Table of Olives

“If I should speak then let it be of the grace that is greater than all my sin, of when justice was served and where mercy wins, of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in, oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him.” – My Story by Big Daddy Weave

Years ago when we lived in Houston we attended an incredible church. Sometimes we like to revisit that church online on Sunday mornings. Today was one of those days and I am so glad we did. The lead singer of Big Daddy Weave sang a few songs and this was one of them. The line that really caught my attention was, “to tell you my story is to tell of Him.” This perfectly sums up why I type out a few words on this blog. It is a way to make much of Him. It is a way to bring Him glory and redeem the many mistakes I have made. It is to bring His forgiving light into areas I naturally would rather remain in a dark corner of shame. Because this I know with full assurance, all my sins have been paid for and grace says it is so. When I forget, I take a look at the cross and remember. I have accepted and opened His gift of mercy like a kid at Christmas and I am free. His kindness draws me early each morning and there is no other place I would rather be.

I pray you know Him this Christmas season and see Him wrapped in grace, extending mercy and love that lasts all year long.

We are celebrating our youngest turning seven this weekend. Her beauty sinks deep and she has so much joy and peace. She is graceful and kind, always twirling on pointed toes. Her cartwheels happen in the most unexpected places, pure freedom on display. If you have not been a recipient of one of her smiles, you will want to remedy that real soon. It is a mix of sunshine and gentleness that will touch your heart like a lingering kiss.

Her request are simple and sophisticated, just so fitting for this precious princess. Dresses are her go-to and jeans just will not do; lipgloss and jewelry go without saying. Fairies and unicorns are real and she will not argue otherwise, it is just fact. Stories of dancing ballerinas and make believe hold her attention night after night. She thinks about Jesus in the most matter of fact way, for He is drawing her too. She really is a dream child.

One of the reasons why I think the Lord saved this dear child for last is because He knew we would need it. He was to begin a refining process in us and she reminds us of God’s goodness and faithfulness everyday. You cannot deny there is a God or who He is when you know this one. And I pray you know the One who created You and our sweet girl.

Happy Birthday Vivian!

“Then the LORD said, ‘Anoint him, for he is the one’. So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully on David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:12-13

One of our boys turned eleven this past week and he was fun to celebrate. He has an incredible heart, but has said how he feels the enemy on his back. It shows in the things he is drawn to and his attitude at times. As his mom, I have the privilege of seeing him day in and day out, watching the moving towards the Lord and moving away. I have heard his prayers and know his struggles. However, I see the qualities of David in him. I see his determination, creativity, how people are drawn to him and his leadership skills. These weaken when he chooses to be pulled into worldly attractions.

When I am thinking about King David, I see how strong he was in his youth. How we was the youngest brother, took care of the sheep and fought whatever came against them. When his father asked him to check on his brothers, who were doing more “important” work in Saul’s army, he went and came upon quite a scene. A giant named Goliath was taunting the Israelites and they were drawing back in fear. David shows up and asks who this is who defies the armies of the living God. David does not ask permission to fight the giant, but takes five stones, his sling shot and the name of the living God. He takes down the giant and actually uses the giants own sword to cut off his head.

You see, David had been anointed, filled with the Spirit. He knew whose he was and who he was. He fought against the evil that was coming against God’s people without hesitation. This is my prayer for this boy of mine. He knows to whom he belongs and the Holy Spirit lives inside of him. Evil is raging these days and I am asking the Lord to strengthen his faith. That he will not back down from any giant of our day that comes against the Word of God. That he will always call on the name of the Living God for help, wisdom and strength. And we will use the years to teach him lessons that David learned in the field, minus the actual bears and lions. The Lord has something special for this one and we get a front row seat.

Happy Birthday Paxton!

“Teach me your way, LORD, and I will live by truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11

Who has taught you the most or had the greatest influence on your thinking? Have you stopped to consider if they are teaching truth? In our present day, truth has never been more important or harder to come by apart from the Word of God. I am not telling you something you do not already know. However, I am asking you to examine your source. Go back as many years as you have to and find your source. Is it true, I ask again? Unravel the lies if needed and open up your Bible. Start with the Psalms and maybe the book of Luke. Jump to Philippians or Colossians and read truth. The maker of you has written truth on each page. Please read it. Your teacher is waiting….

“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said, ‘If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.’ But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was made well from that hour.” (Matthew 9:20-22)

There is a folder on my Pinterest account, “The Calm Home.” Lately I have been pinning so many hymns. I have been increasingly grateful for my parents making church a priority for our family. It was there that I learned hymns and so much more. As I have looked at each one, the tune comes quickly to mind and I envision being back in those precious sanctuaries. What I did not know then is that many hymns have incredible testimonies of sorrow and yet, the writer chooses to praise the Lord with his pen despite the pain.

