Who is in YOUR boat?

Paul experienced quite a STORM in Acts 27. This storm was so violent, it shipwrecked Paul and the entire crew, landing them on the island of Malta. The coolest thing God showed me though, is that He USED Paul's storm and being shipwrecked on Malta for His glory....leading the people of Malta to become followers of Christ.

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



Jesus also experienced storms....and His disciples.  In fact, they often experienced the storms WITH Jesus.

From Luke 8
Jesus had told the disciples that they were going over to the other side of the lake. They all climbed into the boat and began to cross to the lake. During the sail over, Jesus fell asleep. During this time, a huge storm comes up. "The boat was being swamped, and they were in GREAT DANGER." OK, these guys were fishermen- they were used to life on the sea. They had undoubtedly seen many storms. But this one SCARED them!

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

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

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

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

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

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

If they did, would they have been afraid?

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

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

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


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

Who Is Jesus? I AM Part 6

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

I am the VINE.

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

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

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

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

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

When we don’t, we will wither.

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

When I don’t, I wither.

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

Not one week.

Not two weeks.

Not three weeks.

SIX weeks they remained gorgeous.

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

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

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

He is my source.

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

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


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

Rolling the Dice

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

Chapter 16 has a theme of how the Lord is over our lives.....how He is in CONTROL. We are told to commit our plans to God in order for them to succeed. We are to watch our motives. And, we are told in verse 9 that we can make plans, but God determines our steps, reminding me of Romans 8:28: "God works ALL things together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose."

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

Dying

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

We must die to live.

Die to our flesh.

Die to our own selfish desires.

Die to sin.

And......LIVE.

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

Aren't those amazing promises?

When we DIE, we LIVE.

When we serve, we are honored by GOD!

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

will keep it for eternal life.

Are you on fire?

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

Paul continues,

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

How I want to encourage you, as well!

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

God will give you strength.

God will empower you.

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

Stay in the faith.

Stay strong (in Him!).

Seek Him.

Fan into flame the Holy Spirit...the GIFT of God!.

What have you been EATING?

There is such POWER in our tongue.....in our words.

Power to encourage....

to love....

to exercise FAITH....

to bless....

to bring LIFE to all those who hear.

BUT also power to...

discourage....

beat down.....

hate.....

doubt....

curse.....

bring DEATH.....

to ourselves and all those who hear our words.

Proverbs tells us that we EAT the fruit of our words.

What have you been eating lately?

Lord, sanctify my mouth! I want my words to bring LIFE to all those who hear them. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Beautiful

"The King is enthralled by your beauty." Psalm 45:11

In a world that is constantly trying to tell us that we don't "measure up"...

......in lots of ways....

I'm not "good" enough....
I'm not pretty enough...
I'm not skinny enough....
I'm not smart enough....
I'm not a good enough mother...
daughter....
friend....
I'm not good enough because I don't have a husband.
I'm not good enough because I don't have a career.
I'm not good enough...
I'm not enough!

....God tells us something entirely different.

-->

Before the creation of the world, I chose you! (Eph. 1:4)

I knew you before I formed you in the womb. (Jer. 1:5)

I created you with such care and wonder. (Psalm 139:14)

I know you completely, inside and out, like no other. (Psalm 139:1-3)

You are the apple of My eye. (Psalm 17:8)

You are beautiful to Me. (Psalm 45:11)

You are radiant and your face is never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:3)

You are a display of My splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)

I have counted every hair on your head. (Luke 12:7)

I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I surround you with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)

I hem you in before and behind. (Psalm 139:5)

I watch over your coming and going both now and forever. (Psalm 121)

I redeem your life from the pit. (Psalm 40)

Your name is written on the palms of My hands. (Is. 49:16)

You are a new creation. (2Corinthians 5:17)

I have clothed you in robes of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10)

You are clothed with strength and dignity. (Proverbs 31:25)

You wear a crown of beauty instead of ashes. (Isaiah 61: 3)

I crown you with love and compassion. (Psalm103:4).

And there is no where you could ever go to escape My love for you. (Psalm 139:7)

We have got to get a hold of WHO we are as His Beloved....His precious daughters....and rest in the security of being HIS.

