All Apple Products have recently been sent an update. The new IOS 7 makes lots of changes/ updates to the machines. Mine finally was brought up to speed yesterday.
I know that I am an "old dog". I also know that these "new tricks" are frustrating.
I LIKE the old ways.
We are beings designed for growth. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually we are created to regenerate, grow, and improve.
We are offered a new operating system in the Holy Spirit. God sent Jesus to die for us and give us new life. Brand new beginnings. Brand new mercies. Brand new hope. Brand new joy. Brand new operating systems.
1 Peter 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."
This old dog is thankful for newness.
Amberly
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Put Me In, Coach!
I am so excited.
I just got booked for six weeks of camp in the summer of 2014. The kids and I will be in beautiful Prescott, AZ for six awesome weeks of camp at one of our favorite locations in all the world.
The trees. The archery course. The mountains. The cooler weather. The summer rains. The kickball games. Encouraging camp staff. Connecting with camp counselors. Pointing students to Jesus.
I love camp.
My favorite part, however, is chapel. Watching kids sing and dance to the glory of God is exhilarating and inspiring.
But it is even better when I dance with them. Jumping. Sweating. Smiling. Singing. Loudly.
Life is better when we are invested. Experiences are richer when we are involved in the process. Joy is greater when we are an active participant.
James 3:13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
I want my active participation in this life to reflect my hope in the afterlife.
Want to join me?
Amberly
I just got booked for six weeks of camp in the summer of 2014. The kids and I will be in beautiful Prescott, AZ for six awesome weeks of camp at one of our favorite locations in all the world.
The trees. The archery course. The mountains. The cooler weather. The summer rains. The kickball games. Encouraging camp staff. Connecting with camp counselors. Pointing students to Jesus.
I love camp.
My favorite part, however, is chapel. Watching kids sing and dance to the glory of God is exhilarating and inspiring.
But it is even better when I dance with them. Jumping. Sweating. Smiling. Singing. Loudly.
Life is better when we are invested. Experiences are richer when we are involved in the process. Joy is greater when we are an active participant.
James 3:13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
I want my active participation in this life to reflect my hope in the afterlife.
Want to join me?
Amberly
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Jaws of Life - Part two
I got lots of comments about my last post. I guess many of my readers are afraid of sharks as well ;)
My favorite part of the Steven Spielberg classic is Roy Scheider's improvised line, "You're gonna need a bigger boat".
When he sees the immensity of the beast the first time, he backs away slowly and delivers the much quoted warning to the captain. It is a brilliant line and a proclamation of true fear.
My problem is not the need for a bigger boat, but the need for a bigger God. God is the perfect size, omnipresent, omnipotent, and every other "omni" one could require, however, when I fail to trust His timing, His goodness, or His power, I "shrink" Him in my mind.
How big is your God?
Amberly
My favorite part of the Steven Spielberg classic is Roy Scheider's improvised line, "You're gonna need a bigger boat".
When he sees the immensity of the beast the first time, he backs away slowly and delivers the much quoted warning to the captain. It is a brilliant line and a proclamation of true fear.
My problem is not the need for a bigger boat, but the need for a bigger God. God is the perfect size, omnipresent, omnipotent, and every other "omni" one could require, however, when I fail to trust His timing, His goodness, or His power, I "shrink" Him in my mind.
How big is your God?
Amberly
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Jaws of Life
My husband is teaching a film class these days. He has had the opportunity to introduce high school students to some amazing classics: Citizen Kane, High Noon, and the latest, Jaws.
He, of course, must preview and justify all cinematic choices.
So, tonight, I am watching the famous shark movie for the first time in years.
The last time I saw it, I was a teen. It scared me silly.
But, now, I am 43. It is scaring me silly.
The thought of being chased by a giant sea monster is terrifying, the thought of doing so in unfamiliar waters is unbearably so.
We face "sharks" and waves every day, you and me.
Mean people, traffic, tax deadlines, dwindling pay, bad news, cancer, poor leadership, wayward children...the list goes on.
The difference between us and the three guys on the boat is this: we have One who has gone before us. He has endured the depths of life on Earth so that we can have confidence, joy, and peace.
