Have you read the story of Jonah lately? I came across it in some other reading yesterday and had to stop and take a closer look. Jonah's prayer of confession and repentance in Chapter 2 speaks powerfully. Listen to how he cries out to the Lord from the belly of the great fish ...
Jonah 2:7 "When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
8 "Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD."
10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
My prayer for myself and for you, my friends and loved ones, is that we would not forfeit the grace that could be ours by clinging to any worthless idol, no matter how good it may appear. My desire is that we would hear the Word of the Lord for our lives and choose to obey joyfully rather than end up in a hell of our own choosing, broken into submission, and vomitted into obedience.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
100 Things You Might Not Know About Me
1. I speak Spanish.
2. I am an only child.
3. I don't like peas (unless they're sugar snaps).
4. I am a bad missionary (but that hasn't stopped God from using me from time to time).
5. I listen to sports talk radio during football season, and sometimes during March Madness.
6. When I watch pro football, I turn the tv down and the radio up.
7. I am addicted to As the World Turns.
8. Getting real mail makes my day.
9. Gerber Daises in bright colors are my favorite flowers.
10. I feel very vulnerable without my cell phone.
11. I don't like walnuts, not even in brownies.
12. The easiest way to anger me is to underestimate me.
13. One of my goals in life is to memorize Psalm 119.
14. When I was in high school, I did a film project on George Lucas without ever watching Star Wars.
15. I can quote most of Steel Magnolias.
16. I used to be a labor coach for birthmoms at the Gladney Center for Adoption.
17. I think rap music is funny.
18. Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.
19. Jack Vettriano is my favorite painter.
20. I don't think Brad Pitt is very attractive.
21. I do think Denzel Washington is the sexiest man in Hollywood.
22. I have declared February 1 National Tanning Day.
23. I think my birthday should be declared a National Holiday -- Happy Yom Horton!
24. I've never been to NYC.
25. When my mind wonders, I count ... or make lists.
26. My roommate and I have the same last name, but as far as we know, we are not related. My best friend's in-laws also have this last name. I think we're related, but I haven't proved it yet.
27. I am a good cook, but I rarely stick to a recipe.
28. I think female sports casters are annoying.
29. I would rather be cold than hot.
30. I prefer donuts when they are fresh but not warm.
31. I don't drink milk, not even in cereal. If I don't want to eat dry cereal, I put yogurt over it.
32. Blackberries are my favorite berry.
33. I like taking surveys and fun quizzes.
34. I am not as open as I seem.
35. I journal ... a lot! It is not uncommon for me to fill up an entire blank book every three months.
36. My favorite dessert at the Cheesecake Factory is Strawberry Shortcake.
37. I have had six documented broken bones, and currently have a swollen pinky finger that should probably be taped up.
38. I have an uncanny knack for remembering dates and numbers. It's ridiculous how many people's birthdays I have memorized.
39. I am obsessed with having soft skin, and put lotion on my hands at least four times a day.
40. The thing I hear people say about me most often is, "That girl sure does know how to have fun."
41. 10:00 is my bedtime, and I'm fairly religious about it.
42. I am a morning person.
43. I cheer for the Texas Longhorns in football even though the rest of my family are definitely Aggie fans.
44. I type a lot of words per minute.
45. I check about 20 blogs a day.
46. I don't know how to drive a stick-shift car.
47. I've never had much desire to live outside of Texas. Not unwilling, just no desire.
48. I have the phone numbers to my three favorite pick up restaurants in my cell phone.
49. My middle name is the same as my mom's and my great-grandmother's. Her parents chose it on the way to the hospital when they passed a sign for the R.E.A. (Rural Electric Agency).
50. If I could figure out how to charge my friends for all of the advice I give, I'd be rich.
51. My favorite meal is pb&j with goldfish crackers on the side and apple juice to drink.
52. I never had MTV growing up, but it was part of the cable package at the dorm my freshman year in college at H-S-H-S-U-U!
53. I majored in Spanish in college, planning to get my Master's in Business Administration and do interational business as a platform for missions. God had a different plan.
54. My favorite hairbrush is pink and I've had it since the 7th grade. The handle is held together by duct tape, and my friends think it's gross.
