I'm In Love...Part 2

    These are thoughts from my devotional...it's not super polished or perfect, but it's honest.

    I've recently realized that if we aren't in love with Jesus it doesn't matter how disciplined or patient or whatever else we are. It's all for nothing. So I decided to go back to the basics and share insights on Jesus. I'm not going to lie, much of this insight originated with Beth Moore's studies. There's just too much to learn and study and still we can never grasp who Jesus is and what He's done for us...until we make it to heaven.
    Hopefully through these characteristics of Christ you can gain some new awe and amazement about the Savior that we can call our own.

1. He is God - John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men. the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."
**Thought - God came to earth FOR US...amazing and so crazy; think of 'Undercover Boss' but reversed. He came down to the inner workings of His kingdom to save us (not like bosses who find out what they are doing wrong), disguised as a regular human but no less the God that He is. And what does He save us from? Ourselves, our sin and most importantly God's wrath. Just remember, when you are tempted to think "Yeah, and?" that He could have chosen to wipe us all out and start over

2. He Loves Us - Think about this for a minute; we know God loves us because John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world...") tells us this, but Jesus, Son of God loves us EVEN AFTER LIVING WITH US AND BEING HATED BY US.
**Can you imagine what He went through having to live like a human and put up with us humans? Luke 13:34 gives His lament over Jerusalem "How often would I have gathers your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not." How much more does He lament over our failings and yet He still loves us and wants us.
**More than that He came and died for us. We always focus on God loving us so much that He sent His Son to die, but lately I've been thinking how much the Son loves us that He would Himself die! He had to go through the death...be abandoned by His Father....take the wrath...all to save our wretched souls who can't even carve time out of my day to pray and worship Him properly.
** John 17:9, 24 "I am praying for them. I am not praying for the those but for those whom you have given Me, for they are yours....Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." He prayed this right before He was betrayed. He was about to suffer more than we can imagine, more than the world had ever or will ever see and He prayed for US! Let that sink in. That's love.

3. He is compassionate - Read Luke 7:11-15 He raised the widow's son out of pure compassion. the words in greek imply that Christ, in His lordship, touched the widow's son and healed him out of an unstoppable compassion and love. The word for touch actually means to apply oneself to, to touch; and the opposite of this is self control. Jesus was so overcome by sudden compassion He couldn't help but do what He does best...heal and restore. ** From such a disciplined Savior we see unbridled compassion at this moment and in so many moments in our lives. We, like the widow, haven't done anything to warrant or deserve the compassion, but he offers it because that is His nature.

4. He is available - He never turned down opportunities to help just because He was tired, sad, missing His home and Father, or frustrated with lack of faith of people. He was faithful to be the Savior just as He is faithful to us at all times. An example is in Luke 6:17-19 when He is ministering to the multitudes.

5. He is strong and magnetic - He was a carpenter before He was a preacher; He drew people to Him before they even knew who He was. We can't forget this and let the wimpy pics presented guide our perception. **We serve a mighty Jesus that, if we let ourselves get within any distance of, can't help but be drawn closer to Him. Luke 2:52 " And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and favor with God and man."

6. Jesus is faithful when He doesn't have to be - The temptation in the desert was to get the earth back without completing the plan...to shortcut the plan for salvation to make it easier on Himself. He could have ended it all right then, but instead chose to go through the suffering to save us...WOW. ** Garden of Gethsemane - He was in anguish; He prayed that He didn't have to go trough with the plan 3 TIMES but ultimately submitted to authority of God to save unfaithful, worm-like, sinful us. "And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw and knelt down and prayed saying Father if you are willing remove this cup from me. Nevertheless not my will but yours be done. and there appeared to him and angel from heaven strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly and His sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:41-44
** Think about what agony is, what anguish is…..Jesus went through that for you, so you could be with Him if you have faith and repent. Amazing love….

If you aren't in love with Him yet then study more, pray for love, make Him your savior… love with grow!

As for me I'll be waiting for this day and my Knight in shining armor:

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but imself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. on His robe and on His thigh he has this name written:

"KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS"

Revelation 19:11-16

I'm In Love

  With Jesus. Yes, I love my husband and am so grateful for him, but ultimately I love Christ more. Thankfully too, because that is the correct order of things: God, husband, children, everyone else.

   I've been a believer since I was very young, and I can't remember a time when I didn't look on Jesus with fondness, affection and admiration. But I have to admit it wasn't with a passionate love. As time went on I developed into a 'good Christian girl' and was content with that for quite a while. I'm not saying I didn't pursue Jesus, I was just up and down when it came to my times with Jesus and growth in Him. At some times (usually after completing a Beth Moore study or hearing some great sermons) I was on a spiritual high, but at others I was reduced to prideful legalism, comparing myself to others instead of Christ. During this time my relationship became somewhat like an arranged marriage....you know you grow to love them by being around them, but the passion isn't there. It's not an all consuming love that makes you think of nothing but Him and makes you do silly things. It was a practical love that followed rules but didn't get too over the top, except during those times when I got a small glimpse of the true Prince He is.

   Lately though I've just fallen head over heels, madly in love with Christ. I can't explain it. I'm not at all saying I haven't known Jesus as my savior during all of those years, but I just had never experienced the true passion for Him that I am now; I'm at another level. I just can't get enough of Him, I cry at every song and sermon I hear, and I just feel like I'm going to burst from the love I feel for Him. I feel a little silly writing this, but it's love and when you're in love you can't help but talk about it, right?

