Why I Serve.

You see that lady right there?

That's my Nan.  We started attending Trinity decades ago.  She modeled many things for me but one of the biggest things she modeled was having a servant's heart.

Cake needs baked?  No problem.
Just got out of the hospital?  I'll bring you dinner.
Dishes need washed?  OK.
Some one needs a ride? I'll be there.  (Although in all honestly they didn't ask that one very often.  She wasn't a great driver).

I grew up seeing these things done and helping from a young age.  It's a good thing. 

I read the book Hometown Tales by Phil Gulley several years ago.  In it he said "Jesus never went out of His way to help anyone".  I remember being a little shocked at that statement.  But you see, he went on to explain that Jesus never went out of his way to help anyone because helping people was never out of his way.  Helping others was just part of his life, not something he had to add to the schedule. 

I hope my kids see that. 

I hope that one day they can say "Mom never went out of her way to help anyone". 

I hope that just like my Nan showed me - helping out, serving others, serving our church - it isn't out of the way.

It's just what we do. 

Seeing Something New.

Here's something you might not know about me: 

I love, love, love those crazy remodeling shows on TV. 

Fixer Upper, Rehab Addict, my girl Jen Hatmaker and her show My Big Family Renovation.  Heck,  Ronnie's even caught me sucked into an episode of The Vanilla Ice Project (Ice, Ice, Baby). 

They find these houses that are just eye sores - neglected, sagging, no where near serving their purpose.

And while I'm sure the rest of the neighborhood just wants them torn down, these designers are able to look past the water damage, the broken windows, and the 70's shag carpet to see the vision of what this home could be.  To restore it not always just to it's former glory, but to an even better state.  To make it a real show piece.

I don't know about you but a lot of times I too feel neglected, like I don't have a purpose and, well, now that I'm 44, a little saggy also. 

But I have a God who loves me.  And He looks at my mess and see's my potential.  He want's to restore me not only to my former glory, but to what He has designed me to be. 

You see, just like these homes, there's beauty in the restoration.  We don't have to wait for the "big reveal" for everything to be finished and perfect.  If you will allow Him, He will chip away at those broken walls.  He will make your foundation solid.  He will remove all that ugliness that is holding you back from fulfilling the purpose that He has for you.  He can use you, even as the "work in progress" that you are.

Is it any wonder that I love a good restoration story? 

Guest post: Rebuilding Burnt Bridges

Plank by plank we build but it only takes one flame to burn the whole thing down.

You know what I mean.  We spend time investing in others.  Having lunch and babysitting each others children.  Spilling our life out to them when we are hurting.  Trusting each other.  Praying together.  Then Satan steps in while we're not watching.  He plants little embers of pain and lies.  You know what they are, you've seen them, heard them.  Then one day or one minute, he lays the tender on those embers and a fire begins.  A bridge burns.  Words are said, or not.  Pain is sewn and reaped.  Maybe we are justified in our anger or hurt but does that make it right.  What happened to "turn the other cheek" and "forgive 70 x 7"?  It seems we only pull those scriptures out when dealing with unbelievers.  But what about our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Don't they deserve the same grace and mercy...and forgiveness.

How can we be effective for God with all the bridges to and from us burnt.  We can't function as an island with no way in and no way out.

I can recall every time I've lost it and burnt a bridge and I can recall every silent burning.

This past week I lost it.  And the sad thing is, I lost it on a nonbeliever.  Did it feel good at the moment?  Yes.  I was tired of my family constantly being attacked.  Was it justified?  Maybe.  I apologized but my witness to them may have been damaged.  I know that God can still fix it but...

Sunday a family walked into our church that used to be great friends.  She was the first person I met when I moved to Fairmont and she knew every ugly thing about me and never judged me.  She prayed with me on so many occasions I can't even count.  Something happened (won't go into detail) and we haven't spoke for probably 5 years.  When she walked in Sunday, God brought all of this post to my attention.  I want to mend that bridge and with God's help, I will.  Because it is true we live in a double standard world but it goes both ways.  I'm tired of pointing the finger.  I am ready to step up and take responsibility.

Are there bridges that need rebuilt in your life?  No, it won't be easy because we have to lay down our pride and admit that we might have been wrong.  But with God's help, all things are possible.


 Until next time, stay blessed.


This is a guest post by Tracey Moore who blogs at Building My House.

Guest Post: Thankless Jobs

How many times have I heard that being a mom is a thankless job? At least a couple times, ha. And moms work hard. It melts my heart when one of my boys says, unprompted, "Thank you, mama," (to be honest, I get melty even when I have prompted them, because they're still little enough that it's adorable to hear them say it). And when Adam tells me thank you, it warms me to know that he's noticing and he appreciates.

