Italics indicate what I gleaned were the author's thoughts on a topic.
Lately, I've had a lot of soul searching going on. Some of the reasons are: life, my Bible study I'm doing, blog posts I've read, and writing out my testimony. It has left me thinking and questioning and reflecting.
Some of the themes I've noticed in a few bloggers is, one, questioning things about God, and two, a need to say "no" to things and focus on being a better wife/mother/friend/child of God. They have resonated with me because both of those things are happening with me.
Things got really crazy last year. I had health issues and I was so busy that it was hard to do good at anything that I was doing. I had a moment when I realized that I was going to have to say no, and to more than 1 thing. I've had more clarity on it over the last few months and I've come to realize that what I'm called to do is a very influential calling. The fact that it is an influential calling scares me. It makes me not feel worthy. That influential calling is being a mother.
Our society has made mothering seem less influential than it really is. I can think back on SO many times I have heard people say that their mother or parents had the biggest impact on their lives. The BIGGEST. That started rocking me to my core. I may have the biggest impact on my children's lives? What am I doing with that?! This is one of the major things that I am wrestling with.
I am doing a Bible study titled, Gripped by the Greatness of God. Today, we started the week on the sovereignty of God. This really ties in to the things I have read lately about questioning God, the other thing I have been wrestling with.
Let me back up. I know it sounds bad to say "questioning God," but truly I think we all have questions and I think we have more during certain times in our lives than other times.
One blogger has questioned why one person gets cancer and dies, but another person gets better. The person she loved that died, was prayed for and they petitioned to God for his life. Why was he taken? Is everything that happens a consequence of sin? Are we paying for the sin of others who have gone on before us?
Another blogger questions if prayer really changes things. For instance, God's will is what He pre-ordains. He knows what is going to happen in our lives, so does praying for a person to be healed change that? When someone that we are praying for passes away, we say "it must not have been God's will for them to be healed." So, if that is true, did our prayers change anything? Is prayer more of a relationship than a request for things that we want?
I'll admit, I've questioned these same things. I think as humans, we are wired to question just about everything.
As the speaker in our video spoke today about God's sovereignty, it was like my eyes were opened. For one, I realized, that we seem to know about God's awesomeness and His holiness, but His sovereignty? It seems to be an attribute that we glaze over.
We say, "yep, God's in control!" How many of us honestly believe that? Everything that happens on this Earth is to bring forth God's glory and we have no control over any of it. The things that happen and what we say and do, never hinder God's plans. Never. They will come to fruition whether so & so is president of the United States or if your husband gets that awesome job or if thousands of people perish in a tsunami.
God's word tells us not to worry. It tells us that God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To believe in God's sovereignty is to truly and fully trust Him. I believe that believing in His sovereignty will hinder us from so much questioning.
I'm preaching to the choir, I know that. I worry and I question, but I don't want to continue.
I want to fully grasp God's sovereignty.
Showing posts with label religious. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religious. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
A stirring
I wrote this last night after a hard day and wasn't sure if I would post it or not-
Today did not rank as one of my best days.
There were physical/hormonal issues that contributed to my state of being today.
I was grumpy, impatient, and irritated at most things.
I wish I were better at being a person who does not wear their emotions on their sleeve.
I wish I had more patience. I wish I didn't snap or yell.
I just read news of someone who passed away and was really pretty young-51.
It snapped me back to reality.
I just see how quick life passes, and how quick things can change.
I pray for God to help me LIVE and be His servant and not someone focused on me or my own shortcomings.
I pray for God to help me to LOVE and to give GRACE and MERCY to others.
I know I need grace and mercy everyday, so I need to be doling it out too.
I want to be a blessing and not a burden.
This morning I read this post of Kelly's.
After that, I saw this post from Jenn.
And then I saw this post from Ann Voskamp.
I've also read posts by two other bloggers in the past 2 weeks, one of which had a recent huge transformation by God, and the other is just so honest and real about who she is as a person and as a Christian.
I've felt a stir in my soul for several years. I know that things are supernaturally happening. What they are, I have no idea. God is preparing people for whatever it may be though. I feel that certainty in my bones.
I want to be prepared. I always question whether I am prepared and what am I doing that is God's will.
I need to stop questioning so much and just seek Him.
I think we try to figure things out too much. I just don't think most of it is ours to figure out. Am I on my own with thinking that?
I also think that we get bogged down thinking about so many bad things happening and we don't always focus on the good and what God is doing.
Will this be a revival of Christianity, true Christianity? Not the Christianity that the world sees or how they view Christianity, but the real thing.
Don't you wish everyone could experience the true-ness of it and not what they see displayed in media?
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"
1 Peter 3:15
I feel like I am rambling, but I felt like I needed to share all of this.
Let's pray together and for each other.
I feel like something we need to be prepared and to support each other, especially as women.
We are the ones raising this next generation and I think they will be doing great, big things.
Today did not rank as one of my best days.
There were physical/hormonal issues that contributed to my state of being today.
I was grumpy, impatient, and irritated at most things.
I wish I were better at being a person who does not wear their emotions on their sleeve.
I wish I had more patience. I wish I didn't snap or yell.
I just read news of someone who passed away and was really pretty young-51.
It snapped me back to reality.
I just see how quick life passes, and how quick things can change.
