Christmas was a great time. We have not been able to have too much family time since we are working, and just busy with everything. This Christmas was so nice just because we were able to get some much needed family time in! The kids enjoyed the gifts and had a nice Christmas, but it was so nice for me because we were just a family and enjoyed the time together. My husband and I barely get to see each other through the week sometimes. With both of us working opposite shifts, We only get a bit of time during the week. I had off a few days and so did my hunny. It was great seeing him for some quality time. We were even able to relax and watch a movie. It truly is the little things in life that really make it worthwhile. It isnt fancy gifts or huge presents, I didn't need anything this year other than time! Time with my family, and time with my love. It was  a perfect Christmas.
But now that Christmas is over, we have some sickly kids. SO please keep us in prayer. 6 Little ones isn't too fun. They are cranky and miserable. They don't know what to do with themselves at times. Plus its hard since they ALL want to be held and loved and comforted, and there is 6 of them, and one of me. So praying this sickness leaves the house fast!

IN the midst of a tragic event.....

With news of the horrific tragedy that occurred today in CT, I really felt I needed to share my thoughts. I cannot share about why this happened... All I know is that we all make our own choices and then we have to live with the consequences of our choices. This young man made a choice, and he paid a huge price, but along with that, many others felt the wake of his choice. God is still there in the midst of this tragic event, and He is mourning the loss of His children today as well, that I believe.... Our God loves us and mourns and weeps when we are hurting and loose those we love way to early. He mourns and has a holy anger when someone chooses to hurt and take a life of His beloved! Today we mourn and cry with those who have lost sons, daughters, grand-kids  teachers, mother/father, and friends.... It was an event that hits close to home. Many have kids, and couldn't even put into words what these people must be feeling! I know that I am greatly saddened and my heart breaks for them in CT. There is something that warms my heart though and I really want to point it out and I really pray that those who have lost a loved one today sees this as well! We are with you! We are praying for you! and even though we don't fully know what you are going through, we stand with you through this very very tough time! I see so many posts of people who don't even know the victims or the families and they are PRAYING! They are thinking of them, and they are saddened and mourn with you today! There are so many posts and tweets filled with love and support and I pray that those who lost someone sees them, and really feels the love, the support and the prayers!!!!

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 46:1  "God is our refuge and  strength, a very present help in times of trouble."

Pray for those who are facing such a hard time right now, and as we are getting closer to Christmas! Be there for them in prayer, and if you are close enough maybe reach out in person! Reach out, be the church, pray for your neighbor who is hurting this day! 

Everything we do, everything we say, who we are... should reflect HIM!!!
This has been my thoughts lately and my prayer! In this life, we see many good things happen in our lives, and we all have those struggles and trials that we go through! It isn't always easy. But something I learned is that no matter what happens in our lives, it will never change God and who He is! He will always be our loving savior! He will always be our gracious king! God doesn't change! He is always faithful! He is always there! And though we go through some hard things, we need to keep in faith and keep trusting the one who knows better than we do, who sees farther than today, and who will always want good for us no matter how much we mess up! I have learned that no matter what happens in this life, there is more to this life than what we see! God is there, and when we stay faithful to Him and trust Him through all the hard times, we will see victory and breakthrough come, even when it looked so far off! Keep on trusting, keep remembering that there is more to this life than what we see with our eyes. Everything we do, everything we say, who we are through the good and the bad, should always reflect God and His love, and His faithfulness, and His forgiveness,....etc!  Stay close to HIM!!!

never ever ever give up!

My advice to you today is this: Never allow your self to give up, not in any area of your life.... When you allow your self to give up or quit in an area of your life, it gives satan a foothold to try and pry his way in and convince you that giving up is ok! you will find a new thing, you will find a new job, you will find a new ... whatever! I want to tell you that it is when we PUSH THROUGH the hard times and when we don't allow ourselves to give up when it gets hard that the victory is even more amazing than what you could have even dreamed!
I have to say in sadness, that I was there. I was at the point of giving up in a few different areas, and it is such a defeated feeling. It is a feeling that I never want to feel again. It is not a feeling of trust or faith in God, but a feeling of fear! A feeling of wanting to run and just ignore what is really going on and actually trying to push through whatever hard time that has come. It is a fear driven response that satan tries to bring us down! But there is hope! There is a savior who wants to help you through the hard. There is a loving God who wants you to know that you will get through and that it will be a victory that you will remember forever! Giving up is not an option, and I have learned that I never want to give up because it can be a snowball effect! Follow hard after God! Trust Him and His will for your life! and Trust that God wont let you down, and wont drop you when it seems like you are in midair! He's got you!

I don't like bad dreams!!

I hate dreams that you have that wake you up startled or nervous or any other bad feeling or emotion that you may experience. You want to wake up and feel refreshed not worried or concerned already! It seems to want to set off your entire day! That is how I woke this morning. And I have not been feeling the greatest during the days either. But I know that the dreams I have or the feelings I have do not define me. God defines who I am and what he has for me in this life! I wish we could live without any cares but we are fallen creatures. We live in a fallen world, there are trials that come. There are concerns of this life but we have a god we can trust and who loves us! We have a hope!!! Thank the lord for that hope. There were days I had no idea how to get through but there was always a hope back in my head that got me through the hard times! The bad dreams or the cares of this works and those bad feelings we get are things we need to hand over to God and let him take control of our minds and our thoughts. Lord be the center of my life my thoughts my dreams and all that we do!!!

So lately, I have been feeling very inadequacy. I have been feeling like I can't. There is so much more piled up on our plates right now. At times, its hard to think that I actually can. I feel stupid, dumb, and all those negative feelings start to flood in about how I have nothing to offer.... It has been a struggle these past few days to actually think that I can. So I try and just keep those verses like "think on what is lovely, pure, true...." and The stories how God used anyone and it isnt what they could do, but just in them being obedient and willing. That is where my thoughts must be right now. I trust God for not making a mistake when He made me. I trust that God has a plan through all this stuff.... I pray that I will show to be willing to be used, even though I feel so inadequate. I pray that God will give me everything I need as I am feeling like this. I pray for some encouraging people in my life to help bring me up. And when my body feels like it cannot go on, I pray for added, supernatural strength to get me through!!!

busy busy busy

Life has been busy.... that is my reason. I have missed getting on here and blogging daily. I would love to but... Life has been busy. I started homeschooling our three school aged kids last week. They seem to be enjoying it, but only one week done, and many more to go. So we shall see what the year brings. You can pray with me about good attitudes, and fun for all! I have also been working in the evenings, and lately had a good amount of hours. I actually gave some away. I have been craving some family time, which has been few and far between. Work has been busy for both of us. I do enjoy my job, and it is fun, but I miss being with my family at night, and cuddling up with my husband just to watch a quick show, or going to bed with him at the same time. So it has its ups and downs..... Praying for things right now! God knows and sees. I just pray for something to happen soon! ministry has been busy and good! God is moving and doing great things. So life is busy!

