LOVE BOUND

Daddy can I have this?

2011-07-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

My four year old daughter and I got home late a few nights ago after a long day. To my daughter's delight she finds a new magazine with her name on it awaiting on the stairs. This magazine is filled with a little girls dream of dolls and all sorts of doll things. She starts to look through it with such excitement. Then there is the moment to where she points to the picture and proclaims, "Mommy, this is what I want! Can I have this?" I look at her and smile and tell her "We will see." She walks away then turns around and says proudly, "I will ask Daddy!" Then gives me a big grin. I smile and try not giggle at her seriousness. I ask her, "Why, will daddy say YES?" She looks at me and said, "Maybe... but I don't know, I can ask him."

She went to bed that night thinking all about the dolls.

The next morning was what got me thinking by her actions. And it reminded this is how we should be with God.

As soon as she woke up, she marched down from her room with the magazine in hand. "Mom, where is Daddy?" I told her he was in the bathroom. She zoomed away. My curiosity was kicking in so I trailed behind her to watch what she was going to do. She sat on the ground by the door and knocked so gently. She listened and then heard the shower running. She knocked another time. Waited. Did this a few times over and over and waited some more. Then she took the magazine in her hand and started to slide it under the door, it was not sliding very easily for her under the door but she kept knocking and seeking determined to show her dad her request.

I walked away, and all I could think was this is how we are to be before our God. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."(Matt 7:7)

But how quickly we give up. My daughter didn't know the answer but she knew she can ask and see what happens. She was determined to not give up, till she had her Daddy's undivided attention.

To end the story, does my daughter have the doll? Did her Daddy say Yes?

As for now she is waiting. She and her daddy pinned the magazine page up on her bulletin. And she is waiting....and she has no idea when it will come but she is eager to wait. She is confident her Daddy knows what is best for her.

Their is my challenge how are we when our God pins our request on our bulletin board and says wait. Our we eager to wait or do get exasperated and rip down our request and throw it in the trash?

The Bible is filled with waiting. The promises our even more true of how faithful God is when we wait. "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently." Psalm 37:4-7

random thoughts...

2010-12-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

LIFE!!!!

Just go for it!!! Jump on the tree and start climbing and when you fall down, get back up!!! Today I was watching my daughter climb a tree, the excitement, and when she fell, the scrapes barely fazed her! She just gets back up does it over and over. Pure excitement, and she is not even thinking about going to the top, she is just enjoying the adventure!

My question is why do we let life beat us up after we fall down! God has given us His Spirit to live in us! I recently read that we are are mail that God sends out! What are you junk mail, a bill that needs to be paid, or a love letter! You matter and right in your area you are making a difference. Seriously, when is the last time you smiled at someone in the grocery store. Love will grow cold as the days go, but Love like you want to be loved. Live it inside the house all the way outside the house.

And we all have days we don't feel like climbing , trust me I understand. Get up again, and just start climbing that tree, the adventure of the day lies ahead. No act of kindness is too small!!!!

Julie Held Official Music Video "When You Said I Do"

2010-12-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

1 week challenge

2010-11-18T23:10:00.001-08:00

My husband and I this year, have stepped out in faith, and we keep saying it is like walking on water toward Jesus. You literally got to keep your eyes on Him or you freak out and start sinking or should I say drowning with worry, fret, fear, "what-in-the-world-are-we-doing!" So I write this blog from this mindset...."Faith, He can move the mountains, I know it!"

Ever have that feeling, "Life is scary, even when it feels completely calm." You know in your gut it is all gonna work out somehow, but the How? and When? you have no idea and that actually just makes you start to freak out!

Today, I heard in Bible Study that God will wait for us to stop fretting so He can finish what He started. He is the beginning and the end, so when we don't know the ABC's to life or the 123's, He does, He created the A to Z and the 123's. He's not gonna let you cross the finish line while fretting. He is going to patiently wait for you to trust in Him. He wants you to grow character, patience, kindness, love, gratitude, thankfulness, and understand He is Lord of all and Lord in all.

