Sunday, December 26, 2010
My Attempt at Rest
Friday, December 24, 2010
Happy Birthday Bryan!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Flu Empathy
Monday, December 20, 2010
Merry Christmas to me!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Forgotten
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Daddies Matter...
Today, I took Piper to a new groomer, because it really needed to happen soon and because the person we usually use was booked up for a month out.
When the lady found out I did web design, she asked me to post this letter and to spread it to all of my friends. Her dad abandoned her mom and her when she was only 3 months old, but she still thinks about him every day. Here's the letter she has written to her dad.
Peter David Hitz,
Beverly and yourself in March 1960 had a little girl. I have spent lots of time and money trying to find you. This is my last effort. All I would like is some of your time, and some answers… like you are happy and well? Do you have children other than me? Do you ever think of me? I would love to tell you about my life, my children, my grand children, my dog, and my home. In short, I would love to share a small part of your life.
With love to my father,
P.T.S.
-Please email her at cynetss@yahoo.com if you know anything about the whereabouts of Peter David Hitz.-
So daddies out there, if you wonder if you matter, you do. This grown woman still aches for the dad she never had. You matter a lot.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Living in Purgatory... Welcome to the South
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Peripety Designs
Monday, November 29, 2010
Can You Believe It's Been 2 Years?
Friday, November 26, 2010
Worship in America...
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/11/22/the-3-most-disturbing-words-on-tv/
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Here's the "Easy" List
- Jesus- Where do I even start? I love Him so much. I'm a mess with Him but an even bigger mess without Him. He is my life source... My joy.. My hope. I don't mean to sound cliche, but I am so overwhelmed with how much He loves me. I am so thankful He never changes and is crazy about me too.
- Bryan- We have been through quite a bit of heartache and tragedy in our short four years together as a married couple, but I love my husband even more with all we have been through together. I appreciate his steadiness and kindness. I love that Jesus is His strength. I couldn't ask for a better husband and Daddy to Abby. I am so proud of the man he is.
- Abby- She is my little firecracker. She's a bundle of noisy bright energy and such a joy. She has been my greatest tool for sanctification so far, and I have no doubt that will be true in the future too. I am crazy about our precious daughter, and I enjoy her so much.
- Family- I love my family both new and old. I am so thankful to have so many people in my life who support me and love me well. I am very aware of how blessed I am.
-Friends- I am thankful for new and old friends this year. I am so grateful for the old friends who have put up with me and who have been there for me for years. You know who you are- I love you! For the new friendships that God has been growing this year, I am thankful for you too! You've had to walk through some times with me this year. I am so thankful for friends who encourage me when I am down, love me when I am imperfect, cry with me when I am sad, and rejoice with me when I am happy.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thankful...
- I am thankful that Bryan has a physical illness that comes and goes that we couldn't get diagnosed this year, because despite the stress of the unknown, it has taught me more about God's sovereignty. God is good, and He brings even illnesses into our lives for our good and His glory. If I can trust Him with my salvation, I can trust Him with my husband's life. Even knowing a diagnosis wouldn't make us more in control, it would just seem "comforting" to explain away a chronic illness.
-I am thankful that we serve at a small church where our finances are tighter at times than we would prefer. I could go on and on about this one. I have a love/hate relationship with this situation. It has taught me how much I lean towards making money my "god." I have had to learn that God is my Provider over and over again. I have learned how to live more simply than I ever have before. I have learned that much of what I "needed" before wasn't really a need at all. Because of our finances, we were prompted to turn a business idea into a reality, and I have had so much fun doing graphic design and building websites.
-I am thankful that I have lost friends this year. This one has been a tough one for me. I am more aware of my need of a Savior in a thousand different ways. I am thankful that Jesus can work out all things for good in the end. I am thankful that there is no condemnation for those of us who are in Jesus Christ. It's been my lifeline verse.
-I am thankful that I had a child born with allergies almost two years ago. I would have never realized how much food can be an idol in our culture had I not had to give up most "normal" foods for over a year. While Abby has finally outgrown most of her dietary issues, it was a real eye opener. I think I finally eat to live instead of living to eat (but I sure do enjoy food)!
