Hurry Up...

I love reading... but what I love more is when God in His perfect timing - brings to the forefront of my mind and heart those things I have read, whether its ministering to someone, talking to my 12 year old daughter whose going on 21, or something I'm working on in my life. Its like an OH MY GOODNESS moment - my friend would call them light-bulb moments.

Wow - today was one of those moments and its just stopped me right in the middle of the sidewalk. 

  

Several days ago I read an article about a mom who was going to try and stop telling her precious daughter to hurry up. You see the mom's life consisted of rushing from here to there - like many of us. Well she had a beautiful daughter who had a laid back, carefree personality - who wasn't really into rushing but into admiring things around her, taking in nature, saying hi to an elderly lady who reminded her of her grandmother. She enjoyed picking a favorite purse before going out or helping with breakfast... oh how I know that feeling - when you need to rush out the door and my of my kids is "getting ready". Ahhhhhhh!!!!!

When you live life distracted, you have tunnel vision - only looking ahead to what's next on the agenda. And anything that cannot be checked off the list is a waste of time.

Have you ever caught yourself doing this... I know I have - many many times... and today was one of those days.

Today we went out as a family - the beginning of our family vacation!!! So there was no need to rush - we are on vacation, its a beautiful Saturday afternoon!! We went out to the movies and had a GREAT time!!! Walking toward the car my darling Priscilla was lagging behind... and I repeated to her - come on hurry up - over and over again... 

At one point she pointed out - "mommy look at all those tiny birds hiding in the bush" she stopped and started talking about the pigeons by mama's house in NYC and I caught myself saying "Priscilla come on"... and before the words hurry up came out of my mouth - God was reminding me of the article I had read and about taking the time to appreciate life through my daughters eyes.

So I stopped and searched for the tiny birds hiding in the bush. While she began to admire a small "baby" tree.

I loved how the author said - The truth hurts, but the truth heals... and brings me closer to the parent I want to be.

Each of my children are so very different... and they are such precious gifts from God. They are growing sooo fast and I'm finding that its time stop to checking something off the list, staring at a screen, or rushing off to the next destination because the hands of the clock can't be turned back. 

How about you...  what are you trying to hurry up... and what is God saying to you...  

Your Home

A Home is where your story begins...

What is your home's story??

As a woman we need to have our priorities in proper perspective. Many times we feel the need to do sooo many things - our "lists" just get longer and longer, many times leaving us feeling useless and sometimes inadequate  But what should our main priority be? To have Jesus reign in our heart and in our home and to teach this to our children.

You see the point is not about having a house... four walls and a roof.... but our goal should be to have a home where Jesus is at the center. I love the saying that goes - Christ is the center of our home, a guest at every meal, a silent listener to every conversation. It is a reminder that Christ is ever present in our home.  That our worship does not consist of just Sunday mornings - but it is our life - that He is in every area of our lives.

Unless the Lord builds the house - those who build labor in vain... Psalm 127:1

In order for the Lord to build our house so that it can become a home - it requires us to relinquish control, to be obedient to what He would want us to do as women, to stop complaining and be more thankful to the many blessings all around us. Oh how I love to have control... but that has often lead to disagreements and feeling hurt - many times realizing that its not about me or what I want to do or how I want to do it. I have come to learn that we are inadequate in our own strength, we need to depend on the Lord and trust in His word. Let us not get caught up in the rush rush of life - trying accomplish a list of things... will these pursuits ever give us the sustaining joy and fulfillment that God desires to freely give us?

And if we do attempt any work without God, we can expect failure. Even if you achieve a measure of apparent success, that success will be a pointless accomplishment, devoid of God's blessing and therefore devoid of any real satisfaction for our soul.

We have to be obedient to what God wants us to do.
If we are wise women, we have to be aware that we are on assignment from God and building a home is a life long assignment. This assignment begins early in the day meditating on the word of God - before the children even awake... and pondering on them late at night when all have gone to bed. But it is also important that we include our children - that they see His word lived out in our lives throughout the day. A couple of years ago I read that Priscilla Shirer - Tony Evans daughter - purposely positions herself somewhere in the house so when her kids get up, they are going to catch her praying or reading the bible. She does that so that they can see that it is a vital part of her life. 
As Godly women we cannot be conformed to this world - and what this world tells what what our home should have, should be... but it should be transformed by the renewal of our mind, that by testing we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect for our homes. Romans 12:2    Our home should be a place of refuge and love for our husband and children. A place where they will feel safe and loved.

