Out of Darkness

Had to share this with all of you. This is a really spectacular song. It's one of those totally inhabited songs ya know? I'm apparently not techie enough to figure out how to put it straight onto my blog so...Click. Listen. Soak. Download. Share. In that order :)
http://nickandmike.bandcamp.com/


Here's the lyrics:

You are the source of life
And no darkness hides in You
It trembles in Your light,
It trembles in Your sight.
 
 So shine Your light in me
And bring out the hidden things
So darkness cannot hide in me
So darkness cannot hide in me

So let Your love light the way
Let Your love light the way
Let Your love light the way to freedom.
Light the way to freedom

So all I can offer You
My heart, broken in two
My brokenness for innocence
My brokenness for innocence

We are running out of darkness
And into the light, into the light
We don’t have to fear the darkness
‘Cause we have the light
You are the light

Shine your light in me. Let that be my prayer every day.

Angels

Yesterday I colored my hair. You can see from my pic it's usually pink. I do love it when it's pink but recently I was given a lot of really nice clothes and my pink hair really clashed. I usually like to go darker in the fall and winter anyway. Why am I tell you this you ask? Because today I was taking a pic of my hair to send to my Momma and show her my new look. And check. It. Out.

You can see my confused look. What is that? I checked my flash. I didn't even have my flash on. I looked over my shoulder. Didn't see anything. I was not standing in front of a mirror. So I took another pic.

At this point I'm thinking, "Is that what I think it is?" So I took another.

I'm thinking, "Oh my gosh is that an angel? What is that?" I look over my shoulder again. Nothing. I wiggle the camera around and there is this big ball of light. So of course I take another pic.

Does that look like a hand to you? Hmm...

I normally don't get into stuff like this. So any skepticism would not surprise me. All I know is I know I'm not alone. Boom.

Straight Talkers

So last night I was reading John 1 (really, really good chapter btw) and I came across something I had never noticed before. *sigh* I just love Jesus (well that I knew). He just gets people ya know? And after reading this I. Love. Nathanael. I think we would have been pals if we had lived in the same era. If they made a movie about Jesus and the disciples I think Nathanael would have been the comic relief guy. He just tells it straight. A man after my own heart. In verse 43 of chapter one Jesus finds Philip and so Philip goes to Nathanael and says, "We found Him! The guy everyone has been writing about and looking for we found Him! It's Jesus of Nazareth." (obviously I'm paraphrasing) And what does Nathanael say? I love this guy. He says, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Can't you just visualize his confused look? Like, Huh? I'm sure some may think of Nathanael as a smart mouth or at best a little insensitive. But I think Nathanael was just being honest. I can appreciate a guy like that. Just tell it to me straight. That's how I am. And how often have I been misunderstood? Well, a lot. 

So I love, love, love this next part. In verse 47 before Philip and Nathanael even get to Jesus, He sees them. He. Sees. Them. And He must have shouted out because it says, "Jesus saw them coming," He says (or shouts), "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Notice the exclamation mark. And I love what comes next. Nathanael says, "How do you know me?" Not, "Who? *confused look* Me? You think that of me?" I love that when Jesus called out to Nathanael and told Him who he was Nathanael did not question it. He knew who he was too. (*dreamy sigh* A man of honesty and confidence. Does it get any better?) He was a man of no deceit His intentions were never to hurt anyone with what he was saying. He was just speaking out the truth. Apparently Nazareth had a reputation for no good. And Jesus saw that bout Nathanael and validated him.

Ok so this next part cracks me up. So Jesus plays along and responds to Nathanael's question by saying in verse 48, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” and Nathanael is shocked and says, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” I love adding periods for dramatic affect so I picture it something like this: "Rabbi, You. Are the Son of God; You. Are the King of Israel." Remember, Nathanael is for real, there is no deceit in him so he says what he thinks. And He knows that Jesus is the Christ but I personally think He knew that from the moment Jesus first called out to Him. 

