tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86198083666530128912024-03-13T00:22:31.911-05:00Your Truth PlaceThis blog is about the truths that I have learned in life about life, love, divorce, spiritual and relationship abuse. I cover topics such as; verbal abuse, spiritual abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, divorce, dating again, biblical truth, parenting, healthy boundaries, forgiveness, reconciliation, and more. Pretty much anything is possible for me to blog about. The only requirement is that I have to be passionate about the topic. =)Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-11402826464136408992012-07-15T18:15:00.000-05:002012-07-15T18:17:15.388-05:00First 10K-Ramblings and Lessons LearnedFinished my first 10K last night. My time was 1:05:03. It was such a great feeling. I got so hot and tired I thought I was going to either pass out or puke. I learned that, when experienced runners tell you not to change ANYTHING, believe them! I did not use my normal running water bottle with a squeeze top lid and kept splashing water up my nose when I tried to get a drink. Also, I used my brand new headphones……..that didn’t work at all, YIKES!<br />
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Running has taught me to believe in myself. It has given me strength and dignity and respect and an outlet for stress. I thank God for the wonder of his plan to give us things like this to help us connect with ourselves and Him in a new and incredible way.
I was so proud of the ladies in my running group that ran with me. We got to have a long conversation and I realized that every single one has self-image issues. These are the most gorgeous, beautiful women, inside and out. Each told me how pretty I am and I did not believe them. I told them they are beautiful, but they did not believe me either! It never ceases to amaze me that every woman I know has this feeling. Where does it come from? Is it something that was said or done to us as a child? Is it the media’s fault? Is it that we compare ourselves to others too much? Is it a spiritual attack by a spiritual enemy? Or, is it something we are born with because of the fall of man that we continually contend with throughout our lifetime?<br />
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Although I’m not sure what the cause is, I am sure of the solution. We must begin to find our worth and value in Christ. I’m not talking about a surface level knowledge. I’m talking about a gut-wrenching, core realization that we were “fearfully and wonderfully made”. That God has a purpose and a plan for our lives; that it is incredible to be a woman of God and walk in the calling his has in our life; that it is okay to like ourselves without being prideful; that when our significant other says we are perfect, believe it.<br />
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I don’t believe we really FEEL the depth of God’s unconditional love……… When you finally FEEL that he loves you regardless, it changes you for good. I wish I could help my fellow divas to experience the feeling of not only being okay with their life and their bodies, but experience what it is like to enjoy their bodies and revel in their lives. To be content as they are, today. And to look at each second as a gift and their body is a vessel that is going to make the life God planned for them possible.
We are so quick to deflect a genuine compliment and be negative, but you are what you think you are. I am so blessed to be a part of this running group. I learned so much from my race last night. Funny how it’s never the lesson I expect to learn, but it is always the lesson God intended for me to learn.Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-8066419958963873302012-01-22T05:15:00.002-06:002012-01-22T05:41:25.349-06:00FreedomThis weekend, I planned my schedule very full. It is the middle of winter, and it is supposed to be a relatively warm weekend. I was lying in bed this morning thinking about the fact that I'm enjoying my life... I can plan my schedule however I want. I have made the decision to put my children in God's hands when they visit their dad, and ENJOY the time. <br /><br />The unexpected side of this divorce is FREEDOM. I know that God would never cause a divorce to happen. In fact, I'm sure it broke his heart. But, now that I am single, I'm free to follow where he leads. I almost feel like a teenager who has just moved out of their parents house. I have never been by myself for this long. What I've discovered is that none of the names I was called are true... I'm not stupid. I'm not too sensitive. I'm not "just like my mother". I'm not afraid of everything. I'm not a bad mom. I'm not a #)$% or a @!)&%, or any other vulgar word you can think of. My dreams are not idiotic, and I don't deserve to be pushed, shoved, choked, or verbally battered. <br /><br />It's the little things that mean so much to me. For example, watching a movie all the way through without having someone change it without asking. Cooking my favorite meal without someone refusing to eat it. Taking a walk in the afternoon without it being a criminal act. Most of all, being able to go to church on a Sunday morning and Sunday night without getting lambasted for it.<br /><br />I'm not saying things were always terrible because they weren't, or I would not have had my children. But the bad made my life a matter of survival. It has been a difficult journey to leave that place of survival in my mind, and join the land of the living. I can feel the Lord holding my hand through it all, and making clear the paths he wants me to walk in. I can feel the warmth of healing taking place in my mind and my emotions. I'm taking in who HE says I am and letting go of the lies that have been forced into my brain over the past 16 years. The life I'm experiencing now is so abundant and full! Our Father is so creative. Every day he finds a new way to show me that he loves me......