Karaoke Tuesday: How He Loves

I haven't done a "Karaoke Tuesday" in a while - but I've got a fantastic one for you today! I first heard this at church - the amazing Micah sang it solo with just his guitar during communion, and I ran right home and looked it up on iTunes. :) That's where most of the featured songs come from - our rock-n-roll church service. I am lucky to have found such an amazing church!! - But I digress... :)

Do you remember the "pinch-pot?" Seems like every kindergartner or first grader makes a pinch-pot in art. You start with a blob of clay and push your thumbs into the center of it - pinching your thumb outward to your fingers to shape a small bowl. We still have my husband's elementary school pinch-pot in a lighted display case in our living room. Now, alongside it, sits both Jack and Luke's pots. They are somewhat crude, sort-of misshapen, and not even close to symmetrical. They wouldn't fetch but 5 cents at a garage sale, but the meaning behind them and the effort to make them is priceless.

I think nearly every kid is proud of their pinch pot. The first time they likely worked with REAL clay (not playdough!). When Luke brought his home earlier this year, he ran down the street from the bus stop, craddling this pot-wrapped-in-newspapers in his two hands. THIS was a masterpiece, and he couldn't wait to show it to us. He was beaming when we put it into the glass case. HIS masterpiece... something he created all by himself... was placed on the hallowed case for all to see. When he's a Dad, he can show his kids his pinch-pot... and display it proudly next to the pots they, themselves, bring home one day. Masterpieces are always treasured... no matter the flaws that might exist-- That's part of what makes something a "MASTERPIECE."

We are masterpieces from God. He shaped us - just like my son's small hands worked his pinch-pot. He knows us inside and out - He knows our fears and our flaws - He knows our strengths and our character. And despite all of this, He loves each and everyone one of us.
He loves us.
He loves us!

That's the point of today's song... that God LOVES us SO much - it is hard to imagine just how much:

"He Loves Us"

VIEW LYRICS HERE

I'm so totally flawed, myself. I am "unfiltered" - which is just a clever way of saying that I don't often think before I speak and just word-vomit-out whatever is on my mind. It's a freeing thing, most of the time, but sometimes, even I cringe at what unfiltered sentence just fell out of my mouth. :) That's probably my biggest flaw... but then there's the part of me that's bossy... and the part that is selfish... Oh, and the part that has no willpower when it comes to Angel Food Cake with Pink Icing... or chocolate... or French fries... Yup, it's safe to say that I have flaws... and lots of them.

But while God wants me to work on my flaws, He loves me regardless and in spite of those shortcomings.

Because I, and you, are God's masterpiece.

And God doesn't make mistakes.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. -Ephesians 2:10

Enjoy today's song.

:) Mags

Want to give it a listen for yourself? Hear it HERE on Last.FM.

I Found God In Boots...

--> This post is part of a series on God & Shoes... to read the first in the series, CLICK HERE. To read ALL of the posts in this series, CLICK HERE.

GOD & BOOTS

Ephesians 4:32 (The Message)
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, and profane talk.

Be gentle with one another, sensitive.

Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Do you find yourself walking all over other people and doing things only your way? Sometimes it is easy to be so wrapped up in our own issues that we forget to be sensitive to others.

Try NOT to follow Nancy Sinatra’s lyrics:

These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do - one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!

Instead, do your best to be generous and tender-hearted.

I Found God In Gladiator Sandals...

--> This post is part of a series on God & Shoes... to read the first in the series, CLICK HERE. To read ALL of the posts in this series, CLICK HERE.

GOD & GLADIATOR SANDALS

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Life is hard; and some days are way worse than others. But God is empowering and faithful. He will not leave your side when the going gets rough, and He will infuse you with strength to get through the hardships. Like a gladiator charging through an opponent or an obstacle, you will be made stronger with God.

I Found God In Red Shoes...

--> This post is part of a series on God & Shoes... to read the first in the series, CLICK HERE. To read ALL of the posts in this series, CLICK HERE.

GOD & RED SHOES

Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away

have been brought near though the blood of Christ.

The color red has many meanings; it is the color of fire and blood. It is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination, passion, desire, and love. It has very high visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights, and fire equipment are usually painted red. Red is used to symbolize courage. Because it is the color of fire, it symbolizes the presence of God. The color of blood also reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself for our sins.

I Found God In Toilet Paper...

If you have children, you know that venturing into a public restroom with a little one can be a small nightmare... kids are too short to use the facilities without draping their little bodies all over the seat or toilet edge, and they touch everything! *shudder!*

Over the last several years, our kids (ages 7 and 4) have learned that it is

BETTER

TO

GO

AT

HOME!

At best, they have me taking them to a public restroom. Covering the toilet seat with toilet paper (if they have the "big" job to do), shielding them from touching anything. At worst, they are stuck with my dear, sweet, wonderful, germ-a-phobic husband; I suspect that my hubby would rather face an angry mob of 3-year olds buzzing "It's A Small World After All" on kazoos than enter a public restroom with a kid. If he doesn't bust out a full haz-mat uniform to shield them from the toxic waste that lurks in men's rooms, the kids consider themselves lucky!

So you see, my kids know the "routine" for a public restroom - at least when they are going in one with Mommy or Daddy...

what they do when nobody is looking...

well..... who knows...?!?!?!

Which is why I was stunned last week when my four-year old had to do B-I-G business at the fitness center. He had already left the kids' area, but we were still close by. I figured that there was a lesser chance of nastiness in the kiddie toilets so we checked back into kiddie-land, and I let him in the boys room... solo. Waiting outside, I started to hear this "Ow! ow! ow! Mommy, HELP!" I went in (asked permission first from the workers!), and my heart swelled with pride... The "OW-ing" came from him scraping his little knuckles on the toilet paper dispenser as he had piled up wads of toilet paper all over the seat by himself!!

The coverage was crude and lopsided - sparse in some places and clumped up in others - but what I saw was my son doing what he had been taught... and he was doing it WHEN NOBODY WAS WATCHING HIM!!

And here is how I connect this little experience to God... despite the perceived deafness that all kids seem to have when it comes to listening to their parents, the fact is that they ARE listening to us, and our actions speak even louder than our words! All of those trips to the restroom where my husband or I had covered the seat with toilet paper to buffer their bums from toilet-seat germs had sunk in! The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it

This is true in more than just "church business." Model the behavior you want your children to exhibit, and exhibit it, they will. Whether it be...

• restroom procedures...
• or how to treat others...
• whether or not to smoke...
• or cheat,
• or lie,
• or cuss,
• or quit,
• or avoid...
• Whether they show compassion,
• or kindness,
• or perserverence,
• or integrity...

Whatever YOU, the parents, have shown them, over and over again, will be their guide - their beacon leading them down the windy way of life decisions. If you have trained them up according to God's Word, when they grow up, they will not turn from it. These children are on loan to us from God... and at the end of this life, we will have to answer to Him on how we raised His kids. Fortunately, He has provided us with a How-To Guide... an instruction manuel the best life-guiding principles around. Have you opened your Bible lately and read what God has to say about rearing your children?

Ephesians 6
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Train them up right, and you will have done right by them AND God. :)

Have a blessed day!

:) Mags