Singing

Singing...it's something I have always done.

I cannot remember a time when I have not been involved in a choir, praise team, chorus group, etc. I even attended Jeff State Community College on a Singers Scholarship. I do not claim to be the BEST singer in the world but I can "carry a tune in a bucket" and love to harmonize in songs. I will even tell you that I know I am better at doing harmony songs than I am a soloist.

When we started attending the church we are at last October I knew it was the place for us to be. Of course, Jennifer knew it was were we were suppose to be years back but that is another story about my stubbornness. It was the place for us because number one: the True word of God is preached from the pulpit. Number two: because it has the classes Jennifer and I need, and number three: because it has what our children need.

One of the most exciting things for me though was it had a choir and praise team. My passion is singing and they had a lot to offer. I joined the choir, filled out the form of where I would like to be used(i.e. choir, praise team) and started enjoying what I know is my calling. I really feel that I was working toward joining the praise team but some changes happened.

The Minister of Music Pastor announced that he and his family was leaving. It was all on good terms and they are missed greatly. Because of them leaving, changes were made to the current music ministry.

The Lead Pastor is not in a hurry to hire another music minister. The details is too much to go into here but I and everyone else understands why and we are excited about the future and the next person that will take over, whenever that will be. In the meantime though, they have dismissed the choir and only kept the Morning Praise Team which means that I am no longer singing because I had not been put on the team yet.

So...here I sit, currently at my computer typing this, but sitting in the congregation on Sundays wishing that I were up on stage helping to lead worship. I have contacted the "fill-in pastor" that is leading worship until a replacement is found. I let him know the desires of my heart and that I am readily available when he needs another tenor/alto voice. He said thanks for letting him know. Who knows, we will see. And to let you know, the reason why the fill-in pastor can't continue on with the choir, etc is because he has other obligations on wednesday nights and sunday nights so therefore having choir practice would be rather hard to juggle.

To be honest though, my heart hurts from it all. It's only been two weeks since no choir and I already miss it terribly. It might even be the new year before they find a new music pastor.

Maybe there is something I am suppose to be learing during this time? I know we are not leaving this church. Like I have already stated, "this is where we are suppose to be." I just feel lost right now.

Follow link to my Wife's blog to see current update of Corban at 2 years!

http://jenbsnyder.blogspot.com/2011/03/two.html

PRAY

That's what God wants us to do...PRAY! Ephesians 6:18 tells us to Pray! In EVERYTHING! Make your requests, suplications, thankfulness, etc known to God. There is power in pray! Read this quote:

"God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces of God against evil" … (E.M. Bounds)

God is showing up in our Life Groups on Sunday mornings and showing up in our home! Prayer to God, the daily conversation you have with Him through prayer, brings you closer to Him and into the Plans that He has for you!

So...Pray! And watch God "Do His Thing!"

Moving on...We have a certain little boy who will be turning 2 this Sunday. I cannot believe he is turning 2 already. He l-o-v-e-s the Wiggles. So we will be having a Wiggles birthday party on Saturday!

Corban is turning into such a big boy. Next week I will post some pictures of the Party! I am glad the weather is going to be gorgeous so we can move the Party outside. He is getting a Bounce House as his present from us so it will be great to have that outside instead of the garage.

Until again!

Reading a book...

...or Getting your Book read!

If the first chapter of a book has not caught captured my undivided attention then chances are I will not finish reading it. It's not to say that it's not a good book, just not the book for me.

But reading a book and "Getting your book read" are two different things. And no, I am not referring to a book that you have written. I am speaking of the daily "living out life" book. All the experiences you go through. Why you do what you do and why you act like you act.

All I can say is there are a lot of reasons (influences) that we have had in our lives that is the result of how we respond to things. But know this one thing, even if the influences came from your Parents, they are not always the right influence. That doesn't mean that your Parents didn't have your best interest at heart, they too, just didn't know better either because it was what they saw.

