franklin bbq...

yet another trailer success!  franklin barbeque is in a trailer just south of 38 1/2 street, on the I-35 frontage road, and it is probably the best brisket i have had in austin!! no lie, i really wanted to just keep eating, but glutton is a sin people!  the owner must be a believer because i am sure we are going to have that in heaven! the brisket was that good! we also had some pulled pork, also very tasty!  i did not try it personally, but i heard the ribs were not that great.  there are four different sauces to choose from, but i just taste tested them because the meat needed no sauce!  seriously!

we got there right at 11:00am when it opened and there was already a line.  be ready to wait a bit, it is not a quick place to eat. but hey, it is worth it!  there are lots of picnic tables with umbrellas for shade.  and i heard the owner say he was going to buy outdoor fans today.  so if you want some delicious brisket in austin, try out franklin barbecue!  the trailers win again!

swagger wagon...

this video is stinkin' hilarious! thought all my mom friends would think so too!

cost associated with foster care adoption...

read this post today. Cost Associated with Foster Care Adoption. it is a great summary of all the costs associated with foster care adoption, which is the type of adoption i feel called to and hope to see become a reality in a year or so.  i had no idea until last october that adopting a child out of foster care is basically free.  (great for a single mom in ministry) thought you should know too.  there are so many kids that are legally free for adoption right now!  finances are no longer an excuse for me not to adopt or care for the orphan.

[valley of vision] divine promises...

divine promises
from valley of vision

glorious jehovah, my convenant god,

all thy promises in christ jesus are
     yea and amen, and all shall be fulfilled.
thou has spoken then, and they shall be done,
     commanded, and they shall come to pass.
yet i have often doubted thee,
     have lived at times as if there were no god.
lord, forgive me that death in life,
     when i have found something apart from thee,
     when i have been content with ephemeral things.

but through thy grace i have repented;
thou hast given me to read my pardon
        in the wounds of jesus,
     and my soul doth trust in him, my god incarnate,
     the ground of my life, the spring of my hope.

teach me to be resigned to thy will,
     to delight in thy law,
     to have no will but thine,
     to believe that everything thou doest is for my good.
help me to leave my concerns in thy hands,
     for thou has power over evil,
     and bringest from it an infinite progression of good,
     until thy purposes are fulfilled.

bless me with abraham's faith
     that staggers not at promises through unbelief.
may i not instruct thee in my troubles,
     but glorify thee in my trials;
grant me a distinct advance in the divine life;
     may i reach a higher platform,
     leave the mists of doubt and fear in the valley,
     and climb to hill-tops of eternal security in christ,
        by simply believing he cannot lie,
        or turn from his purpose.

give me the confidence i ought to have in him
      who is worthy to be praised,
      and who is blessed evermore.

stronger...

we sang this song a couple of weeks ago in church and its lyrics have been such a great reminder to me.

stronger
by hillsong

there is love that came for us
humbled to a sinner's cross
you broke my shame and sinfuless
you rose again victorious

faithfulness none can deny
through the strom and through the fire
there is truth that sets me free
jesus christ who lives in me

chorus
you are stronger
you are stronger
sin is broken
you have saved me
it is written
christ is risen
jesus you are lord of all

no beginning and no end
you're my hope and my defense
you came to seek and save the lost
you paid it all upon the cross

so let your name be lifted higher
be lifted higher be lifted higher

[valley of vision] love lustres at calvary...

this past easter sunday, this was read during worship! so powerful!
love lustres at calvary
from valley of vision

my father,
enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open  my lips,
     supply words that proclaim 'love lustres at calvary.'
there grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy son,
     made a transgressor, a curse, and a sin for me;
there the sword of they justice smote the man, they fellow;
there thy infinite attributes were magnified,
     and infinite atonement was made;
there infinite punishment was due,
     and infinite punishment was endured.

chtist was all anguish that i might be all joy,
     cast off that i might be brought in,
     trodden down as an enemy that i might be welcomed as a friend,
     surrenedered to hell's worst that i might attains heaven's best,
     stripped that i might be clothed,
     wounded that i might be healed,
     athirst that i might drink,
     tormented that i might be comforted,
     made a shame that i might inherit glory.
     entered darkness that i might have eternal light.

my saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
     groaned that i might have endless song,
     endured all pain that i might have unfading health,
     bore a thorny crown that i might have a glory-diadem,
     bowed his head that i might uplift mine,
     experienced reproach that i might receive welcome,
     closed his eyes in death that i might gaze on unclouded brightness,
     expired that i might for ever live.

o father, who spared not thine only son that though mightest spare me,
all this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;
help me to adore thee by lips and life
o that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
     my every step buoyant with delight, as i see my enemies crushed,
     satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
     sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
     hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open.
go forth, o conquering god, and show me
     the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save.


i am telling you, if you do not own this book, you should but it!  it will the best $20 you have spent!  this book has challenged and changed my prayer life.

let hope rise....

we showed this video on easter sunday in church. so good!


Let Hope Rise from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.
The redundant rhythms of everyday life have engulfed Lucy. When adversity comes into her life, it catapults her to begin seeing the world differently.