I pray for God to help me LIVE and be His servant and not someone focused on me or my own shortcomings.
I pray for God to help me to LOVE and to give GRACE and MERCY to others.
I know I need grace and mercy everyday, so I need to be doling it out too.
I want to be a blessing and not a burden.
This morning I read this post of Kelly's.
After that, I saw this post from Jenn.
And then I saw this post from Ann Voskamp.
I've also read posts by two other bloggers in the past 2 weeks, one of which had a recent huge transformation by God, and the other is just so honest and real about who she is as a person and as a Christian.
I've felt a stir in my soul for several years. I know that things are supernaturally happening. What they are, I have no idea. God is preparing people for whatever it may be though. I feel that certainty in my bones.
I want to be prepared. I always question whether I am prepared and what am I doing that is God's will.
I need to stop questioning so much and just seek Him.
I think we try to figure things out too much. I just don't think most of it is ours to figure out. Am I on my own with thinking that?
I also think that we get bogged down thinking about so many bad things happening and we don't always focus on the good and what God is doing.
Will this be a revival of Christianity, true Christianity? Not the Christianity that the world sees or how they view Christianity, but the real thing.
Don't you wish everyone could experience the true-ness of it and not what they see displayed in media?
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"
1 Peter 3:15
I feel like I am rambling, but I felt like I needed to share all of this.
Let's pray together and for each other.
I feel like something we need to be prepared and to support each other, especially as women.
We are the ones raising this next generation and I think they will be doing great, big things.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
A song for my heart
We sang the song below in church Sunday morning. Some of the words pierced my heart. I've emphasized them in the lyrics below.
I'm a Christian, but there are times that I feel so distant from God. It hurts writing those words, but it is true.
After we sang this song, our preacher began the sermon. He spoke about how our nature IS to want to sin, that we will always be struggling with it.
I think, sometimes we forget that as Christians, we are still sinners.
There have been things in my life that I have held on to that have kept me from being close to God. I see this now. Whether it was a plan of satan or just my sinful nature, I've let it continue on.
It's my duty everyday to strive to be blameless.
I know I won't always make it, but I need to be striving the best that I can.
**If you have a few minutes, listen to the video of this song that I have under the lyrics. I really think it will bless you.**
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed up- on it
Mount of Thy re- deeming love
I was lost in utter darkness 'til You came and rescued me
I was bound by all my sin when Your love came and set me free
Now my soul can sing a new song, now my heart has found a home
Now Your grace is always with me
And I'll never be a- lone
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
O, to grace, how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts a- bove
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
I'm a Christian, but there are times that I feel so distant from God. It hurts writing those words, but it is true.
After we sang this song, our preacher began the sermon. He spoke about how our nature IS to want to sin, that we will always be struggling with it.
I think, sometimes we forget that as Christians, we are still sinners.
There have been things in my life that I have held on to that have kept me from being close to God. I see this now. Whether it was a plan of satan or just my sinful nature, I've let it continue on.
It's my duty everyday to strive to be blameless.
I know I won't always make it, but I need to be striving the best that I can.
**If you have a few minutes, listen to the video of this song that I have under the lyrics. I really think it will bless you.**
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed up- on it
Mount of Thy re- deeming love
I was lost in utter darkness 'til You came and rescued me
I was bound by all my sin when Your love came and set me free
Now my soul can sing a new song, now my heart has found a home
Now Your grace is always with me
And I'll never be a- lone
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
O, to grace, how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts a- bove
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Fearlessly
There are so many other things that I want to blog about right now-
- how much of an honor and privilege I feel that it is to be able to live in a country where we can VOTE. How much I feel like it is our civic duty.
- Taylor Swift's new CD.
- the devastation of hurricane Sandy. It's unreal.
- how my eyes are being opened to how many needs there are all around me.
I probably will blog about most of these things eventually, but not tonight.
I watched a video in Bible Study today. The speaker was Louie Giglio and the event was Passion 2012.
It could not have been a more perfect message for me to hear.
I don't know about you, but I was always raised to "pray for the will of God in my life," and to "pray for what my calling would be," and "am I in the PERFECT will of God?"
For so long, I have cried out to God "why don't I know what I'm called to do!"
I'm gonna go ahead and throw this out there, but my life was changed today.
To just give the short of it, we are in God's will where we are.
We are not all missionaries and evangelists and teachers. Some of us are just moms, and doctors, and bankers, and even Nascar drivers (his words, not mine!).
The verse he quoted was this-
Ephesians 6:19
New International Version (NIV)
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, Lord, when I open my mouth, will you give me words to fearlessly proclaim the gospel?!
In the place where I am. To the people that I come in contact with everyday. To my children. To my family-
Lord, give me the words to fearlessly proclaim the gospel and do Your will.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
stream of things...
Thank you so much for the support yesterday. It really means a lot. It isn't the first time I've written about my struggles. I've always had trouble finding time for prayer. I've written about trying to do my best. I am constantly a work in progress.
This past month or so has been pretty vexing on our family. Tim is under immense pressure at work. He is working 12-13 hours a day. He truly is giving his all for work right now. And I am so, so proud of him. However, we miss him terribly. I just want relaxing family dinners and walks on trails and enjoying fall weather. Hopefully, all will be back to normal in a few weeks.
