Day 10-12: Magic of the Manger

Christmas Countdown
Day 10-12: Magic of the Manger

Thought:  The Son of God could've been born anywhere, yet he was born in a lowly, smelly place where animals eat and sleep.  What a beautiful picture of humility.  From day one, Jesus' very purpose was to show unconditional love for all of humanity.  He needed to be able to relate to the poorest of poor.  I'm reminded of the show Undercover Boss- even though I've never seen an episode.  The greatest leaders are those who are willing to get into the trenches, do some dirty work, and lead by example. 

The manger reminds me to be thankful for the blessings I have.  I'm thankful for a Savior who came to earth in the most lowly conditions to serve us and save us.  I want to be more like Him.

Verse: Luke 2:6-7
"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."

Song: Michael W. Smith's Medley: Away in a Manger/Child in the Manger
I encourage you to close your eyes and listen to this one :)

Day 8/9: Magic of the Music

Christmas Countdown
Day 8/9: Magic of the Music

Thought: Music can lift your spirits, tell a marvelous story, and make you want to dance or cry.  Carolers and Flash Mobbers enjoy bringing the magic of music to others, because it touches hearts and brings great joy.  Direct your song toward God today, and let your Christmas music become an act of praise & worship this season.  Joy to the World!  The Lord is come!

Verse: Psalm 95:1-2
"Come, let us sing to the Lord!  Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come to him with thanksgiving.  Let us sing psalms of praise to him."

Video: Christmas Flash Mob by Journey of Faith

Day 7: Magic of Snow

Christmas Countdown
Day 7: Magic of Snow

Thought: For those of us that rarely get to see and experience snow, we tend to wish for it.  We dream of a White Christmas.  We put fake snow out as decoration.  And on the rare occasion that the real thing comes to visit, we take advantage of every moment we have it.  Snow seems magical to me because it's beautiful and it's from God.  It covers all the imperfections of our man-made cities.  The white blanket it creates is crisp and clean.  Snow should remind us of God's perfection, His righteousness, and His great act of love- sending His son- that makes it possible for us to be forgiven and made white as snow.

Verse: Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.  Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."

Song: Snow, White Christmas

Day 6: Magic of St. Nicholas & Joyful Giving

Christmas Countdown
Day 6: Magic of St. Nicholas & Joyful Giving

Thought:  "The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships."
(excerpt from www.stnicholascenter.org)

Verse: Mark 10:21
"Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Song: Give This Christmas Away (Matthew West & Amy Grant)

Day 5: Magic of Lights

Christmas Countdown
Day 5: Magic of Lights

Thought: Christmas lights are up, and I love driving through different neighborhoods enjoying them!  Why are lights so magical to us?  Is it because they make the dark night more beautiful?  I think LIGHT brings HOPE, because without it we would not be able to see the road ahead.  As you pass by all the lights this season, thank God for sending His son as a light for our dark world.

Verse: John 8:12
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Song:  Bing Crosby's It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

From our Family to Yours

All Our Love Holiday Card

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Day 4: Magic of Children & Their Faith

Christmas Countdown
Day 4: Magic of Children & Their Faith

Thought:  Do you remember what Christmas felt like when you were a child?  Do you ever wonder what happened to the magic?  It's still there.  Watching the wonder and amazement in my son's eyes as he discovers something new every day reminds me of that magic.  My prayer for you today is to become like a little child in your faith. 

Verse: Luke 18:16-17
"But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Song: Faith Hill's Where Are You Christmas, from The Grinch

Day 3: Magic of Family & Fellowship with Loved Ones

Christmas Countdown
Day 3: Magic of Family & Fellowship with Loved Ones

Thought:  If you have a big family like me, making the rounds to visit everyone can seem overwhelming during the holidays.  Even in small families, strife between family members can cause people to grumble and can ruin the holiday spirit.  My prayer today is that we would stop and appreciate every single person that God placed in our family.  Love each of them for who they are.  Make the choice to enjoy each other's company.  Celebrate the gift of family!

Verse: Luke 15:31-32 (Parable of the Lost Son)
" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Song: CeeLo Green Featuring The Muppets!  All I Need Is Love

Day 2: Magic of Mary, Motherhood, & Grace to the Humble

Christmas Countdown
Day 2: Magic of Mary, Motherhood, & Grace to the Humble

Thought:  When God found favor with Mary, He blessed her with a son that would grow to be King of Kings.  Can you imagine her initial reaction...  "Why me?  Am I qualified?  Am I capable?"  All mothers face this fear at some point.  The good news is that the blessing of children is accompanied by a blessing of grace.  Rejoice in the gift of grace today.

Verse: Luke 1:45-49
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!  And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.  From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is his name."

Song: Amy Grant's Breath of Heaven

Day 1: Magic of Christ

CHRISTMAS!  My favorite holiday. There are endless reasons this season is so magical. I noticed that many of my FB friends enjoyed sharing their list of "thankful fors" during the month of November. (And how refreshing to see that in my News Feed...I loved reading those!) I also know there are numerous versions of advent calendars and Christmas countdowns available out there. But me being me....I've decided to create my own.

Goal: Each day I will share one thought, one Bible verse, and one fave Christmas song (with YouTube video) that reminds me of the MAGIC of Christmas.  Let the fun begin!

DAY 1: Magic of Christ

Thought:  First and foremost, the true magic of Christmas is CHRIST. His birth story is a literal miracle, His life is awe-inspiring, and His death portrays the greatest love story known to mankind.  Today's verse reminds us of the Promise and Hope we can find in His presence. 

Verse: Luke 1:30-32
"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name JESUS.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High."

Song: Michael W. Smith's "Christmas Angels"

TLC from Above

Are you cared for?
Do you FEEL cared for?
When's the last time you felt truly loved by somebody?

