Take Me Out to the Ballgame

"God will send the rain when He's ready. You need to prepare your fields to receive it."
---line from Facing the Giants

Ok, my son had an All-Star Little League- 8 and under Tournament this weekend. Boy, what a lesson it taught all of us.

Saturday, the two teams we played were bigger and better. We found out later they played kid pitch in the regular season, which means they were already a level above where our team played. They were all 8 and under, so technically they could come down to coach pitch and play. Our team was outplayed because they got discouraged. These other teams would have probably beaten the parents if we had played them. :)
As parents, we have to set the example of fair play and good sportsmanship. I saw some parents out there that did not do this. This made me sad.

Sunday, the teams were evenly matched. The teams we played were not a level ahead. Those were terrific games. Both teams scored runs, and fielded plays. As a parent, I loved it. I got to cheer my team and laugh, and generally have fun. There were still parents who took it too seriously, but I guess that is life. We tied the first game and lost in overtime. The last game we played we tied, and went into overtime and won by 2 runs. After feeling like our little guys had been kicked around all weekend, it was such a sweet victory. I knew our team had played by the rules, worked hard, and not given up. We were so happy.

On the way to the car in the parking lot, my son informed me that one of the coaches suggested they pray. So, my son and some other boys sat on the bench in the dugout and prayed. That is why we won the game!!! Had I ever thought about praying for a baseball game? No. But the kids did. I told him it was just like Facing the Giants. They used their faith to help them overcome great obstacles. God rewarded them.

We have much to learn as grown ups. Think about that.

Michael Jackson

Ok, by now the whole world knows that the King of Pop has passed away. Do you know where he passed on to? If we looked at the fruit on the tree, I would have to say not to Heaven.

In the Gospels, Jesus had a rich young man come to him and ask how to have eternal life. Jesus told him to keep this commandments. The man asked which ones.

Jesus replied "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matt 19:21-22) Then Jesus made an interesting statement to his disciples.

Matthew 19: 23-30

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Did Jesus mean that only poor people can be saved? No. Whether He literally wanted the man to sell all his things or not, this was a heart issue. When we have nothing, we feel the need for God just to function and get our daily needs met. When we have almost as much money as God, we think we can get what we want ourselves, and we act as if we don't need God.

God wants all of our lives. He wants us to be willing to surrender everything to Him, to say Lord, here is my life...what should I do with it?

Have you surrendered to God? If not, why? What part of your life are you holding onto? Do you think you know better than God what to do with your life? That's funny when you think about it, but a lot of people are just afraid God wants to send them to a third world country.

God will change your heart to line up with His heart. You will want His will and His purpose to come to pass in your life. I pray none of you are satisfied until you fully surrender.

(I Surrender All by Clay Crosse)

If the source of my ambition is the treasure I obtain

If I measure my successes on a scale of earthly gain

If the focus of my vision is the status I attain

My accomplishments are worthless and my efforts are in vain

So I lay aside these trophies to pursue a higher crown

And should You choose somehow to use the life I willingly laydown

I surrender all the triumph for it's only by Your grace

I relinquish all the glory, I surrender all the praise

I surrender all my silent hopes and dreams

Though the price to follow costs me everything

I surrender all my human soul desires

If sacrifice requiresThat all my kingdoms fall

I surrender all

Now, you think about that.

Theory of Relativity

Yes, I am actually going to talk about Einstein this morning.
E=MC(2)..it is supposed to be squared, but my keyboard doesn't have that.
Energy=mass (x) velocity of light, squared. Easy enough, right?

There are two types of energy...potential energy is an energy of position. Like if you were on top of a big hill on a roller coaster. You have the potential to go very fast if you go down the hill.

The other type of energy is kinetic. It is an energy of motion. When you go down the roller coaster hill, you are using kinetic energy because you are moving. That is why you will eventually slow down unless you go up a small hill and produce more kinetic energy.

Ok, you are wondering how this relates to your life, right? So did I...but I think of potential energy as the way God sees us and our lives. He can see the end from the beginning, kind of like the author of a book. You have to know the end so you can get your characters to do what needs to be done to get them to that place.

Well, God has a Purpose for our lives, and He guides us and directs us in that direction. Whether or not we obey and listen is up to us. God sees our potential. He knows how He made us and what special gifts He gave each of us. He knows what we can do.

I think of kinetic energy as what happens when we finally obey God and do what He asks us to do. No matter how small it is, you get a feeling of peace and joy when you obey God. That prompts us to want to obey God more. We see each time, that we can trust Him and should trust Him. God's peace is like a high I can't get anywhere else....even Starbucks.(sorry Ashley)

Once I have felt that, it makes me want more. It pushes me to do more. I begin to "move" in the direction God wants me to move. As long as I am doing God's Will in my life, my kinetic energy is ongoing. It never runs out.