As I was researching facts on beauty and advertising for my talk, I came across this Youtube video. It is HEART WRENCHING and I wept after I watched it. Please know it is graphic, but it is NOTHING you would not see in a Victoria's Secret commercial on TV. I think sometimes we can so insulate ourselves in the Christian community that we aren't always aware of what is going on in the "world." Many women and young girls are watching secular TV and see these commercials daily. Many watch the reality shows that some of these images came from. God has placed such a burden on my heart for our generation and the next generation of young women.....this is what they face daily. The video is called "Onslaught" and it is very appropriately named.

Lord, may I see myself- the way YOU see me...beautiful in Your eyes.  Quiet the whispers (and shouts) of the world that tell me I must be something else to "be enough."  You love me RIGHT WHERE I AM, no matter what I look like.  In fact, YOU are "enthralled"- spellbound, captivated, "filled with wonder and delight" by ME.  You have called me by name and I am YOURS.  I love You, Jesus.

Weeping....

".....weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

I love this verse. It is such a reminder that sorrow doesn't last forever....there will be JOY again. The night may be dark. It may seem long. It may bring pain....trembling....foreboding....

but, in the morning, there will be joy.

There will be peace.

There will be comfort.

There will be rest (no matter how un-restful the night had been.)

There will be celebrating.....

REJOICING.

I absolutely love this weeping willow tree. It stands so regally near my home. I took this picture when I was running one morning. The sun was rising beautifully behind the tree. As I thought of the sad tree, the weeping willow, the sun was a reminder that in the morning there will be

JOY.

Blessings!

Freedom!

Oh, Lord, You have freed me from my chains!

Hallelujah!

Thank You, Jesus that You came, not only to forgive me for my sins, but that You also came to free me, heal me, and restore my joy!

When Jesus began His ministry, He proclaimed His intentions by quoting Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Spirit of the Sovereign
Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed
me

to preach good news to the
poor.

He has sent me to bind up
the

brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom
for

the
captives

and release from darkness
for

the
prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the
Lord's favor

and the day of vengeance of
our God,

to comfort all who
mourn,

and provide for those who
grieve in Zion-

to bestow on them a crown of
beauty

instead of
ashes,

the oil of
gladness

instead of
mourning,

and a garment of
praise

instead of a spirit of
despair.

Are you experiencing any chains in your life? Anything that is holding you down, keeping you imprisoned?

A sin that you cannot break free from?

Doubt?

Fear?

Unbelief?

Jesus came to set the captives free- to break any chains that bind us.

Jesus came so that, in a relationship with Him, we find freedom. We experience joy. He wants to heal us, restore us.

Treasuring..and Pondering...

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

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

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

Expectant waiting.....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Word-Filled Thanksgiving!!!!

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the

LORD is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people,

the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His
faithfulness continues through all generations.

“I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship You. O, my soul rejoice. Take joy, my King, in what You hear. May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.”
I think there is a verse that says if we were to name all of God’s blessings it would take us the rest of our lives. I began thinking, we so many times are thankful for our families, our homes, our jobs…

But, do we really stop and thank Him for everything??????? Like, as I was pondering, I have never stopped and thanked God for the inner workings of my body. I don’t have to think about breathing, my body just does it. I don’t have to worry about digesting my food, my body knows how to do it. I thank God for His genius, for creating my body to work so magnificently, without me having to even be aware of what’s going on!

Thank You, Lord, that You created me. You breathed life into my body. You formed me. “You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” You created my personality. You gave me a sense of humor. Before the foundation of the world, You knew me and created me. (WOW!) Thank You, God that my body does work the way it is supposed to. Thank You that I don’t have to be concerned with how to breathe, how to pump blood through my arteries, how to hear, how to taste….

Thank You, that I am created in Your image! Thank You that I was not created as a dog or a cow, but I was created in the image of a perfect, wonderful God. Thank You that You are good God, that there is nothing evil in You. I am created in this goodness.