2 Chronicles 7:14

¹⁴ and if my people who are called by my name become humble and pray, and look for me, and turn away from their evil ways, then I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This is a great verse and one that I think is very timely! I think that we as  Christians need to get on our knees. We need to get humble, and put away all pride. I think we as a nation is very prideful and selfish. I really feel that we need to take a step back and really realize that we are all human and it is only by God’s grace and love that we are here. We are all sinners and no one is greater than the other. We need to thank God for His love and grace and start praying for HIM to change things and to lead us into the direction that we should go, and then listen and move! God does have a plan for us all, and it is time for us to follow fully after HIM and what HE has for our lives.

We need to look for God. The Bible says that when we search for Him we will find Him!! We need to always be searching for more of God in our lives and how we can be more like Him. We need to turn from our ways of the past. We need to turn away from anything that separates us from God. We need to turn away from the sins that so easily get us caught! When we do this, God Himself will hear us from heaven! He will forgive all our sins, and it says above that He will heal our land. We need to walk the straight and narrow!  We need to take the path that is less traveled on!

One thing that I see about this country is that there are a lot of “Christians”. If you ask most people they will say “yes I am christian”. Or they identify their religion as “christian”. But are we really TRUE followers of Christ. That is what that term means, we are a follower of Christ. We want and try to be like Christ. Do we try and be like Christ everyday, or do we just do our “christian duty” and go to church for show on Sundays. Being a true follower of Christ means being more than just a “Sunday Christian”. It means to devote your life to Him. To try daily to make the choices that will reflect Christ and not ourselves. We need to really examine our relationship with the God we love and really see where we need some changes made in our lives. I have been trying to do this. I have been trying to pray more and especially when I tell someone I will pray, that I actually do. I have been examining my life, and asking God to really point out where I need some things fixed, and He has been. It takes time and work to fix stuff in our lives, but it is easier when we actually know what needs fixing. I want God to heal my land. I think this verse goes as a nation, and we can take this to this country and in that light, but I also think that it also speaks of our personal lives too. We as a nation need to turn back to God, but it takes each and every one of us to do that. We all need to personally repent, we all need to personally turn back to God’s way of living and not the world’s, and after that He says He will heal our land. I see my land as my home, my emotions, my heart, my family, etc. I take this verse on a nation level, but also on a personal level because we all need to personally do this in our lives! I encourage you to really search your heart, your motives and really work on your relationship with the God who loves you, the God who gave you grace when you did not deserve it. He loves us so much to have His only son die a brutal death, how much do you love Him in return?

It has been pretty busy here for us. I have been working for a couple weeks now. Done training so now I am working and it is going well. I am relearning all the wonderful starbucks stuff and am enjoying it. I love my coffee. Then ministry is going really great. God is doing some great things. We are learning from an amazing pastor and meeting some wonderful people from all over the world! life is great.

influence

Influence! We all have some kind of influence in life. We all have some kind of influence on those around us and closest to us. My question is this... is that influence that you have a positive or negative influence! We all hope and pray that we are a positive influence, but sometimes, it just isn't the case. I encourage you today to think about your influence, on your family, on your friends, on your spouse, on your kids, on your church, etc. Think if you are making a positive influence in their lives. How can you tell? they are happy, thriving, they are acting the same etc. By the fruit we will know! How you act and what you say can influence people. Be an encouraging positive influence on those around you. The kingdom of God is counting on you!

⁵ Trust the LORD completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. ⁶ With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.

Thinking about all that is going on in the world, how these people or that group or whoever, is so intollerent.... Everyone can say that about everyone who does not hold to the beliefs that you hold to.... It is that "Catch phrase" that everyone is using right now. Everyone is mad at everyone about something.... It is frustrating! Everyone is getting in on the action. I have to say, that there is so much going on you don't know what to think about the whole thing. With everything that has been going on, it makes me ask the question "where does our identity come from?" Where is our worth found?
Identity! What a word. What does this word make you think of? As a follower of Christ what does this word make you think of? This word meas many things to many people. People find their identity in their job and what they DO. Some find their identity in the friends they have. Some find their identity in their beliefs or what they think and how they live day to day. Some find their identity in what their race is. Some find their identity in what their sexual orientation might be. The thing is... WE cannot find our identity in and of our selves. Our identity and who we are comes from God. Only God sees deep down, past the "I want to do this" or "I want to be this" and through the I want to do or be this.... He sees deeper, He and He alone sees the real you! The you who He wants to shine through that mask that we put on daily! We try to be someone else, and someone who God did not make us to be. He wants YOU to come through. The YOU that HE created! He created YOU for a certain purpose and to find that purpose we need to find our identity IN HIM!!! Many people say I AM _____. And get so firm in that statement that they dont even try to search God to find themselves. That is the only way that the true YOU will come out. Search God and KNOW HIM and you will start shining through. I have been there and done that. I probably still do that, but I am learning! I am trying to forget about the who i want to be in life, and focus on who God wants me to be! I know that God has the plan all laid out and His plan is SOOO much better than I could even imagine. I want to be who God has made me to be, not what I think I should do or be....

Lamentations 3:25

^"25 The Lord is good to those who put their hope in him. 
      He is good to those who look to him." 


I wanted to share this verse today. I read it this morning and thought it was a great verse, and then something happened, and I knew that this was a verse I need to remember and hide in my heart as a reminder! It is so easy to get distracted. You get distracted by work, life, kids, school, people, the wrongs done by people to you, etc. There is so much that wants to peal your eyes off of God. Always remember this verse. Never take your eyes off of God and what He wants you to do, or His plans that He wants to do through you. Always put your hope in Him! Always look to Him when you dont know what to do, or where to go. He wants to do great things through your willingness. It makes God happy when we are obedient to Him. God is soo good to those who put their hope in Him and not the world or things around them. He is sooo good to those who look to Him and not to others or the things of this world. Always put God first, and always look to Him first! 

who or what is #1?

What do you value in your life?
I want to write this post because I think that at times our priorities can get out of whack. I think that we need to stop every now and then and really look at our lives and see where our priorities lie, and where they should be and then adjust. I have to say that my priorities have not always been where they need to be. I have put many things above things that should be first. I have to say that some of the things that I have put first in my life are not bad or wrong... but nothing should take top priority over God in our lives. At times I have pushed God and my relationship with Him down. There was a time where he was probably last, and that was my lowest point in life. I had pushed Him so far out of the picture that I was drowning and going deeper into a pit and saw no way out... that is how far I had pushed my relationship with Him down and last. I did realize what I did and put God back on top in my life, but when God was not first, I felt alone, and lost, and in despair. Things happened that keep pushing me down, and then I was stuck all on my own to try and climb back up out of this pit of despair. But when God was number one again, I leaned on Him and reached my hand to Him, and asked Him for help, and He pulled me out. I have not been in that place and I never want to get back to that place. I know that God is in control and that He can make things work out for good, but there was a time that I had forgotten that this life is not my own, and He does love us and care for us to help us through all the hard times. When I fixed my priorities and put God first, I had a peace, again. I was happy again, and I knew that whatever happened to me is fine as long as I serve Him and am obedient to Him, I am fine and everything will turn out fine in the end. Putting God back to the top of my life was the best thing I did again. I always believed, but at times satan likes to take the circumstances of life to cloud what this life really is about. It isn't about you, it isn't about me, it isn't about that relationship that seems to be falling apart, it isn't about that bad test that you failed and don't know what college will take you, it isn't about the kids driving you crazy and you don't know what to do, its all about HIM and what HE wants you to do, and about Him forgiving and loving and showing grace. Its about telling people about Him and His love and showing it through our everyday lives! Life may seem crazy and out of whack at times, but God's got your back, it will turn out fine, just keep HIM number one in your life and you will get through even stronger, and even better on the other side! Keep on keeping on!! and keep him FIRST! Everything else falls into place when God is #1!

