Thirsty for Him

Treasuring..and Pondering...

2011-12-20T07:08:00.001-06:00

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

In this season of Advent....waiting and preparing for the birth of Christ....let us ponder upon all we know about Jesus. Let us treasure up all of the details of the magnificent story of His life.

Advent is "the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity (or birth) of Jesus."

Expectant waiting.....

As I bring out all of our Advent activities- the wreath and calendar and tree and playset- I think about Mary's expectant waiting....Creation's expectant waiting...the angels' expectant waiting....

We may take the month of December or the four weeks before Christmas to plan and prepare. But, I thought about how Mary had been planning for this time for MONTHS before....

The angel had visited her several months ago. By this time, she had already visited Elizabeth and helped her with the delivery of John. By now she may have already been on the road to Bethlehem.

Isn't it funny how we can focus on all of this right before Christmas......

But, I should be "pondering and treasuring and storing up"all year long the miracle of Jesus.

"Advent" isn't just a once a year attitude. This joy of Christmas should be practiced all year long. And, I will continue wait expectantly until Christ returns!

As I prepare during this Advent season, I have been trying to focus on Jesus and reread the Gospels.

Christmas with the Kranks!

2011-12-20T02:31:00.000-06:00

Have you seen the movie, “Christmas with the Kranks”? It is hilarious!

With their only daughter away with the Peace Corps over Christmas, Luther and Nora Krank decide to “skip” Christmas and go away on a cruise. Their decision to boycott the holiday has the neighborhood in an uproar.

This movie is hilarious because it is so relate-able! I can identify with all of the crazy details that we can get caught up in over Christmas- the cards, decorations, parties, lights….losing sight of WHAT Christmas is really about. Sometimes we can become so overwhelmed with the activities, forgetting that Christmas is remembering and celebrating the birth of Christ.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions that I got from the book, "Redeeming the Season,"
is called “Gift with Purchase.” Our family spends some time together making simple crafts, like ornaments or jewelry. We make several, usually at least 10-20 items. Then, when we are shopping, we give them to sales clerks, thanking them for working during the holidays. We make sure to include a scripture and message of God’s love through the birth of Jesus.

The reaction of surprise and thankfulness of the clerks is so worth the effort! They love being appreciated.

This season, especially when you have the opportunity to spread Christ’s love with strangers, remember to keep Christ in Christmas. Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed in the details, but remain in His peace. Help your family to bask in the gift of Jesus….His love, His peace, and His hope.

You don't have to be like the Kranks and try to "escape" all of the hub-ub by "skipping Christmas", but stay grounded on why we are celebrating- the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

O, Christmas Tree!!!!

2011-12-02T06:04:00.001-06:00

We found the "perfect tree" and we are decorating it later today. Every time we put up our big tree, I will ALWAYS remember this STORY from a few years ago!I love that God whispers to us through the hubbub of this busy season, teaching us lessons, if we are listening. O, Lord, may I always be listening to your sweet voice, teaching me, encouraging me, warning me…….. Give me ears to hear!

Well, we have had some problems with our Christmas tree this year.

We like to buy a live tree through the “Optimist Club” that helps the Boys and Girls Club in our city. We found the “perfect” one this year, and it is HUGE! Because we have a two-story entrance, we are able to have a tree that is very tall, and I would guess this year’s to be about 12 feet high. It took a looooooong time to decorate, about 4 hours- the lights, the garland, the decorations……… And, when we finished, Brian, the kids, and I gathered our pillows, blankets, and hot chocolate to snuggle under it, talking about favorite Christmas memories. The tree was perfect. We had taken our time and placed the decorations in the best locations. The lights looked great- Brian hit every branch! We had to go upstairs and hang over the banister to place the star on top. This year’s tree definitely was Christmas card material! We went to bed that night pretty pleased with our handiwork.

About 2 AM Brian and I were startled awake to a loud “CRASH!” As our fuzzy brains were trying to comprehend what the noise was (could it be burglars????), we both yelled, “the tree!” as we raced downstairs. There was our beautiful (huge) tree lying on its side. We wanted to cry! All the hard work down the drain! We had simply not taken the time to double check the base to make sure all of the posts were completely fastened tightly, and the weight of the tree had caused it to slide across the tile floor until it fell over. Somehow the two of us managed to right the tree back up. Brian tied it to the banister with a large rope and put weights all around the base to keep it from going anywhere. It was safely secured, but it was a mess! Thankfully, only two out of at least 50 glass or ceramic ornaments had broken. None of the lights had broken! But, the strands had fallen all over the tree, the wire garland was all at the top of the tree, and the ornaments were turned topsy turvey. The tree branches were smooshed down where it had fallen. The next day it took me about 2 hours to put it all back together again.

As I pondered all this, I began to see some pretty important life lessons. (Pride comes before a fall?) Actually, I thought about how I can look perfect on the outside, all my “ornaments” in the right place, lights and garland looking perfect, but if my relationship with the Lord is not secure, everything can come crashing down! More important than how the outside looks, is the base secure??????? It reminded me of when Jesus taught about the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27). If I build my life on the foundation of Jesus Christ, I will be secure. If not, the “tree” comes crashing down. Jesus said, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a crash.”

Father God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for teaching me these lessons. May I always hear your Word and put it into practice. May I lean on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ as my base. Thank you for reminding me that no matter how beautiful the decorations are- how much my life looks good from the outside, without my base firmly anchored in Jesus and your Word daily, my life can come crashing down! I love you, Lord! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen and amen and amen!

First printed December 2007

Christmas is .....Hope

2011-11-28T06:04:00.001-06:00

This devotion was first published December 10, 2008, but has so much relevance to a hurting world today with a struggling economy and so many people who have lost their jobs. Be blessed!

How do you feel this Christmas?

Joyful?

Peaceful?

Happy?

or...

Sad....

Frustrated...

Worried...

The past two weeks I have talked to so many heartbroken people.

Mary......whose extended family lost eight homes during the flood of 2008. As I held her, she cried on my shoulder, telling me how difficult this Christmas is. Not only is she frustrated that so much of her family is displaced, but also that her mother has Alzheimer's and doesn't recognize her anymore.

Jamie.... a sweet Sister in Christ, a member of my small group bible study. She is in her early thirties with adorable 2 year old triplets. Jamie has bravely been fighting cancer for the past year and a half. It has spread to her liver. As I write this now, I am expecting news today or tomorrow that she has gone Home to be with Jesus. Talking to her mother yesterday, asking her what our group can do to help, she sighed, saying, "I don't know. I have never been through this before."

Linda...... called telling me that her father just passed away. He, too, lost a battle with cancer. My sweet sister- in- law, grieving the loss of her dad, was also worried because she has a ruptured disc in her back, with shooting pain down her leg. She doesn't know if she will be able to fly to her dad's state for services.

I am sure you have your own Mary, Jamie and Linda in your life.

As I prayed over these sweet souls, I became so aware of the hurting hearts all around me. I have heard the statistics of Christmas suicides. I wondered why this time of year can be so depressing for many.

When a hurting heart watches holiday TV programs and commercials, the families are smiling around a dinner table...everyone happy. She can think she is the only one who feels alone....the only one who feels sad...who feels...let down about Christmas.....who wonders, "Is this all there is?" She shops (but cannot afford to), trying to buy all of the items that are promised to bring happiness.

Have we forgotten what Christmas is about?

Christmas is HOPE because Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to bring hope. Immanuel, God is With Us. He knows our hearts. He knows our worries. He knows our loneliness. He wants to comfort, heal, and bring peace.

Jesus is the Light of the World. Jesus brings Light to this dark world. And, He wants us, as Christ followers, to share this Light with the world. He wants us to share this Hope to the hurting....to the confused....to the lonely.

Jesus never promised that we would live a pain free life here on earth. In fact, He tells us the opposite. "In this life, you will have trouble..." But, Jesus also gives hope because He continues by saying, "But take heart, I have overcome the world."

This world is not our home. We have an incredible, glorious inheritance that can never perish, a living hope, joy unspeakable, everlasting life when we return Home to live forever with our Savior. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him". We can't even imagine what God has stored up for us.

And, while we live our lives here on earth, we are promised LIFE and life to the full. We are promised that He is walking with us, bringing us comfort, peace, and joy....true joy that is not dependent on circumstances, but comes from the hope we have in Him.

This Christmas, be a Light. This Christmas, extend your hand of hope to a hurting heart. This Christmas, like Mary, sit at the feet of Jesus, basking in His love, peace, and hope.

Have you seen the homeless?

2011-11-09T01:00:00.000-06:00

Have you seen the homeless?

No, I mean SEEN them?

Have you looked into their eyes?

Smiled?

Said "hello"?

Or....

do you look the other way?

Pretend not to see them?

Busy yourself in a conversation?

Visit me over at Laced with Grace today where I share a recent experience with the homeless in San Diego....

I wish you were the BEST Mommy!

2011-10-16T18:31:00.002-05:00

"I wish you were the best mommy."

Ouch. Those words can sting- especially when you are in the middle of a crowded video store. What would bring such exasperated words from a four-year-old?

"Mommy, can I have cotton candy?"

No, honey.

"Can I rent THIS movie?"

No, not tonight.

"An ice cream sandwich would make me feel better. Can I have ice cream?"

No. It's too close to bedtime.

"I wish you were the BEST mommy."

Oh, how familiar those words sound to my heart.

"Lord, can I have this?"

No, Tracy. Not this time.

"Lord, can I do this?"

No, Tracy, it is not the right timing.

"Lord, if You just allowed THIS- I would feel better!"

No, Tracy.

Sigh......Lord, I wish YOU were the "BEST Daddy."

In other words, I wish You would let me have my way! I wish You would say "yes" to the things I want! I want what I WANT!

Do you ever feel like that four-year-old?

I know in my mind what the Truth is- "God's ways are not my ways" (Isaiah 55:8-9). I also know Matthew 7:11. "If you then, evil as you are, know how to give and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven (perfect as He is) give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him." AMP

And yet.....

I can become focused on MY way. I can be stubborn, immature, and self-centered. I can lose sight of the fact that God is Sovereign. He is good. He answers prayer. HE knows what is best for me.

Cotton candy, although tasty is not good for me- especially at 7 PM. "THAT" movie would not be appropriate for my little eyes. And....alas....ice cream is wonderful, but I will not always be allowed to have it- especially right before bed when I have a difficult time going to sleep anyway! Because I love my daughter, I say no at times. Our Father in Heaven, who loves us infinitely more than we could ever love anyone, loves us too much to always say "yes."

We have to remember, God always, always "answers our prayers," but not always the way we want or understand. Sometimes, when God answers, the answer is “No.” Sometimes the answer is “not yet.” And it may not seem “right” or fair to us. We have to remember two important things- God’s ways are not our ways and God’s timing is not our timing. But, God’s ways are perfect and His timing is perfect. We can’t see things the way God can. God has your WHOLE life planned, not just this season of it. Remember, life on earth is just a snapshot of our eternal life. God sees the end from the beginning.

God is your FATHER. He has a plan for you. He knit you together in your mother’s womb. He created you. He has counted the number of hairs on your head. He takes care of you, better than you ever could. Again, He knows what is best for you, or how you will grow from your life experiences. He can see “the big picture of your life.”

So, although we may not always get "the cotton candy," we can be assured that our Father loves us so much and ALWAYS does what is best for us.

"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." Zephaniah 3:17

And, as a mother, I have to make the hard choices that don't always make me the most "popular" with my children. I have to "do the hard thing" of telling them "no", even when my daughter tells the whole video store that I'm not the "best Mommy"!

Father, thank You for loving me so much. Lord, thank You that You sometimes say "no." Thank You that You are the best parent I could ever have. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

What a BEAUTIFUL DAY!

2011-10-10T07:06:00.003-05:00

We were very busy this past weekend. Our church sponsored a “Beautiful Day” - a day set aside to serve the community through different projects to spread the love of Jesus. Our family went in different directions, working on everything from Habitat for Humanity homes to tie blankets for homeless shelters to letters to military families to visiting a nursing home. It was an amazing day.

Even though it was awesome serving the community and loving others through doing it, God showed me something equally amazing once the day was “finished”. After having a wonderful visit with the residents of a nursing home, we decided to stop at a nearby park and play. It was a very warm and sunny day and the kids had been indoors for most of the day. I sat on a bench next to a mom as we watched our kids frolic in a splash pad.

As we sat and chatted, I learned that she is a single mom caring for three autistic children without any help. Her parents live several states away and only sees them a couple of times a year. Well, I “just happen” to have a very good friend who does “respite care.” She has a heart for autistic and special needs children. She will spend several hours taking care of the children so that the parents can have a rest- go out for dinner, take a walk, or even take a much needed nap! Before I left the park that day, I had gotten this mom’s name and phone number and promised to have my friend call her to set up respite services for her. I just “happened” to sit next to her? No way! God had His fingerprints all over that encounter!

I had to laugh because God showed me that following Him doesn’t just mean “signing up” for service projects to serve Him, but being open to His leading everywhere. Our family wants to make a difference, so we are excited about many service projects we have lined up over the next few months, but the most important “project” is the people God places in our path every day- the woman next to you on the park bench, the check out person at Target, your neighbor, your coworker….. We, as the Church, must be ready and willing to share the love of Christ everywhere and anywhere! We have to be open and “watching” for opportunities. When I slow down and just listen, I am amazed by the opportunities to love others God places in my path everyday.

“Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.” Titus 3:14 NLT

The NIV says, “our people must DEVOTE themselves to doing good”! Lord, I have devoted myself to lots of things in my life, but not always to doing good!

Let’s make everyday a “beautiful day”!

Father God, thank You for Your love. Thank You that You allow us to reflect Your love to those around us. What a privilege for us and a responsibility. Thank You for entrusting Your Church with this amazing gift and blessing. Forgive us Lord, forgive ME, Lord, for the times that I “missed it”- either because I was too busy to even notice the hurting person in front of me or because I lacked the love and grace to help or that I was afraid and didn’t trust You. Help me to shine Your Light to those You place all around me. Help me to devote myself to loving and helping others. Help me to truly FOLLOW YOU by my loving actions. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Have a beautiful day!

Empty cups?

2011-09-28T03:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am Laced with Grace talking about God filling our cups....won't you join me?

2011-09-27T22:03:00.001-05:00

Are you a September 12th person?

2011-09-12T00:34:00.001-05:00

Visit me at Laced with Grace where I will be pondering living as a "September 12th" person....

Sometimes surgery is needed for healing!

2011-08-26T01:00:00.004-05:00

Join me today at Laced with Grace where I will be talking about surgery!

Everday Miracles...and Perseverance?

2011-07-29T01:00:00.000-05:00

Join me at Laced With Grace today where I will be sharing about this peculiar petunia....and PERSEVERANCE!

Restoration

2011-07-13T14:00:00.002-05:00

Restore.

Restoration.

Sometimes we don't know we even need it....or just how badly we do.

For those of you who walk with me may have known this has been a year of spiritual dryness....

Dry devotions time.

Dry prayer life.

Dry small group time.

Dry writing.

In fact, when I had to write a devotion for the Cafe, Laced with Grace, or At the Well(forget my own blog!), I would sit feeling completely empty....like I had nothing to "give." I often pulled from my archives just to post something.....anything. I had even taken a break from the Cafe and the Well.

I was dry.

Then we went to Family Camp last week.

This was a LIFE CHANGING experience for the whole family.....

But, for me- I have been completely RESTORED.

God healed my heart....I was able to honestly share and "deal with" things I have pushed down- with God, Brian, and ME...my fears.....my year with homeschooling.....the pressure I have felt this year trying to DO IT ALL and be everything.....Brian's dad passing away....strife at our ELCA church....friends divorcing....taking care of parents...

We arrived Sunday evening and went to worship right after dinner. From the first song, the tears flowed down and I released all that had been pent up for so long.

I worshiped the Lord.

I let go.

He began His restoration in me.

The next morning Pastor Mike taught on Mary and Martha. OK, for any of you who have been following me for any amount of time, you know I have TAUGHT on this passage! See here and here.

Their story is precious to me. And, to have God remind me of all He had taught me about Mary and Martha the very first morning pierced my heart immediately! OK, I sat and cried through that lesson. I know He was whispering, "OK, Tracy....let's hear it again."

I realized for the past year I had become Martha.

I had lost Mary.....who I REALLY am.....the disciple at His feet soaking up His Presence....hanging on every word....face upturned to RECEIVE Him....

Restoration.

We then went to break time. Brian and I took a walk back to our cabin where I was able to spill out all that has been on my heart. Through tears, I shared my feelings of inadequacy, failure, distraction..... I rested in his strong arms.

Restoration.

We went back for more teaching. Pastor Mike began to teach about the woman from John 8.

