The phrase of " I Know"

Lately, I have been asked a lot of advice. Do I mind this? No I don't. I've also been asked to listen to many different circumstances. I don't mind this either, I am very good listener. But what has recently interested me is that the advice I am giving is repeated over and over. From person to person. People are asking me the same questions. Telling me the same stories. Needing  my advice on the same things. I am quite serious when I say that in the span of 2 weeks, the Lord laid on my heart Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." and multiple people came asking me advice on the economy or venting about jobs or lack there of, or unrest and unhappiness. I don't think I've given a verse so many times. Whew!. not that this is a bad verse, it happens to be one of my favorites. Not only was the Lord attributing this to others but also in my life. I love when He does that.  

I know it's tough in our world. Our economy in America is trashed, our government has major issues. And trust doesn't exist. Maybe, just maybe that's why God has this verse in His Word.  One of the greatest thing about God is He can be trusted with ANYTHING. Since I have been attending church, we always talk about taking on the circumstances of life. We aren't supposed to by the way, they just stress us out. Life is hard. It wasn't meant to be easy. Easy street does not exist. No matter how much money you have, no matter have many things, or how happy you try to be, it's never going to get easier. Unless you have Jesus Christ.  He says:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 

This doesn't mean life won't be tough, the Bible promises trials and tribulation. Just because I have Jesus doesn't mean I get a perfect life here on earth. I still will struggle and have trial. But I have Jesus. My savior will Never leave me nor forsake me. Hebrews 13:5
 
Listening to people and their hardship is hard. I too have my own hardship. But what seems to be the most common phrase after I give my advice is, " I know." I know God has a plan... I know His way is perfect ... I already know that verse. Etc. Etc. The question is, if you truly KNOW it why aren't you believing it?  


There is a huge, ginormous difference knowing something and believing something. When the Word says Trust in the LORD, we are supposed to obey and trust. Trust is hard. I struggle everyday with it. But the Lord is sovereign. He has a plan. My life has been spinning out of control and yet God already knew the outcome.  I am tired of hearing, I know I know I know. If we have any comfort in this world, it's found in Jesus. Did you know worrying is a sin? Oh man I commit this sin a lot. But the Lord calls me on it. The other day loading my dishwasher I was worrying something in my mind. The Lord told me, " I am here, worrying accomplishes nothing." Philippians 4: 6:7 says


"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 


My new advice  for people and for myself is this, open the Word of God. You know HIS Words. The Bible. Read what He has to say for your life. Read what He wants You to. And Trust it. The last time I checked Jesus Christ was on the throne!!!!!!! It doesn't matter, what the government is cutting today, or who is in office, or how much you hate your job. Find the joy in what you have today, trust God for tomorrow. " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and it's righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." Satan wants you to be afraid. He wants you to look at the worlds unrest and go oh no, what are we going to do. He wants that fear. Do you really want to oblige him? Do you really want to give into your sinful self and shun God for fear? I don't. God is in control... Nothing surprises Him. 

"Jesus Jesus Jesus, how I thank you Lord. For showing me how wrong worry is. For how important you Word is to our lives. God you are holy. You are coming soon Father. Help your peace that reigns in my heart shine for other people to see Your Glory God. Thank you Father, for hearing my inner most thoughts and calling me on them. Thank you God for being ahead of my fears and failures. My worries and anxiety. Help me overcome my need to worry. Help me believe what the Bible says and leave it in your hands. For your hands are perfect Jesus. I love you Lord. Strengthen me to fight to battle of tomorrow, even if the battle is only in my head. "

In your precious name, Amen



 

Cure for Writer's block

Writer's block is no joke. When we turned our internet back on after our little hiatus , I was so very excited to FINALLY get back on my blog and type about everything God was and is doing in my life. I'd sit down, have my cup of tea next to me and go, " OK, I'm ready." ... ... ... Nothing ... ... ... No, nothing is the wrong word. There was too much. SO much to just start typing.  I had no where to start and didn't know how to decipher what I should put down. Being overwhelmed by an awesome God :) 

I decided that whatever God wanted me to truly write would eventually pop up and I would go with it.   So I've been waiting, thinking of things on my own. Nothing sounded worth the effort to type up.  " The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplished nothing." John 6: 63
Until tonight. A subject that I so readily talk about because it's so vital. So pure and unblemished. Because it comes from the mouth of innocence.  " Faith Like A Child." 

