The Real Jesus...From The Bible!

So I was passing the cornfields today and it made me think about Jesus. Many of you don't know how heavenly Iowa is, and I am sure if Jesus were to live in today's times he would have chosen Iowa! :) Ok...back to reality now. :) The corn really did make me think of Jesus. It made me wonder how many people really know the REAL Jesus. You know that guy from the Bible...the one who is the way the truth and the life. He said "No one can come to the Father, but through me." And then He died on the cross to make that a reality.

Now you may be thinking. Corn Jesus...I don't get it. When we lived in Asia there was an abundance of street food. Most of it is amazing and we would eat it almost every day! During one of our first weeks there I smelled this wonderful smell...it was sweet corn. Well...so I thought. The smell was great and it looked so good and then I bit into it. What did I just eat? It tasted just like field corn. There was no bit of sweetness in that corn! My hopes of having a homestate comfort was crushed. It smelled like sweet corn and it looked like sweet corn. But when it really came down to it and I finally ate it...it wasn't sweet corn! I was fooled!

How many of us are being fooled by a different Jesus? We think...well he looks like Jesus. He does things that Jesus would do. But when it really comes down to it and we read our Bible and see how Jesus is. It's not really Jesus. We are watering Him down to be what we want Him to be. A Jesus to fit our lifestyle. Have you sat down and read your Bible lately? I challenge you to do so. When you do...let me know who Jesus is.

I have had a week. It was full of stress and tears on my end. I missed last Monday and didn't get to go though my blessings. To be honest I didn't feel like I had many at that point. It's hard when you feel like you are going crazy and no one seems to be helping. But this week I am looking up and thankful for every little thing I have!

1. A friend who understands what you are going though and reassures you that you are NOT crazy!

2. For fresh berries fresh from your own little plant.

3. For a day working with my husband. Enjoying his humor and laughing non stop.

4. A movie night with my husband.

5. Going to a family reunion where you don't know half of the people. But knowing that me being there put a smile on my grandma's face.

6. Hearing my two year old TALK! Colors, body parts, names and so much more!

7. Fresh summer breeze after a hot day. Refreshing!

8. Hearing my oldest read a book to her little sister.

9. A cold diet Dr. Pepper to keep me cool.

10. His eye is on the sparrow...

Is This Wrong?

Is it wrong that I hope I get a phone call today saying that the thyroid ultrasound came back and there is a problem? I just know how I am feeling and I am not feeling right. I don't feel like myself, and everything points to a thyroid issue. I have been told that if it comes back fine I should ask if I can be given a low dose of medication to see how it works. I just want to feel like myself again and be normal! I feel like I am going crazy and a few people who are not helpful have pretty much told me this. But it was great having time with a friend who went through a similar time reassure me that I am NOT crazy! So today I guess I am just waiting...waiting to hear from the dr. Praying...Praying that God will help me through this.

Book Review: Never Let You Go

Book Review

Never Let You Go

By Erin Healy

Erin Healy has written some books with Ted Dekker. I have to admit I am not big on co-authored books so I have never read either Burn or Kiss. I do have to say that I am a huge Ted Dekker fan. I am not big on novels, but Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti have been known to get me hooked. There is something about a suspenseful novel that has to do with more than just flesh and blood. Every time I read one it really brings to light the fact that our enemies are not the people we see. It's not flesh and blood...it's something much deeper than that. We struggle with a supernatural power.

I was worried about getting this book because I don't read many novels. I was worried I wouldn't be able to stay interested in it and it would take me months and months to read. But really it only took me a few weeks, which for me is REALLY good! I was so intrigued by the story of Lexi and all the surprising elements of the story. A single mom who works late...at first it seemed like you typical story. But there were so many surprising things. An ex husband who came back. A drug dealer wanting his money the ex husband owed. And needing to testify for the man who killed her sister. A wonderful story of earthly struggles and what forces are driving those struggles. If you are a Dekker or Peretti fan you will love this book. If not I suggest you read it anyway!

Book Review: The Prophecy Answer Book

Book Review

The Prophecy Answer Book

By David Jeremiah

It was kind of funny cause I had never really heard of David Jeremiah. I am sure I had heard his name said by someone before but never really knew much about him. Well after I had gotten this book I heard his name everywhere I went.

I was excited to get this book, because a good friend and I were talking a lot about Prophecy and we had so many questions. This book was laid out so well going from current events all the way into the end times. It was great to see it but in such a clear way and clearly stating the Bible verses that went along with everything. It really helped to answer a lot of questions that we had.

To me the best part of this book was the look and size of it. It's small enough to put in my purse and easy to take out and find what I am looking for when I am talking with a friend. I think that most people who are intimidated by large books on prophecy that everything that is said in them seems to go over your head...well I think this book is for them! Simple understandable and small. Gives you the facts and the verses. Very well done!

Missed my day...

I missed maltitude Monday...but oh well. I have been having a very frustrating week or so. I was trying to find a picture that explains how I feel, and this is what I came up with...

