Last night and this morning I saw a Wal-mart commercial that reminded me that the kids are getting out of school soon and summer time is here. It said in the commercial "It's summer. Our kids are ours again." I'm so excited about that. I love that I can sleep past 5:30 am during the summer. I love that I don't have to hear my kids saying "do we have to get up" each day. I love taking them to the library and to the movies. I love the time I get to spend with them during the summer. It's a lot more work for me, but the pay is good. I get all the hugs and kisses I can ask for!
The bible says that children are a gift from the Lord. Since I lost two babies before I had Leanna eight years ago, I can tell you that is so true. What a precious gift my kids are to me! But in all this excitement about summer, I also realized that I have a lot of responsibility this summer. After all, my kids will learn from me all summer. Eating habits, exercise habits, bible study habits, dealing with relationships...all these things my kids are learning from me. YIKES! If that doesn't freak a parent out I don't know what will!! HA! I'm so imperfect. I have so many faults. Boy, do I need Jesus' help. I don't want to mess up the gifts He gave me!
I'm sure in August I'll be saying, "WHEN DOES SCHOOL START!", but until then I'm going to enjoy my kids, and the work that goes along with them. I'm going to pray each day for Jesus to help me teach my kids the right way to live. I'm going to eat broccoli in front of them and tell them it's good. I'm going to go bike riding with them and tell them how important it is that we get outside and get moving. And I'm certainly going to study the bible with them and in front of them so they will see how important the bible is to their mom.
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Jesus, help me to teach my kids Your ways and NOT mine!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Fear Not!
Fear is running rampart across the United States. The economy is a mess. I hear "I'm scared I will lose my job", or, "I think my retirement money is going down the drain". And then there's this swine flu. "What should we do?!?!?" people are saying. What a mess. Everywhere I look there is fear. Honestly, I think fear is what we need to address right now, especially for Christians.
What does our bible tell us? Isaiah 41:10 commands "do not be afraid", and reminds us that God is with us. Psalm 91 says if the Lord is the Lord of our life, He will send His angels to watch over us. Proverbs 1:33 says "whoever listens to me will live in safety". Well, PRAISE GOD! This is some good medicine for the fear epidemic.
Now, this is not to say we should ignore what is going on in our world today. The bible also says we should plan well. We should do the right thing to save for retirement. We should also do the right things to make sure we stay away from the swine flu. We should do what we can, and then pray about the rest. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to pray about everything and don't worry. If we do this, we will have peace...godly peace.
Jesus said He did not give us a spirit of fear.
Satan uses fear to rob us from joy, to steal our happiness.
What will we do when we are afraid? What will we do if all our savings are depleted and this flu shows up in our home? We'll I'm certain I'm going to keep trusting Jesus. I'm going to see investment specialist or doctors, whatever is needed. And I'm going to pray!
Jesus, help me to keep my eyes focused on YOU and Your Word and not what the world is telling me!
What does our bible tell us? Isaiah 41:10 commands "do not be afraid", and reminds us that God is with us. Psalm 91 says if the Lord is the Lord of our life, He will send His angels to watch over us. Proverbs 1:33 says "whoever listens to me will live in safety". Well, PRAISE GOD! This is some good medicine for the fear epidemic.
Now, this is not to say we should ignore what is going on in our world today. The bible also says we should plan well. We should do the right thing to save for retirement. We should also do the right things to make sure we stay away from the swine flu. We should do what we can, and then pray about the rest. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to pray about everything and don't worry. If we do this, we will have peace...godly peace.
Jesus said He did not give us a spirit of fear.
Satan uses fear to rob us from joy, to steal our happiness.
What will we do when we are afraid? What will we do if all our savings are depleted and this flu shows up in our home? We'll I'm certain I'm going to keep trusting Jesus. I'm going to see investment specialist or doctors, whatever is needed. And I'm going to pray!
Jesus, help me to keep my eyes focused on YOU and Your Word and not what the world is telling me!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Believing God
I am so encouraged. I love reading stories about atheist that start trying to disprove Christ and Christianity, and then in the process become Christians. While doing my Bible study this week, I read about John Clayton who is a scientist and former second-generation atheists. He came to believe in God while attemptiong to disprove the Bible. I love hearing these stories of people searching to discredit Christianity but then realizing the only rational thing to do after studying history is to believe in Christ. So cool. This is the same thing that happened to former atheist, Lee Strobel. Lee has actually the author of 2 of my most favorite books, The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith. These are must read books for people that are Christians, and for those that are not. It's really neat information.
One thing I picked up from John Clayton's story was that he was taught by his parents that Christians weren't rational and church was silly. I couldn't help but wonder that what if Christian parents taught not only the Bible to their kids, but also taught their kids about the history that backs the bible. What if Christian kids going into college and leaving their homes for the first time knew that Jesus was Lord, not just because they were born again (which is very important!!), but also because it was simply historically accurate. How much stronger would their faith be when they were tested in the world? How many would turn from their faith? How many would tell others about their faith?
