Truth or Lies?

I have been interested in hearing some of the story of Lance Armstrong this week, however I did not watch his interview.  I have never been "follower" of cycling, but I do remember the big deal made from Armstrong's Tour de France wins.
What has struck me from the things I have read is how deep Armstrong was into his lies - so much so that he justified what he was doing as okay.

"At the time it did not feel wrong?" Winfrey asked.

"No," Armstrong replied. "Scary."

"Did you feel bad about it?" she pressed him.

"No," he said. "Even scarier."

"Did you feel in any way that you were cheating?"

"No," Armstrong paused. "Scariest."

"I went and looked up the definition of cheat," he added a moment later. "And the definition is to gain an advantage on a rival or foe. I didn't view it that way. I viewed it as a level playing field."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/01/17/armstrong-lost-myself-in-doping-starting-nearly-20-years-ago/#ixzz2IfC1SgjR

He did not even think what he was doing was wrong. 

And because of this, he influenced others to do that same or threw them under the bus if they opposed them.

This struck me again as I worked on my Bible study this week.  In Genesis, Lot (Abraham's nephew) is mentioned several times, but not necessarily in a good light.  Lot started out with Abraham, following God and seeking after His will.  At one time, Lot and Abraham separated and Lot chose to move and live close to and in Sodom.  Over time, Lot and his family became a part of the society and culture of Sodom.  The problem was, the people of Sodom were "exceedingly wicked."  Instead of having a positive influence on the people he lived with, Lot was influenced by them.  He had been told the lies so many times (by himself and others), he believed them to be true.  God used several situations to try and warn Lot but finally had to pull him out of the city to escape being destroyed.

This has gotten me to thinking about my own life.  Is there a sin is so entrenched in my life that I don't even see it as sin anymore?  Am I leading others down the road of sinfulness as well?  I pray that God would grab a hold of me and redirect me before I get to that point.  I want to walk with Him so closely that there is no question about what is right and what is wrong, what is from God and what is not.  

Will you join me in this pursuit of God?  You can't do it on your own.  Get involved in a Bible study that focuses on God's Word.  Make sure you recognize God's voice when He speaks to you.

Friends...

Have you ever had one of "those" days???  Where you are counting down to the end of it???  Well...I have.  And I'm pretty sure you probably have too.  I recently decided that when I was having one of "those" evenings...the one where you want to pull your hair out before dinner time and count down by the minutes until bed time...that surely I wasn't the only one.  Surely there is another Mommy out there wanting to pull her hair out too!  So...I started texting a Mommy friend.  It looked something like this...

Me:  Hey!  How's it going at your house???

Friend:  Ummm...it is going.

Me:  Does that mean your afternoon is as good as mine???

Friend:  Do you want to pull your hair out?

Me:  Why yes...as a matter of fact...I do!

Friend:  I love my life.  I love my children.  Why do I want to pull my hair out?

Me:  Because you're human.  :)  Wanna do dinner together?

Friend:  YES!!!

Me:  Come on over!  

Friend:  See you in a few.

And it hit me!  I am human too - just like my friend.  If I tell HER it is pretty much "normal" to feel stressed...then it is "normal" for me too!  It is OK to get stressed and have a hard time from 3-6pm...this is a tough time of day!  And THIS, my friends, is why God blesses us with friends!  He doesn't make us go at this alone!  He not only gives us a husband, but he gives us friends too!  The afternoon and evening completely changed when we did it together!  Our kids got to play and we got to chat.  We got to blow off a little steam, and we were both a little more clear minded and able to appreciate life a little more when we parted ways.

What a blessing my friends have been in my life!!!  Not only do we rescue each other from rough afternoons...but we get to do life together!  

We celebrate together!

Cry together.

Laugh together.

We can be ourselves.

We can be quiet together. (this is my new favorite.  lol)

We can be loud.

God has put exactly the right friends in our lives.  Some come and go - they served a very important purpose while they were here.  Some will be close for the rest of our lives.  It truly is amazing how God plans out the timing and people he blesses us with.