55. My favorite word is "mariposa" and it means butterfly in Spanish.
56. I am guilty of using the clothes dryer as an "iron" in the mornings.
57. The am a big fan of the "repeat" button my stereo and have been known to listen to the same cd in my car for weeks at a time.
58. I sleep with a stuffed teddy bear named "Snuggles" that my dad gave me for Valentine's Day when I was in college.
59. I am always jealous of people at WalMart who have those purple flip flops that light up when they walk.
60. The title of my first book is going to be "These Prayers I Prayed" and talk about the different and surprising ways God has answered prayer in my life.
61. I attended three different schools in the 7th grade.
62. Cilantro makes almost anything taste better.
63. I usually drink coffee black.
64. If I didn't think it would kill me eventually, I'd eat brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts and drink diet coke for breakfast every day.
65. When I was in college, I had a strange obsession with Classic Winnie the Pooh decor.
66. Having a pedicure is one of my favorite ways to "treat" myself.
67. I love throwing parties and getting friends together.
68. I'm not a good matchmaker.
69. I don't consider myself to be a terribly curious person.
70. I dislike being interviewed.
71. I've never written my own resume.
72. In college, I did not use an alarm clock or wear a watch for over three years.
73. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I don't play an instrument or a sport.
74. My ministry experience background includes having worked with: children, youth, college students, single adults, women, and the homebound.
75. My favorite pizza is Hawaiian -- ham and pineapple!
76. My dad calls me "Kritty Rea" and when he is messing me with me, he calls "Here Kritty, Kritty, Kritty" as though he were calling for a cat.
77. I use any excuse I can think of to wear a tiara.
78. I have a strange fascination with coasters. I'd collect them if I could figure out what to do with them all once I had them!
79. I only listen to country music when I'm in a good mood.
80. I don't usually enjoy live concerts -- I prefer to have volume control!
81. It's important to me that my toes and fingers have matching polish.
82. I feel very self-conscious when I wear my hair straight.
83. I often refer to my spiritual gifts as "the man gifts" because they are not ones that seem to be common for women.
84. The person I miss most in this world is my great-grandmother who went to be with Jesus last December.
85. I get giddy inside whenever I read or hear Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you until the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
86. My printer is sitting under the wingback chair in my bedroom because it stopped printing one day and I never took the time to figure out why.
87. My boss thinks I'm a computer whiz!
88. I don't balance my checkbook regularly.
89. A few years ago, my dad gave me a turtle shaped tiffany lamp for Christmas that he said reminded him of me. After staring at the thing for a few months with very hurt feelings as I wondered what about a turtle shaped lamp reminded my Daddy of me, I finally asked my mom. She pointed out the hearts in the glass and said he'd seen them and knew how much I liked heart shapes. Oh!
90. Opening the stockings is my favorite part of Christmas.
91. Habakkuk is my favorite book of the Bible, and if I could figure out how to make it cool, I'd name my firstborn son after the prophet.
92. For Christmas one year, I received a box of chocolates, and since it was all mine, I did what I'd always wanted to do -- bit into each one and only ate the ones that I liked, leaving uneaten halves for anyone who dared mess with them!
93. My grandfather has his pilot's license, and my first airplane ride was in his Cessna.
94. I never owned a Brittney Spears, N'Sync, or Backstree Boys cd.
95. I don't know how to send text messages, and my phone is blocked from receiving them.
96. As a childbirth coordinator for the Gladney Center, I have attended close to a dozen live births, and every single one of them was a miracle.
97. I do not sing solos. Not even karaoke.
98. I've had the same best friend since the 7th grade, and I still talk to her at least once a week.
99. I have been a bridesmaid in 8 weddings (maid of honor is 4), had to turn down requests to be a bridesmaid in three others, and served cake or punch in more than I could count. For this reason, when I meet new friends, I start off by letting them know that no matter how close we get, I will not ever agree to be a bridesmaid in their weddings. They laugh. I'm serious.
100. I stayed up way past my bedtime creating this completely pointless list! I had no idea it would be so difficult to find things to say about myself.
