Giving Love & Receiving Grace

This might be a long one- I've got a lot to say. The last few weeks have been really good. Challenging but good. Father God has been faithfully speaking a lot of good stuff to me lately. Thus, I'm writing this post so as to share and so I don't forget it! :) The first revelation in this string of revelations came on a morning where I was barely functioning. So tired. A little bit at my wits end. And ya know, when your mind is out of the way because it's not quite there, God's voice is able to come in a lot clearer! Get my own thoughts out of the way so His thoughts can come right on in.

Becoming apParent

The last four days have moved in slow motion. This new pregnancy is interesting. For those of you with more than one offspring, you will understand: I'm forgetting about it and yet at the same time, it has still absolutely changed everything. I guess I have more going on in my personal life this go around to be so engrossed in looking at pregnancy websites and all that. Plus, I've been there done that. But there is still a "wow" factor. This go around, I will be giving birth at a birthing center in SC. I'm very excited :)

fatness and the end of the story

 Have you ever read a book where you feel yourself getting anxious? You're on the edge of your seat. I tend to play with my hair and scratch my head nervously. And here's the kicker- You know the end of the story! You've read the book before or you've seen the movie. Why is it then that we are so anxious? I suppose it's just because we are caught up in the story. And that's a good thing. It's fun- I enjoy a good book. This was me, about a week ago as I finished reading Lord of the Rings. It was my first time reading it but of course, like most people, I had seen the movies too many times to count. I knew the ending. Frodo lives to tell the tale. Sam marries his sweetheart. Aragorn is crowned King. But I was so engrossed in the story, honestly stressed out as Frodo and Sam climbed the last steps to Mount Doom. I knew the ending but I was anxious. My Heavenly Father whispered...

generations of beauty

I think I have finally found a blog background that I will keep! Sorry for the design whiplash some of you may be suffering from. This one here totally fits me! I love quilts. They make me smile. They make me think about generations. I know, quite a jump. Think about it though.
So many women (do men quilt? I think not.) have handed down their lovely quilts from generation to generation. I can remember the quilt my own mother has in her house that was made by several women, all in community with one another. Each one stitched their signature in a piece of white fabric with the date "1932" underneath and then artfully joined them all together amidst happy scraps of fabric to form this beautiful heirloom. From one generation to another, the art, whether the artwork itself and/or the artisan skill, is passed on. Ah, quilting... It's just a beautiful tradition.

abide.

Just a quick word today:

I've been really trying lately to remind myself of God's love for me and others. This morning I had to run a quick errand for my wonderful hubby and I was praising the Lord (My spirit told my flesh to praise). I was finishing my errand and this lady totally offended me over something super tiny. I got irritated and said a few of my favorite choice words. Not to her. I did tell her to "Chill" though :-/ Anyway, I got back in the car and was stewing over it all. Then I realized how ridiculous it all was. That's what happens a lot to me when I'm trying to kill the flesh to let my spirit live (lose your life to find it...) the old man who loves sin and darkness and offense stands up and says, "Not so fast!" So what did I do? I laughed at myself. And repented for being willing to worship God but unwilling to humble myself and truly remain in a place of gratitude for what Jesus has done for me (and for that lady, though she might not know it!)

social injustice

I haven't written in a little while because I haven't had anything to say.... nothing besides, "Yay! John is crawling and pulling up on stuff already!" ... that's the baby update... now for a little bit of my heart and a prayer request.

I just finished watching God Grew Tired of Us about the Lost Boys in Sudan.

It was a really great documentary.

I love documentaries.

Ones about social injustices are especially moving. I cried.

Then I thought, I can get upset about stuff like that all day long but what GOOD is it if it doesn't move me enough to actually do anything!? I know I know... you can get really depressed if all you do is think about how screwed up everything is....but I didn't even pray for Sudan. I got a prophetic word for the nation back in 07 and I prayed for them then but the point is: am I making a special effort to acquaint myself with the suffering of other people so that I am stirred to pray (because I truly believe that's the BEST thing I can do... prayer warriors are world changers) or am I that content with my blinders that I will live my life every day and not give a damn about anybody else. Yes, I said Damn. And yes, I'm afraid that's where I have lived for the last few years.

Praise!

Woke up this morning with PRAISE on my lips!

Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
By: Charles Wesley

Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my god and King,
The triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of your name.

The name of Jesus charms our fears
And bids our sorrows cease,
Sings music in the sinner’s ears,
Brings life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin;
He sets the prisoner free.
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood avails for me.

Look to the Lord, who did atone
For sin, O fallen race.
Look and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all our sins on Jesus laid;
The Lamb has made us whole.
His soul was once an offering made
For every human soul.

To God all glory, praise, and love
Be now and ever given
By saints below and saints above
The Church in earth and heaven.

Gwenn is dancing!

Last night, Michael's grandmother, Gwenn, went home to gaze upon God for the rest of eternity! Lucky Dog! I would give GOOD money to see what she's seeing right now. I mean, come on, her first day there and it's flippin' Easter! I'm slightly jealous actually....

But we had some really awesome worship time last night. Tons of new songs released. Dancing, shouting, laughing.... At one point, we were singing about how Jesus stole the keys to death and the grave. I called Satan "Lucy" and we just rejoiced in the fact that we WIN! Jesus snatched the keys right out of his hand. Lucy probably didn't even know what hit him. We also had this really... well all I can describe it as is.... sexy beat. We just loved on Jesus. It was just Gooooooooood. Ewey gooey yummy love on Jesus time.

For now, we see in part, we know in part.... but then, we will see all and know all, just as we are fully known. Gwenn is experiencing this right now. And I'm really happy for her.