The problem comes when I start expecting and anticipating that thanks or praise. Don't get me wrong-- I think noticing the things spouses do for each other or kids being respectful are both important. But I notice my attitude turning sour and bitter if I start thinking that I deserve that thanks and praise.

I read a story in Luke the other day that I honestly don't remember ever reading before. Maybe that was one of the reasons it stuck out to me. The other reason was just what I was talking about above. Here's the passage:

“Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Luke 17:7-10

Whaaaaat. This is Jesus talking, by the way, not a Pharisee criticizing him for being kind to someone's servant or something. This passage has been stuck in my heart ever since I read it and I'm still meditating on it. I think I'm learning but I am definitely not perfect about this.

How often do I get myself into a vindicative, sour spirit when I feel like I'm not getting enough help or praise? More often than I'd like to admit. How many times am I frustrated with young kids being...well, young kids, instead of getting along so my day goes smoothly?

On one hand, I could say, well, I signed up for this mom and wife thing, so that passage applies to me. But maybe you didn't. Maybe you weren't planning on being a mom right now and you are anyway. Maybe you imagined married life looking different and you didn't really sign up for what it's become for you. Maybe you don't have a spouse OR kids, but at least a couple times a week you bitterly think to yourself, "Well, I'm done with this ministry. I don't think anybody sees what I do. Nobody understands how much effort it is."

And I'm here to tell you (and myself), with love: Shut. Up.

I too often find myself worshipping at the altar of MY FEELINGS. You know what? I did sign up for this. I signed up for this when my heart recognized my brokenness without Christ, and my ultimate utter destruction and hopelessness apart from Him. I signed up to be His servant out of my great obligation, out of my love for Him who loved me first. On some level, where you are is exactly where God called you to be, and in that we must strive to serve in love because our model is the Love that gave up Heaven for us, to die on a rough and bloody cross. What if Jesus had given up and fallen into disobedience and spite because the disciples weren't thanking him enough? What if, when only one of ten lepers had run back, he'd said, "Well, I'm out."

Are you tired? Are you weary? I am. But you know what? I could be getting more sleep, if I'm totally honest with myself. I can say no to some optional things for my own entertainment, or to things I don't actually need to be doing even though saying no makes others a little unhappy. But in my home, my first ministry to my own tiny heathens, I am without a doubt called. Wherever you are, in that pursuit of the ministry that tugged your heart or fell into your lap, you are called.

There are times when we need rest and God gives us rest. There are times when we need shelter and God gives us shelter. There are times when God gives us a swift kick in the rear to move us away from indulgent, flesh-pleasing attitudes, and this passage was one of them for me.

I've been reflecting on Downton Abbey lately. There are lots of problems with the social class system we could point to; there are certainly lots of flaws in the system. But the thing that keeps striking me (and I remember the same thing standing out to me in Jane Eyre) is the acceptance of position. There's a general cultural attitude in the servant class about an unwillingness to expect praise or feel like they are owed things. Duty is important. I find that attitude admirable.

God doesn't owe me anything. My husband and kids don't owe me anything, even if I'd like to think that they do sometimes.

I am a servant. This is my duty. I gave up my delusion of personal rights the day that I recognized that I am not my own. Am I living like it? May my heart's response to the work before me and completed by my hands be, "I am an unworthy servant. I have only done my duty!"

 

 

 

Thanks to Audrey Simmons for sharing.  Check out her blog at Everything Beautiful.

Guest post: The Worry Hunch

Hands covered in suds, I pray for my children- and then my prayers trial off (yes, I meant to say trial). What if he wrecks on the way to work? What if he doesn't do well on the test? What if I am not teaching them enough? What if my kids don't know what the Constitution says?

Shoulders scrunched forward, neck craned like a chicken. Tight chest. Shallow breathing. Combine with worry and you have the worry hunch.

You may have it right now. Here's how to fix it:
1. stand up
2. arms down by your side and palms forward
3. roll your shoulders back several times
4. stand tall, head up
5. breath deep from your gut
6. Pray with thanksgiving

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.


Thanks to Kathleen Guire for sharing with us today.
Check out her blog at Postivie Adoption. 

Guest post: A Red Sea Moment

I was watching the Bible program on the History Channel and the part was coming when Moses parted the Red Sea. First of all, that is one of my favorite parts to that story. And I was getting worked up and ready and excited and nervous and scared and really full of emotion. I know, pretty weird right, I know how the story goes and why would it be any different this time. God parts the Red Sea! I looked at Scott and said God has parted many Red Seas for me and there are so many more to part.