2. I am an only child.
3. I don't like peas (unless they're sugar snaps).
4. I am a bad missionary (but that hasn't stopped God from using me from time to time).
5. I listen to sports talk radio during football season, and sometimes during March Madness.
6. When I watch pro football, I turn the tv down and the radio up.
7. I am addicted to As the World Turns.
8. Getting real mail makes my day.
9. Gerber Daises in bright colors are my favorite flowers.
10. I feel very vulnerable without my cell phone.
11. I don't like walnuts, not even in brownies.
12. The easiest way to anger me is to underestimate me.
13. One of my goals in life is to memorize Psalm 119.
14. When I was in high school, I did a film project on George Lucas without ever watching Star Wars.
15. I can quote most of Steel Magnolias.
16. I used to be a labor coach for birthmoms at the Gladney Center for Adoption.
17. I think rap music is funny.
18. Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.
19. Jack Vettriano is my favorite painter.
20. I don't think Brad Pitt is very attractive.
21. I do think Denzel Washington is the sexiest man in Hollywood.
22. I have declared February 1 National Tanning Day.
23. I think my birthday should be declared a National Holiday -- Happy Yom Horton!
24. I've never been to NYC.
25. When my mind wonders, I count ... or make lists.
26. My roommate and I have the same last name, but as far as we know, we are not related. My best friend's in-laws also have this last name. I think we're related, but I haven't proved it yet.
27. I am a good cook, but I rarely stick to a recipe.
28. I think female sports casters are annoying.
29. I would rather be cold than hot.
30. I prefer donuts when they are fresh but not warm.
31. I don't drink milk, not even in cereal. If I don't want to eat dry cereal, I put yogurt over it.
32. Blackberries are my favorite berry.
33. I like taking surveys and fun quizzes.
34. I am not as open as I seem.
35. I journal ... a lot! It is not uncommon for me to fill up an entire blank book every three months.
36. My favorite dessert at the Cheesecake Factory is Strawberry Shortcake.
37. I have had six documented broken bones, and currently have a swollen pinky finger that should probably be taped up.
38. I have an uncanny knack for remembering dates and numbers. It's ridiculous how many people's birthdays I have memorized.
39. I am obsessed with having soft skin, and put lotion on my hands at least four times a day.
40. The thing I hear people say about me most often is, "That girl sure does know how to have fun."
41. 10:00 is my bedtime, and I'm fairly religious about it.
42. I am a morning person.
43. I cheer for the Texas Longhorns in football even though the rest of my family are definitely Aggie fans.
44. I type a lot of words per minute.
45. I check about 20 blogs a day.
46. I don't know how to drive a stick-shift car.
47. I've never had much desire to live outside of Texas. Not unwilling, just no desire.
48. I have the phone numbers to my three favorite pick up restaurants in my cell phone.
49. My middle name is the same as my mom's and my great-grandmother's. Her parents chose it on the way to the hospital when they passed a sign for the R.E.A. (Rural Electric Agency).
50. If I could figure out how to charge my friends for all of the advice I give, I'd be rich.
51. My favorite meal is pb&j with goldfish crackers on the side and apple juice to drink.
52. I never had MTV growing up, but it was part of the cable package at the dorm my freshman year in college at H-S-H-S-U-U!
53. I majored in Spanish in college, planning to get my Master's in Business Administration and do interational business as a platform for missions. God had a different plan.
54. My favorite hairbrush is pink and I've had it since the 7th grade. The handle is held together by duct tape, and my friends think it's gross.
55. My favorite word is "mariposa" and it means butterfly in Spanish.
56. I am guilty of using the clothes dryer as an "iron" in the mornings.
57. The am a big fan of the "repeat" button my stereo and have been known to listen to the same cd in my car for weeks at a time.
58. I sleep with a stuffed teddy bear named "Snuggles" that my dad gave me for Valentine's Day when I was in college.
59. I am always jealous of people at WalMart who have those purple flip flops that light up when they walk.
60. The title of my first book is going to be "These Prayers I Prayed" and talk about the different and surprising ways God has answered prayer in my life.
61. I attended three different schools in the 7th grade.
62. Cilantro makes almost anything taste better.
63. I usually drink coffee black.
64. If I didn't think it would kill me eventually, I'd eat brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts and drink diet coke for breakfast every day.
