Ten Blessings for Your Home

Have had this hanging in our kitchen for a long time, wanted to share it with you, such great words of LIFE to pray over our those we love each day!

Time to Move Forward

Happy New Year 2010!!!

"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." 

Isaiah 43:18-19

I love these verses, especially for the New Year - they seem to shout off the page - MOVE ON, move forward, get going, forget the past, don't stay stuck there, there's more ahead!  The Message Bible says it so clearly, "Forget about what's happened, don't keep going over old history.  Be alert, be present.  I'm about to do something brand-new." 

One thing I see so often about God in His Word is this, He's the God of fresh starts.  He's the God who loves to make things "new."  He's the God of redemption, the God of grace, the God of forgiveness, the God who doesn't repay us what we deserve from our mistakes, but instead, is able to use all of the difficult circumstances we've experienced thru life for a greater purpose, a greater good. 

Don't believe me?  Reflect on the many characters of the Bible who, like us, were far from perfect.  Many had made some pretty bad choices in life, but they also had one thing in common, they were able to move "past their past" and keep going on their journey with God.  Just think about some -David...Moses...Jacob...Paul...Peter...Rahab...the list goes on...yep, there were some poor choices alright, murder, adultery, betrayal, among others.

So, if you're still stuck in the past, beating yourself up for previous mistakes, come on, do what His word says, "forget about it already!"  It doesn't mean that all the pain from poor decisions will automatically disappear unfortunately, it does mean that Jesus Christ is able to offer forgiveness & to cleanse us from ANYTHING we've done.  He will wipe the slate clean, offer healing from the past, give power to set us free, and bring new life & hope for the future!

If you haven't yet, take the opportunity this New Year 2010 to talk to God.  Let Him know that you are ready for a fresh start in your own life.  He is with you, He is for you!  There's more ahead...keep moving!

Weeds - Pull 'Em - Quick!

Weeds.
Some days, I take a look around me and lo & behold, they're everywhere. It always seems so sudden, like they've just completely taken over the garden in a matter of seconds, I mean, why didn't I notice them there before? How did my yard actually get that way? Where did they come from? How do they spring up so fast & spread so viciously? Why do they come back, even after I pull them? How do I get rid of them - forever??? UGH, I hate weeds!!! Even when you say the word slowly, weeeedddd, it just "sounds" sneaky to me.

Webster's describes it as this: "weed - n. a plant held to have no value, esp. one growing plentifully and detrimentally in a garden, lawn, etc... - v. 1. to remove or rid of weeds. 2. to get rid of as undesirable or unfit."

Funny thing about weeds, sometimes you can go for days & not really notice them. Until they start to take over. Then they begin to multiply and things are suddenly spinning wildly out of control. Kind of sounds like - LIFE, huh?
Now, I'm not much of a gardener, but here's a few things I have noticed in my occasional green thumb moments:

- You don't even have to water weeds much, they'll still grow.
- If left untended, weeds will not only zap & drain the life away from the beautiful plants & green grass you intend to grow, their goal is to completely take over.
- Weeds will spread quickly - we must be quick to act.
- Sometimes you must pluck them, again, and again, and again. And it's really better if you get them by the roots, so they don't come back. Ever.
- Sometimes you just need weed KILLER.

As I was working hard yesterday, plucking out those "enemies," I thought of the enemies in my own heart - my selfishness, gulp...my pride, big gulp...my impatience, yuck...my jealousy, ugh...the list could go on & on, but I'll spare you the ugly details. The truth is this, if left to "grow on their own," my goodness, there's enough WEEDS there in my own life for a monster to be unfolded!
God reminded me right then, with my hands in the dirt, down on my knees, sweat dripping on my brow - I must be ruthless with issues of sin in my life. They can't be left "alone." If we choose to ignore, we can also be assured, those nasty weeds will most definitely "take over" and zap the LIFE & beauty that God intends to bring THROUGH our lives.
I admit, at times, it's just hard. You might feel as I do, there are some things that just seem to be life long struggles & issues, you've got to "pluck" the weed over & over again. You just get tired of the battle. Wouldn't it be easier to just let it grow, just a little? Like, let it have it's own little garden or space in your life?
NOPE.
Grab that weed by the ROOT & pull!
And, I've found the best weed KILLER to be this - God's Word.
Got a problem with anger?
Can't seem to forgive?
Feeling sorry for yourself?
Stuck in a pit of fear & anxiety?
Whatever weeds are there - none are too strong to be ZAPPED by the Power & Truth of what God says in His Word. Look up your "weed," there in the Bible, memorize every verse you can about it, focus on His truth, ask God to help you.
So here I go again... another day on this journey...I'm plucking weeds.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-2

The SON has risen...Have a BLESSED Easter!

I'm an addict...I admit it..I am totally & unashamedly addicted to sunrises! I LOVE them, with a passion! I'll wake up at any hour necessary to get the coffee brewed & find a comfortable spot with my bible, pen & paper where the view is set before me. Many times my husband is right there beside me (if he's not already down at the ocean fishing). I just love the fact that he loves a great sunrise too. There's just something magical about watching the day "awaken," watching this great breathtaking event unfold before your very eyes. I mean, have you ever really thought about what a complete "miracle" it is for the sun to rise & set every day? God is AMAZING!

I feel like He smiles over us when we get so excited, passionate, about something He has created. I love the sunrise the most when we're at the beach, my 2 favorite things in His creation! Your fav's might be different - the mountains, huge trees, wildflowers, the sunset, calm lakes, or running rivers - but whatever it is, sometimes I think about how God must feel when we truly enjoy & "take in" all the He has made.



It's often in those early morning quiet moments, as I sit to watch this incredible sight, I sense God whisper to me, "Watch this...this one's just for you..." This one was on my birthday a few weeks ago. Thanks God, I love pink. (:



He's so good that way, isn't He? Loving us, singing over us, as if we were the only ones alive on planet earth to love.

But yet, amazingly, that very same love is far-reaching, all encompassing, stretching across continents, extending to all cultures, seeking all peoples, never bound by social classes, economic levels, or other distinctions set up by man.



This week, I'm so thankful, that at a very early morning moment before sunrise many years ago, 2 women went to look for the body of their dear friend, Jesus Christ. But they never found him in the grave. HE WAS RISEN!



AND HE'S ALIVE TODAY!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend family & friends! May you be reminded of how very much He loves you.



"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

"...He has risen!" Luke24:6

Watch Out! Big Hole Ahead!

Holes. Sometimes they just seem to get in the way of our lives, don't they?
I was reminded of the damage that one simple "hole" can cause this past weekend in, what our family lovingly calls, another one of my "Lucy moments." You know what I mean, the moments in life that you know will be funny "someday," but are rarely funny, to you at least, at the time?
Our family had gone to the drive-in movie Friday evening, we love the drive in, especially when the weather's great & we can sit outside & open up the windows, it's just so fun & the kids love it! As the movie began, I ventured off on my mission to get the popcorn & drinks for Troy & I, plus 4 kiddos. I was quite proud of myself for even being able to get back to the car without spilling even one single drop of coke or one kernel of popcorn! "Wow," I thought to myself, "I've become really great at handling alot of items at one time, what a mom, what a multi-tasker!" Ha! I thought I'd set the drinks down first & then get the popcorn passed out to everyone, but lo & behold, just as I went to set the drink holder full of drinks on the mini-van rooftop, I realized, all too late, that the sunroof was open. A BIG load of coke dropped right through the sunroof hole as quickly as I'd set it down! SPLASH!!! A flood of Coke & Sprite went flying everywhere, a sticky mess throughout the back seats & covering the floor mats, & even a bit on my dear husband too, sorry honey, UGH!!!
You see, sometimes we can't even "see" the holes ahead of time, but they're there alright, all around us, we just don't recognize them in enough time, until the damage has been done.

Sometimes the holes are what we fall "into." You know the kind...you're walking along, having just a pleasant kind of day, humming a little song, & all of a sudden...Bam! "AHHHHHH!" You fall right smack into one big dark HOLE! Maybe some of us have fallen into a big financial hole these days, or a hole that would seek to steal our health away, or maybe it's more of an emotional or spiritual type of hole, but whatever it is, you just can't seem to climb out easily & really don't even quite remember how you got there in the first place. Sometimes the pathway is more subtle, just a stumble across a hole set right in your path, but hey, a stubbed toe hurts worse than anything, doesn't it? All kinds of temptations can be like that simple "stumble." One here, another there, but they can set us on a course that ultimately leads us to a deeper, darker place, that seems too difficult to attempt to get out of anymore. These particular holes in our lives have the potential to cause complete havoc! They may first only cause a little stumble, a distraction, but may quickly lead to a gigantic fall, and inevitably, they are most certain to cause alot of "pain" along the way.

