Where does the time go? I can't believe we are at the end of February 2011! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the new year! February & January for that matter had some crazy days for our household. We had a surgery & 3 cases of Strep along with 6 snow days! Anyone of these on their own would have upset our already hectic schedule but then you add in all of these & things were just down right chaos! Finally our weeks are getting back into a familiar pattern. Just as I was settling back in it hit me that we only have one more year (potentially) for our family unit to be under one roof. You see my oldest is a Junior in High School & while he may (if we talk hard & long enough) decide to stay with us his freshman year of college but he might just be ready to launch out into the world. That's when it hit me that time is swirling past me. I had already been working hard to simplify somethings in my life but that was for my sanity. Now it is a necessity for our family to do all we can to enjoy the time we have left under the same roof. So Time is becoming a precious gift in our family. We are working hard to find time to spend with each child & time for each other, family time & time with friends.
My prayer for you today is that you will value the time you have with those that God has placed in your lives & that you will let the ones you spend time with know how important they are to you.
We have girls night (chick-fil-a) & guys night (indoor football arena game) on the schedule for tonight so gotta go run so we can get it started. God bless.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Every Knee Will Bow
This year I joined a new Bible study group, and we are studying the book of Isaiah. Isaiah is one of those books that I have always found to be hard, so I haven't stayed in it for too long at a time. (Yes, I guess maybe that means I give up easily...) However, I am loving it now. It is still just as hard as it has ever been, but I am not doing it alone, and that in itself makes it easier. There's so much more learning and gleaning when you go through it together. Of course, that is another post for another day....
What I want to focus on today is part of Isaiah that I've just been studying. In the latter part of Isaiah 45, God says, "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth." (v22) He then goes on to say, "Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear." (v23) (We hear this same idea recorded later in Philippians 2:10-11 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.)
Did you notice? He has extended His invitation to all the ends of the earth. And it says every knee and every tongue. There will come a day when every person who has ever lived will realize the truth about God and about Jesus. And at that point, it will be too late for those who didn't realize it before. Judgment will be made.
I know that we don't like to think about it, and we really don't like to talk about it, because it's so much easier to focus on grace and love and not stepping on anyone's toes. I know that I certainly don't spend my days sharing these truths with everyone I meet. I don't start a conversation with, "So, what do you think about Jesus?" Even tomorrow, after this is written, I don't think that is the way my conversations will start. However, I am realizing (again) that I do need to make some changes. I can't let Christianity be a club. It's not about fitting in or knowing the Bible better than the person next to me. It's about Jesus and letting others learn the truth about the only one who saves.
How can I say I love someone and not tell them about Jesus? If Jesus is truly my Savior, my Lord, my Best Friend, the Love of my life, then why wouldn't I want to share Him with others? After all, He died for my sins so that I wouldn't have to....He overcame death and rose again and set me free from eternal bondage (to put it lightly). Shouldn't I want others to have that same gift?
Why do I worry so much about what people are going to think of me that I shy away from telling them about the one thing that matters? If they disagree, they are not rejecting me. They are rejecting Christ. Yet, I grow scared and clumsy with my words, so--more times than not--I just don't speak.
I don't write this thinking that it's suddenly going to be easier for me to share Christ with others. In and of myself, I will still have just as much fear and trembling. However, if I'd just get out of the way and let Jesus speak through me, He's got this covered. He knows how to do it--and He wants to use me...and you...to share Himself with the world.
He's told us the ending. One day every knee will bow--some will be facing their Savior, many will be facing their Judge. I know that I want the people in my life to be bowing before Him in awe of His goodness, not cowering before Him knowing their mistake.
Lord, help us--help me--to be unafraid to share Your truth. Your truth is what sets us free, and we long to share it with the world. You are so gracious to us. You long for each of us to repent of our sins and turn to You. God, help us to be bold witnesses for Your glory. You alone deserve our praise.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Who Is Your Support Group
"(9)Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: (10)If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)
There was a question in our Bible Study this past week that ask do you have a support group in your life. As we stopped to talk about this question for a few minutes the discussion was about who some of those people were. One of groups mentioned that night was our Bible Study group. We know that anytime we need prayer for something all we have to do is email the request out and we have a group of women praying on our behalf.
I have thought about this question more and more. You may have one support group or you may have several. We really do need those "support groups" in life. God sometimes places those people in our lives to hold our hands up just like Aaron and Hur held Moses' hands up in Exodus when the Israelites were fighting the Amalekites.
I think back to when we lost our first little girl. I think about how there were people that held my hands up to help me make it through the days. I have made friends along the way that know the pain of losing a child. I do not know what I would do without them sometimes and know that God placed them in my life.
Last August, I joined MOPS. It has been fun. Getting to know some moms with little ones and hearing the way they do things. It can be as simple a conversation as what someone may feed their toddler for breakfast but sometimes that is just what you may be trying to figure out.
It is heartbreaking to think there are people out there with no support group. No one to talk to when they have a bad day. No one to ask to add them to their prayer list.
Who is your support group? Is there someone you can reach out to today that may not have anyone and be part of their support group? A simple phone call, card or email can brighten someones day and you not even realize it.
Have you ever felt prompted to do something, send someone a card, make a meal, etc...and then been too busy to stop and actually do it only to find out later that is something that person really needed. I have been guilty of that. I know that I need to slow down and listen because God may be telling me to help someone just like He has sent others help me over the years.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Time for a Fresh Start!
Isaiah 40:31...
...but they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Tonight as I sit here, after a long, snow week, I am excited to get back into the swing of a normal routine. Even if it's only for 2 days. More snow coming our way!
