The weather has been so nice for the past week. Jack and Claire enjoyed climbing the tree and swinging on the swing set after church today.
Luke is with Amma and Granddaddy this weekend. We can't wait to see him tomorrow!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Sunday Afternoon
The weather has been so nice for the past week. Jack and Claire enjoyed climbing the tree and swinging on the swing set after church today.
Luke is with Amma and Granddaddy this weekend. We can't wait to see him tomorrow!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Encouraging Words from Sally Clarkson
I am getting ready to begin another Bible study in a few weeks. When I found out what book we would be studying, I was excited. Yes, it's a book that I read a few summers ago, but I remember loving this book, so it will be great to hear it taught.
The book is The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.
I was so encouraged last fall after studying The Mission of Motherhood that I began to read Sally's blog. I read it pretty faithfully last year, but I haven't in a while. It is so good. Full of biblical truth and encouragement.
While reading her blog tonight, I came across the following:
Three things I am learning to do in the midst of my own storms.
1. Remember and list in your journal all of the ways, in your lifetime, you have seen God’s faithfulness and answers to prayer. This is why our family celebrates family day. Even in the most difficult years, we could look back and see His handprints in our lives–He was always there, He was always providing. He looks upon us with compassion.
Once, as a little girl, I had double pneumonia, was gasping for breath in an oxygen tent, and feeling scared. But then, I heard a familiar sound. My father, a business man, wore wing-tip shoes, and above the noise and spew of the oxygen, I heard the stout sound of His shoes, chipping down the hall way toward my room, and my heart was immediately at ease. I thought, “Now Daddy is here. He will be sure they take good care of me. I will be ok.”
And so, we need to listen for the wing-tip shoes of our heavenly Father who is coming to our rescue. He will take care of us and we will be ok.
2. Find a promise, hold fast to His word.
Have you ever been in the car with your children and all of them start speaking to you at once and continue speaking as though you can hear their voice above the roar? Too many voices keep us from hearing. And so the voices of the world, of fear, of what ifs, all speaking at once drown out His voice, the only one who is truth and who will bring wisdom. So, we must still our lives and sit quietly that He may speak to us.
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“If God is with us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own son, but delivered him over for us all, how will He not freely give us all things?” Romans 8: 31-32
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2
Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you and fill your heart with the peace and calm of His strength and presence. If we look to outer circumstances for our happiness and peace, we will always be defined by the limitations and battles raging in a fallen, sinful world.
But if we look within, still our hearts, wait to hear His voice, we will perceive that the Lord of Hosts is with us, that His Holy Spirit is there waiting to speak peace, healing, strength, love and life into our hearts and into our circumstances, while we wait on Him and behold His salvation and comfort.We are not alone. He is faithful.
3. Determine to hold fast and to be a courageous warrior in your battles.
Memories of my family and friends have been flooding my mind this week as I move toward my mom’s memorial service.
The life of a distant relative has been on my mind. He was a man who lived a life of great faith, for many years, bringing light into darkness, redeeming, loving. But he became weary of the battle and instead of staying strong, he gave up. Consequently, his legacy, by which he will be remembered, is of quitting.
All of the soldiers who saw Goliath and ran away from him, will never be remembered. We do not know their names. But we do know the name of a valiant young warrior named David. He saw the same giant, but faced him.
“You come to me with speer and sword.” (the weapons and strength of the world–even a giant is the power of the world’s way)
“But I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts.”
David did not picture his own strength, but instead pictured the Lord and thousands and thousands of angels behind him. And so he has a legacy of faith and saw God work.
Do not give up your legacy of a story of faith. Your children are looking to your story to give them courage in the story they yet will yet live. Hold fast, find a friend to pray with, stand strong. Today is the day you have to proclaim His faithfulness in your own life for all generations to see. What a shame if we all gave up–there would be no stories of His strength, grace and truth.
So, find a way to stay strong. Pray every day with a friend. Fill your mind with beauty, songs, stories of those who have gone before us. Rest deep inside your heart and see His love for you.
Right in the middle of the boat, deep in the midst of the storm, Jesus was resting, sleeping, in the arms of His Father, knowing He was not alone, and understanding that His Father’s strength would calm the storms.
The book is The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.
I was so encouraged last fall after studying The Mission of Motherhood that I began to read Sally's blog. I read it pretty faithfully last year, but I haven't in a while. It is so good. Full of biblical truth and encouragement.
While reading her blog tonight, I came across the following:
Three things I am learning to do in the midst of my own storms.
