As For Me and My House...

 "If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war 

or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home 

and bring happiness to the wife he has married." 

Deuteronomy 24:5

Before we were married almost 11 months ago we both agreed that this was OUR verse...and that in order to establish a firm foundation for our family neither of us would take on anything new for one year. 

(I would be remiss to leave out how thankful and blessed I am

to be married to a man who 1. follows the Lord with all of his heart and 

2. who loves me and his family enough to make us a priority.)

In the past 11 months we have seen our little family go from 3 of us and 2 of them to simply just the 5 of us. When we first got married our 11 year old girls had a rough time adjusting to being under the same roof, in the same room, sharing the same parents 24/7. Our greatest Christmas gift was seeing our girls start to team up against us. This meant to us that they were becoming family. We can take the two of them on... so go for it... team up on us! They are truly each others best friend. They actually wanted to be in the same cabin, have the same counselor and share the same bed at camp this summer! It was AWESOME!

The girls pick on their older brother, relentlessly! He does his best to not pick back too much. He sticks up for both of them and he really does love them... even through all of the practical jokes!

The Lord is good... this was His plan. He wants our home to be a place of refuge, safety,  security, fun, laughter, tears, hugs, smiles, mistakes, forgiveness, mercy and love. 

Today I am thankful for a thriving family that serves the Lord, together!

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, 
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
 whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, 

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. 

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

~Joshua 24:15

Grow

Here is typically how the Lord helps me with my blog posts. He gives me a word... sometimes a sentence or subject. But many times it is simply a word. After letting the word settle on my heart for a bit and praying about it I begin to type. 

Today as I was thinking about blogging all I kept hearing was "grow".... 

Many times I begin with a Bible search for the subject. Today I begin with Google. 

GROW

verb (used without an object)

1. to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
2. to form and increase in size by a process of inorganic accretion, as by crystallization. 
3. to arise or issue as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance, or source: Our friendship grew from common interests.
4. to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand; His influence has grown.
5. to become gradually attached or united by or as if by growth. 

As a side note I find it interesting that I didn't hear the word "growth" which happens to be a noun. hmmm... something to ponder. A verb is an action, pretty sure that means I'm not supposed to just sit back and let growth happen... I must have a part in growing. I must have to DO something!

Out of the dictionary definition above there are a few points that stand out to me.

• "to increase by natural development"... what is natural development and does this vary from one person to the next? 

• "to increase in substance" Substance is defined as "that of which a thing consists... What do I consist of?

• "to become gradually attached or united"... to what am I attached or united to?

 Now on to the next step in my blogging adventure... The Bible. Subject search "grow"

 

 A few key verses that include our word of the day:

 

The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. -Zechariah 8:12

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. -1 Corinthians 3:7

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. -Ephesians 4:15

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

 

Of all the verses I looked up... and there were a LOT of grow, grown and it became apparent to me that despite thinking I can... I can't grow alone. We need some help on this one. Just like a farmer needs to water his crops to make them grow I also need to be watered. Many times the Word is known as water. It feeds you, it washes you clean, it provides the essential element to growth. Show me a person that is growing in Christ and I will show you somebody who is IN the Word. Pick it up, read it, read. it. s-l-o-w-l-y., let every word soak into your soil oops, I mean soul. 

Hungry For Food... or Hungry For Love?

"...Truly I tell you, 

whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, 

you did for me."

Matthew 25:40

Sunday our family decided to do an outreach project. We loaded up the grill and some hot dogs, chips and cookies and headed to the homeless park that is four short blocks from our church. We knew that after church the week before there were close to 25 homeless people at this park and we weren't sure if we would be able to reach them all with just the five of us. So we called in reinforcements! We invited the youth group at church to join us, they showed up with 14 willing servants. 

Almost immediately after we got to the park our work began. I wandered over to a group of three people (Two men and a woman). Now I have never been known to be shy... not even a little, so I sat right down with them and the woman immediately asked me "Young lady, are you going to pray for me?" I told her I would love to pray for her. She then told me that it had "been so long since somebody has prayed for us" She told me her name was Giddy, but if I was going to pray for her I could call her by her real name, Julie. She grabbed my hands and we prayed. Shortly after we started praying her "other half" walked over. She grabbed his hand and made him sit by us and told him that I was going to pray for them. I asked his name and he told me "Wolf", to which Julie replied, "It's Paul. You can call him Paul." The name thing really struck me, they wanted the Lord who created them and who they knew loved them to know them by their name. Brings tears to my eyes as I type. After praying for Paul and Giddy and hearing a bit of their testimony and getting more than a couple hugs I moved on. 

btw... while I was off visiting with and praying for people my wonderful husband was doing the cooking :) I love him! 

The next group I sat down with included a man named Dennis who had worked for a local construction company for 14 years before getting laid off a couple years ago. He has been homeless ever since. I promised him I would pray that he would find a job. Lord, please help Dennis find a job, one that he can love.

