Monday Musings ~ In Him

Well - there are the slightest whispers of spring here in Chicago.  I know we could still see some snow, but these glimpses of sunshine and a bit warmer temps are truly welcome.  It is amazing how warm 30's and 40's feel after the winter!  I have been enjoying spending my days with precious Ezra Cauble.  Quincy is a big help as well!

This time with Ezra is so special.  I'm truly enjoying every minute. 

I have also been marveling at all the Lord has been up to in my life and in the lives of those around me.  I was reading in Acts 17 this week and came across verse 28 and this phrase jumped out at me.

". . . for it is in Him we live and move and exist."

I just sat back and soaked up those words.  

I often hear people say that they are hesitant to believe in and follow Jesus because they just don't think that life will be good.  It will somehow be less.

less fun

less exciting

less fulfilling

They fear losing who they are  - becoming some kind of Christian robot.

This passage reminds me that we can only truly find life in Jesus.  We only live, we only exist because of Him.  Anything less than that is but a cheap imitation of what life can truly be.

And, as far as losing who you are, you will only be the truest version of you when you are in relationship with your Creator.  He made you with your unique personality and traits, funny quirks and all.  

Sin distorts that.  

In Him, there is wholeness of body, soul, heart and mind.  

The true you can be known, matured and used to truly make a difference.

Don't let those lies about life, fulfillment and identity rob you of the best experience you could possibly have -- walking with Jesus.

"For it is in Him that we live and move and exist."

Monday Musings ~ Oh, my, my, my

Well - I promised to chat about my two weeks in Texas but I waited until today so I could share all the news.

This news is bliss times two.

This is about a Mimi that is looking forward to 2 -- yes that's right -- 2 grandchildren entering the world in 2014.

Heather is due June 3rd and she is having a baby boy.  Part of my two weeks was painting the nursery and helping to get it ready.  It was so much fun!  I got to hear the baby's heartbeat and hang out with Heather during all her doctor stuff.  I got to go to a shower that Heather's school gave her and it was such a sweet time.  It is fun to see my baby move into this new stage of life.  I am so proud of her - for the amazing woman that she has matured into and for the mom that she will be. 

AND AS IF THAT ISN'T ENOUGH TO CELEBRATE . . .

Ashley is having a baby, too!!!!!!!!!  She and James are expecting their first baby on October 2nd.  Here is his or her first picture.

Yes -- I'm going to get to welcome two grandbabies within four months of each other!

Alan and I could not be more excited.  What do you think about Mimi and Pops? 

I have to admit that I am blown away by God's goodness to me 

every. single. day.

But this, THIS

is just so much fun

so unbelievable

so sweet

that I hardly know what to do.

Ashley and I got to shop for some maternity clothes and start dreaming about a nursery and all the fun things we will do over these next few months preparing for this arrival.  Ashley will be such a wonderful, sweet Mom.  I can't wait to see it!

Did I mention my son in loves?  Both Cooper and James will be such great dads.  They are men who love Jesus, love their wives and will seek to be godly fathers.  It is such a blessing to see these two families grow and see the Lord working in each of their lives.

So - double bliss it is.  

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Monday Musings ~ Perfectly Imperfect

I have had a great week and a half in Texas.  I'll write a post next week with all the happenings, but I'm too busy to do that now!  It has been a great time of serving, loving and learning.  I saw this quote this morning, and it seemed to sum up what I have been thinking about.

 

A beautiful disaster!  Seems to sum it up!  Being back in familiar places is always a reminder of what I have learned.  I have grown over these past few years . . . a lot . . . some of it fun and some of it painful.  I am reminded that the Lord is always, ALWAYS still working on me, in me and because of His grace, through me.

I think about Paul saying that He will boast in nothing except the cross of Christ and I think that the longer I live, the more I understand that statement.  There is such weakness in me - sin that has a party - thoughts I don't seem to have any control over and a critical spirit that likes to rear its ugly head.  

But . . . slowly, Jesus is making a difference in my life and I continually learn to yield to Him and trust that He is always for my good.  He is always working to make me more like Him.  He is always calling me nearer to Him, abandoning all that I think I need or want, to the GREATER that He has in mind.

It's true.  

I am broken.

I am imperfect.

I am full of flaws.

I am a disaster.

BUT

Jesus is Truth.

He is Complete.

He is Perfect.

He is flawless.

He is in the business of making much out of seemingly disastrous people.

For this, and so much more, I will indeed PRAISE HIM.

Monday Musings ~ A Worthy Manner

I am studying Ephesians with my small group this semester.  I have loved every minute of it!  We are in chapter 4 this week, looking at it in bite sized portions.  This is my jewel from the first 10 verses.

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  Verses 1-3

What is my call?

To follow Jesus - to obey Jesus - to become more like Jesus.

What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of my call?

walk with humility

walk with gentleness

walk with patience

walk with tolerance for one another in love

walk with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit

Seems simple enough - doesn't it?  

I mean, it is right there in black and white!

These things are actually very difficult

No let me say - they are impossible

without Jesus.

My natural self is more about:

pride

harshness

impatience

and

judgment.

Unity takes a lot of work.  

Everything in us fights for our own way at any cost.

It is going to take a lot less of me and whole lot more of Jesus.

Jesus is our peace.