Hope for trouble times

Living. Within the realm of living each of us will experience trouble times. Trouble times are a part of life, even for the Christian.

The Bible assures us that trouble times are permitted for certain purposes in the Christian life. It is in these sorts of times that God allows us to be transfigured and refined.

As we see with Job, sometimes well-meaning friends and loved ones who aim to comfort during trouble times can actually make our situation worse with their advice. “Lean on the Lord.” “Hold on to God's unchanging hand."


This was some of the advice given to me. The problem with this advice is that I didn't know how to do what I was being told to do, nor did I understand what was really meant, thus failure always ensued.

That was until I changed my perspective on how I viewed God.

“Nothing here below is profane for those who know how to see.” ~ Pierre Teihard de Chardin

 
Come with me on my journey. You don't have to leave your house; you just need to have a few minutes to read quietly and to pray through what I am saying. Pray and ask God to open the eyes of your heart. To illuminate it with His true vision of perspective. Ask the Lord to change how you see Him so that you can begin to view your trouble times differently.

Before we leave I’d like to ask you a few questions. I ask that you hide these questions within your heart from now on. Hold on to them, remember them. I can most certainly assure you that you will need to pull them out in order to view your life in the proper way.

 Ask yourself the following questions:

• 
   Do you believe God is love?

•          Do you believe God loves you?

•         Do you believe God is good?

•   Do you believe God knows what is best for your life?

•   Do you believe God is in total control of all things?

 These are the questions I ask and answer when I feel the stress level in my life rising.

Why do I ask myself these questions?

Beginning with the first question, if you believe God loves you then you can begin to change your view of what He allows to enter your life. You can begin to view your trouble times as coming from the hand of a Father who loves you dearly in spite of what you feel or what your circumstances lead you to believe.

If you truly know and believe God loves you, you can start to look at the ugly situations that arise in your life as beneficial and necessary though unpleasant.

To illustrate my point, ponder for a moment on the surgeon and his scalpel.

Who longs to be cut open, laid wide? No one right. No one wants to be laid bare, exposed or hurt. But there are times that pain is exactly what the surgeon gives his patient by using his scalpel. In order to make them better, he must first cause them pain by cutting them...opening them up.

Author Ann Voskamp writes, “Darkness transfigures into light, bad into good, grief transfigures into grace, empty transfigures into full. God wastes nothing— He makes everything work out according to His plan.” {Ephesians 1:11}

A Scripture that really puts things in perspective for me is Exodus 13:17-18. Witness how the wilderness experience was motivated out of God's love for the children of Israel. It reads, "Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God said, 'the people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.

Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea ...'" ~ NASB-.

God's actions toward His children are always motivated by His love, even when He disciplines.

I realize I talk about this passage of Scripture often, but it is ingrained in my being. Understanding God in this way has truly made a difference in how I view situations that arise in my life.

Another point worth mentioning is, if what you're going through isn’t a result of you suffering a consequence from your disobedience—rejoice. Yes rejoice. Sit still and rest in the confidence in knowing God is working out your situation.

On the other hand, if your hard time and pain is coming as a result of your disobedience, the first thing you must do is confess and turn away from your sinful action.

God taking His children ‘by way of the wilderness’ was motivated by love. That's what I want you to grasp.
Just as God's love for the children of Israel motivated Him to lead them by the way of the wilderness, sometimes His love for you and me will lead us down a wilderness path too.

Remember, If He isn't disciplining us. He's transfiguring us and He's transfiguring us out of His love for us.

"Out of the darkness of the cross, the world transfigures into new life.  And there is no other way." ~ Ann Voskamp 

Ponder on this until we talk again next Thursday about more hope for trouble times.


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A daily soul journey

His Word says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS." ~ Matthew 11:29


To practice humility in our lives WE must wake up daily with an attitude ready to serve others.  Not just the doing of the service, but having the right attitude before, while and after doing.  In order to really have the humility that Jesus calls us to have we must forgo the rights of ourselves and the expectation of exaltation.

Is this the attitude that I display in my life daily?
often times I don't.  I want to.  Long to, and even strive to.  This is one of my daily soul journeys ... .  I don't pray for it either, sadly.  Too afraid God will put me in situations where I'm constantly having to practice it—though I have to practice it.

This post is linked to Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience.  The subject of our Walk with Him Wednesday talks is "The practice of humility."


This post is also linked to Good Morning Girls.

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Summer days

We laugh.  We talk as we stroll about admiring things in the store. "Ooo.  Ahh." We say as we pick things up to touch, feel.  On and on we chatter interrupting each others sentences, finishing them too.

I think to myself, "He's done it again.  God has answered my heart-felt prayer.  He loves me this I know."


I cried out to Him, just yesterday, "Father help me.  Help me make my children first priority again.  First before my beloved blogging.  First before my beloved writing, and before Internet socializing.  First before the phone calls, the errands.  First before this and first before that.  Give us the opportunity to be just my children and me.  Give us opportunities with no expectations." 


Today it's just us.  My first born, second born and me.  I'd thought that maybe they would not want to be with me—hanging out, spending time with me their mama..

I remember a time when all they wanted was me.  But that time is fleeting.  I see it passing me by.  Back then I was their world.  Now I compete with phones, texting, Facebook and friends.

