Posts tagged jesus

“There are two voices you usually hear, Mama.”

She is six, and loves to talk about a mile a minute when you get her in a car.

“And, God usually gets your attention first and then tells you what to do.”

Really.

“Yes, mama. God gets your attention. Kinda how he got Paul’s attention to keep him from killing Christians. Well, maybe not exactly like how He got Paul’s attention with the blinding light, but He still does.” (Acts 9)

I almost had to pull over. She was absolutely speaking Truth, and I get really excited when that happens.

“He gets you to stop doing something bad by giving you that feeling that something isn’t right. Even when Satan tells you to lie, God tells you not to. His voice is bigger than Satan’s. Satan is a bully.”

I pulled over.

“I like when God tells me to do good things most of all. Like when he tells me to help someone on the playground. Or when He told me to help my friend learn to tie her shoes. I like when He tells me to do good things. It feels good when I do what God tells me.”

Deep breaths of a proud mama with a spreading smile.

“When I took that toy I wasn’t supposed to, Mama, God told me not to. But I chose not to listen to Him. That made me feel so bad that I didn’t listen. But then I felt better when I took it back and said I was sorry. That was God.”

Tears in my eyes at the sight of the Holy Spirit in my baby girl.

Following the Holy Spirit does not have to be hard. Why do we make it? It is easy and we make it complicated when we serve our flesh rather than our spirit (Romans 8). Trusting Jesus like a child is what Jesus himself preached (Mark 10:15). The Holy Spirit is with us always and guides us if we choose to listen and obey (John 14:26).

Listen.

Obey.

Walk with God.

P31Wife

“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samariaenjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers,” (Acts 9:31).

We talk a lot about superheros in our house. In fact, it is part of our everyday life these days. Who is better? Who runs faster? Who is cooler? Who has the most power? In fact, the everlasting conversation about Marvel Comic Superheros versus DC Comic Justice League Superheros lives on and on and on.

My 8 year old in his Ironman mask and Justice League pajamas said, ” I don’t get it. Batman has no superpowers. He uses tools and that makes him a superhero. Ironman is a normal guy (questionable normalcy point here folks) but he puts on his suit or uses his suit as a tool like Batman does and he is a super hero. Why does that make them superheros if they have no actual powers themselves?”  Great point, son.

His dad and I jumped at that opportunity to explain this one. His dad first, “That makes Batman even cooler. He can just be himself and use the tools that he has been given.” Our son protested again. “But, Dad, what is his superpower?” 

Enter, Holy Spirit.

We are all just normal guys faced with impossible dilemmas to conquer. God sets us apart by giving us incredible superpowers through the Holy Spirit. Powers which enable all of us who believe in Christ Jesus to act supernaturally through the Advocate. To be heroes in our everyday life to those around us by helping the weak, easing the pain, soothing the suffering of anyone who is in need. We use the everyday tools or gifts God has given us to partner with Him. We need only to be open to the filling of the Holy Spirit by seeking Him wholeheartedly.

Are you a Batman, a regular guy who becomes something extraordinary when you use the tools available to you? Do you rely on the Holy Spirit to equip you daily? Do you hold a sister’s hand when her marriage is falling apart, when her child is sick? Do you clean her house when she can’t? Do you bring a meal to feed her family so she doesn’t have to think about it? Do you pray for her before she asks you? These are the acts of superheroes who partner with God. These are the acts of available sisters filled with Holy Spirit.

Look around you, sisters. What simple act of heroism can you perform today? This world needs more Batmans.

P31Wife

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe,” (John 14: 23-29) NIV.

photo credit.

Hello, friends. The Facebook Challenge is upon us. In fact it is in 4 days! I am very excited to see what God has for me in this adventure and for you as well. The more I have prayed about it, the more I am open to what the Lord will teach me through this Challenge.

The Challenge:

One designated 15 minute Facebook log on per day.

One status per week.

8 week Challenge (June 17th through Aug 11th).

