Cirque du Soleil

Last night we went to go see Cirque du Soleil, Saltimbanco as they came through Cypress. We had such a great time! Jason and I are thoroughly amazed at the talent, imagination and passion shown from each performer. These people are amazing! I sit with my eyes wide in awe every time. They are the best acrobats, contortionist, dancers, performers, musicians, artists, etc all combined! I am fascinated how they can have so many different shows that are all different and yet all so captivating. I can watch these people perform for hours!

Go to http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/saltimbanco/tickets/houston.aspx?icid=dropdown/saltimbanco/Houston to see a trailer of Saltimbanco!

Last October, Jason and I got to see La Nouba at their Downtown Disney studio while we were in Florida. We had the best seats! We could actually see every one's faces. Again, I have no words to describe how great these shows are. If you ever get a chance to see one, it is WELL WORTH the money. I mean it!!

Go to http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/lanouba/en/about/acts.asp to see more about the acts of La Nouba!


2009 marks Cirque du Soleil's 25th Anniversary!

From the website http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/default.asp

"From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 artists. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present 19 shows simultaneously throughout the world. The company has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix, and Rose d’Or de Montreux. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.Cirque du Soleil’s mission is to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world."

*All images are from cirque du soleil's official website above.

"Rescued from Me"

Yesterday's devotion in "Portals of Prayer" was wonderful. It really tied in great with everything else I was reading and focusing on the past couple of days - Christ's Cross. I ordered two new books (I just love amazon.com way too much!): Outrageous Mercy by William Farley and The Cross of Christ by John Stott. I heard that The Cross He Bore by Frederick Leahy is really good, but they didn't have any inexpensive ones. I will keep my eyes open for that one too! Anywho, I thought I'd share this great devotion (short but great) with you all. Enjoy!

"Today's Scripture (Romans 7:14-25 and Psalm 51) verses are a full-length mirror. Did you see yourself? I saw myself from head to toe. 'I do not understand my own actions' (Romans 7:15). 'I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out' (v. 18). 'I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing' (v. 19). Paul may be describing himself here, but he reflects our natures all too clearly. Looking honestly at our thoughts, words, and deeds, each of us must say, 'Wretched man that I am!' (v. 24).

Unable to do anything about what we see in this mirror, we echo Paul: 'Who will deliver me from this body of death?' (v. 24). Who will rescue me from me?

(my favorite part...) Look again. Someone has moved in front of the mirror. For an instant, He reflects the image of God, but quickly He becomes our wretchedness. His hands aer raised, not to give a blessing, but to receive a curse as nails pierce and blood flows. He hangs there despised, rejected, dead and gone.

(my favorite, favorite part...) Look again. He's back. He's alive! He's holy, and His holiness covers our wretchedness; it covers us.

Look in the mirror, and do not despair. Se Christ and only Christ. For that is who God sees when He looks at us. He's rescued us from us."

Just try this... look in the mirror and see what you see. Who is this person God created? Do you believe you are the beautiful and gifted person God sees? Look again, do you see Christ moving in front of you now? Watch Him as He hangs on the cross and watch as He ascends to the heavens and sits in glory at the right hand of God! Now look again... yup... do you see Him in you this time? Oh how I loved this thought. This is who God sees. Not my flaws, not my sins, but Christ. Through Christ we are free to be fruitful as God intends. Through Christ we may live with God!

I look forward to reading my books I bought yesterday about the Cross (I need to finish all the books I'm reading right now first though...)!

"No theology is genuinely Christian which does not arise from and focus on the cross."
~Martin Luther~

A Relationship with You My Lord

Ever since I can remember, I have felt God calling me into a relationship with Him. Throughout all of my life I felt more strongly drawn to ‘walking with God’ versus focusing on religious practices and rituals. You see, in all actuality, for most of my life I have strayed away from associating myself with one specific Christian denomination for this specific purpose. I find good in all Christian denominations and feel that their purposes should be one in the same; to glorify and praise our Lord and to allow us to walk closer with Him. I always thought that people can get too wrapped up in the 'legal' aspects of religion (the institution); the place, the rituals and practices, timing, etc. To me, the church should be about creating a community to share life with, to serve in to and mainly to praise our Father and Creator.