What can we do in our homes, in our lives... to achieve this? Let us begin by praying for God's guidance, for His instruction and something I find so very important - older women I encourage you to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Titus 2:3-5

Let us begin today - to make our house a home - a place where God's love is felt, where memories are created, and where our children and husband will feel joyful in... Its not about what we "have" in our homes... but its all about Jesus... Have you invited Him to reign in your home?

Change by Diane Hegedus

I enjoy spending time with my Pastor's wife - Diane... She is a woman who has shared so much wisdom into my life. Sometimes the lessons have been easy breezy... other times they have caused me to pray for God's wisdom so I could understand what she was telling me... other times I would go home and think she was a tad nutty and wonder why is she saying that - and then days later it would all fall into place... and other times the lessons were tough and painful but full of love...

The lessons of life would revolve around being a wife, a mom, an employee, a sister in Christ... letting things go, loving more, digging deeper, but no matter what the lesson - it always came back to the main thing - The Word and Prayer.

In several weeks - my beloved Pastor together with Diane will be retiring and moving on to a new chapter - ughhhh - even though we've known this has been happening for quite some time - reality is now starting to settle into my heart and each day that passes by I find it harder to deal with... but I am blessed that I have so many lessons stored in my heart to share with others - so I've asked her to write a little something for my blog and here it is... I pray you are blessed by it... because I certainly was!!!

The last year of my life has been a series of preparing for changes. We are about to retire from working at our church where we have been for almost 25 years and from being in full-time ministry where we have been for the better part of 40 years. We are moving to an entirely different state, with a completely different culture. At least three of my children have changed their jobs this year and my youngest daughter, Lord willing, will become a first-time mother next month.

Most of us DON'T like change. We learn to accept the familiar as a comfortable part of life. Oh sure, we might complain about the weather, or politics, or our job, or even the "drama" at home, but we really draw comfort in things remaining the same.

For the Christian, however, in order to activate our faith we have to leave our comfort zone (the boat) and step out ON the water to learn what Jesus can really do in our lives. My husband and I have moved 16, soon to be 17 times, in our 48 years of marriage. We have experienced God and His faithfulness in so many unbelievable ways. I have watched so many Christians miss out on God's blessings because they were contented with staying "in the boat". All the disciples went on to serve Christ in great ways, but only Peter had experienced what it was like to walk on water. Facing new changes and challenges can be frightening, but God has told us that HE did NOT give us the "spirit of fear".

Since I don't want to hinder God working in my life, or the life of my family, once again I will leave the comfort of the boat, so I can walk on water. Change may not be comfortable, but it IS necessary if we are going to walk by faith. In fact, I kind of feel sorry for those who stay in the boat, because there is a whole other world out there just waiting to show you God's blessings, His miracles, and His faithfulness. Is it more comfortable in the boat? Yep, but it isn't nearly as exciting and fulfilling.

Come on!

Get out of the boat and be amazed at how great it is to walk on water.

In fact, I have to "walk" on the water, because I can't swim.

Story...

There is a young man in our church - Brandon Williams - who is an incredible writer... I truly enjoy reading his works.  Today I asked it I could share one with you and he said yes... I pray you are blessed by it as much as I was.  

We try to look and see, at a world that wasn't meant to be.

Darkness and deception, clouded by misdirection. 

Falling into the abyss, tainted by empty bliss.

We are chosen to shine like the sunrise,

But are stalked by those who seek our demise.

Its a lonely place, for those who hate us right to our face.

You're caught in his chain, and all you see is pain.

But all you seek is fame, and you're the only one to blame.

We are to burn bright, but we run in fright.

From the world He holds so dear, to the world of only fear.

The world He helped make, He came down for our sake.

He died so it wouldn't be, the fate for you and me.

