Mother/Daughter Conference - Christy Kennard

I wanted to share this powerful and truthful message a friend of mine spoke on at the Mother/Daughter Conference where she attends church.  It was a great message on the importance, as spiritual nurturers of our children, on training and teaching them about our Lord and Savior and the relationship he wants with them.  I encourage you to listen, reflect and nurture your child's relationship with the Lord. 

So grab a cup of coffee and get ready for some powerful truth.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=8b6bf2be38795ddb&id=8B6BF2BE38795DDB%21119&Bsrc=Share&Bpub=SDX.SkyDrive

A Life of Courage

So many look at failure as an embarrassment, we fear critics and shame; I am guilty of this.  However, failure is a good thing!  It is from failure we learn and grow.

In one of the sermons my husband wrote he said we have to live a life of courage.  Courage keeps us pressing on despite our circumstances, failures and critics.  If we are going to live a life of courage we have to stop being afraid and step out of our comfort zone.

Well I am going to stop being afraid of critics and I am going to step out of my comfort zone.  I am re-posting "His Story ~ Not Mine" and I hope that through our failure, but not a lost vision, you can see God's grace in our lives. 

I hope that whatever you may be facing you too will have courage to keep pressing on. 

His Story ~ Not Mine 

excerpt from my journal dtd

November 3, 2012

Submit yourselves, to God....

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

(James 4:7-8)

Thank you Lord for this time to step out of the busyness of my life, as mom, and into the still serene splendor of your creation.  As I sit this morning captivated by the beauty of your mighty works, drawing near to you, I feel you draw near to me.  In this season of our lives the picture seems to be no longer nebulous but is instead clear.

It is you El Shaddai, God Almighty, whom our hearts desire to submit to and serve.  We want to be as close to You as we possibly can while in our earthly bodies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday afternoon as Tray and I were strolling through the fallen autumn leaves along the River Trail, he spoke words that my flesh didn't want to hear but that God the Father had already been impressing on my heart the past week.

A few weeks back Tray was searching the Internet for help on planting a church and in doing so he came across Two Rivers Bible Church in Gonzales.  Gonzales is 45 minutes from us but we thought lets go check them out.  The minute we walked in I was overcome by the presence of the Lord.  The love and desire to serve that out poured from these servants of Christ was amazing!  I thought this is what we need in so many of these small towns around us.  There are so many walking wounded, if only they could walk into a place near them and feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ like this; there would be no turning back.

Well the following week the pastor of this church stated to me, "It is not about planting a church, it is about reaching people for Christ.  Pray about it."

I thought, I know what God has put on our hearts.

When we lived in Schulenburg seven years ago when God called Tray into ministry.  He impressed on both our hearts a passion for a church that was reaching beyond the church walls, one that welcomed you and your baggage, a church who aligned them self with other churches in reaching even more people.  It was this calling that sent Tray back to school.  Of course I wanted to see my husband be: excited to wake up each morning, to love what he was doing, to fill like he was fulfilling his purpose.

These words this pastor spoke I thought would mean an "end" to all we hoped and desired for.  That these last seven years and especially the last eight months were for nothing.

I struggled through the week as God was showing me how foolish, prideful, and selfish I was!  It is not about the "church," it is not about my husband, and it is not about me.  It is about laying down our lives and picking up the cross.  To go where He calls us without question or understanding, to be in the unknown and not care because we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).  When we do this, that is give Christ complete control over our lives,  He can work through us to demonstrate to a hurt and lost world HIS LOVE. 

When Tray spoke that one simple statement it was like God speaking audibly to me, confirming what He had been speaking to my heart all week.

Yet even though I knew it was what God was calling us to do, my flesh was still agitated.  Scared of many things I guess.  Maybe most that my husband wouldn't serve God in the way I expected or hoped him to in this season.  I was scared that my husband would not have the unexplainable peace, joy and fulfillment he felt only two other times: when we were helping a ministry that did construction on churches-adding onto their building and when he was writing sermons and preaching as a fill-in at a local church here in Schulenburg.     

