Do you believe that God can resurrect a computer from the dead?
I’m writing really fast without really any purpose because, I can!
About a month ago (obviously) my computer totally crashed and its been sitting out on the kitchen table and I would try to “fiddle” with it , if you will. I mean what the heck do I know about computers! But in the mean time my husband has tried to fix ANYTHING else besides this computer. I think he is scared to face the truth that I need a new one.
Anyway, I came down from taking a shower just now and my kid was playing a game on this computer! My 6 year old fixed it?? (Or the Lord??)
I miss you guys
So much has been happening, just as I am sure your house-holds are crazy busy with summertime here, no school for the kiddos, husbands leaving and gone more. Sooooo much to talk about it.

What are you guys thinking about as summer is here?

Jeff recently has been traveling quite a bit. From conferences to camps. And this last trip just really threw me for a loop. It was a last minute trip that took him away for a week. I know its hard to be a single parent and away from our husbands for any period of time. But this trip I was really mad about. To put it bluntly, I was pissed. I couldn’t get excited for him to go, I couldn’t send him off well, and I couldn’t talk to him the entire time he was gone. He texted me and I responded a few times, but I even asked for him not to call because it was too hard to talk to him on the phone. I was obviously really emotional about him being gone.  I had to really think about why it bothered me so much. And I figured it out!….

He didn’t INCLUDE me. Not that I wasn’t invited to go with him (I wasn’t, but I couldn’t have gone anyway. That didn’t hurt my feelings.), but most of the time I get a “say” in when trip and even camps happen. At least a discussion or notice about it. Jeff respectfully comes to me and we match up our calendars and I can have a “say” in some of his scheduling of events. Not all, and sometimes if I say “no” he needs to say “yes”, and we discuss each event that may take him away from me and the kids. But this trip was just decided without me and being last minute didn’t help either. I was actually told by another staff member that plane tickets had been purchased for this trip and the days and time they were leaving, not even my own husband bothered to tell me. (Husbands reading this… NOT GOOD).

So because I wasn’t able to process this trip it could only seem like a burden to me. I could find no joy in what this trip might mean for Jeff and his team. Such a bummer!

Ughhh, it was exhausting. exhausting to do it all alone, and exhausting to be that mad all week. It still amazes me after all these years of doing youth ministry together how we forget the simplest details that we have known forever!!

If you know someone who doesn’t know God, give them one of these babies and they will know there is a God who loves them.

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 350

bring 2 cups brown sugar and 2 sticks butter to a boil for 5 minutes, stirring the whole time.

Spread out saltine crackers salty side down over a cookie sheet (preferably one with sides.)

Pour brown sugar/butter mixture over crackers and spread around evenly.

Sprinkle about 1-2 cups of chocolate chips (depending on how chocolatey you like it) on the top.

Put in oven for about 5 minutes.

Take out spread smushy chocolate around, lick the spoon!

They are really good warm, but your suppose to put them in the fridge until they harden and then crack them up and eat with a tall glass of milk.

You will probably start to sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty…” as you eat them.

(I’m sure there are lots of different versions of this recipe out there.)

Just something else I’ve been up to

My husband chooses fruits, I choose chocolates. He eats spinach, I eat cookies. He loves fresh fish, I love pizza….. But I ran a half marathon (kicked some bootey), and he didn’t. I don’t want to brag or anything… (maybe a little) .

Just something I’ve been up to lately.

I’m telling you, if the cacao bean or coffee bean was considered a true “protein”. I would be the perfect picture of health.

Thinking this morning about how God loves me. Just me. As a mom, and a wife, a pastor’s wife, a church volunteer, and a friend. Its hard not to think of “others” when reading, or praying, or singing about God’s love for us. But this morning (and recently, since Good Friday to be exact) I have really been trying to think selfishly of God’s love. Of a picture in my mind of just me and the love of Christ. Only me. A lone me. No one else in that picture except me. Just like my own kids, sometimes they want to be the only child. They want to have “alone time” not having to share space with another sibling. I need that too, I guess. Time in my soul not having to be thankful for God loving anyone else but me. Sounds so selfish doesn’t it, a little immature?? Don’t get me wrong I am thrilled to my core for God’s love for my children, husband, students, and friends!! I am bursting to know when I look at my kids faces that someone loves them more deeply and intimately than I do! But I also thrive on the thought and feel overwhelmed that if it were just me, only me, a lone me, Jesus would still save me, and no matter how old I get or how many children I have My God still holds me like a child. So when I sing “Thank you for loving me”, “Thank you for healing me”, “Thank you for saving me”, “Thank you for hearing me” I feel more connected to my God and friend who is with me and would be with me alone…. it’s personal.

