Daughters of the One True King!

I am a daughter of the the One True King! How awesome is that? Saved by His grace, washed clean, forgiven, and adopted. I can call Him "Abba Father!" Oh how wonderful. Can you say you are a daughter of the One True King? Please, if you can't say that you have asked Jesus into your heart and call God your Father, ask me (or someone you know) and I will be glad to share with you how you can live for eternity praising Him who saved you!!

Our pastor, Bro Wade (LPBC) gave a great sermon on Mother's Day! Full of things we as daughters of the King should be and do. A challenge to us all... some of our hubbies said in Connect this past week "that sermon wasn't just for the women" it was packed with convictions for them as well. I will share a little of  what it was about.

Daughters of The King.

A Biblical woman is Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:18), fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:30), finds her identity and satisfaction in Christ Alone (Colossians 3:3-4), understands true beauty (1 Peter 3:3-5), and lives with a passion for God's glory in the home (Titus 2:3-5), and among the nations (Psalm 96:3). 

Wow. A lot to think about in such a small paragraph. Are we doing these things? Are we living like that? Does our spirit reflect Christ in our home... in public? Does our passion for God show? 

We, as women , have a great impact on our home. We can set the tone for the whole family. Haven't you ever heard the saying, "If Momma ain't happy, no one is happy." Its true! The way we act, talk, and extend grace is important. We should glorify Christ in all things. The way we step out of bed can greatly impact our day, which in turn affects our children(s) and husbands day too. Beth Moore has challenged us (in a recent Bible study I'm doing) to fall on our faces every morning. Wow! How great if we just PRAY with all we have each morning before we get out bed. If we set our minds on things above, have a spirit filled with peace, and extend our grace to our family imagine what can come of that. Can we be so filled with Christ that everyone sees it? Can we be so full of peace and grace that our family gets nothing but from us?

I  want my home to be one that serves the Lord (Joshua 24:15) in all things. Do you?

Back to the part I started with, "Can you say you are a daughter of the One True King?"

If you can't say with confidence "YES" then you are missing out. You are here for a purpose, don't miss what God has in place for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Don't waste another minute on thinking you are not good enough, pretty enough, loved enough, and so on. You are, but none of us are a part from Gods grace (Romans 3:10). His mercy is new every day. We are forgiven in Christ.



The only way to God is through Jesus, His son (John 14:6). We have to acknowledge that we have sinned, and we need a Savior. That Jesus is the only way to Heaven and we believe in Him. Repent of your sins and ask God to come into your life and save you. Wash you clean, make you new and help you live a life pleasing to Him. God did this for you and for me.

"I will be a Father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me says the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:8

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." - Romans 10:13
 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going. ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:1-6

"There is no one righteous, no not even one..." - Romans 3:10

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15 

News today...

In today's news there is so much report of crime and sadness. It is rather depressing to turn on the evening news or log into media sites that are bombarded with links to "stories" sharing sad news.  This world is going south fast. We need Jesus. My devotional today was about "Media Messages" from the book How Deep a Mother's Love... Devotional Journey. What good quick reads for the busy mom! I got mine at Lifeway if you want to pick up a copy for yourself.  Let me share with you excerpts from the devotional (I have highlighted in blue) and a summary of my thoughts about what it says..

"Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on earth." Colossians 3:2

"Sometimes it's hard being a woman of faith, especially when the world keeps pumping out messages that are contrary to your beliefs."

Have you ever noticed that the media focuses on outward beauty, fame, riches, and such? Things of this world?  I can't say they never send out a prayer or encouraging link to a "good" story but its rare. When they do, have you ever noticed the comments from people below being so controversial? So degrading? Judgemental? Its sad. When you read those comments you see just how far from Christ the people and this world really are.

"Because you live in the 21st century, you are relentlessly bombarded by media messages that are contrary to your faith." 

