Peace during the holidays

Our pastor shared with us a quote on Sunday morning about peace. I've been milling over it all day.
"Peace is the presence of Christ, not the absence of crisis." How often are things "good" just because there's nothing major going on in our lives? Peace should have presence no matter the circumstance, IF you lean on God. Leaning on yourself will always result in an unpeaceful state and restless spirit. At least, that's how it is for me.
Think about it.
"Peace is the presence of Christ, not the absence of crisis."

Help yourself. Yeah, right.

There’s a saying that goes “God helps those who help themselves.” I’m pretty sure that concept isn’t in the Bible. Probably thought up by a man (ha!). Really, how many of us have energy to “help” ourselves after helping everyone else all day? Listen to what God says in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” And then again in Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Those verses say nothing about God helping you only after you’ve tended to yourself first. “Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom,” my two-year-old says repeatedly until I help him. Fortunately for us, all we have to do is say “God” once, and He comes to us in our time of need. Even if it means praying the baby to sleep in the middle of the night. Can I get an amen? God knows your needs. Do you know your needs? Do you know how to ask for a need to be met or how to recognize when it’s already been done? Or, have you forgotten that you need to be cared for too? As moms, we so often are drained at the end of the day that we don’t even know what we need (except for maybe a hot bath and sleep!). The holidays are rapidly approaching. We NEED God to keep our focus on track, to grant us extra patience and to convict us about the things in life that are really important. Try taking some time today, whether driving home from work or while you swing the kids outside, to ask God to be your help. Trust Him to do what He says, have faith in waiting for an answered prayer, and “help yourself” to depend on Him to hold you up with His righteous right hand.

Money through the eyes of a child

A couple of weeks ago we were at church on a Wednesday night and my son, Treson, wanted something out of the vending machine. I don't him I didn't have any money with me. In pure two year old innocence, he told me, "Use a credit card." Oh how the use of plastic is so misunderstood!

Tonight as we were getting out of the car to hear Dr. John LaNue speak at church, we had another money talk.
Treson told me, "I'm gonna get bigger. Than yesterday. And, when I get bigger, I'm gonna get monies."
Me: "What are you going to do with your 'monies'?"
Treson: "Buy Skittles."

David Beckham, watch out!

Sooooooooo.... this past weekend we (me, Treson, Zoe and my friend Laci) went shopping at Parkdale. We stayed for 5 hours. WWAAAAYYY too long for the kids. By hour 4, Treson was without a nap and began to act like a wild monchichi. After peeing in his underwear (we had JUST come from the "potty"), I told him it was time to leave. He proceeded to scream at me like any well meaning un-napped two year old. I just took him to the corridor by the customer service desk near Old Navy and let him get it out of his system. Old Navy was my last stop. I crazily decided we'd run in there "real quick." Treson found the balls that Old Navy likes to torture moms with. I let him play with one "if you stay right here" while I shopped. After all, I was shopping for him. Surely he would behave if he knew that! Anyway, after one too many throw-the-ball-in-the-air-and-dive-bomb-on-the-floors, I said, "Treson, let's go." He then took off running and kicking the soccer ball through Old Navy. When I began to chase him, he giggled thinking I was playing with him! Thus, Speedy Gonzales goes out the store with the unpaid-for ball. I am holding Zoe (6 mo.) and we are running fast and furious after him DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE MALL. I honestly couldn't keep up with him. People were laughing all along our route. I finally caught him by the neck of the shirt. The ball landed at some sales dude's feet. I just pleaded with him to hand me the ball after I picked up the 30 lb. 2 year old by the waist, legs & arms flailing. So, 2 kids and a ball in tow, we humbly walked back to Old Navy to retrieve the stroller and Laci. By the way, Laci is expecting her first child. Unfortunately, her experience with my children that day cannot reverse the fact that someday soon she'll have her own.

And no, I'll not be going shopping at any public place with my 2 children for at least a year. Maybe 2.

Why this blog is necessary.

My business is all about journalism (check it out- www.beaumontbuzz.com). With that at my fingertips, why in the world do I need ANOTHER place to write? Here's the deal. I am completely motivated in all aspects of life by my faith. While there's alot of "good" stuff out there... Mohammad, Mind/Body/Spirit books, "finding your inner peace," I believe that there is only ONE way to heaven and only ONE God that can get you there. For those that are interested in "spiritual" things, God became man in the form of Jesus. He lived on earth for a short time. Before He came, people had to sacrifice animals (read just about any book in the Old Testament in the Bible for further explanation) in order to be made right with God. But then, Jesus came and made Himself a human sacrifice so that we might be made right before God for eternity (John 3:16).

All that to say, because of my gratitude for God, I am committed to serving Him & living my life to honor His teachings and commandments. I am constantly learning new things and need a way to voice those things. Beaumontbuzz.com is all about southeast Texas, not all about my relationship with Jesus, which is why I needed this blog. So, should you choose to read this blog, note that you will be taking an intimate look at my life. You'll learn about my daily challenges as a wife, mother, business owner, friend, sister, daughter and Christian. My husband often calls me "Captain Random Thought" (thus, the blog name) because I tend to speak outloud any thought that comes to mind. So, if you keep reading, you'll be welcomed to his world. :)

My prayer for you is that you are encouraged by the writings of this blog. Sometimes postings will be about my family. Sometimes it's all about me. Hopefully though, most of it will be all about Him.