Firework Frame of Mind?

Hello y'all! I just got back from watching 4th of July fireworks and I got to thinking.... Fireworks are really pretty right? Well for a few seconds anyway- if you blink you miss them. I realized this as I was trying to do some night photography and most of the time my shutter speed was just too slow to catch the splendor of the fireworks. I got to wondering though- just how often is my life like that? I mean- y'all have all been there before I'm sure- the summer camp high when you come back from a week of camp or something and you are So excited and pumped to live for Christ. But then- in a blink of an eye- in a week or so that excitement fades when life "gets in the way" of your walk with the Lord and you forget all of your well intended resolutions. I am so thankful that God isn't like that. He is always the same awesome, never changing God. I think of Him like a light bulb- steady and unwavering. Something that draws us naturally towards Himself. Except unlike a moth and a light bulb- drawing near to God only helps us become better human beings. So then why does my life seem to look like a firework show? Yes- it is beautiful sometimes- though very rarely I fear. But it is a lot like the 4th of July- one day out of a year it shines beautifully- and the rest.....well I hate to admit what the rest looks like. I want to be a light bulb- perhaps not as spectacular- but useful and always burning bright for my God.

Music...the calmer of my soul

It never ceases to amaze me how that I can think I have the corner of the market on a problem or situation and I stumble across (or more likely the Lord makes me trip on) a song that spells out how I feel completely! Anyway...the Lord has struck again.... Here is Barlow Girls' "Never Alone"

I waited for you today
But you didn't show
No no.
I needed you today
So where did you go?
You told me to call
Said you'd be there
And though I haven't seen you
Are you still there?

Chorus
I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel you by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone

And though I cannot see you
And I can't explain why
Such a deep reassurance
You've placed in my life.
We cannot separate
'Cause you're part of me.
And though you're invisible
I'll trust the unseen.

Chorus

More pics.... :D

Jeremy and I



My mom and I


Jeremy (my bro.)

New Portraits

Glory- almost 4



My folks.....




Levi- 20 months

Early morning/midnight sleeplessness...

I have been thinking a lot lately about just why I want to teach.... I have a paper due in August on this topic for part of my application into the Elementary Education program at Emmaus. Anyway as I was playing with Glory earlier today I started thinking about it some more. We were playing playdough and I casually threw in a lesson on fractions teaching her 1/2's and 1/4's. She loved it and had no idea that we were doing math... This is why I want to teach- children are like little dry sponges, soaking up every little bit of knowledge that you send their way.

But saying that- why do most children hate school by time they are in upper elementary school? I remember when school became a drudgery for me- and I hadn't been in it that long... So is the problem our teachers? Or our children? Or our parents? Why are some of our children graduating from High school and not able to hold down a steady job or even read or do simple math? And does the National Government have too much control of what goes on in the classroom? Why can't learning be fun anymore? What happens to the child to make them hate going to school- when they loved learning as pre-schoolers? Is there a magic answer to all of these questions? I know people have been striving towards the best means of educating their children ever since education began but why have we gone downhill instead of bettering ourselves? I don't know...

Well y'all now know what fills my head at 3am and causes me not to be able to sleep.... so now that its all here on my screen it will have left my brain and perhaps I will be able to sleep....?

"No Daddy- Me do it!"

Have you ever watched a preschool age child for any length of time? If you have you will notice a common phrase- "me do it" or something to that connotation. As an adult I often physically supervise and help when needed to make sure that said young child doesn't get hurt or too frustrated. In the same way my Saviour Jesus helps me. Matthew 11:28-30 states, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Have you ever seen a yoke? A yoke is, "a device for joining together a pair of draft animals, esp. oxen, usually consisting of a crosspiece with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal." Jesus is saying here that He is willing and very able to join together with me, as a Christian, in a team effort for a common goal. Think also of II Corinthians 6:1a ," We then, as workers together with Him..."

Thus stated, am I acting like a three year old? Am I telling Jesus, "no, me do it!"? Am I sharing my burden? See, even as I type this I realize that I haven't let go completely- I still see it as My burden... Father, please unclench my fingers and make me let go...

Indescribable- Chris Tomlin

Here is a song that I have really enjoyed lately....the lyrics are amazing! Enjoy!

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

(Chorus)

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same

You are amazing God

You are amazing God