Saturday, May 30, 2009


Psalm 51:15-17....

Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I'll let loose with your praise.
Going through the motions doesn't please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

"Hug your little ones tighter...."


I was reminded this past week of sweet Maria Sue Chapman, daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman, who tragically passed away a year ago in a terrible accident. She passed away May 21st, 2008, her funeral held May 24th, 2008. The Chapman’s son Will (who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident) graduated from high school this past Sunday, May 24th, 2009 (exactly one year to the day) on the very same stage that the family said goodbye to Maria Sue. Every student in the class walked across that stage barefoot to symbolize they were on “Holy Ground”. Do I even need to go on? Wow.

I have been reading their mother’s blog today, going back to the weeks before the accident up until her last post this Sunday talking about Will's graduation and the anniversary of her daughters passing. As I clicked on other links on her page I read about all of her children (they have 6!) and their involvement in ministry. Every one of them is open and honest about their struggle with sadness and anger over Maria’s death. YET…still they trust. This is one awesome family. I really have no one “pearl” that I have taken away from all my reading; everything this woman has to say has moved me beyond words. Instead, I have a new eagerness to fill my children’s lives with Christ more intentionally, to enjoy who they are and who God created them to be, and to love them fully and deeply. Mary Beth Chapman ends a lot of her blogs with “Hug your little ones tighter”…..I love that……

Thursday, May 21, 2009

It may be a crazy life, but its OUR life!


My newest dearest friend Carmen has inspired me to get writing again! Thanks girlfriend, I’ve been in need of your creativeness in my life! (Just don’t judge my grammer, OK?!! HA! Love ya!)


Since the last time I blogged, (about 9 months ago!) my husband and I are expecting, AGAIN! 3 under 3 in the Rowenhorst house….yes, we need counseling ;) Another baby girl will be joining our ranks in July. It will be a crazy time and we could not be more excited about it! 10 years ago this August, my husband walked into my homeroom class in high school. Sometimes I look around and I absolutely CAN NOT believe we have been married 6 years with 3 kids! I always liked that little line from ‘Jon and Kate Plus 8’ (God bless them right now!) “It may be a crazy life, but its OUR life!”

The band and I had our 1 year anniversary this month leading worship at The Bridge. The freedom in Christ I have found with this group of guys has been like a deep pure breath of oxygen for my soul. This past week I have been listening to the song “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us” over and over and over and over……..there is one phrase that kills me without fail every time I listen to it.

“Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers”

Often I find it difficult to TRULY personalize the cross. Not with my mind or my lips, I have knowledge of the truth. I mean the deep acceptance that I, Staci Rowenhorst, nailed Him to the cross. I, Staci Rowenhorst, called out among the crowd “Crucify Him!” It was me, my sin, my shame that held Him there.

“How deep the Father’s love for us?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart…
His wounds have paid my ransom”

What if I lived every day, sang every song, changed every diaper, dried every tear, mopped every floor and cooked every meal with the heart knowledge that His wounds have paid my ransom??!!