Yes, I do know how to spell...though you wouldn't know it from the title of this post. The word is supposed to be butterfly, but Zach used to call them flutterbies. Cute, huh? We were riding down the road the other day and out in one of the fields near the house there had to be hundreds of butterflies around some cotton bushes (bushes, plants, whatever you call them). I immediately thought, "Wow this is one of those teaching moments that people talk about!" This is the second one that has come my way in recent weeks (you'll remember the squirrel and the chiuahua). I've never noticed them before...does this mean I'm getting old or just more intuned to God? Hopefully the latter!
Anyway, I pointed out all of the butterflies to the boys and told them that we are like butterflies when we have Jesus in our hearts.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
This verse makes me think about how a butterfly changes from a caterpillar into a butterfly. This process just doesn't happen overnight. The caterpillar just doesn't say, "Hmmm, I'm tired of being a caterpillar, I think I'll turn into a butterfly." No, there is a process. The caterpillar goes through several different "caterpillar" stages, then into a chrysalis (like a cocoon) where it finally emerges as a butterfly.
This is how we are in our Christian life. Before we come to know Christ, we are like the caterpillar in that we are lost and not the person we were created to become. We are created for God's glory in His image.
"God created man in His own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory..." 2 Corinthians 3:18
We eventually become so lost and confused we wind ourselves into a cocoon and live in darkness. When we finally realize our need for a Savior and ask Christ to be the Lord of our life then we burst forth out of our cocoon into the light as a beautiful and brand new creation!
"God is light, in Him there is no darkness." 1 John 1:5b
"For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Cor 4:6
Isn't it awesome that God made creatures like the butterfly that we in our simple mindedness can use to attempt to comprehend the love He has for us? It's the simple everyday things of life that we can use to see Him and that we as believers can use to tell others about Him!
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure.
That He should give His only Son,
To make a wretch His treasure.
How deep the Father's love for us (above verse from this beautiful song)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
A day in the life of Jon
First of all, let me say Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. He's halfway to 40 today...just a friendly reminder to him in case he forgot. For those of you who know Jon, you know he's just....well Jon! Bless his heart, he was trying to do something for me so I must give him credit for that, he was putting rat poison under the house this morning and his two favorite girls were helping him (annie and chloe, the dogs). Now let me just inject a side note here...I do not like mice. Not one bit...at all! I live in the country and it's just a problem that you have. I am a city girl at heart...let's just leave it at that!
So anyway, he was putting rat poison under the house and I left to go to the doctor. He calls me about an hour later with the words, "We might have a problem." I immediately think something is wrong with Sam. But it was Chloe the psycho weenie dog. She had gotten into the rat poison and eaten 2 containers of it. He's like, "Well what should I do?" I say, "Better call the vet before she bleeds out all over you and Sam." All the while I'm thinking to myself, "Why did you not put the dog in the house? Did you not think she would get into the stuff? I mean we're talking about psycho weenie dog here!"
This is where Proverbs 10:19 becomes truth.
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
I had to choose in that moment whether to let loose on him or be graceful and just give my advice. Ok so maybe I mixed it a little, but I really was trying to be good. God gave me this man with his faults (which are very few) and his strengths and I am his helpmate.
"It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18
I need to remember to hold my tongue when I should because harsh words tear relationships down and cause strife.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1
The best thing I can do for my marriage is to be kind even when I don't want to be.
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Prov. 16:24
Holding my tongue and being graceful with my words help me to be a wife that my husband can be proud of not one that he wants to hide.
"A wife of noble character is her husbands crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." Proverbs 12:4
So anyway, he was putting rat poison under the house and I left to go to the doctor. He calls me about an hour later with the words, "We might have a problem." I immediately think something is wrong with Sam. But it was Chloe the psycho weenie dog. She had gotten into the rat poison and eaten 2 containers of it. He's like, "Well what should I do?" I say, "Better call the vet before she bleeds out all over you and Sam." All the while I'm thinking to myself, "Why did you not put the dog in the house? Did you not think she would get into the stuff? I mean we're talking about psycho weenie dog here!"
This is where Proverbs 10:19 becomes truth.
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
I had to choose in that moment whether to let loose on him or be graceful and just give my advice. Ok so maybe I mixed it a little, but I really was trying to be good. God gave me this man with his faults (which are very few) and his strengths and I am his helpmate.
"It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18
I need to remember to hold my tongue when I should because harsh words tear relationships down and cause strife.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1
The best thing I can do for my marriage is to be kind even when I don't want to be.
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Prov. 16:24
Holding my tongue and being graceful with my words help me to be a wife that my husband can be proud of not one that he wants to hide.
"A wife of noble character is her husbands crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." Proverbs 12:4
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
And then the end will come
It seems like everytime I turn on the news some new natural disaster has occured or a new war is breaking out or peace talks in the Middle East are on again. This gets me thinking about the end times and how it seems like we are close to them. Of course, things have happened in every generation to make people think that may be the case. Given my flesh pattern of worry, anxiety, and selfishness I immediately start to think about what may happen if we are here for part of the tribulation (which is the belief that our church adopts-pre wrath) or what if Jesus really comes back by surprise and there is a great evacuation of all believers (pre trib) or what if we are here for the whole thing and are hunted down and killed like animals by the anti-christ and his followers (post trib)? Can you tell I have a grand imagination and could easily give myself ulcers or sink into a deep depression? I think Satan would love that!
Ok so I am not an expert on the end times by any means. We studied it at church and I've listened to radio and online teaching from respected preachers and teachers and I've done inductive bible studies on Daniel and Revelation. With all of the different view points on the end times I really just ended up more confused than anything else. Depending on who you're listening to at the time you can believe any of the above mentioned scenerios. I've done some studying to find the truth on my on and what did I discover?
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Matt. 24:42
"But the day of the Lord will come like a theif." 2 Peter 3:10
"for you know very well that the day of Lord will come like a theif in the night." 1 Thess. 5:2
In other words, no one knows when the end of time will come but God. I also think that no one idea about the rapture and tribulation is without flaw. So in light of this, what do I do with all of my random, crazy thoughts every time I see something in the news that can be interpreted as a "sign of the end times"?
#1) I have to choose to believe that God is God and He is in control.
Mark 9:24 says, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."
"Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10
#2) I have to choose to trust my time is not my own but God's.
"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands..."
Psalm 31: 14-15
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139: 16b
#3) I have to choose to enjoy the peace of God that is mine as His child.
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."
Isaiah 26:3
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
#4) I have to choose to walk in faith on a daily basis.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1
Entire chapter of Heb. 11
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Tim. 4:7
#5) I have to choose to pray continually.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6
I could go on and on but you get the idea. God's Word is full of His promises to us as believers. He will not forsake us and our purpose in life is to glorify Him. So whatever He has in store for us we just need to sit back and let God be God. All that matters in the end is hearing "well done good and faithful servant come and share your master's happiness." I think if we focused on the eternal things and not earthly ones our mind set would be completely different. Instead of fear we'd be excited to see these things happenning. It means that eternity is on the horizon. We'll be worshipping at the feet of Jesus and walking the new earth with our loved ones (who believein Christ) before we know it! This life on earth is just temporary and we'd do well to remember that. We need to be doing all we can for the kingdom while we are here not just focusing on ourselves and our small section of the big picture He is painting.
When I renew my mind with all of this truth I am comforted and can move on in Christ to fulfill my destiny He has already determined for me. I may have to remind myself every few minutes, but thank God His Word never changes!
I'll leave you with two of my favorite passages of scripture that nourishes my soul when I am afraid of the future:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave or forsake you." Deut. 31:6
"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 33:20-22
Ok so I am not an expert on the end times by any means. We studied it at church and I've listened to radio and online teaching from respected preachers and teachers and I've done inductive bible studies on Daniel and Revelation. With all of the different view points on the end times I really just ended up more confused than anything else. Depending on who you're listening to at the time you can believe any of the above mentioned scenerios. I've done some studying to find the truth on my on and what did I discover?
