Monday, June 28, 2010
Obedience
So I don't want to steal Levi's thunder but on Sunday he taught on obedience. He shared how he felt like God was calling him to go to Ghana this summer. He didn't want to go, he was just playing kickball. But he also felt like he had 2 choices, he could obey God or he could disobey God. He didn't ask me so much about going as he told me he was going. And I didn't fuss or complain or worry about where we would get the money. I just agreed...not like me at all. On Sunday he shared that when we're people who love mercy, it costs us. He shared about his Ghana trip and how this trip will cost but again, he had the choice to obey or disobey and he chose to obey, whatever the cost is. We had some friends call him and tell him that they were helping him with his trip. I sent them a message to thank them and their response was this, " thank God, not us. Just as Levi didn't have any choice in going, I didn't have any choice in giving." That is so freakin' profound to me right now in my life. God is working and moving and speaking and I am seriously just humbled and stunned and amazed to be a part of it. I love it!!!
Marla
So yesterday Levi asked me to check all the AC's at the church to make sure they were turned down. I had to be there early to practice. As I was walking through the building, I noticed a lady walking by on the sidewalk and didn't think much about it. I came back to the lobby and was putting stuff away before practice started and she came in the front door. If I'm being totally honest, my thoughts were, "What does she want?", "I have no cash," etc. They weren't positive thoughts. She asked, "Can I come in and pray?" It stopped me in my tracks. The music at our church is loud, especially without bodies to absorb some of that noise. I told her she was more than welcome to come in and that we were about to start music rehearsal which might get loud but she was more than welcome. Side note, as I was walking in to church yesterday, I prayed that God would help me to be more consistent, committed, and to be in the Word like I know I should. I'm struggling right now if I'm being completely honest. So, as she started to walk in the worship area, I stopped her and asked if I could pray with her when she was done. It kind of came out before I thought about it. She asked if I could just pray with her now that she really needed it. She said that as she walked by the outside of our church, she felt impressed to come in and pray. She said that she just moved her from Chicago 10 months ago and that she was being relocated again to the Gulf Coast. I know what relocation feels like. So, we sat down in the back row and I prayed for her. I prayed everything that I felt when we moved here and I prayed that God would be so close to her that even when life didn't feel "good" and when the chaos was so strong around her that she would feel His presence cradle her. I'm not a super emotional person but tears fell from both of us. She hugged me and didn't let go. Man, my heart broke for her. After we prayed, she thanked me and left. I had a hard time gaining my composure for a few minutes. I love when God brings people right to us. I'm thankful that I was nice and didn't blow her off. I would have missed seeing God work that morning.
So for me, there was no better way to start a Sunday morning. Marla was a great reminder as we prepared to worship a God that loves me for me without me having to have it all right or feel good enough. I feel so unequipped to help people. The crazy part for me was that with my negative thoughts flowing before Marla spoke, God still let me have the privilege to pray with her and for her...in spite of me and my stereotypes and judgment. How cool is that!!
When Levi got up to teach yesterday, he taught on Unstoppable Obedience. He talked about how God used and uses the B teamers, the JV team, the rejects, the uneducated, the ill equipped, the unworthy...DING DING DING, that's me!!! He uses us without us having all of our crap cleaned out. He helps us to clean the crap up and then He uses us more. I love that!! My prayer for myself (not being selfish) is that I would continue to let God prune me and work on me so that my stereotypes, preconceived ideas, and judgments will fade. I don't want to miss loving on people because of my on small mindedness. I want to love people and accept people like God would without negativity. And I think, so what if she would have walked in and asked for $20 or for me to pay for her electric bill? I would want to do what I can to help her. I want to be a servant and humble and gracious and merciful. And like Levi said yesterday to be a person who loves mercy costs me. But hello...it is worth the cost every time.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
That's the kind of person I want to be!
So for me, there was no better way to start a Sunday morning. Marla was a great reminder as we prepared to worship a God that loves me for me without me having to have it all right or feel good enough. I feel so unequipped to help people. The crazy part for me was that with my negative thoughts flowing before Marla spoke, God still let me have the privilege to pray with her and for her...in spite of me and my stereotypes and judgment. How cool is that!!
