Third Day on Jay Leno

What an awesome witness for God!!I get goosebumps just thinking about all the people who don't know the Lord checking out Third Day on YouTube or something and finding out Who they are really singing about. This is the Jay Leno clip, "Just Call My Name".

Thanks, I Think...

The other night Justin, 2, kept asking for oatmeal. I wasn't even sure if he knew what he was asking for, so I showed him the packet, he said "Wah!", so I made it. Connor tried some too.
I asked Connor how it was and he said,"Good. It didn't even taste like puke. It only looks like it."

"Thanks, I think."

Rocks, Flowers, and Cheetahs

Yesterday was a test of my character. To backtrack a little, Saturday was our anniversary and I got some really big rocks. Not of the diamond variety, but of the granite cobblestone variety to do some landscaping in a forgotten section of our yard. Once we got the rocks in place, we (I) needed some flowers to plant in my soon-to-be rock garden, so we went to Stein's.

After clarifying to my husband that groundcover does not refer to black dirt, I picked out what I wanted and managed to stay somewhat in my budget. I took my purchases to the teenager at the cashier window (that's a clue) and she rang me up, giving me a total that was far less than what I had calculated. I confirmed with her that she rang up my flat of flowers, assumed I missed a sale sign someplace, and left. It was only as I was looking over the receipt on the way home that I found her error. She had charged me for a flat of annuals-$6, instead of a flat of perennials-$39. Herein lies the problem. I had tried to tell her I think she must have missed something, that it was too cheap. As I was mulling this over, a car passed with the license plate CHEEETA. Now, it could have said cheetah. Or it could have said cheater.

I did go back to the store and pay the difference so I can enjoy my garden with a clear conscience. This does not make me a hero, to do the right thing. It just makes me someone who, in this moment, saw a chance to right a wrong and actually did it. It's a good feeling.

A New Life

Seeing God work so clearly in someone's life is amazing. My friend Angie is on the Kenya mission trip right now because she woke up one day and realized she couldn't not go on the trip. Instead of trying to rationalize why she shouldn't go, she said Yes to God. This is my same friend Angie who wasn't sure about signing up for a Bible study with me last fall because it wasn't really her thing. This is my same friend Angie who wasn't ready to go on the Women's Retreat when I asked her, but ending up coming at the last minute, and accepted Christ as her Savior. This is my same friend Angie, who, when the Holy Spirit whispered "Africa" in her ear, dropped everything and signed on. "She is a new creation in Christ. The old has passed away, everything has become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

We had a Kenya shower for her before she left. We prayed for her and gave her a scrapbook to fill with pictures, a journal with Scriptures written in it to give her strength on the journey, and practical stuff like personal hygiene wipes, toilet seat covers, and bug spray wipes. This is a picture of our get-together. Angie is on my right (or left, I'm never sure how that works) in the pink sweatshirt. It is Angie, me, my mom Jan, Lisa, and Charity. The girls.

Second Adolescence

I have finally figured out why I feel compelled to go to every concert that comes along. I have been saved for about 4 years now, and by my calculations, that makes me an adolescent Christian. And what do teenagers do? We go to concerts. Seriously though, there is nothing more awesome than standing with a group of believers, hands raised in worship to our great God. Between Chad James Saturday night, and Ignite Chicago all day Sunday, this has been an amazing weekend.

As I figure out who I am in Christ, I feel younger, like I have my whole life in front of me. I am enjoying this second chance at adolescence through Christ. I am tired today, because my 41 year old body is reminding me that I am not really 15, but I am not weary. I gave that feeling away.
"Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest."

