A Smattering of Thought

Music is healing oil for my soul.   It sets my course straight after getting turned around.   It seeks to draw me out of dark places.   Is like a perfect storm of powerful notes and truthful lyrics crashing against my weary soul.   My hearts resonates with the Psalmist David in this way.  I can almost picture him lost in his own world singing songs of deepest hurt or greatest joys.  Singing praises to God at times with no lyrics just the beat of his heart.  The well of emotion at the words which cannot be formed as he is hit with the realization of Who God really is what He has really done.  This realization is even more powerful for us on the other side of the cross.   One song which resonates within my soul right now is "How Love Wins" from The Story CD project.   This song tells the story of the thief on the cross next to Jesus.   How Love Wins:  lyrics by Nichole Nordeman, music by Bernie Herms "My life began like any other man held beneath a mother's

I love being a part of a church family where it really seems like family.   With all the good and the bad that involves...they are family! This past week I have reflected a little bit on how my relationship with the church body has grown. As a young child and a pastor’s kid, you were at church anytime the building was open.  In my teens years I came because it was a place for me to see my friends, maybe learn something and but not to be involved.  It was an obligation and one I do in order to please those around me.  While in college, the church became more of a necessity, a staple.  It was a place I knew I would be safe.  The friends would be different from the majority of the friends I had at work, or at least they should be.   Fast-forward to present day. I have been attending the same church for a very long time.   I have been passive and active.   I have been stagnant and stretched.   There were times when I enjoyed being a part of the body and other time

Christmas is an enchanting time of year. The sights, sounds, smells, stories, and sparkling snow. The snow softly coming down outside while Christmas music softly plays. The smell of cinnamon rolls baking fills the house. Sounds of giggles, laughter and chatter fills the air.  Each year I feel like a little kid once again.  Heading off to bed with eager anticipation for the new day. Truth be told, if I still lived at home you would likely find me creeping upstairs in the middle of the night to see what appeared.  For as long as I can remember my mom would still wait to fill the stockings and put out the gifts until we had gone to bed.  Even while in college, the tradition continued.  {side note: my mom rocks} One aspect I love about Christmas is giving gifts.  I love to find the perfect gift for the perfect person.  It is not that I need to spend a lot of money, but I want it to be something unique and special, just like they are to me.  Some years I succeed and others years I s

A new day.    A fresh start.  A new day to start over. A day to strive and correct yesterday’s mistakes. A new day to realize you will never get it perfect, but rest in the One who is perfect. There are days when I can honestly begin with the mindset above.  But, there are other days when I day begins like this: A new day. A new day to mess up and disappoint. A new day to remind myself of the past and feel the dissatisfaction again. A new day to yell at someone. A new day to use words as knives intentionally and unintentionally. A new day to blame my mood, frustration, anger on " lack of sleep” or “stress” than recognize selfishness. A new day to elevate self and leave out God. A new day to strive to will it away, stay in bed, and pull the covers over my head. {sigh} One of these options is certainly better.  Which one do I choose more often?  My desire is for the former but more often, if I am honest with myself, it is probably more the later.  I k

I recently stumbled upon some articles that have caused me to step back and contemplate our current state of government verses religious organizations.   In an interview with Kyle Duncan, counsel for the Beckett Foundation (Hobby Lobby) with Kathryn Jean Lopez of the National Review Online, Lopez asks, “ What is the government arguing when it says Hobby Lobby   is looking to become a law unto itself ? What is the Obama administration arguing here and is it consistent with it posture toward religious liberty ? ” Kyle responds,  " The administration’s arguments in this case are shocking. Here’s what they are saying: once someone starts a “secular” business, he categorically loses any right to run that business in accordance with his conscience. The business owner simply leaves her First Amendment rights at home when she goes to work at the business she built. Kosher butchers around the country must be shocked to find that they now run “secular” businesses. " Kyle

Hairspray. Glitter. Princess dresses. Men in black. A golfcourse. Sunset. Streetlights. Just a few things that come to mind when I look back on an evening spent with some pretty incredible teens. Each year a smallish group of teens gather for their own version on homecoming.   To gather together. To laugh. To create new shared memories. To simply enjoy each others company.   Minus drinking, smoking or in-a-propro dancing.  Thanks for letting me be your paparazzi for the night!  Here are a few shots of the night. All natural beauties! Strolling for pictures Seriously Stunning Ladies! Out on the town!

Political campaigns. Wars. Shootings. Terrorist attacks. Unemployment. World leaders clashing. Church members at odds with each other. Driving through the blinding rain I began to think through these events.  Feeling hopeless and saddened.  Then these words started playing… One day Love will wear the crown; One day Love will set us free Hands up high and faces down; Angels teaching us to sing He will be King, He will be King The Great Day – by Michael W. Smith & Darlene Zschech The words soared through my car and washed over my soul as the rain pounded on the windshield.   With every swipe of the blades I could sense my heart yearn for that great day.   My consummation with the hardships and fall of man was turned to a longing for the consummation and return of our right standing with God.    Our God is greater. Our God is stronger. Our God is wiser. Our God WINS.  Click here to see a video of the song "The Great Day" from The

My post from yesterday was inadvertently deleted (by myself) while trying to make a correction. My desire is to reaffirm what a woman of God is designed to look like.  Not debate who they aren't or what roles they can or can't have, but rather revisit what God's Word has said on the topic.  To be humbly reminded who God has called us{me} to be.   Revive Our Hearts ministry has taken time to search scripture and produce a True Woman Manifesto which seems to address the issue in a clear and succinct way, enhancing the positive role.  Here is the link to view the entire document ( Manifesto ).   The following is a list of items from scripture that we, as biblical/godly women, should strive to emulate.   It is not a list of specific jobs  It is not a list of duties to perform or not perform. It is a list of character qualities that are biblical and important. It is a list of our Father calling us to be like Himself which ultimately gives HIM the glory, not us.