could I share this one prayer with you today?

Could I take but a moment and sit in this stillness, and share just one prayer with you today?

That our feet, and not just our hearts, be prompted to move.

Our path was laid out by Jesus Christ himself, but do we dare follow? Do we dare to even try to comprehend what living with out all this North American gluttony would be like? Do we even attempt to bridge the gap?

I am struggling today with the weight of knowing I am but a soul longing. I long to not be a part of this world, only to be in it but not of it. I long to see Him face to face. Are my good intentions even worthy of being in our Kings presence? How am I anything but filth?

Grace.

But where does grace end? Where am I and who am I in this world? Like stagnant water we breed disease and sin. Not moving in any direction, even with great intentions, we are still useless stagnant water. Waiting for a hurricane of circumstance to move us and breathe new life, but what if that never comes? Or worse, what if it comes and we still aren't moved? Or maybe our hearts are broken, but our feet never take a step. Or our minds are filled with conviction but we never give of ourselves. What of stagnant people?

Prayer.

I pray for God to speak to me and to show me the way. I pray that I will then heed that call and follow. But some days I don't even know what direction I am headed and most days I feel so lost. I take it to Him in prayer, and prayer is powerful. I have learned to prayer expectantly, not only hopefully, and I do. But when I open my eyes, and I am once again surrounded not by Him, but of my world, I then become lukewarm. How does the flame that He ignites, turn to but a warmth in moments. How is the passion of a sermon tucked into the depths of our hearts to just then fizzle and die? How do I take the jump into the radical? What is radical when you have a husband and two small children?

Act.

We are called to move and act. We are all called to be disciples. We are called to give and then to give more. We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. How often do we see this command acted out? Where is Jesus in a self loving, self promoting, materialistic world? And where do we belong, as His followers, in all this chaos?

My heart hurts for all those in need. For all that don't know a mother's touch. For all of those who are hungry, not only for food, but for love. For those without clothing and water. For those without shelter or a pillow to lay their head. For those with broken hearts and broken homes. For all that NEED.
My heart is broken but do my, or your, feet ever take a step?

So although I do not know the answers, I know who does. Although I am filthy rags, I am saved by grace. Although I fail, He conquers. Although I am sin, He is perfection.

So dear friends, on this day, my prayer is that our feet, not only our hearts, will be prompted to move. And that we may obey.

What has the Lord been prompting you to do? Have you listened?


34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:34-40

Psalm 30:5

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. ~Psalm 30:5

This day is always a rough one for me. September as a whole is very bittersweet. September 16, 2004 is when I found out I was pregnant with Austin. September 29th is Adam's birthday. September 19, 1999 is the day my father took his life 11 years ago. September 19, 2007 is the day I found out one of our sweet babies was ectopic and wouldn't make it.

September.

I know for a lot of people loss is not something easily discussed. It is hard for us to accept and to process. Our earthly bodies and minds can't always see the grace and glory on the other side.
On this day, I too fall victim to the sadness that loss is so willing to lend us. I felt it all week as this day has approached. Silently and cunningly weaving itself into my heart with its lies. And I will admit, the sadness has brought me to my knees. And it would keep me there if I didn't know the TRUTH.

The truth is that I, alone, can not face and bear the weight of this sinful world. However, I am not alone.

...the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

And indeed, sweet friends, His burden is light.

This world offers so much pain, but in Him comes peace, true peace. He never promised an easy journey but He also promised that He would never leave us to face it alone.

So it is in His word, that I can see the lies for what they are.

This year, I find myself missing my dad more than ever. I watch Austin and EJ grow and I know he would have made a fantastic grandfather. I can just see the smile he would have had while taking them fishing. Oh how I wish he could take them fishing.

And oh how grateful I am that my heavenly Father knows my heart and is ever present. My boys may never know my dad, but they will know our Father.

And I know there is no void, no wound, no pain, to large for Jesus. There is no day in which He can not bring joy and glory. Even on this day. Especially on this day.

And I yearn for the day that all this will disappear and I can see my Savior face to face. Until that day, I will cling to the truth and I will rest in Him.

Though the night may bring mourning friends, there will be joy come the new day.

Thank you Savior for the new day and joy you bring. Thank you for your peace which truly does surpass all understanding. Thank you for bringing Glory into the darkest of hours. Thank you for your comfort when we need it most. Thank you for all your promises which you have never abandoned. Thank You Jesus, for carrying us all.

the carpenter+ our winner!!

Carpentry. It is a lost art really.

Now a days you don't see too many dusty sweaty men pouring strength and attention into a chunk of wood. Seeing the possibilities, the potential. Grinding, scraping, carving, cutting, removing and sawing until, you see it. The beauty that He saw all along. Those carpenters are pretty creative after all. To see the beauty before hand.

To make something from nothing. Something prized and treasured. Something obviously worth value. Those carpenters, you see, are quite creative....

