GOD'S CHICKS

Tis the Season

2011-12-01T10:50:00.004-07:00

I love Christmas for so many reasons, but since becoming a mama, the magnitude of this precious holiday has sunk in. I get to instill in my two precious girls a love for Jesus Christ, the little baby who came to this world, innocent and yet knowing what his cup held. And he would have come, even if it were only to save me. This is not new news, but awesome and amazing every time I think about it. Thank you, Jesus!

This year my girls are 2 and 4. Old enough to get involved! So, we have made a list of different activities that we are going to do this year. Some are service activities. We are going to make cookies and write a note to our grumpy postman. We have gone through the toys and picked several that are in hardly used (or never used) condition and are bringing them to the local Santa Shop, along with a few new toys that we picked out. We have already donated food items to a family in need, and will continue to pray for that family.

We are also doing the fun stuff. You guessed it - we'll be making Christmas cookies, decorating the tree making a paper chain, building gingerbread houses, watching all the Christmas movies on TV, reading the countless Christmas books that I collected from my years of teaching, writing Santa a letter, and getting our fill of hot chocolate and egg nog!

But this year, more than in years past, we are going to be making Jesus the main focus of our holiday. I will be working with my oldest daughter talking about what it means to celebrate Jesus' birthday. My friend Traci wrote about this a few days ago, and I loved the idea. We get gifts for his birthday, and He is the ultimate gift, but what can we give Him? What does Jesus want for his birthday? Then we'll make these our goals for 2012.

I am also using our Advent Box again this year, but adding a little twist to it. We will continue to open one box a day and place the ornament on the two little trees, but we will talk about what the ornament is and what it means, and then we're going to pray using the ornament as the prayer focus. Even if it's just a little snowflake, we'll thank God for the purity and cleansing that the snow brings. We have an entire tiny nativity that takes up about 12 days, so it will be fun explaining to the girls what each figure is and what it means!

The last thing that I'm super excited about will be our weekly family Advent dinners. My friend Emily does this every year, and I wanted to try it last year, but didn't. Each week we will set the table with my "fancy" Christmas dishes and enjoy a yummy meal by candlelight and treelight. Each week we'll light a new candle and read the Scriptures. The breakdown looks like this:
Week One: Luke 1:26-38 ~Gabriel tells Mary that she has been chosen to be the Messiah's mother~
Week Two: Luke 2:1-7 ~Jesus is born in a manger~
Week Three: Luke 2:8-20 ~The angels visit the shepherds and the shepherds visit Jesus~
Week Four: Matthew 2:1-12 ~The Wisemen visit Jesus bringing gifts~

On Christmas Eve our plan is to attend an early Christmas Eve service in the afternoon and then hunker down at home. We'll put on our new Christmas jammies that were delivered earlier that day by one of Santa's faithful elves (probably Buddy the Elf), eat potato soup and homemade bread, and then cuddle up with our hot chocolate to watch the Polar Express. We will read the whole Christmas story from Luke, which will be even more real to the girls since we'll have been talking about it all month, and then let the Sugar Plums dance in our heads!

Here's to an awesome CHRISTmas season. What are you up to?

"Did You Hear...?"

2011-11-28T16:10:00.005-07:00

...A woman's three favorite words.

Who doesn't love the latest and "greatest" juicy news? We, especially women, are, I would venture to say, slightly addicted to gossip.

But we're not really gossips, right? We're just "talking through things," or "sharing a prayer request."

What is gossip? And how do we stop it?

I was once told that gossip is anything that you would not say in front of the person that you are "discussing". This little nugget has stuck with me for a long time. How much of what I say would I want someone else to hear? I try to keep this in mind when I am in the middle of conversations, but it's tough. It is so easy to get sucked into a super juicy conversation. And if you think you're only guilty of gossip if you spread it, I think you're wrong. If you sit and listen, you are just as guilty as if the words were spewing from your mouth.

Do I have your attention now?

Think for a minute, how many times in the past week have you either shared or heard some form of gossip? That's what I thought.

So, what can we do?

This is definitely the hard part, and people will probably talk about it! But, it's so important to take a stand. If you are addicted to being the gossiper - the one who can't help but share information as soon as you hear it - STOP IT! Be in prayer about the words that come out of your mouth. Pray that they will be encouraging. Pray that you will be strong and that God will use your mouth for good and not bad. Our tongues are vicious, and once words are said, that's it. They're out there, and no matter what, you can't take them back. Plus, people will always wonder what you say about them behind their backs.

If you are the silent listener, you also need to take a stand. I don't know what that looks like for you, but perhaps you can start with letting your close friends know that you don't want to hear the latest news. You can walk away from an awkward conversation that you can tell is heading into an ugly direction. You could really be bold and stop the conversation before it begins.

I would also encourage you to go directly to a person instead of listening to the idle chatter to get the real story. This way you know what really has happened, straight from her mouth, and won't get caught up believing the lies that have passed through the rumor mill.

I would encourage each one of you to get a friend and work through this together, in prayer and by holding one another accountable.

Let's be God Chicks together!

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
~Proverbs 31:26

"...their (deacons) wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything."
~1 Timothy 3:11

"Turn away from godless chatter..."
~1 Timothy 6:20

He IS

2011-11-21T13:41:00.004-07:00

It's the week of Thanksgiving, which is always a time to reflect on what we are thankful for, and there are many things that I am thankful for. But, for the rest of my life, I know that I will always reflect on my experience right after my youngest daughter was born. I’m sure many of you have heard this story so many times that you could give an accurate account, but on this particular night I saw God move in ways I had only ever dreamed.

So humor me once again as I share what I am truly thankful for, and bear with me, this is a little long, but written from my heart.

I was sound asleep in my hospital bed, which is almost unheard of. My one day-old baby was safe in the nursery, and would be brought to me shortly. When the door opened, I was not at all surprised, but I was shocked when the nurse who came in was the NICU nurse, and came without my baby.

She began to talk to me about routine blood pressure monitoring and that our baby girl was showing some irregularities that were now being monitored in the NICU. She talked about something being wrong with her heart, the cardiologist would take scans in the morning, and that she might need heart surgery.

I wish I could tell you everything she said, but at that moment all I could do was fight back the tears. My heart was breaking for a little girl who I had only known for a little over a day, but had loved for almost a year.

When the nurse left, I broke down. My husband did his best to hold it together, but even his voice began to shake. We called our parents and some of our friends, and knew that prayers were being prayed for our baby girl. And then my husband prayed while I cried and agreed with him.

Walking to the NICU to see her was surreal. I remembered a comment that I had made a few months ago when we had attended a funeral for a baby girl who died of a heart condition. It was something along the lines of hoping that we would never have to be NICU parents. And here we were, washing our hands and walking over to see our little girl with all kinds of wires and machines all over her.

I held her and rocked her and prayed for her. While we were with her, there were no blood pressure discrepancies. We left her and tried to sleep. But I could not. And all I could focus on were these words that kept repeating in my head:

He is
He was
He always will be

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
He is

This is the song “He Is” by Mark Schultz. It was almost as if the Lord was whispering to me, “I am here, I have been here, and I will always be here.”

A few hours later we made our way to the NICU again. But this time we walked with an amazing sense of peace. Once again, her blood pressures were matching up. They had not seen any discrepancies since she had been in the NICU, which was a good sign.

I did fall asleep, and slept peacefully. And then some nurses came in the room. I was groggy and my eyes were swollen from crying so hard, but I could hear one of them saying, “We have someone here, and she’s a hungry girl.” My eyes welled up once again and I thought to myself, “You’re in the wrong room. My baby’s sick and she can’t come to me.” But then I looked over, and there she was. No wires, no machines. Just my wide-eyed baby girl.

The nurse explained that every single time they checked her blood pressures, they matched “too perfectly”. I don’t know about you, but those in the medical profession rarely use the term “perfect”. Chills went down my spine and the tears spilled over. The cardiologist would no longer be consulted, and we were all three going home in a few hours.

I wish I could say that this was the only time God healed this little girl, but I would be lying. He has touched her so many times it’s amazing!

She turned two this past week. I continue to be in awe and so thankful. We knew she would be our Thanksgiving baby, but we had no idea that she would be our miracle.

Who Do You Dress For?

2011-11-17T13:17:00.001-07:00

When I was in elementary, middle, and high school, there were certain dress guidelines that were not only in place, but were also enforced. The girls’ shorts and skirts could not be more than 3 inches above one’s knees (when kneeling). I know in elementary school, our shirts had to have sleeves (no strapless or tank tops) and they also had to cover our tummies. I think this was also part of the middle and high school dress code, but I’m not sure it was enforced. The crazy thing is that I think the dress code is still the same, but not enforced at all!

Don’t misunderstand me. I certainly do not believe it is the school’s job to train our daughters up as far as what is and is not appropriate, but I do wonder what happened! Especially when the teachers may or may not follow the dress code themselves.

Modesty is something that I am becoming more and more passionate about. As a wife of a man and a mother of two little girls, I definitely notice what other ladies are wearing (or not wearing, as is sometimes the case). I know that going back into history, what is deemed “sexy” has shifted from ankles, to big thighs (ah, the good old days), to bottoms, and now bosoms. I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said, “Boobies make me smile.” And, I have a feeling that’s one happy man, because bosoms are on display!

When I get dressed I definitely want to feel good about what I am wearing. However, I am now much more aware of what others can see. I toe a fine line between wanting to dress sexy for my husband and still dress appropriately for my friends’ husbands. We can not be naïve and think they won’t notice, because they do. Granted, men must take responsibility for their own actions, but we don’t need to put them to the test!

I also want my daughters to know what is and is not appropriate. At one and three, I want them to dress like they are one and three. I want my girls to remain innocent for as long as possible. When I taught I was often times appalled at what some of my sweet little first and fifth graders would come to school in.

So, ladies, wives, and mamas, be aware of what you’re wearing and who is watching what you wear.

Responding to the "F" Word

2011-11-16T15:09:00.002-07:00

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. ~ Psalm 9:9 – 10 (NIV)

Fear. It’s a stronghold that I battle with more than I’d like to admit. My imagination has an ugly way of running away with my thoughts, and before I know it, fear has its foot in my heart. Often times I don’t even realize that I’m afraid of something until I feel its paralyzing effects.

If I’m not careful, I could spend my life in constant fear. All we have to do is turn on the news to see that this world is full of things to dread. Whether its something far away or close to home; fear and worry are real.

But I have hope, peace, and comfort. This Psalm that King David wrote thousands of years ago continues to bring solace to me today. Regardless of what is happening around me, these words of promise and hope can come to my mind and remind me that I am not alone.

The key words that stick out to me are: refuge – protection, security; oppressed – abused, crushed; stronghold – fort, castle; trouble – trial, suffering; trust – believe, hope; forsaken – desert, leave; and seek – look for, try to find.

We can’t change the fact that life can be scary. What we can control, however, is how we respond. We can live in fear and never really live. Or, we can find comfort in the fact that our Lord will never leave us. He will always be our fortress and will protect us. All we have to do is look for Him.

Where Has the Time Gone?

2011-11-14T16:21:00.002-07:00

I cannot believe it has been almost 2 years since I have posted here. Two Years! I know that not only because my last post was dated in January of 2010, but also because my little miracle baby who I posted about will be turning 2 on Friday. I can guarantee you that there is very little baby left, and lots of toddler, and all the joys and such that come with the toddler years! My little girl who was 2 the last time I posted is now 4. She is in preschool, writing letters, knows her numbers, and has become quite independent and sassy! In a few short months, she will head to kindergarten! When I started God's Chicks, that little chickie was only a few months old! The saying is quite true: Time Flies By!

If there are any readers left, please know that I have sincerely missed you. I have kept up with a few of you through Facebook, but for the most part, I have been absent from the Blog World.

What has brought me back, you may be wondering? It's just time. I'm at a new place, and feel like it's time to recommit myself to this blog and this ministry.

I am so excited to jump back in, and can't wait to hear from you and catch up. My love to you all!

Do You Believe in Miracles - Part Two

2010-01-15T02:48:00.008-07:00

If you want to read the first part of this story, click here.

Several months before Baby Chick was due to arrive, the Lord spoke to me during worship. We were singing the song, "Healer" by Hillsong. The chorus of this song says:

I believe you're my healer, I believe you are all I need, I believe you're my portion, I believe you're more than enough for me. Jesus you're all I need.

It goes on to say:

Nothing is impossible for you, Nothing is impossible for you, Nothing is impossible for you, You hold my world in your hands.

God spoke so clearly, saying that I was going to need this kind of faith to make it through a trial that was coming. Immediately I began crying out to God, "Not my children. Anything but my children!"

Miracle Number Three:
Shock and Awe!

My birth story is relatively uneventful. I was induced, and it went a lot faster than anyone expected, and my husband almost missed it because he thought he had time to get a bagel, as well as my doctor who came in after the pushing began, but after only two pushes, out she came. A perfectly healthy Baby Chick.

Both my husband and I were excited that our hospital now offers a nursery where the babes can go at night. When our first daughter was born, the hospital did not offer this feature, and we were left with a screamer and got no sleep, going home exhausted and scared. This time, however, would be different.

The first night was great! The nurses brought her in a few times to eat, and then back to the nursery she went, and back to sleep I went. We woke up in the morning, ready for a new day of visitors and baby bonding.

The second night is where the tide turns, and God's faithfulness, grace, and mercy become evident.

Around 12:30 am on November 20th, 2009, the NICU nurse came in, with no baby. She began to explain that during a routine blood pressure check, Baby Chick's numbers were not matching like they should. Babies have their blood pressure checked on their arms and legs, and the two pressures should be close. Baby Chick's leg pressures were much lower than her arms, which could indicate a possible heart condition that would require surgery. The nurse explained that although Baby Chick had been monitored for a heart condition in utero, this condition would not have been caught because this particular valve, that pumps blood from the upper half of the body to the lower half does not close until after birth. If this valve does not close after birth, however, no blood is being pumped to her lower extremities, and can be fatal. A call had already been placed with the Pediatric Cardiologist who would run tests in the morning. Until then, Baby Chick would remain in the NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit) where she had been moved, for constant monitoring.

My heart stopped. I listened to every word and shook my head, confirming that I heard what the nurse was saying. It was surreal. My husband woke up after she had been talking for awhile, and asked some questions. Both of us were stunned. The nurse told us to come to the NICU in a few minutes to feed our baby.

As soon as she left, I began crying. My husband prayed, as he was struggling to be strong for me. We called our families and some friends that we knew would pray. All we wanted was this little girl to be covered in prayer.

We pulled ourselves together and walked down to the NICU. Walking into that nursery was like having an out of body experience. This is what happens to other people, but not to us. We had a healthy baby. The nurses welcomed us with those "I'm so sorry" smiles and showed us where Baby Chick was. I gasped, looking at my tiny 6 pound baby hooked up to many monitors. She had wires all over her body, and blood pressure cuffs on her arm and leg. The nurse explained that those were the numbers they would be monitoring every hour.

She pushed the button for the blood pressure cuffs, and my husband and I held our breaths. The arm and leg pressures were nearly the same. The nurse said that is what the numbers should look like, but had not, which is why we were all where we were. My husband asked if this was common. When the nurse paused, we both knew that it was not. She said that this is pretty rare.

As I was nursing my baby girl, I prayed. The Lord placed these lyrics in my heart:

He is, He was, He always will be. Even when it feels like there is no one holding me. Be still, my soul. He is.

I didn't know the rest of the song, but I just kept singing these words over and over.

Leaving Baby Chick in the NICU was really hard to do, but we headed back to our room. My husband fell asleep, but I just lay there, with those words still in my head. I felt God's presences and peace, but I couldn't sleep. I got up to find out how the rest of the song went.