-Courtney Willis

Courtney is wife to Firefighter/Paramedic Josh.  Mommy to beautiful, strong-willed,, full of life, biological Gracie and handsome, rough n tough, sweet, adopted from Uganda Owen.  She has a passion for family, orphan care, photography, Africa, and writing.  She reminds herself daily to live one day at a time and is determined to get used to her new status as “stay at home Mom”.  She thinks life is best lived with a good sense of humor and daily time with God in prayer.  To check out what she is up to lately, visit restoration517.wordpress.com or missionregan.org.

Sabbathmom

Last Sunday, I was mom of the year.

Just sayin... I was.

Got up at 5am, showered.
Did my hair.
Dried my hair while I read my bible.
Tried on 53 outfits until I looked super hottie.
Put on some mascara (this is a major step up for me).
Helped my sick husband set up the vaporizer.
Dressed, fed, loaded the kids up.
Made the drive to church.
Got everyone to classrooms with their badges on.
Got myself to the youth department and did my attendance duties.
Talked way more than my allotted amount in Sunday School (shocker, I know).
Picked everyone back up.
Loaded everyone in the car (after a ride on the elevator and then the "jeeps"... aka, golf carts).
Fed everyone lunches when we got home.
Diapered, potty-checked, read, and got the boys to nap.
Registered a bunch of ladies for bible studies. (If you have not signed up, you can do it right here)
Medicated my husband again... poor guy has been sick for almost a month!
Went to Sam's for the first time in a lonnnnng time (my cart was loaded up)!
Unloaded and put away all the groceries.
Prepped the ingredients for dinner.
Woke up all my rugrats.
Played playdoh, colors, fort-building, jumped on couch pillows, and built some Lego motorcycle thingy.
Took the boys on a bike "ride" (ie my oldest rode his bike while I dragged my toddler in a wagon).
Cooked everyone dinner.
Did dishes.
Dumped kids in the bath.
Cleaned the bathroom and folded a few clothes while they took their baths.
Dressed, diapered, potty-checked, tooth brushed, sippy-cupped, read, prayed, sang, and bedded kids.
Paid a few bills.
Folded the rest of the clothes (avoiding matching up the socks... I wasn't up for that).
Wrote a blog post.
Prepped myself for bed.
Facebooked a bit.
Kissed my sickie man on the cheek.
Mentally applauded myself for using every. single. moment. of the day.
Conked out.

Supermom, right?

But Sabbathmom... uhhhhhh, no.

Ya know, we like to sorta just "overlook" the commandment of God regarding the sabbath. (And by we, of course, I mean... me.)

Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your oxen and donkeys and other livestock, and any foreigners living among you. All your male and female servants must rest as you do. Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day. Deuteronomy 5:12-15 *emphasis mine

But... but... it's the weekend. I mean, I have to make sure the kids have stuff for lunches for the rest of the week. I have to get the clothes finished. I have to make sure bills are paid. I have to clean the toilets in case my mother-in-law pops in. I have to register women for bible studies or they won't get their confirmations and they'll think it didn't work. I have to cook dinner for my family.

I have to... I have to... I have to...

Nowhere in my list of have-tos did I say "I have to obey and follow the commands of God."

At the end of the day... at the end of the age... what will He care about more? That my mother-in-law wasn't grossed out by my toilet or that I stopped my crazy, spinning life and took a day to honor Him by pursuing peace. rest. tranquility. focus.

One thing I left out of my "things I did last Sunday" list above was right there at the end. After applauding myself for using up every moment and right before conking out for the night, that secret, silent whisper of the Holy Spirit spoke those verses into my heart. Ya know, the verses of the Ten Commandments that I got 10 gold stars for memorizing in 4th grade Sunday School?

So, yesterday when Sunday rolled around and my lengthy to-do list followed it, I chose to get a step closer to following and obeying this command.

I didn't unload the dishwasher.
We ate leftovers.
All of the clean-ready-to-be-folded laundry sat still in the baskets.
I didn't mop the floor.
or clean the toilet.
or wipe the bathroom counters.
I saved my trip to the grocery for today.

