More on The Shack

Ok, so there is a buzz going on about The Shack. I wanted to extend my post and my thoughts about this book. What I have learned is people either love it or they hate it! I was one of those people who loved it! Not because I thought it was it right on biblical or because I was ok with how the author portrayed God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. There were things, doctrinal things that I did not believe were bible based; after all it was Christian Fiction and the only thing you can read and believe 100% truth in is the Bible. However, I loved how the Trinity was described, how Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit were so in tune and that they greeted each other with a Holy kiss, every time they came together they showed each other LOVE. Love is the foundation of Christianity. I loved that my thoughts, beliefs were challenged, that my faith was increased because I had to go back to the Word of God and see if the thought from the author would hold up, I loved how he talked about forgiveness and what it takes to forgive, I loved how the main character had communion with Jesus, I loved that God is with us at all times and that He never forsakes us. I thought the book was powerful and could transform people to a deeper faith not because you believed the author's writing but because the Holy Spirit would draw closer to a deeper relationship. I am still looking forward to my girl's night book club discussion next week. I'm sure I will have more thoughts later...

I went the other way....

YIKES!!! I went the other way. I was doing so good working out, watching what I eat and losing a few pounds. Last week was extremely stressful and instead of keeping my routine of working out and watching what I ate...I ate yummy, yummy food and worked out once I think once! I ate out more last week than I have in months. This scripture is so true Romans 7:15...I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. AGGGHHH! Do you ever feel that way? This is exactly what the Holy Scripture brings to my mind right now. Why do I eat when I am stressed? I may not overeat but I chose unhealthy things like Fuddruckers, Rudy's, chocolate, etc. The other question I have is why when you are stressed it is almost like the food before you even eat it, goes straight to your body...just glancing at it causing growth in the rear end? Why is that? Oh, the continual battle of weight...it continues round 2 begins tomorrow! Ya know it probably wouldn't be such a big deal if I was taller than 5 foot 1 inch! Maybe not! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, like Christmas this was the perfect opportunity to talk to our children about LOVE and where it came from. Obviously they are too young to even know that Valentine's Day is about romantic love, but like all things we as parents have the choice to teach them what we want about each holiday. Hubby and I decided we wanted to teach our children that Valentine's is more than candy and getting stuff...so...we focused on teaching them about God's love. We made cupcakes for our friends, decorated them along with cards and delivered them to our special family friends. The verse 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us; really hit me this week.

We had a wonderful family day: we did crafts (the girl's favorite thing to do), we loved others, we played at the mall (and didn't buy a thing) and then we ate at our family favorite restaurant RUDY'S BBQ. It was a special day!

From our family to yours.... Happy Valentine's Day and may you enjoy the Lord's blessing of love.

Operation Motherhood Bible Study

I am participating in a bible study at Church called Operation Motherhood. It is really neat, other Mom's who want to be equipped in teaching and building our children's faith. This semester we are talking about the Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22-23. I don't know if I have shared but that is one of my favorite verses and I have taught my children the song and memorized the verse each at the age of 2. I love this passage of scripture and I believe it drives our heart, desires and actions when it comes to life. I guess I use it as a litmus test. I use the Fruit of the Spirit when disciplining and praising my kiddos; so they can see how the we acting acting unloving or how they showed joy or whatever fruit that may or may not have at the time.
Yesterday we talked about JOY and how JOY is not happiness. Happiness is based on our circumstances, true JOY can only come from the Lord and having a relationship with the Lord. It really hit me in this class that the amount of JOY in our life is directly related to our relationship with Jesus. We are called to have JOY in all circumstances- not just the good days! Now, I don't think that means we shouldn't deal with feelings of sorrow and sadness. I think it means that in all circumstances we found JOY while living here on earth.
James 1:2-8 and John 15:9-14 are some of my favorite verses on Joy.
Enjoy feeling JOY in your life!

A Spiritual Soul...

