3.29.2014
Sacred Setbacks
Life is never a smooth, steady, upward climb toward our own goals. In His wisdom, our loving Daddy interjects other plans, pathways, & lessons for us so we can become the beloved servants He designed each of us to be.
3.11.2014
Rescue
God is our Rescuer. That doesn't mean His rescue will come right away - it depends on what He wants to accomplish in your life through your current trial. Still, He will always protect you from what will destroy that which He plans to accomplish in & through you. He will be your Refuge, He will be right by your side, when you call on Him. (Psalm 91:14-15)
3.05.2014
Just As I Am
It seems whenever I start an attempt to better myself, I run into the situation Lisa Simpson encounters in a famous Simpsons episode about pursuing vegan living: There is always a level of commitment higher than my current one.
I want to eat healthier, then discover the all-natural chicken I picked up is not organic. And then the organic chicken I bought was not free-range. And then that free-range chicken in my fridge was not locally raised. Talk about discouraging!
What I'm discovering in my walk with God, though, is that He isn't concerned with me getting to the top level ASAP. When it comes to me, He doesn't take into account that someone out there does three hours of prayer each morning; He loves that I am genuinely seeking conversation with Him. He isn't asking me for a weeklong fast while I'm breastfeeding my toddler. What is He looking for? That I not compare myself with others, but to keep walking in the way He is leading me (Galatians 6:4-5).
So let's banish the concerns about becoming "Level 5 vegans". God loves us where we are at, and He will get us to the next level by His grace & in His time.
I want to eat healthier, then discover the all-natural chicken I picked up is not organic. And then the organic chicken I bought was not free-range. And then that free-range chicken in my fridge was not locally raised. Talk about discouraging!
What I'm discovering in my walk with God, though, is that He isn't concerned with me getting to the top level ASAP. When it comes to me, He doesn't take into account that someone out there does three hours of prayer each morning; He loves that I am genuinely seeking conversation with Him. He isn't asking me for a weeklong fast while I'm breastfeeding my toddler. What is He looking for? That I not compare myself with others, but to keep walking in the way He is leading me (Galatians 6:4-5).
So let's banish the concerns about becoming "Level 5 vegans". God loves us where we are at, and He will get us to the next level by His grace & in His time.
2.26.2014
Walls & Focus
Do you feel a wall in your heart? God knows it's there, and He wants to remove it. He wants our hearts to be soft, malleable, & open to His Spirit's movement within. Be honest with Him about its presence, and let Him show you how it got there so He can dismantle it - brick by brick or with a mighty explosion, depending on what He wants you to learn.
Focus on the Healer, not on what needs to be healed.
Focus on the Provider, not on what needs to be provided.
Focus on the Redeemer, not on what needs to be redeemed.
Focus on the Healer, not on what needs to be healed.
Focus on the Provider, not on what needs to be provided.
Focus on the Redeemer, not on what needs to be redeemed.
2.04.2014
New Diet
- Eliminate cynicism
- Reduce sarcasm
- Detoxify your life of any toxic relationships
- Load up on Jesus' love, hope, & truth, as well as authentic God-lovin' community.
1.16.2014
In Praise of Dedicated Mamas
The radio has a growing catalog of songs about girls' low self-esteem. From One Direction's "You Don't Know You're Beautiful" to "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue North, from TLC's "UnPretty" to "More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz, our young ladies & our young selves & even our current selves struggle with our worth. Ladies don't own their beauty; they look great but feel lousy. And that is where mamas come in.
We are powerful. We hold the future in our arms each day. God has given us an incredible responsibility, not just to bring life into the world & nurture it, but to infuse it with truth & boldness & a sense of self that does not rely on a cute boy's flirtations.
Mamas, let's purpose to teach our daughters that their Heavenly Daddy, the Creator of Everything, thinks they are fabulous and has an amazing role for them to play. Let's intentionally teach our sons to respect & value others' daughters, knowing they are called to honor these women and will have to answer for every action to their Father, the King of All.
