Legacy Continues

My blog is lacking. I feel like I have so much to say, yet when I actually sit down to blog, I have nothing. Its hard to set boundaries in the blog-world. I've always been an open-book to those close to me, but learning to censor here has been a challenge. Being married has changed it as well. Not negatively, just differently. I can't just think about myself when writing. I have to respect that my life intertwines with my husbands and that he may not want our life plastered all over the bloggerland. :)

I used to be able to sit and write about what God was doing in my life or what I was learning. I've questioned if I'm learning enough since I can't seem to find things to blog about. My blog seems boring to me b/c its all pictures and events. Not what my purpose was when I started this little thing. I can't even seem to make the "day-to-day" meaningful. I learn something every single day. God has made Himself known to me in a completely different way than ever before. It seems that in different seasons of my life God reveals, in detail, one of His character traits. While His character is always sufficient, consistent, and present, there seems to be one trait that He really plants in my life at just the right time.

In the last few years, God has really been showing me just how BIG He is. I had him contained in my little life and didn't really give Him credit for handling the "big" things. I don't remember really being a worrier as I grew up or became an adult, but in the last few years, I've definitely seen that I worry about the "unknown". Things in the future that may or may not even happen. I worry. When we first got married, I worried so much that it kept me from sleep. The story will seem ridiculous to most:

We live in the country. I have a French Bulldog that I'm madly in love with; His name is Ruger. Ruger was ecstatic to move to the country!!! He actually moved out there before I did b/c I put my house on the market and it was just easier to have him where we live now so people could come see my old house anytime. I didn't worry about him at all. After we were married, I would lay in bed at night terrified that if I had to take him out in the middle of the night, a giant coyote would speed through the yard, snatch Ruger in his giant mouth and run off with him. Ridiculous? Yes! However, I could not sleep! The thought of losing Ruger kept me awake (we do NOT need children if I'm like this with my dog!).

Not only did God teach me that He is my Prince of Peace, but also that He is big enough to handle anything that I worry about. There is a constant list of things that run through my head (when I allow it) that I can worry about. Things I can't change. Things that haven't happened yet. Things that may NEVER happen. I paralyze my life by worrying.

I remember driving home from work one day when God got my attention. It wasn't anything major, but music speaks to me and He knows this. Chris Tomlin's "Our God" was playing. I love Chris Tomlin's music and usually have it turned up anyway. For some reason, the words really got me:

"Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other.
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God! Our God!"

In that moment, God reminded me that He alone is GREATER and STRONGER than anything I could ever worry about. He's bigger than my problems. He's bigger than my trials. He's bigger than my circumstances. He's bigger than my hurt. He's bigger than any person. He's bigger than any church. He's bigger than my future! There is no need to worry about the "what ifs" b/c I may not be big or strong enough to handle what comes, but He is!

In the last month, God has once again been teaching me how big He is. I work closely with college students and see them most days of the week. This is definitely a different generation (I'm sure every generation says this about the one following). As with any generation, they have strengths and weaknesses. However, what I see is a generation that needs Christ more than ever! We are in a time that every sinful lust is over-amplified, justified and taken advantage of at every possible encounter. They need Jesus. My heart hurts for them in how badly they must be hurting. The voids that they must be trying to fill. The abuse, disappointment, pain, and abandonment they must have endured. I worry that the world is eating them up and that God is becoming obsolete. They don't "need" Him, nor do they want Him. A lot believe that organized religion is for the weak. They don't want to live by all the "rules". God's ways aren't "fun". Christians are close-minded and are hypocrites. This is what so many people believe. I was worried.

Towards the end of "Code Orange Revival", that we did last month, God showed me that He can take care of Himself. :) We saw 12 pastors take the stage and preach the Word. I was able to see this new generation praising Him and making a decision to follow Him. One of my favorite sermons was by Bishop T.D. Jakes. At one point He talks about how God is healing one generation and raising up the next. In that moment, I realized that God is STILL the same God of yesterday! He will make His name known in the next generation. Church isn't going to look the same as our parents have seen it, but God is making His name known!!! This generation of Believers will not go quietly! It excites me just thinking about it!!!

This sermon reminded me just how small minded I can be. I limited God's power and ability to make His name known in the ages to come. As if this era is "hard" for Him or that He is "lost or confused" by it! HA! To think the world begins and ends with my life. My worrying made evident to me that I didn't trust or believe that God would take care of those that will take our place. Sometimes we get so caught up by what we can see in front of our face that we forget that God's thoughts and ways are higher than our own. I always tell people that children believe their parents didn't exist before their little life began. Its true. They don't understand lineage for a long time (my dad still tries to get some of my nieces and nephews to understand that I'm his "little girl"), they don't ever think the parent had a life filled with dreams, adventure, love, pain, sadness, regret, celebrations, excitement, etc. That's how we think about this big world most of the time. We see what God is doing around us NOW and when that isn't working for the next generation, we worry about God's legacy!

