Entertained

I am amazed at how long Todd can sit and play trains. I have a good imagination, but trains just are not fun to me. Todd, however, has been collecting trains for 2 years now. He has a MASSIVE collection. He has 3 kinds of track,each with different size engines. Each of those trains are played with for different purposes. He will act out things he has seen on Thomas videos for hours. Today, he has been playing trains for almost 2 hours with only a lunch break and a potty break. Don't get me wrong, I am glad he can entertain himself for so long. I just can't see how it is fun for that long. Here is a picture of his wooden track we built today. You can't see his train collection, though.

Worrying

I have started a study called the Fingerprints of God. I have just done one section so I am not sure how great it is, yet. However, the first part had me looking at James chapter 1. I know I have read this a million times but this time it seemed to stick out to me in a way it never had. For those of you who do not know, I tend to be a person that worries. This was a inherited trait that my family fights. I have always had faith that God would take care of me, but I worried. I read this scripture and it was eye-opening. I have included the scripture in two translations. I included these because of the difference in wording. The first one is The Message. I have not always been a huge fan of this translation. I know a lot of people that really like it. I will agree that it says it in simplistic form, but almost too simplistic. However, I thought the phrasing was interesting.

James 1:5-8 (The Message)

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.



The next version is the version I read it in originally, NIV.

James 1:5-8 (NIV)

5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

I was convicted after reading these scriptures. I have always justified my worrying. After reading this, I realized that this was a lack of faith. I love the part in The Message saying ask without a second doubt. That is so hard for me. I do totally believe that God has his hand over all that I do. I also believe that all will turn out for the good as long as I seek Him. I guess I just never really saw my worring as second guessing God. If you finish reading this to the end of the scripture, it says that if I doubt, I will not recieve anything from the Lord. OUCH!! That is the last thing I want..me making a sorry attempt at life without God's help. I know this was a lengthy blog. It was something that was on my mind and heart.

Do you struggle with worrying? If so, take another look at James. Do you see worrying as second-guessing God?

Family

Unfortunately, my grandparents got divorced after having four sons and being married for 35 years. Due to the circumstances, my dad's family had not all been together since that time. (I was very young when they got divorced). After all of these years, the family decided to get together. It was a difficult situation and awkward at times. I saw my uncles that I had not seen in many years due to busy schedules. It was great to reconnect with family. It is sad to see a family fall apart because of a divorce. I know this is true of so many families. I am blessed that my family has stayed together and is so close. Here is a family picture of all of us at the reunion.

How Great is Our God!

This is a story that I had to tell. As some of you know, Brad has been in a job that is full of people that have put no value on family, much less spiritual things. He was notified not long ago that his company was merging with another company. He looked up jobs because he felt like his job was unstable and he was ready to leave this atmosphere. The problem was that his current job would fire him if they found out he was looking at other jobs. Well, he found only one job in Nashville that was comparable to his current job. He applied. Yesterday at noon he accepted a position that pays more, is less stress, and a much better hours. We were thrilled. Well, 3 hours later, he discovers that his whole company is closing its doors. He and everyone else would lose their jobs. Their last day is Aug. 31st and he is to start the new job Sept. 1st. We could not believe it.

This was such a great reminder to have faith in our Lord. He is such an amazing God and he always provided for us. I do not know why I question Him... well I guess lack of faith. I think I can and have to fix it myself. I am sure God is always thinking .. When will she ever learn. I am reminded of one of mine and Brad'd favorite songs right now. It is How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlison. You can find it on the web, but I have included the lyrics. God is Great!!!!! Have you witnessed ways that God has shown His greatness recently?

How Great is Our God Lyrics
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
Worthy of our praise My heart will sing
How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

More info.

Well, Brad made his video debut, as planned. It was quite an experience! He was supposed to be done by 2 or 3 am. However, they had a 6 1/2 hour rain delay. He got home at 6:50 am and was supposed to leave for work at 7:00 am. As you can imagine, he was exhausted! He ended up sleeping 2 hours and then going to work.

The song is called Some People Change by Montgomery Gentry. Here is the link to the words and if you click the music note, it will play the song. http://www.borderline-productions.com/mg.html He is in the part where the chorus starts singing. It will be a slim chance to see him in the video. He is not sure when the video will be released. Will let you know if we find out!

Famous?

This is a story that is so funny that I had to share. The country group Montgomery Gentry is shooting a video in the area where we go to church. The video seems to be spiritual in nature. Their video casting director asked for men in the church to submit a picture along with your age to them to be considered to be in the video. They wanted men aged 35-75 year old. I submitted Brad eventhough he was a little under the age and I submitted my dad. Well, they have received a confirmation and they were chosen to be in video!! The video is going to be set at night so they have to be there from 6pm to 2or 3 am Thurs/Fri. At the end of the night, they will receive $75 cash!!! That is the best part to me. Just thought you would like to know that I am the daughter of an actor and married to one, too!!

To be like Him

I have been doing some thinking about true christianity. I have been reflecting on people I know and have known that I felt really depicted what Christ would want a christian today to be like. I think I have been blessed with so many outstanding christian people in my life... many of whom are in my family. When I began to think about this, so many characteristics came to mind. I think you have to be humble, self-less, forgiving, loving, compassionate, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and serving just to name a few. If you had to say, what characteristics do you think are "must have" qualities to be a true depiction of christ?