In youth group, one of my friends used to say that it was as if God was standing on a mountain top and we are at the bottom. He can see farther than we can down the road and He knows what is coming...so we need to follow His directions to avoid the pitfalls He can see up ahead.

So, what kind of potential energy has God given you? Are you moving and using any kinetic energy? Why not?

Think about that.

Book Reviews

Ok, for those who don't know me very well, I absolutely LOVE to read. All types of genres. So, I just chose a couple to tell you about. I have a romance for the mushy ones of you, and an adventure for those willing to take a chance.


Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury

Ok, I am not a romance novel person, but this novel captured my attention right from the start. This is the second in the Cody Gunner series. In Just Beyond the Clouds, Cody Gunner is still hurting after the death of his wife. Now his brother, Carl Joseph, who has Down ’s syndrome is trying to become independent. As Cody fights this change with his brother, the teacher of Carl Joseph, Elle, fights harder for his independence. The two are at odds until they both realize the connection they share. As Cody and Elle battle it out, Cody realizes this is the one woman who can teach him to love again, and see the hope Just Beyond the Clouds.

I cried, laughed, and found myself looking for a reason to sit down and read. If you like Nicolas Sparks type books; Karen Kingsbury is the Christian version of Nicolas Sparks. This book will not disappoint the romance reader.



Babylon Rising by Tim LaHaye and Greg Dinallo

This is the first in an installment of books by the creator of the Left Behind series. This series focuses on Bible prophecies that are not covered in the Left Behind books. Michael Murphy is a Biblical archaeologist teaching at a college in North Carolina. As a secret benefactor leads him to amazing Biblical finds, the danger increases—for Michael Murphy as well as those around him. Murphy seems to always end up fighting for his life. It is the age old good vs. evil, and in this case, God vs. Satan. Michael Murphy shows us that courage and truth will triumph through any test we are given in our lives.

This book is the equivalent of a Christian Indiana Jones. I read through this book in two days and ran to the library for the next one in the series. If you like action, this is THE book for you!!


If you have a book you would like me to review, please let me know. I will be doing these every few weeks. Now, go get a book and read!!! (Just don't forget to read your Bible.)

Control Is An Illusion

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22

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.
2 Peter 1:5-7

Apparantly, self-control is the only kind the Bible says we have or can have. So, who is in control of the rest of our lives...well, that is our decision. We can live according to God's Word and give Him control or we can disregard all He tells us and give Satan the reigns.

One way or the other, your life will be controlled by a spiritual force.

Psalm 103:19-21 (New King James Version)
The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

The angels listen for us to pray God's Word, then they get to work to make God's purposes come to pass. If we speak against what God's Word says, the demons of Satan have fun wreaking havoc on our lives.

So, we have self-control over what actions our bodies do, what we allow our minds to think on, and the words that come out of our mouths. I could write sooo much on this. Maybe I will later. If you can, get the book Hung by the Tongue by Francis P. Martin.

Watch what you say....you are either sending the angels to flight or delighting the demons.

Think about that.

Fun Things to do With Your Children

Here are some free or almost free and fun things to do with the younguns:

• Free Family Film Festival-Regal Entertainment Group has movies all around the country where the kids get in free and adults are only $1. Usually there is a $1 popcorn and $1 drink. There is a G movie and a PG playing for three days out of the week. http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=NC
• Museums-all major cities have a museum of art or a museum of natural history. Admission is free and there is usually a snack bar where you can have lunch. Many of the museums have special presentations in the summer you can attend. Some have free movies outside at night, on the lawn, and they project the movies onto the side of the building. All you need is a picnic blanket or chair.
• Library- your local public library always has summer events for the kids. There is a reading program, story time for the small ones, and special activities on Saturdays. Check it out.

Whatever you do this summer, remember that your children are only given to you for a short amount of time. Enjoy them while God has entrusted you with them. You are raising up mighty men and women of God.

Think about that...

Father's Day

When you have children, you are constantly promoting respect for your elders. When it comes to Dad and Mom, you also promote all the things they do for you on a daily basis. Things they don't have to do, but choose to because they love you: feed you, fix you juice, make your lunch, drive you to school, etc.

This Father's Day, make sure to talk to your children about all the things Dad does that they don't even think about as important: mow the lawn, change a high lightbulb, hook up the VCR, throw baseball, take us on vacation, charge the camera batteries, work hard so we have money for food and a house.

Then, tell them what their Heavenly Father did for them: He gave His only son for us. He was sent to die and to be a sacrifice for us. Now, we can be cleansed and forgiven. Now, we have grace and mercy. Now, we have authority over the devil. Now, we will be in Heaven with our Father. Thank God for all He has done and all He continues to do. Remind them that as much as you love your children, God loves them even MORE.

Think about that.