<br /><br />David said in Psalms 27:13 "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living". I am seeing the goodness of the Lord.... He is giving me an abundant life, and I am so grateful for the FREEDOM to serve him completely. The overflow is JOY that continues to bubble up at the most mundane things and the most inopportune times. I am truly a blessed person.Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-48563232920873735192012-01-11T21:34:00.002-06:002012-01-11T21:52:51.449-06:00Dating..So, the question was asked tonight at Divorce Recovery what it would take for me to date again....<br /><br />I've been thinking about that lately. I guess watching the Andy Stanley series on Love, Sex, and Dating sort of makes you think about an entire HOST of things.<br /><br />My first response was that the person would have to be passionate about their relationship with Christ.<br /><br />The truth is, my views on dating and remarriage are in a state of change right now. Being a single mom with three kids complicates things as well. On top of that, I have bills that I do not have enough money to pay and my job is anything but secure. Not exactly every single man's dream girl! <br /><br />There is something else though................ I'm really starting to enjoy being with........myself. As crazy as it sounds, most days, I'm having a blast just being ME. I don't have to impress anyone. I don't have to answer to anyone. I can go hang out with my friends for hours and don't have to call anyone. More importantly, I am free to serve wherever and when ever God leads. If I want to volunteer somewhere I can!! <br /><br />Some days, life is incredibly hard. Some days, I don't know how I'm going to make it to bed time. Some days, I get extremely lonely for companionship and all that comes with it. But, God has proven himself faithful to me. He is there with me through it all.<br /><br />If, some day, he chooses to bring me a husband, I'm open to that. But, I'm complete NOW, and that is a GREAT feeling!!!Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-81139793833665201952011-12-31T08:43:00.005-06:002011-12-31T09:55:25.179-06:00New Year'sAs I ponder all that has happened over the last year, I am amazed at where God has brought me from. I am so thankful for all that God is teaching me. I feel like I have entered a time in my life when God is growing me, training me, and purifying me. I love it!!!<br /><br />He is convicting me to repair the breaches in my life. I have a mission and a purpose in my life. My direction is clear, even if the path to get there is not.<br /><br />Earlier this week, I was overcome with the feeling that God does have a mate for me at some point in the future. I have prayed about it a multitude of times. I have been thinking about what I want in a future spouse; someone who loves Jesus Christ with everything in them, someone who loves their children and would be a Godly example to my children, someone who has a vision and a purpose for their life, and someone who is passionate about me and having a Christ-like marriage.<br /><br />The thing is, God desires those qualities in ME. I need to ask MYSELF those questions. Am I loving God with all that is within me? Am I loving my children and being a good mother to them? Do I have a purpose and a vision for my life? Am I passionate about preparing for a Christ-like marriage?<br /><br />You see, God is not so much worried about whether we are single, married, widowed, divorced, etc.......... He cares about our relationship with him. His ultimate goal is not our happiness, shocking as that sounds. Our purpose on this earth is to bring him glory. The only way to do so is to become his hands and feet. We can bring his love to others. We are the way he chooses to show himself to a lost and dying world. No matter where we find ourselves in life, we can always choose to be a servant. We can choose to let God be glorified in our lives.............<br /><br />All my life I've heard these things, but now......I'm living it! My purpose, my mission is to seek God in ALL that I do.<br /><br />Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths". That is my goal for this new year.<br /><br />My prayer is that my walk with Christ will deepen to the point that, especially my children, will see the difference in me and will trust Christ too!!<br /><br />I John 3:1-3 says, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure".<br /><br />In addition, III John 1:4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth".<br /><br />When you have a mission, there is always the temptation to lose focus. Please pray for me, that my focus will be on Christ and what he is doing in my life. I need strength and wisdom to live out the plan that he has for me. I pray that any distractions would be removed, and that the Holy Spirit will be my protector and will enable me to do every good work that God has designed me to perform.<br /><br />That is my prayer for you too...