I was listening to the radio today and one of the news stories was on religious believes in America. Appearantly over 50% of evangelical Christians believe that "good" people of other faiths can go to heaven. That is a lot of misinformed people. You can read the whole article here.
This doesn't even make sense to me. Why would you have faith or specific religious beliefs if you can have eternal life in heaven by just being a good person? What constitutes being a "good" person. The article talks about giving blood, allowing a stranger to cut in line, help someone find a job and giving directions to a stranger. If thats all it takes, I'm doing pretty good in life- except I can't give blood because I'm anemic. But there are times I am in a hurry and don't let that old lady go in front of me at SuperWalmart even though she only has 3 items and I have a cart full. Do I lose my salvation on those days?
So here is the truth. Sometimes I do really good things, but more often I do bad things. I'm selfish, I gossip, I do things I know I shouldn't..etc. James 2:10 says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at one point is guilty of breaking all of it." It only takes one sin to seperate us from God. In God's eyes all sin are the same- gossiping and murder. Although we hold them to different standards- they aren't. And we are all in the same situation- sinful, broken and distant from God. Romans 3:10 states: There is none righteous not even one. But here is the good news. God made it possible for man to have a restored relationship with him- to spend eternity in heaven. And its not about what we've done- but what has been done for us. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ- but the reality is that his birth is irrevelant unless you know the big picture. Jesus Christ left his glory in heaven to walk with man. Born fully man and fully God he was tempted in every way to do "bad" stuff. Steal, lie, cheat, hurt others, etc but he resisted all temptation and lived his life perfectly. He went on to serve as the ultimate sacrifice- the blameless Lamb. Overcoming death, the consquence of sin, and taking the punishment that we all deserve. We can't possibly be good enough, therefore we must rely fully on Christ for our salvation. When I die and I stand before the Lord and he asks me why he should let me into heaven. I will not say because I've been a good and deserve it because I haven't- instead I will say the consquences of my sins have been paid for by Jesus. I have no fear of death only the hope of the good news.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
OOPPPS
I've failed. 3 days into my 365 days of photos I stopped. And then I got sick and stopped again. This project is officially on hold. I will restart the year on January 1. I will take and post atleast 1 picture everyday of 2011. Why? Well 1. to improve my skills and experiment with my camera/lens. 2. A picture tells 1000 words. Sometimes a picture can tell you more about what is going on in our family than I could ever write.
I've been pretty darn sick for about 10 days now. So sick I've missed 2 weeks of church- I really miss it! Plus I have very rarely left the house or more specifically the couch. For a week I wore nothing but PJs for 10 days I didn't wear my contacts! For 3 days I had a 102 or 103 degree fever. I was sick! Fortunatly for me, it was a slow week at the airport and Kellen was around a little more to let me rest some. And my lovely sister Chrissy came down one night to watch Lainey so I could shower and sleep and then on Sunday my parent brought some delicious homemade chicken noodle soup. It is incredible difficult having the flu and having an almost 4 month old that nurses every 3 hours. I was extremely limited on the medicine I could take and when I could take it. It was so tempting to give up nursing- but I didn't. I am still sick- coughing, sore throat and nasal drainage but I am slowly getting better. I wonder if I should see a doctor- could I have strep or a sinus infection?
The weather has been horrible for flying. Kellen has barely been working at the airport- of course during one of the most financially demanding time. Not just because of Christmas but our 6 month car insurance payment and increased heating bill. Oh well, God will provide. He always does.
Last big thing- we're going to have another niece or nephew come the end of June! Melissa is due June 28th. We're super excited for another baby to love on! Children are such a blessing. Lainey is going to have so much fun playing with her cousins when she gets a little older!
I could really use a vacation and we have some free flights to use...we're planning on going early May. Any good suggestions on where? We were thinking out west to the Grand Canyon etc...
