It has been a long time since I have posted. I was not sure for a while what I should say, if anything. But tonight, God has led me here to this computer and this post.
It is quiet in my house. I am restless, but not for the reasons I usually can't sleep. Tonight I feel that God has something for me to say...so here I am.
I have been reading a lot of God's word lately...drinking it in, studying it, praying it. I have been drawn to Paul's letters, specifically Ephesians. There are 2 verses that I keep coming back to over and over. They hold such promise and reassurance....
The first is Ephesians 2:8-9..."For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."
What a blessed promise He gives us in these verses. Paul makes it clear that there is NOTHING we can do to deserve God's love and an eternal home in heaven, but God gives it to us....it is his GIFT of grace through faith.
We (my family and I) have had a challenging year. The move to North Carolina has been both difficult and rewarding. God has truly blessed us in many ways and has definitely changed our hearts. It's amazing how He can take something that you think is a great idea...YOUR great idea...and turn it into such a blessing, but for none of the reasons you thought it would be. And then you realize, it was always HIS great idea.
Onto my next verse...which is quickly becoming my favorite of all time. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."...Ephesians 3:20-21.
Wow! EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY....that's big stuff! Above all that we ask OR THINK...can you imagine that God cannot only give us what we ask for in prayer, but even those things that we don't ask for. Maybe we are afraid to ask, or we think they are too small, or too big. But if we just THINK it, He can DO it...amazing. But there is more...a catch, if you will, "according to the power that worketh in us." There's that "faith" thing again...God is able, but we have to truly believe with all of our heart and all of our soul that He is able.
So does this mean that all we have to do is ask and believe that He can and He will? Well....there is a little thing called "sovreignty"...God is able, but is not always willing. Sometime what we ask for is not in His plan, and may even work against His plan. That's where the faith comes in, we have to believe that He can, but be prepared that He won't, and even when He doesn't, we still believe that He can!
I don't know if this will help anyone, but I felt led by God to share my thoughts and feelings on these verses with you.
Love & Prayers...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Challenges
7/21/09
I have recently faced a series of challenges in my life. I will not get specific as I would rather some of the details remain private, but I will share my story of how I fell and was raised up again by a most loving and generous God.
Lately I have felt a bit like Peter in the storm when he failed to trust in God's saving grace and took his eyes off of Jesus for just a moment and started to sink. I was sinking, I looked away, and I doubted. And God loved me anyways. I was the prodigal, knocking at His door for the hundreth, maybe thousandth time. Begging forgiveness, begging for just a place with the swine, and He welcomed me home with open arms and wrapped me in his warm and loving embrace.
It is hard, in these times of economic hardship and negative news, to see God's work in our world. But He is there, watching, waiting for us to call out to Him, to remember that we need His guidance and love in our lives.
So, while I am still in the midst of trials and tribulations, I have been renewed by His love for me. I have been reminded that He is there and can save us no matter how bad things are, we just have to ask and listen. The truth is, God ALWAYS answers prayer, but you have to stop asking long enough to hear the response.
God Bless!
I have recently faced a series of challenges in my life. I will not get specific as I would rather some of the details remain private, but I will share my story of how I fell and was raised up again by a most loving and generous God.
Lately I have felt a bit like Peter in the storm when he failed to trust in God's saving grace and took his eyes off of Jesus for just a moment and started to sink. I was sinking, I looked away, and I doubted. And God loved me anyways. I was the prodigal, knocking at His door for the hundreth, maybe thousandth time. Begging forgiveness, begging for just a place with the swine, and He welcomed me home with open arms and wrapped me in his warm and loving embrace.
It is hard, in these times of economic hardship and negative news, to see God's work in our world. But He is there, watching, waiting for us to call out to Him, to remember that we need His guidance and love in our lives.
So, while I am still in the midst of trials and tribulations, I have been renewed by His love for me. I have been reminded that He is there and can save us no matter how bad things are, we just have to ask and listen. The truth is, God ALWAYS answers prayer, but you have to stop asking long enough to hear the response.
God Bless!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Rough Waters
7/11/09
It has been a rough week. We are still struggling financially...Rick is losing work because of lack of rain rather than picking up new work. The hot water heater in our house burst on Tuesday night so we woke up Wednesday morning to a flood in our downstairs. Fortunately, none of our personal possessions were damaged and our landlord will be taking care of all of the repairs. It will be nice to have new floors, but in the meantime we are living in a construction zone which is challenging with 3 children. I feel like I took my eyes off of God for just a moment and doubt and fear crept in imperceptibly and suddenly I am sinking in the waves of a very rough sea.
