It's MARCH!! Can you believe it? Time flies when you're having fun!! Where are the days going? To go along with the last post--our lives are fleeting and fading fast!!
In honor of the great month of March, I've compiled a list of why March is such a fabulous month...
...at the beginning of March it's usually snowy and cold, but by the end of March Spring is bursting at the seams!! The best of both worlds!
...The official beginning of Spring--in my opinion, the best season of them all(along with fall of course)!
...signs of new life springing forth--reminding us of the One who created the heavens and the earth!
...March is National Frozen Food Month. Who knew?
....St. Patrick's Day. A holiday brought to you by your local Irish pub, the color green, and the number 17.
...this year, Easter falls in March. "There in the ground His body lay, Light of the World by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious day--up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, sins' curse has lost its' grip on me, for I am His, and He is mine--bought with the precious blood of Christ!!"
...Some of Delaware's most beloved people were all birthed in March--Jenny and Tyler Somers, Olivia Thompson, Jacob and Isaac Spruill, my sister-in-law, Jilly Klumbach, my twin brother--and of course, yours truly! :)
So thank you March, for being such a wonderful month in the year--full of things to celebrate! Enjoy every moment of it!! (April will be here soon enough!)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
...on a roll...
Three posts in one week? I must be procrastinating... :)
At any rate, just thought I'd share some biblical truth from our sermon this past Sunday.
Adam (my care group leader) preached on Psalm 90. If anything, it is good to remember that "our lives are fleeting and fading fast!"
"10 The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span [a] is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away."
70 or 80 years sounds like a lot to this 23 year old (almost 24!!!) (thats almost 50 more years!!)
But to an ETERNAL God, it is but a flash!!!
"4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night."
Adam had this great illustration that took all of history and condensed it down into one week--giving each day 1000 years. (Thanks Adam for sending this to me!)
On Sunday/Monday--
God created the heavens and earth and everything in them.
On Tuesday --
Whole earth was exceedingly wicked, but Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD and survived the flood.
On Wednesday--
Abraham was called. Moses was born. "Pharaoh, Pharaoh! Let my people go." Plagues on Egypt. Israel redeemed. "5 little stones went in the sling" and David rises to the throne.
On Thursday--
The temple was built. The kingdom divides. Zephaniah-Haggai-Zechariah-Malachi
On Friday--
Jesus born in a manger. Grew in wisdom and stature. Was crucified, buried and raised from the dead. Sin dethroned. Death lost its sting. Jesus ascended. The Spirit came. The gospel spread. The church exploded. 1st and 2nd and 3rd John, Jude, and Revelation
On Saturday--
Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses. Christopher Columbus landed in America.
And finally, this morning--while you were sleeping--
The Pilgrims landed. Electricity was discovered. The Holocaust. Roe v Wade. Cell Phones. The internet. Y2K. 911.
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting you are God…a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past or a watch in the night."
Praise Him. Lord, teach us to number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom!
At any rate, just thought I'd share some biblical truth from our sermon this past Sunday.
Adam (my care group leader) preached on Psalm 90. If anything, it is good to remember that "our lives are fleeting and fading fast!"
"10 The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span [a] is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away."
70 or 80 years sounds like a lot to this 23 year old (almost 24!!!) (thats almost 50 more years!!)
But to an ETERNAL God, it is but a flash!!!
"4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night."
Adam had this great illustration that took all of history and condensed it down into one week--giving each day 1000 years. (Thanks Adam for sending this to me!)
On Sunday/Monday--
God created the heavens and earth and everything in them.
On Tuesday --
Whole earth was exceedingly wicked, but Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD and survived the flood.
On Wednesday--
Abraham was called. Moses was born. "Pharaoh, Pharaoh! Let my people go." Plagues on Egypt. Israel redeemed. "5 little stones went in the sling" and David rises to the throne.
On Thursday--
The temple was built. The kingdom divides. Zephaniah-Haggai-Zechariah-Malachi
On Friday--
Jesus born in a manger. Grew in wisdom and stature. Was crucified, buried and raised from the dead. Sin dethroned. Death lost its sting. Jesus ascended. The Spirit came. The gospel spread. The church exploded. 1st and 2nd and 3rd John, Jude, and Revelation
On Saturday--
Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses. Christopher Columbus landed in America.
And finally, this morning--while you were sleeping--
The Pilgrims landed. Electricity was discovered. The Holocaust. Roe v Wade. Cell Phones. The internet. Y2K. 911.