Later in the evening we were relaxing around the fire and I asked my husband, "What do you think God has revealed to you through these past eight months?"

He replied, "I feel so inadequate and God has shown me that I need to depend more on Him."

I then asked him, "What is your hearts desire?"

He stated simply but with great passion and a deep yearning, "To serve God."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So here we are back to the morning of me writing this and with great conviction of my selfishness, pride, and foolishness I ask you Lord my Savior for forgiveness of my sins.  Too often I have focused on the vision you gave Tray seven years ago, not even stopping to think that maybe You Lord have a different route of getting us to where you want us and that Tray has much more to learn.  He leads our family well but needs to grow and learn more in leading a large flock.  Too often I have focused on Tray's gifts of writing and his joy he exemplified when he shared your Word.  I have always thought this was for sure the way you would use him.  Maybe it is, maybe it is not.  Either way Tray's deepest desire was not to write, not to preach, not to lead a church but to simply

Serve God

with every minute, every hour and day of his life.

Seven years ago God put a love in our hearts for Schulenburg, but our hearts have expanded and we now have a passion for all small towns.  I believe part of His plan was to bring us back here so we would find Two Rivers Bible Church.   A church who is fulfilling the vision God had placed in my husbands heart.  I don't know how God is going to write His story for our lives, but I want Him writing it instead of us.   

Tray's email to Pastor Jesse at Two Rivers sums up the revelation, wisdom and clarity God gave us while we were in the wilderness.

Jesse,

I am always amazed at how God works. I was watching our old pastor and he was speaking on how God’s "no" is greater than our "yes". So many times we think we are on the right path doing God’s will, but God comes in and shuts the door. Then when we least expect it He opens a new door because His view, plan, and purpose are so much greater than ours. After a long weekend alone in the wilderness camping, Brandy and I feel that TRBC is where we are supposed to be for this season of our lives. You are living out the vision God gave me for rural communities. You are reaching out to the unchurched creating an environment where they can come face to face with Jesus. You are serving the community. You are also doing something that is dear to me. You are reaching out to other church leaders. One thing God instilled in me was not just making sure the church I lead wins, but helping the churches in the community win. I see you all doing that. I was astounded at the 160 kids at the fifth quarter and look forward to the ministerial alliance thanksgiving. I haven’t seen that kind of unity in community churches before. My family and I are here to serve, here to help TRBC continue to win and reach the lost whether by cleaning toilets, helping start new campuses or just soaking in the DNA for a future church plant. However God uses us I trust Him knowing we will be blessed and praying that we will be a blessing.

See you on Sunday,

Tray



“In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others.” ― Brennan Manning



What We Pour Out Determines What They Produce

Remember this nursery rhyme:

I'm a little teapot,

short and stout,

Here is my handle;

here is my spout,

When I get all steamed up,

here my shout.

Just tip me over and

pour me out!

Though, I bet you don't remember it with this image.

This week I found myself a few times all steamed up and letting out a shout of my own,  pouring into our children unkindess, impatience and anger; character traits of a sinful nature which are opposite to the fruits of the spirit I teach them to have.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  (Galatians 5:22-23) 

I want my children to fear God not man; but when I release shouts of anger they are fearing the latter.

This morning in my time with the Lord I was requesting wisdom and asking for forgiveness for my sins of:  laziness, unkindness and lack of self-control.   I dislike the mother I am when I exemplify these traits and I do not want to pass them on.  The Lord reminded of scripture in James.  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

The Spirit then began to lay on my heart that I MUST be diligent in disciplining my children promptly, consistently and justly; leading them to the Word of God.  For all scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

He then led me back to James chapter 1:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 

If I discipline myself in being slow to speak and slow to anger; if I am consistent in discipling in love and with the Word, which will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12:11); myself and our children will know freedom and will live blessed.

Lord,

I praise you Jehovah-Rohi (My Shepherd) for leading me unto green pastures.  I praise you Jehovah-Tsidkenu (The Lord our Righteousness).  You are worthy to be praised.  There is none like You. Thank you for loving me when I don't deserve it, for picking me up when I fall, and showing me how to be a loving parent.  I pray your Words will penetrate deep into my heart and when I begin to get all steamed up, by your grace what pours out of me will be a reflection of You.  I know that if our children see you transforming my heart and life then what my heart desires for them will come to be.  They will live a life which produces a harvest of righteousness and peace and a life of freedom found only in You.   

Are beautiful girls worth more?

Our girl's youth group is doing the study Lies Young Women Believe.  Two weeks ago we talked about the lie that "beautiful girls are worth more."

A little over a week ago Hannah really shined of true beauty in the eyes of the Lord, so I asked daddy to bring home a rose for Hannah.  The night he got home we gave it to her and praised her, for her outside reflected the beauty within.

We led her to Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

We shared with her that man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)
True beauty is within and that is what is reflected on the outside.

TO BE CONTINUED......

It's been  a little over a week since we gave Hannah her rose.

Hannah came to me this morning exclaiming, "Mom, my flower is dying and nothing is working to keep it alive."  She put it by a window and opened the blinds.  She left it outside in the sun.  She attempted at as many ways imaginable in her mind to keep its beauty from fleeting.  I told her to grab her Bible and open up to Proverbs 31:30 as a reminder of what God's Word tells us about beauty.

I said to her, "Remember when your acts of godly character and we praised you and gave you this flower?  Those acts of godly character represented a young virtuous lady that had true beauty, one who feared the Lord."

This flower had beauty, but its beauty faded. What the world thinks is beautiful is fleeting.

I reminded her that she was beautiful because of her love for the Lord, her fear of the Lord, her desire to be pleasing unto Him.

I then had her look in the mirror and state I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).  My outside reflects my inside.  I am truly beautiful!

I then prayed over her.  I prayed she would not fall prey to the worlds ideas of beauty but that she would hold fast to God's Truth on beauty.

I prayed for her future husband, that he would be a man who falls in love with her because of her:  fear of the Lord, her passion for Christ, her compassion for others, her desire to serve others, her desire to be a godly woman and to give her life unto the Lord.

 Dear PEEPS:  TODAY GO CRAZY FOR GOD.  Have a good week all peeps.

                                                                    FROM: ME, HANNAH

Lifelong Faithfulness

This week our girls youth group was studying Lies About Guys from the book Lies Young Women Believe.

I created notebooks as a means for them to express their commitment to their future spouse by writing their prayers for him, writing him love letters, songs, or to use as a journal of her journey in staying pure: heart, mind, and body for him.

My prayer is that as parents our marriages will be what our children long for and believe are worth waiting for.   I pray that they begin to see marriages that reflect Christs love for the church.  That women respect their husbands and men love their wives. (Ephesians 5:25-33)

We can't expect these kids to keep themselves pure: heart, mind and soul if we give them nothing to hope for. Words are not enough. 

This generation needs parents whose lives are a reflection of Jesus Christ and whose marriages reveal a love that is sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional.

For the notebooks I bought black binders, scrapbook paper and sheet protectors at Walmart.  Here are the pages I created for the inside.  The girls can add paper in the binders and always add more sheet protectors with added pictures or pages.  I suggested they make a final page for the binder to place a picture of their future spouse and them self.

You can find all pages I created at the following link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?uoh3172am29pqfb,95gfq8622ic79q6,ycaus1y11c65nw1,ygcxaamdg8gito2,8h718il1x7m5z79,94gebambzh0apd9,2f43ug970910ozg,rvhvjcjur2lhx1k

A great resource and also the source where I gathered some of the information from, to create the pages, is Teaching True Love to a Sex-at-13 Generation.