"Bask in the luxury of being fully understood and unconditionally loved."
-Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

Now, you might be thinking:  "Fully understood? Nobody on this planet fully understands ME!"  I beg to differ. The Lord of all creation made you from scratch. He knows every hair on your head. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. See Psalm 139.

Even if you already knew this fact- that doesn't mean you always remember or feel His presence.  But I can promise you this- He is only a prayer away.  He wants you to respond to your sadness and stresses by calling on Him.

God cares about you.  He loves you.  He's the only one who is ALWAYS there for you.

Society of Anxiety

Imagine Jesus saying these words to you:
"Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me.  So the best defense against worry is staying in communication with Me.  When you turn your thoughts toward Me, you can think much more positively.  Remember to listen, as well as speak, making your thoughts a dialogue with Me."
(taken from Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presensce, by Sarah Young)

The Cure for Anxiety, from Luke 12:22-34
"For life is more than food and the body more than clothing....but seek His Kingdom, and these things will be provided for you....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  (verses 23, 31, & 34)  In this passage, Jesus has us look at the ravens- they don't store things up for themselves and yet they are always fed.  Then he has us look at the wildflowers- they don't labor yet they are always clothed by the grass.  Then he reminds us that we are worth much more in God's sight.  So if God takes care of all the little things in this world, would He not take even GREATER care of you and me?

Our society has conditioned us to believe that the harder we work and the more money we make, the more stuff we can have, and that will bring happiness.  OR maybe you believe that the more money you can save, the more peace you'll have in knowing that your family will be ok for the future.  This leads to overworked, overstressed people.  This leads to a cycle of work hard, rest hard (or play hard.) 

But what if you are unable to find that REST?  That peace?  What if you toil and toil and never "see" immediate results of your hard work?  Do you ever find yourself sitting and wondering, where is this PEACE that God promises?

Well, how hard do you search for it? 
Direct your attention back to Jesus' words at the very beginning.
Are you staying in communication with Him?

I've tried to "do life" on my own, with my own strength.  We all think we're strong enough....until we crumble.  Believing you can do everything on your own is denying the glory of the cross.  The power and grace of the cross only comes to you when you acknowledge your weaknesses and lean fully on Him to lift you up. 

Forever more, I claim that my strength only comes from my Savior.  I've noticed that when I'm constantly talking to God, and taking the time to LISTEN to Him (by sitting in silence, reading His word, or choosing praise/worship music instead of the Top 40 channel) there is a major shift in my attitude.  I find peace there.  Even if physical rest is difficult to come by, I find rest for my weary SOUL.

Today, I encourage you to stop your busy self!  Put off something that really can wait a few minutes.
BE STILL with God for just 5 or 10 minutes.

If you don't know where to begin, try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbNK50T35wY&feature=related

(If this link is not working, go to YouTube and search "I Lift My Hands Chris Tomlin")

No Stepping on Toes?

I feel the need to clarify some things-

I have changed the title of this blog numerous times since I started it!  I have also created 4 more blogs for different purposes and hobbies.  (What can I say?  I'm a "blog hound," and I won't apologize for it.)  I simply love to express myself in writing.  Some people ask me why I don't just journal.  The answer is- I do that too.  Some people ask me why I don't keep my thoughts private for now and write a book later.  The answer is- I would love to publish a book.....one day.  But I feel the internet has allowed many people (other blog hounds like me) to express themselves and make opinions more public for a number of reasons:

• For "fun"
• To gain followers (and advertise skillsets for profit)
• For social networking (to keep up with friends/family members across the miles)
• To post advice and ideas for different topics (parenting, crafting, photography, art, food, etc.)
• To reach out to communities & groups for different purposes (charities, fundraisers, religion, etc.)

So, what is MY purpose and reasoning for this blog?  Well, I've tried to portray that to my readers on a few occasions.  And my to-and-fro lifestyle and personality has persuaded me to  re-vamp and re-word my purpose here on numerous occasions....hence the changing of the blog title.

MY purpose is to share what I am finding TRUE in MY life.
I find truth when I sit down to study God's Word, because the Bible is TRUTH....to me.
Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

The very last thing I want to do is judge you and your personal beliefs.  Everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinions, moral standards, & religious beliefs.  Everyone that has a personal relationship with the Lord will experience this relationship differently- and our hearts will be convicted differently.  The Bible is called the Living Word for a reason; if 10 people were to sit down and read one verse from Scripture, we would all see different meanings and applications for our lives.  But the beauty of this concept is that fellowship and Bible Study with others helps us grow stronger.

That being said, I want to raise this question as food for thought:
When it comes to sharing the Gospel and stepping up to the plate as a Disciple of Christ, is it so wrong to step on people's toes along the way? 

The last thing I want to do is turn someone OFF by getting in people's face if they're not interested in hearing God's word.  My heart aches for those who don't know Him, and we can be disciples simply by LOVING and SERVING OTHERS like Christ did.  However, if a religious or world-view debate pops up, I will not sit idly by and only listen to the other person's perspective, nodding my head.  I will use the Scripture I have memorized to fight for their heart and soul.  (A fight that is happening not only in our earthly language- it's a fight between the Angels & Demons.....between the forces of Good & Evil....)

For further insight, visit www.mycompasschurch.com, click on Messages (archive), and find the series titled "Break the Rules."  Also, check out the "Supernatural" series!!

One Foot in Heaven

My daily devotional book, Jesus Calling, is filled with reminders of trusting our Lord and refusing to worry about the future. This morning I was renewed when I read this:
"If you use your magnificent mind to worry about tomorrow, you cloak yourself in dark unbelief. However, when the hope of heaven fills your thoughts, the Light of My Presence envelops you. Though heaven is future, it is also present tense. As you walk in the Light with Me, you have one foot one earth and one foot in heaven." (Sarah Young, p. 277)

Below is Exodus 15, a song that gives me strength!!