The Goal:

A purposeful season spent with the Lord and in the Word—a season of growth and adventure with Heavenly Father.

I would also like to add a couple things. One, be Spirit led. If you need to make adjustments, make them. This is between you and the Lord, NOT ME. If you need to break the Challenge or you need to alter it (Pinterest, etc), do as the Lord instructs. The point, after all, is to be listening to His Voice.

A couple of you have asked me about uploading pictures. I do not see a problem with uploading pics to share with your family and friends. Pics can be uploaded without a log on to Facebook’s Newsfeed. Use caution though with being tempted to check for comments. Keep your designated log in times. Obeying God will bless you with self control (Galatians 5:22-24).

My desire is to focus intently on the Lord and the Lord’s voice. He is ruler over my life. I want desperately to see what He has in store for me this summer (John 14:25-26).

I will be praying for you too dear friends. I will be posting periodically so check in and let me know what awesome things God is doing in your lives.

P31Wife

“A wife of noble character who can find?” Proverbs 31:10

Here is the previous post about the challenge.
Posted May 24, 2012:

I want more of God.

I want more quality and quantity.

I want a God driven adventure.

Summer is approaching at warp speed. I feel the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit that several opportunities are coming. I do not want to miss any of these opportunities with God. Divine opportunities are just not to be missed.

This summer I am going to clear my head. I would like to experience this season with clarity and purpose, and recharge my batteries for the upcoming fall. I have decided that one of the things I am going to do is to unplug a bit from Facebook, television, and other sources that jam up my mind and start to affect my ability to hear God’s voice.

Summer has always felt like a season for growth. I remember learning to ride my bike in the summer, learning to swim, and I remember learning some not-so-great habits as well. I want my summer to be special, as well as my kids’ summer. The only clear way I know how to do that is to plug in to the Heavenly Father and listen and obey. He does not disappoint. His Word does not return void. I want a clear head to hear Him with.

I have prayed about how unplugging will look like for me. Bringing before God the issue of deactivating for a period of time did not feel exactly appropriate. There are many, many things I appreciate about Facebook, but none more than how it bridges the gap of distance between family and friends. What I don’t love is how it can drain precious time if I am not careful.

Submission will alleviate the temptation to use Facebook as a filler and time waster. Temptation neglects and altogether ignores the Holy Spirit. By submitting myself to God, the fruit of my submission will be self control. The reward will be a deepened relationship with Heavenly Father.

Jesus said,”If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” (Matthew 16:24). Again, this verse keeps coming back to the forefront of my mind. While this is often the beginning of our walk with Christ, sometimes we need to start over. Sometimes, daily. God has an adventure waiting! Submitting and obeying what God asks is the first step of any adventure with Christ.

Here are a few questions I asked myself before committing to this challenge. I would love it if you would prayerfully consider joining me.

1. Set a timer and track the amount of time that you spend on Facebook, television, Pinterest, or perhaps even just online. (For perspective, set a timer for 5 minutes and see how quickly time can pass.)
2. Do you spend too much time thinking about negativity (self pity, complaints, bad language, rude behavior in general) from Facebook?
3. Does Facebook affect your productivity whether that be emotionally (something you read influenced you) or physically (you ran out of time to accomplish something because you were on Facebook)?
4. Whose voice (God’s or your friend of a friend of a friend) are you hearing throughout the day?
5. How many times do you log on to Facebook in a day, via your smart-phone, just to see what’s going on or who has commented on your status (literally, tally how many times)? Compare that to how many times you thank God or pray in a day.

Be aware.

Be intentional.

The Challenge:

One designated 15 minute Facebook log on per day.

One status per week.

8 week Challenge (June 17th through Aug 11th).

The Goal:

A purposeful season spent with the Lord and in the Word—a season of growth and adventure with Heavenly Father.

My family will be filling our time with intentional living and not passively watching our summer go by. We intend to draw even nearer to Jesus. Jesus said,”If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” (Matthew 16:24). I want to clear my mind of distractions (deny himself). Intentionally removing temptation and concentrating on what God (take up his cross) has for me this summer is right where I want to be. I am going on an adventure (follow me) that God is leading.

