Monthly Archives: January 2013

Jan9

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For 12 Years Of Marriage

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Yesterday was mine and my husbands 12 year wedding anniversary. Though not always a bed of roses, I am thankful, and remain grateful for these 12 years of marriage. Through the ups and downs, here we remain. Together, we have three beautiful children. It still floors me that God entrusts us with growing them from newborn until they are on their own – hopefully as mature adults with principles, morals and values – rooted in and centered on God.

In a blog post later today, I will share more thoughts on marriage – even with some personal insights on mine. So, I will leave this here and let you all smile (and even laugh) when you realize this is probably the shortest blog post I’ve ever shared!

Jan8

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Erasers

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I was amused sitting here a few minutes ago. Why, you ask? As I was sitting here writing with a pencil, I made a few mistakes. As I was drawing with a pencil that didn’t have an eraser, I realized exactly how grateful for erasers I actually am! It really is the little things in life that we sometimes take for granted, huh!? Erasers really do make things easier sometimes!

If you want to take this a step further, we can liken this equation to life. How many times have you been in the middle of a situation, just wishing for an eraser (or in my case, a rewind button) sometimes? I know I have!

My goal is to realize that we will always make mistakes. Sometimes an eraser won’t be there and available for a mistake rescue. Live life in such a way that any “mistakes” made won’t destroy the whole work of art.

Jan7

Chris Habermehl – All Things New CD Release Concert – January 6, 2013

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Last night was a phenomenal CD release concert from Chris Habermehl – Skyline Church’s worship pastor. He leads Skyline in worship Sunday mornings. In time, I will be doing separate posts about the songs on Chris’s new CD. Please know I speak the truth when I mention what an amazing heart Chris has – for God and for people. What a blessing it is to be able to hear his heart through music on such a regular basis as well. I know God will use the music from Chris’s new CD to touch and share His love in the lives of countless people.

I’d like to personally say thank you to Chris for following after the heart of God with the passion that you do. It is an honor to call you and your beautiful family my friends and to do life together with you guys. Thank you for making this concert possible, and for sharing the talents God has given you. You are very much a blessing.

Jan7

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Out Of Town Grandma I Met At The Store

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It sometimes really is the little things. Last night, I went to the grocery store for a quick stop. As I was walking down an aisle, there was a lady talking to her grandson. The only way I knew this was because she mentioned going and then coming back and seeing Grandma. She didn’t look a day over 40. She was looking for a particular brand of tea – evidently only sold during the holidays. I stopped and asked her if I could help. Sadly, we were unsuccessful in our mission to find said tea.

However, the conversation that followed blessed me more than I can express. She was talking about healthy nutrition. She was talking about medications, etc – which led to our talking about how God created us – and how He is the ultimate healer. We had conversations about serving a God larger than life, and His ability to know how to and faithfully take care of us.

An aisle or two later, I met her sister. (Turns out she is here visiting from out of town.) She laughed and just knew her sister had to have been talking to someone about God. It was a mutually beautiful conversation.

Short and sweet. God in action. I love seeing Him in passing situations, and people He has crossing paths seemingly by chance in the grocery store!

Talk to people. Make conversation. You have no idea how just simple conversation has the potential of making a person smile. Love people. Show them. It makes a difference.

Jan6

Skyline Church – January 6, 2013 – Baptism Service

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Here is a full length video of Skyline Church’s service from January 6, 2013. What a phenomenal, God-centered service. I’m so blessed to call this church home.

Jan6

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Grateful For New Life In Christ – Water Baptism

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As those who know me know (and those who don’t are about to find out) I grew up in and around church my entire life. As a child, I came to know a faith in Christ. It was real, but not something I held close into adolescence and young adulthood. Truth be told, God was still there – 100% of the time. It was just that I allowed myself to drift further from Him than I’d like to acknowledge. I always had “faith” and always knew God loved me. I never fully turned my back on Him, but neither did I allow Him to have all of me. I took way too much time to do my own things – and follow my own paths. Let me tell you, walking a path alone – without God by your side, gets to be very lonely.