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Matt. 24:42
"But the day of the Lord will come like a theif." 2 Peter 3:10
"for you know very well that the day of Lord will come like a theif in the night." 1 Thess. 5:2
In other words, no one knows when the end of time will come but God. I also think that no one idea about the rapture and tribulation is without flaw. So in light of this, what do I do with all of my random, crazy thoughts every time I see something in the news that can be interpreted as a "sign of the end times"?
#1) I have to choose to believe that God is God and He is in control.
Mark 9:24 says, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."
"Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10
#2) I have to choose to trust my time is not my own but God's.
"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands..."
Psalm 31: 14-15
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139: 16b
#3) I have to choose to enjoy the peace of God that is mine as His child.
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."
Isaiah 26:3
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
#4) I have to choose to walk in faith on a daily basis.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1
Entire chapter of Heb. 11
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Tim. 4:7
#5) I have to choose to pray continually.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6
I could go on and on but you get the idea. God's Word is full of His promises to us as believers. He will not forsake us and our purpose in life is to glorify Him. So whatever He has in store for us we just need to sit back and let God be God. All that matters in the end is hearing "well done good and faithful servant come and share your master's happiness." I think if we focused on the eternal things and not earthly ones our mind set would be completely different. Instead of fear we'd be excited to see these things happenning. It means that eternity is on the horizon. We'll be worshipping at the feet of Jesus and walking the new earth with our loved ones (who believein Christ) before we know it! This life on earth is just temporary and we'd do well to remember that. We need to be doing all we can for the kingdom while we are here not just focusing on ourselves and our small section of the big picture He is painting.
When I renew my mind with all of this truth I am comforted and can move on in Christ to fulfill my destiny He has already determined for me. I may have to remind myself every few minutes, but thank God His Word never changes!
I'll leave you with two of my favorite passages of scripture that nourishes my soul when I am afraid of the future:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave or forsake you." Deut. 31:6
"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 33:20-22
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
And the Lord remembered her
Remember the story about Hannah and her desire for a son? It has taken on a new meaning to me in recent years as the parent of a special needs child. Our middle son, Sam, will be starting "normal" preschool on Thursday. He has mild cerebral palsy that has affected mainly his gait and right side strength. He can walk independently (if you don't count the numerous falls he takes) and uses a walker for longer distances. His speech is also mildly affected. So you can understand my anxiety as he goes off into the world of "normal" walking children. It is hard for me to give up control of his enviornment and send him off into the big unknown. How will he be treated? Will the other kids make fun of him? Will he be accepted? What if the teacher can't understand him? And so on...can you tell I am nervous about this whole thing? He's only 3 and it's only preschool!!
Then I remember that he is not mine but God's child whom He has entrusted to us here on earth. He blessed us with Sam when we were not supposed to be able to have any biological children (like Hannah). He gave us this precious life and all that goes along with it....struggles and victories alike. Our purpose as Sam's parents is to love him with the love of Jesus and teach him about Christ and the Word of God so that he becomes the man of God that he is intended to be.
When I found out I was pregnant with Sam, I almost immediately decided on the name Samuel because of its meaning. 1 Samuel 1:20 says, "She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I asked the Lord for him.' "
I, like Hannah, had asked the Lord to bless us with a biological child. Did I want him to be "normal"? Sure I did. Is he? Absolutely...in God's eyes and ours. He may have some limitations and differences, but he is just the way God meant for him to be.
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." 1 Samuel 1:27-28
This is what I must do with our Sam. I will give him to the Lord daily to be the blessing to us and others that God means for him to be. It will be hard as my mother's instinct is to protect him from this world. But God has a purpose for him and his cerebral palsy is part of the plan of his life. I need to get out of the way and let God do His job. He surely doesn't need my help just my obedience.
So when Thursday rolls around I will send my precious gift from God out the door with pride. He is my blessing that I have given back to the Lord to use as He will. I may have to remind myself of this every time he goes out the door and into the "normal" world, but I will honor God with my son.
"After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always." 1 Samuel 1:22
Monday, August 30, 2010
The promise of a full quiver
So as promised I thought I'd share a little about what happened with the birth of our third son, Charlie, a few weeks ago. He is already proving his Morrison stubborness by showing up six weeks early!
