Looking at David's example

I have been studying some of king David's life and God showed me something I hadn't thought about before.
I was studying David's fall with Bathsheba and the four fold consequences of his sin. The four fold consequences used to seem harsh to me but the Holy Spirit revealed that David's consequences were in proportion to his sin and that David humbly accepted them because he understood his God. He knew that God was completely holy and could not allow David to get away with his sin. He also understood that God was merciful and loved him even during the consequences.
The really cool thing that struck me was that God redeemed David's sin. In the short term God blessed David and Bathsheba with another son- Solomon- who carried on his lineage and eventually brought about Christ through God's hand. In the long term, millions of people have learned about God's forgiveness, mercy and restoration through seeing David's life illustrated in the bible. How awesome is our God for that kind of love and grace extended to all of us!

2 John 1:3 NIV
Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Newsy update

Just can't believe that it is April already. I have been meaning to get on here and blog several times and just haven't gotten around to it. 2010 has been extremely busy so far. I think that I mentally decided to cram as much into the months before the baby came as possible since I will be bowing out of so many things after he is here (or so I imagine).
I have been working a lot more on several of my contract jobs and God has been faithful to bring a new dietitian to take over for me on some of them once the baby comes. Needless to say, training and making sure everything is ready to turn over has been an extra job! But it is going well and I am thankful for God's provision.
I am working on maternity leave details and how much work I am going to do after I come back . I struggle with this area because I have a hard time saying "NO" and I feel responsible to keep up the same level of excellence and commitment after the baby comes. I am praying about this and asking for God's help but it has been a struggle and he isn't even here yet. God is in control and my hubby has been a great sounding board to help too!
I have been taking 2 bible studies, teaching 1 and helping lead 1 this semester so that has been a little nutty but so good. God has really been teaching me in different ways with each study and the people that I am coming to know. Lots of reorganization of my selfish flesh and putting others over myself. That is great but also a struggle each day. It can be painful but I am pushing myself to do it because it is for God's glory and not about me. But when May hits, I am going to be ready to transition for a little break. I am praying about what to study to stay in the word and spend daily time with God over the summer and with a new little one.
We have had a busy family season with one of my siblings getting married and helping with that. It went fantastic but needless to say we have had a lot more family time, parties and visitors than usual. They were excited to get the wedding over with and just be married. Now real life is settling in! ;-)
Lastly I have been loving the spring weather. This year was a hard winter because it was long and dreary but God has been so faithful with the pretty weather and beautiful growth and green. Everywhere we look something is growing and blooming. My hubby is a little dismayed at this because it means more yard work but it is still a reminder of the renewal of the LORD and I am grateful for that!

Isaiah 61:11 NIV

"For as the soil makes the sprout come up, and a garden causes seed to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations."

Anxiously awaiting

I have been playing a little catch up with work and life this week after a great weekend celebrating my brother's marriage. My new sister in law is such a joy and I am so happy for them.
During their wedding preparations and the big day I couldn't stop thinking about our marriage to the Lamb and the wedding feast that we will all celebrate together someday.
My brother was pretty calm as the days up to the wedding came. He was excited but stayed busy with the preparation and details. As the big day got closer, his excitement and anxiety increased. During the day before the ceremony, he paced and waited and waited and paced. He was so ready to just get married and start his new life with his bride.
Standing at the altar watching my brother's myriad of emotions this past weekend brought home how Christ is waiting in anxious anticipation of His father's words- "Go get her Son!" As His bride, I can imagine Him pacing through heaven anxiously awaiting the moment He gets to come bring me to Himself. What a joyous moment! I can't even really imagine what it will be like but I can't wait either!

Revelation 19:6-9 NIV

"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

20 weeks and counting

I have been a little busy lately but wanted to get on here and post the latest news.
We are expecting our 1st child and just found out that we are having a little boy! My husband is excited about the baby boy and is looking forward to teaching him to play basketball.
Everything is going great and God has blessed the pregnancy far more than I could ever imagine. We continue to see Him teaching us things before this little guy even comes and are amazed at God's love and grace towards us. My heart overflows with love and praise for Him.

Ephesians 1:5-7 NLT
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

New Years Catch Up

Sorry I have been absent from blog world for a while. This time of year is crazy busy when you are in the nutrition and fitness business. New Years is a time of hopes, ambitions and plans for a better year so that usually means that work picks up a lot for me. I love being able to help others make changes in their lives to improve their health or get more fit. It is inspiring for me to see them work towards success and I hope a blessing for them.
I also love the idea of New Years resolutions but I don't set any personally because I find that they end up stressing me out if I can't do them perfectly. I guess that is my obsessive perfectionist side coming out. This side of me should know by now that it is pointless to try to take over. I am incapable of being as successful as I deem worthy. Pretty pointless really!
So I am trying not to worry about resolutions and just set aside time each day to do what God asks and what I must do to function as a human. Boy, that lightens the load this year but I am not letting it become another burden to bear! God alone brings perfection so I am waiting on Him!

Philippians 3:12 NASB

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Christmas Craziness

I had all these great intentions of writing Christmas memories on my blog and then got busy with other things.
We made our traditional rounds to all the family for Christmas this year and it was even more crazy than usual because we had some bad winter weather. It was the 1st time Texas had a white Christmas in my living memory.
My fun new memory for this year was reading the Christmas story as we drove in the snow and ice to my parents to celebrate Christmas and then getting to go sledding. We had a white Christmas for the 1st time in my memory and got to go sledding and play in the snow. It was lots of fun and we enjoyed it but it reminded me why I don't love cold weather! Jonathan was glad to go back inside because he really doesn't like the cold!
It was a lovely way to spend Christmas and to celebrate Christ's birth!

Memories of Christmas

Winter time is here again in North Texas! I have to admit that this time of year is hardest for me because I am not a big fan of cold weather, dead landscapes or rainy days! It makes me not want to go outdoors and I find myself wanting to be lazy which is never a good thing. The idea of running in the cold takes some will power and more clothes too!
Now I love Christmas, decorating the house and being focused on the birth of Christ as well as time to enjoy with friends and family. That part makes me smile and think back on many blessed Christmases in the past! So with determination to be full of cheer this time of year in my heart, I am going to blog about some happy memories of Christmas as often as I can between now and Christmas!
Today's simple memory that stands out to me is sitting with my family in our living room watching the tree lights flashing on the ceiling and talking about Jesus. We always had a live tree with tons of multicolored lights that flashed in random patterns. You could watch for hours as the tree branch shadows flickered on the ceiling and we laughed and talked about why Christmas was so wonderful! That memory has me smiling right now!