Righteous vs. Perfect

In reading about Abraham, I've come to the conclusion that it is possible to be righteous...but that doesn't mean we are perfect.  Abraham and Sarah follow God's will (throughout Genesis) to the best of their human ability.  But they didn't get everything perfect.  God continually "showed up" as an angel (or smoke or voice or travelling visitor) to tell Abraham that he was on the right track....and to keep it up!  He promised the same promise to this family on numerous occasions.  (see Gen. 12:1-3; Gen. 15:1; Gen. 16:11-12; Gen. 18:26-33) 

The promise God first gave Abraham later became a covenant.
So, what is a covenant?

cov·e·nant

 /ˈkʌvənənt/ Show Spell1. an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified.

2. Law . an incidental clause in such an agreement.

3. Ecclesiastical . a solemn agreement between the members of a church to act together in harmony with the precepts of the gospel.

4. ( initial capital letter ) History/Historical .

a. National Covenant.

b. Solemn League and Covenant.

5. Bible .

a. the conditional promises made to humanity by God, as revealed in Scripture.

b. the agreement between God and the ancient Israelites, in which God promised to protect them if they kept His law and were faithful to Him.

 

(Taken from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/covenant)

 

I've also been told, by a minister, that marriage is not a promise between two people.  It's a covenant.  This only makes sense, because we sign a legal document after the ceremony, right?

 

Just what does that legal document say?  Have you ever read your marriage license?

I'm pretty sure it's not based on Scripture...but I would have to double check.  It's legal jargon made by a governmental official in your state.  It's MADE by our GOVERNMENT.

 

Which raises another question - is our government righteous?

Well, it's certainly not perfect!!  We can all agree on that.

 

I feel like I'm talking in circles...but the whole point of this journal entry is to help myself wrap my head around God's definition of RIGHTEOUS.  Genesis 15:6 says, "Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteous."

 

What do you think?

 

 

 

Building a Nation

I recently visited a Jr. High Sunday School class at my church...and loved it!  (Why, you may ask?  I'm trying to get involved in the ministry there, because I love working with middle-school kids.  You can call me crazy.  Maybe it's because I'm still a kid at heart.)  Anyway, the lesson was GREAT!  It's taken from a teen curriculum called The Story.  You might've heard of the book/Bible with this title- it basically takes the Bible and puts it in a story format that is easier to understand as a whole context.  It's broken up into chapters, instead of books.  I seriously need to purchase my own copy.....it's totally awesome!!  The main idea of this concept was to highlight the fact that the Bible is a "grand narrative of God seeking relationship with human beings as it unfolds throughout history." (taken from The Story, Teen Curriculum)

Chapter 2 is called God Builds a Nation.  It is all about the history of Abraham, his sons, and the future generations that came from his lineage.  I was in awe as a lightbulb clicked in my brain about the nitty gritty history of my faith.  Sometimes, the early Old Testament books are the most daunting for me to read.  It's alot of names I can't pronounce and stuff I just don't understand.  But after hearing and reading this lesson, I'm very tempted to try again (and utilize resources that will help me understand....such as The Idiot's Guide to The Bible.  Another awesome book!)

Here's my personal synopsis and food-for-thought behind this chapter:
Abraham walks and talks with God as he obeys the command to leave his homeland and build a new nation.  BUILD and new NATION!  Can you even imagine doing this?  I've watched my mom help build a new school from the ground up.  I've experienced working at a brand-new, state-of-the-art school in it's first year.  It's C-R-A-Z-Y madness.  But it's also the most amazing, rewarding process to be part of.  And that was just one tiny school in the middle of one tiny city in the middle of.....well, you get the picture.  Abraham is one of my new heroes.  I will be studying Genesis for awhile...

Confessions of a Sleep-Deprived Mom

1:15 AM
Tonight is the night.  My husband and I finally decided to break our son of his horrible sleep habits.  (Habits that are totally and completely my fault to begin with.  I take full responsibility because I'm a cuddle-bug and my son has become one too.  To the point that he can't sleep all night in his own bed because he ends up in ours at some point; his parents have been too lazy to help him learn how to fall back asleep in HIS bed.)  He's never been the best sleeper, and I've read all the strategies of helping your baby form good sleep habits...but I haven't followed through.  Instead, I decided to follow my heart.  My cuddle time was just too precious to pass up!

So we're camped out in the living room, listening to the heart-breaking screams and watching the monitor screen (thank goodness for camera monitors!) to make sure he doesn't hurt himself.  All the while taking turns to go in and reassure him that we still love him, but "this is where Robbie goes night night."

Oh, the agony!

I don't even mind being up this late (or up all night for that matter.)  I'm used to getting little-to-no sleep these days.  However, the agony of walking away and hearing the screams become louder...oh my.  Gently breaking his tight seal of a hug those little arms are grasping so desperately for...wowser.  Agonizing.  Emotional torture, in fact.

I must admit that, in the past, I've been able to catch up and get rested during the week- becoming a couch potato that literally "can't" move due to exhaustion some days.  (Especially now that my body is working overtime to create another little human in this tummy of mine.)  But the buck stops here.  The excuses are over.  I want my energy back.  I want to be able to enjoy our weekdays together before Baby #2 makes his/her debut.

The Truth?  Sometimes I feel like a bad mom.  But I'm learning that sleep deprivation can make a person think crazy things.  I'm learning that all the new "rules" out there about parenting can really make a person insane....if you're someone like me who likes to follow rules.  Haha.  Every mother will follow her heart, because every baby is different.  Every family is different.  Every relationship is different.  We love our kids to the moon and back- and that should be the only measure of how "good" of a mom you are.

P.S.  I only had to break those precious arms away from me once.  After much ado, he fell asleep more quickly than I anticipated.  Maybe this won't be SOOOO bad after all....??

Back to School Prayers

These beautiful prayers were written by the Family Life Pastor at my church, Louie Murillo.  Even though I don't have students this year (other than my 14-month-old son) these prayers touched my heart and I hope they touch yours.