He Is
by Mark Schultz

Father, let the world just fade away
Let me feel your presence in this place
Lord, I’ve never been so weary
How I need to know you’re near me
Father, let the world just fade away

Till I’m on my knees
Till my heart can sing

He is
He was
He always will be

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
He is

Father, let your Holy Spirit sing
Let it calm the storm inside of me
As I stand amazed
Lift my hands and say

He is
He was
He always will be

He lives
He loves
He’s always with me

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
Through every fear
And every doubt
And every tear I shed
Down every road
I’m not alone
No matter where I am

He is
He was
And He always will be

He lives
He loves
He’s always with me
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
Be still, and know
Be still, my soul
He is

I just sat there, taking in every word and bawling. I was crying for my new baby and I was crying in awe of how great my God is (and was). I read the words over and over, spilling tears on the computer, and praising God. My mind wandered to a Beth Moore Bible Study I was doing. In the Daniel study she talks about 3 Scenarios. The first one is the easiest. You are faced with a difficult situation and God saves you from any harm before stepping in the fire. The second one, you have to step in the fire, but He saves you. The third scenario means that you step in the fire, and He saves you, but you are saved through death.

I prayed that we wouldn't suffer through the third scenario. I could handle surgery and recovery, but I did not want to face death. I just got her. How could I let her go already?

At some point I got in bed, but never really slept.

When the phone rang I knew it was the NICU nurse. It was time to feed the baby. On our way down the hall, both my husband and I were struck by the peace that was overwhelming us.

We weren't too surprised when the nurse shared that all of the blood pressure checks had come back with normal numbers that were matching. Praise God!

I nursed her and walked away from her again, back to our room. I slept.

The next thing I remember is a nurse walking in, telling me that someone was hungry. I didn't have my glasses on, but I could see a bassinet being wheeled in. My heart broke. "You're in the wrong room. My baby's sick and is in the NICU." These are the words I was about to utter, when I realized it was the NICU nurse with my baby.

"Her results are too perfect to have anything wrong with her. We've canceled the cardiologist, the EKG, and the echocardiogram. This little girl is going home with you today."

Who knows that medical professionals never use the words TOO PERFECT unless God has shown up? AMEN!!!

The tears came - again! But this time I was crying tears of happiness, joy, and thanks. I praised God and thanked Him for healing Baby Chick's heart. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving that hospital without a baby, and now I wouldn't have to.

It had been a long night, and I couldn't put this little miracle down. My husband's mother came early that morning, and some of my wonderful friends came as well. We all marveled at God's miracle! We all reveled in the peace He had provided all of us with. And we all cried. We were overwhelmed by God's mercy.

Our pediatrician wanted us to go to Children's Hospital to make sure everything was fine. We knew it would be, but for peace of mind, we went. They did an EKG and an echocardiogram. When we met with the cardiologist, she looked at us and said, "Why are you here? Your baby is completely healthy." We knew this already.

We give all of the praise and glory to our Savior. He is so good and so faithful. I thank God everyday for my daughters, and continue to praise Him for this miracle. She is a daily reminder that our God hears our prayers.

Do You Believe in Miracles?

2010-01-14T14:15:00.004-07:00

Meet my Baby Chick. She is 8 weeks old today. She has been one miracle after another, and I can no longer hold out on you. Her story is too amazing not to share. Watch and see how God's hand has been on this little girl since the very beginning.

This will be long, so I might have to post over a few days.

Miracle Number One:
Getting Pregnant

I have a condition known as Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). As is obvious in the title of my condition, there are many cysts on my ovaries. For the most part this doesn't cause me too many problems. The main side effects are irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty losing weight (especially in my tummy). This is due to the heightened amount of testosterone that is produced in my body as well as an imbalance of insulin. The biggest problem for me, however, is that I do not ovulate very well. How many of you know it's pretty tricky to get pregnant if your body is not allowing eggs out of your ovaries?

Getting pregnant with my first daughter required me taking some drugs, keeping track of my Basil Body Temperature, and prayer. I was all set for the same regiment this time, but God had a much different plan for me.

If you look back between November 2008 and February 2009, you will see posts plagued with me explaining that I'm really sick. I had some kind of stomach condition that caused me to lose about 25 pounds. It was never diagnosed, even after a battery of tests. Needless to say, I was unable to take the pills necessary to ovulate, and I was not, for lack of better words, "in the mood."

But, after missed a period in March, I started to wonder if I might be pregnant. I was feeling almost like myself again, but could I really be "with child?"

After taking the first test, I couldn't tell if it was a positive or not. I could faintly see two lines, but I wasn't sure if I was just seeing what I wanted to see, or if I really saw a plus. So, I bought another test. This time with the words. You can't mistake those results!

Both my husband and I were floored at the results! How did this happen? And when? Between me being sick and him not feeling well when I supposedly could have ovulated, we really weren't sure how this happened, but it did, and we both we so thankful. We knew this was a blessing from the Lord.

Miracle Number Two:
A Heart Stopper

My pregnancy progressed well. I was pretty sick from about 6 weeks through 14 weeks, and then I felt great! I really didn't even feel pregnant at all. The baby was healthy and developing right on schedule. We found out at 20 weeks that we were having another girl, and although I thought I wanted a boy, I was fine with a girl (and had known that I was deep down).

This is the way it was until my 32 week appointment. My regular doctor was out of town, so I was seeing one of her colleagues. He and I were talking Explorers (ah, the 5th grade teacher in me lives on and on). All was normal until he placed the doppler heart monitor on my stomach. He found the heart beat right away, but it was skipping beats.

I heard it immediately, and could tell that he was concerned. He started talking really fast, and I was nodding. I remember him saying that he wanted me to see a specialist right away. Of course, I nodded. He didn't think there was any reason to be concerned, but obviously something was not right.

I got in the car and started crying. I was scared. I called my husband and told him what had happened. I prayed all the way home. I called my friends and my mom. We all were praying for this little life. I knew God's hand was on her, but what were we going to find out? We had just attended the funeral of my husband's cousin's little baby girl who died of a heart condition at only 64 days old. Is that what we were in for?

This was Tuesday morning.

The rest of Tuesday we spent praying and researching (my husband) and crying (me) and feeling a peace that I've only experienced a handful of times when others were praying for me. It was amazing, and by that night, neither of us were worried. We knew that not only was our little girl in the Lord's hands, and always had been, but she was covered in prayer.

We went to the specialist that Thursday, and much to our relief (but not to our surprise) everything is fine. She had a condition called Fetal Premature Atrial Contractions, which in everyday people terms was described to us like this:

The reason for the “skipped beats” is Premature Arterial Contraction (PAC). The way the doctor described it was that babies in the womb receive less oxygen than we do. And this smaller amount of oxygen sometimes sends weird signals to the pacemaker and causes the chambers to pump at irregular times. This is what causes the “skips”. The doctor said they were not uncommon and extremely benign. It usually takes care of itself once the baby is born when they take their first breaths and get the full amount of oxygen.

So, as you can see, God answered our prayers in a mighty way! Not only did we get to see Baby Chick's heart beating away, and all four chambers looking super healthy, but we also were fortunate enough to have another ultrasound. This little girl is quite bendy, since at one point she had one foot and one hand above her head while the other hand and foot were under her bottom. She then moved both feet and legs under her bottom in a very modest fashion when we were trying to confirm her "girl parts", but, she did move just enough for the confirmation to be determined! The doctor thought that she looked great, from head to toe! Another blessing.

**I'll stop here for today. The next miracle is the best one! Please share in His glory tomorrow!

Anita Renfroe's Top Ten List

2010-01-13T19:21:00.004-07:00

A good woman is hard to find...When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say.
~Proverbs 31:10, 26~

10. Surround yourself with people who build you up.
9. Take care of your body.
8. You make your decisions - but then your decisions make you.
7. A chapter of Proverbs a day keeps the stupids away.
6. Keep your destiny in mind.
5. Pray about everything.
4. Never make important decisions when you are tired or hungry.
3. Take time to decide what is worth doing, then do it with your whole heart and with excellence.
2. Call home.
1. Love God.

~Anita Renfroe from If It's Not One Thing, It's Your Mother

2 Corinthians 13, Galatians 1-2

2010-01-07T17:21:00.004-07:00

2 Corinthians 13, Galatians 1 - 2

¹⁰Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
~Galatians 1:10

This verse in Galatians always stands out to me. Who am I trying to please? Am I more interested in what the world, or sometimes the church, thinks about me, or am I consistently concerned with what God thinks? If I'm honest, I would probably have to say that more often than not I worry more about what my peers will think than my Lord and Savior.

Why is it that we concern ourselves with worldly ideas? Why do we care what someone else thinks of us?

I know so often there are things that I should say (and sometimes things that I shouldn't say) but I don't (or I do) because I know that it is what is expected of me. Wouldn't I be reflecting Christ much better if I stopped myself and thought about what God would want of me?

I know this is so obvious, and yet, I still struggle with this.

Lord, please give me the strength and conviction to please you with my actions and words, regardless of what the world around me thinks.

2 Corinthians 10 - 12

2010-01-06T08:30:00.002-07:00

Alright ladies, today is Day One of the Scripture Reading that my pastor is leading. Because he introduced us to this method last Fall, the congregation was challenged to become part of the "3x30" campaign, in which we read 3 chapters of scripture every day for 30 days. The thought was that we would become disciplined in our scripture study, and would continue on our own. However, it was discovered that was not the case. So, that is why Day One does not begin at the beginning of a book, but rather towards the end. I suppose there were people who had continued on independently, and so we're picking up right where they are.

Remember, when you study scripture, it's important to really get into the passages. Beth Moore always wanted us to pray for "wisdom and understanding" before beginning the homework for her Daniel study (which is phenomenal and life-changing!). I would challenge you to do the same. This way the Spirit is able to move through you and open your heart to the message that the Lord has in his Word for you!

Just a quick recap:

· Read: Use the planned schedule to read three chapters of the Bible. Click here to print the plan.
· Underline: As you read underline verses that speak to you.
· Isolate: Isolate one part that you underlined and make that your verse for the day.
· Journal: Use a notebook and write a paragraph about what that verse speaks to you and what you can do as a result of its reflection.
· Share: Join others and post your thoughts about what that verse means to you on http://www.powerofthree.org/. **You can just post a comment here if you feel more comfortable, but you can always check out what others have said on the Power of 3 website.

2 Corinthians 10-12

⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Isn't it amazing how the Lord can speak right to you with words that are almost 2000 years old! I am always amazed by this!

I have to little chicks at home. One is a little over two, and the other is 7 weeks old today. Needless to say, I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted! Right when I sat down to read my scriptures for the day my 7 week old began crying, again. She is a very needy little girl, and although I love how snuggly she is, my back isn't loving holding her all day. She doesn't nap unless I'm holding her, and she always wants to be held, which isn't conducive for handling the day to day battles with my two year old. We are in the midst of "testing the waters" and learning that no means no, and that you don't always get what you want when you want it, and that whining will never get you what you want! Plus, both girls are getting up at night. I can understand the baby, she needs to eat, but what's with the toddler???

Anyway, these words were so comforting to me this morning. All promises that I know. In fact, nearly this whole passage was underlined and dated 6/22/03, which, if I remember correctly, was when my husband and I were dating and trying to "figure" a few things out!

However, today I really needed these comforting words. The note in my Bible said this:

The greater our weakness and trials for Christ, the more grace God will give to accomplish his will. What he gives is always sufficient for us to live our daily lives, to work for him, and to endure our suffering and "thorns" in the flesh. As long as we draw near to Christ, Christ will give us his heavenly strength and comfort.

Another day I will share some ways in which I have seen the Lord provide this strength.

Let me encourage you today, God is so faithful, and His grace is enough! Praise Him today and thank the Lord for giving you everything that you require!

Take Two

2010-01-05T14:15:00.006-07:00

For those of you who are still with me, thank you. The past few months have been crazy, and my faith has been tested, but, in the end, the Lord's timing has been perfect, and I can see that in every situation. So many prayers have been answered, and He is so good and faithful. I will be sharing some of my experiences with you throughout the year.

But, a new year calls for a new plan! And I am so excited about this one.

Last year I shared some information about studying your Bible that my pastor had shared with me. He is a firm believer that one must be intentional about studying the Word, and I wholeheartedly agree!

My pastor has developed a reading program called The Power of 3. Basically, the entire church will be reading the same three chapters of scripture each day. His hope is to usher our congregation into good study habits. He has designed a study plan as well as a blog to share experiences and insights.

So, if you're anything like me, you've probably resolved to spend more time reading your Bible. I never know where to start, and often times end up reading my favorite books over and over. But, I know I need to know the whole Bible. I love this idea because I won't be doing this alone.

I would strongly encourage you to join me as I journey through the Bible. Please feel free to comment here or at The Power of 3. There you will find daily conversations on the Bible reading for the day. Here, I can't promise that I'll post something everyday, but I will be doing my best.

You can learn more about studying your Bible here:

If you want the reading plan, go to The Power of 3 website. There you can download the reading plan that we will be following. The schedule begins tomorrow, January 6th! I can't wait!!!

Words to Ponder

2010-01-05T13:55:00.003-07:00

Hosanna by Hillsong is one of my favorite worship songs right now. One of the reasons I love this song is because I feel like the Holy Spirit has used these particular lyrics to open my heart to what He wants of me:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I go from nothing to Eternity

Aren't those words convicting and comforting? This is my "mantra" for the new year. I hope you'll join me as I seek the Lord and learn to be more Christlike.

Hosanna by Hillsong

I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

[Chorus]
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest [x2]

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

[Chorus]

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

[Chorus x2]

Hosanna in the highest

Studying Your Bible Effectively

2009-10-21T05:51:00.005-06:00

Today I'll conclude the notes from my pastor's sermon this past Sunday about studying the Bible.

How can you make daily devotional time more effective?

A. Set a daily appointment: Ps. 5:3 "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

1. What are the two best time frames for you to have your devotional time?
2. What are the two best places for you to have your devotional time?

B. Determine your pace and plan:
You need to establish a pace and time frame. Try filling in these blanks to help you get
started:

1. I want to start by reading _____ chapters a day.
2. I want to commit to reading the Bible _____ minutes a day.
3. I want to use the following Bible reading plan:
* The Bible in a year
* Cover to cover and chapter by chapter

C. Read God's Word: Ps. 119:18 "Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in your
law."

1. Pray: Ask God to open your spirit.
2. Read: Read the Word.
3. Underline: As you read, underline verses that speak to you.
4. Isolate: Review the things you underlined and isolate one part that you underlined and
make that your verse for the day.
5. Journal: Use a notebook and write a paragraph about what that verse speaks to you and
what you can do as a result of its reflection.

D. Apply the Word: James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and deceive yourselves. Do
what it says."

Here are some great questions to ask yourself:

Is there a promise for me to claim?
Is there an example I am to follow?
Is there some sin or weakness I need to avoid?
Is there a command for me to obey?
Is there a new thought about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?

Sermon notes by Pastor Gene Roncone

A NOTE FROM FRIEND CHICK

I whole heartedly believe that we each need to be in the Word daily. This is our spiritual nourishment that the Lord has so graciously provided for us. However, read the Bible to learn what God has for you. Pray for knowledge and wisdom before you begin reading each day. What I don't necessarily believe is that it is essential to read through the Bible each year. Personally, whenever I make this my goal, I become so determined to keep up with the reading schedule and forget to learn from my reading. Don't get caught up and overwhelmed. Often times I only read one chapter a day, searching for that scripture that the Lord wants to reveal to me so that I can learn. Believe me, it's awesome when the Lord speaks to you through His Word! He's amazing!

Also in this series:

Why Study Your Bible Daily?

2009-10-20T06:17:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I mentioned that my pastor had spoken recently on Biblical study and why it's so important. I wanted to outline a few of his notes for you.

He broke his sermon up in two parts. The first part had to do with why daily devotions are important.

The scripture that my pastor referenced was Exodus 33:7-11:

The Tent of Meeting

⁷ Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. ⁸ And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. ⁹ As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. ¹⁰ Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. ¹¹ The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Why You Need Daily Devotional Time:

A. Relationships need nurturing: Ex. 33:8,11 "...whenever Moses went out to the tent...The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend."

B. Daily life can distract us from God: Ex. 33:7 "Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the 'tent of meeting.'"