I was at work having a normal day which by this time consisted of sitting on a stool in the procedure room with this crampy feeling in my upper abdomen (I am an endoscopy nurse). After a case, I felt something like a litle bit of...well you know after you've had children when you sneeze or laugh too hard you lose a little something...anyway, I couldn't stop it from coming. To make a long story short, I went to Anmed and after much ado it was determined that my water had indeed broken. I was admitted and the plan was to hold out until Thursday (this was Monday) and deliever Charlie by the planned C-section.
I have to say that my first instinct was absolute panic...I wasn't ready, he was too small, what if God chose to take him home to heaven, why me? But in the stillness of the exam room I prayed that His will be done and that He'd give me comfort and strength to pass through whatever was coming my way. It had come through His hands after all. After that moment I was completely calm. This is not at all my nature so I know beyond a doubt that it was God and only Him that was keeping me sane.
I was put on bedrest as I waited for the day and needless to say I was going crazy. I had cooked and built and traveled as much as I could stand with the TV. Jon had brought my bible and I must confess I hadn't picked it up yet...I think I was in the place that all I could do was pray for strength and peace. When I did finally pick it up I prayed for God to give me a word that everything was indeed going to be OK.
In His grace, He gave me Psalm 127:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."
I knew when I read these words that the blessing of Charlie would be a reality. I didn't know if he'd be healthy or what, but I knew that God would grant us with the blessing of his life. All of our days are numbered before there is one of them and God was in control. I knew that no matter what we had done or hadn't done for Christ that we love Him above all else and were trusting Him for the outcome of our situation. He had indeed granted us sleep (or rest) in Him.
Charlie Lee Morrison was born on August 5 at 5lb. 12 ounces and was considered as healthy as a 37 weeker. God has blessed us beyond anything we deserve and we give Him all the praise and glory!
I was at work having a normal day which by this time consisted of sitting on a stool in the procedure room with this crampy feeling in my upper abdomen (I am an endoscopy nurse). After a case, I felt something like a litle bit of...well you know after you've had children when you sneeze or laugh too hard you lose a little something...anyway, I couldn't stop it from coming. To make a long story short, I went to Anmed and after much ado it was determined that my water had indeed broken. I was admitted and the plan was to hold out until Thursday (this was Monday) and deliever Charlie by the planned C-section.
I have to say that my first instinct was absolute panic...I wasn't ready, he was too small, what if God chose to take him home to heaven, why me? But in the stillness of the exam room I prayed that His will be done and that He'd give me comfort and strength to pass through whatever was coming my way. It had come through His hands after all. After that moment I was completely calm. This is not at all my nature so I know beyond a doubt that it was God and only Him that was keeping me sane.
I was put on bedrest as I waited for the day and needless to say I was going crazy. I had cooked and built and traveled as much as I could stand with the TV. Jon had brought my bible and I must confess I hadn't picked it up yet...I think I was in the place that all I could do was pray for strength and peace. When I did finally pick it up I prayed for God to give me a word that everything was indeed going to be OK.
In His grace, He gave me Psalm 127:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."
I knew when I read these words that the blessing of Charlie would be a reality. I didn't know if he'd be healthy or what, but I knew that God would grant us with the blessing of his life. All of our days are numbered before there is one of them and God was in control. I knew that no matter what we had done or hadn't done for Christ that we love Him above all else and were trusting Him for the outcome of our situation. He had indeed granted us sleep (or rest) in Him.
Charlie Lee Morrison was born on August 5 at 5lb. 12 ounces and was considered as healthy as a 37 weeker. God has blessed us beyond anything we deserve and we give Him all the praise and glory!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Summer came...and went
Wow! I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I've been on here. Let's just say I've been BUSY!
Little Charlie Lee Morrison decided it was time to make his appearance...SIX weeks early! I'm blessed to say he was big enough at 5lb. 12oz. and his lungs were healthy so he was able to be treated as a "regular" newborn. More to come on this event soon!
