A Broken and Contrite Heart God Will Not Despise

When I am at work, throughout the day I go to a website called www.desiringgod.org to read sermons and the break down of scripture from this man. I know I know, I should probably stay better focused at work, but it's nice to have a break to read and meditate on scripture. :)

I recently have been reading his breakdown on Psalm 51. I just keep coming back to it. I love reading about how David responded to his sin and me recongizing the same transformation we all go through when we are broken about specific sins in our lives (because we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God) and repent of these sins so God can give us a clean heart. Through understanding the seriousness of his sinfulness, he recognized the fullness of God's steadfast love, mercy, and forgiveness.

David's Response to His Sin:
1. He Turns to God
2. He Prays for Cleansing
3. He Confesses the Seriousness of His Sin
4. He Pleads for Renewal

Here is the link for you to enjoy Psalm 51:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByScripture/1/2832_A_Broken_and_Contrite_Heart_God_Will_Not_Despise/

"For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51: 16, 17

Deepika's 80's Theme Bridal Shower

Deepika is one of my closest cousins. We met when she was 8 years old and I was 7 years old. A weird age you might say to meet, but it was because she came from India to America at this age. She was quiet and shy but is the very opposite now. :) She is the life of the party and a social butterfly now. She lived with us when she was in 4th and 5th grade and we shared a room together, along with my brother. Great times! We got to know each other really well through fights, laughs and talks.

Now she is getting married in July to a great guy named Mehran. They are perfect together and truly compliment one another's personalities. There will be more to come of this great couple and this life changing stage of their lives.

Here are a few pics from her bridal shower...

This is Deepika being the life of the party!

Rachel, Rebecca, Esther, and me trying to be 80's Queens.

Deepika opening her gifts. I don't know what this gift does,

but she didn't either. It was so funny when she tried to explain

it to everyone because she explained it all wrong.

I I love all the colors! 80's was a bright decade!

Deepika's friends from high school.

Parting Ways...

Tim and I are spending this weekend in different cities. :(  

So I will love and pray for him from afar and anticipate when I will see him again. :)  

Crazy

CRAZY: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness was one of two finalists for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in nonfiction. Since its publication, Pete has visited 26 states speaking about the need for our nation to reform its mental health system and stop the imprisonment of persons with brain disorders.

I recently read Crazy by Pete Earley and loved it!! My desire to help people with mental disorders has increased due to this book. I see people with mental disorders not as scary, but as people in need to feel normal.

I have worked in the mental health field for the past 2 1/2 years and truly have a passion this field. Adults, adolescents, and children who have ADHD (attention deficit hyper-activity disorder), ODD ( oppositional defiant disorder), MDD (major depressive disorder), bipolar, and schizophrenia and need medication training, community skills training, or community resources.  That's where I come in!

This book truly portrays the reality of families who want to help their family member or friend with a mental disorder. Because of individual rights and guidelines clinics and hospitals must follow, it is very difficult for the family. I am always on the clinicial side of these situations so it was eye-opening to see crisis moments through the eyes of a loving parent. I learned so much about the neglect of medication and therapy treatment in our jail system. Our society definitely needs to work on that.

No matter where I work in the future, I will always have a heart for people this book talks about. Read it!! It's great!

Bloomin 4 Mile Run...

This past Saturday Tim and I pumped ourselves up and ran a 4 mile run called the Bloomin 4 Mile at White Rock Lake. We had a blast! We arrived at White Rock Lake a few minutes early and registered, stretched, and made a new friend before we started the run. Those things alone are an exciting start to a Saturday morning!!

When we started the race I was a little over ambitous and I started out at a quicker pace than I normally run. I would wave for Tim to speed up and he would give me this look saying "You are crazy" but would continue to run at this crazy pace. Tim knew we did not run this pace on a regular basis and with the sun was blazing down on our skin would make this a challenging pace, but the sweet husband that he is saw the hopefullness in my eyes and ran the faster pace.

Well, all this to say, we did complete the race, but I did stop for a breather because I just couldn't make it. (or was being lazy and would not push myself that hard or started out too fast) Tim ran the entire run with no stops. Yay for Tim!!

After the run, The Dallas Running Club, provided bananas, watermelon, and a drink similar to gatorade called Accelerate. I love watermelon and had about 5 pieces! Mmm Mmm Good!! Tim had self control and only had 2 pieces.

Here are a few pictures after the run...

Tim's "Conquered the Race" pose!

My "Tried to Conquer the Race" pose!

Our free Dallas Running Club t-shirts!

We had a great time and love doing these races. We are never near placing, but it's a good challenge and a great way to meet people in the community. By 10am we had our exercise, breakfast, and exploring time in the community. (after the race we made a quick stop at a pet store so Tim could see if there was a basset hound we could play with.)

T-dawg!!

I love these pictures of Tim! He is such a sweet hubby and I am proud to show him off. :)

Chillin on my birthday...

He is just so natural at being cool... :)

Pretending he was laughing at someone as he drank his water.

We were cracking ourselves up at our 1 year wedding

anniversary dinner at Reunion Tower.

Being goofy as we took Christmas 2007 pictures.

On our way to the park...

Lead me to the Cross

These are the words to a song we have been singing at our church and God has really used them to speak to me.

Savior I come

Quiet my soul remember

Redemptions hill

Where your blood was spilled

For my ransom

Everything I once held dear

I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross

Where Your love poured out

Bring me to my knees

Lord I lay me down

Rid me of myself

I belong to You

Lead me, Lead me to the cross

You were as I

Tempted and tried

Human

The Word became Flesh

Bore my sin and death

Now you're risen

Everything I once held dear

I count it all as lost

Lead me to the Cross

Where your love poured out

Bring me to my knees

Lord I lay me down

Rid me of myself

I belong to you

Lead me, Lead me to the cross

To your heart

To your heart

Lead me to your heart

The gospel is becoming more real to me everyday. I remember in high school and college when I would hear the gospel shared at the end of a church service I would just tune it out and say to myself, “I’ve heard this a hundred times.” But the reality is I NEED to hear it 100 times a day because I am so quick to disregard this powerful truth.

Sometimes it’s so hard for me to just be still and know that He is God, He is the ultimate sacrifice, and He is enough. So when I read these words and know this is absolute truth in my life, I am so thankful to be known as His. I am such a failure in so many ways and many times do not glorify God with my life, but it’s amazing to know and dwell on the truth that GOD LOVES ME JUST AS I AM. God loves me with all my sin, imperfections, and lack of faith at times. God is teaching me how to take my eyes off of me, me, me and put them on the Creator of the Universe and Savior of my life. I need you Lord.