To take the wrath of His Father, why would He even bother?

But He came to our aid, as we made Him march around like a parade.

A world so corrupt, He chose to bore up.

In His eyes it wasn't so nice, but that was the only thing that could suffice.

The justice of God in His hands, stung like a wipe with multiple strands.

Went up the hill, to finally lay white and still.

Came back to overcome the grave, that's the power that comes to save.

We don't have to be afraid anymore, we just need to open up when He comes to the door.

Written by Brandon Williams

and used with his permission

The Most Frightening Prayer I Could Pray for My Children

by Christina Fox

The most frightening prayer I could pray for my children is the one they need the most.

Now, I always pray about their behavior, their health, their progress in school, and their friendships. I also pray about their future and their jobs. I pray that my boys would marry “nice Christian girls.” But to be honest, when I pray for my children, it is easiest to ask that their lives be smooth and stress-free. It is easy to pray for their comfort and ease, for their lives to be absent of pain and grief.

When It Gets Uncomfortable

Yet when I reflect on my own life and look back on my faith journey, I see all the challenges and trials I have faced along the way, and the good God accomplished through them. I see the heartaches I’ve endured and the suffering that brought me to my knees. I also see the sins I’ve struggled with and the idols God graciously stripped from my hands. I see how God used all those valleys and painful circumstances to draw me closer to himself, to refine me, and to teach me to rely on him.

They have been the most important events in my life, but it’s not easy to ask this sort of thing for my children. It is hard to ask that God reveal their sin to them, that they see their need for a Savior, that they would be broken over their corruption and truly learn to cling to the gospel.

That kind of prayer is uncomfortable.

The Path to More of Him

It means that they will have to dig through rocky terrain like I’ve experienced before. They will have to walk through their own story of sin and repentance — of learning what it means to have empty hands. What’s frightening for me as a mom is to realize that their lives will not be smooth, comfortable, or safe — not if they will learn most deeply what it means to rely on God. In fact, my children may yet have to endure great trials, walk through dark valleys, and experience great sorrow. That could be God’s pathway to giving them more of himself.

I don’t want my children to treat God like a vending machine or like a fire insurance policy. I want them to have a passionate love for him that is alive and outgoing, bowing to his supremacy and anchored gladly in his gospel. I want them to love God’s word and hold to it firmly in times of uncertainty. I want them to show Jesus to the world. This is what I want.

Nothing More Important

And it will mean that my children have to see that they have sinned against a holy God and that it is only through the grace and sacrifice of his Son that they can be forgiven. Jesus said that those who have been forgiven little will love little (Luke 7:47). My children need to know what that means. They have to see the utter depths of their sinfulness and that without Jesus, they are without hope. And they have to trust in Jesus as their only source of hope and righteousness. Only as they acknowledge their need for him and his forgiveness will they grow to love God in the way I most want for them.

The path could be hard, and praying for this can be frightening, but there really is nothing more important. . . . Father, give my children more of you.

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-most-frightening-prayer-i-could-pray-for-my-children

God is always at work...

Last night during our College and Career meeting - the conversation turned to one of my husband's favorite memories - "Our Dating"... oh yes - he gets a kick out of telling this story... and gets everyone cracking up... and as I sit here and type away I do so with a smile on my face because God had a wonderful plan for both of us - and we just needed to be obedient.

So for those who have not had the honor of listening to my wonderful husband share how he "dumped" me twice... and how he "chased" me for three months for a date... here is what really happened...

Many many years ago in Washington Heights, NY... there was this young lady who had come out of a very abusive relationship. She was still healing from the wounds of the abuse that were no longer visible. She had a little boy named Benny... oh he bought her so much joy... he was her reason for survival. After much turmoil and finally saving some money they were finally able to find a place of there own, a place to call home.

Across the bride in Clifton, NJ... there was a young man who was going through his own struggles... trying to get his life back in order. He had a little boy that he was doing his best to raise. There were alot of changes going on in his life and he believed he had it all under control.

She had just accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior... He had just recommitted his life to the Lord...