-I am thankful that we miscarried again this year. Don't get me wrong- I hate that it happened- oh, how I hate it. It's in the moments that threaten to rip you apart that you learn how much Jesus loves you- really loves you. I have learned how precious and constant His peace is when we are spending that daily time with Him and how quickly it leaves when we try to live life our own way in our own strength. I am thankful that I have two children waiting for me in heaven when Jesus brings me to my final home. I can't wait to meet them. I like knowing that they will never know a life apart from Jesus- they get to start enjoying Him in His fullness now without any pain or sorrow.
-I am thankful that I am so imperfect that I can't pull it all together most days. I'm often late, sometimes disorganized, and too often opinionated. With such obvious pitfalls and shortcomings, two things are obvious from my life. Jesus really does love sinners, and Jesus doesn't give up on sinners. I am thankful that I am so greatly loved by my Jesus and that He sees something beautiful in the mess I am.
How about you?
What tough things can you be thankful for this week?
What painful confessions of thankfulness do you have?
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Little Details
Let me run through the steps that led us to the present.
-2 years ago, we buy a house and my parents give us their old queen mattress and box springs.
- 8 months ago, we find a nice wooden bed frame beside a garbage dump that just needs to be sanded down and painted. Since someone had just given us their old van, we were able to load it up and carry it to our house to be restored.
- 2 months ago, we finally find the time to restore the bed and paint it to get our guest bedroom ready for out of town guests.
- 1 month ago, a single mom of 4 gives her life to Christ and begins coming to our church.
- 2 weeks ago, we find out that we can get a huge tax deduction if we give up our guest bedroom and turn it exclusively into an office for our web design business.
- Yesterday, we post our bed frame on craigslist to sell it to help pay for Abby's playhouse that we are building her for a birthday/Christmas gift. At Bible study that night, we find out the single mom needs a queen mattress and box springs. She's been making do with sleeping on the couch or on box springs for a while.
-Today, we sell the bed frame to a guy that needed a frame cheap for his college-aged daughter who is coming home for Christmas from Minnesota. We give our queen mattress/box springs to the single mom so she can actually sleep comfortably at night for the first time in a while. Our guest bedroom can turn into an office now as needed. With the $50, we can buy leftover lumber for Abby's playhouse that we found tonight on Craigslist for really cheap.
Doesn't God's sovereignty in the small things just blow you away?
God is just so good- so involved- so present- always.
Incredible.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Oh How He Loves Us
Tonight, as I wrapped up a few things online, I saw a contest on Devacurl for 50 lucky curls from 50 states, so I submitted my email address just for a shot. Can you believe I got an email back saying that I had been selected from MS for a Devastylist to come cut my hair?!!!
At that moment, I heard God whisper... See I can provide for your wants with even impossible odds against them. This may seem like a shallow thing to be humbled by, but this is what you don't know.
I have secretly really, really wanted a Devacut, but there aren't stylists anywhere near me. It would be an overnight trip to do it, and with saving up for Bryan's seminary tuition, it just wasn't going to happen.
Out of the blue, a Devastylist is traveling to Gautier, MS to cut my hair!??? Coincidence. No. That was a love letter from God to remind me how closely He knows even the stupid, selfish desires of my heart that not even my closest friends know. That's how intimately He cares for me... and you. (If that doesn't make you tear up, something is wrong with you. He loves you that much too.)
Monday, November 8, 2010
My Day
Sunday, November 7, 2010
True Gospel
What you don't know is that when we found out we were pregnant, we were only 3 weeks along. We kept it a secret until weeks later when we had went through repeat HCG levels and an ultrasound that confirmed the pregnancy was healthy.
Days after we began sharing our good news, I began bleeding- at first, in a way that looked like spotting. After a doctor's visit where they assured us that everything was normal, we continued to share and trusted that the bleeding would stop without any problems. I even heard God whisper to me leaving the office that day, "That everything would be ok- to trust in Him." We did... and still do.
I haven't shared our journey for attention or to make myself look strong, because I'm not. I'm actually the weakest, most insecure person you will ever meet, but my Savior is so faithful, so sure, so strong. He has given me a strength, a hope, a peace, and a joy along this difficult road that I have never known before.