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting you are God…a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past or a watch in the night."
Praise Him. Lord, teach us to number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Care Group Pictures :)
After realizing that I only ever take pictures at work, I totted my camera around with me this weekend, and actually remembered to use it at care group today. I figure since I talk so much about my *amazing* care group, it might be nice to put some faces with names...
Chris, part of Paul, Megan, Taquan (Adam and Ruth's son) and Adam. This is about half of my care group, and they are such a blessing and one of the reasons why I LOVE Louisville!
Stephenie (and Rose, her daughter), Cari and Ruth--three ladies that God has truly blessed my life with! They are so encouraging, and I praise God for their honesty, humility, and love-- and their example of what it means to be a godly woman!
Me with Miyleah (Adam and Ruth's daughter). Miyleah is my sweet girl!!! (don't mind my hair!)
Owen (Chris and Cari's son) has the right idea about the proper way to utilize a treadmill... :)
Chris, part of Paul, Megan, Taquan (Adam and Ruth's son) and Adam. This is about half of my care group, and they are such a blessing and one of the reasons why I LOVE Louisville!
Stephenie (and Rose, her daughter), Cari and Ruth--three ladies that God has truly blessed my life with! They are so encouraging, and I praise God for their honesty, humility, and love-- and their example of what it means to be a godly woman!
Me with Miyleah (Adam and Ruth's daughter). Miyleah is my sweet girl!!! (don't mind my hair!)
Owen (Chris and Cari's son) has the right idea about the proper way to utilize a treadmill... :)
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Pictures!!!
As promised, here are some pictures of the last month or so...
The place where I live...the Louisville skyline and the Second Street Bridge that connects Kentucky and Indiana. Beautiful!
We had one more day of warmer weather...
...before it got cold and snowed again!! Hooray for snow days!
Even Kevin (the dad) joined us for some sledding at the church!
For Valentine's Day, we made cookies...
...and played "Queen for the day". The girls LOVE to play dress-up!
Every Wednesday, Anna (4), Lydia (1 1/2) and I go out to lunch, then head over to the local coffee shop to work on Anna's numbers and letters. Then we are off to story time at one of the local book stores. It makes for a fun afternoon and the time passes quickly before we have to pick Alyssa up from school! On this particular afternoon we stopped at the Spaghetti Shop for lunch...
After cleaning ourselves up, we headed to Coffee Crossing to get some work done!
I realized as I was downloading pictures that I really only bring my camera to work with me! I really do have a life outside of work, even though the photo evidence may prove otherwise. Goal for March--document life outside of work! :)
The place where I live...the Louisville skyline and the Second Street Bridge that connects Kentucky and Indiana. Beautiful!
We had one more day of warmer weather...
...before it got cold and snowed again!! Hooray for snow days!
Even Kevin (the dad) joined us for some sledding at the church!
For Valentine's Day, we made cookies...
...and played "Queen for the day". The girls LOVE to play dress-up!
Every Wednesday, Anna (4), Lydia (1 1/2) and I go out to lunch, then head over to the local coffee shop to work on Anna's numbers and letters. Then we are off to story time at one of the local book stores. It makes for a fun afternoon and the time passes quickly before we have to pick Alyssa up from school! On this particular afternoon we stopped at the Spaghetti Shop for lunch...
After cleaning ourselves up, we headed to Coffee Crossing to get some work done!
I realized as I was downloading pictures that I really only bring my camera to work with me! I really do have a life outside of work, even though the photo evidence may prove otherwise. Goal for March--document life outside of work! :)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
life update! :)
Ok, so I realize it's been about a month since posting. I could give all the excuses (the semester starting, crazy weather in Louisville, etc) but that would just be a waste, so I'll spare the details.
So what's going on in Louisville, you ask?
*Semester #3 at Southern Seminary has commenced! I'm taking Personal Evangelism, the Ministry of Leadership, and Lifespan Developments. So far my classes are going well--I'm not too far behind in reading and assignments--yet. :)
*Church is amazing. I'm SO blessed by the body at Immanuel, and have currently started teaching the Sprouts class (1 1/2- 2 1/2 year olds). The kids are stinkin' cute, and we have a lot of fun reading books, coloring pictures, and learning about the God who saves!
Caregroup is also one of the biggest blessings that I've been blessed with since moving here. God has provided so many families and friends that I feel so loved and supported by here in the city. God is soo good!
*I had my one year anniversary at work this month! It's hard to believe that I've been here for an entire year! The girls have grown so much this year, and I have been so blessed to be a part of it!!
