Sophia Was a Wee Little Girl

My little niece, Sophia, just had a birthday....she is 2!! I am missing out on most of her life and that makes me sad. Today, there is a big hole in my heart for my family. Sometimes I wonder why I have to live so far away. Sometimes I want to get into my car and just drive 12 long hours just to give them hugs. Sometimes I just want to be loved by the ones that will always be there for me unconditionally. There have been many people I've shared seasons with that hold a special place in my heart and I miss them more than I can express. But, today, I miss my family in Michigan....Mom, Dad, Deborah, Adam, Lindsey, Jakey, Fia, Jeff, Michelle, Calvin.....and there's a new little Schneider boy making his way into the world soon that will just be one more person for me to miss!

And not to forget, Laura, in DC....I cried today listening to:
"There's only us, there's only this, forget regret, or life is yours to miss....no other road, no other way, no day but today! There's only now, there's only here, give in to love, or live in fear...."

The Lord has brought me here to Atlanta.....I know that it is His will and I know that He will ease the pain. The joy is in the memories and the anticipation of reunion. It just boggles my mind that such "wee" little people can have such a BIG place in our hearts.....Happy Birthday Fia! I love you! and Happy Birthday Adam! Family, I'm coming home soon!

"Oh, what I would give, to have the things that mean the most not to mean the things I miss..." Indigo Girls (Language or the Kiss)

The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to Such as These

"The face of a child says it all, especially the mouth part of the face" Jack Handy

Oh, to have more of the joy of children, less of the weight of the "stuff of earth", more of the boldness, less of the fears, more of the FAITH that our Savior desires of us.......and more of the energy!

I'm tired, ironically, from working all day with children.....physically tired, but spiritually awake.....Lord, grant me faith like a child so that I can trust and obey without hesitancy or reservation.....have Your way in me!

Crab Legs and Breezes

There's something oceanic about crab legs. I suppose it's a direct result of the crab having lived it's entire life in the ocean. (heheh) Tonight I had crab legs. I steamed 'em, cracked 'em, picked out the meat, dipped them in melted butter....mmmmm, good! I had originally hoped for someone to share them with, but, in lieu of human companionship, Christ pulled up a chair and dined with me. We had a beautiful date, we feasted, we talked, I gazed into His eyes. I opened all the windows in this apartment, and between the saltiness of the crab and the gentleness of the breeze, the Lord took my memories back to the ocean that I love to visit. His breeze is so refreshing to me. I wish we didn't have to settle for man made air-conditioning. I will always prefer the wind.....on the road or in my home. It reminds me of His freshness....of the way He enters my stuffiness and produces a beautiful aroma. I dreampt of the ocean and remembered the ways my God has met me standing on the shore. It was a satisfying evening of enjoying the company of my King, basking in His rest, and finding contentment in Christ.

I feel bad for people who are allergic to shellfish :(

"...maybe it's the way Your love swells beneath my skin, maybe it's the way my senses are full again....just as I am, You rush in without a warning, didn't think You would really want to come to this place, make it feel like a Sunday morning....." Sandra McCracken

Same God, different building!

This is most of Mt. Tabor Christian Church (thus far)! We have been meeting in the basement of the pastor's home since March, 2007. God has blessed us with a new location that has windows! Although that can be distracting, I love seeing the sunshine! The outdoors remind me of God's majestic sovereignty and glorious beauty! The restaurant where we meet is a quaint upscale Italian Bistro called Quanto Basta, located in Cumming, GA. Check out our website: www.mttaborchristianchurch.org

So, we are few, but we are strong because of the bond of Christ. We have come far on this journey as a church and God has moved mountains to develop our characters. He has taught us about grace, mercy, loving one another, the judgment seat, the power of the Word, our spiritual gifts, ministry and service, the gospel, our sinfulness, His love, repentance, forgiveness, bearing each other's burdens, relationships, and reconciliation. But mostly He has brought us to the cross to learn more about His Son, Jesus, that He chose to die for us "while we were still sinners", so that we might experience the abundance of His resurrected life!

The biggest thing I've learned this year is the balance between knowing Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. They are inseperable. It is imperative that we KNOW Christ in order to truly be led by the Spirit of the Living God, because the entire purpose of the Holy Spirit is to point us to Christ. (but that's another blog entirely)

We've only just begun and I am excited to watch expectantly as God continues to move in us, for us, and through us. He is mighty, holy, unchanging, beautiful, and sovereign. He is my first love and I will dance before my King. Praise the Lord for the wonders He has done. Press on Mt. Tabor! Rejoice in the truth of our Living God! Amen and amen.....

>"I will dance, I will sing, to be mad for my King.....and I'll become even more undignified than this......some may say it's foolishness...." Matt Redman

Though He slay me....

*from September 10th, 2007:

I've been thinking recently about Job and how how much the Lord took away from Him......I sang "Blessed be Your name" at church this Sunday and was reminded of:
On the road marked with suffering, there is pain in the offering - blessed be Your name...
I was worshipping at Connexion Church last week and as the tears rushed forth like a pent up flood......I was struck with the amazement of my familiarity of praising God in the midst of suffering.......my mind recalled the first time I tried to praise God when I was hurting, and how difficult and unusual it was, but then how freeing and releasing at the same time.........These days I can't wait to raise up my hands and my voice to touch Him and cry out to Him......for "though He slay me, I will yet praise Him".....
On this great journey of sanctification, I will be thankful for the times of suffering, I will be welcoming of the pain, I will be armored for the battle, I will sing in the jail cell, I will be wrecked at the cross of Christ, so that I may dance at the empty tomb of the Risen and Living Lord.......I believe these sufferings in my life will indeed reveal more of His glory..........
Be magnified and glorified Jesus, in my life, for Your name's sake! Lead me on.......