Choose to be His Cheerleader

Women have a way with persuasion.  They have used their charm deceptively since the beginning of time. Using their charm deceptively, they lured or tried to lure men into harm enticing them to turn from the ways of the Lord.  Eve gave to Adam forbidden fruit (Genesis 3), Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph (Genesis 39), Michal despised and criticized David, she spoke of her displeasure in David's celebration and dancing before the Lord. (2 Samuel 6:16-23)  King Solomon's wives turned his heart after other gods. (1 Kings 11)

Instead of bringing harm to our husbands let us be his helper. (Genesis 2:18)  Let's bring them good, not harm, all our lives. (Proverbs 31:12)  Let us be influential in a way that brings him respect. (Proverbs 31:23)  Let us fear the Lord and words of wisdom flow from our lips. (Proverbs 31:26, 30)  Let us not be foolish and tear down our homes but instead be wise and build up our homes. (Proverbs 14:1)  Let us demonstrate unto our daughters and friends a woman who is united and one flesh with our husbands. (Ephesians 5:31)  Let us choose to be a woman who glorifies God and serves him through our role as a wife. 

I challenge you wives today to step out of your own love language and into your husbands.  Do something for him today that is unexpected of you.  Speak words of encouragement and trust then let your actions demonstrate it.  Build your husband up and encourage him to be all that he can be in the Lord.  Our husbands need a cheerleader and you're the best one for the job.  God has great plans for your husband why not help him to fulfill those great plans by being the helper he needs.

Preparing Her

My oldest, Hannah, has said on many occasions that she was going to have 30+ kids. On other occasions she has talked about or written in stories of her helping orphans. We have been reading the life of George Muller, The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans, and tonight as we finished up chapter 4 she said, "Mom do you think God's calling on my life is to help orphans?"

I don't know God's plan for my daughter, but I know as her mother my prayer is that I will not let my own selfish desires prevent me from my personal responsibility in raising her to be a spiritual champion and helping her in understanding God's mission and vision for her life.

My prayer is that Hannah will always remember that it is God who has given her the talents and/or gifts that she possesses and they were given to her to be used for His glory. She has such a desire to serve Him and to be faithful to Him now. I pray that as she grows she continues to have that deep abiding love and burning passion to use her gifts to serve Him with the calling He lays upon her life. Evil will surround her, my hope is that each day she will dress herself with the armor of God so that none of the wickedness of this world will penetrate within her. I pray God will produce great results in her life and that it will be evident to all that is was by His power, love, and grace that it was accomplished. May the words Glory to God always leap from her lips.

Taking Captive of That Which Doesn't Belong

I shared with the kids how we are what we soak into our hearts through the demonstration of a sponge. We took a clean sponge and soaked in two different colored waters (one representing God's word, noble things and the other representing the opposite), squeezing out what we soaked in. Explaining that we need to be wise and mindful as to what we read, what we watch, what we hear and who we are around. We want our thoughts, words, and actions to show that of Christ.

"......For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)

I then began to tell them that when we begin to have thoughts that do not glorify God we need to "...take captive of every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5) I informed them to actively take that thought and imagine themselves locking it up in chains and throwing it in prison.

Then I led them to (Philippians 4:8) "Finally, brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." In thinking upon such things and living by the Spirit we will bear the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The more we are in God's Word, meditating on it, the more knowledge and wisdom we will gain in living out our lives to glorify Him in all that we think, say and do.

"How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103

A Woman Who Loves Jesus with All Her Heart

I don't know about you, but I struggle with being everything I think my family needs. When all my family needs is a WOMAN WHO LOVES JESUS WITH ALL HER HEART. "I have found David...a man after my own heart, who will do everything I want him to do." (Acts 13:22)

Our heavenly Father wants us as wives and mothers to succeed and not only succeed, but we are told in Proverbs 31:31 that He wants to reward us, for our works to bring us praise. For us to be honored. "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." (Proverbs 31:29)

We can bring glory to God by demonstrating to a watchful world that we can succeed and succeed well through the: poopy diapers, crying babies, the broken bones, the spats over toys, the dirty dishes piling up in the sink, 8 loads of laundry on the couch, giving our spouses quality time, giving ourselves time to refresh, scheduling family events, allotting time for family devotions/prayer time and the 8 hands reaching under the bathroom door as you try to escape for 5 minutes because we are demonstrating the heart of Jesus, the power of Jesus at work within us.

