Uncommon Works Through Common Deeds

An excerpt from the book Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado (can be found on pages 113-114).

God does uncommon works through common deeds.

A friend of mine saw proof of this truth as he cared for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Being a physician, he gave his time and talent to treat some of the 12,500 New Orleans evacuees who ended up in San Antonio.

One survivor told him a riveting story. As the waters rose around his house, this New Orleanian swam out a window. With two children clinging to his back, the man found safe refuge atop the tallest building in the neighborhood. Other people joined him on the roof. Soon a small circle of people huddled together on what would be their home for three days until they were rescued.

After an hour on the building, the man realized he was on a church. He patted the rooftop and announced to the others "We are on holy ground." His news jogged the memory of another roof dweller. She looked around at the area, crawled over to the steeple, hugged it, and proclaimed, "My grandfather and grandmother helped build this church!"

Do you think those grandparents ever imagined God would use their work to save their granddaughter? They surely prayed for God to use that building to save souls...but they couldn't have imagined He would use it to save their grandchild from a hurricane. They had no idea how God would use the work of their hands.

Nor do you.

What difference do selfless deeds make? Do you wonder if your work makes a difference? I'm envisioning a reader at the crossroads. One recently impacted by God, perhaps through this book. The divine spark within is beginning to flame. Should you douse it or fan it? Dare you dream that you can make a difference?

God's answer would be, "Just do something and see what happens."

Tuesday Tidbits: a quote

"We've barely scratched the surface on the power of the messenger ministry from singers. Preachers give messages, singers sing anthems. The songs of a generation shape the culture of that generation like nothing else. Now is the time for prophetic songs to shape our culture."

-Billy Humphrey

Colorado Aspen and the Church

I'm just about done reading the book Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado. I would highly recommend it! I love what he wrote about Colorado Aspen and the Church...

"Colorado aspen provide a living picture of the church. Have you noticed how they grow in groups, often on the otherwise bald sides of mountains? They are sun seekers and root shares. Unlike firs or pines, which prefer shade, aspens worship warmth. Unlike oaks, whose roots go deep, aspen roots go wide. They intertwine with other roots and share the same nutrients.

"Light lovers. Root sharers. Sounds like a healthy church."

What a cool word picture of the church!

Tuesday Tidbits : a quote

"There is not a square inch of our whole human existence over which, God who is sovereign of all, does not cry...MINE!"

-author unknown to me

What Makes God Smile

When Jacob was just 20-months, I was driving home from running some errands. We had had a good time out, and one of my favorite worship songs came on, Revelation Song. I turned the radio up and was just singing and driving.

After several minutes, I noticed that Jacob was clapping. I turned around and smiled and then raised my hand and waved it back and forth in worship. I looked back again and Jacob had his hand raised. He was doing what I was modeling!

Tears came to my eyes (driving and crying is not recommended!). Here is my son, doing what I'm doing. Joy filled my heart.

I wonder if tears come to God's eyes when we do what He wants us to do? If I find delight in my child worshiping, how much more delight does God find in us when we worship?

I love it when my Jacob helps me understand my relationship with my God on another level. It is kind of fun to be taught things about God by a 20-month-old!

(I know the picture is not of Jacob worshipping, but I couldn't drive and play photographer!)

Tuesday Tidbits

Helping my Jacob understand life . . .

Jacob (3-years old) was in the bathroom all distraught. He said "mommy, I don't want my pee-pee to come out when I poop!"

I tried to explain to him that that is how God created our body to work...it didn't help him feel better.

If only my major crisis's in life were that simple!

Battle for the Tongue

Husband just gets home from work: “Honey, I’ve had a long day. I’m going to go in the bedroom for about 10min of quiet. That ok?”

How a mom responds: “Ok? YOU’VE had a long day and YOU want quiet?!? I’VE had a long, LOUD day. Why don’t you stay out here with the kids and I’ll go get some quiet time. At least the kids are happy to see you and will behave unlike they are doing with me. They have just tuned me out at this point in the day and when I walk in the room, they cringe for fear of getting in trouble for jumping on the couch. So you are tired and need quiet? I am tired and need quiet. You’ve talked with adults all day. I’ve answered the same question all day…’why?’ I’m going to the bedroom.”

How a wife responds: “Sure. Dinner is almost ready. I’ll just come and get you when it is on the table. I’ll try and keep the kids quiet. Enjoy your silence.”

That is why we are wives first and moms next.

God
Spouse
Family

God was smart when He set up that order. =)

My husband and I were laughing later at the mom that was screaming at him from inside my head. I’m thankful that the wife won the battle for my tongue!

Why this blog? Why now?

grow upward

i want to connect deeper with God

i want to grow upward

About Me: I’m a daughter of the Most High King (Jesus Christ), wife to an AMAZING husband and mother to the best 2 little boys God ever created. My job? Stay-at-home mommy, chief cook and booty wiper, youth leader, worship leader, organize and coordinate too many things to list, sister, daughter, friend…the list could go on and on. Sometimes I’m not sure what I do with my days, but I keep busy and spin a lot of plates. It gets a bit crazy around here, but I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way. I love getting to dabble in whatever my heart is fixed on. I’m extremely busy and extremely happy!

Why this blog? Why not? My mind goes constantly. God has told me in subtle and not-so-subtle ways to write down what runs through my head. So here goes nothing.

What am I going to blog about? The easier answer would be to tell you what I’m not going to blog about. I’ll write about anything. Sometimes it might be funny or off-the-wall (my head IS crazy) and sometimes it will be insight God has shown me (which normally happens right when I’m about to fall asleep or watching my children) or might be something I found interesting somewhere. It will be a little bit of everything.

I don’t like commitment. I like things just how I like them. I hate to use the word perfectionist because if you looked in my dresser drawers, you would not give me that label, but if I can’t do something perfect, I freeze up and no movement happens. So it is with fear and trembling I write “out-loud” that I want to post something every Friday. That is manageable, right? And if it doesn’t happen, there is grace…grace I have to give myself. I’m overly organized so don’t worry, I already have over 3 months worth of posts saved in case I don’t have anything new. I know I have issues. =)

If you were to take a picture of my heart, the picture here is what you would see. I have worked full-time, worked part-time, worked part-time AND gone to school full-time and now I’m home…no work, no school and I couldn’t be happier. I love being able to spend so much time with my boys. I love being able to serve my church in so many different ways. I love keeping myself busy with things I love. I love having the time to be creative and the brain space (well, when my kids are quiet, which is only during nap time) to do crazy things like think of things to blog.

I’m happy at home because of all of the doors it has opened up.

So, this will be a glimpse of my heart. Hopefully it is worth looking at as God teaches and directs me. Welcome to my adventure!