Church as it is meant to be...

This past week our church was getting ready for our "As You Have Need" distribution. The women's ministry decided to sponsor an event that would ask the members of our church to donate their own personal goods for the benefit of the community. We sent out letters to the surrounding community to advertise our FREE sale. Anyone was welcome. As you can see in the pictures below we were blessed beyond my imagination with goods. Our church space was quickly changed into a Thrift Store before my eyes.



Here are some ways I saw God "do far more abundantly than all that [I asked or thought] Ephesians 3:20."
(1) True sacrifice of those in the church:
~People brought so much stuff. Not for tax credit or for profit, just because. Some realized that we lacked in a few areas so they went home to give even more of things they use, but could do without.
~Women took off work in order to help in Wednesday mornings set up. The women in the bible study I lead agreed to help set up. What a blessing and I could not repay them for their sacrifice. But there were two women who took personal time off of work to help. Brings tears to my eyes because to me.... this is what the church is all about. Sacrificing self for the good of others. "...to him be glory in the church Ephesians 3:21a."
(2) The stories of those who came to the distribution and the blessing that our small effort was making in their lives. My friend April writes about it best.
(3) Community in the church. Those in our local cities had and still have a need and so we attempted, and will continue to attempt, in a small way to meet it.
~"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common...There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold...and it was distributed to each as any had need."
(4) Every Bible we had was taken
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account Hebrews 4:12-13."
(5) There was an overwhelming expression of gratefulness.
(6) We had very little left! Over 40 Families came and were able to find some practical things that each needed. Here are some before and after pictures of the distribution. Almost every room was left this empty!

Saturday morning I meditated on this verse. How I marvel in the fact that we have God who fulfills His word and is faithful to those who seek him. May God receive all of the glory! Pray that all of those who came will recognize that all that they have is because of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ our Savior.

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen Ephesians 3:20-21."

Lead by example... there are very good benefits!

For years it has been my routine to clean the house on Mondays. The weekend always seems to bring a mess, so it has been both practical and helpful. I enjoy starting the week off with a clean house. It makes the rest of the week fall more easily in place: play dates, last minute dinner invites, and whatever else may come. Micah, since he could crawl, has always wanted to help when I am cleaning. For his second birthday we bought him a kids Dyson so that he could vacuum just like mommy. Well recently, it has gone from just cleaning when I clean, to doing it for fun! The other day he found some sponges in his art kit and asked me if he could have a bowl of water. A minute later I found him doing this....











He said, "Mommy, this wall soooo dirty...I need to clean it!" I thought to myself, "Sweet!!!...Sure wish I could give him some Lysol!" Sobering to realize that my actions and example will have a lasting affect on this little boy's life... But as for this example....I'm very glad he is following in my (and his daddy's) foot steps!

Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend...

As I was preparing for our James Study this week, a verse popped out at me: "So whoever knows the right things to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (James 4:17) The first four chapters of James are filled with exhortations towards holiness and rebukes towards worldly passions.

A few examples:
Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds (1:2)
In faith, ask for wisdom (1:5-6)
Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (1:19)
Be Doers of the Word, not just hearers (1:22)
Visit the orphans and widows (1:27)
Be unstained by the world (1:27)
Show no partiality/judgment (2:1)
Love your neighbor (2:8)
Produce good works as evidence of your faith (2:14-26)
Tame/bridle the tongue (3:1-12)
Do not be friends with the world (4:4)
Do not speak evil against one another (4:11)
Acknowledge the will of God (4:15)

In light of all of these, we have been talking about our responsibility as sisters in Christ to hold one another accountable in these areas. James 4:17 says once you know the truth, you are accountable to holding it otherwise you are in sin. So Yesterday as I was reading I came across Proverbs 27:5-6:

Better is an open rebuke

than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

A rebuke towards a friend will be faithful to bring out repentance. Hidden love (or ignoring the sins of a friend) will be as a kiss of the enemy. Better to cause a wound that leads to repentance, than a kiss the leads to death.