God clearly paints a picture for us of what His priorities for our lives are and His word is full of wisdom in helping us to succeed at accomplishing them. 1 Timothy 5:9-10 is speaking of the widows but these widows had to have had these priorities in their youth.

• To be faithful to her husband
• Known for her good deeds, such as bringing up her children
• Showing hospitality
• Washing the feet of the saints
• Helping those in trouble
• Devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds

These are the priorities that I am striving to have in my own life. The Lord has been teaching me that I can not achieve in being the wife and mother He wants me to be if I am trying to prioritize my life the way I or the world sees fit. I believe that if I have these priorities for my life that He will bless and reward me and that I will be a blessing to others.

These are a few of the statements I have heard over the years:

• How can you possibly homeschool?
• How do you have the patience?
• I admire your strength and patience.
• You must be really patient.
• How do you get all done cleaning, cooking, homeschooling?
• You must be real organized.

The truth of it is it is not by anything I can possibly do myself and most days my house isn't clean until about 30 minutes before daddy gets home. I struggle every day, but I am not alone for He promises in Hebrews 13:5 that never will He leave me nor forsake me. I find hope in Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." This is where my strength comes from, knowing that it is not by my might but Him at work within me.

Whether you are a stay at home mom, a homeschool mom, a mom who works outside the home we all need to be refreshed each day. Psalm 104:27-28 "These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things." In the same way His Word is our food and it greatly satisfies our soul. However, we can not be refreshed if we aren't in the Word, if we aren't giving him first priority in our lives, if we aren't seeking Him with our whole heart. You can't fill your cars gas tank half way and expect it to take you as far as a full tank. Neither can you give God a little of yourself or squeeze Him into your day and expect Him to do immeasurably all we ask or imagine through us. A woman who loves Jesus with all her heart doesn't fit Jesus in, she eargerly seeks to spend time with Him, she thrives on His presence, she loves to be with Him. I say this from my own convictions, because I have been the woman who says when can I fit God in today? I have let the busyness of motherhood get in the way of God truly working in in my life. Having what I have now, there is no way I want to go back to trying to fit God in.

There is great joy that comes from raising up a family. God chooses us to be the parents of our children, what a blessing. Our children our a reward from God. What a great honor and privilege. Psalm 127:3-5 reminds us of this "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." In the same way that a warrior directs his arrows toward a target we, the parents, have got to train our children in the way of the Lord, so when we release them they will not depart from the Lord. I can not explain the joy in seeing our children seek God and to serve Him now as children. Imagine the impact they will make for the Lord when we release them as young adults. What a reward it will be to know that God will find in our children another "David".

"The wise woman builds her house." Proverbs 14:1 and "He blesses the home of the righteous." Proverbs 4:33b

If you need an encouraging message visit Nancy Leigh DeMoss's "Revive our Hearts" podcast each day. I am always inspired by the Word she has to share.

God's Workmanship

We love going on nature walks and admiring the beauty of God's creation. It is amazing how the design of biotic things can seem so simple yet they are quite intricate; everything designed in a unique way to help them live a life for which they were created.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Roman 1:20)

We are God's workmanship, a complex masterpiece, designed and created to go out and share with those near and abroad the love of Jesus Christ. Are you allowing yourself to be used by God for what he created you and prepared you for?

His All Encompassing Love

I was crying out to my Father the other day questioning what my gifts were. Quite often I begin to "feel" useless. I see no great talents in myself. I can not bring lifeless paper to life with drawings; writing is useless, half the time my husband has to complete my thoughts for me; I have a fear of speaking in front of people, my list could go on an on.....

I feel God answered that prayer yesterday evening at 8PM in my car as I was driving to the grocery store. There was a moment of stillness within me, my eyes began tearing up as the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart.

To understand what was happening and before I can tell you what he layed on my heart let me begin with the voicemail my cousin left on my phone, while I was in church early yesterday evening. "Brandy, I have a very important question for you. Call me as soon as you get out of church," my cousin voiced urgently. Concerned, due to the urgency in her voice I called immediately. To make a difficult and long story short my cousin needed some temporary help with her baby son, while she mends some personal matters and prepares a better home for her precious baby.