Everything is ok. Not in the way I wanted it to be. I want to still be pregnant. I want to give Abby a baby brother or sister in June. But, I trust God. I trust that He has a purpose in our suffering. I trust that He has a purpose in us sharing this journey with you. I have no idea what it is. Maybe you need to know what the true Gospel is.
The true Gospel is not that life will always go well for believers and that they will have abundant health and financial prosperity in this life. That's a lie from hell.
The true Gospel is that we are weak and pitiful in a horribly broken world and that God in His great love for sinners like us sent His only Son Jesus to die on a cross for our sins that we might have hope in His resurrection. That we, His children, would not fear death and eternal separation from Him or our loved ones that believe in Him. The true Gospel is that Jesus is enough for us here in this life and the next and that we do not have to be alone. The true Gospel is why I can rejoice in my grief knowing that one day our family of three will one day again be a family of five. This true Gospel is why I can get out of bed each morning smiling and with joy in my heart- it is why I live.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Launched!
Check it out & give me feedback:
http://www.peripetydesigns.com
Thursday, November 4, 2010
When a Nerd Becomes an Artist
Here's what I started with...
After about 30 minutes of digital manipulation which included erasing both backgrounds, color desaturation, and a digitally hand drawn new shirt for myself, I added the sketch overlay and woolah! A modern family photo for our new site without the expense of a photographer.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Devacurl
I'm in a competition on facebook's Devacurl page showcasing a horrible hair photo and a recent hair photo. I need as many friends as possible to "Like" the photo below. (A few of you helped out earlier today, and I need you to do it again- the results weren't registered.)
The voting ends soon, and I need at least 30 friends to "Like" my photo to stand a chance.
If I win, I get free hair products. Check out the link below.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=544853362948&set=o.84598267050
"Like" my photo and laugh with me at the BAD one.
Thanks!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Journeying
I'm convinced that when things go wrong that God doesn't want us to comfort ourselves with the idea that things will get better. They may not. In this world, Jesus promised us we would have trouble... tribulation. So, where do we turn to when things just keep getting worse... when we feel like our hearts will break if we hear any more bad news or hear one more harsh word said by those around us?
Jesus. He told His disciples, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Jesus knew what was coming. His disciples would be cast out from their families, imprisoned for His name, and rejected by the world. For us too, Jesus has to be enough. He has to be what satisfies. In the end, He is all we really have here on earth. Nothing else will make me o.k. or make me happy. Jesus has to be everything. He is.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Grief
This time, I am sad. Deeply sad. I have cried over the child I wanted so desperately to meet. I have cried over the boy I know Bryan so desperately hoped he would be. I have cried over all of the joys with this child I will never know on this side of eternity. I am not angry... at least not at this point. Grief is a crazy, unpredictable thing. It comes and goes unexpectedly and without real warning. I know it has different stages, and you may or may not go through them all.
Right now, I am at peace. I am experiencing the peace Jesus promised- the peace that passes all understanding. I hate what has happened. It is horrible. It is tragic. It hurts. A lot.
I know Father God has a plan in all of this, and in that, I find great comfort.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
End of Limbo
I read a quote last night in a book that I thought was timely. It said, "Boiling water makes carrots soft, eggs hard, and coffee beans useful. Which are you?" Suffering comes for us all. It is part of life in this broken world. I pray that when it comes to you that you will choose to be useful to the Master. His plan is higher than ours. Even our unanswered prayers and the things we don't understand or even hate that happen to us somehow work toward "good" in the end (Romans 8:28) when we love the LORD. So for now, I will rest in Him as He heals my broken heart and gives me the strength to serve Him another day.
Psalm 73:25-28
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works."
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Resting
Right now, with having so many people join us in prayer, I do want to be clear as we pray. If we miscarry, it does not invalidate God's ability to answer prayer. God is able to protect our child and keep him healthy if that is His will. Bryan and I also know that our will isn't always best. It may be God's perfect plan that this child join his brother/sister in heaven that we lost three years ago. Either way, we trust God to know what is best for us and for this child. Whether we birth a child on earth next June or birth one in heaven this week, God is still very good and very loving, and He cares about us more than we can know.