It wasn’t until recently that I made the life-changing decision to give God my all. Not just my Sunday mornings, and not just praying before meals – but all of me. It very quickly became a necessity to get real with myself, with other people, and especially before God. As I have mentioned before, this sort of transforming life-change was made possible for me by a church with a God-centered, people-loving vision. My life was changed from the moment I walked in the doors. I was not completely without God before, but my life lacked much determination, focus, drive, and ultimately purpose. To find those things through the extended hands of love made such a big difference. Getting connected with people, learning to open up and let others in while also reaching back – that is a work in progress, but has made a tremendous difference in my life.

Today was a very special day for me. It signified my decision to take that next step, to make my faith public, and to be baptized in water. This is something I did as a child. Yes, I was old enough and knew what I was doing. However, since I spent so many years walking in varying (non God-centered) directions, I decided that now was the time to make this decision for myself. As an adult, to make the decision and to let my church family join in celebrating with me. What I was not prepared for was what happened internally as this took place. I was slightly nervous prior to it being “my turn” to get baptized. I knew what to expect, but I just wasn’t sure. As little sense as that makes – all I am saying is that I was excited beyond belief to be making that step, but nervous maybe just being in front of the whole church. That said, the instant I walked out there, God’s presence filled me with an overflowing joy – from the inside out.

In my head, this signified so much more than just getting dunked into a tub full of water. It signified a new season in my life. It signified life-change in a beautiful way. I said to myself, and to all watching that this was real. I did/do not care who thinks that what I did was silly, unnecessary or any other negative connotation that may come to mind. This was not their choice. It was mine. I did not do this for anyone else. This was a personal, but public display of my faith and following of a God larger than life. I do not have to seek another persons approval. I am made complete in Him. The same can be true for you, that guy next door, or that random stranger walking down the street. Live your life less for what everyone else expects, and more for His plan and purpose for your life.

No matter what situation happens in my life, no matter what heartbreak I face, and no matter how uncool things appear at certain points, I will not let anyone steal the joy of this day. This day marks a new start. A fresh start. A real faith in a real God.

If you do not know Him, I urge you to just think about the words I have said here. If you have any questions about water baptism, about what I mean by faith in a God larger than life, in what it means to be a Christian, please do not hesitate to post below, or to contact me privately via my “contact me” page. I’m here, and would love to discuss whatever is on your mind. I welcome your thoughts, comments, replies and/or any prayer requests you might have.

Be blessed, friends – and make today a day worth remembering.

Jan5

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Lifelong Friends

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I have several friends whom I’ve known for much or most of my entire adult life up until this point. However, there are only a small handful that I’ve known since pretty early childhood – and managed to remain in contact with from then until now. Other than family, I can pinpoint only a very few people that I have known and remain close to since childhood.

I was talking to a friend last night who I am blessed to call friend. She thanked me for sticking with her, and for helping her out in something. My response was that I would always stick with her. We share not only history, but friendship, and faith in a God larger than life.

I am blessed, encouraged and grateful for all the friends in my life. Every – single – one. However, as I was just thinking this morning. I sat back and smiled thinking of some lifelong friends I’m blessed to have walked through so much of life with.

For those of you reading this that it applies to, thank you! For everyone – new and old friends alike – I’m more grateful than there are words to share for you. Thank you for being part of my journey!!

Jan4

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful for Sunrises

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As silly as it may sound to some, I am thankful for sunrises. Sunrises are beautiful, and are a great reminder that we are alive. When a new day dawns, it’s easy to just go about your day and not think about these things. However, I challenge you to take a look around you. Look outside the four walls of your home. If you’re not a morning person, take time to just sit back and relax, enjoying a sunset. The sheer beauty is amazing.

As I was chatting with a friend yesterday, I learned some fun little facts about sunrises. With an average age of 78.2 years old, the average person would live to see 28,543 sunrises! For you other math geeks out there (please know I say that jokingly – some just like the neat little facts more than others) it’s neat to add that, in those same 78.2 years, you’ll be alive for 685,032 hours, and approximately 41,101,920 minutes. Crazy when you break it down like that.