This is my motivation. This is my muse. This is what tugs at me. I have a beautiful , defiant, energetic, trying to figure out his place right now four year old. Who pulls at my patience every day. This little boy, excuse me, " BIG" boy, speaks what comes to his mind. Speaks what is on his heart. Some of the greatest conversations I have, are with him. At dinner, discussing people who do not know the Lord, who hate God. How we need to pray for those lost people. Astounding! At least this astounds me. You see this child, has an  awe and love and wonder for the Lord. His faith feeds my spirit.  Before bed tonight, my Logan carried on this conversation with me. " Mom, Jesus is the best! He's our hero." Me- "Yes babe, He is." Logan- " He is the light of everything Mom." 

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

In Matthew 19 verses 13-15 discusses this very phenomena.  I am paraphrasing here but the parent's of the children wanted Jesus to lay hands on them and pray for them. The disciples didn't like that idea and scolded. Only to be reprimanded by our Savior and say , " 

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 14 NKJV

" Of such is the kingdom of heaven."  NLT states it like this , 

"  But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

Heaven belongs to those who are like children. Matthew 18: 2-3 states that " Unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."  

Obviously, this subject holds some massive wisdom and weight in the Bible. As adults, we unfortunately lose that Awe. That simple, I believe without another thought attitude. Doubt enters in. I think it's time we look at our children,  so adoring of our Savior and learn to be child like. 

Father, How I have doubted, forgive my doubts. Forgive my adultness. Father transform my heart to that of a child. So in love and reverent of you Lord. Of your glory and majesty. I love you Lord. Thank you for transforming me so far, and continuing to hold me up as you work mightly in me! 


Amen

 

I'm Back!!!!

Whew! After a few months completely off of the internet at home, I am happy to say I am back! And ready for the Holy Spirit to take hold and guide my blog once again. :)

Precious little moments

On a hot day, I truly hate turning on my stove for anything. So cooking dinner is a little daunting because I know it will add ten degrees to my house. Unfortunately being too hot truly annoys me. So on Monday night I was cooking dinner, my hubby and boys were building a train in the living room. All of a sudden my tired 20 month old love bug is pulling on my leg for me to hold him. I tell him "no baby mama's busy right now." Then James calls Noah back to the excitement in the living room. But instead of complying and making my life a little easier, he stands his ground and continues to pester me until I have to place him back into the living room. Frustrated with the heat, and my child I, let him throw his temper tantrum and go about cooking dinner. What is wrong with this picture? 
 My son was doing nothing wrong, he just wanted his mommy. Why is it we so readily get annoyed with our children when all they want to do is love on us? God has put this incident on my heart all week. 

I remember being a young mom ,holding my first born little boy ,listening to the advice of everyone around me. Most people, even strangers told me to cherish the time I had with  him, because it goes by in the blink of an eye. I laughed at them, literally, thinking no way. Oh boy I was so wrong. I have a four year old and a 20 month old. Where did four years go with my bouncing baby? Where did the past 20 months go with my youngest? I haven't cherished enough, I haven't had enough time with them and yet they grow up so fast. My nephew is now officially a kindergartner... Where is the time going?  Some days I look at my little Noah so proud because he is learning phrases and talking but my heart is aching because soon his cute little words will evolve into speech. My little man is growing up. Or I look at Logan and his endless imagination, remembering the past four year and how much he has grown and changed. My heart hurts for the loss of time we get with our kids.  This life is so so so short. Sometimes, most times, it is so easy to forget the importance of one day at a time.Tomorrow will be different. We as people take so much for granted. The air we breathe, the life we live, the heart that beats, the little moments of annoyance for our children who just want to snuggle. 
The phrase it could all be gone tomorrow is so true. They could be gone tomorrow.
One day, very soon, the wanting of mommy or the random I need you moments, will be gone.  Our kids are a blessing from God. They are not ours to keep. The belong to Him, our Savior. He graciously gives us these little lives, to nurture in the the Truth. We only get them for a short span of time, and in that short span they grow and change in a blink of an eye. So look at the moments of chaos with joy instead of annoyance. Look at the  entire box of cheerios thrown everywhere as a moment to laugh with your kids. Or burn dinner just to love on that child who so desperately wants a hug. Dinner or things can wait. Our kids can't.  In 5 years I will be looking back and wanting the moment back in the kitchen when I could have just snuggled my baby. Actually I wish I had it back now. But we will look back on our lives in times to come, and long for the imperfect moments. 