It didn't take much questioning or thought between my husband and me. We both knew that this was something God would want us to do. We know it may be challenging and it might take a little adjusting, but Jesus will equip us with everything we need.

Back to the moment of stillness..... The Holy Spirit layed on my heart in that moment that He chose our family to demonstrate His love to to my cousin and her baby. This wasn't something our family was doing to be kind and helpful, but it was God's plan. This was for His Glory. I felt in that moment so humbled and blessed to be chosen by God, as a tool, to work out His greater plan for this child.

I think this was in a small way God's answer to the question of my gifts. God gifted me to be a wife, mother, nurse, teacher, sister and friend. He gave me a heart that yearns to share His all encompassing love.

"You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden."
"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16, 18)

My prayer is that our light will shine as the above verse mentions and that my cousin will praise our heavenly Father. I hope she sees how great His love is for her and that she will want more of Him.

Leading God's Children

Lord,

I am so excited about Tray stepping up and leading your children in the 1st and 2nd grade class at church. I pray that they will have lots of fun and laughter as they learn your Word and grow closer to you. May they receive the watering they need to grow in you. I pray that Tray will trust in you to equip him with all he needs to be the leader you want him to be.



I pray that you will use me Lord to assist, encourage, and help him however You and him see fit. I want Tray to find me trustworthy (Pr. 31:11), and beneficial (Pr. 31:12). I want to be influential in him bringing You glory with his life. (Pr. 31:23).



I pray that these are the steps in which you are preparing him. I pray that he will not lack faith in what You can accomplish through him.



Thank you Lord for the opportunity for us both to serve You in the children's ministry.

The Legacy I Want to Leave

Our CARE groups current Bible Study ended with the question what do you want your legacy to be?

One of the main reasons we home school is to train our children in the way of the Lord. We want them to love the Lord, to see all his creation through his eyes, and to reach out in love to all that he created. We want to teach them how to become spriritually equipped in a world that teaches the opposite of this. We want them to know that it is not by our own understanding, wisdom or might that we achieve and conquer all that God has planned for us, but it is through trusting in the Lord and fearing the Lord.

Lately my focus has been distracted and consumed by money. We have been having car troubles on and off for about the last year. We feel we will need another van soon, so I have been trying to earn money to help assist in paying for the van. In doing this I have lost focus on what God has called me to do, my most important ministry. You see it hasn't been God, husband and kids lately. It has been money, money, money. What can I do to help earn money.
Where in there did I obey and follow what he has called me to do.

Not too long ago I was encouraging my husband to be obedient and to focus on what God has called him to do now and not to worry about what happens after school. God has a plan for him and if my husband is obedient to God now he will open the doors of opportunity and lead him to where he wants him later. And for where we are now in life we need to be thankful and joyful.

Well God brought to my attention that I need to soak in my own words. I need to be obedient to my own calling and trust in the Lord. You see the legacy I want to leave behind for my children is to love the Lord with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their mind. To love their neighbor as their self." (Matthew 22:37-39) I want them to know to trust the Lord and to rejoice through all circumstances. I want them to serve the Lord in all that they do and to bring HIM glory. Our children will know this by the life we (I) live.

A scripture that we hold dear to our hearts is Acts 1:8 "...and you shall be my witnessess both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the remotest part of the earth."

I ask you Lord for forgiveness for not keeping my eyes focused on you and my family. I don't want to just pray to be lights in this dark world but I want my children to see us be lights and for them to become lights.

Sluggish Lately????

This past week has been feelings of chaos, frustration, and leaving me to wonder "Can I do this?" Then I have to remind myself.... "no I can't, but through Christ I can." It is not by anything I do, try to do, not because of any special skills or college degree that this can be done and done in a way that glorifies God. It is by God's grace and His wisdom that my husband and I can do this. I tend to forget this and it is then that my Father reminds me.


