7 Words of Worship...a little too early

Seven Words of Worship is a great bible study and companion CD released by Lifeway last year. It was written as sort of the worship side of Experiencing God. Our worship leaders/artist in residence were part of the production team. Dick and Mel did most of the arranging and writing of the songs. Our choir along w/Mike Harland's home church choir were part of the recording. The 2 nights we recorded were phenomonal. It was not like a recording, it was an incredible worship experience.

The entire package of bible study, cd and dvd would be an awesome undertaking for any church. Worship is so much more than verse chorus verse chorus. Worship is be in the presence of God, face to face with our creator, doing what we were created to do.

If you want this for yourself, your church or your small group, check it out.

We have the CD in our van and our kids love it. They always ask for the "their" song. It is #2 on the CD, "When I think about the Lord". This song was originally recorded as a rather slow song. For this recording, Dick uped the beat. It is very fast and moving. My kids LOVE it. Anyone who has been around them for very long has heard "it makes me wanna SHOUT, Hawewujah, fank you Jesus, word your worry, all the gorry and all da pwaise..." The adult translation is

It makes me want to SHOUT

Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus

Lord you're worthy

Of all the glory and all the honor

And all the praise

I love hearing them sing praises. They don't understand all of the words but their hearts are full and so is mine for that matter.

Now having said all of the good stuff...there is a time when I don't want to hear "...SHOUT, Hallelujah..." that is at 5:30 in the morning. That is how I was awakened this morning...way too early and way too loud. I had to go in and ask Olivia to whisper her song. As I left her room, she whispered her way through her "quiet" time with God. What a blessing, albeit a sleepy one!

When Mom is sick and the Super Bowl

I have been sick lately (recovering from mono). Here is a glimpse of what it is like when mom is not "completely" in charge.

Little girls choose their own clothes.

Little boys choose their own toys...notice the pink and blue baby doll backpack along with a piece of hotwheels race track.

Guess who is really in charge??

During college bowl season we as a family picked all of the bowl games. Now the thought behind each pick was quite different amongst the participants. David and Alex chose based on records, injury reports, proximity to home field, playing conditions ect. I chose based mainly on team colors and sentimentality. The babies well, they had no idea other than what they liked...all chose Rice because we eat a lot of rice at our house, all chose Troy St. because Troy is in High School Musical, all chose Oregon because of Livi. It was so funny hearing them choose "their" team and why. The winner was to pick the food for our super bowl party. We had so much fun checking the score over the weeks of bowl play. I know what you are expecting...David and Alex went 1st and 2nd and we had hot wings and pigs in a blanket. No not quite...they finished last and next to last. That's right the serious sports guys fell to the amatuers. Olivia won!!

She was so excited! My cousin Becky was here taking care of them since I was sick. She fixed all of Olivia's choices. So we had the only Super Bowl party in the country where the menu was...

Cucumbers, strawberries and salad! Way to go Livi Lu!!

Heaven...to me

Do you know what heaven will be like? I am not being super spiritual here. I am not going to review Randy Alcorn's book or try to debate Max Lucado. I am on the slightly silly side of this topic (like the guy you know who says he will play like Michael Jordan or putt like Tiger Woods). Well for a long time I have had my own "opinion" on that subject. Yes, I have an opinion...shocking isn't it. Many know what I have always said..."When I get to heaven I am going to sing like Sandy Patti and be 7 months pregnant, all the time."
Why Sandy? Because she was the first incredible voice I heard proclaiming praises to our God in way that led me to worship. I have never enjoyed southern gospel music and that was all I had ever heard in the Christian music world. Then one blessed day I heard "We shall behold Him". It was then I knew what it was like to praise God through music. Someday I want to hit those high notes and sing to the top of my voice in His presence.

Why 7 months pregnant? Because it is a wonderful time of being a mother. At 7 months you are big enough for people to notice that you are pregnant but not so big as to be uncomfortable. Friends, family and perfect strangers send you well wishes and joy filled greetings. And one very special blessing of this time is known only to the mommy. By this time you can readily feel your baby moving within you and for that time, you alone cradle him just under your heart.

Well, tonight I added to my "opinion"...

When I get to heaven I will sing like Sandy Patti, be 7 months pregnant and there will be an unlimited supply of Gigi's spumoni cupcakes.

Amen and Amen.

As I re-read this to myself I was reminded of a time when reading someone's account of being pregnant would have made me very sad and even angry. Please know that if you are reading this and it rips at your heart because you are longing for "that feeling inside of you", our God is a big God. He can heal your heart in so many ways. He can heal your pain by changing your desires. He can heal your pain by blessing you with a pregnancy after years of disappointments. He can choose to bless you with an adopted child that reminds you just how much our Savior loves us. He can fill what you feel is the emptiest of hopes. I know, I have been there. I have suffered for years and had Him heal my pain through children that can only be descibed as miracles. Have faith and hold to the One who holds all life in His hands. Psalm 37:4