One thing I picked up from John Clayton's story was that he was taught by his parents that Christians weren't rational and church was silly. I couldn't help but wonder that what if Christian parents taught not only the Bible to their kids, but also taught their kids about the history that backs the bible. What if Christian kids going into college and leaving their homes for the first time knew that Jesus was Lord, not just because they were born again (which is very important!!), but also because it was simply historically accurate. How much stronger would their faith be when they were tested in the world? How many would turn from their faith? How many would tell others about their faith?
Monday, April 6, 2009
He is risen!
Matthew 28:5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
1 Cor. 15:55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
This is an excellent week for me to be celebrating Easter. It seems as though I'm surrounded by the thoughts of death. As I type these words, 2 of my uncles lay on what appears to be at this time their death beds. My heart breaks for my aunts and my cousins.
And there's been illness in my family. My mother in law is having more problems with her liver. Bless her. She's never experienced serious health issues and this has us all wondering what the Lord has for us next.
And then there's Oakley. Oakley is our 13 year old lab. I became his mom when I married Dean over 10 years ago. He has liver cancer and is not doing well. He's such a wonderful pet. He's smart and loves us all so much. It tough to watch him go through this.
It would be so easy for me to be down this week. But God keeps reminding me what this week is all about. CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD! He did. He really, really did. He paid for our sins. For my sins. For my uncle's sins. For everyone's sins. All we have to do is accept His GIFT to us and follow Him. Isn't that amazing?!?!?! And he doesn't care when you accept the gift....as a child or on your death bed...it doesn't matter. You just have to accept it. Amazing. Amazing love. Amazing grace.
Death, where is your sting? Oh, I believe my Savior took it away!!!!
Praise you Father!
1 Cor. 15:55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
This is an excellent week for me to be celebrating Easter. It seems as though I'm surrounded by the thoughts of death. As I type these words, 2 of my uncles lay on what appears to be at this time their death beds. My heart breaks for my aunts and my cousins.
And there's been illness in my family. My mother in law is having more problems with her liver. Bless her. She's never experienced serious health issues and this has us all wondering what the Lord has for us next.
And then there's Oakley. Oakley is our 13 year old lab. I became his mom when I married Dean over 10 years ago. He has liver cancer and is not doing well. He's such a wonderful pet. He's smart and loves us all so much. It tough to watch him go through this.
It would be so easy for me to be down this week. But God keeps reminding me what this week is all about. CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD! He did. He really, really did. He paid for our sins. For my sins. For my uncle's sins. For everyone's sins. All we have to do is accept His GIFT to us and follow Him. Isn't that amazing?!?!?! And he doesn't care when you accept the gift....as a child or on your death bed...it doesn't matter. You just have to accept it. Amazing. Amazing love. Amazing grace.
Death, where is your sting? Oh, I believe my Savior took it away!!!!
Praise you Father!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
It's Tough Being A Woman!
Last week I finished a Beth Moore bible study on the book of Esther. It's subtitle was "It's Tough Being A Woman". It was a great study and I would suggest it to any of my girlfriends looking for a good book to study. God used Beth to relay messages from the book of Esther on many subjects we women need to talk about and think about. Each week I learned something new! Today I will meet my bible study group for our traditional "we've finished another study luncheon". It's a good time to reflect on what we've learned and fellowship together.
As I prepare to meet my bible study girlfriends, I can't help but think about all their prayer requests during the last few weeks. Requests for salvation for family members. Requests for financial stress relief during this economy. Requests for healing of estranged relationships. Requests for physical healing. Many, many, many requests. And all these issues added to the typical roles we women play each day. Cook, nurse, driver, umpire, business woman, mentor, friend, wife, mom. Wow! I'm amazed at the women in my group and all that women go through.
I was also thinking about how great it is being a women. I love being a mom. I love being a wife. I love being in control of the menu in my house! I love hanging with the girlfriends. I love women's jewelry. I love the emotions God has given women. I love the passion God has given women. There are so many benefits to being a woman.
It is tough being a woman, but praise God I get the experience!
As I prepare to meet my bible study girlfriends, I can't help but think about all their prayer requests during the last few weeks. Requests for salvation for family members. Requests for financial stress relief during this economy. Requests for healing of estranged relationships. Requests for physical healing. Many, many, many requests. And all these issues added to the typical roles we women play each day. Cook, nurse, driver, umpire, business woman, mentor, friend, wife, mom. Wow! I'm amazed at the women in my group and all that women go through.
I was also thinking about how great it is being a women. I love being a mom. I love being a wife. I love being in control of the menu in my house! I love hanging with the girlfriends. I love women's jewelry. I love the emotions God has given women. I love the passion God has given women. There are so many benefits to being a woman.
It is tough being a woman, but praise God I get the experience!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Romans 1
Wow! Have you ever read Romans in the bible? I'm inbetween bible studies right now, and thought I would read something before my next group study starts. God kept putting Romans on my mind, so today I started reading it. There is SO much information just in Chapter 1.
