Morning quiet times

latte of my dreams

This morning, I woke early and enjoyed some time with the Lord over a steamy latte within the quiet of my cozy living room. And then I woke up from that dream and picked up a crying Judah baby.

I've had an interesting thought today as I did, praise Jesus, finally sit down for prayer and scripture memory review with lukewarm drip coffee. Is there something else I'm adding to the goal of morning quiet times that is not from the Lord? What upsets me more on a day that I haven't met with the Lord, lack of peace so I can feel better, or lack of time with Him?

People, I cannot even meet with the Lord without seeking to gratify my flesh. I cannot even open my bible with a pure heart that cries out to Jesus out of an untainted desire to just simply love him. It would be the same as making a coffee date with a dear friend with the ulterior motive of connecting so I can feel better about myself. And, that dear friend would know I did that.

Now, let's take a look at how good our Savior is. Here is the passage I'm committing to memory:

Psalm 90...

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
    we bring our years to an end like a sigh.10 The years of our life are seventy,    or even by reason of strength eighty;yet their span[c] is but toil and trouble;    they are soon gone, and we fly away.11 Who considers the power of your anger,    and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12 So teach us to number our days    that we may get a heart of wisdom.13 Return, O Lord! How long?    Have pity on your servants!14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,    and for as many years as we have seen evil.16 Let your work be shown to your servants,    and your glorious power to their children.17 Let the favor[d] of the Lord our God be upon us,    and establish the work of our hands upon us;    yes, establish the work of our hands!


The Lord knows of my need for gladness in the morning and all day. He knows, He forgives, and He POURS Himself out for me. Have pity on your servant today Jesus, satisfy my broken heart with your steadfast love. Meet me for coffee, know that I don't love you as you deserve, pay the bill and sing over me. Wretched woman that I am, you JESUS are gold.

I am a Woman

Wonderful weekend with Belmont University roommates concludes as my friend reads aloud this poem in the car and I am touched to tears:


"I am a Woman"
by Christiana Moss


My willingness to carry life is a revenge, an antidote to the great battle of every murder, every abortion, and every genocide. I sustain humanity. Deep inside of me life grows. I am death's opposition; I push back the hand of darkness today.

I have caused there to be a weakening tremor among the ranks of those set on earth’s destruction. Today a vibration that calls angels to attention echoed throughout time; laughter threatened hell today.

I have dined with the greats of God’s Army~~ I made their meals, I tied their shoes. Today I walked with greatness and when they were tired…I carried them. I poured myself out for the cause today. It’s finally quiet, but life stirs inside of me, gaining strength. The pulse of life sends a constant reminder to both good and evil that I yield myself to Heaven and now carry its dream

No angel has ever had such a privilege, nor any man. I am humbled by the honor. I am great with destiny. I birth the freedom fighters. In the great war I am the leader of the underground resistance. I smile at the disguise of my troops. Surrounded by a host of warriors, destiny swirling, invisible yet tangible and the anointing alters history.

Our footsteps make our land for conquest. We move undetected throughout the common places. Today I was a barrier between evil and innocence. I was the gatekeeper watching over the hope of mankind and no intruder trespassed. There is not an hour of the day or night when I turn from the Host—the fierceness of my love is unmatched upon the earth and because I smile instead of frown, the world will know the power of grace.

Hope has feet; it will run to the corners of the earth because I stood up against destruction. I am a woman, I am a mother, I am the keeper and sustainer of life here on earth, and Heaven stands in awe in honor of my mission. No one else can carry my call.

I am the daughter of Eve, and Eve has been redeemed. I am the opposition of death-I am woman.





Thanks for sharing dear friend.

2006

2008

2013

Last year, this time

Last year, this time Ebony offered to do a family maternity photo shoot at our apartment. It was wonderful having her take pictures of me and the guys, she's a joy of a friend. They were so precious and intimate, I wanted to keep them private... but looking back at them now I think they're so creative it's a shame I didn't share her talented artwork. Thank you Ebony!

A Teacher's Touch

About two years ago, a very important teacher stepped into our lives - for the sake of her privacy, we'll name her Mrs. Sweet. She's courageous in every way and has set a powerful precedence for toddler behavior in our little church nursery. The first Sunday I left David in her care, I was amazed and inspired by the way she crouched down to communicate with the little man. She praised the way he set down toys and immediately guided him with gentle words when he revved up to throw one. When it looks like David is going to runaway with his emotions, Mrs. Sweet suggests a new fun thing to do or play. And that new fun thing is often her.

This past weekend, we got a chance to go to our favorite frozen custard place with Mrs. Sweet and her husband. By now, David's grown very fond of her and will run when she suggests or take her hand to cross the street. I absolutely love saying to David, 'Mrs.Sweet is coming!' because he gets shyly excited. Very endearing to see my sons grow attached to people I also love.

At the custard place, I sat back a bit and observed Mrs. Sweet interacting with David. She was so kind and David became such an important person in their conversations. His getting up from the table didn't ruin our conversation and turn in into discipline. Instead, Mrs. Sweet got up and took him to have a closer look at candy and we picked up when they returned.

I'm reminded as I write how my Albanian missionary friend said that my children are a key part of my ministry. That's exactly how Mrs. Sweet treats David, like he's a key part of our outing.

This past year, I've set to really 'train' David in obedience to me and Tripp. This has required a lot of communication, consistency, teaching, outlasting, and bootie spanks. After a while, Tripp and I feel that all we do is reprimand David. Our tones (everyone's) start to intensify until someone is yelling and sadly, that's Tripp and myself by most bed-times. It's become increasingly harder to train without loosing self-control and heaping past frustration on to accidental spilled milk. And we're only on training child #1!

Watching Mrs. Sweet, who has raised children and teaches many daily, literally changes me from the inside out. David and I have had one of our best weeks, and I just wonder if it's because of the custard date. Which brings an interesting conclusion - I am the variable. My changed attitude and heart somehow effected my interaction with David enough that he acted differently. I suppose I am the one that needs training. Or maybe just simply, a teacher's touch.