Let's Talk! Tuesday

Random thoughts for Let’s Talk! Tuesday…

1. I haven’t taken the time lately to sit down and compose a blog post, so sharing some random thoughts sounds good. I’ve had many blog posts whirling through my head, yet the words never quite seem to make in onto my blog. Hmmmm…maybe someday soon. If I didn’t have to sleep I could get so much more accomplished in a day. :-)

2. Did you know that when a baby is born it has 20/400 vision?  By 3 months old it’s more like 20/50.

3. Last Tuesday we had a Rise & Shine Women’s Retreat team meeting. We took some extra time at the beginning of the meeting to pray together. It was amazing how the meeting flowed, how much we accomplished with the short time we had left after our prayer time. It just goes to show when we give God the time He deserves, He is faithful to multiply the time we have to accomplish our goals, and His!

4. My boys are growing like weeds…very cute weeds!! :-)

5. Maybe it's more appropriate to say they are growing like corn...Andrew (3) and his daddy (my dear husband) planted two rows of corn in his sandbox. They even fertilized it a couple of weeks ago.  :) My little farmer in training...

  

6. Wonder what my boys will choose to do with their lives…doctors, pastors, chefs, architects, pilots, professional athletes…the possibilities are endless. No matter what they do, I pray they will find their worth in who they are in Christ!

7.  I’ve been thinking lately (scary, I know!), what good is our “faith” if every time something “big” happens in our lives we loose it? That’s not really faith at all. As Christians (Christ followers) what should set us apart from the rest of the world, is the hope and peace we feel and exhibit to others when things don’t go as planned. I’m not talking about being fake. I’m talking about making the choice to praise Him even when life doesn’t make sense. This can be extremely difficult, I know, I’ve been there. Still, we have to keep the bigger picture in mind. Remember His faithfulness, “keep the faith”! God is in control…always has been, always will be! AND we can trust Him…even in unsteady times!

“Let all that you are wait quietly before God, for your hope is in him.”

Psalm 62:5 (emphasis mine)

8. My little Noah (2 1/2 months) laughed out loud for the first time this past week.  Oh, the joy! :-)

(appropriately his shirt says, "Little Sunshine!" :-)

...my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out
 in songs of thanksgiving. 

Psalm 28:7

 9. Feeling overlooked?  Underestimated?  Insecure?  God told Samuel (in I Samuel 16:7), "Don't judge by appearance or height...The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  Praise God we are loved, significant and worthy in HIS sight!  Can I get an Amen?!

10. Better get off the internet, Andrew is outside and I can hear running water! Yeah, better go check on that…

Until next time… remember to keep looking UP, friends!! :-)

Second Chances

I’ve heard it said, “God is a God of second chances.” I agree with that, but at the same time I don’t. I’m a person who has had second chances, third chances and chances upon chances, so I know all about God’s abundant grace. Still, there are times when we don’t get a second chance.

That encounter with that person today may be your last or only chance to share Christ’s love with them.

Someone you love may leave this world, making this your last chance to say, “I love you”, “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you.”

If you speak words in anger (or just carelessly) you could really hurt someone, you can’t take them back and no matter how sorry you are the scars still exist.

If you’re not obedient to follow God’s lead, that door of opportunity may not open again.

If you make bad decisions you will experience the consequences.

If you break the law you will have to pay the price. Note: have you ever heard national author and speaker, Carol Kent’s story? Her son boldly shot and killed another man in a moment of rage. He is serving a life sentence in prison. Not only can he not take back that day, the other man doesn’t get a second chance either.

If you die you will not have another chance to make it right and you will also have to stand before God and answer for the decisions you made. (Rom 14:10)

Sometime, someday it WILL be your last chance!

That’s why God’s Word says, “Today is the day of salvation.” (II Cor 6:2)

That’s why we must “make the most of every opportunity.” (Col 4:5)

That’s why we must share Christ’s love with the world, being His ambassador. (II Cor 5:20) Really loving them. (Rom 12:9-10)

We may get another chance, we may not. God is not required to give us another chance. It is only by his grace that we get one. We should be grateful for every moment God gives us and not waste it! (I Tim 1:4) Each day is a gift from Him.

