I'm so glad you've stopped by my blog! I am a Women's Minister and a former Pastor's Wife. I love finding God in my regular-everyday-stuff. I struggle with keeping up with the laundry, I love blogging, and my kids are my first line of ministry. I am recently widowed. So God and I are on a brand new journey as I try to find peace and understanding. Please grab a cup of coffee and let's get to know one another as we journey on our faith walk together.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

What do I know of Holy?

Recently, I was asked at our weekly church staff meeting,

"What is God showing you, teaching you in your life this week?"

Currently I'm leading two studies.  A weekly study on the names of God and a Sunday morning study on the Lord's Prayer.  I've been amazed at how the two work so much in concert!

If you read some of the prayers of the Old Testament men & women they almost ALWAYS praise and recognize God for being the Maker of heaven & earth.  They recognize many of the acts of kindness that He showed their ancestors.  It dawned on me that I rarely do this!   I mean, before you pray for your family, your friends, and the concerns and needs of your own life do you start off by Hallowing His name and praise Him for creating all life?

This past week I learned about Jehovah-mekoddishkem - The God Who Sanctifies.  Sanctify means to be set apart - to be holy.  Our God is holy and has called us to live a life of holiness as well.

So, my answer to the question put before me in our staff meeting, was that I am stopping to recognize His holiness in my prayers!  To take the time to praise Him for who He is and who He wants to be in my life.

This song, for me brings it all into perspective.  
Do you have a favorite song that helps you bring who God is into full perspective?  
Share it with me!  I love worshiping through music!!!




Thursday, July 29, 2010

Thursday Morning Prayer

For over a year now, our church offers a special time of prayer every Thursday morning.  The church is open at 6am, soft music is playing in the worship center, and the communion elements have been set out.

I've only gone to this special prayer time once, when the kids were out of town.  Every Sunday, my Pastor Husband encourages the congregation to come and pray - as a church - for our church.  I've always nodded my head as he does this, in total agreement that others should definitely come and pray.

This past week, I finally asked myself - "What is keeping me from coming?"

The answer to this is easy!  Two small kids, up early, in a place that should be quiet and reverent.  Well, this morning, I got the kids up (in their pjs) and went to the church.  I put a Jesus video in the DVD player in our commons area and went into the worship center to pray, read my Bible, and take communion with my husband.

IT WAS AMAZING!!!!

Let's just say... I'll be back next Thursday!  The kids were great! And I not only got to be with others from our church, but I got to experience my prayer time in a whole new way this morning.  I'm not saying that the church was a more holier place to pray than my kitchen.  But it did feel good to join with the others from our church and pray together!

However you start your day - don't neglect your prayer time!  
Don't let real or imaginary obstacles get in your way - let God handle those!
I promise it will make a difference in your day!

For The Love Of 4


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Rocks in my dryer!

The other day I had one of those "marathon" laundry days!  Do you ever have those?  You sort, fold, put away, wash, dry, iron all the live long day!  My laundry room is off the side of my kitchen, in kind of like a basement.  It's not really a basement - because we live in New Orleans - and THERE'S NO WAY you can have a basement when you live below sea level!!!

But it is about 3-4 steps lower than our kitchen and during one run of the dryer I kept hearing this noise!  I just kept telling myself that it was probably coins from my husband's pants.  Of course that I had overlooked them - because I am a seasoned laundry-er and surely I would have checked all pants before washing, right?!

Upon opening the dryer, emptying it and folding everything - I found them!  No, not coins - but tons of rocks!!!  I grinned and even said outloud, "JP".  This was the works of my 3 year old son.  I'm sure that I'm a blessed Mommy to have only found rocks in my dryer and not other strange outside treasures.

I'm curious this morning... 
What are some of the "treasures" you have found in the dryer!

If you're visiting me from iFellowship today - WELCOME!  I'm glad you "hopped" over!  Please let me know where you're from and I'll come visit you too!

iFellowship



Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A Tuesday @ my desk

I absolutely LOVE our house!  I love many things about it.  It's about 80+ years old, it's in a great neighborhood in a beautiful part of New Orleans, it has big front porch with big white columns - but one of my most favorite things is what I like to call... The Mommy Desk.

Every Mommy needs a Mommy Desk.  It's a desk in the kitchen!  What a concept!