When our boat is sinking and all seems lost, we need only trust that the One who made the waves can also calm them. Psalm 107:29 "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed."
Just keep swimming!
Amberly
He, of course, must preview and justify all cinematic choices.
So, tonight, I am watching the famous shark movie for the first time in years.
The last time I saw it, I was a teen. It scared me silly.
But, now, I am 43. It is scaring me silly.
The thought of being chased by a giant sea monster is terrifying, the thought of doing so in unfamiliar waters is unbearably so.
We face "sharks" and waves every day, you and me.
Mean people, traffic, tax deadlines, dwindling pay, bad news, cancer, poor leadership, wayward children...the list goes on.
The difference between us and the three guys on the boat is this: we have One who has gone before us. He has endured the depths of life on Earth so that we can have confidence, joy, and peace.
When our boat is sinking and all seems lost, we need only trust that the One who made the waves can also calm them. Psalm 107:29 "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed."
Just keep swimming!
Amberly
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Stuff
We are organizing a garage sale.
Our daughter is starting a long journey to raise money for a trip to Washington D.C. with her class. Although she has 18 months to accomplish this, we are serious about making sure she gets to visit our Nation's Capital for the second time.
I actually LOVE garage sales. I love going to them, organizing them, and even holding them. It is a sickness that has served me well over the years. I have even helped others have successful ones.
The truth is, though, the older I get, the more I LOVE having one because it forces me to get rid of things. I am kind of "done" with the clutter in my home.
My husband and I are both visionaries. We love projects. We do not always love FINISHING said projects, which leaves us with miscellaneous junk. Junk to be revisited SOMEDAY.
My family likes to read. Books are our friends. However, in too many cases, we have made an unusually long commitment to a "friend". Or 1000. Instead of letting someone else enjoy it, we keep them JUST IN CASE we want to revisit that friendship again. SOMEDAY.
I am ready to get rid of "stuff", but my husband struggles. What if he needs that single use appliance SOMEDAY? What if that article of clothing can be used for one of his shows SOMEDAY?
I do feel that way about some of my craft items. Because I regret not having the time to "craft", I hold onto things for SOMEDAY. SOMEDAY I will get back to scrapbooking. SOMEDAY I will finish those crafting projects I began many moons ago.
Jesus had a lot to say about this in Matthew: 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The translation: Do not prepare for SOMEDAY other than the SOMEDAY of Heaven. Everything else fades. Everything else disappoints. Everything else can be stolen. Or sold at a garage sale.
God's blessings on your TODAY.
Amberly
Our daughter is starting a long journey to raise money for a trip to Washington D.C. with her class. Although she has 18 months to accomplish this, we are serious about making sure she gets to visit our Nation's Capital for the second time.
I actually LOVE garage sales. I love going to them, organizing them, and even holding them. It is a sickness that has served me well over the years. I have even helped others have successful ones.
The truth is, though, the older I get, the more I LOVE having one because it forces me to get rid of things. I am kind of "done" with the clutter in my home.
My husband and I are both visionaries. We love projects. We do not always love FINISHING said projects, which leaves us with miscellaneous junk. Junk to be revisited SOMEDAY.
My family likes to read. Books are our friends. However, in too many cases, we have made an unusually long commitment to a "friend". Or 1000. Instead of letting someone else enjoy it, we keep them JUST IN CASE we want to revisit that friendship again. SOMEDAY.
I am ready to get rid of "stuff", but my husband struggles. What if he needs that single use appliance SOMEDAY? What if that article of clothing can be used for one of his shows SOMEDAY?
I do feel that way about some of my craft items. Because I regret not having the time to "craft", I hold onto things for SOMEDAY. SOMEDAY I will get back to scrapbooking. SOMEDAY I will finish those crafting projects I began many moons ago.
Jesus had a lot to say about this in Matthew: 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The translation: Do not prepare for SOMEDAY other than the SOMEDAY of Heaven. Everything else fades. Everything else disappoints. Everything else can be stolen. Or sold at a garage sale.
God's blessings on your TODAY.
