GPS

Recently our family headed out on a vacation. We were going to be driving so my husband put the GPS on the dashboard and off we went. After several hours of driving, we both needed some coffee so we pulled off the nearest exit with the good stuff. After our pit stop, the kids noticed that the GPS was doing some funny stuff. Here's the conversation that took place with both children talking very loudly with ear plugs in while watching a DVD!! (We're really techie on our road trips.)

Hannah-"Daddy, why are you going the wrong way? It says to turn right."

Joshua-"Moma do you know that Daddy is going the wrong way?" (He knows who'll ask for directions…LOL.)

Once we assured the kids we had just taken a detour for some coffee, we were back on track and the GPS was happy. As we enjoyed our coffee, I couldn't help but think about all the warning signs that had just been sent our way. Thankfully for us, this particular choice wasn't life altering. But too often this week, I've watched or heard about people who have made bad choices and are suffering the consequences. It's been hard to hear. I keep thinking the warning signs are everywhere, why don't they just stop. And before you think I'm on a soap box, I've asked myself the same question. Why don't I just stop? And here's how I think we stay on the right path:

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

(Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT)

For me these verses mean that although as a believer I have set my course to be like Christ, I have a real enemy that wants to trip me up. To combat those attacks I have to daily suit up with God's armour. Put God's word in my life- it is the Truth and it always stands. I must know that God is in control and have Peace. And finally I must keep praying for the strength and wisdom to make good choices. Will the attacks stop? Doubtful. Will I be more aware of the warning signs? Absolutely.

Girls Day Out!

Woo hoo...I just spent the day out with my favorite girl, Hannah!

We got a pedicure, had some lunch and then went to see the Hannah Montana Movie. It was fantastic! I loved that it was a good, clean, family movie with a great message.

"Life's a climb; but the view is great!"

And no girls day out would be complete without some shopping, so we headed off and spent a little money...just a little.

Thanks Hannah for hanging with your Mom today...I had a blast.

You always make me laugh.

Perseverance

Last week at our swim meet, Joshua was swimming really late in a Free Style Relay. He kept asking me if he could skip it. It was late and he was tired. But I put my coach's hat on, and explained how much the team needed him, it was just Free Style and he was first. He'd swim down the pool in less than a minute and be sitting back in his chair in no time. It was a little chaotic with all the 7 & 8 year old girls and boys getting ready for their relays, but we went over and got in our lane.

The coach starts going through the line-up and mistakenly sends us to the other side of the pool. There are a couple of boys named Joshua in this age bracket, so it's confusing. I thought this was an error but we took off, because the race in front of us was coming to an end! (If you've ever been at a swim meet, this happens..it's crazy, it's hot and it's quick!) We get settled in our lane on the other side, we're ready to go and then I hear someone yelling "Joshua Turner, Joshua Turner"! You guessed it…we were supposed to start at the other end. So off we go again running back to where we started. Funny moment here- Joshua didn't know the lady calling his name, so he hesitated before taking off with her back around the pool. As we're running, I'm yelling it's o-k…just go! I was glad to see him hesitate to go with a complete stranger.

For those of you still here, Joshua is 7, he's tired and we've lapped the pool once and haven't even hit the water yet. We get in line, then the coach says, "I need Joshua to swim the last leg of this relay also." At this point Joshua's adrenaline has kicked in from all the running, so I say what the heck, he'll do it. Joshua has never swam two legs of a relay, so I told him to just sit on the side of the pool when he finished the first lap and I would tell him when to go again. The relay starts and he takes off. I run through the crowd back to the other end of the pool to meet him.

As I'm making my way, he finishes, the second boy jumps in and takes off. I can see that Joshua is looking for me and starting to hop out. So I yell his name and in a weird twisted moment, all goes crazy. A little neighbor friend (about 10 years old) sees me coming and she's standing in front of Joshua. She begins to scream, "GO, GO JOSH, GO!" "YOU GOTTA GO BACK, GO, GO!" So he turns around and takes off back down the pool. To this day I have no idea of what she was thinking, but I was mad. Really mad. (Insert out-of body experience here. Not pretty, not good to share.)

Myself and two other adults tried to call him back. But he was off like a bullet, swimming faster than I've ever seen him swim. I could not move. I could not speak. I think I stopped breathing. I watched as he got out at the other end and the coaches tell him to run back to me. (Yes, we've lapped the pool so many times now, I can't keep count!) I hear the coaches yelling, "make room, let him through!" I start to realize he's gonna swim the last leg too, but he's getting lost in the crowd. So I do what any good, competitive, crazy Mom would do. I go get him, and basically throw him in as the third leg is finishing. And then I went nuts (or nuttier)…I'm thinking if we're doing this, we're doing it BIG! I began to make my way all the way down the side of the pool, cheering him on, yelling for him to go fast, telling him not to give up! He didn't, not even for a second. He swam like a crazy boy. The coaches are cheering, people in the crowd are cheering. It's an awesome moment. And here's how the "JOSH MAN" finished:

1^ST PLACE! Blue is a great color on him…don't you think? Good job, Josh.

Summer Bible Study

Are you looking for a good Summer Bible Study? Here are two and both of these you can do on your own or with a group if you'd like.

BRING IT - This is our current sermon series at NorthStar on the book of James. Each week you can get daily devotions here called Digging Deeper that help lead you through the passages. The first one was May 31st, but you can catch up quite easily! The sermons can be heard here.

The second study is with Living Proof Ministries and they are starting on June 23rd with ME, MYSELF AND LIES by Jennifer Rothschild. You can find all the details for this one on their blog. I really like Jennifer and will get to hear her speak later this summer...so excited!!

If you have another summer study, let me know. I always feel like the schedule is a train wreck in the summer, but being in God's word is a priority.

Worship

During church on Sunday, we sang a song called Stronger (by Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding).
I've heard the song before and really like it. During the chorus, our worship leader, Eric, moved away from the microphone. I don't think I've ever heard such great worship from MEN!
It was such an awesome moment, I just stood and listened and it took my breath away. Eric didn't ask only the men to sing, it was just that there were so many and they were really letting the worship flow. So glad I didn't miss it. Great job Eric!

Here's the chorus:

You are stronger, You are stronger,
Sin is broken, You have saved me.
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus, You are Lord of All.