Today, I'm working on my Bible Study class that meets tomorrow morning and I'm also working on our upcoming Ladies Retreat planned for the Fall.  So I've got my journal, Bible, study material, computer, and a nice glass of water...  just enjoying a Tuesday at my desk!

Yes, just like any Mommy, I have times away from my desk to get popsicles, change the Barbie movie, play a game of catch, help with a craft or two, get more juice
- but all in all - it's just a nice Tuesday - at my favorite spot in the house!

How are you spending your Tuesday?


Monday, July 26, 2010

Don't step on my rainbow!!

Recently the kids were in desperate need to get out of the confines of the house.  You know what I'm referring to here - they would not stop running, screaming, getting into each other's stuff and in general "not playing well with others" as the age old report cards used to read.

So we found some sidewalk chalk and headed for our big New Orleans front porch.  I grabbed my Bible Study book, bible, pens and highlighters, and of course a cup of coffee and out the front door we went.  JP, our 3 year-old son, proceeded to run (in his words) "super fast" back and forth.  Jordan found her a sweet spot (right in the middle no less) to create her masterpieces.

It was really quite pleasant.  We live on a corner of a cul-de-saq and a busy road through a beautiful part of New Orleans.  I enjoyed listening to the kids play and watching the cars go by as I learned more about the many names of God and the kids enjoyed the fresh air and change of scenery.

Then, as it was time to go in and gear up for the "next thing" for the day (not sure if it was lunch, dinner, or potty time - but nevertheless it was time to go in) it happened!  Yes, our front porch is rather large and should have been big enough to give both kids plenty of room to "do their thing" - but as we were about to walk into the house I heard Jordan scream, "No!  Don't step on my rainbow!!!"

Yes, in the moment I was able to handle this little brother-older sister scuffle.  However, I have not been able to get that exclamation out of my head.  "Don't step on my rainbow!"  Jordan had worked very hard to put the colored chalk curves in just the proper ROYGBIV color order.  She was very intentional and meticulous about every aspect of her drawing.  So of course she's going to react when JP stepped on it.

I realized that there are times when I too want to scream, "Don't step on my rainbow!"  Now, it might not be a childlike drawing on the front porch - but we all do things that we put are hearts into, that we spend valuable time investing into the creation of it all - and we don't want someone to just nonchalantly walk on it, over it, or even by it without first noticing its beauty.

Today, be intentional about noticing the rainbows in the lives of your loved ones!  Paul tells us to build up and edify one another.  So before you head back in the house - off to your next thing - look before you step and recognize the rainbows around you!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

His Words Sunday (July 25)

Today's scripture for HIS WORDS SUNDAY are from Psalms.  In this passage we find both a warning & a reward. 




Read these incredible words of David - (out loud if possible) - and let them revive your very soul!


Psalm 19:7-9, 11 (ESV)

The law of the Lord is perfect, 
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, 
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right, 
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, 
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean, 
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true, 
and righteous altogether.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; 
in keeping them there is great reward.


Breathe in these words and let them guide your steps today!


Friday, July 23, 2010

"He asked me out!"

Do you remember waiting with anticipation for a guy to ask you out?  You hoped he would.  You knew he probably would... and then the phone rings!  What a feeling of wonderment, relief, and excitement all wrapped up together!

All of that made dating fun.  One of the things that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE about my husband is that for the past 8 years of marriage - he as asked me out on a date every weekend!  He hasn't missed one single weekend - since we started "officially" dating (so I guess he's been doing this more like 10 years)!  Oh!  And he doesn't ask me as we're on our way to dinner or wherever we're going - just to get the question in... he actually calls my cell phone, in the middle of the week.  It's really cute, he usually will say something like this...

(phone rings)

Me:  Hello?
Hubby:  Hey there beautiful.
Me:  Hey!
Hubby:  I've got a question for ya! (sounding very sweet)
Me:  Okay.... 
Hubby:  Will you go out with me this weekend?
Me:  I would LOVE to!

(then the conversation proceeds into is a babysitting date 
or an "in-home-turn-our-living-room-into-dinner-and-a-movie" date)


It may seem silly - but I loved him calling to ask me out while dating and I actually still enjoy it 10 years later!


What do you do to keep your marriage cute and fun?  
Do you still date? 

I would love to hear what you do to keep your marriage alive & healthy!






Thursday, July 22, 2010

Improved Drawings

My children LOVE to draw pictures for me; especially my 6 year old daughter.  She always has from the time she could really hold a crayon well.  She LOVES to draw pictures of our family or her friends, and now she can write their names on them as well.

