Michael Preached....

"God is so good and so awesome. We don't just sing praise & worship for the sake of singing it.
We sing because He really is who He says He is....He really is the Messiah.

We all deserve death, but we got life. That's the good news. Everyone of us is unqualified.
But He qualifies the unqualified. His love never ends.

So many of us have been brought up in legalistic churches and denominations...I tell you this:
You cannot do one thing to make God love you any more or any less. His love is a big ol river that never stops. His mercies are new every day. I don't care what you've done or where you've been, He still forgives....He still lavishes His love on us big time.

Remember: Worship is a lifestyle. Don't just do it at church, at a concert or in your home....Live the life. Preach always and if necessary use words....Heeeellllllloooooo?!?!?!?!?

When we really start realizing that it's not about us and it's all about Him.....then big stuff actually starts happening. If we BE the body of Christ that we're supposed to be...that's when all the good stuff happens.

It's not about our agenda....it's about His. It's about having the desire to be the body...and if you don't have the desire: Pray. Pray. Pray.....ask God for the desire and keep at it. Pretty soon you will be so in love with your Creator that you forget what you want to do....you forget about all the materialistic things: how high up you are in your job, your cars, how nice of a home...etc. These things don't really matter and they can't bring you peace.

You will get to that place when you just want to be a servant and pour into others. Maybe you're the one that's supposed to be witnessing to the drug addict living not far from you. Maybe you're the one that needs to be going to the nursing homes and spending time with the older ones. Whatever it is....when we start doing these things---Watch out! The church will be a force to be reckoned with!"

~Michael W. Smith

Gabe and I were watching this M.W.S. DVD today and worshipping....in the middle of his concert, Michael starts preaching.....and I was brought to my knees again. In thankfulness of where I am today.....How far God has brought me.....and of how much He really loves me. He is so good.

Maybe there's someone out there today reading this that really needed to hear this. I pray it blesses you as it did me. Love n Hugs....Laura

The Flags We Fly

So had a hot date with hubby tonite watching the last Pirates of the Carribean movie.

And my favorite part was this:

Kiera Knightley yells: "We shall fight! We shall face our enemy!! We will not turn our backs!
Hoist the colors!" Or something like that...

And instantly I thought:

What colors do we fly?
Do we face the enemy and fight back?
Yes....we are in the Lord's army.
We fight with love only.
We hoist the colors of:
Red: The blood of Jesus that paid for our sins
White: We surrender to God and are made white as snow
Purple: We are a royal priesthood

Happy Weekend!!

The Rain

We finally got some much needed rain today. I think someone said it's been 16 days!
We haven't mowed in forever and the grass was brown and crunchy....hurt the feet.

This morning during my coffee and quiet time, I have to say I was actually happy to see it getting cloudy.....I told God thank You before it even started....my heart needed it.

There were areas of my heart that were starting to get crunchy too....I wasn't letting God water it. So this morning.....I let Him in those areas.....and as Gabe and I danced and jumped and shouted to our Worship DVD......the walls in my heart came down as it thundered outside and the rain came down. And washed all the pain away.

Sometimes it's hard to remember that the rain in life we go thru in seasons are actually God's growing times for us. Praise God for the blue skies up above the rain......and after the storms.
I thought of this song tonite http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IojIbn5J38
My brother Daniel got me hooked to this song many many years ago...and I still love it.

Hava good night.....

The Enemy

"24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty,
Or the captives of the righteous be delivered?
25 But thus says the LORD:
“ Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away,
And the prey of the terrible be delivered;
For I will contend with him who contends with you,
And I will save your children. "

Isaiah 49

Yes...it's true...the devil...our fiercest enemy is prowling around...seeking to destroy, steal, and kill. But Hallelujah for what else is true: Our God will contend...and He saves and rescues!

Every time Jason and I seek God out deeper, read the Bible more often than just daily and pray together more than once a day....the devil attacks us....hard. I'm so angry at him right now that he thinks he can do the awful tricks he does. But I'm angry for the times that I don't get angry enough to fight back at him and instead I just let him walk all over the top of our marriage and our home.

So tonite...with holy anger...I will fight back at the devil...standing on the Solid Rock and fighting back with a more fervant desire to be a stronger warrior in the Kingdom. Not just for us but for our children...and the generations to come.

Blessed

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is in the Lord.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But it's leaf will be green, And will not be anxious

in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

The heart is deceitful above all things,

And desperatly wicked; Who can know it?

I, the Lord, search the heart,

I test the mind, Even to give every man

according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings."

Jeremiah 17:7-10

Pictures-Last Summer Rodeo

Yesterday was Jacob's last summer rodeo. You can click on these pictures to see a bigger image a little bit better. Above is Jacob riding......he didn't make it 8 seconds but he got away safely! The bull was round and fat, making it hard for him to wrap his legs tightly.

2nd picture is Cody....he did pretty good too, not 8 seconds...but once again, was safe.

Above is Jacob helping Cody get ready....it's the neatest thing to see how these guys form a tight bond and are there for each other at every moment.

And we can't forget how important the bull fighters are....they put their lives on the line for all the cowboys....they are amazing to watch too.

