Saturday, November 6, 2010

Orphans are Gifts from God

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I know this won't be news to most of you but our God is amazing! He has a perfect timing for everything. Nothing is given to us too soon or too late. So "what" you might ask has God given me? A heart for the orphans. I feel like God woke my husband and myself out of a deep sleep. We both felt completely oblivious to our Christian duty to be involved in some capacity with orphan/widow care. James 1:27 isn't the only verse where God places the responsibilities connected to orphan/widow care on the church.
He is clear,
Get involved.
Do something.
We are all given different gifts. Use your gifts to serve. Not all of us are called to adopt a child but we can support others who do adopt or foster a child.

Please pray about what God would have you do and then do it!

An opportunity to find out more information is coming up in the Triad. Westover Church is hosting a workshop on Saturday, November 20th called
If You were Mine .

Matthew 25:35-36 ...I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Thankful ("nay new") Heart

Some of you may not know this but I have an adorable 20 month old son. He is a precious gift from God and a delight to be around. He loves to mimmick everything we say. One of our latest phrases is, "thank you" when he's given anything. Now of course when he says it the phrase doesn't sound exactly like that. It comes out sounding more like "nay new" but he usually says it while also doing the sign language for thank you so it is completely precious! The last two days he has been repeating "nay new" at the oddest times, while laying in bed or while we drive in the car. No one has done anything which would make him say it but he continues anyway. I pray that I am like my son. I pray I learn to have a thankful heart and continually say thank you to my Savior for everything that He has done for me. Even saying thank you when others can't see what I could possibly be thankful for.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus

Monday, November 1, 2010

Proverbs 31 lady

This month I have had the privilege of reading posts by godly women about the quintessential godly woman. It has been such a blessing to me and I hope you have been blessed by the series as well. Today is the final day of the Proverbs 31 series and I thought I would share what God has impressed upon my heart. I have learned that God wants us to make wise choices with our time. The Proverbs 31 woman was active but not "busy". She was serving the Lord by serving her family and others. She made wise choices about what activities occupied her time and I pray I too can be a wise steward of my time on this earth. Each of us needs to "number our days." We only live for a moment. I pray we all seek Him first and His kingdom!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

God's provision

The other day my oldest daughter came to me when she couldn't find any pants to wear. Every new season this seems to happen and every season I find the kids' wardrobes lacking in the proper gear. I either realize my kids need new pants or shorts, new short sleeve shirts or sweatshirts. With fall beginning, it is pants that are in short supply in her dresser. God, however is not unprepared or suprised by our needs. He has been prepared for this day since the beginning of time. His love and provision for our latest need truly made me smile with joy and awe. His Plan-
1st My friend would be a part of a big rummage sale and when said sale was over there would be some clothes that didn't sell.
2nd He ordained that my friend would be allowed to take any clothes home that she wanted.
3rd He designed my friend to be thoughtful and somehow know that we might need a few things.
4th He guided her as she picked out clothes in the exact size that my daughter needed!
She now has a brand new pair of jeans and enough pants to last her through fall and winter. I have heard that God provides AND I have seen it with my own eyes but He still suprises me again and again with His care for my family and for me. He doesn't have to make Himself known to me nor does He have to allow me to see a glimpse of His plan BUT He does!

Matthew 6:28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Proverbs 31

Please check out the guest blog post bless the man on my friend's blog. This entire month Lara, along with a few other women, are writing posts on the Proverbs 31 woman. I hope you enjoy it!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Amazing Story

This video moved me to tears and made me think about my role in this "debate". Please watch this video about Gianna Jessen.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Shocking!

Lately my mind has been consumed with this thought: How great is our God! He is amazing. He can shock me with His awesomeness or His plan. He leaves me astounded and speechless. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with an idea, like this one, and I try hard to put it into words or to come up with an analogy it. Last night an interesting analogy came to me (keep in mind that analogies are not 100% accurate). God is a bit like electricity. He is our source of power and He lights our world. He allows us to tap into His power. We need it for life because we, on our own, cannot produce any light nor do we have any power. When we physically come into contact with electricity we receive a shock just like seeing bits of Him can do to us. I sometimes wish I understood or knew more about God and His plan but humans cannot know Him fully. He protects us from knowing his complete power/plan or we would be completely overwhelmed and unable to function (just like Moses was on the mountain). We cannot handle Him in His fullness.

Lord, thank you for allowing me to know You. Help me to be content with what You have allowed me to know about You and Your plan. Help me to rest in You and let You remain in complete control. You are my source of strength/power. Fill me with more of You. Remind me that I NEED You and cannot live this life on my own.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power... Psalm 147:5

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Jesus loves the little children

The fam went hiking today on a short 3 mile trail. Everything was wonderful, we were all having a good time when suddenly, towards the end of the hike, Ginny bursts into tears. She cries, "I lost my shell!" You see, she had found what appeared to be a mollusk shell on the shore of the lake we were hiking near. She had carefully stored it in her dress pocket but all the running up and down the little hills had jarred the shell out of her pocket. We tried to help her find it. We prayed to God for help in locating the shell but we all knew that there was no way of knowing when or where the shell had fallen. God is greater than the circumstances and when we had almost given up, we found it! We were all so happy and thanked our Lord for guiding us to the shells hiding place. Isn't it amazing how God cares for even little requests made by young children? I am thankful He is proving himself to my kids so that they can know the God in whom they have placed their trust. Thank you, Jesus for loving the little children.

Friday, September 3, 2010

God makes me smile!

The other morning I was rushing to get my kids and myself ready so we could meet a friend by 9:30am. After a lot of reminders to the little ones about eating, dressing and grooming, we were out the door and in the car. I was thankful to be on time because let me tell you, I have a hard time getting three kids and myself anywhere in the morning. As I backed out of my driveway I heard a strange noise but just attributed it to the clutter that is my "swagger wagon". I drove on and turned onto the next street and heard the sound again. It was at this point that I realized I didn't have my coffee cup in the cup holder! A light bulb went on in my mind and I was able to deduce the source of the sound. Yes, I had forgotten my coffee cup, ON the roof of the van. I slowed to a stop and stepped out of the van expecting to see my coffee all over the roof. To my surprise, my coffee cup was still in the same spot and all my coffee was still in the cup! I had to smile and tell God thank you for giving me something fun at the beginning of my day. He enjoys us and wants us to enjoy Him. He is in everything, even the small things like "the miracle of the unspilled coffee left on the rooftop after driving almost a mile and turning twice". What has He done for you that has made you smile?

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Trust

Proverbs 3:5 (New International Version)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

I have a tendency to disregard this verse on a regular basis. I trust in my own understanding. I lean hard into what I know or can figure out by myself. I rest on my own knowledge until I fall flat on my face before my Lord. My understanding is very finite but God's understanding is limited by NOTHING. Better to trust in the Lord than in a fallable being. Lord, teach me to trust you with ALL my heart and lean solely into You!

for His glory!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

God's Word

I love how God's Word holds a special word for each person. His words are alive and you can sense that when you read them. I read this tonight and was overjoyed by what God said to me:

Psalm 118:28-29
You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

He is MY God. I can have a personal relationship with the God of the universe! How cool is that! I can praise Him and lift up His name because He is good and He loves me. He doesn't love me because I can bake cookies or because I homeschool my kids or because I drive a minivan but because HE is good and HIS love endures forever.
What verse or verses have you read lately where God has spoken to you?

Thank you, Lord for making the Bible to speak to your people.

For His glory!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Songs for life

When I was a kid my Dad told me to listen to the words of the songs to which I was listening. I have since added an additional step to his advice. I try to find out the inspiration behind the song. Today on KLove I heard why Chris August wrote "Starry Night". He had slowly drifted away from God. He realized that he wasn't praying anymore or reading his Bible. He rededicated his life to God and wrote a song to celebrate this decision. I pray these words touch your heart and make you appreciate our Amazing Savior.

Starry Night

From the Birds that Sing, In the Tallest Trees.
To the Human Life, of you and me.
From the Desert Sands, to the place we stand.
He is God of All, He is Everything.

