things lost when a "girl" has a baby. No more nights out. No more spending money on yourself. Babies are very expensive. Every dollar will go to clothe, feed, diaper, entertain a child, not to mention all their "safety equipment. Health insurance is the pits are well, but that's a whole nother chapter. No more hanging out with friends at the drop of a hat. I could go on and on about the things a young woman looses when a baby is born. Trust me they are gone for me too, but I am out of that stage of life. I like to think I am "mature" enough to handle a family, but we can debate that later.
Here's a story. Keith had a friend (female) who lived in St. Louis, MO. She did choose to get married first, so there is a little to her credit. She was married just into college, and her husband was in medical school. Just after marriage, she got pregnant with triplets. She was forced to drop out of college and stay home. Her husband still had to go to med school, this is their livelihood we're talking about. Either way, she talked to Keith a lot about the struggle that she was having. Late night hours alone, because hubby was studying. Trying to keep up with three kids. She missed going out with her friends. She was only 19 or 20 when she had these kids. Anyway, if you can't see where this is going, I'll help you a bit. She tried to convince Keith to leave me and join her in St. Louis.
Having babies changes everything. It's a decision that needs to be made with three people in mind, you, a husband, and a Heavenly Father. If one or more of these elements are missing, a woman's life will be a hard one. This is a human being we are discussing, not a puppy that can be given away. This point gets forgot a lot.
I wish there was a way to get young women to listen, because it seems that when I do the talking, my words, though invited, get thrown away as soon as I leave the room.
There aren't enough band-aids in the world to heal my bleeding heart.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Chapter 10- Preplanning
This is the plan . . . Prepare a list of 2 weeks worth of meals. Check. Write out all the ingredients I don't already have. Check. Make grocery store list. Check. Take grocery list to store. Oops.
In my new plan to save our family money and keep our fridge somewhat organized (and to prevent the proverbial "There's nothing to eat around here!" statement) it usually helps if I bring my list to the store.
I like making lists. I think I got that from my grandfather. I make a list for just about everything, packing for a trip, planning a party, things I need to buy, things I'd like to buy, prayer requests, baby names . . . It's just a handy tool for me. The hard part is keeping my lists handy. I need a new strategy. Maybe a notebook? Anyway, when I forget my list I tend to buy more than I need, more than we could eat in 2 weeks. It's not a money saving tip and I don't recommend it.
I also don't recommend going to the grocery store when you aren't feeling well. Man, that was a fast trip. At least the bathroom was clean. That's a real compliment, seeing as most public bathroom are hideous. I think I got everything I need, though.
So tomorrow I start the preplanned meal schedule. I hear that it works and helps moms out. I think it will. The other day I got adventurous and tried to make something I hadn't made before. I underestimated how long it would take to make. It wasn't an early meal to say the least.With this new system, I show be able to plan when I need to start cooking, right? Ha, we'll see. That requires time management . . .
In my new plan to save our family money and keep our fridge somewhat organized (and to prevent the proverbial "There's nothing to eat around here!" statement) it usually helps if I bring my list to the store.
I like making lists. I think I got that from my grandfather. I make a list for just about everything, packing for a trip, planning a party, things I need to buy, things I'd like to buy, prayer requests, baby names . . . It's just a handy tool for me. The hard part is keeping my lists handy. I need a new strategy. Maybe a notebook? Anyway, when I forget my list I tend to buy more than I need, more than we could eat in 2 weeks. It's not a money saving tip and I don't recommend it.
I also don't recommend going to the grocery store when you aren't feeling well. Man, that was a fast trip. At least the bathroom was clean. That's a real compliment, seeing as most public bathroom are hideous. I think I got everything I need, though.
So tomorrow I start the preplanned meal schedule. I hear that it works and helps moms out. I think it will. The other day I got adventurous and tried to make something I hadn't made before. I underestimated how long it would take to make. It wasn't an early meal to say the least.With this new system, I show be able to plan when I need to start cooking, right? Ha, we'll see. That requires time management . . .
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