How about you, friend? You in?

P31Wife

“A wife of noble character who can find?” Proverbs 31:10

When I was 19, my heart was broken. Actually, it was shattered. The boy I thought I loved with all my heart, turned out to be the perfect man for someone else. I really thought that heartache would last forever. The heartache, while at the time was excruciating, it was also temporary and an answer to prayer. Still, I distinctively remember asking myself in the midst of the pain, “how did I get here?” 

There were many times in my young adult life that I ended up somewhere unpleasant and unfamiliar.  I questioned myself on how I landed in that spot. Sometimes, I did my best to avoid heartbreak but fell right smack in the middle of it. I had placed my faith in a great Oz and wound up lost. Much of the time, I took zero responsibility for my actions, blamed others for my bad choices, and choose sin over and over rather than the grace and mercy of God.  Other times, I carried so much guilt upon my back that the load was unbearable. I felt sorry for myself because of my circumstances (justifiably unfair), and convinced others around me to feel sorry for myself too (which never really helped me).  In short, you don’t have to look too far to find a trail of my mistakes. They are lying right between my good intentions and my excuses.

Thankfully, Jesus saw every desperate mistake and each plentiful excuse. I remember the exact ditch He picked me up and dusted me off in. It was there that I started to follow Him.

Jesus said,”If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” (Matthew 16:24). There is a common thread of following someone other than the Lord in each of my failed plans. These choices, however great my intentions, were not centered on Christ. They centered on something else I desperately wanted—joy, peace, and love. Ironically, it wasn’t until I died to myself (gave up on my own plans) that I began to see God’s will (joy, peace, and love) and obediently followed His plan not mine.  

Today, at 41, I sit here and ask myself the same question, “how did I get here?” Only, this time because there is abundant joy, peace, and love in my life. Yes, there are still many struggles, weariness, and even at times, despair. I am grateful for the trials too. But, when I ask myself the how did I get here question it is a rhetorical one. I know how I got here. I chose to be here. I chose to follow Christ. My joy, peace, and love comes from following Christ.

Our paths are not always going to be easy. Take heart, we are not alone. He is always with us. What ever we face, we face together with Jesus. We can always find our way back home to Jesus, for He will never forsake us. We don’t even need the ruby slippers to get there.

P31Wife

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” Proverbs 31:30.

pic credit.

Be still.

P31Wife  

If you would like to purchase this print from Kaylee’s Hope Etsy Shop, the proceeds go to help raise funds for adoption. Yay!

I love a good yard sale. The thrill of what may be there and that treasure just begging for a good home with me!  I get a little charge of adrenaline when I see the sign. “Hmmm,” I say. Could this be the best yard sale ever? “Yes, it could be.” I pull my car over. Temptation sometimes gets the better of me, and I am walking out with a armload of stuff, and my wallet is 10$, 20$ or more lighter.

As you can imagine, not every yard sale has what I need, or (gasp) what I want. Sometimes, it’s just junk or worse it is really great junk that I really don’t need or can’t afford.  The end result is clutter and my family’s finances spent unwisely. My plumber-man would completely agree.

I am prone to be tempted, wander, gawk, and buy. Sadly, if I need it or not. Truth is garage sales for me can equal temptation and wandering away from God.  I know this about myself, and I carefully have to keep myself in check, for example a set budget, purpose, and appropriated time. But more often than not, I just don’t go.

Deciphering temptation is difficult. Sometimes it’s best just to run from it. Timothy 2:22 tells us, “ Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” For me, I keep driving and don’t stop. I do not put my self smack-dab-in-the-middle of temptation. Same holds true to other temptations whether that be food, people, or anything that leads you away from the Lord.  Bottom line, it is temptation.

Romans 6:17 states “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” If you find yourself at a cross roads, veered off your path, or completely lost, no matter how many steps you take away from God, it only takes one step to get back to righteousness, to obedience, to Him. Just One.