Waohhh

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything
'Cause he is everything

From the Autumn Leaves, that will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes, to pray and sing
From the Painted sky, to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything

Waohhh

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything.

Ohhhhhhh (everything)

Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe
Ohhh
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun
On that Starry Night, He changed my life.
I'm giving it all to the only son who gave me hope when I had none.
So let the praises ring,
Ohhhh Let the Praises Ring

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the Angels sing, that he is Heavenly

So let the Praises ring
'Cause he everything

Friday, August 20, 2010

This is the day!

Do any of you remember the song that quoted Psalm 118:24? It is completely embedded in my brain this morning. These are the words to the song:
This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This song takes on a personal meaning for me this morning. You see, I went to the beach a couple days ago and now I ITCH all over! These bug bites are trying to drive me crazy. But as the song plays over and over in my mind it helps me remember that God is bigger than my annoying bug bites and I can still rejoice for all my other blessings He has given me.

No matter what our days have in store for each of us, I pray everyday we would take the words to this song literally. Let us rejoice because God has so richly blessed us with a new day!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Sisters in Christ

I am so thankful for the godly women God has placed in my life. I have the privilege of spending every other Tuesday with women who truly love our Savior. Last summer we did a Bible study together called For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn . I recommend this study for women who want to understand more about the men in their life. This summer we are working through Kelly Minter's study on Ruth . I have enjoyed digging into the Scripture and finding the amazing truths God has for His daughters.

Thank you, dear friends for walking this road with me and encouraging to learn more about our Lord.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Back from Summer Break!

Okay, well after a much needed summer break, I am back and ready to share some more God moments with you all. But seriously, I guess the "break" from posting has a different reason. This blog thing was really exciting when I started but then burn out set in. I have come up with plenty of excuses over the last month or so why I should just give up blogging but I don't think that is what God wants me to do. One of the reasons I think it has been so hard for me to get back to blogging is because my time with God was getting cut short. I don't feel like I have been meeting with Him like I should and without this time I can't hear what He wants to say to me. So no more excuses. I am ready to listen. Please speak to me, Lord!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Biggest Loser, Who wants to be a Millionaire, and American Idol

My husband has a theory, TV stinks. He has even created TV stinks products to get his idea out there. Maybe you agree with him and maybe you think, "Wow, that seems a bit extreme." Let me explain how he arrived at this theory.

Right before we got married, we were challenged to live without a tv for the first year of our marriage. We made it a couple years without ever feeling a need to own one. Then the day came when someone offered us a free tv so we jumped on it. That began our tv addiction. This addiction lasted until a few years ago when my husband went back to school for his master's degree. We quickly realized that we were tempted to watch too much television in place of studying. We agreed to get rid of our channels and we were suprised by the fact that we didn't even miss it. We actually began to connect more as a couple and we found we had more time available for people, things and activities that are more important to us.

There are many television shows that are good but do you really need to watch them? I challenge you to give up TV for a week or even a month. Try it and you may realize how fun it can be to fill your time with BETTER things, perhaps more time for resting in the Savior.

Let me speak to those who don't have a problem watching too much television. Perhaps there is another activity that eats up too much of your time. There are many worthwhile activities out there but are they taking you away from something you should be doing instead? Whatever it may be I challenge you to evaluate the time you devote to it and whether your time might be better spent doing something else.

for His glory!

1 Corinthians 10:23 "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Job Goals

A week ago today my children and I were visiting my parents. My mom and I went out with the kids and when we returned home my dad said he needed to talk to my mom. After he spoke with her, I found out that he had been let go from his company of over 30yrs. My dad's attitude about the whole thing was very godly. The coworker who called him to tell him the news said how sorry they were. My dad actually told them that God is sovereign and to not worry. It was at this point that my dad shared with me his job goal: To make his company successful. He was even willing to finish the projects he was in the middle of just to achieve his goal.

I then thought on what my goal should be. As a mom who stays at home, what is/are God's goal(s) for me in my job?

______Live for God everyday so my kids can see Him
______Model His grace and truth
______Be slow to anger and quick to forgive

No matter what vocation God has put you in, what is your goal?