65. When I was in college, I had a strange obsession with Classic Winnie the Pooh decor.
66. Having a pedicure is one of my favorite ways to "treat" myself.
67. I love throwing parties and getting friends together.
68. I'm not a good matchmaker.
69. I don't consider myself to be a terribly curious person.
70. I dislike being interviewed.
71. I've never written my own resume.
72. In college, I did not use an alarm clock or wear a watch for over three years.
73. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I don't play an instrument or a sport.
74. My ministry experience background includes having worked with: children, youth, college students, single adults, women, and the homebound.
75. My favorite pizza is Hawaiian -- ham and pineapple!
76. My dad calls me "Kritty Rea" and when he is messing me with me, he calls "Here Kritty, Kritty, Kritty" as though he were calling for a cat.
77. I use any excuse I can think of to wear a tiara.
78. I have a strange fascination with coasters. I'd collect them if I could figure out what to do with them all once I had them!
79. I only listen to country music when I'm in a good mood.
80. I don't usually enjoy live concerts -- I prefer to have volume control!
81. It's important to me that my toes and fingers have matching polish.
82. I feel very self-conscious when I wear my hair straight.
83. I often refer to my spiritual gifts as "the man gifts" because they are not ones that seem to be common for women.
84. The person I miss most in this world is my great-grandmother who went to be with Jesus last December.
85. I get giddy inside whenever I read or hear Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you until the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
86. My printer is sitting under the wingback chair in my bedroom because it stopped printing one day and I never took the time to figure out why.
87. My boss thinks I'm a computer whiz!
88. I don't balance my checkbook regularly.
89. A few years ago, my dad gave me a turtle shaped tiffany lamp for Christmas that he said reminded him of me. After staring at the thing for a few months with very hurt feelings as I wondered what about a turtle shaped lamp reminded my Daddy of me, I finally asked my mom. She pointed out the hearts in the glass and said he'd seen them and knew how much I liked heart shapes. Oh!
90. Opening the stockings is my favorite part of Christmas.
91. Habakkuk is my favorite book of the Bible, and if I could figure out how to make it cool, I'd name my firstborn son after the prophet.
92. For Christmas one year, I received a box of chocolates, and since it was all mine, I did what I'd always wanted to do -- bit into each one and only ate the ones that I liked, leaving uneaten halves for anyone who dared mess with them!
93. My grandfather has his pilot's license, and my first airplane ride was in his Cessna.
94. I never owned a Brittney Spears, N'Sync, or Backstree Boys cd.
95. I don't know how to send text messages, and my phone is blocked from receiving them.
96. As a childbirth coordinator for the Gladney Center, I have attended close to a dozen live births, and every single one of them was a miracle.
97. I do not sing solos. Not even karaoke.
98. I've had the same best friend since the 7th grade, and I still talk to her at least once a week.
99. I have been a bridesmaid in 8 weddings (maid of honor is 4), had to turn down requests to be a bridesmaid in three others, and served cake or punch in more than I could count. For this reason, when I meet new friends, I start off by letting them know that no matter how close we get, I will not ever agree to be a bridesmaid in their weddings. They laugh. I'm serious.