We leave the store headed home, but not before finding our place under a shaded umbrella protecting ourselves from the Texas sun.  We sit on wooden benches waiting for relief.  Relief that will come in the form of a snow cone—snow cone made from shaved ice.

My heart is full as I listen to them, watch them.  I'm happy and they are too.

A mother loves seeing her children beaming with joy, especially when the joy comes from being together ... spending time with her.

Simple summer days in the Texas heat laughing and talking with my children are days that are full of grace from His hand.  They are full of sunshine and the expression of love all coming from Him.

The love from a family.  Priceless.

This post is linked to Women Living Well and Moms Mustard Seeds

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Summer reading plans for moms

Hi ladies!

I thought it would be fun for us to participate over at Courtney's place and join her in the summer reading plan for moms.

What exactly is Courtney's summber reading plans for mothers you ask?

Her plan follows the S.O.A.P method.  What is the S.O.A.P method?  So glad you asked.

The S.O.A.P. Method stands for:

1. S- Write out the scripture passage for the day. (I have a shiny new notebook where I will be writing out the verse/s of the day.)

2. O- Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage. (After I write out the verse, I will write what I learned from the verse.)

3. A- Write down 1-2 applications from the passage. (Then I will write out how this verse applies to me if it is applicable.)

4. P- Pray over what you learned from today’s passage. (Then I will pray this verse over myself and my family.)

As you go through this study, if you come across a verse or passage that you don’t understand, I recommend Crosswalk’s Bible Study Tools found here: http://www.biblestudytools.com/ On this page in the lower right hand corner, you can find links to Bible dictionaries, commentaries (I like Matthew Henry’s and John McArthur’s), concordances, and other Bible translations, etc.

I need accountability. If you need it too just print out the summer reading plan here.

To find out more about the summer reading plan go here:

Reading schedule:

 

FYI:  They are already on week 7, but please don't let that stop you.

On the days that we share, I'll be sharing my thoughts with you and I hope you do the same. 

Let's grow together ladies!

Click on the link for a print out of S.O.A.P.  S.O.A.P printout

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Are my children satisfied?

Every second counts.  How are you spending your time?

I've been thinking often about this, in particularly how I'm affecting my children with what I do and don't do with my time.

Then I came upon this:

"Are my children satisfied first everyday?  Before phone calls, household chores, email inboxes, message boards, errands, volunteer activities, church functions, hobbies ... are my children deeply and fully satisfied?" ~ Ann Voskamp


I feel like I'm slipping ... falling.  I'm striving working at trying to balance it {all that I have to do} better.


Then I remember my calling and what's important.  There's really no need to try and balance it all 'cause there is just one thing that's most important.  All else is secondary He whispers to my heart.

Blogging is good, but blogging—and all that it entails ought not have first priority.

Lose myself in His will and calling first and He will give me the desires of my heart.  This is something I must remember.

All this that I want to do with my blogging.  All that I hope to accomplish ... I must remember Him first and He will do the rest.  I can't think about cleaning the house, hope to clean the house, think about spending moments with him or hope to spend moments with them ...  .

"He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. ... Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good."

Then I remember her prayer for us, the writers, and I think she's been here already.  Right here, where I am now.

She posted it on her blog for us to partake of.  I do.  She says:

A prayer for writers

God of the Word, we ask you —
Give us a Word.
Your daughters are hungry.

We are women of the Word,
Wielding words You take around the world.
Weave the curve of our letters on screens
into baskets,
baskets heavy with that which deeply, fully fills.
Weave the curve of our letters into baskets that offer up the only food that satisfies… You.

May you meet us, your Word women, such women, at a time such as this,
and reveal to us Your will for our words…
We long not to be not to be recognized or lauded or discovered…
We long for simply this
to glorify your name,
and spread your praise and you honor and your fame.

Make us a success not in sitemeters but in Your site alone
and give us a hunger for the upside down kingdom….

In the name of the Word wrapped in flesh,
the God-Man made bread, broken, and passed around….
In Jesus name…Amen.

My thanks to Him for: #'s 218-228
~ life
~ second chances
~ mother's company
~ new laptop
~ family dances
~ laughter
~ water from heaven's sky

This post is also linked to Faith Barista.

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God's order: a man and his wife, 2

This post is a continuation from yesterday, looking at Mary's submission to her husband as she submitted to the Lord, and looking at Joseph's heart-moved submission to God.

In viewing this couple we are able to see the beauty and power that submission gives in a person and couple's life when they totally live a life of a surrendered and obedient heart.

God looks at our hearts, just as He did Mary's.  And just like Mary, God wants to use you and me to do great things for Him.

Our obedience or lack of it holds the power of life and death for ourselves and those we love. 

"Get up!  Take the child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you ... so Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt." Matthew 2:13

This couple was a couple with a prepared heart.

Mary submitted to her husband and her husband submitted to God.

They submitted and their family was saved.

Remember Adam & Eve?  In both couples we clearly see how God's way saves.  God's way is always a plan for salvation, but we must act on what He says.  We must obey.  In order to obey we must have prepared hearts.

How prepared is your heart?

We get our hearts prepared by learning to love God with all of our hearts.  We make up our minds to be devoted to Him and we must become faithful to Him.

Mary was a woman who accepted God's will for her life.  Mary had enough experience with the Father that she knew He could be trusted.  Therefore, she was able to accept what His plan ordained for her life.  Thus she submitted to God and to her husband.

Would you prayerfully consider the questions below as it relates to your submission toward God and your husband?

• How do you usually handle inconveniences or unfair circumstances?
• How do you respond to events in your life that come about—shocking news and such?
• What can you do to become more trustworthy in the leadership of God and your husband in your life?
• What steps can you began to take today to move you toward trusting God and your husband more?

It is my prayerful desire that you and I will be women who always seek to glorify God.

Read part one
God's order: a man and his wife, 1

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This post is linked up at:

God's order: a husband and wife, 1

Order.  Most of us, if not all, function better in our day-to-day goings on when we have order in our lives.  Everything from government to our homes has order, or some resemblance of it. 

At one time it seemed as if I were telling my children every other day that, even when they leave our home they will still be subjected to the rules of others.  Be it God, government, school, work, or a spouse.

There is order to keep from having chaos.

A lot of women, including myself at times, doesn't like hearing that we are called to submit, obey or subject ourselves to anyone, even if it is God's order.  We still aren't thrilled about it.

The reason that I'm not thrilled about hearing the subject preached on first and far most is my human nature, secondly is the fact that I've witness many men who don't quite understand their role as a husband or the woman's role for that matter, and they begin to abuse their wives.  Sadly, they abuse in the name of "God."  Of course, they are men who are the exception to the rule.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible where I love seeing God's order for a man and his wife acted out— is between Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary.

It is in the portrait of their lives that we see God's perfect order played out.  God speaks to the man, the man speaks to his wife.  She acts on the instructions of her husband and they and the world are blessed—saved in fact.
                                                                                         
"But when he [Joseph] had considered this [to send Mary away secretly], behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child in her is of the Holy Spirit.

She will bear a Son; and YOU [not her] shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins.

And Joseph awoke from His sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; AND HE CALLED HIS NAME JESUS" [] emphasis mine. ~ Matthew 1:20-21; 1:24-25

Joseph submitted to God, Mary submitted to him, thus we know our Lord and Savior's earthly name to be: Jesus.

Read conclusion of post tomorrow.

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"Time is life and I want the fullest time."

"They say time is money, but that's not true.  Time is life, and if I want the fullest life I need to find the fullest time." ~ Ann Voskamp

I look at the clock anxiously.  I need to get everyone in bed so I can get started on writing. My soul is longing for it ... calling out to it: serenity.  My head is filling with thougths that need releasing.  I have two books to read His and hers, then I want to get some journal writing in.  Today I added more gifts to my gratitude list! 

I'm anxiously waiting for the moment to open up and ingest the words of Daniel.  He gave thanks three times a day, don't you know?  I long to follow.

How often do you thank God during the day?  Do you see all your days as a gift?  It's easier to say, "thank you" when you believe what you have been given is a gift.

My eyes are different, they are anew.  They search for gratitude.  Gifts from His hand.

I want to rush everyone.  Tell them to get on with it!  I have holy work to do—read.  But isn't patiences holy work?  Isn't my acceptance of what His hands give me this moment a holy duty?

Be quiet.  Be still.  Be in the moment.

I savor the moment.  Wash the dishes.  Yes, gazing out the window to far away places.  But then,  I decide to travel back here.  Be in this moment of time.  Listen to the chatter of happy children while I listen and watch the down pour of much needed rain.

In this moment.  I think about the fullness of time and the gift God has given me to care for my family.  This is the work that my hands are finding to do.

These are my thoughts as my hands are submerged in the water.  Me washing dishes ... my love dance to my family and to Him.  "I don't have much to give them" I think.  But what I do have I freely give.

"They say time is money, but that's not true.  Time is life" so I need to make the most of my time.

"Wherever you are be all there," says Elisabeth Elliot

Learn to be in the moment.  Enjoy now 'cause now is all we really have anyway.

"Live each moment to the fullest." Slow down.

Most of us stay on the go ... always rushing.   We buy, we get and we strive ... in hopes of becoming quicker and better .  But we're not.  We only become more hurried in our mind thus manifesting it in our behavior, with less time for the most important.  Sitting and talking.  Having breakfast together or dinner together with the Television off, nothing else engaging, but you and the people you are with.  Really hearing what's being said.  Listening, and just being.  Slow down.  See the bubbles in the dish water, their colors, their shapes.  Appreciate the moments you have, now.  This time.  Thank God.

"cause when it's all said and done: This moment is all any of us really have.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." J.RR. Tolkien


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The dawn of a new beginning series, 4 {stories of old}

My husband began a new career in sales— meat salesman in particular.  I was back home.

We were doing much better financially, but we still had a lot of debt to clean up from the previous months.

One account that had been severely damaged was our rent in the apartment where we lived.  We were charged an astronomical amount {in our eyes} for late fees.  An amount which preceded our rent.  We couldn't renew our lease unless we paid the fees.  We did pay the rent and an agreed amount of fees, but we didn't renew the lease.  We moved, instead, a couple of blocks away to a cheaper apartment.

At this point, I'd been home for a couple of weeks.  Reading Elisabeth's book, and listening to her tapes.