Take everyday as a new day. Every little incident or challenge with our kids as a growth opportunity in love. Our kids just want our love and attention. In retrospect, that not asking for much. 


Father God,
  Forgive me, for not cherishing the moments you give me with my family. Thank you for them and all they bring me. The joys, the tears, the sorrow and truimph. Thank you for blessing me with an amazing husband and daddy and two amazing boys. Thank you for letting me have them on this earth for this short time. Help me , guide me daily through the struggles and challenges of that day. And teach me to be grateful for the the precious little moments. Thank you for cherishing me and them. I love you Jesus! Above all else I love you and cherish you!

Thank you Lord,
Amen

Faith like a child

-Faith like a child-
( One of my most memorable moments)

Let me paint the picture. It's the beginning of summer, surrounded by the hum of family voices, the smell of meat cooking on the barbecue, wood smoke billowing from the fire-pit, laughter in the wind from my children. The sun is shining, and peace is resting upon me. Until I hear a scream and crying. The beautiful picture is shattered and I jump to see my 4 year old rushing to me , my heart is violently jumping in my chest with the mommy panic that seems to squeeze so hard it hurts. I glance over in the direction of where he was coming from, the fire-pit. My stomach sinks, and then anger sets in when the 5 adults sitting over yell across the field at me, he just burned his hand. I rush to my son who is sobbing holding his burned hand and my mind is racing.."Oh Lord what do I do. " I expect to hear my son cry for me to make it better. To make it stop hurting, but once he is safely in my arms all is hear him wail is ... " I need my God!!! " . I stood there astounded. My son, who is hurt doesn't need his mommy to make it better. He needs his God.

He cried over and over "I need my God." I quickly picked up my son, brought him into the house, placed his hand in a cool bowl of vinegar and looked at him and said " Okay baby, let's pray." We prayed for healing, for comfort, for ease of the child's heart. " My family then rushes in to tell me he had touched a cast iron skillet sitting on the edge of the fire. I prayed the anger I felt towards these adults would vanish. I looked down at my sons hand and saw the line of burnt flesh, and the blisters. I then told him, " Logan let's go walk and pray." We walked alone into the adjoining pasture. The sun was beautifully shining from behind the clouds. We sat in the tall green grass, he climbed in my lap and we prayed. I am not sure how long we sat there. But my sons patience was endless while he waited for his healing. No doubt. No questioning. Just waiting. I held Logan's burnt hand in mine and just prayed for healing so miraculous it would astound those unbelievers by the fire. But I also prayed the Lord would answer my sons prayer, fearing if He didn't it would shatter my son. My doubt and fear had crept in. After a time, I just sat there in the field holding my baby, my head comfortably resting on his hair. I could feel us being touched by God. Logan then looked up from his hand and said " Look!!! I am healed!!! God healed me Mama!! " Again I was astounded. The Lord had heard the cry of his child. But not only that, my sons faith was so strong the miraculous happened. God leaned down, not only touching my son, but touching my heart. I was the one doubting and fearing and in that moment my doubt and fear disappeared.

My son and I rejoiced saying how great our God is.. We immediately ran back to the party. Logan proudly declared that God had healed him. His faith for God poured out of him. His hand held no mark or blister. He was healed.

God tells us to have faith like a child Matthew Chapter 18:3-4. My sons faith in the Lord is my living astonishment. When my faith wanes, Logan's restores. This is one of my most memorable moments because it taught me in an instant, that God listens. He loves us. He heals. He comforts. He brings joy. He touches. He holds. He takes away fear and doubt. Our God is so great!

Woes and Trials = Peace

I can honestly say, I hate money. I hate it's greed, and frustration. It's claws that sink so far into us we lose perspective. I hate our dependence on it and truly wish we still lived in the 1800's when bartering was the way of life. ( My favorite era btw) 

But we don't. We live in a fast pace, money hungry society. Where everything costs something. But that's okay. Money is just a way of life. Today I felt like from every angle,  A money issue was thrown at me trying to cloud the beauty of the day that God created. What's amazing is,  I felt immediately the stress and worry and the how am I going to's, start to rise up. I forced the fear down.  You see I serve an amazing God. So powerful, and Almighty. You know nothing surprises God... Not the bills or late rent payment, or the medical issues or anything. Nothing surprises God. Because He knows us. He knew us before we were in existenece. Powerful right? 