And let's start by believing this message: We are deeply loved and called beautiful by a Man who gave His life for us. We are redeemed & delightful & full of promise & gorgeous. If we believe it, our daughters will see it and believe it for themselves, and our sons will see it and respond to it - in you and the women they meet. And that is how we will change the world, one sensational, Jesus-loving, dedicated mama at a time.
We are powerful. We hold the future in our arms each day. God has given us an incredible responsibility, not just to bring life into the world & nurture it, but to infuse it with truth & boldness & a sense of self that does not rely on a cute boy's flirtations.
Mamas, let's purpose to teach our daughters that their Heavenly Daddy, the Creator of Everything, thinks they are fabulous and has an amazing role for them to play. Let's intentionally teach our sons to respect & value others' daughters, knowing they are called to honor these women and will have to answer for every action to their Father, the King of All.
And let's start by believing this message: We are deeply loved and called beautiful by a Man who gave His life for us. We are redeemed & delightful & full of promise & gorgeous. If we believe it, our daughters will see it and believe it for themselves, and our sons will see it and respond to it - in you and the women they meet. And that is how we will change the world, one sensational, Jesus-loving, dedicated mama at a time.
12.04.2013
Stocking Stuffer
Are you struggling with peace, joy, & gratitude this Christmas season?
DO: Immerse yourself in our loving Daddy's Word - especially the Psalms.
DON'T: Watch sappy rom-com holiday movies that induce a bad case of the "If-only's".
DO: Immerse yourself in our loving Daddy's Word - especially the Psalms.
DON'T: Watch sappy rom-com holiday movies that induce a bad case of the "If-only's".
11.28.2013
Giving Thanks When Your Heart Hurts
Today may not be the happiest Thanksgiving for some of us, and our loving Daddy knows that. So let's challenge ourselves today to be grateful & give praise in the midst of our current trials, trusting Him that next year's Thanksgiving might just be spent in gratitude for what He brought out of this season.
~His purpose for our trials is often to bring us humbly before Him to experience a breaking in our inner, independent, self-sufficient selves, and grow us up into compassionate, patient, spiritually strong, God-glorifying people.~
-Stormie Omartian, Power of a Praying Wife
~His purpose for our trials is often to bring us humbly before Him to experience a breaking in our inner, independent, self-sufficient selves, and grow us up into compassionate, patient, spiritually strong, God-glorifying people.~
-Stormie Omartian, Power of a Praying Wife
11.22.2013
Boundaries: A Primer
Setting boundaries probably won't feel great at first, and the other person probably won't like them. And that is exactly why we need to trust the Spirit to give us discernment & strength, and surround ourselves with healthy people who will keep us on our path to wholeness! (Proverbs 13:20, Hebrews 10:25)
So, how do you set them? Boundaries can be reactive: "You've crossed the line, now back off!" But to be healthy & live God's love, we need to move to proactive boundaries: "Here's where the line is, so I'll give you a friendly heads-up when you're within 50 feet of it." (Romans 12:18)
By the way, just as we teach our kiddos boundaries & respect through how to say no & hear no, we need to practice saying & hearing no in our own lives. Our little ones learn from what we tell them, but they also learn from what they see. (Proverbs 22:6)
So, how do you set them? Boundaries can be reactive: "You've crossed the line, now back off!" But to be healthy & live God's love, we need to move to proactive boundaries: "Here's where the line is, so I'll give you a friendly heads-up when you're within 50 feet of it." (Romans 12:18)
By the way, just as we teach our kiddos boundaries & respect through how to say no & hear no, we need to practice saying & hearing no in our own lives. Our little ones learn from what we tell them, but they also learn from what they see. (Proverbs 22:6)
11.10.2013
An Unnecessary Cover-Up
The painting in the gallery window clearly had a mistake made in it early on that the artist had tried very hard to cover up. With all her effort, though, it was still evident. Had the mistake been corrected at the start, it would have looked flawless & been less work in the long run.
So it is with training up our kiddos. Let's learn how to lay the groundwork first with God's help, correcting mistakes from the start instead of covering them up until they become even more obvious!
So it is with training up our kiddos. Let's learn how to lay the groundwork first with God's help, correcting mistakes from the start instead of covering them up until they become even more obvious!
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