Be patient…

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”2Peter3:8-9

The Lord’s patience is abundant beyond comprehension.  As a mother I yearn to have just a fraction of God’s patience…as a wife, too! I once heard that praying for patience was a really big prayer.  Others feel that praying for patience just increases your odds of being under spiritual attack.  I disagree.  Prayer and the mere mention of Jesus makes the enemy flee.  The one of the world longs to capture us and take us from the hands of God, but prayer will always prevail.

So, I pray for patience in the Spirit of Christ.  I don’t rely on my own ability to be patient; if I rely on myself I fail miserably and become a tyrant who wants everything done RIGHT NOW!! I rely on Christ to fill me.  Prayer is powerful. Patience is a gift from God.

Thank you God for giving me the gift of prayer.  Thank you that I may ask in Your mighty name for patience and peace.  Thank you for being patient with me and reminding me that everything in Your timing and will is just and right.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

zoe clothing

Hi friends,
I will be writing twice today.

I have to share with you the absolutely fabulous company I have been blessed to find.

Zoe Clothing.  It’s AMAZING!  Their objective is to honor Christ and bring awareness to adoption.

Please check out their website  www.zoeclothingcompany.com  and get something super cute for your and yours!!!

WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!

English: The face of a black windup alarm clock (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

I have to wake up praising God.  My alarm is set to a particular radio station (www.klove.com).  On the mornings my alarm is set; I wake up thanking the Lord for all He has poured into my life.  In between the snoozes I spend time thanking Him, lifting my day to Him, and praising His mighty name.  On the days my alarm isn’t set; I have a great deal of trouble mustering the words of thanksgiving on my own…without a reminder.  It isn’t as though my day is shot or I don’t recognize the greatness of God in my life.  Rather it’s as though that initial prompt from the alarm clock is just enough to set my mind fully on Christ.  I need a reminder.

Isn’t that sad?  I need to be reminded to thank God for the many blessings He has lavished me with.  I have to have something tangible…something affecting my senses…to really spend the rest of my day in His presence.  I must repent.

He never forgets me or you.  He is ever-present.  He never needs an alarm or an alarming situation to remember His beloved.  He has His eye on us every moment of the day (and night).  He is always with us.

I want to be like Him.  I want to set my sights daily, without reminder, on His goodness.  I am not a subject of Pavlovian law…my love and praise should not be a relationship of cause and effect, prompted by the poor reception of an old radio.  I should be soaking in His goodness each moment of the day.  I should recognize, in everything, His presence. I should do this all without a gentle nudge.  It should be the way I live my life; fully aware of the power of Christ.

I am going to seek Him in all the things I do.  I will seek to find Him in the eyes and hearts of my children.  I will feel His presence as I kiss my husband hello from a long day.  I will look out the window at the graying sky and thank Him for the impending rain…it gives life.  I am grateful beyond measure that while I may turn my back on Him throughout the day, He NEVER ever does the same.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I am awed and amazed at how You love me.  I am beyond thankful for the blessings You pour over me and mine.  I will seek to praise You without prompt.  Thank You for always being so very patient with me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Full surrender…

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7

Living in Christ is full and life giving.  It amazes me how different I see the world when I am living fully in the will of the Lord.  I am learning to give Him all of my cares and anxieties.  I am learning to live in His provision; resting in all the blessings He pours into my life.  This is not always popular or comfortable…

Living in the will of God means (to me) prayerfully considering absolutely every aspect of my life and lifting it all to Him.  Choosing to cast all of my cares on the Lord is proving to set me apart.  I don’t always like to be different. I enjoy the coziness of being similar.  When people are like-minded they stick together; moving in a symphony or harmony of sorts.  The human condition relies so heavily on adoration and approval by those around us.  I am learning to live outside of my human condition.  I am learning and striving daily to live rooted and built up in Christ.  I feel free.

Freedom is in Christ.  When we submit fully unto the Lord we are able to make decisions with eternal impact.  We are able to eliminate, with Christ’s sovereign grace, that which is not life-giving. We are washed clean in His love and mercy when we chose to follow Him with complete surrender.  Someone who has not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior may not see the redemption in surrender.  The perception by those who do not live fully in the Lord may be that those of us who do are weak and afraid to take charge of our lives.  On the contrary, living in Christ gives us a greater sense of control and peace.  When life is taken to the King in prayer, He answers according to His will.  We may not always understand or agree with what His will is, but when we submit to it, we live a sweeter existence here on earth.  Christ is the compass, the map and the destination.  Living in Him is to live fully.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask that you guide my path in Your sovereign grace.  I ask that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live a life pleasing and full in Your sights.  I pray that I am cemented firmly in Your desire and will for my life.  I am grateful beyond measure that You have guided my steps so far and that You know the plan You have for me…a plan for HOPE and a FUTURE!  Thank you, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Going west…

The skyline of Seattle, Washington at dusk. Interstate 5 is the freeway that cuts through downtown and Puget Sound is visible to the left. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.: Psalm 118:24

I woke to a message from a friend.  My friend and I have busy lives that draw us far apart rather than closer.  But still we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that no matter what the distance we are close at heart.  My friend’s message was not what I wanted to hear.  She is moving in little more than two weeks to the other side of our really big country.  When I heard her voice and the words she uttered-I wept.