Another thought on my mind, I can not get out of my head is .....

I recently heard this story from a young girl who went on a mission trip to Africa. She said, early in the morning she woke up to children, who were orphans, singing loudly. To none other than JESUS! They would sing, "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be in glad in it. For this is the day that the Lord has made...." Need I even go in to detail, how much different they live than us.

This really made me start thinking on...

I have always heard the faith in Africa, in Christian believers is incredible, well maybe their mind is set on above and not on this earth. How come we don't wake up singing, "this is the day that the Lord has made..." We need to.

We need to praise God in the morning in the night and all day long! This really convicted me, so the past week my husband, daughter, and I have been waking up praising God. And what a difference the whole day takes on. Gets you all excited to read His Word, and listen! We need to worship the KING OF KINGS in our homes, not just in our church buildings! Your first ministry is at home, how easily we forget. When is the last time you praised God in song as a family together in your home?

So what will be the first thing you will be doing tomorrow morning?

I challenge you, try 1 week and see your heart transform, and your faith boosted in the Redeemer, Oh HOW HE LOVES US!!!!

Walk on water He is waiting for you to get out of the boat! Step out in FAITH!

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

Why this 40 foot ladder?

2010-10-22T23:35:00.000-07:00

What steps are in front of you right now in your life? Is it a 40 foot ladder? And you know you are suppose to go all the way to top, because you know that is part of your legacy in life that God has placed before you.

Are you frozen in fear? Because all you see is a 40 foot thin wobbly ladder that is not bolted down to the ground. You have tried to climb it but only puts you in shock and you only go up 5 steps, then freeze then go slowly go back down, convincing yourself it is not for you but someone else. Even though you have faith in God knowing He is with you each step of the way in this task that He has specifically given this ladder to you.

My friend, Annie Phipps, just went through a real live scenario like this in her life. She is an artist that paints murals. She recently had to go paint a mural at the Fender Museum in Corona, California. She got there with paints in hand and paintbrushes ready to go. But she gets in the room and looks at the ladder that goes way up, and we are talking way up! Fear starts to set in, but she convinces herself she can do this, she starts to climb, but she only gets to the 5^th step. She starts to grip the ladder in fear, her mind is swirling, which in return makes her feel the ladder is about crash any minute! She starts backing down, she has convinced herself if she goes all the way up to the top...that it's all over. CRASH!

After an hour of turmoil and anxiety doing her best to trust God with all her heart. She gets to the car sobbing and feeling defeated by this thing, this obstacle. Trying to get it all together but just can't do it all by herself. She puts a call to her husband for help, explains her major obstacle, that she has to get up that ladder to finish this masterpiece....but she is scared by the 5th step that she can’t do it. Her husband's reply, "I will be there in 5 mins."

He arrives and takes her hand and he gets on the ladder, climbs to the top jumps on the 40 foot ladder a few times, to show Annie, look how secure it is. It’s not going anywhere. He gets down and encourages her to get on the ladder and get to the top. She starts and once again by the 5^th step, fear sets in, she freezes and she comes down. Frustrated with fear and insecurities, knowing the task awaits her. She is the one chosen for this job. All she can do is look up at the blank wall 40 feet in the air, wishing it would just drop to her level. But knowing full well it won't and the blank wall awaits her brushstrokes, so the masterpiece maybe finished.

Her husband says, "ok, let’s do this again... start going up." She takes a deep breath of courage and she starts the process again. The next thing she knows, her husband is right behind her, cheering her on. "Keep going, your doing great, let’s do this together, almost there." Before you know it, they are both at the top, and he stays up there until she is fully comfortable with paintbrush in hand and starts to form the beautiful colors that were intended to be on that wall, in that place, on that particular day. She has fully forgotten that she is dangling 40 feet up in the air on a thin metal ladder and she painting freely in faith.