1. Remember and list in your journal all of the ways, in your lifetime, you have seen God’s faithfulness and answers to prayer. This is why our family celebrates family day. Even in the most difficult years, we could look back and see His handprints in our lives–He was always there, He was always providing. He looks upon us with compassion.
Once, as a little girl, I had double pneumonia, was gasping for breath in an oxygen tent, and feeling scared. But then, I heard a familiar sound. My father, a business man, wore wing-tip shoes, and above the noise and spew of the oxygen, I heard the stout sound of His shoes, chipping down the hall way toward my room, and my heart was immediately at ease. I thought, “Now Daddy is here. He will be sure they take good care of me. I will be ok.”
And so, we need to listen for the wing-tip shoes of our heavenly Father who is coming to our rescue. He will take care of us and we will be ok.
2. Find a promise, hold fast to His word.
Have you ever been in the car with your children and all of them start speaking to you at once and continue speaking as though you can hear their voice above the roar? Too many voices keep us from hearing. And so the voices of the world, of fear, of what ifs, all speaking at once drown out His voice, the only one who is truth and who will bring wisdom. So, we must still our lives and sit quietly that He may speak to us.
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“If God is with us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own son, but delivered him over for us all, how will He not freely give us all things?” Romans 8: 31-32
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2
Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you and fill your heart with the peace and calm of His strength and presence. If we look to outer circumstances for our happiness and peace, we will always be defined by the limitations and battles raging in a fallen, sinful world.
But if we look within, still our hearts, wait to hear His voice, we will perceive that the Lord of Hosts is with us, that His Holy Spirit is there waiting to speak peace, healing, strength, love and life into our hearts and into our circumstances, while we wait on Him and behold His salvation and comfort.We are not alone. He is faithful.
3. Determine to hold fast and to be a courageous warrior in your battles.
Memories of my family and friends have been flooding my mind this week as I move toward my mom’s memorial service.
The life of a distant relative has been on my mind. He was a man who lived a life of great faith, for many years, bringing light into darkness, redeeming, loving. But he became weary of the battle and instead of staying strong, he gave up. Consequently, his legacy, by which he will be remembered, is of quitting.
All of the soldiers who saw Goliath and ran away from him, will never be remembered. We do not know their names. But we do know the name of a valiant young warrior named David. He saw the same giant, but faced him.
“You come to me with speer and sword.” (the weapons and strength of the world–even a giant is the power of the world’s way)
“But I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts.”
David did not picture his own strength, but instead pictured the Lord and thousands and thousands of angels behind him. And so he has a legacy of faith and saw God work.
Do not give up your legacy of a story of faith. Your children are looking to your story to give them courage in the story they yet will yet live. Hold fast, find a friend to pray with, stand strong. Today is the day you have to proclaim His faithfulness in your own life for all generations to see. What a shame if we all gave up–there would be no stories of His strength, grace and truth.
So, find a way to stay strong. Pray every day with a friend. Fill your mind with beauty, songs, stories of those who have gone before us. Rest deep inside your heart and see His love for you.
Right in the middle of the boat, deep in the midst of the storm, Jesus was resting, sleeping, in the arms of His Father, knowing He was not alone, and understanding that His Father’s strength would calm the storms.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Does God give us more than we can handle?
I just read an excellent post regarding God not giving us more than we can handle, click here to read for yourself.
I found myself saying this when first diagnosed with MS. Not only did I say it to myself, but to my husband and a few family members. No one ever corrected me - maybe because I was already down and they just wanted to let me talk?
I don't know what day it was, but I remember one evening crying out to the Lord, pleading with Him to take this away, and asking why He thought I was strong enough to face this trial?
I wasn't angry with God, but I did have some real questions that I wanted answers to. At the end of my prayer time I knew that there was a possibility that I would never know why this was happening, at least not on this side of heaven. So I closed my prayer with, "Lord, I know that you will see me through this trial because I know that you do no give me more than I can handle."
WRONG! As soon as I said Amen, I knew that this statement was false. It hit me that I had been believing this statement for several weeks, all the while doubting that I could handle this trial. Well, I had that doubt because there is nothing, a part from Christ, that I can accomplish on my own. Nothing!
God was using this trial to strengthen my faith and reliance upon Him. He wants me to need Him. He wants to be my help in time of need. He does give Christians things that we cannot handle so that we will rely upon Him. He is to be my rock that I run to. He is to be the One that has my love and affection. Bottom line, I need Christ to do, or get through each day of my life. He didn't promise this life on earth to be easy, but He did promise to never leave me or forsake me.
