Faith...

So, my brother is a muscian (and a fabulous one at that). He has this song that's on his newest CD called "Hands" and it completely inspires me to not waste my life and challenges me to live my faith even when life sucks.
Here are my favorite lines from the song,
"Come on faith, get some bruises. You blush when I tell you your the currency love uses. Come on Pain, pick a side your killing from both ends and we've got no place to hide."

Lately my faith has got some bruises, I'm not going to lie. And I really think that's the only way for your faith to grow. I guess the thing I am realizing, with the help of my amazing brother, is that your pain has to pick a side-that's what makes the difference. A faith without bruises isn't much of a faith, is it? And from those bruises, the pain that picks God's side is what makes the faith complete and triumphant.

Ephesians 3:20

You know when verses just keep coming up to you for no specific reason? It seems that's one of the major ways God always presents a little encouragement to me for specific situations. Today Ephesians 3:20 came up multiple times in different devotionals and readings.
" Now glory be to God! By his might power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever DARE to ask or HOPE!"
You just have to be encouraged by that- Can you imagine not being able to dare to ask or even hope for something and then have it done? That just baffles my mind!!!!And then grounds me in realizing that I often put God into a box of what I believe he can do. How daring of me. Definately doesn't reflect a fear of the Lord, does it? Now that I realize that I do it though, I'm willing to change it and grow into a life of expectancy that God will do things that I can't even dare to hope for.

Keepin up with the Jones'

I am watching our neighbors get underground sprinklers right now. Ugh- Not that I am envious about this or am wishing it were me, but because now my yard is going to be the brownest on the block! Before, if we both didn't water it didn't really matter because both yards looked the same-now, since they will have the sprinklers doin' the work for them I'm going to have to get my butt in gear and start actaully watering. I don't think they realized the effect that them getting underground sprinklers was going to have on my work load! haha.

For you , Cortney!

I found this the other day after our conversation about cool cities to live in and thought you would like to see that your city, Overland Park, is #6 on the top cities in America to live! My city (Ft. Collins/Cheyenne) was #1!!! Just found that interesting and thought you would enjoy-Talk to you later.

http://biz.yahoo.com/special/besttowns06.html