We don’t know when it will be our last chance. Whether we die tomorrow or years from now, we will never get THIS DAY back again. This is our one chance to live this one day!

What will you do with your chance today?

Thank God for His grace and forgiveness. Commit this day...and your life to Him.  Thank Him for your second (or third or fourth or whatever) chance today. Then live THIS DAY to the fullest, seeking ways to honor Him…and I will choose to do the same!  Let's not waste this day of opportunity!!

Let's Talk! Tuesday

Thought I'd give this a try...joining Shelly over at Is That You Lord? for Let's Talk! Tuesday

Random thoughts for this week:

1. Can hardly believe my little Noah is 8 weeks old today. The time after the baby arrives definitely goes faster than the weeks before delivery. :) Thankful for a sweet, contented baby!

2. So thankful for the rain. We needed it. Our corn is saying, “Aaaahhhh, thank you, Lord!” It is amazing how God always provides just what we need, just when we need it. He is faithful!

3. It can be rather stressful taking 2 young children to Wal-Mart. :)

4. Reading the book, “Growing Grateful Kids” by Susie Larson (one of my favorite authors). Funny because I thought I was going to be reading a book about my kids, but really the book is about me…about my personal walk with Christ and then how to apply that to my parenting. Susie says, “You cannot impart what you do not possess. Our kids need to be grateful, but we cannot teach what we do not know. Therefore, we must become sincerely grateful people first.” Amen. I highly recommend this book!

5. It hurts when your kids hurt! I’m really just starting to understand the depth of this.

6. They are having a Fire Fighter themed VBS this week at our church. Yesterday evening they had a real fire engine there along with all the gear and 2 decked out firemen. Andrew was so excited! He even got to take a ride and he thought that was pretty special! Neat to hear how they applied fire fighting to the Christian walk of faith as well.

7. So thankful for the peace and quiet of country living. Sometimes I don’t appreciate it enough. It’s such a blessing to be surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation.

8. Looking forward to our summer book study of “Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl” by Lysa TerKeurst. YOU can join the online study too. If you’re interested click here for details.

9. “Proud to be humble.” God has been working in my heart lately. First about humility, then grace and now forgiveness which all tie in together. You really can’t have one without the other. I wondered where God was going with this at the beginning of this journey, but now the pieces are all coming together. I think I have a new blog post brewing!

10. Appearances. I use to be way more worried about my appearance than I would have ever admitted. It dawned on me the other day that, that has changed quite a bit. Although I want to do the best with what God has given me, I am now more concerned with what is in my heart, than what is on my body. Thankful for a better focus!

Book Study Opportunity!!

The Rise & Shine women's ministry team would love for you to join us on a journey to become more! In a couple of weeks we will begin reading Lysa TerKeurst's latest book, "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl."   Each week plans are to read a chapter and then visit the Rise & Shine blog to share thoughts on what her words spoke to your heart.
 
* Learn how to make a Bible passage come alive in your devotion time.
* Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence, and praise.
* Stop the unhealthy cycles of striving and truly learn to love who you are and what you've been given.
* Discover how to have inner peace and security in any situation.
* Sense God responding to your prayers.

If you would like to learn more about the study go to the Rise & Shine blog by clicking here.

Would enjoy connecting with you...and looking forward to what God will do through this study!! :)

Have a blessed day, friends!

The Fog

Bright and early this morning, before my guys woke up, I snuck out of the house for a brisk morning walk down our quiet, gravel road. The grass was still covered with dew; fog filled the air. The fog was so thick, in fact, that the normally picturesque view of pastures, fields and woods along our road was hidden because of it. I couldn’t see very far ahead, behind or around me.

Normally, one of my favorite parts of taking a walk is taking in the view along the way. At first I didn’t like not being able to see. However, it only took me a little while to realize I didn’t need to see where I was going. I have walked (and driven) this road many times. I could remember what sights surrounded me, even if I couldn’t see them this time. They hadn’t changed and I knew that. So instead of focusing on what I couldn’t see, I found myself soaking in other senses.

I stopped on the road to listen…really listen…to the massive variety of birds chirping, the rooster crowing, the creek water flowing. I loved the sounds!

I took in the smell of fresh, clean country air, appreciating it when normally I wouldn’t have given it a second thought.

Before long I touched my naturally curly hair only to feel the moisture that had settled on it, making it even curlier. I walked in deep fog, but didn’t think much about what it was that obstructed my view. What I felt reminding me of what it really is, moisture in the air (and in my hair).

Not only did I learn to bear it, I actually started to appreciate the fog.

You know, sometimes life is kind of like that. Sometimes we go along taking in the view and it’s good. Then, one morning we wake up to find ourselves walking around in a fog.

The question is, will we stop to take in all that God has for us during these foggy times?

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a

Do we stop to listen…really listen? Asking what He is trying to teach us during these times? Asking how He wants to “grow” us? Pouring our hearts out to Him, knowing that He is listening and cares. We may be surprised what we hear from Him, what He reveals to us about Himself and us. We may be surprised the blessings we experience that we would have otherwise missed. If only we will be still long enough to “see” past the fog.

"As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection." Psalm 18:30

Sometimes what we see and feel during those foggy times is far from the truth. That’s why we have to remember what is true. The same God that was there when things were going well, when we could see clearly ahead, is still with us even in the fog. His promises prove true. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He hasn’t changed. We must remember even if we can not see!

So, dear friend, when foggy time come (and come they will), when we can’t see what He’s doing, when we feel alone, we must remember He is there. Remember His faithfulness in the past. He hasn’t changed. We don’t have to be able to see Him (or understand what He is doing) to know He is there, working on our behalf. We can trust Him. We can stand on His promises. We have to be still and listen. If we seek Him, we will find him…feeling His presence all around us. If we do this, when the fog lifts again (and it will eventually), we will be thankful for all that He showed to us there.

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. …O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5-6,8

What will we learn, where will we turn in the fog?

Accepted

This morning I posted this on the Rise & Shine Women's Retreat Facebook page.  Wanted to share it with my blog friends as well.  A good reminder that I often need and thought you might too!

We have been chosen. He isn't still deciding. He isn't "sizing us up." He knows our flaws. He's seen our mistakes and outright sin. BUT..."God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8) Let's receive and believe His love, seeing ourselves as He sees us...completely accepted and equipped to SHINE!

We didn't choose Him, He chose us (John 15:16) and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38).

Let's choose to accept His acceptance, friends!

Lord, let the truth of Your love settle in our hearts.  Amen


To learn more about Rise & Shine Women's Retreat click here.
To become a fan of Rise & Shine Women's Retreat on Facebook click here.

One of Those Days

Have you ever had one of those days? Yeah, me too. In fact, I think today might be one of them. J

Let me share my day with you…

It started out pretty well. Despite being a little sleepy (having a 4 ½ week old baby tends to do that), my extra strong coffee seemed to be kicking in and I had started on my to-do list. Noah (the 4 ½ week old) needed fed and so as I sat in the rocking chair, I decided I’d try to multi-task by reading a bit of my devotions at the same time.

Andrew (my 3 year old) was busily coloring with markers at the coffee table right next to me. I looked up from my book to see him under the coffee table, face and hands covered in dark blue marker, staring at me intently. He didn’t say a word, but the look on his face said, “I know I’m going to be in big trouble for this one!” It only took a moment for my eyes to shift to the floor, the light tan living room carpet next to Andrew was now also nicely decorated with dark blue marker. Ahhh!

After a little “heart to heart” conversation about consequences with Andrew, a few tears…from both him and me, I took away Andrew’s markers and sent him to time-out.

