Sanctity of Life

Yesterday was Sanctity of Life Sunday. I've talked about this many a January, and I'll let those posts speak (2008) (2009) again now. But I also wanted to add that if you are hurting from the decision you made to have an abortion, please go visit the Abortion Recovery site. There is help and healing out there.

Reshaping It All

Mary loaned me a book by Candace Cameron Bure, titled Reshaping It All. It's been a good read, and I always feel like if I take notes, it was worth spending the time on. I was reading it at breakfast today and came to this:

When you are standing in the desert of testing with your back to the sea and all you can see in front of you is the enemy closing in, be still. Stand firm, and you will find deliverance. have you ever stood still long enough to witness God do His work? Have you ever stood still in His presence and let Him fight your enemy? Be still. Because when you do, God will triumph over your enemy, release you from your stronghold, and you will know that He is God.

I must have reread that paragraph five times, and thanked God for showing me the Be Still message yet again! I seem to run into it everywhere now. I love when God reaffirms Himself to you over and over again; it's so reassuring.

I spoke too soon

Yeah, Kate does blame me, hahaaaaa: I blame you.  It's ok though, because once people find out that I have this super power, they may not be so quick to cross me.

So my thyroid does have a nodule and some weird looking tissue, so I have to go see my ENT. Boooo! Seriously, thank God we don't have any caps or limits on our health insurance because we have had way too many appointments lately. Tom has the sleep study tomorrow night. At least I got to have my doctor write E's prescription for this month while I was there, so that saves me a trip next week. (It's a controlled substance so it can't be called in nor renewed.) (You know, to prevent ADDICTS from getting their hands on it, hardy har har!)

E's learning support teacher emailed me today about scheduling his IEP meeting. She also said that she noticed E had glasses today and she wondered if they were new. Apparently he took an old pair of mine from my desk drawer. He told me that they helped him to see the whiteboard better and to concentrate better. So I guess I'd better get his eyes checked, lol.

Random

So Kate finally announced her pregnancy, and I can finally relax and stop worrying that I might accidentally tell someone. And she was gracious in her post about it, but I know she blames me for saying she would be pregnant by Thanksgiving. I do so enjoy being right.

I had my thyroid ultrasound and am waiting on the results. The tech said nothing during the scan and I didn't ask. I figured if there were gnomes living in there, her face might've given something away. I'm guessing I'll have to call my doctor tomorrow to find out, since his staff never seems to get around to those phone calls.

TC is still obsessed with the man cave idea and talks about it daily. He's also taken to reminding me that even when he lives in the house with said man cave, he will still love me. Good to know.

I got our church on Facebook: BFCHURCH  I'll be launching a page for Women's Ministries soon too. Now I just have to think of something profound to say on the page every day. I did not think this through.

I went ahead and ordered Crazy Love, even though I don't think I have time to read it just yet. While I was at it, I ordered Forgotten God, also by Francis Chan. Heather and I were talking about trying to do it in a small group together. Her Care Ring is doing it now and she loves it. I can't wait to read it, which means it may get bumped to the head of the line.

I couldn't sleep last night because there were hoot owls outside talking about politics. Or whatever, but they were LOUD either way. And it's odd, because outside my window is a shed and shrubbery, so I'm not sure why they were there. I considered going out with a baseball bat, but it was really frigid cold so I opted for ear plugs.

There's a meatloaf in the crockpot right now, and a lovely hot fire burning and we may see some snowflakes tonight. Here's hoping!

Crazy Love

Crazy Love by Francis Chan has been on my 'to be read' list for probably a year or more. I really should get a copy and read it already! I do have about 20 books ahead of it though that I'm still trying to get through. Anyhoo, I ran across this excerpt from it and thought I'd share.

A Great Passage from Francis Chan’s Book “Crazy Love”

Offering Leftovers

God wants our best, deserves our best, and demands our best. From the beginning of time, He has been clear that some offerings are acceptable to Him and others are not. Just ask Cain, upon whose offering God did not look with favor (Genesis 4:5).

For years I gave God leftovers and felt no shame. I simply took my eyes off Scripture and instead compared myself to others. The bones I threw at God had more meat on them than the bones others threw, so I figured I was doing fine.

It’s easy to fill ourselves up with other things and then give God whatever is left. Hosea 13:6 says, “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” God gets a scrap or two only because we feel guilty for giving Him nothing. A mumbled three-minute prayer at the end of the day, when we are already half asleep. Two crumpled-up dollar bills thrown as an afterthought into the church’s fund for the poor. Fetch, God!

    “But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” says the Lord.

    Malachi 1:8

The priests of Malachi’s day thought their sacrifices were sufficient. They had spotless animals, but chose to keep those for themselves and give their less desirable animals to God. They assumed God was pleased because they had sacrificed something.

God described this practice as evil.

Leftovers are not merely inadequate; from God’s point of view (and lest we forget, His is the only one that matters), they’re evil. Let’s stop calling it “a busy schedule” or “bills” or “forgetfulness.” It’s called evil.

God is holy. In heaven exists a Being who decides whether or not I take another breath. This holy God deserves excellence, the very best I have. “But something is better than nothing!” some protest. Really, is it? Does anyone enjoy token praise? I sure don’t. I’d rather you not say anything than compliment me out of obligation or guilt. Why would we think God is any different?

Yes, that's the book for meeee.....

I'm sitting there yesterday morning, so pleased with myself that I have been keeping up with reading my bible every day. And I turn to the day's reading, on a sunny Sunday morning while I sip my hot coffee and feel virtuous. And the reading is Genesis 34. You know, where Shechem rapes Dinah and her brothers get revenge by tricking Shechem into having himself and all of his men circumcised so the brothers can then attack and kill them all while they are weak in order to win back their sister's honor.