Sometimes the holes are "around" us, like the holes in our marriages, or in our parenting, or in our workplace, or the holes in various other relationships in our lives. We just never really get around to "patching things up" like we say we intend to someday. But just like a leaky roof, or a leaky boat, holes that are never tended to, never patched up, can cause a MESS in our lives & in the lives of those around us. It's so much easier to patch a leaky rooftop, than to clean up after a flood, isn't it? Easier to fix a hole in the boat than to watch it sink?

Sometimes the holes are actually "in" us, or a part of us, like the holes in our pockets. Just can't ever seem to keep the money in there long enough, know what I mean? You find your life in that vicious cycle of money in - money out. Or, maybe someone once told you, that you had holes in your head. You just can't seem to follow through with the choices you know would be best for you or for your family. Sometimes the hole that often gets us in the most trouble in life is the one called the great, big mouth. We just keep seeming to say things we really didn't mean to say, after all, they just "came out," right? Didn't mean it the way it "sounded?" Or maybe, very sadly, you find yourself in a place in life where there are huge needs, big holes, in your innermost being - at the very core of your heart. Now those are the holes we can often "pretend" are not even there. We can even get pretty good at keeping those holes a "secret." We'd hate for others to know how deep those hurts go, how much those holes are actually affecting our lives. I mean, what would they say? What would they think? Isn't it better just to keep all that inside?

Yep, trying to cover the holes in & around our lives, pretending like they're not really there, or denying that those little "stumbles" are really all that bad, can become our best coping mechanisms against the very pain we find ourselves in. We get so good at filling those things up with all kinds of activities, busyness, & pleasures from this world, trying to make everyone think, or to even make our own selves think, that we're, well, "O.K." We all just want to be "O.K.," don't we? When people ask us how we're doing, we really do want to be "fine, good, doing just great," exactly like the way we normally respond!
But the truth is, if we were really honest, most of us either have had, do have, or will have, big needs in this journey called life...big spaces, gaps, that only God Himself is able to fill.

Years ago, when I traveled through Europe, every time I rode a subway or train, I'd hear those repetive, loud words, "Mind the gap." Many of you international friends or those who travel alot know what I'm talking about. It's that firm, commanding, warning type of voice, reminding awaiting passengers to BE AWARE! WAKE UP! WATCH OUT for the "hole," the gap between the platform & the train as they prepare to step on.

Maybe that's kind of like God's words over us in today's world, yet His voice is much more loving, reassuring, protective as He speaks wisdom & caution to us - MIND THE GAP. Watch out for those holes that might cause you to fall, patch the ones that will help bring healing to relationships in your life, & don't ignore the ones you find deep in your own life. Mind it, take care of it, let God reach down, fill your needs, heal your wounds & set you free from whatever would seek to hold you down in life. Our God is a GREAT REDEEMER!

"I waited patiently for the Lord, he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God...Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust..." Psalm 40:1-4

Beach Retreat at the Cottage

Cottage. I love that word. Webster's defines a "cottage" as "a small house." To me, the word "cottage" signifies something much larger though. Lots & lots of BIG memories through the years! You see, we've been coming to this particular little cottage at Amelia Island for the past 8 years now, amazing. So many memories wrapped up in this quiet little house on the northeast coast of FL. WE LOVE IT!

Troy & I first came here in 2001...our hearts were breaking, we were walking through the grief of a failed adoption after waiting for 6 years to have a child. Some dear friends offered us the opportunity to retreat here a few days in solitude. As much as the pain was raw, it was an incredibly special time that we had together with one another and with our God. Whew, lots of tears were poured out on that first trip to the cottage.

Since that year, things have changed...

Now 3 precious children later, we're always thrilled to come back, again & again. Always more fun waiting to be had.

We love the simplicity here. The quietness of the beach.

We treasure ALL of these amazing moments we have together as FAMILY. God is so good!

When I think of going anywhere in the world to "retreat," THIS is the place I long for. It's "comfortable," kind of like your favorite chair, or favorite pair of running shoes. Peaceful, calm, beautiful.

And always alot of fun, with new adventures around every corner!

Lots of prayers are prayed here, lots of thoughts reflected upon, lots of encouragement drawn from God...

I've realized something about myself over the years as we've come to this particular spot in the world. I find I don't really wish for fancy, expensive, exotic vacations anymore (but not that I wouldn't love them occasionally, ha!). What I really LOVE are these type of moments. Little cute cottage, right on a quiet beach, with my favorite people, THAT is pure luxury to me!

PRICELESS MOMENTS! Oh there's just got to be beaches in heaven! (:

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY." Psalm 126:2-3

"The voice of the Lord is over the waters..." Psalm 29:3

A Parent's World - Never Pain Free!

Have you ever hurt for your child? I mean really, really hurt? Now, I'm not talking about being a little sad that your son made a B on his report card, or hurting for your daughter who didn't make it for cheerleader this year...even though of course, those things can be tough too! But, I'm talking deeper than that. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you have desperately grieved for them, over them, cried out to God on behalf of them, felt intense pain & sadness for something they were experiencing, suffering, or having to walk through in life?

Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night thinking of them, found yourself praying in the wee hours of the morning? Have you consistently found yourself on your face before God, bringing their name, needs, before Him once again? Have you wondered how life can seem to go on "joyfully" around you, when inside, there's such turmoil, uncertainty, & deep hurt? Has it been hard to watch when others don't seem to have to "struggle" as much through life? Does life seem unfair at times? Does God seem to be distant? Or have you ever felt His closeness, His loving whispers over you, over your child, through those most difficult of times?

Some of you reading this right now have experienced these things to a much greater degree than I could ever imagine at this point in life. Some of you reading this might be saying, "Huh?" Maybe your journey just hasn't taken you to those places at this point, that's O.K. Maybe many of us find ourselves somewhere in between those extremes, but whatever the case...here's one thing I'm learning this year...being a mom, a parent, is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life! It just plain HURTS sometimes. I realized something about myself recently that God is still continuing to help me to work through. I honestly don't have a strong need or desire to have "perfect" children, I realize how imperfect my own life is, & how imperfect they are too, but I do struggle immensely in another way. I have felt such an extreme need to protect them, maybe even over-protect at times, from having to experience any "pain" in life. I admit it. I don't want them to have to hurt, as foolish & unrealistic as that sounds, it hurts me intensely to watch our children suffer through anything! And, maybe that's what it really boils down to as well..."I" don't want to have to hurt either. Maybe that can be even more of a challenge for those of us parents who have experienced extreme disappointment in our own lives, we know how "raw" that hurt can be, we know that process of grief, the obstacles that must be overcome to come through even stronger with God's help, we know from our own experiences, it's just tough to face pain!

So through all that "fresh" realization, God has been reminding me of something that, quite honestly, I didn't really care to be reminded of, but I know I need to be...it's this...we all must & will experience pain at times throughout life. I mean, come on, who really GROWS stronger spiritually, emotionally, physically when life is always easy??? NOONE! We just don't! We have such opportunity for growth, for deep roots to be firmly planted, for strong character to develop, during those times in life that are just plain HARD! Ugh! My flesh wants to cry, "please, tell me it isn't so!" But it is, it is so. And deep inside, we probably all know that.



A friend recently commented something about this photo here. I didn't even notice it when I looked at it initially, but she said to me, "Wow, did you see what's above your heads? Make - Man - Must." I looked, I gulped, hard. When I saw it there staring me in the face, I just had a really "unsettled" feeling, but I knew deep inside it was God speaking to me. He was once again saying to me in His incredible & yet gentle way, that "He" is in the business of building strong men & women out of our children whom He has so graciously blessed us with & given us the enormous responsibility to raise. You see, as much as we like to think that our children are "ours" & "BELONG" to us, it's just not true! Our children are God's & they belong to Him, "we" are responsible to love them, care for them, parent them, & raise to them to know His incredible love, purposes & power.

He's just not "into" making life always "easy" for us & making sure everyone is always "happy" in this world. Nope, you just won't find that about God anywhere in the Bible & really, even if you look around you, or in your own family, you probably won't find it there! Now, let me be clear on this, GOD IS LOVING, GOD IS CARING, HE DOES LOVE TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO HIS CHILDREN, but His love & His goodness sometimes finds deeper purposes revealed through the most difficult of circumstances life takes us through. Life isn't always fair. We live in a place, planet earth, well, it's just not heaven, it's not a perfect place, & it's not our final home if we have faith in Jesus Christ. It's fallen, it's imperfect, it has disease, it's full of addictions, it's full of temptations, it's full of challenges, it's full of us - people - who often just make poor choices that unfortunately affect others too.

So, I continue on this journey of motherhood. It will never be pain free, I know. I'm continuing to grow...I'm realizing that God cares more for the good of our children than I ever could...I'm remembering that He is with them ALL the time, even the times that I can't be...I'm learning that yes, pain hurts, but it's not always "bad," sometimes it's for a greater purpose...I'm learning that I can release my own "need" for control to a loving God who is MIGHTY, POWERFUL, & GOOD...I find comfort in His words, in being able to bring every thought, fear, & challenge before Him in prayer.

Bless you my dear friends who have suffered much in walking through heartaches beside your children or in your families. YOU are an inspiration to me!
Many of you continue to persevere through the challenges of autism, Down's Syndrome, developmental & learning disabilities, disease, cancer, & other chronic conditions. Many of you know the heartache of watching your child run through seasons of rebellion & addictions. Many of you know the feeling of having no control or the ability to make things better. Many of you know the pain of watching your teenager or adult child continue to choose to live in spiritual darkness. Many of you understand the hurt of watching your "healthy" child suffer hurt on behalf of a sibling they love so deeply. Many of you have watched as your child grieves along with you through the death of a loved one or through a divorce that has literally shaken your family's very core.

Some of you grieve silently, continually, the journey has been long. For some of you, the pain in your own life has begun to find a "voice" that is now able to encourage & challenge others onward who also suffer.

Be assured - God will use our lives, any hurt we may face, for greater purposes in this world as we allow Him to - that is just the amazing ability only HE has! Maybe some of those purposes & plans we'll never even see completely unfold in our lifetime. BUT HE IS ABLE.
Ah yes, there is pain in parenting, isn't there? But I wouldn't trade it for the world...and I know you wouldn't either.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you...All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace." Isaiah 54:10,13

Long week? Trying to get back into the swing of things?

Happy New Year everyone! Wow, 2008 seemed to fly by, now here we are, ready or not - 2009 has begun! Guess it's full speed ahead from here, right?!



Well, if you're like me, you may have found yourself wishing for a few more days of "down time" this past week before heading straight back into the busyness & craziness of life, of routine...

Did you find yourself wishing you were still just "hanging out?"



and just "hanging around?"



Still wanting to kick back with your feet up in your favorite, comfy chair?



Were you dreaming about having just one more day for a little "spa" getaway?



Feeling like you've been going around in circles this week? Can't decide what to do next? Tired of the same old "race" you're on? Wondering why you can never seem to "get ahead?"



Not wanting to fight yet another "super galactic battle" in your world - at work - at home?



Longing for some kind of "superhero strength" to help you through the day?




Wishing you were just "rolling in the dough" so you wouldn't have to work so hard for your money?



Already "blown" your New Years resolutions, goals, plans - whatever you call them - you just know you don't have them anymore, have they "burst like a bubble" right before your very eyes?



Finding it difficult to stick to that "healthy lifestyle diet?" Dipping into the treats a bit too much?



Feeling like you'd really "love" to exercise, but your "get up & go" has "got up & went" somewhere - very far away?



Wondering why you seem to keep doing the things you really don't "want" to do, like maybe, cutting up your brother's homework?




Don't be discouraged, don't give up, stay the course, stay strong!



Keep your eyes on the goal & RUN! Throw off the things that would try to hold you back, stop the negative thinking, & GO FOR IT this year!



Keep believing in yourself, in your dreams, & mostly in our BIG God!



Keep your sense of humor in life - LAUGH alot, laugh out loud, it always seems to make our "challenging" days more bearable.



Keep "balance" in your life, God first, others second, etc..., things always seem to flow better that way.



Don't be afraid to be different.



Don't be afraid to be "loud."



Remember above all else - GOD IS FOR YOU! He's got a year FULL of great blessings, stories, adventures, and joys to unfold before you...He'll help us over the obstacles, He'll get us through the challenges, HE IS OUR STRONGHOLD, HE IS OUR HOPE!



"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10

"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings..." Malachi 4:2

It's a new day...it's a New Year - have a GREAT one!