My friends, if anyone among you wonders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wanderings will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20

learning new things is good... but only half learning a skill brings problems

Lydia has learned a new skill: climbing the stairs. This brings joy to my heart to see her learning and growing, but it brings panic to my heart when I find her halfway up the stairs (really, where is her mother?).

Consequently, she has figured out (from her older brother) that the fun of being upstairs means being able to throw something down the stairs.

But she hasn't learned how to get back down the stairs yet, so what goes down... doesn't have a ride back up...

But not to leave Micah out, he has learned to close his eyes during prayer... and boy does he make sure they are really closed! No distractions for Micah! I love this boy!

The glass IS half full...

Optimism is "an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome."

I have been thinking lately, shouldn't this be our default mode as Christians?


"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more." Psalm 16:11

" 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:30b

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:7-8

"And he will swallow up on this mountain
the covering that is cast over all peoples,
the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever; and the
Lord GOD will wipe away tears for all faces,
and the reproach of his people he will
take away from all the earth,
for the LORD has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
'Behold, this is our God; we have
waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the LORD; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.' "
Isaiah 25:7-9

Seems to me a valid case for looking towards the "best possible outcome" in all things. Something to think about...

Not exactly what is good for you....but more like tastes good to you!

Saturday morning Ryan wasn't feeling very well so I decided to let him sleep in. To my surprise Lydia also decided to sleep in till about 9:15. So, Micah and I decided to take advantage of it just being the two of us... and we made donuts. When I was a little girl every once and a while my mom would make fresh homemade donuts. Those were my favorite Saturday mornings. Just her and I making something I thought you could only by in the store. So Micah and I set out to do the same thing. And I must say, it was a success. I found this donut recipe online and it made amazing homemade donuts. I thought it was something good to share!
1 cup of warm milk
5 teaspoons of yeast (2 packets)
pinch (1 teaspoon) of sugar
2 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of potato mashed up*
Oil for Frying


1. Mix together milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for about 5 minutes
2. *Microwave medium size potato for 5-6 minutes until soft when squeezed. Scoop out insides and mash with a fork.
3. Mix together flour, salt, sugar, and mashed potato
4. Add milk mixture to the flour mixture. Mix in mixer (with dough hook) for 3 minutes. (dough will be very sticky)
5. Remove dough from mixer onto a very floured surface. Knead until dough is not sticky and able to be rolled out
6. Find something to cut out a large circle and something to cut out a hole in the center
7. Let rise about 5 minutes while oil heats up in the skillet to about 360 degrees (1 inch or so of oil in skillet)
8. Drop donuts a few at a time so the oil does not cool down. Turn when color turns like brown
9. Let cool and drain on a rack
10. Shake finished donuts in a bag of cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar! Enjoy

Recommendations for the donuts by my kids!

When I was a child...

It is unreal how much my daughter looks like me when I was a child. However, what strikes me most is not just the similar outer appearance, but the exact same personality (as I have heard and I suppose I admit). Now, I love this little girl. I had no idea what a joy it would be to have a daughter. The sweetness and laughter that she brings with her presence was nothing I could have imagined. However, the apple did not fall far from the tree when it comes to being strong-willed and stubborn. I like to make the joke that the only thing that is going to save her from daily battles with her parents if early regeneration. I say that because a turning point for me was when I recognized who Christ was (and is) and that his call to those He saves is not just to be a moralist. The call that lead me to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22) and not my strong-willed and I guess I will admit, stubborn nature.

I have said it before, but having children is a great way to point out your own sin. Not just in the way I interact with them, but watching all of the sinful behaviors that they learn from me, or in the way they act out their own sins. Face it, we just sin in a more self-controlled manor. So I saw this picture of Lydia and as cute as she is, I thought the hair, the smile, and the fact that she is standing up in her crib when she is supposed to be laying down, was yet again a picture of my spiritual condition. So I thank God everyday that he has given me such a cute way to be reminded of my need for a Savior and that one day I (and I plead my children) will see Christ face to face. So through my children, God is continually pointing out what is good...

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man [woman], I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully know. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12