It's a YouTube Kind of Post

If you know me well, you know that I have the tendency to be all or nothing in my thoughts/actions/attitudes. As you also have seen, I don't write on this here bloggy-blog very often as I'm a busy mama of four. There are so many things I want to write about (a line I think I've written several times already on here) and yet the time just doesn't allow. Time-management is an area I struggle with and am working on. But, I digress.

Here recently I've come across several videos that I thought were worth sharing. If I had my act together, I would make them three different posts, as they are all un-related. However, I am doing it all--to avoid doing nothing. :)

My first video is of Mark Driscoll sharing his thoughts on the church family. It was very convicting and I am curious what speaks to you through what he has to say:



The second video is a funny video that some may see as a slap in the face if it's the way their church does things, but I see it as a way of showing us that we all have our own style of worship and without Christ, it's just routine. Let's not lose sight of what worship is. For me, I want my outward actions to be a pure, natural reaction to what God has done in my heart. How about you? Does worship matter to you and how to you overcome idols of the heart?

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

The last is a song that really describes where I'm at right now. I am in a battle of the flesh. I've recently come to see that there are certain things (okay things) that simply do not fit in my life. If I am to be holy as He is holy, I must, must let go of certain things that I know feed my flesh. Is it temporary? Maybe. Regardless, I want to be used of God and I can't be a vessel for Him with these idols in my way. So, enjoy this song and may it lift you to a new level of righteous living.

It's All Our Fault

Sorry our mommy hasn't been on here writing about stuff, but we keep her pretty busy. :)

First Thoughts of the Day

"For Christians, the beginning of the day should not be burdened and haunted by various kinds of concerns that they face during the day. The Lord stands above the new day, for God has made it. All restlessness, all impurity, all worry and anxiety flee before him. Therefore, in the early morning hours of the day, may our many thoughts and our many idle words be silent and may the first word and the first thought belong to the one to whom our whole life belongs "
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

One Hundred Eleven

Since entering the blogging world I've noticed a fun trend of bloggers making a list of 100 facts (useless, humorous and down-right interesting) about oneself when they reached their hundredth post. I couldn't wait until I reached this seemingly notable milestone in the blogoshpere.

But fate would have it that at my 100th post I felt led to write about the marvelous grace of God and recount how He drew me to Himself.

Now I'm thinking it would be fun to make a list and join the par-tay and just add eleven more to my "list". So, here I go:

1. I love being a wife.
2. I love being a mom.
3. It's not easy being a wife.
4. Or a mom.
5. I shop at the world's largest Costco.
6. I have a desire to grow in godliness but battle laziness and self-sufficiency.
7. Jesus Christ paid my debt and wish I had words to explain how awesome that is.
8. I don't like bees.
9. My husband is a visionary.
10.His latest project is to raise bees.
11. I have no desire to help.
12. His bees died and I was secretly rejoicing.
13. I repented in my heart and told him I was sorry he lost his hives.
14. I'm thinking this list is getting more boring by the second.
15. I will say that I have THE best friends a girl could ask for.
16. God has been ever so kind to bring these godly women into my life.
17. I'm thinking about abandoning this project.
18. Like, right now.
19. Hey, I know. I'll just copy the 111th Psalm. Let's see what that says:

Psalm 111
Great Are the LORD’s Works

1. Praise the LORD!I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2. Great are the works of the LORD,
studied by all who delight in them.
3. Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5. He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6. He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7. The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8. they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9. He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

And to that list, all I can say is, AMEN and AMEN!

Biggest Loser

This post is for the ladies.

The other night I was at Jen's house and she read this from her facebook feed,a status that said:
Know any ladies interested in modeling? My sister's company is looking to hire Seattle-area female size medium models who are athletic, fit, tone, and not self-conscious about wearing a sports bra in front of a crowd of 40+ men and women. (Must be at least 5'5" women's size medium, fit, and between ages of 20 and 35). ...
To which she replied: I have the height and age limit down. I TOTALLY fit the description...under a few layers of course. thanks for the good little giggle tonight...at my own expense.

We were laughing so hard. Oh the mental pictures that went through my head thinking of myself sporting my non-fit body. Ain't nobody who wants to see that! Except my sweetie. He is so loving and kind to love me and my fat rolls and doesn't care I have a few stretch marks and a 6 months pregnant-looking bod. Well, I am nursing, so cut that down to five and a half.

My sister (in whom I admire for her self-control and discipline) challenged me a couple of weeks ago to do a weight-loss program with her and my mom. I'm supposed to be counting calories, drinking water, journaling what I eat and exercising. And no, my rebounder doesn't count. Oh, it would if I actually exerted myself, but let's face it, I'm lazy. With a capitol L. It's hard and I don't like to sweat. Needless to say, I haven't done much.

The other day a friend was over and she shared her desire to start exercising and change the way she's feeding her family and wants encouragement and accountability. She had talked with a few of our other friends about starting a "Biggest Loser" type accountability plan. I totally begged to jump on that train.

Well, I got the email tonight that it's going to start. Rats, no more procrastinating. I do need all the help I can get but it's like giving birth. No matter how much you know or how many great coaches, doulas, midwives, doctors, experts you have, in the end, it's all about you and the baby (and the gracious hand of God). No one else can come in and do the hard work for you.

So now I'm mentally preparing to be ready to go on Monday. I had to remind myself that this is not to feed my own vanity. How hard is that going to be? We women want to look good in our clothes and be attractive to our husbands. But as I mentioned before, my sweetie takes me as I am. So if I were to be totally honest, I want to lose weight because of me and how good I will look.

Trying to remember 1 Corinthians 10:31.

I want my life to speak of God's goodness, greatness, love and mercy. Not how good I look in my jeans.

This is going to be so hard.

Pardon the mess...

...while I re-arrange and give my blog a little make-over. I could spend so much time on here but must run. We're leaving the kids (and their tattling and complaining) to Nana and going on a date night. :)

Come back soon!

Hey, what do you think of the new name?

Oh, and one more thing. Can I just say that Jessica over at A Blog to Brag About is awesome!

Emily told me it's not good to brag. :D

The Power of the Cross

Do you see your name written in His wounds?
Are you forgiven at the cross?