Theology Thursday

So, this week we've been reviewing the Apostle's Creed. We learned this last year and recite it quite often. We've been reviewing it more often this week because Ella is going to audition for the Wetumpka Depot's Red Headed Robbie's Christmas Story. This play is the children's cast and shouldn't be nearly as time consuming as Big River was... wink, wink. In the email for auditions, it says all children auditioning should prepare a short story or poem to recite. So, we decided on The Apostle's Creed. Here is a video that we took last year of her learning it. Bad quality because it's on my phone. But her voice is sooo sweet. I cherish this video.


And what does that little ole Shep do while we are doing school work? Oh... it's stuff like this... umm, yeah.

Roll Tide Roll!

Football has invaded our house... and will be here until January. And I couldn't be happier. Well, I suppose I could. But, nonetheless, I am terribly excited about football season... especially Bama football. Why? Who knows. Southern Roots, maybe? I suppose. I remember my parents listening (YES, I said listening, not watching) to "the game" when I was a kid. That's just what they did. Rarely watching, always listening. In fact, I remember watching Bear Bryant's funeral IN SCHOOL. My mom worked in the lunchroom and she brought a tv to school and plugged it in for us to watch. Or maybe I'm a fan because I was in the band... maybe. Or maybe because at the age of 15, I met my future husband... and he and his 3 brothers are some crazy, serious Alabama fans. Maybe that's it too. Whatever the reason, I'm just a football junkie. I don't care who's playing, I'll watch it. It's just fun. Now, don't get me wrong... as much as I like it, I don't plan my life around it. If I miss a Bama game, I'm okay with that. But if I'm at home during this time of the year, I try to have it on football... I'm just that kinda girl. No complaints from my husband, I tell ya.

So, with that being said... to celebrate the beginning of football season, what better way to get things going than a crafty craft made by yours truly?! There is no better way, you say! So, using my trusty Cricut, and this ever so famous tutorial, I whipped up these for the sweet youngins. Aren't they just the cutest? The kids, of course. Roll Tide Roll!



And as a sidenote... Year before last, Ella's favorite number was 8 (Julio Jones' number, of course. :) Then, for a while, she wanted us to take her to a game so that she could ride on his shoulders. Ummm... yeah. And now she asked me tonight if it would be okay to be Julio Jones for Halloween. She has it all planned. She's gonna use her floaties as pads and get a football jersey with his number on it and have me paint her brown...... I think she may have me beat on this football fever.... ya think?

Theology Thursday

FINALLY, another Theology Thursday. Been awhile, right?
I'd like to summarize the doctrine of perseverance of the saints. This doctrine is held strongly by Southern Baptists and quite often you will hear them say "once saved, always saved." Why yes, this is true. I could go on a rabbit trail here and talk about taking this quote out of context... but I'll save that for a soap box day.
What I do believe perseverance of the saints means is this...
God's elect cannot be lost.

If God enables us and draws us to Him... He will enable us to endure to the end. Of all that He has called, none will be lost.

Joh 6:39-40 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
Joh 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
Rom 8:28-31 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Heb 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Heb 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Romans 8:28-30, "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his propose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified." What is evident from this passage is that those who are effectually called into the hope of salvation will indeed persevere to the end and be glorified.

Seriously?

Has it been over a month since I've blogged? Totally not intentional I tell ya. We've been going full speed this summer with the Are We There Yet? play, Big River rehearsals, horse riding lessons, piano... and that's only for Ella. Add normal day to day life and there you have it. Time got away. But, while I haven't been blogging, I have been reading other blogs. I'm such a blog hog. I love reading other women's blogs. I gain such insight and inspiration to every day life and it makes me think... wow, I'm not the only one that feels like this. I totally related to this blog entry over at Resolved to Worship. It's a must read... actually, I think all of her posts are a must read. And check out her family... are those not some gorgeous kiddos?!

Also, I've been checking out Girl Talk's 52 Home photography project. Girl Talk is a blog consisting of a group of moms and daughters that talk about biblical womanhood and lots of other fun stuff too like recipes, babies and photography. They have a 52Home project that I just adore. Each week a photo is documented of their life. Ordinary life. You may find a picture of over ripened bananas... or car keys. But don't you think ordinary life is where we are most of the time? Reality is not kicked back on vacation with our feet in the sand. Reality isn't bumming around window shopping or antique browsing every day. Reality isn't pedicures and manicures. Reality is the Shep is crying. Reality is Ella spilled juice. Reality is I can't find my car keys. Reality is ordinary, every day life. But in these moments, they should be done “…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10) God's glory is revealed all around us. Yes! Even in our ordinary life! We don't have to be at the beach to enjoy the wonders of God. We don't have to see the wondrous mountain landscape to enjoy the wonders of God. We ARE a wonder of God. Our lives are wonders. We must glorify Him daily! “So teach us to number our days that we will get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

And... to my dear friend Tammy... isn't this a project that would be perfect for us to do together? :) Just sayin'... :)

Theology Thursday

I apologize for not posting last weeks Theology Thursday. I've been busy with carting Ella here there and everywhere the past few weeks. We've had a blast with the rodeo, only one day of VBS (boo hoo... she was bummed about it) the Wetumpka Depot Summer program, horse riding (although it's been too hot this week), piano, and now Big River practice. So, to say summer is in full swing is an understatement. We hope to call down next week... ha. Funny.

So, in thinking about irresistible grace, I thought back on a blog entry that I remember John Piper posting. I remembered the title of it because I thought it was so fitting for the doctrine. I had to go back in the Desiring God archives and look for it, but, AHA! I found it!

It said that Grace is resistible... until it's not. Isn't that so true? We can and we do resist grace. But when God chooses you... there is no win in the resisting.

"The point of irresistible grace is not that we can’t resist. We can and we do. The point is that when God chooses, he overcomes our resistance and restores a submissive spirit. He creates. He says, “Let there be light!” He heals. He leads. He restores. He comforts." John Piper.

My front porch

Well, I think I'm 99% finished with the porch. It's been hot and we haven't done much outside because of the heat. The heat index has been above 100 for multiple days... yowzas! I still have some throw pillows and cushions that I need to work on but that can be done inside... when Shep is napping... which he seems to be having trouble doing lately. Why must he wake up 45 minutes into a perfectly good nap? Would I? No way.

I'm gonna make these images big so you can tell more about the pictures.

Do you see that floor? Ahhh... yes. My husband stained it for me. 8 hours total in 95+ weather. But it was so worth it. I'm so thankful for him!


I bought an end table at a yard sale that I plan on using as a hideaway for my hose. I ---er, Scott--- need to spray paint it.

And I did make a monogram pillow like the one I saw on Traci's blog. I think it turned out ok. Just a little big maybe?



I stuck some greenery in this wreath along with the "G" monogram that I've had a few years. I think I got it at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. Half off of course. And the ribbon? Well, it's Christmas ribbon... but you can't tell unless you get REALLY close. Things like that don't bother me...



I used my cricut machine to put the number 3 on my well bucket. Because numbers are a trend right now, right? Scott is still trying to figure this one out... but I think it looks great! And do you see that white planter? Isn't it yummy? I just put it there a few days ago. 50 cents at a yard sale. I adore it. I'm just not sure where it's going yet.

Cardboard creations

Ella loves cardboard. She can visualize so many things and make the craftiest little gadgets out of plain old cardboard. So, when I see nothing but this



She sees this



A cell phone... like mom's. How cool. I just adore her imagination.