Friday Five - Obsessed?

Yesterday I shared an excerpt from a chapter in the book I am reading.  For my "Friday Five" post, I would like to give you a few more of the characteristics from "Profile of the Obsessed", as the author outlined them. (There are several more, but these are the ones that spoke loudly to me...)

• A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently.  Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them. (Matthew 24:42)
• People who are obsessed with God are known as givers not takers.  Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world. (James 2:14-16)
• People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures.  Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.   (Psalm 139)
• People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him.  They are nourished by God's Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages. (Psalm 1:2-3)
• A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort.  Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God. (James 1:2-4)

My response: WOW!!

My Prayer: Forgive me Lord, because I know that I must break your heart.  I am way too inward focused. Open my eyes to see what truly matters to You.  Give me your heart for Your Kingdom.  Jesus, come invade my heart...take hold of me.  BE MY MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION!!!

Truly, Madly, Deeply...

As I was cleaning up the kitchen tonight I was humming one of my new favorite tunes.  "My jam", as I like to call it.  ;-)

"How do you expect me, to live alone with just me?  My world revolves around you it's so hard for me to breathe..."

Chris said, "You really like that song don't you?"

Yes, I really do.  I love songs sung with passion and insane amounts of vocal talent.  I love to be able to put my self, my life, into a song.  I love my KISA with all my heart, and if I were ever to have to live without him, it would be like trying to breathe with No Air.

Later on, I went to my room for some quiet time, and picked up my latest read, Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Chapter Eight is titled "Profile of the Obsessed".  In it, Francis describes what it really means to be completely obsessed with Jesus Christ.  Throughout the chapter he gives several different definitions of this obsession, and provides brief descriptions and examples of each.  Tonight as I was reading, I came across this excerpt.

The Engrossed

Jesus didn't just pull the greatest command out of  nowhere.  He hearkened all the way back to the days of Moses when God says to His people,

Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.         --Deuteronomy 6:4-9

In Paul's time the heart was understood to be the seat of a person's emotions, the very center of his being, the place where decisions are made.  The soul was considered the basis for a person's traits and qualities, or his personality.  Strength refers to physical, mental, and spiritual strength.

So within this command to love God with "all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength," every fiber of humanity is addressed.  Our goal as people who follow Christ should be no less than becoming people who are madly in love with God.

A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.

After reading the above, I came back to the computer and listened to "my jam" one more time.  This time with my eyes and heart turned toward a different lover...the one true Lover of My Soul.

At church we often sing, "This is the air I breathe... your Holy Presence, living in me".  But do we really mean it?  Is He the air we breathe?  Are we so truly, madly, and deeply in love with Him, that life without His presence is like trying to breathe with No Air??  Can we belt out that love song to Him with reckless abandon???

I wonder...

Memorial Memories

 

Monday Musings

* Friday night was Family Night. Despite other plans that ran around in my head, we ended up having a "fiesta" and ordering take-out from LaBamba. ;-) After that, it was Shark Boy and Lava Girl on Disney Channel.

* Saturday was quite possibly the laziest day that KISA and I have spent in quite some time. We crawled out of bed at 10:30, and were back for a nap by 1:30!! I am almost ashamed to admit that we slept another two hours! Boy was it needed, after the week we'd had!

* After napping all day, we went to a cookout for our adult Sunday School class at SFBC. It was a great time, but kind of sad...the last of its kind for us. We are down to our final week in ministry there before leaving to "officially" start a Revolution in Florence, SC.

* Yesterday after morning worship, we came home and "loaded up the truck" for an overnight visit with Nana and Papa. We're celebrating Memorial Day, and the "Grand Opening" of their pool for the summer. The kids wore their bathing suits, so all they had to do when we got here, was jump right in! (Funny story: The kids have been looking forward to this all weekend. On the way over - a 65 mile trek - Jake kept asking the dreaded, "How much longer?"... The last time he asked, I told him that the latest mile marker had shown that we had about 25 more minutes. He desperately clasped his hands to the side of his head and exclaimed, "Oh, just let me out, and I'll start walking!!". Ahhh, the mental reasoning of a 6 year old!)