The masterpiece was completed that day and as my friend shared this story. All I could think of is how, God has masterpieces for all of us to complete in our lives. It might be being a friend who is in need, being the spouse God intended you to be, loving your children, taking care of an elderly parent, reaching out in your community and/or loving complete strangers, etc.

But how fear grips us and we never go further than the 5^th step, because we have convinced our hearts and minds that is not what God wants for us. Even though all he wants is our willing heart to hold the paintbrush. He will guide you on how to lay the paint and draw the lines. It’s His masterpiece, we are just the tool.

What fear or insecurity have you hidden in your heart? What masterpiece awaits you? Are you climbing in faith knowing God is right there to catch you or are you at the bottom looking up, frozen in fear with hot tears streaming down your face, wondering why you have been chosen for this task.

A master piece awaits you and God wants to use you as His tool. Get up there, keep climbing. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. 2 timothy 1:7

Never a failure always a lesson

2010-06-30T23:41:00.000-07:00

Sorrow....we fear.

Have you ever cried so hard out of anguish not knowing what to do with it. But afterwards felt so relieved, a peace that passes all understanding....

We have to go through sorrow so we can be refined.

"For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without our repentance is the kind that results in death." 2 Cor 7:10

Many times we fear sorrow, ...cause the pain, hurt, anguish is so deep to the heart...but those are the moments God goes deep in our hearts and then we start to listen.

But then there is the sorrow where we don't learn and that is where the "death" comes in. Might be the death of opportunity, job, family, a friend, and/or ultimately salvation.

Where are you in your moment of sorrow?

Do you cry out to God to show you?
Or do you harden your heart and say" I got this"?

I challenge you to ask God, "show me what you want me to see." And then watch and wait. He might answer you right then and there, or later. God is always speaking just a matter of us listening.....sometimes He even whispers a gentle whisper. And then sometimes it might be in BOLD LETTERS!

66 years!!!

2010-03-16T21:41:00.000-07:00

Today as I went for walk with my sister in her neighborhood, we came upon a home that I don't think I will forget the moment. It was a elderly couple stooping down together side by side in their front yard, and as we came closer we realized they were picking weeds together. Literately pulling each weed one by one an placing them in a bucket next to them. My first reaction as we came near to them, "oh these poor old people, they need help." But as you got closer, it was more than that. It was them spending time together. It made me ponder what will our generation be like when we are in our 80's? Will you even see couples together doing such things? Many married couples in our generation don't even understand what it is like to be alone together without the cell phones, texting, and laptops? And we really don't know what kind of impact this will have on our society yet.

Well, back to this beautiful couple....They had to be at least in their 80's. You have to understand there were zillions of weeds in the yard and they were hand picking each one.

We stopped to talk to them. We asked them how long they had been married. The little old lady with short parted gray hair to the side with a missing front tooth, gave us a big grin and said "66 years!" The man looked up and smiled. And he had to figure out what year they got married in. It was awesome! Then he proceeded to tell us how he fought in World War 2 in the Marines.

We then asked them what's your advice to stay married so long. Then the wife looked at us with tender eyes and said confidently, "Love One Another." Then she paused and said, " and I always protect him, and he protects me."

Beautiful!

We chatted a little longer offering to find some help, but the husband did not see it necessary. Oh... but his wife did. She even said that she argued with him to not to go outside and pick the weeds. But regardless how she felt, she went out there with him, and picked the weeds as well. That made us laugh! Proves that even at 66 years of marriage you will always have disagreements, but the key is to love, protect, and support each other.

Well, I just celebrated my 10th anniversary this month, I hope to be picking weeds with my husband one day at 66 years of marriage!

Life is an experience. Live it too the fullest, celebrate the small things...

even if it is picking weeds!

NO sugar???

2010-01-17T00:52:00.000-08:00

Who really wants to embark on a fast of "NO man made sugar"?

Not I. But sometimes you know God keeps whispering to you...."you need to do this." And everywhere you go, you keep hearing the Holy Spirit whispering to you...."Come on, follow me in this, I want to reveal new things to you, it is for good, not for harm. Trust me."