I am CONSTANTLY picking up all over the house these "treasures"!  I might need a tutorial on just how many of these I need to keep - but that is a post for a whole other day!

However, I have noticed something about her pictures over the past few years.  One, they're getting better and better and two, they are getting more accurate in size proportions!  When she first started drawing pictures of people's bodies, well, the face was very pronounced but the other parts were very small.  I would love to share a cup of coffee with you and hear about the wonderful masterpieces that your 2 or 3 year-old created as well.  I'm sure it would make us smile with a great big heart as we remember those younger years.

In scripture this morning I saw an example of how we too can have a wrong estimation of what God looks like - how we draw Him wrong in our mind.

To read the rest click below...


Seeds Of Faith For The Christian Mom


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Your Favorite Cup

I am an avid coffee drinker!  How about you?  I like to have a nice cup of coffee fixed just right - you know, with just enough sweetener and milk to make it taste super yummy - as I read my Bible in the morning.  I'm sure I could read my Bible without coffee!  But who would want to!!!

And I don't just drink from any ol' cup either!  I have a TON of coffee cups in my cabinet.  They are all special in their own way.  I have some that special friends have given me - I have some that my sweet husband has given me - I have some that I have made myself at Ladies' Craft Nights - and they are all treasures to me!

In fact, it's part of my morning fun to pick the mug or cup that best fits my mood at that moment.  Sometimes I want A LOT of coffee - so I pick that really big one we got from Starbucks while living in Texas.  Or sometimes, I'm missing my special friend from Houston so I pick the one she gave me - or sometimes I just want a small quick cup - so I pick the one that is short with lots of flowers all over it!

What I'm trying to say here is - my cup is a part of my coffee experience.  It really does make enjoying my coffee all the better!

This morning I found THE BEST cup ever... in God's Word:

Psalm 16:5-6 (ESV)
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

The Lord is my cup!  Now this is a cup I can take with me long after the coffee is all gone!  

If you're here from iFellowship - WELCOME!
I'm so glad you came today!  
Please leave me a comment so I can get to know you better!  

Let me know how you drink your 
morning coffee!
Do you have a favorite cup?  
Tell me all about it!  I love this kind of stuff!


Join the blog hop @ iFellowship - Seeds of Faith Women!

iFellowship



Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Need some inspiration?!

Hey Friends!

Do you have things in your life that you keep waiting to really take off?  You know the things I'm talking about - projects that you just know are going to bring you success...  promises from the Lord that you keep waiting to come into full vision?  You keep looking, but each day it seems they are either right where you left them yesterday - or perhaps it seems they got further away?

The children of Israel experienced this too - but you know what?  They finally made it and we see a beautiful picture of it here in Joshua.  Come over to A Woman Inspired to read about this incredible revealed promise!

(Click on the BLOG feature on the top right! - that's where you'll find me today!)










Monday, July 19, 2010

Today's Excuse...

Buzz... Buzzz... off goes my alarm @ 4:30am.  Don't freak out... this is the normal time I set my alarm for the weekdays.  Why you ask?  It's really important to me to pray & exercise BEFORE my children get up - and I have early risers in my house. 

Once I started doing this, I got rather used to the early hour and came to actually enjoy a quiet house all to myself.  It's actually what motivates me to get up!  I know that these are the precious few hours that our house will be quiet enough for me to hear from God and do those dreaded sit-ups and lunges without assistance from my daughter who, by the way, can do them faster and better than me - or free from juice and snack requests.

However, lately, I've been heavy on the prayer time and thin on the exercise time.  It all started with a hurt in my back.  So I took a few days off - "to let it rest".  Then our schedule just got plain crazy!  And I wasn't getting enough sleep.  So I took a few days off "to catch up on my sleep".  And you know the rest from here.

I finally realized that there will always be SOMETHING going on to keep me from doing what I KNOW I need to do.  If I wait for the time to be perfect for me to exercise - I'll still be waiting when Jesus returns!

This morning I read a great verse to motivate me back into what I know I need to be doing.  It's a rather famous verse - but I just love those "oldie but goodies".

1 Chronicles 28:20 (ESV)
Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong & courageous and do it.  Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished."

Okay okay!  Be strong & courageous!  Get up from this comfy chair and get up and do your lower body weights!  Don't be afraid of the pain and do not be dismayed by the number on the scale!  My God will be with me until all the weight has been lost!

