My Name is Pride

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment...because you "deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it.
I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.
I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love...because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you. Untrue.
I'm looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...

If you stick with me

You'll never know.

Praying God's Word~Beth Moore

Spontaneous Singing

I think this is amazing...just wish I could have been there to experience it live.

Rock or Sand

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:25-27

Things seldom turn out like we want. Thank God He is a god of promises and lately I can see how real those promises are. Hebrews 13:5 promises that God will never leave us nor forsake us. I know that to be true even in the darkest places of this world.

Please don't ever discount Satan either. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, 1 Peter 5:8.
It isn't enough to know Satan is real, we are told to be alert. He's sneaky and unless you are watching you're liable to fall victim.

I will probably make some changes to this blog soon...possibly starting another one. I will keep you informed of those changes but please keep praying!! 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to 'pray continually'.

I WILL NOT BE BLOWN OVER!!

I love you!

Little Reader

Olivia loves to read, especially out loud, like she has an audience. She'll ask us a lot of times if she can read to us. I try to embrace these times because I know one day she won't want to sit and read to me...she's growing quickly!!
Last night Phil went in her room and listened to her for awhile. I thought that was so sweet!!

Keep reading Livie...it's such a blessing!! Love you!!

Shine by David Crowder Band

Wow!! This really tugged at my heart! Let me know what you think!

"Stand up for Your Siblings"

I subscribe to a magazine through Focus on the Family called Thriving Family. I love the way this magazine helps you incorporate God into everyday things. It's full of positive information...much needed in our negative world. I came across something this morning that I thought was great and something I definitely want to instill in my kids...hopefully it's not too late!! It's in the Sept/Oct 2010 issue in a section entitled Family Stages. The article is called "Stand up for Your Sibling".

While I typically stay out of my children's squabbles to let them work out their disagreements, I inevitably repeat the same litany:
"Your sister or brother is your very best friend. We are a family. It is your job to defend one another against the world, not tear each other down. If a dispute takes place, it should be in defense of one another. Do you understand?"
They didn't. Or at least I didn't think so.
You can imagine my surprise when at the first parent-teacher conference their teacher raved about how well my children got along. "It is obvious they love each other on the playground and encouraging one another in class." My effort to instill in my children a respect for one another was fruitful. Their loving actions spoke louder than words.~Jamie Driggers

This is a deep desire I've had since my second child was born. I feel like I've failed to teach them the importance loving one another. On occasion they will surprise me and do things for each other out of nothing but pure kindness. As a mother, this brings me such joy. I need to be more prayerful for my kids and especially in how they treat each other.
As I typed the article I noticed something else. The second to last sentence talks about being fruitful. John 15 talks about bearing much fruit. What an amazing God we have that allows us to see the fruit we bear. I don't look at the positive things in my life as 'fruit-bearing' but that's exactly what it is. And this happens because I believe in God and seek to remain in Him, v5. Instead of seeing the negative in people and yourself, look for the fruit.

Fall Back

Don't forget to set your clocks back 1 hour before you head to bead Saturday night!! Woohoo!! An extra hour of sleep!!

Oakcrest Fall Family Retreat 2010

We go every October to the Family Retreat with our church at Robber's Cave in southeastern Oklahoma. This is really a great time; a lot of bonding with family and friends. I always go into the weekend thinking it'll be a peaceful, restful weekend but soon realize it's anything BUT! It takes me a good week to recover from this weekend but it is well worth it.

Create a free slideshow design

Halloween 2010

I think Halloween at our house seems to diminish through the years. I really enjoy Halloween. Well, let me clarify...I like decorating for Halloween/fall and the weather that comes with the holiday, but I'm not a fan of dressing up. I enjoy seeing what my kids decide to be and helping them out with their costumes.
This was the first annual Trunk or Treat at our church and it was a huge success! I did enjoy decorating our car (already thinking ahead to next year) and seeing all the people that came out. It was great opportunity for my kids to serve and I enjoyed watching them.
We had a crazy brew in our trunk with a few cobwebs and spiders. Very last minute but I thought it went pretty well.

Phil and I have started our own biker gang!!

Moses & Rapunzel