Lord, I pray that You will grant our educators wisdom as they deal with an ever-changing society.  Help them to remember that every effort is an opportunity to change a life, to inspire, to energize, to bring out that special gift You have blessed to each and every one of us.  We thank You for providing schools and teachers so our children will have the opportunity to reach new levels of understanding and knowledge.  May each classroom be free from disruptions, distractions, and from anything that is detrimental to learning, concentration or personal well-being.   Fill each classroom with the joy of discovery, praise for every good and honest effort to master each lesson and words of encouragement to try again on difficult subjects.

Free our students from the stress of peer-pressure.  Give them the wisdom to ask for help when they need it.  Draw their hearts and minds to their own special subject area that in the future will lead into something useful for the good of the world.  Help them to make new and lasting friendships, and teach them compassion, patience and how to get along with others.  I pray that when results are not apparent, they may be reminded that they must press on and find strength in You.  Lord, I pray that in school they will be challenged to grow and learn and accomplish all they could ever dream.  May they be the salt and light on their campuses.

Lord, I lift up our parents.  May they be parents of prayer, lifting up their children daily to You.  May they find peace and comfort in You.  Please be with the parents of our students.  Help them to create home atmospheres where children have the rest, nutrition, structure, love and the encouragement they need.  Give the parents a deep interest in their child’s well-being and help them teach their children how to consistently live out at school the moral and faith values learned at home.     
We thank You for the promise and excitement that comes with a new school year.  Thank You that You make all things new and You give us fresh starts in life. 

May Your love and grace fill all students, teachers and parents today and always.        
Amen.

Rebel With a Cause

Me?  Rebellious?  I've never been accused of that, but recently I sure do feel like a rebel.  I'm resisting against society's influence over me and my family.  Romans 12:2 (NLT) says, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

I'm taking a new direction with this blog.  It's sole purpose is to dig into God's word, share my heart about what I'm reading and learning, and provide food for thought for my readers.  And I would love for discussion to take place- I want feedback from you! 

Let me make one thing clear:  I'm not a Bible scholar.  I'm a Christian that has grown up in church hearing Bible stories and attending Bible study my entire life (literally since birth!) and I've come to a point in my life where I just need more.  More understanding of what Scripture is truly saying to us.  More understanding of the story of the Bible as a whole book- instead of broken pieces and references here and there.  I will be utilizing these resources to help me on this journey:
1.  The Complete Idiot's Guide for the Bible (Bell & Campbell)
2.  The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People (Max Lucado and others)

To learn more about The Story and the movement it has started in churches across the nation, see the link below:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/47129-zondervan-launches-story-campaign-with-lucado.html

The CAUSE:
I truly believe that our generation and culture is in dire need of a Savior!  Our foundational beliefs, morals, and lifestyles have become more and more worldly, less and less Godly.  This is breaking God's heart, and it has begun to break mine.  I am choosing to take a stand for our Lord's Kingdom.  For myself, for my family, and with loving gratitude for Jesus Christ's sacrifice.  I would love for you to join me.

Please join me in this effort, LIKE my Facebook page, and tell all your friends about it!  Together we can learn, grow, and pray that future generations will know our God and His TRUTH.




 

Purify Your Water

How many Americans actually drink water from their tap?  I feel like a water snob sometimes, but it's just so much better if it has been filtered or bottled.  Am I right?

Purified water is just better.
How pure are you?

I recently searched the word "pure" in the Bible, and a very long list of verses popped up - too many for me to count.  Here are a few of my personal favorites, with food for thought regarding each:

God has united you with Christ Jesus.  For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself.  Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. (1 Cor. 1:30)
Do you feel pure and holy?  Did you realize that you were made pure and holy?  You were born innocent (or pure/holy) at birth.  What happened along the way?  Sin entangles all of us, and our lives take turns that lead us down different pathways.  How much of your life's pathway do you have control over?

Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin?"  False weights and unqual measures- the Lord detests doubles standards of every kind. Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.  (Prov. 20:9-11)
Is it possible to be pure and free from sin?  We're often reminded that we've been cleansed and made free by the blood of the Lamb, and that His blood covers/forgives our sin.  That's why it's called grace - a free gift that is undeserved.  However, if the gift is not appreciated and we take advantage of it, how good is it?  Can you ask someone for forgiveness 77 times over the same transgression and keep doing whatever pleases you?  That's one sure-fire way to trample a heart if you ask me.

Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.  The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.  (Prov. 22:11-12)

I recently made a resolution to live with the highest standards of virtue and purity.  (Thanks to "The Resolution for Women" by Priscilla Shirer.)  This is also known as integrity.  Shirer states that "external strength alone can be enough to handle some of the simpler, less demanding situations, but when the stress builds to a certain weight and downward force, when it's more than our surface assets alone can carry, the person lacking depth of integrity will SNAP.  Fall to pieces.  Implode." (p. 159)

I've actually experienced an implosion of self.  Not fun!  Anxiety can get the best of me, and I'm just now learning how to properly deal with it.  To assist you in living a life of integrity, Shirer suggests making these commitments:
1.  Have no tolerance for evil.  Don't engage in activities that could progressively cause you to be desensitized to sin.
2.  Closely monitor the type of people you allow to influence you.
3.  Recognize your need for divine help.  "Never expect that you can recalibrate the frequency settings on your life without lots and lots of God's help, grace, and shepherding.  He will be sure to alert you to changes that need to be made and then will eagerly empower you to carry them out." (Shirer, p. 150)

A Hunger Games Analysis

What an amazing story!  Have you read it?  Normally not a genre I would pick up off the shelf...until all the good reviews, hype, and sis-in-law finally convince me that it must be really good.  (Much like Twilight.)