*****

I remember it was a Friday in April of 1993 approximate 7:30pm... I was at the young adults meeting... sitting all the way in the front... someone walks into the sanctuary and we all turn around, and here comes this guy dressed in black... with perfect hair... wearing a black leather jacket... making his way toward our meeting. He takes a seat... and our eyes meet, and we go back to listening to what was being shared, and that was how God introduced us to each other.

Ray continued coming to our church... whenever there was something happening at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Manhattan - he was there. He even joined the church choir (such a coincidence that I happened to be part of the choir also) It was cool and stuff to know that he was interested in me... but I was finally happy... I was trying to raise my son - who was a handful, I was busy serving in the church, surrounded by awesome people, and the nightmares were gone.

As much as my flesh craved a relationship, I just wasn't interested. I was finally discovering who I was - my identity was no longer the girl who disobeyed her parents, or the girl who married the wrong guy, or the girl who was abused, or the girl who was struggling. Now I was Deborah... I was finding my identity in Christ... I didn't have it all together, I still had my struggles - but God was showing me through His Word, through my spiritual mom Ligia, through other women of the church who I was in Him and I loved that. I just wanted to soak in that....

But Ray didn't stop pursuing me... and because of a "bet" he made with one of his friends... he asked me out... and in September we started dating... it was awesome... but there were alot of issues going on and in November things changed, I couldn't make sense of it... I remember it clearly because I was going to get baptized and he didn't come. When we spoke he told me there were alot of things going on in his life and this wasn't the right time for a relationship. WHAT??!! Are you kidding me... That was a heartbreak because I allowed myself to open up to someone - to trust again.

Life continued... sort of... and one day we got back together again as if nothing had happened.... but it only lasted a few months... things just weren't right. The pain was worse than the first time. I was devastated.

I stopped everything - I got depressed and I was not understanding what God was doing and why He was doing this to me - I was doing everything right!!! My spiritual mom who didn't give up on me during this time shook me up. She would come by, call me, pray for me, read scripture, and she reminded me of my life verse... Psalm 37:4 - "Delight youself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." And that is when God began to do a major over haul in both of our lives... God bought people in to my life who taught me what service to God was... I got more involved with the youth group at our church and the women's ministry. I was able to travel and go to youth conferences and women's conferences and trainings and even lead several conferences... my relationship with Him was just growing and getting deeper...

Ray was doing the same thing...serving at his church, being part of the Fellowship of Spanish Churches, he became the youth leader at his church.. he was learning, studying, attending seminary...

And yes, we met other people... and in time started new relationships. But those relationships fell apart... On Easter of 1998 I sent out my Easter cards including one for Ray - part of me knew he was the man that God had for me and this was my way to see if there was any possibility for "us"... When he received the card he called me and we spoke for a very long time on the phone... and continued to talk on the phone for a couple of more days until we were ready to meet.

Our relationship started again... it was different this time, we had people who were praying for us and with us, mentoring us not just regarding ministry, but regarding life. October of 1998 he proposed to me at the Seaport in downtown NY... the same exact spot where we had our first kiss... and on April of 1999 we became one.

I didn't write this to share our love story, even though I love to share it because I can see how God worked in both of our lives... but I did so to share that God has a plan for each of our lives... and when we submit to Him and call Him Lord - we are saying that we want Him to have complete control of every area of our lives.... No matter what Ray and myself tried to do to make our relationship work... God wanted our lives first and foremost... He had to be the priority in our lives... We had to discover who we were in Him. For me - it was a very painful experience - but it was through that pain that God worked in my life and made Himself so very real and personal to me. God had to strip us and become real to us so that we knew that He was the one that bought us together... My friend, whatever it is that you are going through... as painful and as difficult as it may be, its not impossible for God, its nothing new for Him. Maybe its all part of His plan... does He want to reveal something to you:? Teach you something? Calling out to you?

If you are lost, confused, need prayer, wisdom, direction... reach out, call out... He will answer you and / or He will send someone your way...

Remember my friend you are loved beyond words... xoxoxo

Floating

When I was young, the tradition was to get up early each Sunday morning, the family would pack up into my dad's car and take the trip to Connecticut, to this beautiful beach.