<br /><br />The most exciting thing to me is that, for the past few years, all that God has told me to do is to stand still and not grow weary. Now, his message has changed. Now, his message is for me to make HIM my husband. To move into the calling that he has on my life, and to a greater time of faith and learning to trust him, and to learn to hear him and follow him completely. This is a year of action rather than patient waiting. This is a year to move forward boldly in the power of the Holy Spirit and take back the land that has been stolen by the enemy in the past. Make no mistake about it, there will be battles. But God has caused flowers to bloom in the middle of the desert. He has taken my brokeness and pain and turned into a future and a hope that is unshakable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcwIMRO6tLjK0GaQ8P5BdZOmWH9-uGRmaV-X3bKZSwF7U1OQKwlIOGHHPGGfFNEoNl3ezC3V1P5CmxWAkyLEsnBgR1InyFhmrmgbYfiSNIFBHNfZT51NvMLA2ANKWlMF55weeVc3v-5Ce/s1600/desertflowers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcwIMRO6tLjK0GaQ8P5BdZOmWH9-uGRmaV-X3bKZSwF7U1OQKwlIOGHHPGGfFNEoNl3ezC3V1P5CmxWAkyLEsnBgR1InyFhmrmgbYfiSNIFBHNfZT51NvMLA2ANKWlMF55weeVc3v-5Ce/s400/desertflowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692320594454139410" border="0" /></a>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-6887871470178658162011-12-29T04:55:00.005-06:002011-12-31T09:58:01.957-06:00More FearThe hardest thing for me during this season of healing is not having my kids home part of the time. It's so surreal dropping them off and picking them up from their dad's house. It's also really strange to think of my former mate as "their dad" rather than "my husband", although somewhere along the way, he has become just that to me emotionally. The grief has lessened as I have learned how to let go and move forward, but there are still occasional moments when I feel resentful at having to share them............with him and his newest girlfriend. <br /><br />I was pondering that last night and realized that, although I have forgiven him, the root of this feeling is that I worry that they will like it better at his house and want to move in with him. I require them to do chores, I call them on their behavior, I expect them to do their homework, etc......... Dad's house is a series of expensive gifts, trips to the skating rink, and bonfires (all things he never would do when we were married). My fear threatens to suffocate me at times. <br /><br />Is it possible that my worst fear could come true? YES!! It has a significant statistical likelihood of happening. The question then is what do I do? I am choosing to do the only thing I can. The same thing that God has taught me to do with all my fears........seek the Lord. We, as humans, actually have very little control over the people around us. The only person we can control is ourselves, and we do a bang-up job of that most of the time. We NEED Christ. We NEED to pour ourselves into him and say "Whatever comes, God is with me". <br /><br />Believe it or not, I have work to do on my own self. In fact, fixing my issues will keep me busy until the Lord takes me home. Rather than panicking and worrying about my fear, I need to ask if my home is a place that children would want to be in. Is it safe? Do I love them unconditionally? Do I teach them right from wrong? Do I spend time with them individually and as a family just talking and laughing and being silly? Do I provide tasty and healthy meals for them and let them help with the cooking? Do they have friends here that can visit when boredom sets in? <br /><br />I know it's not possible to be perfect but I have so much more that I could do to connect with my kids on an emotional level. That is what I choose to think about and act on, rather than operate out of fear. The only way past fear is to let go of it and allow God to be God and focus on the things that he is calling me to do.<br /><br />I feel like Job when he said "For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. For the thing I feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came". ~Job 3:24-26<br /><br />If that verse is true, these verses bring me comfort that surpasses any fear that remains. "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing." ~Psalms 34:4-10<br /><br />It is a good thing to seek the Lord. It brings peace and comfort and joy and a purpose for living. There have been so many times that things were so awful in my marriage and since my marriage ended, but there has been one constant in my life.... God has always been there. I cannot count the number of times that I have fallen apart and he has always been there to hold me and comfort me and lift my face up and help me to go on. I would encourage you to turn to him, if you are experiencing emotional pain today. I promise he will meet you right where you are and be God to you!Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-50101127528679607352011-12-11T09:57:00.004-06:002011-12-11T10:17:46.555-06:00Changes.............For those of you who do not know....... I am now a divorced woman. I have not posted here regularly because I have been in severe emotional upheaval. Things did not work out, and maybe someday, when the time is right, I will elaborate. For now, the wounds are still fresh, the future uncertain. The only things that have carried me through are Jesus, my family, and my friends.<br /><br />I am still grieving the loss, but I'm also excited about the future. I plan to focus on my kids and serving God in whatever capacity that is.<br /><br />Looking back over my life, I can clearly see the hand of God. He has brought me so far! When I think of him, all I can manage to do is fall down on my knees and thank him for having a plan, for picking me up when I fall, and for loving me unconditionally. What an honor to live my life for him!