But not for all.

I set up our beach chairs 12 feet from the water, and 3 feet from a shade tree (I’m easy to burn lets just say!) early one morning. Just a few priceless days of beach-time for this mountain girl. Snacks in the cooler. A book to finish. Boat-load of sunscreen (note to self: 30 SPF is not high enough).

Then two couples showed up just after us and planted themselves almost directly in front of us (I then learned beach manors 101: do not set up in front of someone else, this isn’t a concert).

On top of that, they were bickering all morning about the wind. One couple walked the beach while the other couple argued about anything and everything. It was almost funny. But, no, actually sad. I wanted to say, “You’re in paradise, people! You’re spoiling this amazing memory by being upset for no reason!”

I’m not that brave. I didn’t leave my chair. I heard the woman say, “It’s only windy because we’re here.”

Well, thanks for the positive outlook.

Ironically, I was reading a commentary on 1st Timothy (or trying to, but honestly listening to every word from these couples). Paul went through a lot, and probably didn’t bask in the glorious sun on a beach much while planting churches and spreading the Gospel.

He did spend much undeserved time in prison, though, and yet his positive outlook is undeniable. I’m convinced it was because His eyes weren’t on the bars keeping him locked up. His eyes were set like flint on Christ. Determined to never break his gaze from the One who had a glorious future in mind for Paul, and each of us too.

Actually now I’m glad the couples planted their beach chairs in front of ours. I learned something that day in my eavesdropping (is that wrong?) that I’ll never forget. The question I need to be asking myself is…

Who am I looking to for peace and joy in this life? A perfect set up on a windless, sunny beach? A perfect spouse or set of friends to keep me feeling warm and fuzzy, a perfect you-fill-in-the-blank?

Paul found it. If we know Jesus, we’ve found it too. Sunscreen not required.

-becca

We travel with our Mom so we’re always coming up with fun things to do in between the “getting places”.  A few weeks ago we looked on our phone maps to find how to get to the “tulip farms” we had heard so much about.  Right before our flight took off, we made it to the tulips, because we’re girls and all girls love flowers. Period.

Here’s our recommendation for TOP 5 Things to do with Mom.  Try some out, and post a comment to add to this!

No. 5

Nails. There’s something so girly and fun about going to a nail salon.  And coming out with trendy, cool nails is a thrill to me.  There’s no one better to do this with then your mom!

No. 4

Travel. Maybe your mom isn’t the nails type. But going places with mom is a definite good time. Time for a road trip! My mom and I have been to the UK over 20 times together, Paris, Wales and nearly all 50 states… Got to get Alaska under our belt!

No. 3

Garden. On Saturday mom came over to my house to do some digging. We are planting a joint veggie garden. It was so awesome dreaming and planning this out with her. I can’t wait to have so much zucchini that we both don’t know what to do with. AND wellington boots. The gardening must-have.

No. 2

Cook.  Enough said. Everyone’s got to eat and mom knows how to serve up the very best. I love learning my mom’s secrets and sharing some of my own with her. (She always made this amazing strawberry cake for our birthdays growing up. I’ve put in a request to bring it back this year.)

And No. 1 is..

Pray. Moms that pray are out of this world cool. Only one thing is better – praying with that mom.  If you’ve never done this, I’m telling you it’s so worth it. Step out and make praying with your mom a regular occurrence. -Elissa

“Young man up on a hillside, teaching new ways. Each word winning them over. Each heart a kindled flame.”

You could say that I was won over by this song as a kid.  Despite the gory (yet true to history) music video, this little girl knew every word to Michael W. Smith’s legendary 1988 Secret Ambition. (Shout out if you are with me!)

1990

I distinctly remember asking my dad to “turn the music down” as he rocked out to Petra from our living room tape player.  This guy’s voice was too edgy.  They were pioneers in Christian rock, and my dad was a big fan.

Their style influenced his band, Battlesong, which he and family friend Mark Oliver fronted.  They would often be writing songs and recording in our home studio while all the kids played together.