When Levi got up to teach yesterday, he taught on Unstoppable Obedience. He talked about how God used and uses the B teamers, the JV team, the rejects, the uneducated, the ill equipped, the unworthy...DING DING DING, that's me!!! He uses us without us having all of our crap cleaned out. He helps us to clean the crap up and then He uses us more. I love that!! My prayer for myself (not being selfish) is that I would continue to let God prune me and work on me so that my stereotypes, preconceived ideas, and judgments will fade. I don't want to miss loving on people because of my on small mindedness. I want to love people and accept people like God would without negativity. And I think, so what if she would have walked in and asked for $20 or for me to pay for her electric bill? I would want to do what I can to help her. I want to be a servant and humble and gracious and merciful. And like Levi said yesterday to be a person who loves mercy costs me. But hello...it is worth the cost every time.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
That's the kind of person I want to be!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
10 Things I Love About My Hubs
Feeling lucky to have my husband so I thought I'd share why (well 10 things). Don't worry, I'll keep it G rated!! In no particular order.
1. He's bold and a risk taker. He's not afraid to do something that might be "crazy" to normal people.
2. He's really good at surprising me with random flowers.
3. He has a crazy sense of humor and fun loving side. He loves to scare people (yes, all of us). He loves to play. I find myself squelching that sometimes and am trying to learn NOT to do that. I want our kids to inherit this trait.
4. He's honest.
5. He is a GREAT deal finder!!
6. He loves his family.
7. He picks his mom up and spins her around his head (yeah, he still does it, poor woman!).
8. He goes on dates with his daughter & takes the boy on "manly" adventures.
9. He let's me stay home with my kiddos.
10. He's passionate about God and His love!!!
1. He's bold and a risk taker. He's not afraid to do something that might be "crazy" to normal people.
2. He's really good at surprising me with random flowers.
3. He has a crazy sense of humor and fun loving side. He loves to scare people (yes, all of us). He loves to play. I find myself squelching that sometimes and am trying to learn NOT to do that. I want our kids to inherit this trait.
4. He's honest.
5. He is a GREAT deal finder!!
6. He loves his family.
7. He picks his mom up and spins her around his head (yeah, he still does it, poor woman!).
8. He goes on dates with his daughter & takes the boy on "manly" adventures.
9. He let's me stay home with my kiddos.
10. He's passionate about God and His love!!!
Routine of Abnormalcy
I've learned that my life is not normal and to say I'm getting back into a normal routine just sounds silly. I talked to a friend today who I told I would call her 2 weeks ago and then emailed and told her I would call her Thursday. It's Saturday and she called me....yeah, I'm a jerk!! I even had every intention of calling her. I've got to slow down and be more intentional about that kind of stuff.
So, for the last 3 weeks have been CRAZY!!! Here goes the breakdown. Our band, Fusion, drove from Dallas to Adrian, Georgia. Levi and the kids stayed with his parents. It was great. I love teenagers. They have an excitement and vigor and love of life that is contagious. i love that...I think being with teens keeps you young (especially if they're not your kids-ha). It was a fantastic week. I enjoyed being with the band.
I met up with the kids and drove down to Florida at the end of the week. We stayed with my family in Florida for the next week and a half. I love being with my parents. They live on 30 acres, they have 11 horses of their own and board another 20-ish. It is so relaxing. The cell signal is weak and they have dial up so it's a pain to get on the internet. I LOVED IT!! Sometimes, it's great to be unplugged. When we drove in town to my sister's I could check email, etc. So, if you tried to call or text or email and I ignored you, I'm sorry. Both kids can now swim alone (we're working on technique now-wink). We were in the pool 2 or 3 times a day which was awesome and fun. They slept great too!!
While we were there, my sister had a HUGE kidney stone and had to have 2 surgical procedures. Bad for her but she couldn't work so I got to see more of her which was great. My niece is growing like a weed and had so much with her too:)
My friend drove up from Miami on Tuesday evening. We planned on leaving Wed. morning but got a crazy hair and decided to leave Tuesday night. So, at about 10 pm, we loaded all 5 kids up and left. We talked until about midnight and i slept for an hour and a half. We stopped for gas. I grabbed 2 Monster drinks and I started driving. We stopped for gas at about 6:30 or 7. I seriously drove all night. Any of you who know me, know that that is CRAZY for me. I love to sleep!! Those Monsters are AWESOME. It was nice for all the kids to be asleep during that part of the drive. We got home at about 1pm. I surprised El. It is great to be home.
We've spent the last couple of days catching up on housework and bills and catching up on sleep. Yesterday we spent the day as a Lowry Family Day. It was great just being with us and kind of shutting everything else out. We need that. I love my family and am so blessed with a wonderful husband and wonderful children!.
