So It's the night before Hubby's first flight out for his new job. I'm finding myself a little anxious, not because I don't want him to go, but because I have so much to do to get him ready.
The other night I was really struggling with all this. All I could do was cry out to the Lord. I had to confess my self focus. I was focused on what I had to do to make all this work. It's not me! It has to be God. I can't do it. I'm too emotional & too selfish! I'm going to trust in God & His Word. That will the only way I can do this.
So as I walk this road, I will bury myself in God's Word & cry out to Him when I need hope. As Pastor Bryan said today, "Secure God's Word to your heart & you'll always have the hope you need to press forward." So God is going to be my hope & He will give me stability during the change ahead. And when God's Word becomes my stability, I will be come stability for others (namely my children).
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
challenge - 100-fold harvest.
Did you know that we have been really blessed by God & that we are women of substance, not wimps, not superficial! Our life is to be lived out in relationship to God! through the study of HIS WORD! we've been called to live in the blessings of God! God's Word can yield a 100-fold harvest in our lives if we let it have maximum impact in our lives. How? Beth challenged us with 7 phrases to help us begin to let God work in us.
1. Treasure the wonder - we need to be in total awe of God & His Word. I have to confess that I fail to really treasure God. I become complacent & fail to fully comprehend that God, the creator of the universe, the Savior of the world gave me life just by speaking. He gives (breathes) life into me through His Word & there for I am competently competent to do anything He gives me to do! (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
2. Protect your heart - we have to protect it from the devil. He is real & wants to make sure we are ill-equipped to do what we were called to do. (Luke 8:12). I have to stand up to satan & tell him "My God spoke to me & it is not up for grabs!" What God gives me from the Word is mine & I can not let satan defeat me or convince me that God didn't really talk to me & that God won't be with me.
3. Expect the Test - we will be tested to see if we really believe it. God has told me that this change in front of my family is where He wants us...now, it is up to me to really believe it & to stand on God's Word when the doubts fly in & things get hard. (I Cor 10:13). God tests us to make us stand & Satan tempts us to make us fall!
4. Dig the Roots - by digging into the Word! Our roots are as deep as how much I'm convinced My Savior loves me! Wow - I'm so convicted by this. Am I really convinced my Savior loves me? Sometimes, I don't think I am...if I was, would I struggle with the next point?
5. Stop the Choke - anxiety chokes the Word right out of us! Here is where I struggle! I need to apply what Beth has said! The curative for anxiety is Prayer, prayer of the authority of God over what we are anxious about (Philippians 4:6). Anxiety really shows that we aren't bowed down to Christ! When I am anxious I am showing that I really don't believe God is the true authority over all. Ouch!
6.Retain the Word - I am so bad at this...Lord, help me to be in your Word & to meditate on it.
7. Press forth to your 100-fold Harvest - We need to persevere. Harvest is not in the instantaneous. We are to press forth & finish till the end!
The other things I was shown over the weekend was this - What I am going through & what God is bringing me through in NOT about me! It's about strengthening me & using me to minister to those around me & to show what God can do in you! It's time I came to the end of myself...I'm useless, I'm really pretty pathetic. BUT if I yield this pitiful life to God, He will strengthen me & He will use me to shine His Glory to others. If, through the hard time of being away from hubby & being a single parent during the week , God shines through me & others see Him in me then it is worth it all! God, help me to persevere in prayer, in faith, in Your vision through all the discouragement, chaos & trials! Help me to not live in hysteria & chaos, but in Freedom & Victory!!
Change
So, I don't like change but I find myself embracing it at this time even though in human terms the change really doesn't seem to make sense. I don't really know why this change is taking place. I mean, I know the new job has benefits which means hubby & I have insurance & will be able to go to the doctor which we haven't been able to for 3 years and we won't have to pay self-employment taxes & hopefully won't be in a hole again come tax time. But on the down side hubby will be gone every week....so that part doesn't make sense.
All through this though, I KNOW that this is where God wants us. And I have confidence God will work it out for his good (Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.").
All through this though, I KNOW that this is where God wants us. And I have confidence God will work it out for his good (Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.").
Monday, June 30, 2008
Being Real
Does anyone really know you? Do you struggle with who you seem to be on the outside & who you know you are on the inside? Do you feel you are such a bad person that you can't let anyone know the real you? Do you feel alone because you keep everyone from knowing the real you?
If those questions sound like something that runs through your mind, then I'm not alone :-) I struggle with being transparent with those around me. I don't like being vulnerable, I don't like exposing myself, I don't like myself at times. But God wants us to be transparent & to be real with those around us. How can our brothers & sisters in Christ come along side us if we don't let them?
So, I'm going to try to be more transparent. I'm going to try & be real. No more hiding behind masks. It's hard to step out & be myself, especially when I don't always like myself.
I'm selfish - I want "my time", I do what's easiest for me a lot of time.
I'm proud - I don't want others to see me at my worst.
I'm lazy - I'd rather sit on my computer or in front of the tv than do work around the house or exercise.
I'm weak - I give into the pain & depression sometimes.
I'm so desperate for God! I need Him! My life is so pitiful. I try to run it. I think I'm in control, that I know what's best. I know nothing! I make things worse! If only I really trusted God, I'd truly follow Him! I wouldn't worry & I wouldn't struggle! God tells us that He works all things for Good in our lives (Romans 8:28). I need to trust, really trust, that everything He allows to come into my life is for Good. It may not be easy (dealing with chronic pain), or it may be a joy (playing with my children). It may hurt (dealing with depression) or it may heal (attending Bible study with my friends). No matter the road I must trust that God is in control. He is the Ultimate Creator, the Savior & King of Kings! All I can do is worship Him! Praise God of all creation! The Maker of Heaven & Earth. I'm desperate for You! I'm nothing without You! ( I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5)
If those questions sound like something that runs through your mind, then I'm not alone :-) I struggle with being transparent with those around me. I don't like being vulnerable, I don't like exposing myself, I don't like myself at times. But God wants us to be transparent & to be real with those around us. How can our brothers & sisters in Christ come along side us if we don't let them?
So, I'm going to try to be more transparent. I'm going to try & be real. No more hiding behind masks. It's hard to step out & be myself, especially when I don't always like myself.
I'm selfish - I want "my time", I do what's easiest for me a lot of time.
I'm proud - I don't want others to see me at my worst.
I'm lazy - I'd rather sit on my computer or in front of the tv than do work around the house or exercise.
I'm weak - I give into the pain & depression sometimes.
I'm so desperate for God! I need Him! My life is so pitiful. I try to run it. I think I'm in control, that I know what's best. I know nothing! I make things worse! If only I really trusted God, I'd truly follow Him! I wouldn't worry & I wouldn't struggle! God tells us that He works all things for Good in our lives (Romans 8:28). I need to trust, really trust, that everything He allows to come into my life is for Good. It may not be easy (dealing with chronic pain), or it may be a joy (playing with my children). It may hurt (dealing with depression) or it may heal (attending Bible study with my friends). No matter the road I must trust that God is in control. He is the Ultimate Creator, the Savior & King of Kings! All I can do is worship Him! Praise God of all creation! The Maker of Heaven & Earth. I'm desperate for You! I'm nothing without You! ( I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Rules for Lasting Marriage
Hubby & I are coming up on the 20th anniversary of our first date (Sept. 2, 1988). I can't believe it's been 20 years. As I look back, there's times I can't believe we made it. At other times it seems like it's been a breeze. We've had our share of fights, but we've always made up. We've had our hard times (lost jobs, health issues, etc.) and our great times (births of 3 kids, wonderful anniversaries, etc.).
These are my rules for a lasting marriage:
1. Put God first - if it wasn't for Him guiding us, even when we weren't paying attention, we wouldn't be together now. Have others pray for you & your marriage (we have felt the prayers!)
2. A sense of humor - being able to laugh at ourselves & with each other is a big help in a relationship. Life is too serious not to be able to laugh. Have fun with each other.
