Thank God for the Internet

How in the world did we ever live without it? I mean, one stop shopping, information at your fingertips, instant (and free) connection with family and friends across the world, seriously, how did we live without it? I have just gotten sucked into the world of Facebook, where I have reconnected with friends from high school and college that I haven't talked to or seen for years! Not to mention, I can play the never ending movie quiz, and trust me, it really is never ending! As if that weren't enough, I can sit here and write about anything I want for anyone who is crazy enough to read it. And then, I can read anything written by my cool and crazy friends (see the list growing on the left side).
As a bonus, there is so much great stuff happening on the internet. For example, check out God.tv, a website that broadcasts Christian programming 24-7, and is dedicated to reaching the world for Christ. Then there are all the sites that have access to hundreds of different Bibles, commentaries, study materials. It's endless!!! I bet the Apostle Paul would've killed for this kind of technology. Well, maybe he's just sitting up in heaven, cheering us on to use what God has given us for His glory, the internet included!
So, Lord, please be glorified in this blog, in this page, because anything else is just trivial. Love you!!!!

The Green Monster Revealed....

I think that realistically we all have one, a little green monster, I mean. Some of us may have more than one (Yikes!). It rears its ugly head in many different ways for each individual. For some it's a look of longing. For others it's a quiet resentment brooding deep inside. Still others lash out at loved ones in anger. It thrives on unmet expectations and the word "unfair".
For me, it shows up with the age old question "why". Why is it that "she" is pregnant and doesn't even want a baby. Why am I stuck in this job? Why can't I get a pedicure? Why can't I go to Europe? Me, Me, Me, Me, Me.....
Have you identified the monster? Do you struggle with the same thing?
Maybe I'm the only one....
Lord, help me see You as the only thing I need. May I crave You more than any earthly thing. May I find my place and my peace in You. Let everything else disappear in the glorious light of who You are....

Sacrifice and Success

So I had this doctor tell me that I need to lose weight so that I can have a baby, and since we want babies, I figured I'd better get to it. So on April 1 I started weight watchers, and on April 16th (ish) I joined a gym. Do you have any idea how much it sucks to eat rice cakes instead of snickers and salads instead of burgers and fries? And every night at the gym with all these skinny people that make this look easy? For reals....I'm telling you, it's hard to stay motivated most nights. Then it happened....Last Friday I fit into a pair of jeans that I haven't worn in MONTHS! And then tonight, I weighed myself (which I don't do very often because I know I weigh a lot and I don't need a scale to tell me that!) and found that I've lost 15 pounds since April 1!!!! While that might be a lot to some, it's a HUGE deal for me, and for some reason my work out felt like I was floating on clouds. God is so faithful to encourage us when we feel like we're making no progress whatsoever....Thank you Lord!!! I only have a zillion pounds left before I can have babies! LOL

Overtime, Revival and the Green Monster

So my faithful friend has reminded me that it's once again time to update this site. Funny thing, I was just thinking the same thing. I'm thinking that I'll have more time to rant and rave and ramble since I've made a new decision....no more working at home, no more overtime. My boss and her manager have both stated that it's impossible to get everything done, so I've decided that I am going to stop trying to finish everything at work, and actually finish something at home. My dishes are done, my laundry is caught up, my scrapbook for my Israel 2005 trip is starting to get done. I have more time with my husband, and I'm working out, getting healthy and SLEEPING! So this is what it feels like to have a "normal" job. Amazingly enough, I'm still getting the same amount, if not more, done during my day. God is so faithful to honor obedience. I'm happier, my husband is happier, and I'm guessing that God is happier (you'd have to ask Him to verify this, though).

Speaking of a happy God, one of my favorite sayings is that "God is always in a good mood". He is good, ALL the time, not just some of the time. His very being, His glory is goodness, and He doesn't change, regardless of the circumstances. Our pastor has been talking a lot about this, and the more I meditate on it, the more it's truth sinks down into my heart.

Have you heard about the outpouring in Florida? Now, I realize that there are many suspicions about "outpourings" and a lot of people who will try to disprove that all of these "wonders" are actually of GOD, and I've had my questions. How many times have we seen men and women of God fall, thus seemingly discounting everything that happened as a result of their ministries? And to be honest, I kinda wondered about this "movement". It's now on day 62, and I've been listening and watching it on God.tv (online- great site, you should check it out - it's FREE!). I wondered if this will be just another "revival" that lasts for a brief period of time, giving Holy Ghostbumps, but producing no change in the status quo. Then God really started to convict my spirit. You see, it's not about how long it lasts, or what it looks like, or who's leading it. It's about recognizing God and being where He is. Our pastor was talking about worship yesterday, and he said "it's not about what you like, but about what HE likes". It's the same thing with these types of services. I may not be comfortable with people yelling, or speaking in tongues, or shaking, rattling, rolling, dancing, singing, shouting, etc, etc, etc, but what if I'm limiting what God wants to do in my life? Am I like Michal, David's wife, who scorns the move of God, and therefore becomes barren in my life? Or will I abandon everything in me to worship God and serve Him with everything in me, even if it means dancing all over the place? I don't want to be like the people of Israel, waiting at the bottom of the mountain because I am scared of the presence of God. I want to be Moses, walking into the fiery presence of God, where I can talk to Him face to face as a friend. I don't care what people think. I don't care if it's not "normal" or "non-traditional". Jesus was "out there" too, and if He's my example, I'd better be about my Father's business. All of this to say, I want MORE. There is more to God and I want to know Him, more and more every day, and I will do whatever it takes to meet Him, every day, everywhere.

Now that I'm talking about God, I don't want to bring up the Green Monster...that will just have to be a teaser for the next episode. All I know is that in His presence, there is nothing else.
Let's go deeper....will you come with me?

This One's for You.....(AMY...:-P)

SO, I promised one of my bestest friends that I would update this site, so here it goes.
Life has been so busy that I'm still writing February on checks and wondering where March and April have gone. All good stuff, though. Paul and I are working with people to get debt free thru Financial Peace University-God is so good, and we are so grateful to be a part of it! Also, spending time in various life groups and training classes at church. We've met some great new friends, and we're loving hanging with them as well as our "old" (not in age-no offenses-teehee) friends. Working and working out (ya...I'm feeling it today...yikes).
All in all...God remains faithful and so good, and I am so thankful for His everyday presence in our lives.
Peace out....(love you Amy!!!!)

God's Heart Just Broke

I know it just happened a couple days ago, but it's taken me some time to be able to talk about it. In case you haven't heard, 2 gunmen entered a library at a Jewish Seminary in Jerusalem and opened fire, killing 8 and wounding about 35 more. I read this while I was at work on Thursday, and tears just fell down my face as I felt such pain in my heart. I understand that this doesn't catch God off guard, but I can't imagine it hurts him any less. And while Jesus warned us that there would be wars and rumors of wars in the the last days, I don't believe for one second that his heart doesn't break for His people. So I join with the thousands of mourners in Jerusalem and Israel and cry out to God for the peace of Jerusalem. Maranatha!

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
Prosperity within your palaces.
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, 'Peace be within you.'
Because of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek your good."
~Psalm 122:6-9

Seinfeld kinda day...

It's a show about nothing, or at least that's how it's advertised.
Well, that's kinda how today is. There are things going on, but really it's nothing to be excited about. It's sunny outside, but chilly. Football games are on, old movies are on, Animal Planet is on (by the way the Hippos beat the Crocs to claim the title as the most vicious). It's all about comfy clothes, fuzzy blankets, nap time. I love these kinds of days, where you can enjoy your family and rest in His Sabbath. So with that said....Love to you all!