Caffeinated Conversations {01.27.12}

I was getting ready to write this post “late” last night {it was only 9:30, but it was late for me to be on the computer} when my computer CRASHED. No warning, no previous symptoms. And it didn’t even shut down – the screen just went BLACK and my monitor claimed there was no video signal.

At first, I didn’t freak out, thinking it was just my monitor acting up {it tends to do that occasionally}, but after unplugging the monitor and plugging it back in, the computer shut itself off and wouldn’t load Windows when it came back on.

I still wasn’t TOO worried, so when the computer rebooted, I pulled up the boot command screen to take a look at what was going on behind the scenes. It was there that my husband noticed that the computer’s core temperature was reading at 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It was at this point that I started getting a bit concerned, especially since the computer hadn’t been on all that long and it didn’t feel warm to the touch.

I decided that I would leave it off for the rest of the night – this post could wait until the morning – and I prayed.

God, I would REALLY like my computer to work when I turn it on in the morning. Sure, I could go computer shopping tomorrow, but I’d rather not. Plus, I have quite a bit on my hard drive I’d rather not lose {pictures, documents, etc.}. Whatever happens, though, I know it’ll be OK because You’re in control.

Know that there was a possibility my computer wouldn’t turn on this morning really didn’t phase me. I didn’t particular want to go computer shopping and/or deal with the potential loss of my hard drive, but I could still function. All my work files were on a remote server and I could borrow my husband’s laptop until I was able to figure out what I was going to do.

Well, it turned out to be a good thing that I didn’t stress and fret all night long because my computer turned on and loaded Windows without a hitch this morning. It was a blessing, but the bigger blessing was that I didn’t lose sleep over a situation that “could have been.”

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{If you can’t see the video below, please visit the blog.}

Caffeinated Conversations {01.27.12}

How is your week going?

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Caffeinated Conversations {05.07.11}

3in30 January Goals, John 1.12, 1000 Gifts, and More… Monday Musings {01.02.12}

Five Minute Friday: Tender

A song popped into my head as I pondered where the word tender would take me this morning. The problem is that I can’t remember the words!

“…, tenderly, Jesus is calling. Calling for you and for me… Calling, dear sinner, come home.”

And immediately, Romans 5.8 pops into mind: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Does this make ANY sense? Christ GAVE HIS LIFE for the ones who wanted to TAKE HIS LIFE.

Is there a picture that shows tender any better than that? He loved us SO much, even when we despised Him, that He gave His life in order that we might one day have a relationship with Him.

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Have you experienced the grace and tenderness of Jesus? Have you accepted Him as your personal Savior – entering into a relationship with Him?

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I’m joining The Gypsy Mama’s Five Minute Friday: Tender. Won’t you join us?

David's Birth Story

March 2011 - in Review

Blog Bash 2011 - Ashley Pichea

1 Peter 2.4-10: Rejoice That You Rock

I’m joining a group of bloggers blogging through 1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times {An Inductive Bible Study} by Sue Edwards over the next nine weeks. This blog tour has been sponsored by Kregel Publishing, and I was provided a free copy of the Bible study book in exchange for my participation in the blog tour.

See all my posts in this series: 1 Peter.

As I studied 1 Peter 2.4-10 this week, I was reminded of what it means to be a part of the holy and royal priesthood that Peter describes in this passage.

“You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” {1 Peter 2.5, NASB}

As a believer, I am a living stone in the spiritual house that is being built in order to offer spiritual sacrifices to God.

The only way these spiritual sacrifices are acceptable is because I am in Christ!

Romans 12.1 helps me to better understand what this spiritual sacrifice looks like: “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

The spiritual sacrifice that is acceptable to God, and which I am to be offering as part of the holy priesthood, is a life of service and worship of Him.

Hebrews 13.15 says that I am to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.”

1 Peter 2.9 explains that being part of “a royal priesthood” is “so that [I] may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called [me] out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

What an incredible blessing and privilege it is to live a life that offers praise to God and points others to Him!

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Let's Read and Grow Together {Present Perfect by Gregory Boyd}

Live By Faith {guest post}

Top 10 Tuesday: Quotes from A Confident Heart

Slugs & Bugs – Under Where? {review & giveaway}

I’d heard of Slugs & Bugs on other blogs I read, but I’d never taken the time to learn about them, so when Megan {from Slugs & Bugs} contacted me about sharing their newest CD with you, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to get to know Slugs & Bugs.

Slugs & Bugs is fun and silly music for parents and their kids. It was started by Randall Goodgame, who has also written songs for Veggie Tales. Slugs & Bugs just created a new album titled Slugs & Bugs Under Where?.

The music consists of songs that are just fun and silly but, also includes songs that have meaningful messages behind them. You can learn more about “behind the songs” at our blog. Randall created this music not only for children but, also for parents to enjoy as well.

Slugs & Bugs will be at the Great Homeschool Convention this April in Memphis, TN. Slugs & Bugs has been a great success for homeschool parents and children, MOPS groups, and children’s ministries.

Yesterday afternoon, I listened to the newest album, Slugs & Bugs Under Where?, while I was working.

To be honest, I didn’t really like the album. It was a bit over-the-top for me – and honestly, it was pretty annoying after the second or third song {I’m not really a “hoe down” fan, and most of the songs have a “hoe down” feeling to them}, but I can definitely see where kids would thoroughly enjoy it! There were definitely some songs that made listening to the album worth the time invested – ones that were less “silly” and had a meaning message that I would love to share with my kids.

One song that I did really enjoy was “I’m Adopted.”

Maybe it’s because we are in the middle of the adoption process ourselves, so I’m much more aware of adoptive messages, but I really enjoyed this song.

I love what the artist shared about this song:

I wanted this song to be a celebration. Our stories are marked by trouble and grief, but the light of Christ chases away the darkness and his love makes strangers into family.

We all have been adopted – into the family of God – if we have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior. I know this is a song I’ll listen to again and again!

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And now, I have the privilege of sharing Slugs & Bugs Under Where? with one of you!!

{If you are reading this post via email or in a reader, you’ll need to visit the blog to enter.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I was given a free download of Slugs & Bugs Under Where? in exchange for my honest review.

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The World of Animals {book review}

Cary Dairy Farm - a Field Trip

Our Homeschool Week in Review {01.20.12}

What I Wore and Wrote Wednesday {01.25.12}

I don’t get dressed for the sake of being fashionable but in order to set the tone for my day and my family. Without the accountability of this weekly post, I’d probably live in sweats. In order to live each day with intentionality, I start by intentionally getting dressed…

What I Wore Wednesday Recap

This week I “lost” a picture {seriously, I have NO idea what happened to my Thursday picture} and most of my pictures turned out pretty blurry. So, we’re going to be focusing more on the fact that I got dressed than what I actually was wearing!

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