The Skit

The women's breakfast was a big blessing to me. God, used our skit to convey a message that was greatly needed. It was fun, good friends were involved, and everyone worked together on The Skit.
My husband took The Skit and made a music video, it displays the entire morning of fellowship.
God has changed my life in such an incredible way, He has blessed me with the ability to enjoy people! His word does say that if we do not love His people, we do not love Him. Those are powerful words. He does not want us living in isolation, moving away from others rather than towards them. He pursues us, and He desires us to pursue others. He has shown me the beauty in doing this.
Sometimes I have pursued others and my heart has been hurt because of it. But, it was still worth the effort. It's not a permanent hurt, He has taught me much through it all. And, I would do it all again to strengthen my relationship with Him.
Say That Again, Dear Jesus. You pursue me. And, through that I learn to pursue others. Thank you for all that You have taught me and blessed me with today!

The Backside

The weather here has been moody. We have sun, rain, hail, wind, warm and cold. It's a mixture of all the seasons, and I'm ready to move on to all sun.
We had a break in the clouds a couple days ago, so the kids grabbed their bikes and we went for a walk/ride. There were big puddles everywhere and a lot of mud, so my son and daughter had a great time riding through every puddle and getting soaked from them. On their backside, it was very muddy and wet! In the middle of our walk, it started to dump hail, and then rain on us, so it was a wet and cold experience. At the same time, it was a lot of fun watching my two children get completely soaked and muddy. They couldn't see their backsides, they had no idea how black they really were! They didn't care about the rain or the hail or even the cold, they were just having fun.
So true for me sometimes! There can be mud in my life, I can be all wet and cold, but I'm focused on something other than God and I do not see exactly how muddy I really am! God can be calling to me, telling me the issues, but stuff gets in the way, like rain and hail.
Jesus, keep my eyes clear. Keep my mind clear and move me through the rain and the hail. Jesus clean up my backside, show me all that you want me to see. Wrap me up, dry me off, and keep me warm in Your grace and love. Continue, as you always have, to wipe up the mud.
Say That Again, Jesus, You are my fortress, and You clean me up. You make me white as snow.

Until next time....

The Family

Our family gets together every Sunday evening for dinner and some kind of activity. Yesterday we went swimming, well, they went swimming. I sat in the hot tub and the sauna. I was tired, very tired and the idea of playing in the pool was more than I could muster up. It was fun watching them, I did enjoy that. My sons are so big! Men. And, it's mind boggling to see them with their wives. Time goes by so quickly, especially when looking back! When my three older boys were little it was hard to imagine that they would ever grow up! They are good men, good husbands, and good sons.
In a few years, I'll be saying the same thing about my two younger ones. We joke a lot about how we'll be in wheelchairs by the time our daughter walks down the aisle. And, when she's having the same old temper tantrum, I question if that time will ever come!
My Family is a blessing, God has been so good to me. I enjoy my sons, my daughters, and the life God has given all of us. I always look forward to seeing them and hearing about their lives. God is good.
Family, it is good. God's family has been good to me as well. I have been purchased with His blood, brought into His family. I've experienced tender love, and intense squabbles. His children are my siblings, and we have learned to grow up together and learned to extend compassion and grace upon each other.
Some members of The Family are like lost sheep. They have wandered off. I know the Good Shepherd will go after them, and I can leave them in His care. He knows their hearts, needs, and desires. My heart is for their good.
Good Shepherd, use me today to further Your Kingdom. Use me in Your Family. You have promised to extend Your hand over us and bring us into Your fold. You are good all the time, and I can rest in that. Say That Again, Jesus, Your hand is extended over all of Your family!

Until next time....

The Word

For me, words can be very powerful.  They can heal or they can make lifetime wounds. Some people have vicious tongues, other's are more wise. I have had experience with both, and I prefer the wise. The vicious tongue, the accuser, gossiper, slanderer, and destroyer, this is what I am choosing to stay away from, in others and myself.
"Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me" It's not really true. But, I have found, that Jesus knows how to bind up the wounds, and He knows how to armor me from the impact of words from others.
His Word is where I will turn. His Word speaks truth into my life, heals me, points me to Him. His Word teaches me to love Him, fear Him, and blesses me with the tools I need to move forward.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" Ps 111: 10. Wisdom to know when to walk away, wisdom to know when to stay, wisdom to know truth, love, boldness.  Wisdom to know His direction.
Jesus, Say That Again, The Word sustains me, because it is You.

The Breakfast

I had the joy of joining other Saints in our community for a women's breakfast today. It was very fun.
God has called me to speak to women and it's a good thing. He has redeemed many hurts and losses. It is very exciting to me to be able to serve Him and praise Him for all the ways He blesses me as a woman.
Jesus, it's been a long road for me. I have cried out to you many times, and every time You have answered. Say That Again, Jesus! You will answer.

The Chapter

So, I woke up feeling irritable. I slept well, so I don't think that was my issue. God and I had some conversation about it, and it seems to always come back to safety for me. Do I feel safe? Does my world feel secure? Can I surrender that need to Jesus? He challenges me in this area a lot, and continually reminds me that IN His love I am safe. It's about relationship with Him, and through Him there is peace.
As God and I were discussing my issues this morning, and my irritation was only increasing, He referred me to Colossians 3, naturally, it talks about irritation!
In the Message these words stood out clearly: "But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meaness, profanity, dirty talk."
What? I can't have moments? It says gone for good. Huh, that's interesting, and clear. Jesus was quick to remind me again of His tender love for me and that He is here all the time. My spirit is His Spirit, I need to rejoice in that.
"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic all purpose garment. Never be without it."
Okay, okay, I get it! Just in case it rains all day, Jesus, Say That Again!

The Girls

The school year is almost over. My son is very excited about having a break from the daily routine. My life is going to be different too, I won't be spending time homeschooling the girls! My daughter and her friend are in kindergarten and I have been teaching them two days a week. They are best friends and spend a total of four days a week together. I think they will miss each other. I will miss having the break. But, the summer is going to be fun, and I am looking forward to it.
Next school year, my youngest will go off to first grade, and again, my life will be very different. I will have a lot of free time (maybe).
Change is good, it develops faith, growth, and more change. I like that. It stretches me to be better. God is all about change, and He has promised to walk with me through all of them. Just as He will walk with the girls as they grow and move on to bigger adventures in their little lives.
For me, life has often felt like school. There's been so much growing, so much changing, so much walking and running. God has been a magnificent Teacher, always full of grace and love for me.
Jesus, keep teaching me. Jesus keep showing me Who You are, and keep walking beside me. Say That Again to me, Sweet Jesus, You are the great Teacher in my life!

Until next time....