From a rough log they can make something so smooth and glorious. From something so unlikely, they can create a work of art.
Not surprising because, well, carpenters are rather creative....

Did you know Jesus was a carpenter? But oh, his work did not stop at logs. Oh no, He had his sights on something much more significant.

You.

He sees the potential, the possibilities. He sees the beauty. He sees what could be, what will be. He can look straight through you and see what others can not. From something so unlikely he can make a masterpiece. And often, He sees all this before even you do.

Do you think that we are the ones holding us back? We are the ones who can't imagine that a God as unimaginable as ours, could choose us to do His work?

Fear not. All we have to do is trust. Walk where He leads for He will guide us. He will transform us. Even if we can not imagine the result. Even when we can't see His plan. Especially when we can't see it. Have faith in the carpenter. After all, they are pretty creative you know.

Alright, are you ready for our winner?

Yay! Number 16, Tracey, you are my winner!!!!
So excited! Sent you out an email!!

Luke 9:23-24

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Resolutions.....
Aren't they funny?
We all make them. We make our goals and plans. Create a whole itinerary for our new year.

How about we stop making resolutions for us, resolutions that we want, and start making some for the Lord? Strive to walk more in His way, and do more of what He desires for us. What then?

What if we surrender to our Lord and lay it all out for Him. What if our resolution is to die to ourselves and everyday choose, instead, to pick up the cross.

Did you catch that? Everyday.

My resolution this year is to stop being lazy and to serve. To be obedient to the Lord. I don't know what this will look like, as I often fly by the seat of my pants. But I am sure going to try. It is time to start taking up the cross. It is time to die to myself so that I may live in Him. It is time to stop making excuses. I am being called to act, and for once, I am.

You see, God knows it is not easy. That's why we fail year after year, day after day. I am always failing and I am so far from perfect that I am in awe even trying to comprehend that our God still loves me. That he has a plan for me and has indeed started a "good work" in not only me but each and every one of us. We are all part of His amazing plan. We are all called to be a part...and He knows it isn't easy.

"For I am sure that He who started this good work in you will carry it through until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6

That is why He will finish His good work in us. We can do nothing alone. Not breathe, not move. Nothing. And we also can not follow through with resolutions and plans all on our own. It is not by our strength that we prevail.
All we have to do is submit. Receive. And He will do the rest. Let ourselves become vessels for His love and compassion. Let our lives merely be arrows pointing to Him. If you give Him the reins, my friends, He will start a good work!!

I am constantly brought to my knees over and over again when I receive just a glimpse of His work. It is something that our human minds will never comprehend on this side of heaven.

So this year, I have made my resolution. Not for myself but for Him. I will strive everyday to chose the cross. Everyday I will work on being transparent in my life to allow Him to cover where I fail.

I made my resolution. Have you?

today...

We had an up and down day today! Little man could not decide how he felt. He wouldn't eat one bite, then he ate a whole piece of pumpkin bread. He wouldn't sleep, then he didn't want to wake up. There were tears, and there was lots and lots of laughter!
See for yourself!




All in all it was a good day. EJ is really moving around and pulling up on things. He desperately wants to be able to crawl up the stairs!! He wants to feed himself, he talks all day long, and I think he is cutting another tooth.

The doctor called back, and we are to keep trying the formula and wait to see what he weighs on the 21st. It is times like this I really wish I had a baby scale!
I try to not worry though, because developmentally he is progressing right where he should be. Given the defects we found in his brain, no one knows if, and to what extent, his development will be delayed. I thank God for the fact, that so far, there is no delay. It is things like this that keep me going...

I can do it! from E Nault on Vimeo.

Thank you all for continuing to lift us up! When we are having a rough day, I can feel all the prayers. They mean so much!
And finally,

Praise God for the ultimate present on Christmas!!!!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

ps. yes he has socks on his hands. It was so cold today and Austin thought they would keep him warm LOL. He is such a good big brother!

Gratitude...........

Sweet Jesus..........I will never forget the sacrifice..............

Today I watched a small clip from passion of the Christ and I plan on watching the rest tonight. Let me tell you how incredibly moving that was. I started crying and Austin came to see what was the matter. I let him watch about two seconds worth of Him carrying the cross. It is so profound. Austin and I sat there for a moment just talking about Jesus and how much we love Him. It was an amazing moment that I was so thankful to share with my son.
My sweet Jesus.....all that He went through for me and for you. The torture, the pain, the death. It was real and he willingly did it for us. I can close my eyes and see the crown of thorns. I can touch the nails. I can see the cuts and bruises all over. I can see his eyes. His eyes looking to heaven. Oh my sweet Jesus may I never forget. May I never take it for granted. For all that you did....Thank you, as if a thank you is enough. Lord help me to live my life more to bring You glory. Help me to be a more humble servant. Thank you my Savior......There are no other words...just Gratitude....

Jesus

Carry me, comfort me, and be my strength. I shall praise You in the storm for I know You are with me.
Amen