First of all, let me say that I love that the first verse talks about being "set apart" as a Christian. I don't mean this in a prideful way, I mean it in a blessed way. I like being set apart. I like being called a Christian. I like being associated with my Father. Honestly, I don't think most women in today's world that love Jesus understand they are set apart. If there's one thing I want to teach my daughter, it's that she is set apart. She is a daughter of the King. She is royalty. Now, don't get me wrong. She is in no way to take that as an ok to look down on others or be stuck up. It means she is to be a servant to others, but to carry herself as a princess. When we are watching Disney princess movies, I always try to emphasize how the princess is kind and loves others. That a princess always wants to help, and is never judgemental. That's what being set apart is all about.
And then there's the talk of sin in Romans 1:24-27. Boy I was quick to think about the sins of others when I read those verses. It's easy to point our fingers at others. But then, I read Romans 1:28-32. OUCH! Did he list "gossip and slandering"?!??! What about pride? Faithless? Wow. I was quickly reminded that sin is sin. No sin is worse than the other. And then God put right in my mind my daughter's memory verse for this week. Romans 3:23 "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". There you have it, Stephanie. YOU are a sinner. Be careful not to forget that when you are thinking about other people's sins!!!! You talk about perspective!
I love God's Word. It is molding me and changing the way I think. I'm not the person that I should be, but I'm certainly not the person I used to be. I've come a long way baby!
First of all, let me say that I love that the first verse talks about being "set apart" as a Christian. I don't mean this in a prideful way, I mean it in a blessed way. I like being set apart. I like being called a Christian. I like being associated with my Father. Honestly, I don't think most women in today's world that love Jesus understand they are set apart. If there's one thing I want to teach my daughter, it's that she is set apart. She is a daughter of the King. She is royalty. Now, don't get me wrong. She is in no way to take that as an ok to look down on others or be stuck up. It means she is to be a servant to others, but to carry herself as a princess. When we are watching Disney princess movies, I always try to emphasize how the princess is kind and loves others. That a princess always wants to help, and is never judgemental. That's what being set apart is all about.
And then there's the talk of sin in Romans 1:24-27. Boy I was quick to think about the sins of others when I read those verses. It's easy to point our fingers at others. But then, I read Romans 1:28-32. OUCH! Did he list "gossip and slandering"?!??! What about pride? Faithless? Wow. I was quickly reminded that sin is sin. No sin is worse than the other. And then God put right in my mind my daughter's memory verse for this week. Romans 3:23 "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". There you have it, Stephanie. YOU are a sinner. Be careful not to forget that when you are thinking about other people's sins!!!! You talk about perspective!
I love God's Word. It is molding me and changing the way I think. I'm not the person that I should be, but I'm certainly not the person I used to be. I've come a long way baby!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Absense makes the heart grow fonder.
It's an old saying. "Absense makes the heart grow fonder." Silly old saying. I'm learning this week that it's true. Dean has been in India on a business trip since last Thursday. Today he began his 2 day trip back to our home. He will be here tomorrow, but it seems light years away. I miss him so bad. I hope he had a great time visiting Singapore and India, but I want him home. Why is it that I feel like a piece of me is gone?
God helped me answer that this week through my Beth Moore bible study this week. Beth brought up Genesis 3: 16 in her recorded session. "To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." Interesting. Very interesting. Now, this is an opinion, but it was a little glimpse of why I might be so sad when Dean is not here. Besides the fact that God joined us together as one through our marriage, God's word says a woman's desire will be for her husband. It also explains why his opinion means so much to me.
While I am thankful for that desire for my husband, I am also mindful not to take it to far. I don't want my identity to be in my husband. My identity should be in Christ Jesus alone. He should be my all and all.
This has been in my thoughts all this week. God has been working on me with remembering that He is my first love and that He will never leave me. AND, He loves my dear husband, Dean, and He will never leave Him either. It's comforting to know that although Dean is so far away, that we are both with our Lord and Savior at the same time. Sounds crazy.....maybe. But God's Word confirms it.
I love Jesus, and I thank Him for giving me the desire for my husband. I can't wait to see Dean tomorrow!!
God helped me answer that this week through my Beth Moore bible study this week. Beth brought up Genesis 3: 16 in her recorded session. "To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." Interesting. Very interesting. Now, this is an opinion, but it was a little glimpse of why I might be so sad when Dean is not here. Besides the fact that God joined us together as one through our marriage, God's word says a woman's desire will be for her husband. It also explains why his opinion means so much to me.
While I am thankful for that desire for my husband, I am also mindful not to take it to far. I don't want my identity to be in my husband. My identity should be in Christ Jesus alone. He should be my all and all.
This has been in my thoughts all this week. God has been working on me with remembering that He is my first love and that He will never leave me. AND, He loves my dear husband, Dean, and He will never leave Him either. It's comforting to know that although Dean is so far away, that we are both with our Lord and Savior at the same time. Sounds crazy.....maybe. But God's Word confirms it.
I love Jesus, and I thank Him for giving me the desire for my husband. I can't wait to see Dean tomorrow!!
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