June Birthdays

 June 11th was Russell's Golden Birthday. I can't believe he has now celebrated 6 birthdays with us now! He has grown so much in the last 5 years!!! I pray the Lord blesses him with many more wonderful birthdays and that He draws Russell closer to Him each passing year. 

His request for his birthday breakfast was to make an apple strudel with his sisters. 

His birthday cake of choice was of course chocolate with chopped up candy bar and chocolate frosting. 

 And Caity made an amazing cherry gelato with sweet cherries from our tree. 

My birthday followed on the 13th. We carried on the tradition of fajitas and cheesecake for dinner. This year my grandma was able to join us. 

 Caity made the cheesecake and an amazing cherry sauce (yes we have an abundance of sweet cherries). =D

Of Friends, Summer, and Bowling

Found this sign at a park....ummm ok?

My family teases me about my style =)

One Man

There is one man who means the world to me. 

A man that I look up to an admire. 

Who has walked each step alongside me. 

Who has shown what it means for a man to love his wife.

A man of humility who loves to give. 

Who showers his children with love and gifts. 

Who cares about raising his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

A man who has an amazing work ethic and never complains.

Who teaches his children that work is a good thing.

Who loves to spend time with his family and take them on fun vacations.

A man who lives out traits that I will look for in the man I marry. 

A man who I love with my whole heart. 

Thanks for being such a great dad. 

I love you!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADDY!!! 

What's Your Soundtrack?

On Sunday our pastor asked a question that got me thinking.

What is the soundtrack of your life?

What do you wash yourself with throughout the day? What are the things that take up the majority of your time and thoughts? What are some of the biggest influences in your life, good or bad? Are we continually growing closer to our Heavenly Father or are we being drawn down the slow and gradual path of unrighteousness by the things that fill our life?

"The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." - C.S. Lewis

The "soundtrack" of your life is not merely what you listen to, but that definitely is a good place to start because our ears are always open and generally people listen to a lot of music while they study, work, drive, and go about every day life. I know I do. I have wondered and questioned standards of media, for christians in general and myself in particular, for quite a while now. How do we determine what we should or shouldn't listen to? 

Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."

Does that limit us only to things that are strictly labeled "christian" and talk only about Jesus? I don't think so, but neither do I want to be so blinded by the idea of "Christian liberty" that I allow myself to read, listen to, watch, and be influenced by anything or everything. I don't have the answers and there's not a list of "ok" songs and movies behind the concordance in your Bible. It is not so cut and dry. Nothing in life really is. There is always room for grace. And aren't we glad?!

As I've thought about this issue, specifically in regards to music, I have thought of a couple songs in my iTunes that should probably go. But then in the back of my mind I hear a little voice saying things like:

"but it's a really fun song,"

"but I like it,"

"it's got a good beat,"

"I don't listen to it that much." 

"is it really BAD?"

I know in my own life I am sometimes tempted to hold on to things that I know don't glorify God because I enjoy them. Because it pleases my flesh. It feels good. It makes me happy for the moment. If we truly loved and feared God it would be easy to give up fleshly things so that we would be honoring Him, but we don't. We are fallen, sinful creatures. We love the things that please us. However, we do not have to stay in that rut. God has given us weapons to fight temptation; the Word of God and prayer. Spend time in God's word and seek wisdom from Him. 

So. What is the soundtrack of your life?

Time That's Never Waisted

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I just got back from an extremely busy couple weeks preparing for a wedding. In the craziness of busy schedules - running here and there, working on projects, and pulling together the small details, it was easy to let one of the most significant and most important things slip away un-noticed. It dawned on me one of the last days that I had not been spending time in God's word. I was letting myself sleep in, getting up, and then jumping into the day without first spending time with the Lord.

I woke up early the next morning, grabbed my sweatshirt and my Bible and sat out on the front porch steps, the sun low in the sky and the world a quiet and peaceful place. I sat out there, un-interupted for almost an hour! That hour was so precious and I wondered how I could ever be 'satisfied' without that time with my Father. Some times when life is busy and time is in a crunch, I am so quick to let my quiet time be the first to go. I almost feel guilty sitting down to enjoy some peace and quiet when there's work to be done. I've realized though that no matter what, spending time in God's word and talking to your heavenly Father is never waisted time. Sure, you don't always have time to read your Bible for two hours, but whatever time you do have is never waisted. 