C. You need to hear God's voice: Ex. 33:9 "As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses."

D. You need it to keep growing: 1 Pet. 2:2 "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."

Notes from Pastor Gene Roncone

Something to Think About

2009-10-19T09:05:00.004-06:00

Our Pastor preached yesterday about daily devotional time. I am going to outline some of what he said over the next few days, but I wanted to leave you with this:

"Never leave a passage until you can write down what God is saying to you in order that you can pray it back to God."

Quote from Pastor Gene Roncone

Baby Chick Update

2009-09-18T15:56:00.004-06:00

I know that many of you are already aware of this, but we had a little scare this week when I went in for my 30 week appointment. Baby Chick's heart sounded like it was skipping beats. I heard it several times, and could see a little bit of concern in the doctor's face, which immediately turned into a lot of concern for me. He said that he wanted me to see a perinatalogist for a fetal echocardiogram.

This was Tuesday morning.

The rest of Tuesday we spent praying and researching (my husband) and crying (me) and feeling a peace that I've only experienced a handful of times when others were praying for me. It was amazing, and by that night, neither of us worried. We knew that not only was our little girl in the Lord's hands, and always had been, but she was covered in prayer.

We went to the specialist yesterday (Thursday), and much to our relief (but not to our surprise) everything is fine. She has a condition called Fetal Premature Atrial Contractions, which in everyday people terms was described to us like this:

My husband and I both felt relieved and extremely blessed. Thank you all for "Running to the Trumpet" with us. The Lord has truly blessed us with amazing and wonderful friends and family. We love you all so much.

A Quick Update

2009-08-21T09:55:00.004-06:00

Hey Girls!

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm still around, and getting rounder!!! I've been spending a lot of time with my almost two year old, reading books and playing babies, as well as trying to explain the new baby to her. I'm attempting to get the nursery transformed from a guest room/store all room into a baby's room; a much larger task than I had originally anticipated. In the midst of all of this, I also turned 30 (gulp...).

The real reason for my post is that I wanted to invite you to join Sarah Mae's 5:16 club as we embark on a new adventure.

We are going to be reading the book Prayer: The Great Adventure by David Jeremiah. Towards the end of September we will begin discussing the book and prayer. Click here if you are interested in joining us as we delve deeper into our own prayer lives.

On Holiday

2009-07-21T10:18:00.002-06:00

I'm sure this will surprise no one, but I have decided, after prayerful consideration, to take an extended break from my blog. With an almost 2-year old and my new one on the way, I am feeling overwhelmed and the needs of my family take priority over my computer habits. I'm not ready to shut down, and I am really hoping to get back to you at some point, but at this point, I'm just not sure when that will be. I know that I am not alone, as many of you have been pregnant with other children, and I admire your ability to keep up with your blogs, but I am just not there right now. I hope you all understand.

My love to you all!

Sugar and Spice...

2009-07-07T21:15:00.002-06:00

...and everything nice...

We found out today that we're expecting another little girl! Although I had my heart set on a boy, I'm really excited! The ultrasound showed us a healthy baby girl, and that's what I've been praying for.

Thank you for sticking with me. The summer is just crazy, but fun. Hope all is well with you my dear friends.

Personal Reflection

2009-06-23T07:25:00.004-06:00

Hmmm...a little over a month later and I have not enlightened you in one way as to your Ministry Sweet Spot. I will, I promise. I can tell you that I am definitely not writing a "successful" blog right now. I'm aware, and once my "season" passes, I will be getting back in gear with you and trying once again to rebuild this ministry opportunity.

However, today, I just had to share some insights with you that I came across during my own personal devotions this morning.

I am studying 1 Peter. When I study a book in the Bible on my own, I like to take it section by section. If you are at all familiar with the NIV Bible, then you know that even within each chapter it is broken down into labeled sections that act almost like chapter titles so the reader has some idea about what they are going to be reading. This method works really well for me because it makes me take it slow, so that I can really let everything sink in, and my only "goal" is to really process the section that I read for that day. As I'm reading I try to find one or two verses that stand out to me, either because I feel it's relevant to something going on around me, or I feel like God is trying to grow or stretch me. Those are the verses I focus on in my reflection. I have read my Bible in its entirety a few times, cover to cover. One year a I decided to alternate and OT and then a NT. But I always felt so rushed and never able to let everything ruminate in my heart and wrap my spirit around what God was trying to reveal to me. My current theory is that there is no place in the Bible that says I have to read it cover to cover every year, so this is my new method, and I love what God is showing me! It's amazing, and I feel like I'm actually growing!

Anyway, enough about that. Moving on.

The section I read today is titled The Living Stone & a Chosen People from 1 Peter 2:4-12. The verses that stood out to me this morning were 11 and 12 followed by my reflection:

¹¹Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. ¹²Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

I can definitely see some of this now, and I'm sure throughout history. "Abstain from sinful desires." Like premarital sex or homosexuality? Like pornography and extramarital affairs? Like living modestly and refusing to compromise our little girls for today's "fashion" trends? Like drunkenness or a c'est la vie mentality? This is what surrounds us as Christians today. This is what we're up against. Everywhere we turn, we live in a very sexual world. When we choose not to participate, we are then accused of being close-minded and judgemental, not realistic, prudes, or sheltered.

What are we doing wrong that prevents the "pagans" from seeing the "good deeds?" Is it the way we go about "abstaining?" DO we have a holier than thou attitude? Do we accuse others and place harsh judgement, even though that is not our job whatsoever? Is it our other actions and words that make them realize that we're no different that they are?

Friends, my first instinct was to try to blame "them," but the reality is that they are doing exactly as Peter told us they would. They are accusing us of "doing wrong" when we "abstain," so I figured that we are the problem here. What is getting in the way of the "pagans" seeing our good deeds? What do we need to change in our "delivery," so to speak? It's time to look inward instead of outward and figure out why they are blinded.

Finding Your Ministry Sweet Spot

2009-05-21T16:21:00.003-06:00

God has given ... pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry, so the body of Christ may be built up."

Ephesians 4:11-12

Have you ever wondered if you are serving in God's will? God has gifted every single one of us in a unique way. However, often times we end up serving in an area of need instead of in our gifts and passions.

Exhibit A:
I serve in the church nursery one Sunday a month. In fact, my Sunday is the fourth Sunday, which is this coming Sunday. Why do I serve in the nursery? Do I just love other people's little babies so much that I long to sit on the nursery floor, hand out animal crackers, change poop diapers for an hour and a half, and hold babies the entire time? Uh, no. That is not me. I love my baby girl, but I am not a baby kind of gal. I don't get goo goo eyes at babies in the store. I don't beg my friends to let me hold their little darlings. I serve in the church nursery because there is a need - and I personally believe that if I'm going to utilize this facility for my own daughter, that I should volunteer. I get a bitter heart about this sometimes because I know that not everyone shares my convictions, but that's for another day...

As you can plainly see, this is definitely a ministry that I serve in, but not because I feel the Lord calling me to serve there. The Children's Pastor has called me to work here, and he knows that this is not my Ministry Sweet Spot. He explained to me, as only a children's pastor can, that this is a Secondary Ministry. Secondary Ministries are the ministries in the church that just need to happen. (I think he just made that up because he's in dire need of nursery workers - tee hee!)

So, what's my sweet spot? That is what I'll be covering over the next few days. We recently explored this very subject in my Sunday School class a few months ago. It was so enlightening that I thought I would share my newly gleaned wisdom with you.

Stick with me and I'll guide you along, sharing what I have learned.

Motivate Me Monday

2009-05-18T08:53:00.006-06:00

I know that I have been on hiatus from Motivate Me Mondays for quite some time, but I think I'm back. If you're curious as to the reason for my absence, click here.

For today's Motivate Me Monday, Sarah Mae asked us to link up with our very first blog posts. Here's mine. If you want to check out more "firsts," head over to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee.

"All About God's Chicks"
Sunday, November 9, 2008

I had a dream one night, and really felt like God was calling me to reach out to God's Chicks. During these uncertain times, now more than ever, we need to stand firm on God's promises, and know what we believe and what we stand for. We have been called to live in a world that does not always accept us for who we are and what we have been created to be. One of my very favorite books is called God Chicks, by Holly Wagner. She reminds her readers that "God Chicks come in all shapes and sizes, all colors and styles!" Wagner challengers her readers to find out who they really are by discovering who God created them to be. By knowing who you are, you will know how to function in the world around you, and truly know your God-given purpose, without dissolving into it. "God chicks are a force for change on the earth," according to Holly, and I don't think I could say it any better than that.

Holly Wagner says that there are 8 different "aspects of womanhood." These are the 8 attributes that every one of God's Chicks possess. In order to help us know ourselves better, I will reference these various Chicks from time to time. They are the "just b u chick", the "princess chick", the "warrior chick", the "champion chick", they "friend chick", the "party chick", the "lover chick", and the "whatever-it-takes chick." Each of these chicks is alive in you somewhere, and is essential for you to truly love yourself. I believe that by loving ourselves, it is easier to have a deeper love for Christ and others.

I can't guarantee that I'll post everyday, but I will do my best to post as often as possible. My heart aches for our country right now, and I really feel like we as Godly Women need to stand up for what we know is true!

The Secret's Out!

2009-05-16T09:33:00.003-06:00

I must preface this whole post by giving God all the glory! He is so good and so faithful!

Getting for some is a joy. For others it's a surprise. For me, it's a chore. Having been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome in 2004, I knew that getting pregnant was not going to be easy. With many cysts all over my ovaries, often times my body struggles to ovulate. This is why, without birth control pills, I don't even have regular periods.

All this to say that when we decided to start trying for our first baby, our doctor immediately prescribed a medication that is generally used for diabetics in order to regulate insulin levels. It was found that this medication also allowed ladies with PCOS to ovulate.

Along with the medication I was also tracking my Basil Body Temperature every morning, and really not noticing any big changes.

God was so good, and we were able to conceive in the first month. I was told that I needed to continue taking the medication throughout my pregnancy because often times the PCOS will attack the fetus and result in miscarriage.

So, fast forward two years. We were ready to start trying for baby number 2. I went in for the medication and started taking it immediately.

But, I got sick. So sick. I couldn't take the medication any more. I couldn't put anything in my stomach for weeks.

I was still tracking my BBT, but again, saw no changes. I also decided to buy one of those ovulation predictors only to find that the results will not work for women with PCOS. $17 dollars right down the toilet!

The doctor's were never able to diagnose what was wrong with me, but I did lose 25 pounds which was a bonus.

My husband and I were not trying to get pregnant, we were merely trying to survive. So imagine my surprise when I took the test and thought I saw a faint + sign on the screen. I couldn't believe it! Off I ran to Target for a digital test. I needed to know for sure.

And sure enough, there was the word I was praying I'd see: "Pregnant"

Here we are, at 12 weeks and a few days into my second pregnancy. I still feel sick, and have not gained a pound, but I'm so thrilled to be carrying around a miracle and blessing from the Lord!

This is why I have been mostly absent for the past few months. My sincerest apologies to you. I am hoping that I'll start feeling better in the next few weeks and can get back on track.

In the meantime, I'm praising God with what energy I have! He is so amazing and I am in complete awe of Him and His glory!

So, we're expecting a little Thanksgiving blessing.

Thank you Lord for this amazing miracle. I feel so blessed that you have chosen me to be this child's mother. Help this baby to grow and develop into a healthy little baby. I love you Lord.

Like a Warm Cup of Coffee's Blogaversary

2009-05-13T08:33:00.002-06:00

Sarah Mae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee is celebrating her one year blogaversary! Head on over for some inspiration, fun, and prizes! It only took me one read of her blog to become hooked. God uses this woman in amazing ways! Enjoy dear friends.

Wasted Pain

2009-05-08T10:20:00.004-06:00

Last summer I received a text on my cell phone.

"Pray for baby Molly. She was born earlier today and rushed to Children's Hospital. Don't know any details. Will keep you posted."

I knew the girl who sent me the text, but I had no idea who Molly was, nor her parents. But I prayed. I prayed for 7 days until I got the next text.

"Baby Molly passed away today. Thank you for all of your prayers."

WHAT!?!?!?

But I prayed.

I prayed for a little innocent life.

I prayed for people that I didn't even know.

But God did not heal baby Molly like I wanted/expected Him to.

He healed that precious girl, but He healed her by bringing her home to be with Him.

More questions. Why? Why would you give this young couple a little girl for only 7 days? Why?

I came across this message yesterday. I still have never met this family, but I have kept up with their lives this past year. I have rejoiced in their ups and cried with their downs. I knew that they were going to be featured in their pastor's message last Sunday and was waiting to see what they had to say about Molly.

My heart broke with them all over again. But, the message that they pastor gave was incredible! He talks about not wasting the pain that we are allowed to suffer. He talks about questioning God and how even Jesus and Paul asked God the tough questions. Sometimes we think we are struggling in our faith if we question God, but Jesus cried out to His Father, "God, why have you forsaken me?" According to Websters Dictionary, forsaken means to renounce or turn away from entirely. Hmm, I wonder if your neighbor asked God that if we would question their faith.

Jesus understood that God is good and you can trust Him. This is the "umbrella" statement that Pastor Jim really hammers home. He really challenges you to make sure that you have this figured out before you are faced with a painful situation. Understand that you will waste your pain if you don't start with God is good and you can trust Him. This is the "different perspective" that you need.

So, if you have God and pain in your life, then there are questions:

1. Why is this happening?

2. Why doesn't God fix it and make it stop?

Jesus promised us pain and suffering right before He experienced the most excruciating pain and suffering. So, if pain and suffering are unavoidable in your life, how do you make sure that as you go through your pain, not one drop is wasted?

Pastor Jim goes on to say that from the second question, why doesn't God stop it, comes two theories:

Either God could help but He won't, and He's a mean God. Or, God would like to help, but He can't, which makes Him impotent.

The message is long (about 40 minutes), and you have to listen to a worship song and a few announcements before Pastor Jim begins is sermon, but if you have some time, I would strongly encourage you to watch this video. It's a very powerful message, and really made me think.

Go to Flatirons website. You will want to look for the May 2-3 message. If you click on the black f, you will be able to watch the entire message. His message begins about 8 minutes into the video and Molly's story comes at about 35 minutes. Please let me know what you think.

These are some of the questions that I am now currently working through:

1. What kinds of questions do you find yourself asking when life gets painful?

2. Why does pain often cause us to ask questions of God?

3. Jim said knowing the answer to “why” would not make the pain go away? Agree or
disagree?

4. Have you ever wondered how God could be good and not make your pain stop? Why
do we assume the most loving thing God can do is take away our pain when it comes?

5. Is it possible that pain can be leveraged for God’s glory and our good?

6. Read Romans 8:31-32. How did God leverage Jesus’ death for His glory and our good?

7. What circumstances in your life are causing you pain right now? Can you see a way that
God could leverage it for His glory and your good?

8. What attitudes and actions threaten to waste our pain?

9. How would beginning with the belief that “God is good and I can trust Him” change
everything?

10. What other options do you have? What do they lead to?

11. Read 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. What does it mean that “my grace is sufficient for you.” Is
God’s grace really enough?

Seasons

2009-05-05T11:53:00.004-06:00

¹ There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I'm going through a season right now.

Last Fall I was in the middle of a very different season. I felt like I was on top of it all! I was obedient in getting up early and spending time with my Lord, not just in study, but in prayer as well. I felt good physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I was productive in my home. Life was good.

This is not that season.

I am tired. I can't get out of bed. I drag through the days, sometimes unable to get off the couch for too long. My house looks terrible. I don't feel good. I miss my time with God, and yet, I cannot get up and in the Word.

Where is God? He's right here with me. He's helping me through my days. He knows what is going on and why I am struggling so much. He knows that this is a season of my life and knows that I have not abandoned Him. I am still in prayer. He knows that I miss Him and long for the intimate time together. He has not left me to fend for myself.

My sincerest apologies to you, my friends. I feel as though I have abandoned you. I promise you, I will be back. I have lots of ideas and posts that I am longing to share with you. I have not left you. I have not forgotten you, and I continue to pray for you and your needs.

All my love dear friends!