<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LA2CpQWg2pA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-81385850929280015652011-02-11T08:49:00.000-06:002011-02-11T08:51:00.718-06:00Eternal LifeI just thought I'd share something that happened a few days ago. I was thinking<br />about death and having to face Jesus. I was feeling really scared and wondering<br />if I'd done enough. All of a sudden, I had an image come into my head of Jesus<br />standing there with his arms open. Every time I started to tally up my good vs<br />bad deeds, the image would return. I finally got the message.... He is WAITING<br />for me to come home. All the good, bad, and ugly will stay here on earth. My<br />Savior is standing there waiting for me to come home. Jesus already completed<br />his mission here on earth, now it's my turn. He is here in spirit (<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1297435230_0">Holy Ghost</span>)<br />helping me through this journey. And when it's over, I'll be with him...period,<br />end of sentence. <br /><br />My physical flesh acts like a prison. It keeps me in the shadows where things<br />sometimes become fuzzy and confused. I am living in the domain of evil. The<br />lures of the flesh are almost like being tortured. Sometimes we do things that<br />are wrong before we even catch ourselves or realize that it's wrong. <br /><br /><span style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1297435230_1">The Father</span> knew that, and he planned for that, and sent his Son to make a way<br />for us to be made clean. Jesus went back to heaven, but he left the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1297435230_2">Holy Spirit</span><br />here to act as a guide through the many pitfalls in life. The HS keeps us on<br />the right track. When life is over, I will shed this flesh and go be with HIM!<br /><br />What a blessing when God puts peace in our hearts and lets us know that we are<br />his! I didn't speak in tongues or become hysterical, it was just the sweet,<br />presence of God's spirit that spoke to my heart. That's what it's about. <br />That's what Paul and the apostles tried to get across over and over and over<br />again in the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1297435230_3">New Testament</span>. Men get tripped up over doctrine, and when they do,<br />they completely miss God's plan for Salvation and life with him.Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-57308651613354013062010-11-23T05:50:00.006-06:002010-11-23T06:14:20.776-06:00Was Abraham a Hebrew???<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was thinking about Abraham and how God called him, a Gentile, out and set him apart. God made some promises to him and he believed God. As a result, he became circumcised to show that he was set apart unto God. The Hebrew race was began by a man who was himself a Gentile! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > Romans 4:9-12</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="versenum" id="en-KJV-28032">9</sup><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. </span><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-28033">10</sup>How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-28034">11</sup>And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-28035">12</sup>And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.</p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> This was alluded to in Acts Chapter 7:1-8 when Stephen told them where the twelve tribes of Israel began.....a gentile. This caused the Sanhedrin court to become white with rage toward him and, along with the things Stephen said about the other patriarchs, caused him to ultimately be killed.</span><br /><br /><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-KJV-27118">Acts 7:1</sup><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Then said the high priest, Are these things so? </span><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-27119">2</sup>And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-27120">3</sup>And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-27121">4</sup>Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-27122">5</sup>And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-27123">6</sup>And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-27124">7</sup>And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-27125">8</sup>And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. </p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I find it fascinating that God's plan for salvation included a Gentile from the beginning. This brings to mind the verses in John.</span><br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">John 3: <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-26137">16</sup>For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. </p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-26138">17</sup>For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. </p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-26139">18</sup>He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How exciting it is to realize that God thought of us from the beginning! He had a plan for the salvation of the entire human race. Because a Gentile was grafted in at the beginning, salvation was ultimately brought back to the Gentiles. How awesome is that?<br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The question is............will you be a believer like Abraham and take God at His Word??</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">This is what us Southerners would say is "an oldie but a goodie".... Thank God he grafted me into his family!!<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></p><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0WMVj3ZaXg4?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0WMVj3ZaXg4?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-82451859607665307082010-11-11T05:04:00.002-06:002010-11-11T05:21:10.920-06:00My life is full these days. Between work and college, I have the equivalent of two full-time jobs...not counting my duties as a wife and mother. This week, in particular, I have found that there is some distance between me and my heavenly Father. Partly, it is because time changed and my kids are waking up before the time when I usually have my quiet time with the Lord. I also started a temporary job that I really don't like that much. I've found myself being grouchy with my husband and my kids.