As I have mentioned before, my mom wears many many hats. This Sunday, she was a Swim Instructor. While in the water, my mom decided that she was going to teach us to swim (mind you - the woman doesn't know how to swim - or even likes the water too much, she has a slight "fear" of it). Her lesson consisted of telling us to move our hands and kick our feet... simple enough lol!!!  One Sunday, the lesson was how to float. While waist deep in the water - she told us to lie back. WHAT!!??! She had made it sound so simple - just fall back into the water... did she not understand the concept of drowning. She put out her arms and said "lie back"... okay well with her arms out of course that wouldn't be a problem. And back I went.... but all of a sudden she would start removing her hands and sinking down I went!! Was this lady nuts!!! AHHHHH!!!

Again we tried, keep your head back and pretend you have a string in your belly button pulling you up... slowly I would feel her hands begin to move from my back and I would begin sinking... and again and again we tried until one Sunday I got it. I was able to float and what an awesome experience that was. I loved it. I loved the peace I felt - until a wave came crashing on top of me!!!UGHHHHH Yuck!!

Floating - is something I am teaching my daughter... but teaching her to "spiritually float". Yes, I took after my mom and taught her to float and she got it - but I took it a step further... I can just see my husband's face while he reads this...

No no its not a crazy teaching... I'm not going out there and being all nutty... honey keep reading - there is a point to this - I promise!! this is my lesson to her:

When life gets crazy, when something makes you upset, hurts your feelings, gets you confused... our first reaction is to get angry... and lash out... (now this doesn't just pertain to a 12 year old... I feel it pertains to all of us - that is why I used myself as an example to her.)

I love the beach - when its not too hot or too crowded or too sandy (you know what I mean). That perfect day... when you actually get to enjoy your time at the beach... lovely, just awesome!!!

Well there are those moments in that perfect beach outing, when you are in the water, having fun and a wave comes and knocks you off your feet. Ughhhh I really don't like those. I get very panicky and scared. For those of you that know me know that I have a very creative mind - so in seconds - in my own mind I start creating a dramatic episode in some movie that I'm starring in. Yes it is funny... my nutty side thinks that my whole life is a movie and He is being constantly entertained by me. Sooo going back to "drowning" when you are under and you open you eyes - its all cloudy and sand all over the place, you have no idea where you are at. You are wailing your arms all over the place and just exhausting yourself. You make it very difficult for someone to help you... and mind you this is happening in waist deep water!!! Ay ay ay!!!! Well my mom - who remember is a "Swim Instructor" taught that in those moments try and relax and float. Easier said than done... but surprisingly enough it does work.

That is the life lesson and I have been teaching it to my daughter. You see when life happens and you are not happy with what is going on... how are you going to hear God's voice if you are complaining and getting upset and huffing and puffing and just working yourself up into a frenzy... I remember a good friend of mine Gerri saying that God is a gentleman - you see He will not come in unless he is invited. God gives us the power of choice, you can choose if you want him to come in or not. If you want to get upset - He is not going to stop you, if you want to get angry - He is not going to stop you, if you want to huff and puff - go right ahead. So the lesson is instead of reacting like you are drowning... stop and relax and float... float yes float... Personally it is the most relaxing feeling - knowing that this water, this liquid is sustaining you - its this peaceful sense that envelopes you... In the same way, stop and go to a silent place, whether its the bathroom, your bed, or even a closet... and close your eyes and breathe. Its a hard place to get to - but its not impossible.  Think of the pros and cons... if we continue to get upset - we will say something that will get us into trouble, we will hurt the other person or even ourselves... we will do something we will regret... we will not be pleasing our Lord... the pros - its during those moments that we can have the privilege of going before the Lord and to go into His presence and hear God's whisper to us. During those moments its when God can speak to us ever soooo clearly... and He will calm our minds and heart... So my word to my daughter is to float... when I see her getting ughhhh I tell her float... its our special word, with our special teaching.

During a trip to one of my favorite stores - Hobby Lobby - I found a little plaque that reads: "Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God". I kept it near my bed which is where I tend to retreat to when life gets to me... and it would remind me to shhhhhh - listen to God, stop with all the thoughts, stop talking, shhhh - listen. I have now passed it on to my daughter. I told her to place it somewhere she can always see it so when "things" get to her - and she needs to go to her room - she can see it and remember to float, relax, calm down and listen for God's whisper.