Ok so this is the part that is just awesome. Jesus starts talking Nathanael's language. I just love that! I love that Jesus just speaks to us in ways we understand. For me, He talks to me about hair. That may be weird to some people but that's kind of the point. So Jesus responds to Nathanael's dismay and exclamation with, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe?" Some might consider Christ a smart mouth in that instant. Do you see His cocked eyebrow and look of incredulity? That's how I used to see it. But I don't think so. I don't think Jesus is like that. He's just talking straight with a guy who is a straight talker. He's speaking Nathanael's language. I imagine Nathanael is the kind of guy that didn't put up with too much BS if ya know what I mean. And Jesus meets him there. He says, "Really? You are impressed by that? Or did you know already? When I called you by name?" And this bit gets me every time. In verse 51 Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” 

Mm. Mm. Mm. Don't remember Jesus every saying something like that to anyone else. Jesus opened Nathanael's eyes. He said, "This is who I created you to be. I created you to be a straight talker. You cut to the truth and I love it. And now I'm going to open you're eyes and you will see. You. Will. See."

Now, for all those straight talkers out there like me and Nathanael and Jesus. Of course we've been accused of being a smart mouth and talking too much and being insensitive and too blunt or tactless. And well all of that is probably true upon occasion. But, it's a beautiful thing, what He can do to reign us in and teach us and help us. Don't loose that confidence to say what you mean. He created you that way. If it makes people uncomfortable, well, it probably should.

Well, Bless My Socks Off

We are a household that lives pay check to pay check. Not unlike many I'm sure. We have a lovely house and dependable cars and all our needs are taken care of but we often give up many of our wants. I'm pretty cool with this most of the time. I like living a simple life and am just fine not wearing name brands and all that. But I have been known to occasionally complain about not having a enough money for something I want or usually it's something I want to do. I've often asked the Lord for "big" blessings and to get us to the place where we don't have to struggle or go with out so many "wants." Anyone relate? I don't consider myself a discontent person but having some extra money to give, to save, to do any number of fun things with would sure be nice.

*sigh*

So Father has been teaching me. That's not always fun, but He's also really blessing me. Sometimes we get caught up in the big stuff or what we don't have and want that we miss out on the little things. So I wanted to list a few things that He's given me that's just been something a little extra. He's so sweet like that and it's a good way to remind yourself how good you really got it.

Last spring someone gave me a ton of beautiful, very nice quality winter clothes. I had to put them away over the summer but what a joy it's been to pull out all these goodies now that it's gotten cold again!

I recently was given 2 ginormous trash bags full of summer and winter clothes and was able to give away a lot of it. It's such a blessing to bless other people.

My mom was visiting recently and bought me and my three kids new shoes! WHAT?!

I found an amazing bargain at a consignment store and bought coats for my kids for less then what I was expecting to spend on one.

I give piano lessons. I've been so blessed to be able to do something that I really enjoy to help supplement our income. Last week two of my students had to drop out, which is a major, major bummer. I posted an add and that day got 4 more! 

My daughter needed some new markers for school and she just happened to win the quiet seat prize at church and guess what it was? A new set of markers! Can't make that up folks.

Just this week I was moaning and groaning about not getting to go on a date with my husband because we didn't have the money for a sitter and the cost of a movie. So last night was our family dinner at our church. There was a friendly chili cook off and I entered a chili in the vegetarian category and won!! I couldn't believe it. This is where the Lord really taught me something. I was honestly, secretly hoping for 3rd because I didn't believe I was good enough for 1st. So after they called the winner for 3rd and 2nd place I started to get totally disappointed! I was stunned when they called my name for 1st! Isn't that just like the Lord? Here I am hoping for crumbs and He's offering the banquet table. And don't you wonder what the prize was? A gift card to the movies! Now we can go on that date! I love it!

I've had to make a choice. Do I look at all that I'm missing out on and cry about it or do I look at all that I have and trust Him to bless and provide for me? What a joy it has been to list some of these things out and remember and thank Him. So often He's in the little, daily things we over look or take for granted.

I challenge you to look for Him in those places and see Him loving you in the quiet moments, in the smiles of your children, the phone call from a friend at just the right time, and the little blessings along the way.

I would love to hear some of your stories. Do you have a testimony of God smiling down on you in that special way that just changes everything? Please share in the comments!





Proverbs 30:8
...Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion.