Dreams

I’m doing Kelly Minter’s study on Nehemiah right now. I’m only in the second week and have been so convicted already. At the beginning of this week’s lesson, Kelly says something like, “God is a jealous God-He does not want to share you with your American Dream.”

Well that just about did me in. I often fool myself into thinking that I’m not one of those women who just wants her own little “American Dream”…but I am…and I do. I want the house to decorate and the babies to raise and the cushy little life that I think would be easier.

I know in my head that it won’t necessarily be easier, and I know in my head that life is about so much more than that-but what do I desire in my heart?

I’ve been wanting to do Max Lucado’s study, “Outlive Your Life” for over a year now….but avoid it like the plague because I’m terrified that I’ll fail  to put in place the changes I’m convicted to make.

In the grand scheme of things, I do want so much more than any “American Dream” I can build for myself and my family. I want God’s dream for my life and family. I want to live for Him and not for myself. I want to make a difference in the lives of people that will “outlive my life.” I want to store up treasures in Heaven and not on earth (Mt 6:20).

Despite what I want in the grand scheme of things, it’s difficult for me to live that large in my day-to-day. So, like Paul says, I’ll continue to work out my salvation (Philippians 2:12)…and with God’s grace and mercy, abandon my own American Dream and trust in His faithfulness to lead me where He wants me to follow.

Be blessed,

Jill

What’s New?

I awoke to a refreshingly cool crisp morning and thought “How appropriate.” September approaches; a new month that ushers in a new season. School days are beginning for many; new teachers, new friends, new clothes, new challenges. Speeches and ads prepare the way for an election that looms before us; a new term or a new president? Garden centers display the customary mums; new plantings to take the place of the colors of summer’s glory.

For the most part we love “new”. Newness is beauty-full! It’s exciting, invigorating and motivating. The trouble with “new” is that by its very nature it is swiftly gone.

However we get a new start every day; every moment even. God’s mercies and compassion are new every morning, and every moment that we communicate our need to Him.

I recently brought to the Lord some old recollections that surfaced that I honestly didn’t remember if I had ever acknowledged to him with a repentant heart. I immediately experienced a glorious impression of Holy Spirit’s presence. I honestly felt renewed in my thinking, my attitude, and my emotions. I even felt different physically; lighter, dreamier, emptier yet also fuller all at the same time. It was a “new” that I didn’t want to fade away.

The Word of God says to put off the old and put on the new.

Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I got a perspective on this concept in the natural just over the past couple of days. I went school shopping with two of my granddaughters for a few hours. With little coaxing they were both able to take off and try on a number of pants, tops and shoes in record time so that they could choose the “new” that they desired.

I also reviewed my day yesterday and realized that in the span of 15 hours I went from bed clothes to walking clothes, then my shower robe, followed by donning my professional suit attire for an interview. After a successful and hopeful interview I too went shopping and carried 11 clearance items into the dressing room for some quick change exercise. (I only bought 2 items.) When I got home I immediately changed into my comfies to cook dinner, but then accepted an invitation to a meeting where my comfies needed to be replaced by decent casuals.

As females we sure know how to put off old things and put on new. But we also sometimes spend inordinate amounts of time just putting on the old again.

However “new” looks Beauty-full on you. The truth is “new” looks good on everyone. Let someone know today about God’s “new” mercies and compassion.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.

Gratefully HIS,

Jan

Goodbyes

Today we said a somewhat bittersweet goodbye to one of the kids who had been with me since Oct 2011.  It's bittersweet because the poor girl has been moved around countless times in her short life, and it just isn't fair.  It's not fair that her family can't take care of her. It's not fair that she hasn't gotten the she needs help with the emotional issues that she has. It's not fair that the rest of her siblings are together, and she's alone. It's not fair that once I realize I can't help someone, it becomes too hard to even try.

So, we packed her up, and I drove her to her new house almost an hour away from the life she's had for the past 10 months. Almost an hour away from her parents, who live down the street from me. Almost an hour away from the few friends she made here. Almost an hour away from a particular 15 year old boy she's had a crush on since Christmas ( I think because of his Beiber-like hair).  But it's also an hour away from a terrible teacher, and the kids who picked on her. It's an hour away from her parents, and maybe the distance will help with the inevitable closure that's coming. It's an hour away from Heather, who has more toys than her. It's an hour away from the other little girl in my house, who is going home to her mom soon. It's an hour away from me, who can't help her anymore.

I spent my return hour praying for her, and her new 'family', that she would feel welcomed, and loved. That these next people will be better than I at helping her through the next phase in her life, which will be a tough one. That her new school will accept her, and that her desk will be next to a girl who loves Justin Beiber as much as she does, but also loves math. I also prayed that her sticky fingers would un-stick, and that she would hold off on the tantrum-throwing for a bit. I prayed that God would remind her of the good things we shared, and flush the bad times right out of her mind.

Will you pray with me?  As much as she drove me crazy, she's lost in so many ways...

Brooke

Afraid No More

Most of my life I was afraid. I was afraid of "monsters under the bed", thunder and  lightening, spiders, heights, going too fast and being alone. But most of all I was afraid of my future.

I wanted to know everything that was going to happen so I could be prepared, so I could have a plan. I needed to be in control so that I could make sure nothing bad happened. I fretted, worried, planned every step of my life and carried fear in my heart.