I've been volunteering at the kid's school this week. Our elementary was awarded a grant to become a Leader in Me School. This is a HUGE honor. It is a very competitive grant, so we are truly fortunate. The entire staff is training this week, so another mom and I are helping to fill-in in the office.
We find out the kid's teachers on Thursday and open house is on Friday. I just can't believe that next week I will have a kindergartner and a 1st grader!
Somehow, I was promoted to PTO President for this coming school year. Eeek! I kinda don't know what I'm doing! I'm hoping for LOTS of parent help! I really do think this will be a great year for our elementary school.
Both of my kiddos are turning a year older this week. ::sigh:: Today is my final day to have 2 six year olds. I don't know who thought it was okay for me to have kids this old!!!
This past month or so has been pretty vexing on our family. Tim is under immense pressure at work. He is working 12-13 hours a day. He truly is giving his all for work right now. And I am so, so proud of him. However, we miss him terribly. I just want relaxing family dinners and walks on trails and enjoying fall weather. Hopefully, all will be back to normal in a few weeks.
I've been volunteering at the kid's school this week. Our elementary was awarded a grant to become a Leader in Me School. This is a HUGE honor. It is a very competitive grant, so we are truly fortunate. The entire staff is training this week, so another mom and I are helping to fill-in in the office.
We find out the kid's teachers on Thursday and open house is on Friday. I just can't believe that next week I will have a kindergartner and a 1st grader!
Somehow, I was promoted to PTO President for this coming school year. Eeek! I kinda don't know what I'm doing! I'm hoping for LOTS of parent help! I really do think this will be a great year for our elementary school.
Both of my kiddos are turning a year older this week. ::sigh:: Today is my final day to have 2 six year olds. I don't know who thought it was okay for me to have kids this old!!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I struggle
I think that it is no secret that we all struggle.
If you don't, then I would like to know your secret.
A lot of times, I struggle inwardly and I don't share my struggles.
I war with them on the inside and no one can see the massive war going on inside.
Sitting in Sunday school this past week, I had a lot of revelations about myself.
The lesson brought them out, but more than that, a friend shared a deep, inner failing.
She shared something that most of us would have just kept to ourselves.
It was so bold and raw.
I'm new to the class and her friendship and I'm a shy person. But, I grabbed her hand. I was the one sitting next to her and I felt the need to give her support. She had touched a nerve in me.
Honestly, it's really hard for me to show affection sometimes.
But, back to what I was getting at.
My eyes were opened and I began to write things down that I needed to get straight.
You see, I really struggle with some things and I know that I do, but I haven't been focusing on overcoming them.
I've just been dwelling in them.
And I don't want to live like that anymore.
Some of my struggles are huge and have been there a really long time.
I don't pray enough.
I have anxiety.
I spend too much time on social media and not enough time praying and listening.
I need to spend more time listening about where I am supposed to serve.
There is a plan for me, but I need to take time to listen for what it is.
Sometimes I wonder how long I've been missing the plan.
I get too busy doing this and doing that and I run out of time to do things that are truly the most important.
My flesh wants things to be "just so" but I have to let go of that and take time to be "just still."
"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" Psalm 46:10
If you don't, then I would like to know your secret.
A lot of times, I struggle inwardly and I don't share my struggles.
I war with them on the inside and no one can see the massive war going on inside.
Sitting in Sunday school this past week, I had a lot of revelations about myself.
The lesson brought them out, but more than that, a friend shared a deep, inner failing.
She shared something that most of us would have just kept to ourselves.
It was so bold and raw.
I'm new to the class and her friendship and I'm a shy person. But, I grabbed her hand. I was the one sitting next to her and I felt the need to give her support. She had touched a nerve in me.
Honestly, it's really hard for me to show affection sometimes.
But, back to what I was getting at.
My eyes were opened and I began to write things down that I needed to get straight.
You see, I really struggle with some things and I know that I do, but I haven't been focusing on overcoming them.
I've just been dwelling in them.
And I don't want to live like that anymore.
Some of my struggles are huge and have been there a really long time.
I don't pray enough.
I have anxiety.
I spend too much time on social media and not enough time praying and listening.
I need to spend more time listening about where I am supposed to serve.
There is a plan for me, but I need to take time to listen for what it is.
Sometimes I wonder how long I've been missing the plan.
I get too busy doing this and doing that and I run out of time to do things that are truly the most important.
My flesh wants things to be "just so" but I have to let go of that and take time to be "just still."
"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" Psalm 46:10
Sunday, May 6, 2012
A busy, fun weekend
I thought I would share a picture of the yummy cake that I made Tim for his birthday.
He loved it :-)
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Friday ended well with a cute little cowboy/cowgirl party at preschool
And a haystack ride
We had an awesome Saturday. We got up early to go visit our local farmer's market. I love it so much. It was the very first activity we did upon moving to Bentonville almost 2 years ago.
We got C Girlie a cute flower for her hair for Razorback games and we picked up some new potatoes to eat with our steaks we grilled Saturday night.
B Boy had a tee ball game and Uncle Keith, Aunt Jessica and baby Parker came to watch and to visit.
B's neck was hurting so he didn't end up playing the entire game, but we had an amazing visit with family.
Did you see the "super moon" Saturday night?
This morning, we got up and went to Sunday School and church.
