Tree

Today has been a beautiful day in Ohio!  I cannot believe how warm and lovely it has been.  I have a gorgeous tree in my yard.  It is brilliant in the fall with it’s yellow leaves.  It makes me smile and know God loves me.  I know some don’t understand that but, I sure do on days like today!  Sometimes it’s hard for me to look past the situations going on in our lives and at the blessings God’s given me.  Today was one of those day!  So, to the tree I go.  I will look up and know how much Jesus love me.  There was a much more stunning tree over 3,000 years ago.  The events of that day certainly stunned many.  That rugged tree was draped with with a King.  I know that when I am down I can look up at that tree and know how much has been sacrificed for me.  Thank you Jesus for both trees but, especially for Your blood.

Off….

I know, I’ve been off lately in my blogging.  I have a lot going on in my brain and in our lives.  Many of the huge things happening I cannot share at this time.  I know that someday I will, and that God will use it for His glory.  We recently went on a vacation to Myrtle Beach.  It was so wonderful to have time together as a family.  REST!  The ocean calls my name each time we visit.  I could easily live near the ocean and watch it’s power every day.  God’s imagination and creativity are off the charts.  Here are a few pictures from our trip.

So, there is what we’ve been up too!  I will get back to blogging soon.

My baby….

Noah James Griffin is nine years old today.  I cannot believe it!  It honestly seems like yesterday that I was pregnant with him.  Shan and I were so excited to be having a little boy!!  He was such a joy as a little baby.  He could talk and talk.(he still does)  He could say 50 words when he turned ONE!  No kidding!!!  He’s never stopped talking since then!

When I look back over these past 9 years I see how God has protected Noah over and over.  He was born 5 weeks early and became very sick with jaundice.  They doctors told us he would be deaf and mentally handicapt.  He is far from either.  God healed his little body.  He fell down a flight of stairs(off the side) and landed on his head!  He was only two years old.  He told us the next day, “Angels catched me when I fall.”  We had not talked about angels with him so we were again amazed at God’s hand in his life.  At six years old he swallowed a rock!  Crazy, I know.  Through weeks of waiting and a sceduled surgery to remove it God was at work.  The rock had disappeared…after being in his tummy for two weeks.  He ran out of the OR and into the waiting room yelling, “Whoohoo!  God took my rock away!”

God has HUGE plans for Noah.  I have no idea what they are but I do know they are good.  We have our ups and downs but I know God is at work.

Thank you God for 9 crazy, roller-coaster-like years with Noah James!!!  

The Challenge

The Challenge has been set.  The challengers are in place.  This stakes are high.   Shan has been talking smack this week about how much weight he can lose.  He thinks that he can take me down in a competition with no problem. I think he’s off his rocker.  We aren’t setting any HUGE goal or end date to finish.  We are just seeing who can lose the most each week at our weigh in.  We have fun as a married couple…I’m sure you could tell already that we are crazy!  This is just one more way to laugh and love each other as we battle it out!  We did our best today to take pictures of our “game” face.

This challenge goes way, way beyond wanting to win or to look better.  It’s about re-building our bodies…our temples to be what God wants us to be.  Shan will blog soon about how he came to his point.  You won’t want to miss that!  God has been so awesome to show Himself to us!  So, if you want to follow our little challenge feel free.  I won’t bore you each week with our results but I will update things from time to time.

So, Shan the Man….GAME ON!  You are going down!!!!

Beauty

One of my favorite things about traveling is watching the country landscape change as we drive.  From flat green pastures to soft rolling hills.  On this past trip I loved seeing the mountains in Wyoming!  The beauty captured my heart.  I just sat and watched out the window of our van in awe of God’s handy work!   The most creative person in the world does not come close to touching the creative ability of God.  My mind is blown when I even try to think of Who God truly is and what all He can do.

God’s love is shown to us daily in such tangible ways.  The budding rose, the  swaying trees, the towering mountains, the crystal snow flake, the brilliant sunset.   He is lovingly painting a new sunrise each morning just to show us He is a romantic at heart!  He makes each snow flake unique just to show us His power!  He creates and forms a tiny baby just to let us know how much we need Him.

I stand in awe of  You today God.

What takes your breath away?   What aspect of creation makes you weak at the knees with adoration for God?

Vapor

I shuffle to the kitchen with legs that feel like lead.  My eyes still full of sleep and blurry from their eight hours of rest.  I fill a mug with cold water and place it in the microwave to heat.  I dab my tea bag in the water a few times until it is the perfect shade of brown.    I muster up some hope, as sugar is added to my drink.  The cup feels wonderful against my hands.  Warmth starts to filter into my body.  I sit down in my favorite spot on the couch and open my Bible.  I pray that God will give me some sort of comfort and peace through His words today.  I see my hot tea and the steam floating up towards the lamp light.  That is my life, a vapor.  In a few minutes that drink will cool and dissipate.   Though each day seems to move at a snails pace it is really flying by like a speeding bullet.  My eyes drift back to my Bible.  I open the gold edged pages and turn to Philippians.   I come here often to read the same underlined scripture, Philippians 4:6-7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As I read these words a smile begins to creep onto my face.  I utter a prayer, “God, let Your peace guard my heart and mind today.  I need You.”  I spend a few more minutes pouring my heart out to God.  He knows my struggles.  He knows the deepest fears and obstacles that stand in my way of being like Him.  He sees how weak I truly am and yet, He desires my relationship with Him!

