I'm learning...

...I hope.

But it ain't easy.

As I work to memorize the book of James, the scriptures are really beginning to penetrate my heart and my mind--praise the Lord!  There is so much crammed in such a small book and it is SO rich.  I happen to be doing the Beth Moore study on James, which encourages the memorization over 5 months.  Whew...I'm glad that I'm working on memorizing this over a year.  I definitely need the extra time to just meditate on the depth of these 108 verses!

Talk about zingers of truth!

I am getting cut to the very marrow of my being.  I am learning more and more how vile I am and how much I need Jesus to consume me.  I am humbled and blessed and encouraged and torn down and built up and overwhelmed and...well, it's a lot.

As Beth Moore so succinctly put it, the summary of James on faith is: LIVE IT!

When he says not to show favoritism, I am fully convicted that I show favoritism in a multitude of ways, some subtle and some glaringly obvious.

When he says the prayer offered in faith brings healing, I question if I'm praying with true faith.  Sometimes I pray kind of wishy-washy prayers because I don't know what God's will is in a specific situation.  I don't need to know...that's why I'm praying.  Duh!

When he says that the religion of someone who cannot keep a tight rein on his or her tongue is worthless, I recoil.  Seriously.  It's not mediocre.  It's not alright.  It's WORTHLESS.

When he says to ask God for wisdom, okay...I do that consistently.  But when he says to believe when you ask and not doubt...well...in complete honesty I do often have some doubt.

Have you ever seen the movie "The Polar Express"?  Well, I am learning that I'm "the doubter".

Awesome.

Believe me...I can relate to Thomas (a.k.a. DOUBTING Thomas).

Now, let me explain.  I don't doubt God.  I don't doubt that He gives generously to all of His children.  I don't doubt that He is omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent.  I don't doubt that He can do anything and everything that He wants and that He can use anyone or anything that He wants to, when He wants to.

What I DO doubt...is myself.  I guess this study of the book of James is revealing to me that I don't really have a firm grasp of my identity in Jesus Christ.  I thought I did.  I am also reading "Absolute Surrender" and recently read "Intimacy with the Almighty".  Both have reinforced that I regularly fail to claim the full victory and power that God has given me through Jesus Christ to do His work.  Sure, I have been claiming some of the victory and some of the power; I just haven't been claiming all that He's offering.  God can use my prayers, offered in faith, to bring healing.  God will give me His wisdom when I believe Him for it and I search Him and His word for it.  God will rein in my tongue if I am willing to surrender it to Him.  God will completely consume my heart if I surrender it fully to Him.

I pray this year will be revolutionary in my life.  I pray that God will change me to be more like Him.  I must decrease and He must increase.

Oh, my.  I have so much to learn.  I will always have more to learn.  I pray God will never quench my thirst to learn more of Him and I pray for His empowerment to absorb it all.

That's Pinteresting! - Kids

I'm keeping this one short & sweet.  Here are some pins that inspire me to be a better, more purposeful and practical mommy.

31 Ways to Pray for Your Children

Seven Keys to Help Children Develop Self-Discipline

Pillow Talk: 20 Questions to Ask Your Child at Bedtime

15 Easy Signs to Teach  Baby

Do you have any more useful sites to add?  Please do!

Baby Sign Language?

Baby G-O is pretty expressive and is certainly very animated, so I haven't had too much trouble communicating with her.

Still, I wonder if it would be worth it to try baby sign language with her until she has more control and increased skill with her speech.

What are your thoughts?  Have you tried it?  Would you endorse it?  IF YOU DO/DID, what resources or websites did you use to get started?

Please share!  I'd love to get your feedback and references.

Blessings of 2009

As Pastor Tim says, the last week of the year is often the LOST week of the year.  I usually spend the last 7 days of the year wrapping up any loose ends, cleaning things out, reorganizing things, and trying to come up with new plans for the incoming year.

Basically, I spend it reflecting.

It's not a waste of time--I become hyper-conscious of time and how I spend it.  I take an introspective look at what I value and how my use of time does or does not  reflect that.  This year, I think I've been diligent and deliberate in seeking God's plan for me and doing my best to be obedient in all things.  As such, this year had many surprise shifts for me--in life plans, health, ministry, and general focus.

So, 2009, this year I am thankful for:

Celebrating 8 years of marriage with my wonderful husband, Seth
Simple pleasures like reconnecting with old friends, watching the waves roll in, feeling crisp air on my face, or savoring a homemade cookie...yum!
Our vacation on the East Coast (Virginia to Maine road trip)
Graduating from a credential program, still intact and not wholly disenchanted
The blessing of working with the High School Ministry (Worship Band)
Serving as a Sunday School teacher in the K-1 classroom with Seth for two years and watching the students grow in their love for the Lord
The opportunity to write and direct another script for Fun Fest
Learning that I can make costumes from a pattern, in multiple styles and fabrics!
The chance to learn to be content without a paycheck of my own
Rejoicing with friends and family during their weddings and the births of their children
Our home church and Christian family
Challenging myself to search and explore my passions and how to use my gifts for God
Chances to inspire others

There's really so much more, but I think this communicates my point.  I was very blessed in 2009.  It's been a lot of work and required a great deal of humbling, tears, and trials--but it was worth it.  Trusting God is always worth it.

Now, as I look forward to 2010, I want my resolution to be the same as last year: to grow deeper in my love of God and my obedience to Him.  I simply want to be used by Him for His glory.

May your 2010 be blessed, too!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV)

Silent Night

This video is for the families of Calvary Chapel Burbank, our home church.  Our preschool through first grade Sunday School students will be performing this during the main services on the last Sunday before Christmas.  Please be gracious with my voice...as per the post below, I'm almost fully recovered from being sick...

The lyrics are:
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace


Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born


Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth