3rd Try

This my third, for lack of a better word, "attempt" on writing this post. I have discarded two drafts that just couldn't be complete. So much has gone on in our personal lives and in society here lately, it is has been difficult to articulate what God has put on my heart.

At home:

• The first week of school is over.
• The week before and of the first week of school, I worked several days past my children's bed times and even a Saturday (that is after starting to prep back in March!). **
• I stopped pumping for my son (still nursing at wake up and before bed).
• I committed to try the 21 Day Fix - Extreme with Shakeology (I start September 8). **
• I want to lose weight, get in shape, and change my health for the better.
• We took a trip to Galveston as a family. **
• My husband and I agreed to revamp our family by starting to pray together. **
• My dad, who lives with us, started a job.
• I started an in-depth Bible study on the Book of Revelation (if I do all of it, I will finish in the Spring of 2017!). **

That is to just name a few of the key points. Those with ** I will go more in-depth on here shortly.

Then, as a nation, these are some of the headlines:

• Videos have come out that indicate that Planned Parenthood is selling baby parts. **
• Several officers have been killed, assassinated, simply because of the uniform they put on every morning. One was in my area just a few days ago. **
• Donald Trump is still doing good in the polls, the 2016 Presidential Election is going to be interesting.
• I haven't decided who I am voting for, but I do know a few that I do not want to vote for.
• The stock market has been shaky and the economy in China seems to be going down hill.
• The Christian movie, Warroom, by the Kendrick Brothers was released in theater's and has been a box office hit! **
• And apparently Miley Cyrus dressed in a questionable manner at an award's show.

I throw that last one in because my Facebook feed was crammed with that tidbit, a disturbed young woman was wearing (really not wearing) something outrageous. That young lady needs prayers, not the media spot light.

Now let me go deeper with what is above.

Prayer

My husband and I have some heart felt conversations here lately about the state of our marriage. Nothing is going wrong, but we both felt that we could have a better relationship, a better bond. One thing we realized that needed work was our prayer life. Both of are praying believers. But other than the dinner blessing we have not really ever prayed together unless it was "dire" or "urgent." And while God has blessed us, we realized we have not always prayed over things - small, yes. But some of the bigger decisions in our life, we didn't pause to pray.

That stopped last week. My husband sends me a daily (or almost daily) prayer that he is praying over me. I am taking the time to pray more throughout my day. The dinner blessings are continuing. And we are freely discussing everything with each other so we know what to pray on in our own time.

With the prayer topic is the movie War Room. We are going to see the movie this Friday with two other couples that we know, and respect. Watching the preview alone has me in tears. I cannot wait to watch it. I honestly believe that prayer changes lives and that God answers prayers. And I love that the Kendrick brother's are putting out great movies that are family friendly, and relevant to life. It is refreshing and encouraging.

21

Next week I start a program to get in my best shape ever. I have attempted more than a few times to do so, and twice in fact I ended up pregnant in the middle of my endeavors. My husband's cousin is a coach for the program and I have joined her (via Facebook) on a group to help with accountability. Any time you do something, having people that are encouraging and supportive around you increases your chances of success. I like that this program is based on the idea that it takes 21 days to develop (or break) a habit. After this I hope to be in better shape, and eat better/cleaner.

Family Time

We went to Galveston this past weekend. It was the first weekend in a while that we didn't have anything scheduled and we were spontaneous. The beach was fun, or as fun as sand in every crevice can be. I am not a beach person, at all. But my children enjoyed the experience and we had a marvelous time. After almost two hours at the beach we gathered up and had dinner at the Rainforest Café. Dinner was great and the experience was fantastic. It was enjoyable to just enjoy each other's company.

Revelation

The Book of Revelation is my favorite book in the Bible. As a non-believer  it scared me, as a believer it gives me hope and promise. A few years ago my Assistant Pastor did a series study on it and I absolutely loved it. I never missed a sermon, and I took detailed notes, really detailed notes. So detailed that I typed up the notes and have a printed copy on my bookshelf.

This class that I am in will take four semester's to complete. There is homework, and it is challenging. The enemy is currently using my children to keep me from it, so I am revising my strategy. Since I have wanted to do it in the morning, I have been getting up between 5 and 5:20 Monday through Friday. Well, without fail, my children have been waking from 5:30 to 6:00, instead of after 6:00 like they "normally" do. Tonight, after the kids are in bed, I have showered, and house work is complete I am going to do all as much of my homework that I can. Including my business courses that I am taking for work. I have learned, just like everything else, that if it is important you will make time for it. I will sacrifice a little time at night to get things done.

And finally...

Life

Lives matter. As Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman said, we need to drop the qualifier (black, white, all) and face fact the lives matter.

He said the above in regards to Deputy Darren Goforth who was assassinated by a gentleman who apparently did not appreciate the profession of Mr. Goforth. The rhetoric around the nation is that cops are out to kill the black community. This is very distressing to me for many reasons.

One, I have family that are part black and I hate that they could think this. But the leaders of the black community (or at least those in the spot light) are propagating this message. And anytime someone who is black dies at the hands of anyone white it is considered to be fueled by race. While this could be true some of the time, it can't be true all of the time.

Two this bothers me because I know people who are officers. They are good people and now they have to go out everyday wondering if they could be the next headline if the person they pull over does something that causes them fear and they react. Not only that, what about the family of the officers? I can not even begin to imagine the stress of the spouses and children. They wake up every day knowing that their loved one is going out into a world that believes they are races and wanting to kill for sport. The damaging rhetoric needs to stop.

If you are not doing anything wrong you have no reason to fear the authorities. I get it, there are rotten apples, but that is true for any profession. And if you have met/dealt with that rotten apple, I am sorry that you had that experience. But that one person is not a reflection of the entire profession. Just like Jared from Subway does mean all spokesmen are scum, or that all teachers are out to molest children. Again, everyone can make mistakes but those mistakes should not condemn an entire profession.

On the topic of life, there is the monstraucity known as Planned Parenthood. At least seven videos have come out showing different individuals discussing how much money can be acquired by selling the parts from babies who have been aborted.

I have watched every video. I have wanted to puke, cry and punch walls, just to name a few of the emotions that have stormed my heart. I was blessed to conceive rather easily two wonderful little loves, despite being told that I would require medical assistance to even conceive. My sweet sister in loves had some struggles but between them and myself we have given my parent in love's five beautiful grandbabies. The struggle to conceive goes outside my family. I have too many friends who have struggled. And it breaks my heart that some women without thought abort the living life in them. Now, I do get that some women feel they have no choice. A teacher friend of mine has had conversations with students (and other grown women) who felt they had no choice because of a boyfriend/husband or their family. And my heart breaks for those women.

The buzz about these video's seems to be dying down nationally (for a while the mainstream media tried to ignore the videos), and while I hate watching them, I hope more come out to keep the conversation front and center. Several leaders in the spotlight have taken steps to combat this evil. Investigations and charges have been started. But more needs to be done. The church needs to take charge of the conversation. We need to let young women know that they will not be condemned but will be helped. Somewhere, and I can't remember where, but somewhere in the past few weeks I read something that resonated within me. Jesus came from an unwed mother. Mary was engaged yes, but they had not finalized everything. And everyone knew it! That stigma had to sting her the rest of her life, even though it was a gift from God. Life is not a mistake, so while it might break hearts if a young woman gets pregnant, God does not make mistakes. The young women who feel that abortion is their only option need to know that there are natural consequences but that the baby they carry has a purpose, that God has a plan for that unborn life and for them. It won't be easy - but things worth having are generally never easy.

Coming Clean

I have been in a rut the past few days. A mental fog kind of.

I emailed someone, seeking advice and the entire experience has left a bad taste in my mouth, for lack of a better term. Apparently the person I emailed has an assistant who reads the emails first then passes them along. I received a reply, but it did not give advice, it felt more like a pat on my head than wise counsel.

In reading my email, I thought I was clear that I was seeking guidance, but I guess it did not come across as such. The reason for the bad taste is because I did not intend what I wrote to be seen by others. I was caught off guard when I received notification that my email would be passed along to the recipient. If I had known, I would have written by hand. In the long term scheme of things is it major? No, but since then I have felt adrift.

I am still trying to make sense of the verse 1 John 2:28. Something about the verse has me unsettled. I am going to email one more person in hope of receiving some clarity. I have talked to one or two people but I tend to end up with more questions and concerns and still no answers.

I am currently done with the verse a day challenge. I hope you were inspired. I am going to take a few days off from blogging and try working on my book. Once I complete the first chapter I will share a snippet of it with you.

God bless, and keep seeking the Lord.

Check up

My sweet Stone had his 9 month check up this morning. It went well. I was anticipating vaccinations but instead we only had measurements and a blood/urine check. He is growing well and is very healthy. All results came back well and the doctor is happy with Stone's growth and development.

 



With that in mind, I think we should all from time to time do a spiritual check up. Do you have any un-repented sin? Are you holding onto anything that you need to give over to God? Have you sat at His feet and just listened lately? Are you praying to Him? Are you reading your Bible? We need whole wellness to serve Him with purpose. If any area is not getting a clean bill of health, find the remedy and cure it!

A Special Evening

Last night was wonderful.

My church several times a year brings in a guest speaker for the women of the church. The event is called Something Special for Women. Ladies are asked host a table and decorate it. I hosted my fourth table last night. I have hosted solo and with another lady a time or two. Decorating the tables is an absolute blast.

The first table I ever did, co-hosted with a sweet friend.

My first solo table. I LOVE Christmas!

The table I decorated for last night's event.

Last night was such a great time Mary Southerland was our guest speaker - that lady is a hoot! Oh my word! It was so refreshing hearing someone talk about life, talk about their love of Jesus - and not sugarcoat it! She had us laughing and learning. It was a wonderful evening - and everyone felt the Lord's presence.

Matthew 18:20 (NKJV)
 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

We need to pray.

Ladies,

We need to pray. I am so horrified right now at what I have just watched. Yet another video about Planned Parenthood (or Planned Butcherhood, as Rush Limbaugh called it) has come out. The horrific tragedies they are perpetrating are devastating. I have been following the stories, reading the commentaries and trying to keep myself from puking and crying. The heartlessness in people is shocking. I know their is evil in this world, I love history and have read about it, and in some small ways experienced evil first hand. But this is a whole new level. I only made it 2 minutes into the latest video before I had to stop. I will finish it later, but I can't at this time.

So I am calling for us to join in prayer right now! Please take some time today and pray on the things below. And going forward from today pray again, and again, and again.

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Luke 11:9-10

 

Please join me in praying for the following:

• That those who recorded these videos will not face persecution or jail time.
• That those who recorded these videos will have healing from what they experienced, saw and heard.
• That those who recorded these videos will keep shining light on the dark and horrid truth.
• That those who are being exposed for what they did will turn from their ways and seek life and love in Jesus.
• That those who are being exposed for what they did will aid in bring Planned Parenthood to an end.
• That there will be enough Senators and Representatives in Congress to defund Planned Parenthood so American tax dollars no longer fund murder of innocent lives.
• That abortion will be made illegal once again.
• That all Planned Parenthood's will be shut down for good.

Everyday PP is operating, is yet another day where innocent babies are being murdered.

 

Some food for thought. Millions of babies have been murdered. The potential of all those babies has been wasted. We have allowed the cure for cancer to be murdered. The cure for aids. The cure for diabetes. We have allowed the inventor of the machine that will convert salt water into pure drinking water to be murdered. We have murdered the child that will grow up to develop a tool to help children with Autism function with the rest of society and not stand out. We have murdered the little girl that will serve her church in the nursery so mom's can attend service. We have murdered the little boy who will lead summer programs to help the elderly in his church by doing repair work on their homes.

 

Who have we allowed to be murdered but allowing that baby butcher shop to operate day in and day out for 99 years?

My lighthouse: Thinking on Philippians 4:8

Since last night's sermon and my late night post I have been thinking. About  my family, the future, my faith. And God has a verse on that!


Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

I am in a pensive state of mind today. So many thoughts and ideas running through my head. I am being comforted by my faith, I am in God's hands. But the flesh in me wonders what the future holds. Will I see my children grow up? Will I grow old with my husband? Will I be a published author? Will I ever see my grandchildren?

I feel that there is still so much to do, that I have more to accomplish. I feel that last night was a lighthouse moment for me. God gave me a verse to ponder on and I can either heed the warning or crash. I need to make my life count, make sure I do what is important and get rid of the junk and waste. I have much to think on in the days ahead, and plans to make. Pray that I follow what God wants for me.

Pay Attention When God is Speaking to You

I wish what we see could sometimes be printed as a picture. Tonight my father carried my son in his arms and held my daughter's hand and walked them into church. I will cherish that image/memory for as long as I live.

Church tonight was an experience. I have mentioned before that when God is trying to get my attention He gives me "Ah-ha"moments. He repeatedly puts something before me, the same message comes to me over and over.

Or a Bible verse as in His latest "teaching moment" for me.

Earlier today in my challenge post I focused on 1 John 2:28, And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

And surprisingly to me, my Pastor talked about it tonight when talking about Heaven. God has my attention. I am a little shaken actually. I am assured of my faith, I know I will go to heaven. I am scared for what I will miss out on depending on when I am called home. Will I see my children grow up? Fall in love? Will I see them accomplish all things to their full potential? Will I experience growing old with my husband? Loving on our grand children? Will I become a published author? As I process it all, I realize those are all worldly concerns and in the scheme of life they do not matter. It is my flesh that hitches at the thought of what the verse can mean.

I emailed my Pastor, letting him know how his sermon impacted me.

To put the cherry on my evening, my father joined our church and is now a member. I am glad to have my family so close and look forward to seeing how a 3 generation home will function.



Below are some excerpts from my email to my Pastor:

"Now to why I am writing. First the back story. On August 19, 2012 I came down to the front and submitted my life to full time Christian ministry. I was 3 1/2 months away from Abigail joining us. I call my ministry “W.I.F.E. Women In Faith Everyday.” Sadly to say, I did not do much with it. Many intentions, but since then I have had two children and gone back to work full time.

 

This year I have focused on my career - finishing up certifications to become a qualified director for the state of Texas. And the verse Matthew 6:21 came to my mind - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The reason I am telling all of this is because of your sermon tonight. You quoted 1 John 2:28.

 

1 John 2:28 (NKJV)    And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

To many an obscure verse. To me a verse that God is bring to me for a reason. This month I am posting a daily verse to inspire and call women to action. This morning I brought out my book “Jesus Calling” and I read the  inspiration for the day. At the bottom were 3 verses. The first was in Matthew and I never got to the third because the second captured me. It was 1 John 2:28. I have read through the Bible before, but this verse never stuck out to me until today. So I wrote about it: http://womeninfaitheveryday.blogspot.com/2015/07/being-child-of-god.html

When God brings something to me repeatedly, I call them my “Ah-ha” moments, and when these happen I have learned to pay close attention. I am going to be honest I am little shaken by this verse and that God is presenting it to me. I am now in prayer on what God wants me to learn. All the lessons I have been learning here lately are on God coming back, the Rapture, and being prepared for the storms that will come. And your sermon was on heaven.

I wanted to let you know that your sermon tonight was wonderful. And my thoughts have been on what is to come."