Silly, I know!  But it worked for me in the moment!  You know... making God's words more than just words on a page.

What are you putting off?  What is your excuse for today?  I say, "for today" - because you know there will only be another one waiting for you tomorrow!  Don't let Satan deceive you into thinking that you have plenty of time to do what God has called you to do! 

Be strong & courageous and do it!!!  No excuses!




Sunday, July 18, 2010

Holy Ground?

Could your very kitchen be holy ground?

Read here to find out more!

I've written a devotional here under the Label:  Life's Challenges.  Come visit me here & leave me a comment about what you think!  I look forward to meeting you here!




Take Root & Write Devotions

His Words Sunday (July 18)

I don't know where you are this morning  - if you're busily getting ready for church, enjoying your calm Sunday afternoon, or gearing up for whatever Monday morning may bring you - but no matter what the circumstances of your Sunday happen to be - God's Word is the answer.



You may be wondering,
"but you don't even know my question!"  
That's right - and God's Word is still the answer.

Today's scripture for HIS WORDS SUNDAY come from Romans, Paul's letter to the people of Rome.

It is my prayer that these words meet you right where you are and truly bring you hope!

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that sufferings produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit how has been given to us.

Just for a quick review:
SUFFERING - ENDURANCE - CHARACTER - HOPE


Thursday, July 15, 2010

More than just words on a page

One of my most favorite things to do is bring God's Word to the here and now.  I love reading my Bible.  It's something that I do not sacrifice - even if I have to read it in my closet, in the bathroom or in the midst of cartoons - I still read.  It's that important to me.

But I never read for "just reading sake."  Or to check a box and tell God, "Okay, I got that over with - now I can get on with the rest of my day".

In fact, I never want to "get over" reading God's word!  For my personal devotional time each morning I read my One Year Bible.  I have been reading my Bible in this manner since 1998.  And after almost 12 years of spending time with God like this, I always find something new and fresh.

One of the things that I teach the ladies in my church is that I want God's Word to be so much more than just words on a page.  I want them to really mean something when I get up from my desk and close my Bible.  I want them to truly be applicable to my current circumstances.  I don't want to just nod my head in agreement, say, "Boy, that's a good verse" - and then just close it up and not even barely remember what I just read.

I want what He says to apply somehow to how I take care of our home, how I love my husband, how I parent and guide our children and how I live around those who don't know Christ.

So this morning I was reviewing some of the recent things God has shown me in my prayer time.  As I was doing this, I shared with the Lord that I'm really very tired.  I know that there is laundry to do and a Sunday lesson to put together - but I've got a big 'ol case of the "I don't wannas!"

Then I found this:
Proverbs 18:9 (ESV)
Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

Yikes!!!!

So... in the spirit of making God's word so much more than words on a page.  I thanked God for the kick in the pants that I needed, for the spiritual version of an energy drink - and I'm up and off to the laundry room!

If you don't hear from me tomorrow - will someone please call to check on me - just to make sure the washing machine didn't eat me or something?!

Today - don't be lazy - go and find the energy you need from the Lord and stay far far away from anything that destroys!!!



Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A very loved & trusted friend!

In the spirit of making new friends....

I thought I would introduce to you 2 of our family friends.  Please meet "Boppy", the small purple rabbit and "Bear-Bear", the vintage Pooh Bear.  Boppy came from Wal-Mart and was given to my daughter (who is now 6 years old) at a baby shower before she was ever born and "Bear-Bear" was delivered by Santa on my son's very first Christmas (he's now 3 1/2 years old).

These are very very loved friends and must accompany my children to bed - no matter where they go!  They bring them much comfort after a bad dream and ensure a restful night the rest of the times.  We've gone to great lengths to find them when they got lost and they have been washed in the washing machine more times that I care to recall!

I'm wondering... do your kids still "hang out" with their very best friend?  

What is your story with friends like these?   

What is their most precious child-given name?  
What is the strangest place you have lost them?  
And how long can I expect them to have this friendship?  
In other words... will they take Boppy & Bear-Bear to college?

I'm so glad you visited my blog - please join the blog hop at Seeds of Faith

iFellowship


Monday, July 12, 2010

From Mommy to Mamma... Sad or Sign of Maturity?

