Whether you are traditional, contemporary, or post-modern, this video is a must see performance of one of my favorite songs. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and that the words more than the motions will touch your heart.
Mistaken Identity July 21, 2008
Several weeks ago, I posted a blog called God Questions that discussed finding answers to the really difficult questions about why bad things happen to good people. In that blog, I talked about a fiction novel that I thought was very insightful and gave a new perspective on such questions. Last week, though, I read a non-fiction book about 2 families, 5 really, who were faced with a real life tragedy.
You may have heard the story of the Taylor University students who were killed in an accident coming home from a school event. One student survived, but she was mistakenly identified as another student on the van. Mistaken Identity is written by the 2 families of these girls…the one who survived and the one who didn’t. What I found amazing in this book that was so different from the fiction book I read was that when faced with a real tragedy rather than a fictional one, these families, who are believers, did not waver in their faith, their trust, their belief in a loving, personal God. They did not (at least in the book) question God or blame God or try to figure out all the reasons why something so tragic happened to them. They walked step by step, day by day, week by week with God through the pain, through the tragedy, and even through all the media attention. And they survived!! Their testimony is absolutely AMAZING! They showed strength and weakness, courage and fear, but never once did they show unbelief that God is good, that He has a plan, that His love is everlasting. Not once did they try to rationalize or theologize their circumstances. They just simply moved forward day by day, trusting in what they had believed about who God is ….regardless of whether they understood the whys of the situation.
I guess what I’m trying to say is…that when it all comes down to it…the answers to the questions are not in the whys but in the hows. Not why did this happen to me…but how am I going to face it? Not why would God allow such a tragedy in my life…but how am I going to allow God to carry me through? I am sure that these families had many “Why” questions for God…but their actions showed a faith much bigger than finding the answers to the “whys” because they focused on the “how”. It was very humbling and convicting for me as I read their story. All through the book, I continued to ask “why?”…but as I got deeper into their stories, it dawned on me that the Why didn’t matter….it was the amazing grace and mercy that God gave them during the storm that saw them through. Knowing the answers would not have done one thing to change the outcome…but trusting God to be all that He has promised that He is…very definitely changed their lives and the lives of those around them.
June 12—June 16 July 3, 2008
June 12 — my wedding anniversary — unfortunately, this year, we spent our 15th wedding anniversary 7,000 miles apart. S spent the day working with soldiers, and I spent the day driving to Texas. But both of us spent time thinking about the last 15 years. We have had a lot of fun, heartache, struggle, and worries, but we have also created a lot of memories, strength, joy, and trust. As I drove, I reflected on some special events from every year of our marriage…buying our first house…having a baby…moving and moving and moving and moving…having a second baby…camping…and all the other things in between…It has been a wonderful 15 years. S and I met when we were 18, started dating at 18 and 19 and got married at 21 and 22…so basically, we have “grown up” together. S has reached the point that he has spent 1/2 of his life with me, and I will reach that same point next year. We have become who we are together…all those things that we learned and took from our parents and our childhood have been meshed together into our family, taking what we needed and a little of what would be better left behind. We haven’t always done everything perfectly or solved every problem calmly, but we have loved. And I wouldn’t change one single thing….
June 16 — my anniversary with Jesus — 30 years ago on this date, I accepted Jesus’s gift of salvation by asking Him to forgive my sins, believing that He paid for them on the cross and defeated death by rising again. Often times, I reflect on all that He has done for me. But especially on this day, just like with my wedding anniversary, I take time to remember the steps/stops along the way in my journey with Jesus. He has guided me, taught me, loved me, and been with me always. Some of those special markers along the way — a sermon on Jonah…”It’s not about following the rules…it’s about having the mind of Christ.” … a spiritual goal … “Instead it should be the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” I Peter 3:4…seeing miracles of healing happen right before my very eyes with the birth of my daughter … seeing provisions made when there seemed to be nothing left … realizing that I would rather obey God and have my husband gone for 15 months than to have him home and be out of God’s will…and oh, there is so much more…He is an amazing God! And I am so grateful that He is my King! When we ask, He will answer…When we want more, He will fill us…When we need strength, He will lift us up…When we need mercy, He will be merciful…When we need manna, He will provide…When we need guidance, He will direct…When we need forgiveness and love, well, He has already sent His only Son…He has forgiven …and He has loved with an everlasting love. All we need to do is receive it.
Home Sweet Home
Well…the kids and I made it to Texas and back and no worse for the wear! My mom along with my niece flew to Savannah, Georgia just before our trip in order to make the 17 hour, 1000 mile drive with us. We had a great time visiting Lane Orchard in Fort Valley, GA. We got peaches that had been taken from the tree the day before…YUMMY! Of course, I turned it into a school lesson as we toured the packing area in the back. We watched the entire process from bringing the peaches off the truck from the orchard to sorting, washing, boxing, and loading them onto the truck for delivery to stores. Really fun…and educational!
After that stop, we went on to Clinton, Mississippi to share dinner with my college roommate. We had not seen each other in 15 years! Ridiculous, I know…but we picked up really easily and had a wonderful visit. Dee Dee and Todd have 3 beautiful, SOUTHERN daughters that were absolutely precious! I could have listened to little Emma talking and telling her younger sister what to do all night long. Dee Dee and Todd have said to the Lord, “Here I am, send me,” and He has responded with, “Off you go to Mozambique!” I was so grateful that we had the opportunity to reconnect in person before they head across the pond early next spring. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare their family to take this amazing journey with the Lord. You can visit their blog As We Go .
We spent the night in Mississippi and finally made it to China Spring on Friday afternoon. It was funny, though, when we crossed the state line into Texas, we rolled down the car windows, took a deep breath and exclaimed, “AH….the air is fresher, the sun shines brighter, and the sky is definitely bluer!!!”
After spending Father’s Day with my dad, we drove to Mammaw’s house in Midlothian to get ready for Camp Thurman(a Christian outdoor adventure day camp) on Monday morning. M and J both had a great time on the zip-line, Tarzan swing, and at the range shooting bb guns and trying archery. I had a great time by myself from 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. everyday!!
After Camp Thurman finished on Friday, we hung around Midlothian in order to attend our home church FBC Midlothian. It was a wonderful time of fellowship in my Sunday school class and an excellent service as well. When we were headed out to church that morning, M and J both asked if we were going to “our” church. When I answered “yes”, they both pumped their fists and declared, “WOO-HOO!! YES!!!” That’s always a good sign and a good feeling when your kids look forward to and enjoy going to church.
We spent the next week in China Spring with my parents. My mom and I worked in their VBS, preparing and serving dinner to the workers and their children. M was a BIG help with the dessert table, and the kids both enjoyed Outrigger Island. Time and time again, people from that church asked about S, about our family, and reminded me that they are continually praying for us. What a blessing!
So after the long 2 week vacation, we finally made our trek back to Georgia. As we left Texas, we had to roll up the windows…and we even got “choked up” a bit…The sky seemed to become dull, and I think the light of the sun faded as we headed toward the Mississippi River. We were leaving home.
Funny thing, though, as we arrived at Fort Stewart the next day, there were whoops and hollers from the backseat. Kids exclaiming, “We’re home! We’re home!” And sure enough, as we walked back into this little military house that we are only borrowing for a short time, we were home. So I guess, that no matter where we go, no matter what we’re doing…if we’re doing what God has asked us to do…we will be at home.
All the grandkids with Mammaw……………Harvesting potatoes from PaPa’s garden
Choosing Life 
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