Russ Lee from the Christian group Newsong performed and shared his testimony and it was awesome.
Our youth minister baptized his 6 year old daughter this morning. It was so wonderful to hear the story of how she came to ask Jesus into her heart. Of course, I cried.
I have such a desire to see both of my children make that decision for their lives.
That is the prayer deep in my heart right now, that God will show me and lead me with what to say to help them understand (the best I can) what it all means.
Make their hearts tender to You, Lord!
This afternoon, we headed to Beaver Lake to do a little more exploring. We found a little nature trail to walk on.
While there, we encountered a red-headed woodpecker, deer, tons of butterflies, pine trees that were literally creaking in the wind (I've never heard that happen before!), a lizard with a blue tail, and speed boats out on the lake!
Red headed woodpecker
Lizard with blue tail
It's teacher appreciation week at school starting tomorrow and I have to be at school really early!
It's going to be an extremely busy, but very fun week!
I hope you have a blessed week as well!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Good Friday
Today, we remember Christ's death on the cross. What a sacrifice He made for each and every one of our sins.
Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what you're worth
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what you're worth
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
I'm so thankful that 3 days later, He rose again!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Holy Week
If you are like me, you may have been a Christian all of your life. That does not necessarily mean that you know every thing that has to do with God, Jesus, the church or the Bible. I certainly do not.
A few years ago, I was in a playgroup with mostly Catholic women. I had the opportunity to learn a lot about their faith. While I do not agree with everything in Catholicism, I do admire a number of things. The one thing that I admired the most was their emphasis on Holy Week.
Back then, I did not know a whole lot about it. So, of course, I asked questions and I Googled it. Here is a link and another link that I think would give you a lot of information about Holy Week if you are interested in learning more about it.
And this one is a little elementary, but it would definitely be good for teaching children about the events of Holy Week.
A few years ago, I was in a playgroup with mostly Catholic women. I had the opportunity to learn a lot about their faith. While I do not agree with everything in Catholicism, I do admire a number of things. The one thing that I admired the most was their emphasis on Holy Week.
Back then, I did not know a whole lot about it. So, of course, I asked questions and I Googled it. Here is a link and another link that I think would give you a lot of information about Holy Week if you are interested in learning more about it.
And this one is a little elementary, but it would definitely be good for teaching children about the events of Holy Week.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Things I want to say
Sometimes, I open my dashboard wanting to write, but not knowing exactly what to say.
I know that I want to say how blessed I feel to go to church with wonderful, wonderful women. Every new lady that I get to know has been so nice and welcoming. I know I haven't even got to know half of the women that I see on a regular basis, but I am looking forward to it.
I know that sitting in Bible study today, we reflected on Jesus and this week of His passion. We watched a video that I couldn't even look at the whole time. It depicted His trial, His beating, and His hanging on the cross and death. When I sit and think of His love for me and you, I can't help but have tears in my eyes.
The older I get, the more and more real His love for me becomes. I'm not sure why that is, but it is. I'm so very emotional every time I go to church now, and the week of Easter almost does me in.
I just want to say, that He loves us SO much. So much, that He took every sin and He died and rose again, so that we would have life eternal.
Recently, a lady in our church was sharing about her early years and was passing on a quote from a pastor she had been around.
He told her, "It's never about the sin, it's always about Christ."
It resounded with me so much. Our churches sometimes put a lot of emphasis on what we should/shouldn't do, but when it comes down to it, we are all sinners.
It is not about the sin, it's about the redeeming love of Christ.
His Word says, "For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
and
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
I know that I want to say how blessed I feel to go to church with wonderful, wonderful women. Every new lady that I get to know has been so nice and welcoming. I know I haven't even got to know half of the women that I see on a regular basis, but I am looking forward to it.
I know that sitting in Bible study today, we reflected on Jesus and this week of His passion. We watched a video that I couldn't even look at the whole time. It depicted His trial, His beating, and His hanging on the cross and death. When I sit and think of His love for me and you, I can't help but have tears in my eyes.
The older I get, the more and more real His love for me becomes. I'm not sure why that is, but it is. I'm so very emotional every time I go to church now, and the week of Easter almost does me in.
I just want to say, that He loves us SO much. So much, that He took every sin and He died and rose again, so that we would have life eternal.
Recently, a lady in our church was sharing about her early years and was passing on a quote from a pastor she had been around.
He told her, "It's never about the sin, it's always about Christ."
It resounded with me so much. Our churches sometimes put a lot of emphasis on what we should/shouldn't do, but when it comes down to it, we are all sinners.
It is not about the sin, it's about the redeeming love of Christ.
His Word says, "For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
and
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
I hope to write these things and not seem "preach-y," but to just convey how much He loves us.
I am so thankful that He loves us and gives us hope and life.
And even though I sometimes tire of being so teary at church, I'm thankful that He has made my heart so tender for Him.
Monday, February 20, 2012
My Faith and My Struggles {I am a Work in Progress}
Right now, I'm going through a period of growth and learning in my faith. Every week, I have lessons from Sunday school, church and Bible study rolling around in my mind. I want to discuss all of them and naturally, they are not all about the same thing.