"The person who truly knows the Lord develops a love for Him and a closeness to Him, so that He begins to shape one's character and values." 

"One does not divine God's will. One lives God's will as one comes to know Him through His will." 

(Both quotes by Bruce K. Waltke)

Have you ever stopped to consider how awesome it is that God hears our prayers when ever and where ever we are? How cool is that. We don't have to sit down and say "ok, I'm going to pray now." We can be going about our daily lives talking to Him - asking for wisdom, praying for friends, seeking His guidance, lifting up needs and concerns. He truly is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is ALWAYS there. Even when we forget, He is faithful. I've had lots to think about the last few days and I've discovered that picking cherries is a wonderful opportunity to think and pray. =) 

If God is not the focus of our lives we lose the proper perspective on everything else.

Home

I realize it's been well over two months since I last posted. The last month has been crazy. We left May 8th and drove to Idaho for my brother's college graduation, stayed there for 5 days and then drove down to Farmington, New Mexico with Caity and stayed with our "cousins" for two and a half weeks. We helped with the last preparations for our dear friends wedding last weekend and came home tired and happy Sunday evening. It was a truly wonderful trip, but after a month, I am glad to be back home with no up coming trips for the next few weeks. I haven't left the house yet. It's been awesome!

It was such a blessing to spend two weeks with our dear friends. We decorated Meg's house, ran errands, made food, watched movies, played frisbee, went on walks, talked for hours, altered dresses, made cake pops, decorations, programs, rosettes, curtains, towels, bouquets, boutonnières, and a dress, and fellowshipped with friends. It was fantastic and the wedding came together very smoothly. Saturday morning was a little hectic with running to Hobby Lobby and back and then taking stuff to the reception hall and back and then picking up stuff from the reception hall and back, all before the bride returned from her hair and makeup appointment. Pictures were taken, the flowers didn't wilt, the bride was stunning, the groom couldn't stop smiling, some of the attendants cried, the maid of honor made it through her speech (but not without tears), and we partied it up at the reception.

Sunday we worshipped with the saints at the Skeen's church and then enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of fellowship at a park before heading home. I'm eager to see all the dear people at our church back home though.
So there's a general update and hopefully I'll be able to keep up posting with more regularity in the near future.

Of Blossoming Trees and Falling Snow

The weather was beautiful all of last week; in the 70's most days with beautiful sunshine and hardly any wind. Our fruit trees have begun to blossom and the grass is greening up and growing. 

Just in time for snow today and a possible freeze tonight. 

He Sustained Me

During the drive to Church this morning I opened my Bible to the book of Psalms. As I read, there was a short, simple verse that brought to mind how amazing God's love and care for us is and how amazing is His design of our bodies.   

"I lay down and slept; 

I awoke, for the Lord sustained me." 

Psalm 2:5

God designed our bodies to need sleep, for which I think we are all grateful. Knowing that we can lay down for eight hours (give or take) and do nothing is such a pleasant thing. How sweet and and simple. Yet while we are doing nothing, He keeps our hearts beating and out lungs breathing. We don't have to tell them to keep functioning, God does that for us all the time. He designed our bodies that way. He sustains our life while we sleep. It is by His grace and by His hand that we wake up each morning and live to see another day. 

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, 

marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."

Psalm 139:14

Add to Your Faith

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Input

Dear Blog Readers,

It's officially spring!!!! And has been for the past 8 days (I'm just a little behind). But I did finally change my back ground to something a little more happy and springish rather than the snowy, make-you-want-to-cuddle-on-the-couch-with-a-book-and-blanket background that I had before. =) But I know that sometimes it can be hard to read due to bad color combinations, or just not enjoyable to read especially if there are lots of bright colors (which I love). So, I'd love your input on the new background. If it's too hard on the eyes - PLEASE tell me. I want you to enjoy reading my blog. Have a beautiful day!