Also, Dad has been diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma Stage 3 and has underwent major surgery as well as a few setbacks! More on God's blessings and providence during this time later too!
Needless to say our easy living summer kicked up a notch and now it is over...oh well! Time passes and seasons change...I'm ready for fall!
I am thankful that God has been faithful to us this summer season and all the things that have happened during this season did not catch Him by surprise. He is just confirming the fact that we are to look to Him as our source for everything! He is our all in all, my everything, the song that I sing, and I will praise Him all my days.
Little Charlie Lee Morrison decided it was time to make his appearance...SIX weeks early! I'm blessed to say he was big enough at 5lb. 12oz. and his lungs were healthy so he was able to be treated as a "regular" newborn. More to come on this event soon!
Also, Dad has been diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma Stage 3 and has underwent major surgery as well as a few setbacks! More on God's blessings and providence during this time later too!
Needless to say our easy living summer kicked up a notch and now it is over...oh well! Time passes and seasons change...I'm ready for fall!
I am thankful that God has been faithful to us this summer season and all the things that have happened during this season did not catch Him by surprise. He is just confirming the fact that we are to look to Him as our source for everything! He is our all in all, my everything, the song that I sing, and I will praise Him all my days.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The silly box
We just got back into town Monday after a nice, not-long-enough, family trip. We had TV (Jon goes nowhere without his satellite and access to the FOX Carolina 10 o'clock news...nowhere) but didn't watch much of it save cartoons and HGTV.
As we came home, I realized how much we depend on the silly box and it's ability to entertain us. We can't even come into the house without someone turning it on...sometimes just for the noise, I think. I wonder what it would be like to have no TV at all. Would we be totally out of touch with the outside world? Would our world collapse if we didn't see every new episode of CSI's or Deadliest Catch? What about Disney, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon? And even the occassional Fox News Channel for the latest about how bad our world is and how it is falling apart?
I think it could be the best thing that has ever happened to us! I have stopped watching some of the things that I used to watch (General Hospital, One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy, etc.) because I thought...man, what would Jesus think if He came back to earth right now and this is what I was doing? (I'm not even going to go there with folks about rapture theories and when Jesus is coming-let's suffice it to say that He said He would and NO ONE would know when).
But I'm pretty sure He'd feel that way about most anything we fill our minds with on the TV, movies, books, etc. What is more important than studying the Word of God and renewing our minds with His truth? NOTHING!
So that is what I am challenging myself to do this summer. Instead of coming in and turning on the TV...read a christian novel (which I love to do), do a bible study, read to my kids, play a game...anything other than turning on the silly box and losing ourselves in it instead of God or our family!
God is in control of this world, no matter if we can watch it happen on the 10 o'clock news or hear about it from a co-worker, He has it all under His feet! We just need to look up and draw our daily bread from Him!!
As we came home, I realized how much we depend on the silly box and it's ability to entertain us. We can't even come into the house without someone turning it on...sometimes just for the noise, I think. I wonder what it would be like to have no TV at all. Would we be totally out of touch with the outside world? Would our world collapse if we didn't see every new episode of CSI's or Deadliest Catch? What about Disney, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon? And even the occassional Fox News Channel for the latest about how bad our world is and how it is falling apart?
I think it could be the best thing that has ever happened to us! I have stopped watching some of the things that I used to watch (General Hospital, One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy, etc.) because I thought...man, what would Jesus think if He came back to earth right now and this is what I was doing? (I'm not even going to go there with folks about rapture theories and when Jesus is coming-let's suffice it to say that He said He would and NO ONE would know when).
But I'm pretty sure He'd feel that way about most anything we fill our minds with on the TV, movies, books, etc. What is more important than studying the Word of God and renewing our minds with His truth? NOTHING!
So that is what I am challenging myself to do this summer. Instead of coming in and turning on the TV...read a christian novel (which I love to do), do a bible study, read to my kids, play a game...anything other than turning on the silly box and losing ourselves in it instead of God or our family!
God is in control of this world, no matter if we can watch it happen on the 10 o'clock news or hear about it from a co-worker, He has it all under His feet! We just need to look up and draw our daily bread from Him!!
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