Loving Deeply

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."  Colossians 3:14

I love watching my kids have fun together.

 

They live a part right at the moment, and maybe for the rest of their life,

but as we celebrated Mother's Day this weekend,

 I just missed having my two babies together.

Spring Break (2007)

I pray that they will always be friends!

Not just have fun together, but love one another deeply.

Lord, I love the children you have blessed our lives with.  They are both so fearfully and wonderfully made by your hand.  You knew that Alyssa and Kyle would be sister and brother, and you gave them each other as a gift to be cherished.  Help them to love one another deeply.  Bind them together in unity.  Always help them to give forgiveness easily, keep no record of wrong, and believe the best about the other person.  I pray that "putting on love" will be easy and the goal of their every interaction.  Oh what a mother's delight it is to watch her children laugh together and love one another.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for the gifts Alyssa and Kyle can find in their relationship together.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Dancing in the Aisles

Today's post is written by my dear hubby!  His help was a gift on a busy day.  Thanks, babe!


I saw this video someone recently posted and it sure made me laugh. It also caused me evaluate the joy level in my life. Jesus said we must become like little children to enter His kingdom. I pray that as our children mature that they retain the gift of wonder, joy and a fearlessness to be themselves.

As life responsibility increases, as we become more aware of peer pressure and as we grow in our desire to fit in, we risk losing our ability to live in the moment. If this guy can be this excited to move to the beat at a sporting event, why are we sometimes so restricted in our expressions of worship, celebration and thanksgiving? As forgiven, redeemed and dearly loved children of the King, we indeed have so much to celebrate!


Heavenly Father, as Lyssa and Kyle daily face growing challenges, homework and responsibilities, I pray they find Your endless joy to be their source of strength. Help them finish this quarter strong and with an awareness of the kind of daily joy, thanksgiving and rest that a child so easily enjoys. Thank you God that You are our Almighty Father, the source of our hope and joy.

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

photo credit

 

Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit

 

Wordless Wednesday

photo credit

 

Changed Expression

"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile..."  Job 9:27

 Mother's Day 2013

"A smile confuses an approaching frown." --author known

I love watching my kids smile.  It makes my day.  This week I've had the joy of seeing them smile when they...

 

teased one another,

opened birthday gifts,

had their favorite meal,

showed off their school work,

and shopped together.

Some days it feels like there are more frowns, gripes, and whines, than those beautiful smiles.

Today, I'm praying that around every corner the smiles are abundant!

 

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Lord, sometimes its easy to complain and whine.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to forget those complaints, and choose to "change their expression" and smile.  In all their comings and goings may they be reminded of the wonderful things in their lives, and to be thankful, cheerful, and full of joy.  Because you, Lord, are a part of their lives, they have great reason to rejoice and smile.  Because of your sweet salvation, they can live today with much an overflowing joy for life.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle smile their way through this day!

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

True Joy

“Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” Psalm 119:35 (NLT)

I love hearing my family laugh. There is no sweeter sound.

The other night my two boys were laughing so hard they had tears coming out their eyes.  Over and over again they pushed "rewind" on one of the American Idol auditions, and laughed, and laughed and laughed. Take a peek and see if it makes you smile.




Though, I could write a whole other blog on laughing at others, I really want to focus on the spark of joy I saw that night, and the happiness I see in my kids eyes when they laugh from their belly.  I want nothing more than Alyssa and Kyle to love life and find great joy.

What I do know is that having Christ in their life will bring an everlasting and internal joy that is better, deeper, and more sustaining than the laughter that comes from an American Idol audition. My prayer is that as they continue to grow, and live their lives for Him, their happiness won’t be based on something external, but something eternal. May Jesus be their everlasting joy!

Lord, you are the joy of my life, and the prayer of my heart is that you become the joy of Alyssa and Kyle's lives. I pray that they find many things that bring them laughter and joy on a daily basis. Bring friends into their lives that make them smile. Even provide moments of joy and laughter around the dinner table. May Alyssa and Kyle never take life too seriously, and giggle even at the little things. Above all, with you living in them, may they have joy in their inner beings…deep inside who they are. May my children’s hearts shine You, and may their smiles reflect the joy that only comes from You, their God and Savior.

 

Finding True Joy

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."  John 5:24

 Cousins (2007)

There are a lot of things in this world that reach out and grab my kids attention.  Today alone I was aware of my sons interest in music, friends, working out, movies, texting, video games, Sports Illustrated, cool clothes, and everything in between.   Everything is loud, bright, exciting, and brings "fun".  To every teenager this is happiness. 

I don't want my kids to be fooled though. Temporary things disappear and will leave behind an emptiness that cannot be filled by anything or anyone but a Savior. 

Hearing the Word and believing in God will bring true life.  Despite the glitter and glam of this world, I pray that our babies fall in love with Jesus and find where real joy comes from!

Lord, I pray that Alyssa an Kyle know the real truth; that as they hear your word and believe in you they will have eternal life and not experience condemnation.  You offer our children the opportunity to cross over from death to life.  Bind the thief from coming into their lives to steal and kill and destroy; and may they have life, and have it to the full.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know how much you truly love them and find an everlasting joy that comes from living life with you.  Oh Father, I am on my knees in surrender and prayer begging for our children's eternal life.

 

Salvation Saturday

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  Psalm 34:5

Oh the joy of Saturdays.  The love is so much deeper after spending the weekdays working!  So today our family is "vacationing" away from home.  The boys are out fishing and I'll be enjoying my book and the quiet of our motel room.  I'm praying for God's refreshing spirit to fall on our family!