Sometimes Elisabeth would have her daughter Valerie on her program and Valerie would talk about what it was like being a stay-at-home mother with eight children whom she home schooled.

"Eight children?"  "Home school?"  "What kind of cult does she belong to I wondered?"

I'd never in my life heard of someone, young, having eight children and homeschooling?  I knew right away that home schooling wasn't for me. "I would never do something so back woods." I told myself.

For some reason though, I was always glued to the radio when Val was on talking about spanking, quiet time for herself and her children and just child rearing and being a wife in general.  I found that she too had a pull on me.  I mostly enjoyed when she shared her quiet time and prayer life with us.

I began to pray more.  All day long, seeking God ... wanting Him to reveal Himself more, asking Him what I considered the hard questions for me.

"Lord reveal Your will for my life.  Use my life and my body for what you chose.  Have your way with me.  Whatever you want me to do, Lord, I will do"

That's all Elisabeth ever talked about "The will of God ... the will of God."  That was most important to know.  We cannot live a fulfilled and rewarding life if we are not doing what God has placed us here to do.  That's what I was learning.

It wasn't long before I was pregnant with baby number three.  Kyle we named him.

One morning while listening to Elisabeth in bed I heard her read a letter from a reader as she often did.  "That's my letter!  That's my letter!"  I shouted to my husband.

At the end of her reading she said, "Thank you dear sweet Angela."

So I wrote her again.  And she wrote back asking me to call her at her home.  She had written down the best date and time to get her.  I called her.  We talked and talked

Shortly after speaking with her over the phone, she began letting me know when she would be in my area and I would go visit.

After a while we began to meet regualarly over the phone for prayer.  She began to pray with me ... very specific and personal prayers.  She'd learned a lot about me by then.  To my astonishment she even allowed me to pray for her.  She would tell me lots of stories and give me Bible passages to read and memorize.  Most often she would send me books or give me a book list that she'd taken the time to write out for me.

I would read, and read.  Some books I bought, some she gave and some I borrowed from the library.

But I was different from Elisabeth, and most of the others.  I had no clue of God's will for my life.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do with my life."  I would whine often to her.  Then I would start on my kick of keeping house.

"It's too hard to keep the house clean while I'm pregnant!  My children aren't listening ..." on and on I went.

"This is what I want you to do ..."  She lovingly scolded.

"First things first," Elisabeth said, "You listen to me and you listen to me real good my dear.  In a normal tone of voice you say what you mean to those precious little ones and you mean what you say.  If you say you're going to do something then you better do it."

There is one key, she taught me, to finding out the will of God for your life. That key is to be obeident to what He has called you to today. 

More gateway stories next Tuesday.

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Remembering my dad on father's day

His smile was quite, this time.  More of a grin.

His eyes communicated with me in ways they had never done before.  They said, "I love you. Don't go."

So I stayed and chatted more.

He sat quietly in the corner... smiling, watching us as we, the children, my husband and I, rummaged through the boxes of gifts my mother brought out.

Someone from her church had given her things ... .  She couldn't use them, and as things go when you have a large family they figured we could.  They were right.

"Strange," I thought.  My dad had not cracked one single joke.  Instead he sat back looking.  From time-to-time, I would look up at him from my seat on the floor and see that he was watching me ... staring at me.  I would smile at him and he would smile back. 

"I wonder what's wrong with my daddy? I hope he isn't going to die.  I hope this won't be my last time seeing him," I thought silently while there and all the way home.

My observations of him were frightening.  I'd never thought like this before.
"Stop that Angie."  I scowled myself.

Before we left headed home, I hugged him.  "Bye daddy I said.  I love you."

"Bye honey."  He said back. 

I was right.  That was the last time I saw my dad.

I knew I wouldn't have my parents forever, and my dad was 72,  but I just didn't have any idea I would loose him so soon.

As I get older I am beginning to realize more and more how fleeting our days are. 

Seems like just yesterday I was complaining about him being too strick.  Embarrassing me by not letting me talk on the phone after nine, and always wanting to know who I was hanging out with.

I will miss him ... my daddy.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

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How made up is your mind?

I love caring for my family.  Nothing gives me greater joy than to do laundry while picking up and washing dishes—gazing out the kitchen window.  Letting the dreams take me far.

At times however, I get irritated and feel as if I'm not appreciated.  I'll clean up the kids room, put away their clean clothes only to find out a few days later that not only is that same room a mess, but they've taken the clean clothes and put them back in the pile to be washed.

My reaction to this kind of treatment sometimes is to go on a strike.

I've come to find out that the strike {things that don't get done} bothers me way more negatively than it does my family, and I become stress.

So I've resolved some things within myself.  I've made up my mind.

Since I find pleasure in an orderly home.  And I love cleaning and caring for my family in this manner, I'm resolving within myself today not to give into the pressures I feel when they don't do as I think they should.

Yeah, they may have to suffer certain consequences due to their actions, but I'm resolving not to let their actions cause me to react negatively.

I ve made up my mind to honor God in my reaction.

What about you?  Have you made up your mind about some things?

Your life's story

Yesterday while watching and listening to my children interact with their friends, I began to wonder about their life's course and ponder on the many road's my life has taken.

