Superbowl 2009

While working out yesterday (yes, I've started doing that again) I was watching a little from each of the four tv's that are at the front of the gym. You know, the ones that are supposed to keep your mind off the fact that your sweating like a man. Anyway...

I was reading/watching an interview with Kurt Warner, the quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. Apparently he's had a rocky career, one plagued with injuries and some bouts of sitting the bench. I believe they were debating whether or not he was "Hall of Fame" material. As they interviewed him he said something along the lines of this:

"I've always wanted to play my best. I want anyone who has ever played with me to be able to say "I was a better player and person because I worked along side of Kurt Warner." That's all."

If you delve more into Kurt's story, you know that he attributes any success that he has ever had to God and the grace that God has bestowed upon him to preserver through whatever adversity was thrown his way.

It made me think, is that what I want? Is that true of me? Can people say "I am a better person, just from being around Heather"? Do I want it to be? That's a high standard to hold yourself to, isn't it?

As I think and wrestle with that question, I will also be routing for the Cardinals!

Songs...

They've been my comfort as of late, so I thought I'd share a few lines from the playlist in my head. Do you know what song they are?? :)

"Teach me how to cling to you, with all my life and all my love. Father come to me, hold me up, cause I can barely stand. My strength is gone and my breath is short, I can't reach out my hands...."

"No guilt in life, no fear in death! This is the pow'r of Christ in me..."

"I am in the sun. I am in the shade. I am in the light that love has made. I in the cold. I am in the warm. I am in the center of your storm. I am in the fire I am in the flood I am in the marrow and the blood..."

"I need a piece of mind, I need a piece of You, to cover all that is gone and everything that's new."

"Walking with You in not without hazards and tripping's this traveler's curse....truth mixed with my imperfection...what should I say to them? What if I'm failing them?... lately I'm wondering if you are mistaken.. Do you speak through the unbroken?... Should I tell them that I am an example of all you can do with a life?"

"I wanna to live like there's no tomorrow, I wanna dance like no ones around. I wanna sing like no one's listening, before I lay my body down. I wanna give like I have plenty. I wanna love like I'm not afraid. I wanna be the (wo)man I was meant to be...

"I delight myself in the richest offer. Trading all that I have, for all that is better. A garment of praise for my heaviness. You are the greatest taste...you're the riches of faith..."

The list could go on and on. It was a good weekend. :)

Generations Will Reap What I Sow...

Yesterday the 44th President of the United States was sworn in to office. At the end of his inaugural address he quotes the following:

With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

When I heard these words, my immediate reaction was not to fight for my country, but rather, for my God. Life is different today than it was yesterday. My children's futures will be

different than mine; and this is a good thing. We do not want to be a static people.

And I do want my children's children to say that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end. The journey of bringing truth and freedom, love and justice, hope and peace to the generations that follow us. May my children's children know that it is because of God's grace that we were able to fight and that they, too, are able to share in it.

May the Church's unity be what sets us apart. May our love for our God not be hindered by our greed and selfishness. May we truly turn the other cheek, give extra clothing, and walk two miles instead of just one to ensure that the love Christ has for all peoples is known throughout the world.

May this be the legacy my generation leaves behind, and the one future generations refuse to falter. With strength that only comes from weaknesses, may we see the glory and the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen...

Prayer...

Ok, I have a small, "uncool", confession. Since Christmas I have been listening to TobyMac's "portable sounds" cd...almost non-stop. Weird? I don't know; but its a good one for now. Anyway...

At the end of his last track he says this: "May Your kingdom be what wakes us up and lays us down."

I love that. There is so much peace to be found in that statement. May the reason I get up and the reason I rest be because of His kingdom work. May I feel His commands/callings/leadings/hopes/desires for my life are greater than my own and may I trust that He is for me.

May His kingdom be what wakes you up and what lays you down.

Answers...

"Because I said no." was the phrase I heard a father tell his son last night. I was at a local watering hole waiting for a table. This statement made me smile and remember.

I used to hear that phrase all the time growing up. Apparently I liked to ask a lot of questions. Most children go through the "why" stage, you know the one...where the child asks "why" to every answer the parent gives. My mother usually used "Because I said so" or "Why not."

Most of my "why" questions come in prayer now. I would like to think I can handle anything that comes my way as long as I know the "why" behind it. Sometimes God is gracious and tells me the why. Sometimes He waits for "hind sight" to explain things to me. And other times, well its simply "because I said no." There is no other explanation. And if we are honest, there we shouldn't need another explanation. It should be enough.

Granted, the boy walked away from his father frustrated and many times I walk away from my Heavenly Father frustrated. "Because I said no" seems so unfair, ungracious, and plain ol' mean.

But really, did the father say "no" because he wanted to withhold joy from his son? More than likely it was because the father knew what was best for the boy. "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matt 7:11)

How much more is waiting for us, when we embrace the "because I said no"? How much more will the Heavenly Father give...