Don't let the world convince you to thinking that a certain weight, hair color, appearance, job, number of children, car, house, etc is the right or wrong. God made us all different in different stages in life. Whether you have one child or seven... the biggest house in the nicest neighborhood or an older small house in the midst of the country... you work a full-time job or stay home and raise your children... you eat what you want or diet and  the scale isn't moving... you are healthy or battling a illness... you drive a new top rated car or one that used and beat up... we are all children of GOD and in the end of this life on earth it won't matter one bit. None of it! We can't take material things with us. We will get a new body in Heaven. We answer to God alone.  Why focus all your time on what the world does/says. Don't let the lies of this world depress you, or give you a big head. Let's read the Bible and dig deeper to see what He says is right. Let's store up treasures in Heaven and not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).  Let's let people see Jesus in us and not our material things.

I am not saying its easy, or that we will never want stuff we don't need. I know Im not perfect at this but I am striving to give all my focus north (toward Heaven) instead of south (toward the pits of Hell).

"The more we stuff ourselves with material pleasures, the less we seem to appreciate life." - Barbara Johnson

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Security

Do you feel secure? Secure in your relationships. Secure in your walk with Christ. Secure in your house. Secure in your new business adventure. Secure in your role as a Mother.  And so on...

"But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil."

-Proverbs 1:33

Feelings of security are everywhere. This world makes it harder and harder to push those feelings aside. The more that happens bad around us or to us, the more the news reports of evil in the world, the more advancement in technology - well you get the point - the more we feel insecure about our safety. Things have changed so much since the 1900s and I can't even begin to imagine what the world will be like  another century from now (if God allows us to be here that long). There is one thing that will never chance and that is GOD. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). If you let Him, He will secure all your needs (Philippians 4:19). Notice I said NEEDS and not WANTS. We as humans can get those mixed up sometimes. We want a lot more than we need and we get a lot more than we deserve. I know, I am right there too. Contentment is a big problem in today's time. That comes for another day and another post because its something I am doing a devotion on as well. I think the lack of being content in your life is one reason why so many people become criminals or do evil things. They want a  way to get ahead, have more, be more, do more - they just don't do it the right way. So, the need for us who do the right thing and have what  we do (aside from God allowing us to) from working hard have to go a step beyond to protect it.

"However, as Christians we can still know and enjoy the peace of God in this insecure world." 

- Excerpt from More Faith in My Day  by Emilie Barnes

How true is this statement. Our faith goes beyond the insecurities of the earth. Things here will pass away and be destroyed. There will be evil, sin, and Satan lurking beyond every corner.  Christians, we have a promise and a place prepared for us that is everlasting and free of sin/evil. I am happy to know that our God cares enough to do that for us. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please message me or someone you trust and talk about it. Don't let your insecurities of life and faith go down with the world...

Women Have Fragile Strength

Why did I pick that post title? Honestly, it just came to me when I decided to write about this topic below. I think women are fragile yet strong! Just that. We are fragile in our emotions. They get the best of us. They consume us sometimes. They break us at times and they pick us up sometimes too.  Yet, we are stronger because of this. Our emotions make us a strong force too. We have strength in many areas... mentally, physically, emotionally, verbally, etc.  How we handle our emotions and strength is what makes us.

I had bought the book, by Lysa Terkeurst, Unglued  a year ago and have not made it very far. How far have I read? I made it to the third chapter on a few different occasions. Yes, chapter three is all I get to time and time again! I get that far then get busy and put it down not to pick it up again for months then I start over and stop in the same spot.  Well, I picked up the book tonight and headed to the jacuzzi where I made myself read the first three chapters AGAIN to refresh; although, I knew it word for word at this point! I did that so I didn't miss anything. Those first few chapters lead you into what the books about and I wanted to be reminded and reflect that I am not alone in this issue. I think every time in the past I get stuck because I am busy - busy - busy and come unglued in life situations and when I walk by the book I don't want to face that fact... That's me! I mean how many of us hold it together after four hours of sleep the night before and by mid day we have a screaming child, the phones ringing, the house is dirty, dinner is boiling over on the stove, and the dog is using the bathroom in the floor... ALL AT THE SAME TIME! This time I am moving past that stopping point of chapter three. I don't want to become the woman of crazy emotions going all over the place. Heck, its hard to do at times when your hormones are highly off track from your miscarriage and after two years of dealing with that and trying to get medicine to work in regulating it and nothing is working so far that you would think I could adjust to my new hormonal self causing more mixed emotion... but I haven't. That last long probably miss-punctuated sentence is not my excuse but its my REALITY.  I want to feel balance and grace in my actions not just some days, but everyday! I want to control my emotions not have them control me. I want to be able to react like a woman of grace all the time like I do half of the time. I can hold it together great some days and I feel confident and accomplished.  Others I ask -  How am I making it day to day - How much more does God think I can juggle - Why are my emotions all over the place - Is this really that bad why can't I shake this...  Are you with me yet? Its hard but it can be easy too. We have to DECIDE to react to things differently.  This I am working on! I am praying. I am praying some more and digging into devotionals, Gods word, etc.  Reading this wonderful woman of Christ opens up about her struggle in this area and how God helped her manage it is encouraging.

I am now going to face this book and see what some Godly views are to help in "making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions." (excerpt quote from Unglued) 

If you are reading this, lets make a pact not to let minds fill up which causes us to become more fragile. Give room to stay so strong in all situations. To be able to think and decide to react in a way that is pleasing to The Lord. Let's take a step back and say no to things coming onto our plate, let's lay down on the couch while our kid(s) sleep to refresh our bodies, let's open the Bible or devotion any quiet moment we get, let's order take out one night to give ourselves a break from cooking and so on.

 I am a woman of fragile strength. Are you?

Playing Catch Up!

1. We have now moved into our new home that took only a little over four months to build. God was our contractor for sure! We could have never done it with out His direction and grace through it. A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and late nights spent but it was worth it. We love our home and still doesn't seem real to be here. We sold our other home before we even moved out, another God thing, and closed just four days after we moved out. Sure not worthy of this wonderful new journey God has put us on. Here is an updated picture from my last post (which I will leave out the MANY pictures in between. lol)

2.  The "Great Debate" was solved. HAHA! I chose dark cabinets with light island and LOVE it.

3. Aiden's check up for his 6 month Ortho  visit happened in October and they found the spot was back again. Yes, its appeared back on the x rays... but small. The doctor doesn't think its anything to worry with still and is even considering it to be fluid filled where it fills up and drains. This would help explain the whole growth and disappearance then re appearance cyst. We go back in May for another follow up. God is in control and I still trust and lean on the fact He knows exactly! Praising HIM that it isn't causing pain this time though.

4.  To refer back to one of my previous post about a devotional. I bought the Jesus Calling  book and started reading it last year around Jan. I quit in March when I felt it was controversial on some days of wording and the fact the author used things in first person... from GODS perspective/words! Not my cup of tea; although, it did have some uplifting points and days I needed to read what it had to say at that time. I just didn't feel as though I should continue it. Lately I have heard flack about the book and reasons not to read... So?! 

5. I have had a tugging in my heart to start keeping up with my blog again. Why? Because I had tried to keep it Christ focused and encouraging in The Word. (Sometimes I get off track, but its still my personal blog) I want to speak truth and spread the gospel through this. I want to help others going through tough times or just encourage those trying to do the same and give God the glory in all things. I am not that great at it, but if God leads them to me He will help me find what to say. When I posted my Gracen  post over two years ago my blog jumped in numbers. I had people messaging me to talk and ask questions on I dealt with miscarriage. People who said "Thank you for sharing your story it helped me during my miscarriage" and others who opened up with things in their life that they have faced and not been able to share. To know God brought all that into play through me giving that part of my life fully out there its helped only a dozen people... and hopefully more than I know about... is amazing! I felt bad for not sharing sooner because I could have missed an opportunity to reach out to someone God wanted me to cross paths with. The point is..., hold nothing back. Share your story. Its your testimony!

Debate verses Truth.

