i like church

Being a "Christian" is becoming a harder thing to do these days....and it isn't because of Jesus. There are so many (well intentioned) people who are criticizing  the church and its believers and its a turn off. It is exhausting. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good radical thinker. I love to step outside the box and out of the comfort zone and on the front lines...but I also know that doing these things does not get me a special seat in Heaven. I do not believe that I am favored for my works or my extra time in the Word or my knowledge of the hip Biblical jargon. Jesus loves me JUST the same as he loves the drunken homeless man on the corner. Just as much. Not even one bit more. He knows how many hairs are on BOTH of our heads. It hurts my heart to see how being judgmental is glorified by so many Christians. Calling out others sins, giving satan credit where credit is not due, blaming the church, making the gospel into something more complicated than it is. 

Jesus BLED for our sins. He paid the debt. IT IS DONE. We are no longer bound to this sins of our generations behind us. We are forgiven. That is the point of the cross people. We can't let being radical outweigh love and acceptance. The church is good. The church doesn't always get it right, but the church is good. I am sure many of you have heard the church is a "hospital for sinners"...I like that. I like going to a place to worship corporately and sit among people who also can't help but sin all the dang time. Not sinning is HARD. That is why only Jesus could do it. Only Jesus. 

Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes we need a gut check. But sometimes, we just need love. I feel like the most important role we can take on as Christians is by sharing the gospel. Sharing the LOVE of the cross. How MUCH HE loved us to give His son. How MUCH HE loved us to shed all that blood. We can't all love Jesus the exact same way. We can't pass judgment on those who don't love the same way as we do. It's just not ok. 

I want to be challenged, but not insulted. I want to be encouraged, but not coddled. I want to never forget that Jesus loves me just as he loves YOU. 

 

curveball

The definition of a curveball is: a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. 

So, the ball is thrown with a special hand movement that is calculated and intentional which causes a last minute change of course. This change of course messes up the batter's plan. He was probably planning on running to first base...and instead he is headed back to the dugout. 

Justin and I have been thrown a curveball or two in our little lives together. And we were thrown another on Friday. Justin had some testing done last week due to the extreme amounts of pain he continues to have in his legs and hips. The tests showed that Justin now has avascular necrosis (which means bone death). His hips and left femur have been fully effected and he now must be in a wheelchair full time. There is no cure for the already damaged bones, but there are some possible solutions in stopping this quickly spreading disease. He will be seen by an orthopedic surgeon soon to determine what all his options will be. For now, we know that he should plan to be in a wheelchair for a very long time. This changes all 5 of our lives in many ways. Justin will be home full time for awhile and we are just taking it day by day. We were put in a position to quickly make a move regarding our home situation and we are overwhelmingly blessed to announce that we are officially Boerne folks now! We have some things working on our current home, but we are leaving that to the Lord. He knows what we need and where we need to be and what kind of home we need to be in to accommodate Justin's new accessory. 

We are still the same ol Macs. We are disheartened, but not defeated. We will not allow a curveball to send us back to the dugout. God has other plans for us, and they are not going to take place in a dugout. 

Justin's heart surgery is postponed until we get more information on this new and very pressing matter. We are grateful to each of you for your support and encouragement in the crazy weeks ahead! THIS is the day the LORD has made, let us REJOICE and be glad in it - Psalms 118:24

(ps: i dont even really like baseball all that much)

it is in RED

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:34

So...wait a minute. Jesus said there is going to be trouble today? And tomorrow? Yup. He said it. It is in RED. I find it comforting to know that our Father didn't give us false expectations. He promised us a glorious new life and healing, but we will have to wait for it. Jesus also said blessed are those who mourn, the poor, the hungry, the sick etc. BLESSED!? You mean...he didnt say condemn them? Feel sorry for them? Pray that they believe harder? Nope. He did not. It is in RED. 

What a treasure it is to know that Jesus reminds us through His word that believers won't have it easy. It seems odd to say, but it truly is comforting. He has given us the freedom to ask for and seek whatever we want...but only He knows what we NEED. And He will provide. 

Sometimes when I look over our life I feel like a hamster in one of those ball things. Hurry up and wait. Run run run to...nowhere. Be patient. Be grateful. Be humble. Be prayerful. Be still. YIKES! If I do all of those things at the exact same time with a big smile on my face will He bless me and make it all easier? Nope. 

So, fine. I will keep my chin up for the party that is coming and do my best to follow some of these directions He has left for me. Praise Him for this big instruction manual, because I am a hot mess without it. 

There have been a few updates regarding Justin. He will have his heart surgery next week. He also went for several tests today regarding some new developments dr. f discovered. We will just deal with that after the surgery :) Get your praying pants back on folks! Just leave them on, ok?

And now a little recap of the past few weeks...

we did a little easter egg dying!

after each time he would say "I DID IT!"

We loved getting some good time with Pop Pop at the river house!

I got to go to our church womens retreat this past weekend. Left feeling refreshed for some encouraging time with some pretty awesome gals...and with some serious allergies :)

And the little nuggets started soccer!!! 

They loved it to pieces. And so did I!