I came across this video about a football team in Texas. I hope it will be an inspiration to you today!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Lake
Every year we go to Big McDonald Lake in Minnesota for a week. We just got back on Saturday. We had cool weather. This is the first time that the temperature did not get above 80 the entire time we were there! We had a cool week but did manage to get in the water for fun, too. We did a lot of fishing!
I always try to capture a loon with my camera. This one was right by the boat. They have such a neat song. I love the lake!
This year Grant was allowed to "drive" the boat, with assistance from Dad.
We caught a lot of fish!
Grant is a very good fisherman!
Cole being very cute!
One day the kids made their own T-shirts because it was raining. We always have to have a picture by this tree.
Cole is trying to warm up after tubing with his friends!
Below, Grant is such a fish that even in the cold weather he was in the lake!
I always try to capture a loon with my camera. This one was right by the boat. They have such a neat song. I love the lake!Below is a picture of a two-year old eagle. Their nest is not far from the picnic table. There are two "little" eagles around the lake. They do not have their white feathers yet. I think he was waiting for supper!
This year Grant was allowed to "drive" the boat, with assistance from Dad.
We caught a lot of fish!
Grant is a very good fisherman!
Cole being very cute!
One day the kids made their own T-shirts because it was raining. We always have to have a picture by this tree.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Twins Game
My garden is better! The weeds are under control. We have been busy. I don't know if you heard about the 16 inning Twins vs. Detroit Tigers Game on July 3? Well, we were at the game! It was a fun game. We stayed for 15 innings and ended up getting to my aunt's house at 12:48am. The Tigers scored as we were walking to our car, so we didn't miss much.
Here are some pictures from the game. We had great seats! It was bat day and the first 5,000 kids received a bat. Then Grant got a ball during batting practice and a pitcher from Detroit signed it. He was so excited. Some college guys were sitting in front of us. The first base coach tossed a ball to them. Glenn said, "Shucks, Cole, we are trying to get a ball for you." Cole said, "I know", he was feeling a bit disappointed. The guy in front of us, turned to Cole and said, "Do you want a ball?" Cole started to shake his head, no, but the prospect of getting a ball was too great - shook his head yes. The guy gave him the ball. Wow, this guy showed more to my kids than I could any day about being unselfish!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
My Garden
I have a garden.
I have a garden not on my property.
I have a garden not on my property, but on a friend's lot next to us.
I have a garden not on my property, on a friend's lot next to us because my husband didn't want to till up his grass.
I have a garden not on my property, on a friend's lot next to us because my husband didn't want to till up his grass until I proved to him that I would weed the garden and take care of it. (I hate when he knows me so well!)
Well, it rained and rained some more and we went camping, and I hadn't looked at my garden for two weeks.... until Monday. Do you know how tall weeds can get in 2 weeks??? I pulled weeds around the plants. Then I took Round-Up
to the weeds in my garden, that's not on my property, but on a friend's lot next to us, until I can prove that I can take care of it! For those of you who don't know what Round Up is it's a high powered weed killer! Whatever it touches will be killed, even the two cucumber plants that I sprayed accidentally because they were covered in weeds!
***
I always wondered about weeds. What the world would look like without weeds, before Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Were weeds just a flower, but after the fall of man grew everywhere you didn't want them to grow? Some weeds are pretty. Before the fall, did thistles have prickers? Some weeds are tall, some viney, some are flowery.
***
Our lives are like a garden. We produce a fruit that is pleasing to our God. But if we don't tend the garden of our lives, weeds grow. We need to stay in the Word, Pray often and be on our knees Picking weeds before they get too big and choke out the fruit in our lives. We can use Round-Up, too, as Christian we need the Fellowship of other believers or a Round-Up of Believers! I have not been using my Round-Up, a prayer group that meets on Friday mornings. Because of LIFE I have missed, skipped for several weeks. But weeds in my life and my prayer partner's lives are calling me. I need Round-Up. Do the weeds ever trick you? Maybe you think they are not weeds at all. When a garden is newly planted, it can be hard to determine if it is a weed. You may have to identify it on the package to determine if it's a weed or a seedling. The Bible can help to point out a weed from a seed. Thankfully God did not leave us alone and sent an Instruction Book.
Hebrews 10:25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I have a garden not on my property.
I have a garden not on my property, but on a friend's lot next to us.
I have a garden not on my property, on a friend's lot next to us because my husband didn't want to till up his grass.
