Amazing Grace to Others

I have always loved Chris Tomlin’s lyrics, “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free…” Not only are my chains of sin and death completely gone, but the pressure is off. No guilt, no shame. I am made perfect in Christ. Wow, Amazing to think about. But that is exactly where I was left convicted today. (Good thing God’s grace even covers my hypocrisy!)
I was reading a book by Gary Thomas, Sacred Influence, that I was given at a Pastor’s Wives conference before we left Kentucky. He quotes Elyse Fitzpatrick, who after explaining the influence of God’s amazing grace on her life was replied to with this comment, “That must be such a blessing for your husband, Elyse. To be walking in that kind of grace must enable you to be so patient and so grace-filled with Phil. To know that God is working in him just as He’s working in you must make your marriage so sweet and your husband so pleased. It must be great for him to know that the pressure is off for him too.”

I realized that it is easy for me to grab onto the grace God extends to me, but then it is much harder to extend that same grace, that I so willingly receive, to others. And especially to Doug and my kids. I want my kids to obey right away, all the way, and ALL the time! I want Doug to never forget to take out the garbage! I want them to live up to my expectations while I am right in the midst of falling so, so short of what God calls me to be. I am thankful that God had enough grace on me today, to show me that His grace is not only for covering my sins, but for me to be able to cover over the sins of others. (1 Peter 4:8) Thank you, Jesus!

Joy Like A Child

We often talk about having faith like a child, but then forget that it takes that same childlikeness to have joy.  We have a finished attic that we have turned into the kids’ playroom.  Luke, being the 3rd, does not like to play alone, so the other day I decided to make time to play with my little boy.  We both spent part of the afternoon up in the attic building with legos. (I had forgotten how much fun legos were and actually got quite into my creations!)  After some time of playing together Luke put his little hand on my arm and looked up at me with a huge smile on his face.  Then he went right back to building his lego tower.  It melted my heart to realize how much he was enjoying spending time with his mommy.  It reminded me that I have a Heavenly Father who “takes great delight in me…” (from Zephaniah 3:17) and that He enjoys my joy in Him, too.  I started thinking about times when I am simply enjoying God.  When I find myself so happy in Him that I have that same feeling that came over Luke when he put his hand on me.  That feeling of, “I am really glad to be your child.”  It was a good reminder to me…maybe that’s what God means when He tells us to cease striving and know He is God.  Luke wasn’t trying to earn my praise, he wasn’t completing any tasks I had given him, he wasn’t even thinking about being a good son; he was simply enjoying being with me.  We can learn a lot from a child!

 

Bible in a Year Reading Plan

Over the years I have tried a few different reading plans to get through my Bible in a year.  All have been fine, but none have really fit me and the way God has wired me.  I am not really interested in checking something off each day since I’m not a task-oriented person nor do I like reading small chunks of Scripture in multiple places each day since my brain likes to focus on one thing at a time.  I guess I am pretty simple-minded!  So, I came up with my own plan at the beginning of 2011 and thought if I made it all the way through by the end of the year I would pass it along.  You may like it, or it may inspire you to make up your own plan.  You could modify it anyway you like or make it a two or three year plan.  Whatever works for you.  The idea is to inspire you to read the Word and be changed by it. Happy reading in 2012!

Getting started-First, you need 2 unlined notecards. Make 2 columns on each side of the first notecard with the card turned vertical.  On the front-side, first column start by listing January. Under each month you will list a few books of the Bible (see list following this post).  After each book you will place a underline, so that you can check each full book after completing it.  The notecard will hold your Bible Reading Plan, but will double as a bookmark, so whichever book you are in you can mark your spot.  The keeps you from losing your place and also allows you to read at your own pace.  So, you will have monthly goals, but not daily goals.  (This takes a little upfront work, but will be really simple for the rest of the year!)

The Plan (you can list these going down on your card in 2 columns each side, but to save space, I’ll break up the books going across.)

• January- Genesis, Exodus, Matthew
• February-Leviticus, Mark
• March-Numbers, Deuteronomy, Luke
• April-Joshua, Judges, John
• May-Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel
• June-1 Kings, 2 Kings, Acts
• July-1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Romans
• August- Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians
• September-Ecclesiastes, Songs of Songs, Isaiah, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians
• October- Jeremiah, Lamentations, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thess, 1 Timothy, 2 Tim, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews
• November-Ezekial, Daniel, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John
• December- Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, 2 John, 2 John, Jude, Revelation
• The second notecard (bookmark)contains Psalms and Proverbs which you will also be reading throughout the year: Jan- Ps. 1-15, Feb- Ps. 16-30, Mar- Ps. 31-45, April- Ps. 46-60, May- Ps. 61-75, June- Ps. 76-90, July- Ps. 91-105, Aug- Ps. 106-120, Sep- Ps. 121-135, Oct- Ps. 136-150, Nov- Prov. 1-15, Dec- Prov. 16-31

I usually read through all the other books listed for each month and then go to the bookmark in the Psalms or Proverbs.  Sometimes, though I read a little out of order. Especially a month like December with so many Old Testament books.  I may read a couple OT, then jump to the New Testament, then go back to a Proverb. The idea, though is to finish through all of one book before starting the next so you can keep your place with the bookmark. Have fun!

