driving in God's love

On Sunday night, Ran and I were driving back from town down our long country road to Third Day fall music and O How He Loves Us. The time was so rich and gloriously full of His presence that i wanted to savor the moment forever. Being in God's presence together -- taking His love in as we sought His face... we are rich people indeed.

The Lord had surprised us that night with a sweet gift -- our new friends the Bols were at the Wendys we had gone to eat at! FELLOWSHIP time, unexpectedly! Getting to know new staff who have an obvious love for Jesus, a gratitude toward the blessing of FCA, and great heads on their shoulders made for a delightful dinner. I fear I laughed a little too loudly as we joked about cutting grass and past jobs. Felt great.

Meditating on God's gift that night as we drove home, I was overwhelmed with how God is leading us -- overcoming our piddly weaknesses and proving Himself the Strong One in our marriage, ministry, and time off. Gracious and good -- I worship Him.

Jesus brings LIFE; sin brings DEATH

This seems to be the theme of life these days.

I say it in the classroom.
I say it in the dorm.
I say it to myself.

The full LIFE that Jesus is giving me throughout my days -- has this funny common denominator.

I never deserve the good I get. It's always too good in proportion to my effort. I am constantly humbled that I don't earn my paycheck for God.

My obedience doesn't earn the good -- it only accesses it. Even then, most days I know I could be doing more for God, and yet He pours the good on, high and deep and wide in my pleasantly boundaried little life until I am overflowing with it.

But when I sin - there is a death of the good, the good I could've been given. The good is lost. Some other good may takes its place but the original blessing is gone. (many thoughts on this topic from Perelandra)

Why isn't it more common sense for me to choose Jesus' way in this life? I must be believing more lies than I know.

Labor Day

Yesterday was Labor Day -- and boy did i labor.

-wash the dishes
-wash the laundry
-fold the laundry
-change diapers
-take out trash
-make signs for classroom
-deep talk with the boys
-clean up the bedrooms
-make beds
-scrub down the bathrooms
-clean out the stroller (x2)
-pick up the rest of the house
-sort piles
-put up antique stars on the side of the house
-vacuum to get miscellaneous cheerios up
-sew falling apart purse
-watch Ty
-grade tests
-put grades into computer for tests
-lesson plan put together for day off
-watch boys for Randy

On Sunday, we discussed the joys of laboring, of work and how the Lord made it, how we were created to work His Garden. There is something uniquely satisfying about being tired from a day's work -- that is hard to rival. I am deeply grateful for a job in which i love to PRODUCE with all the efforts I can muster.

"These Days Are Just Packed" -- Calvin and Hobbes

and i am so glad.

http://thischang.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him." Ps. 103:11

Chatting with my boys today... sitting outside on the porch, having conversations about somewhat deeper things... (those Effler brothers draw it out of me) all the while trying to have my quiet time -- i looked down and read Psalm 103. Verse 11 is one of my favorite all-time verses so i decided to turn on my Bible teacher self and teach the boys a verse!

"So, how far above the ground is the sky?"
"FAR"
"What is being compared to how high the sky is from the ground?"
"God's love -- what was that s word you said?"
"steadfast -- it means it never stops... could you ever touch the end of the sky just by yourself?"
"NO"
"You can never reach the end of God's love for you -- those who live their lives in obedience out of a healthy fear of Him... like you all have a good fear of Mr. Martin, right?"
"yes yes..."
"So in high school, if you don't have a girlfriend to get love from, where can you always get love?"
"FROM GOD!"

sigh. thank you Lord Jesus for your never ending, never stopping, never failing love that is there for me to access today, this moment. You are bigger than I constantly realize. Thanks for the compassion today.

pass weekend

i love sitting around a fire.

smmmmmmell that smokey ash in the air, those leaves burnin'. Tonight my kids sat around the fire and begged my husband to tell tales of his life. Those stories produced several deeper conversations on fatherhood, encouragement of a church and war. They go great with smores.

i almost didn't decide to do the fire. it was late -- 9ish. i was semi-tired. hmmm is it worth the effort? YES. it was worth it.

the power of the momma in the family is interesting. she can bring/facilitate/suggest/orchestrate fellowship moments that she may be wondering whether they will be worth her time. I want to be bold in my role and creativity for Jesus -- to be a homemaker with ideas and blessing and grace. May I be an impetus for Your Name to be beautiful, precious and loved -- from how our family flows.

upon waking.

grace grace every minute is by His grace.

the air is full of refreshment today. 

gratitude fills my heart.

fall.