Slow Fade

It all started out so simply, but I guess that's how most stories go.

There once was a christian man. He was a deacon and leader in his church. He lead Sunday School every week and always held hands with his wife. He treated his children with the most love and care that other kids wished he was their dad. He looked like he had it all together...

After a long morning working across from his secretary, his eyes kept trailing to her piercing green eyes. He couldn't help but notice the curl of blond hair that kept brushing her neck. He tried to look at the picture of his wife, that was sitting on his desk and to focus only on the task at hand.

Many days later, it only took one brush of the hand to help her out of a chair and he felt the fireworks spark between them. It didn't take long...until he slowly faded away...

She was raised in the church, had a great christian family. She'd become a Christan at a young age and was a leader in her youth group. She started dating his great guy. He made her feel in a way she'd never felt before. It started out so innocently. One day his hand accidentally crept a little farther up her leg than it should. Days later, sitting in the back of his truck, feeling his lips brush her neck, she could feel a tingle up her back that she'd never experienced before. It didn't take long...until she slowly faded away...


He was a sophomore in college and had never had a drink before. His friends convinced him to go to one party on New Year's Eve. "What will one party hurt?" he asked himself. As all of his friends had a beer to bring in the new year, he decided one drink couldn't hurt. It didn't take long...until he slowly faded away...

Weeks after she'd given birth to her third child, she could not shake the extra baby weight. She had gone to the gym, put herself on a strict diet and nothing was working. One week she got sick and lost 8 pounds and she began to think, maybe being sick was the trick to losing weight. After dinner one night she went to the bathroom, stuck her finger down her throat and realized that it didn't matter anymore what she had just eaten. It didn't take long...until she slowly faded away...

He had a nagging pain in his back. The doctor prescribed some really good pain medicine. The stress from work was becoming overwhelming. He started smoking just to take the edge off. When that didn't take away the pain, he started taking one more pain pill and then another and it didn't take long...until he slowly faded away...


After a week of sleeping on the couch because her husband was sick, she realized she kind of liked her space that sleeping in two different rooms gave. As weeks and months went by, she spent more time away while he was at home, she went to the book store and took a pottery class. She worked more and stayed at home less. Days would pass with only a few words between them. It didn't take long...until their marriage slowly faded away...

Alcoholics don't become that way over night. Adulterers don't wake up one day and think, "I think I'll cheat on my wife/husband today." People with eating disorders never start out a diet saying, "I hope I become anorexic." People addicted to drugs don't try to become dependant on something other than themselves. Teenagers don't have sex for the first time, hoping they will get pregnant. Marriages don't dissolve in a day and relationships don't crumble in just one moment. It is all the tiny moments in between leading up to the "big" moment that bring us to that point. It only takes one time for you to talk yourself into doing something or that something is "OK" when normally you wouldn't think so. The next time you'll lower your guard even farther and little by little, before you know it, everything you ever stood for or was ever important to you....has slowly faded away...



Slow Fade by Casting Crowns
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow


It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray


It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day


Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Be Inspired: Nick Vujicic's Story

When it's All Said and Done

Yesterday afternoon I went to the funeral of a friends father. My sweet sister-in-law offered to watch my children so that I could go. After driving about 20 minutes outside of town to get to her house, it took me a little longer than I'd hoped to get the kids settled before I could leave. There was no way I was going to leave her with crying babies! On the way back into town, I was running late and trying to relax. I turned up the radio a little to see what was playing and what would you know-it was "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. How appropriate! I'm driving to a funeral, imagining what it's like in heaven, while this man doesn't have to imagine ever again!

I walked into a filled church moments before it started. It was such a beautiful service. Our old pastor who started our church over 50 years ago talked. He ended his speech by telling us that when he dies, he wants there to be a party. He said, "I can't wait! There are some people I want to speak to up there!" with such joy in his eyes. He started listing members of his family and friends that he had lost. His best friend had died in World War 2, his father had passed when he was only 10 years old and he "was a daddy's boy if there ever was one!" Before I knew it, tears were running down my face as I soaked up his joy. I could almost feel as though I'd caught a glimpse of heaven; to be surrounded by so much love and joy. He finished his list by saying, "And I really can't wait to get to see the face of Jesus; To thank Him for what He did for me and to just sit at his feet and talk to Him." I was taken back to that song on my drive into town, "I can only imagine, what it will be like when I walk by Your side. Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine!"