Well that is exactly what happened when I seen a friend's emblem on Facebook "no sugar".
I seen it, clicked on it, and I thought, " that is something I really need to do. I could learn a lot by making it a fast unto God, and teaching my body to submit to God in this area, and having the accountability of others in this area."

Well, obviously just in 3 days I underestimated it . Seriously, I didn't know God was going to reveal His character to me through this and show me the ways of disobedience of a human.

The past 3 days for me have been an awesome spiritual journey. God showed me plainly 3 examples of how we sin, not the food so much, but the heart and our motivations.

3 days / 3 situations:

1.) "I will just have a little nibble of this cookie, it is just a little bit, I just want to taste it."

- This is a good example of when we compromise and say it is just a little bit, it won't hurt, knowing in your heart your not suppose to.

2.) "I am going to eat 2 handfuls of this cheese balls, CAUSE I WANT TO, forget that sugar thing, these are good."

- This is a good example when we say I am going to (fill in the blank) knowing FULL well this is not God's will; knowing full well we are disobeying completely.

3.) Then there is the sin of not knowing literally.
Drinking something completely sweet not even remembering your not suppose to. Then someone comes later and says "why were you drinking that sweet, when your not suppose to?" then it hits you - Whoa! I totally forgot, I wasn't even aware I was doing that.

- This is a good example of a sin, that you may commit that you don't realize you have done. Then someone or Jesus confronts you on it. Do you repent or deny? What is your reaction?

So there you have it 3 different ways of compromise from small to great. But remember sin is sin, all lead to compromise. God's Word says, " For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD." Romans 3:23

One of my favorite verses is Colossians 3:2, "Set your mind on things above and not on things of this earth." Then just today I read this verse :

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit, the things of the spirit."

Makes me think, what are we striving for daily. What do you set your mind on everyday, is it yourself, your desires, your motivations, your status, etc. ??

Or is it... how can I love someone today, how can I serve God today, what do you want me to do today LORD???

My conclusion:
Sin is sin...but when you truly know and love Jesus, It is more than not just confession(s) or mouth action, "Oh, Lord I am sorry." It is FAITH WITH ACTIONS. So grab your Bible, journal, and accountability friend ....and commit to God (fill in the blank) that you know He has been whispering to you for awhile, submit...there is such a blessing in being obedient.

Remember:

"what you do everyday
matters more than what you do once in awhile."

Got Jesus?

2009-12-13T21:15:00.000-08:00

Have you ever lost something? It is frustrating, trying to remember where your keys are or your wallet. What about have you ever lost someone you loved? Not speaking of death here, just that moment of panic of someone being "lost".

Mary and Joesph sure did. Unfortunately, they lost Jesus at the age of 12 years old at the end of their journey to Jerusalem for a Feast of Passover. They assumed Jesus was among the relatives and acquaintances. Which myself being a mother is an easy thing to assume; let me assure you of that. But the scriptures go on to say that they didn't find him. And they returned to Jerusalem and found him 3 days later!

Whoa! Let's just ponder on this, they know that God has called them to be the parents of Jesus, the Son of God! Can you imagine the panic and anguish they must of went through, the shame, the guilt, anger, tears, embarrassment, on and on... not to mention fear!

Imagine first it starts with probably Mary and Joesph, "you got Jesus?" , "No, do you?", "No!" Then the look of where is Jesus...."do you got Jesus?" Might have been the buzz around the community in a matter of moments. And moments turned into days.

The scriptures go on to say, " they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."
(Luke 2:47-48)

My question for you is " Do you loose Jesus in your social life?" This started making me think of what we do with Jesus when we are at "feasts" with family, friends, and acquaintances. Do we assume Jesus is there with us and just kinda let him hang out and kinda of forget about him for the moment, because we are more consumed with ourselves, our own motives, and/or status. Then realize later, "where are you, Jesus?" and we start to call out for him in our life once again.