In Sunday school, we have just began a study on Hebrews. It's been really great so far. And I'm actually learning a lot. It is a book that also has references to the book of Leviticus. Leviticus is a book that I have read in the past, but really know little about. It has piqued my interest to learn more about Moses and the laws in the book of Leviticus. I've also had wow moments learning about how things in the Bible really are real and they really happened. As well as realizing that not many things in our world have persevered through the ages and times. Empires, governments, and countries have all fallen, but Israel was created on Mt. Sinai by Moses and still continues on in this present day.
In worship service, our pastor has been doing a series on heaven. Well, obviously, that has created a lot of thought for me. Of course, I wonder about death and what will happen after I die, but he has also challenged us with what we are doing for God while we are alive. Yesterday, they showed a memorial video of Whitney Houston. He used the video to illustrate the point that our life will have a beginning and an end. It's the moments in between those two points that people will remember us by. How will people remember my life? Your life?
In Bible study we are discussing The Resolution by Priscilla Shirer. It has been such a good book for me in this time of my life. I want to write more about it in depth. The chapter we read for this week is called Loving my Children.
She writes, "when our primary goal as mothers is teaching our children God's truth, the whole focus of our parenting changes."
The resolution for this section is, I will demonstrate to my children how to love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength, and will train them to respect authority and live responsibly.
What a challenge. And it puts great responsibility on me as a mother. I have such an important task for shaping my children. This is something I have been in prayer about, because I definitely do not always feel adequate for the job. I just do not want to fail my two precious children.
Something I struggle with on a regular basis is my health. I don't discuss it much because I don't like to complain and it is a chronic issue that will go on and on.
Sometimes, I will have a new issue thrown into the mix and I will start to Google things. Have you ever done that? I always end up convincing myself that I have cancer of some sort! I've been trying so hard to just let it go and have faith that my health will continue the way it is or maybe even get better!
Another struggle I have been experiencing is being a "distracted mom" at times. I have been a little too, shall we even say, "addicted" to social media at times. I'm working on not allowing myself to check things at certain times of the day. I'm working on becoming more focused on taking care of my home, exercising, praying, and spending time with my husband and kiddos. It's not that I wasn't already doing these things, it's that I was sort of distracted at times while doing them. I don't want to be distracted, I want to be present.
In Sunday school, we have just began a study on Hebrews. It's been really great so far. And I'm actually learning a lot. It is a book that also has references to the book of Leviticus. Leviticus is a book that I have read in the past, but really know little about. It has piqued my interest to learn more about Moses and the laws in the book of Leviticus. I've also had wow moments learning about how things in the Bible really are real and they really happened. As well as realizing that not many things in our world have persevered through the ages and times. Empires, governments, and countries have all fallen, but Israel was created on Mt. Sinai by Moses and still continues on in this present day.
In worship service, our pastor has been doing a series on heaven. Well, obviously, that has created a lot of thought for me. Of course, I wonder about death and what will happen after I die, but he has also challenged us with what we are doing for God while we are alive. Yesterday, they showed a memorial video of Whitney Houston. He used the video to illustrate the point that our life will have a beginning and an end. It's the moments in between those two points that people will remember us by. How will people remember my life? Your life?
In Bible study we are discussing The Resolution by Priscilla Shirer. It has been such a good book for me in this time of my life. I want to write more about it in depth. The chapter we read for this week is called Loving my Children.
She writes, "when our primary goal as mothers is teaching our children God's truth, the whole focus of our parenting changes."
The resolution for this section is, I will demonstrate to my children how to love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength, and will train them to respect authority and live responsibly.
What a challenge. And it puts great responsibility on me as a mother. I have such an important task for shaping my children. This is something I have been in prayer about, because I definitely do not always feel adequate for the job. I just do not want to fail my two precious children.
Something I struggle with on a regular basis is my health. I don't discuss it much because I don't like to complain and it is a chronic issue that will go on and on.
Sometimes, I will have a new issue thrown into the mix and I will start to Google things. Have you ever done that? I always end up convincing myself that I have cancer of some sort! I've been trying so hard to just let it go and have faith that my health will continue the way it is or maybe even get better!
Another struggle I have been experiencing is being a "distracted mom" at times. I have been a little too, shall we even say, "addicted" to social media at times. I'm working on not allowing myself to check things at certain times of the day. I'm working on becoming more focused on taking care of my home, exercising, praying, and spending time with my husband and kiddos. It's not that I wasn't already doing these things, it's that I was sort of distracted at times while doing them. I don't want to be distracted, I want to be present.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Faith
Some things have happened over the last few weeks that have me thinking more about my faith.
Not questioning my faith, just examining it.
The first thing was when my friend Kelly starting talking about why we believe the things we believe. We grow up and are taught to believe certain things. Now that we are mothers, it is our job to teach our children what we believe. So, she has been on a mission to teach them why we believe what we believe based on scripture in the Bible and not just what we were taught to believe. Thank you for inspiring me, Kelly.
Another happening had to do with me saying something on a public forum, and then regretting that I had said it (oh, the story of my life!). It did produce a good conversation with someone that I am glad that we had. I just want to say, that I am so glad for people who have been in my life throughout growing up and now in adulthood. You people have definitely impacted my life. For the better.
