Ride, Swing, Smile: A Baby's Joy Ride

Today was Riley's first day at the park.  Daddy had an away game so the girls took a stroll.  Riley leaned forward, curious about the world, as all our walks begin.  After a while she lounged back in her stroller, until we came across the big play structure with twirling slides, multiple levels and colorful gadgets.  Ms. Sleepy woke out of her groggy state real quick.  She leaned forward again, her little head bobbling, as we off-roaded toward the swings.  The smell of acorns and feel of fall greeted us as we crunched across last year's dead leaves.  As soon as I put that presh doll in her swing she began to giggle and smile so big.  Her innocent giggles floated along the breeze and away we went, swinging and sliding forward; as you can tell we are still a bit small for the swing.  But, oh boy, was it fun for both mom and daughter!

Applauding the Savior

Previously I mentioned our daughter's response to Jesus being nailed to the cross was, "Ha".  We were encouraged tonight when she applauded to Christ's resurrection. 

Thank goodness her daddy has been teaching her how to clap and give five.  It's fun to see her using her new skills.  Hopefully she is learning to be a little more reverent when it comes to the Savior.

"He's arose! Our Lord is alive!"

We rejoice with Riley and the angels in heaven, giving Christ Jesus the King a resounding applause.

The Only One Truly Deserving

As I lovingly cut my daughter's profile out of ivory paper, I was so careful to perfectly shape every curve of her face.  I wanted her beautiful face to perfectly mirror her image, without any imperfections.  And, as I cut, I was filled with awe.  How did the Creator make such a perfect nose, chin, forehead, and child?  She could not be any more wonderful.  And to think He created her with even more care than I used in the multiple profiles I cut and with even more perfection than I could imitate with paper.  He is God and I am human, flawed.

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" Romans 11:33  Oh God our God, you are beautiful and perfect are your ways.  Who are we to question you and your ways?  And, yet, you desire a relationship with us, one that allows us to ask, seek and question.  Does this not warrent a relationship of reverence?

In Genesis, six times, Abraham petitions with the Lord to save any remaining godly followers from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  The first time it says Abraham "drew near" to the LORD and asked. The second time he refers to himself as "dust and ashes" before he requests the LORD to change His mind.  Two other times Abraham requests that the Lord not be angry, but petitions that the LORD would save the city even for 10 followers of God. (Genesis 18) 

Abraham who knew God and spoke with God, treaded lightly.  He approached the God of the universe with humility, knowing the LORD's ways were greater than his finite understanding.  God's own son, Jesus Christ approached the father with brokeness.  "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence." (Hebrews 5:7a)  And He was heard because of His "reverence".

Even though God allows us to call Himself  "Abba Father", Daddy, and know Him intimately, should we not have a reverent fear of Him.  Do we approach God too casually?  And does this mean that God may not hear our prayers if we do not approach Him with the right attitude or motive? 

And will we trust Him, "the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God" with whatever response He chooses?  God heard both Abraham and Jesus, but He did not answer both their prayers in the means requested.  God told Abraham He would save Sodom and Gomorrah if there were 10 godly people and there were not, so He destroyed the cities with fire and sulfur.  Jesus, His son, He allowed to die on the cross though Christ asked that, "this cup be taken from me." 

Is God any less for allowing Christ to die?  On the contrary, He is glorified even more that He gave up His only son to save each of us from our own sin.  God made the greatest sacrifice He could make and we question His wisdom.  The least we can do is approach the only true God, who wants to know us personally, with reverence and trust His will completely.

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Riley Girl & Her Giggles

Our sweet, sweet girl loves story time.  Everyday she curls up in my lap for a few stories, one of the few times she will stay still.  Her favorite, the touch and feel books.  She gently strokes the sheep's coat and the puppy's fur.  And when we go through animal sounds she always softly copies the elephant's squeal. 

A few nights ago we were reading about Jesus dynig and resurrecting.  When I read to her the part that Jesus was nailed to the cross she let out a short, sarcastic laugh, "Ha".  Brenton and I looked at each other, amazed at her timing and reaction.  If I didn't know better, I'd say she is a bit sacrilegious.  Hopefully, this is no indication of her future when she has the ability to critically think.

And, yes, those giggles now grace us often.  We love the childish joy that radiates from Riley.  It takes so little to make her laugh that the other day I was on the phone with AT&T, and everytime the automated answering service asked a question she laughed.  The automated voice finally sent me to technical services when I called about a billing question.  Oh this gal is so precious!

How Deep Is Your Faith?

A generation of complacency and comfort, believing whisper after whisper about the "American Dream"; could it be that we have found ourselves in a broken and struggling country for our lust of things, more, and living lives of pleasure?  Even if God did not allow such terrible happenings in America for this reason, would we put it past Him to use these very events to shape us and break us?  Is He not a jealous God who wants our undivided attention and love?

We are a generation of comfort, and I strongly believe God did not create us to be comfortable.  In Revelation He talks about spitting those who are lukeware out of his mouth.  We are riding a fine line in our modern world.  So how do we daily live non-complacent lives in America?  The only answer I can think of is by falling so in love with our Savior that we want to be anything but honoring to Him.  And if we don't choose a life of discomfort and one where He receives all glory, He'll take us there.

I'm not saying to get rid of all the things you do not need, never splurge on Starbucks or stop going out on date nights.  Money and things are not bad, they just make it all the more difficult to leave us reliant on God.  I don't think the Lord is saying we cannot enjoy life, but how do we find that balance?  And it what ways is He wanting to stretch my comfort?  Well, that's subjective to each person and their circumstances.  That is an answer you'll have to seek from the Lord.

Where is all this coming from?  Abraham was so faithful in leaving his home land, wandering the desert and believing that God would provide a son for him.  He was so committed to the LORD that God gave him, Isaac.  And what greater joy is there than holding your own child in your arms, knowing you get to spend the rest of your life pouring into such a sweet being?  Abraham was so faithful that not too many years later the same LORD asked him to sacrifice this same precious gift.  His child.

Your child; could you, upon hearing the word of the Lord, get up early to sacrifice your only child?  Abraham did not delay.  Knowing he served a faithful God, he got up early to give up one of the promises he had waited years for. 

My first thought, "Why?"  Abraham, over 100 years old, had lived a long life and finally received a blessing from above just to be tested again?  Why?  Hand raised, the LORD called down to Abraham and stopped him from sacrificing his son, "'Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.'"

Was leaving his homeland, giving up his people and his religion to go to a foreign place for a foreign God not enough?  No, the LORD still wanted to know that Abraham feared Him.  If Abraham, a man of great faith, and at 100 years is still being tested by God, then why would the Lord not also stretch our faith.  Would God not need to test our faith even more?

How might the testing of our faith manifest itself in our culture today, you ask?  What about a hurting economy, hundreds of thousands of people needing jobs, financial difficulties, loss, death, wars, and natural disasters worldwide?  When our faith is tested, our comfort is shaken and the depth of our faith is revealed.  Have you been stretched out of your comfort lately?  If so, what was your reaction and was the Lord glorified by your faith.   

The greatest truth I have been learning lately; it is all for His glory.  What will it take for the LORD to receive glory from your life and how deep is your faith?  Will the Lord have to stretch you to see how committed you are to Him?

Faith Counted as Righteousness

At the age of 75, pagan and fatherless, Abram was told he would be made a great nation. Only a man, and not a follower of God, Abram did what any man would do and left Haran for Canaan (Genesis 12). Or did he? Would you leave your home, your people, and go to an unknown place with the promise that you would "make a great nation"?

Take note that this means leaving everything familiar, for the past seventy years. And not only that, but how would you ever make a great nation when you are 75 years old and fatherless? And why would you follow, the LORD, a God you had never served or worshipped because you and your people believed in other gods? Would you not at least want to do a little research or consult a few wise individuals before you uprooted everything familiar for a promise so far off and distant?

Abram did as instructed by God. With blind faith he left home, religion and his people for the Lord, not letting age or impossibilities hinder his decision. That is a man of faith. One that Romans says his "faith was counted as righteousness," just as ours can be (Romans 4:22). However, like any man, he was human and not perfect. Both he and Sarah laughed when the LORD told them they would have a child, Abraham at the age of 99. We see other times in the Word that Abraham lacked faith, and yet he is the biblical example of faith.