I don’t often weep when friends move.  I live in a military town and friends come and go and thank God for modern technology, because we can always keep in touch.  I know that will be the same with my friend, but there was something inside of my heart that grieved her news.

Kelsey is my friend.  She and I instantly hit it off.  Perhaps it is her fabulous mommy style or the fact that a shared glance can bring us to fits of laughter.  Whatever the reason, we were meant to be friends…forever.  We have two boys and two girls between us and her little ones love my little ones like family.  They rejoice when they are with each other.  Although our time spent together is scattered, we all come together as though it has been moments since our last meeting.  So why did I weep?

I am guaranteed a twice a year ‘date’ with Kels.  She and I volunteer for at a huge consignment sale each year.  We help to sort and stack clothes and in the midst of helping to organize we ALWAYS find time to laugh and giggle and catch up on all of life’s trials and tribulations…joys and triumphs.  I am ALWAYS grateful for those few hours twice a year.  There are times when we randomly bump into each other about town and spend far too long holding up lines or impeding walkways…seemingly oblivious to the world around us.

I had to find scripture today that would lift me up and put my eyes on Christ.  Everything He does is with distinct purpose and for His glory. I am not happy that Kelsey is moving to Washington.  In fact, my heart is very sad…BUT there is HOPE in Jesus.  Today is the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice.  I will rejoice because my tears come from a place of love.  I have the honor of always calling Kelsey my friend and no matter what the distance; she will remain a huge part of who I am.  The Lord is so gracious to give us kindred spirits.  I will rejoice because if I had not received her message; perhaps I wouldn’t have taken the time to really appreciate the importance she and her family play in the lives of me and mine.

I will miss our bi-annual dates and I will miss the anticipation I feel when I see her giant truck in the parking lot of Target or Trader’s or the library.  But, she will be back because her mom lives her and let’s face it…so am I!

God gives us the precious gift of friendship.  God has given me the precious gift of knowing and loving Kelsey here.  Her life is a testimony to the goodness of the Lord’s patience and joy.  She is full of life and lends brightness to each and every day and each person she meets.  There will be rejoicing in Seattle when she arrives.  Someone will run into my crazy friend and fall head over heels.

I thank God for the provision He has poured into her and her husband’s life.  I pray that they feel a sense of God’s peace as they prepare for their move. I pray that an army of angels goes before them in Jesus name.  I pray that her little lambs are well loved by new friends.  I am grateful beyond measure for the almost decade of time we have had to play and laugh and cry.

I will rejoice because God so lavishly blessed me with a sweet, lasting friendship.

Bon Voyage sweet friend!

It takes a lifetime…

English: The Lord Jesus Christ in the image of Good Shepherd. Early Christian trsdition of symbolism. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

We have free will.  The Lord gives us a mind to think and mouths to speak. He gives us the ability to plan our course…for right or wrong.  Thankfully He determines our steps.  I think of all the paths I have chosen to go down and how the Lord has mercifully guided me to safety.  I think of the choices I have made and how, if not for the Lord, the outcome could have been so very different.  I am grateful.

Sometimes the only course I can plan is how to get out of bed and begin my day.  I am, by nature, a worrier.  When I set out to accomplish something; often times instead of enjoying the journey (which is ultimately the destination), I spend my time worrying away the joy.  I must trust that God is sovereign and He will direct my steps.  I am so incapable of mustering joy on my own.  I must dig deep into the Lord and ask Him to fill me to overflowing, in all circumstances, with His joy.  I must also cast all my anxieties on Him. It is mine to trust that no matter what decision I make, the Lord will be there to guide me through. Even the decisions that seem unpopular and difficult must be carefully placed at the feet of Christ. Through Him I may choose to live abundantly in HOPE.

Living abundantly in Christ is not hard task.  The key is to live in full submission.  Now- that may be difficult.  To live in submission means to give your entire self, life, choices to the Lord.  You have to live in the knowledge that God is masterful and purposeful and that He will always know what is best for you.  It’s hard to let go…but when we surrender to the Lord we live in peace and harmony.  It may not always be easy, but it will always be fruitful.  We will abound in the glory of the Lord when we chose to live in full submission.

Full submission takes a lifetime to achieve.  Again, we have free will, we are human and we are fallen.  Yet, by God’s amazing grace, we are able to, in earnest, live in His will for our lives.  He will catch us when we fall from grace and He will lavish us in mercy and forgiveness.

Dear Lord,
You pour your abundant mercies over me daily.  Please help me to live in submission to Your will and Your call for my life.  Please forgive me when I fall from grace.  Help me to pick up the pieces and learn from my past.  I am grateful that You are the God of second chances!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Just a little peek???

Holy Spirit painting (Photo credit: hickory hardscrabble)

“For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.” Colossians 2:5

I think I am firmly cemented in Christ.  I feel like I depend on Him for all things. Yet, sometimes I find myself trusting my own understanding and wisdom.  I am fallible and completely fallen and so is my wisdom. I am so very human and so very tarnished, but in Christ I shine brightly the LIGHT of Him.  I am able to traverse the seasons of change with grace when I trust fully in the wisdom of the Lord.

I am learning that full and complete dependence on Christ is, in my own terms, ‘delightfully difficult’.  I delight in His perfect peace and plan for my life; however, it is difficult for me to not want to control everything.  I guess I am a control freak…I am a wife and mother after all!

Lately I have been asking the Lord to give me a glimpse of my future.  I have been asking Him to show me what is to come. I seem to be treating the Lord like some kind of street corner psychic.  It’s as though the future will give me better ability to handle things as they come.  On the contrary! If I knew what was to come, I would likely fall to pieces.  The Lord reveals only what we are capable of handling.  Good and bad.  I must trust fully that His plans for my life are for His distinct purpose and will bring Him glory.  I am part of His master plan.  I must have firm faith in Christ.

It is essential to my faith walk that I submit fully onto the Lord.  I must trust that He fills me with His Holy Spirit.  He guides my paths in righteousness and goodness.  He fills me to overflowing with His peace…I must breathe in His generosity.  I must live abundantly in His provision.  If I am to trust His Word, I must trust it completely.   I must put all my faith in the One who created me and the life I live.  I am HIS alone.

I am going to have to stop seeking to know my future…I must live fully today.  I must be present and let the Lord take care of the rest.  He is faithful to stay at my right side, never leaving or forsaking me…only LOVING me.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for understanding my inability to let go of what I can’t control.  Thank you for not revealing the accounts of my future.  I humbly seek your forgiveness as I come to the understanding that You are sovereign and You have a perfect plan for my life.  A plan that will be blessed in Your mighty riches!  I am grateful for the gift of the Cross and Your gift of forgiveness.  Thank you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Radical Part 2…

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17

I have to rely fully of the provision of the Lord.  In this case I am not referring to material provision-while I do rely fully on Him for our daily needs; I am referring mainly to the provision of my heart, my soul and my mind.  I need to press into His wisdom.  I have to trust that what He has called me into has great purpose.  I believe that doing the Lord’s will is always life giving and protected by His sovereign grace.  And in believing I must trust…fully.

Stepping out in faith is never easy.  It takes courage and strength that only the Lord can provide.  There are so many situations that we face as believers requiring complete and total dependence on the Lord.  Our choices and motives may baffle those who have yet to put their trust in the Lord. We must have complete faith in Christ Jesus.  He will guide us through the trials and tribulations of new adventure…we must believe that He is faithful to give us a future.  I will stand on His promise of HOPE.

As Rick and I embark on what I would consider the greatest calling and challenge of our lives, I am strong in my convictions and know that I am following exactly what the Lord has willed for our family.  I have not been met with too much resistance with regard to our declaration to home educate our children, and the opposition I have met leads me to believe that those who don’t trust our abilities aren’t projecting their distrust of Rick and me, but rather their lack of abundant trust in the Lord.  When we are firmly planted in the Word (the fundamental truths of the Bible) then we trust and believe that the Lord is the provider of all things on heaven and earth.  I receive the Gospel and rest my future in the Word.  I trust that the Lord has called us out to be reliant on His will.

I am learning that following the will of God can be unpopular and bewildering to others.  I have to trust that His strength is greater than mine and that He will see me through all circumstances. All things from above are pure and peace-loving and therefore right.

I believe that His peace transforms us and allows us to rest in His provision regardless of what our flesh tells us.  We are given free-will.  God is fully aware of this ability to think for ourselves, to make decisions in our lives all on our own.  I spent so many days relying on my own ability and thoughts and strengths.  I am discovering that the more I seek His wisdom; the greater the discernment I have to make thoughtful choices and decisions.  I am gleaning insight from His Word and learning to live my life with complete abandon for Jesus.

