I know, that I know, that I know, that my Savior Lives

With Easter weekend behind me, I wanted to share some thoughts. As we celebrate Christ's sacrifice, what is sticking out to me is Reality. Not a glorified, slow motion story that I imagine as I read the Bible...but reality. Jesus is real. He was human. These stories played out in front of a few guys that really weren't that important in the social order of the time. Regular ole dudes witnessed the events that changed every one of our lives. There is no pomp and circumstance, no special effects, no cameras in the background...just real life.

Of course, this is not my first time to acknowledge that Jesus was human and walked this earth. I think it is just really hitting home. At church, a family recently relocated by the military to Israel sent us a special video message from the spots where the Easter story unfolded. They had passover at the Upper Room, they shared scripture in the Garden of Gethsemane, they showed us where Peter denied Christ, they sat at the entrance to the garden tomb, and they stood beside the sea of Galilee to bid us farewell.

I found these pictures of the places they stood when they recorded their message. First is the garden, where Christ prayed with such fervor that he sweat drops of blood. He and the disciples encountered Roman guards here, and Jesus healed the severed ear of the guard.

It was here where Peter denied Christ three times when he was identified as one of Christ's followers. A statue stands there now, depicting the scene.

 

Here is the entrance to the garden tomb, where it is believed that Christ was buried (for a little while at least).  

Here's the Sea of Galilee, mentioned so many times in scripture, but in the Easter story, it's where Christ encountered the disciples after he arose. He had made breakfast for them on shore. He called out to them to cast their nets on the other side (a repeat of when he first met them) and their nets overflowed with fish. Look at this place. I just want to sit at the shores and let God love on me. I want to stick my toes in the water and watch the little minnows scatter. It's real, and it's beautiful!

 This is a drawing depicting the Sea of Galilee story I described above. It's a glorified rendering. Now when I hear or read the stories I'll have a different mental image--a real image in all its (un)glory.

Christ sent us his story through his disciples. His relationship with them transferred his wisdom in such a way that they were able to begin other relationships, sharing His truth. There was nothing fancy about this event that set our souls free from sin. but it happenened and changed the course of history.

I'm learning that God works through everyday "real" situations. It doesn't matter if a good deed is acknowledged on Facebook or if a small act is ever noticed. Our relationships with others sets the standard. We don't need to know all the fancy words or quote scripture at the drop of a hat. We just need to develop relationships with people so that they can see His truth in us. Im so very (un)glorious, so I know He can use me!

Cow Poo Poo

This past Sunday afternoon, in an attempt to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful weather, we spent the afternoon "helping" daddy and Uncle Josh check and reload their pig feeder. Wild or feral hogs are apparently taking over the US, destroying farm land and costing landowners lots of money. So, Bubba and Josh have an agreement with this landowner that they are allowed to hunt his land for all kinds of game as long as they shoot as many hogs as they can.

Faith was excited at the venture, so she dawned her camo pants, her rain boots, and her pink camo hat (not pictured) with enthusiasm at the potential to see cows and "drive" the four wheeler.

Faith "drove" us to a place where we had to park, then "hoof it." She quickly lagged behind the rest of us as she began collecting what she called rocks. I laughed...the rocks were old cow poop. I told her that was cow poo poo, and she dropped it on spot "Eww, Cow Poo Poo!" Faith then proceeded to point out each time she found more.

We made it to the pig feeder, which needed more corn. The guys filled it up and tested it to make sure corn was dispersed appropriately. Faith promptly made it her mission to attempt to collect each piece of corn that had fallen on the ground...



We distracted her from the corn and began to make our way out of the woods. There was a problem though. Little sticker bushes stressed her out. She demanded to be carried by dad as she proclaimed "I'm stuck!" Dad told her she was going to have to learn to step on it or go around. She made it apparent that today was not the day to begin.

After the pigs were taken care of, so to speak, we ventured down to the big pond for some splish splash time and of course, to through rocks in the water. All three of us adults immediately tried to skip rocks on the water and hurt our arms/shoulders quickly. We decided to find rocks for Faith to chunk, and Faith and dad ventured into the water to try out their rain boots.

What a great day all around! It made me miss those days of playing all day long outside. I remember leaving the house in the morning and not returning until dark or unless I heard mom's calling (no cell phones then!). I wanted to stop and build a fort, but we were without the needed tools.

Faith found a baby cow that she adored. She ran towards the herd of cows in an attempt to convince the baby to let her ride him. It didn't go over so well. They spooked to her dismay. By the end of the afternoon, we had one tired little girl!

That's all I can write for now. I just noticed that Faith is playing in the fireplace ashes! Better pay more attention!

[Pey-shuh ns] Is A Virtue

Faith is now two years, two months old, and she is doing and saying some remarkable things! But there are trials that we as parents would rather do without. Watching Faith grow up has made it painstakingly clear to me that while a child is a beautiful, wonderful being...a child has the innate sin in him/her that dates back to the fall of Man. The root of it seems to be selfishness. Anything she sees and likes becomes "Mine!" Last week she was put in timeout in school because she had claimed all the toys in the classroom and was guarding them from the other kids.

But watching Faith, I also can see my own selfish desires. I'm often so full of myself that I can't see beyond my own wants, needs, and dreams. This is why we all need a Savior. To save us from ourselves. I'll keep working on Faith, Lord keep working on me!

~God Don't Make Junk~

Thanks Paster Steve for reminding me that in fact, God don't make junk. He doesn't make mistakes! There is not one living being on this earth who was not fearfully and wonderfully made by our Father. This is hard to grasp at first. You mean to tell me that the weirdos of the world, the annoying people, and the heartless people of the world are just as important to God as I am? Well yes, and maybe even more important. The fact is that we are called to love as Jesus loves. So how, exactly, does He love?

1) He accepts people. "The Father gives me my people. Every one of them will come to me, and I will accept them." John 6:37

2) He Values people. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advanced for us to do." Eph. 2:10

3)He forgives people. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37

4) He believes in people. "The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because i am going to be with the Father." John 14:17

I'm beginning to learn that the Lord just needs someone who is willing, not someone who is perfect. In everyday relationships, if I can love others like Jesus loves me, then His love shines through me. If I can value the cleaning lady. If I can believe in the new person who looks overwhelmed. If I can accept the weird one. If I can forgive those who do something against me. If I do this, each day Jesus' love is made visible.

Lord, help me to open my eyes for opportunities to show your love! As Brandon Heath sings, give me your eyes!

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond me reach

Give me your eyes for the ones forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see

Cousin Hannah

A year ago Faith's oldest cousin, Hannah Joy, entered Heaven. Hannah has left such a lasting legacy for her family, her friends, and even strangers, bringing all of us closer to Him and teaching us to look to Him when we fail ourselves.

Faith will hear about Hannah all of her life and be held to a high standard. Hannah, the oldest cousin and "leader of the pack" led an exemplary life for Christ. As her mom would quickly add, she wasn't perfect, none of us are, but she took on her life storm with nothing but grace.
Below is a pic of the first time Hannah met Faith. This was near the end of January of last year. I won't say it's the first and last time they will meet, because we know there will be a joyful reunion at Home one day. This is probably the only pic of all 7 granddaughters together.

When we found out we were pregnant, Hannah was the first cousin I called. I remember her screaming "You're pregnant!!!?!!! Mom, Aunt Sarah is pregnant!" She was super excited as was the rest of the crew. Faith and Katie Joy (born just after Hannah went to Heaven) won't remember the physical Hannah, but her story will penetrate their lives and inspire them to live their life in such a way that points others to the Lord. Read more about Hannah's story here.

Hannah Joy, WE MISS YOU!