The steam is gone.  My tea has cooled.  My morning ritual has awakened my heart.  A vapor is gone in such a short moment of time.  What will I do today with my time?  How will I give You glory and make You famous?  “God, take my anxiety, my fears.  Fill me with peace and let me walk today with You and for You only.”

Give God everything.  He will give you a peace that is far greater than you can figure out!   If you ask Him, He will stand guard at your heart and mind and You can be a beautiful vapor for Him today.

Book Review and Giveaway! “Fearless” By Max Lucado

WINNER!!!  Titus drew a name out of the hat this  morning!  AIDEY!

If you enjoy Max’s style you may love this book!  The subtitle of “Fearless” is “Imagine Living a Life Without Fear”.  Mr. Lucado gives many real life examples of people living with fear.  He used Bible characters and current stories to relay his message.  I know you’ll be able to relate with this book if you are alive and kicking!  I’m sure all of us deal with fear in one form or another.

When I first became an avid reader I was 18 years old.  The first author I became interested in was Max Lucado.  I have many of his books on my book shelves.  I will have to admit that this was not my favorite by far.  I know my tastes have changed a lot over the years.  Fear is a very real issue in my life and to deal with it you need to do a lot of Bible reading, study and prayer.  I will say Mr. Lucado mentions prayer as being a huge tool to fight fear in the book.  I wanted more than stories.  I wanted steps, answers, study, verses.  If you love Max, you’ll love it!  He is undoubtedly a gifted author.

Here are a few links where you can read more or purchase the book!

Thomas Nelson

The Fearless Times

Make a comment and I’ll enter your name in a drawing to win this book!!  I’ll have the boys draw a name on Thursday morning!

Naughty Cow!

We had a wonderful time in Amish Country this past weekend!  A petting zoo was a big highlight for the boys!  Titus had some interesting moments to say the least!  Poor baby! 

Here is Titus feeding a sweet baby cow some food…

How sweet…we thought.  Then this happened!

The cow took that hat and thought….dinner!  Shan had to go and retrieve the hat from the cage.  It was so funny!!  I think it was the funniest moment of the day! 

Here are some cool shots of Noah as well.  God has given him a huge heart for animals.

 

Be blessed today!

Speaks Volumes!

I sat down last night and felt led to read 1 Peter.  I have been reading through the New Testament and loving it!  This one passage in particular stood out like it had already been highlighted in my Bible.

1 Peter 5:6-11 
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

What a precious passage of scripture, packed full of promises!  I was so uplifted and encouraged!  I am not alone…I knew it, but to read it again.   There are people…Christians all over the world facing “the same kinds of suffering” that each of us goes through.  The icing ….that He WILL restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you and I…HIMSELF!   How awesome is that!?  If you look back..there is a way to receive these things from the Lord but, He asks that we do one little thing….Humble ourselves.  That is not such a little thing.  If we do humble ourselves…when it’s time He, the King of Kings will lift us up.  I pray all the glory from being lifted from the ashes goes to God alone.

“God, help me to be humble…to rid myself of any pride or lofty thoughts.  Help me to want to glorify You in all I do..not matter how small.  I can feel You leading me and strengthening my faith each day.  I thank you for Your word and how it speaks volumes to my heart. Amen “

I hope this comforts you and leads You to the throne of God in some way today. 

Prayer requests are always welcome!  I do pray for each one!

In the Valley

It’s been a good week for me.  I’ve gotten to spend  a lot of time reading my Bible and reading some books.  I have enjoyed that time of solace.  I used to always want noise and things going on around me when I was younger…I think it was fear.  Now, with two kids and a great man at my side I don’t have those fears pricking my heart.  I am learning to enjoy times of quiet where I can hear God so clearly.  I spent two hours sewing last night and deeply savored each minute!  Christmas projects are underway! 

We are going through some rough patches…a valley if you will.  I can feel God so strongly in this battle with us that I am not the least bit afraid.  If you are in a valley, I urge you to turn to Him.  Let me guide You through each path, each rocky terrain.  It’s so much easier when you are not facing it alone.  A hand to help you up when you stumble is always helpful.  I thank God for these trials knowing that He is giving us endurance, patience and teaching us lessons we would not have learned any other way. 

Being in the valley is where deep faith can take root.   I guess that is my main thought for today.

How can I pray for you?  You don’t have to face your valley alone.