The Greatest of These...is Love.

Flock to the Fair

2011-11-05T21:48:00.012-05:00

A week ago I helped with an event, "Flock to the Fair" - a carnival/fair Geyer Springs Baptist Church hosted for foster kids and their families. I was assigned to man the rubber ducky pool and supervise simple games and hand out prizes. What a fun job! :) One girl almost tumbled into the kiddie pool, but other than that, fun was had by all! What kid doesn't like water and rubber ducks?! About 100 or so kids enjoyed the games, carnival rides and hot dogs on a beautiful Saturday morning.
As the kids would come up to my area, I couldn't help but wonder, "What's their story?" "What happened to splinter their natural family?" "Where's Mom?" Where's Dad?"

The children were as little as three years old up to teenagers. Some wore green wristbands, which meant they were eligible for adoption; others wore red wristbands, meaning they were not available for adoption. There were more green wristbands than red...

In Arkansas there are 500 children in the foster care system that are waiting to be adopted - that number shocks me. I don't know if God will lead us to be directly involved with foster children, but I do know He has called me to pray. So, as the little ones (and some bigger ones too) played the games at the rubber ducky pool, I silently prayed for God's blessing on them. For protection. For their foster family. For Dad. For Mom.

He knows their story.....

Changing Hearts

2011-07-05T15:22:00.006-05:00

The "Weekend To Remember Getaway" season has come to an end until fall, but I thought I'd share some encouraging attendee testimonies from recent getaways this spring. Only the Lord can transform a heart. Only He can restore a marriage. So only HE should receive glory!

From New Orleans: "When we came to the conference we had been separated for 9 months, filed for divorce, and our divorce would've been final in Oct. '11. At the conference we learned how to include God in our life, be the woman I need to be and also the man K. needs to be. We learned what route to take to become a Godly family, become one as a couple, and ways to handle challenges life will throw at us."

From Niagara Falls: "We were on the path of divorce. Now that path is not an option. I love my wife and can forgive her." (21 people accepted Christ at this Getaway!)

From Tucson: "...We were at a crossroads as to which way our marriage was going to go - continue or split. At the end of the weekend we had a completely new perspective on our marriage and even reaffirmed our vows at the end of the weekend."

From Fresno: "My marriage was completely transformed...when we got here on Friday we were headed for divorce and now we are so different - just in the way we talk to each other...God is good!"

It's not too early to start thinking about attending a Getaway next fall! Go to FamilyLife. com for more info...

Choosing Gratitude

2011-04-06T13:57:00.003-05:00

"Gratitude is a gauge of the heart." If that is the case, my gauge is somewhere between 1/2 to 1/4..... I'm reading "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Nancy gave me her book almost 2 years ago, and honestly I didn't dive right into it because I thought,"I'm a thankful person - I have other things to work on, but I've got a handle on being thankful..." I know, I know....prideful. I'm learning that gratitude is really the root of worship. I love Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anthing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus," Prayer with a thankful heart offers peace, which extends far beyond what my mind can grasp! Simply saying "thank you Lord" puts an entirely different spin on a challenging situation. Or we can try it the way which comes naturally....to be unthankful. Bible teacher and author, Beth Moore describes the way most of the population live, by substituting the well know phrases from the verse above. Notice the polar opposites. "Do not be calm about anything, but in everything, by dwelling on it constantly and feeling picked on by God, with thoughts like, "And this is the thanks I get," present your aggravations to everyone you know but Him. And the acid in your stomach, which transcends all milk products, will cause you an ulcer, and the doctor bills will cause you a heart attack, and you will lose your mind." Giving thanks is a true indicator of our true heart condition. For me, it's time to see that gauge go up to "full"!

New Year's Resolutions 2011

2011-01-01T19:12:00.005-06:00

A couple days ago I came across a piece of paper tucked in a pile of papers. I honestly don't know where I got this, but thought it was worth passing on and pondering...