I have a garden not on my property, on a friend's lot next to us because my husband didn't want to till up his grass until I proved to him that I would weed the garden and take care of it. (I hate when he knows me so well!)
Well, it rained and rained some more and we went camping, and I hadn't looked at my garden for two weeks.... until Monday. Do you know how tall weeds can get in 2 weeks??? I pulled weeds around the plants. Then I took Round-Up
to the weeds in my garden, that's not on my property, but on a friend's lot next to us, until I can prove that I can take care of it! For those of you who don't know what Round Up is it's a high powered weed killer! Whatever it touches will be killed, even the two cucumber plants that I sprayed accidentally because they were covered in weeds!***
I always wondered about weeds. What the world would look like without weeds, before Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Were weeds just a flower, but after the fall of man grew everywhere you didn't want them to grow? Some weeds are pretty. Before the fall, did thistles have prickers? Some weeds are tall, some viney, some are flowery.
***
Our lives are like a garden. We produce a fruit that is pleasing to our God. But if we don't tend the garden of our lives, weeds grow. We need to stay in the Word, Pray often and be on our knees Picking weeds before they get too big and choke out the fruit in our lives. We can use Round-Up, too, as Christian we need the Fellowship of other believers or a Round-Up of Believers! I have not been using my Round-Up, a prayer group that meets on Friday mornings. Because of LIFE I have missed, skipped for several weeks. But weeds in my life and my prayer partner's lives are calling me. I need Round-Up. Do the weeds ever trick you? Maybe you think they are not weeds at all. When a garden is newly planted, it can be hard to determine if it is a weed. You may have to identify it on the package to determine if it's a weed or a seedling. The Bible can help to point out a weed from a seed. Thankfully God did not leave us alone and sent an Instruction Book.
Hebrews 10:25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Bringing Glory
Psalm 145:10-12 (Amplified Bible)
10All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You [affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise You]!
11They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power,
12To make known to the sons of men God's mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
I came across this passage yesterday. In verse eleven, "They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power." God's power was evident this morning. A thunderstorm in all it's power and majesty came rumbling in. God's power is awesome. The lightning looked like a sharp chalk line lighting the sky. The rain fell and the wind blew, the clouds moved on. But God's power is also in the oriole that comes to eat our grape jelly. The contrast of the orange bird and the deep green grass is power. The laugh and smile of a child is power. An earth created to orbit the sun in amongst billions of stars is power. Blessed be my God who is Almighty Power!
I don't think that I talk about His power enough. I will point out things to my kids, but do I do it enough. Will the rocks cry out because I am not praising Him? Everything that I do should bring Him glory (I Cor. 10:31). He is showing us His glory in a bird, thunderstorm, in a child. Sometimes I am to caught up in what I need to do. At times I wonder, is there more? Then the passage that I read, "Because whatever you do, eating or drinking or anything else, everything should be done to bring glory to God. I Cor 10:31" Today, I am bringing Him glory, and tomorrow and forward, I am going to be more observant.
Humbly adoring Him!
10All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You [affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise You]!
11They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power,
12To make known to the sons of men God's mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
I came across this passage yesterday. In verse eleven, "They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power." God's power was evident this morning. A thunderstorm in all it's power and majesty came rumbling in. God's power is awesome. The lightning looked like a sharp chalk line lighting the sky. The rain fell and the wind blew, the clouds moved on. But God's power is also in the oriole that comes to eat our grape jelly. The contrast of the orange bird and the deep green grass is power. The laugh and smile of a child is power. An earth created to orbit the sun in amongst billions of stars is power. Blessed be my God who is Almighty Power!
I don't think that I talk about His power enough. I will point out things to my kids, but do I do it enough. Will the rocks cry out because I am not praising Him? Everything that I do should bring Him glory (I Cor. 10:31). He is showing us His glory in a bird, thunderstorm, in a child. Sometimes I am to caught up in what I need to do. At times I wonder, is there more? Then the passage that I read, "Because whatever you do, eating or drinking or anything else, everything should be done to bring glory to God. I Cor 10:31" Today, I am bringing Him glory, and tomorrow and forward, I am going to be more observant.
Humbly adoring Him!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Gold, Silver and Precious Stones
Summer brings a lot of things but in my life it also brings Bible Study. For the past few years, I have been leading a Bible Study in the summer. This summer we are studying Beth Moore's A Women's Heart. There is so much that I am learning and that I can apply in my life, I have been amazed, humbled and convicted.
This morning I was directed to read I Cor. 3:9-15.
