I LOVE This Crew

The mountain top

"And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them." ~ Mark 9:2

We have all had times on the mount, when we have seen things from God's standpoint and have wanted to stay there; but God will never allow us to stay there. The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, something is wrong. It is a great thing to be on the mount with God, but a man only gets there in order that afterwards he may get down among the devil-possessed and lift them up. We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle. Spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mount. We feel we could talk like angels and live like angels, if only we could stay on the mount. The times of exaltation are exceptional, they have their meaning in our life with God, but we must beware lest our spiritual selfishness wants to make them the only time.

We are apt to think that everything that happens is to be turned into useful teaching, it is to be turned into something better than teaching, viz., into character. The mount is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something. There is a great snare in asking - What is the use of it? In spiritual matters we can never calculate on that line. The moments on the mountain tops are rare moments, and they are meant for something in God's purpose.

~ Oswald Chambers ~

The above excerpt from Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for His highest", made such a huge impression on me when I first read this entry in 2003. The thought has always stuck with me. It is not of our Lord to continually think that we are to live upon the mountain, but in turn to take that inspiration - that absolute joy from being there and share with those who also are in need to ascend. We may never know the purpose of what God has allowed us to experience, but God knows ... and that is all that is important.

Loved this entry. Just had to share.

Reflection

Have you ever just sat and listened to the silence? Well, to be quite honest - that doesn't happen very often here in the Browning household, and I am just fine with that. However, when it does - I have great opportunity for reflection. It's good to look back and utter thanks for what has transpired. It is good to give thanks for how Christ chooses to mold and shape you.

Well, it's quiet right now ... and I am left to my reflections.

I chose this picture to post because it encapsulates how I view my husband. Here, he is tenderly brushing the hair from my face as the wind whips around us. That is how life has been. He has tenderly cared for me and the children as "life" whips around us.

I love this man.

I think how sweetly my Saviour has cared for me ... right down to the most intimate of thoughts and feelings.

I also think of all my children. How I love them and desire the best for them, knowing that the best is God's will for their life. I think of my sons - and how proud I am of their accomplishments.

I think of my daughters and how it blesses my heart to see the nurturing qualities that comes with their character.

I think to the future and smile. Yes, I smile.

My life, while far from perfect - or maybe even far from desirable by some standards, is just right for me.

A little bit of chaos mixed in with a whole lot of love.

(and I even get a quiet evening here and there for a rambling reflection)

Thank you Jesus.

A Favorite Verse

James 1:27 (KJV)

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

This really is a beautiful verse to reflect on. Love it.

Recent Pictures

Updates

Our little Justus is getting so big and accomplishing so much. Just a quick update. He is now sitting unassisted for quite a long time, playing with toys in his basket. He is also starting to eat many foods; sweet potatoes, yogurt, applesauce, baby cereal, etc.

Each little milestone reached makes my heart sing. "Slow and steady wins the race"
He'll "get there" in his own timing and as God allows. We praise God for our little Butter boy.

Hello Everyone

Hello Everyone! Just a few pictures. I will update later as I have time. For now, enjoy.

Meet my 'GQ' son, Gabriel

The Castle park in YUMA

Hoover Dam new construction



Sunset at San Diego

click on this picture and read bottom of sign carefully - so funny

Beautiful, sweaty, snotty Chloe

The gang (minus three) in San Diego

April and Butter

Can't get enough beach shots (San Diego)

All giggles and a missing tooth

Miss Ellie

ET and his smiling eyes

Just catching lizards...no big

Yeah ... so hot in this area that there are warning signs.

An electrical ball of excitement!