Jesus reply to his parents is very thought provoking. And He said to them, "why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49)

This is the first question we are reading since hearing of his birth in the scriptures. Pretty intense question for the first question recorded in scriptures. Let's read that first question again
"Why did you seek me?" Jesus asked.

Friends, think about this question. "Why do you seek Him?" What is your motivation of seeking Jesus? Is it for status, social etiquette, seems-the-thing-to-do, or is He the Savior of your life? Or do you even seek Him?

My friends, Jesus never looses us, but we loose him and forget him daily.
We need to repent daily and call after Him, and He will answer!

scripture reference: Luke 2:41-50 (NKJV)

by Julie Held

"Prepare yourself like a man..."

2009-11-16T22:44:00.000-08:00

Do you hear it... the God whisper?

2009-07-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

Not sure what to write about, but this is on my heart because God is real and alive, and how God speaks just grabbed me last night. I grab the Bible and open it. There it is 1 Kings 19, looking at me, and on the side says "God Whispers." And I knew right there, God was whispering to me....

I start reading, and God's timing is incrediable. (Mind you this is 1 am in the morning.)

Elijah, this great man of God, that we all know and hear of often who obeyed God and served him whole heartly. Well, he did have break down moments, just like normal people, like you and I.

In this part of his life, he ran out of fear because people wanted to kill him for doing God's work. Then he goes to the desert and tells God, " I have had enough, LORD," he said. Take my life: I am no better than my ancestors." This great man Elijah was normal like you and I, and he thought he was done. Then he falls asleep God provides food and water for him, wakes him to eat 2 times. Then he travels 40 days and 40 nights to the mountain and goes in a cave....and THEN....well, you will have to read the rest for yourself ...and read about how God Whispers.

Are we quiet enough to hear God whisper?

Check your surroundings daily, He might be whispering to you in beautiful ways. Don't miss those moments. He whispered to me last night.... "I AM gonna take care of it all, get some sleep my child, I love you."

Just because daddy!

2009-06-21T22:59:00.000-07:00

Well, today is Father's day, and I am so excited to celebrate this day with my awesome husband. Truly he is such an amazing daddy to our daughter!

I went to the Hallmark store with our daughter a few days ago to have her pick out a card for her daddy, and she found one right away. A card with a big bumble bee with a huge smile. She came proudly to me, "here mama, this is for daddy." Even though she can't read, I read the card and grinned and told her it was perfect. We bought the card and she proudly took the card and walked proudly to the car. All the way home, she talked about her card for her daddy and how she loves him.

Today when she gave her daddy the card, she was so proud. That after he opened the card. She wanted it back. She was in her carseat in the car, she took the card for a whole half hour she kept opening and closing the card and making up all kinds of thank you's for her daddy and how she wants to hug him, and love him. Seriously, it was so precious.

Made me start thinking, how often do we pick a "card" of love for our Daddy in Heaven, and proudly thank him for ALL he does for us daily. Think about it he, gives us food, clothing, a roof over our head, the beauty of his creations, a heart that beats....He brought His ONLY Son to this earth to take our place so that we may be with Him forever one day....incrediable!!! Do we truly understand His GREAT LOVE?

Does our heart beat wildly with such joy and excitement when we come before our God daily with our "card of thanksgiving" or do we thank him because he is our "dad" and we "have to" say thank you, then just set the card to the side not thinking much about what we just said.

I bet we would have more JOY in our lives if we just thanked our daddy in Heaven, just like our 2 year old daughter did today. There was not a worry in her, that her daddy won't take care of her needs, she just loves him.

Let's just start loving Jesus, just because he is our Papa!!!

"How GREAT is the love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God! .."

1 John 3:1

Marriage is not dead.

2009-06-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,
but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18

We have a guy who just got married in December in our study at Generate Intimacy. And last week, he came wearing a shirt that said boldly and plainly, "Marriage is not dead."
He made this shirt and it blessed our socks off!! It shows how passionate he is for his marriage....unlike this world we live in now days. All you have to do is flip your computer on and there you have...."how to divorce in a day", "what to look for if your spouse is cheating", "how to keep your independence when you marry, "do you really want to be married still" ....on and on. Looking at the world view, I can see why would people want to get married but when you do it God's way....