Sometimes we just need to trust. Trust God that He knows what He is doing. Trust that His ways are greater and higher than ours. Trust that His ways are better. Trust that He loves us. Trust that He will take care of us. Trust that if we follow after Him and His ways that He will make everything beautiful in His time. Trust that as we do His will He will never steer us wrong. Sometimes in life it is hard to lay ourselves and our thoughts aside to focus on God and His will for us. Sometimes it is hard to turn all trust over to Him when we just want to grab a hold of it and take the reins and try OUR hardest to do it OUR way. We are humans and we are far from perfect, and perfection is definitely something that we will never obtain..... Only God is perfect, and only He can line up everything and turn things around and make it good. Even when bad things happen only God can make good come out of it. I remember many times when we have tried to do things on our own and tried and tried, and failed.... And I remember when we turned it over to God and stopped worrying and let God turn it into something good, and it all worked out better than I could have ever planned.... We serve a good God, one who is alive, and loves us. A God who wants to see good things happen and not bad. A God who wants to turn your bad situations into a good outcome! Sometimes we just need to stop worrying and just trust in the God who loves us and knows what is best for His children!

just a thought,,,

The Bible says "bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2.
I am sure there are other verses that say to help one another, but This one specifically says this. I like how the message puts it. ^1-3 "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived."
I find this a very important verse, but so many times we as brothers and sisters in Christ suffer alone. We feel we cannot tell someone what we are going through. We feel there is no one who will pray without making it a public prayer request. There needs to be a change in this. So many church meetings have become social gatherings and don't help with the true needs of people, and some are disguised as prayer meeting but are actually gossip sessions. When people are going through things there should be people around them to lift them up and encourage them and be able to keep things to themselves and pray rather than gossiping about it behind someone's back. True love and true brotherly Christianity is being there to help bear one another's burdens, so that we can fulfill God's law. I like the way the message puts it because it says "saving the critical comments for yourself." There are too many times that we are too critical on the way someone else is living or doing things, we need to know that what God has and is doing in them is different from what God is doing in us. Also we need to realize that we might be at different stages in our relationship with Christ and sometimes we need an ear to listen and to help guide rather than to judge and condemn. We need to be "slow to speak and quick to listen". There are too many who are suffering alone afraid to say anything to anyone of what they might be going through, because they just don't think that their brother or sister in Christ will keep it confidential! please! I ask you all to take this verse to heart and to start being a trusting Christian friend who will help and be able to keep a confidence between you and your Christian brother or sister. 
Now, yes, there are times or instances that you do need to say something because its against the law but most of the times, it is a struggle they are going through or a trial that just needs some prayer, but please lovingly help your brother or sister in Christ. Please, be a trustworthy friend, we need to be there to help one another through the rough patches of life. We need to help them through to the other side of a storm, maybe. Be a confidential and trusting person who they know will be there, will listen, who will offer wise words of hope and peace and who will PRAY!!! Someone they know will be there and wont gossip their business to everyone! We need this for ourselves and we need to be this for others. We are here to encourage and uplift, not to gossip, spread rumors and hurt. Just my thought after seeing this verse posted on facebook! 

I cannot seem to wake today. I am extra tired and don't know why!? But anyways... It will be a good day today! I am excited and looking forward to some good fellowship with some great people! I have been trying to start a book that looked interesting, I am finally a couple pages in and I am sure it will not disappoint! God is doing some great things and I am excited to be starting this next chapter. God has been showing me so much and teaching me a lot. I want my life to always point to Him. No matter what I do, I want it to be a testimony of His love! I don't want to compromise, I want my life to be an example of Him. A life that in the end I will hear my Savior say "well done Good and faithful servant!" When I wake I want my first thoughts to be of Him, and when I go to bed at night, I want to be praising Him for all He has done in that day!
Some times it can be hard to stay focused on what this life is really about, but if you stay in the word, God will show you and teach you the things you need to know, and He will guide you the way you should go!

Keep hold of the faith!

"Faith is letting go of everything in us and trusting everything in Jesus". This quote has been something that we have had to do for a while now in one area. Sometimes in life, you know what you should and need to do and do it! We need to work, and we know that, so that we can live and pay our bills. So that is what we have been doing. With my husband starting a business and doing ministry, our faith that God will provide and we will get through has been something that we have needed to do! Stretching our faith and letting God work it out isn't always easy, but when things start coming through because you kept going and you stayed in faith, is the biggest reward. I praise the Lord for all He is doing right now!! He is working and making things happen. We will make it! God has an amazing future for us and I know and stand in faith that we are seeing a turnaround in areas! We will have faith that God will bring the jobs that are needed. Ministry is going great and being faithful to the end is what is important. Staying in faith and staying obedient! Giving up is not an option and we will trust our God in all things! Praise the Lord!

disturbing truths

I have to say that I read a really good and disturbing article today. It was good because I didn't know this was happening in this area. I knew that the attendance of church has been at a low, but in this one particular denomination the churches are running to get out. Why is that?? I have to say that at times, maybe I have not had that huge faith that at times, I have messed up, but my core beliefs have never been shook! I know and believe what I know and believe. I  may not have everyone agree with me on certain issues, but I don't waver on the core doctrines and I hope and pray that people respect me and what I believe and that I am not willing to give up my beliefs just because they are not "in". I follow after God and believe the Bible to be true. That has always been where I stood! Now, I am not just talking about those "taboo" issues that are so hot to be discussed and argued in today's society, I am also talking about those issues that are the MAIN building blocks of the Christian faith!
As Christians we need to know what we believe and never let go of that. God will continue to bless us for our faithfulness even though the world around us is changing and allowing more. God's word is truth! We need to stand on it and have faith that our God is who He says He is and know that God will never leave us nor forsake us! We need to always remember what HE came to this earth to accomplish so long ago! He came to give us life! He came to show us His unending love! We need to know what we believe and stand on the truth. There are denominations that are melting before our eyes. WHY?? They have forgotten their first love. They have forgotten the truth which they were built upon. They are allowing things to go on and different things to be taught and believed than what the Bible says and teaches.
 I know as a minister (my husband and I are both ordained ministers) this is hard to watch happen. There are some who want to stand in the truth when there is so much going on around which does not point to the truth.
There has been something that has been on my heart and that is the idea of holiness. The word says to "be ye holy as I am holy". Those are pretty big shoes to fill! We in and of ourselves cannot be holy. We are holy because of what God did for us on the cross, but we also have to try and change the way we live and not keep doing the same things that kept us bondage and in sin. We need to also make the neccissary changes to follow hard after God and do the best that we can to be "blameless in His sight". How can we ever do this if we are changing our doctrines left and right to fit our needs and the needs of this world. The world doesn't need another flip floppy church. The world needs the truth! As a minister you are held with very HIGH and GREAT responsibility! We are responsible to preaching the truth and we will be judged by how many we caused to fall away and for what we teach and if it was TRUTH!!! The word says "but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea". Matthew 18:6. 


WOW those are tough words! but it is truth! We need to be careful what we teach and preach and part of that comes from people watching and how we live out our lives as well! We need to practice what we preach! We need to keep ourselves in the word which is the truth! The word is life to all who read it! We need to also practice what we preach and not just say it and then live a different way. We need to uphold to standards of holiness and not just pick and choose the verses we want to live by!!! 
You know.... we sing those nice songs about "holiness, holiness, is what I long for, holiness is what I need" but do we really know what we are singing?? 

going to be helping the hubby today with work. Its a hot one and I am glad to help, but I am going to sweat a lot I am sure, hopefully burn off some weight in the process! it will be good to be able to help him and work next to him today. He is a tough one to work for so wish me luck haha jk ;)

9 years and counting!!!

I have been MIA! I am sorry for the lack of contact/ writings. Life has a way of getting busy all at once. With it being summer vacation as well, it is a bit busier than normal around here with the kids. Although it should be getting a bit less busy since baseball is almost over! It was a good experience for the boys, but they are ready for it to be done. They really want to do karate. We shall see.....
So I really wanted to take time today and write because it is my husband and my anniversary today. It was 9 years ago about right now that we became husband and wife. (by the time this blog is done it will be 9 years ago that we were taking pics as husband and wife ;) I can  remember certain things about the day, but other things you really just don't remember since it is a blur of activities. Since that day life has been filled with its ups and downs. We have had good times, and hard times, and it seems like at times the good is blurred by the not so good. Our 9 years has been filled with so much. We moved a lot since we are in ministry (just about every 2 years we were packing and moving again). And it seemed like every time we moved we added another kid (we are set with the ones we have so no additional moves will add any more kids). I remember the different jobs we have had, I remember the different things that have come up. I have to say that even though there has been a lot of things that happened I have not once stopped and ever regret loving and marrying my husband. Each new circumstance teaches us things that we need to learn. If it wasn't for all that we went through we would know very little about life. If it wasn't for all that we went through, we would not be able to help as many. Each time we thought we wouldn't make it, we did! God's grace and mercy pulled us through and we made it each time. God has been good to us these past 9 years, and even though we feel there is much to cloud the good, God uses all that happens to make something beautiful and usable! We are the work of art in the creator's hands! He molds us and shapes us and makes us beautiful in His time! Things are looking up, and I am at a peace and have a peace about what God is doing. I may not see everything that He is doing, but I trust and know that God is breaking through to make amazing things happen. We will see in time what all this has been for. We will see in time what He is doing and why it has been important for us to hold on and never let go!! God is moving and He is using us! I am so excited for the next 80 years with the  love of my life!!! He is such a talented man! He is an amazing preacher, and there is so much that God wants to do with and through him and his life!!! I am the blessed woman who gets to see it all happen! I love him so much and just want to make him happy. Through it all God has been good and will continue to do good things. He is breaking through in our lives and I know great things are coming!!! Our kids are growing and learning and it is excited to see. Remember "our verse" from dating! Well, I am pretty sure that it happened ;)

nothing uplifting tonight. night

Today's verse

Sometimes verses come when we need them. Today was one of those days. I have been a bit anxious and worrying about certain things, and Today's verse that came online was:
"Do not be anxious about anything but through prayer and supplication make your requests to God!" I needed that. So I prayed... still a bit anxious but God will supply and we will get through! God knows what we need! I will trust Him and try not to worry as much!

Love.....

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8




When you think about life, and how to live a good Christian life, the main thing that this life boils down to is LOVE! Love of an amazing heavenly father and that love shining through us on a daily basis. The Bible says to "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your father in heaven". What is supposed to shine through us? God's love to the world! 
The verse above might sound harsh but if we don't love we are breaking a very important command of God's to "love God" and then "love your neighbors as yourself"!  The Bible also says that if we do  not love we are no more than just noise.... (1 Corinthians 13). God is love! The verse says it so clearly. If we claim to know God than we need to love! Do we show that we love God and that we are His by loving others? Do we show our kids that we love them daily? Do we show our spouses that we love them daily? do we show our friends that we love them? Do we show those we meet on the streets daily that we love? We are supposed to LOVE! and show God's love through our everyday words, actions, deeds, how we speak, what we do, through our LIVES! Do we LOVE??? 
If we claim to be sons and daughters of God, and God is love... Are we showing that we are sons and daughters of LOVE?? Or are we acting more like sons and daughters of hate, anger, malice? We need to start acting like we are HIS children. We need to start daily showing love to those around us. We need to start being thankful for the things that God has given us, and those He has placed in our lives. Start loving those God placed in our lives instead of finding fault, but truly finding the best in people and love them for the things that they are to God! We can fault find all day with the people that are in our lives... But it takes true commitment to God and to love to actually love people and SHOW it!  LOVE! That is what I leave with you today! Love the people that God loves! Love the people God has placed in your lives. Love the people that you meet from day to day! Show God's love today!!!

Proverbs 13:12

"12 Hope that is delayed makes you sad, but a wish that comes true fills you with joy."

Hope.... it is something that we need in life. I think that  hope and faith have a lot in common. I think that they mesh well together. I think that Faith is taking hope to the next level: the level of believe that the hope will come true! Sometimes we hope and wish that things will come to us. We hope to make it in life. We hope that we can give our kids a good future. We hope that we can make it through the day at times. We hope we are good enough.... We hope and hope, and sometimes it seems like those hopes are floating away. Like they are never with in grasp! That can make us sad or disappointed....It can leave our hearts sick and hurting.... We feel like a failure and like we are letting people down. In the opposite way, when a hope or wish comes true, and we succeed at a hope of ours, it fills us with such a joy. It fills us with such an even greater hope! It lifts our spirits and we feel we can do the next thing that we hope for!
At times I feel like I have been in the first half of this verse. At times it is just one hope after another dashed on the rocks... It makes you sad and it make you feel like you wont ever get to that next level. You are heart sick and you are disappointed with yourself or your circumstances. You feel like life will never turn around and at times you can SINK! I know that God wants dreams and hopes in our lives to come to us! Maybe I don't feel I deserve  it... Maybe I am to busy looking at other circumstances to see some other things happening in my life? Who knows, but I know that God wants to fulfill our dreams. Maybe we need to start searching our hopes and see if they line up with God's word? are they hopes that are created by the world, and what others around you have or are doing? or are your hopes from God? I know that I want my hopes and dreams to line up with God and what He wants from me and my life! I know that God's way is always the best way. Its time  to give up control and let God lead 100%!! I want true joy to fill my life and that will come when dreams and wishes and hopes come true that are from God!

want to blog, but I'm not going to.... goodnight.

trying to get myself into shape. I am trying to do more working out at home and found a really good zumba workout on youtube and its a christian one too. Great songs and the moves are not "riskay" at all. lol. I can work out and my kids can be in the room, which they normally are! so I really want to get myself in good shape, but find it hard to do with the kids, and all the house stuff that needs to be done, etc. but I am going to try and squeeze it in, in the mornings after I get my girls down for a nap. So I am trying and really putting an effort into it. Hope it works....