    Last fall I began praying for a deeper love of Jesus. I'd heard all of the stories, knew the miracles, read the parables, and it had all become a little stale to me. I wanted fresh insight, eyes opened wider, deeper understanding. As I continued to pray for this, God began really working on me. Last Christmas it seemed that I had a fresh perspective on the birth of Christ. Amazing love to leave angels and heaven to come save ME...and I just couldn't get over the fragile way He came to the earth. I blamed all the crying on the pregnancy, but I'm still becoming a weeper, so I guess that excuse is out. Next, I did the Disciple John Beth Moore Bible study and it was amazing. Then I did the Jesus the One and Only study and it just sent me over the edge for Him. God has answered my prayer 100 fold and I'm so thankful for that. He's not stopped filling me with love for my Emmanuel (my favorite name for Him...God with us) and as the Christmas season begins, along with Advent, I'm ready to look at His birth with even more love and awe than before.

    I went to a women's fellowship event this summer with several ladies from church, and my mom. We were all to give a short devotional and as I tried to think of a topic the one that wouldn't leave my mind was Jesus. It all begins with Him. If we aren't in love with Him, then the rest of the commands, blessings, stories don't matter. We have to love Him and appreciate what He did. It turned into a little more than I anticipated, and when I shared it I cried most of the way through. (What a weirdo, I know!) Luckily there was another weeper or two there so I wasn't alone. When I finished, one of the ladies said "You really love Jesus," and I think that was the highest compliment anyone has ever given me. I only pray that everyone who I meet can see that.

      Anyway, because I felt so moved when I wrote the devotional, I wanted to share it with you in a Part 2 of this post. I pray that as you read the verses and thoughts you too will fall more and more in love with this Jesus that we are privileged to call ours, and like me you will long for the day when you see Him face to face (I have butterflies just thinking about it)

Falloween Part 2

     My friend took some pictures at the party and emailed them to me. So, I'm including a part 2 to show you her shots. They are in no particular order. Enjoy!

 Colorful girls!

 Pebbles and Bam Bam

Lobster: "The chef is going to get me!!!" 

 Yabba Dabba Do!!

 I had jars full of candy and guests guessed how many were in each jar. 

The winners won the candy.

 I think the best part was watching everyone waiting in silence as I found the winner.

 Classic game for any party! Before..

After....

 Andy let these toys come over and play for a while. 

Woody won the costume contest for the kids. 

(Lobster and Shirley were runners up)

April: "I had no idea Progressive could save me that much money!"

 Ready for action!

 Goodies!

 Turtles in a 1/2 shell, Turtle Power!

 Another after party shot. 

THE END

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence O Lord." Psalm 89:15

Happy Falloween!

     The Force was with us this fall season, and I was able to have the Fall party that I wanted. I'm not big on Halloween...if there's one holiday I am not so sure about celebrating it's the one that's characterized by the dark, scary and not so holy things. However, I do love the idea of dressing up and this holiday is about the only time to do that. So this fall we went all out and celebrating Fall and Halloween. It was great! We had so much fun at the party..and I think the guests did too. I think it's the first annual Pitcock Fall Party....here's the fun time in pictures.

The Lion and the Lobster..their expressions say it all : ) 

Nurse, Patient and their Indian friend

A chef and lumberjack came too

 The Flintstones were there...and tied for first for best costume

All the kids had fun playing in the yard

 

The chef caught my lobster but only to release him into the wild. 

 The homeless man...I mean lumberjack helped feed the lobster.

This is what I started with....

Tada...it magically turned into a fall dessert table!

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

 We were also visited by toy royalty...Barbie and Ken! 

They brought a TCU player and Shirley Temple.

                                 Chicken Farmers                  

 Flo gave insurance quotes to those in need, including her expectant friend. : ) 

April and Raphael took a break from fighting crime to stop by. 

They tied for first in the costume contest.

 Pin the patch on the scarecrow was the first game....super fun!

 The nurse and chef fought over April's microphone

 Game number two...Pinata!!!

Our happy family...I'm going to go bigger and better for mine and Dalt's costumes next year; 

I was disappointed in how ours turned out.

 

The afterparty...PJs 

The party really wore us out!

We thought the fun couldn't continue but it did. On Wednesday we met up with some friends and trick or treated in the neighborhood. Now I had never really trick or treated before (unless I was too young to remember) so it was an adventure for me and the boys. 

 Our lion's first house

Strolling around the neighborhood

 Ace was looking really comfortable.

Cooper was roaring to go!

"I think I'm getting the hang of this."

 The crew by the wagon...it was amazing how many people were out and about.

A special treat was being able to trick or treat with Carrie and her kids!!! 

Phoebe and Ace weren't too impressed by this point.

 Cooper loved the wagon and didn't want to get out.

Loading up to head to the next stop

When it was time to leave the wagon he was upset. 

His consolation was getting to pull it for a little bit.

      By the end of the night we'd visited lots of strangers and friends and had a great time. We are so blessed! I think it was even more fun getting to go with friends. We're so blessed to live where we are and to have friends in town so we can experience it all!!

     Now onto Turkey Day! Thanksgiving is next week...wow! I love the holidays (if you can't tell by all the exclamation points) and am just so ready to celebrate all the things I'm thankful for and then celebrate the most important birth of all...Christ's!

"The Lord is good to all" Psalm 145:9 ...This is Cooper's first memory verse and he's about got it. It's a precious thing to hear the Word of the Lord coming out of my 2 year old's mouth. I pray he understands it soon and lives for the true blessings and gifts that God has to offer and not the tricks and treats of this world.