1992

The year of my great adventure. That is, an instant dance party with the release of the Steven Curtis Chapman’s The Great Adventure.

Oh, and we couldn’t keep this to ourselves. Elissa & I took the tape to England that summer and played it for ALL our friends. More dance parties followed.

“Saddle up your horses
We’ve got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder
of God’s amazing grace.”

Maybe that’s what sparked my love for horses which began around that time….hmm.

1994

With ‘94 came God Is In Control by Twila Paris, a familiar voice in our house.  I saw her live as a toddler with my parents (although I can’t say I remember much).

Twila’s a brilliant songwriter and I believe she has always influenced our writing.

1996

“I saw a man with tat on his big fat belly
It wiggled around like marmalade jelly”

Things kept getting better!  Pushing the envelope was Jesus Freak by DC Talk.  By this time an actual CD was purchased (cutting edge, I know) along with tickets to see their show in Dallas.  Ecstatic would be an understatement.  I STILL know every word to this song.
I often wonder why a song like Secret Ambition would grab my attention as a kid, lyrics stuffed with big ideas that I couldn’t fully grasp.

Perhaps it was the picture that was painted with the lyrics & the video (yep, we had the VHS TAPE folks).  Not a doubt in my mind, I learned this for the first time:

Jesus really walked this earth.

Songs have a way of writing their lyrics onto your heart, resurfacing years later, then over again.  Like a familiar smell, you can name-that-song within a second of it playing.

Whether we know it or not, our ears are listening and recording at the same time.

What is your childhood playlist?

Becca

How do you say “no” to joining the dating scene?

Get busy. Find something else to fill up your heart and mind while you remain single. Is it music, writing or friends that you can spend time enjoying? Pretty soon my life calling began to surface during my single years – leading worship and ‘ministering’ to others. Seriously, that was soooo much more fun than dating.  Find out what you were made to do and get going with it. What has God put on your heart to DO? Is there a friend who needs your encouragement? Or a project you can accomplish?

Journal. Something else to sooth the heart that’s longing for a relationship at the wrong time is to begin a journal to your future spouse.  I wrote my thoughts down in a journal for many years. I was 25 when my husband arrived on the scene, so before then, every time I wished for him to be there, I wrote in this journal. God used that to help my heart wait for him.

Pray. How romantic to spend your years NOW praying for your future spouse! They will no doubt benefit. You’ve got power in your prayers. This is a great way to spend energy and it continuously reminds us of WHO is in control of our future – God.

Trust.  I know it sounds simple, but wait and trust God to be ridiculously clear about it. When you seek His guidance in who to date, He isn’t going to be silent. Going into a relationship is only the best thing when it’s God’s thing for you. The Holy Spirit, family and friends will give you a green light when it’s time.

Where are you at with all of this?  Can you add to these steps from your own experience?  Post your thoughts below!  Thank you for reading.

Elissa

I’ve been following the A21 campaign for a year now and it has opened my eyes to the magnitude of child trafficking around the world and the damage it’s doing to innocence.  But nothing brought this reality to light like the movie I watched last night.  It’s one thing to hear or read about it.  It’s entirely another thing to see a real example played out in a drama like “Not Today”.

In the movie, Caden, an egocentric guy gets an altered perspective when he meets a father and daughter living on the streets of Hyderabad, India.  The little girl, Annika, is sold by her father on the verge of death in hopes she will get an education and a chance to find her way out of their homeless state. Caden does some research and tells the naive father that she is probably now a slave and not going to be educated and taken care of by the men he sold her to, and there begins the journey to find Annika.

In some ways I can identify with Caden, who is changed in the process, going from a suburban guy living what he calls the American Dream, to giving all he has away to purchase freedom for innocent strangers.  I would be lying to say that I live every day conscious of the needs of the world.  I wish I did.  I even spent the hour before the movie started shopping for an upcoming vacation.  Walking back to the car after Annika grabbed my heart, that shopping bag seemed so ridiculous.