So I dove in head first and loved the first book in the trilogy...and it reminded me so much of the Old Testament.  I didn't make this connection until I read Hebrews 12 recently.  The two subtitles in this chapter are 1) God's discipline proves His love, and 2) A Call to Listen to God.  Here's an excerpt:

You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai.  For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking.  They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”  Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling."  (Heb. 12:18-21)

Suzanne Collins' mythical Capitol, albeit harsh and domineering, is like the God that struck fear into the Israelites until they obeyed Him.  The main difference in this analogy is the fact that the Capitol is only looking for selfish power; they are NOT set out to show their love for anything but themselves.  Like the old saying goes- absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Do you sometimes feel like God's power is too absolute for you?  Maybe you reject some of His laws that don't suit your lifestyle.  What is "lifestyle" anyway?  I've never seen that word in scripture.  Should humans really get to choose what style they WANT to live their life?  As Americans, we sometimes think this is a God-given right.  But let me tell you friends - it is a privilege.  Our freedom was not free.  It was bought with a price - a sacrifice made by American soldiers past and present that originally earned it and continue to defend it today.  They fought for YOU and ME.  And our children.  (Does this sound like some other characters you know?  Katniss Everdeen?  Jesus Christ?)

Allow me to show you the next 3 verses of Hebrews 12:
No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.  You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.  You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

The Hunger Games revolves around Katniss, an amazing young lady of courage that makes the ultimate sacrifice for her younger sister, whom she dearly loves. 

Consider Jesus Christ as your main character.  He's an amazing man of courage that made the ultimate sacrifice for you, whom he dearly loves. 

When God sent His son, the Old Testament God was gone and a new covenant was made.  Instead of speaking audibly to His people, the Lord spoke through Jesus.  Now He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.  He wants to be your Abba, your Father, your Savior.  His power- that seems domineering at times- is present because of His amazing love for you.

And like any good trilogy, I'm hoping that Collins' next two books live up to the expectation I have in my mind for them.  (Am I the only one that hasn't even started the 2nd book yet?)  I'm off to "catch fire" now... 

MOMENTUM

One word.
Jr. High VBS theme.
The quantity of motion of a moving body, measured by multiplying mass by velocity.
The state of my heart at this moment, as it pertains to living a life of:
AMPLIFIED love
AMPLIFIED faith
AMPLIFIED worship

Love.  Something I blog about all the time.  I happen to wear my heart on my sleeve, if you haven't noticed.
Faith.  Something I've had to draw on in times of desperation, fear, turbulence, confusion, and forks in the road of LIFE.
Worship.  Something I'm still learning how to do in my everday walk.  It's not just for Sundays.

Tell me something - when seemingly immovable mountains pop up unexpectedly and block you from the path you had figured out for your life - what do you do?  Get angry?  Sulk?  Blame God?  Ask why?  Cry every tear your body can produce?  Call on a friend for comfort or advice?

We all have different responses.  We all experience very different mountains.
I encourage you to read John 9 - the story of Jesus healing the blind man.
BLIND from birth.  In those days: shunned, cursed, labeled sinner.
Jesus' miraculous healing brought unequivocal joy and excitement!  (Momentum!)
Why was he healed?  Because he had faith.  Because he placed his trust in Jesus.

Your mountains can be moved too.
But only if you have the FAITH.
Read Mark 11:22-26 (in its entirety!)
This faith not only requires SPEAKING the Word of God, but also OBEYING it.
Not only PRAYING for mountains to be moved, but also BELIEVING that God will conquer them.
And, most importantly, FORGIVING others so that you may be forgiven as well.

This isn't a formula for answered prayers.  But this was spoken straight from Jesus himself, and it's God's promise to us.  So when you reach the deepest, darkest valley and you feel like hope is gone- lift your head.  Ask Jesus to carry you through.  And begin worshiping Him.  Thank Him for every blessing.  Pray for others that are in need.  And don't ever give up requesting that God moves your mountains.  He loves taking opportunities to show you HIS GLORY.

Fifty Shades of Red

I just haven't been able to put this book down.
And, no, I'm not talking about the latest craze, Fifty Shades of Grey. (Sorry to burst your bubble.)
I'm talking about God's Living Word. 
Some of you will probably stop reading this blog post now and keep checking your Facebook News Feed.  That's ok.  Go ahead.  But for those who dare to keep reading....

Did you know there's a pledge to the Bible?  I grew up reciting it every morning during Vacation Bible School....summer after summer. 
"I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's holy word.  I will make it a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and hide its words in my heart, that I may not sin against God."
Funny how that pledge just came back to me after all these years.  Isn't it amazing how our brains work?  We can recall poems and songs- word for word- if we've heard them enough times.  Same thing is true about scripture.  To "hide something in your heart" means you love something so much that you (consciously or subconsciously) memorize it.  You know it inside and out.  You can pull movie quotes and song lyrics out of nowhere because they're your absolute favorites, right?

So I've been reading my Bible (along with reading and listening to Christian commentary) and I just can't get enough.  And my perspective about our generation and American culture is changing - it's being re-programmed by God as I study and hear His word.  I see more and more sin all around me, and it truly breaks my heart.  We are letting Satan get a tighter grip on us.  Just turn on the TV and you'll see it.  Everywhere. 

Fifty Shades of Red.  A spin-off of the popular new book...that I refuse to read. 
RED.  A symbol of the blood that was spilled by Jesus Christ for you and me.  To cover our sins.  To wash them away and cleanse us.  To make us new.  To forgive us, before we even asked for it, and although we don't deserve it.  To show his love for us.  To give us hope.  Because THIS is not our home. 

From Bo Chancey's message on Romans 5:
So many times we focus on what we don't have....but what about what we do have?
Through Christ, you have Peace, Hope, Joy, Love and Salvation.
What the world needs now is LOVE....it's the only thing that there's just too little of.... (recognize the song?)
When we have received the love of God, He gives us that same love for others so that we can help to share His love.
Do you have salvation?  If you do, have you shared it with someone recently?

