Monday, March 31, 2014
Everybody needs a little time, some times.
Not like, load your back-pack and ride your bike down to the Goondocks run away- but like running away screaming and yelling for something to change?
I have this feeling too often, lately.
I'm tired. I'm sick of this weather. I've been "sick" for months. My kids are stir crazy. I live in the sticks and am surrounded by people that I am not very fond of, and Spring seems to be hibernating still.
I'm over worked, under appreciated and in desperate need of change. But...how? What? Where?
I have 3 little loves that depend on my to be their dancing monkey from sun-up to sun-down. [Or, more specifically, in my 4 year olds case...from 3am- Sun-down.]
I have a husband who busts his ASS- trying to keep this business flourishing, and relevant and one that he can be proud of. He is gone, at work, from sun-up to sun-down.
We don't have a disposable income. I can't leave my babies with crazy awesome nannies that take them to the park and buy them cotton candy, while I go massage my aching muscles and get my toes painted pink. No...my kids HATE to be away from me, and my oldest has made me PROMISE him that I will NEVER leave him again. Seriously? Flipping, super.
The ONLY time I get for ME...is with a cup of tea, my journal and my Bible. The ONLY time. I do not use the bathroom alone, I do not shower alone, I do not get dressed alone, I do not walk the dog alone, I do not cook alone, I do not blow my nose alone, I do not sleep alone...
It's funny...for me to feel complete, I need to be ALONE.
Not all the time, not even half the time...just some time, please?
and then?...I remember.
Psalm 40:1-4a
I waited patiently for the Lord,
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock.
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth
a hymn of praise to my God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust.
I trust in Him.
Though I long to be "alone", I never want to be TRULY alone. My Lord is with me always, and I never want that to change.
{beBlessed} and goodnight.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
What we do down here, only gets us further along up there...
We are 20 days into our Lenten season. The halfway mark to the greatest celebration that we, as Christians, experience together. "He Lives! " and every year on Easter we glorify this fact. I just love it!
During thus lenten season, the Farmer and I are participating in a Bible study centered around Adam Hamilton ' s book 24 Hours that Changed The World. In this book, Pastor Adam, takes us on the journey that Jesus took during His last 24 hours of life. Powerful stuff.
Last night, while working in a small group, we were discussing the topic of judgement. The Sanhedrin judged Jesus, Pilot judged Jesus and the people judged Jesus.
Man, this is such a weighted word. We discussed how the feelings of fear, jealosy, anxiety and others destructive emotions, cause us, as humans, to judge one another. The "people" chose to free Barabas, instead of freeing Jesus out of FEAR. How many times have you passed judgement on someone because you feared what they were capable of...because they were different than you?
I then shared with the group that I, have been working VERY hard not to cast judgement in others, but most difficult, has been my goal of not worrying [or fearing] what others are "judging" about ME. My God, is the only one who has the right to judge me, and, when my time comes...He will.
We then went a a step further and discussed "Judgement Day". We, as Christians, trust in the fact that if we proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and ask for forgivess, that we will go to Heaven. Now...here is the gray area that I have always struggled with: If I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and have asked forgiveness for all of my sins, and subsequently made it to Heaven, would I still have my day of judgement?
The answer is YES.
...this is why we need to let go of judging others and worrying about others judging us while we are still here on Earth. It IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN HEAVEN...and THAT is the only judgement that matters...
My good friend, who also happens to be a pastor, helped me understand her interpretation of our passage to eternal bliss.
"How far you get yourself HERE, helps you out when you get to Heaven. There is still judgement in Heaven, no matter how much repentance you have accomplished. It is still a bit of journey once there."
☆☆☆she is one WISE woman. ♡☆☆☆
So, here is where we are. We are HERE for a short period of time (in relation to all eternity) We can choose to live our lives according to the law, accepting the Lord Jesus as our Savior, training our children according to the Word and LOVING one another a WHOLE lot.
Galatians 5: 22-26 tells us;
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature and its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
The Holy Spirit bears us these Fruits. We need to embrace them, live them, share them and be thankful for them. Instead of judgement, let us pass Joy.
{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
The heart of David and me...
So, I have been working through Beth Moore 's Bible study on David. Prior to this study, my personal knowledge of the Great King was pretty limited. I knew of some of his struggles as he came into leadership. ..I obviously saw into his soul through the Psalms, but I FEEL as if this study is beginning to show me his HEART.
I have such an affinity for this young man, most notoriously known for his slaying of the giant Philistine, Goliath. He is opening up little corners of my heart that I didn't know were there, and is helping me to focus my living, keep my prayers intentional and living my best {blessed} life.