-Marissa

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"Look after the purity of your heart and the purity of your life will follow." - Pastor Brainerd

For a good man out of the treasures of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

Coffee Shop Critique

I sit in the comfy arm chair directly across the pick-up counter, head phones playing soft classical music in my ears, my book open on my lap, and a hot Cinnamon Dulce Latte warming my chilled hands. From my position, where I try not to get too comfy as the warm spring sun streams through the window and warms my face, I have a great view of the entire coffee shop except for two small tables in the back corner. The door opens, I look up, two co-workers in suits and ties walk up to the counter and immediately place their order. They wait a brief minute, grab their cups of fresh drip coffee, dress it up in their own way, and walk out; this must be a frequent routine. My eyes slowly travel around the room; every minute the crowd changes as people stop in for their morning stimulant before heading to another day of work. Tall and short, fair and dark, athletic and over weight, hipster or businessman, assorted nationalities; take your pick. Each customer is so diverse, so different and yet that is exactly what makes it a typical coffee shop.

Some read newspapers, another flips through a magazine. Apple computers, iPads, and smart phones are the most common companion for most people, but there is the occasional person who brought along a real human with whom to share their coffee and thoughts. A young woman, athletic in build as well as style, occasionally lifts her focused eyes from her computer to glance at passers by. Something she reads disturbs her, her brow furrows, she looks worried, a hand, previously resting on her temples, covers her mouth - shock or grief? - I can't quite read the expression. A minute later the hand becomes a barrier on one side of her face between the world of the coffee shop and her eyes. She looks about to cry. I'll never know what she read, but I hope everything's ok. Later I catch her eye and offer her a smile and receive one in return.

This early spring weather in New Mexico has everyone confused as to proper attire - pants and boots, capris and flip flops, sweat shirts, scarves, and faux fur. One day it's freezing and windy and the next it's a sunny 65. I think about all these people and their mysterious lives. All I can see is the external side, which says a lot, yet I know nothing about who they really are. Each man and woman has their own unique story, their own thoughts, their own troubles. I wonder what it's like to be a midget? I smile on the inside, but I feel sorry for him at the same time, and I try not to stare. I stop and realize now, that with each person I've seen come and go, I've passed a judgement - not necessarily bad or harsh, critical or unkind - but a judgement none-the-less. I've decided in my mind, based on appearances, what I think they are like. I am disturbed at how quick and easy it is to label someone based on externals.

I mull over this for quite a while as I go about my errands, my drive home, and my chores around the house. After lunch, I sit down to have my quiet time. I flip open to where my bookmark lay between the pages of my Bible and begin to read. James 1 - a personal favorite. I think about things our pastor has brought up in discussion about this in our Bible study. James 2 - I've read it many times, but this time the verses jump out at me and I smile at God's perfect timing.

"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, 'you sit here in a good place,' and say to the poor man, 'you stand there,' or, 'sit here are my footstool,' have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?... Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?" (vs. 1-7)

As humans and sinners, it is our tendency to judge others based on our circumstances and our personal experiences. God has created and called each and every person for a different purpose, to experience different things, to have different circumstances for a reason. We don't have to know or understand. We don't have to agree with someone else's choices, but we are told to show Christ's love and to let Him be the judge.



* photo from All Best Wallpapers 

What Drives Your Day?

A dull moment comes, the computer is before me, my hand stretches out to open the internet browser. "Stop! Don't do it. You said you weren't going to! There's nothing that important that happens on facebook anyway." My hand pulls back and I pick up the phone to make a few phone calls awaiting my attention.

I've decided to take a vacation. A vacation from media that is. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about several different things that I need to work on in my life. Things that will require concerted effort, daily intentionality, and constant attention. In the past as I think about areas of weakness it is all too easy to say I need to work on that and then move on with life without a change. I don't want to keep doing that. That in and of itself is a weakness. 

Making changes in your life takes intentionality. Patience doesn't come by saying "I need to be more patient" (don't we wish). It doesn't even come just by praying. God doesn't just drop a truck load of patience into our laps. He give us more and more opportunities to practice patience and develop the character. If I want to learn to be a better friend, use my time wisely, serve more faithfully, or help more cheerfully I have to make a deliberate effort to change my current course. It doesn't happen over night. 

For me, facebook, movies, and sometimes music, are the main things that distract me from what I should be doing, create/feed sinful desires, and often take the place of spending time with God. A red flag went up for me when I realized that my first priority of the day was checking fb. First thing out of bed- computer on, facebook open. Did anything happen since I last checked it right before I went to sleep? You know there's something wrong when you are more eager to check facebook 20 times a day than you are to spend time with in God's word even once. What are your priorities? What is your focus? Are you serving God or the idols you have created? What have you let become the most important things in your life? These are all questions that I have been thinking about for a while - ever since I read Idols of the Heart by Elyse Fitzpatrick. Also our pastor has talked about idols quite a bit the last few Sundays as ties into our study of Isaiah. I want my day to start and end in time with God, not with my cyber friends. I want the God to be the rudder that steers my day. I want to long for God, not my computer. It is so easy to let little things get in the way of what really matters and so hard to break down the idols we create. 

