Wordless Wednesday

A view of the Bird's Nest in Beijing... don't you just love the Olympics?

My reality check

Here's a quote that's got me thinking (and let me warn you, it's a tough one):

"My children, my precious darling children!

What I want you to become, I must become myself."

-- Elizabeth Prentiss

Yikes.  Did you catch that??  "What I want [my children] to become, I must become myself."  I think Ms. Prentiss hit the nail on the head.

I'm embarrassed to say that my reality is far from this ideal.  What my children see in me on a fairly regular basis in not what I want for them.  Instead of showering them with the love of Christ, I too frequently model for them a life overcome with the distractions of this world.  All too often I get so caught up in correcting their speech and their motives and their behavior that I fail to see the areas in my own life-- the real heart issues-- that are in such desperate need of repair.  That's a big, big problem.

If I want the very best for my children, then they need to see the very best in me.  And that's what I want: souls set free by the power of the Cross, hearts fully surrendered to the Lord, and minds renewed by His Spirit... Lives, ready and willing to be used by God for His greater purpose and glory.  My children need to see these things in me.  Every day.  In the good and in the bad... a mom whose love for her Lord motivates everything she does.  It's time to set aside the cares of this world and focus on the eternal... there's just nothing that matters more.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6  

Sweet dreams, Big Man

Even firefighters need sleep, and evidently this little one hasn't been getting enough of it.  When his favorite tv program can't keep him awake, you know he's pooped.

On the agenda for tomorrow... a nap!

A Sunday Gathering

A pool party with family, delicious food, and absolutely perfect weather... what more can you ask for on a Sunday afternoon in August??  The day was a real treat-- I don't think anyone departed with an ounce of energy to spare or with any room left in their belly for more.  We feasted all day long and then went home tired!  So... when can we do it again? 

Well, you know what they say... a picture is worth a thousand words.  So here are a few photos of the afternoon-- they can sum up the spirit of the day better than I can!  

Rejoice, the Lord is King!

I awoke this morning with this hymn in my head and thought I'd share it with you~

 I pray you have a glorious morning in the house of the Lord!

Rejoice, the Lord is King!

Rejoice, the Lord is King!  Your Lord and King adore;

Rejoice, give thanks and sing, and triumph ever more;

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;

When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o'er earth and Heav'n,

The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv'n; 

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God's right hand till all His foes submit,

And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,

And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope!  Jesus the Judge shall come,

And take His servants up to their eternal home.

We soon shall hear th'archangel's voice

The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!

-- Charles Wesley, 1744

The King of the Cube

Over the past 8 days, we've cheered more, we've screamed more, we've danced more than ever, and it's.  been.  fun.   The events unfolding in the Beijing Water Cube have been nothing short of amazing... awe-inspiring... and oh, such a joy to witness.  The Phelps phenomenon has captivated us all.  Eight gold medals and 7 world records.... the skeptics said it couldn't be done; Phelps proved them wrong. 

Thank you, Michael Phelps, for setting the bar so high and for persevering to the bitter end.  You're in a class all by yourself...  

He's magical~

... there's just no better way to say it.  Congratulations, Michael Phelps!