Good Works

I heard a great quote at church today:

"We aren't saved by good works. We are saved for good works."

What is the Bible?

I read a wonderful quote by an author of a children’s Bible storybook, that I think sums up the Bible in a beautiful and simple way. “The Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes.  The Bible is most of all a Story.  It’s a story about a young Hero [Jesus Christ] who comes from a far country (Heaven) to win back his lost treasure (us!).  It’s a love story about a brave Prince [Jesus Christ] who leaves his palace, his throne – everything – to rescue the one he loves [us!]. Every story in the Bible whispers Jesus’ name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle – the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.” 

Pretty little three-year-old

My beautiful little Shayna turned three-years-old on April 13th! She is growing up so fast, I can't believe it! She is such a sweet, big sister to Adrianna. I often catch her rubbing Adrianna's head and saying, "Okay, sweetie?", or "I love you so much!" coupled with lots of kisses. She loves nursery and singing about Jesus. She has a sweet personality, but is also feisty and strong-willed...just like I've been told I was at her age. I see a lot of me in her (sometimes that can be scary! Just ask Brad...hehe). I can't praise the Lord enough for giving me the amazing opportunity of being a mother to one of His beautiful, miraculous creations. I love you more than words can say Shayna and am soooo happy to be your mommy!

God centered life

Caution: don't reduce Christian faith to a set of moral standards. There is a temptation to think that God is most concerned about your behavior. HE IS NOT. He is most concerned about His glory. He created you to worship Him. He really wants you to love Him with all your heart. The point of the whole Old Testament is that people could not fulfill the Law. Jesus came and did that. So if your faith is based on trying to be a good person you will fail in your purpose. If you love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength He will meet you there and help you live this life to the fullest (which incidentally includes living morally).

Have a great God centered day!

~Jeff McAnally

Happy Birthday to my little Shayna! THREE years old!

Pictures and post coming soon!!...

Happy Resurrection Day!

Here's a beautiful worship service for our Lord, Savior and God - Jesus Christ on Easter morning. I wish I could share how cool it is to hear the congregation sing with Zach and actually be a part of the congregation singing out LOUD to Jesus Christ...amazing! Praise God! This little church is very special to my heart. The singer, Zach has a wonderful story about how God changed his life and now he sings his heart out for God and has given up everything he had before to spread Jesus Christ's gospel through song and word. Here is the link for anyone interested in listening - make sure you listen to the whole thing, it's well worth it:

http://cpmassets.com/audio-player.php?audio=http://s3.amazonaws.com/churchplantmedia-cms/cross-stone-church-tx/4-8-12-cross-stone-church-marble-falls-texas.mp3

The flowers are bloomin' in Texas!

God's Word to wives and husbands

Word Study

HELP

(Hebrew = ezer) aid: -- help
(Hebrew = azar) azar = prime root: to surround, ie, protect or aid: help, succour

MEET

(Hebrew = kenegdo) corresponding to, counterpart to, equal to matching

The traditional teaching for the woman as help (meet) is that of assistant or helper subservient to the one being helped. However, if you look at the context of every other use of the word ezer in the scripture, you will see that ezer refers to either God or military allies. In all other cases the one giving the help is superior to the one receiving the help. Adding kenegdo (meet) modifies the meaning to that of equal rather than superior status.

In Genesis 2:18, the Hebrew expression ezer kenegdo appears, meaning "one who is equal to the other and who surrounds, protects, aids, helps, supports." There is no indication of inferiority or of a secondary position in an hierarchical separation of the male and female "spheres" of responsibility, authority, or social position.

Now, in Ephesians Chapter 5 Paul admonishes wives to submit to their husbands in the Lord and husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. If this passage brings any feelings of pride, anger, resentment, discrimination or oppression, then we're not interpreting it in context with the rest of the Bible. I say that because all these feelings derive from sin. Christ said a "good tree" (Christ) cannot bring forth evil fruit (sin) - Matthew 7. Also, this topic shouldn't be thought of as a "test" to see if we can overcome those feelings to be more "Christlike". James 1:13-14 says that God does not tempt us with evil: "...God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."

So, to get things back in check - I decided to look at what the greatest teacher of all time had to say:

"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ~Jesus Christ ( Matthew 20:28)

"Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." ~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:10-12)

These scriptures are just skimming the surface of how amazing and beautiful our Lord and Savior is.

When I read the words of our Lord and God and learn about His character, this is what I see: If a husband is to treat his wife as Christ treats His church, then the husband's role is as the wife's ... to SERVE. This keeps both parties humble and submissive to the Lord and will never bring any sinful feelings as mentioned above. The role of the husband and wife will naturally fall in order with each other...which order is always in equality and Love and service to one another...always looking to Christ and ONLY Christ as our mediator to God (1Timothy2:5).