Today I went to a baby shower for a friend from church. I love our church...seriously. They are wonderful people and I missed them. We have 5 babies coming to us in the next 4 months. The first was born this past week and the other 4 come September, October, & November. I love sharing that part of life with people. It is a joyous time.
So, I'm rambling now but I wanted to catch you all up on me. Hope summer is going great for all of you!!
So, for the last 3 weeks have been CRAZY!!! Here goes the breakdown. Our band, Fusion, drove from Dallas to Adrian, Georgia. Levi and the kids stayed with his parents. It was great. I love teenagers. They have an excitement and vigor and love of life that is contagious. i love that...I think being with teens keeps you young (especially if they're not your kids-ha). It was a fantastic week. I enjoyed being with the band.
I met up with the kids and drove down to Florida at the end of the week. We stayed with my family in Florida for the next week and a half. I love being with my parents. They live on 30 acres, they have 11 horses of their own and board another 20-ish. It is so relaxing. The cell signal is weak and they have dial up so it's a pain to get on the internet. I LOVED IT!! Sometimes, it's great to be unplugged. When we drove in town to my sister's I could check email, etc. So, if you tried to call or text or email and I ignored you, I'm sorry. Both kids can now swim alone (we're working on technique now-wink). We were in the pool 2 or 3 times a day which was awesome and fun. They slept great too!!
While we were there, my sister had a HUGE kidney stone and had to have 2 surgical procedures. Bad for her but she couldn't work so I got to see more of her which was great. My niece is growing like a weed and had so much with her too:)
My friend drove up from Miami on Tuesday evening. We planned on leaving Wed. morning but got a crazy hair and decided to leave Tuesday night. So, at about 10 pm, we loaded all 5 kids up and left. We talked until about midnight and i slept for an hour and a half. We stopped for gas. I grabbed 2 Monster drinks and I started driving. We stopped for gas at about 6:30 or 7. I seriously drove all night. Any of you who know me, know that that is CRAZY for me. I love to sleep!! Those Monsters are AWESOME. It was nice for all the kids to be asleep during that part of the drive. We got home at about 1pm. I surprised El. It is great to be home.
We've spent the last couple of days catching up on housework and bills and catching up on sleep. Yesterday we spent the day as a Lowry Family Day. It was great just being with us and kind of shutting everything else out. We need that. I love my family and am so blessed with a wonderful husband and wonderful children!.
Today I went to a baby shower for a friend from church. I love our church...seriously. They are wonderful people and I missed them. We have 5 babies coming to us in the next 4 months. The first was born this past week and the other 4 come September, October, & November. I love sharing that part of life with people. It is a joyous time.
So, I'm rambling now but I wanted to catch you all up on me. Hope summer is going great for all of you!!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
PEACE
I'm sitting by the pool at my parents house. they own 30 acres out in the country. it is black out except for the solar lights by the pool. as I'm sitting in the quiet I'm thinking on peace. I'm reading a great book, Forgotten God, & it references this scripture. Peace I leave with you, not as the world gives. For in this world you will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world. there's the weird part in me that likes to think of Jesus as a James Bond character as He says that. in the midst of a peaceful night there are lots of chaotic sounds: crickets-LOUD crickets, bullfrogs, cows mooing, an occassional horse sighing-thats what it sounds like, a dog howling, the ac kicking on, & a huge insect jumping in the grsss behind me- way too close actually! it just hit me that God's peace is similar to my peaceful night. in life, we have chaos & right now my heart is heavy for lots: sister with big kidney stone, friend's dad diagnosed with lymphoma, friend divorced, tough family issues, friends with an ER scare with their son, friend who has been trying to concieve for4 yrs, friend who delivered twin babies at 20 wks -both babies died- their due date is this week. those things are chaotic!!!! BUT I am learning that my situations & my self induced drama (there goes that howling dog & mooing cow again) do not determine whether or not I live in peace & at peace. I have a God who is the Peace Speaker who I cannot manipulate by my chaos, drama, or situations, who loves me for me and wants nothing more than for me to love Him. He has overcome the chaos. Not that that means the chaos will go away. IT WILL NOT! I am not alone and there's comfort in that. I'm going to go inside because the cow is definitely kicking the mooing up a notch and the large insect jumping sound seems to be getting closer, and I'm starting to feel creepy crawlies on me! good night or should I say peace night!!
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