In the end, our hope and joy has to be in Christ. Nothing else can satisfy.
Revelation 21:1-7 "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be His God and He will be my son. (emphasis mine)"
Monday, October 18, 2010
Here We Are Again
Friday, October 15, 2010
October Joy
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Master Bedroom Remodel
Here's the skinny on the Master Bedroom. We only bought paint, a few dollars worth of sheets at the thrift store that I turned into curtains, a few dollars worth of thrift store pillows and pillowcases, a $2 thrift store table runner, and a $20 clearance rug at Lowe's. Everything else we already had and just moved into this room for decor or furniture. It looks like a completely different room. I love how relaxing and tropical it is! I've wanted a blue bedroom since middle school, so I am so glad that Bryan agreed to let us do this. Yay! God is so good to give us not only what we need but often what we want as well. Bryan and I had so much fun working on this project together. I love my hubby!
Guest Bedroom Remodel
Guest Bedroom Before (This photo makes it look deceptively better than it actually was):
The painting begins with everything piled in the center of the room.
Our fantastic head painter.
Here's the scoop. We simply rearranged things throughout the house and used what we already had to decorate. We found the nice wooden headboard and footboard beside a trashcan in our neighborhood. We already had hand-me-down newlywed furniture that was really worn. We repainted everything, and it looks brand new. Everyone else's junk just became our treasure. We already had artwork that I had made throughout the years framed in a way that matched the freshly painted furniture perfectly. Ta-dah! Here is our cheap remodel. The only thing we paid for was paint. Isn't God good?
After: Guest Bedroom
Friday, September 24, 2010
Cheap but Chic Kitchen Update
I saw this project on a diy blog for remodeling cheap. You spray paint stick on vinyl floor tiles in silver to make a cute and easily cleanable back splash. I hate trying to scrub splashes off of paint. Yuck!
Long Kitchen View Before:
Our Kitchen Hutch Area Before:
After:
After:
The best part is this little update only cost $4. Thank you Lowe's!
Here's a tray table that I have posted above our fridge for Abby's latest artwork.
Here's a rusty piece of metal that Bryan brilliantly framed for my recipes and etc. Love it!
More repurposing projects to come!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Video Message of My Rough Day
(Bryan wanted to try out Peripety's new video player)
Anna's Bad Day from Peripety Designs on Vimeo.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Beautiful Old Puritan Prayer
I thank Thee that many of my prayers have been refused. I have asked amiss and do not have, I have prayed from lusts and been rejected, I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness. Go on with Thy patient work, answering 'no' to my wrongful prayers, and fitting me to accept it. Purge me from every false desire, every base aspiration, everything contrary to Thy rule. I thank Thee for Thy wisdom and Thy love, for all the acts of discipline to which I am subject, for sometimes putting me into the furnace to refine my gold and remove my dross.
No trial is so hard to bear as a sense of sin. If Thou shouldst give me choice to live in pleasure and keep my sins, or to have them burnt away with trial, give me sanctified affliction. Deliver me from every evil habit, every accretion of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of Thy grace in me, everything that prevents me taking delight in Thee. Then I shall bless Thee, God of jeshurun, for helping me to be upright.
May we all be willing to pray such a bold prayer.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Shoe Redo
Before:
After:
Demonstrating with my favorite pair of worn jeans.
Yay! Mission finished.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Repurposing Fun
Check out the photos of Abby dancing with her Daddy in her new outfit.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
New Look & Site Coming Soon!
Friday, June 18, 2010
What is Your Bride-price?
This week at the convention speaker after speaker began to share what God was personally doing with them, and I listened on the edge of my seat. God has been convicting them of the same sins and has been challenging them in the same ways. As a convention we repented of being far too much in love with this world, we voted on the Great Commission Resurgence report's recommended goals to become more effective as believers and Southern Baptists.
Persecution and trials will come. Jesus has assured us of this. I welcome them both. Maybe then the Church will remember her first love again. Maybe I will too.