So yes, I’m thankful today for sunrises! Do you enjoy sunrises or sunsets more? (Thinking on it now, I might lean towards sunsets actually. Love sunsets!)

Jan3

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For My Doctor

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It is with a thankful heart that I’d like to share gratitude for my doctor today. This man is a proactive doctor who believes in not leaving stones un-turned, and getting to the bottom of whatever medical situation that arises. He instills confidence in his patients.

In about an hour, I will be having a minor surgery, and I’m grateful to be in good hands.

(For those of you who have been following my blog for any length of time, you know I’ve been facing some uncertain health concerns. The prayer is that this surgery will yield benign / good results. I will, of course, update afterwards. Thanks for continuing to stand with me in faith and prayer!)

*******EDITED TO ADD*******
On the same note, still grateful for my doctor. He was calm and reassuring, even as he explained the complexity of the issue. What made the procedure more peaceful still was that, when read to begin the procedure, his assistant turned on the radio. It was set to a local Christian radio station. I cannot explain the calm and peaceful atmosphere. The doctor was very good at what he did, and was able to successfully remove one of the masses. It is being sent to pathology now, and we should have results within 7-10 days — at which time I’ll go in for both results, and to have stitches removed. All in all, it was a good appointment – if there is such a thing in this situation. It is now that we just continue to stand in faith, believing for that good report (benign / no cancer) in a week or so. I’ll update accordingly! Thanks again for continued prayers! I appreciate each and every one of you.
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Jan2

Spotlight On 33Miles – Let It Be Glory

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In the coming days and/or weeks, I will be doing a series of blog posts about these guys (Jason Barton and Chris Lockwood – together, making up 33Miles) and their new CD that is set to release in a few months. The heart and passion that these guys operate with is very much a blessing in countless lives. From their website…For Chris and Jason, it’s that pursuit of a Christ-focused, heaven-minded life that fuels everything they do, especially their music. “nothing we can accomplish in business, no amount of education –nothing compares to Jesus,” says Chris, “But how our salvation translates to how we live today is the question. To wake up every day and make the choice to live with heaven in mind, to not let the circumstances of this day override that choice. It’s easier said than done, but getting up every day trying to make it more and more possible.” Jason put it well when he had this to say, “…it came down to, ‘What are we doing to live for Christ today, to make a difference?’ A lot of people live for the future, and a lot of people live in the past, but very few people tend to look at their lives and think about what life can be like right now.”

I recently had the opportunity to ask Chris if there was anything he’d like to say to his listeners. His response was heartfelt as he shared his own gratitude: “With the music industry being such a difficult place to work in these days, it’s our fans that allow us the privilege to even do it. We are nothing without them. Thanks!”

These, my friends, are artists with heart.

Here is a handful of questions I posed on Facebook, with the following thought from me: (If you’re reading this on my blog, and have answers – I’d love to hear your replies as well – feel free to comment below, or to send me a message via my “contact me” page.)

First Question: How many of you have heard of 33Miles with Jason Barton and Chris Lockwood??

Second Question: What is your favorite song by them?

Third Question: Did you know there was a way to support (via Kickstarter) their new worship CD production? And, in so doing, have the ability to hear their new songs as a pre-release?

If you were a part of their Kickstarter campaign, have you listened yet? What’s your favorite song on their new CD?
For those of you who did not participate in their Kickstarter campaign, and who are wondering what in the world I’m talking about it – trust me when I tell you, you need to get your hands on their new CD when it releases in a few months. Talk about God’s heart shared in music, for such a time as this.

What I said on Facebook was just the tip of the iceberg, with regards to my thoughts on this. These songs are the kind of songs that will reach out and touch you – right where you are. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you are going through – there is something for you in each and every song on this CD. Whether you need encouragement, love or to just take time in worship – this is beautiful music with such a greater message.

As previously mentioned, I will be highlighting my thoughts from the songs on their upcoming CD. I encourage you to get ahold of this CD when it’s released. Let’s support 33 Miles, and show them how much we appreciate the love and heart they put into their music, and on behalf of their fans!

Jason and Chris, always know how much you, also, are loved. Thanks for following the heart of God with passion. What you do has such impact. From a grateful world, thank you!