I was so thankful for that eye-opening moment with the Lord. And then, to further confirm this, a dear friend of mine reiterated this truth to me a few days later, and she wasn't aware of my thinking or prayer a few days prior.
Lesson learned: don't listen to ever cliche comment that believers make and take them as gospel truth. Yes, this is a nice and comforting statement, but it couldn't be farther from the truth.
This is why we all need to be daily searching the scriptures for ourselves.
I found myself saying this when first diagnosed with MS. Not only did I say it to myself, but to my husband and a few family members. No one ever corrected me - maybe because I was already down and they just wanted to let me talk?
I don't know what day it was, but I remember one evening crying out to the Lord, pleading with Him to take this away, and asking why He thought I was strong enough to face this trial?
I wasn't angry with God, but I did have some real questions that I wanted answers to. At the end of my prayer time I knew that there was a possibility that I would never know why this was happening, at least not on this side of heaven. So I closed my prayer with, "Lord, I know that you will see me through this trial because I know that you do no give me more than I can handle."
WRONG! As soon as I said Amen, I knew that this statement was false. It hit me that I had been believing this statement for several weeks, all the while doubting that I could handle this trial. Well, I had that doubt because there is nothing, a part from Christ, that I can accomplish on my own. Nothing!
God was using this trial to strengthen my faith and reliance upon Him. He wants me to need Him. He wants to be my help in time of need. He does give Christians things that we cannot handle so that we will rely upon Him. He is to be my rock that I run to. He is to be the One that has my love and affection. Bottom line, I need Christ to do, or get through each day of my life. He didn't promise this life on earth to be easy, but He did promise to never leave me or forsake me.
I was so thankful for that eye-opening moment with the Lord. And then, to further confirm this, a dear friend of mine reiterated this truth to me a few days later, and she wasn't aware of my thinking or prayer a few days prior.
Lesson learned: don't listen to ever cliche comment that believers make and take them as gospel truth. Yes, this is a nice and comforting statement, but it couldn't be farther from the truth.
This is why we all need to be daily searching the scriptures for ourselves.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thankful for God's people
One thing that has been made clear to me through my trial with MS is how amazing fellow believers in Christ really are. I have had so many emails, cards, and words of encouragement over the past five months that it's been overwhelming.
I have been amazed at the love the body of Christ has poured out, and it's not just from my tight circle of friends and family. Love has come from people whom I have never met, people I have known for years, and from people I never thought cared that much for me.
"A friend is always loyal, and brother is born to help in time of need." (Proverbs 17:17 NLT)
In fact, it has been through this trial that I have seen who my true friends are. Much to my surprise, many of the people who have been the first to help, have been people that I would never have expected It has been through the body of Christ that I have been blessed with prayers, words of encouragement, letters, emails, and meals for my family.
The Body of Christ has been with our family every step of the way. They are loyal. They will be ready to help and serve whenever called upon. They are ready because they are filled with the Spirit of God. They want to serve like Jesus did. They want to be a true friend.
I could write for hours about some of the offers I have gotten from believers. But one sticks out to me in particular, I guess since I am a worker at home and all things under this roof pertain to me. A lady from my church offered to hire a housekeeper for me, and to pay for it! She said that she wanted to bless me in this way because she knew how much I appreciated a clean house. She told me that she didn't want me to waste any of my energy on cleaning, but to use it all on my children.
I was so shocked by this offer. I was amazed. Yes, I know this woman, but we are not close. Not close enough for her to pay for my house to be cleaned!
This was just another example of God's love being shown through His body. And for the record, I haven't taken her up on the offer. I really have wanted things to remain as normal as possible, but I told her that if I ever needed it I would give her a call.
These are the kinds of people who are shining their light. These are the people who love the Lord and are willing to sacrifice to help another believer. These are the people who make the gospel attractive. These are the people who will be blessed beyond measure during their time on earth and when they get to heaven. These are the kinds of people I want to have as my friends!
I can't help but think of 1 Corinthians 12 when Paul is talking about how there are many parts that make up the body, but we are all one in Christ. Each part has its purpose, but this doesn't make it better than another part. All parts are needed to make up the body.
I am so thankful for all the people God has brought into my life during this time. He knew what sort of people would be my real friends and who would be the most encouraging, and those are the exact people He has brought into my life!
In fact, I need to go now so I can heat up a meal that was brought to me this morning:-)
I have been amazed at the love the body of Christ has poured out, and it's not just from my tight circle of friends and family. Love has come from people whom I have never met, people I have known for years, and from people I never thought cared that much for me.