While at home, over the last week, I was able to learn more money, saving tips from friends, organize and cut all of my coupons and get a fresh start on the new year. I feel like I have the new strength that the Lord talks about in Isaiah 40:31.
This blog is actually pretty short, and to the point, because sometimes a fresh start means... Jump In! Get Started! and Don't Wait! There are so many tools available to us now on the computer, in the paper and through magazines. I am just going to give you some of the great websites and money saving avenues that I use or that I have learned about. Please feel free to let me know yours if you have some that I haven't mentioned.
Let's also agree to pray for each other; that we would be good stewards of our finances, yet at the same time... don't spend so much time on the computer that we neglect our time with family and God.
These websites are great tools, but like anything else, they can rob you of time! Check them out, get familiar with them, and use the ones that you enjoy. Don't be overwhelmed. I have placed an (*) by the ones that are my favorites. Enjoy!
...but they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Tonight as I sit here, after a long, snow week, I am excited to get back into the swing of a normal routine. Even if it's only for 2 days. More snow coming our way!
While at home, over the last week, I was able to learn more money, saving tips from friends, organize and cut all of my coupons and get a fresh start on the new year. I feel like I have the new strength that the Lord talks about in Isaiah 40:31.
This blog is actually pretty short, and to the point, because sometimes a fresh start means... Jump In! Get Started! and Don't Wait! There are so many tools available to us now on the computer, in the paper and through magazines. I am just going to give you some of the great websites and money saving avenues that I use or that I have learned about. Please feel free to let me know yours if you have some that I haven't mentioned.
Let's also agree to pray for each other; that we would be good stewards of our finances, yet at the same time... don't spend so much time on the computer that we neglect our time with family and God.
These websites are great tools, but like anything else, they can rob you of time! Check them out, get familiar with them, and use the ones that you enjoy. Don't be overwhelmed. I have placed an (*) by the ones that are my favorites. Enjoy!
* * "All You"magazine (lots of coupons)
* * www.groupon.com
** www.target.com (get their coupons)
** www.kroger.com (load coupons to your card)
***Also... before you shop ANYWHERE... google or bing the store/restaurant, and see if their are coupons out there. You would be suprised. I just usually type in .. coupons for........
ENJOY!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Rock Eternal
The past two days we have been homebound due to an ice storm that hit the area on Monday night. While the first day at home was a welcome break from the hectic demands of suburban life in North Texas, the past day has seemed to drag on considerably. Cold, bored, and at times without power, I began looking through old photos.
Not long into my walk down memory lane, I stumbled upon summer vacation pics from Okaloosa Island, Florida. Our family loves everything about the beach and this former Iowa girl never tires of the wonders of the sea. The dolphins. The sunsets. The surf. We love it all. Perhaps our favorite thing to do as a family is play in the sand. For several hours each day, my three children took delight in creating their very own architectural masterpieces in the soft, white sand. And every morning, as we strolled the beach, my kids found the tide had washed their sand castles away.
Some of us never outgrow our desire to build castles in the sand. As we strive to meet life's demands, we erect our very own creations based on worldly desires and human principles. And it seems like the right thing to do. Still, over time we watch helplessly as it all falls away. For, "unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1)
Truly, the LORD will not allow anything to stand that takes His place in our hearts. We are told "everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:26-27)
We are not to place our hope in wealth, humanity, or infrastructure. All of these things, though reassuring, are temporary. To the contrary, we are told to place our hope in eternal things. Our efforts and investments must be in those things close to the heart of God. Reading God's prayer and regular prayer give us a strong foundation of faith. It is the state of our union with the LORD that most concerns Him, and God does not take kindly to second place. Once we truly understand the heart of God, we are free to build for Him. Only then will our efforts stand up over time and bring Him glory.
The Bible teaches us that "everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)
We are His people. God's ambassadors to a broken world. And as such, we must be mindful that "there is no Rock like our God". (1 Samuel 2:2)It is time for us to build on His promises and invest in those things our Heavenly Father holds dear. For the LORD is building His church on Christ, the Rock Eternal.
Not long into my walk down memory lane, I stumbled upon summer vacation pics from Okaloosa Island, Florida. Our family loves everything about the beach and this former Iowa girl never tires of the wonders of the sea. The dolphins. The sunsets. The surf. We love it all. Perhaps our favorite thing to do as a family is play in the sand. For several hours each day, my three children took delight in creating their very own architectural masterpieces in the soft, white sand. And every morning, as we strolled the beach, my kids found the tide had washed their sand castles away.
Some of us never outgrow our desire to build castles in the sand. As we strive to meet life's demands, we erect our very own creations based on worldly desires and human principles. And it seems like the right thing to do. Still, over time we watch helplessly as it all falls away. For, "unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1)
Truly, the LORD will not allow anything to stand that takes His place in our hearts. We are told "everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:26-27)
We are not to place our hope in wealth, humanity, or infrastructure. All of these things, though reassuring, are temporary. To the contrary, we are told to place our hope in eternal things. Our efforts and investments must be in those things close to the heart of God. Reading God's prayer and regular prayer give us a strong foundation of faith. It is the state of our union with the LORD that most concerns Him, and God does not take kindly to second place. Once we truly understand the heart of God, we are free to build for Him. Only then will our efforts stand up over time and bring Him glory.
The Bible teaches us that "everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)
We are His people. God's ambassadors to a broken world. And as such, we must be mindful that "there is no Rock like our God". (1 Samuel 2:2)It is time for us to build on His promises and invest in those things our Heavenly Father holds dear. For the LORD is building His church on Christ, the Rock Eternal.
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