blessed beyond measure

I love the changing of seasons. Each one has its own unique beauty. It's even more special this year, almost like experiencing it for the first time. We have been introducing Trey to the sights, sounds, and smells of spring. He is fascinated by trees or bushes blowing in the wind. He also intently watches the cows behind our house, especially the new baby ones. He loves being outside, and will just sit forever, look around, and listen. It's the coolest thing. I definitely do not have a green thumb - several things I have put in the ground have not lasted long. But here are a few of the Lord's more resilient masterpieces at our house.

Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him This verse may explain, in my opinion, the problem with the Church today. Our churches are full of people every Sunday that have excepted Christ as their Savior. They come to church regularly and enjoy the experience of being at church. The problem arises when the doors of the church are closed. We are called to live in Christ at all times. This just doesn't mean from 11-12 on Sunday morning. It is a continuous escalation of living in Christ that should become deeper over time. The problem that many in the world have with the church has nothing to do with what we believe but rather with the fact that many do not live what we say. Think about complaints you have heard about religion. Few people mind that I believe in God, go to church, or even attempt to talk to them about God. If I stumble, however, they will quickly point out that I am not living the way the Bible directs me to. I...

Happy Easter! We enjoyed spending time at church and with family today. Trey had a blast digging in the plastic grass in his basket. This will be a quick post, but we wanted to share these pictures. On this Easter, we remember... But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 Wouldn't we be lost and miserable if the cross were the end of the story? But praise the Lord: Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:5-6

Today is/was an important day for Christians around the world. It represents the day when Christ died, not just for us, but for everyone. This was an act of love that is unmatched in the history of the world. Sometimes I feel that we (myself included) look past today to focus on Sunday and the celebration of the resurrection. Not that Sunday is not important, but what about Good Friday? Christ is a comforter. When we are struggling in life or having problem that cause us to have great concern, He can be the only thing that calms us. Why is this? One is obviously the unmeasurable power of God. The other, however, had to do with today. Christ lived his entire life with the realization of how it was going to end. He had to deal with this fact in His day-to-day life. This could surely be unsettling. He understands when we are distressed, because he has been there too. Christ is concern. Even while on the cross, He took care of His family. He made arrangements for John to take...

I laugh often at this world. I am amused by the people that are considered "intelligent." It is always someone not of the Christian faith. These people look at Christians and feel that we are short-sighted or closed minded. We only see things one way, and that way seems to be wrong. The world is becoming increasingly tolerant. Any intolerance is seen as ignorance, which is the problem that many have with Christians. We set boundaries, have limits, and try to live life a certain way, but this does not allow for open minds according to some. I am experiencing some people like this in my life now. They feel like they are enlightened, intelligent, and not ignorant enough to fall for the mindlessness of religion. They believe that people should be able to do as they please, regardless of the outcome. There is a feeling that every choice I make only affects me and therefore should not be of concern to anyone else. How ironic it is that they are spending their lives right now search...

We are in the midst of trying to raise Trey and teach him about life. Ironically, we are learning our own lessons about life, lessons our parents learned before us and our children will learn after us. "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 Why is that? Because the example of faith that we see in babies and children is the perfect picture of the relationship God wants to have with us. Trust is so easy, probably pre-programmed into us when we are brand new. There is someone we look to who will provide for our needs without question. Hopefully that lasts through our lifetimes, even beyond when we are fully capable of taking care of ourselves. Praise the Lord, Brandon and I continue to be nurtured by the best parents God ever put on this earth. We hope to give this same gift to Trey. So shouldn't our relationship with our heavenly Father be as reliable, as precious? The sad thing is, it ...