We (I say “we” loosely) are taking care of a fish, not mine a neighbors. And my feelings towards this fish are not loving, or caring, they are barely nice. What does it say about me? My lack of loving feelings towards animals (sorry it goes beyond fish). Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to hurt them or anything creepy, I just don’t like animals. Yuck. Should I explore this feeling? But I don’t want a pet and don’t want to want one. If they didn’t shed, smell, lick, drool, poop, pee, smell your crotch, mess up stuff, or eat. Maybe….. but probably not.

Just what I’m thinking about right now.

Reading these statements in a new way…
Not just “believing” these verses to be true… But learning to read them as facts about who God has created me to be. Because for me, a fact can’t be changed depending on how I feel, it just IS no matter what.

I am created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).

I am created with a desire and an ability to connect with God and others in love (Psalms 40:8; John 13:34-35).

I am created to communicate verbally, physically, and emotionally (Genesis 3:8-9; Luke 2:52).

I am created to be thankful to God for all he has done (Colossians 3:15; Hebrews 12:28).

I am created to praise God (Luke 5:26; Psalms 40:3).

I am created to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15).

I am created to give and to receive (Acts 20:35).

I am created to be generous (Psalms112:4-5; Proverbs 11:25).

I am created with the ability to make decisions and choices (Joshua 24:15).

I am created to fully enjoy every aspect of life in God’s creation and will (Ephesians 6:2-3; John 10:10).

I am created to grow physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually (Luke 2:52).

I am created to be creative and productive, using the gifts and skills God has given me (Genesis 2:15; Matthew 25:14-30).

I am created with an intelligent mind (James 1:5; Ephesians 1:7-8).

I am created with a mind that desires to learn and grow (Psalms 119:73; Isaiah 1:17).

I am created physically attractive to myself, God and others (Genesis 1:31).

I am created as a sexual being blessed to enjoy my sexuality in accordance with God’s will (Genesis 2:24-25; Proverbs 5:15-20).

I am created to walk through life with God and others (Genesis 3:8-9; John 13:34-35).

I am created to be with him now and forever (John 14:3; Hebrews 13:5).

If you have time, write down the statement(s) that stirred something within you today. Hold on to this… What could God be revealing to you through these “truths”?

Created in God’s Image

Copyright © 2008 by Soul Renovation Resources, LLC

Newport Beach, CA 92660-4602

www.SoulRenovationResources.com

I have been thinking a lot lately about expectations. Expectations our children have on us, our spouses, our friends, our churches…. And how, what people expect us to be might not be what we imagine or desire ourselves to be. What do you do when the expectations don’t match up??

I am evaluating some of these expectations in my own life right now, and to be honest, feeling a little overwhelmed. I am starting to wonder where does the me I was created to be fit into all of these things that are already expected from me.  (I think its all part of the stretching I talked about earlier). I am thinking that in trying to honor God with my life might mean saying no to some of these things I feel I am expected to do. (Am I talking in circles here?)

I recently read this quote about expectations, “Letting go of expectations is so risky: it feels like a free fall since our world was held together by that web, but it is in that risk that you find a God who does not meet your expectations (thankfully) but loves you and is involved, and that risk is where faith grows.”

I have been thinking a lot about this quote as well. I really really desire to be “a place where faith grows”. So now what? Most days I live by doing what is expected of me. I realize to be a responsible adult I have to do lots of expected things. I am expected to get my kid to school on time. Sure. I am expected to care for and love my husband. Can do (and want to do). I am expected to feed my family. Okay. So, to identify some of those expectations that can be “let go”…. Enroll my kids in every activity because I don’t want them to miss out. Take a small group of high school girls even though my family and I will feel drained. Show up to every “pastor’s wives” event. Sign up for MOPS at our church. Host high school students in my home each week. (These are some of the thing I feel expected to do).

In writing this I am understanding that sometimes just because it is expected of me I loose the joy and freedom of wanting to do some things. The expectations limit me and the way I want to serve others.

How would I (we) be different, serve differently, love differently, if we did it out of love and desire rather than expectation??

Help me unpeel this onion…

Thoughts?

Words With friends on my iphone. GOODneSS! I’m telling you this is the lone reason for my lack of posting! I have let my brain go, no complete thoughts, no meaning, or helpfulness. Just plain ol’ brain freeze.
Soooo, just a second. I am going to go put my kids to bed, play one game (I promise) and them put some thoughts together about the Lord and being married to an iphone, sorry! A youth pastor .

(Still thinking about the conference and some of the great women I met…lots to talk about).

Amanda