Another young man was disowned by his family for being gay. He dreams of being a chef one day. Another had been out of prison for 3 months and had been clean of heroin for 2 weeks and clean from alcohol for 2 days. He was hopeful that this was a new beginning for him. I prayed that the Lord would be his strength. 

Man after man, woman after woman, they each had a story. And they each just wanted somebody to listen to theirs. I heard about their families, their pasts, their former employers, their friends, their dreams. 

I know that their stories and their hearts not only blessed me, but also blessed my husband, kids and the kids from the youth group. 

Next time you are stopped at a light and there is somebody standing there holding a sign, say a little prayer for them. They have a family and a story and a dream. 

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor 

and upholds the cause of the needy. 

Psalm 140:12

Why I Lift My Hands

I read this and it was almost 100% my story... even down to the revival!!

Stolen Borrowed from Holly Furtick's Blog
www.hollyfurtick.com
http://hollyfurtick.com/why-i-lift-my-hands/

I remember the first time I lifted my hands in worship.  I was about 15 or 16 years old.  I was so nervous my hands went numb.  I mean come on, I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church.  Hand raising was really only for a few really excited worshipers (unless you are doing the hand motions to Our God is an Awesome God, that didn’t count).  So when I felt compelled to lift my hands at a revival service filled with people from a full gamut of denominations, I thought those around me would think I was crazy. But I did it anyway (and nobody seemed to even notice).

From that moment on, something began that never stopped.  I began to let go of what others might think of me and express myself in worship to God.  It took a long time for me not to care.  And I still care a lot about what people think about me (that is another post for another time).  But today, when I worship, I feel free to express myself to the living God.

So for those of you out there who maybe don’t get it yet.  Maybe you don’t see the need to express yourself, after all, God knows your heart.   Here are a few reasons why I lift my hands…

1.  I lift my hands in celebration.  People do it at a football game, why can’t I do it because I am excited that I worship the God of the universe.  And I have come into His house with His people and we are saved and able to worship freely, so I celebrate.

2.  I lift my hands in surrender.  If I sing the words to a song that says, “Lord have your way,” I want to express it with my hands.  It affirms it in my heart too.

3.  I lift my hands in expression.  I clap, I smile, I lift my hands because I am expressing my love and affection to the Lord.

4.  I lift my hands as an offering.  When I sing something like, “I offer my life to you,” I hold my hands out, like I am physically offering myself to God.

5.  I lift my hands as if I am reaching out to my Father, like my children reach up to me.  Like a cry for help or an expression of my need for Him.

Expressing yourself in worship does not have to happen in a corporate gathering.  It can happen in your car or in your house, in your private time with the Lord.  I hope that next time you feel the need to express yourself outwardly towards the Lord that you will have the courage to do it and do it again.  And yes, God knows your heart, but He wants to see your expression.

A Firm Foundation

Our family is entering a new phase of life this year. A phase that is defined by class schedules, lockers, gym clothes, band, orchestra, cheer, AP and honors classes. As with every phase of life our kids have gone through each one brings new experiences that all start with a bit of nerves and a lot of excitement. This one is no different. 

Our oldest is headed into 9th grade, he has made the decision to really challenge himself. He is taking 2 honors classes and 2 AP classes (which both come with college credit). Words cannot express how proud I am of this young man! God has BIG plans for this guy... just wait and see!

Now for the biggest part of this phase... we have 2 girls going into Middle School! Now I know your gut reaction... probably something along the lines of "oh, I'm so sorry" or "wow that will be tough" or "I wouldn't go back to Middle School if my life depended on it"... and I've heard them all. However, we are choosing FAITH on this one! We believe strongly in the power of words. 

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 

Proverbs 18:21 

We are speaking and praying the following over our girls, and we would love it if you would join us!

- You will make good friends, who uphold the Word and will encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

- You will make amazing memories!

- These years of transition will build a firm foundation of FAITH!

- Your relationship with the Lord will mature. 

- You will find a love for learning and discovering new things! 

- You will be a leader! 

- You will be a light!

- You will look back on these years with JOY!

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, 
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, 
that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

Just a Pebble?

Do you ever have a day, week or season in your life where you feel insignificant? Where you feel like just a little pebble. Like one of the pebbles in the photo of the wall above?

I think we all do... a day where the kids are driving you crazy, your husband is busy at work, your friends are too busy to have coffee, work is overwhelming and you just keep plugging away. 

Looking at the picture above again does one pebble hold up the wall? If one is lost does it weaken the wall? Let's say you take a pebble out of that wall and toss it in a lake. Does that pebble just sink? 

Or does it leave a lasting impact... where do the ripples go? Sure the pebble is long gone but what about the impact it leaves? How many different places do those ripples touch? Eventually don't they reach the whole lake?

What is your sphere?... Who are you touching that you don't even realize? Take heart... it's more than you can ever imagine!

"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." -1 Corinthians 10:12-18

How Dirty are Your Hands?

It's the time of year when people are planting their gardens, fixing their sprinklers, pulling weeds. All of these yard chores lead to one thing... getting your hands dirty. 

As a kid you don't think twice about digging in the dirt and getting some dirt under your nails. What happens to us as adults? 

