What does the word "unconditional" bring to mind for you? It's a hard word for me to wrap my brain around sometimes. I looked up the word "condition" and the very first meaning said, "The state of something in regards to its appearance, quality or working order". The word "unconditional" is defined as something not subject to any conditions. During my morning time today I was reading from Brennan Manning about unconditional love. Does the idea of God's unconditional love for us come easy to you? Sometimes I think Brennan is right when he says that this familiar phrase has become a cliche. Today as I let this phrase sink into my heart, I am overwhelmed by it. If I truly believe that the Lord loves me unconditionally, then I believe that His love does not depend upon my appearance, quality or working order. That is hard to wrap around especially when we experience such conditions in every day life. Don't we try to look good to gain respect and love? Don't we feel that our respect and admiration comes from being successful in our work? To really believe in God's unconditional love, we must believe that we are loved no matter our habits, faults, failures, addictions and brokenness. Oh PRAISE GOD! Every day I fail. Every day I make mistakes, but He loves me still. And on the cross, He gave His only Son so that we may be given the gift of Grace! It is given freely. We are loved and forgiven! I walk through today with the words of Manning echoing in my head; "The wild, unrestricted love of God is not simply an inspiring idea. When it imposes itself on mind and heart with the stark reality of ontological truth, it determines why and at what time you get up in the morning, how you pass your evenings, how you spend your weekend, what you read, and who you hang with; it affects what breaks your heart, what amazes you, and what makes your heart happy." May the unconditional love of God, Jesus and the Spirit affect you deeply today! 
11/11/2009
11/10/2009
Thankful
The rain is coming down quite aggressively this afternoon. As I sit here and watch it, my soul is refreshed. The rain is just doing something to my heart today. It hasn't made me lazy or sad. It has made me thankful. Thankful for the way God cares for His creation. Thankful that I am His creation. Thankful that He loved me so much that He sent Jesus, my hope and my salvation. There is no greater gift and yet my life is filled with gifts. Three of those I cherish with all my heart; my husband, my son and my daughter. Tis the month to be Thankful! Thankful for all we have and all we have been given. I pray that this season, as it rushes in, will fill your heart with thanksgiving. For you are God's creation and His love for you is beyond measure. "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing!" Zephaniah 3:17
11/05/2009
Up
I am reading a few different books, believe it or not. I usually have to stick to one to keep sane, but lately I have been hungry to reconnect with my God, and more than one book has entered my life. At Graceway Church we are working through LifeShapes as found in A Passionate Life by Breen and Kallestad. Today I have been digging into the Triangle, specifically the UP
portion of the Triangle. It was just what I believe God wanted me to hear today. As I continue to work on balance in my life as a mom, wife, pastor's wife, homemaker, child of God, friend, daughter, sister...etc... The Triangle has convicted my heart that I will not find balance if I do not nurture my UP relationship with my God. In any relationship, to grow deeper we must do more than just talk about life, we must walk life together. Spending time together with a friend, spouse and/or your children draws you into a deeper relationship, naturally. You are spending time together. Relationships that are spent just talking, are one dimensional. I can see how close relationships in my life have changed by living in different states. It's just how it is. So how can I believe that my relationship with the Lord is going to deepen by just talking to him? I need to walk with him. Invite him into every aspect of my day; as I play with my son, as I prepare lunch, as I walk out to get the mail...every aspect. It's hard to remember that all the time, but practicing it will make it habit. And I know in my heart that I need Jesus in my life, my every day life. I need to always look up and let the Light of Life fill me up. Lord Jesus, help me to walk the walk. Amen.
10/29/2009
Seeds for the Young
Brian and I discovered the Seeds CDs a few years ago before we had Zachary. We knew immediately that we wanted to share them with our children one day. Zachary actually goes to sleep listening to the SEEDS OF PRAISE CD. It's fun to hear him singing some of the phrases from the songs. All the songs are from Scripture verses and they are fun and catchy tunes. We even love to listen and sing along. As a parent who loves the Lord, I want very much to plant seeds of faith in my children. There is no greater joy than when I hear Zachary pray phrases with us at night, listen to him retell a Bible story we are talking about at church or sing praise songs to God. It's all I can do; plant seeds and pray that my kids will grow to know that Jesus loves them so much. Check out SEEDS. They send out a monthly email with Family Worship ideas. We met them at the Orange Conference in Atlanta this past year. Not only do we love their music, we were so touched by their authenticity. They create this music because they love the Lord too!
10/27/2009
furious longing
I've been looking for a new book to read during my quiet times and my wonderful husband handed me this book thinking it might speak to my soul. It's amazing just how much my husband knows me. The best description I can make is actually written on the back cover. "Imagine a stormy day at sea, your ship yielding to a relentless wind, pummeled by crashing waves, subject to the awesome force of nature. A force that is both fierce and majestic. A power that is nothing short of furious. Such is God's intense, consuming love for His children. It's a love that knows no limits and no boundaries. A love that will go to any lengths and take any risks to pursue us." I have only finished two chapters and my soul has been fed and my mind has been challenged.