"A friend is always loyal, and brother is born to help in time of need." (Proverbs 17:17 NLT)
In fact, it has been through this trial that I have seen who my true friends are. Much to my surprise, many of the people who have been the first to help, have been people that I would never have expected It has been through the body of Christ that I have been blessed with prayers, words of encouragement, letters, emails, and meals for my family.
The Body of Christ has been with our family every step of the way. They are loyal. They will be ready to help and serve whenever called upon. They are ready because they are filled with the Spirit of God. They want to serve like Jesus did. They want to be a true friend.
I could write for hours about some of the offers I have gotten from believers. But one sticks out to me in particular, I guess since I am a worker at home and all things under this roof pertain to me. A lady from my church offered to hire a housekeeper for me, and to pay for it! She said that she wanted to bless me in this way because she knew how much I appreciated a clean house. She told me that she didn't want me to waste any of my energy on cleaning, but to use it all on my children.
I was so shocked by this offer. I was amazed. Yes, I know this woman, but we are not close. Not close enough for her to pay for my house to be cleaned!
This was just another example of God's love being shown through His body. And for the record, I haven't taken her up on the offer. I really have wanted things to remain as normal as possible, but I told her that if I ever needed it I would give her a call.
These are the kinds of people who are shining their light. These are the people who love the Lord and are willing to sacrifice to help another believer. These are the people who make the gospel attractive. These are the people who will be blessed beyond measure during their time on earth and when they get to heaven. These are the kinds of people I want to have as my friends!
I can't help but think of 1 Corinthians 12 when Paul is talking about how there are many parts that make up the body, but we are all one in Christ. Each part has its purpose, but this doesn't make it better than another part. All parts are needed to make up the body.
I am so thankful for all the people God has brought into my life during this time. He knew what sort of people would be my real friends and who would be the most encouraging, and those are the exact people He has brought into my life!
In fact, I need to go now so I can heat up a meal that was brought to me this morning:-)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thankful for the small things
A few weeks ago I had to have a round of steroids to help with some of my symptoms that had gotten worse. This wasn't planned, as the doctor believed that I would be fine until after having the baby.
It was about five weeks ago when some of my symptoms began to escalate. I was already having trouble walking by the end of each day, but now it had become difficult to walk at the beginning of the day. It was scary. I was very scared that this would now be the new "normal". I begged the Lord not to take away my ability to walk.
Jordan insisted that I see the doctor that week. We went in on a Tuesday, the doctor suggested the steroid treatment, and we began the next day.
There were a few side effects that I had to deal with for about ten days afterwards, but now things seem to be better. In fact, tonight was the first night that I have been able to go on a family walk in months without my leg giving out on me. It was amazing. I walked fast, anticipating my leg to give me trouble at some point during out thirty minute walk, but it never did!!!
I was amazed! But mostly just thankful. Thankful that I was able to enjoy a walk with my husband and children. Thankful that my leg cooperated the entire time. Thankful that the Lord allowed me to take this walk. Thankful that Lord had answered my prayer five weeks ago when I begged Him to help me walk.
Two years ago I would have never given thanks after a walk. I always assumed that I would be able to. Never did I think that walking would become difficult. Never.
But God has taught me so much through this trial. He has taught me to never take anything He has blessed me with for granted. It could all be gone tomorrow. This truth has never been clearer.
"For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthian 4:15-18)
"I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." (Psalm 7:17)
It was about five weeks ago when some of my symptoms began to escalate. I was already having trouble walking by the end of each day, but now it had become difficult to walk at the beginning of the day. It was scary. I was very scared that this would now be the new "normal". I begged the Lord not to take away my ability to walk.
Jordan insisted that I see the doctor that week. We went in on a Tuesday, the doctor suggested the steroid treatment, and we began the next day.
There were a few side effects that I had to deal with for about ten days afterwards, but now things seem to be better. In fact, tonight was the first night that I have been able to go on a family walk in months without my leg giving out on me. It was amazing. I walked fast, anticipating my leg to give me trouble at some point during out thirty minute walk, but it never did!!!
I was amazed! But mostly just thankful. Thankful that I was able to enjoy a walk with my husband and children. Thankful that my leg cooperated the entire time. Thankful that the Lord allowed me to take this walk. Thankful that Lord had answered my prayer five weeks ago when I begged Him to help me walk.
Two years ago I would have never given thanks after a walk. I always assumed that I would be able to. Never did I think that walking would become difficult. Never.
But God has taught me so much through this trial. He has taught me to never take anything He has blessed me with for granted. It could all be gone tomorrow. This truth has never been clearer.
"For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthian 4:15-18)
"I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." (Psalm 7:17)
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