God is so much bigger and greater and has already gone before me. Its a waste of time and energy to worry about the things that are His to take care of! Instead of trying to "fix" everything, my focus needs to be on ministry and serving Him wherever He calls me. To not forget His faithfulness in the past and use it as a reminder that He will be faithful in the future!

Where in your life do you need to be reminded that God is BIGGER?

first birthday

A year ago today, I was waiting for the arrival my new nephew, Jude. I couldn't wait for this precious little man to get here. It was a much longer day than when his older sister made her debut, but it was equally blessed! Happy Birthday, sweet Jude! Your first year flew by. I can't wait to know you more as you grow up! We love you so very much!!!!

Happy Love Day

Happy Valentine's Day to the love of my lifemy husbandmy best friendI love that God chose you for meI love the life we shareI love you for your honestyI love your sweet smileI love that you make me laughI love your desire to be a godly man and husbandI love that you protect meI love your gentlenessI love that we share a desire to travelI love that we share the same dreamsI love that you have made us a familyI love that you make our house a homeI love that I get to kiss you every single dayI love that you carry me when I am weakI love that you allow me to be myselfI love that I have you to walk through life withTo hold hands withTo share "the dance" withI love that you love meMy heart will forever be yours***pictures taken by sarah deneui. she is our most favorite photographer and has a god-given talent for capturing life. find her at www.buonasarahphoto.com or on facebook or her blog.

One-Liners

I have started a bible study with just a small group of girls. I have it at my house and we are watching the videos from the Code Orange Revival. I learned so much and God revealed to me things that I realized He would use to take me on a journey this year. Its a little overwhelming what He taught me in 12 days. I figured I start by sharing the "one-liners" that stood out to me. These are things that were said during the revival that were not a part of the sermons. Some of them are the a part of the codes that make up Elevation Church. (You'll see me talk quite a bit about Elevation Church. They have such an incredible story of how God brought them to the place they are at right now. One night during the revival, I came home and searched for jobs in Charlotte b/c we love this church so much. I so wish it was God's plan for us to be there and be a part of what they are doing.). Each of these spoke to me and encouraged me. Some of them Ken and I use on a daily basis to encourage each other or just as a reminder to keep our eyes on the Lord.

1. Act in audacious faith.
Not only believing that God can do something big, but that He can do something big in your life. And, not just believing, but acting! Being obedient to where He's leading or calling. Even when it seems ridiculous and no one else will understand, acting in audacious faith means being obedient to God! Not worrying about what others think of you. Romans 4:19 says, "Without weakening in his faith, he (Abraham) faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about 100 years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead." God promised Abraham that he and Sarah would have a baby. The older they got they realized God's promise didn't match up with reality. Which leads to my next point...

2. Face the facts, but keep the faith!
Its not okay to live in a fantasy world. We have to face the facts around us. Sometimes those facts are discouraging and hopeless and not what we really want, but DON'T WEAKEN IN YOUR FAITH! God's truth is greater than our facts! His truth is greater that what's going on in your life! His truth is greater than any lie you believe about yourself, greater than any trial you are facing that seems impossible, greater than any diagnosis a doctor gives, greater than any hurt you are suffering from, greater than any unforgiveness you are holding on to. His truth sets you free!!!! Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

3. Considering all God has done and is going to do, do not take this for granted!
I've been so convicted lately to really participate in what God is doing in our lives. Sometimes we get so busy that we don't see what He's doing until He's already done it. I've started taking the time to really pray that I will see Him working in the moment and not just after the fact. I don't want to take for granted what He is doing in our life right now and all that is to come! I want to praise Him for the little things! I want to remain humble, so that He alone gets the credit for what happens! The outcome of our life isn't dependant on how much faith you have, but on HIS FAITHFULNESS! Be careful not to boast in your name and how great you are! You are not qualified!!! But, HE has qualified you because of his grace and mercy. We have no talent or ability or gift that is not due to His grace alone!

4. "Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did You leave us on our own. You are faithful, God, You are faithful".
This was my favorite song of the entire revival. I sang it through out the week at home and had it in mind at work. He is so faithful. NEVER have we walked alone. When you look back at times in your life when it was so desperate or lonely, He was there! You may not have seen it or "felt" it, but He was. He was right there with you and He never leaves! Can you look back and see how He protected you? Can you see the good He brought from a horrible situation? He is always with us! He never leaves or forsakes us!