<br /><br />This morning, I awoke with a whisper in my heart and the word........remember. Shortly after that, the song "Roll Back the Curtain of Memory" started rolling through my mind. I opened up my Bible and turned to one of my favorite passages <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.</span><br /><br />Life is a temporary arrangement. The people who are nearest to me are borrowed. My family here on earth is not an accident. God knew who I needed in my life and who I would need to be responsible for. Our lives here a full of troubles and trials. However, when I get to heaven, my family will be free from strife and overloaded schedules.<br /><br />Greater than that is the knowledge that a perfect man with a perfect plan laid down his life for mine. Because he took my life to the cross, I now live through him. I can call God "Abba, Father" because Jesus Christ adopted me into the family. What a thrill!<br /><br />The words of this song are so timely. "Remind me where you brought me from and where I could have been"........... Thank you God for the reminder of where my priorities lie.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rdT5BK-eqVY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rdT5BK-eqVY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-7227376781911560312010-11-08T05:21:00.005-06:002010-11-08T05:38:29.826-06:00Birds have Nests, Foxes have holes......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR-BsW_rvfwn5DYIyT0k_hIisMKAhZeOI45dSgACl9y7Qj6jKDZOGbRWoo6w_WhB4hg9j7sRxmQNaTvdGzMr7jYXNxyJiyTrqctO33SGFh4e7rIeuqhp2cfvavVquQy7LE68uoi89e7hY/s1600/homeless.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR-BsW_rvfwn5DYIyT0k_hIisMKAhZeOI45dSgACl9y7Qj6jKDZOGbRWoo6w_WhB4hg9j7sRxmQNaTvdGzMr7jYXNxyJiyTrqctO33SGFh4e7rIeuqhp2cfvavVquQy7LE68uoi89e7hY/s320/homeless.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537141092156407026" border="0" /></a><br />My friend and I were laughing recently. Apparently, our pastor was eating dinner with her and her family when he said, <span style="font-style: italic;">"The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."(Matthew 8:20) </span>She said, "Wow, you're a poet". When he told her it was from the Bible, she was embarrassed and they all had a good laugh. It did get me thinking though.<br /><br />Here I am, a wretched, hateful, unloving person, whom God had mercy on. In the last year, I very well could have been homeless if not for my parents. Now, I have a home, albeit not a nice one, a family, food to eat, shoes to wear, clothes on my back, and a job to help provide. I am very thankful for the comforts God has allowed me to have. In addition, I have a husband who is becoming more like Christ every day, children, extended family, and the best friends in the world.........and I don't deserve any of it.<br /><br />Contrast that with Jesus Christ. What man was more deserving of glory? What man was more worthy of the riches of this earth? What man would have been a better husband, father, friend? And yet, during his time here on earth, he was denied every comfort. He literally did not even have a home. He WAS the homeless man on the street. He did not know where his next meal was coming from. Is it any wonder that he commands us to care for those who are in worse shape than us?<br /><br />When he returns, it will be with all the splendor and glory that he deserves. What a Savior! Listen to this song. It pretty much describes how I feel about Jesus. If you don't know him, don't let the day end without surrendering your heart and life and laying them at his feet.<br /><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MfIBAbXuHFo?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MfIBAbXuHFo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-80630288350936816992010-05-28T08:34:00.000-05:002010-05-28T08:56:43.320-05:00Are you Called or Chosen?<span style="font-style: italic;">From time to time, I come across a scripture reference that was taken out of context when I was growing up. This morning I was reading in Matthew chapter 20, and came across verse 16. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">( So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. )</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> I was taught that this meant that just because someone claimed to be a Christian, doesn't mean they are unless they followed our particular formula for salvation. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As I was reading this, an idea began to form in my mind. The question was, what is the difference between CALLED and CHOSEN? What I found is mind-boggling. The Greek word for called is </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">kletos</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. The emphasis of this word is that God is looking for someone. He has lost someone and is out in the night pleading and calling for them. The thought is that they are not returning an answer to him, yet he continues to call. My next question was who does this sound like in the Bible? Yes, I believe he is referring to the people of Israel. In fact, there are many references in the old testament of God calling to the Jewish people repeatedly and having them reject him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Greek word for chosen is <span style="font-weight: bold;">eklektos</span> (which is similar to the Greek word for church -ekklesia). I'm not familiar with the Greek language, so I can't say if this is significant or not. However, I do know that eklektos carries the connotation of "the highest calling" or "chosen by God to obtain salvation". This word indicates a positive response in the one who is called. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Now, back to the passage in Matthew 20. What is the context? </span><br /><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23794">1</sup>For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23795">2</sup>And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23796">3</sup>And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23797">4</sup>And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23798">5</sup>Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23799">6</sup>And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23800">7</sup>They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23801">8</sup>So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23802">9</sup>And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23803">10</sup>But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23804">11</sup>And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23805">12</sup>Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23806">13</sup>But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23807">14</sup>Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23808">15</sup>Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-23809">16</sup>So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.</p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After reading this, it seems clear to me that he is talking about the fact that God has called and called to the Israelites, but they refused him. He then "hired" us, the Gentiles, and gave us the same wage/reward. This being true, it has nothing to do with following a formula. Rather, it has to do with God calling and us responding to his free gift of salvation. If you have not truly given your heart and life to Jesus Christ, I urge you today to surrender to him and accept the free gift that he lavished on us through Jesus.</span><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></p>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-32417332932173709212010-05-03T15:05:00.000-05:002010-05-03T15:06:13.804-05:00Is Change Possible?<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">In dealing with my issues in my marriage, I've had to face the fact that all of my marriage problems were NOT my husband's fault. It was a mixture of things that were a) his fault, b) my fault, and c) life happening to us. Part of my problem is the lack of appropriate boundaries in my life. I've been like a city without walls. People could just run in and out and trample over me and I would lay there and take it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> So how did I get that way? I didn't have terrible parents. They weren't perfect, but they did the best they could. I believe that the church environment I grew up in is the culprit. I learned at an early age that men were to be feared and women silent. Any woman who was outspoken was labeled "rebellious". Differing opinions weren't welcomed but, rather, strongly discouraged. My mom never had many friends by choice. She is just not the type that needs a lot of social connecting. I do. I've always felt guilty for wanting friends. The back-biting and back-stabbing that went on among "friends" was a crisis of epic proportions. It wasn't exactly a place where kids could learn healthy ways of confronting bad behavior. When you add to that the mindset that it was "us against the world", it is no wonder that so many people end up in bad marriages.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Not only does it set some women up to be the victim, but it is also the perfect breeding ground for controlling men. Thus, the cycle of abuse is set up by default. No one calls it abuse, just submission.. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> The question I've been asking myself is "Is change possible"? Is it possible for a weak, dominated woman to recover and start to stand up for herself without going to the other extreme and become a man-hater? Is it possible for a controlling man to stop lording over his wife with a superior attitude without becoming a sissy?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Society would say that change is only possible when both people are willing to change. Both have to be committed to changing. Sometimes it starts with one person, sometimes both. Usually, it starts with the wife. I would say that the only way to lasting change is for both people to totally commit themselves to the Lord and seek to learn his plan for marriage, not what they've learned from those around them. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> This requires gut-wrenching work. Sometimes people aren't willing to do the hard work of learning new ways to react to stress.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> I'm not sure which it will be in my case. I hope that God will restore my marriage. I'm praying God's will in all of this. The hard thing in this is that some friends will not understand. I feel bad that I may lose some friendships because they don't understand why I would want to work things out, if it's God's will. Some have said and done damaging things to my husband and it would be impossible for him to feel comfortable around them. I will leave that up to God. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> My prayer is that I will continue to stand up for myself while still leaving room in my heart for the possibility that God may want to work it out in the long run. </span><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;"> I would appreciate the prayers for me and my husband. It's not easy for either of us to learn new ways of doing things that have been ingrained since childhood.