3.18.09

Psalm 37
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

This means that even in the worst of time, those who are in Christ will be safe and provided for. Those who love God will not be ashamed of it either! When others are sad and anxious, we lift up our head with great joy and comfort in our God. We have confidence that in some way or other God will provide. We will rejoice and be glad.

I don't have to say (but I guess I am right now) that times are tough right now, some would even call them scary. Sure, you read the headlines, or you have even experience the fear in a very real way. Tim and I were walking through it. Everyone said that this was the worst possible time for us to move without jobs lined up, without even savings to cover however long it would take. But we knew that our God would provide. He has conquered it all, so why should I worry?

Of course I have had those days where the anxiousness has stirred up within me and I have proclaim "NO! My God shall supply all my needs. I am a child of God and he will take care of us!" And the times I've said this has been in tears.

I cannot make you believe that God has you covered... you need to believe for yourself. But go ahead, curl up on His lap and let His arms envelop you with love and comfort. Listen to His voice... hush yours for a moment and be still. He loves you.... trust in Him today. I know I am.
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Cant give details, but my God has us covered! Thank you LORD!!!

Hannah is getting her two year old molars, and we've begun the planning for her 2nd bday party. Time is flying...

Stay tuned...

3.17.09

1 Corinthians 2
For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.


No one can do what God has done, no one can assist God. When God created the world no one gave Him advice. No one said "you know God, the ocean would look better over here" or "don't you think clouds should be pink instead of white?" It's kind of silly when you think about it. But, we think it is OK to advise God in what to do for our lives, don't we? We interfere thinking our way is better, our idea of outcome more desirable. Why can't we just let God do what He desires? Why do we think we can do it better? And why do we get angry when He decides to perform a different way? It is because we don't fully understand the mind of God.

God did, however, give us the mind of Christ. When we were born again we had a renewing of our mind which gave us the capabilities to get to know God through His word. The Spirit allows us to be qualified to convey this information to others. But I believe we need to walk in a daily renewing of our minds to line up with what God wants for us.

Next time I find myself questioning Him, or giving Him a "to-do" list, I will ask the Lord, "renew my mind today. I want my will to line up with Your desire for me. I want to know You and to see things the way You see them. Amen"

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Good things are coming our way... I believe it!

stay tuned...

1 Corinthians 1
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

There are two sets of people here - unbelievers and obedient believers, that is obvious. But back in the day he was referring to the Jews and the Greeks. It is to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but unto those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. The Jews had a presupposition that their Messiah would be a grand prince, not a man who had a common occupation like them, and who even walked among them. They wanted a sign, they wanted it on their terms. The Greeks laughed at the idea of a saviour who hung on a cross. They desired wisdom - sciences, arts, knowledge and scholarly idea. Matthew Henry wrote it this way: "Those who are saved are reconciled to the doctrine of the cross, and led into an experimental acquaintance with the mysteries of Christ crucified." To us today it is applied to believers and unbelievers.

All of the money I spent on my college education will never enligten my mind the way that the Holy Spirit, and the word of God does. All of the world who does not believe is baffled by the work of God and the saving grace of Christ because they have yet to let the Holy Spirit renew their mind. God chose the "crazy" way of doing things, and it confused men of the "wise."

I was thinking today about what the thoughts must be of some of those around me. I have close people in my life who are very smart, highly educated people - but the idea of God baffles them, they think I am nuts while nicely not really getting in my way or questioning me. Then I have others who live a lifestyle that is one I wouldn't necessarily choose. How weird they must think I am for not wanting to party or dress like them. "You're only young one" is what they say. My lifestyle confuses them.

I am saddened that some of my loved ones are dooped into thinking that what this worlds has to offer - the knowledge and the glitter - is much better that choosing Christ.

Lord help me to help them understand. I know it cannot be me... it has to be You.
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We're doing well. Tim has some possibilities opening up and we're bringing them before the Lord.

We spent the weekend watching Maddux and Reagan, and enjoying Claire's first birthday (picture above). Reminds me how time flies by and how much I cherish these precious moments.

That's all for now... stay tuned...

3.13.09

Galatians 4
1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

You now have a right to the inheritance, because you are one of the family, the children are the ones who inherit; but this heirship is the most extraordinary of all: it is not an heirship of any tangible possession, either in heaven or earth; it is not to possess a part or even the whole of either, it is to possess Him who made all things; not God's works, but God himself: heirs of GOD through Christ.

Have you ever had something happen that dramatically changes your life? One day you are a student, then next you are a graduate... one day you're single, the next married... one day youre pregnant, the next you have a baby in your arms. Did you know that this is what happens when you are saved? You are no longer a slave to this world, but an heir of Christ. You are no longer trying to make ends meet by the worlds standards, but you are rich in Christ.

I am learning this... my life is about to take abother turn. I am very excited to see what God has in store for me but I know that what it is will change my life in an instant. I am excited and eager to see what he will have me do.

Take that next step in Christ and see where God will lead you today - you never know what it could bring, what it could change.

3.11.09

Deuteronomy 16:11
"And thou shalt rejoice"

The offerings of the Israelites were to be eaten with festivity, communicated to their friends with liberality, and bestowed on the poor with great generosity, that they might partake with them in these repasts with joy before the Lord.

