I recently bought a new devotional Bible. The Bible that I have been using since we got married 8 years ago is worn out! This summer a portion of the New Testament fell out. Who needs Philemon through James anyway, right?! The devotion that I read a couple of days ago was titled Who's The Big Deal.
The author says that our job as Christian's is to make a big deal out of God. Our goal is to make God famous. This sparked many thoughts in my mind. As a ministry family we have tons of opportunities to make God famous to those around us. We have been given a huge responsibility to make sure that the students in our community not only know God, but make him famous by the way they live their lives.
More importantly, my new job is to make God famous to my own family, specifically to Reese. The author asks some questions that I want to ask of my self every morning. I encourage you to ask your self these same questions each new day.
* How will I make God famous to my kids today?
* Will they learn to seek his presence because of his presence in me?
* Will they be able to recognize godliness because they have witnessed godliness in me?
i deal with and teach many children everyday. However, the most important person that I teach each day is my own sweet baby. Will he know that God is love? Will he know that God loves us just the way we are? Will he see my life as a love letter back to the one who gave me life?
I pray constantly for him to know and love my Savior in a real and intimate way. One of the best ways that I can help make this happen is by loving Christ and living that out in front of him. everyday I ask the Lord to give me the things that I need to make that happen. As I look at my beautiful blessing, I can't imagine not spending eternity with him by my side.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Running For My Life
A couple of weeks ago I finished reading Warrick Dunn's Running For My Life. I was excited about reading this book after seeing a segment on the Today show about Dunn. You may have read my post regarding this a few months ago. There were some parts of the book that were slow to me, but overall, it was very refreshing.
The book chronicles Dunn's journey from high school to the NFL. I am not a football fan and do not understand the mechanics of the game. Dunn talks a lot about games and plays. These parts were a little slow for me, but I understand that he does this to set up the importance that football plays in his story. If I understood football, I feel certain that these parts would have been more meaningful to me.
Dunn's mother was killed when he was in high school. The opening chapter of the book lets the reader in on Dunn's visit to Angola State Prison where he meets and forgives his mother's murderer. The rest of the book leads you on his journey to that point. Dunn used football as a way to release his pain. After several years and a lot of encouragement, he also sought counseling.
Growing up very close to his single mother, he knew that he wanted to do something to help other working single mothers. Through the Warrick Dunn Foundation he does just that. His Homes for The Holidays program provides a down payment and home furnishings for single moms. He is also a founding member of Athletes for Hope, an organization where professional athletes serve as mentors to help new pros find ways to reach out to their communities.
The more that I read, I knew that Dunn had to be a Christian. Everything that he was doing was screaming Christ to me. He would often mention the faith of his mother and grandmother and how that affected him. One part particularly stood out to me. When speaking about being a role model this was said: "Because I have been able to build a reputation as a talented player, I have been able to build futures. Because I am able to play, I am able to make a difference. Because I have been blessed with a talent, I also have been given a responsibility." That is not a responsibility that he takes lightly!
Dunn makes it quite clear that he does not need flashy things and expensive houses. He knows how to live simply and chooses to use his wealth to give from his heart. One of the final chapters of the book is devoted to his faith. He openly talks about his relationship with Christ and how that has shaped everything that he does. Despite the losses in his life, he knows that he is blessed and is determined to share that blessing.
Though I wanted to know early on about his faith, I think it is very fitting the way he added it in to the book. This book was not marketed to Christian audiences. Someone who is not interested in his faith may have put the book down very quickly had pushed his faith early on. Instead, he (in a sense) lives out a life a faith in front of these people and then in the end explains why.
This was a great book and Warrick Dunn is one of the few athletes who truly deserves to be a role model. This is one man any mother would be happy for her child to strive to imitate.
The book chronicles Dunn's journey from high school to the NFL. I am not a football fan and do not understand the mechanics of the game. Dunn talks a lot about games and plays. These parts were a little slow for me, but I understand that he does this to set up the importance that football plays in his story. If I understood football, I feel certain that these parts would have been more meaningful to me.
Dunn's mother was killed when he was in high school. The opening chapter of the book lets the reader in on Dunn's visit to Angola State Prison where he meets and forgives his mother's murderer. The rest of the book leads you on his journey to that point. Dunn used football as a way to release his pain. After several years and a lot of encouragement, he also sought counseling.
Growing up very close to his single mother, he knew that he wanted to do something to help other working single mothers. Through the Warrick Dunn Foundation he does just that. His Homes for The Holidays program provides a down payment and home furnishings for single moms. He is also a founding member of Athletes for Hope, an organization where professional athletes serve as mentors to help new pros find ways to reach out to their communities.