We may wander when something catches our eye and tempts us off our path with the Lord, but obedience brings us back to God. He is there waiting for us to choose righteousness, faith, love, and peace. He is waiting for us, one step away, to turn away from sin and captivity.

P31Wife

“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:11

photo credit.

When my oldest was starting school, I was full of questions. Actually, that is not true. When my oldest was born, I was full of questions about what would be best for his schooling. I literally prayed from the time he was born about where to send him to school. God has been telling me the answer to that dilemma from the very beginning, but I was not listening.

My son went to private school for his first two years of his education. The foundation the school is built upon is rock solid. There is a team of loving Christian board members that govern the school, excellent teachers, aides, office staff, and an army of parent volunteers that rally around and encourage little minds to Christ and education. My son’s experience there was phenomenal, Christ-like, and healthy. The school operated and functioned like a family. We loved calling it home and the people in it our family. I have seen God’s work with my own two eyes in this private school.

This year we are at public school with my son and now my Kindergarten daughter. Their teachers are excellent. They love our children, nurture them, and care for their educations. We have seen them cry with us through tough situations and illness, and have gone above and beyond what is expected of them. I have seen them reach into their own pockets to fund their classrooms. I have felt their agony when they see children who do not have enough to eat or no coat to wear. I have seen them fill those needs themselves. I have seen God’s work with my own two eyes in this public school.

I know many homeschooling moms.  A few I consider close friends and Titus 2 mentors. I have home schooled my children at home though not full time since they were two years old. Starting with teaching them preschool curriculum to our next adventure that begins this summer with science and math.  I love and respect my homeschooling friends and their passion for their children’s minds, hearts, and education. Their children are focused, smart, and well loved. I have seen God’s work with my own two eyes in the lives of home school families.

So, what’s the better choice? Where to send my children to school? Where do I send them to get the best education, fill their hearts with the most love, and prepare them to be arrows for Christ? God told me the answer when my son was born. He whispered to my soul, “where I send them.”

In John 10:25-28, Jesus tells the religious leaders who He is in Solomon’s Colonnade and gives a clear explanation of following Him, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,  but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” I know His voice. I am one of His sheep, and so are my children. We follow Christ everywhere. We follow Him where He leads us. That means everyday. That means private school, public school, or home school.

There are pros and cons about any educational system. What you have to discern is where God wants your children to be and then obey His calling. There have been many times in the last three years that I have agonized, shed some tears, and prayed my heart out asking God to tell my husband and I what to do. Here is what I learned: God will send them where He wants them. Listen carefully to His voice. It is our job as parents to listen and obey. He will make it clear where He wants them and what is best for your family for His glory.

I do not know what He has in store for our future. But I do know one thing, He has it all under control. He has our very best interests at heart. We are here to glorify Him, to know Christ and make Him known, and that is exactly what we are going to do.

P31Wife

“When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.” Proverbs 31:21

Are you surrounding yourself with the right friends? You know those peeps who lift you up, encourage you, make you laugh, and spur you on to good works? Are you one of those people to someone else?

I heard this story on KLOVE the other day, and I nearly had to pull my car over.  It goes something similar to this: Two older ladies were sitting having dinner at a neighborhood restaurant on their weekly night. They were laughing and eating and doting over a child at the next table. The two families started talking. The older ladies said they had been coming to the restaurant for years. They had been friends for even longer. They had raised their children together, shared their grandchildren together , and supported each other through the deaths of their husbands together. It made me stop and think. Have I surrounded myself with friends like that? Am I that kind of friend to someone else?

God has blessed me for sure. He has surrounded me with women who are genuine, authentic, and trustworthy. He has provided a hedge of protection around me against those that are not (Ephesians 4:29-32). He has also made me genuine, authentic, and trustworthy in return. I see the fruit in my life and in the lives that He has surrounded me with (John 15:5).  Jesus tells us ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ (John 15:12-13). Equally yoked friends each serving one another and our Lord sounds like complete happiness to me.  