You can click here to listen to Bo Chancey's message.
(It's the black tab for Romans 5:1-10)

My 1st prayer is that you've found and accepted this free gift of salvation.  My 2nd prayer is that the Bible will become more popular among our generation.  There are so many Apps out there that make it too easy to download and find a reading plan with commentary connected.  Try www.youversion.com if you don't know where else to begin.

It's called the Living Word for a reason.  If you truly hide its words in your heart (even if you don't understand them at first!) I promise that you will start to feel God's presence like never before.  It takes time, sacrifice, and a little bit of frustration at times.  But it's so much better than Fifty Shades of Grey (and anything else on the market!)

Rejected!

"Rejected!"  A typical word used during a basketball game, or among friends who are just having harmless fun, or maybe that word is stamped on someone's hurting heart.

Have you ever been rejected by someone you love?  How did it make you feel?
Unworthy.  Betrayed.  Exposed.  Wounded.  Broken.

If you have risked loving, then you have probably experienced rejection.  The deeper we love, the deeper we can be hurt.  Opening our heart also exposes it and allows for harmful substances to enter, like rejection.  So how do we defend it?  Should we keep it closed up to avoid pain like this in the future? 

My heart has been trampled before, and it's so easy to play the pity party game, put the blame on them, or even seek revenge.  There are plenty of songs out there that were written during times of heartache and touch on all three of those emotions.  But what good does that really do? 

Have you ever tried looking up?  Have you thought about the pain and suffering that Jesus Christ endured on the cross as He was rejected by men?  What was His response?  He turned the other cheek, He took it like a man, and He rose again!  Not to get revenge - but to prove that He IS LOVE.  Jesus knew that ultimate rejection was coming, but He didn't preach messages that would be popular or win people's favor.  He spoke the TRUTH.....knowing that it might turn some people away.

One of the strongest desires we have, as humans, is to be loved, accepted, and feel like we belong.  I encourage you to relax in God's love.  He loved us first so that we can love Him and love others - He doesn't expect us to give something away that He hasn't already given us.

In the words of Joyce Meyer, "Let love in and let it out.  You are destined to be a channel for God to flow through, and not a reservoir that merely sits and collects things.  You are special and God has a special plan for you." 

Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  Notice that it doesn't say to close or harden your heart - it says GUARD it - because it is a precious channel that can bring LIFE to the fullest!

And think of that rejection as a blockade that leads you to fully understand and appreciate the value of unconditional, unfailing love. 

 

New Mom, Crazy Mom?

This picture was taken almost one year ago!  So I've been a mom for almost a year now, and it's still so "new" to me.  Every phase they go through brings something new with it.  I love that about being a mother- watching my son experience LIFE for the first time.  There is such a newness about everything; it almost feels like I've been reborn.  One of my very favorite things is cuddling with my son.  I'd like to caption this photo as "The First Cuddle."  In reality, it was probably the 37th cuddle or something, but for all intents and purposes this snapshot will forever remind me of the very first one.

Well, the last thing I want is for this blog to be all about me.  Boring!  So let's play a game:
I want you to stop and picture the most precious person in your life.  This will be someone different for each of you- maybe your son or daughter, husband or wife, mom or dad, grandparent, niece or nephew, etc.  I know it may be difficult to just pick ONE, but that's how the game works today.  Now think of a time that you held each other in your arms.  It could've been in a moment of joy or sorrow, rain or shine, at a special occasion or on a very normal day.  Are you in that moment?  Where were you?  What sights, smells, and sounds surrounded your embrace?  Could you feel the love?

Ok- stop the daydream.  Now let your mind go somewhere completely different- hang in there- I promise there's a prize at the end of this game.  Think of a time when that very same person let you down.  Do they ever frustrate you?  Do they know how to push your buttons?  Come on, be honest.  They're not perfect, right?  Even my 11-month old knows how to be stubborn and get his way.  Most of the time it makes me laugh, but I know there will come a day when he will do something that makes me sad.  It's inevitable.  We're human.

At this point, you might be thinking I'm crazy.  Sometimes I think I'm going crazy- like when I can't sleep at night when my baby is finally sleeping peacefully....or when I get a blog going in my head and can't type it out fast enough....or when I have nothing to show for myself at the end of the day because all I wanted to do was eat, play, and sleep (alongside my son!) while I let my house (and all its chores) get more and more out of control.  Believe me, I've thought about all the reasons I could be perceived as crazy.  But here's my conclusion:

The only "crazy" in my nature is this:
I'm crazy about my son!  Crazy in love.  So crazy that nothing he could ever do would make me stop loving him.  Is this how you feel about your precious someone?  Maybe they've hurt you in the past, but you forgave them because love overcomes all?

I want to take you just one more place.  Please do me this favor. 
Picture Jesus, with nail scarred hands, holding out his arms to you.  He wants to hold you, comfort you, love you.  Maybe you've done some things that you think are unforgiveable.  Maybe you think that the God of this universe could never love someone like you.  You are wrong.  He made you!  He sent His son to die for your sins so that you can be free from this guilt!  If you don't believe me, open your Bible (or Google) Psalm 139.  You were made "wonderfully complex" and for a purpose.

That crazy-love-feeling that you get for your special someone- that's the same feeling the Father has for you. 
That "newness of life" feeling I have now that I'm a mother watching her son- that's the feeling you get when you give your life over to Christ.

And the reason I choose to share this with you?  2 Corinthians 5:11-21 
Allow me to paraphrase it for you:

It is my fearful responsibility to the Lord, to work hard to persuade others of His love.  God knows I am sincere, and I hope you know this too.  If it seems I am crazy, it is only to bring glory to God.  And if I'm in my right mind, it is for your benefit.  Either way, Christ's love controls me.  Since I believe that Christ died for ALL, then I also believe that we have all died to our old life.  He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves.  Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.  Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.  And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.  So I am one of Christs's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.  I speak for Christ when I plead, "Come back to God!" 