This week I have been staying up later than I should, which means I don't get up when I should. So our day would go something like this........sleep till 7am, no quiet time with the Lord or a rushed one, jammies on most of the day, no makeup, kids rushed to eat breakfast and do chores, and mom screaming get in the car we're running late to take daddy to work. Hmmmmm, what a way to start the day. What kind of day would you have?????
The Lord brought me to:
Proverbs 31:15 "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." (opposite of sluggard and a wise manager of time) also see Prov 20:13, 26:14, 6:9
Proverbs 31:27 "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. -NIV or "She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive." -TM
Titus 2:5 "to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, to be subject to their husbands...."

I have to say that I have not been a wise manager of my time and a bit sluggish. Time to make some changes and get back on the right path.
This morning mommy was up at 5:30. Spent some good time with the Lord and enjoyed a cup of strong coffee, actually put a little makeup on and took off the jammies. Woke the kids up at 6:30 and they completed their chores by 7am, at which time they sat down for breakfast. 7:30 they cleaned up their dishes and the table and got dressed. 8am we were in the living room for worship and Bible. 8:45 took Daddy to work and prayed. We were home at 9:30 and began school. Finished by noon. And to top it off, know one has yelled one time today. It has been a peaceful and enjoyable day of learning and sharing.
The key is for mommy to be a wise manager of her time and to train the children in being wise managers of their time. The problem is sometimes after telling them 500x's I think they should have it down. (Ha, as you can see I don't even have it down) Well they just might not get until the 501x. Be patient mommy, speak with wisdom and faithful instruction just as the Lord is doing with you.

Patience

Part I

Proverbs 20:21 "An inheritance gained hastily will not be blessed in the end."

Slow down, enjoy where you are on the way to where our Father is taking you. Today Hannah and I were both reminded that it is best to slow down, absorb the teaching, in which is preparing us for our blessed future.

PART II dtd 3/29/10

Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

It is not even noon and I feel like pulling my hair out. I believe God is showing me some things today. One of those lessons is to show my children how to be patient without destroying their self worth. I came across a piece of paper in Hannah's room that she journaled her feelings on. As it broke my heart to hear what she wrote, I believe I needed to hear it. I felt sadness for how I made her feel and which made me feel like a failure as a mother.

I tell her she is beautifully made in Gods image, yet in another statement I tell her she is hasty. Hello!!! So today I apologized to Hannah and we decided that in the future instead of me telling her how I perceive she is acting, I would ask her how she perceives she is doing. Are you glorifying God with your actions or are you glorifying your flesh? Do you feel you were patient in completing that task or were you being hasty? I will let her examine her own actions and decide how she can glorify God. If it something that as a parent I know needs to be addressed and she didn't choose to self correct then we will together resolve the situation.

I want Hannah to know without a doubt that she is all that Psalm 139:14 says. My job is to build up my children and train them in the way of the Lord, not the opposite. Lord, help me to love my children the way you want me to and teach me how to show it in a way that they can understand.

Giving that is motivated by love

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. ...... Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.
-1 John 3:16-20


After many heart breaks, distance, and lies it can sometimes be difficult to continue to show love to someone who doesn't show much interest or love to you or your family. You sometimes want to throw in the towel, because you wouldn't need the towel to wipe the sweat if you weren't trying so hard. Then Jesus slaps me in the face, reminds me it is not about me, and says who do you think you are?? You don't always show me love, yet I love you unconditionally. He laid down his life for us: those that don't know him, those that that ignore him, those that do not recognize him, those who blasphemy him, those who know him yet don't always show it, for all mankind. He didn't do it saying I'll love you if you love me. He loved because he is love. If we are to be called children of God, to live as he lived, we need to be love....being love means sacrifice. We have to put our faith in Christ and step out of our comfort. For me that meant pushing my pride and broken heart a side, loving even when I felt no love in return. This was discomforting and scary for me. I have to believe that God will use me through this and that he will be glorified.