Psalm 139 explains that God knit us together in our Mother's womb. He pieced all of us so beautifully together. Nothing we do or will do or have done can surprise our Creator. For he saw it before we were here. The beauty of these financial woes is this:  I sought God over fear... I felt Truimph over the enemy. I look at what faces me, 2 new bills that have to be added into a extremely tight budget. Normally I would be terrified.

I was pondering these bills wondering and  I heard God say " WHO am I?" " God" I answered. "Will I not take care of those how belong to me?" He asked . You see God loves me. He loves you. He won't let me fall.  Life happens. It's just the way it is. We can not let our circumstance or fear of unknowns cling to us.  Wasn't it God who rained down manna from heaven for the Israelites when they wandered in the wilderness for 40 year? He was faithful and new every morning. Why wouldn't He be for me? 

God is always there. He knows our problems. Our trials and pain. But the greatest thing we can do is give these issues to Him. Let Him have the control. Let Him deal with it. He is the great provider.


"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Circumstance can not be a ruler of our life. GOD is our ruler, his WORD holds us. Life is diffucult. It wasn't meant to be easy. The phrase " Easy Street" Does not exist. He warns us the road to salvation is narrow and difficult. But because we have Jesus the burden is light. So whatever is burdening you, I ask and pray you hand to Jesus. HE is our GOD! The One and ONLY Savior. He is magnificent. And wonderous. And all loving. He wants us to seek Him not only when things are hard and dark and scary. But also when things are going great. 

Father. My God. My love. My Savior.
Thank you for showing me you are Almighty. For pressing to me. Holding me and comforting me. You're peace is my santuary. I love you Jesus. And I know without a doubt you will provide and help me along this narrow wonderfully trial filled journey to your Gates. To Your throne. I long for you Jesus. I long for Your coming. Thank you for hearing my worry and answering it so beautifully. You will take care of me because you love me. 


Amen

One of those mornings

Have you ever just woken up grouchy? For no reason? I did. This morning. It was awful. The worst part about it was I knew I was being mean. I felt the annoyance building, the meanness growing. Finally I snapped so badly at my son that he burst into tear. I look across the hall to see my husband just staring at me... I snapped " What!" at him and he just walked away. Whoa! In my head I knew I was wrong but I couldn't pinpoint my grouchiness. It was just there. Building. Petty little things were annoying me. I then heard James quietly telling Logan to pick up his toys. So sweetly comforting Logan and trying to get the mess I was snapping about up. " Look" The Lord said. I felt shame and guilt wash over me.  What was wrong with me? This is not me... I am not the mean mommy who makes her kids cry. So I slunk into the living room sat down and watched my husband and 4 year old clean up quietly. As my son walked by me eying me to see if I was going to yell again, I reached out and wrapped him in my arms. He nuzzled there. I was already forgiven. I asked him anyway to forgive me and of course he said yes. I apologized to my husband after that and he just told me, " We all have our moments babe, everyone gets grouchy." " Not me." I said. 

The only thing I could do after that horrid moment of meanness was pray. " Lord, this is not me. Forgive me Father for yelling and just being nasty to my family.  Help me find grace and fill me with your joy even if it's only because you made today. Help me today Lord. I need joy and happiness to fill me. Not anger and grouchiness." Amen. 


 Immediately the built up wall of bad mood  melted. How great is the Lord!!! It was seriously something I could feel falling away. It left me filled with this joy and happiness. I still felt guilty as I kissed my hubby goodbye as he left for work.  His memory leaving the house this morning is filled with a bad mood wife. Not good. I am hoping that doesn't effect his work day. Though I know it will.  We need to be careful with how we are. How we act. Because we effect people around us. Logan's attitude may be worse today because I started his day off with yelling.  This is where God's beautiful grace comes in. He told me to look at my family and see what I was doing.  THEN- He forgives me and grants my prayer in abundance. He filled me with unexplainable joy. Joy only the Lord can give.


" Lord Jesus, you are so wonderful. So faithful and beautiful. You were there in my moment of mean weakness. You were there to show me what I was doing. You were still there with outstretched arms comforting me when I prayed. You were still there when you immediately answered my prayer. You are still here as I listen to 3 kids running around my house screaming at the top of their lungs and all I feel is happiness. Thank you Father for your love, grace, happiness and joy. For filling me so abundantly with it. You are so amazing Lord Jesus! I love you so very much. Amen"