OK, again, if you know me, you know this story is also PRECIOUS to me. See here and here. God brought a whole women's retreat, "Walking in the Light" with this teaching! For goodness' sake, I even used the same clip from the Passion!

But, I had forgotten.

Again, God spoke to me, reminding me I had forgotten the things from "at first" (Rev. 2:1-7). I had forgotten my first love.

Restoration.

Witnessing a group of young people honestly bare their souls with "cardboard testimonies."

Restoration.

Watching my husband walk in his calling as spiritual leader of our home....for the first time.

Restoration.

Taking communion as a family.

Restoration.

Watching my teenage son experience Jesus and be WASHED in the Holy Spirit.

Restoration.

Worshiping the Lord, fully, passionately, completely, openly, honestly...

Restoration.

I am so full.

Thank You, Jesus.

Blind man sat by the road and cried.....

2011-07-11T09:52:00.003-05:00

I shared this today on Laced with Grace:

Have you ever been BLIND? Have you had such an intense desire to see?

I love the story of blind Bartimaeus from Mark 10.

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

I love that he SHOUTED. He is not afraid to cry out to Jesus. How many times have I failed to CRY OUT….to shout with passion….with everything I have.

Listen to what happens next…

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

It seems like there is always someone there ready to quiet us…..telling us “don’t bother Jesus”….He is too busy…..He isn’t concerned with our problems….we are insignificant to such a powerful God.

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

Jesus STOPPED…..stopped what He was doing….stopped where He was going. This reminds me that Jesus always has time to LISTEN to the cries of my heart.

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

Don’t you love that? Jesus could have simply healed the man. Jesus wants to do more than physical healing. He gets down to the HEART issue: WHAT TO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU? Jesus asks each of us, “What do you want Me to do for YOU?”

Are you lonely?

Are you sick?

Are you empty?

Are you broken?

Jesus asks each one of us: “What do you want Me to do for YOU?

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

That is the cry of my heart- Jesus, I want to SEE. I may have 20/20 vision, but I want to see SPIRITUALLY. I want to “live by faith, not by sight.” Lord, give me eyes to see You.

Give me spiritual eyes. Like the words to “Amazing Grace,” I was blind, but now I see.” Look what happens next.

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Notice that the man’s FAITH healed him. Lord, may I have faith like that! And, what does he do next?

He FOLLOWS Jesus.

That is my favorite part of the passage! He is able to see…..and follows Jesus.

May I always follow You, Jesus. May I always follow You.

Father, thank You that You are ever ready to heal me….but I have to remember to have the faith to ask. May I always seek hard after you, no matter who or how many are telling me to “shut up.” May I be like the man and SHOUT LOUDER! Lord, may I have that kind of faith! Lord, thank You for Your compassion. Thank You that You open wide my eyes to see You. Thank You that, although I was blind, now I see. Thank You, Jesus. Praise You.

Freedom!

2011-07-02T19:43:00.003-05:00

On July 4th, Independence Day in the United States of America, we do more as Americans than just eat hot dogs and watch fireworks. We celebrate our independence!

Lots of people think July 4th commemorates our victory in the Revolutionary War. But, we are actually celebrating the date that our founders signed the Declaration of Independence.

But, what is the "Declaration" all about?

I'm sure if you conducted a "man on the street" interview asking random people about the Declaration, they would know that it was stolen in the movie, "National Treasure," but not much else.

Why is our INDEPENDENCE so important?

And, do we as Americans take it for granted?

I love the verse from Galatians 5:1 that says,

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

Christ died to set us free from bondage to sin and death.

Deep down in the recesses of our spirits, we have a deep longing to be free.

"For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

This Independence Day, take a moment, won't you, and ponder some of this wonderful document. Remember always, that we live in the most amazing country in the world. And, because of Divine Providence, we are blessed with incredible liberties, freedoms, and privileges that the rest of the world only dreams about.

Part of the Declaration of Independence:

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

I pray YOU will have a wonderful July 4th.....and as you enjoy your hot dog and watch beautiful fireworks light up the sky, let us join together thanking our amazing Lord for the blessing of the United States of America, but most of all, for the beautiful gift of Jesus, who indeed gives us true freedom.

Father, thank You so much for the gift of Jesus, and that through His sacrifice, I, indeed have true freedom from sin and death. Thank You, Lord, that because of Jesus, I am no longer a slave to sin, or have to be in bondage to anything. Thank You, Lord, for the sacrifice of our founding fathers. Thank You for Your gift of the United States of America. Thank You that I am blessed to live here. Thank You, Lord, for the sacrifice of all the brave service men and women who continually fight to keep us free. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Are you on fire?

2011-06-16T05:52:00.001-05:00

"...I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God."

When I read this verse, how my heart screams, "Yes!" I want to be "on fire" for the Lord! Passionate! Burning....

Paul is writing to Timothy. These are some of Paul's last words written shortly before he dies. The note in my bible tells what is going on at the time.

"Times are difficult, both morally and spiritually, and Paul wants to encourage Timothy to persevere in his Christian faith and life. As you read this book, be sure to find your daily strength in Jesus Christ and in God's inspired Word."

And, then, to encourage Timothy even more, Paul tells him some of my favorite words in Scripture:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (or fawning fear), but
a spirit of POWER, of love and of self-discipline (and sound mind). AMP

Paul continues,

"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord..but join me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of His purpose and grace."

How I want to encourage you, as well!

Fan into flame this gift of grace God has given you. Seek Him passionately. Don't worry about the world you see around you. Yes, it is getting "worse"- morally and spiritually.

God will give you strength.

God will empower you.

God will pour out His wisdom, discernment, comfort, and peace upon you.

Stay in the faith.

Stay strong (in Him!).

Seek Him.

Fan into flame.

Not just a "beauty pageant"!

2011-06-15T16:40:00.004-05:00

National American Miss....here we come!

Ashley and Aly were both selected to be finalists in our Iowa state National American Miss Pageant- in the Pre-Teen division. They are really excited! It is not an ordinary "beauty pageant." NAM focuses on "poise, self-confidence, and valuable communication skills." They also emphasize community service. Their mission is "dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders." Also, in their age division, make-up is not allowed. And, the only swimsuit needed will be the one to swim in the hotel pool!

Go here to learn more about this awesome program.

Both girls see this as an opportunity to share their faith and be "lights" shining for God. Ashley is planning to sing "In Christ Alone."

As part of the program, Ashely and Aly need to find donors to raise the individual sponsor fee. No donation is too small or too large! :) If you would like to help them, you may make a donation conveniently online- it only takes a minute! They have page here with more information.

The state finals are July 23 and 24 in Waterloo, IA. If you are free we'd love to see you!

We really appreciate your support. Prayer support is very much appreciated! Thanks so much!

Again, visit NAM for more details.

The Good Ole' Days......

2011-06-15T09:02:00.003-05:00

"I want to go back to the good ole' days, God!"

Back to slavery.

Back to hardship.

Back to death.

Can you believe the Israelites would even consider this????!!!!

These are accounts of the Israelites in the wilderness from Numbers 16. It is fascinating....and boy, can I see MYSELF in these accounts!

Even though God delivered them with signs and miracles from BONDAGE and cruel slavery, every time they would come up against hardship in the desert (or "wilderness"), they would grumble and complain to Moses. They would ask Moses, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt? We should go back to Egypt!" This was the one that REALLY got me, "Isn't is enough that you have brought us up OUT OF A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK HONEY (EGYPT), to kill us in the desert? Morever, you haven't brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards."

Can you believe that?! Yes, Egypt was a land flowing with "milk and honey", but not for them! They were slaves! They did not even get to experience the bounty and prosperity!

Isn't that just like us, at times? When times get hard, as God is leading me through my own personal wilderness, I cry out for the way things WERE. I would rather grumble and complain about the "good ole' days", even when they weren't in truth so good, instead of digging my heals in, taking God's hand and walking with Him in the desert. I willingly trade freedom for bondage.

What REALLY blew me away, though, is that a group of priests get really mad and rebel against Moses and Aaron (Moses' brother and "top" priest). A priest named Korah (remember this name!) got his family and 250 other leaders to rise up against Moses. He wants some of Moses' power. He says, "The whole community is holy (yea, right!), and the LORD is with all of them. Why do you put yourselves above them?"

You see, in Korah's eyes, "holy" meant following all of the laws and rituals. But, God looks beyond following the law....He looks at the heart. Yes, they were following and obeying God's directions, but with what kind of attitude? And, didn't God Himself place Moses in charge? Wasn't it Moses who led them out of Egypt? And, this is most important, who talked to God? Who continually was in the presence of God? It was Moses.

Moses had a HEART for God, a relationship with Him, a hunger for His presence.

So, the next day they go to appear before God, to let Him judge between them. God tells Moses and Aaron to seperate themselves from these men (Korah, his family, and 250 leaders) so that He can "put an end to them at once." Moses and Aaron fell facedown and cried out, "O God, God of the spirits of mankind, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?" Moses does what He has continually done through grumbling and complaining of the Israelites- He falls face down and cries out for God's mercy. When you read the story, the people grumble and blame Moses. It strikes me that Moses is forgiving and merciful even when He is the brunt of all their bad behavior. Anyway, God has everyone move away from Korah, Datham, and Abiram (family). He warned the assembly, "Move away from their tents or you will be swept away because of their sins."

God opened the earth and swallowed up the families of these men (women and children, too), then a" fire came out of the LORD and consumed the 250 men who followed Korah."

God was MAD! He was angry at their rebellion, their lack of reverence, complaining, and pride. Now you would think that would have been the end of it, wouldn't you? I mean, if it would have been me, if I saw the earth open up and swallow people and then a fire consume 250 more, I would have been doing some big time repenting! For us, it obvious that they had sinned and offended the LORD greatly. But, can you believe this, the next morning, " the WHOLE (YES, WHOLE!) community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 'You have killed the LORD'S people' they say."

What rebellion! And, blaming! WHO killed the community???? MOSES????? We never want to take responsiblity of our own actions when it much easier to blame someone else! Notice, again, that it is against Moses that grumble and blame. Even though they saw with their own eyes the earth open up and fire come from the LORD.

Well, you can guess that the LORD was ANGRY! He was going to "put an end to them at once." Again, Moses and Aaron fall facedown on behalf of the people. Moses tells Aaron to put incence in his censer to make atonement for the people. "The wrath came out of the LORD and the plague had started." But, Aaron runs over to the people with his censer and made atonement for the people." The plague had already started, so Aaron was a dividing line between the living and the dead. The plague stopped where he stood. 14,700 people died from the plague.

OK, this so amazed me. I wondered how could the people have been so obstinate, rebellious, stubborn? How could they have witnessed with their own eyes God's anger the day before as He dealt with the rebellious Korah and his followers, and still not be humble and repentant? Instead, they go and do the same thing? Didn't they see how angry God was? I began asking God how could this be? How can people see with their own eyes the will of God, and still rebel against Him? Wouldn't what they witnessed the day before nipped any grumbling in the bud? Stopped it cold? Obviously not. But, how, why?

And, God showed me that these people, although they follwed Him, did not have a "relationship" with the Living God. They foll0wed His commands and rules, but didn't know His heart. They didn't seek after the presence of God ("you go, Moses, and talk to God for us"). They didn't spend time with Him, getting to know HIM. They wanted His blessings and the promised land, but they didn't want to get to know Him.

And, how many of us are like that today? We want all the benefits of God, His blessings, answered prayer, our "promised land", but are not willing to get to know HIM, to spend time with Him, to get to know His heart. Do we hunger after His presence? Do we seek HIM above all else? Not just praying because we need something, but praying and reading His Word because we want Him more and more. We long for Him because life without His presence is NOTHING!

Nothing compares to the joy and the passion we fill when we are walking with Him.

Moses was amazing. Do you know that when God got fed up with the Israelites at one point, He told Moses, "OK, go into the promised land. I will send an angel to go in before you to clear the way. BUT, I am not going in with you. You will not have my presence." But, Moses refuses! He knows that life in the desert WITH God is better than any promised land full of blessing and prosperity WITHOUT God.

Oh, God, may that always be MY prayer, the cry of MY heart! May I say I don't want the thing (no matter how wonderful) if You are not going to be with me! I don't want the job promotion if I won't have Your presence with us. I don't want any speaking opportunity if Your Spirit is not there! I don't want ____ without YOUR presence!

Oh, God, may we hunger and thirst for Your presence above all! May we continue to seek You with all of heart, our soul, our mind, our strength. May Your love be better than life!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Rejoicing in His amazing love!

One thing at Laced with Grace

2011-06-13T03:00:00.000-05:00

Oh, I hope you can join me today at Laced with Grace! I will be chatting about ONE THING!

Come on over! Click here.

Come sit awhile....

2011-06-12T22:03:00.003-05:00

I was going through some old blog posts and "found" this. I say found, like it was an accident, but it wasn't.....God knew I needed to be encouraged by this post again and led me to it. My prayer is that it encourages you as well:

I was reading an old journal this morning during my very SHORT prayer time (got up late!) and Lord, as I read it, my heart cried out for You! Where is this girl who poured out her heart to You, who dove into the Word, hungry for more and more and more? Reading my commentary of several Old Testament passages, I was a little surprised by my wisdom and understanding of the scriptures which ONLY comes from the Holy Spirit. None of me- all of You, Lord. I do not want this to sound prideful at all because it is not TRACY, but You, God!

You had given me such depth of knowledge of what I was studying that it surprised me this morning. But, hasn't that been my prayer from the start? That You Lord would "give me a spirit of wisdom and understanding so that I may know You better?" And, when "you draw near to God, He will draw near to you." And, "Seek the Lord with all your heart and He will be found by you." Those have always been my prayers.....what I have been crying out for from the beginning. You answer prayer! I had forgotten the things I had written. That makes me sad.

I want to continue to grow in You, Lord. I want to continue to go deeper. I want to experience You more and more. I want Your Word to continue to open up to me and "blow me away."

Last week I was listening to Revelation (Audio Bible) and again, Revelation 2:2-5 hit me.

"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance....Yet
I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the
height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at
first."

Oh, Lord, I repent! I do not want to forsake You! I want to draw nearer to You, not become distant! O, Lord, forgive me!

What is going on?

One thing that comes to mind is busyness. Oh, how the enemy loves to use this against me! And, it is not a new trick, but one that is "tried and true" that he brings back again and again to trip me.

Lord, I know I need to come and rest in You....to come and sit with You awhile. I love You so much, Lord. I want to grow in my relationship with You! I don't want to backslide! I don't want to forget my first love! I love You so much, Jesus!

Thank You for reminding me about these journals. Thank You for reminding me that "You pour out Your wisdom GENEROUSLY to anyone who asks." Thank You for slowing me down to rest in You. I know You are the most important thing in life. I know You are my first love. I rededicate myself to You. I ask You, Lord, to fill my cup to overflowing again. My heart and flesh cry out, for You the living God. You are life. You are life. I love You.

A Selah Season.....

2011-05-27T03:00:00.000-05:00

Glad you stopped by! Join me at Laced With Grace today to read about a Selah season I am experiencing.....and discover why it has been so quiet around here lately!

Is Easter "OVER"???

2011-04-29T22:01:00.000-05:00

Well… the eggs have been decorated, placed in baskets, found, and even eaten.

The church service is over and the songs have been sung.

The new dresses and suits have been neatly hung back in the closet.

And, at our house, all the chocolate has been eaten, leaving only jelly beans for a sweet tooth.

But…..is Easter “over”?

Maybe at Target, where aisles of baskets and candy have been replaced with gifts for mothers.

But, for us…..followers of Jesus Christ…..is Easter “finished” for another year….

Or, has it just begun?

Jesus is the Risen Lord.

He has conquered death.

He has overcome the grave.

Do you know what that means for you?

It means, if you choose Him, you, too have conquered death.

If He is your Lord, you, too, have overcome the grave.

You are seated with Christ in the Heavenlies.

Death has no power of you.

Addiction has no power of you.

Fear has no power of you.

He has given YOU new life.

YOU are a New Creation in Christ.

The OLD has gone.

The NEW has come.

You are clean.

You are forgiven.

You are FREE.

Hallelujah!

There is reason to sing!

There is reason to celebrate!

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” says the Lord God. “I am
the One who is, and who was, and who is to come. I am the Mighty One.” Revelation 1:8

We have HOPE. We have an inheritance. We have a future.

No, Easter is NOT over- it continues in us daily throughout eternity. And as we gather together and celebrate each year, we are reminded that we have a glorious inheritance- a “living hope”. Praise God!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you..” -1Peter 1:3-4

Who is Jesus? I AM Part 7

2011-04-13T04:59:00.000-05:00

I am the Resurrection.

Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus, were distraught.

They were without hope.

Hope did not come.

They were confused. They did not understand why Jesus had not come.