What does that say for us. We feel weak, we doubt, we struggle as Paul did and find ourselves doing the exact things we do not want to do. We are human, just like Abraham. We have made mistakes and we will make plenty more. Oh, but God is so much greater than our limitations. In Romans 4:24, we are told that our faith can also be counted as righteousness if we "believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord."

"He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised." Romans 4:20-23

Did the same Abraham in the verse above have moments of weakness? Yes, emphatically. He is the same man that Genesis 17:17 says fell on his face and laughed when God told him Sarah would bear him a son. The same man who slept with Sarah's maid servant to have a son since he could not humanly see how he could patiently wait for God to provide his means of making a great nation. How many times have you tried to do God's job or made life more difficult for yourself because you could not wait for God's answer or timing?

And, again, this man is considered most Christian's spiritual example of faith. God apparently wanted us to know that, however human we are, we also can have "faith counted as righteousness". Abraham, in his finite understanding, could not understand how God could do these thing with all his human limitations. Like you and I, he had moments of doubt, unsettledness and questioning; but, he kept his faith.

God knows what we are thinking. So why hide it? Talk it out with Him. Share your battles with your Father, but always go back to His promises. If you go back to the ways He has been faithful, you may have moments of weakness but you cannot stay there. There are times you want to scream or cry, and believe me I do let those tears flow. Yet you will find yourself so much more intimate with the Savior than you knew possible. And that ever constant truth that He is faithful, just won't seem to let you cry for long. Why shed tears when you know you will be saved?

Blog Readers, Soccer Fans & Riley Lovers

Thought it was interesting and have been meaning to tell my blog readers that during worship, two weeks ago, the pastor spoke about "abiding"; a few days after my post Abide. As you can tell, it is my current life theme, just going with it. And proud to draw attention to my Savior's name, Jesus.

And if you are interested in following the University of the Cumberlands Men's Soccer team, you can find updates on the right hand sidebar just under "Followers". Also, you can click on the picture of the soccerball to follow live game stats or pull up the teams webpage.

Speaking of, the athletic trainers are making spaghetti for the boys and using our place to serve the team this evening. We've enjoyed getting to know a new group of guys and have been blessed by our ministry. Please join us in praying for the team and that God would be glorified.

And for those Riley lovers... the boys on the team take good care of our girl. Some wave at her during warm ups and others make sure she gets to cover when it's raining. I often find they rush to her side much more quickly than I do! It's too precious.

Does Your Cup Overflow?

I must say that over the last month, I have found true contentment.  I know it is ultimately found in Christ alone, but in our modern, technologically advance society where everyone has all they need and more, I have really learned what this means.  Used to being in a larger city, probably from growing up just outside of San Diego, I don't know that I really believed I could be so pleased in small town USA. 

Sure, Dr. Quinn, Little House On the Prairie and Christy are among every girls dream.  A chance to go back in time and wear a long, flowy dress is what we dream of and giggle about late at night, even after mom has been in the room to tell us to go back to bed for the third time already.  But when you grow up and find yourself in a small town with Walmart and a few fast food joints, the thrill flies out the window!

As we have learned how to better budget and cut areas of spending to help us until we can sell our home, we have learned how blessed we are.  We have all our needs met and so much more, even now.  I go to bed at night in love with my husband and child, now thanking the Lord for giving them to me for however long He choses.  Each minute is a blessing.  I have never been more content to live in a clean place.  We have beds, food, a car (we are now sharing one as our Exploder was donated to the "Make a Wish Foundation"... was in need of a new transmission), and the Lord keeps providing in amazing ways.

Don't get me wrong, life is not easy or perfect.  Often when He has provided a safety net in our planning, we find a few months later that it is taken from us.  He keeps providing and then placing us perfectly according to His plan, so that He has us dependent on Him.  And what else is better than being in God's hands, knowing He will provide and just waiting to see how His hand will move.  Faith.  He is leading the blind, who do not see the big plan.  And, I have finally felt true contentment amidst the unknown.  I know He will always meet our needs.  How can I not trust Him when I have seen His faithfulness over and over?  Will I forget His faithfulness the minute I do not see the solution to the problem?

Have you found true contentment and peace?  Are you thankful for what you have and where God has placed you?  I know that I will find myself challenged many times in life, and that each time I will have to revisit where I will place my faith.  I only pray that Christ will give me the strength to always trust. There is nothing as peaceful as living assured that He is God and He is faithful.