Category Archives: Faith

Grieving at a Hillsong Concert

Faith, More About Me

I’ve mentioned here before that I don’t like to cry – I feel like the tears are controlling my body instead of me.  But I’m still in a grieving period over the loss of Pastor Stan Buck, and I cry about that regularly.

There is this song called “Forever Reign” by Hillsong, and it somehow was the song that we sang at church when Pastor Stan was diagnosed, then his first Sunday back after surgery and chemo, whenever he had a clear scan, then when he was re-diagnosed, and on the day that he died.  This song holds a … Read the rest

A Sinner’s Prayer

Faith

As I sat at church one particular Sunday with the communion elements in my hand, I found myself unsure of what to pray.  It’s not like a keep a journal of my sins so I can ask forgiveness for each one on communion day.  Do I ask forgiveness for my habitual sins?  Pride, selfishness, doubt, faithlessness, (and on and on and on)?

Then my mind shifted from the vague sins, to those I commit and know what I’m doing.  The sins that make me pause, have a conversation with myself (or the Holy Spirit?), then decide to go ahead with … Read the rest

Philippians 4

Faith

This morning I read Philippians 4.  Please read verse 8 and then I will continue…

Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

First I got stuck on “true”.  Whatever is true.  God is true.  His Word is true.   Whatever else may happen, focus on whatever is true.  If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about those things.  Whatever else may happen, think about what is excellent or praiseworthy.  God is … Read the rest

Memories of Pastor Stan

Faith

Stan Buck got to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” yesterday.  We’ve known it was coming, but that doesn’t lessen the pain.  We know that he is in the presence of the Father, that his body is cancer-free, that yesterday he was part of an amazing church service, but that doesn’t lessen our pain.  Because now we figure out how to continue our lives – at home, at work, at church – without him.  His office light isn’t on.  His planner isn’t on his desk.  He isn’t in there hearing every word we say when we think he isn’t … Read the rest

Grab a Corner

Faith

I originally posted this in May 2011 after our pastor had brain surgery.  He has now reached a point in his journey where they have decided to stop his cancer treatment.  I love his attitude about this – they now have a greater opportunity to rest completely in God’s hands.  This post means even more to me now.  I still trust in Jesus.

1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and
… Read the rest

I choose to be thankful

Faith, More About Me, Parenting

Every once in a while I notice that I’ve had a string of blog posts that are relatively negative – a sort of venting if you will – as I get it all out there that’s bugging me so I can get you to commiserate with me, and maybe I can offer a bit of “you’re not alone” hope to you.  I will now take a break from crawling through the trenches to lay on my back, look up to the sky, and praise the Father for all He has given to me.

  • I’m thankful that I have three healthy
… Read the rest

What’s my story?

Faith, More About Me

**This is a post that was a draft…I’ve done some tweaking.

What’s my story?  I don’t really have one – either in the blogging world or in my spiritual life.  It seems like most of the blogs I read are written by women who have a story – adoption, a child with special needs, addiction, a husband in the military, homeschooling, infertility – a story to share with other woman, and bond with them on a level that anyone outside of the circle could never fully understand.  But it seems like as Christians we are supposed to have a … Read the rest

Christmas. by the Orlikowski Littles

Faith, Kids

Grace: Well, Mary was pregnant with a baby, so she went to Bethlehem.  She couldn’t find a home in the city to have a baby so went into a stable.  Then Jesus was born.  And Mary wrapped the baby in clothes.  And then there was a star up ahead and an angel told the shepherds where baby Jesus was.  A king sent his three wise men to kill him, but instead they praised him and gave him presents.

Eli: Christmas is about celebrating Jesus since he was born and he died on the cross for us.  Jesus was … Read the rest

I Won’t Be One of the Nine

Faith, More About Me

As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”  When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise … Read the rest

Happy Birthday, Grandma

Faith, Just My Thoughts

Today is my Grandma’s birthday – Helen Harms.  I think she would have been 79 years old, but I’m not certain.  My Grandma was an awesome lady.  She didn’t take anyone’s nonsense, but she wasn’t afraid to tell you the way it was, stranger or not.  She raised her seven kids, then started daycare in order to help those kids with their kids.  She didn’t let children be mean or disrespectful to their parents in her presence.  She loved Jesus, and everyone knew that also.

When she died Grace was just over 4 months old and I was 2 months … Read the rest