The Gospel Changes Lives

Check out this video of people in our church....many our friends....they represent me...us...all of us! Hope you are encouraged to see that Jesus changes lives...YOUR life and keeps you....He is all that makes us right! May the Gospel continue to help you discover true life!

Passover Seder Meal

As we continue to try with "family traditions"...this Easter has been a reminder that some traditions, unlike the Christmas tree hunting, will stick,"accidentally", and bring a blessing to us that we never expected! 

Last year we tried to make Easter more about Jesus' story....Salvation....the Good news!  We invited friends and neighbors over for Easter lunch...and decided we would do Mediterranean food...with Lamb...and celebrate our "Lamb of God".  We will do it again tomorrow.  But remembering the great experience that was, we added this year and "accidentally" so much "sight" has come to the true meaning of Easter.  Some of our friends weren't able to join us for Sunday, so we decided to do a passover meal with them to prepare all of our hearts together for Easter.

So Thursday we held the "Passover Seder Meal" with those we call "family" here in Austin.  It was an experience that I can't describe in words.  To celebrate the Passover as believers is an amazing experience!   The passover is a meal order the Jewish people celebrate. It tells the story of the great exodus and God's hope for salvation.   For a Jew, the 3rd glass of wine is left untouched...as well as the last piece of Matzo (flatbread)....in hopes that Elijah will come and tell of the coming Messiah....They wait still for the Messiah....

But get this!  The night before Jesus was crucified, he had passover meal with the disciples and he took the bread and cup that was normally left and broke it and made it a "remembrance of Him". (our now communion)  What must those disciples have thought?!  WOW!  For them to dip the cup and take from Jesus that night was to say "I will follow you....I believe you are the Messiah"....or they were committing a horrible act as a Jewish man.

The passover was a sweet time to come to realization of our story of salvation....or "exodus from Egypt"  and prepare our hearts for celebrating Easter!  We look forward to having a passover Seder each year! Sometimes, things just "accidentally" come our way with family traditions. =)

 

Redeeming All Failures

I have to confess, I hate poop.  I've grown to hate it more as I've had children.  And especially with potty training and post potty wiping training.   tonight, the kids were going down for bed and WG had to use the bathroom...

"okay, son. Use the potty and back in bed."   

He is in there for a while.  I am cleaning up last of the dishes and think i better go check up on him.  Sure as I thought.  He pooped.  But this time, his creative brain decided to touch his poop and then when he didn't like it he wiped it all over his shirt.  He let me know that it was not a pleasant experience and asked if i would wipe him.  I almost lose my cool...JESUS! and I begin to clean him up.  Then when he gets off the toilet I observe poop all over the seat.  I abandoned any plea for help from Jesus and went straight to my flesh! 

 I began scolding him (wrong) and explaining how gross it was and what he did was gross (wrong).  I begin to clean it all up and realize how it is on his shirt.  Out of control rage sent me into a "controlling lecture" and "abuse of my authority" (all wrong).   I commanded him like i was an army Sargent. (wrong again)  and pointed out how if he would just not touch his poop, and wash his hands a little better, i wouldn't be lecturing him. (dead wrong again!)  I put him to bed and went to the kitchen saying every cuss word that described poop I could think of.  I'm also thinking that I am quite sure this was just a boy thing...but "not my boy!" (wrong)

 I hate poop!  But then the Spirit interrupted me.  Was that really why I was angry?

I got him in the bed without hugs, kisses, or loving words.  He was left to lie there feeling gross, unloved and a failure.  But in reality, I was feeling that way about myself and I placed that upon him.  Another moment where I realized that I was unfit as a parent.....and then Jesus entered back on the scene in my mind.

As I lean more into the Gospel, the good news draws me into Jesus when I totally screw up.....it takes me a few minutes most of the time to believe the gospel when i fail, but then I can't deny the redeeming power of God and trust that he takes all my failures and makes them for His redeeming purposes.

So, at first I told Stew, who was pointing at my heart after he overheard me with WG...

"Sorry, I just hate poop!"  

But then as I scrubbed more dishes and swept the floor with great perfection, I realized that I had let something out of my control, control me.  That is the thing about idols of the heart....when they are threatened or seem lost, we get angry...we get self-loathing...we get crazy!  And when my work idol (needing to have mastery over all things...like the cleanliness of my home) is threatened b/c of poop....there is no pardon give to me with that idol...only a feeling of "out of control" and I go Army Sargent on anyone who caused that....even if it is my son.

But the good news about the gospel is that it leads me to my savior who for freedom set me free (Galatians 5:1)  I am no longer bound to work for my approval....but I am fully approved in Jesus!  My idol will always condemn me...it can offer no forgiveness...as I continue to look back over the same thing with the idols of my heart, it seems so crazy that I would ever turn to them...My savior gives not only forgiveness, but grants me righteousness guaranteed to be a right standing with God.  I am free!

