Whirlwind…

The last three years have been a whirlwind of good times and sad. God is good through it all!

We’ve had people we love pass away(too many), graduations, engagement, and church ups and downs, and yet we are still here. God is the only reason we are still standing- we are confident of who He is, and what He’s doing.

Though the whirlwind of life can be terrifying, if you are quiet enough, you can hear His still, small voice. It’s His voice that will guide you and give you peace. He is more than enough in the whirlwind, and He is asking you to trust Him with your life.

He is trustworthy. He is able. Listen to His voice. With Jesus, we can have peace in the chaos.

If you can’t say anything nice…

You know the old saying- “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” While it hasn’t been QUITE that bad, I’ll admit that I haven’t had the best attitude for 9 months!

Of course, I would guess there are a lot of people like me during the COVID shutdown and the following craziness of 2020. We’ve had deaths in our family, my sweet mother in law is dying from a horrible disease, then there’s COVID, and its many, MANY restrictions that have left lots of us sad, scared and depressed.

As much as I have hated 2020, it has shown me some amazing things:

1. God is still on the throne, even in the midst of the chaos of the world.
2. The world has slowed down, and that is actually a good thing.
3. Life is short, and there isn’t time to waste on “tomorrow”.
4. No matter who is president, our world will continue to turn.

2020 has not been the year any of us wanted, But, we, as Christians can count on a few things:

1. God is with us, no matter what the circumstances.
2. This world is not our home- we look forward to a better home in Heaven.
3. Until God calls us home, we have a job to do here. To tell people about Jesus and His good news!

Don’t be discouraged brothers and sisters- He’s coming! But until then, we love. We help others. We tell others about Him. We lean in close to Jesus in prayer and in His Word, and we wait for Him to come get us!

An old post when my daughter was eight…

The beginning of the month (April 1st) was my daughters (aka-the Girl) birthday.  Eight is a big number for a little girl.  She decided that she was a young lady this year.  She asked to get her ears pierced (which she did), and now likes spending time with her friends more than her mom and dad.

I love that she is growing up, but I have to admit- I’m still not ready for it.  I want to keep her little, and keep her protected for as long as I can.  I heard a radio program yesterday that was so wonderful for me to hear- it was about Jacobed and how she did everything she could to keep Moses safe as Pharoah was trying to murder all the Hebrew boys. (For the reasons why Pharoah wanted them dead and to read the COMPLETE story- turn to the book of Exodus, Chapters 1 and 2)  For three months she kept him hidden- safe.  But there came a time in his young life where she could not do that anymore- she had to have faith that God would take care of him beyond what she could anymore.

That’s where I’m at now.  The world, with all its trappings calls to my daughter (and to me) on a daily basis.  Sometimes she makes good choices. Sometimes, not.  But I trust in Creator God, who made her fearfully and wonderfully to protect her when I can’t.

Here she is Lord, my hands are open- she is yours.  I can’t think of a better place for her to be. 🙂

A Spectacle of Glory- book review

Joni Eareckson Tada has always inspired me- her story is a wonderful example of a life God uses, even during suffering and trials.

When I had the opportunity to review her new devotional, A Spectacle of Glory, I was so excited to read it!

First, I am so glad that each devotional starts with a Bible reading.  I love devotionals, but I want them to be rooted in Scripture.  Joni does this first and foremost. After that, I enjoyed the short devotional thought for each day. I don’t know about you, but I can get pretty busy, and some days it’s all I can do to read a short passage of the Bible.  The last part of each day’s devotion is a prayer- a simple heartfelt prayer.  What better way to finish than to pray?

In all truthfulness, I don’t do devotionals like this often, so I would not have bought this for myself.  I think it’s great for someone who is looking to start a devotional time and might not know how to start.

I was given a review copy by Handlebar Marketing and Zondervan publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.

NIV Holy Bible for Girls (Journal Edition)

I just started doing Bible journaling a year ago, and my 12 year old daughter wanted to start doing more art in her Bible as well.  Enter a free review copy of the NIV Holy Bible for Girls (journal edition) from Zondervan.

The cover is lovely, in blue with beautiful designs and butterflies on it. Perfect for a young lady!   There is an elastic band on the cover to keep your cover closed, which is great when you write lots of notes, keep bulletins or put artwork in your Bible.

When you open the Bible, you’ll notice that it lays flat- perfect for taking notes or doing artwork in the large margins. The margins are lightly lined for writing, but not so well if you are using the Bible for artwork. The pages are thicker than in regular Bibles, which makes it great for some colored pencil artwork.  Watercolors might work in here if you use water sparingly. If you use markers, be sure to buy some that won’t bleed through, or use gesso to prep the pages, if you’re using the Bible for artwork.

The font is easy to read, and for younger eyes it’s great.  I love the fact that they give a quick history of the NIV and the textual basis for it. The table of weights and measurements at the back of the Bible are great for figuring out what today’s equivalents would be to the Biblical measurements.

Overall, this is a good starter Bible for Journalers.  I am not a fan of the NIV translation, but it is easy to read, and with a new Christian or a younger person, this would be a great help.

I was given a complimentary copy to review for Handlebar Marketing for Zondervan publishing.

Better Late than…

We are almost at the end of the month of January, and here I am, trying to write more.  I am trying, but failing to figure out what to write. I have a lot on my heart, but when pen comes to paper (or fingers to the keyboard at the moment) I am at a loss.