Well, I think it's here to stay.  My daughter is a high spirited, beautiful on the inside out outside 6 year old.  With the introduction of Pre-K, and Kindergarten, she's definitely NOT sheltered anymore and is learning new things from her friends and classmates.  She has tested out saying, "Mamma" before, but it never really stuck!  I was thankful!  I just love hearing, "Mommy."  It has such a sweet innocent sound to it, don't you think?  At the time, she was young enough for me to tell her that she still needed to call me, "Mommy."  But, at 6 years old, and the fact that she's continued to call me, "Mamma", call weekend - I think it may be time for me to recognize that my little girl is growing up. 

(insert tears here)

I just couldn't seem to get past how I really prefer "Mommy" to "Mamma" until I remembered the Bible studying that I'm leading the women through at our church.  It's Kay Arthur's, "Lord, I Want to Know You."  In this study, we're learning all about the Old Testament names of God.  My own prayer time since this study began, has been deeply enriched - just by knowing my God better!  I now know that I can call on my El Elyon when I need to know that He is sovereign, I can cry out to my El Roi, when I need to know that He sees me and all that I'm going through.

I believe that it is a sign of my spiritual maturity when I can call on the many different names of my God.  It shows that I'm gaining more of an understanding of who He is and His character as I call on my than, "Dear Jesus" in my prayers.  I think it's music to God's ears when I call on His name that is specific to what's going on in my life!  He sees that I'm really "getting" who He is!!!

Interesting how this might relate to my daughter's maturing isn't it?  So, is it sad that she no longer wants to call me "Mommy" or should I celebrate her growing up and wanting to get to know me on a whole new level?  I wonder how "Mamma" relates differently to her than "Mommy?" 

For one, she & I are going to start having a Saturday morning time together - just she & I.  Right now, as a grown adult, I talk to my Mom every Saturday morning on the phone.  We don't miss this time together!  It is WAY TOO precious to us both.  I want to start this now with my daughter!  I want her to know that a relationship with me can be a precious time for us both as well! 

So this Saturday - Jordan & Mamma, are going out for coffee & orange juice!

What about you?  If you've gone through this transition of Mommy to Mamma - how did you handle it?  Any words of wisdom for us Mothers-of-young-children-growing-up-faster-than-our-hearts-can-handle?

Sunday, July 11, 2010

His Words Sunday

I don't typically post things on my blog on Sunday.  Not out of reverence for the day - but honestly, because as a Pastor's Wife and Women's Minister, Sunday morning is a little crazy at our house.  I'm usually taking one last look at my lesson for the ladies, getting my kids ready for church, finding that one last thing that perhaps my husband needs me to bring up to the church, and a plethora of other things...

However, this morning the Lord laid on my heart that perhaps I could share a small verse - not a long devotional with all kinds of cute illustrations and stories - but just a verse - that could encourage others to know their God better.  A verse that could show us all who it is we're about to go and worship.

So today, I'm staring His Words Sunday!

If you know you're God better - you'll pray better, worship better, and so many other things that the Lord calls us to do.

Today - worship The God Most High - El Elyon - along with David.

Psalm 9:1-2 (ESV)
 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; 
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.  
I will be glad and exult in you; 
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.


Enjoy your day of worshiping with your whole heart - the God Most High!


Saturday, July 10, 2010

At the Well

I'll be over here today!



Join me over At the Well!




Friday, July 9, 2010

Make New Friends... But keep the old... One is Silver & the other Gold...

Sing with me...
Make new friends
But keep the old.
One is silver & the other gold.

Do you remember this old childhood song?  I love it making new blog friends!  Come join me on a blog hop & make some new friends or quite possibly find some old ones here!



New Friend Fridays




Thursday, July 8, 2010

Double Fudge Chocolate

Recently I was asked to lead a time of devotion for a group of teenage girls.  They were from Chicago, visiting our church in New Orleans, conducting our VBS and doing some Katrina relief work.  Their Youth Pastor planned a night in the French Quarter and then afterwards a time of devotion for the kids.  My husband was assigned the guys and I had the wonderful pleasure of leading those very impressionable young ladies!

So after a wonderful time of coffee and beignets I lead them over to the steps of the Mississippi.  It was a beautiful night!  The following is what I shared with them - as you read this I hope you gain a new outlook at what grace might be like (in regular everyday life terms)!