This is a picture of my youngest daughter, but my husband says it looks like a grumpy old man. He's right! She does look like a grumpy old man and that is how I feel! I feel grumpy and frustrated at the world. I feel horrible and really all I want is to feel better. I can't even really describe how I feel. I can tell you I am exhausted, need more sleep, feel faint at times, have a lump in my throat and extremely stressed out. Now I feel angry because the first dr made me wait so long to find out any kind of results. He said the test results would take up to two weeks. Well when I went for my second opinion found out they really only take 20 mins. Now this time when they came back my levels were low. Which points to the opposite of what he was first looking for and what the first dr was looking for. I am also frustrated because the first dr made me do some tests I didn't need. I also feel like he didn't listen to anything I said. Much happier with this second dr. I am just hoping that I get some answers and get everything taken care of. I just want to feel better. I don't feel like myself...and I really just want to be me!

Multitude Monday

I am starting a new project on Mondays. I know just what I need is another project! But this one will be worth it. Multitude Monday is all about counting my blessings! I think my plan is to try and put a picture with each of my blessings. We will see how it goes! :) So 10 each Monday...the plan is to make it to 1000. I know I have many more than that!

1. A great God who is always there for me. Who loves me unconditionally

2. A Godly husband who loves, protects and guides our family! A husband who works to provide for his family!

3. The Inquisitor who keeps me on my toes!

4. The Emotionalist who reminds me it's ok to feel your feelings!

5. The Destroyer who lets me know what being a kid is suppose to look like!

6. The Baby who always gives me a smile and then a hug EVERY time I see her!

7. For friends who laugh with us in the middle of Pizza Hut!

8. For new friends made this week

9. Rains reminding us of God's love

10. Beautiful flowers sitting on my table

I Hate Going to the Doctor!

I am not a huge fan of going to the doctor. It's not that I don't go at all, but usually I but it off as long as I can. I think I may know my reasons, but that is for another day...

This year I have had my fill of being to the doctor. We have a wonderful doc, but I don't feel like seeing him multiple times a month. The baby has had many ear infections. Then she got tubes and then more appointments for ear infections. Sigh...She seems to be doing great now!

I had an appointment today and it was so frustrating. After being told that I may have thyroid problems I was looking forward to today. Being able to go over results and get this lump in my throat gone. Well turns out my thyroid is fine. Which is great...but what about this lump in my throat? So I am doing a swallowing test in hopes that we can find something out. If not....do I just live with this?

I just want to give it all to God. Pray that this lump goes away and that I no longer have to wonder why I have this in my throat. There are other symptoms I have, but this one is for sure the most annoying. I know that I have a great God. Just pray that this will all be figured out!

A Week of Silence

So my blog has been pretty quiet for almost a week now. I have been so busy with coming and going that I haven't had much time to sit down and write. I did attempt to write out my notes from Josh McDowell, but the girls kept talking to me. When I get distracted in the middle of writing something its hard for me to get back to it. That is why I probably have 20 drafts that I have never published on here. My thoughts get interrupted and then when I come back to it I can't even remember my whole reason for writing it.

Okoboji has been great. They have Life Communities that meet every morning. It's like a small group meeting. I went to the group call Kingdom-Drive Discipleship. GREAT stuff. I felt challenged in so many different ways. God really spoke to me through the leader, through the booklet and through the people I would go over the discussion questions with. One thing that really stood out to me, "Many overestimate the lasting impact of events and underestimate the power of relationships. As a result, contemporary Christianity is often a mile wide and an inch deep."

I met a wonderful woman of God the 2nd day. She is a missionary in SE Asia and is going to be doing the perspectives course in Okoboji January through April. Well anyway...I am excited because meeting her has brought a wonderful opportunity to me. I may be able to lead the perspectives for children course during this time! I am excited because this could bring so many great opportunities for me and my family. Please be praying as I meet with her on Tuesday to go over things.

Okoboji Bible Confrence

Okoboji! Don't feel bad if you are not sure how to say it. I am sure whatever you are thinking in your head...it's wrong. :) Really I only know how to say it because I grew up in the area. No it's not a Japanese name...it's Native American. I love the Bible confrence. It's a time for me to have a week of time to sit quietly, listen to speakers, having great conversations and my kids are happiliy taken care of by the wonderful nursery staff and children ministry! What a blessing to us mommies! Ok, so the conference is a blessing to more than just the mommies!

Last night I was able to enjoy Josh McDowell and it was wonderful! The girls picked my seat before I dropped them off at their class. I think tonight I will pick my own seat. They had me in the first row and I have a knot in my neck now from looking up. So tonight I will be picking my own seat.

McDowell had some great stuff to say and lots of information. If you ever have the chance to see him do it! He talked a lot about how important it is to build relationships. Without relationships how can we expect to bring people to Christ?

Today the small group I went to was about the samething! Do you think maybe God is trying to tell us something? Well this is all for now...I have two more post I want to do today! I feel a bit behind and want to share a lot with everyone today!