I've made so many mistakes friends until I also wonder if those mistakes haven't prevented me from being where I should be.  However, I also know that those mistakes—in hindsight are my life's lessons.  They have taught me well.  I've learned things about myself, God and others that I know I would not have learned had I not gone through my many "gateways."

No circumstance or situation that God allows to take place in our live's is insignificant.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." ~ Phil. 1:6

God is at work.

He's working in the lives of His children.  Do you believe that?

Skeptical, are you?  Think back with me for a moment ... remember:

•  Adam & Eve's story
• Abraham and his family story
• Joseph's story
• All of the Bible stories

You and I have a story too.  We have a life story that's being written and played out right now—as I type and as you read.  Just as the people mentioned above, you and I have a beginning, middle and ending.

God worked in the lives of His children, back then, completing the good work He had planned for them.  Read their stories.  Not one person died having incomplete work.

You and I are no different.  God has no respect of person.

Our Father is working out His plans for our life's, know this.  Remember this.

Regardless of how bad the circumstances in your life may get. God is working it out bringing it together.  And He said it's a "good work" too.

Truthfully, that's hard for some of us to believe, "That He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

We place God where we have most people: in the disappointment category.  We think He's just talking.

God is not going to give up on you.

Chant that to yourself today, "God is not going to give up on me!"

He promises to finish the work He has begun in you.  You can count it!  It's a done deal! 

Believe it

What you must do if you want Jesus as Center

What does it mean to live with Jesus in the center of your life?  Today is Walk with Him Wednesday community blog link up. It's  another gathering over at Ann Voskamp, writer of "One Thousand Gifts: A dare to live fully right where you are.

What comes to mind for you when you think about that question? "What does it mean to live with Jesus in the center of your life"   When I think about the question, the first thing that comes to mind is Matthew 16:24, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."

Certainly this will look differently in each of our lives.  What you consider a denial of self—your cross, and a picking up of it will be different than the denial and cross of another.  For this reason, it is important to practice a "no comparison" life.  Do not compare your life to the life of another. 

Notice that Jesus doesn't simply say that you must follow Him.  He gives a prerequisite to following Him:

• deny yourselves
• take up your cross

Then you can follow. 

Isn't the act of denying, taking up and following the corner-stone for being His disciple? 

But before your denying, giving up and picking up can count there is something that you must be sure to do, otherwise all else is done in vain.

What must  you do first to have the opportunity for Jesus to be center?

In order for you to be known by the name of Christian you must first profess faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. 

To live a Christ-centered life you must, daily, "deny yourself in your sphere of life, take up your cross and follow in that same sphere."

Today, be sensitive to the way God is calling you to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him in your area of living.
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The dawn of a new beginning, 3 {stories of old ... gateways to joy}

`What are you doing Lord?" I asked.

Times had gotten pretty bad for us financially, not to mention that I'd miscarried.  Bills were piling, rent was due.  The electricity had been cut on and off ... on and off.  My parents came to visit and my mother gave us her credit card to buy groceries, the kids clothes and myself clothes so that I could go to work.  For a while they even rented a vehcile for us too.

My husband who had been a drug and alcohol counselor, prior to his stint with becoming a carrier went back to looking for work in that field, which was scarce.  He'd vowed before we moved to Houston not to do work that entailed his income depending on grant money as he saw that type of work as being unstable.

I went looking for work too and finally found work with a temporary accounting agency.  Next we found a babysitter.  Thus my days began to consist of getting up at 4:00 am rushing, getting myself and the children dressed and ready to be away from home for at least ten hours. My husband and I would take the children to the babysitters which by the way, I disdained because it was in a house—not to mention I was away from them.  It also seemed as if they stayed sick and had terrible appetites.  After we dropped the two little ones off, my husband would drop me off and go searching for work.

I got off work at 5:00 pm.  I would take the bus to the babysitters, pick up the children, walk back to the bus stop.  All three of us crying.  I would carry one for a while, put the one I was carrying down to walk, and pick  and carry the walker for a while.  Once we got off the bus from the babysitters we would walk two blocks from the stop to the apartment.  Again I would carry one and have the other walk until they got tired and switch.  Tears still streaming.  Remembering what I'd told Him. "Lord You can have my life to do with it as You see fit."

I was beginning to think, "You silly girl."

Once I got home, I would cook, feed the kids... fight to get them to eat, bathe them, let them play for an hour and put them to bed.

My husband and I would would then eat dinner, talk a bit and prepare for bed.  I was always rushing, couldn't sit still.  I didn't want to get behind on anything.  Before getting in bed I would pray, read my Bible and my book that had finally come from Elisabeth Elliot, "The Savage My Kinsman."  I was no longer able to hear the program since I'd started working.  But I'd called and got some of her free tapes which I would listen to while cooking in the evenings, along with Great stories of Christians.

At this point, I felt cheated.  But I was content.  I wasn't joyful, but I had a peace.

I'd been on my job for five days.  It was supposed to be a nine months job, but after only five days the company called my sister-in-law {we didn't have a phone} to tell her I was no longer needed.  I had completed my duties.  Needless to say, I was conflicted.  Happy to not have to go through such a hectic routine, but sad because I knew how bad we needed the money.  Since we were paid up for the month with the babysitter we decided to let the kids continue going for the month and I would go with my husband and look for work.

One morning while we were riding my husband said, "I saw an add in the paper for a sales job."

