The Busy-ness of Life

It is amazing how things can take up so much of your time. I often feel like 24 hours just isn't long enough to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished for the day. Well, the other day I came to the oh- so- obvious conclusion that God knows better than me, that 24 hours is more than enough time. Immediately after that thought, the word "Priority" popped into my mind. Go figure!

The reason most of us may feel like we don't have enough time is because things that are not priorities are crowding the space that should be allotted for home, church, and time with the Lord. I quickly stopped complaining and started to look at what was taking up so much of my time. I realized that there were things clogging up precious time that belonged to my family and to the Lord. I asked the Lord to show me how to put those things where they belonged and put the important things/people where they should be. Praising the Lord was my next course of action. I began praising and thanking him for how He created this world and the boundaries of time.

With that said, I will be allotting time in my schedule to blog more. :-) I know some time ago I said I was back, but school was back, children's choir rehearsal was back and all the demands of putting a Christmas program together were too. I am working on several post which I am praying to have up in a couple of weeks.

I am currently reading a book called "Heaven at Home" by Ginger Plowman. It's book that speaks on making our home a place of joy and peace. A refuge. Our women's ministry are presently reading "Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free". It is a powerful book that opens the eye to things that are holding us captive and keeping us from experiencing the fullness of God's presence. Several of my posts will come from them.

May God's grace be with you as you are seeking to serve Him on this journey.

The Right to Kill?

Scripture speaks a lot of children. It tells us that "children are a heritage of the Lord". (Psalm 127:3) It also tells us that we are to be as little children when coming to the Lord. (Matthew 18:2-5) Scripture tells us that "children are a gift from God." To give birth is a most glorious and marvelous gift that could ever be given to a woman. It amazes me that people are fighting for the right to kill an unborn child. There was an article that came out in Ms Magazine that spoke of women who chose to abort their baby. They wanted to show the world that these women were not ashamed of the decision they had made. They wanted people to know that it was their right. (read article at http://www.msmagazine.com/fall2006/abortionmag.asp) Now, are we suppose to applaud these individuals? Are we to feel sorry for them or pick up our banners and join in the fight with them? What?!?

I have five children and every single one of them are precious in the sight of the Lord. It was such a joy to know that the Lord chose me to be a mother. It's a high calling and an invaluable gift. When are the many thousands of women and young girls going to stop playing God? When are the people in government, who are riding on the band wagon, going to stop trying to keep laws from passing that would put an end to the ugliness of abortion? If you look at the picture above you can see the awesomeness of God's grace. No matter how small, that child is created in His image.

Ladies join with me in prayer. Let's pray for God's mercy to engulf those who don't see the awfulness of abortion. Share your thoughts and prayers. I would love to know what you think.

The Power of the Cross

How often do we consider the cross? How often do we consider the power of the cross? Over the past few weeks I've been constantly reminded of what Christ did for me. Each time I am more amazed and more aware of my sin. My sins are what nailed him to the cross. In Isaiah 53 it tells us that He bore our grief and carried our sorrows. Yet through it all He never opened His mouth. What an awesome thought. In Acts, Luke tells us that Jesus Christ was delivered by the purpose and foreknowledge of God. God knew we needed a savior and sacrificed His Son for us. That alone should cause all to shout, "Hallelujah!! What a Savior."


There's a song that captures the essence of what I've been experiencing over the past month. It's called The Power of the Cross. It's written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. I pray that through these words the power of the cross will become as real to you as it has to me.

Oh to see the dawn, of the darkest day

Christ on the road to calvary

Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then

Nailed to a cross of wood

This the power of the cross,

Christ became sin for us

Took the blame, bore the wrath

We stand forgiven at the Cross

Oh to see the pain, written on your face

Bearing the awesome weight of sin

Every bitter thought, every evil deed

Crowning your blood stained brow

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath

Quakes as its maker bows His head

Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life

Finished the victory cry

Oh to see my name, written in the wounds

For through your suffering I am free

Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live

Won through your selfless love

This the power of the cross

Son of God, slain for us

What a love, what a cost

We stand forgiven at the cross

May we all be blessed today and everyday by the power of the cross.