I've been pretty darn sick for about 10 days now. So sick I've missed 2 weeks of church- I really miss it! Plus I have very rarely left the house or more specifically the couch. For a week I wore nothing but PJs for 10 days I didn't wear my contacts! For 3 days I had a 102 or 103 degree fever. I was sick! Fortunatly for me, it was a slow week at the airport and Kellen was around a little more to let me rest some. And my lovely sister Chrissy came down one night to watch Lainey so I could shower and sleep and then on Sunday my parent brought some delicious homemade chicken noodle soup. It is incredible difficult having the flu and having an almost 4 month old that nurses every 3 hours. I was extremely limited on the medicine I could take and when I could take it. It was so tempting to give up nursing- but I didn't. I am still sick- coughing, sore throat and nasal drainage but I am slowly getting better. I wonder if I should see a doctor- could I have strep or a sinus infection?
The weather has been horrible for flying. Kellen has barely been working at the airport- of course during one of the most financially demanding time. Not just because of Christmas but our 6 month car insurance payment and increased heating bill. Oh well, God will provide. He always does.
Last big thing- we're going to have another niece or nephew come the end of June! Melissa is due June 28th. We're super excited for another baby to love on! Children are such a blessing. Lainey is going to have so much fun playing with her cousins when she gets a little older!
I could really use a vacation and we have some free flights to use...we're planning on going early May. Any good suggestions on where? We were thinking out west to the Grand Canyon etc...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Photos of The Day
So already on day 2 of I'm finding my 365 days of photos have been more difficult than anticipated. I'm lacking creativity. Hopefully, I can find better things to take photos of soon. Lainey and I had an adventure yesterday but stupid me I forgot the camera.
Day 2: November 15 Ever have a day where you feel like you are running on E? Thats how this week feels. The coloring isn't the best. PS: I also need air in my tires.
Day 3: November 16 I like the lighting a lot in this photo. The clouds were really pretty. Taken at the mall in Robinson.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
365 Days in Pictures
I have always been the type of person who thrives when faced with a ton to do. I like keeping busy. So I am combining my desire to keep busy with my love for photography and I am going to start a "photo a day journal" although I might not be able to to update my photos everyday, I am going to make sure to take atleast one photo a day. It will help me improve my photography skills and take a little time for me each day to something I enjoy! That being said, if anybody ever wants me to shoot some photos for you (babies, families, couples, etc) I'd be thrilled. It would be for free as long as I could add them to my portfolio! Who knows, maybe someday I'll be talented enough to open my own studio. What an awesome job that would be!
November 14, 2010 I love you, Stinky Face
truly, this dog is one of the stinkiest...
Sunday, November 7, 2010
My Own Enemy
Its been a while since I've written. Life has been happening at full speed and my mind has been racing on many many things, but I often don't know how to express the many thoughts I have.
I believe I have chronic fatique. Now this may not seem like a big deal because I have a 3 month old baby and as any parent can tell you- its exhausting. Yes, I realize that, however I am beyond exhausted. In fact I am so exhausted I can't sleep. And honestly, I can't even blame Lainey because she sleeps 8-10 hours a night and has been since she was 5 weeks old. With this, I am overly anxious. I lay awake at night wondering and thinking and running through a million scenerios in my head. I worry about the 'what-ifs' in life, I stress about everything big and little, and my very active imagination tortures my exhausted self. When it comes to sleep I am my own worse enemy. I toss and turn and those 8 hours that Lainey gives me, turns into a very poorly slept evening. I am usually more tired waking up than when I went to bed. Kellen is the complete opposite of me. Nothing keeps him awake at night. He never worries and the thing that I cannot understand for the life of me is he claims (frequently) that he can think about nothing. I can't even imagine not having a thought in my head. My mind constantly races. This makes me very envious of him.
We're big Family Guy fans. (Mom, I know, I know HORRIBLE show). However, there is one episode where Lois is dealing with Peter and being the worrying woman and they show her brain "I'm a tumor, I'm a tumor" I'm driving myself to have a tumor...