So my friend - I pray this will be a blessing to you...  when things get tough, when life gets hard... retreat somewhere... even if its just for a couple of minutes and go to God... and listen to His whisper...  hmmmm - and what a sweet and loving whisper that will be.

Who are you...

When you go and look in the mirror and stand there a while what do you see?
Wow that's alot of gray hair...  gotta pluck those eyebrows...  where are these wrinkles coming from... do I look fat??

Move beyond the exterior...
I'm a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a friend - we tend to identify ourselves by our relationships with our family and others; and that's usually a part of what we talk about with other women, but go beyond your usual titles...

Who do you truly see?
Go deeper, beyond the image staring back at you in the mirror...Who is that woman staring back at you?

What is your identity...your identity in Christ?

1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness in to his wonderful light".

Often times we forget who we are and we fall into comparing ourselves to others and allow feelings of insecurity to rob us of our identity in Christ. It is important that we see ourselves the way God sees us and then live in obedience to Him. God knows who we really are. He loves us and created us for a purpose.

Our single most valuable – yet least understood treasure is our identity in Christ. We accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive His spirit who resides in us. We begin to take on the characteristics of our Father. We are shaped into His image day by day. But nothing we can ever do makes us any more or less of a daughter of the King of kings. He loves us.  He loves that woman you see staring back in the mirror... He loves her beyond words. There is nothing you have to do, no list to check off for Him to love you anymore... Do you believe that?

As a woman in Christ, our desire should be that when other people look at us they see Jesus - our identity in Christ means that we are being formed more and more into the image of the Lord (Galatians 4:19).

Once we discover our identity, it’s simply a matter of walking in it.  And yes, this walk can be hard - but my sister that is where Titus 2:3-5 speaks to us... older women are to teach the younger women...to love, to be self controlled, pure, take care of our home, to be kind, to be submissive...  You don't have to take this journey alone.  Do you have a woman in your life that speaks Truth to your life, that prays with you and for you, that steers you to His word?  If not, I want to encourage you to pray for God to send a woman like that to your life, a woman who can be your accountability partner.  That when our identity becomes clouded, she can remind us what Scripture tells us.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - NIV)

Because your identity is "in Christ"

You are righteous, alive, forgiven, justified, redeemed

You have been sanctified, justified, made holy and perfect

You have been reconciled to and accepted by God

You are without blemish, free from accusation, and complete

You are alive, forgiven, justified, redeemed, free from condemnation

You have wisdom and understanding

You have joined Him in His death, burial, and resurrection

Your old identity is gone and your new identity is eternal

You have been given the righteousness of God

You are His friend, His child, and His heir

My prayer for you...

With June making its grand debut, I wanted to take this moment to share this prayer from Beth Moore with you.... I read it over and over again today and was blessed by it and now, dear ones, I am praying it for you...

My Dear Sister,
The God of Glory
Has called you.
You have a ministry.
In Christ, you are enough for that ministry.
Never forget that showing God off is your ministry.
No matter what,
Keep your heart in your ministry.
Unveil your face
And serve others with authenticity.
Always remember
That the power is in God's Presence.
Let nothing
Come between you
And intimacy with God.
Keep moving forward
From glory to glory.
Let God thin that veil.
Remember, ministry is not about position.
It's about people.
Let name after name
Be written on your heart.
Do not seek great things for yourself,
Seek a great God.
As you leave this place,
Go in a fresh anointing.
He who turns water into wine
Turns wimps into warriors.
You have a ministry.
Go fulfill it!!
~ Beth Moore

In Christ, WE ARE WARRIORS! In Christ, WE ARE ENOUGH!

I needed that reminder!! It's not about me having the perfect talk, being the perfect size, having a perfect house, or even a flawless presentation. As long as I seek Him and His presence, regardless of the outcome, it's going to be good!

How Great....