While I worked these last few weeks, I came face to face with thousands of people.  Some I chatted with, and others I just watched.  Just by looking at their face I could see those who were happy, and at peace and full of joy. Then there were others that just looked hard, roughed-up by life, unhappy, angry, lonely, and even lost.  So many looked like they just needed Jesus in their life. 

He brings joy.
He gives life.
He produces peace.
He offers hope.
He showers grace.
He provides salvation.
He loves abundantly.
He forgives instantly.
He delights in us!

Knowing Him changes us.  Our lives may not be void of hard things, yet we can face each day knowing the One who holds our future...and it changes our face.

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know Jesus so intimately that it is seen on their faces. 

Lord, you love this world so much that you gave your one and only Son that we might have eternal life, abundant life, and joy everlasting.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle believe in you, precious Savior.  I pray that they know the truth of your forgiveness, the joy of your salvation, and the hope that comes as they walk daily with you.  Because of you, our children's faces never have to be covered in shame.  Oh may it be so!  Thank you, dear Jesus!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Laughing Together

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:2-3

Yesterday our church cried together as we said good bye to a young man who passed away.  And yesterday our church family laughed together as we said hello to new friends.  Two extremes in one day, but a reminder of how blessed we are to be a part of a church family. 

But today, we can say, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!

Lord, our mouths were filled with laughter!  Thank you for the joy that marks our lives because we live in communion of you, and in community with other believers.  You've designed and created us to worship you and to long for being in connection with others. I pray that as adults Alyssa and Kyle find a church that leads them into deeper relationship with you, and provides people to encourage them, stretch them, and cheer them on through life's successes and trials.  I pray that they find a sense of community that matches that of being a part of a family.  Being a part of a community of believers will be a vital part of their walk with you!  Thank you, dear Jesus, for our church family and the joy they bring to our lives!  You shine in them and through them in so many ways.  Truly we are blessed!

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

A Sweet, Sweet Sound

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21

I loved last night. Our family laughed together.

In the busyness of school and baseball, it feels like quality family time together is hard to find, so we squeezed a moment around the dinner table and laughed, and laughed and laughed.

Laughter from a child's mouth must be a special gift from God for a mother's ears.  It's a sweet, sweet sound!

Lord, thank you for filling Alyssa and Kyle's mouth's with laughter.  I pray that their lips always shout for joy! You are their strength and shield; I pray that Alyssa and Kyle's hearts trusts in you, and they find help when they need it. May their hearts leap for joy and give thanks to you in song.  Today, as Alyssa and Kyle go to school, hang with their friends, do their work, and communicate with others, may they find reason to laugh and rejoice in you!  Thank you, Lord, for the many things in our lives that bring us joy, for you can be found in those precious moments of laughter!


 

Wordless Wednesday

Source of Life

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." Jeremiah 2:13

Papa taking down the Christmas tree (2010)

We're at Grammy and Papa's house for Christmas! Our annual holiday tradition. Christmas wouldn't be the same if we couldn'tbe with family. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for always opening your home to the craziness each year. What joy it is to all be together.

The two days after Christmas the tree had to come down.  Cut off from its root system, and unable to drink water, the tree was slowly becoming dry and brittle.  Soon no life would be found. Dead debris was showing up all over the floor.

Our lives get like that when we are cut off from our life source, and the true Living Water. As we celebrate this Christmas season, and look to the new year ahead, I pray that our children keep them themselves connected to Jesus. The Sustainer and Giver of life, and life abundant!

Lord, you are the Living Water, and the source of our life. I pray that Alyssa and Kyle never forsake you, and always remain connected to you. Today, may they be reminded that you alone are their God, the giver of their breath, and the sole source of joy, hope, and strength. May they soak in you as they come to your Word, or as they seek you for wisdom and guidance through prayer, or as they worship you in song. You are the author and perfecter of life, and we give you praise.

Wordless Wednesday

Cause for Laughter

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter 

and your lips with shouts of joy."  Job 8:21

 This weekend we brought home a new-to-us car. We've had fun driving it around and feel greatly blessed for how nice it is compared to our old junker that dear hubby drives around.  

I have to admit that the car has one feature that has brought some great laughter in the few short days we've had the car.

The seat warmers.

Not many people would have use for such a thing in 95 degree weather, but I personally love to see what happens when I secretly flip the switch to heat my hubby's seat.

Oh the laughter.  

Sometimes it's easy to take life to seriously, and I forget to try to create moments that make my family laugh. I don't know why it doesn't just come naturally.  However, some of my favorite things is seeing my daughter laugh until she cries, and hearing my son giggle in great delight.  It truly melts my heart. 

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.   

~E.E. Cummings

Lord, please fill Alyssa and Kyle's mouths with laughter and their lips with shouts of joy.  Brighten their faces with a cheerful heart and everlasting joy.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle find many things that bring them laughter each day. Bring friends in their lives who make them smile, provide moments of joy and laughter around our dinner table, and lighten their hearts when life gets too serious. May they always find it easy to giggle at the little things. Above all, with you living in their hearts, may they have an abundant, everlasting joy in their inner beings…deep inside of who they are. May Alyssa and Kyle's hearts shine You, and may their smiles reflect the joy that only comes from You, their God and Savior.

Praying Scripture: Joy in Challenges

 Photo taken by Lyss...

of Kyle making a shot!

This is my prayer today...

Dear Jesus, help Alyssa and Kyle to consider it a sheer gift when tests and challenges come at them from all sides. Under pressure, their faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So, though it is challenging, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so they become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

When Alyssa and Kyle don't know what they're doing, I hope that their first response is to pray to you Father. You love to help. Alyssa and Kyle will get your help, and won't be condescended to when they ask for it. Alyssa and Kyle can ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. Let them always ask in faith. 

If Alyssa and Kyle meet a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with You, the reward is life and more life.    (James 1:2-7, 12)