Babies and Fathers

This video clip is too funny! It really goes to show a mother's touch. I'm sure there are some great fathers out there that can change a diaper without any dry heaving... unfortunately these fathers couldn't make it. 

For Such A Time As This

Spring break is over :(

I'm so thankful that I have had this week to relax and to regain some perspective. However, I'm really anxious to return to work tomorrow. I know that God calls us to not be axious, but in prayer and petition summit your request to Him... BUT I can't help but have these initial feelings. Because God is so good to me, He gave me the answer I needed this morning through the message from Curtis Jones on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. The Lord was speaking directly to me when he said "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances..." 

I can't help but be a little puzzled about the word rejoice. What does rejoice look like? Does this mean I have to walk around like I just had a hanger in my mouth? What does it mean to rejoice always? How does God want me to live this out? 

My roommate, Nicky, reminded me about Acts 16:16-40 where Paul and Silas were imprisoned after being beaten and later found rejoicing in the Lord through song. This scripture has really put my circumstance into perspective and I have a better picture of what "rejoicing" looks like now. But, what does it mean for me? Does this mean I must go to work and sing songs to the Lord? Maybe it does and maybe it doesn't? I would venture to say that to rejoice is more than a feeling and more than just being happy, but about the attitude of my heart. It's about being satisfied in God alone. John Piper puts it best when he says, "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him."  

The concern about my job has also caused me to question my purpose, value and effectiveness as a teacher. As I have been studying the book of Esther, I have learned that she prepared herself mentally and spiritually before she approached the throne physically. Esther was called for a purpose, "For such a time as this..."  She didn't run away from her circumstance or try to manipulate the situation. She simply called all her peeps to fast and pray with her and then responded. We must embrace this season of life and the "sufferings" before us because through those sufferings we are transformed. 

Romans 5:3-5  says "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

My prayer, as I return tomorrow, is that I would rejoice in Him always, give thanks always and pray always.  I know the Lord has placed me in this place for such a time as this.

(Please pray for all teachers and students returning tomorrow.)

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

What is St. Patrick's Day all about anyway? 

Here is an interesting video I found that explains it perfectly:

A True Love Letter

An Intimate Message From God To YOU and ME:

My Child,

I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Father
Almighty God

I truly encourage you to read through and study these scriptures in their entirety. There is richness in the entire scripture. I love this letter because it's a good reminder of God's true love for his children and His pursuit of us. 

*note some of the scriptures are paraphrased

Promised 80's Pictures

So here are some of my childhood pictures from the 80's that I promised. Hilarious and scary!!! Viewer discretion is advised.

Brother Bryan and Me

Becky and Me

(I love this picture of me and Bec! It really explains our personalities, which explains how well we complement each other in our friendship-note the 2 fingers behind Bec's head.)

80's school picture (scary!!!)

THE BOMBDIGITY 80'S

I know I was only in elementary school during the 80's, but I love the decade. The fashion of the 80's were so colorful and so much fun. 

This past weekend reminded me of how much I loved it. The singles ministry, Summit, at Houston's First Baptist Church went to Trinity Pines for a winter retreat. TAKS season has caused me to need some retreating :).  My roommates and I drove up on Saturday afternoon after completing the 10K Rodeo Run. We arrived at the camp just in time for free time. After such a long week and running 6.2 miles that morning, I was ready for a nap. I also knew that if I didn't take a nap I would be too tired and miss out on the 80's prom later that night. I could not miss the 80'S PROM! 

Before the prom, each Sunday school class was encouraged to create a skit that would have aired on MTV in the 80's. Our class did a music video for the song Danger Zone from the Top Gun soundtrack. It was so much fun to be a part of the skit (even though I joined in at the last minute and had absolutley no idea what I was doing). It really is a silly skit (watch below for yourself-warning it's only funny if you have seen the movie Top Gun)! The prom part was so fun too. They played a little Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Debbie Gibson and some New Kids on the Block (although it was technically early 90's). It was such a fun way to bring back the good ole times.  

The Ignite Class

The Ignite ladies bringing the 80's back

Ashley and I 

 The 80's Prom

Here are some funny phrases that could bring you back to the 80's:

M.A.S.H. (this is really a game not so much a phrase-Acronym for: mansion, apartment, shack,      house. An elementary/middle school game that provided random futures. Example: "Last night I      played MASH with Becky and I got Jason as a husband!" ;)

The JAM!: So some friends and you are at a breakdancing competition. After one dancer does a particularly good combo of headspins and freezes he finally finishes up with a backflip. You say to your friend "That homeboys moves are the JAM!" (the emphasis is always on the word "JAM" so as it is louder and more funky than the rest of the sentence). 

S'Up: A greeting. Short for "What's Up?" meaning: "How ya doin'?" "Hey, S'up?" "S'Up? whats going on?

Tight: Really cool.

Homegirl: Female form of homeboy, a close female friend.

Doy (Doi): Short for "No duh" or "no doy"

Cool Beans: Cool, awesome, agreeable.

Chill Pill:  Take it easy. ie. "Take a Chill Pill! You're gonna get us all busted."

Bombdigity: It means that something is good. Example: "That outfit is bombdigity! or "the bomb."

Don't Have a Cow: Remain calm, don't get excited.

P.S. We won the award for the best skit!

What kind of things do you remember about the 80's-the good, bad and the ugly?

Stay tuned... I might  post some of my fav 80's pics, but I will have to raid my mom's pictures first.