Anyone out there?

I have wanted to write on the blog for a while, but life has not had time for it. With so much going on the blog is the easiest and less important thing that gets left off my plans. I do enjoy it and am going to try and post more often than twice a year! Hard to believe it has been so long. I enjoy blogging because it helps me to think through things even if no other person reads my thoughts. I think writing can be therapeutic and freeing.

Here are some pictures of things that have been growing this summer.

a long time

It has been a long time since I have posted anything. So much has happened in my life and I have not had time. I am going to make time soon to share more of my journey.

Home: No place for Bible study

Read this! Maybe we are not as free as we think we are. Click on the link below.
Home: No place for Bible study

Shared via AddThis

Gluten Free

I usually am not overly-personal on this blog, I have a private blog for friends and family, but I need to get some thoughts out there and hopefully people who read this can help me!

I recently tested positive for Celiac Disease. So I am now embarking on the journey of trying to be gluten free. I was completely overwhelmed yesterday. I was overly emotional and felt like I was grieving- sounds silly, but I am losing a huge part of my life (so to say)! I love bread products ( or things made with wheat and there are many)- pasta, pizza, bread, cereal, rolls, biscuits... you name it and I love it! So it was sad to think about not enjoying these wonderful things that God has given us to eat.

I have been doing research and trying to find things that I can eat. It is also hard having a family that I am to cook for. I do not want to deprive them of these yummy things- but it is very hard to see them, to smell the food, and not get any!!! Enough of the pity-party! I am continuing to pray that God helps me.

I am just curious if there are others out there who can help me. Any readers who have this or know someone who does?? Any resources, thoughts, ideas????

My Thoughts

Something I am relearning is that I am in control of nothing! No matter what I do or how hard I try... I am never the one who is ultimately in control. To some that may sound like a bad thing. But to me, it gives me great comfort and peace.
I know that God is sovereign over all things and that He is working it all for my good and His own glory. ( Rom. 8:28)
This past Sunday I taught on Isaiah 45:1-13. God kept reminding the people that He is God and there is no other God besides Him. He formed everything. He made the heavens and the earth. He made us and He can do what He pleases with what He has created.
I am so thankful to know the the God of the universe care that much about me. He orchestrates all the events in my life from the small to the great.
May I keep learning this and stop trying to control things!

Fireproof

The other night we finally rented the movie Fireproof. I admit I was skeptical about watching it. Usually movies that are made through Christian organizations are cheesy, poor acting, or the story line is not that great. I had head reviews about this movie and wanted to see it, so we did.

I admit, I was surprised. It was a good movie. I will confess that some parts were cheesy, and some acting could have been better, there could have been more to the story- but it was a wholesome movie. I would recommend it to others to watch. You can read what others have said here, here, and here.

I do wish that the Gospel was more of a focus in the movie- in fact it should have been the focus. They depended a lot on love- but without the Gospel it is impossible to love that selfless love. We went to a wedding the other day and I was confronted with this problem there as well. The people getting married were believers, but there was no mention of the Gospel at their wedding. We are in such a "me" driven culture/sinful nature. We cannot find the strength or even the desire to love apart from Jesus through the Gospel.

I am Still Alive!

It seems like forever since I have been posting on any of my blogs! Life has been very busy and lots of things have been on my mind. I am going to try and post more regularly, but no promises!

Colossians 3:12-15

Colossians 3:12-15 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

These verses have been going through my mind this week. I know I fall short, but it is my prayer that I would have more of a compassionate heart, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and LOVE. To love as Christ has and is continuing to love me. Help me Lord! As God's children, we have been shown great forgiveness and love and are called to show that to others. I am thankful that He helps me and is conforming me more and more into His image (Romans 8).

The Darkness of Abortion and the Light of Truth

I listened to a sermon by John Piper called:The Darkness of Abortion and the Light of Truth. I would encourage you to listen or read it here. The topic of abortion has been burdening my heart for the past few months, since Obama was elected as president. I am not for abortion in any way, but if you read this blog and are, I just want to encourage you to listen to this sermon and others he has preached on this topic and may the Lord change your hearts!
Piper preached through Ephesians 5:1-16.

Ephesians 5:1-16 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

White House outlines Obama's pro-homosexual agenda

While I am proud that our country is making progress and has elected an African American as our new President. I have several issues that I do not agree with him on. His "pro-homosexual agenda" is one of those issues. The article I read states:

Just hours after becoming president, the Whitehouse.gov website has laid out Barack Obama's agenda. Under a section of that agenda titled Civil Rights is a very detailed outline of what Obama plans to do for the homosexual community.
First on the list is the expansion of "hate crimes" statutes to include extra punishment for crimes committed because of sexual orientation and gender identity. Highlighted is the president's political history of support for hate crimes legislation.
Obama also supports full civil unions and federal rights for homosexual couples, and calls for repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). According to the agenda explanation, the president also is opposed to a constitutional amendment to protect marriage as only between a man and a woman.