I love to sing...
Nope I'm not a "singer"...
but I love to sing...
Several months ago I joined the worship team in our church...
and so far I haven't been kicked out...
so maybe I can sing... lol

But one of the reasons I do love to sing is because of a phrase in a song I love...

If you have ever heard "How Great is our God" - there is a line that says

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Oh how I love that part:  Yes sing with me!!! Let us praise His name together... Let us sing about how great our God truly is. Can you imagine how one day we will be worshiping Him together!?!  All those voices worshiping Him... incredible!!!

On Sunday after the worship team finished singing this song, our Pastor asked the congregation that question... How great is our God? What is great about out God?

Many people raised their hands and even though I have heard many of these answers before, there was just something about standing there in worship praising God and listening to the people describe How Great He truly is. Some of the answers were:

He is our Creator

He is our Savior

He is our Healer

He is our Comforter

He is Merciful

He is Loving

He is Patient

and these were just some of the answers... there were so many more.

Name above all names

Worthy of our praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

yes my heart will sing How great is our God - day after day after day...He and He alone is worthy of our praise.  Who is God to you?  Why is God great?  

Here is the song - in case you have never heard it or don't know it... you can sing along... and be blessed!!

With Love,

Business Plans???

I've been creating "things" for well over 15 years.  I've done my shares of invitations for all sorts of parties, planned Sweet 15 and or 16 birthday parties, weddings, parties of other sorts, decorating, conferences, retreats, etc... then shifted gears and did cards, favors, chocolates, hair flowers, etc... Some things were business... others personal and others just because... It was an incredibly fun season.

I loved working under stress... the running around, the last minute preparation, bringing dreams to reality, working all night and having my hubby as my sidekick... He was my chauffeur, my consultant, assistant, decorator, and the list goes on and on...  and he was a great sport about it (poor thing... as I know none of it truly bought him any joy but he did it because he loved me).

A time came when I had to take a break... it all just seemed like too much and alot of times it wasn't really appreciated or even fun anymore.  As more people became more computer savy, people thought they could get a consultation and then take the ideas and do their own thing... or the price was an issue, or they changed their mind...and then at the last minute come back and want help because the work was more than they realized it was going to be.

During this hiatus I've always had my group of people who have tried to encourage me to start back up again or who gave me some projects... but I always stayed in the background many times recommending them to other people.  During this time I have just continued to pray for what God would want me to do regarding my love of crafting.  In as much as crafting brings me joy... I do have a job, three awesome kids, church related functions and a busy hubby who I love to help!!  And in all that I do my ultimate desire is to bring Him glory so I have to be careful that my "wants" don't interfere with His will for my life.

But it truly is remarkable how He sometimes sends someone our way to encourage us and motivate us.  Many times I am the one pushing someone to take that step and trying to help them bring that dream for their lives a reality.  I love cheering people on, encouraging them.  In today's world we just seem to be bombarded with no you can't, you are not good enough, why do you want to do that, etc.  Words are truly powerful and we have to be careful we don't extinguish someone's dream.

This past week - a young lady by the name of Joy - has bought so much joy into my life. I really do not know her but we are friends on Facebook so we kinda sorta know each other... but God sent her my way to be a encourager to me and she has been such an incredible firecracker with such beautiful and awesome words...  It was almost as if I was listening to myself speak to a friend of mine several months ago letting her know that yes she can do this!!!  But now I was on the receiving end, and as much as I was doubting she began to send me messages encouraging me to the point that now I have several projects to do including one for her!!!  How did this happen!?!?!?

I don't know where this journey will lead - as Joy has already chosen the name for my business and has come up with a plan (it just totally cracks me up and makes me giddy).  After a long time of not being able to see where I was going - I can now begin to see a path which might take me on an interesting journey... and as I shared with my sidekick what was going on... he just smiled and looked at me and said okay.  I loved that loving and tender look because knowing I had his support spoke volumes to my heart.

So as I prepare to take a step on this path onto a new journey, I pray you will join me as we have fun sharing my adventures together... and if you know me - you know that right now I'm not focused on the destination but on the laughs I'll have along the way!!! Just have to decided if I want silver sparkly shoes or maybe some nice red ones for this journey!!!

Love in our Home

Its 9:51pm on a Saturday night...