For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Name that Movie

NAME THIS MOVIE:

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?" 

"I stand on my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way......the world looks very different from up here.  You don't believe me?  Come see for yourselves!  Just when you think you know something, you have to look at it in another way....even though it may seem silly or wrong....you must try."

Did you guess it?  These quotes were taken from.......drum roll......
Dead Poets Society (1989) - Awwww yes, the Robin Williams prep school English teacher and his infamous lessons.  Kind of reminds me of my high school English teacher actually.....anyone dare to guess his name?  (Nimitz High School '02) 

I love being transformed daily as I study God's living word.  Reading renews my mind.  So does prayer, meditation, and Yoga.

Another book-turned-movie that comes to mind is Eat. Pray. Love.  (Elizabeth Gilbert / Julia Roberts)  If you haven't read or seen this one - it's a good one!  It's also heavy stuff; full of life lessons.  But the REALLY COOL connection I've made is this:

Romans 12 (the very chapter I've named my blog after) has 3 different sub titles:

1.  A Living Sacrifice - "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" - what is one thing we must do to remain alive in this body on earth? EAT  -  This verse reminds us that things on earth, such as good food, are pleasing to ourselves.  But we were created to please God.  This body you've been given is a holy temple, where the God of all creation wants to live and be glorified.

2.  Humble Service in the Body of Christ - "do not think of yourself more highly than you ought....we have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us....serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy" - Finding our gifts and following God's will for us requires PRAYer and meditation in His Word.  God wants to speak to you, but you must first seek Him.

3.  LOVE in Action - this one speaks for itself - I must copy the verses found here, as they are some of my very favorite in the Bible. 

"Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge.....If your enemy is hungry, feed him.....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:9-12)

There is so much media out there trying to buy your attention.  People jump on a bandwagon and follow their favorite band, actress, author, presidential candidate, TV show, etc.  Bandwagons and soapboxes aren't all bad.  But I will choose to jump on one soapbox only.  My soapbox is the Holy Bible.  God's word.  A lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  In times of happiness and times of sorrow, it's the one book that has always been there for me.  It offers love stories, crazy family drama stories, poetry, encouragement, and hope.  But every story points to this truth: God created me in His image, He loves me unconditionally, and He saved me by sending His son to die for me.

How can someone not want to shout this truth from the rooftops?!  Once I truly discovered God's love for me, my heart began breaking for all those who don't know His love.  My desire to journal and blog about it will only grow stronger as I continue feeding this thirst for knowledge and understanding.  My prayer is that it just might reach out to someone; encourage or inspire someone to come to know Him like I do.

Jesus is the one man who will never let me down.  God is the king of the universe and has a "Crazy Love" for us that only few truly come to comprehend.

If you're searching for a Crazy Love like this, please visit http://crazylovebook.com.

The Perfect Dress

The image of this perfect dress came to me as I laid awake in bed one evening.  I wanted to share my sketch with you before it becomes too colorful and ornate.  The verse that accompanies this idea is from Colossians 3:12-14.  "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." 

I've been reading a book titled The Beautiful Wife, by Sandy Ralya.  It is- yet another- life changing piece of work that God has placed in my path recently.  One thing I'm learning is to take off the masks that women tend to hide behind.  Three masks Ralya mentions are:

1.  Superwoman - trying to please everybody so that you may find favor and acceptance (and forgetting whom we should truly be serving daily- be it your Lord, your husband, your children, or just taking time to renew yourself)

2.  Material Girl - giving in to what the world advertises - "Money can buy you happiness!  The right stuff is all you need!  Everything is bigger in Texas!  Everything is better with coffee/ice cream/you name it/fill in your blank!"

3.  The Perfect Ten - portraying an image of perfection - "I have it all together.  I've got life by the tail.  I'm totally in control and blessed by God.  I'll do it myself....and I'll succeed."  (Quiet Confidence is a good thing; Pride will ruin a person.  Quiet Confidence comes from the Holy Spirit; Pride is a deadly sin.)

Taking off our masks can be scary because we don't want others to see the real us.  The REAL me is not capable of super powers.  The REAL me will never be truly fulfilled with the purchase of a new car.  The REAL me is not perfect.  The real me needs only one thing for sustained JOY and PEACE in this great adventure of life, and that is the LOVE of my Heavenly Father.  Sharing that love with others brings me joy as well.  I hope you find peace, joy, and love today.

That beautiful dress may call your name as you walk by.  But remember this: the woman wearing that dress has been specifically and intricately crafted by the hand of God.  The woman in the dress is the TRUE BEAUTY.

Who Am I?

• The cheerleader who hung out with the band nerds....because deep down I was one of them.
• The friend who was shy until you got to know me. Then it's Katie, bar the door! Literally ;)
• The older sister who was bossy. But my younger brother is loved more than he'll ever know.
• The daughter who would fold, in tears, from just a look of disapproval.
• The wife who will follow my love to the ends of the earth. And back. And back again.
• The teacher who's best tool was Love and Logic.
• The mom who is hopelessly devoted. (thanks for that one, Sandra Dee)
• The singer and dancer who will never go public with my "skills" - only the few and the proud will ever see them in full swing.
• The student who never wants to stop reading, researching, learning.
• The writer who can pour her heart out on paper like it's going out of style.
• The traveler who has a long bucket list. Includes learning the languages of others.
• The country girl who loves dogs, horses and wide open spaces. And the city girl who loves being surrounded by big family and good friends.
• The foodie who has fun in the kitchen. (Baking can happen in the sun too. And it's glorious.)
• The sports fanatic that can leave or take the nightly TV watching of the game but remain a lifetime follower.
• The ice cream connoisseur that will advertise Blue Bell in the blink of an eye.