But I know that my God will not fail me. It is easy to let the fear and doubt take control, but then that would be letting something other than God control my life, and that is not what I want. So we will no longer live with the regrets from the past, but we will learn from our mistakes and press onward to the goal, remembering that our treasure is not here on earth, but an eternal home in Heaven.
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven,where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21
It has been a rough week. We are still struggling financially...Rick is losing work because of lack of rain rather than picking up new work. The hot water heater in our house burst on Tuesday night so we woke up Wednesday morning to a flood in our downstairs. Fortunately, none of our personal possessions were damaged and our landlord will be taking care of all of the repairs. It will be nice to have new floors, but in the meantime we are living in a construction zone which is challenging with 3 children. I feel like I took my eyes off of God for just a moment and doubt and fear crept in imperceptibly and suddenly I am sinking in the waves of a very rough sea.
But I know that my God will not fail me. It is easy to let the fear and doubt take control, but then that would be letting something other than God control my life, and that is not what I want. So we will no longer live with the regrets from the past, but we will learn from our mistakes and press onward to the goal, remembering that our treasure is not here on earth, but an eternal home in Heaven.
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven,where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21
Friday, July 3, 2009
Feeling Good
7/3/09
Okay...so I am feeling super today. I finally allowed myself a little pampering and oh how I have missed it. I went to the salon today...yes, I finally took time to find one here in Greensboro...had my hair washed and cut and styled and a fabulous pedicure. There is definitely something to be said for caring for the outside to feel good on the inside.
On top of that, I took the day off of work and spent a wonderful morning with Mackenzie. We played on the floor, we sang songs, and played tickle monster and made wonderful funny faces at each other. Then I spent the evening with Emma and Mackenzie while the boys went to a movie. It was a girly bonding day and it was wonderful!
Of course, now it is the witching hour in our house when 4-year olds get nasty and babies get tired. Well, I guess that's my cue to go and intervene and possibly start bedtime!
So lesson for today....a little pampering and "exterior" care can go a long way towards feeling happy and healthy.
Okay...so I am feeling super today. I finally allowed myself a little pampering and oh how I have missed it. I went to the salon today...yes, I finally took time to find one here in Greensboro...had my hair washed and cut and styled and a fabulous pedicure. There is definitely something to be said for caring for the outside to feel good on the inside.
On top of that, I took the day off of work and spent a wonderful morning with Mackenzie. We played on the floor, we sang songs, and played tickle monster and made wonderful funny faces at each other. Then I spent the evening with Emma and Mackenzie while the boys went to a movie. It was a girly bonding day and it was wonderful!
Of course, now it is the witching hour in our house when 4-year olds get nasty and babies get tired. Well, I guess that's my cue to go and intervene and possibly start bedtime!
So lesson for today....a little pampering and "exterior" care can go a long way towards feeling happy and healthy.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
New Road
6/30/09
So today I think I will turn my "blogging" down a new road. I will continue to include information about my journey to wellness, both physical and spiritual, but I feel that since that is just one part of my very full life, I should expand my content.
Today was rough. I am always challenged when I am working at my building in Burlington. Does everyone have that? A project, task, or duty at work that just sucks the life out of you? But I am coming off a great weekend. We went home to Virginia Beach and spent the weekend just hanging around with my BFF Liz and her kids. The kids were super, we had no schedule, and we had an awesome time. It was one of those weekends that you wish would never end.
I did not look forward to coming home or going back to work. I knew it would be a tough, although short, week. I am so glad we have a holiday weekend coming up. So ready for that! I am hoping to find something fun for the kids to do this weekend and definitely would love to see some fireworks (besides the ones that occur daily at bedtime!).
I am home alone tonight with the kids, Rick is working (yay!). I am so jealous of him sometimes, being home with the kids 3 days a week. I know it is hard for him because he wants full time work, but I miss the kids so much when I am gone. I feel like I miss so much.
Emma is turning into quite the little lady....she has a cell phone (fake, of course) and purse. She talks for hours every day to Liz and Renee and Danielle and Austin on her cell phone, it is too cute.
Logan lost another tooth this week and another is really wiggly...he is growing up way too fast.
Mackenzie is as cute as ever and has more words...she has a lot to say (although most of it sounds like Chinese).