When I looked up furious in the dictionary it gave basically two meanings; full of anger or energy, violent or intense. It seems easy for some to see God as angry and violent with all that goes on in this world, but Brennan focuses on the energy and intensity of the love of God, using adjectives like passionate, vehement and aching. He focuses in on the longing God has to redeem and reconcile all His children to Him. He loves us all that much. The verse that has deeply spoken to me and lays on my heart these past few days is the one he references is Zephaniah 3:17; "The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will rejoice over you with singing." Oh praise God! What if we took a closer, deeper look at the furious longing, unconditional love of God and focused on that rather than the wrath and anger of God towards His people? Isn't it possible that God weeps every day at what He witnesses and rejoices over His children as they abide in Him and reach out to others? I know He is mighty, holy, powerful and hates evil, but what greater power there is in love! I am so thankful I have a loving God who forgives and longs for my heart. If He was only out to punish me when I make mistakes and sin...well that would be a rough life, and life is rough enough already.
10/21/2009
Fall
I love this time of year. Everything from the weather to the food. The leaves are beginning to change here. The air is cool and crisp but the sun has been out in full with amazing blue skies. Apples and pumpkins are everywhere and I can't wait to make me some pie! Zachary and I were at the playground the other day and while he was swinging he said, "Mommy, look at the blue sky!" It really is breathtaking once again today. Last night Daddy took Zachary outside to see the stars. They were everywhere. I know the days get shorter, it gets colder and darker longer, and the rush of the holidays can make our heads spin but there is just something about this season that warms my heart. I pray that we all may be able to slow down and enjoy this season with our families. My goal is to get the Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving so I can concentrate on the joy of the season instead of the blur of it. I pray that for you as well. Happy Fall everyone! God bless you!
10/09/2009
09/14/2009
Family
What fun this past week was with my mom and aunt visiting. It was a reminder to me how special family is and how valuable it is to work hard on relationships. My family has had their share of struggles in relationships, but I am thankful for love, forgiveness and grace. What a gift to have my mom and her sister here laughing, playing and just having fun. We explored Uptown Charlotte, ate yummy and not-so-healthy food, and cheered on our favorite football team! I pray that wherever your relationships are with your family, you would seek the Lords help and guidance in keeping them strong. Life is just too short. Thanks mom and Aunt Janet for a fantastic week. We miss you already!
09/01/2009
Trying to find balance...again.
Why is it so easy to feel like you are so unbalanced? Even when I know that if I take time every day to pray and seek the Lord's direction for my day, I will find peace amidst craziness, I still don't do it. Then it seems I get to that place where I am drowning in it all. Ughhhhhh. I sat today in quiet during nap time. My windows were open as the most beautiful breeze of the season swept through my living room. I opened my Bible and devotional and read. And here I sit now, with a peace I have been searching for today. Just giving it all over to Jesus does it every time, yet I still go day after day without doing just that. It's crazy! Of course, Jesus tells us in this life we will have trouble, but He reminds us that He has overcome this world! He is our strength and our peace. We will only find it in Him. Some days I need a brick to knock me over the head to remind me, but it is so true. Today I am thankful for the still small voice of God that entered my stormy heart and whispered, "Be still and know that I am God." May you find that peace today and every day. I know I will still have days that will pile up to that drowning feeling. How humbled I am that we have a God who loves us unconditionally, always and forever. We are forgiven and we are set free. Amen!
08/31/2009
What Wii fun we had!
So this past week for Family Day we went to Concord Mills mall. A huge mall about 30 miles from us. We wanted to just go walk around and play. Zachary rode the merry-go-round twice, the train and played in the kids area for a while. We had a blast. After lunch, we were headed to see the fish at the Bass Pro Shop and ran into the WiiSports Resort. Literally! They had a large area roped off with palm trees and decorations. When you walked in, they put flowers around your neck. Inside there were TVs everywhere with different games from the new WiiSports Resort edition. Let's just say we had a blast! You can see that Zachary had fun from the picture. He played sword play with his dad. It was hysterical. We don't have a Wii, but have wanted one. There is just something about being active while you play a game together. You just can't help but laugh. It takes me back to the days when my family would gather for holidays and we would play group games like Taboo, Guesstures or Win, Lose or Draw. We would laugh and laugh as we watched our family members look incredibly silly trying to get their team to guess the answer. Oh, what fun we had. I'll never forget those days. I guess the W
ii is a new-age version of those games. When you play them with friends or family, you just laugh and cheer and have a great time. Maybe one day soon, we'll get a Wii. You certainly get your heart pumping. It was another fun day for the Spahr family. I love Family Days. Next week we are headed to Hendersonville, NC for their Apple Festival. Can't wait for that! Have any fun family outings to share? Would love to hear what you do!