I'M BACK!

Hey everyone!!! It has been a busy summer. I have so much to share about God's goodness and faithfulness. He has blessed me with opportunities to travel to several different places over the past few months. I had an opportunity to travel with my husband to Chicago where he was one of the speakers at a conference that centered around the attributes of God. (I don't even have to tell you how powerful that was!) Also I was blessed by the Lord in celebrating 13 wonderful years of marriage. My husband and I had a fun filled and romantic time in Gatlinburg TN. Shortly after that I traveled to Gaithersburg, MD with our praise team to the Sovereign Grace Ministries, Worship06 conference at Covenant Life Church where Bob Kauflin and others opened our eyes to Christ-centered worship. It was so awesome.


These are just a few things that went on this summer. I will share more with you on how God transformed my heart through these events. I will also be sharing thoughts on homeschooling. I am getting ready to jump head first into my 5th year. I am really excited. My prayer is that the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out many blessings. And for all of you who are homeschooling, my prayer is the same for you. May we seek to honor the Lord through the training of our children. May the Lord reveal himself in a mighty way this year.

Let us continue to praise God for his gifts of love to us, in that He sent His son to die for sinners. Praise him for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the bountiful supply of grace and mercy.

Don't forget to check out our church's web site. We just finished up Pilgrims Progress and each session is available to for you to enjoy and glean from. It was an awesome journey. http://www.scfi.org

Certain Death or Life Everlasting

At my church we are currently studying The Pilgrims Progress. It has, thus far, been an eye opening journey. It is a magnificent portrait of the perseverance of the saints. On Wednesday night I was so encouraged by Christian's understanding of why we should endure in this life.

When Christian ran into Timorous and Mistrust they were in pursuit of fleeing from difficulty and danger. They were imploring Christian to do the same. Christian's next words should be a banner in our lives. He says,

"If I go back to my own country,
which faces fire and brimstone,

I shall certainly perish there.
If I can get to the

Celestial City, I am sure to be
safe there. I must go

forward, facing the risks and
dangers. To go back is nothing

but death; to go forward is fear
of death, and life everlasting beyond it.

So I will go
forward."

There is nothing this world could offer that will alleviate us from difficult times, trials, heartache and pain. There is no easy way. In this life we will run in to a Timorous or Mistrust. We will run into people whose lives are gripped by fear. Even people we love and trust will try to persuade us to return to the City of Destruction.

Remember Lot's wife, don't look back, keep moving ahead and let the words of Christian resonate in your hearts and minds, so that when you are faced with those who desire to veer off of the way of the King say to yourself, "To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. So I will go forward."

If you are interested in joining us through our study of The Pilgrims Progress please go to Southwest Christian Fellowship's website where the sermons are available.

Created to be Feminine

A couple of days ago I was sitting in McDonalds play land watching my children enjoy a game of hide-and-seek. While I was being entertained I noticed a woman and her two children enter the play area. I began to admire the cuteness of one of her offspring. As I watched them I found myself wondering whether or not this child was male or female. At first glance you would think "female". The little one's hair was braided, had beautiful almond shaped eyes and a "pretty" smile. However, the child was dressed in big and baggy clothing, and I was left wondering.

All too often young ladies are mistaken for young men. And more frustrating to me, young girls are seeking and striving to look more masculine. Where have we gone wrong? Why are our young girls so displeased with the way the Creator, created them to be? Why are we so accepting?

In Genesis 1:27 it says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (emphasis added) Oh, how beautifully sculptured we are. Designed perfectly by the Master. As I look at the discontentment in this world it reaffirms the depravity of man. Everyday we see men and women, young and old shaking their fist in the face of God. Yet I am reminded that without the mercy and grace of our loving Father we would do the same.

I would encourage us all, to train our daughters up with the understanding and the joy of knowing and honoring the beauty in which God created us. If we are training our daughters to bask in the rays of their femininity then God will be glorified. If you know a young lady who strives to be the opposite of what she is I implore you to admonish them. Turn their thoughts to the divine order, the order which was established at the beginning of time.