When I read this scripture this morning, the word hem stuck out to me. This dear woman had spent all she had over the twelve years of her illness. She had nothing let in the worlds eyes, but she had faith. She knew who had the power to heal her and she reached out to Him. Just touching the hem of His garment was a great act of faith. We do not reach out to someone we do not trust. Also, notice her posture. The hem is low to the ground and so was she in humility and surrender.

And then it happens, he saw her and said words she had waited to hear for twelve long years. Jesus, the Son of God, called her daughter and told her she was well! Can you even imagine? In faith she reached out and was given a new identity and healing, not just physically but spiritually as well. How could she not live her life from that moment on as a hymn of thanksgiving? Are we any different?

Friend, if you have tried everything and nothing has worked to make you well, will you reach out to Him in faith today? Reach out and take hold of the only One who can make you well. He can wash away your sin and give you real life. You can be a living hymn. This could be your hour.

P.S. Our oldest babysat last night and the kids asked her to sing her favorite hymn to them as they fell asleep. Now that is the making of a calm home.

I read a few verses in scripture that sounded like a prayer of those yet to be born. And so on their behalf, I am going to pray for them using the words the Lord gave to David. I am praying God’s own words back to Him. “God, hurry to rescue me. LORD, hurry to help me! Let those who seek to kill me be disgraced and confounded; let those who wish me harm be turned back and humiliated. Let those who say, ‘Aha, aha!’ retreat because of their shame. Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your salvation continually say, ‘God is great!’ I am oppressed and needy; hurry to help me, God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.” (Psalm 70)

I am praying that our God will open our eyes to our sin as a nation. I am asking we repent again today of this great sin that is a choice of “freedom” allowed in our land. How many more have to die? Only God can turn us from our wicked ways. Please hurry, God, for we are in great need of You doing only what You can do. Please be merciful to our nation. We have sinned grievously against You. Lord, please forgive us and give us another chance to protect life.

*Picture of our youngest at one day old.

I want you to know that when I write it pours from my heart. It is not meant to be boastful or to paint a picture of perfection. For every choice I make that brings glory to God, there is evidence of the many times I do not. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

With that in mind, I have to tell you a sweet story that happened just yesterday. Our youngest is extremely particular with her clothing. We have gone round and round over the outfits she wants to wear to school. She picked out a skirt and I gave her two shirt options. Neither were to her liking and she chose another. Personally I thought my ideas were better, but it was not worth a fight. She went out the door with her heart intact instead of upset about her appearance. She was only gone a minute before she came running back inside, calling my name. She just had to tell me that she saw two blue birds and one red bird. I love that she noticed. I told her that I loved her and to have a good day. Her response was priceless. She said, “I don’t know how not too.” Aren’t kids just the best?

“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” Proverbs 15:18

This is a verse we all need these days. It is such a good reminder about the choice before us. We can stir up conflict or calm a quarrel. We have got to think about what our response will be before we are invited into a conflict. If you click on your social media account, it is highly likely that you will read something that you are tempted to make a comment. Maybe decide before hand, calm or conflict. Does our county really need more strife?

There is so much going on right now and lines are clearly divided. We can be the ones to bring the calm. We can be the ones who are patient in our responses. We can choose to be patient with others on the road, in the grocery aisles, at school and even within the church. What better way to go into the holiday season.

Last weekend was our oldest birthday and I cannot let an opportunity go by to speak highly of her. She has been brave in the midst of so much unknown during this freshman year of college. That has been remarkable, but what stands out to me the most is her love for our God. She has gotten to know Him more in that dorm room and desires to share His love with others. She is involved with some wonderful places to share this love, to serve others and this makes my heart glad. None of this has been without struggle, loneliness and continuing to move forward. How can this be possible in one so young? Where did this maturity come from?

Watching her, I can only come to one conclusion… she lives loved. She knows the gift of the cross, has accepted it and therefore lives accordingly. She is comfortable in her own skin and does not try to be someone she is not. Why would she? It is because she is loved.

May each of us draw close to Him in the days to come. As the holidays unfold, kids come home and much is unknown, may we remember that we too are loved and live like a nineteen year old I know;).

Happy Birthday Maggie!

One of our boys turns nine today and he is so easy to celebrate these days. That was not always the case and I can give you the details another time. Just know he is unique and one of a kind. The Lord has used him in many ways to shape me into more of His likeness.

Just the other day on the way home from school, this boy was talking about heaven. He loves the Lord with all of his heart and to be with Him in eternity is almost too much for him to wrap his mind around. We talked about how his job until heaven is to tell and show people the love of God. He has been given the good news and loves to share it anytime. He said that people who love each other sometimes hire sky writers to write “I love you” in the sky. He said he would like to write “God Loves You” in the sky so the whole world would know. I told him God does that everyday with the sunrise and sunset. That made his day!

So, if you want to give our boy a gift and you do not know Jesus, would you accept His free gift of grace today? If you do know Him, would you tell someone else about the best gift they could ever receive? I can think of no better way to celebrate than with the angels for, “…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10).

Happy Birthday Eli!