Deuteronomy 6:5 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength." 

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." 

These two verses have been coming to mind a lot. I want these verses to characterize my life and to make that happen it's going to take concentrated effort and focus. 

When Restless Legs Don't Sleep

It's a gentle rock, a smooth motion - except for the occasional jerk and jolt - like the rocking of a mother with her child, like the sway of a cradle, like the roll of the ocean waves. It is a new experience, this travel by train. From one side of the country to the other. Chicago to Albuquerque. Twenty-five hours of continual, smooth motion. The clock ticks on. The hours grow late, then early. Nights are short when sleep comes easily, and yet they drag on, each moment seeming an eternity, when no sleep comes. My body, fighting illness for the third time in a month, begs for sleep, but my restless legs have a different idea in mind. My eyes long to rest during these early hours as they are accustom to do at this time of night, but my aching back doesn't agree. I take my book to the lounge car so I can read without disturbing the peaceful, sleeping passengers with the light. Quite a contrast now from the boisterous group of adolescents  that flooded the seats before. A few like minded souls scatter the seats; one reading, two talking, another on the phone - the remains of a midnight snack littering the table before him.

I think over the past 5 days. Packing, flying, driving, sitting, talking, laughing. Meeting new people, seeing old friends and acquaintances, listening to hours of lectures, great cafeteria food, fellowship. It all sped by so fast. It jumbles in my head begging to be sorted and processed. Courage, faith, leadership, fathers, vision, discipleship, hospitality, work, rest, play, and taking dominion. What else is there to do at this time of night?

The Soul Who Sins Shall Die

"It is sin that is the cause of our damning in hell fire. The soul who sins - that soul shall die. The soul sins against God when it receives sin in the heart to entertain it there. It has chosen sin rather than God. At God's command the soul refuses to let sin go. Consider seven efforts of the sinner to hold on to sin. 

(1) If possible, the soul that entertains sin will hide it that it will not be discovered. 

(2) The soul that cannot hide its sin will excuse it and plead that it is not such a bad thing: 'Why make such a fuss about it?' 

(3) The soul that justifies its sin will seek to cover it with a good name: Note - Isaiah 5:20. *

(4) If his convictions cannot deny that it is sin and that God is offended by it, then that soul might give flattering promises to God that it will put the sin away before too very long, but actually maybe not at all. It is clear that this soul delights in its abominations. 

(5) If God yet pursues, and seeks to see if he has indeed put this sin away, this soul might put away the worst part, and keep the finest. It might put away the part that can best be spared, and keep the most profitable for help in a pinch. 

(6) Yes, if all sin must be abandoned or the soul will have not rest, why then, the soul that is entertaining it might let it part, but it will part with a sad heart since it hates to let it go. 

(7) If at any time they con, or shall meet with each other again, and nobody will be the wiser, O what a courting will be between sin and the soul! This is called doing things in the dark. 

By these things you might see that sin has a friend in the soul. This is a strong argument that God, His Word, His ways, and His graces are out of favor with your soul, and that sin and Satan are its only true pleasant companions."

-John Bunyan (Voices from the Past)

* "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Is. 5:20

What does it mean to truly repent of our sins? To fully let go. To turn from our sin and put it to death. Sin that is put to death will never be present in our lives again. How often do we make exceptions or excuses for the sin in our lives just as Bunyan said. We try to hide it, justify it, or only let part of it go. True repentance means completely shunning the sin in our life - hating it - turning away from Satan's temptations and seeking God in stead. Running away from death and embracing Life. 

It is not just the 'big' sins we must flea from, but from ALL sin. Even the seemingly insignificant or 'little' sins. Sin is sin.

The truth is we often love our sin and we have become comfortable with it. We don't want to part from it because it brings us gratification and pleasure. The pleasure is, however, only temporary. Sin does not produce the real joy or pleasure that comes from God. The end result is death, condemnation, and hell. It is so easy to try and justify our sin, and sometimes it's easy to hide it from others, but it is never hidden from God. He knows the heart and is not fooled by a false front.