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". Hebrews 13:8


I start off this blog with a very well known verse. I do this because God never changes! It is great to rest in the fact that HE NEVER CHANGES! We can and do change, but God never does. We want to be always changing... why? because we always want to strive to be more like Christ! We have not yet attained this, Paul says, but we always move forward and we always strive to be more like HIM! This is my cry. That I would never settle. That I would always be striving to be more like Christ, that I would always be trying to get closer to Him! I don't want a stagnant relationship with God. I want one that is always growing and always getting closer!
God will always stay the same, His promises will always stay the same! His love will always stay the same! But I never want to settle and stay the same! I want to be as close as I can to my Savior!

Great post here at this site: http://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/2012/06/that-one-perfect-person/
Here is a sample. Something to think about!

"What if it is, but not for the reason you think? What if marriage is not so much about finding the right person as much as it is about becoming the right person? When we’re looking for the right person, then the onus for the relationship working is entirely on them. We’re passive, just waiting to be made happy. But if we realize that relationships are dynamic, that people change with time, and that compromise is necessary, then we also realize that relationships are about us learning to love and sacrifice far more than they are about the other person completing us. It’s our attitude that matters."

 

Never stop believing! Rest in HIM! God's goodness is coming your way! He wants good things for His children! He wants to show His goodness to you! he wants you to know that you are loved in a mighty way! He has GOOD plans for you! Take heart! Don't give up! Don't get down! Keep believing and stay in faith! God's goodness is coming!!!

watch your mouth!

The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.

~Proverbs 18:21


This is truth! Words have power! Words can damage and kill or they can encourage and give life! You can kill or harm yourself or others with your words! We are here to encourage and give life to ourselves and those around us. I say ourselves because we can speak harmful words to ourselves and with our thoughts! What kind of words are you speaking to  yourself and others? Are you speaking words of death or life? Are you talking down to someone or yourself?
Start speaking life filled words! I know it is an area that I have to work on and remind myself about. I have a tenancy to speak life words to others and death words to myself. I like to encourage others, but sometimes I need some encouragement and do not give that to myself. Start saying good things about yourself (and others) look at the positives that are in yourself and others. When you always look at the negative you will always speak the negative. Start searching for good things that are in each one of us. The more we focus on those things the more life filled words we start to speak!
"I matter, I am loved, I can make it, I'm hanging in there, I will not give up, I am blessed, I am a winner, I am more than a conqueror, I have favor with God and man, God's going to get the glory out of this, I am strong, I am healed, I am whole, I can do this!"
Philippians 4:8 says "whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, think on these things". Think on the good things in life, think on the good things in others, think on the good things in you! There are things that we can complain about, we can pick out, we can come down on, but there are more good things in people that we need to see and point out. Be an encouragement to yourself and those around you! Get in the habit of speaking and thinking words of life. Build people up, don't tear them down!

Yesterday was a good day. Things may come and changes may come, but they are changes that are from God. They are good things that are happening. And I am excited! 

When you think about life and what it is all about, it isn't about cars, it isn't about houses, it isn't about having every new gadget out there, it isn't about material items! It is about love. What do I mean?? Well life revolves around one love! God! God is Love! And our lives and this world, and everything revolves around HIS love for us! Then the next thing it is about is us showing God's love to others! That is what this is all about! When we think about church and what it is supposed to be, it isn't a competition of who has more, or who has a bigger attendance, its about showing love to others and reaching out to them with God's love so they will do the same. It is about making disciples so they can go out and make disciples. It is about reaching people where they are at with God's love! And however God is leading to do that, and do kingdom work, we need to follow Him and His leading! He knows the perfect plan for our lives! He knows that perfect plan for your ministry. Follow His leading and He will be faithful! It might be different, it might not be what YOU planned! but obedience is always key when it comes to God! His ways and plans and thoughts are higher than ours! 

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (NIV)

Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.” (~ KJV )

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (NIV)

Isaiah 48:17 “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” (KJV)

Philippians 2:13 “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (NIV)

Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (KJV)

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (KJV)

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (KJV)

Psalm 16:7 “I will praise the Lord who counsels me, even at night my heart instructs me.” (NIV)

Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. "

Psalm 48:14 “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” (KJV)

Proverbs 1:33 “But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster.” (CEV)

Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.” (NIV)

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (NIV)

John 16:13 “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (NIV)

2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (KJV)

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (KJV)

2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (KJV)

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” (KJV)

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (KJV)

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (KJV)

God is always there to lead and direct us! We need to be willing to listen and obey! I am looking forward to some things coming up. God is good, and He is moving and His plans are great! I am ready to run with HIM toward the calling that He has for me and for my family! I am ready to reach out in love to those around me, I am ready to help disciple people so they can go out and do the same! 'God move in us and in our area, all for YOUR glory and all to advancing the kingdom of God!' The world need God more than ever now! Show them God's love which is inside you!!! 

Psalm 139:7-12, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up 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. 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; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." 




We all have issues we face daily. I know because I go through them. There are always things taht come up and want to drag us down. It is hard to not let things or thoughts get the best of us! I have been trying to not let thoughts get the best of me and at times it seems like I am failing and falling into a pit! At times it all just seems worthless, and pointless. I want things a certain way and they are not, and I feel like a failure and these things keep piling up and not dealing with them can affect a  person. It takes a toll on them..... Even the strongest person can feel week at times!
At times you just feel alone, like no one is there for you. Why would anyone  even want to listen or try to help. So you keep things in and try to move on past it all. 
There are times when you are just down and need some lifting. My main source of "lifting" or encouragement is from the Bible. The verse above is very encouraging! We cannot flee from God! He is always there! Where ever we go He is right there beside us the entire way! He is right there holding us up when we need it! We may feel like we are in the darkest pit, but God is right there with us! When darkness is all around us, God is there to shine a light into our lives! 
As Christians we are called to be "light". You might be saying "how can I be a light? what do you mean?" Well we are called to bring Jesus to the world. We are called to bring "light" or Christ (the light of the world) in to the dark places where there is no light! When we allow Christ's love to shine through  us we are creating light in dark places! Even when we are trying to hide in the dark, God will bring someone with light into our lives to help encourage us and help bring us through as well! Let others be an encouragement to you! God sent them to you to help you get out of the darkness and back into the light. To help encourage you! Maybe God is calling YOU to be the light and shine into someone else's life! Be that light that God is calling you to be. 
Never forget that God is there for you where ever you go! He is always there! Through it all He is there. Through the pain, He is there. He never leaves you! Be encouraged!

be honest.

