The Battle

Lately I've been in a constant battle with God. The desire of my heart is to glorify Him in everything I say and do, and although we've devoted ourselves to full-time ministry, built deep relationships with people in attempts to be on a level to share Christ and the gospel, I still feel as though I am falling SOOOO completely short in glorifying God in my everyday life.

In realizing how completely out of control I am of my self and my life, I questioned why I do everything I do even when it doesn't accomplish my ultimate goal in Glorifying God.

This morning I came across this verse in John 6 which helped answer some of my selfish questions.

"Because of His teaching, many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with Him. So Jesus asked the twelve, 'Do you also wish to go away?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.'"

Although I desire to glorify God, that is not why I follow Him. I follow Him because I am broken, so flawed and utterly dependent on his grace to get me through each day. God has the words of ETERNAL LIFE and is the HOLY ONE OF GOD. What stronger foundation can I put my hope in?

I am so thankful that when my heart doesn't glorify Him, He still desires me and loves me deeper than I could imagine and deeper than I could ever love Him.

Glory to You, God, for that.

Fully Devoted

Steve and I wrote a song today. Check out a scratch version of "Fully Devoted".

Hosanna.

I've always LOVED this word. I think the first time I learned the meaning of it was while watching the movie/play Jesus Christ Superstar when I was pretty young. As Jesus was about to be crucified, people were singing a song with the lyrics: "Hosanna - Save us Oh, Lord by your merciful hand..." which, I eventually learned, were not just lyrics to the song but also the basic meaning of the word "Hosanna". I like to use this word when I pray, mostly because of it's poetic nature, but also because it is relevant to my relationship with Christ and it helps me express how much I need Him.

Anyway... I've been waiting for a GOOD song to come along that describes what "Hosanna" means to me... and, well... I finally found one! And it comes with even a BONUS for me. The killer bridge at the end has become my personal anthem! Check it out. I posted the lyrics below.


Hosanna

Verse 1:
I see the King of Glory
coming down the clouds with fire          
the whole earth shakes         
the whole earth shakes


I see His love and mercy
washing over all our sin   
the people sing   
the people sing


Chorus:
Hosanna
Hosanna           
Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest


Verse 2:
I see a generation
rising up to take their place
with selfless faith
with selfless faith


I see a near revival
stirring as we pray and seek
we're on our knees
we're on our knees


Chorus:
Hosanna
Hosanna           
Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest


Killer Bridge:
heal my heart and make it clean
open up my eyes to the things unseen
show me how to love like You
have loved me
break my heart for what breaks Yours
everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
as I walk from earth into eternity

Chorus:
Hosanna
Hosanna           
Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Chorus:
Hosanna
Hosanna           
Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Softball Game

Well... Tomorrow we have a double header! 9:00AM and 10:05AM.

Come watch us kick some church bootay!

Here's the directions:
94 West to Euclid
Left on Euclid
Left on Imperial
Right on Valencia PKWY
Ball fields are on the right.

I'm lovin' it...

So... me and Cameron were talking about his favorite places to eat today. I tried to record some of it, but because he has the attention span of a two year old, we only got this far. Push play.

Lindsay Came Home!!!

My sister, Lindsay, came home this past week to spend Easter with the family. Although Steve and I were in the thick of Good Friday and Easter preparation, we were able to make a trip out to our cabins in the desert, and had a get together with friends and family at my parent's house.

During her short stay, I definitely realized how much I miss the girl! Since moving to PDX (Portland, OR) almost two years ago, she has become quite the skateboarder, she landed herself in a pretty serious relationship with an awesome photographer named Buzzy, she's started her own sort of business making jewelry out of skateboards (CLICK HERE to check it out), and managed to get a couple of pretty elaborate tatoo's!!

It was really nice to get to talk to her about family, life and fond memories! I'm really trying hard to convince her and Buzzy to move back here to S.D. so that we could have more contact... but it seems like her element is in Portland. Maybe someday it will happen!!

Here are some pictures of our trip out to the desert!





Loving the middle of nowhere!!

Good Friday Prayer

By Lauren Faiai

On this late, dark night, Lord
I see a glimpse of your pain.
mocked and slaughtered,
you did it all for my shame.

You carried a cross,
it wasn't yours, it was mine
and all for the saving,
The living God I might find.

I won't ask why, Lord
You died there, that day,
I will never quite comprehend,
your passion to save.

Give me your Love, Lord
for the broken and lost,
that they might find You, God
who paid sin's every cost.

The silence of that moment,
on the cross proceeding death,
words cannot describe emotions
as a King concludes life's breath.

Let me not forget oh, God
all you've endured for me,
Because of what you did that day,
I have the VICTORY.

Music in Me

I find that throughout each day, my mood can be expressed and defined by music. Here's what's on my playlist today.

DEVOTION


HOSANNA


LEAD ME TO THE CROSS


CRASH

Sucking Air.

Yesterday, Steve and I, along with some friends, started playing in a CO-ED softball league. We had a ton of fun, won the game 9-8, but I was reminded about how INCREDIBLY OUT OF SHAPE I AM, and also of the fact that I'm not as athletic as I was 7 years ago.

Needless to say, Steve and I were BOTH sore and whining all day about how much we hurt. He's not as sore as I am, but he's nursing a strained calf that he injured last week playing football. We've both really supported each other with sympathy today...I wrapped his calf a couple times...he rubbed my shoulders.

We managed to hold ourselves together enough so that no one would make fun of our lazy, out of shape selves... and no one did...
until we got home. And THEN the ULTIMATE mockery took place. See photo's below.

This is Steve, elevating his leg, trying to bear the pain of a strained calf muscle.



Here's me. On the other couch. I just hurt all over. I can't move!!


And here's the sweet two year old. He was playing so nicely in his room while we were hurting on both couches. He came out with a Maxi-Pad (of all things), and when I scolded him for playing underneath my sink...he politely told me "mommy...I need this on... my leg hurts BAD."

I told Cameron that what he found WASN'T an ace bandage like daddy's. He still insisted that I put it on...Steve managed to get up and get his mind on something else so that he'd stop asking.

Basically, I'm a wuss. And really out of shape. At least I'm motivated to work out now!!