I planned to send a gift but I hadn't sent it yet because my giving was not motivated by sincere love. The package was sitting there labeled as "this is what Jesus would do." I can now say my packaged has been sent and it was labeled "with sincere love." Frances Chan says it quite well "Giving that is not motivated by love is worth nothing." Paul says from this kind of giving we "gain nothing"; however when we give out of love, we gain much.

I don't want to be prideful, selfish, or discontent. I want to love unselfishly and be filled with peace. I want to be closer to Jesus. If by chance you are reading this, and you know who you are, I am sorry and I love you!

Overcoming My Fear

The Lord has called me to be a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a disciple for Him. With this calling he will equip me with all I need to be the wise woman who builds up her house and the Lords house.

Why is it then that I struggle with the fear of failure in the areas of being a wise teacher and being a disciple for him. Why do I give into the lies of the enemy that I am not equipped or intelligent enough to fulfill my calling.

Often the Lord has to remind me that he has entrusted these beautiful children into my hands.
He trusts me to train up my children in the way they should go. He gives me these seedlings to plant by the stream of water, to nurture, love, and to help shape into a strong and healthy tree that will bear much good fruit. All I have to do is trust in my Teacher, my Father,
and to follow the example of his life while he was here on this earth. It is through his Word that I will obtain all the wisdom I will need in this life.

Today I remind myself that I am beautifully and wonderfully made in his image. Today I will trust in my Lord that he will equip me and mold me into a wise and noble woman. He will reach out his hand and touch my mouth and put his words in my mouth that are needed to teach and disciple my children.


"Ah, Sovereign Lord, I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, "I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth." Jeremiah 1:6-9

Life and Renewal

Lauren brought this flower in last night and put it in this jar of water. We told her that the flower was dead and that the water wasn't going to help it. However, we let her proceed. This morning after my devotion I walked into the kitchen and immediately saw the flower and heard God whisper to me 'my living water can renew and bring to life all things.'

Before Christ we are dead, filled with ignorance and misinformation, alienated from God. But we have the choice now to be renewed, to become a new creation, and to be reconciled to our Father thru Christ Jesus who shed his blood on the cross.

Lauren believed that the water would bring to life the flower. In this same way we need to remember that God can bring those we love who are in darkness into a new life. That dreams and visions that we thought were lost or had faded he can bring to life. And that even the smallest of flowers that seem dead he can bring to life. As believers no matter how dead things seem around us at times, we should not forget that in Christ we find life and renewal. It is him that brings to life all things. "For by him all things were created..." (Colossians 1:16)

Let this coming year be a year of renewal and new beginning for you.

"At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't want to walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned into the Message, carefully not to be distracted or diverted." (Colossians 1:21-23) The Message

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!"

(2 Corinthians 5:17) NIV

Keeping it real

Well I never blog about my personal struggles, but this morning I felt led to add to my blog what I wrote in my journal this morning. Maybe someone else out there is feeling the same as me and needs to hear this also.

I had been praying that God would fill my husband and myself with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. That we would live a life worthy of the Lord and would be pleasing to him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. - Colossians 1:9-10

Last night my husband came home from a test and had not passed it. Instead of still rejoicing and praising God though it I let my emotions control me and felt like another "failed" attempt at something. I should have encouraged, uplifted and supported my husband. I was so wrong and this morning asked for his forgiveness.

Well this morning I felt as if the Lord was telling me how can I complete you with a deeper understanding of my will if you can't even rest in me and rejoice in me through things now. Maybe we have been struggling with where God wants us because we truly have not been bearing good fruit and rejoicing through everything. I haven't proven myself worthy to have a deeper understanding of his will. Once I understand and rejoice with where we are on the way to where he is taking us his glory will then be revealed through us.

Lord, thank you for my husband, for his determination, for all his efforts in providing for us, for not giving up but even more so for the God fearing, loving and gentle man that he is. Thank you for the house we rent, thank you for the food on the table, thank you for the job my husband has, thank you that I am able to teach and raise our children.

Lord, forgive me for my selfishness and for being impatient. Lord I rejoice in You and I pray that you bathe me in your forgiveness and mercy. Renew me this morning and fill me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. - Galatians 5:22