Update...

It's been awhile since my last post. We're getting ready for school around here. My boys will be going back and so will I. I begin classes this month. I'm looking forward to majoring in Human Services and Counseling. I feel that this is where God wants me to be. It's my desire to help others and maybe I'll even figure out a few things about myself. We shall see.

In Him,

-lg

Florida

I'm so excited to say that we have been blessed with a trip to Florida. We're going to be hanging out with Mickey, Minnie, and we might even run into Spongebob. My family and I are asking for your prayers. We're flying and I'm already panicking. Heights and I do not do well together. Until next time, God bless!

My Jesus

I've been studying the book of John. Whenever I begin a study of a book in the bible, I like to read through the book a couple of times first just to get an overall impression of the book. Then I go back and study each verse a little more in-depth.

At the beginning of John, Jesus is described as many things-

1. The Word (who was in the beginning with God and by which all things were made).
2. Life.
3. Light.

But the words that I seem to come back to are "grace and truth." We're told in John 1:17, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Jesus is grace. Jesus is truth. Grace has been defined as God's unmerited favor. We cannot earn this. It exists in the person of Jesus as does truth. Truth is not left up to us to decide. It's absolute and only found in Jesus. But let's notice another word for a second...law. After Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, God have him the ten commandments. You can find those in Exodus chapter 20. Also in Leviticus you will find more laws as well sacrifices that the Jews were to make to atone for their sins. It was constant. They kept these laws perfectly or else. The purpose of the law was to reveal their sins to them so that they would see their need for God. This is not what happened though. Instead sin took advantage of the law and the people actually sinned even more. Isn't this what Paul is speaking about in Romans 7 beginning in verse 7. The law which Moses brought was not a law of grace. It was a law of condemnation. Not one of them, or us, could ever live up to it. In steps Jesus and with Him comes, ah, grace and truth; like a breath of fresh air. Like the living water He promises us in John 4:10. He became sin, even though He was sinless, so that "we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

My friends, Jesus brought grace and truth so that we never have to serve a law again. Never! He freed us from that burden. Our response to Him now is to be grateful for the grace that He has freely bestowed on us. We do this by laying down our sins and becoming "new creatures." (2 Corinthians 5:17) We trust Jesus to be grace and truth for us. He wants to give us this freedom, so that we can boldly, in His strength, bear the image of God. Amen.

A Quick Pic

I wanted to share this pic before I begin my day of laundry...and well, more laundry! It's of my son, Nathan, and Rhett Walker, lead singer of Rhett Walker Band. Nate was so excited! We had an awesome time together.

Birthdays and Concerts

Yesterday we celebrated Brandon's ninth birthday. He's certain he grew a whole foot over night! He's into wrestling right now, so we got him a few wrestlers and a WWE ring as gifts. He was a very happy boy. I told him that God sure blessed me nine years ago. Each birthday leaves me with a bittersweet feeling. I am trying to teach them all that I can about being kind and godly in a world that will do it's best to teach them otherwise. I realize that I can only do so much, but I'm trying. I think as a nation we have bought the lie that success is based on things such as money, looks, degrees, or fame. I am praying that God helps me to see that success is more about serving others first, especially my husband and my sons. I want to teach my children this principle.

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On another note, my oldest son Nathan and I are going to a concert tonight. We love music. We'll be blessed to see three bands; Building 429, The Rhett Walker Band, and Finding Favor. I can't think of anything I'd rather do then spend a night with my son listening to good, Christian music. It's the ultimate "date."

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One last thing, I'm a big quote collector. They inspire me. I found this one in my inbox this morning. Enjoy. :)

"Christianity isn't all that complicated...it's Jesus." (Joni Eareckson Tada) 

Is There Any Good News?

Good morning! From my window it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. However, when I took my boys to meet the school bus, it was cold! I'm ready for summer.

After spending some time in God's word this morning, I logged onto my computer and the first thing I seen is the news; 19 people shot at a Mother's Day parade. My mouth dropped open and I felt sick to my stomach. Then I read a few other headlines: 12 year old boy kills 8 year old sister and a little baby girl's body has been found. I got to thinking, is this what we have came to? Isn't there any good news? Where are the good people? It can become a little discouraging sometimes when all you see and hear are stories about gunshots, rape, and bombings. We're living in a very wicked time. The more selfish people become, the worse it will be. However there is some good news...a silver-lining in all these dark clouds. His name is Jesus. You might have heard of Him. He did some pretty cool things, but the coolest involved a cross. We're taught in Scriptures "how that Christ died for our sins....and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day." That's found in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4. Read it. Notice how this was done for us. People are wicked. They kill each other. Hurt each other. But even in the midst of all that, there's Jesus. Hanging on a cross so that those who choose to can have eternal life. All that's going on around us can be disheartening. We may even believe that this is it. But it's not.

Let me leave you with these words from the Master:

After telling His disciples, and us, that we would face difficult times in this world, Jesus offers them comfort through a promise...

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Have a great day! God bless. :)

Mother's Day

Happy mom day to all you moms! Being a good mother can be tough sometimes. I'll admit, I've fallen short in the mother department many times. Early as a mother, I was very selfish. I made many bad choices during that time. Once God revealed my sin to me, and He still is, I was able to repent of my selfishness. But with sin comes consequences,  just as Paul tells us in Galatians 6:7, we reap what we sow. I paid a price for my selfishness. It's called regret. I regret not enjoying my boys more. I'd give anything if I could have them small again. I'd soak in the sweetness of their needs. I'm telling you this dear mothers, because I don't want you to make the same mistakes. Children are a gift. Many couples are not given this gift. Don't listen to the world's whispers that children are a burden. Enjoy them. Train them to become the men and women God has called them to be. There's no regret in that.