(musings on) A Life Worth Giving - Part One

We started a new series at church on Sunday. It's called 'A Life Worth Giving.' James 1: 17 says this: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Every good thing in your life came and comes from God. You didn't pick your family, country you were born into, the natural resources around you, the type of education you would receive or the brain to learn it all with. You didn't give yourself your talents and skills or spiritual gifts and you don't know what the future holds or which paths you will take. God gave you and still gives every good thing in your life. 

So, when was the last time you stopped to thank God for the the blessings in your life? When we stop and say thanks and praise him for ALL he has given us, we realize just how blessed we are and how big his love for us is. When we realize our blessings, I believe it stirs in us a passion to be more generous. What do you have to be thankful for which you have been blessed with that others may not have? A Car(s), a job, a home, food to eat, your family, friends, pet(s), sight, hearing, speech, free time to spend on hobbies and sports, a garden to grow flowers and food, new clothes and shoes, a phone, computer, IPad...... the list of his blessings goes on forever. 

God is good and is love and gives us our blessings freely not because of anything we have done but because of who he is. Give thanks to him for every good thing in your life because he gave it all and still gives what we don't deserve. This is called Grace. 

In Part Two: How do we take this God given grace and our joy-filled, thankful hearts and be more generous with our blessings? 

Happy Birthday Brycen!

 Today is my little man's 6th birthday! And how very fast have those six years gone! 

 

My little Portland Trail Blazer's fan!

Of course, there have been up's and down's. Things as parents of this wonderful young man we have done well and things we have royally screwed up and had to ask forgiveness for. I would not change how it has gone these six years but I will learn from it all and, with God's grace and help, improve as a parent. 

Bryce with his little sister, Lauren.

Graduating from Preschool!

From that precious little baby boy to this handsome young man, I can't wait to see what God does in your next six years. 

Happy Birthday my little man! 

I love you most. 

Ready to take on the world. Take your dreams and soar, Bryce!

Television Wisdom Wednesday: Wondrous Variety

From the movie 
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves:

Morgan Freeman as Azeem, a Moor - 

Azeem: Salaam, little one.

Small Girl: Did God paint you?

Azeem: Did God paint me?

[laughs]

Azeem: For certain.

Small Girl: Why?

Azeem: Because Allah loves wondrous varieties.

I love this Robin Hood movie. Some may think it a little cheesy but it has some great moments in it like this one. The innocence of a child who had never seen a person of color asked the question as to why he was different than her. I love Azeems answer. There have been a lot of goings on lately in our country (and in the world quite frankly) that have to do with race and differences. We can not avoid it because we are bombarded by the latest updates all over the t.v. and internet. I like what Pastor Rick Warren posted on his Facebook page about it all, "Racism is stupid. It's an insult to God, arrogantly implying that God goofed-up when he chose to make us all different."

So, what are your thoughts? Do you think that God made mistakes with His creations, making us all different? Or do you think, like Azeem in the movie, that God loves wondrous variety.  

And in case you were wondering, like me, exactly what the definition of Wondrous is 

- Inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight; marvelous. 

that is to be marveled at : extraordinary

I like to think that you and I are God's wondrous creations!

(musings on) My Life, a Living Bible

What is your life story teaching the world about God? You maybe the only bible someone 'reads'. And it maybe a brief read. As some say, first impressions can last a lifetime and those first impressions maybe the only impression some people may get of you and God. God can use our lives just where they are just as they are if we are open to His guidance. Do not try to be perfect, putting on a 'good front', because we are all sinful. Instead, let go and let God lead your life. Turn to Him and others will see and follow. The song For the Sake of the World by Bethel Live is my prayer for a life lived that catches others' hearts on fire for the one, true God. 

For the Sake of the World

I'm laying down my life

I'm giving up control

I'm never looking back

I surrender all

I'm living for Your glory on the earth

This passion in my heart

This stirring in my soul

To see the nations bow

For all the world to know

I'm living for Your glory on the earth

For the sake of the world burn like a fire in me

Light a flame in my soul for every eye to see

For the sake of the world burn like a fire in me

For every knee to bow down

For every heart to believe

For every voice to cry out

Burn like a fire in me

For every tongue to confess

You alone are the King

You are the hope of the earth

Burn like a fire in me

2 Timothy 1: 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.