A Beautiful Thing

"The cross is a paradox. What was a symbol of failure and death is now established forever as a symbol of life and victory. The crucifixion was a gruesome and traumatic event and at the moment of surrender as the storm clouds gathered and the skies went to darkness it would have seemed to all who were witnesses, especially His followers, that all hope was lost – the so called ‘Son of God’ humiliated and tortured, dying as He hung upon a cross. But unlike any historical event that has ever taken place before or after, this moment would change everything – Forever. Because of the cross we no longer have to live entangled in the fallout and the wreckage of our lives, or the worst the world can throw at us. We have been lifted out of the ashes and into the LIGHT of the aftermath. We find hope, peace, freedom, and life, and we can know with assurance that He is with us no matter what comes our way." - Joel Houston 

Wow, what a beautiful exchange! 

We shouldn't have to wait until Easter comes around to remember the cross. That is a mistake too many of us make. In ALL that we do, we must NEVER lose sight of it. Ever. So help me celebrate our creator everyday :) 

I got a call from the community blood center this morning saying that a baby is having open heart surgery and my O negative was needed .. I didn't have to think twice. 

GRATEFUL that Jesus didn't either when he chose to shed his BLOOD so that we can have direct access to GRACE and LOVE

 Thank you Lord for making my DIRT your REDEMPTION † 

Happy Easter everyone

I Want The Cross †

"There is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends."

It is that time of year again!!

Today we are embarking upon our 33 mile journey to the cross. VIA DOLOROSA. 
It is an annual youth event in which we gather our troops and take them on a painful walk around Boca Raton, Florida. Each mile representing a year that Jesus walked the earth. 
Blisters, rashes, sweat, blood and tears ... and an 80 pound wooden cross! Friday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning. 
It was started by Dave Cowger in 1997, and we have been carrying it out ever since. 

Take a second and just imagine that... A group of 100 (more or less) students dauntlessly carrying a cross around their city ....
AMAZING RIGHT?!

Taking turns throughout the walk, each carrying the cross for as long as their little bodies can take, it gives them a tiny snippet and acts as a reminder of our Lord's journey to crucifixion. Mind you, our cross has a wheel attached, making it easier to transport, plus the rag that we get to put on our shoulder where we will take our grasp of it. Therefore, our measly walk can never be COMPARED to Jesus' human muscles being pushed beyond their endurance, in addition to deep, relentless, throbbing pain. 

I can not fight the tears and chills that run through my body as I watch the horrific scene directed by your very own Mel Gibson.

I do encourage anyone and everyone who is in South Florida to join us this weekend! It is a beautiful experience. You will not be the same. 


"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for out iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his WOUNDS we are HEALED." Isaiah 53: 5

Thank you Jesus for making all things new in my life. 

Nothing missing, nothing broken ....... † † † †

youngling

Children SMILE as many as 400 times a day!  I thought I'd share one with you today :)

This is Ariana after daycare. So ecstatic about the little kitty on her face! (and if you dared getting close to it, if was OFF WITH YOUR HANDS!)  Everyday is an adventure with the baby sister, and I look forward to every single one!

"As we try to teach them about life, they teach us what life is all about."

Make The Days Count

I sit inside a coffee shop and write my first official blog. Sun out, and some perfect South Florida weather. Happy first day of Spring! :) Who can complain?? I hope to never let the chaos of life ever prevent me from appreciating all that my creator gave me! Take a moment and just look outside.. amazing right??

Well today I write for no other purpose than to share a mere thought with friends. Not to get all profound with you, but have you REALLY considered how short time is? I'm not just talking about the fact that its already March and we are headed into spring, I'm talking about how too many of us get trapped into living someone else's dream for us instead of living our OWN.

One of the most common things I hear people say goes a little like this:
"I have been wanting to start for years, but I didn't have the courage, or something always got in the way."

Now here's the truly weird part -- I hear that from people of ALL ages.

Friends, here is the good news: it is never too late start anything. No matter how old you are! But the sad truth is that the only thing you can never get back is LOST TIME!

I feel like too many of us are so afraid of what could go wrong. (and I'm preaching to myself on this one!)
 If I can be completely honest, I envy those who can just pick up a guitar and jam out like it's nothing. So I set myself straight! I have decided that I will be one of those people! For the past couple of days, I have been picking up my brother's guitar and trying to teach myself a chord here and there.. YouTube is the best teacher .. Playing the guitar is not easy but it it SO doable! With perseverance and a lot of practice, I can be as good as I hope to be. I am keeping myself accountable!
So whether it's learning an instrument or running a marathon,  if you're 16 or 42, IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Get closer to your goal today and  push yourself everyday toward that direction!
Do not say that you will start tomorrow, because the trouble with that is you THINK you have time.
I'd rather live a life of oh-well's than a life of what-if's. I encourage you to do the same!

Time is precious ... waste it wisely!