* Today we are looking forward to more fun in the pool, and time with the family. But more than that, we are celebrating the men and women who have given their very lives to defend our freedom. A heart-felt THANK YOU goes out to all of you who have served and fought for our country, because as we all know... Freedom's Never Free!

Standing on a hillside
Where the river meets the sea
White crosses without number
Line the fields of peace

And each one a silent witness
Staring back at me
Every cross a story
Of another place in time
Where young men thought it worthy
To give their life for mine
And for the sake of honor
Left their dreams behind

And for the price they paid
I'm forever in their debt
Their memory will not die
'Cause I will not forget

I will stand and hold my head up high
I will dedicate my life
To the glory of the ones who had to die
I will live, live what I believe
If for no one else but me
I will remember
That freedom's never free

It was on another hillside
Outside the city gates
The battle lines were drawn
As soldiers took their place

The Father watched in silence
As a cross was raised
With freedom drawing closer
He took His final breath
He drank our cup of guilt
And took the sting from death

Heaven's Finest Soldier
clothed in human flesh
And for the price He paid
I'm forever in His debt
The cross will never die
'Cause I will not forget

I will stand and hold my head up high
I will dedicate my life
To the glory of the One who had to die
I will live, live what I believe
If for no one else but me
To remember that
Freedom's Never Free

I will walk free
I will stay free
I will live free
I will die free!

(Phillips Craig and Dean)

Moment of Silence

 

I'm sure you've all heard by now, about the awful tragedy that Steven Curtis Chapman and his family are facing.  I cannot even imagine what they must be going through, but I do know that our God is the God of all Comfort:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

(2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Would you take just a moment, and pray for them right now???

Heavenly Father, we confess that we have no idea what you are up to in this.  Jesus, this tragedy seems almost unbearable.  But Lord, we know that you have told us that you know the plans you have for us...plans to prosper us and not to harm us...plans to give us a hope and a future.  Jesus, please fill this precious family with that hope. Send The Comforter to come to them and wrap them in your unfailing love.  In Jesus' name I pray... Amen.

Holding Me Together

This post is inspired by a couple of emails that I have received over the last couple of days.  (Thank you, Mrs. Suzie and Jennifer!) ;-)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  (Colossians 1:15-17)

Sometimes life gets flat out crazy.  Running here and there, tossing to and fro.  Sickness, sadness, heartache; we've all experienced it.  We all go through storms, through trials, through pain...

 

But, did you know?

 

Did you know that the God of this universe is not only protecting you, and providing for you as you seek Him, but that He is literally holding you together? 

 

Each and every single day of your life???

 

Now...

Because there's nothing left to do but PRAISE HIM!!!...

What a great way to celebrate Thankful Thursday.  What are you thankful for today?  Head on over to Sting My Heart and share it with us!

This Really Bugs Me!

How am I supposed to let everybody know that:

J-Man is off to his ball game with Coach Dad. Em is on the couch resting. Sambo is watching a little TV. Mom is wondering... what's for supper?

Hope it's back up soon!

I'll Get You My Pretty...and Your Little Blog, Too!

Sunday evening, I heard the warning signal...(insert "Wicked-Witch-on-Bicycle" soundtrack here.) Fever, aches, chills.
By 1:00 AM on Monday, it was the attack of the Flying Monkeys...(too graphic to describe, but this campaign lasted a solid 24 hours, and is still coming in waves.)


And today, well...all I can say is, "Poppies....Poppies"...


Citizens of Oz, your prayers are appreciated. My little munchkin boys "did their time" last week, then me, and now The Princess munchkin is burning up with fever.


My Lovin' Tin Man has stepped into the role of Mr. Mom, and is doing a great job. Hopefully he won't come down with this awful stomach flu, but I won't be the least bit surprised if he does.


All this is to say, that I hope to be back with you soon... but at least you know now why things have been so quiet this week at Truly Captivating.


Trying to muster up the strength to click my heels...

Crazy Love and a Prayer Request

Hi gang.  It's almost 1:00 am here, and I am awake.  (We'll get to the reason for that in a minute.)

