We are family!

Any time you get together with Doug's side of the family, there's always a lot of things happening! Of course, you cannot avoid that when there are 30+ people from the ages of 9 weeks to 70+ yrs. And this is only Doug's immediate family (brothers & sisters along with their children and now grandchildren too). There are smiles and laughter that is contagious to all. We actually took a few minutes out to take a couple of photos. Above is our crazy one. That is one of my favorite qualities about this family. We never do anything according to schedule or the norm! There's ladder golf which can become quite fierce! There's great food (incredible food!!!)! And there's so much fun!

I am very thankful this year that our entire family, with the exception of one (a neice, her husband and 2 daughters), was able to be together for lunch on Thanksgiving Day. This has not taken place in years! We were able to take a 4 generation picture of the newest member of the family (baby Jackson), our nephew (proud dad), Doug's brother (proud grandpa), and Doug's dad (proud great-grandpa). We are starting a new phase of life in the Firmin Family! I love seeing and hearing about God's blessings and what's going on in the lives of everyone! We are crazy! We are passionate! We are family!

And then...

It's only 8:40am, and already, it's an AWESOME day! You know, sometimes you wake up blah, and then!!! (I love those "and thens") you sneak a little time in with God, and WHAM! He infuses you with His joy, peace, etc. and reminds you of the purpose HE has for you. Today's one of those days. This morning, I was just jamming out; me, God and my iPod. You might think I am weird, but I like to put it on shuffle and just let God surprise me! The coolest songs came up. (it's the simple little things that impress me) It was great! Then I read Ps 61 and came across this beautiful nugget:

"Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for You are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. ..... For You have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear Your name."

(vs 2, 3, & 5). I HAVE AN INHERITANCE! What a cool thought! Wow, I am blown away God. I've already inherited so many awesome things in my life. And then... (cannot wait to see how God will finish this sentence!)

In the words of Chris Tomlin:
Indescribable, uncontainable, You know the depths of my heart and You love me the same! YOU are AMAZING GOD!!!

God, there just are not enough words to describe how much I love YOU!

Princess Diaries...

We had so much fun Saturday night at Sparkle! We had chips, cookies, fruit and (last but not least) popcorn (what else would you have to eat while watching a movie??)! We watched the Princess Diaries. Great movie! Shannon and I agree one of the best lines is "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission!" Gosh, how much truth is packed into that tiny sentence!

This week has been packed with stuff already. The weather has been awesome to say the least. I love the cold weather! The weekend was beautiful. Thanksgiving is in a couple of days, then Renee's b-day (She was born on Thanksgiving day 18 years ago!!! She's our little turkey!), and then shopping day of ALL shopping days too! I cannot wait!!!!!!!!! My sister and I do 2 things together consistantly every year: 1. we shop the day after Thanksgiving at 6am, and 2. we make Christmas candy and cookies with our mom a week or two before Christmas. Those are the 2 things you can bank on with us every year! It's usually 2 of the funnest and funniest days of the year, and I'm sure I'll have some funny stories and great deals to share with you! Until then, go enjoy your Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Quote from class tonight...

Heard this tonight in class:

"God cannot use a person greatly until He has first hurt him deeply."

I don't know about you, but that's a lot to chew on. Initially I felt anger rising inside just thinking that God would chose to hurt me??!! What? Then, as I thought about it, I felt comfort (I know, wierd!) I don't know if I can even do ANY justice explaining it. I think Mr. Ferris said that one will never develop humility to God without subjection to pain. God allows pain at times and uses it to develop us. Also, a person cannot truly sympathize with another until you've walked in that persons shoes. (All of that is a summary of about 10 minutes of discussion - told you I wouldn't do it justice, but I think you get the idea! - or at least I hope you do). That is the comfort, knowing that any painful things I've walked through, God is gonna use that to help another person!

Going to get some "shut eye" now!

But quickly - As for the zebra picture, I think I love it because of several things. 1. We are a lot like Zebras. We want to be all white or pure, but we have this darkness or black stripe(s) that keeps streaking our white coat. Regardless of how dirty Mr. Z gets, his fur is still technically only either white or black when you wash him off. No variations. 2. Now, we are spiritually like that too. We are either emitting light or darkness everywhere we go. Clothes, jobs, hobbies, etc cannot hide the coat of stripes, the black or white. There is no middle ground or blending of the two. Every action's root is either good or bad. 3. That poor zebra is in a "grey" forest and he's trying to just blend in. We all do that in this world we live in today as Christians. We just keep trying to fit in. We must have compassion (but without compromise). 4. And to top it off, he's surrounded by trees that are full of thorns and has been ousted from his pack. He's just struggling. I'm a lot like that too at times. But I just keep pushing through.

God, my prayer is that I'll never forget the black stripes that You've washed out of my life. Thank You Father for loving me! Thanks for picking me up and teaching me Your purpose for my life every day! Lord, may I be pleasing to You! I want nothing less than You dear Lord. Nothing less!!! May I be successful in Your eyes and not the world's version of success. I love You Lord!

Isn't this funny?

Just wanted to share this picture with you. I LOVE Zebras! I randomly came across this in my email just now and think it's so funny. How can you not love zebras??

Here's a picture (right side) I took in Africa of one. That photo is truly worth a 1000+ words. I'll have to share it with you on another day! Take time to laugh especially at yourself today!

Not in the strength of horses?

This morning I came across a verse that especially caught my attention.