In William P. Young’s book, The Shack, God talks about how He loves not the institution, but the community of those that love Him. Although this is not quoted in the Bible, I do believe its roots are founded in them. In the book of Galatians, Paul criticizes the church for their hypocrisy. “…you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avail anything but faith working through love.” ~Galatians 5:4 and 6~

“…knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…” ~Galatians 2:16~

“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” ~Galatians 2:21~

“…just as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” ~Galatians 3:6~

“What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made…for if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin…But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” ~Galatians 3:19-25~

I read this and know that no matter what I do or do not do, I am saved through faith in grace given because of Jesus’ sacrifice and victory over death and sin. Our pastor said in church this morning that ‘Christianity is not spelled DO, but rather DONE! I love that! I know this and feel in all of my heart that it is my relationship with God that is most important. From this relationship, all fruit springs forth. This is why I spend so much time yearning to grow closer with and know my Savior more. While I still think that people can get too wrapped up in the 'legal' aspects of religion (the institution); the place, the rituals and practices, timing, etc., I have now learned however, that this structure can be an amazing tool to further ones spirituality as long as it does not replace it.

God has been leading me and showing me new ‘structured’ ways to praise Him in addition to my current and ever growing ‘practices’. I have embraced these new ‘practices’ as unique ways to show my love and walk deeper with Him. These new times of devotion will not replace my other forms or walk with God. I will not rely on ‘cut and paste’ practices as ways to ‘do my duty’, but rather to help me take my worship one step further. I look forward to this time of growth and thank God for keeping my faith and worship alive and growing. For if I am to ever become stale, I will be of no glory to God. My life is fruitful only with His life living in and through me.

Mirrored in Marriage



Recently my friend Julie brought up the quote from The Shack mentioned above and asked how I thought this idea was mirrored in marriage, since marriage is to be a mirror of Christ’s relationship with the church. Wow, what a wonderful thought and topic! I am so thankful to have such a beautiful new friend who so loves the Lord and is ever eager to grow and walk with Him. I am thankful that Jason and I have another couple in our lives who desire to grow and strengthen their marriage centered on Christ, and allow His love to shine through their family.

If Jesus loves not the institution but the community of those that love Him, then the spouse would love not the 'legal' and 'ritual' aspects of marriage, but rather the relationship, love, commitment, time and fellowship with one another. I think society; mainly the Christian society has created the 'perfect picture' of what a wife and husband should be. The husband should lead, provide, give strength and yet still give love and time. The wife should serve, cook, clean, be gentle and yet strong, passionate and yet submissive and yielding. Etc. These I see as the 'institution' of marriage.; things that 'we must achieve'; Proverbs 31 woman. I see the deeper and more meaningful aspects of marriage as the 'community' of the couple. The memories and bond created by time spent with each other, commitment through good and hard times, fellowship and friendship with each other that comes first, etc. This is what builds marriages of love I think. The other aspects can be used to further grow our marriages and be signs of our outward love, but it can not and should not replace the heart of marriage. A strong marriage grows internally as well as externally, not merely appearing to do the 'right things'.

Jason Brings Home the Bacon!

I am the world's luckiest woman! I have the most amazing husband; I love him so much! Jason is a wonderful man of great character and love. Jason is full of life and I just love being able to share it with him. Jason is a great provider for his family as well (yes, just the two of us and our furry children right now!). He works very hard and has been blessed with a wonderful career that he is GREAT at! While many young people these days bounce around from one job to another, Jason looks forward to committing himself to his current work and continuing to grow. I am so blessed and proud to have the great love of this wonderful man.

In addition to being a great provider for his family, Jason felt it necessary to go above and beyond his call of duty. This past Thursday evening Jason went to his deer lease and yes, he 'brought home the bacon'! Jason shot his first wild boar with a bow and arrow from his tree stand this weekend. He brought it home and we smoked it on the 4th of July! It was great fun finding a recipe and making a smoker out of our $20 Wal-Mart charcoal grill! It turned out great too! We had ourselves a great meal and a great day! Thank you Jason!!

Random Picture!

After dinner Jason and I got ready to watch fireworks from our back yard. Our puppy dogs did not like it one bit. They were so scared. Pickles kept trying to crawl in our laps and get as close as possible... poor things. But they survived their second July 4th just fine. Jason and I on the other hand did not get to see many fireworks from our house. Houston had a burn ban/prohibiting fireworks so the show was not as spectacular as it was last year. As we lay in bed for the night however; right outside our bedroom window a small professional fireworks show went off. It was so great getting to snuggle and enjoy the show before we drifted off to sleep.

