Pondering

Pondering things today...

• what is heaven like? 
• if we know the truth and the truth will set us free, then why do we live in bondage?
• why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
• why are grace and roast beef & mashed taters both described as amazing?
• did you know that God warned Cain about the sin that was crouching at his door BEFORE he killed his brother?
• why does God ask rhetorical questions...God to Adam, 'where are you?' and God to Cain, 'where is your brother?' Jesus to the man by the pool, 'do you want to be healed?'
• i wander if the animals that Noah sacrificed as soon as they got off the ark were the ones that had been the most annoying?
• although we bear the image of the earthly man we shall bear the image of the heavenly man (1 Corinthians 15:49). how cool is that?
• why are some people surprised, almost disappointed, to learn that our glorified self is NOT as angels in heaven, no wings or halos? 

sometimes i think i don't think much compared to others. sometimes i'm wrong.

This Is Our God

Read this on someone else's blog and wanted to pass it along today. (Thanks Shawn Craig.)


This is something I wish I'd said:

It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping God may wake someday ... (Annie Dillard in Teaching a Stone to Talk)


Renew our vision of the true and living God:


....the still small voice (1 Ki 19:12)
... Presence that melts the mountains like wax (Ps 97.5)
... a God who is jealous (Deu 4.24)
... His voice splits the cedars (Ps 29.5)
... the One who makes the clouds His chariot (Ps 104.3)
... the One whose eyes are blazing fire and on His head many crowns (Rev 19:12)


This is our God.

It Is Well with My Soul

Well, on this day in 2008, we had the girls' visitation at the church. We were overwhelmed at the outpouring of love that night. The night ended with a God moment. After most everyone had left we were still milling around the sanctuary. I was looking at the picture collages that Regina had put together. They were amazing. As I was heading back toward the front of the church, I found myself surrounded by a family we met through homeschooling. The father put his arm on my shoulder and they began singing IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. It was an incredible moment because that was the song that was on my heart as I rushed to the accident site 3 days earlier. It was also the song I couldn't seem to sing. I didn't sing any songs in those 3 days. But as the harmonies swelled throughout that beautiful sanctuary, I was able to join in on the 2nd verse through to the end. Our voices blended together perfectly. You could hear each breath in between phrases and the words echoing off the walls. It was one of the most moving moments of worship I have ever experienced. As the last note faded, it was quiet for what seemed like an eternity. Then we wiped our eyes and went home. 

Here's Selah's version of the song...it's not acappella but it's one of the best arrangements I've heard.

Thank You

As this day comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who lifted us up in their thoughts and prayers. We had a good day but that doesn't mean it was easy. There are no easy days. We call it our 'new normal'. Each day we choose how we will live. This is true of all of us regardless of our life circumstances. We have chosen to lean on God's faithfulness, His grace, mercy and love. Sometimes it's a subconscious choice, other days (most days) it is a very deliberate choice. We are not superhuman or super spiritual or super anything. We are nothing without Christ. If you have read some of my other posts you know there are days of questioning, longing, searching and days of peace, joy and celebration. The amazing thing is God isn't taken back by any of that. The up days, the down days, they are all the same for Him. He never changes. Our need for His strength never changes. Our need for your prayers also never changes. As you lift us up, we lift you up as well. It's all part of being the body of Christ. So, as I close today, my thoughts drift back to 3 years ago when the bottom completely fell out. There at the bottom was God and family and friends. We are blessed. Thank God for who He is and for what He has done for us and thank God for you all. Good night! U R loved!  

PS. This Rich Mullins song is my constant, well, near constant, prayer. mc

Celebrate

Today we celebrate life...we celebrate Kayla and Alicia's life, the 17 and 18 years they had here and the eternity they are enjoying now. A couple of friends have birthdays today, it's a reminder that life is precious, exciting and good. Remember what Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John 14:1-7