An Honor

2009-04-24T10:08:00.003-06:00

Kyla, from The Kreative Life, awarded me with this honor several days ago. The Premios Dardo award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day. Thank you so much for thinking of me. I have committed this blog to the Lord since its inception, and will continue to give Him all the glory.

The rules to follow are:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog, together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other bloggers who are worthy of this acknowledgement. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I am passing this award along to:

(I know this is not 15....)

When Did the Right Turn Wrong?

2009-04-22T10:34:00.004-06:00

The intent of this blog is not to be a political forum, but I think it's sad at the direction our country is headed.

This young woman was asked a question. In reference to same sex marriage, this question was posed: "Do you think every state should follow suit, why or why not?"

Was this judge not asking for her opinion, or was he just looking for an answer that went along with his convictions?

I got to thinking, if this same question had been posed 30 years ago, and the contestant felt that same sex marriage should be legalized, at that point in time, that answer probably would have been the taboo position.

But now, if you believe anything that is "right of center," you might just find yourself on the terrorist watch list.

Our country is in serious need of prayer. Even our leader has clearly stated that the United States in not a Christian nation. Instead, we are a nation of citizens.

Remembering

2009-04-20T18:31:00.005-06:00

Do you remember what you were doing 10 years ago on April 20th? Probably not. It was a relatively insignificant day. It was a Tuesday, and I was a sophomore in college. My sister was a senior in high school. My parents were both at work.

On this day, I chose to eat in our college's cafe, as opposed to the cafeteria. The cafe began as a bowling alley and was remodeled as a coffee shop/cafe. The tables and counters were all made from the bowling lanes. There were pool tables, game tables, and suspended televisions.

As I munched on my sandwich, I happened to look up at one of the TVs. I noticed something familiar, but couldn't place it.

And then it hit me. I was watching coverage of something from my hometown's local NBC station. I became intrigued. What was going on at home?

So I watched. In disbelief.

Columbine High School was under attack.

Chaos was everywhere.

I left immediately and ran to my dorm room. I turned on the TV and cried. I called my mom and my sister and my dad. All of the area high schools were under lockdown as school officials had no idea the scope of the attacks.

My family was safe, but my community was suffering.

It was awful. I didn't leave my room for the remainder of the day. I called friends who were still at home to find out anything I could. For the next few days I was glued to the news anytime I was in my room.

What a tragedy. There were so many questions. Who would do this and why? How could this happen in such a safe neighborhood? Where was God?

And there He was. Wednesday morning the residents of Denver woke up to a fresh, white blanket of snow. Purity and innocence had covered the school and the community. The blood stains were cleansed and washed away.

And then the stories emerged. Many of the 13 victims were shot at random, but some were targeted.

"Do you believe in God?"

What would you say with a gun in your face? How would you respond? These students stood up for their God and did not deny Him.

And 10 years later, we remember their sacrifice.

A Little Diddy for You

2009-04-11T10:06:00.003-06:00

Sung to the tune of Where Is Thumbkin:

Where is Friend Chick?
Where is Friend Chick?

Here I am!
Here I am!

Puking in the toilet.
Puking in the toilet.

Chunks, chunks, chunks.
Chunks, chunks, chunks.

So, I'm a little under the weather, but, will be back soon. I hope.

Thank You

2009-03-26T19:17:00.003-06:00

To those who have joined me in praying for my dad's surgery, thank you so much. He went into the hospital this morning at 5:45 am CST. What's amazing about this time is that I woke up right at 5:45 am. Hmm, coincidence...I think not!

My daughter and I came down with a pretty serious cold, so we stayed at my parent's house while they drove 4 hours to the Mayo Clinic. I hate that I can't be there with my mom, dad, and sister, but I know that we are better off here, quarantined, and healing. Thankfully, it's just a cold, and not a stomach issue...

Anyway, thank you. Thank you for your prayers. He was calm this morning and feeling peaceful. That kind of peace can only come from the Lord.

The doctor is pretty sure that he was able to remove all of the cancer from his body, so, as far as we know, he is now cancer free. The doctor has also said that if all goes well tonight, they may even release my dad tomorrow. Selfishly, I'm ready for some company. I mean, there's only so much an 18 month old and her mama can talk about. But, of course, I want to be sure that he's ready to come home.

I don't know you, and yet, the Lord is able to use your prayers to touch my father. Thank you all so very much. I am grateful to you.

Weathering Your Own Storm

2009-03-23T04:00:00.000-06:00

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalm 107:28-31

Although we have been promised many things by our Savior, we were never promised Easy Street here on Earth. Sorry ladies, but part of living life here on earth includes suffering and pain. And, nobody is exempt from this. We will all suffer and grieve for various reasons, but our hurt is the same.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

There was a young woman at Bible Study the other day. She has been beaten up, lost her children to social services, committed to a psych facility, her husband has been incarcerated, and she struggles with drug abuse. She feels as though the Lord has left her to die alone. We tried to encourage her, but it was hard. None of us have suffered in this way, and to her, we really haven't suffered at all.

But what she doesn't know is that in that group of ladies are women who have suffered both emotional and physical abuse from the husbands and/or fathers, women who have lived in poverty, and women who have lost husbands and children to the Lord.

All of these women have suffered and have been hurt, but it's how you handle your hurt that will make the biggest difference in your eternal life. It's okay to ask God what's going on. It's even alright to pray for a different outcome, after all, Jesus did.

⁴¹He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴²"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

Luke 22:41-43

Why do we suffer? I'm not an expert on the why of it, but perhaps this is God's way of stretching you, or growing you. Maybe He's strengthening your faith and your reliance on Him. Who knows, but take comfort in knowing that even your Savior suffered, so He knows how you feel.

So, what are some ways in which you can Weather this Storm?

1 - Talk to Someone

It's hard, I know, but you'll be glad you did. When you open up your heart to a trusted person, this confidant can now pray with you and intercede for you. If you leave everything inside, not only will people begin to worry and wonder what is going on, but you will begin to pull away and isolate yourself. This is dangerous territory, as Satan loves loners. They are easy targets, especially the bitter ones.

This advice is easy for me to follow through with because I have been blessed with some wonderful girlfriends who I trust with anything and almost everything. However, I know not everyone has these kinds of friends at this point in your life. However, I strongly encourage you not to be ashamed or embarrassed of whatever is happening that is causing you such pain. Try to find someone that you can talk to. Someone who you know will never discuss what you have just told them. By having a woman to vent to, you will already feel a huge weight lifted from you.

2 - Pray

This sounds easy, but I promise you, it can be a stumbling block. God wants us to seek Him when we are hurting. He even provided us with His Holy Spirit when we don't even know how to pray. And yet, one of the first things that many neglect to do is to pray. Often times this is because bitterness and anger have seeped into our hearts towards God, and we become stubborn and unwilling to pray to the one who "let this happen."

It's alright to be upset for a moment with God, but please, please, do not allow bitterness to live in your heart. Again, this is one of Satan's greatest tools. First of all, no one enjoys hanging out with a bitter friend. I can think of a few ladies from my own church that I choose to spend a minimal amount of time with because their hearts are so bitter. Bitterness is like curry that begins to seep out of your pores and taint everything else around you.

Secondly, bitterness will become a barrier between you and God. And, if you're struggling, the last thing you need between you and the Lord is another roadblock.

Get on your knees, girls, and ask that God will forgive you. Thank Him for anything that you can think of that you could be thankful for. If you can't think of one single thing to be thankful for, you can always thank Him for the sacrifice He made when He gave us His only Son, who suffered and died for you.

Although God knows your heart and your mind already, He still wants you to talk to Him about it. Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to strengthen you. Pray for encouragement and comfort. Whatever you need, just ask. We serve a faithful God, and although He may not answer your prayer immediately, or in your timing, He will answer your prayer.

3 - Stay in the Word

Ooh, another tricky one. Why is it so difficult for us to read the Word of the Lord? Why do we have ten Bibles, and yet, none of them are open? Again, I'm not sure. I know for me, often times if things are rough, I seek comfort in my bed, not my Bible. And what can my bed offer me besides a comfy place to rest my body?

Open your Bibles, ladies. It is full, and I mean full, of ways to battle through your pain. Whatever is happening to you, you will find comfort and encouragement (or a kick in the booty if that's what you need...). If you're not sure where to begin, I always like to read the letters that Paul wrote to other churches. These people were messed up, and Paul, was able to explain the gospel to them in such a way that helped them understand who Jesus really was.

Of course, you can't go wrong with any of the Gospels, which are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These four books chronicle the life of Christ, and include many of His teachings in there.

Whatever you choose to read, just read! Do not neglect your field-book of life while you are here.

4 - Be Humble

Nobody likes this one. Why? Because it requires an unnatural action from you.

What I mean by this is that it's alright to accept help from others. If you are unable to make dinner for you family, then accept help from a neighbor or friend who wants to bless your family with a meal. If you can't clean your house, humble yourself to the woman who has offered to come over and wash a load of laundry and vacuum the floor.

This, by far, is the most difficult for me. I've had times in my life where I've needed help, and although I'm quick to offer, I'm not so quick to accept the offer from someone else. But, even Jesus humbled himself to His disciples and washed their feet.

We are not meant to be alone. God created our need for friendships and relationships. And, sometimes, you must trust your friends enough to allow them to help you out. It's not a sign of weakness, and you are certainly not using or abusing your friends. Accept their help, and sometimes, you may even need to ask for help, and that's alright too.

5 - Get Out There

Try not to isolate yourself for too long. We all might need a day where we hardly leave our bedroom, but when this one day turns into weeks, months, or even longer, you are treading on dangerous ground. Again, Satan loves a loner. You are such an easy target and are so vulnerable. He hardly has to work for your soul. He knows you'll believe his lies, and since you have no one around you, there will hardly be a battle.

So, get up. Get in the shower (one of my least favorite things to do because it requires time that could be better spend doing something else, but nevertheless, my friends and family appreciate that I do take the time to shower and get ready for the day - but, I digress...). Do your hair. Put on a little makeup, even if it's just some lip gloss. Get dressed (and I don't mean jammy pants and a t-shirt). Put on a bra (this will help you look and feel perkier). And go somewhere. Go to lunch with a girlfriend. Go to the library. Walk around the mall. Go for a walk. Go to church. Just get out!

Me, I always like to do something with a friend or a small group of friends, but sometimes it is nice to have a moment to yourself, especially if you have a family that requires your time constantly. Just remember, don't become isolated.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I guest posted at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee about Helping a Friend Weather a Storm.

I've shown this video before, but the lyrics and the song are really powerful to me. If you've never taken the time to listen to the song Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns, I encourage you to take a few minutes. Close your eyes and allow the words to sink into your heart.

Just a Quickie

2009-03-17T17:23:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to let you know that I'll be "out of commission" for a few weeks. My dad is having his prostate surgery, so I'll be with my family while he recovers.

I will try to check in every now and then a post a little something, but if you're wondering where I am, I'm just helping my mom.

Blessings to you all!

Sanctification - Day Eight

2009-03-12T07:21:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I mentioned that true sanctification requires that we maintain a relationship with Jesus Christ, and how to go about remaining in communion with Christ.

There are a few more "requirements" of true sanctification.

We must devote ourselves to prayer and obey God's Word.

Easy enough, right?

Let's look at the first part: Prayer

Colossians 4:2 says this:

²Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

When you "devote yourself" to something, it means that you "continue steadfast" or "persevere," implying strong persistence and fervor, a holding fast to prayer.

Can you honestly say that you are "devoting yourselves to prayer?" This is a hard one, only because we so often feel that we can "go it alone." "Don't worry God, I've got this one. I know you're busy with the economy and hunger, so I'll just take the reigns here." This, my friend, is not what the Lord wants.

When Paul talks about "being watchful" what he means is that we need to be "spiritually awake or alert."

So, why is it so hard to pray? One reason is that Satan and the weakness of our human nature tries to cause us to neglect prayer itself, or allow us to become distracted while praying (um, convicted...).

We must discipline ourselves to achieve the prayer required for Christian victory!

Even Jesus knew how important prayer was. Not only did He model it for His disciples and all who saw Him while He was here with us, but He also taught His disciples how to pray. Look at Matthew 6:5-13. In the first few verses Jesus explains, step by step, what to do:

⁵"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

My Bible goes on to talk about what Secret Prayer is. It explains that we should have some place where we are praying alone. I can remember when I first was saved and heard people in church talking about a "Prayer Closet." I got nervous because I didn't really have a closet that could be used exclusively for prayer. When I asked my youth leader about this, he explained that a "Prayer Closet" for some is an actual closet, but for many, it's just a place where you can be all alone and pray.

There are specific times of the day that my Bible says we should pray in secret:
~In the morning to commit our day to God
~In the evening to give thanks for His mercies
~In times when the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray

Jesus then goes a step further and gives a model prayer of our we, as believers, should pray. We now know this prayer as The Lord's Prayer:

⁹"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us today our daily bread.
¹²Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

Remember that prayer is a form of worship. Don't get so caught up in your needs and wants that you forget to praise your Heavenly Father.

Alright, next part: Obey God's Word

¹⁷Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17

Even when Jesus was pleading with God to "take this cup from him," He still prayer for His disciples. If you remember, "sanctify" means to make holy, to separate, or set apart. Jesus prays to God that his disciples will be a holy people that are separated from the world and sin so that they will be able to worship and serve God.

In order to be near God, to live for Him, and to be like Him, we must be set apart.

By obeying God's Word (the Bible), the truth is revealed to us by God's Holy Spirit.

Sanctification - Day Seven

2009-03-11T08:03:00.005-06:00

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15:4

True sanctification requires that believers maintain an intimate relationship with Christ. After someone chooses to believe in Christ and is forgiven, he or she receives eternal life and the power to remain in Christ. Given that power, the believer must then accept that responsibility in salvation and remain in Christ. In Greek, the word meno means to remain, continue, abide, or live. We as believers have Christ's life only as long as His life flows into us through our remaining in Christ.

So how do we remain in Christ? Let's look at John 15:7

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

1) We must keep God's Word continually in our hearts and minds and making it the guide of our actions.

God gave us His Word for a reason. We need to be in His Word daily. We must treasure the Bible and understand that this is one way the God can speak directly to you. By committing these words to your heart, they will translate in your actions. People will notice, and God will be pleased.

2) We must maintain the habit of constant and intimate communion with Christ in order to draw strength from Him.

Jesus wants us to talk to Him. He wants us to ask Him for the desires of our heart. He wants us to want Him. It's hard to maintain a friendship with someone if you never meet with them, or talk with them. This can be difficult for some people, but I strongly urge you to meet with your Savior. Talk to Him. And listen. He will answer your prayers, maybe not always in the way you want them answered, and possibly not on your time line, but you must remember that He is all-knowing. We only know pieces of the past and present, but the Lord knows all parts, past, present, and future. Take refuge in that!

3)We must obey His commands, remaining in His love, and loving each other.

Looking at these three verses, Jesus is very clear.

¹⁰If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

¹²My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

¹⁷This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:10, 12, & 17

John 15:10 is a classic If/Then statement. Here's the teacher coming out in me:

IF you obey my commands [THEN] you will remain in my love...

This requires action on our part. So, what is Jesus' command?

He states it twice in John 15. Once in verse 12 and again in verse 17.

His command is to love each other. It was so important that Jesus get His point across that He says it twice. And, anything that is stated twice in the Bible means that the Lord really wants you to get it! Nice!

4) We must keep our lives clean through the Word, resisting all sin and yielding to the Spirit's direction.

³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ~John 15:3

¹³For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, ¹⁴because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ~Romans 8:13-14

Jesus is very clear. We need to allow the Spirit to guide us. We need to know His Word.

Do you see where all of this came from? Definitely not from my brilliant mind! All of these means of remaining in Christ come directly from the Word of God, straight from the Bible, and many of these commands come right from the mouth of Jesus.

READ YOUR BIBLE!!! It is your "wilderness handbook" for surviving life in this dirty and perverted world.