Thursday, May 27, 2010

God wants me to be....

Holy. My last post I talked about my pastor giving us a two part homework assignment. I contemplated the first part on Monday and now here is part two. Romans 11:22 talks about God's kindness AND severity. I like to think on God's kindness but what does his severity mean and does it really affect me? My mind immediately went to God's holiness. He is so completely holy that He cannot tolerate sin. I then asked myself this question, "What sin am I harboring that I need to confess?" I was really hoping God would say, "You're good. You don't have to confess any sin." But unfortunately that is not what I heard. Pride was the blaring answer. I have struggled with this ugly sin my entire life. As a kid I received many compliments by my friends and adults which only made the problem worse. I would hear, "You are so good. You never do anything wrong." I thought I had my walk with God all figured out. Be good, do the right thing. All the while I ignored the pride that was festering. It silently has taken hold of me and I have allowed it to grow. This pride tries to cover over the creation God has made me to be like kudzu covering anything in it's path. Lord, if there is any good in me REMIND me that it comes from YOU. You are the Great Physician so please do surgery on me. Remove this ugly pride that tries to ruin our relationship and dirty Your name. Please take it, Lord!

What comes to mind when you contemplate God's severity?

for His glory!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Gifts from God

Yesterday our pastor taught on Romans 11:22a, the loving kindness of our God. I don't remember him ever giving us homework before but he ended the sermon by giving us a two part assignment. The first day he asked us to think on God's kindness and what that means to us. While considering His kindness my mind went to the many gifts He has given to me. This is by no means an exhaustive list but just some of things that I thought of:

children_______________________godly husband
health_________________________house
family_________________________sight
mobility_______________________neighbors
church_________________________friends
food __________________________contentment
pastors________________________cars
dishwasher_____________________washer
dryer__________________________bible
His direction/leading__________quiet time w/ Him
laughter_______________________sunshine
mountains______________________hugs
walks__________________________Jesus
songs__________________________siblings
godly counsel__________________parents
travel_____________________indoor plumbing
salvation______________________rest

Many of these things may not at first glance appear to be gifts but I believe that they are. A gift is something we recieve that is undeserved. What gifts from God might be on your list?

for His glory!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Our Savior

I really enjoyed the verses in Exodus that I read the other day. Moses was leading the Israelites into the desert after Pharoah had finally agreed to let them leave. Pharoah then changes his mind, Again! The people were extremely frightened and began to doubt their decision to step out into the unknown. This attitude seems very similiar to how we react to the unexpected or to situations that scare us. I love what God included in his Word in Exodus chapter 14 verse 13. It says, 'But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today"...' God wants to save us he just wants us to stop our striving for what we think we should do. God can and will do amazing things for us if we will just, "stand by" and see the salvation He will bring for us "today".

What is causing you to fear today? God is waiting for you to trust Him so He can be your Savior.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

3 is enough

Does anyone remember the show from a LONG time ago called "8 is enough"? Well, that was my dream, maybe not 8 but I wanted to have a big family. When I got married my husband told me he only wanted 2. I got him to compromise to 4 so things were going to be great! Five years after we were married, we had our first child. Brian, my husband then told me 1 was enough. I waited patiently, or rather not too patiently for him to change his mind. When our oldest child was 10 months old we got pregnant. I was then informed again that 2 was enough. I waited again. This time a bit more patiently because I had gone back to college so I had plenty to occupy my time. As graduation grew closer I began to talk of number three. My husband agreed and in March of 2009 we welcomed our little boy into the world:) Some would be done at this point but not me because I am "goal oriented." I get an idea in my head and then I seek to make it happen. God, however had a different plan for me. "3 is enough, 3 is enough," I kept hearing Him say to me. For a while I played a game with my husband and with God. I would say, "Yes, Brian or Lord. I am fine with 3. Oh yes, three is a wonderful number!" All the while I was hoping my husband and God would let me have four. I was so blinded by my own desires. I actually believed that if my mouth told God 3 was enough, I could manipulate Him to get what I wanted. God cannot be manipulated and through my quiet time with Him, He has asked me to lay my desires down before Him. I may have wanted 4 children but God wants me to follow Him and stop striving for what I want. It hasn't been easy but I now have a peace that I know only comes from God. Without trying to trick God or my husband, I can truly say, "3 is enough."