"He healed the blind man. Couldn't He have saved His friend?"

Their brother Lazarus, who was loved by Jesus, had fallen ill. The sisters sent for Jesus.

They had seen Jesus heal lepers.

He opened the eyes of the blind.

He healed the lame and told them to walk.

He had stopped a woman's bleeding who had suffered 12 years.

These had been strangers.

Surely, Jesus would come to heal a friend.

But, He did not come.

Lazarus died.

It was over.

Hope did not come.

But, Jesus did come. When Jesus heard about Lazarus, He PURPOSELY stayed away for two days. When Jesus knew that Lazarus had died, He tells His disciples that it is now time to go to him. Jesus knows the miracle He will perform.

He chooses His friend to work this last, amazing miracle.

He chooses His friend, to draw many new believers to Him.

"When Jesus arrived, He found out that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles to Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to Mary and Martha to comfort them because their brother was dead. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him." John 11:17-20

Listen to the pain in Martha's voice.

"Lord, I know that if You would have been here, my brother would not have died!"

Jesus said to her, " I am the Resurrection and the Life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even if he dies. And those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Martha affirms that she DOES believe.

AND....

Hope DOES come.

Jesus calls Lazarus from the grave.

He who had been dead four days.

Death that had such a stench that Martha balks when Jesus tells her to command the stone to be rolled away.

A man who had been dead walks free from the grave.

Alive.

Jesus promises us that we, too, will have life instead of death.

We, who were dead in our sin....

have LIFE in the Son.

Jesus can RAISE any dead thing. Nothing is without HOPE.

Is there something dead in your life?

A dream?

A relationship?

Hope?

Jesus can RESURRECT it.

He can bring life back to anything you are sure is dead.

Martha was sure that her brother was lost to the tomb. That she would not see him until the Last Day when all would be resurrected. She didn't think she would talk to him, eat with him, hold him, see him....

But, HOPE, did come.

And, Lazarus walked free from the grave.

Jesus can do the same for you.

Trust Him.

Trust His words.

I am the Resurrection.

Because of Lazarus, and this miracle, many people come to Jerusalem and are there to experience Holy Week. They want to see Lazarus with their own eyes. What they see is even more amazing. Because of Lazarus, many people come to believe in Jesus.

Jesus can take the dead thing in your life, raise it, and use it to bring many more to Him.

Lord, help me to trust You. Help me to proclaim, believing in full assurance of faith, that You are the Resurrection and the Life. Thank You, Jesus that You bring hope to what I see as hopeless. Praise You, Jesus!

This is part 7 in a series of who Jesus is.... The earlier parts are posted below. Please scroll down. This series

When "they" say SHUT UP, I will shout louder...

2011-04-12T07:11:00.002-05:00

I was reading about blind Barimaeus this morning (Mark 10:46). It is a GREAT passage.

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

I love that he SHOUTED. He is not afraid to cry out to Jesus. Listen to what happens next...

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Isn't that always the way? Someone is always there to tell us to be quiet....don't bother Jesus....He is too busy.....He isn't concerned with our "little problems."

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

Jesus STOPPED.....stopped what He was doing....stopped where He was going.

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

Don't you love that? Jesus asks each of us, "What do you want Me to do for YOU?"

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

That is the cry of my heart- Jesus, I want to SEE. Give me eyes to see You. Give me spiritual eyes. Like the words to "Amazing Grace," I was blind, but now I see." Look what happens next.

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Notice that the man's FAITH healed him. Lord, may I have faith like that! And, what does he do next?

He FOLLOWS Jesus.

May I always follow You, Jesus. May I always follow You.

Father, thank You that You are ever ready to heal me....all I have to do is ask. May I always seek hard after you, no matter who or how many are telling me to "shut up." May I be like the man and SHOUT LOUDER! Lord, may I have that kind of faith! Lord, thank You for Your compassion. Thank You that You open wide my eyes to see You. Thank You that, although I was blind, now I see. Thank You, Jesus. Praise You.

Who Is Jesus? I AM Part 6

2011-04-12T01:00:00.002-05:00

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in You, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be My disciples. John 15:5-8

I am the VINE.

Have you ever thought about this verse? Have you wondered what Jesus meant when He said He was a vine? I love that God’s Word gives us examples from our daily lives that help teach spiritual Truth. When we ponder and visualize the verses, asking God for a spirit of wisdom and understanding, the scriptures come alive, truly teaching us!

What happens when a branch is separated from its vine...its source of life?

When we took our Christmas tree out to the curb last Christmas, my kids wondered why we didn’t just plant the beautiful tree in the back yard. I explained that although the tree still looked green and pretty, it was dead. It had been cut away from “the vine”- or it’s roots- where it gets its nutrients. I explained that the tree wouldn’t grow anymore, no matter how rich the soil was. It was only good to be “picked up, thrown into the fire and burned,” or in our case, picked up by the recycling truck and mulched.

The tree needs to remain in the vine to have life.

We need to remain in our Vine (Jesus) to have life. If we are abiding in an intimate relationship with Him, we will bear much fruit. To be fruitful, flowering, vibrant, ALIVE, we must be connected to the Source of Life….Jesus. We must be drawing on Him to sustain us, to nourish us, to make us flourish.

When we don’t, we will wither.

I can’t rely on myself. I can’t do things in “Tracy strength.” I must depend on Him. I must abide in Him.

When I don’t, I wither.

I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers for my birthday once that were gorgeous. But, they weren’t connected to the vine. They were cut away. And, still they remained vibrant, lovely, pleasing…..

Not one week.

Not two weeks.

Not three weeks.

SIX weeks they remained gorgeous.

But, eventually, they withered. Eventually they died. I had to throw them away.

Our relationship with Jesus is the same way. When I don’t remain in Him, when I don’t seek after Him with all my heart, when I am depending on myself instead of Him, when my RELATIONSHIP with Him is not healthy, I will wither.

Like the flowers, I may stay beautiful for a while. I may be “OK” for a week….or six weeks….or a year. But, eventually, I will wither. Jesus said in verse 4, “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” I can’t bear fruit on my own. I must stay connected to Him.

He is my source.

Isn't it amazing that Jesus comforts His disciples right before He goes to the cross, telling them to remain in Him....to allow His Word to remain in them. They are in an olive grove, with vines and branches all around. Jesus points to the branches and the vines and tells them, that HE is the VINE and THEY are the BRANCHES. He then tells when they remain in Him, they will bear much fruit.

Lord, help me to always turn to You as my Source. I want to remain, abide, flow in You and I know then that Your Life flows into me, allowing me to bear fruit. I know when I am disconnected from You I wither. Fill my heart with desire for You, O God!

This is a series I first posted April, 2008. I am re-posting it in honor of Easter. For the first 5 parts, please scroll down...

Who Is Jesus....I AM Part 5

2011-04-11T06:40:00.000-05:00

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when He sees the wolf coming, He abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:11-13

Jesus says He will lay down His life for us. He shows us the OPPOSITE of who He is by showing us "the hired hand." Jesus will never abandon us. He will stay and fight....fight to the death.

Jesus cares for you. He is willing to give up everything for you. He will never leave. He will never forsake us. Psalm 139 says, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I go to flee from Your Presence? If I go to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast." We can never escape God's LOVE!

I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

Jesus echoes Isaiah ("Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name and you are Mine."). He reassures us that He KNOWS us. Psalm 139 says, "O LORD, you have searched me and You know me...You perceive my thoughts from afar...You are familiar with all of my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O LORD...." He knows us completely... And, then Jesus again repeats that He lays down His life for us.

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16

Oh, how this is THRILLING to me! Jesus is saying that His flock is not just the Jewish people, but that He is including the Gentiles as well! We are all of ONE flock. What a great illustration for us today. We are ONE church, no matter what denomination we are. God is "not willing that one should perish," but everyone be saved.

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life- only to take it up again. No one takes if from me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I have received from My Father. John 10:17-18

When we think of the Passion of the Christ.....that Jesus was persecuted and sentenced to death....we reflect on His words: " I lay down My life." It is not the Jewish leaders who crucified Jesus. It is not the Roman Governor, Pilate who crucified Jesus. It is not the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus.

It was me.

It was you.

Jesus WILLINGLY lay down His OWN life for HIS SHEEP. We are His sheep. Jesus died for us...so that we may live.

First posted for an Easter series April 2008. This is part of a series....if you would like to read the first 4 parts, please scroll down or click here and follow links at the end of the post.

Who is Jesus? I AM Part 4

2011-04-08T06:41:00.000-05:00

I am the GATE

I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.....
I am the GATE for the sheep; all who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life; and have it to the full.
John 10:1-10

When we think of a gate, we might think of a white picket fence, or even a security gate with a guard that lets in people who have been "cleared." When Jesus talked to people in Bible times, they understood these passages because they were familiar with shepherds and gates. I researched a little and found:

"The gate that Jesus is referring to belongs to the kind of sheep pen that shepherds would use during summer months. The shepherds would stay out in the fields with their sheep for weeks at a time. They would do their best to find good pasture land, and then they would gather some stones to build a make-shift corral that would have one single opening.
Then at night the shepherd would herd his sheep through that opening into the pen. He would then lie down across the opening. The shepherd himself became the gate to the sheep pen.
He was literally the sheep’s protection. He was their security from thieves and robbers who wanted to kill, steal, or destroy the flock." -Bible notes

Wow! What I see is that the shepherd was the PROTECTION for the sheep. He lied across the opening with HIS OWN BODY. If anyone wanted to enter the sheep pen, he had to go through the shepherd first!

I love the illustration that Jesus paints for us here. He is the gate and the only way to get into His Kingdom is through him. Jesus says He is "THE" gate...not "A" gate....

There is only one way into the Kingdom of God...through Jesus.

The shepherd calls each sheep by name and leads them in and out the sheep pen.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

Father God, thank You that You give me eternal life. Thank You that You call me by name. Thank You that I can hear Your voice because I am Yours. Thank You that You protect me. Thank You that I have abundant life here and now. Jesus, You are precious. And, it is in Your Name we pray. Amen.

This is a series I am re-posting on "Who is Jesus" during the Lenten season. Please scroll down for the first 3 parts or click here, here, and here.

Who Is Jesus? I AM Part 3

2011-04-07T06:03:00.002-05:00

I AM the Way....

One night at Bible Study, our group of women were answering the question from our study, "Briefly describe when you first accepted Christ. How sure were you of what you believed at that moment?" Christine brought up the discussion on this topic. She shared that she never had a "moment." She always knew God and loved God, but didn't have a time she could answer the question. A wise woman at our study encouraged Christine to take that "moment." As she explained, we can grow up knowing about God, even professing love, but we want to commit our lives to Him. We want to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We want to make that profession of ourselves to Him.

I shared that I grew up in the Church. I was baptized and confirmed (this is an act in the Lutheran faith that 8th grade students make after going through 2-3 years of religious training- it is "confirming your faith in Jesus"). I said my prayers. I knew about God. I loved God. But, it wasn't until I was about 30 that I made Jesus Christ the Lord of my life. It was through a Bible Study that talked about having a relationship with Jesus and freedom from strongholds that introduced me to Jesus Christ- my PERSONAL Savior, Redeemer, Lord.

For me, this was my "moment." And, how sure was I of what I believed? I knew that I knew that I knew that I knew Jesus Christ died for me, set me free from the bondage of sin and death, gave me a new life, a new hope, an inheritance yet to come in Heaven and abundant LIFE here on earth.

I knew that my life was FOREVER changed.

We encouraged Christine to have a "chat" with God on her 20 minute car ride home. Through the course of the conversation, I had likened our "moment" to a wedding- when we make a commitment to Jesus, giving our lives to Him. This was Christine's email the next morning:

For those of you who were not at the study last night, we talked about knowing when we first had a relationship with Jesus. I had a hard time figuring it out, because I never really had "a day" when I knew like others have had.

Those of you there last night, thank you so much for your encouragement.

I HAD THAT CHAT WITH GOD! Praise Jesus!

All the way home in my car. I cried almost the whole way, I was so moved by simply saying out loud to God that I want to commit my life to Him. I had no idea I would feel that way. Tracy, your analogy to a wedding day says it all.

I was almost nervous starting out, like having cold feet or something. But by the end I knew I was entering the best relationship of my life. As I started praying and talking to God, the words just flowed. I just knew He was there, in my car, in my heart, surrounding me. And you know what else? It was as if I could feel you all praying for me.

I am so blessed for all of you, really, really, really! You all were so non-judgmental last night and I am so blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you for your encouragement! How awesome of a gift is that??!! I couldn't ask for better people to take this journey with.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

In Christ's presence,
Christine

Isn't God AMAZING, AWESOME, INCREDIBLE??? And, the most wonderful thing is Christine's signature: In Christ's presence. She is EXPERIENCING His presence so much so that she felt compelled to put it as her signature! Praise God!

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." A relationship with Christ Jesus is the only WAY to have a relationship with God. Through His Blood, by His sacrifice, and in the power of His Name, we come into the presence of the Living God. There is no other way. Jesus is the Truth. There is no other Truth. Jesus is LIFE. There are no words to explain the LIFE you experience when you make Jesus the Lord of your life. Even the words in "Amazing Grace"are inadequate, but the best I can do- I was lost, but now found, blind, but now I see.

There is nothing you can do to earn your way to the Father. Jesus has done it for you already.

Have you had your "moment?" It is never too late. Have a moment right now. It is simple. It is easy. Jesus is waiting for you with arms open wide. Simply talk to Him. Tell Him that you love Him. Tell Him that you desire a relationship with Him. Tell Him that you know you need Him- that you are desperate for Him. Tell Him that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Tell Him that want a relationship with Him. He loves you.

He wants a relationship with you even more. He wants a moment with you.

(This is series of "I AM" posts republished from 2008. Please scroll down for parts 1 and 2. Christine has had an amazing year, speaking at our church, sharing her story, and encouraging many others to have their "moment"!)

Who Is Jesus? I AM Part 2

2011-04-06T06:49:00.000-05:00

I AM the Light of the World-

Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." -John 8:12

Have you ever walked in darkness? Stumbled around in the pitch black? It is hard to walk in darkness. When the power goes out and there is no light, you find yourself groping around in what was once familiar places, sometimes to stub your toe on chair you have sat in a million times. What is even worse is when you find yourself in an UNFAMILIAR place in the dark. It can be very scary. It is easy to lose your footing, easy to lose your way. Have you ever been driving when it has gotten so dark that even your headlights aren't enough light to navigate with confidence through unfamiliar territory?

Jesus says that we don't have to stumble, we don't have to fall. We don't have to fear the darkness. We don't have to lose our footing or our confidence. He is the LIGHT. He will shine in our darkness. He is like a lighthouse pointing the way, the direction for us to go.

Have you ever been in such a terrible situation, going through such difficult circumstances that it feels like darkness is surrounding you, engulfing you? Do you feel hopeless in your darkness? Jesus wants to shine through that darkness. Psalm 139 says, "even the darkness will not be dark to you (God); the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." No darkness can hold God in- even the darkness becomes like day. God's light shines in the darkness. God will make the darkest night, the most hopeless of circumstances shine like day.

I love that Jesus teaches us that He is the Light of the world right after the passage of the sinful woman. It means even more in this context. This woman had been walking in darkness, bond by sin, hopeless....But, Jesus frees her, forgives her, redeems her, takes away her shame, and shines Light into her darkness, empowering HER to walk in the Light, free from the darkness.

There is freedom and power in Christ.

In John 8, Jesus is in the temple teaching. There are people all around- the crowd is huge. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. These men had caught her in the very ACT of adultery. They had pulled her out of bed, naked. Can you imagine? She is caught in the very act of sin. There is no excuse, there is no rationalizing. There is no glimmer of innocence. She is laid bare, naked, guilty. These men drag her to the temple, maybe still naked, or barely clothed, where she is faced with this huge crowd.

Imagine that you are her. Look around. You see people you know all around you- your friends, your family, your neighbors. You see the merchants you barter with every week. You see the women you draw water from the well with everyday. You STAND before the seated crowd, humiliated. You see the eyes all around you, judging you, condemning you. You are guilty. You are caught. There are no excuses, no explanations. How can there be? You are guilty. The law demands your death.

The Pharisees say, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” These men do not care about the woman, but are trying to trick Jesus.

But, what does Jesus say? Does He condemn her to death? Does He call for the punishment she(and we) deserve? What does Jesus do? Is He going to stone her? (Does He condemn US?)

In verse 6, it says, “Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.” Can you imagine how angry the Pharisees are getting by now? What is Jesus doing? Why is writing in the sand? They keep questioning Him, they keep demanding Him to answer. Jesus finally straightens up as says, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” And, then, he stoops down and writes again on the ground.

The Bible says, “At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first.” I think of this, and I realize, the older I get, the more I see my need for a Savior. The older ones see their sin, they realize they are NOT without sin and they leave first. Soon, the younger ones follow until only Jesus and the woman are left.

Look very closely at this passage.

Who is the ONLY one without sin?

It is Jesus.

Who is the ONLY who could cast the first stone?

It is Jesus.

Only Jesus, perfect and without sin would have the right to condemn her. But, what does the Bible say in John 3:17? Jesus came into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it through Him. Jesus has the right to condemn her, but watch what He does.

First, He straightens up, I think , so He can look into her face, into her eyes. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame.” I believe He wanted to take away her shame. He wanted to look full in her face, making her face radiant. And, Beloved, He wants us to look into His face, radiant, never covered with shame.

Jesus says to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She answers, “No one, sir.” And then, Jesus says, “Then neither do I condemn you.” Jesus is saying to you, “Neither do I condemn you.” Look into His face. There is the face of your Savior. He is perfect, He is sinless. He is God, but His desire is to save you, not condemn you. Jesus forgives.

I am sure this woman felt so grateful that her sin was forgiven, and she probably was so surprised to even be alive. But, I wonder if she also worried about what she would do next . She had just been publicly humiliated. Talk about airing your dirty laundry. Her circumstances seemed very hopeless. But, she stays right there in front of Jesus. She knows that He has something she needs. As they are together, I imagine Jesus looking right into her face.

Notice what He says next to her. Jesus tells her, “Go and sin no more. Leave your life of sin.” Many of us read these words as a harsh warning. “You better not do this again! You better not mess up. You better be good or tomorrow you are going to end up on the rock pile.”

But, that is not the joy of redemption! Jesus is saying, “Go- you are free. You are not in bondage to sin. YOU ARE NOT IN BONDAGE TO YOUR PAST. You do not have to be a slave, with a chain around your neck.” He is empowering her to walk as a new creation- fully righteous- fully clean- a daughter, a bride of the King.

How do I know that that is what Jesus means? Look at the very next thing that Jesus teaches us in John 8:12. His very NEXT WORD ARE: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk again in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Whew! Don’t you know how much that meant to the people hearing that? They had just seen what happened. They saw with their own eyes what Jesus had just done for this sinful woman. He had saved her and now He extends it to all- telling all of us that we will never walk again in darkness! Do you see the connection to what Jesus had just done, and now what He promises to all? Salvation is so much more than going to heaven when we die- although THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS GLORIOUS AND WORTH ACCEPTING OUR SAVIOR- but, it is also about living in His saving grace and freedom here on earth! Jesus wants to release us from bondage, depression, fear, doubt, mediocrity…

Jesus, thank you for being our Light. I praise you. I worship you. I follow you.

(First posted 4/08)

Who Is Jesus?....I AM Part 1

2011-04-05T00:00:00.002-05:00

Who was Jesus?
Who is Jesus?

Jesus said several times,
"I Am...."

Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." -John 6:35

Jesus said this right after the miracle of feeding 5,000 people. I love that! They had been hungry and He had fed them with earthly food, then He gives them the Real Food- Himself! They had experienced hunger and were fed with bread, but He tells them that He is the Bread of Life. He tells US that He is this bread....

Are you hungry?

Jesus can fill you.

Are you lonely?

Do you need love?

Do you need energy?

Do you need hope?

Do you need faith?

Come, eat of the Bread of Life and be filled.

Be satisfied.

Jesus said that when we fill up on Him, have a relationship with Him, we will not go hungry. He says when we believe in Him we will never be thirsty again.

Jesus met with a woman and said something very similar. While talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, (John 4) Jesus talks about “living water.” He points out the “world’s” water- the water of the well, and says, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.”

Isn't that true with our “water”? Food, possessions, praise from man, material possessions, or watching TV never satisfies us. We continually want more and more. Our desire becomes insatiable, sometimes consuming us. The more we have, the more we want! Jesus tells the woman at the well, “ But, whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

Doesn’t that water sound so much more refreshing? Not only will our initial thirst be quenched, but we will have a SPRING bubbling, flowing within us! Not a glass of water, a drop of water, but a source of water. You will never, never be thirsty again! Jesus says in John 7:37-38, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Lord, thank You for being my daily bread. When I pray the Lord's prayer and pray, "Give us today our daily bread," I am praying for my needs of the day, but I am also praying for You, Jesus! I want You, Jesus to be my "daily bread"! I want to be filled, satisfied with You. Lord, You say when I fill up on You, I will never go hungry. Thank You! Jesus, You said Your bread was to the do the will of the Father. Lord, I want that to be my bread, also! I want to do Your will! Lord, fill my desires, my needs, my hopes, my fears, fill everything I am with You! Thank You that you are my Bread from Heaven- my everything! I love You, Lord! I love You, Jesus!

First posted April 2008

Who is Jesus to ME?

2011-04-04T07:19:00.000-05:00

As we draw near to Easter, I want my thoughts to focus on Jesus. I will be republishing a series I have done before during the Lenten season- "Who Is Jesus?" Please stop by frequently to join me in thinking about just who Jesus is and what He means to me....

Jesus asked His disciples, "And who do YOU say I am?" It is an important question for all of us to answer....
Once during a bible study, the leader asked us to keep a “journal” of who Jesus is to us, personally, writing down whatever came to us during the length of the study. It was a great "task". I think sometimes I forget to sit and ponder just how much Jesus means to me.

I encourage you to take on this assignment. She had us write everything we KNOW about Jesus and everything Jesus is to us (for example, if He is “tender” to you….). This is the beginning of my list, and if I were to write everything, you would be here for hours reading it! So, this is what I thought was most precious to me.

Jesus knew He was Savior BEFORE the beginning of time. Before creation, He knew “the plan”. He knew Adam would fall in the garden. He knew He would have to die for my sin, to BECOME sin for me- the Spotless Lamb- to take away my sin. He would take on my punishment. BEFORE He created me, He knew in order to spend eternity with me, He would willingly, joyfully choose to be my Savior, to take my lashes, to take my punishment, scorn, ridicule, and death on the cross. Knowing ALL of this, He still chose to create me. Wow, that blows me away! The love He has for me.

Jesus is the Creator of the universe- “through Him all things were made- without Him nothing was made.”

He is the Word made flesh. He is the Living Word. He is the Written Word. Genesis through Revelation tells the “story” of Jesus. The Word- the Word that leads me and guides me……

Immanuel- “God With Us”- Jesus never leaves me, never abandons me, never is too busy for me. Jesus is with me in my trials and my joyful celebrations. Jesus is part of me- “I am in Him and He is me.”

Savior- Jesus is my Savior, saving me from my sins, saving me from myself, rescuing me over and over again……..

Healer- Jesus is my healer, healing me from ALL my diseases- body, soul, mind, and HEART. One of my favorite examples is the leper that says he believes Jesus can heal him if Jesus is willing. Jesus answers, “I am willing.” Those three words bring me such comfort- I am willing. I am willing. Jesus, you healed ALL who came to you.

Author and perfector of my faith- my biggest “cheerleader.” Jesus, you want me to succeed, you want me to grow and mature. Jesus, you don’t condemn me, but challenge me, encourage me, guide me and perfect me……..

Bridegroom- waiting in eager expectation to return in glory for ME. As a bridegroom, you rejoice over me with singing (Isaiah 61), Jesus, you are “enthralled with my beauty.”

Jesus is my Intercessor- Jesus is praying for me every day!

Redeemer, You bought back my life....REDEEMED it!

Friend, a friend that sticks closer than a brother, my best friend……

Freedom! I no longer am in bondage to anything!!!!!!!!

Lover- Jesus, you love me with an everlasting love that never ends……

Way- Jesus, you are the only way to the Father………..

I love you, Jesus.

Who is Jesus to you?

This was first posted last 1/18/08

The Light of the world..

2011-03-31T05:00:00.000-05:00

Visit me at Laced with Grace today where I will be talking about Light....

God uses everything.....

2011-03-13T11:13:00.000-05:00

I See Love - Mercy Me - music video

2011-02-28T11:21:00.000-06:00

Pushin' with you, girls....

2011-02-09T21:03:00.005-06:00

Have you ever been desperate for God? Have you experienced a time when it seemed God had abandoned you? A time when you just couldn't "feel" God's Presence?

Most of you know that my father-in-law passed away right before Thanksgiving. Then....we went right into the holidays. I felt immense pressure being a first year homeschooling family. My church is going through HUGE struggles right now. We have been here since we moved to Iowa- for 13 years- this is my family. And of course, just "life" seemed to deal me a blow at every corner. Andrew has been asking tough questions about his faith and God (he is 14). Bills, laundry, the cares of home of family....

I found myself avoiding God. Instead of crying out to Him, I ran away from Him. There were plenty of distractions to keep me busy....the Wii, the computer, the TV, activities....anything to avoid facing the "work" of allowing God to heal my heart.

Boy, the enemy LOVES when we do this. It is a perfect opportunity for him to kick us when we're down. He brings everything possible into our lives to further discourage us- a forgotten bill to pay, a cold, fighting kids- you name it. You know, "what ever CAN go wrong DOES go wrong!" And, then he whispers in your ear, "You're a failure. You are not good enough. You are unloved. No one appreciates you. God isn't there."

Sisters, know those are COMPLETE lies from the enemy!

I (you) are loved. Yes, I could never be "good" enough, but thanks be to God, I don't have to be! I am perfect in Christ! In Christ, I am MORE than good enough....in Christ I have everything I need and His grace is sufficient for me. I am NOT a failure, but "more than a conqueror" in Christ Jesus. God appreciates me. He has numbered the very hairs on my head. I am "precious and honored" in His sight. God is here. He has never left me. He calls to me. Whispers to me.

"I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. I am with you wherever you go."

So, as I walk through this wilderness, the Promised Land in my sight, I cry out like David, "O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You. My soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name, I will lift up my hands."
I am at Laced with Grace today sharing about SPIRITUAL BATTLES and how I fought this latest one.... I hope you jump over there to read it!

Also, THANK YOU so much for all of your prayers as I have been walking this road. Many days they have truly gotten me through. Thank you, friends.

Worry, me????

2011-01-11T22:10:00.002-06:00

"Don't Worry 'bout a thing...Cause every little thing will be all right..."
-Bob Marley from the song, "Three Little Birds"

I love this song from Bob Marley. As I ponder the words I am reminded of how easy it is for me to get caught in the trap of worry. There is so much to do- the house to be cleaned, mountains of laundry to wash and put away, errands to run, the monthly bills to be paid.....

There are so many "little things" of life to fill our minds with, not to mention any difficult trials that we may face. For me, it is all of the little, mundane, nit-picky things that are nagging at me....

Yes, I can get caught in worry.

But Jesus said, "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

God takes care of the birds. If He loves and cares for these simple creatures, won't He provide everything I need today? Won't He provide the time I need to take care of my family, my home, and my job? Won't He help me to prioritize my time? My worrying WON'T add any minutes to my busy day, but God can supernaturally help me accomplish all that HE CALLS ME TO DO (notice I said what HE CALLS ME TO DO)! After all, didn't He stop the sun for Joshua so that the battle would be won?

Jesus continued, "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown in the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat, what shall we drink, what shall we wear?' For unbelievers run after these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough of worry of its own." (Matthew 7:25-34)

I don't need to worry about all of these "little things." When I first seek His Kingdom, when I get down on my knees, surrendering my time and my day and my details- the "little things," He is working it all out. If He takes such good care of the birds and the flowers, how much more will He take care of ME- His treasured possession, the apple of His eye, made in His image??????

The enemy would like for us to take our eyes off of the King, caught in a trap of worry, feeling depressed, fatigued, worn out, stressed out- but God says, "Let me take care of it!" Or, as Bob Marley says, "Don't worry about a thing...cause every LITTLE thing is gonna be all right..."

God cares about us! He cares for His Creation!
Many times, we can fret and worry and become distracted with our circumstances and discouraged with our troubles...
But Jesus tells us that our Father in Heaven is watching over us.
He cares about the birds of the air.
He cares about the flowers in the field.
And, if He cares for these "little" things-
how much more does He care for you-
His precious daughter-
made in His image?

So, today, give Him your worries.

Give Him your concerns.

Trust in Him~rest in Him.

He cares.

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength."
-Corrie Ten Boom

Father God, thank you that you care for me. Thank you that I am precious to you. Thank you that you will give me everything I need! Today, I will "be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to you." Thank you God for your loving kindness and care. I present my laundry, my chores, my family's health, and whatever weighs upon my mind TO YOU. Thank you that you are taking care of it all. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.

2011-01-04T17:36:00.000-06:00

I loved this video....especially to remind myself in a new year!

New Year’s Resolutions

2010-12-31T09:10:00.000-06:00

As I was reading my past resolutions, I decided to reprint them for 2011. These are STILL the cry of my heart. I was encouraged by them and hope that you, too, will be.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for Christ Jesus took hold of me…But, one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” –Philippians 3:12-14

Father God, pour out Your Wisdom on me, Lord, as I come to You at the beginning of this New Year. Give me a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation so that I know may know You better. Lord, I want my resolutions to line up with Your Will and Your perfect plan for my life. I know I can make all of the plans I want, but they will only succeed if they are yours. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but t is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” So, I am purposing to “trust in the LORD with all of my heart, NOT leaning upon my own understanding, but acknowledging You, God, in every area of my life, every “resolution” I have, then You will direct my steps, You will make my paths straight." I know You have “plans for me. Plans to prosper me and not harm me. Plans for good and not evil.” I thank You, Lord that You have a purpose for me and that You already have a calling in store for me. For I am “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do!” So, Lord, with Your help, let me dedicate this year, 2011, to You. Let me purpose in my heart and mind, and with my actions glorify Your Name with my life. I want to choose to be “a living sacrifice,” giving You all that I am, and everything I have. I can only do it by the power of the Holy Spirit! I can only do through You! Thank God, I can only do all things THROUGH Christ, who strengthens me! Thank You, God that I don’t have to do it on my own! Praise You, Father! Praise You, Jesus! And thank You, Holy Spirit!

Well, thankfully, each year offers an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to Christ. Thank God that He offers “do overs”, and even though 2010 was an awesome year (although challenging), I have the gift of a new beginning. I tend to look at all of the things I WANTED to do in 2010, but didn’t. I tend to “beat myself up” about not accomplishing all that was on my heart. But, Lord, You are merciful, full of grace, and very patient- even when I am impatient. Thank You that this is chance to renew my mind in Your TRUTH!

I am going to thank You that I am a new creation! The old has gone and the new has come! I put off my old self, right now, right here where I am. I am putting off the old self- the old mistakes, the old failures. I am made new in the attitude of my mind and am putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. I am getting rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. I am kind and compassionate to others, forgiving just as in Christ God forgave me. I am an imitator of God, as a dearly loved child and living a life of love. Like Christ, I am giving myself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 4-5)

In 2011 I am purposing to be a better helpmate to Brian. Lord, after You, let me make Brian my first priority, even when I don’t feel like it. I am purposing in my heart, “to be submissive to Brian so that, even if he doesn’t believe the Word, he may be won over( to living for You) without words but by my behavior. I want Brian to see the purity and reverence of my life, and God, I want You to be pleased with my gentle and quiet spirit. I know a “wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears hers down with her own hands.” Help me to be a wise wife in all matters, looking to You for guidance and sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. I long to be that Proverbs 31 woman honoring God by honoring Brian. In 2010, Brian will “have full confidence in me and he will arise and call me blessed and he will praise me.” (v. 11, 28)

Lord, I pray that I would also be a wise mother. May “I speak with wisdom. May faithful instruction be on my tongue.” May I be a constant encourager to my children, their biggest cheerleader, coach, and mentor. Again, “May no unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, only words that are useful in building others up.” Help me to shine Your Light to my children, Lord. Help me, by being a compassionate, gentle, joyful, loving, peaceful, patient, good, and self-controlled mother, draw them closer to You. May they see in my relationship with You, Jesus, something they want! May they be encouraged to seek after You with all of their hearts because Mama loves the Lord! Lord, I pray for each of them- Andrew, Ashley, Aly, Aaron, and Abigail. May each of my children be IN LOVE with You.

I pray over my ministry. Lord, again, I know You have plans for me. Guide me and lead me. I pray You will bring opportunities to speak Your Word, encouraging women and leading them to the only source of LIFE, Jesus Christ. Lord, I pray this would be a HUGE year where many unbelievers trust in the Name Jesus Christ. I thank You, Father that You have called me to be a speaker. Help me to organize my ministry and help me in the area of time management. Lead me and direct me, gracious Father. “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever- do not abandon the works of Your hands.” Thank You Lord, that “the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love…" Thank You, Lord, that “when we take great delight in You, You will give us the desires of our hearts.”

And, because this is a new year of homeschooling, I pray over this as well. I purpose to give You my plans. Lord, lead us and guide us. Fill me with Your peace and patience. Help me to teach my children what is truly important. Give me the wisdom and knowledge to teach and lead them.

I love You, Lord! I love You, Lord!

Praying for a Blessed 2011 for you.....

2010-12-31T08:59:00.004-06:00

Greetings to all of you! I wanted to wish you a Blessed New Year!

Yes, I pray it will be "happy", but even more so, I pray that the JOY of the Lord will be yours. I pray that you experience His Peace and His Presence, even if you are experiencing the most challenging of trials. May the "JOY of the LORD be your strength." I pray that your joy "will know no bounds." I pray that even though you may grow tired, your strength will be renewed, and that "you will soar on wings like eagles." I pray this will be a year filled with His abundance, His grace, for "His grace is sufficient for ALL your needs," and His blessing. May you know Him in a deeper way. May you experience all that He is.

May the "Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine down upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."

...from Ephesians 3
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, AMEN!

May YOUR 2011 be more than YOU can ask or even imagine, filled with His love, His power, His Presence......

Be blessed.

Prayer for 2011

2010-12-31T08:46:00.001-06:00

Less of ME

more of YOU.

God, less of ME in all the areas of my life......

....less of my whining.

....less of my selfishness.

.....less of my criticizing.

....less of my selfish ambition.

MORE of YOU.

More of Your GRACE.

More of Your LOVE.

MORE of YOU....

...in my actions.

....in my thoughts.

.....in my WORDS.

Lord, I want to shine YOUR Light this year. I want to radiate YOU....not me. I want to be "the sweet aroma of Christ." I want to be filled with ALL the fullness of Christ. Lord, help me to put aside ME and allow YOU to flow through me. I love You, Lord.

A prayer for YOU, dear Reader-

May God be gracious to you and bless you and make His face shine upon you. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon you- establishing the work of your hands. May 2010 be a wonderful year full of His gracious blessing. May it be full of PEACE, JOY, LOVE, and GOODNESS. May this year be a year that we all draw near to Him, basking in His Grace and His Presence. I pray that you, too, will seek Him with all of your heart.

Merry Christmas 2010!

2010-12-24T12:13:00.001-06:00

May the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ bring you much comfort, joy and peace this holiday season as we celebrate His birth, life, and resurrection! During this beautiful season, we are reminded to put our trust and faith in the innocent baby born on that special night. We pray that Jesus will be the heart of your holiday, and that Christ will be the focus of your Christmas!

2010 proved to bring our family some big changes- some wonderful, some challenging and some very trying and sad.

We have entered the realm of parenting PRE-schoolers AND HIGH schoolers! Andrew is a freshman in high school and loves it (uh-oh….should we be worried?????). He played football for Linn Mar and really enjoyed it. Our youngest, Abigail began preschool, but since her older brother started “high school”, she was convinced that she, too, was in HIGH SCHOOL and called it that for the first month! As the youngest of 5, she really does think she belongs in high school as she tries to keep up with her older brothers and sisters.

This year began a new adventure of HOMESCHOOLING for the Berta family! Ashley, 6th grade, Aly, 4th grade, and Aaron, 2nd grade are all home with mom learning some great stuff (even some of it academic! Ha!) Seriously, it has been a wonderful, yet challenging school year with many valuable academic and life lessons being taught. Tracy has been in “7th Heaven” having the kids home. Brian finished the basement and made a beautiful school room and huge 7 foot desk for the kids. Tracy jokes that after 12 years of waiting for a finished basement, she would have homeschooled years ago! Ashley and Aaron are both “duel enrolled”, which means they go to public school for some subjects. Ashley, who loves music, takes orchestra and vocal at Oak Ridge Middle School. She is playing the violin. Aaron goes to Bowman Woods for gym and music. Both Ashley and Aly enjoy piano lessons.

The hardest challenge our family has faced this year is the passing of Brian’s dad. Les went home to be with Lord a day after his 85th birthday on November 18th. It was a very difficult and trying fall with Les suffering a massive stroke in September. We will sure miss him. But, we rejoice in knowing that we will see him again because of the hope and promise of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This year, we are especially mindful that Christ came to free us from sin and death. When we see the manger, we are reminded of the cross. Jesus made “ A WAY” in the manger….a way to overcome death and to live with Him in everlasting, eternal life. Jesus is truly our Savior, and as we grieve our loss, we are thankful that He is also, Emmanuel- God with us…with us to comfort us…to give us peace….to give us hope….to give us joy.

Our prayer for you, is that you, too know that Promise of our Savior and that you are reminded of the glorious riches to come.

May He bless you richly in this New Year. And, may the “God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.”

Merry Christmas and Happy 2011!

Oops! I did it again....

2010-12-08T06:46:00.004-06:00

Well, I have done it again.

Expected people to fill my longing heart.

Expected people to satisfy me....

Expected to find peace in someONE, instead of THE ONE.

With everything going on my life....Brian's dad passing away....catching up with homeschooling after 2 months of his dad being so sick....trying to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas....trying to BE the WIFE...the MOTHER...the TEACHER...the FRIEND....the DAUGHTER....the SISTER...

My "love bucket", my heart, my spirit....has been emptying.

And, I have been looking to PEOPLE to fill it.

And becoming angry at them when they can't.

Feeling lonely.

Sad.

Empty.

Angry.

Tired.

I know the ONLY way to be filled.

The ONLY ONE who can truly satisfy...

OK, Lord.

Here I am.

Fill me.

YOU

are what I need.

ONLY

YOU.

Traditions

2010-12-06T01:00:00.000-06:00

First Posted 12/15/09

Does your family have Christmas traditions? Do you remember the traditions you had as a child? Ashley has been completing a unit on Christmas traditions at school and I thought I would share ours with you!

Merry Christmas!

My Family Christmas Traditions
By: Ashley Berta

Every family has their own traditions. The Berta family is no exception. We do a lot of fun things in my family to make Christmas special.

A few traditions…….

One of our traditions is we always have a Christmas tree. First, we get a live tree and tie it to our van. When we get our tree home, we bring up the ornaments from our basement. We have tons and tons of ornaments. The kids pick out all the ornaments that belong to us individually. Like, if the ornament says your name on it, you made it, or someone gave it to you, you would automatically get that one without taking a turn. We call it “automatic dibs.” Then we divide the ornaments between the four of us kids (we don’t include my baby sister, Abigail) and we take
turns going to the huge pile of ornaments and picking one. After we’ve picked all the ornaments, and there’s not one left, we trade.

We play “shop.” If someone wants one of your ornaments, they can trade one of their ornaments for yours. But, you don’t HAVE to trade if you don’t want to. If someone offers a trade and you
don’t like it, you’d say, “No deal!” to them. Finally, after we like all of the ornaments that we have, we shout, “Ashley’s (or whoever’s) ornament store is closed!”

While the kids are picking the ornaments, Mom and Dad put up the lights and tinsel. Then, we put up the ornaments. When all the ornaments are up, my mom makes hot chocolate, and we
spread out blankets around the tree, lie down, and sip our hot chocolate. While we’re sipping our cocoa, we talk about what we want for Christmas.

Another tradition is we do “Gift with Purchase”. This is when we decorate plain ornaments, or make a small craft that has something to do with Christmas. When we go shopping we give it
to a clerk at a check out center at a store.

One last Christmas tradition is we sing at a nursing home. We get into our van and drive off to the nursing home. At the nursing home we sing Christmas carols. We walk up and down the halls singing.

Christmas Eve…..

During the day, we decorate Gingerbread houses. The boys make one and the girls make one. On Christmas Eve we put out some snacks to eat. We never really have a meal. Then we get dressed in our matching, fancy, and dressy Christmas clothes to take pictures. After we take pictures we head off to church. We ride around looking at Christmas lights after church. When we get home, we eat more snacks, and sometimes watch a Christmas movie. But we always have to be in bed early.

Christmas Day…….

On Christmas day we kids are so excited to open presents! But my mom always makes us wait for my dad. He's hard to wake up! We can’t just say “Come on, Dad. It’s Christmas,” and he’ll wake up. No! We have to jump on him, and shake him, and pinch him, and so on. But the way he always gets up is by Mom’s kisses and sweet talk. YUCK!!!!

But when my dads finally gets up, Mom is ready with the video camera. She tapes us as we all walk down the stairs.

Sometimes it gets annoying because it takes FOREVER to just get down the stairs. When we do get downstairs we sort out our presents and open them from oldest kid, to littlest (or sometimes
the other way around), one at a time. And all the way through it Mom is video taping it. For the rest of the day we play with our toys, or watch our new movies, or whatever.

So this is my family’s Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and a few of our traditions! Every Christmas is the same at the Berta’s house!

Like Ashley, one of my favorite traditions is the "Gift with Purchase," an idea that I got from the book, "Redeeming the Season."

Our family makes simple crafts like ornaments, and then we give them to sales clerks, thanking them for working during the holidays. We make sure to include a scripture and message of God’s love through the birth of Jesus. The reaction of surprise and thankfulness of the clerks is so worth the effort! They love being appreciated!

Give a “little Jesus”

2010-12-03T06:05:00.001-06:00

This Christmas, give a “little Jesus” everywhere you go!
Shine the light of the Savior to everyone you know!
Tell everyone about this incredible Gift and His amazing love,
Share the Light, the Hope, the Joy and the Peace that only comes from Above. -Author Unknown

Greetings, all! May you be experiencing the excitement of Advent as we are preparing our hearts and lives for the celebration of Christmas!

I was talking with Andrew once when he was younger about his friends and his desire that they all would be saved. He realized he can’t “push” Jesus onto people, but has to “shine” Jesus, lighting the way to Jesus by his love, his actions, and his words to others. Andrew learned that he can’t just tell people, “You need Jesus or else you are going to hell!” (or at least, it may not be the most effective way). But, he has learned that he needs to first build a relationship with people, asking God to open doors for him, giving him the right words to speak, and giving him opportunities to share Jesus and Christian love with them.

But, what I explained to Andrew, is that we need to give people the “whole picture.” You see, Andrew is in a place of “I want people to know Jesus because I don’t want them to go to hell!” But, what I am trying to help him understand is that is only part of our faith. Yes, as Christians, we have this wonderful hope of the glory to come- we have the promise of Heaven and living eternity with our awesome God! Hallelujah!

But, that is not the “whole story.” When we have a relationship with Jesus, we experience this incredible hope, joy, and peace NOW, here on earth, no matter what our circumstances are. When we have a relationship with the Savior, we get a glimpse of eternity right here and now!

When we are walking with the Lord, we experience true LIFE right now, and it is amazing, wonderful, incredible, and wild! When people accept the Savior, they will not only “escape hell,” but they will experience never ending hope, unfailing love, abounding joy in any circumstance, and indescribable peace, even through life's most difficult trials.

Jesus is an incredible gift to share with the entire world!

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they will see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

First printed December 2007

Thanks so much for your prayers....

2010-11-24T08:17:00.006-06:00

Thank you all so much for your kind words of encouragement, prayers, and concern.... God is so good to provide such loving relationships in our lives.

Brian's dad, Lester Berta, went home to be with the Lord, the day after his birthday, Nov. 18th. He is an amazing man who touched many lives.He left a legacy of faith and family. It was amazing to look at a Czechoslovakian bible that had been in his family since 1923. He taught his five sons well and it was a beautiful thing to watch how they took care of their mother through all of this. He fought in 2 wars- WWII and the Korean War. He served his country well as a pilot in the Marines.He was an avid golfer and such a jokester! He would always tease us, especially Barb, his wife and his five daughters (in law).

He will be missed.

But, we don't grieve as those without hope. We are sad for our loss but rejoice in knowing there will be a day when we see him again. A day when his body will be healthy and restored. A day when we will all be together....HIS mom and dad, his brothers and sisters along with all of ours......a reunion like no other. We rejoice in the promises of God.

Thank you so much for your continued love and support of our family.

I'm still here......

2010-11-15T07:26:00.004-06:00

Thank you all for sweet comments and emails. Life has been crazy this fall. I wrote about what has been going on and how quickly life takes a turn here.

My father-in-law is back in Intensive Care. He aspirated last Thursday and is again battling for his life. Today is a critical day because doctors will need to take him off of the ventilator.

I am coming to you, my prayer warriors to boldly come to His Throne, crying out to Heaven on our behalf! Please pray:

That LES WILL CONTINUE BREATHING ON HIS OWN! He was up to 50% last night.....please pray that he will be able to completely breathe on his own. Pray for his lungs. Pray they would be strong.

PRAY FOR HIS KIDNEYS. He had so much poison running through his body that his kidneys shut down. They are working so much better, but need to improve even more. He has about half of the toxins out of his body. Pray for this poison to be removed.

PRAY FOR HIS STRENGTH AND HIS FAITH. Pray that he puts all of his trust in God right now.

Those(Les) who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They walk and not grow faint.

Pray Psalm 46, 91, 121 over him.

Les is more than an overcomer in Christ Jesus (and he is! He loves the Lord). No weapon formed against Les shall prosper. He that is in Les is greater than he that is in the world.

Please pray the blood of Jesus over Les. Remember, "by His stripes, Les has been healed."

Please pray for his wife, Barb, and the five boys and their families. We NEED your prayers.

God is so good. The week before this happened with Les, Brian and I had gone to New Mexico. Brian had a work conference to attend and I was able to go. It was such a time to be with the Lord, experiencing His beauty and creativity, glory and awesomeness through nature. We breathed in His glory as we sat by the Rio Grande and at the foot of a mountain. The resort specialized in relaxation and I have never felt so rested. Looking back, it was like God was preparing us and strengthening Brian and I for the road up ahead. Thank You, Lord!

Here are some pics:

In the blink of an eye....at Laced with Grace

2010-11-12T01:00:00.000-06:00

Do you ever find that life "happens" in a blink of an eye? I wrote about this at Laced with Grace and wanted to share it here.....

Have you noticed the beauty of fall lately? In Iowa, the leaves have become, almost overnight, a brilliant palette of golds, reds, oranges, and shades of green.

And, it has happened in a “blink of an eye.”

In fact, some trees are already completely bare- leaves turned, died and fallen to the ground in a crunchy blanket covering lawns.

In my life recently, I have seen two major changes- in the blink of an eye.

Two weeks ago, my sweet father-in-law suffered a massive stroke and is now fighting back to regain some sense of “normalcy” in life. He is having to relearn basic behaviors, including speech. Life has changed completely for our family “in a blink of an eye.”

The other change I was privileged to witness was a sweet, young girl accept Christ as her Lord and Savior. She attended a women’s retreat where I was the speaker. She began the weekend separated from God and left the retreat a NEW CREATION in Christ Jesus! Her life will NEVER be the same, and it happened in the blink of an eye.

Both examples remind me how important RELATIONSHIPS are in our lives.

Our family has rallied around my father and mother-in-law, all gathering around to help and support during this hard time. Family has never been as important as it is now. Life has taken on a whole new “preciousness.”

The sweet young lady who was welcomed into the Family of God, became a Christian because someone had taken the time to invest in a relationship with her. Her friend had been sharing the Gospel with her and brought her to the retreat.

Life happens quickly. We never know when things will happen- both “good” and “bad.” Life changes in a “blink of an eye.” Jesus tells us that the most important thing in life is to “love God and love others.” (Mark 12:29-31) Our relationship with God and with the people who He puts in our lives is so very important. It is so important to not waste the time God has given us, because life changes “in the blink of an eye!”

Father God, I praise You! You are awesome…glorious….so good! Lord, help me to always remember that life happens so very quickly. Lord, help me to prioritize my life and my time. Keep my eyes always on “the main thing”….always keeping YOU first place in my life. Open my eyes to see the importance of the relationships you have blessed me with. Help me to honor You in all my relationships. Give me a “Kingdom perspective” in all areas of my life. Thank You for the reminder that life can change, just as the fall leaves on the trees, “in the blink of an eye.” Praise You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Freedom!

2010-11-11T03:00:00.000-06:00

Join me at Laced with Grace today where I will be talking about FREEDOM!

2010-10-28T03:00:00.000-05:00

Do you ever find yourself wearing a MASK? Join me today at Laced with Grace to chat about that!

A Strange Place....

2010-10-27T23:10:00.003-05:00

I recently shared this at the Cafe.....thought you may enjoy it as well.

I recently looked out my window and saw the strangest sight. Now for the outsider looking in, I am sure they would not even noticed it. For many, it would not have been in the least bit unusual. But, for us, it was a strange sight. In fact, it was worthy of calling the whole family around to stare out the window in disbelief!

Are you wondering what this amazing sight could have been?

It was a large white and gray colored CAT prowling around the INSIDE of our eight foot privacy fence!

What could be strange about a cat wandering around our yard, you wonder?

Well, we don’t OWN a cat! In fact, we own a LARGE dog who absolutely was going crazy at the thought of an intruding feline invading his space!

Our yard was NOT this cat’s home. In fact, this yard could have been very dangerous to the animal if we would have allowed our dog to have his way and let him outside. But, watching the cat, you would have never known that. He seemed completely comfortable roaming around this strange yard. In fact, he LOOKED like he “owned the place.” Our yard, to any passerby, appeared to be his home.

But, it’s not.

I thought about how I can so easily forget where my home is as well.

I make the mistake and believe this world is my home, strolling through, completely comfortable, as if I “own the place.”

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.” 1Peter 2:11, The Message

Many times I walk around “too cozy” or too comfortable in THIS world, accepting things that are not glorifying to God. Sometimes I have been distracted and deceived, led astray by my longings for the “worldly” things my flesh desires. Other times, I seek the approval of the world, instead of God. And, there are times when I mosey along in this world, not even aware of the danger, like the cat in my yard. Oh, how I want to remember at these times that THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME!

The NIV translation puts it this way:

“Dear friends, I urge you, as strangers and aliens in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.”

Lord, help me to remember this world is NOT my home. Help me to remember that You have set me apart from “the world.” Lord, help me to never be “cozy” here, but to keep my eyes and heart to be set on “things above.” Thank You, Jesus for Your forgiveness and Your Power to live this way! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Peace....

2010-10-20T07:51:00.004-05:00

Hmmmm......
This is the peace I need....
how about you?

Visit the Cafe for more inspiration....

WHAT am I eating (and Am I stiff-necked???? Part 2)

2010-10-19T07:17:00.002-05:00

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Father, give us deep insight into Your Word today in the name of Jesus Christ!

Yesterday we were looking at idol worship with the children of Israel (and thinking about idols in our own lives!). Remember God's people were spit into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah? We were following Israel and learning how they turned to other gods because they did "not trust in the Lord their God."

The Lord becomes very angry with them and "removed them from His presence." How sad! The chosen people, the children of God, to be removed from His presence. I am reminded of when Moses and the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness, and the people were constantly grumbling and complaining and NOT trusting God. God at one point gets so fed up with the people, that He tells Moses, "OK, go into the Promised Land. I will send an angel before you to drive out your enemies. BUT, My presence will NOT go with you!" Moses refused to go! He said he would rather be in the desert wilderness WITH God than in the abundant, wonderful land of promise flowing with milk and honey WITHOUT God! What faith! May I always have the same attitude!

So, Israel is removed from God's presence, and we shortly read that God allows them to be taken into exile. But, notice this only happens after they "persisted in all their sins and did not turn away from other gods." And, we read that God had continually "warned them through all His servants the prophets." Proverbs 1:30-31 says, "...since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes."

Aaaaaaaaaah! WHAT HAVE I BEEN EATING????

Yesterday we were cutting apples for a snack. The first one we cut into looked beautiful. It was large and red and looked delicious. But, when we cut into it, it was BLACK on the inside! It was so gross! There was no way anyone would want to eat this fruit.

As I think on this verse, I wonder how many "bad apples" I have eaten because I have refused to accept His advice or listen to His rebuke? How many times when the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit has tried to warn me, do I turn my head and walk in my own ways because "I know better" (at least I think I do!)? Oh, Lord, give me ears to hear and a soft pliable heart to obey!

Well, what really got me in today's reading is when we read about Judah (the other kingdom of the children of Israel.) Verses 18-19 say, "So the Lord was angry with Israel and removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not keep the command of the Lord their God. (NOW LISTEN TO THIS!) THEY FOLLOWED THE PRACTICES ISRAEL HAD INTRODUCED." And, sadly, they, too were removed from God's presence.

Wow! I was pondering this, and I wondered how many times do I look to other Believers INSTEAD of God and His Word in how to live? Sometimes we even begin rationalizing sin because we see other Believers doing it, and we think, "Well, if they are doing it, it must not be that bad. Maybe it is OK..." My mom (and maybe yours, too!) used to say to me when I was a kid, "If everyone else jumped off of the bridge, would you do it?"

For me, this story really brings home the fact that although I treasure the encouragement of others, I need to keep my eyes on Him and look to God to guide my walk. I need to seek Him daily. I need to "set my heart and mind on things above, not on earthly things." (Col. 3:1). I need to read His Word so that I can be filled with His Truth. I need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me! I need to heed His warnings that He so generously gives!

Jude (New Test., right before Revelation) says, "But dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These men follow mere natural instincts (here is where our own "reasoning" comes in!) and do not have the Spirit. But YOU, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most Holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."

So, my dear friends, I pray that you, too, will build yourselves up in the most Holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that you continue to seek Him with all of your heart. Keep your eyes on the eternal. And, finally, may you bask in His presence! May you be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God! May you be filled with all grace, love, and joy!

Be blessed today! Keep pressing on!

"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

Stiff-necked? Me???????

2010-10-18T13:54:00.003-05:00

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. I always pray with joy... being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to COMPLETION until the day of Christ Jesus."

Glory! Yea! He is working in all of us- keep pressing on, dear ones!

Have you read 2Kings lately? Love "Kings".... This is the history of the people of God. They are God's children (supposed to be holy and set apart, remember?). The Israelites are divided into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. (Remember Jesus is called "Lion of Judah"?) Now, both kingdoms have kings who rule, and 1Kings and 2Kings is about the people and the rulers of this time period. This takes place after King David.

What always amazes me about the people is that they continuously turn to other gods and idols to worship. Remember what God gave them as their first commandment to follow?

"You shall no other gods besides me." And then, "Do not make and worship idols." They serve Almighty God! But, they continue to turn to other gods.

When I taught 6th grade, we studied mythology- Roman, Greek, and Egyptian. We see Roman idol worship throughout the New Testament . Egyptian mythology is during Old Testament times. These people believed if they worshipped and paid homage to each individual god, the god would do something for them. There were gods for fertility, for the "afterlife", for success in war. When the Israelites turned to these "gods," hey thought the gods would help them in some way- with the harvest, fertility, or warfare success. Just to get an idea of how evil these practices were, "Adrammelech" and "Anammelech", gods of the neighboring people, required human sacrifice-their children!

So, the question always is, why do God's people continously turn away from God? And, how does that relate to me today?

Before we go there, let's take a look at 2Kings 17. This is what is happening in the Kingdom of Israel. "They worshipped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced." They look around and they start thinking, "Hey, maybe that will work for us!" They see the "world" around them trying things, and it seems to be working. They have harvests, they are doing OK. Nevermind that the Lord had driven them out years before! Nevermind that God had given the Israelites supernatural victory over them! They start to wonder if there are "better" ways of doing things.

"The Israelites SECRETLY did things against the Lord their God that were not right."

RED FLAG!!!

First of all, we can never do things in secret- God always knows! God knows the secret things! Secondly, if we are doing something in secret, then we know, deep down, it is wrong. We want to keep our sins in the darkness! But, Psalm 139 says, "If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to You."

How many times do we think we are doing things "secretly", somehow getting away with it? But, it is not secret from God!

So "they worshiped idols, even though the LORD said, 'You shall not do this'." God is so good, though! His heart cries out for us. He doesn't want us to go down these paths that lead to destruction. So, God sent prophets to warn the people to turn from their idols and worship only the LORD. But, the Bible says they were "stiff-necked and would not listen." Oh, God! How many times I am "stiff-necked" and won't listen despite Your warnings?! I go along my own way, thinking I know best, looking to the "world" to help me!

Now listen to this! They "did not trust in the LORD their God."

Well, there it is! It boils down to TRUST. Are we going to trust in the LORD our God, even when times are tough, or are we going to seek other ways to "bail us out?" You see, I get impatient or wonder if God's watch is broken! I don't like His timing! Or, life becomes uncomfortable and I turn to idols to comfort me...... a bit of chocolate.....a glass of wine....facebook....a shopping spree.....a TV show....

But, God tells me to wait! Wait for Him.....look to Him....trust Him...turn to Him.

It is a matter of faith! Am I going to trust in the One who alone is trustworthy, or am I going to trust in the ideas of the world around me?

Why do we turn to idols? We have a lack of trust in the One, True God!

Well, Sisters, my prayer for you today is that You will "trust in the Lord with all of your heart. I pray you will NOT lean upon your own understanding (we think we are so smart at times and then we find ourselves turning to idols), but acknowledge Him in ALL of your ways, and then- THEN (HERE IS THE PROMISE!) HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT, HE WILL DIRECT YOUR STEPS."

Father, we give You all the glory! Thank You for Your patience!

Mother Theresa said, "I know God will only give me what He knows I can handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much!"

Our last week together.....

2010-10-18T08:29:00.003-05:00

I so hope you can join with us At the Well sometime this week for the last (boo! hoo!) installment of Makeover of the Heart. It has been a wonderful and amazing 6 weeks watching as God has been working in our hearts and transforming our lives!

Come on over!

I rebuke the puke!!!!!!!

2010-10-18T08:00:00.002-05:00

Well.....after eight or nine times of getting up with Aaron last night ( and several days of Abigail and Aly already having this junk!), I remembered this blog post from February 2008! I was giggling at 3:00 A.M as I was REBUKING the PUKE!!! Rereading it has encouraged me and I hope it blesses you as well! Here it is:

First published 2/8/2008
OK, now that I have your attention with that title.........!

It has been sooo long since I posted anything- since Jan. 18th. I have "written" so many posts in my head over the past few weeks. Does anyone else blog in their head?????? Anyway, it has been a crazy time for the Berta family and the enemy has been in full force on the prowl, attacking at every opportunity.

It began right after Christmas, with my hormones taking a weird swing, which resulted in a 36 day long period, trips to the doctor, exams and an ultra sound. I am great, praise God! But, I have a whole new appreciation for the woman who bled for 12 years and was healed by Jesus!

January continued with two repair man visits for our washing machine, extensive dental work replacing two crowns and 3 hours of drilling (ouch!), purchasing an elliptical machine that was malfunctioned (and several phone calls to Nordic Trac and Sears, who were both wonderful!), my 40th birthday (which was awesome, including a big party), 3 ice/snow storms, about 25 inches of snow, four snow days with the kids home, various school projects for my 3 oldest kids, and now the "sickies" running through 4 of my 5 kids, including Abigail, our baby. Ashley, the second child to come down with this junk, threw up blueberry oatmeal, which took the whole morning trying to remove the stain. Just when we sure we over it, Aaron threw up in his bed. (Will I ever get caught up on the laundry?????)

Today, while praying for Aaron, I couldn't stop laughing when I said, in the name of Jesus, "I rebuke the puke!" Thank you, God that you have a great sense of humor and that truly you do not give us more than what we can bear.

Interestingly, I am speaking in February at a ladies' retreat. Now, experiencing attack before a conference or retreat has been something I have come to expect from the enemy. He doesn't have any new tricks. He tries to distract me and steal the joy from my life. I know the temptation is there for me to question/doubt what I am speaking and teaching: God is great..... that "He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world."...... that "I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus"..... that I will have trouble and tribulation in this world, but praise be to God, Jesus has overcome the world! And, "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength."

Now, you may be wondering what I am speaking on at the retreat. The message is about leaning on Jesus in daily life- depending on your relationship with Jesus Christ to triumph over the mundane day-to-day trials and tribulations of life, all the while experiencing joy and peace. God is so good! He always gives me lots of examples/experiences from my daily life to use as examples in my talks. LOL. Seriously, God does allow me, as a speaker, to live out the Truth I am going to be sharing with women. I am able to sympathize with their daily trials and share how God helps me.

The enemy wants us to believe that our God isn't interested in the "small" things of life. So many times it is not the HUGE disasters or crisis, it is the accumulation of all the ordinary things that get us down. We get distracted with life and all of its circumstances and we forget to bring it all to the feet of the One who can help us. Or, we think we should be able to handle it. The enemy whispers to us, "failure" when we struggle. We allow Satan to suck the joy from our lives, and we get "down trodden."

Beloved, our God is able to do "immeasurably (can't even measure it!) more than all we ask or imagine..." The Amplified says, "He is able to carry out His purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask (love that) or think[infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]...." And, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God doesn't want to be there just in those horrible, devastatingly hard times of life, He wants to be there when we are living every day. He wants to be our joy, our peace, our Rock, and strength.

James tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4.

I want my faith to be complete! I want to be mature in my faith! I don't want to lack anything! I know that in this life the washing machine will break down. I know kids will sometimes get sick. I know sometimes I will oversleep. There will be snow days. Things won't always go the way I've planned. But, my attitude in these daily trials is so important! I am going to purpose in my heart to remember that "the joy of the Lord is my strength." In all things, I am going to rejoice in Him. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Finally, because I have an enemy, because he does try to suck joy from my life and discredit my testimony of Jesus Christ, I need to put on the armor of God daily, standing firm against him. Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (our husband, our kids' teachers, the check-out clerk, our neighbor, a friend who has betrayed us....) but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world...Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when (not IF) the day of evil comes, (the trials of daily living), you may be able to stand your ground....Stand firm with the belt of Truth buckled firmly around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one (all of his plans and schemes- sickness, disease, broken appliances, disobedient children......). Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With all this in mind, be alert (that is a BIGGIE!) and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Father God, I come before you and praise your holy name! Jehovah, you are awesome, amazing, glorious! I love you, Lord! Father, I thank you for this opportunity to write, write, write all that has been on my heart. Thank you for sleeping babies and a quiet house. Lord, I pray this entry may encourage some precious heart that has been "down trodden" with the burdens and worries of life. Jesus, you tell us to come to you with our daily burdens. And, you promise that you will take them and trade them for a yoke that is easy and light. Lord, you promise that "you will give us rest." Remind your people, remind ME, daily that you are a God that cares about every struggle, no matter how big or small. Fill us with inexpressible joy that your Word promises. Remind us that this earth is not our home and that we have a glorious inheritance waiting for us. Remind us that Jesus tells us we will have trials and struggles here in this fallen world, but to take heart because He has overcome the world! Hallelujah! Lord, you don't want us to be depressed, beaten down, ready to give up. No! Lord, your Word tells us that we can have abundant life here on earth and that our joy is NOT tied to our circumstances, but tied to you, Jesus! Fill us, fill me, with this Truth to overflowing! In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen and amen and amen!

Check this out.....

2010-10-13T08:57:00.003-05:00

His Love is amazing....

2010-10-12T23:50:00.001-05:00

His Love is amazing....He rebuilds all that is broken in our lives.

He loves us with an everlasting love. He has drawn us with loving kindness. He will build us up again and we WILL be rebuilt. Hallelujah!

Please visit the Cafe for more WFW!

Angels are having a PARTY!

2010-10-11T23:33:00.002-05:00

WOWOWOWOWOWEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is so GOOD! Thank You, Lord!

I had the most amazing experience this weekend! I was speaking at a ladies' retreat where the most beautiful, precious young lady accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior! What an HONOR and PRIVILEGE it was to witness this!

Please pray for "C" as she experiences her New Life as a child of the Most High God! Pray for her protection. Pray for PASSION as she gets to know her beautiful Savior. Pray that she would fall IN LOVE with Jesus!

What about PRAYER?????

2010-10-11T23:29:00.002-05:00

Yay! Week 5 of our Bible Study is up and ready At the Well! Please join me this week where we will be sharing about PRAYER.

Do you have questions about prayer?

Does God "answer" prayer?

HOW do I pray????

I hope to see you over At the Well!

Living out the JOY of Jesus...

2010-10-05T21:52:00.000-05:00

Makeover of the Heart- A New Week!

2010-10-03T23:59:00.001-05:00

I am so thankful for the amazing things I am seeing God do in the hearts and lives of the women participating in our Makeover! God is so good!

Please join us this week At the Well!

A Makeover of the Heart

2010-09-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

Is your heart in need of healing? Please join us today for this week's installment of "A Makeover of the Heart." God has amazing things in store... Join us At the Well!

A Heart Delighting in God....

2010-09-19T23:59:00.000-05:00

Last week was an AWESOME beginning to our study, A Makeover of the Heart. I know God is doing amazing things in our hearts....and there is GREAT transformation taking place! Please head over HERE, to the Well to join us.

Are YOU ready for a transformation?

While I was gone....

2010-09-19T21:06:00.002-05:00

Brian was able to be the kids' teacher!

They had a field trip to the fire station. I am so glad they had a ball....and Daddy was able to see how busy our day is...

Are you a GRUMPY Christian????

2010-09-16T00:12:00.002-05:00

Head over HERE to read about THEM!

Word-filled Wednesday

2010-09-15T07:00:00.002-05:00

I am reposting a favorite today....I pray it speaks to you! And, please head over to the Cafe!

