How He woos us...

I have been thinking a lot about how the Lord woos us...I finished Redeeming Love over the weekend and was captivated by the storyline...it reflects the Father's love for us...when we run away from his pursuit, fall back into our sinful ways, reject his advances...He continues to pursue and woo...

I am now back to "Captivating" which I started last summer and never finished! The chapter I read during lunch today was about the Lord as our lover. It sounds scandalous...but as John and Staci Eldridge point out He does pursue us that way in Scripture. They talked about the hole that all of us have in our heart that cannot be met by a man or a woman. It can only be met by Him...I liked their idea of the Lord romancing us. They asked- what does the Lord do to romance you? When I paused to think about it I knew immediately! FLOWERS...I smile and light up every time I see a new flower sprouting out of the ground- especially in my own garden. Mostly because the first summer or two I lived there NO flowers came up- even ones I had planted. I was convinced I would always have barren soil...but I tried again. This year I planted all types of flowers- mini roses, iris, dahlias, daisies, tulips, daffodils, lilies...and they are SO BEAUTIFUL! What was once barren is now a garden! I know the Lord delights that I enjoy my garden so much! After all He created each and every flower...He took the time to come up with all sorts of colors and varities...

How does the Lord romance you? Do you think of Him as a pursuer? Or just an old man on a throne up in Heaven condemning you for every wrong move you make?

Redeeming Love...

I am re-reading a great book called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It has been so long since I've read it I barely remember it...but being about 1/5 of the way done I am starting to remember why I liked it...It has made me think about how ugly we are to the Lord...by our own efforts we could never attain perfection so we looked even a little bit presentable before our Father when we come before his throne one day...Our sin makes any amount of physical beauty hideous before the Lord...BUT He sees our ugliness and still loves us and wants a redeeming relationship with us through His Son! His Son sacrficed for US...the sinful, ugly, bitter people we are by our very nature. His Son took OUR punishment so that we could LIVE- He is perfection but took on our sin so we might be presentable before the Father. I pray that we would accept this amazing, free, undeserved gift so that we would one day be able to stand before the Father in Heaven as beautiful, presentable, forgiven people...

Summer and stillness...

Well Summer weather has arrived in Portland (or at least a teaser of it!). It has been GORGEOUS for the past couple of weeks! I thrive in this kind of weather. I have more energy, am more optimistic, get more things done...I LOVE it!

The past month was a month of rest at my church. Everything was cancelled except a new, weekly prayer service. It was really amazing. I felt the Lord calling me to Himself...to make my relationship with Him more of a priority. I find myself struggling with my Bible reading...ever since I graduated from Bible college...ironic! I think my prayer life has improved...but I am not going to get to know my Savior more without reading His love letter to us. I have also felt the Lord want me to be still before Him. This has also been hard for me as I like "noise" and think/daydream when I try to be still. But all of these things are acts of discipline...but out of a love relationship. I realize he doesn't condemn me (those thoughts are not from Him)...but He beckons me to come and knows I will be refreshed when I do.

He loves us and wants a relationship with us...not religious people who only do things out of duty or guilt...if your kids/spouse/friends/parents only spent time with you because they "had" to...would you feel loved? I am trying to remember when I spend time with Him to give Him my attention and love...He is worthy of it!!

Memorial Day Giveaways!

So if you like to win free stuff...and cool stuff I have a few links for you!

http://kkskreations.blogspot.com/

http://thebigmamablog.com/2925/cwdkids-memorial-day-giveaway/

Maybe one of us will win :)

Change is here...

Well the past couple of weeks have brought some change in my life...I love Spring for the newness of life...it is so beautiful in Oregon to watch the flowers peek out of the ground and grow and bloom. It is a reminder of the Lord's presence each and every year...and how He makes all things new! I love it!

Besides the flowers coming up all around me other changes have taken place...students are gone for the summer and my sister got engaged! From here on out life will be different since her first priority will be him and not me/our family :) I am honored to be her maid-of-honor.

I have felt a change in my heart as I seek the Lord and what He has for me next...it's hard to explain what I mean exactly...but I know that He wants me to seek Him and wait on Him. When I try to take things into my own hands or try to make decisions "logically" he shows me that is not always His way...I am realizing He will lead me if I seek Him...He will take care of me...this change is still at work in my heart as I am independent and feel able to take care of things on my own. Peace comes when I let Him lead...

I don't know what the near future holds for me- it seems up in the air in so many ways...but I pray the change that comes will draw me closer to the Lord and will be glory to Him!

My mom...

Her 50th birthday party!

Well in reflecting on Mother's day I thought I would do a special post on my mom. I know all of us could right many things we appreciate about our moms but I will try to narrow it down ;o)



My mom is great at...

taking care of people (esp. babies and kids)

cooking...everything tastes better that my mom makes!

talking...she can talk and talk

listening...to me talk and talk

crying while laughing...if she gets laughing really hard she cries and also she does a cry/laugh at sad movies

loving...she loves her family so much and so well



My mom is...

compassionate

caring

warm

friendly

humble



My mom likes to eat...

chips and salsa (and most Mexican food)

cookies

fruit

cereal

new pampered chef recipes



I am like my mom in these ways...

love little kids

like to chat

indecisive

love to lay on a beach or by a pool

like to read Karen Kingsbury books

like to cook and entertain



So, mom, I hope you know how much we care for you and love you! Thanks for your unconditional love and support. Thanks for all you do for us!



Happy Mother's day!

Called to pray...

Our pastor has cancelled every mid-week activity for a month urging us to instead come together and PRAY. I am excited about it and find the timing ironic. Just as I'm "getting up my guts" to try new home communities he cancels them all! I am actually grateful that pressure is off for now...and instead I can engage with my church community in prayer.

Recently I have been learning to pray more...praying each day as I wake...praying as I go throughout my day...praying for others...praying for my heart...praising God for who He is...I (like most Christians) err on the side of petitioning God...so I am learning to praise Him more for what I do have and the answers He has already given me. It will be a good month as we pause and come before him intentionally. I am excited to see what He does in our community...