I hate having an anxious, nervous feeling. At times I am not sure why it happens or sometimes what is really going on, but it is there. I hate that feeling. It feels like something is going to go wrong, and you don't know what it really is and you don't really know how you'll stop it. At times we just need to give it to God and that is hard when you don't know what it really is that you have to give to him. Sometimes I am sure that this feeling is out of fear. Sometimes I am sure it might just be something unknown that you have to do just don't know what the outcome will be. Sometimes you just don't know what it is and still have to give it to God. At times I find it hard to give things to God. Not because I don't want to, but because at times I think we are confused about how to give something to God and not worry or think about it anymore. I find myself very down at these times because I want to just give it to God, but don't really know how to stop myself from worrying anymore, or thinking anymore about it.
I find myself to be strange at times. I am sure most can say that about ourselves. I really just like others around me to be happy, but find myself wanting it for me and not knowing how to be. What will make me happy? At times I just don't know. I want my relationship with Christ to be right on, but sometimes I find myself to worry or fear too much that at times I don't even know how to get out of it. But I rest on the fact that God is good, that God's grace goes deep, and that His love is even greater than what my mind can comprehend! Resting on these facts makes my faith get stronger! So at times when you feel just down and out. Or just like you cant.... rely on the fact that GOD CAN. That God loves you. That God's grace is sufficient! That He is a good God! And His love is greater than we can even imagine, and that He will never leave us or forsake us! When all have left us He wont! Sometimes you just have to be honest with yourself and honest with God and let Him restore! When we are honest with how we feel with ourselves I feel it is easier to get through and rely on God. If we always think that WE are strong enough to get ourselves through we will never rely on HIM who wants to help us through! It is a way we learn about ourselves and how we can learn to get closer to Him!

Great post!

Found some great stuff on this other blog at http://refineus.org/2012/05/the-marriage-mirror/

This was really good! Take a look at it, here is a bit from the end!

"As my counseling supervisor used to say, “marriage isn’t broken. People are broken. If you help people get healthy, their marriage gets healthy.”

The marriage mirror helped me get healthy. It humbled me. It taught me that I certainly didn’t have it all together, so I couldn’t expect perfection from my husband. It taught me my own capacity for good and for evil, and for the necessity of boundaries around our lives.

Almost fifteen years of looking into that marriage mirror has showed me that love isn’t about a fantasy, it’s about hard work and sacrifice. It’s about vulnerability, courage, perseverance, and faith.

Marriage will lead you into the truth of yourself. It will open you up in a whole new way to your own need for grace and for a Savior, and for the strength to love beyond your own capacity. And the richness of that love and the life it brings is what makes the hard become the good."

 It is so true! Love it about hard work on both sides! It is a partnership! It requires sacrifice and we often will learn much about ourselves through it all. Love it not a fairy tale, it is real life! Real life is hard! Marriage takes real work! But that hard work can make a marriage great!

secret to life! Focus on HIM!

I was thinking about things, and a song that said "in the end". I started to think about that statement. What will really matter in the end? In the end... It wont matter the wrongs that others have done against you. In the end.... the things that you have accumulated will fade.... in the end.... everything will fade, but the only thing that will always be is GOD! and what we did for the kingdom! That is what matters in this life. It gets hard when we forget that and let our eyes be taken off that. I think everyone has that issue. It is hard to keep our eyes on the end when the waves and storms are being thrown at us! I have to constantly remind myself what this life is truly about. It isn't about ME, it isn't about US! It is about HIM! I tend to overlook that fact and focus on me and my issues. I need to keep my focus on HIM and He will bring me through it all!
We need to act like Christ, we need to love like Christ, we need to forgive like Christ, we need to serve like Christ!!!
IF we take our eyes OFF us and ONTO Him! We will stay focused and strong. That is the secret to living this life! Keeping focused on HIM!!!

true rest!?

I get tired. I have many little ones running around with so much energy all day, it seems like they suck it from me! Just kidding. But we all experience being tired, not just in body but in spirit, soul, emotions.... Life can be tiring! I was doing devo's and I found a great verse which just makes me rest even more in my God. God gives us words of encouragement and words of peace at times when we need it. God is so good to know what I need and give it at the right time! Sometimes we worry too much, sometimes we fret, and cry about things that might be only our emotions talking. Sometimes we need to just sit back and rest in God. Sometimes we need to just give HIM our cares and burdens! Sometimes we need to let Him be God and stop trying to do it ourselves! This is a great verse and I really just wanted to share it because it immediatly brought a peace and stillness to me and my soul when I read it! The word of God is powerful!  I pray it brings you a sencse of peace today!

 ^28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."


                                                ~Matthew 11:28-30




Live free and light with HIM today! 

Satan wants to keep you bound, but Jesus wants you FREE!

Sometimes life can be hard. Sometimes you think you are past but something comes up, grabs you and pulls you back down.... Life is unpredictable! We don't know what will happen tomorrow. A lot of times in life, we base things off of how we feel, when we need to look at the bigger picture, and base our life off of God and His word and His laws for life. Sometimes we fall, sometimes we mess up, but we always need to get back up, seek God and move forward. We do have a very real enemy roaming around "like a lion seeing who he can devour". How does he know who he can devour? How does he bring people down? I think it is by our weaknesses. We all have very real weaknesses. We know some of them, others we see through time and experience. It is how we handle these weaknesses that really determines whether or not we will be devoured by the enemy. If we are easily swayed, or easily thrown off track, satan knows he can throw things at us, and there could be certain demise. If we are strong and are strongly planted on "the rock" aka CHRIST we wont be thrown off! Satan wants to see us bound and hurting and broken. God wants to see us thriving, full of faith, victorious and FREE! We can see this in our lives if we continually give things over to God. When we notice something coming up or feel something not right or that this could be a temptation or a "weak area" in our lives, giving it over to God and digging into the word can get us through! It is when we don't read, don't rely on God and dont go to Him and try to do it on our own that we can be easily influenced by the things around us! We need to stick closer to God than ever before. Times wont get easier. As we draw closer to the end we need to be so aware in life. We need to keep God in the center and always be focused on HIM and what we can do for the kingdom.
Always stay focused on HIM. It doesn't mean you wont feel the struggles of life, but it means you will be able to get through more victorious than if we took our eyes off HIM! Satan wants you bound, defeated, crushed and not useful to the kingdom of God. I think he got me at one point. I felt bound and defeated, like nothing mattered and I didn't want to go on! But My savior stepped in and lifted me out of the pit I was in! He didn't just save my soul but He saved my life on a few occasions! I am so thankful to Him for that. At times do I start feeling down again.... yes, but I grab my Bible and run to my God. He is the only one who can save me! He is the only one who can rescue me! Why fear what man can do, when we have God for us, who can be against us!
At times I need some rescuing. At times I feel blah... at times I know that I am being attacked, and the enemy knows right where to get me. But I need to remember that there is more to this world than what I see. There is a spiritual realm and it is constantly in a fight; a fight for souls. Only God can save us and free us! will you let the enemies tricks devour you? Or will you choose to run to the only one who can rescue you and set you free??