God, You are everywhere. No matter where I am, You are here.
God, You are self-existent, no one made You.
God, You are huge. You hold the whole world in Your hands.
God, You are eternal, You have no beginning and no end.
God, You are all powerful, nothing can hinder of stop You.
God You are in control, You always get what You choose.
God, You are mysterious, no one can understand You.
God, You are creative, You imagined everything before You spoke it into place.
God, You are unchanging, everyone else changes.
God, You are better than everyone and everything in life.
God, You are enough, it is true whether it feels like it or not.
God, You are glorious, I can't imagine the impact it will have on me to see You someday.
God, You are faithful, everyone else will let me down.
God, You are unlimited, everyone else is limited.
God, You are forever, everyone else will die.
God, You are complete, everyone else is needy.
God, You are unchanging in nature, yet unpredictable in what You do.
God, You are more beautiful than everything You have created.
God, You are bigger than_____________.
God, You are better than_____________.
God, I choose You over______________. (what you love most)
God, I submit to You in______________. (a difficulty you are facing)
God, You can't be threatened, overwhelmed, thwarted, intimidated, manipulated, predicted, controlled or overcome.
You are God and You can do whatever You want with my life. Have Your way.

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions, but I thought the above "declaration" sums up what I want my attitude to reflect - to just fully acknowledge the Lord for who He is and worship Him and rest and trust Him whatever 2011 holds for us.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-25T11:08:00.002-06:00

Philippians 4:7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done...
I find it easy to thank God for His grace, salvation, blessings, etc., but much harder to find a thankful heart during disappointments, frustrations, loss, and hardships. It's my human nature to be thankful when things are going my way. That sounds so juvenile. Yet, I am certain God is stretching me to be thankful "for all He has done."
Joni Ericson Tada says of her quadriplegia," It's a bruising of a blessing. A gift wrapped in black. It's the shadowy companion that walks with me daily, pulling and pushing me into the arms of my Savior. And that's where the joy is."
What perspective! To be able to embrace hardships, knowing there is purpose in moving closer to the Lord.
Thank you Lord, for new opportunities You've given me to lean closer to You this past year. You are good.

Strain & Strength

2010-09-09T09:25:00.006-05:00

Exercise and me have never been friends. I don't like to sweat. I don't like sore muscles. I think running shoes are ugly. (Ok, maybe not ALL running shoes are ugly. I just got a new pair and they are kinda cute.) But I don't like my jiggle-ly thighs either...so despite my distaste for exercise, I know it's necessary. I've been ramping up my walking/running routine the last few weeks. No one will be impressed by my "ramping up", but for me it's a stretch (literally).

The other day I was reading Oswald Chambers: "God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us LIFE as we overcome. The strain is strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty and joy? He cannot unless you accept the strain."

I'm feeling the "strain" when I run....in difficult relationships...in my selfish tendencies...

But there is good that comes from it! Paul says in James 1:2-3, "Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

I've been listening to Fireflight when I run and I love the song "For Those Who Wait", especially these lines:

The pressure makes us stronger

The struggle makes us hunger

The hard lessons make the difference

And the difference makes it worth it.

I doubt if I'll ever like to run for miles and miles. I know myself well enough that I will not jump at the chance to suffer or be in a hard place. But if that's the "strain" that I need to be stronger in HIM, it's worth it.

Andrew Peterson: "Dancing in the Mine Fields"

2010-07-08T08:49:00.005-05:00

Andrew Peterson is a wordsmith. A poet. A musician. We love his music! We anticipate another great offering with his upcoming release on July 27. I'm already hooked on this song about staying committed....especially when it's hard.

"it was harder than we dreamed, but I believe that's what the promise is for..."

"Dancing in the Mine Fields"

Father's Day

2010-06-20T23:40:00.004-05:00

Of course I'm remembering my Dad today - my first Father's Day with him in heaven. Even though it's been 7 months, it's still kind of strange thinking that I can't call him or send him a card. For my 42 years Dad's always been there. In church today I got to thinking how many times does God use the word "father" to describe Himself? Many, many times. He uses other words to describe Himself, but today I'm pondering "Father". Since Dad's homegoing I'm viewing this fact of God as my Father in a new light.

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows - this is God, whose dwelling is holy." Ps 68:5

Yes, I miss my Dad. There is a "missing" in my heart for him. But knowing he is in the same place as my Heavenly Father makes me smile.

God's peace

2010-06-11T12:24:00.005-05:00

Thankfully Mariah's connections were all on time and she and her luggage safely arrived in Uganda on Tuesday! God is good. He has given me such peace. I didn't even cry saying goodbye to Mariah at the airport (so unlike me!). I was truly happy to see her start this adventure! While God has some things to show Mariah in Uganda, He also has some things to teach me right here at home...about His peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Indeed God's peace in indescribable.

