A Heart Like His

I started the Bible study, "A Heart Like His" this summer with a group, but life happened and we didn't get to finish this study together.  I struggle to leave anything unfinished - at least for a great length of time.  So, I finished the study on my own and I learned some great lessons from studying the life of David.  I learned how God saw something special in him - "A Heart Like His".  David made many mistakes and paid the consequences, but when David was seeking God with all his heart - God used him in a mighty way.  I think God does the same for us.  We all make mistakes and suffer consequences - whether they be great or small.  But, when we are seeking God with all our heart, God changes our hearts and makes our hearts more like His.  

Recently, events have happened that led me to seek God with all my heart.  What happened from that?  God changed my heart.  These are the verses that He revealed to me during this time:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  - Colossians 3:12-14

Of course, each day has brought forth other Scriptures that tell me that I am to love and I am to forgive.  This past Sunday, it was no accident that the lyrics that we sang during worship spoke of the love I am to share with others.  Here are some of the lyrics:

Tear Down The Walls
This life is Yours and hope is rising
As Your glory floods our hearts
Let love tear down these walls
That all creation would
Come back to You
It’s all for You

Your Name is glorious
Glorious
Your love is changing us
Calling us
To worship in spirit and in truth
As all creation returns to You
Oh for all the sons and daughters
Who are walking in the darkness
You are calling us to lead them back to You
We will see Your spirit rising
As the lost come out of hiding
Every heart will see this hope we have in You

~

Point of Difference
Call us out let the world see
You are God and this hope is ours

So call us out, let the world see
You are God as we sing

Open the skies
Flood the Earth with your light
This is love to break a world indifferent
As we lift up our eyes
Fill our hearts with your fire
In a world the same we'll be the difference, the difference

So call us out let the world see
You are God and this hope is ours

Our eyes are open
Every chain now broken
In this world we are different
Let your love become us
As we live to make you famous
We're in this world but we are different

~

I feel very certain that God has called me to do the following:
•    love those who seem unlovable
•    forgive those who seem to be unforgivable
•    to be set apart - to be in this world, but not of this world

So, through all of this I think I have experienced a glimpse of how Jesus loves me.  Despite all my sins, He forgave me.  When I was unlovable, He loved me.  Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for my sins.  In view of His mercy, I can forgive as the Lord forgave me.  I can also show compassion and kindness to those who are in need.  The One whose opinion matters the most has spoken loud and clear to me.  I will be obedient to the Lord.

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. - 1 John 4:20-21

Where did July go?

Okay, I admit it.  I am a slacker when it comes to blogging.  In effort to catch up, here is an overview of what we did during the month of July...

Yes, I hate to admit it, but I turned 40.  Wow, that seems so old...especially when you have a cake larger than life with a big 4-0 on it.

Lindsey returned from Centri-kid camp with some strange looking hair.

We went to Panama City Beach, FL for our annual extended family trip.

 

Then we went to see the David Crowder Band in concert in Montgomery.  We had a blast!  This was the first concert that Logan actually removed his ear plugs and enjoyed the concert!

I will try to post some more detailed posts from each event later...maybe.  Update:  I have posted more pictures and more posts, so keep scrolling and enjoy.  :-)

Panama City Beach 2010

Logan looking cool in his shades!

Enjoying the beach at sunset

She is shy, but not when it comes to the camera!

Beautiful

A typical look I get many times a day

My baby is growing up

Golf pros...maybe not.  :-)

Ready to ride!

Lauren feels special - she was big enough to drive on her own.  ;-)

All smiles

Annual beach picture

Lindsey, Emily, Aunt Peggy, Ada and Callie

Sweet Ada!  She called me Krisp-son.

Ada and Neil became the best of friends after sharing some raisins.

We enjoyed spending the week with extended family in Panama City this year.  The kids really enjoy getting to spend lots of time with their cousins and I know these will be memories they will cherish for a lifetime.  I always enjoy marveling at the beauty of God's creation.  I can't look at the ocean without realizing how awesome God truly is.

Surprise!

