3 egg hunts later, it's still all about our Risen Savior

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:1     (Refreshing, isn't it?)

"...that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve."

1 Corinthians 15: 3-5 

 

In love "he predestined us for adoption to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to his riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in heaven and things on earth."

Ephesians 1:5-10

He has risen indeed.  Thanks be to God.

Our Easter week was a busy one but thankfully it was filled with lots of family time.  But (isn't there always a but?) if I see one more shred of artificial grass on the floor, I may just scream.  Loud.  Just when I think I've gotten all of it up, I catch a piece staring at me out of the corner of my eye.  Seriously.  Staring at me.



Easter party at preschool:

Lyndi and Kate

singing their Easter songs

Coloring eggs:

Church Easter party:

 special friends

Easter Sunday:

The obligatory family Easter pic

cousins

Anna and Hamp

Hamp's first beach trip:

Sara Gale and Kate

eating sand

sweet moments

With each year that passes, I feel more blessed...beyond my deserving.  I'm not worthy.  But I'm so thankful that God's sees me differently.  He doesn't need me, but he wants me. 

Something I'm starting to realize is that the same grace that saved me is the same grace that will get me through the mistakes of my daily life.  (One of Furtick's blog post really brought this to my attention: see more here.)


I'm so thankful for the grace that our sweet Lord and Savior has given to those who believe.



Hope everyone had a great Easter!

Far from Wordless

Just thought I'd share...


A few weeks back I was introduced to Pastor Steven Furtick's blog.  It has quickly become one of my most favorite blogs thus far.  He is the pastor of Elevation Church, but he also writes daily blog posts (which, in my opinion, are kind of like devotionals that really get me thinking and hit me right where I need it). 


His current series of sermons (which you can download as free audio podcasts), Honorology, hits the nail on the head with it's introduction saying:

Today's generation has done a great job at ruining the concept of honor. We have confused it with respect. We think honor is something we can withhold from someone based on their performance. Based on how much we like them. But that’s not biblical honor. In the Bible, honor is weight. Honor is value. And it's something freely given. It's time for a re-education.


I've added the link to my blog roll for easy access. 



Don't feel like scanning through the entire site looking for the 'really good ones'?  Let me recommend a couple of my favorites:


this one  (spiritual growth)


and


this one  (personal development) 



Oh, and if you're needing some motivation...this one, for sure.


Bet you can read all three of those in less than 10 minutes - maybe even 5.  That is, if you were in the high reading group in elementary school.  Just kidding.  They are all fairly quick reads and get straight to the point.  And I, for one, appreciate getting straight to the point.




And heck, ya'll ought to know by now I can't not post a few pics of the kiddos. 

Just a swingin'!

Think About Such Things

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.-Philippians 4:8


About a year and a half ago, I wrote a post about being intentional with your thoughts.  (Please visit or revisit that post, or this may not make any sense at all.) 


Well, today was one of those days where I had to be intentional about being intentional. 


Talk about down in the dang dumps.  I'm tellin' ya'll, I simply cannot handle a sick baby.  Cannot.


As much as I'd like to think of myself as a pretty positive-thinking person, sometimes I can't just take everything with a grain of salt and go on throughout the day as if everything's okay.  I'm telling ya, it's like some days I feel like I can take on the world, whereas some days I feel like I can't even take a shower.  Today was the latter.  (And at this point, if you're thinking I'm crazy, don't tell me.)

 Hamp has been crying for the past two days straight.  I'm assuming it's his teeth trying to come in, but he's also a little congested with a cold.  My poor little man has been so irritable, miserable, and just plain pitiful and that has a tendency to make me feel the exact same way. 


So while I didn't want to 'waller around' in the negative, I decided to focus on the things that made me smile - the little things throughout the day that brought me joy (or kept me from joining in with Hamp and just screaming).


#1 -  My big preschooler was so proud of what she made in school today, she asked me to take a picture of it "for Daddy".   I love that she's proud of her school work.

#2 - and the fact that she flares her nostrils sometimes when she smiles, just like her daddy.

#3 -  This little guy finally found some relief and took a short nap, in my arms.

#4 - This precious, family-sized bag of goodies was left over from our cookie decorating party...AND they were in the fridge, which means they were cold and crunchy, just the way I like 'em. 

#5 - seeing that about three-fourths of my grocery list is crossed out and accounted for, because M to the Izz-A volunteered to stop on the way home from his meeting and pick up the things that were on the we-need-it-NOW category.  The other stuff can wait.

I know ya'll are diggin' my stationary.  Don't worry, you can get yourself some from Burger King.  And the pen?  Teacher supply store, baby.

#6 - watching Kate and her daddy work together on their garage project.

#7 -  seeing this little guy get some fresh air and go longer than 5 minutes without crying. 

#8 - a pink washcloth and a blue washcloth -- well, not the actual washcloths, but what they represent:  A little girl and a little boy who have my heart. 

#9 - Leftovers from last night = tonight's dinner

#10 - A couple of new parts and they got it running!