If that weren’t enough right there, You also blessed me with free will. I am not just a robot, a puppet. When I watch my kids play with toys, they make the story up, the “characters” say exactly what my kids speak. Unlike these "puppets", I have a voice. You have given me a true life, not just an illusion. Not just going through the motions. For better or worse, I am able to make choices and live.

If that weren’t enough, You also gave me emotions, and blessed me with experiences to feel every possible emotion. I have laughed and cried and screamed and worried and loved and hated…. If it weren’t for disappointments, I would never have known such victory. If it weren’t for such sorrow, I would never had know the true depth of joy. If it weren’t for times of fear, I would never had the opportunity to trust. Thank You, God, that I have experienced all You have to offer.

If that weren’t enough, You also have given me You to worship! You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ to be my Savior. Not only does He save me from the fires of Hell, but He saves me from the pit of depression, from a life of mediocrity, from a life without passion and purpose. Because of my relationship with Jesus Christ, my life has meaning. I experience true joy!

Thank You, God that You were not just satisfied with being my Creator, but that You are my Friend, my Comforter, my Redeemer, the Bread of Life, the Living Water of my life! Thank You that You love me so much You want a relationship with me!!!! I think of politicians. They want to call me “theirs.” They want me to belong to them. I am their vote. But, they don’t want a relationship with me. You call me by name, I belong to You, but that is not enough for You! I am part of Your family. I am One with You! All this because You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ into the world to be the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God, to be my atonement. Because of His promise, not only do I have an abundant life here, I have a glorious inheritance and the promise of spending eternity with You!

If that weren’t enough, You then sealed me with the Holy Spirit!!!!! You want to dwell and abide within me! You are the Counselor that guides me and leads me. You are my greatest intercessor. “In my weakness, the Spirit Himself intercedes for me with groans that words cannot express.” I am sealed- nothing can enter me! The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in me!!!! You don’t leave me alone to “fend for myself.” All the help I will ever need is WITHIN me- Your Spirit!!!! And, I have the fruit of that Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.

If that weren’t enough, You have blessed me with a family. A wonderful husband, 5 beautiful children, wonderful parents, Brian’s parents….. But, I have another family as well- my family in Christ, the Body of Christ. I have a family that if I needed something, I could call. A family that understands my journey in faith. Hands and feet at my local church, women in my small group, close friends I have met on the Internet, and fellow bloggers sharing journaling their walk online. Lord, You have crossed my path with so many other Believers who encourage me. Teachers like Beth Moore and Joyce Meyer, Lisa Bevere, Joel Osteen who challenge me and bring the Word of God.

Oh, and if THAT weren’t enough, You bless me with Your Word! It is alive and active in me!!!! It holds the answer to every question I could have. It teaches me, encourages me, draws me near Your heart, reveals Your heart to me. It refreshes my soul. It tells me so much about who You are. It has everything I would ever need!

Blessings to all....and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Life is a highway...

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. " Matthew 7:13-14

I have been studying the book of Proverbs. The first few chapters are all about choosing between Wisdom and folly- Wisdom being God's Wisdom...

God's way of living VS. the world's way of living....foolishness, wickedness...

Two ways.

Two choices.

One leads to LIFE.

One leads to DEATH.

I also thought of Deuteronomy, chapters 11 and 30.

God tells us to choose life.

"See, I am setting before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands...then you will live and increase, and the Lord will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

But, if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly will be destroyed. You will not live a long life in the land you are crossing....

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.

For the Lord Your God is your life."

Duet. 30:11-20

Lord, I choose LIFE!

Crossroads

Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is and walk in it,

and you will find

rest for your souls.

This verse has been precious to me. I can remember God first showing it to me when I began a REAL relationship with Jesus.

I thought, "Yea. I'm at a crossroads. I can continue to live the worldly life I had been living....OR I could choose His ways- His path.

Which may at times be lonely.

Which may at times be rugged, not smooth.

When I walk in that path....

I will find REST.

It reminded me of so many other Truths- from Deuteronomy that

says to choose for myself life or death, blessings or curses.....when Jesus says that wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

I want to be "a few." I want walk in "the good way."

I choose Life.