God is calling each of us to wake up. Countless souls are dying into eternal damnation every second we sleep. We are accountable. Just as the Nazis were accountable for the Holocaust, we are accountable for our apathy and self-indulgence as millions die without basic needs met and without the knowledge of the Savior who died for them. The sin of omission is just as deadly as the sin of commission. Jesus said whatever we do unto the least of these we do unto Him.
Wake up.
Church we were bought for more than this.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
So Thankful
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Fingerprint of the Creator
This weekend Bryan, Abby, and I had a fantastic time in New Orleans. We spent the night in the luxurious Roosevelt, ate beignets at Cafe Du Monde, and visited the Aquarium of Americas. So much fun! During our trip to the aquarium, Bryan snapped this incredible shot of a jellyfish. The way the light passed through it formed a cross, and this verse came to mind. Jesus is everywhere we go if we will only open our eyes and see. His fingerprints are all over the world. To not see Him is to not look.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Many Lessons of Motherhood
Last night, our adorable toddler decided to end our night at a friend's birthday party with taking a chunk out of another kid's shoulder (PK stereotype early?). Talk about an embarrassing way to end the evening. You leave wondering how you could have failed so miserably at teaching your child to be loving and kind and begin questioning whether or not the Bible is positive that the rod will correct in its time. Every parent has been there (or will be), but it still doesn't make those situations more bearable.
What I didn't expect, however, was how good the good times would be. This morning, Abby and I went out into the backyard for her to swing. Doing our normal routine, I sang praise songs to her as I pushed her back in forth in the swing and smiled as she sang along with me in her sweet toddler voice. Softly and slowly, her voice faded as her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. This is how our special time ended (see photo below). No one could have told me how precious it was to watch a baby fall asleep so peacefully and how much I would love her before she was even born. No one could have told me how absolutely certain I would be that she was the most beautiful child in existence (of course, she should be the cover model for every baby magazine).
I didn't expect all of the chaos that parenting has brought into our lives. I naively thought that "good" parents could contain it somehow. I do appreciate the humility that flows into our world daily as we learn that only in Jesus can we learn how to love our child as He loves us... unconditionally and completely. No, I didn't expect all of the messes and the "I'm sorry's," but I didn't expect all of the joys and blessings either. How thankful I am to be a mom! It's the most challenging and most rewarding experience I have ever had. It makes me appreciate my mom even more!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
What Is Your Grace?
"To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ..." Ephesians 3:8 (Emphasis Mine)
Paul was speaking about his ministry to the Gentiles being his "grace" from God. What grace has God given you during this season of your life? This morning I finally had a chance to be still for a couple of hours before the Lord, and it was so refreshing. The past two weeks have been a frenzy of deadlines, household chores, and church activities. In the blur, I almost forgot that the responsibilities I have been entrusted with right now are "grace" to me from God.
How thankful I am that He has called me to "good works" (Eph. 2:10)! What "grace" has He lovingly called you to this moment? Maybe it's for "such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)? May you be strengthened by the Scriptures that encouraged me this morning.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
May we run the race well for as long as we have here on earth (Eph.5:16), so that we may hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master (Mt.25:23)."
So for the joy set before me, I run.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Gluttons for Punishment
For a couple of days, we are borrowing a female goffin cockatoo from a guy we met to see if Peeperz will be happier with a mate. Yes, I know. We are crazy. Crazy pet people.
Peeperz' first date with "Nemo" was last night. So far so good. Nemo is very, very calm and seems to make Peeperz chill out as well. Nemo is incredibly friendly, even with Abby, so maybe that will reassure Peeperz that Abby is o.k. too. Here's a photo of what last night looked like, so you can enjoy the humor of the situation.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Something You Should Listen to!
http://cambridgebaptist.net/
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
PD Mailout
Dear Church,
We would like to introduce ourselves as a new ministry on the Coast that is created to help serve you! We are a web and graphic design business that is dedicated to promoting your church's identity online and along the Gulf Coast. We are a husband-wife pastoral team at a church in Gautier doing what we love and helping you succeed in your ministry at a price you can afford. We build content-management sites that work within your budget and function
at an optimal level. Best yet, we customize everything to match your ministry perfectly. If you are too busy to maintain a site, we'd love nothing more than to manage it for you.
