Meet Rielynn--She is the adorable baby in the 1st two pictures, She and I had a blast after our big Thanksgiving meal...
Then meet Charlize, she is 2 days old. She is so tiny. She was born to my really good friend Liz and her husband Ross. She is gonna call me aunt Nie-Nie.. I am pumped.
Wow. This last week or so has been so good for me, and so eye opening; as I go through this book. I feel like my eyes have been opened even more of just how bad sin really is. I have always known that sin was bad. But its awful. Its even more than awful, there isn't a word to describe just how bad is. Or maybe there are a few..Vile, ugly,odious,malignant,pestilent, pernicious, hideous, spiteful,poisonous, virulent, villainous, abominable, and deadly. Most of all I think what has struck me the most, is just how much I hurt God when I sin.
He is the most important "thing" in my life, and how many times a day do I disappoint Him with my sin?? I have been praying even before starting to read this book, that He'd show me my sin, and make me more aware of my sin. And He has. I am so grateful for His sacrifice of His Son on the cross for my sin, His ultimate forgiveness, and undeserved grace that He gives. I am looking forward to reading more of that later in the chapters in this book, but right now, the author just wants me/us to think about the seriousness of sin.
I was discussing recently with a friend- sin, and just how sin is sin no matter what way you look at. Just some sins seem so much bigger. Like how maybe me telling this lie is not as bad as that other person who has committed adultery. Thats not how the Lord sees it. Sin is Sin. I need Christ EVERYDAY. Just as much as the person who commits adultery does.
Another thing that struck me as I have been meditating and reading is how today in our day and age sin seems so watered down, and people don't think sin is as bad...Like how now days people no longer commit adultery, they have an affair. Corporate executives do not steal, they commit fraud. Somehow that doesn't sound as bad does it?? Hmmm. Just made me think a bit. Our sin is an assault on the majesty and sovereign rule of God.
As God is holy, all holy, only holy, altogether holy, and always holy, so sin is sinful, all sinful, only sinful, altogether sinful, and always sinful.....Whether it is large or small in our eyes, it is heinous in the sight of God. God forgives our sin because of the shed blood of Christ, but He does not tolerate it. Instead, every sin that we commit, even the subtle sin that we don't even think about, was laid upon Christ as He bore the curse of God in OUR place, And herein lies chiefly the malignancy of sin. Christ suffered because of our sin....(Jerry Bridges).
Thank you Father.
Today is my pop's birthday. He is turning 54. I love my dad. Its funny how as you get older your parents don't seem so dumb anymore and seems like they actually may know something after all. My dad has taught me so much in my almost 24.5 years of my life. He has shown and taught me what a true man of the Lord needs to look like, and how he treats his wife and family. My dad didn't have the best home life growing up and he didn't become saved until he was a Senior in high school, but by the grace of God, my dad has come a long way. He loves his family dearly, and most of all loves Jesus Christ daily and works so hard everyday to provide for us all. Things at work have been a bit stressful over the last few weeks, but he's hanging in there.
Growing up I used to have special date nights with dad. I loved them. He used to take me to McDonalds ( a rare treat in our household) and then take me to Office Max to buy me Mr. Sketch smelly markers; cause I was obsessed with them. I used them all the time. I liked going to the grocery store with dad rather than mom because dad would let me get more things then mom would. (How could dad so no to me??;)..
I hope someday, that the Lord brings me a man like my dad...He is the greatest. One of the greatest future memories that I look forward too is that on the night before my wedding day, My dad and I are gonna watch Father of the Bride together. Its my favorite movie ever. Always will be. I can't wait to that with my daddy someday., And I can't wait till He can walk me down the aisle too, that will be such a special thing for me and dad to do someday too. Happy Birthday Pops.
This is sorta a silly post but, This morning I woke up to the news that my one of my many childhood crushes, has gotten engaged. Prince William. Now don't tell me ladies that your heart didn't break a little too??? Every little girl dreams of marrying a prince and living in a castle. So when I heard the news my heart sank just a little :) She is a lovely lady- very cute, but let me tell you, I won't be naming my daughter Kate, anytime soon...I told my mom the news, and she of course had heard it already, and I said I was a little depressed, she rolled her eyes, and said, "He probably won't marry an American anyways." Thanks mom..I have always been fascinated with the Royal family. I don't know why, but I remember when Princess Diana died, I woke up at some unhealthy hour of the morning just to watch her funeral on TV. I bought magazines and books on the royal family, and read them for hours. I even had a poster of William in my room. I'll go rip that up tonight. I guess I should move on with my life now.....:) And there's always prince Harry right????;) Nope, I could never do it, He looks to much like my little brother Pete, and that'd be weird. ;)
I love my job so much. Not all people can say that, but I can. I love both of them. But thats another post. Not all days are good, believe me, I have had my share of bad ones as well, but for the most part they are good days. My mornings are spent with Leah. Just her and I. Owen is at school from 7:45-11, So L and I are alone in the mornings. I usually run errands with her during that time, weather its getting things I need, or finding something to eat for lunch. On nice days I take her to the park, or go on a walk. I love my time with her, just her and me. I have learned SO SO MUCH doing this nanny job. I have learned to pick my battles, when to raise my voice, and when its time to give a hug. The Lord has taught me a lot through this job like my tone of voice with the kids when I am in the store, picking them up from school, or at the park. I want them to see Christ in me ALL THE TIME, that being reflected in EVERY area of my life. I want L and O to see the love of Christ through me when I am speaking to them, and interacting with them.
All that to say, L and I had a good morning of baking, I have become quite the baker over the last year, somehow being in home and in a kitchen and all that has made me want to bake. (NOT COOK:)!! So today we ATTEMPTED to make fruity pebble squares. They are just like rice krispie treats, but with fruity pebbles. Anyways, I still have a long way to go in the baking department, but they didn't taste half bad. L LOVED them, she even helped me mix. She kept saying "Ticky, Nie-Nie, Ticky" (sticky nie-nie, sticky) and she also got a little to- into licking the bowel at the end, oh well. Choosing my battles I guess.
Owen had one when he got home from school, and when he was finished he said "Nie-Nie, those were dang good!!!" Well, I guess I am not half bad after all.
" God is not magic 8 ball we shake up and peer into whenever we have a decision to make. He is a good God who gives us brains, shows us the way of obedience, and invites us to take risks for Him."
This "poem" came up in my book a few days ago, when I was having my personal time with the Lord, the section was about pride and overcoming it. I am in transition right now of books that I am going through in my personal time, I just recently finished Cross Centered Life, which I hope all of you are gonna read or will be reading shortly! My next book will be either a book by Kevin DeYoung or Jerry Bridges, haven't quite decided yet. So in the meantime while I am waiting for these books to arrive at my front door, I am going through a book by Beth Moore called Praying God's Word. Its been good.
The issue of pride I think is one of my "biggest" sins, that I struggle with, and with the Lord's help I am trying to overcome this. I am being Sanctified daily. For this I am grateful.
My name is Pride, I am a cheater.
I cheat you out of your God given, destiny....because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment.....because "you deserve better than this"
I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing....because you're too full of me to forgive
I cheat you of holiness....because you refuse to admit that you are wrong
I cheat you of vision....because you'd rather look in the mirror than out the window
I cheat you of genuine friendship.....because nobody's gonna know the REAL you
I cheat you of love....because real romance demands sacrifice
I cheat you of greatness in heaven....because you refuse to wash anther's feet on earth
I cheat you of God's glory....because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I am always looking
out for you. Untrue. I am looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry....
If you stick with me, You'll never know........