It's amazing how it all goes hand in hand and how God is truly no respecter of persons. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

I thank our Lord, our God for such miraculous inspiration and clarity.

Fan the Flame

Thought I would pass this great message along to my friends and family out there.

http://crossstonechurch.org/media/sermon/fan-the-flame

Wide open heart for God

Genuine Christianity is not a spectator sport. I've always hated the analogy: "Why can't Christians get as excited about God as they do the Super Bowl?" Because we are not supposed to sit on the sidelines watching a good game between good and evil. We Are Players! Get in the game!!!

- Life is very temporary which should change our priorities dramatically. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

- God loved us greatly therefore gave us salvation and faith in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10

- We are thrust forward through life doing the work of God by the most powerful force ever-the Love of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

- God's great plan, which includes every believer, is to make disciples by being ministers of reconciliation and Ambassadors of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

- This is the Day of Salvation - Serve God no matter what with a Wide Open heart! 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

God is active in this world. If you are missing that you have been a spectator way too long.


~Jeff McAnally

08 Without You

08 Without You

Lyrics to “Jesus (Without You)” by Zach Huckabee (click on link directly above to listen)

Jesus, don’t understand how you love me

How a boy like me could be the center of your attention

Jesus, not a day I didn’t do you wrong

How come I only praise you in my songs?

What’s wrong with me, what’s wrong with me?

I am not strong enough to make it

I am not wise enough to fake it

I am not bold enough to take it

Without You

Without You

Without You

Jesus, oh you amaze me

How you died for me

And how you’d do it again

Jesus, turn my heart around

Make the trumpets sounds

Tear down these walls, tear down these walls

I am not strong enough to make it

I am not wise enough to fake it

I am not bold enough to take it

Without You

Without You

Without You… are not an imaginary friend

You are earth, you are fire, you are thunder, you are wind

And nothing can be done and nothing can I do

Without you

Without you

Without you

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ADRIANNA!

My sweet little Adrianna turned ONE YEAR OLD today!! I absolutely cannot believe I've had this little baby girl for a whole year. She has brought so much love and light to our home. She's always so happy and good-natured. She's our little socialite and loves people. She has been the perfect playmate for her big sister Shayna. We love you so, so much pretty little Adrianna and we're excited to spend many more birthdays with you. Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Aunt Coley and Baby Cayla's visit

Eleven Months Old!

Adrianna turned eleven months old yesterday...and she's officially walking today! She has been practicing for a couple of months now, but finally decided she was done with all those "practice runs". She's a careful observer of her mommy and sister. I catch her mimicking things we do often. She'll copy noises Shayna makes and then they both end up making each other laugh. I just can't say enough about how much I love this little girl...BOTH of my little girls. God has blessed me beyond belief! Praise Him! :)


Our beautiful girls on Christmas day. To me, they are proof of God's endless grace, which is all around us. I haven't done anything to deserve such amazing blessings - but yet here they are. Thank you God.

10 Months Old!

Adrianna turned 10 months old yesterday! She has taken at least four steps all on her own up to this point. It shouldn't be much longer before my baby will be walking all around! I can't believe it! She is our little-miss-easy-going and fun-loving baby girl. She LOVES Shayna and always looks at her with the admiration a little sister usually has for a big sister. They both have fun together. Shayna loves it when I bring Adrianna in with me in the mornings to get her out of her bed. If I want a happy Shayna in the morning - I wake her up using her cute little sister Adrianna. It's so much fun to watch this little relationship develop. Happy ten-month "birthday" Adrianna! We love you!!

Adrianna turned nine months old yesterday! She is pulling herself up to everything and can even push her little toy train around the house. She'll even stand on her own for a few seconds at a time. She has started giving kisses too. It's so cute because she'll stick her tongue out and lean forward. When she does Shayna gets a kick out of it and they both end up laughing. It's so fun to watch them together. To me, nothin' beats being a mommy! I thank God for giving me the opportunity.

Aunt Nicole and cousin Cayla's visit to Texas

Eight Months Old!

Little Adrianna is now eight months old and is full fledged crawling. She is also waving hi and goodbye to everyone. We didn't teach her to do it - she just picked it up from watching us wave bye to Brad every morning when he leaves for work. She sticks out her arm and moves her little fingers up and down. It's adorable. In fact, I was outside with the girls the other day and when our neighbor passed by, Adrianna stuck out her little hand and waved at her. Our neighbor couldn't believe a little baby as small as her could be waving. She still continues to be our happy, fun-loving little sweetie pie! Love you Adrianna baby!

Seven Months!