Our recent clients have asked why we price everything so affordably, and the answer is simple. We believe that great websites are a necessity to reach people for Jesus, not a luxury for megachurches. While similarly built sites cost at least two thousand dollars or more, we price sites according to what you can afford and trust the rest to God. We believe reaching this current generation for Jesus is priceless. When you hire us, you support a ministerial family, feed our super cute kid, and allow us to continue ministering in a small church.
While websites are one of our most popular services, we also specialize in logo design and branding, graphic design for prints, special event graphics, and many others. You can see our recent clients, our portfolio, and a detailed list of our services online at our website: http://www.peripetydesigns.com.
Here a few testimonials about us:
We are so pleased with the website. It looks great! The website looks
very professional and it is easy to navigate. Thank you Peripety
Designs for the great job on our site. We will recommend Peripety to
all our friends!
Jennifer Williams, Club Meth to Christ
Wow! Peripety went beyond our expectations and created us a unique, elegant, and user friendly site focusing on the central
purpose and theme of our church. Peripety listened to our ideas and tailor designed each area to fit the needs of our staff.
If you enjoy prompt customer service, attention to detail, and reasonable pricing, you will not be disappointed with Peripety.
Mitch Osborne, Minister of Music/Facilities, Ridglea Heights Baptist Church
When planning a local community-wide youth rally, Peripety Designs created one-of-a-kind graphics to suit our needs. They
did an amazing job creating a theme design that was used throughout the advertising, planning, and production of the event.
Peripety worked with our church very professionally with our event budget in mind. Thank You Peripety Designs!
Ryan Ogborn, Minister of Youth, Eastlawn Baptist Church
We would love to be your turning point in creative outreach. After all, it's all about Jesus. We'd love to help you point more people to Him. Let us bring your church online with a website that explains to your community who you are and what you offer as a ministry. It's our dream to bring the Jackson County Baptist Association to the web, so that we can reach out to the lost and bring them to Christ. We'd love for you join us in this mission. We look forward to hearing from you!
In His grace,
Anna Cirlot
Owner & Graphic Designer, Peripety Designs
contactus@peripetydesigns.com
http://www.peripetydesigns.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Divine Interruption
Besides the facial pain, the worst part is not having the energy I need to keep up with Abby. As always, God times everything perfectly. Since Bryan is preaching a revival here in Memphis, I have had plenty of help during the day in between his times of studying. Since we are not at home, I don't have to feel guilty about resting for most of the day when I can. We may not be sightseeing as I had originally planned, but I am thankful for a time of unexpected rest and for a great husband who practices what he preaches.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
How Easy Is Your Life?
It's 3:15 in the morning, and I can't sleep. I have been up since 2:30. My nose is hurting around my fracture site (for those of you who don't know, I broke my nose being clumsy on Valentine's day). I'm miserable. After trying to go back to sleep in vain, I decided to come into the living room and begin reading through the Gospels.
God begins to hammer me once again with His truth. The Word begins to cut out my heart of stone and replace it with His heart of flesh. Everything I am reading is lining up perfectly with where I am struggling right now and with what Bryan has been preaching this week at the revival here in Memphis.
You see, I am unquestionably selfish. My ambition is far too often worldly, and once again, I am convicted that I have taken my eyes of Jesus as being my ultimate treasure. For the past few days, I have been in culture shock. It's easy to forget how poor the Coast is until you go into a more educated place like where we are staying- Cordova.
The houses here are perfect. Absolutely beautiful. Every single person within sight appears to be living out the American dream. Nice houses. Super nice neighborhoods. New cars. Even fancy gas stations with great architecture. It's easy to get sucked into this kind of world and only want that. It's way too easy.
That's where Matthew 7:13-14 struck me tonight. "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
Let those words sink in and meditate on them. How easy is your life? If everything is always going your way, it may mean that you are walking through the wide gate. Scary.
My prayer is that you will join me tonight and ask yourself. Which gate am I walking through? The verses that follow in Matthew 7:21-23 are the most terrifying verses to me found in all of the Gospels.
Jesus taught saying, "Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
May we never hear those words.
How easy is your life?