Barnes family

Living it up!

I am going crazy with these smileboxes! This one I just had to put together. I like to keep a camera close by specifically for these moments you see here. Things really are not this crazy around here on a daily basis...really. I just make a point of capturing them when they do happen here and there. I am so thankful we have these messy and crazy moments because we are meant to laugh till we hurt. Without kids being kids, what else will provide that? We need to be reminded to not take life so seriously. We need to make a mess to keep our mind focused on what is truly important...our experiences, not our stuff and how clean we live. We need kids to keep us adults focused on the importance of loving. Our job is to not break their spirit by expecting them to grow up too fast. By breaking them down due to childish mistakes. I thank God for these messy, non orderly moments because the pictures are priceless and I want my children to know mom accepted their, "me do it" determination.

Take me out to the ball game....

August 08~

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Veggie Tales...yay!

Make a Smilebox postcard

January 08 at the Coast

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I had to put this together. I love our time at the beach with Nani and Papa. We are also very blessed when Audrey can make it too. We went in January (08)...yes it was cold, however, as you can see cold days at the coast does not steal the beauty of it. By the way, the pool was heated!

Relationship, not "religion"

I feel sometime that "religion" is killing people. In 2nd Corinthians 3:6, Paul said, "The code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive."

There are so many precious people who seek a relationship with God, and the religious community continues to tell them they need to "do" something else in order to be acceptable to Him (Jesus).

Do not be offended by my use of the word "religion." I realize that it has been popular, spiritual-sounding word for centuries. I am only trying to present a clear difference between an impersonal set of rules and regulations and a personal relationship with the living God.

Jesus talked of His personal relationship with the Father, and the religious leaders of His day persecuted Him. I am amazed when I encounter certain people who are opposed to hearing others talk about God in a personal way or about feeling empowered by God. Obviously, Satan hates a personal relationship with God and the power it makes available in the life of a believer.

In certain religious circles, if you and I were to talk about God as though we know Him, we would be judged and criticized. People would ask, "Who do you think you are?" Religion wants us to picture God as being far away-- somewhere up in the sky--not approachable by anyone except the "elite" of the church. And, furthermore, they want us to believe that He can be reached only through rule keeping and good behavior.

This "religious spirit" was alive in Jesus' day, and He died to put an end to it and bring people into a personal relationship with Himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. That same religious spirit still torments people to this day if they do not know the truth.

The Law was given in order to show people their need for a Savior. We try to keep it until we realize that we absolutely cannot, and then hopefully we humble ourselves and ask God to help us, which He did in the person of Jesus Christ. As you walk with God, remember to keep your relationship with Him at the center and to keep "religion" far from you.
- Joyce Meyer

Thank you God, for loving me so much that you gave up Your only Son so that if I believe in Him, I will not perish, but I will have everlasting life. I know that You did not send Your Son to condemn me, but that I might find salvation through him.

Living it up!

Take me out to the ball game....

Veggie Tales...yay!

January 08 at the Coast

Gymnastics Aug 08

Moments to Remember

Aug 08 Devils Lake

July 08 Honeyman State Park

My additional Job

July 08 Keenas first hair cut

Barnes Family Reunion

Silver Falls with the Rivells

The pucker we all adore

Traditional camping trip

My dads memorial and meeting family I've never known

Mommy and Daddy

Staying Connected

My favorite websites

Blog Archive

Relationship, not "religion"

background