Motivate Me Monday

2009-03-09T07:39:00.007-06:00

I went to the park this past Wednesday with some girlfriends and their kids. It was a beautiful day, almost 80 degrees, with a slightly annoying breeze. There were five mamas and about seven kids. That's twelve people in all. And I was the ONLY one to receive a sunburn. Not even my little redhead was scorched by the sun. I know, sunscreen. I forgot. I mean, it's March. I'm not even sure I know where it is.

I was slightly embarrassed by this ordeal. But then I read something this morning that made me wonder if there was a reason I had suffered.

Unnoticed, unheeded, and unrelenting, the sun singes, Afterwards, it's easy to see the solar influence on my shoulders, the back of my neck, and across my nose.

The Spirit's quiet influence is often just that way. Unnoticed and unheeded at the time, but clearly seen in hindsight.
Experiencing Spiritual Intimacy by Christa Kinde

I loved this illustration. So often we are taught about the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures by using Acts 2 and then ending there. The reality is that the Holy Spirit has been around since the very beginning, was speaking through Old Testament prophets and kings, was apparent in the life of Jesus Christ, was promised to the disciples, came in full force on the Day of Pentecost, continued its work in the New Testament through Paul and others, and continues to live in and speak through us today.

Ladies, we may not see the Spirit's hand in our lives until the evidence becomes clear later on, (just like a sunburn) but that doesn't mean He's not by our side all along the way. He will give us strength and encouragement, and even the words we need when we don't know what to say.

We often remember that the Lord comes to us with a still, small voice, but we find it hard to remember to listen for that quiet prompting. The Spirit's influence in our lives is largely a quiet one, and ti will go completely unnoticed if we aren't sensitive to His ways. This week, pray for a heightened sensitivity to His quiet influence in your heart.
Experiencing Spiritual Intimacy by Christa Kinde

Sarah Mae has more Motivate Me Monday posts at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee. Head on over. I promise, you will be blessed and encouraged!

UPDATE

2009-03-02T08:22:00.002-07:00

In January I posted about a dear friend of mine whose sister was dying from cancer. I just wanted to let you all know that she passed away on Saturday, February 28th, about a month after my post. Thank you to all who prayed for her and for my friend. She passed away with her parents and her husband by her side. Her husband posted this on her Hospice Care Page:

Today 2/28/09 at 12:20 pm Renee passed from this world into
Heaven where there is no cancer, wheel chairs, chemotherapy, or
pain and suffering. She was surrounded by her family and friends
and she passed peacefully.

Please pray for Renee as she has now made her way from this
world into a beautiful Heaven where she will have her eternal life
as promised in 1-John 14. These verses speak to how Renee lived her
life. She will always be missed and never forgotten.

Renee will always be remembered for her beauty, grace, courage, love, and strength.

I'm not sure what scripture he referenced. My prayers go out to my friend who is mourning the loss of her sweet sister.

Motivate Me Monday

2009-03-02T06:36:00.005-07:00

In my Bible Study a few weeks ago, I ran across this question:

Paul is very specific about the Spirit's role in our hearts. Why does he say God gave us His Spirit in 2 Corinthians 1:22 and again in 2 Corinthians 5:5?

At first the question didn't seem special or out of the ordinary, but then I read the scriptures.

He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:22

Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 5:5

When I was in college, I was required to take several Religion courses. Unfortunately, most of the courses offered were History of Christian Thought (which was really more of a philosophy class), God & Gender, and Science & Religion. So, what I learned in college was from a very liberal view, and not very Biblical.

But, one thing I remember from an actual Bible course that I took was that when an author states something more than once, it's important!

Twice Paul states that the Holy Spirit was given to us as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come! How exciting is that!?!?!?

Even though God had already sent His Son to live with us, Jesus had to go back to Heaven, but the Lord knew that we still required help, so He sent His Holy Spirit to us, to live in us, to help us know Him better!

My Bible says this:

Paul outlines four aspects of God's work in believers through the Holy Spirit:

1) The Holy Spirit establishes believers and helps them persevere in their life of faith.

2) The Spirit anoints believers in order to give them power to witness, to perform the works of Christ, and to know the truth.

3) The Spirit is the official seal of God's ownership, marking believers as His own property and producing godly character within their human personalities.

4) The Spirit is an indwelling "deposit", i.e., a guarantee and a first installment to believers that a greater life with Christ will come in the future.
(Notes from the Full Life Study Bible)

Don't take the Holy Spirit for granted. Often times the Trinity isn't "fair and balanced" in our lives. We know about God the Father, we love Jesus Christ His Son, and then there's the Holy Spirit. My friends, the Spirit is just as important as the other two. He is always with us, dwelling within us. Check out Genesis 1:2. I've read this passage over and over again, and only recently discovered this very early mention of God's Spirit.

I am still studying the Women of Faith book called Experiencing Spiritual Intimacy by Christa Kinde. Each chapter brings new light on the Holy Spirit. If you are looking for a deeper relationship with the Lord, this book will definitely show you how important your relationship with the Holy Spirit is in order to attain a more intimate relationship with God.

Thank the Lord today for sending His Spirit as a deposit, as a guarantee of our eternity!

Get more motivation with Sarah Mae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee! There's a special give-away if you participate in Motivate Me Monday...Check it out!

Sanctification - Day Six

2009-02-27T08:07:00.003-07:00

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13

Sanctification is both a work of God and a work of his people.

That's right, sister. We are part of this project. We are required to be active in sanctification. Just because we've accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior does not give us the right to sit back and watch the show. We are part of the show!

So, what do we do? What's our role?

In order to accomplish God's will in sanctification, believers must:

1) Participate in the Spirit's sanctifying by ceasing to do evil.

¹What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ²By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Romans 6:1-2

We can conclude that the essence of sin is selfishness. WHAT??? We are constantly grasping for things of pleasures for ourselves, regardless of the welfare of others and the commands of God, which leads to cruelty to others and to rebellion against God and His law. Ultimately sin becomes the refusal to be subject to God and His Word.

Sin is a moral corruption in humans that opposes all better human intentions. It causes us both to commit unrighteousness with delight and to take pleasure in the evil actions of others. Sin enslaves and corrupts and is rooted in human desire.

So how do we cease to do evil? Because sin was brought into the human race through Adam and Eve it affects everyone and results in divine judgment, brings physical and spiritual death, and can ONLY be eliminated as a power by faith in Christ and His redemptive work!

Look at these scriptures for some encouragement:

Romans 5:8-11 ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! ¹⁰For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Galatians 3:13 ¹³Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

Ephesians 4:20-24 ²⁰You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. ²¹Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²²You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

1 John 1:9 ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Ah, we serve such a faithful God!

2) Purify themselves "from everything that contaminates body and spirit."

¹Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

Paul makes it abundantly clear that one cannot claim God's gracious promises without a life of separation and holiness. This explains why some have lost their Christian joy, divine protection, answer to prayers, and the sense of God's fatherly presence. To compromise with the world is to lose God's presence and promises.

¹²Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Romans 6:12

Because sin has been dethroned, you must continually resist its effort to regain control. Since sin attempts to reign primarily through the desires of the body, these desires must be resisted by those with faith in Christ. We can do so by denying the evil desires of the body, refusing to place any part of our body at the disposal of sin, and presenting our bodies and our whole personalities as slaves to God and righteousness.

¹⁶So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Galatians 5:16-25 (click here to read the rest)

The spiritual conflict within believers involves the whole person; the struggle is whether they will surrender to the sinful nature's inclinations and again submit to sin's control, or whether they will yield to the Spirit's demands and continue under Christ's dominion. The battlefield is within Christians themselves, and the conflict must continue throughout their earthly lives if they are to eventually reign with Christ.

3) Keep themselves from being polluted by the world.

²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27

James outlines that we are to keep ourselves holy before God. He says that love for others must be accompanied by a love for God expressed in separation from the world's sinful ways. Love for others must be accompanied by holiness before God or it is not Christian love.

Hmm, tricky. I do my best, but I know that I am definitely not showing love this way to everyone.

¹³Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. ¹⁴For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

¹⁹I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
Romans 6:13-14, 19

This is pretty self-explanatory! We need to make sure that sin is not our master. We can do this by keeping ourselves pure. We know what we should and should not involve ourselves in, and yet, we get ourselves in big messes! Listen to your heart. Read your Bible. Pray. The Holy Spirit that dwells in your heart will reveal God's truth to you. Pay attention to him!

¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2

We as believers must possess a single-minded passion to please God in love, devotion, praise and holiness, and to offer their bodies for His service.

Our greatest desire should be to live lives of holiness and to be accepted by God. This requires separating ourselves from the world and drawing nearer to God. We must live for God, worship Him, obey Him, take His side against sin and for righteousness, resist and hate evil, perform works of kindness for others, imitate Christ, follow Him, serve Him, live by the Spirit and be filled with the Spirit.

We must offer our bodies to God as dead to sin and as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Remember, our present world system is evil and under Satan's rule. We must despise what is evil, love what is righteous, and refuse to yield to the various types of worldliness surrounding the church, such as greed, selfishness, expediency, humanistic thinking, political maneuvering for power, envy, hatred, revenge, impurity, filthy language, ungodly entertainment, tempting and immodest attire, immorality, drugs, alcohol and worldly companions.

It is critical that we have our minds conformed to God's way of thinking by reading and meditating on His Word. We must have our plans and ambitions determined by heavenly and eternal truths, not by this evil, temporal and transient age. (Note from The Full Life Study Bible)

¹⁴Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Romans 13:14

We must be so united and identified with Christ that we imitate His life as our pattern for living, adopt His principles, obey His commands, and become like Him. This calls for a complete rejection of immorality and the acts of the sinful nature.

⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8

God promises to come near to all who turn from sin, purify their hearts and call on Him in true repentance. God's nearness will bring His presence, grace, blessings, and love.

We've got a lot of work to do, but it is completely attainable! We can accomplish God's will in sanctification. But, again, I must insist that you read the Lord's Word. His Truth is embedded throughout, and He wants you to know His will. Please remain faithful in reading your Bible.

Sanctification - Day Five

2009-02-23T07:15:00.005-07:00

to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Acts 26:18

God's children achieve sanctification by faith, by union with Christ in His death and resurrection, by the blood of Christ, by the Word, and by the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.

Let's look at this a little closer.

Sanctification By Faith:

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Luke (the author of Acts) reminds us that forgiveness comes through faith Christ that is based on His sacrificial death on the cross. The one who is forgiven, basically delivered from the dominion of sin and Satan, and have been filled with the Holy Spirit, is set apart from the world and can now live a life unto God in fellowship with all those saved by faith in Christ.

Sanctification By Union With Christ in His Death and Resurrection:

John 15:4 - 10 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. (verse 4)

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I am hoping to do a little devotional about this scripture where Jesus is talking about the Vine and the Branches. My pastor did an amazing sermon series a few weeks ago, and it hit home!

Anyway, I digress...

The conditions by which we remain in Christ are by keeping God's Word continually in our hearts and minds and making it the guide for our actions. We must maintain a habit of constant, intimate communication with Christ in order to draw strength from Him. We must obey His commands, remain in His love and love each other. And, we need to keep our lives clean through the Word, resist all sin, and yield to the Spirit's direction in our lives.

Romans 6:1 - 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (verse 11)

If you are a true believer, you have died to sin and you need to understand this. You have died to sin in God's sight. You are considered by God to have died with Christ on the cross and to have been raised up in His resurrection. You died to sin when you were born again by the Spirit. You have been given Christ's power to resist sin, to die to it daily by putting to death the misdeeds of the body, and to live a new life in obedience to God. These are powerful words, but this is how God looks at you. Once you have made a commitment to Christ, your whole world changes. We can resist sin!

1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

It is through Christ, in Christ and with Christ that the believer receives wisdom from God and experiences righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. As long as we are joined to Christ, He is the source of all these blessings!

Sanctification By the Blood of Christ:

1 John 1:7 - 9 ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

We, as believers, need to make a sincere and sustained effort by His grace to follow out what has been revealed to us in word and deed. "The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" refers to the ongoing work of sanctification within us and the continual cleansing through Christ's blood for our inadvertent sins. This continual purification allows us to have an intimate relationship with God.

Sanctification By the Word:

John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Jesus is asking God, right before His crucifixion, to sanctify His disciples. Jesus is praying that His friends will be a holy people, separated from the world and sin for the purpose of worshiping and serving God. They must be set apart in order to be near God, to live for Him, and to be like Him. This sanctification is accomplished by their devotion to the truth revealed to them by the Spirit of truth. The truth is the living Word of God and the revelation of God's written Word.

Sanctification By the Regenerating and Sanctifying Work of the Holy Spirit in Their Hearts:

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

We as believers must continually decide whether we will surrender to sinful desires or to the demands of the divine nature in which we participate. By disregarding this, Christians can pass from spiritual life back into spiritual death. The life of God that we receive at our new birth can be extinguished in the soul of a believer who refuses to put to death by the Spirit the misdeeds of the body.

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A side note: Sarah Mae, at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee gave birth to her new little girl on Saturday. Congratulations Sarah Mae! I am so happy for you and your family. Enjoy your new little one.

Sanctification - Day Four

2009-02-20T06:26:00.016-07:00

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

According to this verse from Hebrews, sanctification is not a choice that Christians can choose if they would like it, but rather it is a requirement. Without it, we will be separated from God.

The idea of sanctification is not a New Testament only idea. It was God's will for the Israelites in the Old Testament as well. They were to live holy or sanctified lives, separated from the lifestyles of the nations around them. Look at these verses:

you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
Exodus 19:6

As part of God's purpose for the Israelites in bringing them out of Egypt, they were to be a "kingdom of priests" (i.e., set apart and consecrated fro God's service) and a "holy nation." Likewise, believers in Christ must be a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2:5-9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10 ; 20:6) and a holy people, i.e., a people separated from the world's ungodly ways and walking in God's righteous ways and holy will. (Note from The Full Life Study Bible).

I like how this ties the Old Testament in with the new. Sanctification has always been God's will for His people. He longs for us to be set apart for Him.

The other part that struck me in this note is that we are to be "separated from the world's ungodly ways" and instead, "walking in God's righteous ways." So often I hear people say that it's impossible to "live in this world and not of it." That sin is just a part of life. Remember, we will be forgiven of our sins if we repent of them, but we do not have to sin. God wants us, through His Holy Spirit, to become stronger than the sin around us. Please don't wake up every morning expecting to sin. Yes, we all will sin, and God knows this, but don't use this as an excuse for your actions. If you are knowingly sinning, and continue in that sin, you are lying to yourself.

I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground.
Leviticus 11:44

The instructions concerning clean and unclean (i.e., proper and improper) food were given apparently for health reasons, but also as standards to help Israel remain a people separated from the ungodly society around them (Deuteronomy 14:1-2). These dietary instructions are no longer binding on New Testament believers, for Christ fulfilled their significance and purpose (Matthew 5:17; 15:1-20; Acts 10:14-15; Colossians 2:16; 1 Timothy 4:3). However, the principles embodied in those instructions are still valid today.

So what does this mean for us?

(1) Christians today must distinguish themselves from their surrounding society by eating, drinking, dressing so as to honor God with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31), and by rejecting all unholy social customs of unbelievers. They must be "holy in all they do" (1 Peter 1:15).

(2) The detailed emphasis on ceremonial cleanliness highlighted the necessity of moral separation of God's people in thought and deed from the surrounding world (2 Corinthians 7:1). All aspects of life must be regulated by God's will (1 Corinthians 10:31). (Note from The Full Life Study Bible).

"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
Leviticus 19:2

Because God's people must be like him, he calls them to express his divine nature by being separate from the ungodly customs and sins of the surrounding nations and by serving him in love and righteousness. This call to holiness was first given to Adam and Eve, who were created in God's image in order to reflect God's character (Genesis 1:26). Every generation of believers should "be imitators of God" (Ephesians 5:1) and "be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (Matthew 5:48; Romans 12:1-2). (Note from The Full Life Study Bible).