<br /><br /></span><br /></span>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-56283203298406550482010-04-27T13:53:00.000-05:002010-04-27T14:28:37.265-05:00Ever Feel Like Job?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYW2tz8RSp0g1XEfMyTgGuC2KZvt0de37MmgClFrB5cWKN_SQVL9As3nslPJCjl1n8DN7ZdX2evN01kyxa1M0MYNGjDlthAMahVCZOcsldN3VOGY7niF-fsUKO2UV30N0Nw3wSotdsGK4Q/s1600/image.php.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYW2tz8RSp0g1XEfMyTgGuC2KZvt0de37MmgClFrB5cWKN_SQVL9As3nslPJCjl1n8DN7ZdX2evN01kyxa1M0MYNGjDlthAMahVCZOcsldN3VOGY7niF-fsUKO2UV30N0Nw3wSotdsGK4Q/s320/image.php.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464901278334896018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><h2 id="passage_heading"><br /></h2><h2 id="passage_heading">Job 16 (The Message)</h2> <h4>Job 16</h4><h5>Job Defends Himself</h5><h5>If You Were in My Shoes</h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-5831">1-5</sup> Then Job defended himself:<br /><br />"I've had all I can take of your talk.<br />What a bunch of miserable comforters!<br />Is there no end to your windbag speeches?<br />What's your problem that you go on and on like this?<br />If you were in my shoes,<br />I could talk just like you.<br />I could put together a terrific harangue<br />and really let you have it.<br />But I'd never do that. I'd console and comfort,<br />make things better, not worse!<br /><br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-5832">6-14</sup> "When I speak up, I feel no better;<br />if I say nothing, that doesn't help either.<br />I feel worn down.<br />God, you have wasted me totally—me and my family!<br />You've shriveled me like a dried prune,<br />showing the world that you're against me.<br />My gaunt face stares back at me from the mirror,<br />a mute witness to your treatment of me.<br />Your anger tears at me,<br />your teeth rip me to shreds,<br />your eyes burn holes in me—God, my enemy!<br />People take one look at me and gasp.<br />Contemptuous, they slap me around<br />and gang up against me.<br />And God just stands there and lets them do it,<br />lets wicked people do what they want with me.<br />I was contentedly minding my business when God beat me up.<br />He grabbed me by the neck and threw me around.<br />He set me up as his target,<br />then rounded up archers to shoot at me.<br />Merciless, they shot me full of arrows;<br />bitter bile poured from my gut to the ground.<br />He burst in on me, onslaught after onslaught,<br />charging me like a mad bull.<br /><br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-5833">15-17</sup> "I sewed myself a shroud and wore it like a shirt;<br />I lay facedown in the dirt.<br />Now my face is blotched red from weeping;<br />look at the dark shadows under my eyes,<br />Even though I've never hurt a soul<br />and my prayers are sincere!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I feel this way right now. I want things to change,</span> </span></span></span> <p style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">but I have no control over the events of my life.</span></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">In some ways, it seems like God is asking too much</span></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">of me. It seems like God truly was Job's enemy.</span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Remember, Job was LIVING this. He couldn't flip</span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">to the beginning of the Book of Job and see WHY it</span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">was happening. He also couldn't flip the the end of<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">the Book of Job to see how it ends. It's almost</span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">shocking to read the things that Job says, and how</span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">he rails again God, and yet......the Bible says that Job never</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-family:georgia;" >charged God foolishly. Listen to the rest of what Job says..</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><h5>The One Who Represents Mortals Before God</h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-5834">18-22</sup> "O Earth, don't cover up the wrong done to me!<br />Don't muffle my cry!<br />There must be Someone in heaven who knows the truth about me,<br />in highest heaven, some Attorney who can clear my name—<br />My Champion, my Friend,<br />while I'm weeping my eyes out before God.<br />I appeal to the One who represents mortals before God<br />as a neighbor stands up for a neighbor. <p> "Only a few years are left<br />before I set out on the road of no return."</p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-family:georgia;" >I believe that this is a prophetic reference to Jesus Christ.<br /><br />HE is our attorney, our champion, our friend....... Even though<br /><br />we sometimes 'feel' abandoned by God, Jesus actually was<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-family:georgia;" >(Matthew 27:45-50)</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-family:georgia;" >. We can take comfort in times of extreme trials</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-family:georgia;" >that Jesus Christ has been there. He knows what it is to suffer and feel</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-family:georgia;" >rejected and alone. Listen to this song by The Isaacs. Thank God that he </span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-family:georgia;" >understands..........</span><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cpizJmVrhKk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cpizJmVrhKk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span></span></span>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-71679903697341668802009-07-24T07:43:00.000-05:002009-07-24T07:44:03.427-05:00Offense<p>I was reading in Matthew chapter 18 this morning. I came to verse 6.