Getting past the need to be "perfect"!

You see it everyday. You see it in magazines, you see it on tv, you see it everywhere! There is a desire for "perfection" in society. You need to be the "perfect" size, you need to be the "perfect" wife, you need to be the "perfect" mom, you need to do certain things to obtain this "perfect" image. We see it in ministry as well,  we need to be the "perfect" ministry wife etc. Well, I hate to break the news to you, but.... NO ONE will ever be "perfect". There was only 1 who was perfect who lived on this earth, but He was the son of God. Other than that, we live in a fallen world, and no one will be perfect! Why do we become so obsessed with perfection? I think it is because that is the "social norm". we see it and we need to be it. It is presented to us a certain way in magazines that we need to do this or be that, when in real life God is happy that you are uniquely YOU! There will only be one YOU! God made you the way you are for a reason. Only you can do what God has placed you here on earth to do!
I do believe that we need to make the best choices for our lives, and that includes being healthy, but not everyone is going to be a size 1 and be healthy! You need to be the best you that you can be, but striving for something that inst you or what God hasn't called you to be or do is something that we need to be aware of. Be the best you, but don't strive to be what your not called to be!
Also, don't beat yourself up when you do make a mistake or mess up. We are human and all we can do is ask forgiveness and move forward! God's grace will help us do that. He will forgive and forget, then we need to as well! The "perfect mom" with the "perfect home" with the "perfect ministry".... .well, it would be nice, but life happens, and we need to do and be the best that God has called you to be and do! Don't let what society says define you, let your maker and creator define who you are!!!

I have not been able to get on and write. Life is busy and changes happen. So we go with the flow and we just trust in our maker because He is the one who knows the plans, He is the one who sees the final outcome before it happens! There is no better way to live but by faith! A few things have happened lately in our life and I am very calm about the new things that are happening. I am not worrying, I am not fearful of them, I am just trusting in God, because I know He will bless us and see us through! We need not to worry because the creator of the universe is by our side. The one who made me is carving out a path for us! So I will just stay trusting God because His thoughts and ways are much higher and greater than mine! Be blessed today! Take a step of faith and follow what God has placed in you! God gave you dreams and visions, talents and goals for a reason! He wants them used for the kingdom!

I have to say, it was a busy day and I am exhausted. It doesn't make for good moods, not for mom or kids.... No nap time, is never good. I was happy that my son was able to go to his kindergarten round up and meet some of the kids that will be in his class next year! He had a great time and I know he will do just fine. He is so excited to go!
While it has been a good day overall, it has been tiring. And I am cranky. Soo mood wise.... just be glad your on that side of the computer haha JK. So I really wont have much more here than this, but take time to step back and enjoy the surrounding! Concert tonight for my older kids, YES more running. I pray they sleep well tonight!

great quote!

My feelings are not God. God is God. My feelings do not define truth. God’s word defines truth. My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives. And sometimes - many times - my feelings are out of sync with the truth. When that happens - and it happens every day in some measure - I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: Purify my perceptions of your truth and transform my feelings so that they are in sync with the truth.

John Piper

I have to say, I read this quote and just knew I had to share it! I think this was a quote that was posted on a friends site just for me! I want to be Christ-like. I want my life to focus on HIM and what His plans for my life are, but a lot of times, my emotions and feelings get in the way. I get distracted by how I feel and a lot of times, how I feel are not a reality! Like the quote says, "feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives." We need to line up our emotions with God, and that HE would purify our perceptions and make true shine through. We need to let God transform what we feel so they are lined up with the TRUTH! What is the TRUTH? God's word is what defines truth! We need to line up our emotions and our thoughts and feelings to God's word!!! 

What's love got to do with it?

According to 1 Corinthians 13, Love has a lot to do with many things! Please read this chapter with me:

 ¹ If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. ²If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. ^3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. 

   Love never gives up. 
   Love cares more for others than for self. 
   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. 
   Love doesn't strut, 
   Doesn't have a swelled head, 
   Doesn't force itself on others, 
   Isn't always "me first," 
   Doesn't fly off the handle, 
   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, 
   Doesn't revel when others grovel, 
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 
   Puts up with anything, 
   Trusts God always, 
   Always looks for the best, 
   Never looks back, 
   But keeps going to the end.

 ^8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

 ¹¹When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

 ¹²We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

 ¹³But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

According to this passage: we are nothing with out love! "So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."  Everything we do should be out of love! LOVE should be our motivation! How do we love? Is our love conditional or unconditional? We are to love as Christ loves. If we think of how Christ loves, it is amazing! We ask ourselves "HOW?" As a human it is hard to wrap our heads around how we are supposed to love as Christ loved! Yes, at time we mess up, and are "unloving" but it is how we handle it after that matters. Do we ask forgiveness or just keep on going being unloving? Why are we suppose to love like this? We are to be Christ's hands and feet here on earth. Christ's motivation while here on earth was His love for us. We are supposed to love everyone. Those who are for Christ and against. The lovable and unloveable. Those who love us and hate us. Those who have done right to us, and wronged us! Our friends and enemies. We are supposed to show love to all those we come into contact with. Look at your closest relationships. Think about who you love and think about this portion that I will put next. then ask yourself these questions: Do I love like these verses say? Do I really care for others over myself, or do I have a love that wants to see me loved before I give it away to others?? WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR LOVE? Read this next portion! 

Love never gives up. 
   Love cares more for others than for self. 
   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. 
   Love doesn't strut, 
   Doesn't have a swelled head, 
   Doesn't force itself on others, 
   Isn't always "me first," 
   Doesn't fly off the handle, 
   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, 
   Doesn't revel when others grovel, 
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 
   Puts up with anything, 
   Trusts God always, 
   Always looks for the best, 
   Never looks back, 
   But keeps going to the end.

 ^8-10Love never dies. 