I think that I want to impart words of wisdom, yet would anyone take those words to heart?  Doubtful.  But here is my two cents for today:

Better late than never.  There it is.  You’ve never done XYZ, but always wanted to try?  Do it. Kickboxing has been on my bucket list for years, and I got an opportunity to try it out this month. I. Loved. It. Now that I’ve tried it, I “kick” myself for not trying it sooner (pun intended).  All the fun I missed because it was just a box on a list, rather than a “let’s find a way to try it”. Better late than never.  I might never do kickboxing again, but I have a memory that will last for a long time.

So what’s on your bucket list?  Want to write?  Sing? Learn a new craft or hobby? Go back to school to get a degree?  What’s stopping you? I’m not saying go do something dangerous, but most of us have a few “little” things on that bucket list that we’d love to check off.  Who knows? You may find a new passion, just in learning!

 

Welcome 2015!

It’s so hard to believe that it is already a New Year!  It seems time goes faster and faster as we get older.  Or maybe, for those of us that know Jesus, it’s just that our hearts are yearning to see home.  Either way, the start of the new year brings those dreaded resolutions- you know, the ones that you have the best intentions to fulfill, but fizzle out after a bit.

I decided that instead of “resolutions” these are more “opportunities”, and opportunities can be seized, or they can just be passed on.  I want to seize as many opportunities as I can this year!  Most of you that know me know that I hate missing an opportunity.

Here’s my list:

15 things in 2015
This year, I hope to:
1. Have at least 15 real dates (dinner, movies, or other event) with my Husband.
2. Have 15 “fun dates” with my Daughter.
3. Train and complete the Fresh 15K (that’s 9.3 miles for you non-runners)
4. Invite 15 people to church over this year
5. Hand Write at least 15 actual letters to friends and family this year.
6. Take 15 hours a month off Facebook and spend that time actually being face to face with them.
7. Find 15 items in my house every month to give to someone else that might need it more than I do.
8. Spend 15 days this year volunteering in my community.
9. Lose at least 15 lbs this year
10. Make at least 15 homemade items to give as gifts.
11. Write at least 15 entries on my blog.
12. Take at least 15 pictures a month.
13. Pray for 15 unsaved friends/loved ones
14. Read at least 15 books other than my daily Bible reading
15. Love God more!

I know God will give me many opportunities as well- some planned, some divine appointments that only He can set.  I am praying that I will be able to see them, and that God would give me wisdom and discernment in each one.

I have friends that are starting off the new year with one word that they hope to describe their year.  I want mine to be intentional.  What’s yours?  And what opportunities are you praying for God to bring this year?

Back To School!

This school year has been a little rough on me- why?  Because I now have a 6th Grader!  That’s right, my “baby ” girl is officially a Middle Schooler.  How on earth did that happen?  It seems like yesterday I was rocking her to sleep and singing at her crib.

Time goes fast.  Savor their childhood. Take the time to play games, read stories, and have tickle fights.  Those are the moments to cherish.  Don’t put the kids off for washing dishes, or some other “important” chore – you’ll regret it later. 

Praying for those of you with school aged kids- have a great year!

April 2014- Where did the time go?

As you can see, it’s been a while since I’ve been on the blog.  I have been busier than usual doing life. 🙂  Life in the ministry is fun, yet incredibly fast paced…I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

This month, we got to celebrate a BIG event!  My daughter (aka, The Girl) turned 10 years old.  WOW!  Time flies when you’re having fun.  She has grown up to be a wonderfully sweet young lady, and I can’t wait to see where God leads her in the future.

Later on this week, we are celebrating another BIG event- the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  What an amazing time this is- death was forever conquered through His death on the cross and His Resurrection.  If you haven’t been to church in a while, or maybe you haven’t ever been to church, might I suggest you let the Sunday be the day you come (back)?   Church isn’t a whole bunch of saints, but rather a whole bunch of sinners saved by the grace, mercy and blood of Jesus Christ.  What He’s done for me (saved me), He wants to do for you as well.  Repent, and ask Jesus to save you, and He promises He will.   1 John 1:9- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Happy Resurrection Day!

Another year…

The beginning of the month (April 1st) was my daughters (aka-the Girl) birthday.  Eight is a big number for a little girl.  She decided that she was a young lady this year.  She asked to get her ears pierced (which she did), and now likes spending time with her friends more than her mom and dad.

I love that she is growing up, but I have to admit- I’m still not ready for it.  I want to keep her little, and keep her protected for as long as I can.  I heard a radio program yesterday that was so wonderful for me to hear- it was about Jacobed and how she did everything she could to keep Moses safe as Pharoah was trying to murder all the Hebrew boys. (For the reasons why Pharoah wanted them dead and to read the COMPLETE story- turn to the book of Exodus, Chapters 1 and 2)  For three months she kept him hidden- safe.  But there came a time in his young life where she could not do that anymore- she had to have faith that God would take care of him beyond what she could anymore. 

That’s where I’m at now.  The world, with all its trappings calls to my daughter (and to me) on a daily basis.  Sometimes she makes good choices. Sometimes, not.  But I trust in Creator God, who made her fearfully and wonderfully to protect her when I can’t. 

Here she is Lord, my hands are open- she is yours.  I can’t think of a better place for her to be. 🙂