The list goes on and on. But one thing remains true: Above all else, I'm the daughter of the most high King. My heart is full of love. And if you're not careful, this love will seek you, find you, and change you too.

Who am I?

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

(John 14:6)

 

Did that verse ever strike you as weird...getting to Heaven "through Jesus"....what exactly does that mean? I'll tell you my translation. Jesus walked on this earth to show us what it physically looks like to be a believer AND follower. Remember the old school sweet bracelets WWJD? Let it become cool again. Let's set fire to the rain of this world! (thanks Adele)

Let us walk as Jesus did. Shine a little light. It will reach further than you ever thought possible.

Not a Fan

I'm writing to tell you how I'm not a fan of Jesus.  Nope.  I'm a FOLLOWER of Jesus.  I recently discovered the difference as our church has been diving into this book by Kyle Idleman.  Allow me to share my testimony about this amazing journey!  (Please keep reading.  This book could change your life too.)

So, I was baptized when I was younger and I've always attended church on a pretty regular basis.  I grew up attending the exact same church that my mom attended all her life.  In fact, my AMAZING grandfather helped build this church from the ground up when it was founded.  People there know all about the great (and not so great) past of our entire family.  I always felt like Oak View Baptist Church was my home away from home.  I am still in love with the members there, and I will always be grateful for the firm foundation it provided for me and my husband (because yes, that's where we met, grew up together, and were married.)

Now, along life's journey it's pretty much inevitable that when people grow up, they move away from their home city and start a new "life" with their marriage partner.  In the past 7 years of marriage, we have moved to 2 different cities, experienced some pretty crazy roller coasters of career paths, had a baby, and found a new church home.  Along the way, I've felt like a follower of Jesus and I've done my best to carry out His commands and seek His will for me.  However, the past ONE YEAR of my life has been the craziest yet!  (And by far, the best.)  You see, when my precious son was born, everything changed.  (You can read my previous blog post for a glimmer of insight.)  No longer did my teaching career remain the focal point that I always thought it was.  As Queen states in Bohemian Rhapsody: "Nothing really matters....to me."  That's how I felt about everything OTHER THAN my family life.  (Don't judge me please....this was definitely flawed thinking!)

The one awesome thing about life turning upside down when you have kids- you see more purpose in life than you've ever seen before.  You can relate better to your middle school students, your mom, and your grandparents.  You can relate to Mary at Christmas-time.  You can relate to God's relationship with Jesus, His one and only son, at Easter.  You experience a type of LOVE that was only semi-clear before you entered parenthood.  So when a conglomeration of life-changing events come together at ONE MOMENT (the moment of truth!) - which road do you take? 

I chose the road less traveled.  I chose to surrender EVERYTHING to my Savior.  (my Lord, my all-knowing, all-powerful, loving God who knit me together in my mother's womb.)

What do I mean by everything?  I surrendered my own selfish desires, my own way of thinking, my opinions that had previously been formed about things.  Idleman says, "A fan will try and accept the invitation of Christ to follow, but they don't want to say no to themselves.....The idea here is that you do not even acknowledge or recognize your own existence." (p. 143)  You rid yourself of any controlling tendencies you have. 

After facing the moment of truth and CHOOSING to follow JESUS, my life changed.  My priorities changed, and I was able to experience a TRUE LOVE for God.  Bible verses that I had memorized and heard 1,000 times in my life suddenly became more alive within my soul.  In these few short weeks, He has shown me the true meaning of discipleship.

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

My name is Katie Tuttle, and I am not a fan.

New Mom, New Perspectives

Wow, I haven’t blogged since before Robbie was born! What a crazy ride I’ve been on. I’m not here to type all about what it’s like to become a mother – some of you have been there and you know how it feels; others of you would not be able to understand or relate. I’m typing today to pour out my thoughts about the new perspectives I’ve gained recently BECAUSE of the fact that I’m a new mom. This blog is used for sharing my experiences and opinions about life on earth as a woman of God.

Right after Robbie was born, life changed. I became solely focused on providing for his needs….and this is exactly what is supposed to happen…..to a degree. I took the advice of others and tried to take some “me” time and my husband and I would go on date nights. These short-lived events would let us catch our breath and re-connect with each other, and life was good.

Little did I know that my looming state of exhaustion would have such an affect on my emotions. Clouds were darkening behind the scenes of my soul. It’s like Satan was pulling me further and further off course without me realizing it. Life was still good and I enjoyed every minute I had with Derek and Robbie after work and on weekends, but my attitude about everything else stunk! I kept holding a pity party for myself….the poor working mom who can’t seem to get it all together. Something had to give.

What kept me going? “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) I started dreaming of a better future. (Maybe one that included quitting work and staying home.) We all know the “grass is greener”….but dreams are all about a glimmer of hope that just maybe the grass truly is greener! Hence the word: DREAM.

Anyway, let’s not dwell on the past. Basically, two things happened that pulled me out of the funk. I started working out again (Yes! Endorphin Rush!) and I reduced the number of times I nursed each day. The combination of these events threw me into a state of “hyped up on Mountain Dew” energy and a “rose-colored outlook on life” over night. Seriously! I never knew that working out had that much of an impact on my emotional state! (And I didn’t know that my body was working so much overtime as it was producing food for my baby.)

After this 7-month roller coaster (because Robbie Mac turned 7 months yesterday!) I have a few new perspectives about life:

1. The mind/body connection is REAL so get those endorphins going, people!!
2. News Flash! Family and friends exist for the sole purpose of supporting one another. (That was God’s intention for creating this thing called relationships.) So if you ever find yourself in a bubble/isolated/feeling alone in the world/not wanting to get out of the house/needing an intervention – then get on Facebook and create your own intervention party event and invite everyone you know that might be the slightest bit interested in helping out a friend. Believe me, it will work.

:)