Can you say that in your closest relationship, you never gave up and kept loving through the hard times? Can you say you didn't covet another person's relationship because it "looked" better? Can you say you don't show off when you love just so others see what YOU do? Is your love a selfless or selfish love? Do you force yourself on others just to gain love or do you do it just because you want to show your love and expect nothing in return? Do you have a love that is all about "me" or a me first attitude toward love? Do you "fly off the handle" easily with those you love or do you show grace in circumstances? Do you keep score of rights and wrongs done to you and love according to that? Do you have a love full of grace or full of blame? Does your love look for the best in people or the worst in people? Does your love trust, hope, and never give up? Does your love DIE??? I have to say that I answered pretty good, BUT there has been times.... where my love was conditional... there have been times, that I didn't trust, there have been times, when I didn't trust God with my relationships.... There have been times where I lacked love. Love is one thing that we NEED to do! Like it says above "we are nothing with out love!"
The last part of this chapter says, that we only know in part! We don't know everything, we cant see what the future holds, and we don't see the big picture, only God does, but when Christ comes again, we will see HIM face to face. We will see why we needed to love through tough things. We will see why we needed to love the unlovable! Love runs deep and when the other person we are showing love to feels it, it runs down deep inside them. When someone truly feels God's love coming from inside us and being our motivation in ALL areas of our life, it makes a huge impact. When we love just to love and show God's love, people notice, and feel that! When we love with conditions, people feel that! Try and make your love unconditional! Try and love how God loves us ALL! We are all sinners BUT God still loves us. We have done so much against God, but HE still loves us! We have sinned so much, but HE still loves and FORGIVES!!! Try and take this chapter to heart and love like God loves! "No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."  

Sometimes we need to know this.

    The LORD says, “My thoughts are not like your thoughts.
    Your ways are not like my ways.
    9       Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
    10       Rain and snow fall from the sky
    and don’t return without watering the ground.
    They cause the plants to sprout and grow,
    making seeds for the farmer
    and bread for the people.
    11       The same thing is true of the words I speak.
    They will not return to me empty.
    They make the things happen that I want to happen,
    and they succeed in doing what I send them to do.

                                                           ~Isaiah 55:8-11~


I think that at times we put our own thoughts and our wants and how "we think it should happen" before how God is doing things. We see life going "differently" in our heads. We see circumstances happen differently in our own head. Our thoughts need to become God's thoughts. Our ways need to become God's ways. Verse 8 from above says "My thoughts are not like your thoughts, your ways are not like my ways." How true is this. We think God should do things our way and we try and push through life making our thoughts and our ways come through. Sometimes we need to sit back and let God "take the wheel" of our life and let Him and His plan shine through. God's ways are so much better than ours. Verse 9 goes on to say that "just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts". God knows what is going to happen, He has wisdom thoughts and ways. He sees the big picture when we jsut see what is in front of us. Why not let His words and thoughts through in our lives if He knows all, and sees all? He wants good things for our lives, but sometimes it is hard to trust and let God have His way when we want to be in control of "our own lives". In reality we are just living the life that God gave us! I love the promise and imagery in verses 10 and 11. I have always loved the story of the sower. This basically says the same thing. That the rain will fall from the sky and water the ground and the seeds that the farmer planted will grow into plants to feed the farmer and the people! Then comes verse 11. "The same thing is true of the words I speak. They will not return to me empty. they will make the things happen that I want to happen and they succeed in doing what I send them to do". I love that! The farmer plants his seeds knowing and expecting a crop. The farmer plants intentionally! There is a reason he plants his seed: to have a harvest! It is just the same with God's words. God speaks and He knows that what He says will succeed in His purpose! They will not return to God void! There will be a harvest every time God speaks! The things that God speaks will happen just like He intended! They are words of purpose and intention! Let God speak words of purpose and intention into YOUR life! He wants to and we need to be willing to listen. There are many times in the Bible that it says "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" hear today what the Lord is trying to say. He wants us to listen and hear what He is saying and what He is trying to speak into our lives! They are words of purpose and words intentionally spoke directly to us! His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Don't hold God back from what He wants to do in your life. You may be thinking smaller than what God is thinking! 

On the way to a better me!

I think that if we stand still too long, we will start going backwards! We can only be stagnant so long, before that starts to roll backwards on us. At times I know I have been on a downward slope in some area of my life. I feel, I have stood still too long in life. I have to say that at times, I really have let things hinder my "going forward!" Whether it was fear, or just a lack of knowing any better, I have stood still. Yes, fear has always been an issue in my life, and I want that to change! I want to live this life with an excitement. I want to live this life like today is the last. I want to try different things. I want to not fear going forward with things. I want to not fear doing things that I have wanted to do. I want to set goals for the rest of my life and follow through with them. I have to say that I have not been a goal setter before. I have never seen the need at times I guess. It wasn't till I married my husband that I saw that goals were an important things to have. I guess, we all have different upbringings, and we all have a different view or perspective because of that upbringing. I am not saying that my family didn't have goals, but I just didn't see them maybe. Some strive to get through life, while others strive to (and make goals) to live the best life possible! I have always tried to get through life, never seeing that there could be anything more than just what I see. I am starting see that there could be more. That God wants the best for us, and wants us to make the best of this one life we are given. I think it is a lie of the enemy that we just have to float through life. I think that the enemy doesn't want us to make the best of this ONE life we are given! I am starting to see my mindset change little by little. I think it is a good thing. I think it is something I needed to change! There is only one life on this earth. As I get older I am seeing the importance of LIVING life not just getting through life! God wants us to live and TRULY live life!
I think it is time to start living a victorious life! We talk about it at church and it is victorious because of Jesus but it can also be victorious because we choose to live to the fullest. To follow God in EVERY instance. To trust Him that He is bringing the best to us. To trust that He knows better than us, but also to give it our all when He says move! To run and not look behind when He says GO! To actually follow through with the desires and talents that God has placed in us!
So first thing I want to do, is set a goal, and prove to myself that I can complete it. My first goal: to be the healthy and fit mommy that I need to be for my kids! I want to have a long full life with my husband and kids. I need to be health conscience to do that! It needs to be more than a weight thing. I need to have to want to be healthy not just thinner. Which is what I want. I want to be healthy so that I can enjoy my kids and family longer. So I can accomplish all my goals that I have in life. So I can have the desires that are in me for life, come to existence! One thing I have always desired was to travel, and someday I WILL! (good thing my husband loves it too :) So, as the title of this blog says: on the way to a better me! I want to live life to the fullest and always following what God has for me and my family! God might not have put these amazingly awesome talents in me, but I can use what God has placed in me: love, love of people, a desire to make people happy, a desire to see people happy, a desire to help people, etc. God has set things in each of us: desires, goals, dreams, hopes, etc. Find those things, work at them, and run with them! There is a reason God put them in you! God wants to use those desires, those goals, those dreams, those talents all for His glory and advancing His kingdom through you! I want to live life to the fullest, and not hold anything back. I want to love hard, I want to work hard, i want to follow after God hard, and I want to enjoy this ONE life I have! I want to enjoy my kids. I want to enjoy my husband. I want to enjoy the friends God has given to me! I want to appreciate everything and everyone that comes into my life! We never know how long we have on this earth, why not make the best of it! To God be the glory! Enjoy this life God gave you! you have a purpose and a future and through God's eyes it looks great and beautiful!!! Believe it! Because God said it!

 I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the LORD. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.     ~Jeremiah 29:11