What are you unwilling to give to God? What issue or person or area of your life are you grasping onto with all your might? Give it/him/her to God and He will give you rest.

Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

'Review and Renew Your Vows' via www.marriagevine.com

I receive an email everyday from this ministry and today I thought it might be something you all would be interested in reading so, here it is!

'Review and Renew Your Vows'

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Peas or no Peace

Okay maybe the title is a little bit misleading. I really wish I had a legitimate way to connect the two but sadly, I don't. I for some reason really just wanted to say it.

Peace can be thought of in a few different ways:

Peace vs. war

Peace vs. noise

Peace vs. turmoil

God of peace vs. god of endless distractions

Peace has been on my mind since two weekends ago when I went on a women's retreat with my church. God met me there in a mighty way and brought me to a place where I saw how much I have been neglecting Him. Our world is so fast paced filled with any and every distraction. Godly activities can also be distractions that take us away from where God wants us to be. Resting in the Savior was born out of the rest and peace that God has granted me since I purposefully have set time aside for just Him. Let me make a point to say that I am FAR from perfect at this. I am a die-hard fan of sleeping and have been this way since my childhood. I have started telling God, "I want to be alone with You, please help me want to meet with You." God has helped me fight off the temptation to fall back asleep and I pray He continues His pursuit of me.

What are some of your distractions? God wants to grant you peace in this life. What keeps you from making time to get alone with Him?

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you... He will quiet you with His love. NIV
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. NASB

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

For better, for worse

Can't you just see the beautiful bride and the adoring groom gazing into each others' eyes:

Will you love him/her, comfort him/her, honor and keep him/her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for WORSE, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?

Worse is a word I glossed over when I got married. It means, "Further from standard; less desirable or satisfactory." Now when I hear worse I think of "something bad, something undesirable." Is that what you think of? What does worse mean to you? When many of us decide to get married do we just think of the better and assume there won't be the worse? I know I wasn't ready for anything but the better. When my husband and I got married I truly believed that we would live happily ever after just like all of the maidens in the fairy tales. Surprisingly (to me and I think my husband too) we didn't. We had A LOT of immaturity to work through. There were a lot of tears, screaming and fighting but by God's grace things are amazing now(for the moment). We constantly have to strive for positive communication but God is now our Rock.

Trials will still come for my marriage and for others. How will we choose to respond?

What is God's example in our relationship with Him? When things get worse (we betray him, ignore him, disrespect him or curse him) God stays right by our side. He doesn't pack His bags and say, "I didn't sign up for this." He is there for the long haul. I pray He gives us the strength to love like He loves us.

Joshua 1:5b I will not fail you or forsake you. NASB
see also Deut 31:6, 7 and Heb 13 for further study

Turn that way

My kids and I were driving to a friend's house the other day. It just so happened that we had never been to their house so I had to print out directions. My six year old said to me, "You don't know where we are going do you?" With confidence I reassured her that I had directions and we would see our friends in no time. After we drove for a while I realized that some of the directions had gotten cut off which led me to wonder which direction to turn. My oldest again offered her advice to me, "Turn that way, Mommy." I then explained to her that you cannot turn whichever way you please. You have to follow the directions. This little exchange didn't take too long but it has left an impression on me as it relates to my spiritual walk. Do I ponder enough which way to turn in life? Do I seek God's direction and guidance from His Word and through prayer or do I just say, "Turn that way."

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Resting before the Savior

This blog has been something that God laid on my heart about a year ago but I have been too afraid of failure to start it until now. God has been working on me and through that has taught me that I must do what He asks of me. This blog is an attempt for me to share what God has been and is teaching me through His Word, through friendships and through trials. These posts are only what God has laid on my heart and I hopefully won't get in the way of what He has said and has to say. I have a wonderful husband and three beautiful children so I might sprinkle in some posts about them and the crazy fun life we enjoy together!

For His glory!

Debby