E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G we face in life MUST be taken before our Father in heaven. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-G MUST be sifted and weighed. We MUST start asking, "why do I do this or that a certain way, etc? I can 100% say that if we do this we will find that some changes have to be made and who knows, some spiritial strong holds will be broken as well.

We are to become more like Christ each day! Those of us, who have been saved for many years, and are still drinking the "spirital milk" should be "eating meat!" So, get off the tit (jennifer's favorite word! :o) and start seeking hard after God. For the devil is like a roaring lion, roaming around seeking whom he may devour. Put on the armor of God face each new day ready to WIN this battle and destroy every foot-hold the devil may already have in your life and prevent him from forming any more foot-holds.

As an old song goes:

Shut the door, keep out the devil
Shut the door, keep the devil in the night
Shut the door, keep out the devil
Light a candle, everythings alright

Whirlwind

They say that when you have kids time goes by faster. Well..."THEY" are correct! I wake up on Monday morning and wonder how in the heck is it Friday afternoon already; and all this is happening before our boys are even out of diapers yet. Oh My!

Everything is as good in the hood as it can get I guess. We had a few days of sickness pass through the house but I think everyone is getting over it.

We are L-O-V-I-N-G our Church. I have to wonder to myself sometimes why I resisted this church for the past couple of years but I know we are were we are suppose to be. And to admit that I was wrong would be to admit that the Bride was right and, well, we are not going there. :o

God is showing me a lot of things and to put it mildly...My book has been read a few times. It is all for the good though. It's that whole pruning and breaking off the dead. It hurts but it is for my good!

I've started a list of things to do in our house. Little updates here and there and saving up for major ones like a new roof and new windows.

We are getting ready for Corban's 2 year birthday party. I wish you could see him! He is so darn cute and boy does he have an attitude; which he gets from his mom. I know one thing for sure, he knows what he wants and doesn't want and isn't afraid to let you know! Don't worry though, I am being the Godly Father I should be and taking out the belt and wearing that backside out, ALL in the name of Jesus of course and telling him that, "this hurts me more than it hurts you." You know, the things our parents told us as we were getting a beating. Okay, okay, he's not getting beatings...yet anyway. But he is just like me and well, enough said. Just keep Jennifer and Asher in your prayers! :)

Asher will be 5 months on the 17th. He is the total opposite of Corban and will be as tall as Jennifers Dad...aka...Coach. Asher is nothing but smiles all the time and loves to fall asleep on his daddy. Which I don't mind because that actually allows me to have some down time.

We are holding off on purchasing a new vehicle. It is just so darn hard to get another car, with a car note, when the two vehicles you have are paid for.

So, there you have it, Bombadays it in a nutshell!

Have a great evening!

Reminded of a great song this morning...

There is NO greater place than in the presence of God!


The more I seek you
The more I find you
The more I find you
The more I love you

I want to sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand
Lay back against you and breath
Feel your heart beat
This love is so deep
It's more than I can stand
I melt in your peace
It's overwhelming

Getting mad at God

That's exactly what I did yesterday. I got mad at God! The whole time I was screaming at Him about recent events it was like I was watching myself in 3rd person and all the while not being able to stop myself.

As crazy as it is going to sound, I was upset about spending money on taking my Son to the doctor. Let me say here that I will put my children before myself and get them whatever medical help they need, even medicine for a double sinus infection.

The part I got mad over was the fact that we have spent SO MUCH money these past couple of weeks getting the cars fixed, yup, carS! All this after we moved in September, had a baby, and all the financial expenses that go along with that. So adding another $40.00 copay and prescription cost to that just put me over the edge. And we have to take Asher to the doctor tomorrow for his 4 month checkup; another $40.00 copay. I am just being real here people! It seems lately that the end of the money is getting here before the end of the month. :/

I do not put money above God, but the question I ask myself is why then did/do I react the way I do and be concerned about money, or the lack there of?

I know, even when I get mad and have to ask for forgiveness and thank God that he didn't strike me dead during my "fit throwing", that God is taking care of us. Always has and always will! But lately it just seems that enough is not enough. And yet as I type this I know that I am blessed beyond my greatest imagination.