MARRIAGE IS NOT DEAD.

Marriage is amazing and awesome!!!

MARRIAGE IS NOT DEAD. ....unless you you don't have Jesus Christ, the Creator of this Universe as your heart and soul purpose in your life...then it might be dead.
Make your marriage ALIVE.

JESUS is our LIFE IN OUR MARRIAGE, not each other, or our stuff, or dreams.....its all about JESUS!!!!

Walk the Talk

2009-06-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Before I married my husband, I would take leisure walks with my future father-n-law in the neighborhood, as he needed to walk for his health. I have some found memories of those times of fellowship. One thing he always told me "you become a "real" christian when you get married." Mind you I was 17 and 18 when he is telling me these things, "yes sir." I would tell him, but thinking, 'I don't know what he is talking about, I am a christian!"
I didn't know what he meant by it honestly.

Marriages today break up so often because they aren't ready to give up "SELF." I like to ask the question is the reason people wait so long to be married now a days out of fear of giving up "SELF." For example: they might just live with each other, act like their married but their is no written commitment before God, so they can always bail, if "their" needs are not met.

Reading in Philippians 2:2-4 talks about being a "REAL" christian....marriage is one more way to let the talk hit the road and walk what Jesus said to do .....DAILY.

"fulfill my JOY by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Let each of you look out not only of his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

All I got to say, is that is exactly what my husband did for me this weekend. As I was puking every hour from some random stomach flu this weekend...ugh... "through sickness and health."

My husband was more concerned for my well being than his sleep, and praying over our home than sleeping....."he showed me Jesus through his love."

How do you show your love?

Love is a decision.

God doesn't make JUNK!

2009-05-26T14:06:00.001-07:00

We get wrapped up in the "big" picture, that we don't focus on the daily small things that have huge impact on that "Big Picture".

For instance, you want a great marriage! You read all the books about ,
"How-to-have- a- great marriage". But then when you see your spouse you just look at him or her? Do you actually, go and embrace him? Talk to them like you can't wait to hear what they say. Or is it more the other way," honey, Here is the trash, can you fix this, why didn't you do this yet, what happen to that," on an on...

Last night we fell asleep in each others arms after a long week, and the security and oneness that brought to our hearts was beautiful! Thanking God for each other, that we can hold each other, a true blessing. It was small thing, but it makes an impact for the bigger picture of our marriage.

As God is our potter and he is molding us. He wants to hold us and hear what we have to say.
He loves us so much. He wants us to cuddle up in his lap and tell him all our dreams, hopes, disappointments....LIFE!

How often do we do that? Or do we do a "drive-by-prayer" and go on our way? Or quick the read the "How-to-do-life-Bible?" and not apply it.

Then feel completely empty and then wondering,
"why do I feel this way? I talked to God today. "
Think about it , did you really?

Did you get on your Father's wheel and let him hold you and completely let go ? Do you really trust him completely in letting him finish his master piece...YOU?

We can't wait for tomorrow, a real potter is coming to
Generate Intimacy @ 9pm @ Crossroads

We are going to watch dirt become a masterpiece!!!

It is going to be awesome!!! Don't miss it!

Remember God doesn't make junk!!!

"where are you?

2009-05-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Too often then not lately, our daughter loves to go hide in her closet. She brings all sorts of toys in there and lately any food items that she finds.
As young as she is, she knows this is a great hiding place.

The new thing is when we call her, there's no answer. This makes us nervous #1, for we love her so much we want to know where she is and she is safe.

For example: a few weeks ago she was eating "ginger chewy candies" in her closet. We were in shock as we found her in her closet, as she sat there eating silently in the dark, thinking no one would find her! Understand, these candies are hot and spicy and if she ate to many she would have a terrible tummy ache, but she doesn't understand that!