Even after writing my Digging Ditches post the Lord still has me thinking about farming and how the ditches feed our produce, which in turn feeds our community, which ultimately shipped out of the valley and feeds people even outside of our area. Do you suppose those farmers would have produce to feed their families and beyond if they didn't get their hands a little dirty? 

Before a seed is ever planted in the ground the soil must be prepared, it must have proper nutrients and finally must have a source of water. 

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, 

who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. 

~Luke 8:15

It is much the same way in your life. The Lord's seeds will not grow without water and proper preparation. The Lord may not be sewing into your life right now... but what are you doing to prepare your soil? Will you be ready when God says it it time for you to produce a crop? It's time to get your hands dirty... if the rain comes and there are no ditches and no soil prepared you will yield no harvest. 

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 

~Matthew 13:4-8

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

~Luke 10:38-42

Some people call it OCD... I call it clean. Whatever you call it, I have a disorder... and it appears this disorder isn't new. In fact, it's a problem that was even around in Jesus' time. 

"Hello my name is Martha,  and I'm a clean freak."

So... enough sugar coating it... let's call it what it is... PEOPLE PLEASING. I aim to please... EVERYBODY. Especially those who may happen to stop by my house... What will they think if my house is a mess? What if my kid's rooms are messy? Does that make me a bad mom? Does that mean I'm not teaching them to be a respectful contributing member of society?  I think Martha was the same way. She was worried about what Jesus and his buddies would think of her... is that such a bad thing? I can see it in my head (because it happens nearly every day at my house...) "How can I possibly spend time with Jesus right now?! Can't anybody else see all of the clothes that need washed? Or the bathrooms that are a mess? Or that the kitchen has dishes still sitting out from the dinner that I worked so hard to prepare? (That will be so delicious it will really impress people) UGH... as you can see this is one gigantic snowball on one slippery slope... 

So let's look at Mary... oh Mary... you make it look so easy. "... Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." I really doubt she was worried about Martha doing the dishes... or that after Jesus left she was going to get a "talking to" by her sister. 

How can I apply this to my life? Mary didn't have kids... she didn't have lacrosse practice, or cheer practice, or 2 jobs or... or... or... 

Ok... let's see what Jesus said. "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed- or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Is Jesus really saying that it doesn't matter what people think of her? That HE is more important that them? weird... so is it really saying that spending time reading my Bible, praying and studying His word is more important than MY busy work?! I'm not going to lie... this is going to be HARD, but I'm willing to give it a shot... I am going to make an effort to spend time with Jesus BEFORE cleaning my house (and hopefully not think about what I could be doing the whole time).

Stay tuned on this one...

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 

~Matthew 6:33

PS... I'm having faith that based on the verse above God will give me joy, peace, patience, gentleness, self control and children who love to clean!! :) 

 

French Fries or Sushi

I have been thinking quite a bit lately about competition within the body of Christ and specifically between churches. And quite frankly, I don't think this competition is Biblical. 

I have been at too many churches where they believe their style of preaching or worship is THE only true Biblical style. This is a dangerous road to take, in fact that is what happened with the Pharisees. 

Let's see what Jesus said about this:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

As the body of Christ we need to be careful that we are not "confident of our own righteousness and look down on everyone else".  

The beauty of the church (meaning the body... not the building) is that it isn't a "one size fits all" type of religion. Just because you prefer to rock out to some electric guitar worship led by some guy with full sleeve tattoos doesn't mean that the church down the street that sings out of hymnals to an organ is any less or more righteous than your church. 

Rather than wondering how in the world the church down the street is continuing to grow, despite what you may think about it, maybe you should rejoice in the fact that it IS growing... that there are people who are coming to know Jesus! The Kingdom of God is expanding and people are being reached. 

"...we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Luke 15:32

You may be wondering what in the world sushi has to do with french fries and how is this related to this post... 

Let's say you choose to go out to dinner tonight with your spouse or a friend... where would you choose to go? Sushi? Steak? Burger and Fries? Chances are you will not choose the same place as your friend or spouse... however, that doesn't make one place better than another. All of the choices will nourish you, they will fill you up and provide you with the fellowship your soul craves. It's much the same with the body of Christ. 

Where will you choose to be fed? 

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

Digging Ditches

 2 Kings 3:16-17

"...and he said, "This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink."

I have listened to the message by Stephen Furtick about digging ditches probably 4-5 times now... and every time it gets me. On Sunday at church I once again heard the message... and it once again broke me. But this time... it was an eye opening brokenness. The Lord showed me that this valley, in this desert is FULL of ditches... I mean... totally full of them. Especially here in Fruita, where my husband and I have been called to plant a church. Somebody came long before us and they dug ditches... LOTS and LOTS of ditches. 

As I was riding my bike to work yesterday it occurred to me as I rode past ditch after ditch that when there is water in the ditch... there is LIFE... and what this valley so desperately needs is LIFE... and that life can only flow from God. 

Lord, Fill this valley with your life. Help us introduce the people here to you! Fill these dry ditches so that people can grow...in Jesus' name...