Here is stunt cowgirl we saw her perform twice this summer....here she is doing "Dead Man Drag" laying limp sideways on her amazing horse.

Standing while horse trots.....

Completely upside down, feet straight up...

This beautiful cowgirl hales outa Bloomington Illinois!!!

It's always fun to watch the cowboys practicing their bull riding moves beforehand...

We had a great time again......amazing weather...so cool we needed our sweatshirts.

By last night I had horrible "bleacher butt" after the races and the rodeo 2 days in a row....

SO even though it was a busy weekend.....it was a great time!

Pictures-Pourin' Concrete

Saturday was a fun day watching the guys pour,smooth, shovel, wheelbarrow, labor with all
the concrete for the new shed. Gabe liked watching the big truck come back and forth and do it's job. Jacob here was the pro, having all his concrete experience and all.......

There's nothing like watching the men work hard.......

Daddy playing with Ellie during donut break time

God blessed us with a huge crew that day....and beautiful weather.

So after a fun morning, relaxing afternoon, and yummy supper at Dad and Mom's.

The hubby and I headed out for a hot date with my brothers and their ladies to the races.

We had a great time watching some of our favorite drivers.

Pictures-Busy Weekend

The kids kept us busy this weekend.....getting into mischief together seems to happen alot more frequently the more Lil Miss Ellie figures how to boot scoot around......But they are so cute ;)
Even though I wasn't too excited about getting pregnant again so soon with Ellie....now I'm so stinkin' thankful God knew what He was doing instead of me.....I love it that our kids are close in age and pray they will have the relationship I have with my brothers.

Have you ever seen a cowboy with so much drool marks on his shirt front?!?!?!

I put Ellie to work one night helping me fold wash....ha ha, she was a great help.

Found her one afternoon doing this....guess it's time to start with the lessons!

Miss Smarty Pants thinks she's such big stuff now standing and taking some steps holding on.

The onery look that passes over her face a little more often every day

Did you ever see a cowboy suck his thumb and hold a monkey's tail at the same time?????

I found them one morning playing with baby lotion....Gabe was slathering her up good and she was giggling so hard.....oh my......the fun is only beginning.

I Stand Amazed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SGLJLlutS0

I love all kinds of music....but there's nothing like keeping the old hymns around.
I grew up in the Apostolic Christian Church and hymns were the foundation of our music.
There are so many good ones....so rich and deep with amazing stories behind them.

Bart Millard of MercyMe has done an album, Hymned and also Hymned Again...check them out sometimes....good, good stuff.

Below in the clip, he talks about the things we go thru in life. It's not about all that, it's truly about who we are in Christ and how we come across to the world. Are we coming across serious and non-smiling because we are caught up in being perfect for the people around us. Or are we coming across joyful because of who we are.....sanctified and redeemed by the blood of Jesus...and we live our lives for Him and Him alone....not for the people?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb-wOkAdoSA

My heart's cry is this: That others would know the core truth: God loves you and He is our ultimate judge.....He should be our vision and the One we look to for counsel and wisdom on how to live our lives. And the best place to find that is in His Word. So quit worrying about what other people think. Dive into the River of Life with joy and freedom because there.....and only there....will we find who we really are.

Wrath to God's Glory

August 22

Wrath to God's Glory -C.H. Spurgeon
"Surely the wrath of man shall raise thee:
the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. "(Psalm 76:10)

Wicked men will be wrathful. Their anger we must endure as the badge of our calling, the token of our separation from them: if we were of the world, the world would love its own. Our comfort is that the wrath of man shall be made to redound to the glory of God. When in their wrath the wicked crucified the Son of God they were unwittingly fulfilling the divine purpose, and in a thousand cases the willfulness of the ungodly is doing the same. They think themselves free, but like convicts in chains they are unconsciously working out the decrees of the Almighty.

The devices of the wicked are overruled for their defeat. They act in a suicidal way and baffle their own plottings. Nothing will come of their wrath which can do us real harm. When they burned the martyrs, the smoke which blew from the stake sickened men of popery more than anything else.

Meanwhile, the Lord has a muzzle and a chain for bears. He restrains the more furious wrath of the enemy. He is like a miller who holds back the mass of the water in the stream, and what He does allow to flow He uses for the turning of His wheel. Let us not sigh, but sing. All is well, however hard the wind blows.

Friday Fun

So I had some fun this morning creating a new recipe from an old one...I will share it with you because they are way too yummy to keep to myself!

Chocolate Marshmellow Bars
1 German Chocolate Cake Mix
2 Tbs water
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 package choc chips
Marshmellow Cream Sunday Topping

Mix ingred together. Put 3/4 mixture into greased 9X13 pan.
Pour marshmellow creme over top. Drop remaining batter over top and spread with fork.
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

I find myself praying when I'm baking or cooking for those who will be eating the food I make.
That as they eat it: God would touch them, bless them, and love them in the specific way they need it. I used to hate being in the kitchen....but the older I get, I see it as a time to be in prayer
and grow more into my Mama's shoes.