After my husband and I left the church, on our way back to pick up our children, we passed a wreck where a truck had flipped upside down. It didn't look like anyone was hurt, but it made me think about how short this life is and how much of it we waste. We get our priorities all out of whack; we work longer, stay focused the things of this world. We keep a mile long "to do" list that never gets done. We worry over whether it will rain or if it will be too hot. We lay awake at night losing sleep over countless, "what if" scenarios.

As the old saying goes, "The only two certainties in life are death and taxes!" We are all going to die one day, only God knows when it will be. There is no escaping death of this fleshly body. Have you ever thought about what people will say once your gone? What will you leave behind? Will there be a long line at your funeral of people you touched, like there was yesterday? Have you been living your life the way Christ wants you too?

If not, you have another chance, it is a new day today! You have the chance to make this world a better place and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. You have another chance to make Him proud and store up your treasures in heaven, where moth and dust cannot destroy them. Those are the things we need to be focused on. For one day, you will stand at heavens gate and God's servant will look for your name in the Book of Life to see if you may enter and behold those golden streets that looks like transparent glass and walk through the 12 gates of heaven that were made from 12 single pearls (Revelation 21:21). If you are a child of God and you get to finally look your Savior in the face, will He say, "Well done my good and faithful servant?" Oh, my friend, the things of this world don't compare to that!

"His Master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in my happiness!'"
Matthew 25:21

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is coming with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Revelation 22:12-13

A Piece of My Previous Life

"The Word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword;

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

joints and marrow:it judges the

thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12

A few weeks ago my daughter was playing in my parents garage and she came across a pile of books. Like any avid, curious reader, she picked up a flowery, pink book and started reading. A little while later she brought the book inside to show my mom. My mother could not remember having ever owned the book and had no idea where it came from. When Wesley and I came back from wherever we'd been, I saw the book sitting on the couch. A small flutter of a memory came. It started as a small tiny puff of a cloud and then turned into a full fledged rain storm of memories as I picked up the book and started flipping through it. I knew where this book had come from, it had been mine in a previous life. I say previous life because the woman that types here today is certainly not the same woman who owned that book.

That woman was lost, she was wandering in the desert without water and was living without hope. She was searching for meaning to her life. She happened to be watching Oprah one day. Oprah recommended a new book called Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. It was like a devotion that you would read everyday, only this was no devotion. It was all about the power of YOU, you can do anything, be anything, you don't need anyone or any god as long as your inner spirit is good. I don't remember how long I read that book or what I thought while I was reading it, but I know I never finished it.

Yesterday a friend forwarded me the following short video about Oprah. I encourage you to watch it and be informed of what you are watching on television. satan is no mind reader, but he is smart and conniving and he can twist anything-even God's Holy Word that is God breathed and that is living and active, and reduce it to just "a good book". He can take Jesus sacrifice of dying on the cross for our sins and reduce it to nothing. He knows God's Word better than you or I and he knows how to use it against us. This is all the more reason and encouragement to study God's Word and to memorize it and hide it in your heart. It is your sword- your only weapon against the powers of darkness, never forget that.

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14:6

Don't Miss This

This does such a great job of putting my life in perspective! What a powerful message of His love for me and for you. I was in tears by the end. As Easter approaches us, look back at what He has done for you. Where has He brought you from? Where is He taking you? He has a plan for your life, My Friend; don't miss it by going your own way. As my pastor reminded us of on Sunday, He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. If He loved you then, He loves you now, He never changes. You can't ever be out of His reach. No matter what you've done, no matter where life has brought you, He still loves you and is waiting for you to come home to Him today.

PLEASE WATCH THIS!!!

My sister-in-law just emailed me this.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE watch this video until the very end.
It is only a minute or two long.
I promise you, it will stay with you for days to come...