Soldiers in Iraq

I don't know if you know about Adoptaplatoon or not. It is a fabulous organization that puts regular American citizens with soldiers overseas that need a little moral support...which to me, would be all of them. My family has been adopting soldiers for several years now. We just got our third one. We send letters, cards, and care packages. Sometimes the soldiers email us back, but not often. Most of the time, you just send to them and never hear back. They are on the battle field, you know.

My son asked me why we adopted another one. I have to say I thought I had done a good job of explaining the whole thing to him, and I was upset at his attitude. Never mind that he is a child...I want him and his sister to feel like I do.

Well, our soldier, Andrew, sent us an email after receiving our first letter. I called my son to the computer and asked him to read it out loud to me. The email was thanking us for writing, thanking us for the picture my daughter made, and telling us how much it meant to him that there were people who still cared about the soldiers. He told me a little about him and his wife, and thanked me again for writing. I told my son, "That's why we still adopt soldiers." I think he understands better now.

We are the land of the free BECAUSE of the brave. Thank you to those who are serving and who have served. I salute you.

If you are interested in adopting a soldier or a whole platoon (church groups or clubs could do this) go to: adoptaplatoon.org.

Think about that.

Wii

We have a Nintendo Wii. We got it for Christmas, mostly because I wanted it. I will say it is some of the best money we have ever spent. We purchased 4 Wii-motes, so the whole family can play at the same time. Even my 5 year old beat me in bowling. (sad, but true) Actually, for a while, she beat us ALL.

This is what I have noticed. The more you play, the "better" you get. At a certain point, you obtain what they call PRO status. That is when your game changes. All of a sudden, the game expects you to play better. Your "ability" to play changes in the games computer. And, when you play the computer, they put you against players at a PRO status. It's not so easy anymore.

Ok, so God does this to. Luke 12:48 says "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."
Wow. So now we know Wii is biblical, right? Sorta.

I had a problem not too long ago with my business checking account. A close friend of mine reminded me to get it together. She said, "How can God bless you with more unless you show Him you can take care of little." Ouch. But thank God for real friends who can tell you the truth.

I constantly remind my children that life is not fair, so buck up and try harder. The Wii helps me teach valuable lessons...now, I can add a biblical one to that.

You think about it.

How Great (and big) is our God..

Good Morning!
A buddy of mine (thanks Bethany) sent me a video to watch on YouTube. It was this guy Louis Giglio (I think) speaking at a church in Atlanta, GA. He loved science and was explaining how God made the universe. He quoted scripture from Genesis 1...God said, "Let there be light." He spoke it and it happened. Psalms 147:4 says God knows each star by name.

Well, as scientists discover stars, they name them. Mr. Giglio was showing some of the biggest stars ever discovered, telling us how big they were compared to us, and that God spoke them. God is so big, he spoke these huge stars into being.

If that weren't inspiring enough, he began to discuss our DNA code. How much code we each have in our cells, and how no two codes are alike, and if we stretched one cell's code out, it would take 3 million years to read it all. God made us each so unique.

Then, the "piece de resistance", if you will pardon my french is laminin. I did not know what this was, never heard of it. This is the glue that holds our bodies together. It keeps our cells together, keeps our organs where they should be, and keeps our skin on us. What is so amazing about this? If you look at the cell diagram of laminin (Google it to get a picture), it is in the shape of a cross. That means God gave us tiny crosses to hold us together. We have tiny crosses all over out bodies keeping us together...keeping us glued.

Think about that.
Check out this guy on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_82lZ2PpYQE&feature=related
This is only part one of 5. It is well worth it. You will never see the universe or God the same again.

Why don't more churches do that??

I have been working this week at our church VBS (vacation bible school). Some of the workers (my new buddies) were telling me about visitors they brought this past weekend. Well, our church had a guest speaker. His gift was healing. Our church prays in tongues regularly, and when we pray for each other, sometimes people fall out in the Spirit.

These new people commented to my friend about why don't more churches do this? She gave her answer, mostly they were afraid. I told her it is because people don't want to fully give their life to Christ...if they do, He will want something from them. When you completely surrender to God, He has work for you to do. He wants you to love people, and tell them about Him. He wants you to minister and give of yourself. Most people are happy with the status quo.

There is a new song out on the radio by Matthew West..the chorus goes like this:

I don't wanna go thru the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
Without your all consuming passion inside of me.
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going thru the motions?"

We all need to ask ourselves that.

I don't know about you, but I do not like it when my kids complain. Usually it makes me mad. I look at their toy closet overflowing, their dressers overflowing, and their bookshelves overflowing, and I think how dare you. They are abundantly blessed and they don't appreciate it.

I think God feels that way about us too. We have clothes to wear, food to eat, cars to drive, houses to live in, and friends, but we still want more. We seem to not be satisfied. God speaks to me through my children often, and it is usually the simplest of messages.

We have plenty. We are healthy. We are loved by family and by Him. What more could we ask for? Nothing.