9.28.2011

The Fashion Show?

September 28, 2011

I have all these grand ideas. Plans. Schedules. Charts. Notice the "s" on the end of each. Yes. I'm talking plural. My intentions are always true and pure. I want to make things run more smoothly. I want to give more. Complain less. Yell less. Be a source of more happiness. Be frugal and efficient. I have determination. I organize my thoughts and my life. At least I try to as best as I can. I make commitments to do X, Y, and Z. And then, a funny thing happens. Life gets me all tangled up. It swallows me. It beats me down and tears me up. I get tired. Lose my energy. And then, my grand plans get dropped by the wayside. Not on purpose. Not that I wasn't serious when I made "The Decision" to do "Whatever" it is that I'm convinced will enrich lives and bring glory to God.  I just realize that I don't always have as much control over things as I would like to think that I have. I cannot do it all all of the time. And I've discovered that sometimes, I'm not supposed to.

So, do I give up on it all? Do I quit trying? Throw away my lists and schedules and charts? {My kids are all on their knees with knuckles glowing white, praying to God that I do!} No. I won't quit trying. It's who I am right now. It's who I've been for a while. I just need to keep trying. Push past the way it feels forced when I'm trying something new. When I fail, I need to remember to forgive myself. It's not a reflection of who I am. It just reminds me of Who I need. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11 I must recognize that I am not a failure, it's just that the devil is working overtime to sabotage all that is done in the name of Jesus. He strips us naked. But, you know what- I've been naked often. It's not such a big deal anymore. I just need to get Dressed again.

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22


"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1Corinthians 10:13


"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope," Romans 5:3-4

9.26.2011

Because I'm Worth It

September 26, 2011

Ever feel insecure?

Lately, I've been having long spans of time a few moments of insecurity.  Please, somebody tell me I'm not the only person walking around this earth who thinks that everyone else has it together with the sole exception being herself! Okay. I take that back. I do "know" of a couple of people that really are a hot mess. They don't have it together at all. But, I'm talking in general here.

I'd like to think that I am a strong woman. I can DO just about anything, including birthing babies without the aid of pain medication. (Sorry. I'm kind of proud of that one.) Anyway. Sometimes, I can't help but feel like just when I think I've got this "woman" thing figured out, Satan tackles me hard, throws me to the ground, spits in my eye, laughs in my face, and gives me a concussion. And, he's got it on video to replay the whole ugly episode for me {and everyone else who'll watch} over and over and over and ov.......!

Then, the thoughts come. "Am I doing it all wrong?" "What in the world was I thinking?" "What now?" "Why can't you learn to not talk so much?" "If only they knew you aren't as smart as you want them to think you are." "If only they knew how many times a day you fail." "If only they knew you are CLUELESS." "I bet she thinks I'm a dork." "Why did you say THAT?" "Oh, that was smooth." "She hates me." "I bet they're all talking about me behind my back." "You idiot." Yeah. The devil's beating me up all right. He's using my own fists!

I struggle with life in this fallen world. Sometimes, I invite the devil in and offer him homemade brownies. I listen to what he has to say about me. I take it all in. Every. Single. Word. And I start to believe it. He uses my whole life's experiences against me. Every offense I've suffered, every fear, every failure. He brings it up and uses it to shame me so that I will not have the confidence to stand up in this world and be a light for my Father.

I don't claim to know the answers. But, here's what I do know. The devil is a LIAR! He's got a job to do. He's got real estate to fill up. And time is a ticking. He does not want us to see us the way that God sees us. He wants us defeated and depleted. And here's what else I know: I am someone worth dying for.



"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16


"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8


"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1John 4:10

9.22.2011

Civility

September 22, 2011

I read many wonderful blogs every day. Today, I'd like to share one with you. I hope you'll take a minute to check it out.

Life in the Parsonage

"You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:18


"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12


"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

9.21.2011

Social Studies

September 21, 2011

I've been scarce here. This is why....

AND...
I have one of these who also dances and has a MAD Social Life....
Hopefully, I'll have more time for blogging soon!

"Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share," 1Timothy 6:18

9.19.2011

HAPPILY EverAfter

September 19, 2011

You might remember that about a year ago I found a church that has absolutely captured my heart. Well, I have been going through membership class for the past few weeks and the pastor said something that I find to be quite interesting. 

He talked about how we as Christ followers will be in a relationship with each other for eternity. That's forEver people! That's like, never ending. That's like... well... you know! He talked about how we should try to get along in the here and now because we will be together for the ever after

That brings to mind a whole different way of thinking about our relationships. It can shift what we think is important now. It changes the perspective of how we pick and choose our battles. And it should change how we love and give. It should be less about now, and more about evermore. 



Then I thought about some who I love dearly. Some who I genuinely LIKE to be with- that I want to spend my forever with. Some who just make me happier. Better. Content. Relationships that ebb and flow with ease. And maybe I feel some sadness, because I'm not sure we'll be spending our ever after in the same place. We might be. But, I'm not sure. 






"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." John 17:3

9.15.2011

What Pre-K Looks Like at My House

September 15, 2011

Our Lesson on "Police Officers"

"Circles" (get it?)
Fine Motor Skills: Cutting (ugh)
Fine Motor Skills: Tracing
Weather: Wind
Weather: Rain
Weather: Rain
Weather: Snow
Feelings: Happy (they were supposed to be drawing what makes them happy)
Feelings: Happy (his "happy" face)
Feelings: Happy (her "happy" face)
Feelings: Sad (her "sad" face)
Feelings: Scared (his "scared" face)
Feelings: Scared (her "scared" face)
Aubree has a cousin who is 3 weeks younger than she is. His mom asked if I would "home school" him for preschool with Aubree and I am having so much fun teaching them both. They really seem to be enjoying it and they are learning a lot. His favorite part of school is when we sing and dance the "Hokey Pokey" {teaching them left from right}. It is really cute to see two three year olds shaking it! {I'm pretty sure they think it's pretty funny to see one thirty-eight year old shaking it.} I think that the thing that tickles me the most  is that during "school time" Aubree raises her hand and calls me "Teacher" instead of "Mommy"!


"Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it." Proverbs 22:6

9.12.2011

Living a Life of jOy

September 12, 2011

I've been trying to teach my kids to live a JOYful life- Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. It can be a very difficult thing to accomplish. I've been thinking about how I apply this principle to my own life. If I'm being honest, I'm not doing as well as I'd like to be. Sure, there are many times when I "take one for the team" as they say, but I believe that I should be doing more.

I am making a commitment to take a month to pray for Others. I am just the teeniest bit frightened by my commitment. It's big. But, I'm going to give it my all. So, here's my plan....
I am going to focus on something BIG for someone different every week for four weeks. For example, I will pray for someone who is very ill or in a very difficult place in their life. Additionally, I am going to focus on one different person each day. So, one day I might lift my husband up in prayer. Another day I may pray in earnest for my mother. I will pray for my best friend on yet another.

I will also encourage my family to get involved. I will post the name of the "Person of the Week" and the "Person of the Day" on the refrigerator so that my husband and kids can also pray for them with me. As Christ followers, we are to go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus. It's time I get off my rear and do that. This is a small step, but I am so excited to see what happens!

"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way." 1Samuel 12:23


"Never stop praying." 1Thessalonians 5:17


"And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" Luke 10:2


"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2

9.08.2011

Open Up the Sky

September 8, 2011

Today I'd like to share one of my absolute favorite songs with you. I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I do.



"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22


"Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me." Micah 7:7


"Bus as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1Corinthians 2:9