More on The Shack

I have been getting many warnings regarding this book. Apparently there are conflicting views. For those who have not read this book, the number one thing to keep in mind is that you are an intelligent human being and this is fiction. The other thing to keep in mind is that you must always weigh everything you are taking in as truth against the scriptures. I can see where some may get upset at some of the details of the story. What I hope you take from this book is the beautiful picture of relationship and God's COMPLETE love for you. I think that most of this book actually does line up with scripture. I think it is just a different idea that may take many out of their comfort zone. As long as scripture does not conflict, then there is no problem. I do find some inconsistencies with scripture, but nothing that took away the beauty of this story. I encourage you to read it, let it touch your life, and allow the Holy Spirit to help you discern what you take away from it.

Friends that are really family

I just took a fabulous trip to visit friends of ours. We spent the first day looking around their part of Connecticut. It was beautiful! Here, we are enjoying time at the nearby beaches. You can see that it is COLD!

Stephanie and I went into New York City, just the two of us. At this moment, we are at the top lookout of the Statue of Liberty with Manhattan behind us.

We went through the museum under the statue and cried at some of the history.

We had fun exploring Central Park and enjoying all the street performers that we saw. Afterwards, we saw Rockefeller Center, and had dinner in Time Square. Then we saw an AMAZING Broadway play that her husband, Steve, and another one of our friends, Debbie, gave us tickets for. It was a wonderful day!

That night, after our wonderful day in NY, it snowed!!! It was beautiful! We had snow ball fights with the kids and made snowmen.

God's beauty is amazing! I love traveling and seeing different parts of His creation. What a wonderful, diverse world we live in!

The Shack

I was just recently blessed by a trip ALONE to go visit a dear friend. For the first time in years, I had concentrated reading time. The book I chose was The Shack, by William P. Young. If you have not already read this, it needs to be the very next book on your list. It will make you cry. It will make you laugh, and it will challenge you in ways you never saw coming. In the end you will be deeply touched and changed. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

God is at work....

That is all I have to say here, for now. This is a testimony of God working in my life, so I wanted to update that He is. I hadn't posted anything in awhile, so felt the need.

I am sure you have been in the place where you are being taught so much all at the same time, that you can't even put it all into words. As lessons are learned, I will post. Right now, it is the sometimes painful process of growth.

I am so thankful that God is so evidently working. Why now? Only God knows. Its exciting, really! Some friends and I just read in a book about how "God does not call the equipped, He equips the called." Father, I am yours to be used however you wish! Thank you that I don't have to be perfect or even able. You are my guide, my strength, my wisdom, my truth. In you, I can do ALL things!

Happy Birthday, Ashlynn!

Ashlynn, we are so blessed to have you. We thank God for these 7 years that we have had with you and look forward to many more. Your laughter and joy brightens our family. We love you!


The girls are in dress up clothes dancing and being silly to songs Chris plays. (Please pardon the clean clothes still in the rocker.)
"And I will dance with Cinderella...." Chris put this song on, among others, and danced with Ashlynn.

Below, we had a great time during lunch time playing at Chuck E Cheese together.

WOW!!! 7 years old!!!!!!!

Congratulations President-elect Obama!

Yes, you read that correctly. Now that we have done our job to pray and vote as we felt God leading us to, now we must obey and embrace the ruler God has ordained for us. We may agree or disagree with his beliefs on issues. That is not relevant. Regardless of what we personally think about our president to be, we are called to pray for him and for our country. We must make personal choices based on scripture. We must follow God first and not compromise, but we are to support our president as long he is not asking us to go against what God has said. So, I move forward with a hope and joy found only in Jesus Christ. God knows the past, present, and future. He sees the big picture that we cannot. We must trust that God knows what He is doing, that He is has ultimate control. We are to fear God not man.

I also have to say, that for historic reasons, this is very exciting. To think how far this country has come in such a short time is amazing. Yes, we still have a long way to go, but wow! I did not agree with this particular black man, but the fact that a black man is now our president-elect is really incredible!

I encourage you to read Terry's thoughts about the election. I enjoyed them.

A Call To Prayer

By the end of this week, our country will be changed. A new chapter is beginning in history. After Tuesday, the result will be known. Now, though, much can change. I am asking every believer reading this to stop and pray for our country. God does mighty things when His people humble themselves before Him and pray.
Please, read this.