Mr. Monday: Upcoming Vaca!

At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her.

~Ruth 1:14

I'm so excited!!! We pinned down a vacation to Texas to see Mr. Amazing's amazing parents for spring break!! The last time were were there was a year and a half ago when his parents church was dedicating a stained glass window for his dad (who was the pastor there for years - now retired). The girls weren't even two years old! Now his parents come up to visit us each summer, but I love going to visit them. It's nice to get away from our home, somewhere where there is no demands on our time. Somewhere where we are loved, but not needed.

Plus, the drive down there takes 12 hours (if we drive straight through), and it's so much fun to spend time with the family. We always stop in Kansas to visit Dorthy's house. I love being with my family, sitting next to Mr. Amazing with nothing but time on our hands. Mr. Amazing acts like a kid the entire time we are there (okay, so maybe he always acts like a kid, but it's intensified when his parents are around). He just seems to let go of the cares of life, and relax. I love that.

When we go to Iowa to visit my family each summer, it isn't the same. I can't explain why. It just isn't. Maybe it's because that's where I grew up. We try to see everyone in my family, and do things with my mom, it's just not as relaxing. Texas is just so serene to me. It's like the one place that I get to go with no cares. It's my own special getaway with some of the people that I love most in the world.

Bad Vibrations

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...

~Genesis 50:20

Joseph spoke the above words after he had been through a lot. His brothers were worried that he would hold a grudge against them, because let's face it, he had every right to by human standards. However, he looked past the bad vibrations, past the hurt, the pain, the wrong doings, and he saw what God did through all of those bad things. 

Last Friday I had a bad day, to say the least! I was behind on my work and trying to get caught up when it happened. My cat knocked over a vase that I had sitting on my desk, soaking everything: my research, notes, to do list, keyboard, mouse, computer, laptop, spare printer paper, 3 of my notebooks, my work binder, a book, all of my notepads, me and the clothes that I was wearing... I could go on, but you get the point. 

As I sat there lividly looking at the water and desperately dabbing at the electronics, the words of Joseph flew to my mind. I had just read them the night before (because I'm already a week behind in my Bible reading plan for the year), and they just resounded in my heart. "God intended it for good." I don't know what good can come out of wet electronics and ruined papers, but God didn't call me to understand, He called me to trust. 

So as sat there sopping up the mess, I fought the urge to focus on all that was lost; the urge to focus on the things of this world. I had to shift my focus on how much greater God was then anything I could ever put on paper. My computer wasn't ruined. The water missed the power strip by an inch or two, so nothing fried. Yes, I lost some notes due to water damage, but it wasn't the end of the world. God is still God, and I am still not. 

I guess that the whole experience was humbling. It forced me to slow down and meditate on the reason that I do the things that I do. It made me look at the importance of material objects (replaceable or not), and really just refreshed my perspective. On a day when I was overwhelmed and beating myself up about being behind, I would have never guessed that a disaster like that would be the thing that improved my attitude, but if I had to guess, I bet God did.

Courageous

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

~Deuteronomy 31:6

We watched "Courageous" last week when it came out. I had been looking forward to it so much! We tried to see it in the theater, but by the time we were able to line up a sitter, it wasn't playing in any of the theaters that were within an hour of our house. I was totally bummed, but we got to watch "Happy Feet 2"... Wait... where was I going with all this? Oh that's right, "Courageous".

I ended up with mixed feelings about this highly emotional film. I guess that if I had to summarize it in one sentence I would have to say that it was about a group of men who decided to make a pledge to be good fathers. However, for me, there was just too much going on in the movie. Too many stories intertwined. I also noticed that the gospel wasn't mentioned... at all (please correct me if I'm wrong). You see, the goal behind the movie was great, but we can't leave our men expecting that they should be perfect; that they can fulfill all of Scripture out of their own good intentions. People fail. We just simply can't be perfect on our own, we have to look to God for our strength, and forgiveness when we fail.

I also don't feel like we should pledge to be perfect parents. First and foremost, we should strive to serve God in ALL aspects of our lives. One of the Scriptures or points that they touched on was that we are to teach our children to be godly, and we can't do that if we are not first and foremost seeking to please Him. We can't live a Christian life out of desire to be good parents. If we did, we would be living a lie.

Yes, we are called to be courageous in our Christian faith. But not just for the sake of our children. We are to love the lord our God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. We should make the right choices and honor our morals, not to teach our kids right and wrong, but because it's what God wants from US. Anyway, those are just some of my thoughts about this movie. I would love to hear some of yours.

The Gospel for the Imperfect Wife

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

~Proverbs 31:11

One of my all time favorite blogs is Christ in the Chaos. I love how she words her posts to always include the gospel. I'm bringing this up because her blog inspired this post. Anyway, on to the Mr. Monday portion of this blog post!

When I read the above verse today, it really just... well it hurt. I fail my husband in so many ways. He has full confidence in me, but only because love is blind and he's amazing like that. However, he lacks a lot. 

I am far from the perfect wife. Housekeeping isn't exactly my strong suit. The dishes aren't always done, neither is the laundry. The floors all need to be vacuumed and I don't have meals planned out for the entire month (or even the day). He needed his hair cut, and I didn't have the time so he had to go to a salon. Things just add up, and when I read the verses in Proverbs 31, it can be tempting to feel like a failure. But that's not what Christ wants.

You see, Christ came to earth because He knew that we wouldn't be able to be the perfect wives. He knew that we were in capable of making it on our own. He came to save us from having to be perfect. Yes, it's good to read Proverbs 31 and have that as a backdrop for the perfect wife, but we have to remember, I have to remember, that God knew that I wouldn't BE that wife. He knew that I would fail, and that my kids would wash the dishes, do some laundry, and my husband would order pizza on days like today when I fell asleep with one of the kids. 

I will never be perfect, and neither will you. Our husbands know it, God knows it, why can't we accept it? Today, I am choosing to bathe in the grace of God. I will not feel defeated when looking at the dirty carpet and mound of laundry waiting to be put away. I choose to feel the peace that God promised us through the blood of Christ. I choose to accept that imperfections and shortcomings aren't the end of the world. I might be an imperfect wife. I might fall short of the Proverbs 31 woman, but I have a mighty Savior and an Amazing husband, and I won't let the things of this world get me down!

P.S. It's my birthday, and I know he has plans... I just have yet to figure them out! More on that next week :)

Sanctification Multiplication

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

~2 Peter 3:18

As any mother of small children can testify: children never become perfect. We don't just suddenly wake up one day with perfect, well-mannered, sinless children. Instead, they simply progress from one area of imperfection to another. While our children may no longer be biting one another, they move into the stage of talking back. When they get past that stage, they start doing something else. They, like us, will never be perfect. 

I had an amazing book recommended to me a few weeks ago by a friend. It's called "Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic, and while I was originally put off by how amazingly short it is, it holds some very powerful truths. This being one of them. Rachel relates our children's progression in growing up and moving from one sinful deed to another, to basic math. I just love the picture that paints. You can never know everything there is to know about mathematics. While when we are little we learn how to count and that 1+1=2, in our spiritual walk we have to first learn who Jesus is and what He has done before we can move into the spiritual trigonometry of living out our Christian walk. 

I guess that my favorite take away from all of this is that we have to teach our children to count today so that they will be able to face the later courses of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry with a leg to stand on. That doesn't mean that they won't struggle or fail (because we all do some of the time), it just means that they will have a foundation. A starting place, and a place to come back to when needed. 

Worthy vs. Worthless

"...go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

~ Matthew 9:13

As I was reading another blog this past weekend, I loved the analogy of the message of todays Christian music, verses the message sent in traditional Christian music (such as Amazing Grace). You can read the original post here.

The main point was that today's music doesn't have good theology. We are told that we are all worth dying for. We are told that we are worthy. But Jesus said that the righteous don't need a Savoir. If we are worthy of it, then we don't need it. That's why the old hymn says that Jesus came to save a wretch like me. That's why His grace is so amazing after all. God loved us even when we weren't worthy. In fact, on our own, we have no worth. Our worth is found in Christ alone. It is Him that is worthy. He died for us even though we didn't deserve it. How amazing is that?!



I guess the main point here is that if the grace of God isn't needed, but something that we deserve, then it isn't as precious as I was led to believe. What about you?

Mr. Monday: A Rose by any other name...

"I am a rose of Sharon, 

   a lily of the valleys."

   

"Like a lily among thorns 

   is my darling among the maidens."

~ Song of Songs 2:1-2

Mr. Amazing brought me a rose last weekend. It was his day off and he took the twins on a milk run while I made breakfast. After a little while the door bell rang. I went to answer it and found one of the sweetest little four year olds in the world standing there holding a beautiful long-stemmed rose. She said "Flower for you, Mommy." It was pretty much the cutest thing ever. She gave me the rose and a kiss, then went into the house. She was followed up the stairs by the other sweetest little four year old who proclaimed: "Mommy! That's you flower!" and then gave me another kiss. It was great. Mr. Amazing followed behind them laden down with groceries. He really is amazing :)

I use to not like getting flowers. I was one of those women that saw them as temporary treasures that eventually died, and when you give them as a picture of love, that isn't very encouraging. However, I love the above verses that Solomon wrote. The maiden says: "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." and her husband responds "Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens." Now that's a great picture of love represented by a rose. 

I encourage you, the next time your Mr. buys you flowers, think about these verses. Remember that he is doing it because to him, you are more precious then anyone else in the world. Like a lily (or rose) among thorns. 

Supernatural Peace

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:4-7

After a long day with 4 kids that have far too much energy for a mom with a kink in her neck, these words aren't exactly easy to read. As I sit in front of the computer with my throat burning from screaming at them for multiple things, my gentleness is not evident. Not to all, and defiantly not to my children. 

With the temptation to feel like a failure building along with the pressing tears, the end of this passage brings hope. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That peace that surpasses all understanding truly is an amazing thing. It's the peace that takes over when I admit my failures, but claim the promises of Christ. It's the peace that washes over me, when I remember that God knew 2000 years ago that I wouldn't be able to be perfect. He knew that I would fall short of being the perfect mom, and He knew that I would need a Savior. Knowing that I'm forgiven brings me that peace. I hope it does the same for you.

While I know that I will not be the perfect parent, ever, I can trust that God will still bring me peace. He will guard my heart and my mind, and grow gentleness within me. Even if it doesn't happen over night, I can trust that it will come, and even when I fail, I can rejoice in the Lord.

What Are You Teaching?

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

~Psalm 34:11

This verse is one that I know well, but recently when I was reading it, God used it to convict me. He made me stop and think about the question this verse asks:

Am I teaching my children to fear the Lord, or am I teaching them how to be sinful human beings?

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself that question? I honestly don't think that I have. I have thought about the answer off and on. How I fail to teach them, or how I think I have done well. But never just the question itself. 


Such a powerful question, has multiple answers. Yes, I read my kids the Bible. They love going to church. We pray before meals, and before bed each night. But teaching them about God, isn't the same as teaching them the fear of the Lord. Not even close. One is head knowledge, the other comes from the heart. What is my heart telling them? 


Defiantly a powerful thought to meditate on.

Mr. Monday:

This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands.

~1 Peter 3:5

Mr. Amazing hates this verse. He is a strong believer that men and women were created equal, and that saying that as wives we should accept their authority speaks to the contrary. I lovingly disagree with that sentiment.

You see, as a Christian woman, I look at it as a picture of our relationship with Christ. When I am trying to rule over my husband, I am not being submissive to Christ. It isn't about being greater than or less than. Christ said whoever is the least now will be the greatest then (Mark 10:31). I know that God created us all in His image. That we are all equal, we are just created differently, with different roles. For me, living under the authority of my husband isn't about feeling like a lesser person than him. It's about submitting to a righteous God, who is the Greatest. 

I won't say that I am the perfect wife at living under my husbands authority. I am still a sinful human, and there are definitely things that I am stubborn about. But that's the best part. God knew that we would do that. It was included in the curse. But that's why Jesus came. He knew that we wouldn't be the perfect wives. He knew that we would need a Savior. I am so thankful for Him!  






~Special announcement:
For today only, you can download a free Kindle copy of my book, "Teen Devotionals... For Girls!" at Amazon.com. Check it out here.

Self-image

This is a modified version of a devotion that I wrote for the website FindYourTrueBeauty.com:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

~Genesis 1:27

This is one of those verses that seems to just keep popping up everywhere I turn. And every time someone has referred to it, they have been referring to our self-esteem and the self-image we have of ourselves as humans. I guess that for me at least, it’s easiest to remember that God made mankind out of the dust of the ground then it is to remember that He created us in His image. 

I think as humans, we tend to beat ourselves up too much, and I’m sure Satan just has a hay day when we are too busy beating ourselves up to be of any use to Christ. Satan enjoys it when we look at ourselves and all we see is a pile of dirt, when we can't get past our failures, or what we see as imperfections. But that isn’t what God sees. God created us in HIS own image, that means that when God looks at us, He see's Himself. We were created in the image of God! How awesome is that?! So why is it that we can’t see past the materials used in creation to the final product? 

As a mom, one of the examples that I keep coming back to is a picture that one of my kids drew for me. My child was the creator of that picture. He can tell me exactly what he sees when he looks at it, and he can tell 100 other people the exact same thing. But none of us really sees what he sees. We might see colors and possibly some shapes, not the giant dragon with the pointy tail that is standing there looking back at us. Obviously God's a much more talented creator than my son was 2 years ago when he drew that picture, but I don't think the problem is the creator. I think that it is us that can't see past the materials used. When I looked at my sons picture, I saw crayon scribbles on white paper. When we look in the mirror, we have to look past the dust, past the physical medium, to the masterpiece that God created.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can get the actual devotion for free in your e-mail by signing up at http://www.teen-beauty-tips.com/free-teen-devotionals.html

The Perfect Parent

Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

~Isaiah 1:2

I don't know about you, but as a mom, I find so much hope in this verse. God is perfect in every way. Meaning that He is our perfect heavenly Father. Yet in this verse we see that even though He is the perfect parent, we (His children) still rebelled against Him. That gives me hope, because it just reassures me that the  salvation of my children doesn't rest on my shoulders. God gave us free will. If every child He created didn't turn out perfect, how on earth could I expect mine to???


What that means to me is that if I fail as a mom, it's not the end of the world. God was/is the perfect parent, yet His children still rebelled. Therefore, my parenting ability doesn't determine the eternal state of my children (thank you Lord!).  This is why Jesus came. He came because God knew we couldn't do it on our own. I mean, if I can't secure my own salvation, what is it in me that makes me think that I'm responsible for the salvation of my children? When I think about it that way, it just sounds silly. Yet so many times I beat myself up because I'm not the perfect mom. 


I'm very thankful that I don't have to be the perfect parent for my kids to have a perfect Savior. Sometimes I just need God to remind me how much I need Him, and how much He has done for me. It's good to know that I fall short. It's good to know that I'm not expected to be perfect. 

Mr. Monday

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

~Genesis 2:24

I have been doing a study called "The Truth About Man" by Paul Washer, and I am just loving it! This verse is one that has always meant a lot to me when thinking about marriage. To become one, is a powerful thing. We live in a time when marriages are failing more often then they are thriving. I truly believe it is because we have lost site of this verse. We live in the world of 'me and you' not the world of 'us'.  We simply don't see married people as one flesh. 

As I was contemplating this verse, I just couldn't help but ponder on what it takes to move from the 'me and you' stage to the 'us'. Here's what it looks like in my marriage:

• One bank account- Not his bills and my bills, but our bills.
• The same last name- I am his Mrs. and he is my Mr. I want the world to know it! 
• Forgiveness- You know when Jesus said that we should do to others as we would have them do to us? I really want Mr. Amazing to forgive me when I screw up, so it's essential to forgive him no matter how big or small the offence is.
• Concentrate on the good things- Philippians 4:8! Instead of focusing on the things my Mr. does wrong, I focus on the things he does right. Sure, he is far from perfect, but so am I. I guess it goes back to the do unto others...
• Shared responsibility- We don't have his and hers chores. Sure, I do most of the house work because I'm home more. But he helps out too. He does the laundry on his days off, and he cooks meals when he gets the chance.
• Looking out for each other- in a world that tells us to protect ourselves at all costs, we do what's best for our family, not ourselves. If I have a PTA meeting and am running short on time, I don't cut out the door and stop by McDonalds, I take the time to put a meal in the oven for the family even if I can't eat it. Mr. Amazing goes to work day in and day out to provide for us, even during the stages when he can't stand his job (thankfully, he currently is loving his work... it depends on the boss I think).

What about you? What are some of the ways that you and your Mr. have become one, instead of him and you?

Big Changes!

I have decided that I really need to refocus my blog. I originally started this blog not so that I could blog for the blog of it, or blog about me, my life, and my opinions, but so that I could share God's calling for women. I have recently seen that I have failed, and I owe you all an apology for that.

From this day forward I am seeking to change that. As a reminder to myself, I contemplated moving my blog over to wordpress where my other blog is. But in the end decided to move my other blog over here! LOL, I know, I'm indecisive (you can view my other blog here). This blog will have a new design and a new purpose. It will be a blog that shows my devotion to Him, not one that holds random tidbits of life, jumbled thoughts and skewed view points. I want it to be an encouragement to those that read it. I want it to be focused on Christ.

May the words of Isaiah henceforth describe me:
"The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught."

I do hope that you will continue to follow me. However, I do want to add that I really want to clean up my content, so I am going back through old posts and will be re-posting some previous content that is reworded to fit the new goal, but unless you have been following me for 3 years, you probably won't even notice. :D

I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of my followers. Your words of encouragement mean so much to me!