You can read the rest of the article HERE. I will be praying for President Obama.

2009

So far 2009 has been filled with sickness! First my kids, then me, then my kids- hopefully we will be over it soon. I wanted to share some books that I got for Christmas that I am excited about reading. I will post some more over the next few days.

100 Cupboards by: N.D. Wilson
Leepike Ridge by: N.D. Willson

Have you read your Bible lately?

Have you read your Bible lately? I know that is something that you may not want to talk about. Either because you do not read the Bible, maybe it has been a long time, or maybe you think you are too busy. I admit, that sometimes it is a struggle to read my Bible with all that is going on, but I do try to daily spend time with my Lord, through His Word.

All of that to say... I watched a very interesting show the other night on PBS. It was part of a series called Secrets of the Dead. This particular episode was called Battle for the Bible.  I would encourage you to watch it, just check your local listings. It was very educational. The show walked through how the Bible was translated and survived. "The dangers faced by religious reformers and those who translated the Bible into English are examined in this compelling episode," according to the site.

My husband and I have listened to MP3s that deal with this and I am blown away. People sacrificed all they had to get God's Word. People at one time could not have a copy of the Bible and when it was translated into their language it was outlawed. May people were killed by burning for even having a copy of the Bible.

That just causes my heart to be so burdened. I think about how many Bible's we have today and in a variety of translations- all at our fingertips- and what do we do with it? Nothing for the most part. We have God's Word in our hand and we are too busy for it. It seems like some people have reverted back to Catholicism in the fact that they only hear God's Word on Sunday from the pastor. Where is the passion? Where is the desire to read His truth? To know God?

I want to encourage you to read your Bible. We have so many resources out there that were bought with blood. Don't neglect your freedom to own and read God's Word.

Well I did it

I finally did what I was not wanting to do. I joined facebook. I have debated doing this for a while now and decided it was time. I had several reasons for joining and several for not wanting to join. 

Reasons for:

1. To keep up with people that I do not have a lot of time to see or talk to.

2. To try and stay up-to-date with things going on on-line that my children may one day be a part of.

3. To try and understand why everyone loves it.

Reasons against:

1. Not a lot of extra time.

2. I want to be more intentional with people face to face and not just read about their life.

3. It will be something else that I have to figure out.

So I thought about the good/bad and realized that I am just going to have to try and see for myself what it is all about and hopefully it will be useful for staying "connected" to those I really want to minister to. Hopefully I will figure it all out.

Terrible twos....I think not

I always have heard about the "terrible twos" as if it is something that we are just to accept and allow in our children's lives- it is normal. How your child will pitch fits, say no, and act completely crazy as they break away and form some new independence that they did not have before. Well to all who believe that behavior is acceptable and normal I have something to say. NO WAY!!!

I would like to label these "terrible twos" for what it really is SIN! I feel like today was WW3. I love my baby boy and for the most part he is very compliant, but today we had a battle. To start things off he did not have a nap- something that is always needed and enforced daily. From there it just got worse. As I was in the middle of what seemed like a never ending crying, screaming, discipline, eternity- God spoke to my heart.

I have learned so many things about the character of God from being a parent. I have also learned to depend on Him for everything. Some things that I learned today- or was reminded of I should say are:

1. God places people in our lives (and uses suffering) to form us more into the image of Christ.
Through the book study I am doing, I read last week about how the suffering in our lives makes us more like Christ. That has really been on my mind. Christ had to suffer and did suffer for God's glory. He suffered with His family, friends, and everyone else. So why should I expect anything different in my life. I can see how different people are in my life to make me more like Christ. He uses it all for His glory. Even enduring a day I never wish to have again. (Romans 5:3-5, Romans 8:18, Philippians 3:8-11)

2. God is so gracious to sinners who are found in Christ.
My sin is so great and His grace is even greater. (Romans 5:18-21)

3. I am in my "terrible twos" and will be until I am glorified.
I am a sinner. I sin all the time and am in need daily of grace and mercy.( Romans 8:22-25)

4. God never stops loving His children.
No matter how much I blow it and sin, because I am His child, I cannot be separated for Christ.
(Lamentations 3:22-24, Romans 8:31-39)

5. We must be broken to be made new.
(Psalm 51)

6. God disciplines His children because He loves them.
It is not always easy to discipline my children, but I do it because I love them. I do not want to leave them in their sin. I am to teach them and bring them up in the instruction of the Lord. That is the same thing that my Heavenly Father does with me. ( Ephesians 6:4, Hebrews 12:7-11)

something to ponder

While on vacation I was thinking a lot about keeping my children safe. Anytime we are in a new environment I am always in that protective mom mode. You know.. watch for cars, little things they can get into, staying out of the water/ocean (when a hurricane is coming!), just about anything. I want to keep my babies safe and protect them from anything that would harm them.

