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Monday, April 23, 2007

Lookin' the Part

This weekend, my 9 year old's teeth came into contact with my 11 year old's leg ~ and, now, well, I am seeing many trips to the dentist in my future!

After calming him down and clearing up the bleeding, I can not begin to describe the sinking feeling in my heart as I took a good look at his adult teeth ~ with 2 loose and 7 chipped, his poor mouth looked like one that belonged to a NHL Player.

We were teasing my son because he does so want to be a hockey player ~ in fact, he was almost proud of his new "Hockey Dude" mouth ~ he ran around showing the neighbors and he even posed with his hockey stick for a picture! Now, he actually looks the part of what he is striving to be.

As I got ready for bed that night, I was praying my heart out ~ I just couldn't believe such a thing happened to potentially change how my child would look for the rest of his life.

Then, man, I just love the Lord's ways! He spoke to me loud and clear :)

My precious child, sometimes I must bring trauma into your life to make you "Look the part". Those moments brought you farther down the path of the woman I created, and who you are striving, to be.

Wow ~ and, isn't that the truth? I can sure point to some times when I hurt so badly that all I really was able to do was sit at His feet and trust in Him. Yet, in a weird way, I thank Him for the trama because I know I "Look the part" more now as a direct result of those moments.

Is He bringing some traumatic things in your life? Are you not sure why the pain? Is this situation going to forever change how your life will look? Are you wishing for yesterday? Does the future look so different than how you believe it should? Could it be for the purpose of making you "Look the part"? Sit at His feet, trust in Him, and, let Him do what needs to be done.

Lord, I pray my son's mouth is a gentle reminder to me that you are always working to bring us closer to what You created us to be. May I trust You in the trauma, give You all the glory in the molding, and, make You proud as I strive to be "Lookin' the Part"

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Easter Undoes What We Have Become

My friend sent me one of those emails with 20 questions you are supposed to answer and then return to them ~ I never ever fill those out ~ who has the time? However, since this came from a dear friend from the city where I used to live, I figured I'd send it back to say "hi".

A couple of the questions really struck me ~ here are a few, along with my answers....

* IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Wow ~ I think so.....I hope so, but not sure
* DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? No ~ wish I had more inner strength to be more to more people
* WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOU? Physical ~ my weight and Spiritual ~ that I fail Him so often
* WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday as I watched a video clip on my brother's blog with the passion of the Christ scenes ~ He did that for ME!

As Easter nears, I am finding myself in such humble awe that He would go to the cross for me. The one who fails Him daily....The one who will never seem to get "it" right ~ and, I have lots of "its"....The one who is quick to snap at my son as he still forgets how to find the perimeter of a rectangle, yet is slow to snap at myself for letting that certain sin slip in, again.... The one who in no way deserved the sacrifice of the Perfect Lamb.

Yet, everytime, as I again sit at His feet in complete surrender of my will and asking for forgiveness, He just holds me, loves me and sets me on my way again. Now, That's MY King!!

As Undo, from Rush of Fools, just played, I turned it up really loud (sorry to the neighbors) and had a few moments of worship
for a King...
who would become nothing...
for a woman...
who is nothing...
so she can become...
His Bride.

Because of Easter, He can and does undo what I have become!

Happy He Is Risen Easter to you all, and, be sure to know, and believe, that He suffered through Good Friday so YOU can have an Easter!

Undo lyrics by Rush of Fools
See the Undo video

I've been here before, now here I am again
Standing at the door, praying
You'll let me back in
To label me a prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be

(Chorus)
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You’re the only one who can undo
What I've become

I focused on the score, but I could never win
Trying to ignore, a life of hiding my sin
To label me a hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be

(Chorus)
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You’re the only one who can undo
What I've become

Make every step lead me back to
The sovereign way that You

(Chorus)
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You’re the only one who can undo
What I've become

Monday, April 02, 2007

The Passion of Our King

As we begin what many call "Passion Week" may we find the time to focus on what that Passion meant and what it cost.

It is so easy to get caught up in the winter clothes to summer clothes switch, baseball practices and spring cleaning ~ before we know it, Easter will be here and, perhaps we never took the time to really dwell on how much He loves us, and, what an amazing King He is.

I have been guilty of that this season ~ As I sat in church yesterday it just hit me that Easter is here and I have not stopped to tell my children the story. Now, you can be sure that come next weekend, they will know how much He loved them and what His sacrifice meant.

My brother has this post that really says it so much better than I can ~ be sure to watch That's MY King a couple times this week with your family ~

May you find yourselves wrapped in His glory and grace this week!