Amberly
Thursday, September 5, 2013
My son is a morning person.
I joked with a friend recently and said that I am more of a "mourning" person in the wee hours of the day, but God wired my son to be awake and delightful at that time.
The problem is: he is starting to wake up at 5 each morning to use the bathroom, but then cannot go back to sleep. The boy needs sleep. His body is growing with each passing day.
When I have trouble sleeping, I am either not well or not trusting.
King Solomon had a LOT of problems. Being a king is no easy trick. Having a bazillion wives can also be considered stressful. Being responsible for the safety of those in one's kingdom can, no doubt, be arduous. And yet, he slept "sweetly". How? He tells us his "beauty" secrets in Proverbs 3:21-26 :
"My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety,and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared."
If I would practice and remember these things when I am struggling with insomnia, I might get more sleep. I would spend less time trying to fix things myself, and hopefully, get out of God's way long enough to allow Him to do His work.
Have a great day and "sleep sweet" tonight.
Amberly
I joked with a friend recently and said that I am more of a "mourning" person in the wee hours of the day, but God wired my son to be awake and delightful at that time.
The problem is: he is starting to wake up at 5 each morning to use the bathroom, but then cannot go back to sleep. The boy needs sleep. His body is growing with each passing day.
When I have trouble sleeping, I am either not well or not trusting.
King Solomon had a LOT of problems. Being a king is no easy trick. Having a bazillion wives can also be considered stressful. Being responsible for the safety of those in one's kingdom can, no doubt, be arduous. And yet, he slept "sweetly". How? He tells us his "beauty" secrets in Proverbs 3:21-26 :
"My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety,and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared."
If I would practice and remember these things when I am struggling with insomnia, I might get more sleep. I would spend less time trying to fix things myself, and hopefully, get out of God's way long enough to allow Him to do His work.
Have a great day and "sleep sweet" tonight.
Amberly
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
I'm Game
My daughter decided to plan an afternoon with her friends... just to play games.
They played Scene It?, Apples to Apples, and Pictionary, but mostly, they giggled (they are, after all, 12).
I tried to stay out of their "business" and into the other room, but often could not help but join into their laughter. It is contagious indeed. I couldn't understand most of that which they were saying from the living room, but the laughter became more animated and infectious.
I love to laugh, but sometimes, I look back over the month and cannot remember the last time I threw my head back in reckless abandon and truly guffawed.
I smile, grin, and snicker, but a true chortle eludes me. I think often I am too busy, "mature", focused, or overwhelmed. Clearly, what I need to do is hang with 12 year olds.
At age 12, one is oblivious to mortgage payments, martial strife, car repairs, food bills, Obamacare, and decreasing metabolism.
At 43, one can get overwhelmed by the above list. But it is a choice.
Paul was trying to encourage the church in Philippi when he wrote the following: "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).
I think they, too, found themselves overwhelmed by the "stuff of life" and forgot to find joy in the Lord. I need to heed his encouragement.
I gotta go. The kids are playing Apples to Apples...and I have some laughing to do :)
Amberly
They played Scene It?, Apples to Apples, and Pictionary, but mostly, they giggled (they are, after all, 12).
I tried to stay out of their "business" and into the other room, but often could not help but join into their laughter. It is contagious indeed. I couldn't understand most of that which they were saying from the living room, but the laughter became more animated and infectious.
I love to laugh, but sometimes, I look back over the month and cannot remember the last time I threw my head back in reckless abandon and truly guffawed.
I smile, grin, and snicker, but a true chortle eludes me. I think often I am too busy, "mature", focused, or overwhelmed. Clearly, what I need to do is hang with 12 year olds.
At age 12, one is oblivious to mortgage payments, martial strife, car repairs, food bills, Obamacare, and decreasing metabolism.
At 43, one can get overwhelmed by the above list. But it is a choice.
Paul was trying to encourage the church in Philippi when he wrote the following: "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).
I think they, too, found themselves overwhelmed by the "stuff of life" and forgot to find joy in the Lord. I need to heed his encouragement.
I gotta go. The kids are playing Apples to Apples...and I have some laughing to do :)
Amberly
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