5. Be known for what you are "FOR"!
As a Christian, don't be known for condemnation!!! You cannot win people over for the Lord if you are condemning them!!! Plus, how ironic is it that a fallen, sinful human being is condemning another fallen, sinful human being? Its not our place! Stop taking God's position. Our job is to LOVE! John 3:17 says, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." God loves each of us despite our sin!!! Every single one of us has done something to disqualify us, but His grace qualifies you! In Ezra 3:11-13, the temple is being rebuilt and the people are worshiping and rejoicing for what the Lord has done. So loudly that they are heard far away! Let people hear you worshiping God!!! Stop making noise about things that don't matter! Come together - UNIFIED - by Jesus Christ!

6. Be about the numbers!
So many churches try to say they aren't about numbers. It turns people off. Its not about the number of people you have sitting in chairs on a Sunday morning, but we do need to be about the numbers!!! Be all about the number of lives that Jesus can put back together! Behind every statistic is a story. Let's be about the masses of people that hurting and start sharing the gospel!

7. Eat the fish and leave the bones.
This just might be my favorite. I've always been one to get frustrated with pastors and/or teachers when they teach something that isn't biblical or they just have a different way of teaching that doesn't reach me. Honestly, I can be too critical. I have a love for theology and studying that a lot of people don't have. I've learned that its okay. Every one has different interests. This one-liner was convicting and freeing. It allows me to listen to anyone! You can learn something from most people. Philippians 1:15-18 says, "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." Don't let your preferences hinder you from learning from other people! Take what the truth is in their message ("eat the fish") and just leave everything else behind ("leave the bones").

8. "Jesus be the center of it all".
We try to put Christ 1st...which means there is something 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc., allowing Him to fall to another place in our life. He wants to be THE ONLY place! The center!!! Stop trying so hard to put Him first, failing every day. Make Him you ALL! Place Him in the center of your life!

9. God's voice tells you your POTENTIAL!
The enemy lies to you about who you really are. When Jesus asked Peter to be His disciple, Peter's name was "Simon" which means "shaky". Jesus gave him a new name, "Peter", which means "rock"! Your identity is in Christ alone! Not what other people tell you! Live to your true potential in Christ. Don't live up to what other people have labeled you as..."you're not good enough", "you'll never be a ____", "you can't do anything right", etc. Do not let other fallen, sinful people define you! Live in Christ alone! You will have victory in Him!

This is just a taste of what we learned. I get excited all over again just reading it! God is moving in a big way in this generation. It looks different than how He moved in the past generations, but He will make Himself known!!! And, He is! Just to give you a glimpse of what was taught each day...here is a little rundown of Code Orange:

12 Days of Revival:
1 - How to be an idiot for Christ
2 - How to store up mercies as I invest in the things and people of God
3 - Its all about Jesus
4 - It comes in God's appointed time
5 - The ring is the thing, the hope is the rope, and we need to pull to make the house full
6 - An atmosphere of expectation is a breeding ground for miracles
7 - I'm blessed by what I've seen and heard
8 - Make room and lay hold
9 - The power to choose is the greatest of all
10 - My God is the only one who can touch me and will change me.
11 - God is not just holy...he is in a seperate class of His own!
12 - Don't miss the moment of progress God has for you!

If you'd like to watch or listen to any of the revival, you can download them *here*.

Cort Is 6 Months

You might remember Cort from *here* when was only 3 months old (the "W" family). Time flies!!! :) He is now 6 months old and we went out again document his age.

Birthday Love

Celebrating his birthday is one of my favorite holidays. I'm so thankful for his life. And, that its a part of mine.

2009 2010 2011 Looking forward to another year of LIFE with my most Favorite!

My Nephew's Poem

My incredible nephew, Mason, had a to write a poem for school and his thought was if he was going to have to do poetry, he might as well write about his God! LOVE IT! I enjoy getting to watch him grow up and have a heart for the Lord. Its an incredible experience to see God bring up the next generation! Here is his completed poem:

My awesome God who created me
Who died for us so we could see,
The Glory that will soon come.
Into Your arms where I will run.
In Your name, we try to shine.
Because of You, this is why I rhyme.
Dead as a nail, You hung upon the cross.
And all the people thought we lost.
A new beginning for us to see,
It was all for me, her and he.
Day by day, I know You’re to love
As I look up and try to see Heaven above.
I play for You in all I do,
All for You, because I know You’re true.
You’re the sun that shines among us all.
You’re straight forward, You don’t try to stall.
Because of You, the stars dance.
I jump for You, I sing, I prance.
That’s why I say we should give God glory.
To everyone, we should tell Your story.
All I say is in Your arms I will run
And know the glory that will soon come.
I wait for You, and hope to see,
My awesome God who created me.