As you can see, God, from the very beginning, has wanted us to be sanctified! This is His will for us!

and said: "Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the LORD, the God of your fathers. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary.
2 Chronicles 29:5

In order for God's people to experience revival and renewal, four things are indispensable:

(1) Confession of specific sins. We must recognize those areas of our lives where we have departed from God's will and word and must confess those specific sins (Psalm 51:3; Matthew 5:24).

(2) Purifying the house of the Lord. The church is God's house under the new covenant (2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Timothy 3:15). Whatever in the church's doctrine, worship and lifestyle, that clearly offends God's will as revealed in Scripture must be removed. Likewise, the individual believer, as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), must be purified from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

(3) Renewal of the covenant. We must renew our dedication to God, his kingdom and his righteous cause on earth, and we must express a sincere desire to turn from the evil of the world and to resist sin.

(4) Proclaim a blood sacrifice for atonement. We must appropriate by faith the blood atonement of Jesus Christ, who suffered on the cross to save and sanctify his people (Hebrews 9:11-14). (Note from The Full Life Study Bible).

In each of these verses, it is clear that God wanted his people to live holy and separate lives. I know it's hard to separate yourself from the world, but when you know that God wants you to live a life that is different than the rest of the world. He does not call us to live this separate life as a punishment, but so that He can protect us from personal hurt and destruction to our lives.

Core Lies

2009-02-19T07:30:00.004-07:00

Sarah Mae, from Like a Warm Cup of Coffee, is beginning a series about Core Lies. I would recommend that you head over there and journey with her as she helps us to identify our own personal lies, and how to rid ourselves from them. Lies of any kind are damaging, but the ones that you deny are destructive. She asks us to come vulnerable. Be ready to search your own heart, and allow the Spirit to search within the depths of you, in order to reveal the secret lies that Satan has woven into your soul. It is so easy to identify the lies that others believe, but to allow yourself to see your own deception is very difficult for us to do. Join us as we journey together.

Motivate Me Monday - Tuesday Edition

2009-02-17T11:29:00.007-07:00

Ah, winter! Where the illness manifests itself daily! My tardiness is due to the stomach flu, again! Only this time, it was my daughter who was suffering. I have definitely come to conclude that vomit and I are not friends. Especially red Jell-o vomit!

Moving on.

My husband's grandmother recently passed away. This woman was like a cat. I swear she had at least 9 lives. If you've ever wondered how one is able to live 94 years, I believe it's because they are actually cats! We've been waiting for the news of her death for about 6 years, but every time we thought is was the end, she bounced back!

At Grandma's memorial service I was deeply saddened. Not at the loss of her life, but at the lack of people attending her service. Her family was there, but she had only one son and her husband passed away several years ago. Two family friends were there, and two ladies from Grandma's church, and that was all.

I had been to a funeral a few weeks ago for a man who went to our church. He was also quite elderly, but in addition to his family, there were several people there to celebrate his life, mourn his death, and support his loved ones.

How does this happen? How is it that one service is packed and the other is almost completely empty?

I came to conclude that it all has to do with the way we live our lives DAILY! Are you touching others and making a difference in their lives? Are you able to reach out and be an influence to another? Remember, on your gravestone it will have your name, two dates, and a dash. What are you doing with your dash?

I challenge you to think, who would be at your funeral if you passed away today? Who would be celebrating your life?

If you missed all the ladies who participated in Motivate Me Monday on Monday, head over to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee to catch up!

Sanctification - Day Three

2009-02-12T07:17:00.003-07:00

I'm back! So, I figured it was time to pick up where I left off. My heart had been leading me to talk about sanctification and what it means for Christians to truly be sanctified. This is one of those "churchy" terms that I'm not sure most Christians really understand. They just know that it has to do with their walk with Christ. If you need a refresher, you can read (or reread) Day One and Day Two.

I have defined sanctification in this way: to make holy, to consecrate, to separate from the world, and to be set apart from sin SO THAT we may have intimate fellowship with God and serve Him gladly.

Understand ladies that absolute perfection is not required of us. However, an ethical righteousness of unblemished character demonstrated in purity, obedience, and blamelessness are what we should be striving for.

Look at Philippians 2:14-15:

14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

The words that really stick out here to me are so that you may become. We have not arrived yet. We are working for something. Purity and blamelessness are goals that we should be setting in our lives. If you have made mistakes (and God knows that I've made my fair share), don't give up. Don't give in. Keep pressing on!

Without God's grace, we would be living very different lives. It is by the grace of God that has been given to us, that we have died with Christ and are set free from sin's power and dominion over us.

18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:18

These are powerful words. We're all familiar with the word slave. It is generally used in a negative way. But look at this. Because of Christ's death, we are free from sin and slaves to righteousness!

But what does this mean? It means that you do not have to sin.

Say what?!?!?!?

But I'm only human. Sin is in my being. It's Eve's fault...

True. But, we need not and ought not sin. We can find adequate victory in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

How, you ask. Through our helper, the Holy Spirit, we are able not to sin, even though we will never come to the place where we are free from temptation and the possibility of sin while we are on this earth.

1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1

6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 1 John 3:6

I am not at this place yet, but I am working towards getting there. I have a goal. I know what kind of life I should be living. It is hard to be "separate from the world" because we live here. But think of what God wants for your life instead of what you want. Do you want to have intimate fellowship with your Lord? Is it worth sacrificing things in your life for? Remember, we do have free will and we are in charge of our choices. Satan may tempt you, but you do have some control here. Pray that God will strengthen you in your areas of weakness. Guard your heart. Be sensitive to the areas that the Lord is wanting to work on. He is always faithful!

Motivate Me Monday

2009-02-09T06:56:00.002-07:00

I'm back! I have rejoined the land of the living, and boy does it feel good!!! I'm still waiting test results for my abdominal condition, but I haven't felt nauseous in several days! Praise God! On Friday I went back to the doctor with an ear infection and pink eye, and my daughter has bronchitis. BUT, both of us are on the mend, and that is all I need. Thank you all for your prayers and kind notes. You are true blessings to me.

This morning Sarah Mae offered a Motivate Me Monday prompt:

When has there been a time where you felt weak (and maybe your prayers weren't being answered) but where you saw God ultimately use His strength through your weakness (or maybe you didn't see it, but you trusted)?

At first I thought I would write about my most recent succession of sickness, but I'm tired of writing about that. Plus, I wanted to write about something that is actually motivating.

My baby girl was born in September 2007. She was born exactly four weeks before her due date, so she is technically not a "full-term" baby. Imagine my surprise when my water broke that morning...

Let me back up and give you some insight here.

I wasn't supposed to get pregnant without a fight. I have cysts on my ovaries that prevent me from ovulating on my own. So I worried about it. For months before my husband and I were even ready to start trying, I was begging God to bless our family with a child. I even began to let Satan whisper his dirty words into my heart, "It's because of what you did..." The details aren't important, but I had things in my past that God had forgiven, but I was so desperate, that I began to listen to the enemy.

All this worrying for nothing. I got pregnant immediately. I took a test just to amuse a friend, and there it was, two lines! Both of us were shocked, but extremely excited!

Now comes the worry again. What if something happens? I felt completely out of control. And, no one conceives that easily. It's just not the way it works. There has to be something that is wrong. I prayed and prayed that the baby was alright. I prayed that the 12 week mark would hit so that I would feel more confident that everything was fine.

And it was. Aside from feeling physically run down, emotionally drained, and constantly sick, my pregnancy was smooth. No alarms. No actual reasons to worry.

As the time drew near, I found something new to worry about. Giving birth. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it. The mental image (and actual images) were almost too much for me. At one point I had to put my book down. I was reading a description about an episiotomy, and got light headed (and maybe threw up in my mouth a little). I remember talking long hours with my mom and my mentor. I was scared.

So, back to the water breaking. My husband was still home (Praise God, because I was afraid I'd be all alone). I took a shower and we headed to the hospital. I wasn't having contractions, but I was praying. We got there, checked in, put the gown on, hopped in the bed, and waited. And waited. And waited.

But it was during the waiting that my fears subsided. It was during the waiting that I felt the presence of the Lord in that hospital room like I hadn't experienced in a long time. He was there. He was with me. And He had provided me with peace and strength.

Although I still wasn't having many contractions, and still wasn't dilating, and there was talk about a C-section, I was enjoying the presence of my Lord. There is absolutely no way that I would have been able to handle everything that day. But He is a faithful God. He provides you with the strength that you are unable to muster up on your own.

After 17 hours, many awkward positions, and a fetal unrest scare, I went from 4 to 10 centimeters in a half hour, and we were ready to push! It was a Thursday, and we were scheduled to have our child-birthing class on Saturday, so I made it up. Everything I had learned on A Baby Story was coming into play. I used yoga breathing and listened to my nurse.

I only pushed for 10 minutes, and out came my baby girl!

I tend to fear the unknown because it's unknown. But, I am able to find strength in the Lord.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear...
Psalm 46:1

Head on over to Sarah Mae's for more motivation this morning!

Motivate Me Monday

2009-02-02T05:00:00.001-07:00

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

Oh, Lord, I am weary and burdened. I know there are others who are hurting much more than me, but I pray that you would heal my body fully. Whatever is plaguing me day after day, Lord, please touch me and make me whole again. Father, I pray that your healing touch would also heal my husband and my daughter. Protect our home from the constant sickness. You are faithful, and for that I am so thankful. Give me the strength that can only come from you. I love you, my Lord.

As you can see, we are still sick. I am so thankful that my abdominal issues have been relieved, but in their place I now have an extremely sore throat (you know, the kind that leaves your tonsils extremely inflamed and covered in some kind of white goo) and a headache. I'm told that this will turn into a cough that will linger for weeks. Perfect!

My husband has the same thing, but he's believing that if he refuses to admit to it, he will not actually be sick. I like that. The power of positive thinking!

And, my daughter has a severe cold. The kind that creates the green and brown boogs that are crusted all over her face when she wakes up in the morning. The cold that leaves her with a phlegmy cough, and very, very whiny.

All this to say, I can't remember the last time I got up for my time with God. I feel as though I'm under attack and can't seem to muster up any strength to fight it. There are so many things that I need to do and haven't. I've neglected my ministry, which drives me crazy.

I am renewing my commitment to get up early and spend the much needed time with the Lord. I miss Him so much. I miss you all too. Here's to a great week!

Check Like a Warm Cup of Coffee for more Motivate Me Monday posts!

Motivate Me Monday

2009-01-26T00:00:00.003-07:00

I have been humbled this week. For the past few years I have been joining a dear friend of mine in prayer for her sister. She has been battling cancer for many years. She has decided to stop fighting.

I haven't been feeling good, off and on, since Thanksgiving. It feels like morning sickness, but 4 pregnancy tests later, I'm still not pregnant. This past week has been rough.

And then I reread this:

My beautiful wife has been battling breast cancer for just over five years now. She was originally diagnosed in November of 2003 and went through chemotherapy and radiation treatment following her mastectomy and reconstruction.

In the summer of 2005 the doctors discovered metastases (spreading) of the cancer to her spine and lung.

Bravely she fought the cancer with several different chemotherapy regimens (including an experimental trial through a cancer center that gave her several months of comfortable active life while still holding the cancer at bay). Additionally, she went through numerous surgeries including Pleurodesis on both lungs (removal of fluid and sealing of the pleural space to prevent additional pleural effusion) and kidney stents to drain fluid, and far more needle pokes than anyone should have to endure. All along, she has been brave and had a good sense of humor. Her loving team of Cancer doctors and nurses have been providing her with exceptional care in an incredibly personal and supportive environment.

After three-and-a-half years of fighting the metastatic cancer, with the loving support of her family, doctors and nurses, my wife has decided to stop actively battling the cancer and is now in the in-home hospice care program through Hospice, Inc. Her goal and the goal of her family and friends is comfort and peace and happiness in the home she loves. She is resting comfortably with pain and other symptoms under control.

We welcome and need the words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers from our entire circle of support.

My heart was broken. This was posted by her husband on her Hospice Homepage. I was trying to think of the "right" thing to say, but what can one say? This woman is 39. That is only 10 years older than I am. Her life should only just be beginning, and instead, it is ending.

I wrote to my friend. But what could I say? My friend's faith is amazing, and right now I am amazed by her strength.

This is what she wrote to me:

Your kindness brings tears to my eyes. Death is hard and many don't
know what to say or to say anything. I soooo appreciate your thoughts
and prayers. Yes, please post on your blog. I believe in the power
of prayer. Even if the miracle we want doesn't happen, we pray for
my sister's comfort---this includes her pain and her ability to eat and
not throw up. She had many problems today with eating. Poor pumpkin!
I am flying out again on Thursday. The time we have been
given to really say goodbye has been a blessing.

So, here I sit. Feeling a little sick to my stomach, but knowing that I will get better. Please join me in praying for this young woman. We know the power of prayer, and although God may not heal her body physically, we can take comfort in knowing that He will heal her completely.

I posted the lyrics to Casting Crown's Praise You In This Storm on the Hospice page. I think I posted them more as a reminder for myself than as encouragement for her family. If you have a second, I would encourage you to watch the video and really meditate on the words.

For more Motivate Me Monday posts, head over to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee.

I'm Not a Liar...

2009-01-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

Just sick with the stomach flu...again.

Motivate Me Monday

2009-01-19T07:56:00.004-07:00

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4

I raved about this book last week, and I'm afraid I'm on the bandwagon. Experiencing Spiritual Intimacy by Christa Kinde is really challenging me to grow and come to a deeper understanding of my God.

This past week we read chapter 2, Being Known. Last week was all about knowing God, so this week we discovered how intimately God knows us. How God knows every single detail about our lives, past, present, and future (Hebrews 4:13), and he knows the "secrets of your heart" (Psalm 44:21). And yet, God still blessed us with His Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

Sometimes the knowledge that God knows every thought and every detail of my life is overwhelming, scary, and a bit embarrassing. But, most of the time, it brings me comfort to know that God understands me completely, even if everyone around me does not. I would rather have a relationship with a God who loves me so deeply that He wants to know all about me, rather than be a "fan" of a god who doesn't even know my name. God formed and shaped me (Job 10:8), He planned out my days (Psalm 139:13-16), He gave me a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11), and blessed me with gifts (Ephesians 4:11-13). God loves me as a child. I long to bring blessing to Him.

For more Motivating posts, click here for Sarah Mae's blog, Like a Warm Cup of Coffee.

**I know I said I'd post about Sanctification today, but I forgot about Motivate Me Monday. I guarantee there will be a post tomorrow!**

Sanctification - Day Off

2009-01-16T10:23:00.002-07:00

Will resume on Monday.

Modesty Fashion Show

2009-01-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

Alright, here's my show:

Going to church.
This skirt is very versatile. It can be paired with numerous colors, and is "puffy-pleats" so it hides all my business. With black boots, you can hardly see a thing!

A regular day.
I love this green sweater! It's kind of a cardigan, but short so it doesn't make me look shorter than I am. I put a long, "fancy" t-shirt under it to hide my belly and my crack.

Church or work - or whatever.
The orange silky shirt could be worn with lots of different pants or skirts, but I wanted something a little springier rather than fall. With the cream cami, nobody's getting a "sneak-peak".

Goin' out to celebrate.
This picture does not do the outfit justice. The silky blue shirt has been paired with fancy jeans and a black coat. Trust me though, this is a great way to dress up jeans for a not too fancy look. I wore this to my husband's master's degree graduation ceremony.

That's what I've got, but if you're still hungry for more ideas, head on over to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee for a fashion show extraordinaire!

Remember, modest does not equal frumpy.

Sanctification - Day Two

2009-01-14T07:49:00.003-07:00

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Yesterday we established a definition for Sanctification. We are to strive to separate ourselves from the world around us so that we may have a close relationship with God. Please understand that by separating yourself from the world does not mean to isolate yourself. Jesus was anything but isolated. We are required to live in this world. But, we are not to live of it. Meaning, we must exist in a sinful world, but that does not give us the go ahead to act like the world. This is where we must be salt and light to the world. This is when we, as Christians, must be a beacon of light in the darkness. We are to stand out and stand for the truth that abides in us. I'll post more on living in the world later.