3. Become best friends - my hubby IS, without a doubt, my best friend. There is no one I'd rather be with. No one who can make me smile like he can. No one who can take his place.
4. Spend time together - how can you love someone if you don't spend time together. Sometimes that means taking up hobbies/interests that he likes & forgoing your own. Sometimes that means dropping what you are doing to go with him (even if you sit in the car & wait on him).
5. Never going to bed angry - life's too short to waste it mad at each other, especially when you're mad over stupid, little things. If you're mad, talk it out. And DON'T walk away! Make up - it's fun!!
6. Putting each other first, even over the kids - We love our kids, but our relationship with each other comes before the kids. We make time to have date nights. We take time to have weekends away just the 2 of us! Only when the 2 of us are right, does our family fall in place correctly.
7. Don't let others come between you - whether it be friends, parents, or co-workers. Don't let what others say about your spouse or what they have supposedly done, come between you. Talk it out with your spouse. Some people just like to start trouble or want to see you fail.
8. Love each other - emotionally & physically! (Email me if you need explanation!)
9. Stick together when things get hard - trials & problems will come. It's a part of life. But when they come, cling to each other & God! Don't blame each other, don't criticize! Talk it out!
10. Appreciate each other - & tell each other that! Let your spouse know you love them & what you love about them. Compliment them, flirt with them, make them feel special (because they are!). Make your praises more abundant than your criticisms.
11. Never say a bad word about your spouse to anyone else - respect each other enough to only say the best about each other. Spouse slamming is not good! It always gets back to your spouse & only hurts your relationship.
12. Don't over react when they snap at you. Sometimes it's not you. They may have had a bad day or been stressed. Find out all the details before you take offense & get angry or hurt!
Just a few simple rules that has helped us last almost 20 years & will help us last hopefully another 20 or more years!
(I love you honey! You are better than my wildest dreams! I don't know what I'd do without you!)
These are my rules for a lasting marriage:
1. Put God first - if it wasn't for Him guiding us, even when we weren't paying attention, we wouldn't be together now. Have others pray for you & your marriage (we have felt the prayers!)
2. A sense of humor - being able to laugh at ourselves & with each other is a big help in a relationship. Life is too serious not to be able to laugh. Have fun with each other.
3. Become best friends - my hubby IS, without a doubt, my best friend. There is no one I'd rather be with. No one who can make me smile like he can. No one who can take his place.
4. Spend time together - how can you love someone if you don't spend time together. Sometimes that means taking up hobbies/interests that he likes & forgoing your own. Sometimes that means dropping what you are doing to go with him (even if you sit in the car & wait on him).
5. Never going to bed angry - life's too short to waste it mad at each other, especially when you're mad over stupid, little things. If you're mad, talk it out. And DON'T walk away! Make up - it's fun!!
6. Putting each other first, even over the kids - We love our kids, but our relationship with each other comes before the kids. We make time to have date nights. We take time to have weekends away just the 2 of us! Only when the 2 of us are right, does our family fall in place correctly.
7. Don't let others come between you - whether it be friends, parents, or co-workers. Don't let what others say about your spouse or what they have supposedly done, come between you. Talk it out with your spouse. Some people just like to start trouble or want to see you fail.
8. Love each other - emotionally & physically! (Email me if you need explanation!)
9. Stick together when things get hard - trials & problems will come. It's a part of life. But when they come, cling to each other & God! Don't blame each other, don't criticize! Talk it out!
10. Appreciate each other - & tell each other that! Let your spouse know you love them & what you love about them. Compliment them, flirt with them, make them feel special (because they are!). Make your praises more abundant than your criticisms.
11. Never say a bad word about your spouse to anyone else - respect each other enough to only say the best about each other. Spouse slamming is not good! It always gets back to your spouse & only hurts your relationship.
12. Don't over react when they snap at you. Sometimes it's not you. They may have had a bad day or been stressed. Find out all the details before you take offense & get angry or hurt!
Just a few simple rules that has helped us last almost 20 years & will help us last hopefully another 20 or more years!
(I love you honey! You are better than my wildest dreams! I don't know what I'd do without you!)
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