True Light

"See now the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining
In power and glory bringing hope
He's bringing hope"







"In Him is no darkness
In his presence
Only light remains"

Phil Wing "True Light"

Somedays that's all I have to hold on to

Echoes

Where the Echoes Stop
by Erwin Raphael McManus

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Far past where sound has abandoned thought.
Where silence reigns over redundancy.
Where once well said is more than enough.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where words must be born to be heard.
Where speech is a gift and not a curse.
Where there is more of the unique and less of the mundane.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where meaning is rescued from noise…
Where conviction replaces thoughtless repetition…
Where what everyone is saying surrenders to what needs to be said.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where the shouting of the masses falls silent to the whisper of the one…
Where the voice of the majority submits to the voice of reason…
Where “they” do not exist; but “we” do.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where substance overthrows the superficial…
Where courage conquers compliance and conformity…
Where words do not travel farther than the person who speaks them.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where I only say what I believe.
Where I only repeat what changes me.
Where empty words finally rest in peace.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

“Be still and know that I am God…” -Psalm 46:10a

"Bobby"

Each time a man stands for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” Robt F. Kennedy

Zach and I went to see "Bobby" today. It's based on the night that Bobby Kennedy was shot. The movie involves several storylines which at first are a little overwhelming but it all ties in at the end. The end of the movie is extremely powerful.. They use clips from the actual event as well as the characters.
I was only 8 when it happened so I don't remember when it happened but it was definitely a walk down memory lane to see the clothes and styles from the 60's.
As they played his speech at the end ...I couldn't help but think how we deal with some of the same issues..just a different year...a different war..different faces.

Little Drummer Boy

Sometimes you need a little help :)

i've been having a tough time sleeping the past few days so this cartoon was funny to me and very appropriate...I don't wear a hat but I do have slippers :)

A beautiful saying

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” John Bunyan

God's plans vs my plans

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand" Proverbs 19:21(ESV)

I can be a very stubborn person if I think I'm right. Not always the best quality to have when God has plans for you that you don't agree with.
It's so easy to look back and realize why certain events played out. When I'm in the middle of it though...it's tough and many times I will fight against it which can make it even harder. I think I can "fix" it and usually I can't.
In my heart, most of the time I know what the right thing is...I know what I need to do..it's having the faith to know that walking away from the situation or the friendship isn't giving up...it's the first step to healing and it's the first step to God's plans and purpose..not mine.

A hard good-bye

Tomorrow will be a hard good-bye for alot of students,sponsors,parents who were involved in Student Ministry at Southwest Church with Jeff and Mindy. I can't believe it's been 6 yrs. Jeff has decided to take a position at a new church in Quincy,Illinois working with one of his friends,Josh Finklea.
Part of me is sad ...sad that I am losing an awesome youth leader who planted alot of seeds and prayers for my kids Kristen and Zach. Jeff also helped Kristen develop into the amazing singer that she is with the beautiful voice God has given her. Jeff ,Mindy and Adia are like a part of my family. It will be hard not to see Adia grow up. It will be hard not to hear Mindy's contagious laugh. It will be hard not to see Jeff with his Colts gear on and hear him sing.
But part of me is excited for them. It's a new start and a new challenge that God has given them. I know that wherever they are ,they will touch the lives of many kids and their parents. They will be loved just as they are here. And no matter where they are , they will never be forgotten.

Letter of Acceptance

It's official...I have 2 Lee Flames now :)

Do you ever have mornings like this?

Unexpected surprises

Getting a package in the mail
Getting a phone call from an old friend
Winning a contest you put your name in for
Seeing someone you haven't seen for a long time unexpectedly
and

Here is my favorite that happened today

Opening my email and finding that I have a 40% coupon for Borders :)

"I will not forsake you"

This morning my friend Tina and I studied about God's faithfulness. Both of us are feeling alot of uncertainty about things in our life. Sometimes you just need to be reminded by something you can trust....scripture,... that things will get better and you're not alone. We read the following passage in our study and we both underlined it.

"The puritan preacher Thomas Lye remarked that in this passage (Heb.13:5) the Greek has five negatives and may
thus be rendered

"I will not, not leave thee;neither will I not, not forsake thee."
Five times God emphasized to us that He will not forsake us. He wants us to firmly grasp the truth that whatever circumstances may indicate, we must believe, on the basis of HIs promise, that He has not forsaken us or left us to the mercy of those circumstances"

I also liked the following quote" Man fails in all points, but God in none"

God doesn't leave you hanging wondering if or when he's coming back, he doesn't make you feel like you're unimportant, he doesn't walk away when things get hard or uncomfortable.

Just something to think on

Jaci Velasquez

We went to see a free concert at Fairhaven Church last night. Jaci Velasquez was the guest performer. She is just as beautiful in real person as she is in her pictures and she has a very beautiful and powerful voice. The only disappointing part is that she sang to a music machine instead of using the Fairhaven orchestra and choir If you've never heard them perform they have an awesome orchestra and obviously put alot of time into this program

They had a girl sing from their choir that had an absolutely amazing voice...reminded me of Nicole C Mullen She was given a standing ovation
She will be at Fairhaven today through Sunday and it's a free program....just need to get there early if you want a good seat :)
I grew up in this church so it's always nice to go back and see familiar faces who attend there