Then, on Sunday morning, we had someone speaking about Finish the Task in church. The thing that he said that spoke the most to me was when he told us that during this process, his family had prayed and changed their will. When he and his wife pass away, they are leaving ALL their earthly possessions to the church! I was like, wow. He has taught his children not to trust in their parents for their future, but to trust in God. I just was wowed at this family and the fact that they are giving back everything to God. How many of us could truly do that? Would you obey God if He told you to give everything back to Him?
We've also been studying Genesis in Sunday School and faith has been a main topic lately. I've grown up having faith and believing, but faith has become so real to me lately- What faith is and what it means.
And I heard this song in the van today and I LOVE it-
So do you have any good commentary on the subject of faith?
Not questioning my faith, just examining it.
The first thing was when my friend Kelly starting talking about why we believe the things we believe. We grow up and are taught to believe certain things. Now that we are mothers, it is our job to teach our children what we believe. So, she has been on a mission to teach them why we believe what we believe based on scripture in the Bible and not just what we were taught to believe. Thank you for inspiring me, Kelly.
Another happening had to do with me saying something on a public forum, and then regretting that I had said it (oh, the story of my life!). It did produce a good conversation with someone that I am glad that we had. I just want to say, that I am so glad for people who have been in my life throughout growing up and now in adulthood. You people have definitely impacted my life. For the better.
Then, on Sunday morning, we had someone speaking about Finish the Task in church. The thing that he said that spoke the most to me was when he told us that during this process, his family had prayed and changed their will. When he and his wife pass away, they are leaving ALL their earthly possessions to the church! I was like, wow. He has taught his children not to trust in their parents for their future, but to trust in God. I just was wowed at this family and the fact that they are giving back everything to God. How many of us could truly do that? Would you obey God if He told you to give everything back to Him?
We've also been studying Genesis in Sunday School and faith has been a main topic lately. I've grown up having faith and believing, but faith has become so real to me lately- What faith is and what it means.
And I heard this song in the van today and I LOVE it-
So do you have any good commentary on the subject of faith?
Friday, September 9, 2011
Beginnings
This sweetie pie started part time preschool this week.
He LOVES it.
We had some other beginnings recently as well.
We have been attending our church for about a year, but we have only been attending the worship service. We decided that we wanted to be more involved in our church. We started Sunday school a few weeks ago. It has been great. This has allowed us to actually meet and interact with people at church rather than just come and sit during worship and then go home.
The Ladies Bible study started up again this week, and I went! It was so great to meet some great ladies! The class I chose is going to do a Beth Moore study and I'm very excited!
The kiddos started AWANAs this week. They absolutely loved it! I feel as a parent, that I have a responsibility to make sure that my children learn about God. I feel so blessed that our church has these wonderful programs and so many people willing to work and teach.
This sweetie pie said "Hurry up, I'm ready to do my homework!" I wonder how long she will be this excited about homework?!
What new beginnings are going on with you?
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Weekend
We had quite an eventful Easter weekend!
I worked my tail off on Friday cleaning and cooking and getting ready for the weekend. We had planned on attending the Good Friday service at church as well. We went out for dinner so we wouldn't have to worry about cooking. As we were eating dinner, we realized that the weather was getting kind of nasty. By the time we got back in the van, the meteorologist on the radio was talking about a storm coming our way that they were very concerned about. We decided to head to Tim's office at the high school since it is more safe than our house where the storm was on track to pass over. As we were waiting out the storm, the giant wall cloud passed right over and beside us there! The sirens were going off, but luckily a tornado did not produce near us. After that, we went home to get ready for bed and get ready for our big day on Saturday.
Saturday we had a family gathering to drive to that was 2 and a half hours away. I had everything laid out and ready to go. We loaded up and headed out. It was a rainy day also. Thankfully it was not as "stormy" as the day before. We stopped at Wal-Mart in Fayetteville to pick up something that we had forgotten. When we came in the door, they handed us a paper showing that there was an egg hunt going on in the store! The kiddos got some eggs, candy, B won a giant bounce ball and they got to see the Easter Bunny!
We got to Aunt Tammy's for the Easter/Birthday bash. We were celebrating our nephew Sean's birthday, our great niece, Madison and our great niece, Aubree. We had yummy food, a bounce house, a trampoline, a ping pong table, an egg hunt and fun with family!
Sunday morning it was yet another rainy day. It was a continuous rain and now, this evening, we are supposed to get severe weather again. :-( The kiddos got their baskets with goodies this morning and then we put on our pretty Easter clothes and headed to church. The service was awesome! The music was beautiful as always! We also had some baptisms this morning. The one that touched me the most was when one of the deacons baptized his own daughter! Oh my heart! We had a guest preacher this morning and he really touched me. I love that he preached about salvation. Isn't that what Easter is all about? He reached out to little children also. I thought that was so wonderful. Most people are saved before they graduate high school and we need to reach the little ones. People were baptised and saved this morning! What a beautiful Easter!
When we came home, we feasted on a ham that we slow baked in the oven, steamed broccoli, Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes, homemade yeast rolls, deviled eggs and homemade lemonade!!!! Yum! And we couldn't let this rain stop our Easter joy! We hunted eggs in the house!!!!