Just wanted to let you know about a book I am reading.  If you saw my Mother's Day "extravaganza" post, you know that I got Crazy Love by Francis Chan as a "gift".  I know that I talk about a lot of books here, and I have seriously read quite a few of late that have been of major impact.  (Chazown,  Lousy T-Shirt, and Divine Mentor have, so far, been "the biggies".) 

But THIS BOOK is truly ROCKING MY WORLD!!!

Let me give you an example...

"Suppose you are an extra in an upcoming movie.  You will probably scrutinize that one scene where hundreds of people are milling around, just waiting for that two-fifths of a second when you can see the back of your head...

Let's take it a step further. What if you rent out the theater on opening night and invite all your friends and family  to come see the new movie about you?  People will say, 'You're an idiot! How could you think this movie is about you?'...

Many Christians are even more delusional than the person I've been describing.  So many of us think and live like the movie of life is all about us...

We have only our two-fifths-of-a-second-long scene to live.  I don't know about you, but I want my two-fifths of a second to be about my making much of God.  First Corinthians 10:31 says, 'So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.'  That it what each of our two-fifths of a second is about.

So what does that mean for you?

Frankly, you need to get over yourself...

The point of your life is to point to Him.  Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His.  It is His movie, His world, His gift.

WOW!  Do I ever need to be reminded of that right now.  You see, when you are awake at 1:35 am, taking care of a very sick little boy (and now you have the prayer request), you are tempted to think it's all about you.

When you have to peel his pajamas off of him and place them in a trash bag, you are tempted to say, "Why me, Lord...why now?? I am SO TIRED".

When you have to yank all of the sheets and bedding off the bed, and wash them not once, but twice, you are inclined to shake your fists at heaven and say, "God this is so gross!!! We've been dealing with various illnesses on and off since Christmas!! How much more of this do I have to take?". 

When you have to pull the entire mattress off of the bed and put it out on the deck so you can scrub it down with Lysol...when you have to Clorox the ENTIRE bathroom...when you have to wash the ENTIRE boy... you are tempted to pitch a fit, have a melt-down, or throw a pity party.

But you know what?  As bad (and as literally) as all this may stink, my attitude is what stinks most of all.  God gave me that precious little boy.  It is my responsibility to take care of him, clean him up, and nurse him back to health... all the while showing displaying modeling the "Crazy Love" of Jesus. 

Because it's not about me, anyway... it's all about Him. 

Dear God, help me to "get over myself".  Help me to make much of YOU Jesus, and not get so wrapped up in "me".  Help me Lord, no matter what, to give you the GLORY, the HONOR, and the PRAISE you deserve!! - Amen

'Cause You Got...Personality

I took this test.

Here are my results:

Your Type is
ESFP

Extraverted - 56
Sensing - 50
Feeling - 62
Perceiving - 33

For explanations of exactly what this means, you can check out the following links.

The Portait of the Performer (ESFP)

Performers have the special ability, even among the Artisans, to delight those around them with their warmth, their good humor, and with their often extraordinary skills in music, comedy, and drama. Whether on the job, with friends, or with their families, Performers are exciting and full of fun, and their great social interest lies in stimulating those around them to take a break from work and worry, to lighten up and enjoy life.

ESFP Profile

Where's the party?" ESFPs love people, excitement, telling stories and having fun. The spontaneous, impulsive nature of this type is almost always entertaining. And ESFPs love to entertain -- on stage, at work, and/or at home. Social gatherings are an energy boost to these "people" people.

Almost every ESFP loves to talk. Some can be identified by the twenty minute conversation required to ask or answer a simple factual question.

So here's my question...

For those of you that "know me" know me (or even if you just think you do)... What do you think? Is this me??

Give it to me straight. I'm a big girl, I can take it... (I think.)

My Life in Six Words

Lauren @ Baseballs and Bows challenged me with this post last week, and Mr. Ragamuffin Soul hit me again, here, this morning. I find this concept very intriguing so I've decided to play along.  A tall order for one who loves to talk, but here goes...

Love. Sing. Laugh. Dance. Love more.

