S Club Mama

Since my surrender to Christ in 2014, I have changed in many ways - I don't talk the way I used to (I try really hard to not use bad words and to be thoughtful in my speech), I don't spend time with the kinds of people I used to (who weren't good influences), I don't see life the way I used to (for myself). In other ways, I KNOW I have changed but it's hard to see - I'm still impatient, get angry, and am selfish...but I have grown MORE patient, LESS irritable and offendable, and LESS selfish. Some days it's so hard to see. In those times that it's so difficult to see the change, the growth, the sanctification, I question myself. I question my salvation. As Christians we are promised a re-birth, to become a new creation. So how should we feel when we can't see the change? We can question ourselves, our salvation or faith, or even God. Instead we should ask questions. "Sacred Questions" by Kellye Fabian allows room for such questions. In th...

I had a very hard time deciding whether to review this book or not because of the controversy surrounding Brandon Hatmaker and his wife, Jen . I decided to take a look at this book, reading it as I would any other book - with an open mind and a critic's eye (does that sound weird? I like to take a very close look at books, not just skim the surface). Please do not take this book review as condoning the statements made by the Hatmakers but take this book at face value. image via BookLook "Trading a shallow religion for a deeper faith" is the by-line that caught my eye about "A Mile Wide" by Brandon Hatmaker . I want a deep faith, fully connected with a relationship with my heavenly father. Sometimes I feel close to Him, other days He feels miles away...but I know He is always with us...so is it me? Probably. I am fleeting and sporadic in my spiritual disciplines. In order to learn more about how to grow a deeper faith, I picked up Hatmaker's book. I re...

I read a whole lot of books of varying genres. My favorite non-fiction books are the ones that read like fiction, like you're actually talking with the author. That is what it's like to read a book by Annie F. Downs. She's like your best friend, mentor, and big sister rolled into one. You laugh with her and cry and go "oh" at deep thoughts. Her new book, "Looking for Lovely" has not disappointed me in this aspect. I've enjoyed every second of reading through. image via Amazon There were many times in the book when I starred a paragraph or dog-eared a page or underlined a sentence or two. And not only things that resonated with me, but things I think may resonate with my loved ones. When she wrote "I grew up with a lot of shame...Satan started early with me, whispering into my ear that things were my fault, that I should be so embarrassed when I made a mistake, that I wasn't good enough or strong enough to be who everyone else thought I...

Woodlawn is this amazing story of how Jesus Christ helped a football team overcome racial tensions after their school was integrated in the 1970s. It's based on the true story of the Woodlawn High School football team whose teammate, Tony Nathan, became the first real African American superstar. Sean Astin (best known for Rudy ) plays Hank, a guy who went to a Billy Graham revival in Texas called the Jesus Revolution and just really felt lead to share Jesus in Birmingham, Alabama during one of the hardest times of racial tensions in the United States post-Civil War. Hank comes to the football coach, Tandy Gerelds (took me the whole movie to figure out they weren't calling him "Candy."), to ask about coming to share his faith with the team. The coach says no, this is a public school. Then a fight breaks out between races and the coach gives Hank five minutes. Those five minutes turn into an hour and after that, Hank asks if any of the team wants to start li...

I first heard of Jennie Allen a few years ago through Jen Hatmaker's blog. A friend and I co-hosted an if:gathering in our local church (Allen is the founder of if:gathering) and it was amazing. Then I borrowed Allen's book, "Restless," and wanted to mark it up so badly (worst part of borrowing books) because it just spoke a lot to me. Restless. I feel restless in my journey with God, like I don't know my exact place. image via jennieallen.com When I had the opportunity to read " Anything " by Jennie Allen, with a new Bible study included, I jumped on board. Years ago, she and her husband prayed to the Lord to do anything in their lives. Jennie said she felt numb in her walk with the Lord and in life and wanted not this mediocre life she was truly living (aren't we all???). I want that. I want big things out of my life but not for my glory but His. Through reading this and Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" I am more ...

Just the title of Dikkon Eberhart's book is enthralling: " The Time Mom Met Hitler, Frost Came to Dinner, and I Heard the Greatest Story Ever Told ." Right? Who wouldn't be curious to hear these stories? I was and so I read. Dikkon Eberhart is the son of a Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Dick Eberhart. I have honestly never heard the name until I read this book. I'm not huge into poetry, though. Like, at all. I did recognize many of the names thrown around in this book: Frost, Ginsberg, Woolf, Hemingway, etc. Truly this Eberhart (the younger, the author of this book) grew up knowing many artists and walking alongside giants, it seems. image via Amazon While the stories in the book, about his family's past and his mother's meeting with Hitler and his and his wife's conversion to Christ, were very interesting, I just couldn't fall in love with the book. I don't know if it was just too slow in most parts or too wordy. I'm not quite sure w...

Promise I have some fun posts coming up, but I need to write a few of these book reviews first. Up first is " The God-First Life " by Stovall Weems. I was thinking this was going to be a more in-depth, practical book of how to put God first in our lives. It was more like a beginner's book of "ok I trust Jesus, now what?" which is terrific. There needs to be more books like this because when I first trusted in Jesus/became saved, I had no idea what that kind of life should look like. Now, don't get me wrong, there isn't a one-size-fits-all lifestyle for being a Christian. But there are a few things Christians should be doing and that's growing in fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness. I think that Weems laid out his book well to explain how we go about growing these things. Through having new priorities, a new family (God's church), a new life, and new freedom. image v...

I had a super hard conversation with a friend today, a friend who I love very much, even though she thinks I hate her. At the end of the conversation, I was really made to feel bad. We had talked about sins and it was brought up that she had seen me hit Moose in the head with a coloring book and call him an idiot. I don't remember the incident directly but I don't doubt it one bit. To be perfectly honest and to lay it all out there, parenting has brought out the worst in me. To be fair, it's also brought out the best in me. I've never felt happier. And I've never felt angrier. It's like it brought out my bipolar side. My children are safe but they are not always cuddled. My children are happy but they are disciplined.  I think it's safe to say marriage has brought out those best/worst sides as well. I don't yell at anyone quite as well as I yell at Big A. I also don't treat anyone quite as sweetly as I treat him.  I believe it's completely sa...

I know, I know. Tuesday's almost over (at least here in CST). However, I just finished reading my friend Erin's post about her word of the year: simplify . I wanted to share with you MY word of the year because it's a tough one and I need some support with it! Ten Things I Will Be INTENTIONAL With This Year: 1. My words. I have a big, quick-talking, foolish mouth. There is proverb after proverb in Scripture that talks about foolish speech. James 3:6-12 talks about the tongue being a fire, an evil fire. One of my biggest struggles is cursing. Not in every day speech but when I'm upset or stub my toe. I'm much better than I have been, but I'm nowhere near the standard to which I hold myself. 2. My time. I am lazy. Most people don't know that about me. They assume that because I'm dedicated to running that I am a get-up-and-go type of person. I'm not. I am fairly certain I'm a good portion sloth. I love to hang out and sit around. I love not...

I'm a little behind on my reviews, so I'll apologize now for the lack of personal posts for the next few days. Once I get pictures uploaded, I'll share some of my cutie boys with you! We've been reading "His Mighty Warrior: A Treasure Map from Your King" little devotions book in the mornings. I guess, we've been off schedule a little with the holidays, but I really enjoy opening my day with my sons by reading The Word in a way that is age-appropriate for them. "His Mighty Warrior" is just that: a letter to my boys from their Father in heaven. image via I love how boy this book is. There's a pirate on the front, maps in the book. All the pages are rugged like a map or have a compass on them - all about exploration. And that's what I want to show my boys; that Jesus wasn't just a nice guy. He was a warrior, He was manly, He was strong! I think too often, our young men see Christianity as a feminine religion whereas it's full...

Metamorphoo : Greek for "transformation." Root of the word "metamorphosis." This is the primary goal of The Truth Project : for individuals to be transformed into the likeness of Christ by gazing on the face of God. This process is not easy and we often struggle with God's Truth claims in the "cocoon. our caterpillar!! Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. - Mark 9:2-3 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the...

-Proverbs 15:1 Moose learned this verse awhile ago. I know it speaks volumes of truth. I know that I have a temper and I let it flare - at my boys, my husband, myself, and (if I'm being honest) with God at times, oh and those random strangers (specifically drivers). Our pastor let the truth flow from his lips. Hear this great sermon about Anger Management here . Truly God has not only gifted Charlie with the gift of being a great speaker and charismatic man, but He has blessed him with the ability to really share God's Word and be a shepherd to his congregation. I'll share 5 of his 4 points (I missed the first one having a wonderful talk with a couple of friends prior to the service). 1. Practicing unoffendability (yes, he realizes this is not a real word) limits anger. Proverbs 19:11 Basically when you get over yourself, you have more patience. And impatience is often brought about by pride. We can see the unoffendable nature of God in Exodus 34:6-7 and Micah 7:18....

Independence is such an important part of life. We raise our children to be independent. We move out on our own to be independent. Our country fought to have their own independence. Our country now fights for the democratic independence of other nations. Independence is also freedom. Freedom from persecution, fear. As much as I enjoy my personal rights and freedoms in the USA; my freedom comes from the Lord. I know that I have freedom from all the brokenness of my past. Any hurt, struggle, or fear I've had is laid to rest by the blood of Christ. This Independence Day may you, too, find the freedom of Christ!

Have you ever been a witness to an accident or crime? I haven't been; however, as I understand it, you are legally bound to tell what you've seen. Whether that's in a police report or in court. This past Sunday, Sunday School class talked about spreading the Truth. The Truth being the gospel of Christ's blood shed on the cross for the propitiation (full payment) of our sins. I never thought much about the word "witness" before. I never put my experiences with the Holy Spirit into the example of a courtroom setting. I am a witness of Jesus' power through the Holy Spirit. He has spoken to me on several occasions: the night in college when I really made the decision to turn my life around; when He told me to go on a missions/relief trip after Hurricane Katrina; when He told us to move our wedding date up; when He convicted me recently about my desires. I know that the Lord was also with me when I gave birth to my sons. The Lord is working small miracles (...

Alright, I'm writing this on Wednesday, May 18 (for future reference). I feel I must address this Rapture Saturday. I consider this nonsense. I'm not saying that Christ's Second Coming CAN'T happen on Saturday, May 21. It could, it could come whenever God wanted it to come. However, I don't believe that humans can know this date. Scripture vehemently says (in numerous places...that I can find for you on request ) Revelation 3:3 (NIV) "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief , and you will not know at what time I will come to you ." How this group of Christians came about to May 21 can be found on their website ; I will warn you that I found it all to be mumbo jumbo and that they've created mathematical equations to support their theory. The website doesn't specify how they know the date of the Crucifixion but just claims it to be proved prior to this...

I hope everyone enjoyed a family-filled Easter weekend. More importantly, I hope everyone took the time to really remember what the Lord did for us. Not only did he leave heaven to become a small human baby or teach us valuable lessons as an adult, but he died on the cross, bleeding pure blood to cover the multitude of sins of the earth. Of your sins. Of my sins. And not only did he die such a horrific death on the cross, but he went to hell and defeated death! Rising 3 days later, securing our salvation (if you so choose to believe in these miraculous things that our Savior did for us, and choosing to follow Him and become more like Him all your life). I was reading in TIME magazine last night, and was just sickened by the article about Rob Bell (by Jon Meacham). This issue of the magazine showcases 100 of the World's Most Influential People. Unfortunately, this Mr. Bell is on this list that includes freedom fighters, movie stars, royalty - all the people who do influence the wo...

"all the world's a stage" You've all probably heard this quote from Shakespeare's " As You Like It ," even if you've never read the play.  However, you (like myself) may not have ever heard this quote as it has been paralleled to the Christian faith. John Calvin said, "all of creation is a theater for the display of God's glory." Isn't that beautiful? Think of a play (or even a movie). God is the playwright, the director, the producer, the costumer, the make-up artist, the stage hand - He truly is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end. He is even the central plot (although most stories are a lot like the movie Crash with many plots assembled together). A pastor at our church wrote about this very thing in his sermon application notes. He also said it best with this: "thus, everything in our lives should be done for the glory of God" ( 1 Corinthians 10:31 ). I am an old thespian - I acted a bit growing up and in...

I first heard of Seeds Family Worship through my friend Erin. They helped sponsor her trip to the Relevant conference this year! I believe it was on her website (I could be wrong) that her readers had the opportunity to download a free song from one of the Seeds CDs. "Cast Your Cares" has been #1 on my playlist for a long time now. It's catchy and biblical. I wrote to Seeds to see if they would allow me to review one of their CDs. They said yes and I chose the Seeds of Faith (Vol. 2) CD. As you may know by now, Moose has some developmental delays. These delays mostly cater to his speech and enunciation, but he also has a difficult time understanding me sometimes (or so it seems). Being a Christian and teaching my boys about Jesus Christ is #1 on my Mommy Lifetime To Do List. I thought since Moose connects so well with music, a CD that was Scripture-based and family/kid-friendly would be a perfect opportunity to open him more to the Christian life. And Squirt loves to d...

I have a confession: I eat yeast. Literally, I do eat yeast - it's in my bread and I'm sure other food items. But I also spiritually eat yeast. Maybe you're unfamiliar with this analogy from Exodus. Exodus 12:19 (NIV) For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born. There are two ways to look at this time of Passover when yeast is not allowed in Jewish homes. Literally, the tribe of Israel was to have no yeast in their homes during the Passover season. Spiritually, we find that yeast is an analogy for sin. I eat yeast. Daily. Yes, I'm a Christian. I am not a I-go-church-so-I-am-a-Christian either. I really and truly believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, my Savior. I know that He died on the cross to pay for my sins that I was indebted for; a debt I could not pay. Through His pure sacrifice, my sins (your sins) were paid for. ...