So admitting to a problem is the first step in fixing it. I'm blaming my problem on worry and anxiety. Now why do I worry? I guess to be answer this honestly. Its a LACK of faith. I doubt God's perfect plan for my life, I question his will for my family, I over think everything and under trust Him. Once again Kellen is the opposite.He trusts blindly and questions almost nothing. So my goal is stop worrying and start trusting. Any encouraging words/books/bible verses would be great! Also help keep me accountable! We'll see how this goes- but I know if I can do this my quality of life will greatly increase! And maybe I won't end up with a tumor... :-p
Anyway, Lainey is almost 3 months and is doing awesome! I'll be sure to right about her soon- after all she is way more interesting than I am.
I believe I have chronic fatique. Now this may not seem like a big deal because I have a 3 month old baby and as any parent can tell you- its exhausting. Yes, I realize that, however I am beyond exhausted. In fact I am so exhausted I can't sleep. And honestly, I can't even blame Lainey because she sleeps 8-10 hours a night and has been since she was 5 weeks old. With this, I am overly anxious. I lay awake at night wondering and thinking and running through a million scenerios in my head. I worry about the 'what-ifs' in life, I stress about everything big and little, and my very active imagination tortures my exhausted self. When it comes to sleep I am my own worse enemy. I toss and turn and those 8 hours that Lainey gives me, turns into a very poorly slept evening. I am usually more tired waking up than when I went to bed. Kellen is the complete opposite of me. Nothing keeps him awake at night. He never worries and the thing that I cannot understand for the life of me is he claims (frequently) that he can think about nothing. I can't even imagine not having a thought in my head. My mind constantly races. This makes me very envious of him.
We're big Family Guy fans. (Mom, I know, I know HORRIBLE show). However, there is one episode where Lois is dealing with Peter and being the worrying woman and they show her brain "I'm a tumor, I'm a tumor" I'm driving myself to have a tumor...
So admitting to a problem is the first step in fixing it. I'm blaming my problem on worry and anxiety. Now why do I worry? I guess to be answer this honestly. Its a LACK of faith. I doubt God's perfect plan for my life, I question his will for my family, I over think everything and under trust Him. Once again Kellen is the opposite.He trusts blindly and questions almost nothing. So my goal is stop worrying and start trusting. Any encouraging words/books/bible verses would be great! Also help keep me accountable! We'll see how this goes- but I know if I can do this my quality of life will greatly increase! And maybe I won't end up with a tumor... :-p
Anyway, Lainey is almost 3 months and is doing awesome! I'll be sure to right about her soon- after all she is way more interesting than I am.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Joy in Journey
We may not every travel Europe as we'd hope and my body may never go back to how it was prepregnancy, I may never have my dream house or my career and my life will always be a lot less me and a lot more of someone else..there is so much joy in our journey.
But here we are on a journey of life. We were entrusted with a precious gift- we were given her to love... unconditionally. Teach... the truth of the Lord and what it means to follow him. Empower... her to be the best she can and serve God with her whole heart. To forgive... as we are forgiven. To discipline... for her own good as the Father disciplines us. To provide for her needs and sometimes her desires. It isn't a gift to be taken lightly and if the Lord thought we could handle it- we can. And aren't we so honored to be given this gift...
I get emotional when I think about the birth of Lainey. It is by the grace of God that she is here. He WILLED her into exsistance. She is a creation- not designed by me or Kellen, although we were certainly a part of it, but rather by the great Creator. Not our time, but his. A part of his plan here for his purpose and his glory. Her birthday was picked before she was even conceived- he knows the hairs on her head, and the last breath she will take. He knitting her together in my womb- her strengths and weakness, passions and dislikes all unique for God's glory. God's plan is perfect- not just part of the journey but all of it.