I worked my tail off on Friday cleaning and cooking and getting ready for the weekend. We had planned on attending the Good Friday service at church as well. We went out for dinner so we wouldn't have to worry about cooking. As we were eating dinner, we realized that the weather was getting kind of nasty. By the time we got back in the van, the meteorologist on the radio was talking about a storm coming our way that they were very concerned about. We decided to head to Tim's office at the high school since it is more safe than our house where the storm was on track to pass over. As we were waiting out the storm, the giant wall cloud passed right over and beside us there! The sirens were going off, but luckily a tornado did not produce near us. After that, we went home to get ready for bed and get ready for our big day on Saturday.
Saturday we had a family gathering to drive to that was 2 and a half hours away. I had everything laid out and ready to go. We loaded up and headed out. It was a rainy day also. Thankfully it was not as "stormy" as the day before. We stopped at Wal-Mart in Fayetteville to pick up something that we had forgotten. When we came in the door, they handed us a paper showing that there was an egg hunt going on in the store! The kiddos got some eggs, candy, B won a giant bounce ball and they got to see the Easter Bunny!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday
"and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— " Romans 3:24-25
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'" - John 11:25-26
Take with you the joy of Easter to the home, and make that home bright with more unselfish love, more hearty service; take it into your work, and do all in the name of the Lord Jesus; take it to your heart, and let that heart rise anew on Easter wings to a higher, a gladder, a fuller life; take it to the dear grave-side and say there the two words "Jesus lives!" and find in them the secret of calm expectation, the hope of eternal reunion. -----John Ellerton
Good Friday is a solemn day for me. It's a quiet day. It's a time that I reflect on the sacrifice that God made for me and for you. Without this day, we could not so joyously celebrate on Easter morning. In my heart, Good Friday and Easter morning hold two completely different emotions. I'm reflective, even sad for Jesus today. But Sunday morning, my heart will be full of rejoicing.
My prayer today is that I will teach my children the significance of this Holy Week. That they will learn that Easter is not about eggs, chocolate and bunnies, but the redeeming salvation of Jesus. As parents, this should be one of our greatest honors and priorities.
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'" - John 11:25-26
Take with you the joy of Easter to the home, and make that home bright with more unselfish love, more hearty service; take it into your work, and do all in the name of the Lord Jesus; take it to your heart, and let that heart rise anew on Easter wings to a higher, a gladder, a fuller life; take it to the dear grave-side and say there the two words "Jesus lives!" and find in them the secret of calm expectation, the hope of eternal reunion. -----John Ellerton
Good Friday is a solemn day for me. It's a quiet day. It's a time that I reflect on the sacrifice that God made for me and for you. Without this day, we could not so joyously celebrate on Easter morning. In my heart, Good Friday and Easter morning hold two completely different emotions. I'm reflective, even sad for Jesus today. But Sunday morning, my heart will be full of rejoicing.
My prayer today is that I will teach my children the significance of this Holy Week. That they will learn that Easter is not about eggs, chocolate and bunnies, but the redeeming salvation of Jesus. As parents, this should be one of our greatest honors and priorities.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Lenten Season
"Lent is a time to take the time to let the power of our faith story take hold of us, a time to let the events get up and walk around in us, a time to intensify our living unto Christ, a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts, a time to place our feet in the streets of Jerusalem or to walk along the sea and listen to his word, a time to tough his robe and feel the healing surger through us, a time to ponder and a time to wonder...Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God."
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Never forget
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My children are part of the coming generation who will not know what it felt like that day. It is difficult to explain to children their age why we have this memorial for this day. I only hope that I can portray to them what it was like... To teach them that what happened is intolerable. To teach them that hate is never the answer. To teach them that no matter who you worship as your God, you should love all people. To teach them that we are all brothers and sisters. To teach them that people are mostly good, but there are some so radical that they would do such a thing. To teach them forgiveness. To teach them kindness. To teach them love.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Living a Christ like Life
That is a lot of scripture to back up the same teaching! My prayer goal is to love my neighbor as myself. I believe a neighbor is anyone that I come in contact with. The definitions of a neighbor are:
1. One who lives near or next to another.
2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another.
3. A fellow human.
We should love everyone as ourselves! That is hard work! I believe that much prayer is needed to attain this goal. The Holy Spirit must work through us, because as mere humans, this is very hard to do! The scripture makes it very plain though; God wants us to love others above all and to love others more than ourselves.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Socially Accepted Sin
From early centuries, a list of Seven Deadly Sins (based on Proverbs 6:16-24) has been recognized in the Church. Writers from Dante to C.S. Lewis have discussed this list that includes pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, gluttony and sloth. Some works of contemporary art and media also deal with these issues. Some of them truly have become socially acceptable, even among believers.
"... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us "(Hebrews 12:1, NIV).
We have a race to run; let’s not get bogged down by becoming entangled with socially accepted sin.
Different attitudes toward sin can usually be found among churches. Some so desperately want to emphasize the love of God that sin is never mentioned. In the same manner, some want to take the positive approach toward the Christian life, talking only about the benefits of believing. Others say simply that sin is sin and God forgives us, so why bother to even think about it.
We think about sin because Scripture speaks about it. Examining our understanding of sin—and our attitude toward it—increases our self-knowledge, an important step in spiritual growth.
The beauty of the Christian faith is that we have a means for dealing with sin when we become aware of it in our lives. Some people try to deal with sin by denying it even exists. They think if we don’t name sin, then we won’t have to deal with guilt. Others try to bury sin by some form of excessive living: drinking, drugs or overworking. Still others try to balance their sins with good works, hoping to tip the scales in the right direction.