100. I stayed up way past my bedtime creating this completely pointless list! I had no idea it would be so difficult to find things to say about myself.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Ephesians 1
I've been picked on in the past for writing "What does this verse mean to you?" before sharing a passage with you. That is not my way of encouraging a poor method of Biblical interpretation. It's my way of asking you ... Have you read this passage lately? How does this Truth change your life? I'm hooked on Ephesians this week, and this is the truth I want to share with you today. I'd love to hear anything God reveals to you as you read these precious words. :-)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
Monday, February 13, 2006
My Commentary on V-Day
| Your Candy Heart Says "Get Real" |
 You're a bit of a cynic when it comes to love. You don't lose your head, and hardly anyone penetrates your heart. Your ideal Valentine's Day date: is all about the person you're seeing (with no mentions of v-day!) Your flirting style: honest and even slightly sarcastic What turns you off: romantic expectations and "greeting card" holidays Why you're hot: you don't just play hard to get - you are hard to get |
Thursday, February 09, 2006
A few months ago, I told you about the sad, bored Pokemon VCR sitting in my bedroom, just waiting to be used. I thought you would all be pleased to know that the Pokemon VCR and Pikachu remote control have found their place in the heart of the Wonder House after emergency exploratory surgery was unable to salvage the old recorder we'd been using. (Thanks for rescuing the Tae-Bo tape, though!) If you have any questions about how to work the remote control, you just push in the middle of his chest to turn him on. ;-)
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Nothing Wasted
I think most of you know that I consider myself a "Bad Missionary." The semester after I graduated from college (H-S ... H-S ... U-U!), I spent three months in Guadalajara, Mexico. I cried almost every day I was there and felt like a horrible failure when I returned. I refused to leave the country for the next three years. In fact, I didn't even leave the state of Texas! After 10 days in Morelia, Mexico summer before last and two weeks in Central Asia last summer, I have come to understand that God can use even me on the mission field if I'm obedient to His call, but I've always felt like that trip to Guadalajara was so bad. This morning, my dad called. His Uncle Terry is having a birthday party this weekend, and he had called Aunt Margie to find out where to send a card. In course of conversation, they exchanged information about "the kids." Daddy told her how I was set to graduate from seminary this Spring, and he mentioned how much my cousins and I had enjoyed our visit to see her and Uncle Terry a few years ago (the Christmas after I returned from Guaddy). Aunt Margie got excited when he mentioned that and told him that her daughter, Maddie (who was in middle school back then) had gone on a mission trip to Mexico last summer. Aunt Margie said it changed Maddie's life. She came back so excited and talking about the people and very passionate about her relationship with Christ. When she signed up for classes in school, they told her not to take Spanish 4 unless she was a native speaker, but she told her mom, "Kristen did it." She passed that and is taking Spanish 5 this year. She still has her pictures up in her room from her trip, talks about taking more trips, and has dedicated her life to serving the Lord. Aunt Margie told my dad she really believes a seed was planted more than four years ago when my cousins and I spent the weekend with them. As my dad finished filling me in on Aunt Margie, Uncle Terry, and Maddie, he said, "Kristi, that trip that you thought was such a disaster planted a seed that is still bearing fruit." And, in my heart I heard a very clear Voice saying to me, "I do not waste a thing."
Jeremiah 32:27, "I am the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?"
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
This is Kimbo.
This is Kimbo. Sunday was her birthday. I didn't forget. I just thought it would be more fun to celebrate her like this. Kimbo and I met in high school. She was the first person I ever saw God really take control over and transform in front of my very eyes. When she decided to follow Christ, there was no turning back, and thousands of children will never be the same because of it. Not to mention her husband, her beautiful boys, or those of us who get to be her friends! When we were still in high school, Kimbo gave me a gift -- a set of charms to go on my bracelet. One was a pair of hands clasped in friendship, the other was a small icthus, representing Christ. The two together represented what made our sisterhood so special. It was founded and grounded in Him. A lot has changed since high school. We grew up a little. Went to college. Kimbo married the boy she met her freshman year at DBU. They had sons -- two of them. Beautiful boys. They worked in a church in Texas. Now, they live and work at a church in Alabama. We don't get to see one another or talk often, but two things stand out to me when I think about this special woman. 1. Every time I hear her name, I smile. 2. Every time I think about her life, I'm drawn closer to the Lord and reminded of what His power at work in a life looks like.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
A Pink and Purple House
This last year has begun a new era in my walk with the Lord. He's been communicating with me in a new way. It took me a while to know what to make of it, but I'm getting used to the ways He paints pictures in my head to help me see where we're at or where we're going. It started with last January when I first started praying about going to Central Asia in the summer. I kept telling Him there were too many obstacles. That's when the picture in my head was a long race track with a bunch of hurdles labeled with all of the reasons I didn't think I could go. I was standing at the start line, and my friend was standing at the other end, with a large map of her country and her people behind her. As I began moving forward on the track, a large Hand would come down and literally hurl the hurdles out of my way. I never had to "jump" a single one. And, in so many ways that is exactly how that trip came about. In the Fall, when Pappy was diagnosed with cancer and so many other things in life felt so hard, the picture was of a long, dark tunnel. I could feel that we were moving forward, but there was no light just yet, and I knew that God was the conductor, in control, and we would eventually see daylight. Most recently, as I begin to move past that dark tunnel in my life, but still feel the effects of those difficult days, the picture in my head is of a concrete slab. Cold, dull, gray, lifeless, square, boring ... but a foundation, absolutely necessary for building anything that can last. When the Lord revealed this one to me, I laughed out loud and asked Him, "Hey God, remember when I was a little girl and we lived in the barrio in South Texas? Remember how I always wanted a pink and purple house like my friends down the street? Yeah, that was cool." I hope that whenever God gets ready to paint whatever it is He's building in my life, He makes it bright and colorful.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Hook 'Em
I've never been so proud to be wearing burnt orange in my entire life. :-) What a game! Hope you were able to see every last second. That was fun!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Let It Be Said Of Us
I moved into a new room this week, and as part of the moving process, I have been going through old papers and trying to throw stuff away. Today, I came across these lyrics. It's an older song, I think. I printed them early last year and carried them in my notebook, so I'd look at them each day. Someone once said, "Live life with the end in view." Here it goes!
Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion,
That with gladness we bore ev'ry cross we were given;
That we fought the good fight, that we finished the course,
Knowing within us the pow'r of the risen Lord.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
'Til the likeness of Jesus be through us made known;
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song.
Let it be said of us we were marked by forgiveness,
We were known by our love, and delighted in meekness.
We were ruled by His peace, heeding unity's call;
Joined as one body, that Christ would be seen by all.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
'Til the likeness of Jesus be through us made known.
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song.
When I look back over last year, the only question that really matters to me is: Do I look more like Jesus now than I did then?
Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion,
That with gladness we bore ev'ry cross we were given;
That we fought the good fight, that we finished the course,
Knowing within us the pow'r of the risen Lord.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
'Til the likeness of Jesus be through us made known;
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song.
Let it be said of us we were marked by forgiveness,
We were known by our love, and delighted in meekness.
We were ruled by His peace, heeding unity's call;
Joined as one body, that Christ would be seen by all.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
'Til the likeness of Jesus be through us made known.
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song.
When I look back over last year, the only question that really matters to me is: Do I look more like Jesus now than I did then?
Sunday, January 01, 2006
January 1
Anybody else holiday and reflectioned out? I am just tired today, and as much as I want to say something meaningful about the past year or something hopeful about the coming year, I really prefer to lay on the couch and check my myspace for new friends every couple of hours. :-) Happy New Year everyone! -- Kristen
Thursday, December 29, 2005
My Calm // Your Storm
Anyone familiar with this Caedmon's Call album? It was their first recording, and a good friend of mine is looking for a copy of it. Amazon.com has one used copy for $30.00 Anyone got a better idea? Let me know if you know where I can get this? Thanks!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Verses That Will Always Remind Me of 2005
Psalm 3:3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalm27:13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Psalm 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; 3Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
Psalm 108:13 Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Joshua 6:2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.
Ruth 3:18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
Proverbs 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
Psalm27:13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Psalm 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; 3Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
Psalm 108:13 Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Joshua 6:2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.
Ruth 3:18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
Proverbs 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas
It's nearly midnight, Christmas Eve. We've opened everything but the stockings and had a great time doing so. There's just something fun about Christmas time. It's particularly more fun this year having Mimi with us, though I know we're all aware that Grandmother and Pappy are missing. We did make it to a beautiful candlelight service this year, and I was especially blessed by the man sitting a few seats down from me. His face lit up like a child's as the service was starting and I heard him telling the man sitting next to him that he'd celebrated Christmas for 43 years without ever knowing that it was all about Jesus. There was wonder in his voice as he took in the the scene of worshippers around him, and I admit there was a lump in my throat as I heard him heartily bellowing out the familiar carols throughout the service. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas this year. I pray that your heart will find a quiet place to celebrate the Babe in the manger who came that you might have life abundant and free.