...there are some potential big changes on the horizon (NOT BOY RELATED!!! y'all would be fully aware on that front)...but more on that as decisions are made! it's exciting to see how God is moving! :)
God is great, and He is greatly to be praised.
...pictures are on the way...
So what's going on in Louisville, you ask?
*Semester #3 at Southern Seminary has commenced! I'm taking Personal Evangelism, the Ministry of Leadership, and Lifespan Developments. So far my classes are going well--I'm not too far behind in reading and assignments--yet. :)
*Church is amazing. I'm SO blessed by the body at Immanuel, and have currently started teaching the Sprouts class (1 1/2- 2 1/2 year olds). The kids are stinkin' cute, and we have a lot of fun reading books, coloring pictures, and learning about the God who saves!
Caregroup is also one of the biggest blessings that I've been blessed with since moving here. God has provided so many families and friends that I feel so loved and supported by here in the city. God is soo good!
*I had my one year anniversary at work this month! It's hard to believe that I've been here for an entire year! The girls have grown so much this year, and I have been so blessed to be a part of it!!
...there are some potential big changes on the horizon (NOT BOY RELATED!!! y'all would be fully aware on that front)...but more on that as decisions are made! it's exciting to see how God is moving! :)
God is great, and He is greatly to be praised.
...pictures are on the way...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
If...
If
by Rudyard Kipling.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
[only Christ can make life like this possible...]
by Rudyard Kipling.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
[only Christ can make life like this possible...]
Monday, January 21, 2008
Encouraged by the Word
Below is Psalm 130, followed by an old hymn by Martin Luther based off of this psalm. The word of God is truly living and active, and able to pierce the heart! I've been thinking about my standing before the Lord lately, and have become even more completely aware of my unrighteousness before a Holy King. Verse three of Psalm 130 echoes in my heart tonight..."If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?" If God kept a record of my sin I fear it would stretch farther than the east is from the west--but I praise Him that it is His LOVE, GRACE and MERCY that extend farther than my sin ever could. And it is only because of His unconditional love, amazing grace, and abounding mercy that I can stand before Him, and boldly approach His throne of Grace. How sweet it is, to be loved by God, and covered by the blood of His son!
Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
From the Depths of Woe
From the depths of woe I raise to thee, the voice of lamentation.
Lord turn a gracious ear to me and hear my supplication.
If Thou iniquities dost mark, our secret sins and misdeeds dark,
O, who shall stand before Thee?
O, who shall stand before Thee?
To wash away the crimson stain, grace, grace alone availeth.
Our works, alas! are all in vain; in much the best life faileth.
No man can glory in Thy sight, all must alike confess Thy might,
and live alone by mercy.
And live alone by mercy.
Therefore my trust is in the Lord, and not in mine own merit;
On Him my soul shall rest, His word upholds my fainting spirit;
His promised mercy is my fort, my comfort and my sweet support;
I wait for it with patience.
I wait for it with patience.
What though I wait the live-long night, and 'til the dawn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in His might; it doubteth not nor feareth.
Do thus, O ye of Israel's seed, ye of the Spirit born indeed;
And wait 'til God appeareth.
And wait 'til God appeareth.
Though great our sins and sore our woes, His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows, our upmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd good and true is He, Who will at last His Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.
From all their sin and sorrow.
Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
From the Depths of Woe
From the depths of woe I raise to thee, the voice of lamentation.
Lord turn a gracious ear to me and hear my supplication.
If Thou iniquities dost mark, our secret sins and misdeeds dark,
O, who shall stand before Thee?
O, who shall stand before Thee?
To wash away the crimson stain, grace, grace alone availeth.
Our works, alas! are all in vain; in much the best life faileth.
No man can glory in Thy sight, all must alike confess Thy might,
and live alone by mercy.
And live alone by mercy.
Therefore my trust is in the Lord, and not in mine own merit;
On Him my soul shall rest, His word upholds my fainting spirit;
His promised mercy is my fort, my comfort and my sweet support;
I wait for it with patience.
I wait for it with patience.
What though I wait the live-long night, and 'til the dawn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in His might; it doubteth not nor feareth.
Do thus, O ye of Israel's seed, ye of the Spirit born indeed;
And wait 'til God appeareth.
And wait 'til God appeareth.
Though great our sins and sore our woes, His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows, our upmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd good and true is He, Who will at last His Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.
From all their sin and sorrow.
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