"Selling what?"  I asked

"Meat.  Selling meat door-to-door."

"Selling meat?!  Who buys meat door-to-door?  I've never heard of that!  Sounds like a scam to me!"

"Well I'm going to.  Will you check out the company for me?"

"Yes."  I said.

The next day I decided not to go looking for work to stay home with my children who weren't feeling well.
That day came and almost went and my husband wasn't home.  Finally at 11:30 pm, he walked through the door.  Boy did I let him have it!

"Where have you be ...en?"  I could barely get my sentence out before he grabbed me off the bed, swung me around and kissed me!

"What?  What happened?"  He threw cash and checks on the bed, totaling $1100.00

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!  DID YOU DO SOMETHING ILLEGAL?!  WHERE DID ALL OF THIS MONEY COME FROM?!"  Then I began to sob in fear.

Laughing, he said, "No babe, come on now.  I get it selling meat!  We drove hours out to a country town where grocery stores are far and few in between.  Droves of people came when they saw the truck pull up.  Look ... some of the guys hunt and gave me some of there meat so that they would have room for the meat I was selling."





More gateways to joy stories next week.  To get caught up on the stories go here:

The dawn of a new beginning, 1
The dawn of a new beginning, 2

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Laying hold of Christ

God's will for your life ... Are you ever concerned with being sure you are fulfilling it?

I think on this often, "What does He will for me today?"  Not in the complete sense necessarily, but I wonder, "How will what I do today—my choice, effect the whole picture.

I've been reading Philippians and in it I read these words by Paul, "...but I press on so that I may lay hold of that which also I was laid hold for by Christ Jesus."  Then he goes on to say, "Breathern, I do not regard myself as having hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

Many of us have problems with "laying hold of that which also we were laid hold for."  Why?  We have a problem with moving forward.  Some of us get stuck, and even more of us get stuck in the past.

Being stuck makes it hard for us to move.  God reveals what He wills in stages.  As we obey He gives more.  It is in the doing that God reveals more to us.  Therefore when we are stuck the process is slowed or halted, making it nearly impossible for us to move forward.

God has given each of us a "free will" so He isn't going to make us obey.  He gives us a choice.  Keeping this in mind we need to learn how to release ourselves.  Some of us must even learn to forgive ourselves so that we can reach forward to what lies ahead.

How do we release so that we can move?  We must

• confess our sins to God
• stop condemning ourselves
• forgive ourselves
• forgive others {giving them room to err}
• learn
• move forward

God has laid hold of each one of us for His unique purpose.  A purpose that He desires to come to pass using you and me.

Remember—all of us have done some things in our past that we're not proud about, but don't dwell on it.  Don't stay wallowed in the memory or the sin.  Learn from the situation and the circumstances.  Let the lesson you learn cause you to grow.

Grow in your knowledge of who God is by spending intimate moments with Him.  Talk to Him about everything, regardless of how trivial it may seem to you.  Pray about everything regardless of how unimportant it may seem.  And find time to read His Word.  These steps will give you the insight, discernment and wisdom to know how to move forward.

Then expect. Expect a fuller more satisfied life once you make up your mind to move forward.

"Lay hold of Christ for that which He laid hold of you."

Let's pray:

Dear Lord, we thank you for giving us Your Word to show us how to live.  Sometimes Lord we as Christians can get in a funk and stay there, especially when we know we have let you down.  Help us remember Your Words, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."  Then helps us get up so we can move on with moving forward.  In Jesus name amen.

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Today is Monday, that means I'm GIVING THANKS to Him publicly—in community with them, and sharing it with you.

The List {200-217} ... counting my way toward 1000 of His gifts!

~ air condition & ice ... ice cold drinks

~ McDonald's vanilla ice cream cones

~ Amy Bayliss recipe & Hippy Chicks recipe

~ watching NBA finals w/hubby & son {Yeah Dallas!}

~ God's comfort

~ My mother

~ our family togetherness

~ early morning rising & late night settling

~ laughter from children playing games

~ echoes of father & sons discussions

~ good night hugs & kisses

~ many letters & drawing from young children

~ daughter giving mother a thinking of you card, just because :)

~ ceiling fans

~ cold showers

~ buying fruit & honey from the side of a country road

~ Sunday evening rides to the country, with my hubby, windows down, wind blowing in my hair

::: problems with blog button this morning

What is your approach to life, serving others or being served?