Well...I will be enjoying my evening with my kids. Just one last thought....life is not about having what you want, but wanting what you have.
So today I think I will turn my "blogging" down a new road. I will continue to include information about my journey to wellness, both physical and spiritual, but I feel that since that is just one part of my very full life, I should expand my content.
Today was rough. I am always challenged when I am working at my building in Burlington. Does everyone have that? A project, task, or duty at work that just sucks the life out of you? But I am coming off a great weekend. We went home to Virginia Beach and spent the weekend just hanging around with my BFF Liz and her kids. The kids were super, we had no schedule, and we had an awesome time. It was one of those weekends that you wish would never end.
I did not look forward to coming home or going back to work. I knew it would be a tough, although short, week. I am so glad we have a holiday weekend coming up. So ready for that! I am hoping to find something fun for the kids to do this weekend and definitely would love to see some fireworks (besides the ones that occur daily at bedtime!).
I am home alone tonight with the kids, Rick is working (yay!). I am so jealous of him sometimes, being home with the kids 3 days a week. I know it is hard for him because he wants full time work, but I miss the kids so much when I am gone. I feel like I miss so much.
Emma is turning into quite the little lady....she has a cell phone (fake, of course) and purse. She talks for hours every day to Liz and Renee and Danielle and Austin on her cell phone, it is too cute.
Logan lost another tooth this week and another is really wiggly...he is growing up way too fast.
Mackenzie is as cute as ever and has more words...she has a lot to say (although most of it sounds like Chinese).
Well...I will be enjoying my evening with my kids. Just one last thought....life is not about having what you want, but wanting what you have.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Slacking
6/25/09
Wow! I have really neglected my blog and myself in the last month. I have fallen off the proverbial wagon and just hibernated. But I am back now with a new goal. We have a family vacation to Orlando, FL planned in November and I want to be healthy and happy and able to play with my kids by then! So...on with the eating fresh food and walking at least 3 times a week (for starters). And back to reading my Bible and walking daily with God, because I slacked on that too!
Not much time to write, have to go get the girls from daycare and plan our evening, but I will be posting more!
Wow! I have really neglected my blog and myself in the last month. I have fallen off the proverbial wagon and just hibernated. But I am back now with a new goal. We have a family vacation to Orlando, FL planned in November and I want to be healthy and happy and able to play with my kids by then! So...on with the eating fresh food and walking at least 3 times a week (for starters). And back to reading my Bible and walking daily with God, because I slacked on that too!
Not much time to write, have to go get the girls from daycare and plan our evening, but I will be posting more!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
New Goals
5/19/09
Well, it's been a few days since I have written. I pretty much met my goals last week, save the exercise goal. I did not eat fast food, had less than 1 diet soda per day, definitely drank plenty of water. I have also read my Bible at least once a day if not more and have done a devotional at least every other day.
So, time for new goals. This week I am focusing on being a more worthy woman of God. I want to be a shining example of His works. I want to uplift my friends and family, not bring them down. Most of all, I want to be a calm, quiet, consistent, and patient wife and mother. I want my husband and children to be at peace in my presence. I want to bring happiness and joy to those around me, especially my family. I know I cannot do this without God's guidance, so my scripture references will be along these lines for the next few days.
So goals for the upcoming week:
-seek God's wisdom and guidance to be a better wife and mother
-eat fresh fruit or vegetables every day
-go for a walk at least once this week (hey...I have to start somewhere)
-speak softly and calmly at all times and remember that I love being a Mom!
Well, it's been a few days since I have written. I pretty much met my goals last week, save the exercise goal. I did not eat fast food, had less than 1 diet soda per day, definitely drank plenty of water. I have also read my Bible at least once a day if not more and have done a devotional at least every other day.
So, time for new goals. This week I am focusing on being a more worthy woman of God. I want to be a shining example of His works. I want to uplift my friends and family, not bring them down. Most of all, I want to be a calm, quiet, consistent, and patient wife and mother. I want my husband and children to be at peace in my presence. I want to bring happiness and joy to those around me, especially my family. I know I cannot do this without God's guidance, so my scripture references will be along these lines for the next few days.
So goals for the upcoming week:
-seek God's wisdom and guidance to be a better wife and mother
-eat fresh fruit or vegetables every day
-go for a walk at least once this week (hey...I have to start somewhere)
-speak softly and calmly at all times and remember that I love being a Mom!
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