I came into the living room this morning to hear Gabe laughing and shouting to the thing hanging on the wall. Apparently he was the culprit of Ellie's passy landing in one of my wreaths as there was no way she could throw it that high and make it land there!
Later I caught him in the act.....what a nut! You just can't help but laugh sometimes at these creative kids God blesses us with.

We have the best Daddy in the world at our house. Last night while I cleaned up the kitchen from supper, Jason entertained the kids with a new game. Airplane on the floor pillow.

Also a great exercise workout for us parents in the process ;) I'll get right on that one.....

Happy Friday!!!

"Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

Peaches

This is what the kids did while Mom and I did peaches....played with Uncle Josh.

Ellie climbed in and on everything!!!!

She stuck her tongue out at me because she thinks she's big stuff now that she get stand by things and get up on her own!

These 2 have been playing together really really well.....it's been nice....but sometimes they both giggle those onery giggles and makes me think they're gonna cause some real trouble someday.

Ellie loves to try to do everything her big brother does....including jumping on Uncle Jacob's bed

Demonstrating to Ellie just how exactly it's done....

I downloaded these pictures in opposite order....but yes, Gabe taught her how to go down head first the stairs.

The grandkids new firetruck at Mom and Dad's from the Leo Sale.

I won't tell you how many of these I snuck.....they were amazing!!!! Michigan peaches!!!!

I really am not eating toooooooo many he tells Uncle Isaac.

Um, that is his innocent look.....yeah right! Mommy knows better...it gives away the guilt.

A big helper.....

The beauty of what God gives us.....

And the beauty of a Proverbs 31 woman.....my mama.....

We are good to go for the winter now!

Give Me Your Eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGr8as7pPBE

"Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Was it far beyond my reach?
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see."
~Brandon Heath

Father, I just pray today that You would give me Your eyes to see beyond the cruel actions and words of people. To look past that and put love into action....be long suffering.
Father, I ask that You would overflow my heart with love for those around me...so much that nothing they say or do will matter, but my vision would be on You alone...and that You would shine thru me. Father, I just pray less of me and more of You...In Jesus' Name...Amen.

Only God

An amazing thing happened today.
At the gas station...
In that bathroom
while I sat on an earthly throne.
God spoke to me
from His Heavenly Throne.
He continues to amaze me
at all the times He chooses to speak.

When I walked in this morning I thought I recognized the girl behind the register.
I remembered her from grade school days. She was not very well liked and walked
around with the pain of her home life etched across her face.

I remember her being a bully at times. Nice sometimes, then turning around and stabbing
you in the back. I remember being scared of her....wondering if she could really hurt me. (this was long before she actually beat 2 girls up in jr high then and got kicked out of school).

I also remember trying to stick up for others that she would be teasing and then she would turn on me. Girls can be so mean. My brothers always taught me to stick up for myself. I'm ashamed to admit, I didnt always fight back with love. I know that I would get angry and say not so nice things back to her at times.

So while I was doing my duties in the restroom, God spoke. And only God can usually tell us such profound things while doing yer duties.....and you would actually listen to what He had to say.
He told me to forgive her and apologize for all the times I had not shown love.

And so I prayed that no one would be around when I exited and that she would actually listen to what I had to say. As I walked up to her she started to smile and we began to talk. I apologized to her and she said this: "Thank you, you are the only person, besides one other, that has ever apologized to me." And her face softened.....and the pain fell away.

I will not forget this day....because I watched a face soften even amidst all the pain in her life.
Because it's not always easy to do what God calls us to do...but there is always a reward. Sometimes, it may only be the peace that passes all understanding. But sometimes, it's that
and a smile that lights up the world from a person you don't expect it from.

Only God can put people back into our paths to reconcile with.
Only God can give second chances.
And only God can forgive our sins.
Only God can love us like He does.
Only God can give us the peace that passes all understanding.
We serve an amazing God.

Beautiful Becky

My friend Becky came last night for our traditional french toast supper we have at least once a year (sometimes more if we're lucky that our schedules match up) She goes back to college this Friday so I was blessed to enjoy the last of her summer with her for one night.
Gabe had great fun with her, reading, playing tractors, wearing her sunglasses and when he awoke this morning "Bicki" was the first person he asked and looked for ;)
After putting the kids to bed we enjoyed 3 hours of campfire, music, mudslides, and much needed heart to heart talk. I'm at the season in life that I LOVE being a mama....but I just soak up my "girl time" with good friends. God is so good to give us these.

Only the finest ladies...real country chicks...will get down and play with a green machine ;)

My Beautiful Becky....

Thank you for an amazing night. You never cease to amaze me....you always make me laugh.

You give me smiles and gifts of wisdom. And you know how to have great fun.

AND you still have the greatest hugs ever! Hava great year at college...we'll be praying for you and are excited to see what all God has in store for you: the girl with big guns ;)

Love you so much.....Laura

And before I sign off for the night, I have to share this amazing talented 4 yr old. What a cutie!

Thanks, Hopey, for sharing this....I actually cried. (well, okay, I was having a bad day so everything brought tears to my eyes, maybe it won't affect you the same way ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfCqpzQSyuQ