I Quit!

                             >>>Caroline refusing to sit in her car seat. Yes I took a picture<<<

I am a first time mama. I am also guilt ridden, anxious, and a perfectionist. And I QUIT. I give up worrying about doing everything right, feeling guilty when I don't, and chasing after an unattainable "perfect life". 
I just laid my daughter down for a nap with a blanket and stuffed animal. She is nine months old. Everything I have read basically says you are an unfit mother who deserves jail time if there is anything in the crib except your baby. I also just got home from Target, where my daughter threw a little fit in line while in front of a beautiful mama with two sweet little girls sitting quietly in her shopping cart. I just sat down and thought about how I felt, trying to budget down to the penny while holding a squirming little girl, pushing a cart, and dodging (probably mostly imagined) disapproving looks. All I came up with is I am worn out.
Mama, are you tired like me? Why don't we get it? God has given us these precious gifts, made in His image and likeness, to treasure the rest of our days. I forget that I am supposed to be having the time of my life, not caring what other people think. Who cares that the lady behind me in line has TWO humans to keep track of and has her hair and makeup did (my hair at least is clean today, that's gotta count for something, right?). God chose us to raise our kiddos, and he equipped us to do so. So quit already. Who cares what they think? We have been commissioned by God to raise these kids, and that takes a lot more than everything looking perfect on the outside to everyone else. Here is some encouragement for us today.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

I have set the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3  He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake. Psalm 23:1-3

The View from Upside Down

I was reading about Paul and Silas in Thessalonica the other day (Acts 17). Paul spends "3 sabbath days" ministering to Jews in a synagogue there, explaining that "this Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ (v 3)". Some were converted, but some were not. And they were angry. So angry, that "they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar (v5)", and dragged the man that Paul and Silas were staying with to the authorities. This is a pretty common theme in Acts, but this verse caught my attention:
"And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another King, Jesus'." Acts 17:6.

Whoever said the bible isn't relevant today is full of bologna (I had to sing the Oscar Meyer song to spell that, in case you were wondering). I so needed this scripture. Here is what God laid on my heart:

1. Is my world upside down?
I have been saved by grace. Jesus Christ is Lord, He died instead of me (Romans 4:25), I am no longer a slave to sin or my old ways (Romans 6:18). This changes everything. Am I living like it? My faith in Christ should turn my world upside down; but have I let it? To be honest, some days, I don't. I should be absolutely wrecked over this, and I am. There is no greater news than THE good news, and instead of enjoying the gorgeous view from upside down, I am down here trying to keep everything right side up.

2. Our world is right side up.
The Jews in Thessalonica liked their world right side up, thankyouverymuch. The proof and explanation of the gospel changed everything they stood and lived for. The way they ate, their customs, their profession, their schooling, everything. Is this not what we are facing today? ICYMI, true christian faith is not the popular way to go. Our faith makes us different. We know that sin is death and destruction, yet the world pushes us to dim our light a little (if not snuff it out), so that it's not shining on their darkness. Pursuing holiness is viewed as prudish, intolerant, hateful, and boring. Friend, we cannot waiver and conform. Every day, the ways of the world should become more out of focus. Paul was run out of town for his beliefs. Do not give up because it is easier. Jesus told his disciples "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Sister, my prayer for you and I today is this: Lord, let us feel the devastation of being far from you. We turn to you, with repentant hearts, yearning to be closer to you. We cannot live right side up in this world. Turn everything upside down, bring it into focus. We live for you. Let the distance between sin and repentance become shorter every day. Remind us to pray without ceasing. Let your word dwell in our hearts richly. Thank you for changing everything.

Sermon of the Week

This week's sermon is from Fresh Life Church's Six Ships Series. It's about keeping your eyes on Jesus through the storms of life. Click Here to listen!

This one's for the girls

Ok, so everything on my blog is pretty much "for the girls", but this is a message that I listened to the other day and loved it. It was a mothers day message preached at The Church at Brook Hills by Pastor David Platt. At first I was a little bit skeptical: it is titled The Cross and Christian Womanhood and he preaches on Proverbs 31. The reason for my skepticism was that he preached on Proverbs 31. I love that scripture, but a lot of times it is downright discouraging to think how far short I fall of the Betty Crocker supermodel business woman pinterest mother extraordinaire who never sleeps. Maybe thats just me. Anyways, listen to this message because you will be blessed and encouraged by it, and it will make you read that scripture differently. This one's for the girls!
Click Here, and scroll down to The Cross and Christian Womanhood. You can watch or listen to it (you can also find it in itunes podcasts), and it even has a small group study guide if you want to go deeper.

Our Heavenly Dwelling

Here is your bible reading for the day, and the most uplifting idea you have heard in a while. 

2 Corinthians 5 (ESV)

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, lwho through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Spotlight:
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (vs1) So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (vs6-9)

I took the picture above in my flower beds; it reminded me of this scripture. The dahlia is just starting to open up; just a glimpse of the beauty that is to come. We know that what we have on this earth, all of the blessings God has given us and the beauty around us, is nothing compared to our heavenly home that He has prepared for us. So we are always of good courage. Even when things are so hard that you do not know how you will get through, we can have good courage because it is just a tiny part of our lives. I always think about how in heaven, living eternally in paradise, praising our maker, my life on earth will seem so small. Thank you, Lord, for your promises!

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for sacrificing yourself to be punished for my sin, so that I may become the righteousness of God. Thank you also for my spot in heaven, and the promises that you make and keep.  Help me to always have good courage, and remind me even in the toughest of times, you have a spot for me, eternal in the heavens. You are so good. 

Sermon of the Week: The Urgency of Eternity

I loooooooovvvveee this sermon. Pastor David Platt speaks on Heaven and Hell like you have probably never heard before. If you are a christian, you need to hear this. If you are not a christian, you need to hear this. It will change your perspective, increase your understanding, and deepen your faith.
Click Here to Listen

A Reminder For You

I made this for my computer desktop. Right now I am in that place where I cannot see the big picture, or why God has me here or how he is going to get me out. And I have been a worry wart. Big time. So here is a reminder for you.

What I Learned in Sunday School

I volunteer in our church’s 5^th and 6^th grade classroom. I learn so much every week, even though we are teaching “the basics”. This week we talked about persisting in prayer. We split into small groups, and I had a group of all girls. I talked about how there is nothing too small or big to pray for, and the real reason we pray: for us. God knows what we are going to say, and what is on our hearts. He does not benefit from our prayers. We pray to grow closer to Him. To nurture the most important relationship we will ever have. One of the girls who I know struggles at school raised her hand. She began to talk about last year her best and only friend moved away, and there was no one to talk to or be there for support when she was bullied. She said she started to do things that were “weird” (her description). She started to pray constantly, and her heavenly father comforted her and convicted her. She began to make better choices and felt better about herself. This little girl taught more about what I was teaching her. God doesn’t need our prayers, but we do.

Key scripture:

            “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

(Matthew 7:7-11 ESV)

            And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

(Luke 18:1-7 ESV)

            ….Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

(Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV)

Sermon of The Week

Click Here to start your new year off right!

The Reason

Let us not forget the reason for the season. God came to earth, was born and lived and died humbly as God AND Man; Jesus Christ, our savior.  The best gift you can give this holiday season is telling someone about the saving power of Jesus Christ.

I was listening to a sermon today (from Newspring Church), and the pastor said that we are never outside of God's will when telling someone about Jesus. So do that, this season. Want somewhere to start? Read through the Roman Road:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 ESV

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 ESV

Sermon of the Week

is a great one to get prepared for the celebration of Jesus Christ come to earth!
Click Here

Sermon of the Week

Wow, you should listen to this: City Church Jesus is a Better High Priest

Lemons into Lemonade

So, instead of writing a whole sob story on my blog, I think saying I had a CRAPPY day will suffice. Somehow days like this always happen on hump days. By the way, I am not being lewd, hump day is code for Wednesdays, or gettin over the hump in the middle of the week :). Soooooo, I thought Lemons into Lemonade would be appropriate for Wednesdays. SO for all you getting through the middle of the week, Here is something to:
Make you smile (or if you are me you are laughing HISTERICALLY):

(Uncle Si From Duck Dynasty talking about hunting pesky beavers..... hide your wives, hide yo kids)


To lift your Heart:

(This is a whole hillsong concert.... lots of great music live to listen to, but LOVE the first song)

For you Women:
Click Here for an incredible sermon you need to listen to

Hope these goodies help you get through the rest of your week!

Sermon of the Week

Life Church’s sermon series on what the bible says about the end of the world. Enjoy!

Click Here to Listen/ Watch

or

Subscribe to Life Church on itunes an download their free podcasts!

Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic-on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg-or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

C.S. Lewis

How do you see Jesus? A Liar, Lunatic, or Lord*?

*Vintage Jesus, Mark Driscoll

Start at the Beginning

Ever feel like you don't know where to start when you are telling someone about Jesus (or want to)? Me too. I am reading through Acts right now and recently read this passage:


[35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
(Acts 8:35 ESV)

Before this verse, Phillip was told by an angel to hit the road. So as he is traveling, he encounters a eunuch that is part of the Ethiopian Queen's Court. This guy is reading through the book of Isaiah, and is having trouble. Phillip helps him; and as verse 35 says, he started with the part of Isaiah that the eunuch was struggling with and told him the good news about Jesus.
My first thought was 'I wish that witnessing fell into my lap that easy'. But as I think more about it; what would happen if I was more in tune to what God had for me? What if I listened and submitted to the Holy Spirit? Philip didn't know why he was traveling on that road. He didn't understand his purpose. But God still used him in an incredible way.
So that's where I'll start; at the beginning. Holy Spirit, lead me.

Song I Can't Get Enough Of

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. Loooooooooovvvvvvvveeeee