The Scriptural standard of sanctification is expressed in various terms used throughout the New Testament. The following outline some of these terms:

Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

1 Thessalonians 3:13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Philippians 1:10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ

Romans 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6:2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Romans 6:19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

1 John 3:22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Why is this important? These terms describe the operation of the Holy Spirit through salvation in Christ by which He delivers us from sin's bondage and power (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 6:16), separates us from the sinful practices of this present world (John 17:15-19, Romans 6:13, Galations 5:16), renews our nature according to the image of Christ (John 17:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17), produces in us the fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23), and enables us to live holy and victorious lives of dedication to God (Romans 6:5, Romans 6:19, Romans 12:1).

So what does this mean to you and to me? These "Bibly" terms do not imply an absolute perfection. But, rather, an ethical righteousness of unblemished character demonstrated in purity, obedience and blamelessness (Philippians 2:14-15, Colossians 1:22, 1 Thessalonians 2:10, Luke 1:6). We as Christians, only by the grace that God has bestowed upon us, have died with Christ and are set free from sin's power and dominion (You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness - Romans 6:18).

This is not our license to sin. But rather we should strive not to sin. Through this we can find adequate victory in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit John tells us that we are able not to sin (My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One - 1 John 2:1; No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him - 1 John 3:6).

We must rely on the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal to us the sins in our lives. From there we are able to repent, turn away from, those sins and ask God for forgiveness. We will never come to the place where we are free from temptation and the possibility of sin, but through the Holy Spirit, we can identify the sin and attempt to avoid it.

Sanctification - Day One

2009-01-13T07:31:00.006-07:00

1 Peter 1:2
Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ, and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

NIV

Sanctification.

What is it?

Mr. Webster gives us this definition:

Sanctification

Sanc`ti*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. sanctificatio: cf. F. sanctification.]1. The act of sanctifying or making holy; the state of being sanctified or made holy; esp. (Theol.), the act of God's grace by which the affections of men are purified, or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God; also, the state of being thus purified or sanctified. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. --2 Thess. ii. 13. 2. The act of consecrating, or of setting apart for a sacred purpose; consecration. --Bp. Burnet.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

Easton's Bible Dictionary says this:

Sanctification

involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13). Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it (1) secures union to Christ (Gal. 2:20), and (2) brings the believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield obedience "to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come." Perfect sanctification is not attainable in this life (1 Kings 8:46; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8). See Paul's account of himself in Rom. 7:14-25; Phil. 3:12-14; and 1 Tim. 1:15; also the confessions of David (Ps. 19:12, 13; 51), of Moses (90:8), of Job (42:5, 6), and of Daniel (9:3-20). "The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray. They are always subject to the constant chastisement of their Father's loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Christians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the attainment of perfection for themselves.", Hodge's Outlines.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Cite This Source

I will be going into more detail on some of the verses mentioned, but I would encourage you to get out your Bible and look up these verses. This is God's "Field Book" for life. USE IT!!!

In laymen's terms, sanctification means to make holy, to consecrate, to separate from the world, and to be set apart from sin SO THAT we may have intimate fellowship with God and serve Him gladly.

I am currently involved in an online Bible Study with the 5:16 chicks. We are studying 1 John. As I was reading last week, I came upon a note in my Bible that referenced 1 John 1:7 -

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

I don't know about you, but this sounded good to me, so I was anxious to learn more. The note took me to an article about Sanctification, which really struck me. Over the next few days I will be sharing more about this article on Sanctification. Today, ponder over the definitions, and if you have a chance, look over a few of the verses.

Motivate Me Monday

2009-01-12T05:00:00.001-07:00

For my Tuesday morning Bible Study, we are currently going through another Women of Faith study. The title of the study is, "Experience Spiritual Intimacy". Ooh....the title just makes me excited to open the pages and dive right in!

Each chapter is set up the same way. There is a part called "Clearing the Cobwebs", in which the reader is challenged to think about a specific time in her own life that would apply to the chapter. There is a short story/illustration to read through. Then you get into the Word! There are usually about 10 questions that require you to look up scripture and reflect upon what the Lord is revealing to you. There are little quotes in the margins from the Women of Faith that will encourage and challenge the reader. About halfway through the questions, there is another short story/illustration, and then more questions. After you've gone through all of the questions, there is another section called Digging Deeper. This section gets you back in the Word, and really thinking about how all of what you have learned and read can, will, and should apply to your own life. After that is the "Ponder and Pray", which gives you specific instructions on what you could pray about for the week, and what you could ask the Lord to reveal to you. The last part is the "Trinket to Treasure". If you've ever been to a Women of Faith Conference, then you know that at the end of each conference, the ladies "give" you an imaginary gift that you are to "hold" in your heart so that you will remember what lesson they shared with you.

I've only gone through one chapter, but the "Digging Deeper" really got me.

Do you think you can know God and not have it change your life? There are two sides to this. What is Paul's criticism of those who say they know God but don't show any evidence of it in Titus 1:16? And how does David describe a life lived in the pursuit of knowing God in 1 Chronicles 28:9? How has knowing God changed your life?

WHOA!!!

My first instinct was to turn right to Titus 1:16.

16They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

I then read the commentary from my Bible.

THEY CLAIM...THEY DENY HIM. One of the greatest abominations in God's eyes is to profess faith in Christ and the hope of eternal life (v. 2), while at the same time to live in disobedience to him and his Word. (The Full Life Study Bible, Donald C. Stamps)

This led me to a few more scriptures.

Luke 6:46

46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

John 14:12

12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 15:10-14

10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command.

1 John 2:4

4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Then I went back into the Titus scripture and looked up the scriptures that relate to what Paul says to Titus.

Jeremiah 5:2

2 Although they say, 'As surely as the LORD lives,'
still they are swearing falsely."

Jeremiah 12:2

2 You have planted them, and they have taken root;
they grow and bear fruit.
You are always on their lips
but far from their hearts.

1 John 2:4 (again)

4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Hosea 8:2-3

2 Israel cries out to me,
'O our God, we acknowledge you!'

3 But Israel has rejected what is good;
an enemy will pursue him.

I also thought about Matthew 6:24.

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

I know this scripture ends with God and Money, but I really feel you could put anything in the place of Money that is causing you to be torn between God and the other thing. Because, by trying to serve two masters, you are living in disobedience to God's word, Exodus 20:3:

3 "You shall have no other gods before me.

I then looked up 1 Chronicles 28:9

9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

As I suspected they would, all of these scriptures only validated my initial thoughts.

I think that once you have made a decision to allow Christ to dwell in your heart, you want to change. I know for me, as soon as I made that decision to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior, I wanted Him to be a part of my life. Often times I think the Spirit moves fast, and reveals sin in your life that you need to repent of. I remember that I changed really fast, and it shocked some of my family and some of my friends. My language changed, my priorities changed, and my group of friends changed. I knew that if I continued in my current pattern of life, that I wasn't serving the Lord.

However, that was 12 years ago. In these past 12 years I have experienced extreme highs with my Lord, and He has walked me through extreme lows. Apathy can creep into our hearts so easily. With apathy comes sin, and often times we are so apathetic that we don't even notice our sin, or even deny that it is sin. Legalism and judgment cloud our hearts.

But then who are we serving? Certainly not God. Probably just ourselves.

1 John 1 talks about sin in our life, and if there is sin, if we are not changing, then Christ can't live in us. There will be darkness where there should be light.

Knowing where I was headed before I found Jesus, my life has changed dramatically! If I had not changed, if I had not allowed the Lord to work in me, mold and shape me, if I were not "bendy" for God to use me, then I would not be able to serve Him. I know that I could not live that life and consider myself a servant of the Lord.

I am not perfect by any means. I sin every single day. But, the difference is that I ask the Spirit to search my heart and reveal my sins to me. Repentance is a big, fancy, church word. If you are truly repentant, then you have asked the Spirit to disclose any sin in your life. You acknowledge that this is sin, and confess you sin to the Lord. You seek and accept forgiveness from God. Then, you pray for the strength to turn away from that sin. You ask God to help you fight the temptation and its hold on your life. This is the hardest part about repenting. It might be a daily battle, but with the Lord's strength, you will prevail!

I am so excited to see how my life will continue to change as I eagerly seek my Lord with my whole heart - everyday!

You too can conquer your sins, and truly change your life!

For more Motivate Me Mondays, check out Like a Warm Cup of Coffee!

Update

2009-01-09T08:51:00.004-07:00

I have spent the last few days ruminating on my own spiritual journey. As I have mentioned earlier, I want to grow this year. No longer will I be satisfied with just knowing about God. I am going to know Him intimately. I am seeking Him, not waiting for Him to find me. I am longing for more, and I will not wait idly by, but will actively pursue Him. My desire is to be a beacon of light for His kingdom. I have no idea where this journey will lead me, but I know that I will be in His arms.

As you may have noticed, I have joined Sarah Mae, and MANY other ladies in the 5:16 club. The purpose of this club is to get up at 5:16 am (or 5:48...) and "redeem" your time with the Lord before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. I can't tell you how much I look forward to this time every morning. Spending this quiet time in His Word and in prayer has really helped me move forward in my relationship with God.

In order to give our group direction, focus, and something in common, we decided to study in depth 1 John. If you are interested in joining this discussion, there is a forum that was started. The reading plan has been posted, as well as many other posts to encourage and to challenge.

I am also involved in another Bible Study put out by Women of Faith. It is called, "Experiencing Spiritual Intimacy." I love how God's timing is always perfect! This book is aligning perfectly with my study of 1 John!

Spiritual Growth is not without pain. Just as we suffer physical growing pains when our body grows, we will suffer spiritual pain when our spirit grows. I have seen my life in a whole new light. Some things in my life are keepers, but the Holy Spirit is revealing things in my heart that are detrimental to my growth in Christ. Therefore, I will have to make some changes. And, change is never easy.

Ladies, I feel that 2009 is full of possibilities, and it seems like the Lord is moving in a powerful way! I am excited to see what He will do in this next year! I hope that you'll bear with me through my growth, and I promise to partner with you through yours!

Next week I will be focusing my posts on Sanctification. Sanctification means to make holy, to consecrate, to separate from the world, and to be set apart from sin so that we may have intimate fellowship with God and serve him gladly.

10 Questions

2009-01-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Again, Champion Chick and I were talking, and both of us were expressing how much more we want in our relationships with Christ this year. She asked if I had wandered over to 10 Million Miles recently. I hadn't, so she went on to describe what she found when she was there. Laura had posted 10 Questions that she will be pondering. Knowing that I am longing to grow closer to my Lord and Savior, I thought that I too should contemplate these questions as well. I may or may not post my answers to these, but I will definitely come back to them next year. I challenge you to look over these questions and reflect seriously about your answers. Some will come easily, and I'm sure some will require prayerful consideration. Best of luck to you!

10 Questions

I’ll be mulling over these questions from Revive Our Hearts…

1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

Modesty, Here I Come!

2009-01-06T08:35:00.003-07:00

If you've ever looked around, you've probably noticed that modesty is something that many of us struggle with. Champion Chick and I were talking about modesty in church just the other day, and then our friend, Sarah Mae, posted that she was going to be starting a series all about modesty. It's a 10 day series all about modesty. I would highly encourage you to check out Like a Warm Cup of Coffee each day. I know we all have much to gain from this.

Motivate Me Monday

2009-01-05T14:05:00.004-07:00

2:08 pm. That's the local time here. This is really my first moment today to sit down and have an actual thought. My baby girl is sick, so therefore I'm on Mama Overdrive! Last night was the second sleepless night, and today is the second restless and clingy day.

And so, here I sit.

I have often noticed that once I am resolute about something, I am immediately under fire about it. Sometimes it is friends who attack. Sometimes it's my time that assaults me. Often times it's just "stuff" that seems to pummel me from every direction. This time, it's been illness.

I've been recovering from the stomach flu since before Christmas. As soon as I feel that I've finally kicked it, it rears it's ugly head and comes back with vengeance! And now my daughter is sick. What happens when I'm sick? I shut down. I can't do much of anything. I have been so weak and light-headed, so I have basically been useless (my husband can attest to this).

What did I resolve?

I WANT MORE! I know that there's more, and I want it! I want more of Christ! I want more from my time with Him! I want more for myself and more for my family! I want to know Him more!

I have not given up. This passion burns within me. I will "keep on keepin' on". Attacks are immanent, but I've got something to look forward to.

Be sure you check out Sarah Mae's for for Motivate Me Mondays!

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
James 5:8

Thank you, Lord for standing by my side and carrying me when I am too weak. I give you my life, and pray the strength to keep growing closer to you. I know that there will be times of trials, but you are worth it. I love you so much, and can't wait to see what work you are doing.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T09:09:00.005-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

I'm always amazed at how far away next year seems right now, and yet, I know it will be here in a very short time. The new year is a great time to reflect on how short our time is. Although it may seem as though we have all the time in the world, our days are numbered.

I am going to be taking the first few days in 2009 to reflect on my time and how it is being spent. I want to make sure that I am making the most of my days, and that I will leave a legacy for my family and friends. I will be taking this time to look back on my goals that I set when I first began my God's Chicks blog. I will also be looking specifically at how I can become a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and child of God.

I will still be posting on Monday for Motivate Me Monday.

My love to you all, and here's to a blessed 2009!

Hebrews 10:36

2008-12-31T05:16:00.001-07:00

36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

32-39Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.

It won't be long now, he's on the way;
he'll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won't be very happy.
But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.

The Message

**********

God has promised us so much! Keep on moving forward, persevere through the rough times. He wants you to receive what He has promised by keeping with His plan!

1 John 2:25

2008-12-30T05:16:00.001-07:00

25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

24-25Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life!

The Message

**********

God has promised eternal life to those who put their faith in Him.

Psalm 91:11

2008-12-29T05:16:00.001-07:00

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

1-13You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

The Message

**********

God has given His angels charge over you, to keep you safe.

Isaiah 54:5

2008-12-28T05:16:00.001-07:00

5 For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

1-6 "Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby.
Fill the air with song, you who've never experienced childbirth!
You're ending up with far more children
than all those childbearing women." God says so!
"Clear lots of ground for your tents!
Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!
Use plenty of rope,
drive the tent pegs deep.
You're going to need lots of elbow room
for your growing family.
You're going to take over whole nations;
you're going to resettle abandoned cities.
Don't be afraid—you're not going to be embarrassed.
Don't hold back—you're not going to come up short.
You'll forget all about the humiliations of your youth,
and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory.
For your Maker is your bridegroom,
his name, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
Your Redeemer is The Holy of Israel,
known as God of the whole earth.
You were like an abandoned wife, devastated with grief,
and God welcomed you back,
Like a woman married young
and then left," says your God.

The Message

**********

God is a husband to the woman who has no husband. He will care for us as our husbands should.

Joshua 1:9

2008-12-27T05:16:00.001-07:00

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant:

"Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

The Message

**********

God is with you wherever you go. Take courage.

Zephaniah 3:17

2008-12-26T05:16:00.001-07:00

17 The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

16-17Jerusalem will be told:
"Don't be afraid.
Dear Zion,
don't despair.
Your God is present among you,
a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love
and delight you with his songs.

The Message

**********

The Lord is with you, and He will quiet you with His love.

A Baby Changes Everything

2008-12-25T07:00:00.002-07:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

This is the day that we are privileged to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. One of the songs that captured my heart this year was a song by Faith Hill called A Baby Changes Everything. When I first saw the book my first thought was to agree completely. I thought it was just a book and song about being a mother. However, after reading the lyrics and listening to the song, I quickly discovered that it was not a song about just any mother. This was a song about Jesus' mother. Can you even imagine? I know what I was like when I was a teenager, and I was not ready to have a baby - especially the King of Kings!

If you have a moment, click on the video to listen to this beautiful song.

