A Very Special Day

Today we celebrate Reformation day, the day Martin Luther nailed the 95 Thesses to the Roman Catholic church. We celebrate Halloween, the day we simply enjoy dressing up and getting candy while trying to be lights in the dark places of this holiday. But around here it is mostly the day we celebrate the day God gave us our first born, Superman. The BiG: 8. Only... 2 away from double digits and 3 away from a teen.

Superman was given to us 8 years ago today... I am amazed at the boy that he is becoming and overly proud. He gives us such JOY each time he walks in the room.

Happy Birthday my "Superman" ELI

Then...

Now...

JOYfully in Him,

I Saw what I Saw ~ Sara Groves

Abandon Tradition

Jessica Leah Springer - "As John 4:23 says, Its time, as worshipers of God, to give him all we have. For when he is exalted, everything about me is decreased. So many times we stand in the way of really stepping into the secret place of worship with God. Just abandon tradition and the "expected" ways of Praise & Worship and get lost in the holy of holies with the sole intention of blessing the Fathers heart."

JOYfully in Him,

Natures Lesson

I am so drawn to the colors and beauty of Autumn. This season never ceases to amaze and captivate me. To listen to the leaves celebrate joyously above and below as they fellowship in the trees and dance along the pavement. To watch them gently and silently journey through a frozen moment in time to a place beneath them I can not help but feel His peace and His grace. Observing His wonders of nature my heart is softened and gratitude and joy rejoice from with in me and the cross becomes clear in the moment and the so called trials of life are brought into a Christ centered and God gloryfied vision.

Everyday we face our own personal set of trials and struggles that if we look at them with out the lens of Christ will appear hopeless and pointless but with Christ they are seen in a new light, a God honoring, high and holy purpose to bring us closer to the image of His son and to bring about His purposes. Life has a tendency to become overwhelming and hopeless and can at times be extremely painful so it is important for us to keep our perspective clearly focused on God, His word, His Son, His Spirit and His holy purposes and goodness.

JOYfully in Him,

By Your Side

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverence. Psalm 32:7 NIV

JOYfully in Him,

His Will

Have you ever feared what the Lord's will for your life was? I am at a place where I fear selfishly what His plans are for me personally... am I ready? am I strong enough... mentally... physically? is my faith where it should be? I don't fear that His will is not good, for I trust that His plans for my life whether I agree or accept them right away are good and perfect and better than mine could ever be! I just fear that His will for me is going to be hard...

I long to say with my whole heart what Mary said to the angel in Luke 1:38 "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Oh the JOY of complete surrender to His holy will.. how I long to throw my hands up in the air releasing all my plans and ideas up into His hands.

In this moment where my inner flesh cries out in pleas of mercy from the possibility to come of the hard work that will cause sweat and tears... I pray that the Spirit will grant me peace and faith in whatever His plans of hard work for my future may be... only to Him be the glory!!

JOYfully in Him,

Full Attention Part 2

Ignore the video images and just listen...

JOYfully in Him,

Full Attention

Oh there are so many things that the Lord has spoken to me lately that I want to share with you but I don't have the energy or desire to type them all out. Life around here is getting crazy... a little sooner than I had expected. I realized the other day that I don't reveal much about my personal life as a seminary's wife soon to be full time youth ministers wife. The Lord has been continually faithful and present in our journey and I must acknoledge Him and give Him all the praise and honor. The last 4 years have been amazing in seeing God work in our lives so personally and specifically. When I look back on His providential hand I am just amazed, where He brought us from and out of and how. Oh, he is so GOOD.

One thing that He has taught me through the years is for one to TRUST Him even when things seem impossible, TRUST Him. I believe in a soveriegn God who has complete control of everything, of me and my life. In every place light or dark, sun shining or cloud hovering place in our journey He has always been faithful and worked everything for GOOD. But another thing that I have learned as I have walked this journey of faith... to give Him my FULL ATTENTION. When deciphering His will we naturally seek godly advice from trusted men and women and they always do just that but I believe it to be important that we don't give their words our full attention forsaking the voice and will of God. His voice should always ring louder than any mans voice no matter how godly and spiritual he is. You see when we seek advice from godly people we must stand guard that we only take it as far as it is in tune with the voice of God and in order to hear His voice loud and clear we MUST give Him our FULL ATTENTION in the word, in prayer and in our personal meditation times. His will and direction for our life will be clear... just listen.


JOYfully in Him,

Only by His amazing GRACE...

"There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage." Martin Luther


Today is the day that we were joined in covenant with eachother as husband and wife, oh what a glorious day! It has been 8 years and I am still just amazed at where we have both come from, who we have become and the family that we have made all because of the Amazing Grace of God... the death of His son and the work of His Holy Spirit.

I am so overwhelmed with gratitude when I realize that God made us specifically for eachother... to live out His perfect specific purposes... overwhelmed.

Well... anyways... Happy Anniversary to US!

JOYfully in Him,