So glad I'm starting my day with the precious Word. I can't wait until I get to all of the blood & goats of Leviticus. :P

What He wants you to know

I found this on a tumblr full of inspirational scripture pictures. I don't endorse that site simply because they repeatedly post Joel Osteen video clips and the man is a heretic. That said, I really love this list.

Here’s what Jesus wants you to know:

1. You are my beloved. (Eph. 5:1)
2. I knew you before you were born. As my hands formed you, I whispered purpose into your bones. I can’t not love you. (Ps. 139:1-6)
3. I love you beyond human reason—even at your very worst, steeped in sin. (Rom. 5:8)
4. My love is contrary to all you know of “love.” I Love you “even though” and “deeper still.” My love reaches, pursues, remains. (Ps. 36:5)
5. My Love for you won’t walk out, fail, or ever come to an end. (Deut. 31:8)
6. No matter what you’ve heard or what you’ve come to believe, there’s nothing that can separate you from my Love. (Rom. 8:38-39)
7. I am not like people. So please—don’t put human words in my mouth or apply human behaviors to my character. You will miss me altogether. (Isaiah 55:8)
8. I’ve never ignored you. I’ve been here all along. Protecting. Loving. Waiting. (Ps. 56:8)
9. Your love of _____ (sin) isn’t worth eternity. I will break your chains. I will give you the desires of your heart. (Jn. 8:32, Ps. 37:4)
10. Please forgive some of my followers. People—even Christian people—will fail you. You live in a fallen land, where no one is perfect and all need My grace. Put your faith and trust in Me alone. (Psalm 146:3)
11. There’s no sin I will not forgive. You are the “whosoever believes in me” whom I will give eternal life … if you believe. (John 3:16)
12. As resourceful and brilliant as you are, you cannot save yourself. It’s by God’s grace and faith in Me alone that you are saved. (Eph 2:8-9)
13. I understand your pain and heartbreak. And my heart breaks with you. (Is. 53:3)
14. There’s nowhere you can go where my Love won’t find you. (Psalm 139:7-8)
15. The shame and guilt weighs you down has been taken care of on the cross. Your bill has been zeroed out. (John 3:16)
16. The addictions. The pride. The selfishness. The hate. The lust. The jealousy. The critical spirit. The greed. I can heal it. All of it. You can start fresh. Today. (Rom. 8:1-4)
17. I will forgive you. But only if you ask. And I care more about the “ask” than I do about the sin. (Acts 3:19)
18. I will not force you to do or be anything. I want a relationship with you more than I want to rule over you. (Jeremiah 31:3)
19. I will forgive your sin and I will forget it. That’s right—completely erase it from my mind. No replays, no record. Gone. (Ps. 103:12)
20. It’s never too late to turn your life around. I came to give second chances. (Luke 23:42-43)
21. I love you. Let’s talk. (Jer. 29:13)

My One Word

So I finally have My One Word for 2012. And of course, because I like to be annoying, it's not one word, it's two, and from this verse.

I have prayed repeatedly about what my Word for this year should be, but overall just felt led to be quiet and to listen to Him. To spend daily time in His Word, which is something I have always been sporadic with. I have started reading a chronological bible that is laid out to be read in a year. Along with that I've been writing in my prayer journal each time I read, and feeling His peace; the peace that I have desperately needed with all of the drama life has thrown at me the past month or so.

I let myself get caught up in life pretty much every day. I forget Him, and then throw a few minutes at Him before I fall asleep. I pray for other people, but don't take time to listen and be still. And I think overall that I need to be still in my life, not just in those moments of prayer. He helped me find my One Word by leading me to be still, and stop striving, and just be.

Profile pic

This is my current profile picture on Facebook. It KILLS me.

Random

January seems to be slipping through my fingers somehow. I didn't even realize I hadn't blogged since the beginning of the month until Theresa asked me about it.  I'm greatly distracted this past week as our teachers are out on strike. I'm praying there will be a resolution and a contract soon, but for now the kids are home for two weeks. We've done some fun things, like going to the Academy of Natural Sciences with my in-laws. The kids loved that, and E was soaking up all the scientific information like a sponge. One of the museum volunteers said that he should get E his own apron, since he was repeating back all he knew to another child, acting like her own personal tour guide.

I had bloodwork done and it looks like my thyroid is out of whack. This could explain a whole lot of annoying symptoms! I still have to get an ultrasound done, though, so we'll see what the doctor says after that.

I slacked off with my food choices over the holidays, no shock there. I am SO thankful though, because I didn't regain any of the pounds I have lost. Lots of holiday food and lots of chaos in our house made me sure my weight would go back up. Kate said that my body is probably more efficient now and that's maybe why I didn't regain even though I ate poorly. Whatever the reason, I'll take it. And I'm going back to the gym today, and can honestly say that I can't wait!

Tom went back to work this past Monday and is doing well. He has to have one more follow-up with our family doctor, but the surgeon cleared him for work. He flipped from day shift to night shift and then back to day shift this week because of bad weather. I hate that; night shift is unhealthy enough for you without going back and forth like that. Which reminds me, I need to call and schedule his sleep study...

Overheard

TC: I wish I could run on water.
Me: Oh, like Jesus?
TC: No, like Sonic. (The Hedgehog. Sigh.)

TC: Mom, this is so good I can't even stand it. (On eating Caramelized French Toast stuffed with apples!)

TC: When I have a home, I'm going to have a man cave. (We may need to stop letting him watch all those HGTV shows with us....)