Still Here…

We have been in Iowa for a little over a week and though I can’t say I’m completely moved in, I can say it is already starting to feel like home.  We still have much unpacking and much adjusting to do, though.  One temporary adjustment that I have to make is living without internet or cable.  And one day recently  I was even without a phone since I left it in our one vehicle that Doug had taken that day.  So, I began to feel as if I was living in the year 1900, which happens to be when our new (old!) house was built!  Ironically, we discovered an old valentine postcard tucked away in our basement. It was postmarked 190?. The final number was faded out.  It  was a short and sweet little note from one woman to another, but one line that brought humor to my day without any contact with the outside world was this, “How is Dick?  Is he dead?”  I began wondering if some of you were wondering the same about me.  But, I’m still here and hopefully will be back online in the next couple of weeks!

 

Halloween 2011

Our neighborhood is always packed with kids on Halloween, so many that in previous years we have run out of candy. This year I bought huge bags at Costco, though, so I had enough when the kids started coming. We always enjoy seeing the neighborhood kids and passing out candy to them.

Our friends, the Childs family, joined us for one last Halloween.

And our kids love planning their own costumes. Each kids chose a character from one of their favorite Disney movies- Emie was Penny from Bolt, Lily was Rapunzel from Tangled, and Luke was Dash from the Incredibles.  They also love trick-or-treating with their good friends, Andrew and Elijah.

Our neighbors across the street said it right- that we finally figured out how much candy to buy and we’re moving! We were glad for another opportunity to see and connect with friends and neighbors.

A God who Gives

Sometimes God has to remind me who He is. This month has brought some big changes to our family. Doug has accepted a new position as Senior Pastor at Oakhill Baptist Church in Humboldt, Iowa. So, in the next month or so we will make the long journey from Kentucky to Iowa. And this time to stay. While this brings much excitement for all of us, it brings some sadness, too. Kentucky has been home to Doug and me for over 10 years, and for our kids it has been the only home they’ve known. Also, I have been a little worried about the girls adjusting again, since they just started in a new school this fall.

One thing we love to do as a family is to drive into Louisville to let the kids play at a wooden castle park. They think it is such a treat. And we do too, since there is a diamond in the rough coffee shop right near the park. Doug and I each get a cup of coffee to drink while we sit and watch the kids play.

Before going to Iowa, so Doug could candidate for the position, I prayed a quick prayer on a whim. “Lord, I would love for there to be a park like our favorite castle park in Louisville, so the kids will be excited to move.” I know God loves to give good gifts to His children, I know He is Sovereign and can do as He pleases, I know He loves me with an everlasting kind of love, so why was I completely shocked to drive by (you guessed it)a wooden, castle park right in the middle of the town?! I not only sometimes forget who God really is, I forget who I am as well: A beloved child of a King. A King who loves to give me gifts that remind me of His extravagant grace and His ultimate gift-the forgiveness of my sin, through the death of His Son on a cross.

Luke’s First Field Trip

First Day of Preschool

Luke started preschool today and he couldn’t have been happier. He marched right into his classroom with no tears (except a few from me). The only time he was a little upset was when I picked him up at the end of the morning. He looked shocked when he saw me, as if to say,
“Why are you here already?” He asked out loud, “Can I please finish this?”

When I told him that preschool was finished he tried to convince me that it wasn’t. On the way home he asked me when he gets to go everyday like his sisters. I told him that I hope that day takes a long, long time to get here!

A Book that Speaks My Heart

This book only has 28 pages and over half of each page is covered in pictures. The few words, though, are so powerful that I was crying by page two! After a week and a half of my girls beginning 4th and 2nd grade, and with only two weeks to go before my youngest starts preschool, I am feeling my time with them living under my roof is slipping quickly away. Maybe I’m being slightly dramatic, but I really feel like just yesterday I had my first little bald-headed baby. The first page has a mommy rocking her newborn and begins likes this: “If I could keep you little, I’d hum you lullabies.” Then you move to page two where you see a big girl stepped up to a microphone with her whole class behind her. “But then I’d miss you singing your concert’s big surprise.” It continues in this tear-jerking manner (it really was killing me!) until it wraps up with a class of high school seniors at graduation. “If I could keep you little, I’d keep you close to me.” “But then I’d miss you growing into who you’re meant to be!”

A Day of New Things

It arrived more quickly than we would’ve liked, but other than that, the first day of school was a great one for the girls. Both liked their new school,their new teachers and met several new friends. They had decided early this summer that they wanted to try a couple other new things: riding the bus and eating the school hot lunch. I asked, “How was the bus?” Lily responded with, “Weird, but fine.” I asked “How was lunch?” Emie responded, “I want to bring my lunch from now on!”