My oldest daughter has the most amazing understanding about God and Jesus at her age of 4 1/2. She has a tender heart for scripture and loves to sing praises to the Lord;not mention her very obedient heart. I am amazed at her love for the Lord and I marvel in her understanding of Him. We were talking the other day and she told me Jesus is her shepherd and she was His sheep. I thought for sure she was just repeating what she heard, I sing that song a lot...I am His sheep and The Lord is My Shepherd watching over my soul. As we talked further she explained how He calls my name and I hear His voice. Oh, I just wanted to cry, I thought it was precious and I am joyful that she is getting the meaning of having a relationship with Jesus. While driving in the car today I heard her tell her little sister, "God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit 3 people but 1." She looked at me and said, "it's hard to understand, Mom, but she'll get it." I laughed and melted inside all at the same time. I pray her love for the Lord continues to grow deep inside her soul and that she will share it with anyone she meets. Too precious!

How do you....

Hey blogging friends, I need you help. How do you turn a word into a link in your post? Do you know hat I mean? For instance, if I wanted The Bible to be able to be clicked on and send you to another page. Thanks for your help...I know someone will have the right answer and know how to do it.

The Shack

Have you read The Shack by W. M. Young? What did you think? I thought it was incredible! I am so grateful for this experience. If I say too much I will give it away, and the most awesome experience is to unveil the events of the book on your own. Therefore, I will not comment on the story. I will say that in some ways it is a spiritual awakening and this man's relationship with the Lord must be deep, very deep. To explain so brilliantly the Trinity and what God is truly asking of us was told so beautifully. The women in my life group are going to have a book club night to meet and talk about this book and I can't wait...it will be so rewarding. This book was simply....HEAVENLY! If you haven't picked it up; then please do. You will be blessed by it; no matter where you are in life- it will reach deep within your core and if you allow God to speak directly to your heart you will be transformed at the end...I know I was! Happy reading!

PS- I think I need to read it again!

Four Weeks and RESULTS!

I have just finished my 4th week of getting up at the crack of dawn- no before the crack of dawn. I actually leave for the gym and come home before the sun has risen! Now, I haven't been perfect and up everyday but I have been trying my best and for the most part very consistent!
I have many results to share in this moment:
I have dropped 5 lbs! WAHOO!
I feel incredible!
I have more energy!
I am not distracted by other tasks and have more time to spend with the kids during the day!
But the most important results have been my spiritual results! God is so good and I love this time together. So whether you can get up at 5:00am or not I want to encourage you to spend time in the Word, listening for His voice and discerning His will and ENJOY it! For me it is the most important thing I do all day!
Happy Friday! May God Bless you in a way you can't imagine!

Blessed

I am feeling very blessed these days...I love living in the sunshine again! This is a beautiful area; the mountains, sunrise and sunsets are amazing! The weather has been incredible. It is about 22 degrees at 5:00am and then 60 degrees at 2:00pm! I especially am loving every minute of our family time- the 4 of us together, making memories and enjoying each other. These girls are precious and amazing. They are changing right before my eyes and I am amazed at their hearts. God has touched them in unique and special ways; they are so different and both have an inner beauty that makes them angelic. I am also grateful that I have a husband who loves me deeply and I see it growing more each day. The other day he said, "I am so in love with you." Wow, that was pretty incredible to hear. Then there is my heavenly Father who blesses me over and over even during trials. As I grow closer to God and lean on Him in good times and bad He continues to show me how much He loves, how He will never forsake me and that His love endures forever. I AM BLESSED!

Super Bowl...

Like everybody else today we are headed to a super bowl party and plan to watch the big game. I have to say though that I don't really care about the game. I look forward to spending quality time with friends and having fellowship but the game is overrated. Some people love this particular game because they love football so much and I get that because I married a basketball nut; however, I am appalled at what we pay ALL professional athletes and I just can't get over the fact that it cost $3 million dollars for a 30 sec ad...and I have a degree in Public Relations/Advertising! We are in hard financial times and as a nation we are in hard economic difficulties- yet we are watching, supporting and paying for a $3 million dollar ads for 30 secs- and people don't have jobs, don't have a home and may not eat today. This is crazy! When are we going to stop encouraging this? Oh well- just my feelings and opinion.