Because of Him,
Kristen
Because of Him,
Kristen
In Favor of Church and Christmas
So the big debate in our house this weekend is which church service(s) are we going to in celebration of Christmas, and what it really boils down to is how many times do we want to take time away from our football watching, pickle eating, baking, present opening, staring at each other schedules to get dressed up and presentable and drive the 10 minutes down the road to light candles and sing carols. For the record, I'm in favor of church services to celebrate Christmas, and I'm disappointed in the lack of enthusiasm I sense from my family regarding this matter. I've refrained from jumping on my soapbox about this one this year, but really?!
Friday, December 23, 2005
Movie Review
I rarely value my own opinion when it comes to movies. I freely admit that there is very little validity to my critique of anything remotely artistic. When it comes to movies or music or even works of art, I tend to say "I liked it because I liked it" and that's about as much as you'll get from me. This afternoon, my dad took mom, Mimi, and me to see "The Family Stone" and I liked it ... in a Stepmom meets The Fockers sort of way. Just thought you should know.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
The Difference a Year Can Make
A year ago, I had four living grandparents. Now, I have three.
A year ago, I would have never dreamed I'd actually get on a plane a fly to Central Asia. I did it.
A year ago, I'd been to the Wonder House once. Now, I've lived here for six months.
A year ago, Egbert and Dia had been on one date. Today, they are married.
A year ago, Dodie, Holly, Gera, Michele, and Carrie all lived in Fort Worth. Now, they are all over the country.
A year ago, I still wasn't sure about graduation. Now, I have six hours left.
A year ago, Jaclyn was just finding out she was pregnant. Now, Jaxon is nearly four months old.
A year ago, Emma was still in utero, today, she crawls and pulls up and smiles and jabbers, and has teeth, and a personality that lets us in on what she's thinking and feeling.
A year ago, I had a best friend who called daily. Today, we are strangers.
A year ago, Cody and Suzanne we're "just talking" -- now, we're planning their wedding for June.
A year ago, I had a lot of intellectual knowledge about the fear of the Lord, about God's character, His faithfulness and trustworthiness, and how big He is. Now, I have a little bit more experiential understanding of each of those things.
A year ago, I had no idea what March Madness was. This year, I filled out a bracket!
A year ago, phrases like "wait on the Lord" and "wrestle with me" meant nothing to me. Today, they make me shudder.
A year ago, I had never heard the "Thou, O Lord" song, and now, I can't get it out of my head.
A year ago, I'd never bought tires by myself or chosen my own mechanic. Now, I have the credit card bill to prove my progress.
A year ago, I didn't cry so easily. Today will be unusual if something doesn't bring a tear at least once.
A year ago, I had to watch Gilmore Girls by myself. Now, Barb tapes it for me and waits to watch it with me!
It's been a good year.
A year ago, I would have never dreamed I'd actually get on a plane a fly to Central Asia. I did it.
A year ago, I'd been to the Wonder House once. Now, I've lived here for six months.
A year ago, Egbert and Dia had been on one date. Today, they are married.
A year ago, Dodie, Holly, Gera, Michele, and Carrie all lived in Fort Worth. Now, they are all over the country.
A year ago, I still wasn't sure about graduation. Now, I have six hours left.
A year ago, Jaclyn was just finding out she was pregnant. Now, Jaxon is nearly four months old.
A year ago, Emma was still in utero, today, she crawls and pulls up and smiles and jabbers, and has teeth, and a personality that lets us in on what she's thinking and feeling.
A year ago, I had a best friend who called daily. Today, we are strangers.
A year ago, Cody and Suzanne we're "just talking" -- now, we're planning their wedding for June.
A year ago, I had a lot of intellectual knowledge about the fear of the Lord, about God's character, His faithfulness and trustworthiness, and how big He is. Now, I have a little bit more experiential understanding of each of those things.
A year ago, I had no idea what March Madness was. This year, I filled out a bracket!
A year ago, phrases like "wait on the Lord" and "wrestle with me" meant nothing to me. Today, they make me shudder.
A year ago, I had never heard the "Thou, O Lord" song, and now, I can't get it out of my head.
A year ago, I'd never bought tires by myself or chosen my own mechanic. Now, I have the credit card bill to prove my progress.
A year ago, I didn't cry so easily. Today will be unusual if something doesn't bring a tear at least once.