I am not asking for sympathy from any of you. I just wanted to be real with you! Hey, I can have a bad day too.

The "Gut" feeling

I think we can all try to ignore that "gut" feeling but I think, if you are a Christian, that "gut" feeling is the Holy Spirit telling you which direction to go and to do this or not to do that. Oh how many times I have ignored that "gut" feeling!

My post from yesterday said, "the truck has GOT to go!" The only thing is though...that truck is paid for and the transmission that was just put in it has a 90 day warrenty so if there are little quirks with it, atleast I have 90 days and if there are still problems, they will put another one in it at no cost. Of course I am hoping that NOTHING else happens to the truck.

We currently have the chance to purchase another vehicle but it will come with a car note, atleast for 3 years. I am not ready for another car note...not even for 3 years.

So today I have been driving the "chance to purchase" vehicle and the whole time, in the back of my mind, I keep hearing, "not now! Why are you really wanting this vehicle?" Of course the reason I want this vehicle is because I am tired of things happening to my current and me wondering what's going to happen next!

So, what is my decision you ask?...I will be returning the "chance to purchase" vehicle today and getting my explorer back. And though it has had its share of problems it is paid for, still running, thanks to another engine almost 4 years ago and another transmission 2 weeks ago, and it still looks nice; especially when it is all washed and detailed!

With this decision, that "gut" feeling has lifted. Yes, I would like another vehicle but not now so I am expecting the explorer to run and run forever!

Remember to listen to the gut feeling. And also remember that God gave you a brain. Yes, we are to pray about things but common sense is, well, common sense!

The Truck...

...has GOT to GO!!!

I had to take it to the shop again this morning. Even though it did not do for them what it did for me I can't take any more chances on it.

Lord, I pray that you bring the right vehicle for us. You know our finances and you know the future so I ask that You Will be done! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Staying Home...

I enjoy getting a snow day, or ice day as it was yesterday. To be able to get up, on a day that you normally would be heading out the door to work, and lay around in your bed clothes all day with your hair unfixed does something good for the body.

Now, I love my two Sons but a snow day does change things when you have children; they are not as relaxing as they use to be, but still fun nonetheless! I always tease that if Jennifer would get a job that pays mega bucks I would stay home and be Mr. Mom! I am not so sure of it after yesterday. I'm not complaining, I'm just trying to give you some humor.

We might have had ice and snow outside but it looks like a tornado went through the inside of our house all thanks to a 22 month old being inside all day long! You will be proud of me though...I am slowly letting "some" of my OCD go and therefore my house still looks like a tornado went through it. (I am sure I will have to pick it up by this evening!) Hey, I said, I was letting "some" of my OCD go...not all!

I may have mentioned this already but I really feel that God is going to do some HUGE things in 2011. I feel it for our family and I sense it for others as well. One thing I know God keeps reminding me of is, "Do not worry! I am in control! Trust in Me!" Yes, He has always told us to do these things but we are stubborn humans and think for some reason that we can do a much better job than He so we try to handle it ourselves. Tisk, tisk, tisk! Shame on us...shame on Me!

So people...today is 1/11/11. Not sure if all ones means something spiritual or not but I would like to say that it is a reminder that we are only promised this day so do not worry or fret about tomorrow, for you have not been promised tomorrow! THIS is the day the Lord has made so let us REJOICE and be glad in it!

Have a blessed Tuesday Blogger World! I am back at work and ready to see what God has in store. I thank you Father for the job that you have blessed me with. I thank you that, come May 1st, I will be here 11 years! Father, I ask that you continue to bless me above and beyond anything I can think or imagine! Continue to change my heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me.

Nobody Greater

What a way to start off the morning! "Lord, I thank you that there is NOBODAY GREATER! I thank you Father for your forgiveness for the times that I thought that You and You alone were not enough in my life to be the Source of my strength; when I relied on others instead of you! Father, I thank you for the peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord continue to teach me to stand in your peace in the good times and bad times! Nobody Greater than you! I love you Lord!" Enjoy the song.