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wonder+where+she+gets+it+from%3F%22%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AIn+Kristen%27s+defense%2C+I+understood+exactly+what+she+was+saying.+%26nbsp%3BInitially+I+had+no+plans+of+punishing+her%2C+but+she+just+wouldn%27t+listen.+%26nbsp%3BShe+would+not+obey+and+she+would+not+humble+herself.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3E%22Kristen+I+understand.%26nbsp%3B+Listen+to+me.%26nbsp%3B+Kristen+I+understand%2C+but+listen+to+me.%26nbsp%3B+Kristen+I+understand+your+point%2C+but+listen+to+me+...%22%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3E+That+girl+was+not+listening.%0D%0A%0D%0ABefore+long%2C+I+was+yelling%2C+%3Cstrong%3E%22Let+me+tell+you+something+little+girl%21%26nbsp%3B+It%27s+best+you+hush+your+mouth+right+now+do+you+hear+me%3F%21%26nbsp%3B+You+must+be+out+of+your+mind+if+you+think+I+am+going+to+let+you+talk+to+me+like+that%21%21%21%22%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EHumility+is+all+that+was+called+for+to+change+the+situation.+%26nbsp%3BI%E2%80%94Mama%2C+would+not+listen+and+obey+the+voice+in+my+head.+%26nbsp%3BThe+voice+from+the+father+who+told+me+to+%22hush+and+deal+with+the+situations+when+I+got+home.%22+%26nbsp%3BHad+I+done+that+my+words+would+not+have+been+so+unkind+and+cut+so.+%26nbsp%3BThe+venom+would+not+have+spilled.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%3Cdiv+class%3D%22separator%22+style%3D%22clear%3A+both%3B+text-align%3A+center%3B%22%3E%0D%0A%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-XuUvZEkGPJw%2FTfOMc74NW8I%2FAAAAAAAAAsU%2F46S2Sl0y0bA%2Fs1600%2Fwords%2B3.jpg%22+imageanchor%3D%221%22+style%3D%22margin-left%3A+1em%3B+margin-right%3A+1em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg+border%3D%220%22+height%3D%22280%22+src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-XuUvZEkGPJw%2FTfOMc74NW8I%2FAAA5PaUSeJdaci3sqCRl0y0bA%2Fs400%2Fwords%2B3.jpg%22+width%3D%22400%22+%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%se%E2%80%94the+yD%22separator%22+style%3D%22clear%3A+both%3B+text-align%3A+center%3B%22%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EMy+personality+is%%3B+Kristen+who+nbsp%3Bwhere+I+can+be+quite%2C%26nbsp%3Bget+low%2C+be+amicable%26nbsp%3Band+get+along+to+move+along+if+need+be.+%26nbsp%3BThat+is+until+I+feel+my+back+against+the+wall.+%26nbsp%3BI+will+tell+you%2C+%22You%27rt+their+point+across.+%0D%0A%3Cs+%26nbsp%3BAfter%2C+however%2C+I+see+where+my+pleas+are+being+ignored%2C+and+I+begin+to+feel+your%26nbsp%3Bresistance%26nbsp%3BbA%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ZuMxsHAfP-M%2Fth+your+mouth+%22Okay%2C%22%26nb-kJ1xCg%2Fs1600%emeanor+displays+something+else+towards+me.%26nbsp%3B+%3Cb%3EIt+is+then+that+I+seem+to+come+unglued.%26nbsp%3B+Humility+and+all+else+ends+up%26nbsp%3Bfalling+by+the+wayside+when+I+get+to+that+point.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fb%3E+This+is+the+behavior+that+Kyle+and+Kristen+display.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3ESelfishness+is+what+I+displayed+yesterday.%26nbsp%3BI+didn%27t+want+to+be+bothered%3C%2Fstrong%3E.+%26nbsp%3BI+wanted+to+resolve+the+situation+quickly+to+get+back+to+my+90%27s+music+and+conversation+with+my+husband.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EThe+problem+with+that+is%26nbsp%3BI+am+a+mother+with+seven+children.%26nbsp%3B+I+am+always+on-call+24%2F7.%26nbsp%3B+My+time+is+not+my+time+right+now.%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BI+stress+unity+in+our+home%2C+but+unity+between+siblings+and%26nbsp%3Bparents+is+not+what+we+always+get.%26nbsp%3B+Selfishness+comes+to+visit+sometimes.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%3Cb%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fb%3E%0D%0AI+have+come+to+see+how+I+set+the+tone+for+much+in+my+family.%26nbsp%3B%3Cstrong%3E+Jesus+the+King+gave+up+His+throne+and+willingly+humbled+himself+becoming+a%26nbsp%3BBond-Servant.%26nbsp%3BJesus+understood+His+call+and+what+His+call+entailed.%26nbsp%3B+I+must+do+likewise.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cdiv+class%3D%22separator%22+style%3D%22clear%3A+both%3B+text-align%3A+center%3B%22%3E%0D%0A%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WVTeGntML8U%2FTfOLgtR8dJI%2FAAAAAAAAAsM%2FQgFlnfg8sPY%2Fs1600%2Fhumility%2B4.jpg%22+imageanchor%3D%221%22+style%3D%22margin-left%3A+1em%3B+margin-right%3A+1em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg+border%3D%220%22+height%3D%22250%22+src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WVTeGntML8U%2FTfOLgtR8dJI%2FAAAAAAAAAsM%2FQgFlnfg8sPY%2Fs400%2Fhumility%2B4.jpg%22+width%3D%22400%22+%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EAs+parents%2C+we+have+to+relinquish+our+rights+to+ourselves+to+serve+our+children%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0ALike+Christ%26nbsp%3BI+should+have+a+servants+attitude%2C+serving+out+of+love+for+God+and+for+others%2C+not+out+of+guilt+or+fear.%26nbsp%3B%3Cstrong%3EI+can+choose+my+attitude%3C%2Fstrong%3E.%26nbsp%3B+%3Cstrong%3EI+can+approach+life+expecting+to+be+served%2C+or+we+can+take+opportunities+to+serve+others.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AHow+many+times+have+I+forfeited+my+peace+or+pleasure+only+because+I+would+not+humble+myself%E2%80%94humble+to+the+point+of+obedience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cb%3E...+He+humbled+Himself+by+becoming+obedient+to+the+point+of+death%2C+even+death+on+a+cross.%3C%2Fb%3E%0D%0A%3Cb%3E+%3C%2Fb%3E%0D%0AMost+of+the+time+God+is+not+requiring+humili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Surrendering