But Jesus offers us the only means of truly dealing with sin, by confessing it and asking for His forgiveness:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness"(1 John 1:9, NIV).
"... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us "(Hebrews 12:1, NIV).
We have a race to run; let’s not get bogged down by becoming entangled with socially accepted sin.
Different attitudes toward sin can usually be found among churches. Some so desperately want to emphasize the love of God that sin is never mentioned. In the same manner, some want to take the positive approach toward the Christian life, talking only about the benefits of believing. Others say simply that sin is sin and God forgives us, so why bother to even think about it.
We think about sin because Scripture speaks about it. Examining our understanding of sin—and our attitude toward it—increases our self-knowledge, an important step in spiritual growth.
The beauty of the Christian faith is that we have a means for dealing with sin when we become aware of it in our lives. Some people try to deal with sin by denying it even exists. They think if we don’t name sin, then we won’t have to deal with guilt. Others try to bury sin by some form of excessive living: drinking, drugs or overworking. Still others try to balance their sins with good works, hoping to tip the scales in the right direction.
But Jesus offers us the only means of truly dealing with sin, by confessing it and asking for His forgiveness:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness"(1 John 1:9, NIV).
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Last Supper
The Lenten season is probably my favorite time of year. I received this in email today:
The Last Supper
Visitors to Milan, Italy, for the past several centuries have paused in the dining room of the monastery to view one of the most famous paintings of all time: Leonardo de Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
The artist attempted to capture one of the most poignant moments of Jesus’ life—the announcement of His betrayal by Judas. The painting also captures the apparent consternation of the other disciples as well as Judas’s defensiveness.
But much more was happening in the Upper Room. Jesus was saying farewell to His disciples, trying to prepare them for what was coming yet that night, and instituting an ordinance that would be practiced throughout Church history. He also referred to His future Kingdom.
We malign the disciples for their lack of understanding, but we can also miss the point of Jesus’ words in the Upper Room if we are not careful. The Lenten season is a good time to again contemplate His teaching that causes us to:
•Remember the past.
•Reflect on the present.
•Rejoice in the future.
Remember the Past
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me’” (Luke 22:19, NIV).
Though Jesus had not yet gone to the cross, He asked the disciples to partake of the bread in remembrance of Him. How strange the words must have sounded to them, but they understood after the cross.
Our communion services, which sometimes we participate in casually, are to be times of remembering the love of Christ which took Him to the cross. The coming weeks before Easter are a good time to give special thought to the sacrifice which was made in our place. Take time to remember Him!
Reflect on the Present
The Apostle Paul challenged the Corinthians to take seriously the practice of taking the Lord’s Supper. It was not to be just a ritual to commemorate the past, but a time of reflecting on their present spiritual condition.
“A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28, 29, NIV).
By partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we acknowledge our appreciation for the work of Christ on the cross, and that we are appropriating His sacrifice for our own sins. This time of self-reflection is a vital part of participation in the Lord’s Supper.
Rejoice in the Future
As wonderful as it is to have our sins forgiven, it is not the only provision of Christ’s work on the cross. We have the hope of spending eternity with the Lord. Even on that dark night in the Upper Room, Jesus pointed His disciples to the future home of sharing together in the eternal Kingdom.
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26, NIV).
The Last Supper
Visitors to Milan, Italy, for the past several centuries have paused in the dining room of the monastery to view one of the most famous paintings of all time: Leonardo de Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
The artist attempted to capture one of the most poignant moments of Jesus’ life—the announcement of His betrayal by Judas. The painting also captures the apparent consternation of the other disciples as well as Judas’s defensiveness.
But much more was happening in the Upper Room. Jesus was saying farewell to His disciples, trying to prepare them for what was coming yet that night, and instituting an ordinance that would be practiced throughout Church history. He also referred to His future Kingdom.
We malign the disciples for their lack of understanding, but we can also miss the point of Jesus’ words in the Upper Room if we are not careful. The Lenten season is a good time to again contemplate His teaching that causes us to:
•Remember the past.
•Reflect on the present.
•Rejoice in the future.
Remember the Past
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me’” (Luke 22:19, NIV).
Though Jesus had not yet gone to the cross, He asked the disciples to partake of the bread in remembrance of Him. How strange the words must have sounded to them, but they understood after the cross.
Our communion services, which sometimes we participate in casually, are to be times of remembering the love of Christ which took Him to the cross. The coming weeks before Easter are a good time to give special thought to the sacrifice which was made in our place. Take time to remember Him!
Reflect on the Present
The Apostle Paul challenged the Corinthians to take seriously the practice of taking the Lord’s Supper. It was not to be just a ritual to commemorate the past, but a time of reflecting on their present spiritual condition.
“A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28, 29, NIV).
By partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we acknowledge our appreciation for the work of Christ on the cross, and that we are appropriating His sacrifice for our own sins. This time of self-reflection is a vital part of participation in the Lord’s Supper.
Rejoice in the Future
As wonderful as it is to have our sins forgiven, it is not the only provision of Christ’s work on the cross. We have the hope of spending eternity with the Lord. Even on that dark night in the Upper Room, Jesus pointed His disciples to the future home of sharing together in the eternal Kingdom.
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26, NIV).
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