We see this often in scripture... "thou shalt rejoice"... "bless the Lord, o my soul and all that is within me." Its all over. Why? Because we have to be reminded to praise the Lord no matter what circumstance, no matter the environment.

This stuck out to me so much - especially today. Now, I am going to get super personal here so bare with me. I got a paycheck yesterday and today it is all spent (well, at least its in all of my little electronic envelopes waiting to be spent for the right bill). Yup, it is true. I am not rolling in the dough like people may think. Tim is still on the search for a full time job, so our income is half of what it was in Arizona. PLEASE HEAR ME -- I do not write this for you to feel bad for me. Quite the contrary. Please rejoice with me that all of my bills are paid, there is food in the pantry, and we've taken care of our tithe responsibly. I write this simply as an example, a very real one, from my own life. Yes, there is no money until next week - but God has supplied all of my needs. So, when I am getting down today I will say "SELF bless the Lord!!!"

I hope that as you are going through your days and weeks that you will do the same. Even when it looks grim, even when it looks like you are not going to make it, or even when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are definitely not going to make it -- BLESS THE LORD. He holds my economy, not this crazy world. You can also apply this to any circumstance you are facing today. Are you sick? BLESS THE LORD. Are you lonely? BLESS THE LORD. He has got you covered baby!

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I guess my journal gives you a clear picture of where we are at right now. Broke in the world's eye, but rich in Christ!

Tim is still on the hunt and I know God has him covered. He has never let us down!

Hannah and I went for a walk around the mall yesterday (no, that is not why we are broke - I didn't buy anything) and she kept saying how cute the clothes were. She even reached out for a skirt and was holding it for a while. She didn't want to put it down, but eventually I got her to say "bye bye skirt." She loves fashion, I can tell. It will be fun to teach her mommy's frugal ways of shopping! :)

That's all for now... stay tuned... and BLESS THE LORD!

3.9.09

Deuteronomy 11:13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- 14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. 15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

There is a promise to obedience and steadfastness (I always question if that is a word or not). Its simple... God says to lover Him and serve Him, and THEN He will send the rain and provide the grass in the fields. There is an action and a promise here.

In a world where we have a mentality of instant gratification, and the idea for something for nothing, we have a challenge set before us. I saw a recent infomercial that shwoed how you could have a perfectly sculpted set of abs and a tight tush all while sitting on the couch in front of your TV. It was a contraption that fit around your torso and buns and vibrated and squeezed around you so that it confused your body into thinking it worked out. My first thought was, "sweet! I can eat ice cream, workout, and watch american idol all at the same time!!" The infomercial had done its magic and I was just about hooked. But I knew that that wouldnt do the trick. I cant get something for nothing. I have to standfast and workout and eat right if I want a sculpted and healthy body.

The same is true with the Lord. His love is a FREE gift, yes. But it still costs us our old ways. We have to turn those in to Him for forgiveness. It requires us to have action and to take part in that love daily. We make a choice everyday whether to standfast to His truth, or be dooped into the glimmer of the worlds temporary gains.

I want His unchanging love, His rain, and the grass in the fields.

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This past week was pretty busy. I didnt have much time for blogging on my reading, sorry folks. This time change has also thrown me off. For the past year in AZ we didnt have a time chage. Som I am getting used to the CA life again and I guess this is just one thing that goes along with it. :)

I spent Friday and Saturday at Father's Eyes. Pretty incredible time. I am already looking forward to next year!

Also went to Trish's baby shower. Made me, for just a second, really want #2 soon! But, I guess well just have to see when that time will be.

This week will be just as busy, but I know that it will be blessed by God! :)

Please pray for Tim as he continues the hunt for a full time job. And please pray for our family because this commute really is hard. Imagine taking 2 hour out of your day just for driving. Ugh!

Thats all for now... stay tuned...

2.27.09

Numbers 21:4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"
6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.

8 The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

I did not have to look hard for what my verse of the day would be. This speaks to me so clearly. The children of Israel were tired of the long march round the land of Edom. They speak discontentedly of what God had done for them, and distrustfully of what He would do. And you know what? I am just like them sometimes. Lately I've been acting the same way. I am frustrated that I cant snap my fingers and make everything line up the way it should be. I've forgotten of the promise that has been spoken over my family. I've been trying to do it all on my own. When will I stop? Like Israel, when will I be pleased? What more will it take? I already have the word of God, my source, my promise - so what more should I need?

Matthew Henry said this: "Let not the contempt which some cast on the word of God, make us value it less." It is the bread of life, substantial bread, and will nourish those who by faith feed upon it, to eternal life. We see the righteous judgment God brought upon them for murmuring. He sent fiery serpents among them, which bit or stung many to death. They felt the bite. And God made a wonderful provision for their relief.

Compare their disease and ours. Sin bites like the snakes did. Compare the application of their remedy and ours. They looked and lived, and we, if we believe, shall not perish.

Lord, I put my trust in you!!

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Last night we had dinner with my Aunt Sherri. I was so happy to see her! I wish we lived a little closer so that I could see her often. I hope some day soon we'll be able to take Hannah up north to see all of the sites around where my Aunt lives, just like I did when I was a little girl.

I am putting my trust in the Lord for God's provision in a job for Tim. The world says that there are no jobs, but my God has a perfect plan for His kids. :)

Stay tuned....