A year ago, I had to watch Gilmore Girls by myself. Now, Barb tapes it for me and waits to watch it with me!
It's been a good year.
Psalm 95:11 ... You have crowned the year with bounty and your paths drip with fatness.
Why I Might Want a Wedding
So, even though I know I was kind of scroogy about weddings earlier this week, having attended Dia and Egbert's beautiful Christmas ceremony last night, I'm thinking there might be some good reasons to actually have a wedding. Here are a few of them:
10. I love a good party.
9. It's important to make a commitment, witnessed by people who will hold you accountable.
8. When else are you going to have all of your family and friends in one place and be alive to enjoy it?
7. Dia really looked happy and kept saying how much fun she was having -- I like to be happy and have fun.
6. I've always wanted an excuse to put together a photograph slide show.
5. I didn't know I could have fun music like "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" -- I thought I had to only pick from songs I couldn't pronounce, had never heard, or couldn't differentiate between.
4. My bridesmaids can pick their own dresses!
3. It's a great excuse to go on vacation to some fabulous location afterwards.
2. It's a great chance go get back at all you people who've made me be in your weddings.
1. I get to be the PRINCESS and wear a tiara!
10. I love a good party.
9. It's important to make a commitment, witnessed by people who will hold you accountable.
8. When else are you going to have all of your family and friends in one place and be alive to enjoy it?
7. Dia really looked happy and kept saying how much fun she was having -- I like to be happy and have fun.
6. I've always wanted an excuse to put together a photograph slide show.
5. I didn't know I could have fun music like "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" -- I thought I had to only pick from songs I couldn't pronounce, had never heard, or couldn't differentiate between.
4. My bridesmaids can pick their own dresses!
3. It's a great excuse to go on vacation to some fabulous location afterwards.
2. It's a great chance go get back at all you people who've made me be in your weddings.
1. I get to be the PRINCESS and wear a tiara!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Why I Plan to Elope
After watching the last minute madness of the week before the wedding for the second time this year, have decided that if and when it is my turn, I should elope. Here's why:
10. No invitations to word, print, address, or mail.
9. No $500 dress to buy and wear for 3 hours then store for 20 years only to have my daughter decide it's not her style.
8. No deciding which of my amazing friends to make stand up beside me in matching dresses.
7. No torturing myself with a neverending list of miniscule details about things I couldn't care less about.
6. No pictures for my kids to make fun of later.
5. No disagreeing with my mom about proper etiquette.
4. No awkward moment of 200 of my closest friends and relatives staring at me as I walk down an aisle, rating my sense of style based on the colors, flowers, and dresses I choose.
3. Money available for other needs -- like the downpayment on a house!
2. No hours of posing for pictures that I'm going to critique to death and never want to look at anyway.
1. No having to decide whether to wear my hair up or down or have it cut before or after the wedding.
Basically, I do not like to make decisions and I really hate details, so the thought of all the stuff and stress I've seen go into the wedding planning all of my friends have done makes me think eloping is the answer. Anyone who's married want to argue with me? :-)
10. No invitations to word, print, address, or mail.
9. No $500 dress to buy and wear for 3 hours then store for 20 years only to have my daughter decide it's not her style.
8. No deciding which of my amazing friends to make stand up beside me in matching dresses.
7. No torturing myself with a neverending list of miniscule details about things I couldn't care less about.
6. No pictures for my kids to make fun of later.
5. No disagreeing with my mom about proper etiquette.
4. No awkward moment of 200 of my closest friends and relatives staring at me as I walk down an aisle, rating my sense of style based on the colors, flowers, and dresses I choose.
3. Money available for other needs -- like the downpayment on a house!
2. No hours of posing for pictures that I'm going to critique to death and never want to look at anyway.
1. No having to decide whether to wear my hair up or down or have it cut before or after the wedding.
Basically, I do not like to make decisions and I really hate details, so the thought of all the stuff and stress I've seen go into the wedding planning all of my friends have done makes me think eloping is the answer. Anyone who's married want to argue with me? :-)
Monday, December 12, 2005
Holiday Poll
I'm taking a poll ... What is your favorite Christmas song? What holiday tune could you go the rest of your life without hearing again? Which song has been overdone or overplayed this year?
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