Worry, Faith & Uganda

2010-06-01T12:41:00.003-05:00

In six days our 18 yr old will board a plan bound for Uganda, Africa. We are so excited for Mariah to experience volunteering at Amani Baby Cottage for 5 weeks! Check out her blog-HERE. But with that excitement comes...concerns. Ok. Worries.

My list of "what ifs" play in my mind - after all Uganda is 8,175 miles from my house. Recently a well meaning person handed me a newspaper feature about Uganda. Thinking it would be something encouraging, since this person knew Mariah was going there, I eagerly started to read the article...It was not encouraging. It was not happy. Instead it was a graphic article about the rise in crime, kidnappings and witchcraft activity in Uganda....in the very region where Mariah will be. I read part of the story and threw it away. I knew if I dwelled on the atrocities going on there, my concerns (ok, worries) would escalate.

While I believe God wants us to use the brains He's given us and make wise decisons, ultimately our lives are in His hands. My worrying does nothing. Luke 12:25 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Why am I prone to worry? I think it comes down to control. I want to control my environment to protect myself and those I love. I want everything to turn out good...for me. But God is in control and I am not. And that's a very good thing. I must surrender (again and again) everything to Him. My list of "what ifs", the unknown and known - all of it to Him.

So, as Mariah leaves next week I can't promise I'll have this worry thing completely under control, but I do know I will be praying confidently to the One who controls everything...here and in Uganda.

Wedding vs. Marriage

2010-05-19T13:45:00.003-05:00

I love weddings. There’s no other celebration like witnessing two people commit their life and love to each other! But lately I’ve been wondering if more time, money and effort are spent on the “big day” than the marriage itself. Perhaps these thoughts come from a slight addiction to “Say Yes to the Dress”. The girls and I love that show…Emmitt, not so much. The cameras follow brides-to-be in the pursuit of the perfect wedding gown…often at hefty price tags. The average wedding budget is around $30,000. Yikes. The show has prompted many conversations with the girls about what they’d like their weddings to be like (they are perfectly clear a $30,000 budget is not in their futures!). Our talks often turn towards what happens after the wedding….when the perfect wedding gown is stored away, the gifts unwrapped and the glorious honeymoon had…what’s next?
Do we consider investing just as much energy in each other after the wedding? That’s a hard assignment. Life happens. Days get full and before long all those good intentions of getting away for the weekend, praying together, or turning off the TV and talking, sadly evaporate. Marriages don’t last by being idle. It takes work to be intentional in a marriage relationship and I’m learning that even after almost 23 years, I still need to work at it. I don’t want to be a stale old couple, just tolerating each other, but actively pursuing, studying and loving each other…long after the wedding is over.

2009-09-06T16:20:00.003-05:00

One of the exciting things about serving with FamilyLife is seeing the unique ways that each different outreach of the ministry is being used by God. While most of our time is focused on the radio division of the ministry – FamilyLife Today, occasionally we hear some amazing stories from one of the other outreaches. With the fall season of Weekend to Remember® (FamilyLife’s Marriage Conference) right around the corner, we thought it would be appropriate to share one such story with you. Please read the entire letter! It’s an example of God using the conference in a very powerful way in this couple’s lives….
.…Friday night was fun and the speakers were very engaging. I was glad we were there, but Jeff wasn’t really into it, but tried to be supportive of me. It wasn’t until sometime in one of the Saturday sessions when one of the speakers said “You know, the devil’s not just after YOUR marriage, HE’S AFTER YOUR CHILDREN---AND YOUR GRANDCHILDREN”. Jeff said that statement hit him like a TON OF BRICKS! That caused him to start paying more attention and we were both taking notes and discussing the sessions. All of the presenters were great!
But the highlight of the weekend had to be “Date Night”! We still needed to complete the homework session so we worked on it while Jeff relaxed with a beer. Jeff went to get a second 12 pack, then back to the homework assignment. Since it was a non-smoking hotel, Jeff had to go outside to smoke. After going out to smoke, Jeff came back in to the room and said “Come here, we’re going to play a game” OK, I’m not sure what to expect, so I replied “Is this going to be an interactive game?” to which he said, “Oh, YEAH, it’s interactive, alright!” As I walked over Jeff pulled the rest of the 12 pack of beer out of the fridge and took one out. He sat down on the side of the tub and opened it and begun to pour it out into the toilet and said “I pour out my SELFISHNESS”. I wasn’t sure what was happening and he took out another---“I pour out my PRIDE”, then “I pour out my ANGER”, and “I pour out my SELF-CENTEREDNESS,” and finally “I pour out my DESIRE FOR BEER”. By this time, we are both in tears. Jeff stood up and cried out to God, “I’m an alcoholic and a sinner and I need Jesus to forgive me.” We cried and prayed together as he gave himself completely to the Lord.
The next morning as the conference was coming to a close, the speaker asked if anyone would like to share about how the conference had affected them. Jeff shared how he had not been the husband that he should have been to me over the past 30 years, but that was because he didn’t have God in his life, but now with God in his life he was fully committed to being the husband that God wanted him to be. The Weekend to Remember was the event that God used to change Jeff’s heart and as a result, our marriage and our future! How could we EVER forget that!!!We are sometimes asked if the Weekend to Remember conferences are just for marriages that are in trouble. The answer is no – it’s for anyone who wants to invest some time to focus on their marriage relationship. For some, it’s a major overhaul; for others it’s a tune-up. Regardless, there is significance in putting aside the regular routine and spending a weekend devoted to each other. Go to familylife.com/weekend or call 1.800.FLTODAY (358-6329) for dates/cities.