There really is no debate on what is right and what is wrong. It is but it should not be. God has truths but humans like to debate opinions. The Bible is a book set in stone with no error and it will not change. You either believe it or you don't, but its still going to exist. People have opinions and they all differ but the BIBLE tells us what God says. God clearly tells us what sin is, how we should live, and what laws we should follow. Sin is sin whether you murder, commit adultry, steal, get drunk, or use His name in vein. The world measures sin by judicial system but God sees it all the same. I saw an illustration where we see buildings from the side and some are big, others are small... that is how we view sin. God sees it from above, viewing something from over head shows a horizon  where they all look the same height.  What are you passing off as a restaurant building when its really no different than a sky scraper? Great example!  

Oh Lord, forgive me of the sins I have committed and make me a better person. Please open my eyes to those things I often shrug off as human nature when its really a sin. I want no wicked ways in me, nothing holding me back from growing closer to You, and no room for Satan to distract me from what truly matters. Help me to love unconditionally, only point fingers at myself, and help those in need no matter the cost. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for showing grace and mercy to the fullest.  Amen

We should stand firm on the gospel of Christ no matter the cost. Do not give in to worldly  views, human laws that constantly change one minute to the next based on whose getting offended, what man says is right, how the world sees sin, etc (Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.") We have the answers people, let's all just pray and open our Bible and read till we find them all. Watching the world will only confuse you. Take hold of the truth that never changes. Stand firm on that truth.  We will not go unnoticed in the eyes of God  and if you think about it, we will not go unnoticed in the worlds' eyes either. It may stir up a "debate" but it exposes the Gospel.  

God did not say standing firm for Christ would be easy and with out ridicule, but we will be blessed for choosing HIM over the world (Matthew 5:10 says "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."). Yet, if we deny Him we will suffer the ultimate consequence (“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.). What will you chose to do when challenged about your faith???

"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

 Joshua 24:15 

Busy?

Yeah, Yeah, I know... Everyone is busy during the holiday season!  I think that's why this study hit home. One of those perfect timings from God to show me to get my focus back on Christ this Christmas in every aspect of my day not just at times when I think about it. I mean, I didn't think it was possible for our family to get any busier really. Between  Chris' work traveling, the new house building,  Aiden's first time in school, and all the things the winter/holiday months bring for gatherings and parties is it possible to have any free time? Well, lately it has been. The cold temps have kept us home and from working on the new house and we are trying to relax!

Anyway, busy is something I am used to so naturally when I read my devotion tonight it hit home... HARD. 

I have been reading (again) one of my books called Becoming a Woman of Extraordinary Faith by Julie Clinton. So good. 

Tonight was about "Finding God's Beauty"

If you see any beauty in Christ, and say, "I desire to have that," God will work it in you. - G.V. WIGRAM

Read Psalm 27 and focus on verses 4 and 5 in that chapter.  Very eye opening how David's focus was solely on Christ.

As I read a little further in the book, this paragraph stuck out to me. I read it twice and couldn't quit thinking about it because BUSY is what I am. If you are a busy person, too, just think what is keeping your attention and time from God.

"If Satan can't make you bad, he will make you busy. Being busy in the "good" of things often robs us of the "best" things. Busy has wisely been defined as Being Under Satans Yoke."

WOW. That hit me hard. I don't want to think that by being occupied and busy is being under Satans hold to keep me away from the things that matter... God, Ministry, Fellowship, Bible Study, etc! Although, I do make time for this, I don't do as much of it as I have or should. Its true when you think about it. When life is busy we often put aside the most important things.  What is the first thing you skip out on when you get busy? What do you forget to do? How does your schedule change? Just think about it. I know I have. 

Remembering Gracen

October 2nd, 2011 the loss of our sweet baby, Gracen. Oh how this day brings up such emotion for me. Two years has passed so quickly yet seems so long ago.  I can still remember the few months being pregnant and the loss of a baby I long to meet, long to hold, and long to say 'Mommy loves you!'