Since I did not get to take pictures of fireworks from this year, I thought I would post a picture from the fireworks show we put on at Jason's grandma's Christmas of 2007. Fireworks are so much fun and always amaze me.

I would like to leave you today saying that this month while I am going to be thankful for our independence as a country, I will continue to pray for our dependence, both individually and as a nation, on God.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord... No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength... But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love... We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy name." ~Psalm 33:12-22~

An Open and Empty Cup to Fill

"All life is a beginning. I need an open, spontaneous, joyful attitude that knows it does not know. I need an emptiness in me... I need to find the part of my soul still empty, still able to be surprised, still open to wonder."
~Christine Lore Weber in The Finding Stone~



"Generous God
so any times I've come
with my empty cup
a beggar of the heart
devoid of nourishment
depleted of energy

and You have filled

Generous God
so many times I've come
afraid of unknowns
full of negatives and no's
fighting the challenges
closed and resistant to growth

and You have opened

Generous God
so many times I've come
a stranger to my spirit
crammed with cultural noise
caught in endless clutter
crowding my inner space

and You have emptied

Generous God
I come to You again
holding out my waiting cup
begging that it first be emptied
of all that blocks the way
then asking for its filling
with love that tastes like You"
~Joyce Rupp~

Despite the Drought, He Overflows My Cup

About a month and a half ago, there was flooding throughout the Houston area. We got hit with a huge storm that dumped more rain that some places get in a whole year. Within 18 hours, Cypress alone received about 13 inches of rain. That was about a month and a half ago. Since then, Houston has received little to no rainfall. A city known for its wet weather and rainy Junes has become dry, thirsty and frankly brown. The lakes in our neighbor hood went from having overflow to more and more shorelines exposed. The once lush green hills and shore banks are nothing more than vast stretches of crispy grass. What used to be grassy shores have now given way to multiple feet of cracking dry soil that once was underwater only a month before.

Today as I was running, the signs of ‘drought’ did not bring sadness to my heart, but instead I rejoiced in the different seasons of nature and in life. Whether drought, floods, storms or peaceful calmness, God is in it all. Creation and our lives are never without God’s faithful love and Holy presence. Just as we must prepare our souls for the storms of life, so too must we prepare them for the droughts. Much extra efforts and nourishment must be given to the plants facing the extreme heats with no rain. Just as the plants with deep roots will survive the storm, only those with continual daily feedings will survive the death that calls for their destruction. Those lucky to receive some shade at some time during the day seem to flourish the most. We too must find shelter in the shadows of God if we are to continue to grow and produce much fruit. The shadows produced by the sun move throughout the day; so too does the shadow of the Son move about His creation. We are not mean to stay stagnant, no mater how comfortable or appealing it may be at the time. We are meant to follow God and rest in His every moving and ever nurturing shadow.

During my run I felt the softly rippling lakes calling my name, promising refreshment for my hot and weary body. I felt such peace as I heard the water lap upon the shore and watched the birds fly and swoop about. The lake was like God’s Word to me. Calling me in, bringing me joy, peace and hope for refreshment. I then realized that to sit and admire the lake is wonderful in itself; to be refreshed by the shear idea and hope of God is absolutely beautiful. But it is only when we dive into the water that we are truly refreshed. Getting your feet wet may be fine at first, but the rest of your body will thirst for more. The only way to truly be refreshed by the Word is to dive in fully. The deeper you go into the Water, the cooler it becomes and the more your body is refreshed and ready to pour out God’s overflowing love to the world and all in it that He has the strongest affection for.

In John 13:37, Peter asked Jesus, ‘Lord, why can I not follow You now?” As Oswald Chambers says, “Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. ‘I will lay down my life for your sake.’ Peter’s statement was honest but ignorant. Jesus answered him, ‘… the rooster shall not crow until you have denied Me three times.’ This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him.”

Admiring the water and being refreshed by its promises of hope is beautiful natural devotion, but it is only when we leap in and swim to the depths God calls us that we will truly be refreshed by serving our Lord, Creator and Savior.

Last Sunday I went ahead and planted more more seeds. These are my additional cantaloupes I planted just last weekend! I also planted more watermelon, eggplant, collard greens and broccoli. All the spouts are starting to pop up! I have so enjoyed putting time and love into my little garden and watching it grow. Watching life unfold before us is just another gift we are blessed with.