2009-06-15T11:31:00.006-05:00

“2009” seemed so far off when Aaron was just a little sprout in kindergarten…..but now we have a high school graduate! Graduation Day held many special memories but the standout moment happened after the ceremony. We had just returned home when Aaron gave us both a tight bear hug and said with misty eyes, “Thanks, Dad and Mom..…for everything.” Aaron doesn’t waste words. We knew what he meant.

We have experienced a mixed bag of emotions this year as we’ve watched Aaron finish high school. From joy – “Whew! He’s almost through!”; To worry – “Oh no! He’s almost through!” But through it all, we are thankful for God’s sustaining grace and mercy. Author Tim Kimmel says of child rearing, “the days are long, but the years are short.” How true that is!

For a graduation gift, each of us wrote out a “blessing” for Aaron as he begins this new phase of his life. We see many times in Scripture fathers blessing their children…as our children get older, how much more do they need God’s blessing and guidance?! Here are a couple excerpts from what we wrote:
I’m thankful for the opportunity to home school you, however, my real joy is being your Mom. It will be exciting to see God’s plans for you unfold! More than anything you may accomplish financially, academically or socially, nothing would please me more than to see you continue to mature as a Christ-follower. III John 4 - “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in truth.” I love you Aaron and always will. Mom

“Proverbs 3:5-6 are often quoted verses but I believe they are especially relevant to a young man like you at this important stage in life. After all, these are the words of Solomon that he gave as advice to his own son. At this time in your life, it is especially easy to ‘lean on your own understanding’…….
….but instead, seek out wise and godly counsel from others, desire God’s will for your life, and commit to follow His leading and obey His Word. Aaron, I know beyond any doubt that you have what it takes to be successful in whatever you do; to someday be a good and godly husband and father, and to be a man of God. Aaron, I have always been proud to be your dad and I always will. I love you. Dad

Recently, one of our teaching pastors, at age 35, said, “I never get tired of my parents blessing me.” Is there someone in your life you need to ask the Lord to bless? It really doesn’t matter the age or life stage. With this being the season of graduations, weddings, Father’s Day approaching and Mother’s Day just past, perhaps this would be a timely opportunity to write or speak a blessing to someone you know who needs to hear it.

Maybe we should go on a date...

2009-02-16T14:35:00.005-06:00

“Sometimes I feel like we’re just business partners “managing life” more than we are husband and wife.” I was somewhat taken aback when Jane said this to me several years ago but I had to admit, she was probably right. At the time, many of our conversations went something like this:
“Will you pick up milk on the way home?”
“Aaron has basketball practice at 6:30 and Mariah is babysitting Anna at four, can you drop her off or should I?”
“Do you have your lesson done for Bible study?...The van’s front tire is low.”
Have you paid the electric bill?......We should go on a date….”

Can you relate? It was about this same time that we attended our first Weekend to Remember® (WTR) marriage conference. We came away from the conference with a timely reminder that good (great!) marriages take a lot of work. They don’t just happen!