I Need Thee, O I Need Thee

This was sent to me from friend. I pray that it shows you how much We need grace and the One who supplies it. Be blessed.


Truth ForLife Devotional
June 29, 2006
AND SO IN THE MATTER OF THE ENVOYS OF THE PRINCES OF BABYLON, WHO HAD BEEN SENT TO HIM TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE SIGN THAT HAD BEEN DONE IN THE LAND, GOD LEFT HIM TO HIMSELF, IN ORDER TO TEST HIM AND TO KNOW ALL THAT WAS IN HIS HEART. 2 Chronicles 32:31


Hezekiah was growing so inwardly great and priding himself so much upon the favor of God that self-righteousness crept in, and because he trusted in himself, the grace of God was for a time, in its more active operations, withdrawn. If the grace of God were to leave the best Christian, there is enough sin in his heart to make him the worst of transgressors. If left to yourselves, you who are warmest for Christ would cool down like Laodicea into sickening lukewarmness: You who are sound in the faith would be white with the leprosy of false doctrine; you who now walk before the Lord in excellency and integrity would reel to and fro and stagger with a drunkenness of evil passion. Like the moon, we borrow our light; bright as we are when grace shines on us, we are darkness itself when the Son of Righteousness withdraws Himself.

Therefore, let us cry to God to never leave us. "Take not Your Holy Spirit from me! Do not withdraw from us Your indwelling grace! Have You not said, 'I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day'?1 Lord, keep us everywhere. Keep us when we're in the valley so that we do not grumble against Your humbling hand; keep us when we're on the mountain, so we do not lose our balance by being lifted up; keep us in youth, when our passions are strong; keep us in old age, when becoming conceited in our wisdom, we may therefore prove greater fools than those who are young and silly; keep us when we come to die, in case at the very end we should deny You! Keep us living, keep us dying, keep us working, keep us suffering, keep us fighting, keep us resting, keep us everywhere, for everywhere we need You, O our God !"1 Isaiah 27:3

Amen!

A Gift From the Father

This past Sunday was Father's Day. All over the country people were out in the stores buying last minute gifts and cards. I found myself out there with them. While I was in the store trying to squeeze my way through the card isle, it hit me, there are no cards or poems that could capture the essence of the type of father my husband is. I stand amazed each day as I watch him love and care for our children and the tender way he loves and cares for me.

I don't know how many women are able to identify with me. It is a gift from the Father above to have a man who loves you, but loves the Father more. Through his service to the Lord he has faithfully and unconditionally given himself to our family. It is a joy to love him and be loved by him.

Tony is truly a gift from the Father. I thank and praise the Lord,daily, for my husband. We've been married for almost thirteen years and they have been the best years of my life. May the Lord be praised.

Our Road Map

"Your word is a lamp unto my feet

and a light unto my path."

Psalm 119:105

Last week I had the privilege of serving as counselor at Cedine Bible Camp. Our theme for the week was "The Bible: Our Road Map". Each day during devotion time we talked of several men of faith who stood on the path of righteousness, men who stood for the Lord. For many of my campers the story of Elijah resonated in their hearts.

As young ladies they face many temptations at school and home. Daily they find it difficult to be the lone ranger, especially when it's so easy just to blend in with the crowd. However, we can praise the Lord for examples like Elijah. He was up against 450 prophets, but was not moved. From sun up to sun down the prophets of Baal cried out their god and received not a word. Elijah, knowing he served the ONE true God, received fire from on high.

Young or old, we must understand there will be times in our lives when we must stand alone. We must stand with the assurance that our eternal reward will be much greater than the applause of those who dwell on temporal things.

The infallible word of God is our road map. It will keep us on paths of righteousness. It will give us the strength when we are weak, it comforts when sad, it gives us the confidence we need to fight for truth and for a Savior who is alive and is coming back to take us to our heavenly home on high.

