Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Good, Clean Family Fun-Texas Style!
Today the city of Fort Worth had what they call "Day in the District," and there were several activities and shows for families to attend. Just about everything in the cultural district was open and free to the public, so we decided to be tourists and enjoy some of the local attractions.
First, we explored the National Cowgirl Museum (yes, there really is such a thing! haha!). Some of the women featured are truly amazing. The museum boasts women ranchers, country western singers and even rodeo performers. The most fascinating to me were the ranchers. I cannot even imagine herding and branding cattle, not to mention all the other arduous tasks these women did each and every day, and from what I could tell, loved it! I, apparently, am not the outdoorsy, adventurous, laborious work enduring type of gal.
I know the hubby looks bored, but he really did enjoy it. This was just a waiting for the elevator moment.
My sweet girl loved all the exhibits and especially the people watching. And believe me, there were plenty of people to watch, as there was quite a large crowd (Which I believe I can safely attribute to the fact that everything was free). We were hoping the gift shop would have a 9 month-old-baby size cowgirl hat, but alas, they did not.
We then headed over to Log Cabin Village, a collection of log homes, shops and other buildings from 1800s Texas. Some of the structures were original to Ft. Worth, while some came from all over the state. There are men and women who dress in old-time attire, and perform various tasks from back in the day, such as cooking over an open fire, making rugs and blankets on a loom, and a blacksmith, explaining what his job would have entailed. There was even a schoolhouse, and a working mill (my favorite!). While it is a very fun place to visit and learn about Texas history, it would undoubtedly be more fun if it were just a teeny bit cooler (it was about 90 degrees) and ever so slightly less crowded.
One of the log cabin homes.
Me and my girl.
It was a fun-filled day which left one and all good and tired. I learned a little bit more about life in the southwest, including cowgirl boots and saddles, log cabin living, and the intense life of a cattle rancher. Needless to say, just a little bit different from the east coast life that I'm used to!
First, we explored the National Cowgirl Museum (yes, there really is such a thing! haha!). Some of the women featured are truly amazing. The museum boasts women ranchers, country western singers and even rodeo performers. The most fascinating to me were the ranchers. I cannot even imagine herding and branding cattle, not to mention all the other arduous tasks these women did each and every day, and from what I could tell, loved it! I, apparently, am not the outdoorsy, adventurous, laborious work enduring type of gal.
I know the hubby looks bored, but he really did enjoy it. This was just a waiting for the elevator moment.
My sweet girl loved all the exhibits and especially the people watching. And believe me, there were plenty of people to watch, as there was quite a large crowd (Which I believe I can safely attribute to the fact that everything was free). We were hoping the gift shop would have a 9 month-old-baby size cowgirl hat, but alas, they did not.We then headed over to Log Cabin Village, a collection of log homes, shops and other buildings from 1800s Texas. Some of the structures were original to Ft. Worth, while some came from all over the state. There are men and women who dress in old-time attire, and perform various tasks from back in the day, such as cooking over an open fire, making rugs and blankets on a loom, and a blacksmith, explaining what his job would have entailed. There was even a schoolhouse, and a working mill (my favorite!). While it is a very fun place to visit and learn about Texas history, it would undoubtedly be more fun if it were just a teeny bit cooler (it was about 90 degrees) and ever so slightly less crowded.
One of the log cabin homes.
Me and my girl.It was a fun-filled day which left one and all good and tired. I learned a little bit more about life in the southwest, including cowgirl boots and saddles, log cabin living, and the intense life of a cattle rancher. Needless to say, just a little bit different from the east coast life that I'm used to!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The results are IN!
Well, I'm 21 weeks pregnant now, and we are officially having our first............
BABY BOY!
To say that we're excited (especially my husband!) is an understatement. :) Now our baby girl will have a little brother, and we're so excited to prepare for his arrival. You would think that there would not be as much to do this time around, but I still have moments of feeling overwhelmed, like I will never have everything done in time for the baby. We have to start all over-we need another crib, another dresser, another carseat, another wardrobe, and so on and so on...
But that's ok. Because God gave us this child, and I know that He is going to provide for us and for him. Just like every other moment in our marriage when I thought we had nothing left and just when I thought we were out of options, God has provided for our needs and then some. And we are so thankful.
If only I could remember that all the time and never get to the we-have-no-options-left point in the first place. Guess I still have some growing to do ;)
BABY BOY!
To say that we're excited (especially my husband!) is an understatement. :) Now our baby girl will have a little brother, and we're so excited to prepare for his arrival. You would think that there would not be as much to do this time around, but I still have moments of feeling overwhelmed, like I will never have everything done in time for the baby. We have to start all over-we need another crib, another dresser, another carseat, another wardrobe, and so on and so on...
But that's ok. Because God gave us this child, and I know that He is going to provide for us and for him. Just like every other moment in our marriage when I thought we had nothing left and just when I thought we were out of options, God has provided for our needs and then some. And we are so thankful.
If only I could remember that all the time and never get to the we-have-no-options-left point in the first place. Guess I still have some growing to do ;)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Redeemed
Although I have not posted in <ahem>, well, some time, there are quite a few things that have been on my mind and heart, as well as my husbands. Today, I am going to try and put some of these things into words.
Ok, so I'm actually going to use someone else's words, but I think the following lyrics just portray what I've been thinking and wrestling with so beautifully.
Unfortunately, not much.
The people of the early church added to their numbers daily. (Acts 2:47)
80% of the churches in America have memberships that have either reached a plateau or are declining.
People in Central America are among the poorest in the world, yet worship God at the top of their lungs, arms raised, in buildings with nothing but a few plastic chairs and dirt floors.
People in America worship God in multi-million dollar buildings, yet are concerned that the plush carpet is an ugly color.
People in East Asia are forced to worship in secret, for fear of going to prison, or even losing their life, for the sake of the gospel.
People in America are more concerned with what their neighbor will think, than spreading the gospel.
So what is going on with the church in America? Well, I think there are many answers to this question, and a lot of issues to address. Complacency, misplaced priorities, lack of love and concern for one another. But ultimately, I believe each of these things, and more, all stem from one root. Lack of understanding, or simply forgetting, exactly where God has brought us from as believers. If you have a true understanding of where you stood in relation to God before you were saved, versus where you stand after, how can you not have a zeal and fervor for living out the commands of scripture with your whole heart? For serving God everyday of your life with everything in you? For having a self-sacrificing attitude for your fellow man that completely consumes you? How could you not?
You see, when we entered this world, we were drowning in our sins, falling short of the marvelous glory of God. Our sins that personally offended the God of the Universe. Separated us from being able to have a relationship with Him. And there was nothing we could do about it. We were slaves to a life of sin. But when God saves us, He clothes us in righteousness! He frees us from sin and allows us to have a personal relationship with Him! How can you not stand up and shout PRAISE!?
Unfortunately, there are many people in our churches that have never known this transformation. People who, in spite of that, continue to sit in the same pew Sunday after Sunday. I pray that God will reach them with the truth and change them from the inside out.
Then there are believers who fill the pews, but have become complacent. People who have completely forgotten what their life was like before God saved them. Who are now completely consumed with the things of this world. Who have forgotten the excitement and zeal for the Lord they once had. Lukewarm in their faith.
I sing the song I quoted above often, because this is a prayer that has been heavy on my heart. I never ever want to forget the utter rubble that God found me in and brought me out of. How can my life be a witness to what God has and is continuing to accomplish in me if the lost do not see a changed life? A redeemed life?
I pray that there will be a renewed sense of awe in just what God has done and is capable of doing in the lives of His children. I pray that the believers in the thousands of churches across America would desire to stand before the Lord one day and hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Ok, so I'm actually going to use someone else's words, but I think the following lyrics just portray what I've been thinking and wrestling with so beautifully.
I used to wish that I could rewrite historyI've been thinking a lot about the church in America, the people that fill the pews each Sunday, and what they are accomplishing. I've been thinking about how the church here in America compares to the early church in the book of Acts, to the church in Central America, to the church in East Asia. We all claim to be a part of the same body. All claim to serve the same God. All claim to be changed by the same Savior. So what do we have in common?
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew the me back then
I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
Even though I'm free
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering
~Point of Grace
Unfortunately, not much.
The people of the early church added to their numbers daily. (Acts 2:47)
80% of the churches in America have memberships that have either reached a plateau or are declining.
People in Central America are among the poorest in the world, yet worship God at the top of their lungs, arms raised, in buildings with nothing but a few plastic chairs and dirt floors.
People in America worship God in multi-million dollar buildings, yet are concerned that the plush carpet is an ugly color.
People in East Asia are forced to worship in secret, for fear of going to prison, or even losing their life, for the sake of the gospel.
People in America are more concerned with what their neighbor will think, than spreading the gospel.
So what is going on with the church in America? Well, I think there are many answers to this question, and a lot of issues to address. Complacency, misplaced priorities, lack of love and concern for one another. But ultimately, I believe each of these things, and more, all stem from one root. Lack of understanding, or simply forgetting, exactly where God has brought us from as believers. If you have a true understanding of where you stood in relation to God before you were saved, versus where you stand after, how can you not have a zeal and fervor for living out the commands of scripture with your whole heart? For serving God everyday of your life with everything in you? For having a self-sacrificing attitude for your fellow man that completely consumes you? How could you not?
You see, when we entered this world, we were drowning in our sins, falling short of the marvelous glory of God. Our sins that personally offended the God of the Universe. Separated us from being able to have a relationship with Him. And there was nothing we could do about it. We were slaves to a life of sin. But when God saves us, He clothes us in righteousness! He frees us from sin and allows us to have a personal relationship with Him! How can you not stand up and shout PRAISE!?
Unfortunately, there are many people in our churches that have never known this transformation. People who, in spite of that, continue to sit in the same pew Sunday after Sunday. I pray that God will reach them with the truth and change them from the inside out.
Then there are believers who fill the pews, but have become complacent. People who have completely forgotten what their life was like before God saved them. Who are now completely consumed with the things of this world. Who have forgotten the excitement and zeal for the Lord they once had. Lukewarm in their faith.
I sing the song I quoted above often, because this is a prayer that has been heavy on my heart. I never ever want to forget the utter rubble that God found me in and brought me out of. How can my life be a witness to what God has and is continuing to accomplish in me if the lost do not see a changed life? A redeemed life?
I pray that there will be a renewed sense of awe in just what God has done and is capable of doing in the lives of His children. I pray that the believers in the thousands of churches across America would desire to stand before the Lord one day and hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
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