The truth hurts...but the truth will set you free!

I came across the below info on the internet. Since I am on a "leave of absence" from Facebook I thought it to be interesting.

Seven questions:

1. Do you check your Facebook status in the morning before checking in with God?

2. Are you disappointed when people don’t respond to your posts?

3. Do you waste too much time on Facebook?

4. Do you use Facebook to avoid real life contact?

5. Do you have intimate conversations with the opposite sex under the guise of counseling?

6. Do you use Facebook to complain about life or people?

7. Are you always truthful and loving in the things you post?


To be truthful...numbers 1,3,6 really hit home with me; which only goes to show that a time away from FB is the best thing for my life right now.

Below are some scriptures that we all need to be reminded of:

Seven Scriptures to apply to our lives:

1. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

2. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

3. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (I corinthians 10:31).

4. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).

5. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:14-15).

6. “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut” (Proverbs 10:19, NLT). “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19)

7. “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:8-9).

You better keep running...

...until I decide to get rid of you!

On Christmas Eve around noon I got into the Explorer, 04 model, and as I was backing out of the driveway the "service engine soon" light came on and a few seconds later the "over drive off" light started flashing. Never a good sign for any light to come on.

All I kept thinking was the last time the "service engine soon" light came on my engine blew up. Actually the truck started making a loud noise and shaking and then went dead and that's when the light came on. THANKS FOR THE WARNING! That happened around Oct. 2007. We bought the Explorer used around Oct. of 06 so I was NOT happy at all that the engine blew a year later. No warning...no nothing! Well, we still owed money on it so I had to get the engine replaced; and I do not believe in being upside down on a car loan so I refused to take what little amount they wanted to offer to me as is and purchase another vehicle.

Everything had been going fine up until Christmas Eve. After those lights came on the truck started to shift rough and slip. Yup, you guessed it, the transmission.

A few days later, the inspection from the mechanic confirmed that it was the transmission and told me what the cost would be. After talking to the Bride about our options we decided that putting a used transmission in would be our best route. This time, the truck is paid for and we are enjoying NOT having a car payment and we are really NOT ready to get another car loan.

Well, the truck is finally ready to be picked up this afternoon. I know the mechanic that did the work so I know he did a great job. He said that it drove great so I am anxiously waiting to go pick it up. All I ask now is that the truck keeps running until I decide to get rid of it. I really DO NOT want anything else to go wrong with the explorer.

Through everything though I will say that I will NEVER buy another explorer. I know mechanical things can happen to any car and sometimes automakers have a bad year on certain models but enough is enough. These high dollar repairs along with the normal repairs add up.

So keep running Explorer...you 2004 explorer with a 2005 transmission and a 2006 engine. I'm starting to think about the old Jonny Cash Song, "One Piece At A Time"

Living w/o Facebook

I decided Sunday that I would be taking a Leave of Absence from facebook for a while. The only thing that I would be doing is responding to FB messages that appear in my email or sending a FB message to someone if I do not have their email.

So far, so good! It had become very addicting and I would find myself checking on it numerous times throughout the day. Since I have a computer at my desk I would leave it minimized at the bottom of the screen and refresh the screen off and on just to see the latest who, what, when, where, how, why, etc. As if me knowing made a difference. Don't get me wrong, I like keeping up with friends but again, it had turn into an addiction.

It has been nice these past couple of days to not HAVE to know WHAT is going on. With that said, even now I want to sign-in and see what is going on and what I have missed. (addiction)

Everyone of "my friends" lives on FB will continue on whether I know about it or not. And if you haven't noticed, I have wrote on my blog 3 or 4 times thus far in the new year. Go Me! :)

Who knows how long I will be off of FB? I didn't give myself a certain time. I will return when/if I return. I guess the good thing is that each of you still get to hear from me through my Blog. It's like you are the "Chosen Ones!" :)

Have a great evening!

GREAT is Thy Faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!