Father God,
You call us out for greatness and excellence.  You give us ability we could never muster on our own.  I am grateful and thankful for Your abundant provision and guidance.  I trust that You hear the cries of my heart and that You will always be present to guide me through all seasons.  My strength comes from the Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wow! That’s radical…

“What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things.” Romans 8:31-32

He gives us all things when we ask in His mighty name.  When we pray the desires of our Hearts in His will; He gives us those desires.  Recently I have had a multitude of prayers answered…or rather I should say that my family has had a multitude of prayers answered.

I spent many weeks fasting and praying and digging deep into the heart of God. I try each day to do this…seeking His presence in every facet of my life.  I have submitted to His will.  I am learning to pray the Fruit of the Spirit.  I have asked to be filled to over-flowing with His goodness, faithfulness, self-control, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, love, and joy. There are days when I want to pray for anything but this fruit.  Yet, when I pray in His will for my life, He is mighty to answer prayers that, in my flesh, seem totally out of reach.  Such is the case with our newest, life changing decision.

See, many years ago I became friends with Ellie.  She is a kind and generous friend.  She is the wife of a pastor.  She is a mother to four and she has done something I imagined myself NEVER DOING…she homeschools her flock.  She has spent years giving the gift of education to her children from the confines of her home sweet home.  Well, after nearly 18 months of prayer and pleading and wrestling with the notion of home education, this weekend my husband gave us the green light to homeschool our two little lambs.  We will begin in the fall.  This has become the desire of all of our hearts.  God graciously answered our prayers.  Now, it is time I answer the call.

I don’t know what I will say to the nay-sayers.  I don’t know how I will defend my decision, other than the Lord is guiding our path.  I welcome the encouragers. Don’t we all?  Don’t we bask in the encouragement of those who think what we are doing is right?  Aren’t we delighted when others approve of our radical decisions?  I have a feeling we will meet opposition.  That’s ok.  The Lord does not promise easy or comfortable.  He does, however, promise that He will stand with us and carry us through ALL situations.  He promises to give us the words to speak and the confidence to speak them.  I will rely fully on His mighty provision.

I am so excited to see where this new season takes us.  I will trust that because we have asked in HIS will, He will give us the strength and perseverance we need to carry us through.  I pray that we seek Him when we feel out of our element and when we feel inadequate.  I thank Him for the desire to educate our children from home.  I thank Him for the challenges we will face, because those challenges will build in us a Godly character.  I give praise and thanksgiving for the joy we will feel as we traverse the path of this new adventure; knowing that He will grow us from acorns to mighty oaks.

Dear Lord,
You give us only what we are capable of handling in You.  I thank you for abundant provision and LOVE.  I thank you for never leaving us or forsaking us.  You are life and we will live in that promise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Well…

Fresh Water Flow (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My heart is bursting in gratitude.  I am overwhelmed with joy by the absolute, undeniable faithfulness of the Lord.  He is sovereign. He is righteous.  He is steadfast.  He is honest.  He is absolute.  I am bathed in His grace and right now I am overflowing with thanksgiving.

I am holding a challis of gold…lifting my praise to the one from which it overflows.  I am enraptured in His amazing grace and mercy.  He is leading me to lush pastures.  He is washing me clean in springs of fresh water.  I am basking in His glory.

I have read a mere 56 pages of Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts. This is not for lack of love for the book.  It is simply to take in all Ms. Voskamp has to deliver.  Her brimming-ly apparent gift of gratitude has struck me in powerful and profound ways.  Almost like a jolt of electricity.  Often the joy in gratitude Ms. Voskamp shares is the exact dose of self-inspection that I need to live in joy.

Over the past quarter year the Lord has woe-d me into a dearer, warmer relationship.  I am fully reliant on the One who breathed life into my dying body.  He captures us at just the right moment.  He tenderly lifts us from the mire of our lives, the toil we create and cleanses us in His abundant and amazing grace.  He is the Well of life; filling us to be emptied for His glory.  He gives perpetually of His goodness.  Until recently-I hadn’t even noticed. He has enhanced my testimony to amazing proportions.  I could sing praise day and night. I could dance as David and Miriam, and all who feel His Holy Spirit, have danced for the Lord.

I am immersed in His sweetness.  I will sing songs of praise in every season for He is with me…always.

Dear God,

You have shown yourself mighty.  You are greater than my mind can conceive. I am delighted that I may sit and hold your hand…the hand that holds the world.  You cradle me and provide for my every need. In you I trust…always. In Jesus’ name, amen.