One day, I will find myself nearing the time to worship at the feet of the Master.  I hope to hear him say, ”well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). When I near those days, I hope I can look into the eyes of my sisters and feel that same affirmation from them as well.  

P31Wife

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” Proverbs 31:30.

photo credit go here.

Eleven years ago, I found myself at a crossroads. I needed Jesus, but I was afraid. Afraid that I could never be forgiven enough, and longing to be loved to my very core. I found myself on my knees, tears all cried out, and aching to start my first conversation with Jesus. I took a deep breath, and I started talking.

I begged him to forgive me for squandering all the blessings he had given me for the last thirty years, for turning my face from Him, for doubting His love for me, and for allowing my heart to be embittered. I poured out my sinful, rebel heart and I waited. I waited for Him to be like many others. I waited for Him to leave me there broken and afraid. What happened next changed my life.

He did not leave. Instead, He asked me to read. Not audibly, but in my heart I knew. I got up off the floor, and I opened my Bible. I had to know what Jesus had to say to me. I had to read His love letter to me. I couldn’t let another day go by and not know how He felt about me. The Bible became reality that day, and Jesus became my soul. I had to read every word.

Do you need to know what Jesus has written to you? Do you need the love of a Savior, my friend? Are you at a crossroads? Are you afraid that your sins are too much to be forgiven? Then, I beg of you to do what I did, and cry out to Jesus. Ask Him to show you His love letter for you. Ask Him to reveal himself to you through His Word and in your life. Ask Him to become your reality. His Word will not return void.

I had no idea what to pray the day I asked Jesus to be my Savior. In case you need some words, friend, here is a Salvation Prayer:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.

Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life. (John 3:16)
Amen.

If you are choosing Christ for the first time, and you would like my help to get you a Bible, pray with you, or if you have any other questions. Please message me, friend. I would love to pray with and for you. It would be my honor. Better is one day in His courts, than thousands elsewhere, my friend.

P31Wife

Please watch and listen to this. 

Salvation Prayer credit.

I had the biggest case of Senioritis my Senior year of High School. Senioritis if you are lucky hits you about two months before graduation. I was not so lucky. Mine hit about two weeks before my 18th birthday when I started to see my life sans parents, sans rules, sans school. Only my 18th birthday was in December, and I did not graduate until June. Too bad for me. During this period of Senioritis, I found myself questioning my father’s ability to govern our home, my presence in the first and last periods of school each day, and my curfew. Because, really, I was almost 18, and I was practically an adult—not so much.

In reality, what Senioritis proved to me was that I desperately needed the guidance of my father and mother even more. The absence of my car for two weeks proved to me the importance of showing up on time at curfew. And, the night I told my father that I could have any roommate, female or male, in college I saw fit clearly demonstrated the importance of my father’s roof over my head and his blessing as I went off to college. Needless to say, that year my learning curve and my grasp of common sense improved dramatically.

The Lone Ranger Christian is one who sometimes feels the same sense of false independence that a high school senior with Senioritis feels. The LRC thinks that they can manage without church, without community, without other Christians to connect with. I know because at times in my life I have felt the same way.

Our Father designed us to be a community. To worship and pray with like-minded believers who would hold us accountable, spur us on to good works, and support us when the trials and tribulations come. When my oldest son was hospitalized this past November, this was the biggest trial my family had ever faced. I thank God we did not face it alone. In the midst of our darkest hour, there were friends, family members, believers that came along side us to carry some of that dreadful load. This is part of the reason we cannot be LRC. Had we been, we may have never known the love of Christ through so many.

Like my young 17-year-old self, I sometimes fall prey to the enemy’s trap of being fiercely independent. I am not. It is not God’s way. It is not Biblical. We were made to need other believers. Hebrews tell us to “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (10: 24-25). We were not made to live our lives alone. We were made to love one another, worship with one another, and go to church with one another.  After All, even The Lone Ranger had a sidekick.

Praise God for our Christian families.

P31Wife                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31: 25