Planks and Beams

I take pride (that's a clue) in not being able to think of anything when a speaker asks what we are hanging onto that we should give up to God. My spirit puffs up as I think of all the stuff I have taken care of over the past 5 years. Then, a sin I could hardly see due to the large piece of wood in my eye comes into view. I realize I have rationalized maintaining control over my first three kids since the beginning of my second marriage, instead of letting my husband in on the discussions or issues taking place. As I write this, my heart is beating faster. Not allowing the God-ordained head of my household have much say into the lives of his step-children flat out says I am not at the level of trust with God that I would like to be. If I want to live my life submitted to God's will, I have to be willing to go wherever that is. And if Rob does not support a decision of mine, I have to remember that God is in control. When I make decisions without him, or Him, I am being prideful and willful. And probably not doing what I should be if I have to do it in secret, with the cliff notes coming later. I have to go now. I owe someone a huge apology.
"If I confess my sin, He is faithful to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness"
1 John 1:9

Ignite Chicago

Hi All!
This post is part advertisement and part praise for God. The advertisement is this:
I have in my possession an extra ticket for the Ignite Chicago concert event taking place next Sunday, July 20th. The ticket cost me $39.50 plus shipping and handling. I will give the ticket to the first person who calls with the money going to FRCC. It will not go in my pocket. I would like to put it towards either the Kenya BBQ party or send someone to the Beth Moore Simulcast. Since it is one of those open air events, there is no assigned seating. You can bring a friend, or hang out with me, my daughters, and my aunt. We are all pretty fun, if I don't say so myself. I've been tossing this around in my mind for a week or so, but finally came to a firm decision this morning on my walk.

Here's the praise part: When I got back from my walk, the phone rang. It was the marketing company that calls for diaper studies calling to see if I could come Wednesday morning for 20 minutes. The pay: $40. I always say there is no such thing as a coincidence. I gave $39.50 to God, he increased my gift and is giving me back $40. No matter how many times I say it, it never gets less true: You can't outgive God. Of course I realize our blessings don't always come back to us in the same currency, but this was just really clear to me. I made the right decision.

If you want more info about the concert, go to http://www.ignitechicago.com/ . Mercy Me, David Crowder, and the Newsboys (I know! The Newsboys!) are some of the bigger acts.
Update: I had two calls about the ticket so it is sold. Praise Him!

Cake (or pie) Walk

This morning was a true test of my commitment to go for a walk every other morning. I had a somewhat sleepless night not only because of the storms but due to some really good coffee I had with my pie at Bakers Square last night. The pie, French Apple Cream Cheese, was out of this world good; it is also the culprit for my insistence on walking. It was drizzling at 0530 and I was waffling in my commitment. I was comparing sticking with the Narrow Way (Go for your walk, wimp) and turning to the easy way (It's yucky out and you're tired anyway) when the going gets tough. In the end, being sure I wouldn't melt in a puddle of sweetness, I laced up my shoes and took off for my power walk, proud of myself for sticking with it.

I got about three blocks when a giant clap of thunder rang across the sky. It was then that I had the blind obedience talk with myself. Was I more interested in doing the right thing only for its own sake? Yes, it is good to be committed to something. It is also necessary to examine that commitment and make sure it is the right one at the right time. Sometimes I get really caught up in doing something just because I started it. Knowing when it is okay to not do something is as important as knowing when to continue. This morning, knowing when to turn back did not make me a quitter or a wimp, it just made me smart. And a tiny bit drier.

Rest Easy

A couple of weeks ago, I read a really good book that brought on some really deep thoughts and realizations for me. Then last week my husband was on vacation. Home. All week. Not that having him around isn't compatible with deep thoughts. There is just a lot of "honey do" going on. I am blessed to have an extremely motivated guy. If I mention that it might be nice to move some bushes so I can put more flowers around the patio, he comes with a shovel two minutes later. I have learned over the years not to think out loud until I mean it.

This last week gave me a chance to enjoy the epiphanies I had the previous week. To really be content where I am at, and see what God has for me right in my own backyard. Literally. To hang out and appreciate my own family for a change, and connect with people I haven't had a chance to lately. While there are always projects on all four burners for me, I am resting in the Lord right now.

Happy 4th of July!

A parade, some new sand for the sandbox, some new flowers to plant, watermelon, and fireworks. Life is good!