Jesus was sharing here that He was about to die and rise again. He begins the passage with "The hour has come for you to see the Son of Man glorified." He is reassuring them ( the disciples) and US that to LIVE, we must die. When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He produced many seeds. I love that Jesus uses the example of the wheat. It falls to the ground and dies, but then it grows in the soil, producing many more seeds. He uses this example to illustrate what will happen to Him, but then, extends it to us.

We must die to live.

Die to our flesh.

Die to our own selfish desires.

Die to sin.

And......LIVE.

Jesus continue by saying, "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will be also. My father will honor the one who serves me."

Aren't those amazing promises?

When we DIE, we LIVE.

When we serve, we are honored by GOD!

Whoever hates his life here....whoever turns away from the pull of the world, lives a life set apart, whoever does not conform to the patterns of this world...

will keep it for eternal life.

Join us today!

2010-09-12T23:59:00.001-05:00

Join me over At the Well today for the first week of our Bible Study! I can't wait to see what God is going to do in YOUR life!

Are you ready for a Makeover?

2010-09-12T17:57:00.002-05:00

God is AWESOME!!!! Had an amazing time at the Woman's Retreat!

Did I tell you the topic was JOY????

Technically...."Everyday Celebrations."

The message was AWESOME! I can say that because it was ALL GOD! He was "showed up" and was HUGE! I can't wait to share more details throughout the week.

But, I promised the ladies I would get this up ASAP. We had technical difficulties...and had no sound. As you'll see....you gotta have the sound!

Hope it blesses you (at least makes you laugh!).

Makeover of the Heart

2010-09-12T14:20:00.003-05:00

I AM SOOO EXCITED!
I am thrilled to be leading my bible study, "Makeover of the Heart" over at the well for the next six weeks! I so hope you can join us. I know God is going to be doing amazing things through this study. There will be short video teachings, a blog post, and weekly download-able study guide.

Are you ready for a MAKEOVER?

I hope you join us (and please TELL YOUR FRIENDS! )Here is the information, straight from "At the Well":

We are gearing up for a BRAND NEW BIBLE STUDY here At The Well given by one of our very own – Tracy Berta!

In this age of extreme make-overs, we transform everything from our appearance to our homes. Join us here, beginning MONDAY, September 13th, to explore a different kind of make-over; A Make-Over of the Heart. Come experience a complete heart transplant, allowing God to take out your old heart full of its selfish desires and replace it with a new heart….

A Delightful Heart

A Healed Heart

A Committed Heart

A Prayerful Heart

Our make-over begins with our hearts delighting in Him. Take a glimpse into the hearts of Jabez and King David, and learn what it means to truly “delight yourself in the Lord.”

So many hearts today are crying out for love and are carrying wounds of the past that so desperately need to be healed. Allow God to reveal your hidden pain, to heal your broken heart, and replace sorrow with joy by trusting Him.God wants our hearts to be fully devoted to Him. Learn how He has given us power, through the Holy Spirit, over sin, temptation, and the desires of the world to live as free women completely committed to Christ.God wants a natural, living, breathing relationship with you and prayer is the way to that relationship. He also wants us to slow our lives down so that we can be still and listen! Allow Him to transform your heart into a prayerful heart.

Each week Tracy will have a short video where she will share a bit about the weeks lesson, followed by a few words from her heart. We will have each weeks lesson right here for you to download and do at your own pace throughout the week.

We want you to be able to share and discuss as you are working your way through the study, so each week we will have a discussion question for you to ponder and answer either in the comments or by writing a post and linking it to us. We encourage you to come back throughout the week and read the comments and take part in the discussion.

We are beyond thrilled to have Tracy lead us through this study and can’t wait to see how the Lord will transform and renew our hearts!

We will link to each week’s post as the study continues:

COMING TOMORROW!

WOW!

2010-09-08T08:39:00.002-05:00

Wow! Homeschooling is WONDERFUL....but very DIFFERENT than sending my kids off to school everyday for 7 hours! Will I EVER have time again to be ALONE???? :) Not much time for blogging (or even answering comments- sorry!). I have so appreciated your kind comments and lovely emails. I am trying to settle into some routines, so I haven't had much "free time". (WHAT is that?!?!) I have been learning sooooo much! I love this new adventure, and I can't wait to share so much with you very soon. For the mean time, I have been writing in my journal the old-fashioned way.....

Where am I FILLED with joy?

2010-09-08T07:27:00.003-05:00

I am so excited because God is showing me so much about JOY!

I am speaking at a women's retreat this weekend (prayers appreciated!) and YOU GUESSED it.....the topic is JOY! Again, I am learning that when I sit quietly before Him, allowing Him to fill me...He FILLS me joy. And, when I hurry, hurry, hurry.....do, do, do....and forget to take time to sit in His Presence (or choose not to because I am too busy), the joy escapes me and worry and frustration fill be instead! Oh, what I am learning, friend! I can't wait to share it all with you next week!

Please head over to the Cafe for more incredible inspiration!

Are you HAPPY?

2010-08-31T01:00:00.000-05:00

Are you filled with JOY? Do you want to be? Hop over to LACED WITH GRACE where I will be chatting about JOY.....

You DON'T want to miss this!

2010-08-30T23:26:00.002-05:00

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THIS AT THE WELL TODAY......I am thrilled to be sharing my study with the wonderful readers there. I so HOPE you will plan to join the study and share what God reveals to YOU during this makeover!

Here is the post from At the Well:

A Delightful Heart

A Healed Heart

A Committed Heart

A Prayerful Heart

Our make-over begins with our hearts delighting in Him. Take a glimpse into the hearts of Jabez and King David, and learn what it means to truly “delight yourself in the Lord.”

If you are going to join us, please leave your link below or leave us a note in the comment section, so we can begin to pray for you now!

I am beyond thrilled to have Tracy lead us through this study and can’t wait to see how the Lord will transform and renew our hearts!
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2010-08-19T01:00:00.001-05:00

Join me today at Laced With Grace where I will be talking about ROOTS....

AND the Cafe where I will be talking about childhood phases....and growing out of them!

How do YOU build a home?

2010-08-17T07:58:00.002-05:00

Do you worry about a CLEAN house?

Join me today At the Well where I will talk about wise women and HOME BUILDING!

2010-08-16T13:54:00.002-05:00

Driving home from our weekend in Streator, we were listening to songs and Ashley picked, "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts. I love this song. I wanted to share it with you. It reminds me of an Irish blessing. It is my hope for all of you...

Here are the words:

"My Wish"

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big...

-Rascal Flatts

Why are you homeschooling???

2010-08-13T08:01:00.007-05:00

Boy, I have heard this question A LOT over the past few weeks! Often, I am not sure HOW to answer people because I don't have TIME to explain in the few short minutes they are expecting the explanation to take!!!

Bad experience at school? Nope. We actually LOVE our elementary school and desire to stay in "community" with our Bowman Woods Elementary School.

Kids "falling through the cracks"? No....not really. Do they receive the attention they should get individually to help with struggles? As a former teacher myself, I understand how IMPOSSIBLE it is to give ALL kids the desired one-on-one time needed.

Why? Why? Why? Why are you choosing to pull your children OUT of public school, where they have attended several years already, away from friends and familiar faces, away from the "experts" who get paid to educate your children????

*Sigh*

Where do I begin?

First, I have to say God began working on my heart several years ago (8) at a Hearts at Home conference. This is where I first heard the word "homeschool". There was a whole ROOM dedicated to resources for homeschooling moms, including moms there to talk with others who may be considering it. I was very interested.....but didn't take the plunge.

At that time in my life, though, God did call me to STAY AT HOME through daycare. During that season of my life, He placed a desire to stay at home with my children, but help our family financially by providing in home day care for a few other families. It was a WONDERFUL time in my life with 7 preschoolers/babies running around my house. Looking back, I WAS homeschooling THEN! We did Christian lessons, art projects, and character training every day! I was always teaching them! And, that is one thing we must always remember as parents- we are our children's FIRST teachers and always the teacher in their lives with the most impact!

Over the years, living in Iowa, a very "pro-homeschool" state, I have had the opportunity to meet many homeschooling and duel-enrolling(part homeschool and part public school) families. I have many friends who homeschool. And, in the past 5 years, I have made many friends online who homeschool. Needless to say, I have been open to the call of it. But, I have always prayed that "God, if You truly want me to homeschool, then You must make that clear and work in Brian's heart as well." Brian has never been opposed, but has always had some reservations. I knew if we were to be a homeschooling family, then Brian would have to be "on board" 100%!

So why now?

God has given me such a DESIRE to do it! It really has been a CALL from Him, whispering, "now is the time." Our whole family is excited about it!

There are many "reasons", the biggest one that I want to control what my children are learning in school. Although I love our elementary school, I am very careful with curriculum. As a parent (and for all of you who have kids in public school, this is for YOU!), I was finding that I needed to be SO ON TOP OF what they were being exposed to, especially at the middle school. Thankfully, Andrew is very open and shared, so that we could discuss different issues. There were (are) many times I regret sending him to middle school. But, "God works all things together for good" (Romans 8:28) and He can redeem all things. What I will say, as a mom, I MUST BE IN PRAYER CONSTANTLY for Andrew. He is going on to public High School this year. But, I know going in that I have to be ENGAGED constantly in what he is learning- academically, socially, and spiritually! I have to do the spiritual warfare for him daily!

I am also homeschooling because I want to give my children a biblical education. I found that it was hard to find time to teach the bible and have quality bible study when they have gone to school for 7 hours and come home with homework (not to mention they need to play!). So, we will begin our school each day with Bible time. I am so excited about this! I am THRILLED to be able to pass to them my love for the Word! I know my excitement for this beautiful Love Letter will impact them and His Word will change them forever! Also, lots of the curriculum I am using uses scripture for things like spelling sentences and grammar. Cool!

I also want to give them a strong historical education. I want them to have the "big picture" of history, from ancient history until now and understand how we all fit in. I want them to know their Founding Fathers of this country and the sacrifices they made to establish this country. I want them to be SATURATED with the PRINCIPLES of the founding and the constitution. I know for a fact that schools are changing history by teaching partial history saturated with opinion. Being an avid history lover, I want the kids to have a true understanding of what the REAL history of our country is. One of the problems is that young teachers don't know this because they have been through a system that has indoctrinated them. Ashley had an AWESOME history teacher last year (5) who was also passionate about this. She supplemented her curriculum because the books no longer contain the accurate picture. But, what happens when these teachers begin to retire? I saw a real difference with Andrew's teacher who also taught "history." He was a young teacher......new to teaching. Thankfully, Andrew is also a avid history lover and is already knowledgeable on American History. There are so many politics in school and it is usually a liberal agenda. We as are conservative (no, NOT Republican- it is about PRINCIPLES and ideals not an "R" or a "D" at the end!) and want our children to be taught conservative/constitutional/biblical ideals.

So.....*deep breath* we are jumping in! I am so EXCITED!!!!!

Couple things.....I don't want anyone to feel guilty if they are NOT homeschooling!!!! I do NOT believe that you must stay home and homeschool to be a "good" Christian parent. I believe God will CALL you if that is His plan for your family!

And, if He has been tugging at your heart, but you feel scared, remember:

God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called!

Stay in prayer....He will help you!

Next week, I will be sharing more about my journey to homeschool....more the "WHY" and our curriculum with you! Come back, won't you?

Happy Birthday, Sweet Aly!

2010-08-10T22:52:00.003-05:00

Miss Aly.....we love you so much, sweet girl!

You make us giggle and laugh....you have such a funny sense of humor. God gave you such a gift to make people smile.

I love your snuggles and hugs. I love that you are so kind and caring and express your love so quickly and generously.

I am so thankful for you, sweet child of mine. I know God has great plans for you....plans for hope and for a future! Girl, you were born for such a time as this! I know God is going to do GREAT and AMAZING things in you and through you.....child of God!

I pray His richest blessings upon you on your birthday....this special 10th year....and forever.

We love you.

Homeschooling.....ME? (and WFW, too!)

2010-08-10T22:36:00.002-05:00

Drum roll please......ba ba ba ba ba BAAA........

We are HOMESCHOOLING this year!

Some of you may know this....for others, I am sure it is a SHOCK!

But, we are so THANKFUL for all of your prayers....please continue to pray for our family as we begin this new adventure!

Why, you may ask?

There are so many reasons (please come back later this week to read all about them), but the MAIN reason was that God was pulling at my heartstrings and using this verse:

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up......" Deuteronomy 11:18-19

Now don't mistake me....I don't believe EVERY Christian family must homeschool, but for our family, the choice became so clear. I really need to spend more time with my kids. I had been struggling with the "teaching.....when you sit at home (WHEN?????is that????)....the lying down and getting up." For us, in our busy lifestyle, with 5 kids, God placed this desire in my heart to take a more "serious" role in the teaching. MORE details to follow, I promise!

And, we decided NOT to homeschool Andrew, our oldest (at least this year) as he is entering high school. So, all prayers are appreciated for HIM as well!

For now, we are standing on His Word, following His lead, and expecting HIM to do GREAT things this school year!

Please check out the Cafe for more great inspiration and WFW!

Word Filled Wednesday....

2010-08-04T07:34:00.002-05:00

This is a cross I have hanging on my wall at home. I love it.

It reminds me of things I need to remember.

Like how much God loves me. That He will always be there for me. I don't have to worry....be afraid....be anxious....because He is with me. The God of the universe. The Creator of life and everything that exists.....of me. And, as BIG as He is, He is "small" enough to be intimate with me.

He loves me.

Please join us at the Cafe for more wonderful inspiration!

In the quiet.....

2010-08-04T02:17:00.002-05:00

In the quiet......Lord, here I am...at 2:18 AM......because I haven't found time with You in the quiet for awhile.

So, You call to me.....in the Quiet....

So much on my mind.....so much activity. So many things You have called me to do...

but, if it is all truly from You, then I know You will equip.....

So, here I am Lord.....in the quiet....

waiting.....listening.....

fill me.

I love You, Lord.

J-U-N-K FOOD.......JUNK TIME!

2010-07-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Please join me at Laced with Grace today.....talking about JUNK FOOD!

Who is in YOUR boat.....Word Filled Wednesday

2010-07-20T22:48:00.003-05:00

I am doing VBS this week- leading worship and doing the drama. It has been awesome and AMAZING. We have been on a "ship" on the "High Seas Expedition" learning about God's amazing love through His Word. It's been a BLAST! Yesterday and tonight we had a STORM at sea and kids and I had to jump ship and "swim" to the island of Malta. We were acting out what Paul experienced in Acts 27. The coolest thing God showed me though, is that He USED Paul's storm and being shipwrecked on Malta for His glory....leading the people of Malta to become followers of Christ.

God will use our storms (when we allow Him) and turn them into "Malta-s", opportunities to WITNESS and share God's love with others.

Please head on over to the Cafe for more awesome WFW....and my original devotion follows if you would like to read it! Be blessed!

Devotion from last July:
If you have been reading my blog, you know all of the mishaps I have had in July! One of the hardest hitting has been that my computer crashed, losing EVERYTHING! You can read about it here and the other trials here. I have been experiencing so many storms....

Well, at Bible Study, my friend, Donna shared with me a wonderful teaching the Lord revealed to her and it made a HUGE impact on me. It is when Jesus calms the storm in Luke 8:22-25.

Jesus had told the disciples that they were going over to the other side of the lake. So they all got into the boat and began to cross over. During the sail over, Jesus fell asleep. During this time, a huge storm comes up. "The boat was being swamped, and they were in GREAT DANGER." As Donna pointed out to me, these guys were fishermen- they were used to life on the sea. They had undoubtedly seen many storms. But this one SCARED them!

They woke up Jesus screaming, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

They are hysterical. They thought it was "all over."

Now, I had always "read" this as the disciples were waking up Jesus to have him DO SOMETHING. But, as Donna asked me, and I will pose to you, are they just waking Jesus up because they think they are going to have to jump ship....that this storm is "IT"....this is the end for all of them.... Are they waking Him up, thinking "How can you sleep through THIS? We are all going to die!"

Listen to what happens next. (Verses 24-25)

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" He asked His disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him."

If the disciples had known that Jesus was GOD, would they have been scared? If they knew that I AM was in the boat with them, would they have feared? God Almighty...Creator of the universe...Who set the stars in place....Who created the sea.....Who keeps the winds in storehouses was with them in the boat! If they realized WHO Jesus was, would they have panicked? Peter had not yet confessed that Jesus was the Christ. And, although they knew Jesus was something NEW....a prophet, a teacher, something very special.....did they know that GOD Himself was in the boat with them????

If they did, would they have been afraid?