I needed a time-out too. When I was done feeding Noah, I headed to the bathroom (where else can a mom get some alone time??). I had a little conversation with the Lord. “Fill me with Your peace, patience and grace, Lord. Remind me of the many times I disobeyed you, and the grace you’ve shown to me. Thank you for being a good Father who cares enough to discipline me when I am wrong. I know it’s not fun, but necessary. Give me wisdom to know how to lovingly guide the son you’ve given me in the same way.”

Andrew’s time-out was done and another teachable moment was ceased when I decided to conquer cleaning up the carpet. I told Andrew to go to his room and play while I did this. As I was down on my knees scrubbing the carpet, the baby started crying; the knees of my jeans were wet with carpet shampoo and water, Andrew kept coming out of his room about every 30 seconds asking me if I was done yet and my husband came in (from his morning chores) looking for some breakfast. Although Alan was fine with eating cold cereal, I felt guilty for not having something more sustaining ready for him. I shared with him my morning woes, he held the baby while I scrubbed the carpet some more.

Alan reminded me that one day I will look back on this day and laugh. Oh, and I reminded him that, that’s easy for him to say when he’s not the one who has to clean it up. HA (see I’m laughing already)!! In all seriousness, as I shared the events of the morning with him (the look on Andrew’s face, the things he said, etc) we laughed together! I said another prayer, “Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful husband to share life and laughter with…and a terrific daddy for my children. AND thank you, Lord, that Andrew used the washable marker to write on the carpet!”

Later Alan had gone back outside. Noah went to sleep. Andrew and I headed out to hang some laundry on the clothesline.

Did you hear the blood curdling screams where you were?!?!

Andrew was spinning around the clothesline pole when he got a splinter in his hand! He screamed! I tried to pull it out, but only managed to get the top of it and left the other half still under the skin. We headed towards the house to get the rest of it out. Upon entering the house we heard Noah crying. He had decided that it was time for him to eat again RIGHT NOW! I told Andrew I would need to feed Noah, then we’d work on getting the splinter out (realizing that it was going to be quite an ordeal). As I fed Noah, Andrew kept coming to the back door saying, “Mommy, you need to get this piece of wood out of my hand!” J

Finally, Noah finished eating, time for Andrew’s “splinter operation”! Tears filled his beautiful, piercing blue eyes and went streaming down his cheeks, his mouth wide open with high pitched screams coming out of it, baby Noah crying along with him and my heart pounding. Andrew said, “I don’t want it to hurt!” I said, “Neither do I!” as tears filled my own eyes and I tried to explain just why I had to do this (to prevent it from getting infected, etc). He cried and pulled away! I wanted so much for him to understand that I didn’t want to hurt him, that I had to do this to keep it from hurting more later, that I was doing it to help him. Try explaining this to a 3 year old when you’re coming at him with a pair of tweezers in your hand!!

I’d never seen him carry on like that before, he’s usually pretty tough, but not today. It was really only a couple of minutes, but it felt like forever! Splinter was removed in seconds, bandage and ointment were applied, tears were wiped, hugs given.

Through this whole “splinter experience” I thought about God’s love for us. Sometimes we go through difficult things, not understanding what God is doing. Like any Good Father (parent) He hurts when we hurt.  He is looking out for our best interest. Sometimes it is painful, but I know I can trust Him and what He is doing. He wants me to trust Him, just like I wanted Andrew to just trust me…even when I had tweezers in my hands. I found myself praying again, “Help me to just trust You, Lord…even when I don’t understand what you are doing, even when it’s painful. Help me to know there must be a purpose for the pain if you are allowing it to take place in my life because you are a good Father who loves His children.”

Yes, it’s been one of THOSE days…one of those days that leads me to my Savior. It’s really all about focus and perspective, isn’t it?! Thankful the Lord is walking right beside me…listening, guiding, giving peace and revealing more of Himself to me through ordinary, everyday moments. 

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT