hope

July 24, 2014 By Debbie

Music is the language of the heart. It often speaks to our brains in a way that regular communication can’t. Sometimes there aren’t words and sometimes it feels as if kindness, encouragement, hope are being poured out on the hurts we carry.

There is a new band called Colony House and their first album is my new favorite. It has great music with a message that gives it a lasting quality – not “one hit” wonders. It’s not all that surprising that I would be drawn to this music – after all I’ve listened to their dad’s music for over 25 years, read their mother’s book and followed their family story over the past few years. These young men have lived and experienced more than a human would ever sign up for But God continues to use their lives for His good and dare say the good of others. Learn more about their story HERE

This was Mary Beth’s (two of the band member’s mom) Facebook post the morning of July 23, 2014 regarding Colony House:

“I am smiling today with tears rolling down my cheeks… A very very good thing! I am humbled and thankful for all of our friends and family who have walked through the fire that forged this project. THANK YOU! To the Giver of all gifts… Thank You Jesus for holding Will Franklin Chapman in your grip every step of the way. This story is one of a marathon, and not a sprint… We will SEE one day the full redemption Willy… just you wait! You have been brave.. Your lungs are full and your body is indeed breathing… and Maria will indeed take your hand…she loves you so much. Keep your hope… and don’t be afraid of your questions, for it is in the questions that we find God. He holds all the answers and until heaven, we walk with a limp, but we walk together as family, holding each other upright. Caleb Chapman, there is not an older brother on the planet that has held what you have held… you possess the wisdom and the strength of a mighty warrior. In the bible, Caleb was the first to speak up and say… “let’s go and conquer this land”…. which is what I pray you do for the land your headed needs redeemed and conquered! Your name means whole-hearted, and that is how you have loved Willy Frank… stay the course and take the land! Scott Mills you my friend and “adopted son” have been a vital part of the journey. Your friendship to my boys couldn’t have come at a better time. You are faithful and we have noticed… I know your family is so proud… and you need to know we love you and count you as our own! Jillian Edwards and Julia Chapman…. you are the real rock stars….. you hold them up and send them out with so much love and support… It makes this Momma smile! I couldn’t have asked for better wives and partners for my boys… For you I have prayed… and God answered with you two … I love you both so much.. ok, I’m done… To everyone who believed… I am humbled…. be blessed… “

Every life will have times we don’t understand – times we are asked to sink or swim. Times when it’s just too big and we feel like we are drowning in the unknown of the whys. – as if an octopus has us and just keeps pulling us down. I know I have felt this way at times in my own life and know it’s only because of my whispering “Help” to God that the oxygen mask of his love and those He sent my way kept me moving.

So if you are looking for something new to listen to. Take a listen to what the children of Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman and their friend, Scott, have been up to. The transparency that is shared in these songs are so very powerful and I know it took such great courage but I believe God is already using the songs to bring an encouragement, healing and hope that points us to Jesus to a hurting world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-UnZl_Kocg&feature=youtu.be

Take a listen – available on iTunes or M3 download – I am happy to have new music to listen and workout to.

Note – This is not a paid promotion but an offered opinion. However if you should purchase anything that is linked a small bit of money will come my way to help support the cost of Deliciously Inspired and for that I am very appreciative.

A Week In Review – 5/17/14

May 22, 2014 By Debbie

Funny how sometimes the first time we see something, someone or try a new thing, it doesn’t make much of an impression. In fact we may feel beauty can’t be found. But I received flowers for Mother’s Day which are a lovely lesson that we should not easily toss something that hasn’t reached it’s full potential.

Let me set the stage – it’s about 3:00 p.m. the Saturday before Mother’s Day and my doorbell rings. By the time I get to the door I can hear a truck’s engine moving down the road and see that someone (my son and girlfriend) has sent me flowers. I open the overheated long, rectangular box on my kitchen table and am not surprised to see a wilted looking bundle of stalks that are tightly tied. My first thought is “What a shame – the heat has done a number on these.” but then I see a note tucked next to the gift – “Give your flowers several hours in water and watch them bloom.” Truly I wasn’t at all sure water and a few hours could do anything but there was something about that message – It’s a 4-letter word – H O P E. You see on that day I could relate to how these flowers looked because I was in a bit of a “wilt” myself. So I cut 2 inches off the stems as instructed and into the vase of water they went. I wish I had taken a picture of them at this stage – maybe you can just trust me that they were pretty sad.

The picture above was taken about 4 hours later and they are looking about 75% better than they did. Water is amazing in the way it can take something tired and start breathing life back in. I think this is why Jesus says he is the living water.

But day after day a miracle took place – the leaves became greens and the weathered looking blooms began to open into glorious beauty. After a week the blooms began to droop and I began to think my enjoyment was coming to a close. Then my genius husband placed fresh water in the vase and they were as good as new.

Picture taken in Monterey, California

I’ve been doing some reading this week – The first book is, Calm my Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow I’ve read this book many times and continue to glean nuggets I want to practice in my life. The other book is one that was recommended after I attended a course at work The Resilience Factor by Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatte and I’m learning a lot from that also. Resilience is a word we don’t hear that often – we hear strength, courage, buck up buttercup (well maybe most of you don’t hear that one) but you get the picture but resilience is “reaching out” in both hard times and new adventures.

If you missed the posted recipe this week, here it is one more time. Chocolate Coconut Protein Smoothie In this link I’ve listed my favorite blender and protein powder choices.

This idea was inspired by ice cream and yogurt stores and even salad bars that allow you to “have it your way.” When you want an assortment of cookies but don’t want to be in the kitchen all day – try this Cookie Tip. Start with a chocolate chip cookie batter but don’t add the chocolate chips in yet. Divide batter into thirds and mix in different combinations of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark, white, mint and butterscotch), shredded coconuts, chopped nuts, cut up candy bars (snickers, milky way, etc) Bake and soon you’ll have a nice variety of cookies with just one batch of dough. I use my scraper/chopper for so many tasks in the kitchen.

I hope you had a good week. We are excitedly waiting the arrival of our sweet princess granddaughter. It’s my hope that next week I’ll be able to share what I have packed in my Grandma Hospital Bag – hey mamas of mamas need to be prepared when that happy call comes (especially if I’m at work and in a dress). I’d love you to share something from your week in the comment area.

What I’m listening to

A Week In Review – 5/17/14

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