And, it made me think of myself. If I truly believed that the great I AM, the God of the universe, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Almighty were in MY boat, would I be afraid when the storms of life come up?

When temptations come, when trials come....do I see WHO IS IN MY BOAT WITH ME?

Do I relax in faith? Do I trust? Do I rest in knowing that in my time of need, the Lord Himself is there, in MY BOAT, as my strength, my Savior, my sufficiency?

Lord, help me to see You for Who You are. You are the Creator of the UNIVERSE! You have created all the stars, the seas, the creatures... You made ME. Give me eyes to SEE You for who You are. You are the great I AM! When the storms of life come up, help me to trust completely in You, knowing that You can calm them with just a word. You are in MY BOAT WITH ME. Help me to get a revelation of that. I love You, Lord! Praise You, Jesus! Thank You for Your glorious Word! In Christ, the Calmer of the Storms, the One, True, Living God's Name we pray. Amen!

Reaping and Sowing....

2010-07-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Please join me At the Well today....reflecting on REAPING and SOWING.....

Busy Summer

2010-07-15T23:12:00.018-05:00

I have been pretty quiet on my blog this summer......Probably because LIFE has not been! This has been one of the busiest (self-inflicted!) summers in a while filled with baseball games, camping, water parks, amusement parks, movies, swimming, cook-outs, fireworks,and picnics in the park. Here are just a few pics of various adventures.....

The Iowa Cubs Game.....

Visiting the capital in Des Moines

Civil War Reenactments

Bat Day at the Kernels' baseball game....can you tell it was a rain delay???

Checking the map at Adventureland amusement park....

hanging out

Balloon Glow

Lord, thank You for my adventurous family. Thank You for the blessings that surround me.

This is war.....again!

2010-07-15T01:00:00.001-05:00

Please join me at Laced with Grace as I share about the war I am engaged in (again!) this summer!!!

America's Past-time!

2010-07-07T21:22:00.004-05:00

We went to a baseball game on the 4th of July....and the kids have been "playing" major league baseball in the family room...complete with a dugout in the kitchen. Gotta love baseball!

Lessons from a Garden...

2010-06-30T02:00:00.000-05:00

Please join me at Laced with Grace today where I share lessons I have learned from my garden!

Rolling the dice at Word-Filled Wednesday

2010-06-29T22:42:00.001-05:00

I love Proverbs! There is so much wisdom to be gleamed from this book of the Bible. And, although it is NOT a book of "promises", these are wise sayings that are generally true in life.

My kids and I are going through the book of Proverbs together this summer. You know, taking a chapter corresponding to the day of the month. So, on the 16th, we read chapter 16. I also like reading verses in different translations. Today I used the New Living Translation, which uses "dice" instead of casting lots.

This chapter has a theme of how the Lord is over our lives.....how He is in CONTROL. We are told to commit our plans to God for them to succeed and to watch our motives. And, we are told in verse 9 that we can make plans, but God determines our steps. It reminds me of Romans 8:28 that says "God works ALL things together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose."

It is a comfort to me knowing that God even controls how the "dice" in my life fall. He is working out every life circumstance and weaving them together into a beautiful tapestry that makes "life."

Please head over to the Cafe to see what other inspiration is being "served up"!

Lessons from a cell phone!

2010-06-25T07:33:00.000-05:00

Life’s lessons…..

I believe God is always teaching us in the busyness of “everyday life.” He is teaching us during all the schedules and running and relationships we encounter.

The question is, will we listen?

I love when we read how Jesus taught the people through parables of things of which they were familiar….reaping and sowing to farmers, catching people to fisherman and child-like faith to mothers. Jesus would teach principles in ways people could understand, relating to their everyday lives.

He does this today as well!

The Holy Spirit is always teaching, leading and guiding us if we will be still before Him and listen.

My son recently learned a hard lesson in obedience.

Even though he was told he was not allowed to text on his cell phone, (yes, we have an archaic plan WITHOUT free texting) he went ahead and did anyway- to the tune of $5oo!

Our son hadn’t believed us when we told him he couldn’t text. We told him text messaging was too expensive. He didn’t really think texting was that expensive. He saw his friends doing it and figured that mom and dad didn’t really know what they were talking about.

The same is true for me! Often, I choose to obey/disobey God based on my belief. Do I really trust Him in this area….on this issue….or do I think that I know better than Him? Of course, I would never SAY that out loud, but my actions may prove that I really don’t believe God knows best for me in a situation.

Our son fell into temptation and peer pressure. “All” of his friends text and many of them sent him text messages. He said the first few times he ignored the messages. But, then, he thought he would answer “just this one” and soon, before he knew it, he was full-fledged texting.

Temptation works exactly that way. How many times have I said, “just this once” and before I knew it I had entered into full-fledged bondage? How many times do I think, “All of my friends are doing this….how ‘bad’ could it really be?”

And, it also shows me that teenage “peer pressure” doesn’t have to be just the “big” sins of drugs and alcohol, but peer pressure can more easily tempt kids into “smaller” sins, sins that they don’t think are really that “bad.”

The same is true for me. I may not be tempted into a “big” sin like pornography, but peer pressure may lure me into sin that may be perceived as “not that bad.” Things like complaining or gossiping or “little white lies” or watching programs on TV that I know are offensive to God.

But SIN is SIN….”big” or “small” and what it comes down to is this: God is God and I trust Him, and because I believe Him, I will obey Him.

What we don’t always think about though, is that ALL sin, “big” or “small” has consequences!

And, boy, were there consequences for a $500 phone bill!!!!!!!

Our forgiveness of our son’s behavior was immediate and unconditional. He did not have to DO anything to be forgiven. He did not have to earn it. Grace is unconditional- unmerited favor. What he did does not change my love for him in the least bit! I love him and forgive him. But, in the consequences of what he did, he has had to DO some things!

The same is true for us and God. When we sin, we don’t EARN forgiveness- God gives it freely and unconditionally. His love for us is unchanging. But, there are always consequences for our sin. Even though we forgave our son, he has lost his phone and is doing MANUAL LABOR earning back the $500. The same is true for us, even though God forgives us, there are always consequences for our sin.

I am thankful that our son has learned this valuable life lesson! As parents, we pray that he will always be “caught” when he sins so that we can teach him through it. I pray the same for ME! I don’t want to walk down a wrong path. I want God to show me when I am being disobedient!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Join me at the Cafe!

2010-06-24T01:08:00.001-05:00

Please visit me today at the Cafe....where we learn a lesson from a cell phone!

Word-Filled Wednesday.....FINALLY!

2010-06-23T20:53:00.003-05:00

My mom always said, "Better late than never!" And, thus, I am just posting my WFW at 9 PM!

Have you ever taken the time to ponder all that God has done in your life? Have you thought about how God has been there all along, watching over you, weaving the threads of your life circumstances into a beautiful tapestry? Have you thought about years worth of answered prayer?

The people he has placed in your life to help you....guide you....REFINE you?

Memories from childhood.

From turbulent teenage years.

College.

First job.

Kind words spoken to you that encouraged you.

Pain that He used as sandpaper to refine and polish you.

When we take the time to really SEE how God has been there in our lives....

taking time to REMEMBER Him,

we begin to see His Sovereignty.....

His grace....

His goodness.....

His PATIENCE.

Verse 12 goes on to say, "I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds."

I am adopted and understand the miracle of my mother choosing life in me-centered 60's AND placing me in the family where I am.

Wow....what a MIGHTY DEED!

I remember my first boss as a high school senior. I'll never forget the words he spoke to me on yet another day I was taking advantage of my employer, coming in late and not ready for work.

"Tracy, you will not always be able to get away with things just by flashing your pretty smile."

Those words carry so much weight as I understand life and responsibility better today.

God literally SAVING me as I felt the Holy Spirit warning me to flee different situations in college.... One that stands out in my memory is a frat party where I found myself with just one other girl, dressed and dancing provocatively inside a circle of about 20 drunk frat boys. I know God warned me to flee and I did!

A rainbow that was a sign to Brian and I when we were praying about a job change and move.

Yes, Lord, I will take time to remember Your deeds....Your miracles.....Your works in MY life.

Please check out more WFW!

Too busy to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus?

2010-06-23T11:05:00.003-05:00

This week Gina has us pondering living LIFE with one another as the body of Christ. She challenges us to put aside our housework and schedules to make room for PEOPLE and RELATIONSHIPS.

Gina says:
"It’s is easy to get caught up in our lives and schedules and think we are too busy to open our lives and homes to others. It’s easy to be committed to our own agenda, even our own families, and never open the door of our homes and lives to others. We can get so caught up in our duties–cleaning our house, making perfect meals, having everything in order….following our own schedules…and never allow people to really know us and what God is doing in our lives."

Boy, is she "right on target" here! So often, Satan loves to distract us with so many details that life whirls by and we MISS OUT on so many blessings of just BEING HERE.

Playing board games with the kids.

Smiling at the Target check out girl. In fact, actually LISTENING to her as she talks about her life...... How many times do we take the time to just LISTEN to the people God crosses our paths with?

Calling Mom.

I am such a firm believer in taking time to quietly LISTEN to God in this area. I believe the Holy Spirit is CONSTANTLY laying names of people in our lives on our hearts and minds......people who need to be encouraged in the faith. We never know what a difference one small phone call, email, or visit will make in someone else's life.

Sometimes we get so worried that reaching out will take too much of our precious time.....sometimes we are so saturated with activity that we don't even realize God is calling us to reach out to someone.

I've heard different speakers suggest to ask God daily who you can help that day. This is wonderful, but I believe that we need to be constantly open to the Holy Spirit's prompting moment by moment! And, I believe we need to have an attitude of LOOKING constantly for people to bless. (And "blessing" is often just taking the time to smile and ask, "How are you" while actually listening to the response!). There is a world of hurting people who need our attention!

Gina has us ponder some ideas:

If the Father were to call you Home today, what kind of testimony would you leave behind?

What would people remember about you?

This week we are going to take a bit of an “out of body” experience. Grab that notebook you started last week. Spend some timing thinking about what you would want your friends and family to remember about you after leaving this life and write it down. Next, list out each quality, trait, or idea separately and under each one, make a list of goals and Scriptures that will help you work towards becoming more like the person of Christ that you want to be remembered as.

Grab a few notecards and post these Scriptures and goals in various places so that you will see them and be reminded of them daily. Remember to spend time in prayer asking the Lord to help set and direct these goals and Scriptures.

Share these goals with someone in your life to help you remain accountable.

My first reaction is that I want people to remember me by FIRST saying, "She loved God! She was crazy about Him!"

And, I would also want people to say that I loved people, caring about them and LISTENING to them.

I am excited to ponder this further this week and add scriptures.

I want to also give a perfect example of the "hands and feet" of Jesus and being the Body of Christ. I have decided to homeschool next year (Yes, I appreciate your prayers!!!). I simply asked an acquaintance and neighbor a few questions about her homeschool experience and she so generously shared her time and help with me. Here is part of a message from her:

If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. This is one of those situations in life where not everyone has experience in it, so it can be hard to find the people to help you out. It doesn't need to be that way...I'm always willing to help just like the people who helped me when I started. I feel blessed by God to be able to encourage and lift up others who are being called to educate their kids at home. It's part of being the body of Christ, called to build each other up.

Thank You, Jesus for Your Body! May I be a HEALTHY, strong, vibrant, loving part of it! May I be "the hands and feet" of Jesus to all those around me!

Please go over to the Well and check out Gina's complete post. Also, would love to see you join us each Monday for this awesome study as we grow together as "The Body."

We are the Body

2010-06-14T12:00:00.004-05:00

Please join me each Monday At the Well for a new Bible Study called "We are the Body". This is being led by my friend, Gina. I am excited to be learning and growing together!

Gina writes this week:

Do you daily study your “reflection” to see if you have “something in your teeth?”

What kind of accountability of believers do you have in your life right now?

This week I would encourage you to take some time to pray and evaluate your life. Spend time in prayer and in the Word and asking God to show you what you need to see. Grab a journal or just a plain notebook and write down your thoughts and prayers. Ask a couple of people who know you well, and who you know will be honest, to take some time to make a list of things that you need to work on. Record these things in your notebook. Then, take the list and bathe it in prayer. It may hurt some, but it will ultimately help you and set you down the path towards holiness.

As you go through this I would like to challenge you to pray about what you are called to and who God would have you reach out to serve and encourage.

Here is an excerpt I have written about MY spiritual mentor/accountability partner, my "spiritual mama", Donna:

Donna is "especially special" to me for so many reasons- she will be truthful with me, not just "tickle my ears," she will grieve with me when I am sad, she makes me laugh, she is so wise, and she is a kind, loving, and caring person. She is a grandma, so she has experienced more life than I have, and she is willing to share her successes and failures, especially in parenting.

Donna is my Spiritual Mom, a true Titus 2 woman. My own dear mom loves God and prays about everything, trusts God, and has a simple faith. But, she doesn't know the Word. She doesn't read the Word. Donna, on the other hand, KNOWS the Word and studies the Word daily, and LOVES the Word.

So, when I need advice, I often ask Donna, instead of my mom, because Donna will give me Godly advice, based on the Word and then we always pray about it! She is so wise! But again, it is Godly wisdom. Truly, much of her advice is "foolishness to the world." Forgive that person???? How could I???? Because in His Word He tells us to and that it will bring His blessing. Be joyful in this situation? It will bring peace. Feeling not at peace about something, then, should you be doing it? The "world" would definitely give me different advice than Donna gives me!

Oh, how thankful I am for my dear friend and mentor. A mentor isn't some distinguished professor, but just someone who is a little "further down the road" than you are. Actually, Lisa Bevere says we DON'T want mentors- we want "mamas." A mentor teaches you what they know, not necessarily wanting you to do better than THEM, so they may hold back a little. (Think of the business world. Would a person want their "underling" to excel?) But, a Mama wants her children not only to do AS WELL as her, but BETTER than her. She wants her children to soar to greater heights than she did. This is Donna- she wants even more for me- especially spiritually.

Do you need a "mama"? Look around. There are many in blogland. I am sure there are many at your church. Be bold- ask a woman to "mama" you. Pray and ask God to bring you one.

Be a "mama". There is always someone who hasn't come as far as you yet. Build relationships. Help one another. Be an example.

"Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they should
live.... and teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to
love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at
home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will
malign the word of God."- Titus 2:3-5

Father, thank you for blessing us with friendships. God, you made us as relational beings to crave companionship, friendship, and fellowship with one another. Thank you, Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord Who Provides" for providing us with mothers and "mamas." Thank you, precious God for caring about us so much that you give us friends, and thank you, Jesus, that you call ME friend! Lord, help me to be a "mama" to those you place in my path. Help me to see when you do. Help me to NOT be so busy that I miss it! Also, Lord, help me to be bold when I need a mama to ask someone. Lord, you are so good, so good. In the Savior's precious Name, the Name above all names, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

I hope you will join us on Mondays to discuss how we can be "The BODY" together!

Be the LIGHT!

2010-06-09T23:01:00.008-05:00

I posted this on Monday at Laced with Grace and thought you may also enjoy it...

“Christians make a difference in this world by being different from this world;they don’t make a difference by being the same.”from Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian

I LOVE this quote!

Jesus told us that we are “the light of the world.” He said, “A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

When we were out in the desert in Arizona, we were staying at a remote resort outside of Phoenix. At night we could go out on the balcony and look out into the darkness. It is so DARK in the desert. But, when we turned towards Phoenix, the city was a shining light in the darkness. It was BRIGHT and could be seen for miles and miles and miles. Jesus says WE are to be that light…..

The world is HUNGRY for something different. The world is lost and hungry and suffering and debilitated and ailing……it is darkness. Flip channels to any variety of reality shows and watch for a few minutes and you will see people who are empty…searching….needing…

The world looks to the Church to be DIFFERENT. Yes, the world is quick to condemn us as Christians. But, usually it is because we are hypocritical….saying one thing and doing another…. If they were honest, they would tell us that they WANT us to be DIFFERENT.

When you are in the dark, what is it that you stumble around for? What is it that you are searching for? What is it that you desire more than anything else?

LIGHT

Are we shining? Are we shining the Light of Christ?

Or…are focused on BEING LIKE THE WORLD? Are we allowing the world to seep in…little by little…so that the lines are blurred and we can’t be distinguished from the world?

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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.

Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor….In your anger do not sin. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, vulgar talk or coarse joking, which are of out of place, but rather thanksgiving…..

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (Ephesians 4 and 5)

Lord, may I be a Light shining for You. When the world looks at me, may they see something different….holy, set apart, separate. Lord, be big in me. Lord, I choose to put ON YOU. I love You, Lord.

Join me at The Well!

2010-06-09T00:23:00.000-05:00

Join me At the Well today where I will be talking about......(YIKES!)...DISCIPLINE!