Maybe it's because of the evil chaos that is slowly surrounding us on all sides---and I mean what used to just be mainly an 'overseas' concern has crept in within our own borders and for many, hit all too close to home. We question where God is in the midst of it all, why He's been "taken out" of so many institutions and places, and yet He's right here. And coming again! (Habbakuk 1:2-4) (Psalm 73:23-28) (Revelation 22:20-21)
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| Another season of basketball for Austin! |
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| He shoots...he scores!! |
Maybe it's due to looking at and studying 1&2 Thessalonians with women whose lives are full and busy and messy and real and they remain altogether beautiful....yet this Gospel we possess doesn't "ring out" quite loud enough in word and deed. Guilty as charged. Will others know Him because of us? Will we rise up under pressure to proclaim His love boldly and confidently? Will we do it in secret when we think others aren't watching? Will the legacy we leave have a trail that leads back to Jesus and His grace.....
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| Playing basketball outside...in January....without even a jacket?! crazy 'winter' weather! |
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| CJ, he can't wait to play! |
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| MR, with the ups! |
Maybe it's because my mind contains more anxiety than excitement at the thought of my eldest leaving behind innocent elementary years and all-too-soon waltzing his way into tumultuous middle school chaos. Things have changed since I was in 5th grade. I'm pretty sure the pressures are greater and the overall consensus would be it hasn't changed for the better. I question whether I'm equipped to handle it! But then again, I'm not. I'll be equipped to handle it through Him as long as my focus and priority remains fixing my eyes on Jesus.
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| "Parent -twin night" for Awana...such handsome "Mr. Anderson's"! |
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| Carson and daddy going in for the pin! |
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| Austin and his good friend Ryan A. :) |
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| Another shot...another score! |
Maybe this urgency comes with realizing Carson is over halfway done with his elem. career and will fulfill his big brother role even more so, as mini-man soon finds himself immersed into that same sea of playground madness. *sigh* Kindergarten awaits. He's excited. I'm prayerful. He's been ready for quite some time. I'm not.
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| Sweet cousins :) (Mason & Aven) |
I'm fairly certain a piece of it, this urgency, has to be the fact that cancer has taken over the body of one too many loved ones, family and dear friends alike. Their faith lies in question. Had I, had we, done enough to show God's love to them?
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| wrestle mania!! |
.JPG) |
| sidewalk chalk!! In January?! |
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| Austin's volcano |
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| Carson's feelin' the love ;) |
Far too many relationships are broken and strained, too many lovely people are unloved, so many questioning faith and being swayed by what sounds good and not the Truth, and as each day draws to a close it's another day closer to His return. Maybe that's really where this urgency comes from--in studying Biblical passages that very candidly describe the world around us today knowing His return is nearing; in not taking full advantage of moments given and instead, letting the moment pass without sharing Jesus....even just a little bit.
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| CJ & Joey |
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| Mason playing "Old McDonald" |
And I'm pretty sure it's watching these three handsome gents grow up all too quickly and pleading with my Savior that they be grounded in the Grace and Truth of Jesus. And making sure that our dinner table is a breeding ground for conversations that lead to Truth, lead to learning and loving and ultimately living out the Gospel.
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| our 3 crazies... |
I don't know where you are today, I don't know if you know Jesus! But either way, while I was writing these very sentences, this song came across the airwaves (I love listening to KTIS!) and I couldn't help but share the words, praying they resonate with your heart today. They did to mine. And as the eyes turned, a tear escaped. All because of His Grace.
(Turn Your Eyes by Nichole Nordeman)
Oh weary mind, Oh troubled soul
All the broken pieces that You hold
Turn them over, give them up
And then watch what Jesus does
Oh heavy heart, oh heavy load
Lay it down and let it go
Leave your broken yesterdays
In the open arms of grace
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And watch the world grow dim
Standing next to him
In the light of His glory and grace
Oh frozen hope, oh broken dreams
Just like a boat tossed on the raging seas
You will walk on waves again
When you have set your gaze on Him
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And watch the world grow dim standing next to Him
In the light of His glory and grace
So look up, look up
This is a song about the morning
After a long night
So look up, look up
This is a song about believing
It’s gonna be alright, when you
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
I want to grow dim
Standing next to Him
In the light of His glory and grace
All the broken pieces that You hold
Turn them over, give them up
And then watch what Jesus does
Oh heavy heart, oh heavy load
Lay it down and let it go
Leave your broken yesterdays
In the open arms of grace
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And watch the world grow dim
Standing next to him
In the light of His glory and grace
Oh frozen hope, oh broken dreams
Just like a boat tossed on the raging seas
You will walk on waves again
When you have set your gaze on Him
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And watch the world grow dim standing next to Him
In the light of His glory and grace
So look up, look up
This is a song about the morning
After a long night
So look up, look up
This is a song about believing
It’s gonna be alright, when you
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
I want to grow dim
Standing next to Him
In the light of His glory and grace
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