"Lead me O LORD in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face." Psalm 5:8

Christ Is All

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He

may have the preeminence." Col. 1:18

On Sunday morning I was reading a devotional that lit torches in the crevices of my soul. Heather Olford brought home the fact that Christ is the preeminent one and the head of the church. Thus, He should be the head of our lives. Our being and very existence is for the worship and adoration of our Savior and God. We are to worship Christ with the understanding that He deserves all of our love and devotion. Those who don't comprehend this well, will ask "Why do you worship Him?" In his book, The Air I Breathe, Louie Giglio says, "You've been created by God. And if that wasn't enough, you've also been created for Him. As a result, there's an internal homing device riveted deep with your soul that perpetually longs for your Maker. An internal, God-ward magnet, pulling your being toward Him. That's why we come from the womb equipped for connectivity with God, prewired to praise."

Christ, who was sent by the Father, must reign supreme in our hearts. Having the Savior as the preeminent one in our lives will produce waterfalls of praise and adoration. In Matthew 12:34 it says, "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Heather ended the devotional with this, "When Christ is Lord of all, the Holy Spirit fills our lives and we can't help but overflow in witness."

I had to take a moment and go into the recesses of my mind and examine whether or not Christ is all in my life. No thing or person should take precedence in our lives. Is Christ all in yours?

Where are Your Roots?

This past April I had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of a dear friend, Pamela Baker. God used her in a tremendous way. Over a two-day span, God opened my eyes and lead me to ponder where my roots are.

Let us imagine two trees. The first tree is a tree that bears good fruit unto life. The second tree bears fruit that rots and decays unto death. The second tree represents life in the flesh. At the root we unearth disbelief in God's sovereignty and His goodness. As a result of this we discover pride, discontentment, covetousness and idolatry. This unhealthy and ungodly nourishment goes deep and produces fruit that causes one to be unloving, fearful, ungrateful, unforgiving, bitter, impatient, lustful and merciless.

My friends, it is a dangerous and deadly journey when one does not yield to the sovereignty and goodness of God. Our life becomes a life of disobedience and legalism. Living in the flesh offers no hope at all. However, in this case we can say that the grass is greener on the other side, where there is life in the Spirit.

The first tree has roots that dig deep into God's sovereignty and goodness, which is seen through faith. It produces humility, contentment,and a desire for God, that is the pinnacle of worship. Taking of this fruit causes one to be loving, peaceful, faithful, forgiving, patient, merciful, and self-controlled.

My sisters which tree are you drawing from? Is your life a reflection of a life lived in the flesh or in the spirit? Dig deep and see if there are areas of bitterness, discontentment, pride, idolatry or unbelief.

There is a way to the tree of life. Come to the cross and trust the Lord to open your eyes to life in the Spirit.

True Beauty

As women we are often caught in the world's grip of discontent and self-indulgence. Society is constantly telling us that we should not be satisfied with who we are. With every click of the television channels, the radio stations, and the turning of pages in popular women's magazines, we find offers for books on the latest diets, articles that reveal the secrets of how to look beautiful in minutes, or how to look like the stars. Television shows like Americas Top Model says that you're beautiful if you're long and lean and can wear the latest fashions by top designers. I think the worst of all may be the cosmetic surgery that allows women to change their body image and their looks with a few months of agonizing pain and bruising.

Ladies, we are drowning in an ocean of propaganda, and some of us don't even know it. However, by the grace and mercy of God, He has given us "THE" one and only guide book to TRUE BEAUTY. In Peter's first epistle, he gives women a solid foundation to the beauty God intends for every believing woman.

Peter tells us that women are to be submissive (to their husbands), chaste, and God-fearing, not focusing on the outward adornments, but making sure that daily, we are especially concentrating on developing reverent Christ-like character, which is a beauty that is incorruptible, a beauty that is gentle and quiet. This is what God deems to be precious and invaluable in His sight. (I Peter 3:4)

So, who are we trying to please? Are we trying to keep up with the latest styles? Are we trying to be the next "Top Model"? Or are we trying to obtain a beauty that is pleasing to God and is so deep in the abyss of our souls, that it flows out through the pours of our being. Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."

Ladies, join with me in striving, today and everyday for a beauty that is deep and everlasting.