Singin' in the Storm

I have come to the conclusion that sleep is no longer an option in my house. Last night I slept for 45 minutes straight before one of my boys woke me up. It was all down hill from there until 5:30 am when we were up for the day. As soon as one would get to sleep, the other immediately would wake up. This has been going on for a week now. Today at lunch Wesley said, "I can't even remember what a full 6 hours of sleep feels like-let alone 8 hours! We are doing good to get 2 hours of continuous sleep!"

It got me thinking, when was my last night of good rest? Isn't that how life is? You get in a rut and its hard to see out of it or remember what life was like before you got there. You start to wonder, is it ever going to end!

I jokingly talk about a "no-sleep rut", but on a serious note, it may be a financial rut or a relationship rut or an emotional rut...so many things that drag us down and threaten our peace. What do we do when we get down in that small valley? What happens when you feel all the light is gone and you are left in a cover of darkness? Then what?

Is it easier to praise Him when your life is going great or when its in the valley? Do you reach out to Him or shun Him, blaming Him for your problems? We all have a choice, and we all make one either way. Do you think He knows right where you are, at this given moment, as you read this? Does He know what is running through your brain RIGHT NOW?

I promise you He does. His word says He does, so it must be true. If He knows that, don't you think He knows what valley you're in right now? Better yet-He knows how you can get out of it. He can take that darkness and turn it into light. No matter how big or small-He knows and He has a purpose for it, even though you can't see it right now.

Last Sunday, a good friend of mine sang a Casting Crowns song called "Praise you in this Storm". I got chill bumps and had to fight back tears as I sang along. I went to YouTube and found the song with pictures from the war we are fighting right now. It reminded me of my Sept 11th post, talking about wearing the full armour of God. I have attached the video at the end of this post. As you watch it, think of your own battle. That's you in those pictures. You may not be wearing full camo and desert gear with a gun in your hand, but you have your belt of truth around your waist, your breastplate of righteousness and your shield of faith, "which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Eph 6:16) and most important, that is no gun in your hand, it is the Word of God, which is more powerful than any weapon.

As we are almost in the middle of November, I am constantly reminded of being Thankful. Holidays are special times for me and I really try my best to get my heart and mind into the reason for why we celebrate. I find myself being thankful for the storms in my day. We are to praise Him in the best of times...and the worst of times. How awesome it is to extinguish those flying arrows together, fighting side by side. You are not alone and He has not left you. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and He'll help you win any battle.

How thankful I am to serve such a powerful God who loves me enough to send His Son to die for me.




Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

Risks of the Heart

We all have hopes and dreams. There are times we lay awake at night or stare off into space at the red light dreaming...thinking about something we've always wanted to do or places we've always wanted to go. Maybe its something that doesn't seem possible or probable....dream it anyway...God placed those longings and desires in your heart for a reason.

Don't be afraid to take the risks of your heart. Write that letter, make that phone call, book that plane ticket, mail off that manuscript. We only get one shot, one chance at this thing called life. Don't waste it because you're afraid! Remember, He didn't give us a spirit of fear,but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

With Him ALL things are possible. Stay in His will, tell Him about your dreams, about what you "want to be when you grow up" (no matter how old you are!). He loves to listen to your heart.

Never stop hopin'...never stop dreamin'..and never stop prayin'...I promise you He is listening!

(look below the video for the words)




Anyway
Martina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren (BMI)

You can spend your whole life buildin’
Somethin’ from nothin’
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

(Chorus)
God is great, but sometimes life ain’t good
When I pray it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world’s gone crazy and it’s hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway
You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
Love ‘em anyway

(Repeat Chorus)

You can pour your soul out singin’
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah sing it anyway

I sing
I dream
I love anyway

A Tribute To All Mom's!

These both come from different emails other moms sent to me. They encouraged me, made me laugh and I thought every mom out there should see them. I DID NOT write the following piece. I'm not sure who did, but I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

God Bless, Marion

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?"

Obviously not.

No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

She's going ... she's going ... she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled back in a ponytail and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To My Friend, with Admiration for the Greatness of what you are Building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

* No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

* They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

* The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there!"

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.