How about you?  What six words describe you best?

Monday Musings...

MOTHER'S DAY was AWESOME!!!

Thought I would share more of my gifts with you...

From Emilee:

I absolutely love the slender, blue-eyed portrait of me (I've always wondered what that might look like...) and all of the cards were precious!! Since I already shared Jacob's sentiments here, I just have to share the acrostic poem Emilee wrote (inside the orange card with the yellow "cupcake" flower)...

What Mother Means

M... means the million things you did for me

O... means only that you're growing old

T... the talking part you taught me

H... is the happiest things you want to do for me

E... is for the everlasting kisses you give me

R...is for the rapid hugs you've given me

Put them all together they spell "MOTHER"... a word that means the world to me!

(Note: those of you who "know" us are absolutely hooting about the "T", and as for the "O"... well, all I can say is "OH My Gosh!!!") ;-)

From Jacob (just in case you missed THIS):

This was a creation he made for me at school last week.  He couldn't wait until Sunday, so he gave it to me on Thursday.  Here's what the placard says:

A piece of me I give to you.

I painted this flower to say "I love you".

The heart is you, the hand is me.

To show we are friends - the best that can be.

I hope you will save it, and look back someday

At the flower we shared on your special day.

From Sam:

The picture is from Mom's Morning at his school, and the poem underneath the flower (made from his fingerprints) says this:

This little flower is special, you see,

Because it was made from a part of me.

My painted fingers made each flower part,

To show I love you with all my heart!

From all three kids:

My sweet friend, Patti, took all their pictures (I think it may have been a Children's Church project) and allowed them to make the picture frames.  (Sorry about the exposure, it's quite a challenge to take a picture of pictures...but I think you get the gist!)

From my KISA , aka: Knight in Shining Armor (...someone asked):

He finally got desperate last week and asked if there was anything in particular I wanted. I told him that I'd love to have a pair of Rainbows like the ones Lindsay K. had on at church the other day.  I specifically said, "They're not white, but very light canvas, so cute, and would go with anything".   Well, he got the dark brown ones! When I pulled them out of the bag, trying to look grateful and endearing, he said, "Did I get the wrong ones?? I thought you said NOT to get the light ones".  Hehe!  Just more proof:  Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus! ;-)  He's still my Lovin' Man, and I adore the fact that he tries his darndest to make me happy (no matter how difficult I can be)!

From Me: 

Yep, I had too much time on my hands in Barnes and Noble the other day, so I broke down and bought a couple of books on my wish list. (Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and Having a Mary Spirit, by Joanna Weaver).  When he got home from work that day, Chris promptly removed them from the bag and gift-wrapped them for me!

All in all it was a wonderful day!! No cooking, no cleaning, coffee and donuts waiting on me when I woke, and a delicious meal prepared by some awesome guys at SFBC.  Spent the afternoon visiting with extended family, playing games, playing outside, watching movies, and spending time with the four people I love most in the world. 

I am SO BLESSED!!! 

In the words of Cindy Morgan, "How Could I Ask For More?"

What Kind of Mother Hen are You?

Found this over at 2nd Cup of Coffee... Thanks for sharing, Linda!

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

Happy Mother's Day!!

Friday Five - Jacob's Guest Post

Happy Friday, y'all!

I had planned to post the Top 5 things I love about being a mother, in honor of Mother's Day.  But yesterday, Jacob brought home a gift for me that he made in Kindergarten.  I decided to share it instead...

On the back were these five sentences(in all their 5K glory):

 

My mom is speshiol (special).

My mom gos to my basboall games.

My mom helps me do the lojrey (laundry).

My mom luves on me.

My mom holds my heand  so I dont get lallst (lost).

 

So, there you have it.  My fabulous boy has provided my Friday Five!  Thanks, J-Man... You make your Mama SO PROUD!!

Sometimes He has to Use a Megaphone

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote this post concerning God speaking, and listening to his voice.  Well, no matter how focused I try to be, sometimes the noise of the hustle and bustle of my life gets so loud, I get distracted.  I let the chaos drown Him out.