Well, the problem was and is that "I" can not prevent bad things from happening in my life.  Bad things did happen and unfortunately they will happen in the future as well. It is just a part of life here on earth.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Proverbs 3:5 The Message

When I became a Christian I put my trust in God, the Creator of the Universe and HE took my fear away.

God alone knows everything about me and about my life. HE already knows everything that is going to happen in my life and HE will be right there for me! God is on our side  (Romans 8:31b) .

What a deep sigh of relief I experienced when I truly grasped that God is on my side and that HE can work together for good any situation (Romans 8:28)

Today I still don't like thunder and lightening, spiders, heights or going too fast but I did outgrow the fear of "monsters under my bed". However, I can say that am not afraid to be alone because I know that HE is always with me.

And I am not afraid of my future because I TRUST HIM. I am in a relationship with GOD and I listen to HIS direction for my life in prayer and in studying HIS Word. HE guides me and comforts me and HE let's me know if i am heading down the wrong path. 

I can not control the future or any heartaches or trials that it may bring my way but I know that I will not face them alone and unequipped.

I don't need to be afraid about what tomorrow holds because I know that God loves me.

" I am convinced that nothing-nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic,today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable-absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the  way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."  (Romans 8:39The Message)

Jesus has rescued, redeemed, restored my life and HE remains loving me with HIS different kind of Love. And HE is waiting there for you!

Gratefully HIS,
ruthann

A Different Kind of Love

Good Monday Morning Ladies. 

Take a few minutes to listen to the words to this song. And if you are grateful that Jesus found you and that HE loves you with a different kind of love, SING OUT LOUD AND PRAISE HIM!!!

ruthann

Priorities

This summer has been very busy for me. My sister moved home from college, my other sister is getting married, my other sister is moving off to college, my cousin is having a baby, a close family member is struggling with health issues, I continued to attend Graduate school while working full time, and so much more.

I’ve always been a busy person- I thrive with a full schedule because a lot of downtime leaves me bored and wanderlusty (which I think I just made up). Even though I’m very organized and enjoy a busy schedule, I’ve never been good at prioritizing-because in the moment, one thing seems just as important at another.

I value time spent with my husband. I value time spent with my sisters. I value the time I have to visit with my parents and in-laws. I value the time I spend continuing my education. I value time I spend at church. I value the time I spend with God each day…..

…And by each day, I mean when I’m not too tired from valuing my time too much in other places…

I’ve always struggled with setting apart time each day to spend with the Lord before all my other “stuff” begins; but oh how important it is. One of my problems is that I tend to think like this: “well as soon as _____ is over, I’ll have more time to be consistent with my devotional time.” That never works. Especially if you’re like me and always have stuff going on.

We are on borrowed time here on this earth. We are a vapor that disappears in the blink of an eye. We’re not promised tomorrow.  And one day, when my tomorrow never comes, I better be sure that I’ve spent enough time with God-who I’ll be spending eternity with.

When one thing ends, another always begins. Which is why it’s so important to make daily time with God a priority. A priority that I will be working on over the next couple of weeks and months.  Feel free to hold me accountable!....And if you need to work on the same priority, I’m happy to hold you accountable J

Have a great weekend,

Jill

With Child-Like Delight

I had the great joy of observing a toddler recently. The whole scenario brought to mind what our childlike relationship with God should be like. I share it with you, punctuated with scripture verses to ponder.

I watched as this precious little guy stood motionless and mesmerized by the whimsical jingle of an approaching ice cream truck. His little feet were planted firmly and his sturdy little legs didn’t move a muscle for several minutes, so enthralled was he by the music it seemed. I truly wondered what held him in place for so long. (I would have taken off running.)

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

When he finally joined other kids and accompanying adults on their way to the truck I lost sight of him. When he came into my view again amidst a crowd of active treat-seekers milling and crowding the single service window of the truck I noticed him again, stock-still, his little neck craned back at a painful looking angle, his head moving left and right, then left again to gaze at the colorful pictures of frozen delights splashed all over the side of the truck.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

He didn’t push forward or look to his caregiver for help or guidance or assurance. His sole purpose appeared to be to take in the totality all the pleasures that this four-wheeled wonder held. When it appeared he had made his choice, he still did not move forward, but instead he sought the face of the truck attendant and just stared at her, as if by merely gazing at her he could capture her attention.

Psalm 27:8
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.

And capture it he did! Their eyes locked. Her smile was nearly as captivating as his was. No words were spoken. It was as if in that moment only those two people were in existence; the giver and the receiver. The little guy just pointed to the picture of his choice and licked his little lips. She craned around the truck window to follow the direction of his finger, then looking back at him she too pointed to his selection and they both just nodded at each other.

Psalm 21:2

You have given him his heart’s desire, and You have not withheld the request of his lips.

As she retreated to get his chosen pleasure he slowly stepped forward, reaching up with both hands. She returned and gently placed it into his outstretched little mitts.

Psalm 16:11

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

I lost sight of him again in the array of others and disappointedly glanced away. When next I saw him he was happily sauntering back with his family, decorated well by the melting drips of ice cream, all down his chin, and neck and belly.

Psalm 133:2

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.

May we delight in our God as a little child delights in what he longs for.

Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.

Gratefully HIS,

Jan