A New Creation

Through my despair and discouragement, God has delivered to a place of contentment and peace I have not known for quite some time. Humility - He is cultivating this in me. It's not one of the characteristics of Christ that I was eager to transform in myself - that of becoming humble. But that is the road I've been on the last few months and so here I am. The beginnings of being humble and bare.

Over the last week or so, I have been reading Romans at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Here are some scriptures that have ministered to me from the first 8 chapters - may they minister to you in some way today.

Romans 4:17
...He (Abraham) is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

That last line blows my mind - "calls things that are not as though they were". God sees something in us that we cannot see. Some gift, some ability, some way of being that only He can see. Because He calls it out of us - as if it exists right now, but yet it doesn't. For it to come to life is a process. All the circumstances we deal with are God's way of drawing this out in us so that we can serve and glorify Him. Amazing....

Romas 4:20-21
Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

I have come to this realization. It's nothing I've come up with on my own as I have heard it lots of times before, but I guess it's finally sinking in. When I am struggling with anything - whatever it is - I should consider it a struggle with unbelief. At the heart of most of my struggles is unbelief that God is who He says He is and that He has POWER to DO what He has PROMISED. I hate to admit it - I honestly thought I "had this one handled". But how many times have I tried to handle it on my own instead of turning it over to Jesus? Thank you for forgiving me, Lord.

Romans 8: 17-19
Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

Lord, may I reveal Your glory!!! Do this work in me so that I, your daughter, reveal YOU!

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Can I get an AMEN? That is some of the most awe-inspiring scripture ever!

On Guard

I have been so discouraged lately. My life has become so mundane and I have had a horrible attitude. A complaining clod of ailments and such. So what does God do? He delivers one of those "ouch" messages that seemed to be just for me at church on Sunday. I was so far gone in believing the devil's lies that I couldn't even recognize it for what it was - a lie. One of the first weapons in satan's arsenal is discouragement. Duh! That is how clever and subtle he can be when you're not paying attention. When you're not on guard. He also sent His people, my sisters in Christ to wake me up - to say "Hey, God has plans for you and this is part of it." This is your life right now because this is a season of training you, growing you for some purpose of His. I praise You, Lord for getting my attention and getting my focus back on You. For giving me joy even when everyday life isn't that fun. And thank you to Stephanie and my mom for obeying the Holy Spirit's prompting to reach out to me with Scripture and encouraging words. Mom, I am putting on the armor of God. Love to you both.

Boys

Here are some recent snapshots of my boys, Lane & Landry. They are so much fun! God has blessed me with two very sweet, smart little guys. Enjoy!

Though it tarries, I am waiting...

I want to share about several insights I've had in recent weeks - some key "a-ha" moments. I love "a-ha" moments - I delight in them, I praise God for them. I just have no words right now to describe the work the Holy Spirit is doing with me. Joy, covenant marriage, and discerning the voice of God - these are the areas of my life where God has been at work. Ministering to me, rebuking me, challenging me, calling me forward and reminding me of all that's wonderful around me. So instead of my words, I'll use His. These are my "life verses" at the moment, I pray they minister to you today.

Isaiah 50:4-5
The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Habakkuk 2:1, 3
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Gifts

My son's first birthday was on Sunday. What a wonderful celebration we had, with family and friends joining us. Landry's first experience with cake was a sight to behold! Green frosting and vanilla cake was everywhere!!! This boy is such a joy - he has a delightful spirit about him. He sqeals with happiness at the simplest of things - a goofy face, being outside, riding in the red wagon.

I am so honored to be a mom. So many times we allow ourselves to get beaten down with this most awesome responsibility - parenthood - and lose sight of the gift that it is. God has given us His children to raise - they are not ours. What a privilege this is, what a blessing. That God would trust US with this job - the most important job we will ever hold - blows my mind. He equips me daily - I need to remember that on those difficult days when my three year old is throwing a fit because he wants Spiderman fruit snacks for breakfast or when my one year old cries because I take away some newfound discovery, like nail polish for instance.

Thank you, Father, for allowing me to be a mother to these two boys: Lane and Landry. They light up my life in a way I never dreamed possible. Thank you for my husband - watching him be a daddy brings me such great joy. I love you for bringing these three to me. I did not deserve these gifts and yet you gave them to me anyway. Abba, I thank you.

From the lips of children and infants

Last Saturday my sister delivered a beautiful baby girl at 33 weeks. I had the privilege of being there - witnessing the birth of this precious soul. At 33 weeks gestation, the main concern is lung development. We had been told by the nurse that if Savannah cried that would be a great sign of her condition. Well, when she let out that newborn wail, we all burst into tears!

That morning I had read a friend's blog about her husband reading Psalm 8 over her as she labored in the birth of her daughter.
Verse 2 says:
"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."

The sound of a baby crying takes on a whole new meaning, doesn't it? Our almighty God is evoking their sounds to PRAISE HIM. My study bible notes say: "The mighty God, whose glory is displayed across the face of the heavens, appoints (and evokes) the praise of little children to silence the dark powers arrayed against him."

What a mighty Word! When I read that I began sobbing. My son, each time we sit down to eat a meal, sings a delightful song to our Lord Jesus. His singing of this song has become so meaningful to me. God has appointed my children to praise Him. He has appointed me and you to praise Him. He is worthy of it.

Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.
For our food, for our food.
Thank you for our daddies, thank you for our mommies.
We love you. We love you.

I'm Running

Charlie Hall's "Marvelous Light" is my theme song at the moment. I love it! I turn it up really loud when I'm in the car by myself, which isn't often, but my spirit lifts and my smile widens as soon as the song begins. May it nourish your thirsty soul as it does mine...

Into marvelous light I'm running
Out of darkness, out of shame
By the cross, You are the Truth
You are the Life, You are the Way