Fun at the Zoo!

thoughts on my heart

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

So, in all honesty I have had a hard week, and it is only Wed. I had an incredible weekend, a perfect summer weekend complete with my precious people, snow cones, movie nights, Saturday morning doughnuts, coffee of course, swimming, and most important intimate revelations of sweet Jesus. We went to a Saturday night service at Gateway and heard a favorite pastor of ours, John Spurling, give an incredible Word on who we are in Christ. I don't think I have left that Word since I heard it.

He started by asking the question who we believe God sees when he looks at us? What does our picture look like to God? He shared a story about how as soon as his daughter was born friends and family were trying to figure out who she looked like. She has daddy's nose, mommies eyes..maybe I see her grandma in there. He said that was so funny because no one really looks like they did as soon as they were born, but we are obsessed with figuring it out because we know that that baby was created from us. He went on to remind us that in Christ we are created in HIS image...we are to LOOK like Him.

That got me thinking about my kids and when I saw this pic we took at the zoo the Lord really drove this point home. I feel like now we are in the "who do your kids look like" phase. And they are changing everyday, and revealing new attributes of Toby and I. Some days Cade looks just like me, other days like Toby. When Ainsley was born she looked just like my baby picture, now she looks exactly like Toby.

The point is they were created from our DNA so of course they are going to look like us. It is a no brainer. But why is it that I forget so quickly where I come from and who I was created by and for. It has been a hard week because every bit of who I am in Christ vs. who I accept from the world that I am has challenged me to the core. It is so easy to accept who the world says I am and forget the promises of Christ. I have to remember that when Christ looks at me just like when I look at my kids He sees ME (which is made in the image of HIM), just like I do when I look at my kids. Yes, I look at them on the outside, but I see their hearts. I KNOW who they are and who they are striving to be. I forget so quickly that that is exactly who Christ sees me as.

And so as a reminder to myself I am sharing with you who you victoriously are IN CHRIST...that this is who HE sees you to be.

You are Victorious! "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - FAITH!" 1 John 5:4

You are Light! "While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons and daughters of light." John 12:36

You are Complete! "And in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority." Colossians 2:10

We are under NO Condemnation! "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

You are sealed in the Holy Spirit! "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were SEALED in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise." Ephesians 1:13

You are created in HIS image! "And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27

We are created for Heaven! "For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20

You are chosen, royal and holy! "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's won possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

You are FREE! "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36

You were bought with a GLORIOUS price! "For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20

You are justified! "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16

You are saved by grace! "For by grace you have been through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

God is LOVE!

Love to you today!
Cari

A Perfect Summer Weekend

Rangers Game with the Gassid Family! You guys are so special!!

Beautiful Sound!

Ainsley Belle Trotter Baby Dedication Weekend!

Big Boy Potty!!!

This is probably not a normal post, but we are so excited we had to share! Cade Everett Trotter pee peed in the potty for the first time!!!! This is by no means a jump for me to rip the bandaid off and start potty training, however we are definitly moving in the right direction! We have attempted several times after naps just to get aquainted with the potty, making it something that was approachable! Well yesterday he crossed over that line and pee peed. I had told myself not to get too excited and scare him to death, which I have been known to do, but to affirm him calmly and then when he was off the potty to go nuts. And we did! He actually got to call Frozone from Incredibles and tell him. He ended up taking the phone to "show" Frozone his pee pee in the potty, adorable!!

FCA Leadership Camp was AMAZING!!!!!

FCA Leadership Camp 2008

This is a picture of all the students that we took to leadership camp this past week from our area. They are an amazing group of kids that are living their lives for Christ from the inside out!

God is so mighty and we have come back with a steady focus and a situated purpose...Keep telling the story! Keep giving out Jesus, the ground is ready and hearts are open to receiving His truth! Please keep praying for the students athletes and all whom they influence not only for our area, but all over the world! That their situated purpose would be to turn faces towards JESUS! Students are setting their gaze on a lot of things..the pain of abuse, divorce of their parents, drugs, becoming sexually active, bitterness, unhealthy relationships, loneliness, the list could go on and on...but no matter what they are looking at Jesus is there waiting to have victory and shift their gaze from defeat to glorious VICTORY! And while we were at camp Holly Hill left a message praying the most perfect prayer over us, and it fits perfectly.."The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior! He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love and He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy!" Zephaniah 3:17...praise God for His anointed intercessors!!

Needless to say we had an incredible time and words could not describe the zeal that we have come back home as a family with. Like I said, a situated purpose and steady focus, Jesus. Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us, keep praying we need your prayers and love! God is LOVE!!!