We realized we needed to be talking about more than just the “stuff” we had to do to make our household run smoothly. Granted, we have to manage our daily activities and responsibilities, but if that’s all we talk about, it is very easy to drift apart. It’s so important for all of us to intentionally invest time and effort into our marriages!

In just a few weeks, the next WTR season begins. We desire to have many new faces at the conferences this spring and see them discover God’s plan and purpose for their marriages. Would you pray for the upcoming WTR conferences? Our friend, Randy Sharp serves in the WTR Conference Dept and shares these specific prayer requests:
• Pray for our Event Planners as they prepare to execute new and exciting changes at the 78 conferences scheduled this spring.
• Ask God to raise up dozens of volunteers to help assist at the conferences. This is a critical time for recruiting church group coordinators to help promote the conferences.
• Pray that we will always represent the Lord well and serve with excellence!
Thank you for praying!

Secondly, if you are married and have ever thought about attending a WTR, but haven’t yet, would you prayerfully consider attending this year? If you’re single, would you prayerfully consider encouraging another couple you know to attend? Perhaps a WTR conference this spring would be helpful in reconnecting with your spouse, or for a couple you know. Go to familylife.com/weekend for details

One goal Jane and I have set in our 21+ years of marriage is to schedule (otherwise it doesn’t happen) time for the two of us to get away from our regular routine. This can be a challenge. Like you, we’re busy and that ‘busyness’ can easily crowd out meaningful conversation and energy to focus on each other. But it’s always worth the effort!

Leave Room For God

2009-01-27T21:16:00.006-06:00

Oswald Chambers has some thought-provoking devotions and the one for January 25 from "My Upmost For His Highest" was another one I had to earmark. How many times do I go about my day not expecting, looking or realizing the presence of the Living God...sadly too often. That's why I appreciated Chambers' reminder...

"As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him-to give God "elbow room." We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. Suddenly— God meets our life ". . . when it pleased God . . . ."

Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides."

O Holy Night

2009-01-01T20:24:00.003-06:00

I get so frustrated with myself when I scan over familar songs or passages of Scripture, and often miss the truth and depth of the meaning of the words. Such was the case the other night while cleaning up the kitchen and listening to a Christmas cd. The second and third verses of O Holy Night struck me as an incredible statement of God's faithfulness in uncertain times. He is good. This is my prayer as we enter 2009...

...The Kind of kings lay thus in lowly manger, in all our trials born to be our Friend; He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace; Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we; let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord, O, praise His name forever! His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!

2008-12-13T20:11:00.002-06:00

This just struck us as funny...
Somewhere between Branson, MO and Little Rock, AR.

Sharefest 2008

2008-11-24T21:51:00.013-06:00

It was cold last Saturday morning at 8 am - at least for Arkansas; it was about 30 degrees. But armed with plenty of layers of clothing and coffee, we were ready to participate in Sharefest. Our assignment was to help spiff up Mrs. Price's house and yard. So, for a few hours that's what we did. We helped haul off some junk from the backyard, caulked windows, helped paint her house; we raked leaves...and more leaves...When we ran out of things to do, we raked leaves...and more leaves in the neighbor's yard. It was a good day. It was good to show the love of Jesus in a tangible way- no strings attached - just serving someone. Of course opportunities to serve are all around- we don't have to wait for Sharefest to roll around again next year. We just need eyes to see and to obey!

Family Man by Andrew Peterson

2008-11-10T21:39:00.001-06:00

Andrew Peterson is one of our all-time favorites! His music has touched us on many occasions. We love this video and hope you do too!

2008-11-10T20:58:00.005-06:00

The other day we pulled out our "Thankful Box" - a tangible way to remind ourselves how blessed we are. As blessings come to mind, we jot them down on slips of paper and put them in the box. It's good to remember...
Here's some Thanksgiving ideas that may be helpful in keeping our focus in being grateful.

Downhere

2008-10-16T10:05:00.007-05:00

Last Saturday we went to Malvern, AR to see the band "Downhere". Emmitt got acquainted with the drummer, Jeremy and his wife Erin a couple years ago at GMA. Jeremy & Erin attended FamilyLife's "Weekend To Remember" last spring. We really appreicate the sound lyrics,sincerity and transparency of this band! Great show!