Romans 8:28-39
But here we are on a journey of life. We were entrusted with a precious gift- we were given her to love... unconditionally. Teach... the truth of the Lord and what it means to follow him. Empower... her to be the best she can and serve God with her whole heart. To forgive... as we are forgiven. To discipline... for her own good as the Father disciplines us. To provide for her needs and sometimes her desires. It isn't a gift to be taken lightly and if the Lord thought we could handle it- we can. And aren't we so honored to be given this gift...
I get emotional when I think about the birth of Lainey. It is by the grace of God that she is here. He WILLED her into exsistance. She is a creation- not designed by me or Kellen, although we were certainly a part of it, but rather by the great Creator. Not our time, but his. A part of his plan here for his purpose and his glory. Her birthday was picked before she was even conceived- he knows the hairs on her head, and the last breath she will take. He knitting her together in my womb- her strengths and weakness, passions and dislikes all unique for God's glory. God's plan is perfect- not just part of the journey but all of it.
Romans 8:28-39
Thursday, October 21, 2010
To Be Held
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the rock eternal. He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low, he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust. Feet trample it down- the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor. The path of the righteous is level, O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. Isaiah 26:3-7 .
Being a mom has taught me/reminded me a lot about our heavenly Father and what it is to be a child of God.
Sometimes Lainey cries for what appears to be gas pains. The other day was one of these time...I scooped her up in my arms and found myself telling her many things to soothe her in hopes she'll stop crying. W ithout really thinking I started to mutter. It went something like this: Lainey, I'm your mom and I love you. You don't have to cry I'll always be here for you. Don't worry. You don't have to cry. You can trust me. I'll feed you when you're hungry, clothe you when your cold and hold you when you're hurt or sad. I'll watch over you and protect you. I love you, you're precious to me. Have faith in me. Then it hit me. God asks the same thing of us. We need to faith have in him. He knows our needs and he will watch over us, protect and hold us. He loves us. We are so precious to him-so much so that he wants us to spend eternity with him. His plan is perfect. Trust it.
Pain is real. Although I can't take Lainey's pain away, her comfort is in my arms. Feeling my warmth and love. One day Lainey will learn that even though I'm her mom, I'll fail her. However, I hope that she'll know God will not disappoint. We suffer pain. In a broken world, pain is inevitable. Unfortunatly a lot of times doing the right thing can mean a long hard road of suffering and persecution. But God is willing to hold us, walk with us through it all and love us. In the end, it will be worth it.
Fear of the Lord will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe. Provebs 29:25
He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the King of Assyria and did not serve him. 1 Kings 18:6-7
Being a mom has taught me/reminded me a lot about our heavenly Father and what it is to be a child of God.
Sometimes Lainey cries for what appears to be gas pains. The other day was one of these time...I scooped her up in my arms and found myself telling her many things to soothe her in hopes she'll stop crying. W ithout really thinking I started to mutter. It went something like this: Lainey, I'm your mom and I love you. You don't have to cry I'll always be here for you. Don't worry. You don't have to cry. You can trust me. I'll feed you when you're hungry, clothe you when your cold and hold you when you're hurt or sad. I'll watch over you and protect you. I love you, you're precious to me. Have faith in me. Then it hit me. God asks the same thing of us. We need to faith have in him. He knows our needs and he will watch over us, protect and hold us. He loves us. We are so precious to him-so much so that he wants us to spend eternity with him. His plan is perfect. Trust it.
Pain is real. Although I can't take Lainey's pain away, her comfort is in my arms. Feeling my warmth and love. One day Lainey will learn that even though I'm her mom, I'll fail her. However, I hope that she'll know God will not disappoint. We suffer pain. In a broken world, pain is inevitable. Unfortunatly a lot of times doing the right thing can mean a long hard road of suffering and persecution. But God is willing to hold us, walk with us through it all and love us. In the end, it will be worth it.
Fear of the Lord will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe. Provebs 29:25
He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the King of Assyria and did not serve him. 1 Kings 18:6-7
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