The more that I read, I knew that Dunn had to be a Christian. Everything that he was doing was screaming Christ to me. He would often mention the faith of his mother and grandmother and how that affected him. One part particularly stood out to me. When speaking about being a role model this was said: "Because I have been able to build a reputation as a talented player, I have been able to build futures. Because I am able to play, I am able to make a difference. Because I have been blessed with a talent, I also have been given a responsibility." That is not a responsibility that he takes lightly!
Dunn makes it quite clear that he does not need flashy things and expensive houses. He knows how to live simply and chooses to use his wealth to give from his heart. One of the final chapters of the book is devoted to his faith. He openly talks about his relationship with Christ and how that has shaped everything that he does. Despite the losses in his life, he knows that he is blessed and is determined to share that blessing.
Though I wanted to know early on about his faith, I think it is very fitting the way he added it in to the book. This book was not marketed to Christian audiences. Someone who is not interested in his faith may have put the book down very quickly had pushed his faith early on. Instead, he (in a sense) lives out a life a faith in front of these people and then in the end explains why.
This was a great book and Warrick Dunn is one of the few athletes who truly deserves to be a role model. This is one man any mother would be happy for her child to strive to imitate.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Mr. Enthusiastic
Next week I am launching a new blog. It will be a photo and video blog for Reese. If you want a taste of what goes on in the Holder household, check that site out.
www.reeseholder.blogspot.com
www.reeseholder.blogspot.com
Truely Blessed
A lot of things have happened with us this week. Reese is doing so many new and cute things. He has figured out how to move from a seated position to laying down and back again. We are still not crawling, but we get closer every day. He has definitely taken to his daddy and loves him very much.
On Thursdays Reese stays with my grandmother. Yesterday when I took him over my cousin Dustin happened to be up and laying on the couch. (He works late and is generally not up yet when I get there). Dustin picked up Reese and sat him on his chest. It almost made me cry to sit and watch him play with my baby. I have always been very close with my cousins. We grew up more like brothers and sisters than cousins. At that moment all I could think about is how blessed I am. I had always hoped that my children would be as close to my cousins as I have been. Sharing this time with them is so special to me.
I am blessed to have Reese. I am blessed to have a great family. I am blessed to have a husband that loves me and Reese and daily puts himself aside to take care of us.
Some unexpected things came up this week that made us a little uneasy. Despite the fears and uneasiness, this was yet another display of how blessed we are. Many people in our church family and our friends have rallied around us. A new friend even has her friends and family that we don't even know praying for us.
We serve a God that is bigger than any circumstance that we face. He shows himself to be faithful to us everyday. When we slow down and take the time to notice we will see the blessings all around us!
On Thursdays Reese stays with my grandmother. Yesterday when I took him over my cousin Dustin happened to be up and laying on the couch. (He works late and is generally not up yet when I get there). Dustin picked up Reese and sat him on his chest. It almost made me cry to sit and watch him play with my baby. I have always been very close with my cousins. We grew up more like brothers and sisters than cousins. At that moment all I could think about is how blessed I am. I had always hoped that my children would be as close to my cousins as I have been. Sharing this time with them is so special to me.
I am blessed to have Reese. I am blessed to have a great family. I am blessed to have a husband that loves me and Reese and daily puts himself aside to take care of us.
Some unexpected things came up this week that made us a little uneasy. Despite the fears and uneasiness, this was yet another display of how blessed we are. Many people in our church family and our friends have rallied around us. A new friend even has her friends and family that we don't even know praying for us.
We serve a God that is bigger than any circumstance that we face. He shows himself to be faithful to us everyday. When we slow down and take the time to notice we will see the blessings all around us!
Friday, February 6, 2009
You Found Me
Over the last couple of years I have become a fan of The Fray. This week they released their newest album. I Of course, I quickly added to my I-Tunes library. I really like the sound of the new single You Found Me, however, I am having a hard time making sense of it. Here are the lyrics:
In the end everyone ends up alone
Early morning the city breaks and I've been calling for years and years
Lost and insecure, You found me, You found me
You Found Me
I found God on the corner of First and Amistad
I found God on the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west was all but won
All alone smoking His last cigarette
I said where You been, He said ask anything
Where were You when everything was falling apart
All my days were spent by a telephone
That never rang and all I needed was a call
That never came to the corner of First and Amistad
Lost and insecure, You found me, You found me
Lost and insecure, You found me, You found me
Lying on the floor, surrounded, surrounded
Why'd You have to wait, where were You, where were You
Just a little late, You found me, You found me
In the end everyone ends up alone
Losing her, the only one who's ever known
Who I am who I'm not and who I want to be
No way to know how long she will be next to me
Lost and insecure, You found me, You found me
Lost and insecure, You found me, You found me
Lying on the floor, surrounded, surrounded
Why'd You have to wait, where were You, where were You
Just a little late, You found me, You found me
Early morning the city breaks and I've been calling for years and years
You never left me no messages, You never send me no letters
You got some kind of nerve taking all I want
Lost and insecure, You found me, You found me
Lost and insecure, You found me, You found me
Lying on the floor, where were You, where were You
Lost and insecure, You found me, You found me
Lying on the floor, surrounded, surrounded
Why'd You have to wait, where were You, where were You
Just a little late, You found me, You found me
Why'd You have to wait to find me, to find me
Any thoughts on the meaning? I am kinda lost on this one. I guess I have had a hard time getting past the whole cigarette line. I have a hard time picturing God with a cigarette.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Blessing of Waiting
I recently finished reading Letters from Ruth's Attic. One of the final devotions in the book was about waiting. This devotion resonated with me because I have found it's lesson to be so true in my life. How many times in life have you thought you wanted or needed something right now? For instance, Bryan and I have wanted a child for a long time. We both felt strongly about adoption and were getting anxious in the waiting process.