</p> <p><b><i>"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea."</i></b></p> <p>This is very heavy stuff! How many children from Christian homes go astray? MOST. That is the said truth. How many times have I angered my children and not shown them love and grace? How many times have I disciplined in anger instead of love?</p> <p>As a parent, it is my job to show my children what God's attributes are like. The main way that they form an opinion about God is through the parents. We are the gatekeepers, a filter, if you will. We should reflect the character of our God to our children. They, in turn, will have a healthy view of God. We have the power to speak blessing or cursing into the life of our child by our attitudes, words, and actions.</p> <p>The word "offend" in this verse means:</p> <p class="lex1"> <b>1)</b> to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, metaphor. to offend</p> <p class="lex2"> <b>a)</b> to entice to sin</p> <p class="lex2"> <b><i>b) to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey</i></b></p> <p class="lex3"><b>1)</b> to cause to fall away</p> <p class="lex3"><b>2)</b> to be offended in one, i.e. to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority</p> <p class="lex3"><b>3)</b> to cause one to judge unfavorably or unjustly of another</p> <p class="lex2"> <b>c)</b> since one who stumbles or whose foot gets entangled feels annoyed</p> <p class="lex3"><b>1)</b> to cause one displeasure at a thing</p> <p class="lex3"><b>2)</b> to make indignant</p> <p class="lex3"><b>3)</b> to be displeased, indignant</p> <p>So, how do we do this? Is this another "work" that "I" have to do? Do I just stop sinning in this area? NO!! It's just like any other area of my life. The only way to overcome is to lay down my life and cling to the Vine. The closer I stay to Jesus, the more clearly His light will be reflected. Which brings me to another verse. Matthew 16:25 says, <i><b>"For whosoever will <span class="criteria">save</span> <span class="criteria">his</span> <span class="criteria">life</span> shall lose it: and whosoever will lose <span class="criteria">his</span> <span class="criteria">life</span> for my sake shall find it."</b></i> The key is to lay our life down and to cling to him. Then, our children will see Jesus in us.</p> <p>Remember, the world's way is to "try harder" and "do better". The way of the cross is surrender.....</p>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619808366653012891.post-37859752703270045072009-07-24T07:41:00.000-05:002009-07-24T07:43:13.067-05:00Faith or Fear?<p>In my new walk of faith, God is continually challenging me to stop living in fear. The smallest things are becoming magnified, along with the big things, and showing me just how much fear is in my daily life. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of financial failure, etc.......</p> <p>The latest fear that I am facing is the fear of sending my kids to a public school. The fear of public education has been instilled in me since birth. At the church I grew up in, public school was seen as the absolute worst thing you could possibly do to your kids. They ignored the fact that at least 95% of the kids who graduated from our Christian school are no longer activily attending church, or are living lives that would be considered Godly from outside appearances.</p> <p>I have had to go back to work part-time. My husband is jobless until spring, and our savings is all but depleted. I have to go to the food pantry next week, just to supplement groceries for our family. Not working isn't an option at this point. I had thought to continue homeschooling our nine year old in the afternoons. As you can guess, it's not working very well. She's cranky and tired by the afternoon (not to mention me). Daddy is depressed and bored because he isn't working, so he has become drill sargent daddy and the kids are stressed out by it all. We have cabin fever in epic proportions, as anyone who lives in the Colorado Rockies can tell you.</p> <p>This week, I mentioned to my husband that I'd rather have the kids at school, than to have them and him fighting and arguing all week. That started a war inside my heart. My feelings against sending my 9 yr. old to public school were so intense that I started asking God "Okay, WHY do I feel so strongly about this?" His answer, "FEAR". WHAT? It sounds like such a Godly thing to want to homeschool your children. How could it be FEAR? Well, I do not trust the public school, but in the deepest part of my heart, I know that the reason I haven't sent her is fear. My biggest fear is that my children will grow up and not choose to follow the Lord.</p> <p>The truth is, I have seen many examples of children who did just fine in public school. Many children have come out very Godly people. I think the key is the parents having a true relationship with God based on faith, NOT fear. If I am walking in fear, even my homeschooling them will not produce the fruit of righteousness. If I am walking in fear, my children will reject the God that I am trying to serve. Does that mean I shouldn't be diligent if I have to send my children to public school? No, I should be as involved as they are, even more so. But, my decisions should not be based upon fear. Otherwise, I am ultimately saying that I don't trust God enough to be GOD to my children. They are HIS kids, not mine. He has his own plan for their salvation.</p> <p>So, the answer goes back to any area of fear that I have.....FAITH!</p>Happy In Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08364781338321141496noreply@blogger.com0