"He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness." Ps 147:10-11 NASB

Another version says: "The strength of a horse does not impress him; how puny in his sight is the strength of a man. Rather, the Lord's delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love." Ps 147:10-11 NLT

Wow! Horses are pretty darn strong! Their strength impresses me. If you've ever been around them, they are extremely strong! But it's all about HOPE in His LOVE! His UNFAILING love!!! Love that has no limits or barriers. Love that has no conditions. Love that exceeds anything we know (including the legs of man or strength of horses). Untainted love! Pure love!

Thank You Jesus for the reminder of Your love! Lord, pour it on! It's so humbling to be reminded of how weak I am regardless of how strong I think I am or what I see value in. And I'm so thankful for that reminder!!! Use me today Father! I love You more than words!

long week

(post from the end of last week that never posted:)

Well, it's been a long week for me. My Aunt suddenly passed away. I finished the first draft of my book (major accomplishment for me!! Woo Hoo!). I finished the book I've been reading (A Tale of Three Kings). Finished a bunch of stuff at work. I've gotten a lot accomplished, but still have so much left to do. Today I went to get a cut & color and heard something that has been such an awesome thought. Stopped me in my tracks. I'm expanding on it below, but when Joyce Meyer came this week to HPC (I missed it because I was hanging out with PF's), she evidently talked about religion being ok as long as you are not bound by the religious laws! Jesus came to free us from the law (as well as our sin). We must give up the law part of ourselves and just surrender to the love of Jesus.

So if He freed me, why do I still operate under the "law" from time to time? Why do I punish and/or judge myself so harshly? Why do I not bask in the love of Christ? Thinking back over the past 2 weeks, the best days I have had have occurred on the days when I sowed into Him the most, just letting His love guide me. I think the "law" I've conjured up in my own mind is as tough as (if not tougher) some of the laws in the time of Moses.

With all of that rambling said, I think I'll just saturate myself in His love today and see what happens!!! I'll let you know. As for me, I'm loving this weather (yet another part of His love today!)!

God, the mailman!

OK! So God's all up in my mail this week!! He's read it all! Today, at chapel, Michelle Gros (director of student ministries and Elevate at HPC - incredible chick!) starts talking about what else: The temple and tables being turned over. She reads the same account that Tweeze talked about Saturday from Matthew instead, but this time I hear "MY Temple is to be filled with prayer". So my question today is this: Am I filling MY (HIS) Temple with prayer???

Be careful what you ask for! God really answers prayers. He's been flipping tables over right and left. This morning, I felt God telling me that I must be careful with motives and attitudes. Some are stopping God right in His tracks. I may keep saying "God come in!" but I'm slamming the door in His face every time He tries to enter. Ouch! God made me aware of the selfishness, pride, wrong motives and bad attitudes that I have in my Spiritual backpack. I've got to get rid of that! It's just extra weight and a barrier that keeps God distant.

Oh God, I want more of You and less of me! I want to be wrapped in Your arms. Let my life be a direct reflection of You. Nothing less than You God! Unpack that junk in my backpack and flip over tables until they are all over turned. Then teach me how to be what YOU desire me to be so that I don't put those tables back up!

On another note: I came across a card this morning that I've been having for years. It has a simple prayer on it that I love, so I thought I'd share it with you! Enjoy your day! It's the only chance you'll have for today!

Here I am, Lord, all wrapped up in yet another busy day,

praying that I won't forget to following in Your loving way!

Let my words and deeds be measured by the kindness You outpoured,

let me give in selfless service nothing less than You, dear Lord.

Fill my heart with peace and patience, slow me to a gentler pace,

help me see Your Spirit shining in the most unlikely place.

Here I am, Lord, far from perfect, thankful to be called Your friend,

hoping to become more loving, more like You today. Amen.

The temple in me!

I've been having trouble with my blog lately! Seems to be a problem to post lately. I hope you get this.

One thing I've been thinking about lately is the verse 1Cor 3:16 "Don't you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" Then I get to church yesterday, and what did Jason Laird talk about??? Praying for God to turn over the tables (that are not pleasing to God) in "my temple" (my heart)!!! (John 2:13-19? ...going by memory here)

Anyway, just a great thought for the week. God wants pure hearts, not a heart turned into a market place. He wants obedience. I've been reading a lot in the OT. It's full of sacrifice. Every time the Israelites did something wrong, they had a list of things to do to atone for the sin. WOW! Am I glad that I live today where I just have to go to Jesus! Not that "ok's" sin in any way. Now, back to the temple...

If you were to walk into the church (the physical building), and someone had trashed it, would you be happy? angry? sad? Why is it that we can trash our "temples" with the things of this world, and it doesn't bother us? Most of us don't even think twice about it. I guess that is my focus for this week. What parts of my temple have I turned into a marketplace?? Do I really act as if "the" Holy Spirit lives within me? I want to be pure in every part of my life. I want to be like water from a spring that no one has touched. Completely pure in motive, speech, thought, deed... Of course, I can never be that pure. I am a sinner...not perfect. I am not proud of it, just honest.

Oh yeah...one last thought I heard on a podcast this week (Mosaics / Edwin McManus??). They didn't have 'good', 'better' and 'best' in Greek for holy. They just have one form of the word. So when the angels said "holy holy holy is the Lord God, the almighty..." they meant that He is the best in holiness, the most holy thing. Edwin is awesome ... you should check him out. I think he's out of California. At any rate, we sang the Revelation Song (Christ for the Nations) at Refuge/PF this week, and it meant so much more than before when I sang that. Think about that next time you sing that song.

Bye for now... God, turn over the tables in my heart! Show me anything that is unpleasing in your sight. I love you!!!