Being an "Activist for Jesus"

God has really been putting this on my heart these past few weeks so I decided to share it with you all!

People ,in general, always tend to fight for what they think is right or what is or is not needed in their communities. As I Christian, I pray that I can and will fight for what is REALLY important.. and that is being my "brother's keeper" so everyone will know the love of Jesus Christ.

Occasionally, I consider myself somewhat of an "activist". Elections and local issues- I am always right there on the scene trying to help get the word out and fix things. But when it comes to my faith.. am I out there working and pleading as hard for people to know Jesus as I am for people to vote against worldly issues? I'd like to think so.. but it is definitely not the case. I understand that jobs, homes, and communities are important.. But without Jesus they're NOTHING. I am not saying it is wrong to stand up for what you believe in.. But I am asking that you search your hearts and ask for God's direction.. and to simply step back and see which of the two you're putting more focus into: Serving your community.. or serving your God?

I pray that I will be more active in my faith and share God with as many people as He puts in my path! Thank You, Jesus! You are the ONLY thing worthy of praise.

Tenderness

It amazes me so much the love of Jesus that lives in my child's heart! At such a young age, she is practicing love and tenderness towards her family and friends. I thank the Lord for putting this child in my life to constantly remind me of his love for us. I also thank Him for the insight He has given me to recognize Him when I see Him!

Today while a friend and I were walking and jogging at the track, I was pushing our kids in the twin jogging stroller and Paige was crying about something.. Molli INSTANTLY puts her little pudgy arm around Paige's shoulder and pats her to comfort her. This may seem silly or petty to some.. but it warmed my heart! She is so young, yet she knows how to comfort her loved ones when they are in need. I pray that I am as loving towards my family and friends as I should be. I pray for Molli's love for her friends to find her good friends that love the Lord as well.  The future is bright for her through Jesus Christ!

Thank you, Father, for loving us and for sending your Son as a PERFECT example of how we should be. I love you.

I Must Go Through the Valley

My precious little baby girl got her first set of wheels today and I had so many mixed emotions! I hate to admit that I am not as strong as I'd like to be when it comes to hiding my emotions regarding my baby. I love her so much and want her to be as happy as can be (and she is-unless we rob her of a balloon or two lol)! I am so happy for her.. yet there is that bittersweet feeling of "I can't believe my baby is in a wheelchair".
Satan was working hard on me this afternoon as I watched her therapist and daddy set her up in her new stander. I could not help but cry. My friends were texting me telling me how happy I was supposed to be.. and I was.. but that devil would not leave me alone with depression and self-pity.
This afternoon, I was driving to Canton, and I was dwelling on everything that had happened and how horrible I felt for letting the devil push me around like that.. and then my ears suddenly tune into my car stereo and I hear:
"yes I must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain.. Yes i must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain.. YES I MUST GO THROUGH THE VALLEY to stand upon the mountian of God."
So then I started bawling my eyes out and continueously saying "Thank You Jesus!" and praising God.
I love how God is CONSTANTLY reminding me that He is with me.

What I Love About Sundays

Waking up in the morning and making breakfast. Going to Church to lead Sunday School and participate in worshiping the Lord with my closest friends, family, and Church family. Cooking a feast of fried chicken afterwards. Getting caught up on housework. Playing outside with my husband and our little girl. Seeing their beautiful happy faces. Enjoying the day the Lord has made.

Thank you, Father, for giving us this day. In every ray of beautiful sunshine, every blade of grass, and every sound of children's laughter that I hear outside- I see your beauty and love. Thank You for blessing me with vision and hearing to recognize You and give You praise. You are worthy.

Rebuilding the Ancient Ruins

I have said this many many times since I started this Beth Moore study:

I wanted to do David!! God wanted me to do Breaking Free.



I am so happy and blessed to have listened to Him. He knows EXACTLY what my heart and soul need! I thank him for instructing Beth Moore to write such a deep and meaningful study that speaks directly to my soul about my "bondage".

This week, we are going over our "ancient ruins". Which is so fitting for my past. For a while now I have felt this sense of anger and blame towards my family for not nurturing my heart with God's word. I've felt disconnected from the life God wants me to live because I never had anyone hold my hand and positively guide me. Instead, I've been exposed to hurt, betrayal, and a lifestyle of "looking out for number one". And in our study she uses Exodus 20:5 as an example. "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me," It's not saying that God does not love us for our families sins- but is warning the Israelites that if they sin and do not keep His commandments, and they raise their families to live that way also- then after generations and generations of people being ignorant to sin because their parents were sinful and never knew it was wrong or right.. they'd just sin their way to hell. Thats the punishment God is talking about.
But I don't have to live that way! I don't have to suffer for my ancestor's sins! God is my father and HE IS GOOD. I can stop this chain of sin! My children do not have to suffer either! I pray for His wisdom and strength with raising my daughter to have a heart for the Lord. I didn't have a positive spiritual upbringing- BUT MY DAUGHTER WILL!! And I find so much peace in that.

All hope is not lost for me and it's not lost for anyone else! My God is faithful. He is GOOD.

Thank You, FATHER.

Great is Thy faithfulness

Okay so it's 2:36 a.m. and I am tired from a busy day and night. I usually read my devotionals at night time, but tonight there was just so much going on that I decided I would just read them tomorrow. I was laying in bed contemplating the events that had taken place tonight and I felt God telling my heart, "Get up and go read those devotionals!" So I did!

Before I get into that part of the story lets back up and let me explain my life here recently..
In every single thing that I do, hear, watch, and somehow experience- I think about Jesus. As if He were standing there beside me ((In the flesh!)) He is always on my mind! I have been praying that He stay in my heart and on my mind for months now.. and He is so faithful to honor my prayers and do just that! There is so much going on around me right now.. so much is happening to my friends and family- but I am at peace in my heart because Jesus is there. I also have peace of mind.. because Jesus is there, too!

Now back to the devotionals because this is where it starts getting good!

I am laying there in my bed and God tells me to get up and go read my devotionals..

My Utmost for His Highest devotional's daily devo is called "Is your mind stayed on God?" God is good, huh???

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3


I love how faithful God proves himself to be over and over and over again!

Indoor Snow-Night!

It is so cold outside and I have been seeing countless pictures of families playing in the snow today.  After sitting in the house forever, watching the pretty snow melt away outside my windows, I decided- why not bring the snow IN HERE!? So I went and got a thick blanket, a few large bowls full of snow, Molli's happy little penguin friend, and my Kiddo- and we had fun! Ryan even joined in a little towards the end! How blessed I am to have such a little ball of sunshine to play with everyday!

Our little Winter Wonderland!

This snow stuff sure is tasty!

uh oh!

Daddy joined the fun! (excuse the papers in the background.. haha Molli got into the printer stuff!)

Daddy building a snow-friend!

Our snow-friend!

Molli said, "Mmmmm!!"

Peace in His words

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33


"..But take heart; I have overcome the world."

" I have overcome the world"


I could just read that verse over and over again. There is so much PEACE in that scripture! Yes, I have problems. But, NO I don't have to really worry about them because HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD!

Psalm 27:1 says "The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?"

So really? WHOM SHALL I FEAR when I know that I know that I KNOW that HE has overcome the world? No one. Nothing.

There is so much hurt in the world today. It is so easy to lose focus. But as long as I keep my prayer-life live and in action.. whom shall I fear? As long as I am living and working in the presence of the ALMIGHTY GOD.. whom shall I fear??

Thank you Father for the love and peace that I experience in your presence. I am so thankful for Your hands in my life!