Word-filled Wednesday

God doesn’t want to share you with ANYTHING else. He wants all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. God wants us to CHOOSE Him, to look to Him.

God wants the 1st place position in our hearts and lives.

God gives us this choice.

He doesn’t force our devotion, but asks us to choose, as in Joshua 24:15: “Now fear the Lord and serve Him with ALL faithfulness. (Not partial, not some, but ALL faithfulness) Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped and serve the Lord. But, if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”

God gives us this choice- are we going to live for Him or for ourselves? Are we going to serve God with all faithfulness or will we serve other gods? Are we going to let idols creep into that 1st place position in our hearts?

What is an idol?”

An idol is simply anything we place in that 1st place position over God. It’s what we give our passion, our time, our SELVES to FIRST.

What have we made first priority in our lives and hearts?

John tells us, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols- from everything and anything that would take 1st place in your life.”

Lisa Bevere says, “An idol is what we give our strength TO or draw our strength from." She says "God will always shake away those idols because He wants us to get our life from Him, not the things that will always disappoint.”

Idols can be things like money, or material possessions, shopping, exercise, our
outward appearance, food, alcohol, admiration of friends, praise of man, work,
TV, or even other relationships.

Now you may be confused because you have to work and you really like chocolate! I have a wonderful husband that I am head over heals about, and five beautiful children whom I love and I spend a lot of time scrapbooking at times.

Are these idols?

These things are not wrong or evil in or of themselves! It’s when we make them a priority over our relationship with God, when we start loving them above loving God. I love my kids, but I love my God even more!

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

What keeps you going through the day?

What are your thoughts on throughout the day?

What do find yourself thinking about and talking about?

You see, I am first grounded in a relationship with my Savior- head over heals in love with Him FIRST, and then, He spills so much love into my heart that it overflows into all these areas of my life.

Jesus teaches us in Mat. 6:24 that “no one can serve 2 masters.” It is impossible. Jesus says, “You will either hate the one or love the other. You will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

You cannot serve both God and work.

You cannot serve both God and food.

You cannot serve both God and the praise of man.

You cannot serve both God and shopping.

You cannot serve both God and anger.

You cannot serve both God and activities.

Father God, we love You! May You always take FIRST place in our hearts, minds, and time!

Peace....

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

Visit the Cafe for more inspiration....

His Love is amazing....

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

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

Please visit the Cafe for more WFW!

Where am I FILLED with joy?

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

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

Please head over to the Cafe for more incredible inspiration!

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

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

We are HOMESCHOOLING this year!

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

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

Why, you may ask?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Word Filled Wednesday....

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

It reminds me of things I need to remember.

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

He loves me.

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Praise Him!

Psalm 148
"Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights above.
Praise Him, all His angels, praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.
Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars.
Praise Him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for He commanded and they were created.
He set them in place for ever and ever;
He gave a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding,
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
kings of all the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and maidens,
old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for His name alone is exalted;
His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
He has raised up for His people a horn,
the praise of all His saints...
Praise the LORD.


I usually don't write the whole psalm, but this one is just so good that you have to see, sing, pray the whole thing!

I love to walk early in the morning and it seems the whole earth is praising God. Even though I take an ipod with me at times, I usually turn it off because the sounds of the birds singing is better than any praise and worship song!

The winds rustles through the leaves of the trees. The wind is praising God.

The sunrise is breathtaking....the heavens are praising God.

The flowers are blooming to praise Him!

God is the Creator and all of nature praises Him just by existing and "doing" what it does....rain drizzling, stars shining, bunnies hopping, birds singing.

But, we are to open wide our mouths and PRAISE His Holy Name!

Praise You, Lord! You are awesome! You are majestic. You are beautiful. The heavens declare Your glory....the work of Your hands. You are awesome and breathtaking, LORD! We praise You!

This picture was taken early one morning when I was walking at my church. I live just a block away and we have this beautiful rugged cross at our pond. I had decided to walk to the cross to pray that morning. The sky was so BREATHTAKING that I had to run home and get my camera!

Please head over to the Cafe, the new home of Word-Filled Wednesday! I know there will be lots of great inspiration (and praise) over there!