During naps, I sat on the couch under a blanket with the space-heater going while gazing out the window into the cold afternoon.

And I felt so much more tranquil. at peace. at rest. focused on Him.

Now, I'm not saying abandon your family... you might remember a post I wrote a while back called Demon Lady which was about making Sundays a nice, good, organized day for your family. What I'm actually saying is that we need to step that up another notch. We need to use those days leading up to Sundays to prepare. Like, maybe pick one or two areas that we can start cutting out for this month's Sundays... go to the store on Tuesdays?

And then maybe in February, keep going to the store on Tuesdays and also make sure all homework is completed by Saturday evening?

Then for March, store on Tuesday, homework done Saturdays, and get all clothes set for the following week on Friday.

And so on... maybe make it a journey to a sabbath life? Take a year if need be, or a month, or a few months, or go cold turkey and stop working on the sabbath this coming Sunday. But, I think it's important that we take time to stop. and rest. and keep a day holy. and remember that God brought us out of a land where work and acheivement and success defined our worth. He brought you out of a life of slavery to those things. Let's honor Him and give Him thanks by taking a to rest.

I am Resolved

The Christmas presents are unwrapped. The Christmas treats are (mostly) eaten. And I'm thinking about putting away the decorations today. We had a blessed Christmas. So many small moments of wonder and beauty. I hope you can take the time to reflect on your Advent season and remember the many ways God smiled on you.

Now in a few days, we will ring in the New Year. I swore off making New Year's resolutions several years ago, but there is something about a New Year that prompts me to consider changes I want to make in my life.

Last year at this time, I thought I knew what 2012 would hold. I thought I had a plan (Oh, how God must laugh at mere mortals making plans!). Let's just say, it was a different year than I anticipated. And many of my plans simply were not meant to be. We have had challenge after challenge this year, but with those challenges, I have seen and experienced amazing growth in our faith in God, in our confidence that "All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose," Romans 8:28. We have held on to that verse these last few months and will continue to cling to it.

So, as I look to 2013, I lay my plans at the cross. I confess that I will accomplish nothing without God's strength and direction. I place my life, my family, my goals in his hands and will choose to dwell in the shelter of his wing. I have just one resolution this year. I am resolved to follow the Savior, Faithful and true each day; Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth, He is the living Way.

I am Resolved words by Palmer Hartsough

I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.

Refrain

I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.
I will hasten, hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One,
He hath the words of life.

Refrain

I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.

Refrain

I am resolved to enter the kingdom
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.

Refrain

I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay,
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
We’ll walk the heav’nly way.

Refrain

I am resolved, and who will go with me? Come, friends, without delay.

Mary Christmas

I know many of you may still be rushing around in a panic trying to make things perfect for your family this Christmas.  I have had my share of craziness in trying to get prepared for this Christmas as well.  It is not always easy with church activities, end of school exams/parties/get togethers, making sure all of the gifts are bought and wrapped, work parties, and whatever else might get thrown on your plate.  As women, I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to try and make everything picture perfect.
The truth is, God doesn't want perfection, He wants YOU!  He wants your time.  He wants your heart.  He wants your focus.  He doesn't care if you have 3 different choices for desserts.  He doesn't care if the floor doesn't get vacuumed one more time.  He doesn't care if your family's outfits all match.  He cares that you remember that He is the reason for all the celebration.
If you remember, Jesus came to Mary and Martha's house.  Martha did like most of us would do - cleaned, cooked, hosted the visitors.  Then she got frustrated because Mary was not helping her.  Mary, however, was not concerned about all of those things.  She sat close to Jesus, gave Him her complete focus and her time, and listened to Him.  That is all Jesus wanted from her.
So as we finish up what we NEED to do (not want we WANT to get done), make one of those things spending some extra time focusing on Jesus.  Sit with your children for a while.  Read from the Bible together.  Focus on what God would have you do this Christmas.  And have a Mary Christmas!

Image credit: google images

Christmas without Lights?

It's Christmastime. Carols and presents. Crazy elves and visits to Santa. Garlands and wreaths. Ornaments on trees with lots of sparkly lights.