But it struck me. What I need to protect them from most is themselves! My son was into a lot of things. Being almost 2 (on Wednesday) he never stops! But his sin is what is doing the most damage right now. Not climbing on things or falling. We always want to focus on this external things, but it is the heart that needs to change. 

It is not always easy to deal with. Especially when he acts like he has never heard the word NO. But if I am to protect him from the most harmful thing it is not going to be easy.

back from vacation

I have not been posting because we have been gone and my parents have a very SLOW connection to the internet. Plus, it is always good to take a little break from the computer. It does monopolize too much time- if allowed.

Going on vacation is often needed, but here are some reasons I am thankful to be home:

1. No mosquitoes the size of small birds and stripped like tigers ready to attack.

2. No flooding

3. No tiny frogs overpopulating everywhere (though they were very cute!)

4. Getting back to schedule and a routine.

5. Sleeping in my bed (not sharing a room with the entire family!)

Good Post

As I posted about before, our family has talked a lot about having our children with us in the worship service. I gave a few links for you to read and look at the comments here and here. Today Nancy Wilson at Femina posted a great post about Little Ones in Church. I would encourage you to read it.  Here is something that her husband wrote about it too.

Pray for Your Children

Like most parents, who are believers in Christ, I want to pray for my children. I especially want to pray scripture over them. There are many books out there that can help you do that- but I am not promoting any book. I did come across this article that I found encouraging. The Bible is full of scripture that we can pray over our children. I am not talking about the "health, wealth, and prosperity gospel" prayers. I am talking about scriptures to pray for their souls, thoughts, dreams, protection, maturity, obedience, and attitudes.

Many of these are the same scriptures that we should/could be praying for ourselves. We should pray not just when our children are in trouble or need, but daily pray for them. I just want to encourage all parents to pray for their children. You will have to change the wording a little and include your child's name- but pray the meaning of the scripture for them and over them. 

Here is an example: Colossians 3:20 "Lord please help____ to obey us in everything for this is pleasing to you. Help him to want to please you in all things, especially through his obedience to us. He is struggling with ____. Please change his heart and guide him into obedience."

I have listed a few scriptures below to help get you started.

Obedience:

Ephesians 6:1

Colossians 3:20

1 John 5:1-5

Love:

Deuteronomy 6:5 

Deuteronomy 7:9

Romans 8:28-39

1 Corinthians 8:3

1 John 4:7-12

1 John 4:21

Other:

Ephesians 4:29

Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians 1:17-23

Romans 6:12-13

Colossians 1:9-13 

Great News!!!

We have been truly blessed! God has provided for us and now my car is paid off and so are my student loans!! Praise God! It was hard to see the end, but now it has come and we are so thankful to the Great Provider who keeps all of our days.

                              Psalm 121                                     

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

8 The Lord will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Are you free?

I don't know about you, but I have been struggling with my freedom. Now different things may enter your mind when you hear the word free. It all depends on your situation or circumstances. If you are shopping- you would love to see a free sign, or if you live in America we talk about our freedoms all the time that have been given to us. Even people in prison long to be free.

But the freedom I am talking about is different. I am talking about being Truly Free! A freedom that makes you want to stand with your arms outstretched and bask in the beauty of what you have.  The kind of freedom that makes you want to scream "I'm Free", or laugh, or cry, or just about any other emotion you have. 

The freedom I am referring to is the only True freedom, the one that comes from Christ.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

What is this freedom referring to? Being free from your sins. Free to live without the burden of sin. Free to live a new life, one that is pleasing to God, because you are no longer bound to sin, but are set free. (This freedom only comes if we believe that Christ died and was raised again to take away our sins so that we would have this freedom.) Now this freedom does not mean that we will not sin, because we still do- but that we are not under the bondage of sin- we are not slaves to it. It does not control us or motivate us because the Spirit of God has made us new creations that are free. Here is what The Word tells us us:

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood" (Revelation 1:5)

" Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man [Christ] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. " (Acts 13:38-39) 

" For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:5-11)

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

So what is the struggle? The struggle comes with trying to still carry the burden of my guilt and shame. I cannot experience true freedom when I carry guilt around, beating myself up over my sin. I am set free from sin, not a slave of any kind. Christ has set me free. I need to understand the Truth and apply it to my life. God's Word says:

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh," (Romans 8:1-3)

 "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31-32)

I know the truth and the truth will set me free. I pray that I lock this truth on my mind when I start to feel bound again. What Christ did for me was sufficient to take away all my sin, all my guilt, and all my shame. Satan (1 Peter 5:8)tries to make me believe the lies that I need to feel guilty, but Christ has washed me clean and I am FREE.  I am to-"Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." (1 Peter 2:16) May we all begin to grasp what our freedom is and enjoy what Christ has made possible- for those who are found in Him.