I am so thankful for God leading me to this study. He knows what our soul needs...we just need to listen.
Before I head to bed, I want to share another blog that I have been enioying.
Www.kristinnicoleblog.com I love her entry from today. (March 25) Though her heart has been grappling with incredible loss and sadness, she "gets it". Though we have never met, I feel a connection with her and she is pretty awesome.
Well...hopefully there aren't too many typos. ..This is my 1st post using the blogger app on my S4. :-)
beBlessed and sweet dreams.
Monday, March 24, 2014
This Mom thing is hard work.
FOR REAL!
When I looked out over the bay this morning, and couldn't see the island because of the SNOW, I about lost my ever loving MIND! Not only did it snow today, the temperature barely made it into the teens. I have Spring stuff to get done , gosh darn it!
This weekend, we had our first "naughty kid" moment. Like, legit naughty kid.When you home-school your kids, their friends are typically other home-schooled kids. The kids are not subjected to the inappropriate language and behaviors that traditionally- schooled kids are.
SOOOOO... while we were gone, the boys had some play-time with some other kids. When we got home, we were met with:
1. The Lord's name being taken in vain...multiple times. Like, every other sentence.
2. The "threat" of a "Coolie being Kicked"...but NOT with these words.
3. The directive that he was "A Big kid now" and could watch "REAL" cartoons...like Sponge Bob. [Sponge Bob will NEVER be deemed as a REAL cartoon in my book...at ANY age]
Well...The Dude got some MAJOR schooling from his Mama and Daddy this weekend. Not only did he lose his previously earned movie at the theatre, he lost a play date, and movie night at home. What peeved me the most...even when corrected- he KEPT doing it! I couldn't believe it. The Dude is my kid that, when corrected, never does something again. This time around, it didn't matter what I took away...he kept it all going. Spitefully. uggggghhhhhh. He frustrated me SOOOOOOO much! It was seriously the LONGEST 3 days we have had in a LONG time. [Not to mention that I was REALLY looking forward to seeing the Muppets, just as much as he was.]
Just as I was about to really lose my cool, I took some quiet, God time for myself. After praying for some help...it HIT me. [God is awesome like that] I sat Jackson down, and with our family Bible, we re-read and discussed The 10 Commandments. Though these rules were handed down to Moses THOUSANDS of years ago- they still apply. They will ALWAYS apply. God has given us a pretty awesome life. All He asks is that we follow a few simple rules. The Dude FINALLY got it. He wasn't just disappointing and disobeying his mom and dad, he was disappointing and disobeying God.
So, what have we learned from this experience, you ask?
1. Fruit snacks with crazy dye were seriously created by the devil, himself.
2. A 5 year old really shouldn't hang out with an 11 year old.
... and lastly
3. When ALL else fails, God will show you the way. Even if your 5 year old was "Darning", "Oh Mying" and "!!!" Him for a few days. He forgives. I guess I can too. ;-)
{beBlessed} and Sweet Dreams
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
The Reason...
"...Give the Easter lily a reason to bloom."
I LOVE this last line of a poem written by Rachel Hackenberg. I am working through her Lenten devotional book, Writing to God; 40 days of Praying with my Pen. While reading today's devotion, I found myself reading this line over and over. GIVE the Easter lily a REASON to bloom. That is powerful stuff!
GIVE and REASON. These 2 words stood out to me.
GIVE= GIFT
REASON= WHY
If we look at the 2 synonyms of the words that Rachel used in her poem. We can deduce the following question, WHY do we receive a GIFT?
There are many reasons. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, accomplishments...however, the root of the reason is LOVE. We receive gifts from people who LOVE us.
I give you every seed bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.- Genesis 1:29
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.- Exodus 33:14
And let this gift, which your servant has brought to you my lord, be given to the men who follow you. -
1 Samuel 25:27
But each man has his own gift from God... -
1 Corinthians 7:7
For it is by grace you have been saved, through Faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the Gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.-
John 3:16
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and GAVE himself for me.- Galatians 2:20b
WOW. I do believe that GOD loves us pretty darn much!
I'm going to get an Easter Lily. Every time I look at it, I will be reminded of how much God loves me and that he GAVE this flower a REASON to bloom.
Amen
{beBlessed} and have a GREAT Day!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Knowing when to say NO.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Snow Day vs. Sick Day
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Psalm 46
Everlasting Father
Save me from the Earthly desolation
Train my heart to trust YOU wholeheartedly
I
Love you completely,
Lord, God, Most High
Thursday, March 6, 2014
From Adele Dazeem to a bloody mess...
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*”Let it Go!...by the incomparable Adele Dazeem (snicker)