So, as the Spirit disclosed the things of the Father....I knew I  was wrong and needed to make it right with WG.  That is what is so hard about being a parent....seeing your failures effect your own children.  Stew always tells me, 

"Don't worry....you will scar them....but Jesus will redeem all their scars!"  

And so with that hope, I went back into WG's room.   I told him why I got angry and that the bible instructs me differently and I did not obey God.  I told him that it was not his fault that mommy got angry.  I told him I was wrong and sorry for my actions.  I told him that Jesus is our only hope.  He may not fully comprehend...but more we are starting habits....i guess that is part of the redemption happening in my failures....we are passing on "i was wrong" and leaving behind "silence and lack of confession".   So then I can hope in Jesus...that as he is making me more like Him, he will point my son to Himself as well...so know that you will scar your children....but our savior has a great redeeming plan both for our lives and theirs...Hope in Jesus, the redeemer of all our failures.

More later...

That's My King! Do You Know Him?

This moves me everytime I see this! Thank's Ashleigh for reminding me of this!!

Can you make a difference in the world?

I'm reposting a portion of my friend, Shawnda's post from her blog.  Just attended some of the Human Rights conference at University of Texas and the biggest thing i walked away with was ORDINARY people are who make a difference...so, here are a few steps to help us ordinary people get into action to fight against injustices...and this is just the beginning.

"The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed" Psalm 9:9,"He inclines His ear to do justice to the fatherless and oppressed so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more" Psalm 10:18, "who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free." Psalm 146:7

What does this mean for us?
Get to know ministries that are working for justice in human trafficking! They let us know how to help!!
Rescuing slaves around the world - IJM
Restoring women in Thailand that have been rescued from Brothels - NightLight (you can also buy very beautiful jewelry here!!)
Restoring child soldiers that have been rescued - World Vision
Restoring women in Cambodia that have been rescued - Hagar International
working to prevent, rescue, and restore internationally and nationally - Shared Hope International
Not for Sale Campaign

READ  Not for Sale

Happy Birthday NANA!!

Nana, We love you so much and wish you a happy birthday!! Sorry for the crazy birthday picture...the kiddos were trying to hold karis back from touching the camera...=) The kids say to tell you "happy birthday, nana" and "hope you like your birthday cake (?)!" "We love you!" The kids think you had a pink chocolate cake today....hope you did have some kind of birthday treat! We are so thankful for you! If it weren't for you....My life would not have Michael and these little ones would be none....thank you...We love you! Happy Birthday! Are you 21 yet?

Fighting for the Next Generation: Passing on and Leaving behind

My children are currently going through new stages...all of them!...all at once!...my home has been quite full of activity...but not so sure it has been full of everything that I would want to pass along...I've never been in a place where all of them are going through a new stage and need me so much...

WesleyGrant is so creative and he constantly wants to create....he is also in a "complaining and arguing stage"...one of those alone, needs much attention!

Sally is a little lady indeed talking much and discovering ways to help me all over the house...love it! but it calls for attention....especially when she wants to pour water on the bathroom floor to clean it....and she has also discovered how to be cute and cry for everything she wants...needs my attention....my training!....oh dear!!

Karis still is quite dependant on me....but she is beginning independant with each new day...crawling everywhere and almost walking....she is mobile and has opinions now!...like screaming when anyone takes her favorite babydoll...gracious!

As each child has gone through a new stage, it requires more attention, more focus for me...it also exposes my weaknesses and i am reminded that this parenting thing is not about my strength, but His.

One of the things i discover and rediscover as we pass through new stages is what I want to pass along to them and what I want to leave behind. As God redeems my failures as a parent, He shows me the things so beautiful that can be passed along to the next generation! I thought I'd share some we've adopted in our home...not exhausting them of course....

Passing On- Family Traditions

Leaving behind- Individualism

Passing On-WorldView through the Gospel

Leaving Behind-WorldView through man-centeredness

Passing On-I love you

Leaving Behind-Silence/Assumption

Passing On-Failures are okay

Leaving Behind-You control everything

Passing On-Trust Jesus

Leaving Behind-Worry

Passing On-You are just like the Poor

Leaving Behind-There are no Poor

Passing On-I was wrong/Forgiveness

Leaving Behind-Anger & Bitterness

Passing On-World outside of America

Leaving Behind-World is America

Passing On-Security in Christ

Leaving Behind-Security in Money

Passing On-Others are first

Leaving Behind-Others are Second

Passing On-Acceptance of Suffering

Leaving Behind-Comfort is true life

Passing On-Courage is trusting YAWEH

Leaving Behind-Safety is in your hands

Passing On-We are sinners

Leaving Behind-We are good

Passing On-Jesus is way, truth & life

Leaving Behind-Your way is truth & life

I'd love for any of you to share something that you guys are passing on or leaving behind for the next generation....I'll post them all....

More later....