My kiddies are almost done watching a movie...

My hubby is doing some studying for his Sunday School class tomorrow...

I'm here cuddled up on my favorite part of the sofa (my corner) under my blanket.

Tonight we went out on our Valentine's Date.  On Valentine's Day we celebrated our love for the family together... tonight it was just us - my hubster and I.  I truly love my husband and sooo appreciate the incredible love that he has for me.  Only God can give a gift like that!!

I look around and admire all of my Valentine's decor... I did a little more than usual this year... more so for the kids. There were some projects that they helped me with and others that they watched me do... but the most important part of it all was that during these projects we were able to have good conversations about life and love, not just the romantic lovey dovey love that fades away, but true love.

You see I want my children to have a deep appreciation for what real love is.  First and foremost the love that our Heavenly Father has for us and that we should have for Him.  The love toward each other, their love for us and us for them and especially the love that they see with mommy and daddy.  I want the them to grow up seeing true love displayed in our home... to see the hugs and the kisses, to hear the I love yous, to hear the silliness and sounds of mom and dad laughing like crazy... I want my daughters to see what it looks like to love and be loved as well as my son to see the same.  I don't want TV shows, magazines, or friends to teach them what love is... I want it seen at home.

The Lord has truly blessed us.  We are not a perfect marriage or have it all put together, we have our moments, our highs and lows - but we do truly do love each other and our family.

Once again I was able to see how much my children pay attention to what is going on around them and the impact it leaves on their heart.  I love that my children are able to see those special qualities in their dad.  When they were making their heart wreath for him - the question was "What do you love about your dad"... and to hear their answers was truly touching - they weren't just throwing out answers - but sharing stories and memories with those answers.  Just thinking back on that day makes my heart smile.

I am so thankful for all that the Lord has given to us - the gift of love - the ability to give it, receive it and show it.

As I sit here looking at the remnants of Valentine's day... the handmade cards, the left over chocolate wrappers, my beautiful roses and the fallen petals... I take it all in.  Soon it will all be cleaned up, the Valentine's decor will be replaced by Spring... but love will still reign in our home.  Hugs, kisses, cuddling, laughter, conversations... How can I not sing praises to the Lord and shout my adoration for Him...

Reconnecting

Several months ago I "disconnected" from different things to spend more time enjoying the holidays and spending time doing things with my family and doing things that I truly enjoyed.  Little by little I have cut down on my facebook time and I was honestly praying about whether or not to continue on with my blog.

Its funny when you stop to think about how much time one spends doing meaningless "stuff". The hours become days, the days become weeks and so on... I know that many of you can relate and understand where I am coming from.

During this time I also came to truly reconnect with the most important relationship of all and that is with Jesus Christ.  Not that I disconnected from Him... but if I am to be honest - I don't feel that I was giving Him my first fruits.  I was giving Him what I had left over after I spent all my time doing all that other "stuff".  

I have to admit that I also had a very hard time with the transition in September when my husband stepped down from youth ministry due his responsibilities of being an Elder and also as he felt led to minister to the young adults of our church. This ministry was something we did together - since the time we were dating...  got married, during my pregnancies and birth of our children.  It felt like it I would leave the hospital and a few days later I was back with the youth serving alongside my husband.  I was active in the ministry -  teaching a couple of times a week, serving, counseling, etc... and all of a sudden one day it was over.  But what I have come to realize through much prayer and study is that God had another plan for my life.  It was a new season... which I had to savor and enjoy to the fullest. As I follow Christ and serve alongside my husband in a different capacity, as I focus on the essentials, I am finding joy.

My main role is to love my husband and children, to guard my purity, to be a worker - a kind worker - at home, and to be subject to my husband so that the Word of God may not be dishonored... and any other thing that I pursue must not interfere with these priorities.  My family is the Lord's work.

It is of utmost importance to remember that our relationship with Christ comes first. We have to remember that God is God and that is all we need to know.  We have to realize that our moment by moment fellowship with Him is the most satisfying thing in our life and we must have a passion for bringing God glory in everything we do.

As we set Him always before us, we will be able to do all that we do as an act of true worship