'W
ords I'm reading—  My second husband's death, a long and agonizing process, made me unutterably grateful to God for plain, ordinary housework.  It was just cooking for him—and racking my brains to come up with menus he would be able to enjoy at least a little bit—and cleaning and washing his dishes and clothes and sheets, carrying trays, keeping track of his medicines and answering his letters that got me through.  I would find myself thanking God for a pile of dishes or laundry.It is the one for whom a job is done who gives it its meaning.  Of course I was not thinking about frying pans or laundry detergents when I was frying an egg or washing. I was thinking of Add.  As the disease progressed, however, he became extremely depressed and no longer wanted to eat, to be read to, bathed, dressed, or cared for in any way.  I was like the "trouble of Israel" to him, and he told me so.  Nevertheless the work still had to be done.  Even when he was at his worst and I was barely able to get through a day, the work was there, and by the grace of God I did.  When I remembered to look up instead of around me and to offer the work to the Lord, it was much easier and more pleasant." ~ Excerpt from Discipline: The Glad Surrender

Waiting and working within God's realm

He calls to say he's picking up pizza for the kids, and will go to the restaurant to cook us two chicken fried steaks.  That's when I hear it: exhaustion.  He's tired.  Today was his full day at the eatery.  He worked there for hours.  I thought he would come home to be with us after he left there, but he said, "He needed to go and knock on some doors."
"Man working by the sweat of his brow, bless him and protect Him Lord." I pray.

I feel awful and guilty.  My back still pangs which limits my movements.  Today my ventures have been to the bathroom, bed, and computer.  Being confined Sunday to the bed wasn't the best of time, at least I had the time to help Husband with his test so I accepted the situation.  Today, however, I really need to get caught up on house work: sit at the table with the children to school properly, and be able to move around.  Where is the gift, hm?  I'm beginning to sense a struggle to see through today's lenses.  I'm tilting the head, but the vision isn't coming in clear either way.  Vision is blurred, and attitude is simmering, appearing to be on the verge of a spill if I'm not careful.

Wisdom shouts to my heart: "Be careful.  Stroll lightly in conversation.  Control the tongue."

May I ask again, "Where is the beauty?  Where is the gift in this?"  I struggle to see.

A quick prayer calms the rising waves within yet again.  My mind shifts, "the birds are here."  I hear their calls.  I can see the sunlight through the shades and the sheer curtains, hear the wind too.  The reflection of the trees swaying dance through the curtains, and make their way to the wall.  This entertains me for a while.  Gift?

We never know what a day may bring

Just last week I was out and about on the back porch reading Job, eating Sunflower seeds, drinking lemonade.  Today...only a few days later I'm barely able to lift my body and move without being medicated... and if pain becomes too bad, I medicate and wait for slumber...where is the beauty?  I count gifts...where are they today?

What I've concluded

In writing my mind has concluded that this is where God wants me.  Maybe that is the beauty... to realize and accept where He wants me.  To be fully here, laying down the complaining and the discontent for what His hand has chosen to give me today.  This is my lot...my bread for today.  Aren't I to give thanks in everything...even this?  I sigh.  The heart is in agreement.  Spirit's roaring subsides within when I release the will. 

I must do what I can do in my limited space..."Do the next thing," if I can.  What I can't do means that His hand has not given it to me to do today, because whatever He calls us to do...He equips us to do it.  Surely my frets and worries over the matter will not change a single thing.  It will only make me and those around me miserable and uncomfortable, and displease God...so I think I'll bag the attitude and send it out with the trash.

For now, I wait and work within my realm 'cause that's all I can do anyway.

"All is grace."

"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater.  He sendeth more strength when the trials increase.  To added affliction He added His mercy.  To multiple trials, He multiplies peace.

                                                                                                                      a repost from the archives

Discouraged in ministry? Don't give up, your blessing is coming!

`Experiencing hardship or calamity in your ministry is not an indication that God didn't call you to that ministry, nor is it an indication that He's not going to come through."

Has God given you a vision, called you to do a specific ministry?

Today I would like to encourage you to keep going, by sharing the testimony of Lisa Ojesina with you all.  As many of you are now aware, I love the ministry of Dr. Carolyn Miller who does a blog talk radio program, "Getting Good at Life."  I have found many treasures by listening to her show.  Her program inspires me and challenges me to really want to get "good at life."  To give my life my very best.

Lisa Ojesina, the lady whose testimony you are about to hear, left her six figure career to start a ministry that produced no income.  No income for six years!

Please listen to the show to find out how Lisa's commitment to God and to the plan that He had for her life paid off!

I hope Lisa's testimony inspires you to keep keeping on.  Don't give up on what God has called you to do.  If God has called you to do it, He will equip you.  He will direct you.

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Be inspired.

Listen to internet radio with Getting Good at Life on Blog Talk Radio