Currently Listening Brave By Nichole Nordeman, Jay Joyce - Prodycer, Brad O'Donnell - Executive Producer see related

The Message

Thank you Eugene Peterson for this version of the Bible.

You may have read this passage many times, but read it in this version this once!

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Hebrews 12:1-17 (bolded words by me)

Discipline in a Long-Distance Race

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?

   My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline,
      but don't be crushed by it either.
   It's the child he loves that he disciplines;
      the child he embraces, he also corrects.
God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.

Blessings

Today I received a gift of some positive feedback from several parents! It doesn't happen all the time, so it's interesting that they all were communicated to me today. One of the moms was telling me that on the weekend when there's no school, he asks "Where is Miss Aimee going?" and often he'll ask about me, like when he's about to go to bed, he asks, "Is Miss Aimee sleeping?" My heart melted!!!!!!!!!

Currently in awe of God's goodness and blessing that I can love my job so much, and benefit others through it. I mean, how many people can say that they kinda drag their feet to get to work but then when they get there and come into contact with those they work with, they LOVE IT??!?

Overwhelmed by His Gifts.

Doesn't that make you wanna know more about who this "Giver of Good Gifts" is? Free to chat, anytime! :)

words

Just listened to this song for the first time last night and the words really touched me. For those of you whom I love who think that Jesus Christ was just another guy in the history books, please read below!  I love you!

"What If," from Nichole Nordeman's CD: Brave.

WHAT IF YOU'RE RIGHT, and he was just another nice guy? WHAT IF YOU'RE RIGHT?
WHAT IF IT'S TRUE? They say the cross will only make a fool of you, and WHAT IF IT'S TRUE?

WHAT IF he takes his place in history with all the prophets and the kings, who taught us love and came in peace,
But then the story ends, WHAT THEN?

But what if you're wrong?
        What if there's more?
                 What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
                          What if you jump?
                                   And just close your eyes?
                                           What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
                                                     What if He's more than enough?
                                                             What if it's love?

WHAT IF YOU DIG way down deeper than your simple-minded friends, WHAT IF YOU DIG?
WHAT IF YOU FIND a thousand more unanswered questions down inside--THAT'S ALL YOU FIND?

WHAT IF you pick apart the logic and begin to poke the holes?
WHAT IF the crown of thorns is no more than folklore that must be told and retold?

You've been running as fast as you can,
You've been looking for a place you can land for so long,
BUT WHAT IF YOU'RE WRONG?

        What if there's more?
                 What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
                          What if you jump?
                                   And just close your eyes?
                                           What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
                                                     What if He's more than enough?
                                                             What if it's love?

ideals

Am currently learning in a deeper way that my ideas of what I want/what is best for me/what I need are PUNY, INCOMPLETE, and totally NOT ALWAYS TRUE compared to what God knows I want/what is best for me/what I need.

As I see how much GREATER His wisdom is than my own (psshaw, how can I even think to compare?!?!?) in many small things, it's getting a bit easier and easier letting go of my pre-conceived notions about the BIG things. I'm glad. :)

So grateful I'm not left to be the way I am right now.

Do you want to stay the way you are now? If not, let's talk!

!?

A ridiculous, illogical statement I came across in an online advertisement. Now, I know that most would not be suprised by that, but this one was SUPER ridiculous.

(I was googling for an answer to the reason why if you just keep the toothpaste froth (and toothbrush) in your mouth for a good 5-10 minutes--you know, like if you you start brushing and then get busy doing something else--why after your rinse, you start to be able to rub off this fine membrane/layer of SOMETHING (skin cells?) from the insides or your cheeks using your tongue. C'mon, anyone know what I mean??)

A product to stop receding gums:

"...And because OraMD is 100% pure, it deeply penetrates the nooks, crannies, crevices and pockets of your teeth and gums and eliminates the problem bacteria on contact."

*Edit: oh wow, they edited their website (i emailed them asking them about their statement)! good for them