Why does forty seem so old?  Not sure, but I do distinctly remembering having a discussion when I was in junior high about turning thirty in the year 2000.  Of course, this conversation started after hearing the song "1999" by Prince.  We all scrunched up our noses as we thought, "Wow!  We are going to be ancient by 2000."  So, what does it mean when you turn forty?  You are really ancient?  Anyway, one nice little thing about turning forty - your family will go to great lengths to surprise you.  And my family did just that!

We always get together with Neil's family for the 4th of July, so I thought nothing of the fact we were going to Heather and Chris' house for our annual celebration.  Little did I know that Neil had invited my mom and dad, my sister, and several friends from church and work to show up for the surprise.  Needless to say, I was speechless.  It was a wonderful surprise and I feel very blessed and loved.  I still feel a little ancient, however.  Especially after battling those forty candles!  ;-)

I'm glad that the 40 candles didn't burn Heather and Chris' carport down!

Several friends and family kept this secret from me.  I'm still not sure how.  

 

At the end of the evening, the guys did their annual firework show.  This was probably the best show so far!  Thanks for the special surprise party!  Maybe I am ancient, but I know that I am loved.  :-)

Happy 10th Birthday, Lindsey!

I am missing my sweet Lindsey terribly right now.  She is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with her good friend, Lydia.  This is the first time we have been apart on her birthday.  :(  We talked to Lindsey this morning while she opened a small gift from us that we sent along on her journey.  She is officially in the double digits now.

Happy Birthday, Lindsey!  I can't wait to hug you when you get home.  Oh, I have a birthday spanking waiting on you as well!  :)  We love you!

Logan's Baptism

We are so proud to share the news that Logan was baptized on June 20, 2010.  He prayed on June 12th and asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior.  Since we attend church in an old dairy barn, the baptistery is a little "unconventional", but fitting.  Dr. Derek Staples asked Neil to assist with the baptism and that was a great honor.  Neil has had the privilege of three very special Father's Day events.  Lauren was born on Father's Day - June 16, 1996, Lindsey was baptized on Father's Day - June 17, 2007, and Logan was baptized on Father's Day - June 20, 2010.  Only God can plan something that spectacular!  :)

This is Logan's cake that Patsy made for Logan.  She had a sweet story to go along with the cake.  She used the "G" in Logan to spell "God".  She said that God is always holding Logan up.  The letters that spelled "God" were all the same color to represent - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  (Hebrews 13:8).  The Skittles have the letter "S" on them for Saved and the Kisses were in groups of three to represent the Trinity.

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,

"and my servant whom I have chosen, 

so that you may know and believe me 

and understand that I am he. 

Before me no god was formed, 

nor will there be one after me. 

Isaiah 43:10

Happy 14th Birthday, Lauren!

I can't believe fourteen years have passed since we welcomed this sweet little girl into our lives!  She was born on Father's Day and Neil said she was the best Father's Day present he could have ever received!

Lauren, you have changed our lives forever!  We love you!  We hope you have a wonderful birthday!

School Awards

This is the last week of school, so that means it is time for award ceremonies at school.  On Tuesday, we attended Logan's program and today, we attended Lindsey's program.

Logan earned an AB Honor Roll ribbon and a Blue Eagle AR ribbon.

Logan had a speaking part in the program. He did a great job!

Mrs. Hindman and Logan

Lindsey was one of the five finalists for the Pat Blair writing award.  They selected one finalist from each 4th grade homeroom.

Elizabeth Poe won the award!  We were so proud of Elizabeth.  We were also proud of Lindsey for being one of the finalists!

Lindsey was a Gold Eagle in AR. This meant she had earned at least 100 points in AR.

Mrs. Elliot and Lindsey

Lindsey had so many awards, this was the best way that I could think to display them!  She is my little overachiever! :)

I am so proud of both Logan and Lindsey!

Lindsey and Logan's Piano Recital

Logan and Lindsey take piano lessons from Dr. Wendy Faughn and they participated in a recital on May 22, 2010.  I was so proud of both of them.  They each played two songs.  Logan played Brother John and The Carpenters.  Lindsey played Get Ready Rock and Roller Skate Rock.

Look at my handsome little guy with his tie on!