Several times people told us about children that were potentially available. Each time we would follow the lead and see what may happen. One child in particular we had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with. As his case progressed we were asked about potentially taking him on a more permanent basis. Initially, we thought that this was it. He was the one for us. God had plopped him in our laps, right?
All of the sudden things changed. A lot of doubts flooded over me almost in an instant. I just couldn't find a peace about the situation. Bryan and I talked and prayed and over and over. The more we prayed the more my doubts were confirmed. Though we knew we were doing the right thing, it didn't seem logical. We wanted a child so badly and here is one right in front of us that needs a home. I knew God had something else in store for us. I just needed to trust Him and WAIT. We didn't have to wait very long. Within 6 weeks the call came and two weeks later God blessed us with Reese!
I thought of this situation when I read Ruth Graham's words, "Then I understood, as never before, why God does not answer all of our prayers right away. Today we may be beseeching Him for things that we would not want six months from now." How true that has been for us. We could never have imagined where we are now and we wouldn't trade it for anything.
When we pray according to God's will we know that He hears us and He will answer our prayers. Those answers will come in His time. Know that He is faithful and the blessing will be worth the wait.
Several times people told us about children that were potentially available. Each time we would follow the lead and see what may happen. One child in particular we had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with. As his case progressed we were asked about potentially taking him on a more permanent basis. Initially, we thought that this was it. He was the one for us. God had plopped him in our laps, right?
All of the sudden things changed. A lot of doubts flooded over me almost in an instant. I just couldn't find a peace about the situation. Bryan and I talked and prayed and over and over. The more we prayed the more my doubts were confirmed. Though we knew we were doing the right thing, it didn't seem logical. We wanted a child so badly and here is one right in front of us that needs a home. I knew God had something else in store for us. I just needed to trust Him and WAIT. We didn't have to wait very long. Within 6 weeks the call came and two weeks later God blessed us with Reese!
I thought of this situation when I read Ruth Graham's words, "Then I understood, as never before, why God does not answer all of our prayers right away. Today we may be beseeching Him for things that we would not want six months from now." How true that has been for us. We could never have imagined where we are now and we wouldn't trade it for anything.
When we pray according to God's will we know that He hears us and He will answer our prayers. Those answers will come in His time. Know that He is faithful and the blessing will be worth the wait.
I patiently waited, LORD, for you to hear my prayer. You listened and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm,
Psalm 40:1-2 (CEV)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Inaugaration Part 2
Reese seemed to be as interested as I was in the inauguration. The funniest thing happened when President Obama was taking the oath of office. Reese was listening intently to the chief justice. When he stopped speaking Reese seemed to be repeating after him just as President Obama was. This happened with every part of the oath. Reese must think that he is the President now that he has taken the oath of office as well.
As this was happening in front of me, I couldn't help but laugh and think of it's significance. This truly was a door of opportunity opened up for Reese. In the past biracial children have been looked down upon. They are often whispered about and made fun of (as if they had any choice in their ethnicity). Looking at my biracial child I realized how much of an impact this could have on his life. Being a biracial man, President Obama just showed my child and every other biracial child that they are can be or do anything they work hard for. The key to that is working hard. They have to work hard not because they are biracial, but because they are human.
One final thing stood out to me about the ceremonies. During his address, President Obama made a couple of statements that I want to leave you to think about. "To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy." "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned."
As this was happening in front of me, I couldn't help but laugh and think of it's significance. This truly was a door of opportunity opened up for Reese. In the past biracial children have been looked down upon. They are often whispered about and made fun of (as if they had any choice in their ethnicity). Looking at my biracial child I realized how much of an impact this could have on his life. Being a biracial man, President Obama just showed my child and every other biracial child that they are can be or do anything they work hard for. The key to that is working hard. They have to work hard not because they are biracial, but because they are human.
One final thing stood out to me about the ceremonies. During his address, President Obama made a couple of statements that I want to leave you to think about. "To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy." "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned."
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