Go here, be there, do this, call him, see her...dentists, doctors, ball games, church activities (yes, I said that... sometimes even our involvement in church can muffle His voice if we're not careful)...not to mention laundry, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dishes, homework, and other everyday household chores.  Honestly...when does it ever end? 

It doesn't.

It's called LIFE.  But here's something I know...  Jesus didn't die on a cross and raise himself up from the dead just to give me ETERNAL life, but also ABUNDANT life.  I've gotten off kilter somehow, and truthfully, I'm not enjoying life very much these days.  But, I think I've found the culprit, no...I know I have.  I was reading these verses earlier this week, when I heard Him (quite literally, and not so subtly) call my name:

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

(Matthew 6:28-34, all emphases mine)

I focused on the word "lilies" for a few moments, and then I remembered this:

Susanne:  origin - Hebrew; meaning - lily

Do you think Someone was trying to get my attention? 

Yeah... me, too.

Mama Reeder's Day Off

Because of the busy-ness of last week, and our super-slammed weekend, I have done something a bit unconventional.  Usually, I am a stickler for school attendance (well, when they get old enough that it COUNTS, anyway...), but today I called an audible. We are taking the day off.  No routines, no schedules, no demands... just sleeping bags, pillows, and movies all day long.

We have all been so cranky and irritable lately, and I am sure that it's due to lack of proper rest.  So just for today, we are going to rest, relax, and recuperate from all the craziness that is our life during this season.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
       "In repentance and rest is your salvation,
       in quietness and trust is your strength..." (Isaiah 30:15)

Ferris Bueller's got nothin' on me!

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

As I am writing this, I can't help but hear the opening song on the Lilo and Stitch Soundtrack ringing in my ears.  You've heard of the "emotional roller coaster"?  Well, apparently, in Hawaii, riding waves is like riding a roller coaster, and I am experiencing my fair share. Waves of emotion keep crashing over me.  In the last 24 hours I have felt...

• ecstatic over a dear friend's news that he is going to be a father
• astonished by the awesome plans that God has for my life
• crushed by the hurtful words of someone I love dearly
• tired from all of the week's events
• disappointed that Em's team lost their game in the last inning
• stunned by an email that my Mom shared with me
• exhausted by the emotions that ensued as a result
• stressed by all the items on my to-do list for the day
• tearful as I nurse the aching and longing of my heart
• fearful of what the future may hold
• hopeful for what the future may hold
• secure in knowing The One who holds that future
• broken for those hurting around me that don't know The Answer
• challenged by the call to reach out and touch those lost ones
• blessed by the enveloping love of my KISA, my children, my family, my friends, and most especially... my SAVIOR KING.

So, as the waves of emotion continue to roll, I am making a choice.  I will not be sent tumbling, or knocked down any longer... not without a fight, anyway.  Intent on mastering these feelings, I am going to make my way to the nearest sporting goods store, and invest in a top of the line surf board...

 KOWABUNGA, dude! ;-)

Thankful Thursday - Random

A lot floating around in my head today; like Iris, I felt a random post would be totally appropriate...

Today, I am thankful for...

• The washing of the Word, and it's transforming power in my life.
• The way this book is speaking to me. - I am learning so much about "self-feeding", and journaling the scriptures.
• The wonderful mentors that God has placed in mine and KISA's lives.
• Sweet friends that love me enough to speak truth into my life, even when it may not be easy to hear.
• The call that God has placed on my (our) life(s) - Words cannot describe what it feels like to be pursuing my destiny in Christ, and the continued words/acts of confirmation He is pouring out on me (us).
• My wonderful husband - He loves me even when I am ugly, prideful, and selfish. He loves me enough to want what is best for me, and never hesitate to come to my rescue.
• This song (lyrics here) on my Steve Fee CD, that I woke singing this morning - Thank you Jesus, that my chains are undone, and I can lift my head, my eyes, and my hands in praise to you!
  

Dear God,
No matter what I once was, I have been washed,
I have been sanctified, and I have been justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
and by the Spirit of our God! (1 Corinthians 6:11)

What are you thankful for today? Please join us at Sting My Heart, we'd love to have you!