Such as this morning was one of those mornings where time was ticking, and we call her saying, " let's go." No answer, second call, a third time and maybe a forth time.... Then one of us has to go and get her, she screams wildly with great joy that she has been found! But does she get up and leave the closet, nah, she likes it in her dark closet with her little goodies.

So what do we do when Jesus finds us?

Do we squeal with delight when God finds us in our hiding?

Do we get up and follow him?

Or do we laugh and hide further, truly thinking we know better?

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
"I am the light of the world.
whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

Talking back...

2009-05-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Read that verse a few times.....seriously read it a few times.

Do we really understand that? We are referred to as clay! The last time I played with clay in art class it never talked back at me, it just let me mold it, shape it, remove clay, add clay, etc. I was the artist and I did my BEST to make it into something beautiful that I would be proud to use or share with others. Now think our Perfect Heavenly Father is saying He is the potter and we are his clay. That means He is shaping, molding, removing, adding, perfecting us into his perfect workmanship!!!!

That is intense!!!

We know so many times in our lives we are asking God "really this is what you want right now?" Sometimes it is amazing awesome things, other times it maybe sorrow and hardships....
but if God is molding us then, so be it! If we say we trust the Lord with all my heart, then why do we talk back at him, like we know it all! ugh!!! Just imagine a piece clay start talking back at you, I would probably take another piece of clay and shut the mouth and keep on molding, because I know the plans and vision for that piece of clay! Good thing I am not God, huh?
.... not much mercy there, huh?!?

Gods' Word says,

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Are you willing for God to mold you? Or are you talking back at him?

Come to Generate on Wed.
www.generatelife.com

Intimacy afterwards @ 9 pm, we will be talking about YOU.....the clay!

bubbles, bubbles bubbles

2009-05-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

.... so we don't have to many dimes and nickels now a days for fancy car washes. So today we go outside pulled out the hose, the buckets, the sponges, soap, towels.... on and on it felt like. The next thing I know Kirstin squirts me with the hose, then I take the hose and squirt her and she squeals and gives a mean dirty look, "don't do that mommy!!!" The we are all laughing, of course then we went after Papa Nathan!!!

as we are putting all the bubbles on the car... our daughter is singing at the top of her lungs, "we are a happy family, GOD made cars! .... bubbles, bubbles, bubbles,YAY!!!"

then the same thought came to us, as we looked at each other.

When the economy was fancy for all of America, we forgot how to serve but we all knew how to pay to be served.

What has happened to the beauty of serving each other? Truly washing the car today, as a family, was so fun and a "beautiful God moment."

We came to the conclusion as the economy falls apart maybe families will just "hang out" again....even if it is washing cars.... or mowing a lawn....staying home and eating "out" in the living room. Work is a blessing from God not a punishment.

2009-05-15T18:27:00.001-07:00

blog beginnings

Whoa! Thinking of a name for this blog was crazy....thought of all kinds of names, scribbling them out on paper such as ...."held connection"....nah too cheesy! "Hearts Held together"...nah to girly, etc.

Then I get the bright idea to call my husband at work. I called probably 3 times at least just to test names for this blog on him, in less than 4 minutes! After the 4th time, he tells me, "honey, just pick a name....ask a girl, love ya!"

.....so then I get the bright idea of harassing and calling some girlfriends but of course NO one is picking up! Where is everyone at 3 in the afternoon?!

And all I can think about at this time - of this new adventure of "blog beginnings" is the baby is sleeping right now this is the time to do this!!!!

Suddenly the phone rings, a friend of mine exclaims "is everything ok!" I am so excited and answer,"OH YES!!! I AM SO GLAD you called I need a BLOG NAME!!!" I hear her sigh, "oh.....I thought something terrible happened! phew....Don't do that to me! " Then I realize how annoying I am am being! And I am envisioning people looking at their cell phones, thinking now what does she want! Ha! I don't like when people do that to me, now I am doing that to them! Over a silly BLOG NAME!!!!

well, long story short here is Nathan and Julie Held's new blog....named

. LOVE BOUND .

1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us."