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what's to come
A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

The man she loves she's never touched
How will she keep his trust?
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And she cries, ooh, she cries
Ooh, oh

She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can't stay
A baby changes everything

She can feel it's coming soon
There's no place, there's no room
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And she cries, and she cries
Oh, she cries

Shepherds all gather 'round (Shepherds all they gather 'round)
Up above the star shines down (Star shines down)
A baby changes everything

Choir of angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything
Eveything, everything, everything

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

My whole life has turned around
I was lost, but now I'm found
A baby changes everything, yeah
A baby changes everything

~~Faith Hill~~

1 Peter 1:4-5

2008-12-25T05:16:00.002-07:00

4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

3-5What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

The Message

**********

Our blessings are kept in heaven for us, where they cannot be spoiled. God's power protects us until we are brought to heaven as well.

Isaiah 54:10

2008-12-24T05:16:00.001-07:00

10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

9-10"This exile is just like the days of Noah for me:
I promised then that the waters of Noah
would never again flood the earth.
I'm promising now no more anger,
no more dressing you down.
For even if the mountains walk away
and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won't walk away from you,
my covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart."
The God who has compassion on you says so.

The Message

**********

Though the world may be coming to an end, God's love will never disappear. His promise of peace will be fulfilled.

Matthew 7:7-8

2008-12-23T05:16:00.001-07:00

7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

7-11"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

The Message

**********

What we ask, we will receive. What we seek, we will find. When we knock, the door will open.

Motivate Me Monday

2008-12-22T06:00:00.009-07:00

Do you have those places in the Bible where you've seen them taken out of context so many times that they almost irritate you a little? And, you're tempted to skip right over it...

I've been studying the book of James, which I love!!! I have really enjoyed getting in deep with this book. I haven't read more than two sections a day, and often times I take multiple days to really dig in and learn all that I can. There is so much in just five little chapters!

Last Thursday the title of the section of Scripture for the day was, "Boasting About Tomorrow," James 4:13-17.

Boasting About Tomorrow

13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

~NIV~

Nothing but a Wisp of Fog

13-15And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money." You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."

16-17As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.

~The Message~

The first part that grabbed my attention was in verse 14:

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.

This is so true. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. We don't even know what the next hour holds for us or our loved ones. What we can take comfort in is knowing that God does know our future, and He has worked it out perfectly according to His will. Does this mean we'll live perfect lives? Uh, no. Absolutely not ... unfortunately.

I understand what James is telling his readers. We should not allow our own selfish ambitions to dictate how we live our lives. We need to always remember that God is the one who sustains our lives, that each day's twenty-four hours are not "ours" automatically, that God controls time and gives it as one of his good gifts, and that we would be already blown away in God's judgment were it not for his mercy. The biblical worldview is that "we receive another day neither by natural necessity, nor by mechanical law, nor by right, nor by courtesy of nature, but only by the covenanted mercies of God" (Motyer 1985:162). (Commentary by InterVarsity Press.)

However, although we don't know what tomorrow brings, we still need to plan ahead. We need to have some kind of vision, or else you have nothing to strive towards. I know that I need to pray that my vision for my future aligns with God's plan for me, but I also need to remember that things may happen along the way. While this may set me back a little, I still need to look ahead and find where God is leading me. I might need to ask what God what He is teaching me during these trials, and figure out how to get back on track, or be willing to realize that the Lord has altered the course, and I'm heading in a new direction.

Writing these things scares me a little because it makes me wonder how God is going to change directions. Who is He taking away? My husband, my daughter, my parents, me? Although I let these thoughts creep into my thought life, I cannot allow them to consume my thoughts.

The second part that stuck out was in verse 15:

"If it is the Lord's will..."

Used in the right context, I absolutely agree with this, but I've heard it used as an excuse.

"Could you help me in the nursery?"

"Lord willing. Let me pray about it."

I have some friends who are missionaries working in Muslim countries. Questions they ask are often times answered in this way, and this phrase is an excuse!

"When will the workers be back to finish the roof?"

"Whenever Allah allows."

Again, I understand what James is saying. WE are not the ones who plan our days. Only God knows what our future holds for us. He is challenging us to rely solely on God and not on ourselves or our schedules.

First, it would be a superficial spirituality to think that James's instruction is fulfilled merely by sprinkling our speech with "the Lord willing." At the same time, we should not judge those who do use this phrase; if it is done humbly as a way to keep oneself reminded of God's sovereignty, it can be a godly practice. Second, it would be a deformed spirituality to apply this by refusing to do any planning; 4:15 affirms the validity of planning to do this or that. Motyer writes, "James is not trying to banish planning from our lives, but only that sort of self-sufficient, self-important planning that keeps God for Sunday but looks on Monday to Saturday as mine" (1985:161). The spirituality James wants for us is a humble reliance on God which flows from knowing that one is in reality dependent on God for every moment. It is yet another example of how James would envision the manifestation of grace-reliance in our lives.(Commentary by InterVarsity Press.)

The reason that this passage bothers me is because people don't really take the time to understand what James is saying. We must have plans, but we must be willing to bend to God's will. And using His will as an excuse for not doing something was never James' intention. Let's accept what comes out of tomorrow and plan for the next day...God willing!!!

SIDE NOTE: As I was finishing this up, my mom called to tell me that my dad has prostate cancer. Talk about timing. He is fine. The tumor is very small, completely contained, and slow-growing. It will be removed in March. We serve a big God, and He knows what my next hour holds...

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

2008-12-22T05:16:00.001-07:00

16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

15-17So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

The Message

**********

Jesus will encourage you and strengthen you in everything you do and say. He has given you a hope that is eternal.

Jude 24

2008-12-21T05:16:00.001-07:00

Doxology
24To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

24-25And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.

The Message

**********

Jesus is strong, and can help you not to fall. He can give you great joy.

Hebrews 6:17-20

2008-12-20T05:16:00.001-07:00

17Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

13-18When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, "I promise that I'll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!" Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

18-20We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

The Message

**********

God cannot lie. He keeps His promises to us, and that is a source of strength to our souls.

Isaiah 46:4

2008-12-19T05:16:00.001-07:00

4 Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

3-4"Listen to me, family of Jacob,
everyone that's left of the family of Israel.
I've been carrying you on my back
from the day you were born,
And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old.
I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray.
I've done it and will keep on doing it,
carrying you on my back, saving you.

The Message

**********

Even when you are old, God will take care of you. He will carry you.

Psalm 55:22

2008-12-18T05:16:00.001-07:00

22 Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

22-23 Pile your troubles on God's shoulders—
he'll carry your load, he'll help you out.
He'll never let good people
topple into ruin.
But you, God, will throw the others
into a muddy bog,
Cut the lifespan of assassins
and traitors in half.

And I trust in you.

A David Psalm, when he was captured by the Philistines in Gath

The Message

**********

Give your worries to God, and He won't let you down.

Hebrews 6:10-11

2008-12-17T05:16:00.002-07:00

10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

9-12I'm sure that won't happen to you, friends. I have better things in mind for you—salvation things! God doesn't miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you've shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it. And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.

The Message

**********

God sees, knows, and will remember all the work you have done for Him. He knows the hopes in your heart, and will reward them in eternity.

John 14:1

2008-12-16T05:16:00.001-07:00

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

1-4 "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking."

The Message

**********

Jesus urges us, "Don't let your hearts be troubled." Instead, trust God and Jesus to take care of you.

Motivate Me Monday

2008-12-15T07:15:00.007-07:00

I can't tell you how many times in just the last few weeks God has shown me how timely He is! It's amazing! I love these little reminders from Him that He really is watching over every moment of my life, and caring for me. He is faithful and He loves me!

If your days are anything like mine, I would venture to say that they might get a little crazy sometimes. And, it seems like now, more than ever before, panic is widespread, throughout the nation, and our world.

But now, in the midst of all of this chaos surrounding us, is when we should seek refuge with our Lord and Savior, our Creator, the Alpha and the Omega! He is all knowing and all seeing! God knows the past, the present, and the future, and He has promised us everlasting life with Him, so why become consumed with worry and fear in our temporary lives?

My Bible Study group just finished the book Living Above Worry and Stress. The book is one of the Women of Faith books. Although I don't feel as though this study helped me to grow spiritually, it was full of wonderful reminders. And, this book was extremely timely! Our Bible Study meets on Tuesday mornings. On Election morning our entire study was about God's Promises! When I was working on Peace as my Fruits of the Spirits focus, the chapter we discussed was all about peace. The entire book was dealing with stress and worry, and how timely is that during one of the most stressful Falls that I can remember!

I read this quote last week:

My friend, remember to take this life one day at a time. When several days attack you, don't give up. A successful woman takes the bricks the devil throws at her and uses them to lay a firm foundation. We all need enough trials to challenge us, enough challenges to strengthen us, and enough strength to do our part in making this a better place to live and love.
~Barbara Johnson~

I love the image of using Satan's bricks that he throws at us in hatred, the trials that he lobs towards us, hoping to discourage us, to build up our foundation on Christ! To become stronger when the intent was to destroy!

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
~James 1:2-4~

4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
~1 John 5:4-5~

We are not exempt from trials on this earth. But, how we choose to handle these difficult times says multitudes about our character. We will inevitably grow stronger if we choose to lean on Christ and grow closer to Him!

I have been encouraged by God's promises to me. He loves me and wants me to rely on His strength. This is how I will grow strong! His Spirit will provide me with perfect peace. I know that I must go through the wringer sometimes in order to become the woman that God desires me to be.

Remember:

What does not kill me, makes me stronger.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, 1888
German philosopher (1844 - 1900)
Cast your worries on the Lord. He will be faithful to you. But, He will be faithful in His time. Try not to doubt the Lord. He always knows what is best for you!

For more Motivate Me Monday links, stop by Like a Warm Cup of Coffee!

Psalm 116:1

2008-12-15T05:16:00.001-07:00

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

1-6 I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn;
then I called out to God for help:
"Please, God!" I cried out.
"Save my life!"
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

The Message

**********

God listens to your prayers for help. He pays attention to you!

2 Chronicles 16:9

2008-12-14T05:16:00.001-07:00

9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

But you asked God for help and he gave you the victory. God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God's help. Now you're in trouble—one round of war after another."

The Message

**********

God searches all the earth for people who have given themselves completely to Him, and when He finds them, He makes them strong.

Hebrews 4:3

2008-12-13T05:16:00.001-07:00

3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
"So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.'

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

1-3For as long, then, as that promise of resting in him pulls us on to God's goal for us, we need to be careful that we're not disqualified. We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn't do them a bit of good because they didn't receive the promises with faith. If we believe, though, we'll experience that state of resting. But not if we don't have faith. Remember that God said,

Exasperated, I vowed,
"They'll never get where they're going,
never be able to sit down and rest."

3-7God made that vow, even though he'd finished his part before the foundation of the world. Somewhere it's written, "God rested the seventh day, having completed his work," but in this other text he says, "They'll never be able to sit down and rest." So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient. God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today, just as he did in David's psalm, centuries later than the original invitation:

Today, please listen,
don't turn a deaf ear . . .

The Message

**********

We who are believers will enter into and will have God's rest.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-7

2008-12-12T05:16:00.001-07:00

6God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

5-10All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You're suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he'll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we've been waiting for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they've done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you.

The Message

**********

God will give rest to those who are troubled.

Psalm 66:19

2008-12-11T05:16:00.001-07:00

19 but God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

16-20 All believers, come here and listen,
let me tell you what God did for me.
I called out to him with my mouth,
my tongue shaped the sounds of music.
If I had been cozy with evil,
the Lord would never have listened.
But he most surely did listen,
he came on the double when he heard my prayer.
Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear,
he stayed with me, loyal in his love.

The Message

**********

God pays attention to our prayers.

Isaiah 26:3 - 4

2008-12-10T05:16:00.001-07:00

3 You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

4 Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

Throw wide the gates
so good and true people can enter.
People with their minds set on you,
you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet,
because they keep at it and don't quit.
Depend on God and keep at it
because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.

The Message

**********

God gives true peace to those who depend upon Him.

1 Corinthians 1:8 - 9

2008-12-09T05:16:00.001-07:00

8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

NIV

~~~~~~~~~~

7-9Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.

The Message

**********

Jesus will keep you strong until the end, so there will be no wrong in you when He returns and brings you home.

Motivate Me Monday

2008-12-08T08:04:00.003-07:00

Ah, it's Monday again! The day that the daily grind begins again. I have a load of laundry going, I've completed my devotions, my coffee is getting cooler as the minutes tick by, and my list of things to do today seems to be growing every time I look at it.

But, Mondays are also a day where I can look back on last week and reflect.

I have been working through the book of James. In order to really take in the message of the book, I have chosen to read it one section at a time. I knew I was in for a doozy last week when the section was titled, "Taming the Tongue". I try, really hard, to think before I speak. But, nevertheless, I seem to let the words come flying out of my mouth like vomit (word vomit)! It's like I've lost control of my body and can't stop them. But, I can, and I need to. Words can be uplifting and encouraging, but the same mouth can produce words that are devastating and can destroy someone.

So, this comes directly from my journal. I will bare it all for you....

12-4-08
James 3:1-12
Taming the Tongue

6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Wow! What an incredible visual! Can you imagine if your whole body erupted into flames when your mouth opened? My tongue is capable of corrupting my entire body. How sad that my course in life is determined by the words that I so freely express without thinking.

8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

This is a disturbing image to me. If I can't tame my tongue, then what can I do? Supposedly there is some encouragement in these two scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:5
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

James 1:19
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

Ah, so there is hope! I need to work on my though life, and think before I speak.

I'm definitely coming back to this tomorrow...

12-5-08
James 3:1-12
Taming the Tongue - day 2

I decided that there was so much in this passage, so I figured that I should probably devote another day to this matter...at least...

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

Ouch! I am completely and totally guilty of this. Even yesterday, I got into a discussion about a director at church. I know, yesterday I look at how the tongue can't be tamed, but I also learned what I can do to prevent myself from getting into this exact predicament, and look what I did. I know what I need to do. I really need to pray about my words, and ask for help with my thoughts, and really, REALLY work hard at thinking all the way through my words before expressing them out loud. What will the ramifications be? Who will I be hurting? Every time I say hurtful things about others, I am not just hurting that person, I am also hurting my Lord.

12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

I can't be both encouraging and devastating.

I am still working on this. It is hard not to get sucked into the world of gossip, but it is extremely dangerous! God really revealed to me that if I am going to minister to others, that I better get my heart and my MOUTH in shape. If you are struggling with your tongue, I can guarantee you that you are not alone, but you must recognize this sin, repent of it, and realize that this could be a daily struggle, BUT you can do it!

I know - not motivating, but this is definitely what God laid on my heart last week. For more MOTIVATING posts, head over to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee!

Deuteronomy 7:9

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9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

NIV

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7-10 God wasn't attracted to you and didn't choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors. God stepped in and mightily bought you back out of that world of slavery, freed you from the iron grip of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know this: God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments for a thousand generations. But he also pays back those who hate him, pays them the wages of death; he isn't slow to pay them off—those who hate him, he pays right on time.

The Message

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God is faithful, and will keep His loving promises for a thousand lifetimes.

Isaiah 41:13

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13 For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

NIV

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11-13"Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the cold—
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handed—
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you won't find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
That's right. Because I, your God,
have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go.
I'm telling you, 'Don't panic.
I'm right here to help you.'

The Message

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God is right there with us, holding our hands and promising His help.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - 10

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9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

NIV

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7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

The Message

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We don't have to be strong or perfect. God uses our imperfections and our weaknesses to highlight His grace and power.

(You can listen to Your Grace is Enough by Matt Maher by scrolling all the way down)

Psalm 10:17

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17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

NIV

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17-18 The victim's faint pulse picks up;
the hearts of the hopeless pump red blood
as you put your ear to their lips.
Orphans get parents,
the homeless get homes.
The reign of terror is over,
the rule of the gang lords is ended.

The Message

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God knows your hopes and your dreams, and He listens to you.

Jeremiah 24:7

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7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

NIV

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7"And I'll give them a heart to know me, God. They'll be my people and I'll be their God, for they'll have returned to me with all their hearts.

The Message

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God will touch your heart, and give you a longing to belong to Him.

James 4:8

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8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

NIV

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7-10So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

The Message

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If you draw near to God, He will draw near to you!