I TOTALLY love chocolate!  I love how it tastes, I love how it melts in my mouth, I love it melted, frozen, warm, cold - just about anything about chocolate - I love it!  Every time my husband & I go to a restaurant and it comes time for desert, I tell myself, "I'm going to try something new!"  And then I cave and go for the chocolate.  And shouldn't chocolate in of itself be good enough?  Sure.  But why do I love Double Fudge chocolate even more?  I could eat double fudge chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream on the side - and as my Dad used to say, "and eat it all with a chocolate spoon!"

Now that you've got this image of this heavenly bliss in your head and perhaps on your taste buds, I want to share a verse with you.  I think I have found the spiritual equivalent to double fudge chocolate in scripture (minus the calories of course)!


To read the rest of the story click here:

Seeds Of Faith For The Christian Mom


Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Ain't LIFE great?!

Yesterday was my husband's 40th Birthday!  We had a great day celebrating him all day long.  It began with a super big family breakfast - pancakes, eggs, bacon and awesome coffee.  The kids (6 & 3 years old) helped of course.  Jordan even made a smiley face with Craisins on John's pancakes - it was super cute!  Then we all had lunch together at Chick-fil-A while waiting for the rain to stop.  After a few errands we had a delightful tour through the French Market down in the Quarter.  Jordan found a great pair of Fleur-de-lis cuff links for John - of which I was able to negotiate from $48 to $20 total.  Sweet!

Then for the evening celebration we were able to get a baby sitter and enjoy a nice grown-up dinner in the French Quarter.  It was a great day to celebrate life!

This week in my Bible Study of the Names of God we learned that God is our Elohim - our Creator.  He gives us life for 2 main purposes - to bring Him glory and to do His will.  Our life, all that we do should reflect His character!

How do you do this in your regular-every-day-life-stuff?  How do you bring God glory in doing the laundry and raising your kids?  How do you follow His will for your life while running to the grocery store?

I would love to hear your answers!  Also - join me in a blog hop today as we fellowship with other ladies!

iFellowship

Your sis in the faith,
Pen

Friday, July 2, 2010

Daddy, your words are singing!

I debated on whether to put this post on this blog or our family blog and thought it best fit here. (I know what you're thinking... how in the world do I have time for two blogs!  I know.  It's a fun life we lead here in the Franklin house!)

Several Saturday mornings ago - John & I were enjoying a lazy day where we could "sleep late."  I put that in quotes to let you know that I'm using this term "sleep" loosely as well as the term "late."  In our house, our children love to rise with the sun.  I know this to be a godly quality, so I certainly do not want to punish them for their rising - but it would be GREAT if they could occupy their time in a quieter and less intrusive manner! 

Both of our children LOVE music!  If you know my husband, I'm sure this comes as no surprise.  Often when we go up to the church to visit my husband, the kids love to go in the worship center, stand on the stage and sing!  They sing just about anything from "Jesus Loves Me" to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and recently they have been singing the "Saddle Ridge Ranch" songs from VBS.

Back to the lazy Saturday morning....
One of the ways they decided to entertain themselves (until we got up) was to listen to some of their CD's together in Jordan's room.  After several songs from various CD's, Jordan puts in an old worship CD that John made many years ago.  Now Jordan, as a baby, couldn't go to sleep unless this was playing in her room.  It was so cute!  She hasn't played it in quite some time and so therefore I think JP didn't even remember that we did the same for him when he was a baby.  As the music started and John began to sing JP was AMAZED to hear his Daddy's voice coming through the CD player.  He got so excited that he ran up to our room - footsteps pounding the hardwood floor stairs and then running across our room - out of breathe he yelled to John, "Daddy!  Your words are singing!"



It was so cute!  I couldn't help but wake up to such a beautiful sentiment.

You know we can say the same thing about God's words.  1) He is our heavenly Daddy.  2) His words sing.  How many times have you read a verse and immediately began singing a song that uses the exact words as lyrics?!  Just recently I read Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runs to it and is safe."  This is a very familiar children's praise song.  I even started doing the motions when I read the verse!

Did you know that God says in His word that He sings over us?  So it makes sense that we would take His words and put them to music! 

Much like John's CD played in Jordan & JP's rooms as they were babies - our Lord sings over us as well.  My children were comforted enough to sleep when they heard their Daddy's voice - we too can be comforted by the Lord's singing over us.

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."  (Zeph 3:17)

Today turn on your heavenly CD player (ie - your Bible) and let the Lord sing over you.  And as you hear His Words say to him through tears or with gladness - "Daddy!  Your words are singing!"


I love you all dearly!
Your sis in the faith,
Pen