9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
A question was then asked, "What six materials can we choose to build on this foundation(Jesus Christ)?" - gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw. There's a difference as one group can easily be consumed by fire. The next question and activity was the one that convicted me:
List the main ways you expend your energy during a typical week.
Now go back and circle your activities that will stand the test of the fire. Cross out activities you think will burn up.
I made my list. Started crossing out the things that would perish. Are all my activities wood, hay or straw? I had more things that looked as if they would perish than were made of gold, silver and jewels. Wow, what an eye-opener for me. God showed me in this simple exercise, this is a way to examine and make choices in my life. This is the measuring stick for me to use, when I am asked to do something. This tool measures what I am already doing and how it relates to the kingdom calendar. Cleaning/laundry may not last but what I do while completing those tasks might. I can pray for each person as I fold his shirt and the situation that they will be in when they where that shirt the next time. I can vacuum the dirt away and ask God to do the same in my life.
The study goes on to explain:
Works of gold acknowledge that He alone is worthy, that He alone is God.
Works of silver proceed from a heart that responds with inexpressible gratitude for our redemption and the inestimable price paid for our atonement.
Works of precious stones result when children of the royal priesthood, serve and minister as we are fully equipped with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we are busy "doing" that we forget about what really matters. I needed this reminder. What about you? Make a list - are the activities on the list gold, silver or precious stones or are they wood, hay and straw.
This morning I was directed to read I Cor. 3:9-15.
9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
A question was then asked, "What six materials can we choose to build on this foundation(Jesus Christ)?" - gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw. There's a difference as one group can easily be consumed by fire. The next question and activity was the one that convicted me:
List the main ways you expend your energy during a typical week.
Now go back and circle your activities that will stand the test of the fire. Cross out activities you think will burn up.
I made my list. Started crossing out the things that would perish. Are all my activities wood, hay or straw? I had more things that looked as if they would perish than were made of gold, silver and jewels. Wow, what an eye-opener for me. God showed me in this simple exercise, this is a way to examine and make choices in my life. This is the measuring stick for me to use, when I am asked to do something. This tool measures what I am already doing and how it relates to the kingdom calendar. Cleaning/laundry may not last but what I do while completing those tasks might. I can pray for each person as I fold his shirt and the situation that they will be in when they where that shirt the next time. I can vacuum the dirt away and ask God to do the same in my life.
The study goes on to explain:
Works of gold acknowledge that He alone is worthy, that He alone is God.
Works of silver proceed from a heart that responds with inexpressible gratitude for our redemption and the inestimable price paid for our atonement.
Works of precious stones result when children of the royal priesthood, serve and minister as we are fully equipped with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we are busy "doing" that we forget about what really matters. I needed this reminder. What about you? Make a list - are the activities on the list gold, silver or precious stones or are they wood, hay and straw.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Summer Vacation
It's summer. Oh, maybe not officially yet but it's summer vacation. We have been busy camping, fishing, swimming, football camp, summer rec and VBS. Maybe this coming week we can take a break but not before a family reunion, a meeting and trip for Glenn, and a Church retreat, oh... and summer rec!
Vacation Bible School program is tonight. Our VBS is put on for the community by a partnership of three churches. The theme for the week is Studio GO. Each night the kids learn about a different Bible story that goes with the theme of the night: Go Lead, Go Risk, Go Tell, Go Obey and Go Serve. I had to come up with service projects for the 250 kids that attended VBS on two of the nights. We broke the four teams down by grades for age appropriate projects and 250 kids served! Pretty cool!
Last night something really cool happened. I needed help to pull off the service projects, so I implored on Chris and his wife, Kathy for help, and a number of my other friends to. They were to take the 3rd and 4th graders around the town and hang door hangers with a message that Christ died for you. While they were back at the church, a man came up to one of the drivers. He had been driving all over town to try to find the red suburban and the green-shirted kids that hung the door hanger on his door. He shook the driver's hand and said, "Thanks". 
Now we may never know what seeds God planted last night, but God does. We may never know how these simple door hangers will reach out to someone who needs to know that God loves them and died just for them, but God does. The 3rd and 4th graders spread the Good News. They took up the challenge of Go Tell and Go Obey.
Now we may never know what seeds God planted last night, but God does. We may never know how these simple door hangers will reach out to someone who needs to know that God loves them and died just for them, but God does. The 3rd and 4th graders spread the Good News. They took up the challenge of Go Tell and Go Obey. Will you do the same?
Message on door hangers.
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