Adrianna is getting soooo close to crawling on all fours. She's really good at scooting around like a little inch-worm. She likes to drink from a sippy-cup too...just like big sister. She's still nursing, but has tried rice, oatmeal, sweet-potatoes, peas, pears and applesauce. It's funny because it seems like her favorite is the plain old baby rice. She is also our little socialite. Every time we're in public, she smiles at everyone that we pass by. It's fun to see her smile and then watch everyone, no matter what mood they look like they're in, smile right back at her. You can tell it just lights them up inside. Happy seven-month "birthday" Adrianna! We love you little sweetie-pie!

Our Girls

As I walked down the hall to our bedroom yesterday, I caught a glimpse of Brad playing with the girls in their room. I hurried for the camera. He said Shayna wanted to dance with Adrianna. As I watched them and took pictures, I couldn't help but get choked up and teary-eyed. I love these little girls more than I could have ever imagined.

1/2 year "birthday"

Well, Adrianna had her 1/2 year "birthday" yesterday. She is growing up so fast!! She can sit up all by herself, get on her hands and knees and is working on crawling. She loves her walker too. She gets a kick out of her big sister and laughs hysterically at her every time Shayna does something funny. She ate rice cereal for the first time and wanted to take her bib off and feed herself. It was so cute! Adrianna is still our sweet fun-loving little girl. We LOVE our little 'anna (as Shayna would say) so much!

Once again, another month has come and gone. My beautiful, sweet Adrianna is five months old!! She's growing so fast. She can roll from her tummy to her back and her back to her tummy with no problem. If I'm holding her while I eat or drink anything, she will reach for whatever I have or watch me very intently as I take bites. She enjoys hearing herself make noise and has become very vocal, gibbering and gabbering away. She has a tender little heart. When Shayna cries or throws a tantrum, she'll pucker up and cry too... as if she's worried about her big sister. she's a little giggler too and is easy to make laugh and smile. We love our little Adrianna and are SO blessed to have her a part of our family.

FOUR MONTHS OLD TODAY

Another month has come and gone! Adrianna keeps growing and getting stronger and stronger. I can get her to laugh and she loves to smile all the time. She likes grabbing at things that are in front of her and she'll hold on to little toys now and chew on them. I'll keep saying it over and over... she is soooo much fun!! I have thoroughly enjoyed having this little bundle of joy. Happy four-month "birthday" Adrianna!

Good Mix!

Okay, I have a few friends and family that are skeptical about Adrianna looking so much like me. So, I pulled out Brad's baby pictures and I have come to the conclusion that she's just a good mix! I think she has the best of both worlds! Such a cutie pie!

THREE MONTHS OLD!

My sweet little Adrianna turned three months old today. She continues to be the happy, good-natured little sweetheart Mommy was hoping for. Even better, in fact! She likes to make loud smacking noises when she sucks on her fingers. She has discovered her little hands and stares at them in amazement. She still smiles and coos at all of us, including her "big" sister Shayna. She sleeps soundly through the night too! I really couldn't ask for a better baby. She is so much FUN to have around. I love this little rascal soooo much!!!

We miss you Aunt Coley and baby Cayla!

My girls and I had so much fun with Nicole and baby Cayla these past few weeks. It was hard to say goodbye and when we got home it felt so empty! I already miss both of them so much!! Thank you for coming out Coley, it meant a lot. I Can't wait to see you again. That goes for ALL of my family. I love you guys!!!

Another "Mini-Me"?

Nicole has insisted from the time that Adrianna was born that she looks just like me. Barb took a picture of the girls the other day and when I pulled out a photo of me at about her age to compare... we couldn't believe just how much she really DOES look like me. So it looks like I have another "Mini-Me". I LOVE it!!

Two Years Old!

My beautiful little girl #1 turned TWO YEARS OLD yesterday! I love my little Shayna more than words can say. I love her bright smile and silly personality. She's always making me laugh. She gave me the BEST job in the world and that's being a Mommy! I love both of my girls so much and am excited to be a part of many more birthdays. Happy Birthday baby girl!

Two Months Today!

Another month has come and gone. My little sweet Adrianna is growing so fast! She is still such a joy to be around. She makes being a mommy so easy! She's been smiling and cooing a lot...sleeping plenty too. Compared to how skinny Shayna was, Adrianna is a little chunk! I love it! I love my little girls and LOVE being their mommy!!

One Month Old Already?!?!

Our little Adrianna turned one month old today! Once again, time is flying just like it did with my Shayna. Adrianna is such a joy to be around and has been the good, sweet baby I was praying for (she sleeps well and is very content most of the time)!! Shayna still loves to give her kisses on the head and has been taking notes from mom on how to feed, burp and change her own baby doll's diapers (very cute!). We're enjoying every stage of Adrianna's little life and we're excited to watch her grow and develop a personality all her own.

Shayna and Adrianna - our sweet little girls

OUR PRETTY LITTLE ADRIANNA