Let’s just say it’s good to be re-centered often, here in our western world, that it’s just not about us.

You must see this movie (like TONIGHT), support it, and tell others about it.  If you’re like me, it’s going to rock your world and cause you to break in a good way.  It’s no longer acceptable for me to let it go in one ear and out the other when I hear about slavery. 27 million people, many of them young women.  My memories of age 7 or 8 involve playing in a tree house and trying my skills on a soccer field.  Annika is a homeless, motherless girl in the lowest caste of India who is abandoned by her father, incapable of providing for her.  She just wants to play with dolls and be loved.  Yet the culture accepts and approves of slavery, and she becomes a victim.

This story has a beautiful ending.  Like so many of us who have been rescued by Jesus, it’s time to take steps to be rescuers of girls like Annika.  At the end of the movie, there are many ways shown that we can get involved.  Check out the A21 Campaign online, tell your friends who many not know that slavery still exists, and let God’s heart for justice sink in deeply to move you to prayer.

I’m thankful I stepped into a theater last night and let my world collide with India.

-becca

Evaluate your relationship with God. Do you go to Him daily in prayer and worship? Even if…it’s while you drive to work.

Do you listen to what He is speaking to you each day?  Or is your relationship with God sort of a distant thing?  Truth is, our busy lives lead us to distance sometimes. Nevertheless, He doesn’t stop reaching out to us moment by moment. (Check out Hebrews 13:5 and 1 John 2:24)  So, the ball is in our court.  You may not always feel “goose bumps” when talking to God, but we should never stop engaging in conversation. He is listening (and check out 1 John 5:14; Psalm 145:19 & Matthew 7:7).

What about those of us who have been hurt in love, lost trust in relationships and as a result, have closed off to those we love?  Even if the people around you have abused you and hurt you, don’t expect that of God. He has a category of His own – He loves like no other.

But I wonder if some of us hold God at a distance because of the pain we have experienced in life. Do you push God away, building walls so he can’t come close?  God will be there – waiting for you to take those walls down – as long as it takes.  The journey to God is only a word away… but for some of us who have barricades up, it’s a big step to let Him in.

This is the journey of your life (real life, knowing your Creator) – and it’s worth taking. Don’t wait to start your conversation with God.

Elissa

My mind has already created a virtual scrapbook of the places and faces we’ve encountered. We had a day free to visit the Grand Canyon. Epic and almost unbelievable. I was standing on the rim looking a mile down. Yikes.

In contrast, Santa Fe, NM has a quaint plaza where artists sell their creations. We had Mexican for lunch today before walking past the historic Cathedral and art galleries.

While in Arizona, we spent a few days with a community of believers celebrating Easter together.

I met a new friend named Ken, a hairdresser, who shared stories of cutting hair for Country music stars back in the day. He is a generous person with a big heart and an overcoming testimony.

Our hosts, Peggy and Dennis, treated us like royalty and made us bacon and eggs one morning – that I will never forget. (Why is it that when I make bacon it turns out like beef jerky? Another subject…)

Mike, who ran sound for us at the church, inspired us with his way of serving with a smile.

Chad’s automotive skills came in handy twice when a tail light AND front turn signal went out. (Thanks AutoZone for letting us borrow your ratchets.)

Who would have known about a great little spot in downtown Las Vegas, NM called Charlie’s Spic&Span? Homemade donuts and tortillas… Thank you.

My mental scrapbook is coming together nicely, and all these new friendships and moments will be cherished.

Now, I’m almost home with a freshly brewed Grande Tazo tea in the cup holder as Bryan drives the final, glorious stretch of treeless interstate.

-B

P.S. We managed to eat fast food only 3 times on this trip (virtual high-five). I caught the bug commonly known as “Trader Joe’s syndrome” after stepping inside one for the first time in Prescott. I may or may not be at the grand opening in Denver.

*A note on my title…when we arrived in Arizona, I was surprised to see that it wasn’t a desert actually. Prescott had beautiful evergreens and a variety of landscapes.

#5 Chocolate Bunnies. If Easter is done right, then there will be chocolate bunnies for everyone. In England this is a huge tradition during Easter. And when I mean huge – I mean the bunnies can be a foot tall and outrageously elaborate. Stunning works of art really. Then someone breaks off an bunny ear and it’s all downhill from there.

#4 Egg Hunts. This was the most exciting part of Easter growing up. I have a secret hope that some year we will do an Easter egg hunt for grown ups. Why is this just for the kids?

#3 Daffodils. These beauties are the rare pop of color we get during early spring in Colorado. I went ahead and planted a zillion in my front yard. They are my reminder (through the snow we get in March and April) that summer is coming.

#2 Easter songs. We get anthems like “In Christ Alone” that give me chills every time I sing them.

#1 Jesus is resurrected! This is the greatest event in history. He is alive and I am forever grateful for the life I have through Him. Jesus rose from the grave after defeating all of my enemies. Sin has no hold on me. This is the greatest news man kind has ever heard. Now if we would only live in the life and resurrection power every day. Easter is my reminder that Jesus is victorious and so am I – every day. Add to your musical playlist “Victorious God” from Glenn Packiam!

-Elissa

Comment and post your top 5!

Dying to sin, to self and the world…okay, that’s a lot of dying. But, a corpse cannot sin. We’re going beyond saying “no” to sin, but directly to death where sin is no longer an option.

What’s incredible is that we get to live through Christ instead. “I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” -Galatians 2:20

Right before Verse 20, it says, “I have died (to the law) so that I might live for God.”

To live requires dying first? Talk about upside down thinking.

It’s true to say that Jesus died so that we wouldn’t have to (as penalty for our sin). But it’s also true that Jesus died so that we could die as well! A death to free us…
Die in sin, or die to self. I’ll choose the latter. I’ll gladly give up my self to have His Spirit and grace ruling my life instead.

Lately I’ve had a bone to pick with the zoo. There is something in my animal-loving heart that is troubled by the idea of animals being imprisoned. I begged my parents to take me to the Dallas zoo as a kid and got my wish (despite my British mum’s hatred of Texas summers over 100 degrees). When I got there, I always wanted to rescue the animals! “They’re not really free,” I thought.

True. Captivity isn’t the natural or intended purpose of a lion. They were made for the pride, for dominion and dynasty! (Maybe I’ve watched too many documentaries.)

We are the lionesses in captivity, the zebras behind the glass, when we let “self” rule our lives instead of Christ.

To put it simply, self is holding you back.

Let go and die to self now. Exchange control of your own life and get life forever. True life is “living by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me” – Galatians 2:21

Good Friday is not just about Jesus dying on the cross. It’s as much about us dying too, with Him.

And Sunday is coming.

-Becca

What does “Good Friday” mean to you? Comment below!

“Jesus personally carried our sins in His body on the cross, so that we can be dead to sin, and live for what is right.” 1 Peter 2:24

Are you in?

At our concert in Berthoud last month, I was approached by 3 inquisitive kids asking if I knew that our name was misspelled. I wanted to laugh. Spelling my was downfall all of my years in school. But, The Sonflowerz is an intentional misspelling. Ha! So, thus began my explaining WHY we spell it way. Check out our video to get the full story here.

The idea of The Sonflowerz is suggesting that there is a type of people out there that are centering their lives around Jesus. It’s a community of followers. Believers. People who go around singing songs to God because they are looking to Him day in day out. This could be you. Are you a Flower of the Son?

Do you identify yourself as belonging to Jesus? And are you devoted to being like Him?
Does your beauty come from Him? Is God the source of your life?
Do you crave time sitting in His light, drinking the living water He provides?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a true Son Flower.

I hope something is clicking…that, yes, The Sonflowerz is a really world-wide group and you are all invited to be one of.  You are IN.

Please post a response. Do you count yourself as a Son Flower?  Please share your thoughts with me!

Elissa