beyond

word for the day:  beyond

start.

i can't help but wonder how a human being can have so many deep desires and plans on his heart and somehow even begin to scratch the surface of them in a mere 70-80 years. 

a wise woman i know once told me that the callings of God were eternal.  that sometimes a prophetic word may not be fulfilled at all on this side of eternity - the prophesy might be saved for the crossing over.

i still ponder those words as they come back at key times of questioning.  but what about ____?  arises to my mind often.  the desire to understand how to fit so much life into so little time.

but what if the answer does lie beyond the time i can see right now?

what if our true calling isn't even unlocked until the beyond? 

for God cannot lie.  if He said it, He will do it. 

the beautiful mess that we live in may not look a bit like what we envision and yet...

and yet He is faithful. 

His mercies are new. 

we have a living hope.  we serve a risen Lord.  and we will rise too.

and when we step into that which is beyond what we are in today, then we shall fully understand in the looking back why He wanted to wait and work it in us deeply - because today really isn't all we have.

stop.

want to join in?  it is easy. i look forward to joining in whenever i can on a friday.



5 minute friday rules:
1. write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. link back here and invite others to join in.
3. please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them.

if you write a 5 minute friday, let me know.  i would love to come by and read your take on the word beyond.  you never know what will come out.


charis

simply thankful today

life has been pretty busy around here (though i somehow thought summer would mean life slowing down, not speeding up!) and i haven't been able to write here as much as i have wanted.  i have sat down several times to write only for it not to happen.

what i do have time to do, and need to do, is record the things i am thankful for.  i have so so much to be thankful for and i don't want to ever forget that.  even though i made a commitment to record the gifts of God to at least 1000, in reality i want this to simply be the overflow of my heart.  i want a thankful heart that acknowledges God's constant activity in my life.  i hate that i slip into ungratefulness and complaining

way. too. often.

so join me in counting gifts.  i will share mine with you.  please share yours with me.  if you record them on your blog feel free to leave a link in the comments below.  if you don't blog, then please leave something you are thankful for right now in the comment section.  you have no idea how uplifting it is to me to hear what you are thankful for and how it opens my eyes to even more i have to be thankful for in my own life as well.  thankfulness is contagious. 

still counting gifts to 1000...

683 - 703:

683. our trip to kc and sitting in the prayer room at ihop.

684. time to read bible books straight through.

685. the Lord's incredible provision over and over again.

686. grace to be slow to speak, quick to listen, slow to anger one moment at a time.

687. whenever we lack in wisdom we can ask of the Father and He freely gives to all who ask.

688. 5 good little travelers.

689. He will be faithful to complete the good work He started in us until the day of the Lord.

690. grace to forgive because i have been forgiven.

691. safe plane flights and car rides.

692. old family friends that always feel like home and time with them never feels long enough.

693. the sweetness of baby smiles for the mama.

694. 3-6 month baby sized pin striped pants.

695. foot rubs for tired feet.

696. coffee when i haven't had much sleep.

697. learning how to jam and can that jam.

698. re-purposing to make cute gifts.

699. provision to buy fresh fruit at the best time of year for fresh fruit.

700. coupons!!

701. all 18 lbs of chubby goodness.

702. new shoes from the hubby.

703. the full full summer that seems to be flying by too fast.

i am linked up at a holy experience.



if you haven't liked this facebook page, you can in the upper right of this post.  i would love to keep in better touch with you!

charis

prayer simplified

 

photo credit

have you ever thought, "i don’t really know if i feel connected to God when I pray?"  if so, you are just like me (and probably the rest of the world if we are honest).

head over to 5 minutes for faith and join me as i share a bit about simplifying prayer.  it really doesn't have to be as complicated as we make it at times.

come and join me!

charis

it's a very special day

can someone please tell me how this sweet little one is now two?!  (by the way, isn't this a brilliant photograph?  my sister myriah is so artistic. having a photog in the family is priceless.)

last year i wrote a letter to my sweet simeon.

this year i want to just celebrate this very special day with a couple things i specifically love about him.  it is amazing that even having 5 boys, each of them is so different and unique!

things i love about simeon:

 

1. he talks sooooo much!  i crack up at the funny little things he says - like "oh...my....goo(d)ness!"   the tone of voice he addresses me in sometimes is quite teenager-esk with a drawn out "ma-maaaaaaa."  he lowers his voice and makes it kind of growl-ey when he wants to feel old.  he talks and talks and talks whether people understand him or not - he always has been a communicator.  he sounds like he has a thick german or austrian accent.  (maybe we should teach him german while he has the right sound attacks to learn it well.)

2. he makes me laugh!  this kid is so funny that it is hard to discipline sometimes.  i have to keep a straight face and hide my giggle.

3. he sucks his thumb and holds my hair.  all. the. time.  really, all the time.  just like the above picture.

4. he loves to laugh.  he is always looking for a reason to laugh and be silly and make others laugh too.  his personality can be described by the word: fun.

5. he remembers names.  as a person who struggles remembering names, it is amazing that this little guy comes by it pretty naturally.

6. he looks so much like his daddy.

7. he doesn't sleep well at night yet.  funny thing to say i love about him, but when i think of who he is it just stands out to me.  he is a wonderful little person who happens to not be a good sleeper.

8. he is feisty.  i mean feisty.  he has had more than his fair share of paddles from the choices this feisty side leads him to make.  but even having to steer it and discipline it, i am so excited to see how it plays out in his personality as he grows up.  definitely not a boring little guy.

9. he is a mama's boy.  i know there will come a day when he starts to prefer his daddy and naturally "cut the apron strings" to become a man, but i am cherishing it while i can.

10. he is mine.  i just love this kid and he has added so much life, noise, and personality to this family.

happy birthday my sweet simba, simi, simboliya, simeon jacob boy.  i love you very much!

charis