Except at my house. No tree lights. No Christmas candles. And definitely no driving at night to look at Christmas lights on houses. It's so strange.

See, my oldest child has migraines. He has had a constant headache since the beginning of November. And while the severity has lessened, one of the worst triggers is flickering light. He will even react if a TV show has flashing or flickering lights. Flourescent lights? Forgetaboutit.

So we have adapted. We just don't do Christmas lights. Actually, we don't turn on many lights in the house at all.

An amazing thing has happened this Advent despite the lack of twinkling lights this season. There is a light shining brighter than ever before in my kids. JESUS.

We have an elf that visits our house each year. Every day he brings a Scripture card with him, so that we are reading through the Christmas story a little each day. His surprises for the kids each day often point to Jesus. Spelling I love Jesus in blocks. Rearranging the Nativity scene. Opening Bibles to the Christmas story.

We also have a jar that a kid opens each day that contains 2 strips of paper. One is a name of Jesus. We have daily conversations about what the different names mean. The second piece asks the child to do something kind for one of his/her siblings. P1 said this is his favorite new tradition.

At night, we read Christmas stories. At least one of them is about Jesus. We talk again and again about why Jesus came. P2 tells me, "God came as baby Jesus. He grew up and loved people. He died on the cross to wash away our sins. And rose again so we can go to Heaven." He is so close to truly understanding God's amazing grace. I know the Holy Spirit is moving in his heart.

After stories, we sing Christmas hymns instead of our usual lullabies. A few nights ago, after singing Joy to the World, Sweet P said, "I want to sing my own song," and sang the most precious song about God coming to us as a baby because he loves us so much. My heart was glowing.

I said, "Oh, that was so beautiful. I know God loved hearing your song. I bet he is teaching the angels your song right now."

"No, Momma," she said. "I learned it from the angels. I heard them singing it."

Oh, I thought I would melt right there. The Light is shining bright in the hearts of my kids. So bright that I don't miss those twinkling lights at all.

John 1:5,9

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

Hope you have a Merry Light-filled Christmas!

God With Us

Reading: Psalm 46

Key Verse: "How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence."---1 Thessalonians 3:9 (NLV)

Confession time... I am a Facebook junkie! I find the mindless downtime to be an entertaining distraction from the structured activity of my day. I especially love the "insightful" quizzes that reveal everything from what your favorite color says about your relationships to which dessert best describes your personality. (By the way, mine is chocolate.) Perhaps one of the most humorous quizzes I have taken was in regards to my name. After answering five seemingly unrelated questions, I found out my name was all wrong. Who knew? Too bad my parents didn't know about Facebook when they were choosing the perfect name for their precious baby girl.

Even without the help of Facebook, God reveals much to us in The Word through His many names as well. My personal favorite is Immanuel. Though the name usually conjures up visions of sugar cookies and Christmas carols, I find so much more significance when I consider it's meaning. Immanuel...God With Us. In all we do. Wherever we go. Whatever we face. God is with us! It's a promise.

God is there as we confront uncertainty, doubt, and despair. Indeed, there is not a moment in this journey called life when He is not with us, for the LORD is "an ever-present help in trouble." (vs. 2) We are assured that we are not alone for "God is our refuge and strength." (vs. 1) Fear need not cripple the saints, for "The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (vs 7) Doubt cannot confound us if only we choose to bear witness to the glorious "works of the LORD." (vs. 8) Truly,we need only place our trust securely in Him, as we commit to "be still, and know that I am God." (vs. 10)

God is with us in all things. He is with us right now, this very moment. He will be with us in all our days to come. And in His presence, we can be sure He is FOR us as well. Nothing happens in our lives outside His sovereign control. Therefore, circumstances, no matter how troubling, cannot separate us from His love. For He is Immanuel, and His very name promises we do not go alone.

Heavenly Father,
You are with us...Hallelujah! Nothing can separate us from your gracious hand. You weep with us in our tears and hold us tight in our failures. You rejoice with us in triumph and sit with us in our silence. You are always near, always here. You are with us. Thanks be to God!
Amen