Exactly one week from the loss of Gracen, this song was played during the first church service I was able to attend after bed rest and the miscarriage.  It touched my heart so much that day with raw emotions still running in my head, God knew exactly what I needed to hear. He let me know that He never left my side and cared about me... cared about Gracen. My child was first His and only after a  very short time was once again with his/her Father in Heaven again! My heart was saddened for a while yet through prayer, devotions, and song I found comfort and had peace knowing what I was going through was not to punish me but to make me stronger in Christ (Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28) . It hasn't been an easy two years but its been a teaching two years. I have learned so much about my faith and my relationships. I am blessed. I had a few months with my baby and only I got to experience that life. I have a beautiful, loving, energetic, smart boy here on earth that brings such joy and love to my life daily I can't even imagine having more than that! I don't deserve to be his Mom but God allowed me to be. I don't deserve to be Gracens mom, but I have two children because earth is not my home but Heaven and that is where Gods promised both Aiden and Gracen to me! One day I will hold Gracen for 'ten thousand years and forever more' alongside my husband, Aiden, and my God. A family complete for eternity. Oh how good is our God. Who else can promise that?
No one but the Great I Am. 

We will release our balloons to Heaven for Gracen's second heavenly birthday before we start our day tomorrow (today). We participated in the "Walk to Remember" by CrossHeart ministry last year and I so wish I could do it again this year as it brought so much closure and comfort last year. I highly recommend it for families who have experienced the loss of a child no matter what stage in life. Gracen will be honored on the shirt and in our hearts. Here is pic from last year of us walking to remember Gracen. 

Here is another song that caught my attention during our loss two years ago and still stops me to a time of worship.
We are still waiting for another miracle from God and while I am I plan to honor God in all circumstances in life.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The day we found out we were expecting our second baby. Little did we know God never planned for us to meet our baby this side of Heaven.

The Great Debate!!

I say its the "great debate" but really Chris says its up to me... so I am debating in my mind over and over and over!! lol
I really like both styles and both fit the house, so its a matter of which to choose to fit it best. I started out wanting dark cabinets then went with lighter  -  now I have no idea!  Probably because its decision time and what I pick stays which scares me. Why? I don't know because we have other rooms decided already picked fixtures, floors, cabinets, and even color of walls in most. I think "Will the lighter look dirty?" "Dark floors cost more." "Will darker cabinets make it too dark in there?" Kitchen is harder and I need to be more confident at this point since we've already broke ground and our cabinets will be custom made. Help!

I have given three "very similar" kitchen ideas. Which do you like? Comment with A, B or C please to help me nail it down!

A) Dark cabinets with mixed floors (light and medium tiles) and light cream counter tops.

B) Light cabinets (also called antique white) with darker counters and dark floors and mix of dark island and vent hood.

C) Light cabinets (old white finish) all around. Darker floors and fixtures with medium counters.

Again, these are all just similar ideas... we have customized a few details we want already so just need to nail down color schemes! Thanks for your inputs... my brain is flipping between each one daily. lol I wish I could put all them up in the house to decide what I like best. lol

Focusing North

We need to start focusing North... Up... to Heaven! That is where our answers are. Nothing in or of the world will satisfy everyone, at the same time, for all time. Jesus is completely satisfying and for "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:3). In Christ alone, we are made whole. Heaven is where there will be no compromise for the laws are already in place. The answers are in the Bible, we just have to open it. Wondering if what's going on in the world, choices in your life, the new (earthly) law that just passed or people trying to convince you of something is right or wrong? Open your BIBLE start reading, visit the Christian store and pick a Biblical based (that is very important) devotional or study guide on the topic in question, and PRAY! We as Christians can not compromise with the world or the people in it that are not following Christ, we are to stand out and stand firm on what God says even if it causes us to lose our everything... our job, friends, family, and even our life! 

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:2

www.Biblegateway.com 

And just because I am a big Jeremy Camp fan... I picked this one because there are no images, words, etc to distract so if you would just take about 4 minutes, close your eyes, and listen!