Maybe it is the fear of what is ahead. The "safety" of the slavery behind. Not knowing if God is going to come through the next time and I drown. What if the walls of water cave in on me while I'm in the middle of it all.

But every time I hear the story, God parts the Sea.

Every time He leads them safely to the other side, every time.

The story is the same, every time...

Do I want to remain a slave or walk in faith across that vast sea? I guess I need to plant my staff and go! Wanna come with me? I am ready for that Promised Land!

Until next time, stay blessed.
Tracey


Thanks to Tracey Moore for sharing with us today.
Tracey blogs at Buiding My House.  Check it out!

Savoring God's Sweet Grace

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
                                                        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


"Are YOU kidding me?!! ...... I JUST GOT THOSE!!"

Oh the horror!  As a college sophomore, my budget was, to put it lightly, very low.  The frequency of having special treats was practically never.  My very favorite candies wer Peanut M&M's and Reese's peanut butter eggs, only in stores at Easter, one time a year.  The was long before they came up with peanut butter pumpkins and footballs and Christmas trees, so you really could only have the extra peanut buttery goodness at Eastertime! 

As the daughter of a self-professed chocoholic, the care packages I would recieve from the mom were nothing short of awesome!  That Easter was no exception.  I got the mail late one day, opened the fantastic Easter package and left the package of peanut M&M's and the package of peanut butter eggs on the counter to have some the next day. 

When I woke up the next morning and went to the kitchen for eat breakfast, all I found on the counter was the silly bendable Easter bunny that came with the care package and the empty wrappers of what used to be the chocolately treat. 

After yelling horribly at my roommates, I called my mom in the midst of being thoroughly distraught.  She reminded me that this situation was not the end of the world.  After all, there was more where the original supply came from!  She also reminded me that both of my roommates did not have mothers that were actively involved in their lives.  In fact, they never got care packages.  I definitely did not feel like rejoicing that my favorite candies were stolen, but I certainly began to pray for my roommates and was genuinly learning how to "give thanks in everything".

                                                                                            ~ Kathy Ervin

Double Dipped in Love

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him sould not perish, but have everlasting life.

Recently, my sister-in-law was babysitting her three year old granddaughter Ansley.  Ansley loves to be read to, and she found and brought the Bible to her Grandma saying, "Meemaw, read this."

Meemaw took Ansley on her lap and Ansley opened the Bible, pointed to a page and said "What's that say?"

Meemaw said "That says, 'Jesus loves Ansley'."

Ansley quickly turned to another secion of the Bible, saying again "What's that say?".

Meemaw again said, "That says, 'Jesus loves Ansley'."

Again, turning to another section, Ansley pointed and said "What's that say?".

Meemaw, again, "That says, 'Jesus loves Ansley'."

Finally, Ansley turned to another page, pointed and said "I know what that says, Meemaw."

"What does that say?"

"That says, 'Ansley loves Jesus'."

Lord, help me to always remember that Your Word always shows how much you love me, no matter wheter I'm reading about the lives of men and women of God, the chastisement of a nation, or the sacrifice of Your only Son for my sins.  Also, Lord, teach me through Your Word to love and glorify You  through my daily words and actions.
                                                                                     ~Linda DeWitt

In the Absence of....

Psalms 42

“…As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” (Vs 1-NLT)

It wasn’t until I lived in Cambodia for a year, that I truly realized my addition for chocolate. As with many luxuries, chocolate is nearly obsolete in third world counties such as Cambodia. Therefore, I thought about every form of chocolate all of the time.  Weekly, I strategized who I could guilt into mailing me just a few morsels across the Pacific. At its worst I wondered things such as, “Maybe I can climb into the jungle, find some cocoa beans, mash them up and make some chocolate.” Clearly, there were points of desperation. In America, I rarely dwell upon chocolate as it is readily available to devour, slurp, dip, submerge, cover, coat and consume at leisure.

Oh the irony of valuing presence in absence. Often in Psalms we read the cries of a man feeling far removed from God. We have all felt that absence of God, and like David we long for spiritual renewal. We anticipate, wait, reflect, and trust knowing nothing else will suffice. The way to forget our trials is to remember the God of our triumphs. Without a doubt, it is in the depths of deficiency where unprecedented appreciation is fostered. There are indeed teachable moments in the midst of feeling absence. Perhaps, the Psalmist himself said it best:

“My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!” –David, verse 4  

Erin Gripper

Honor.

Last night I enjoyed a quiet evening at home with all my Walker men.  We rented a movie and I was captivated by the way ancient history honored their Kings that ruled with dignity and fairness for their people (kingdoms). 

Men would die by sword protecting the linage to the throne.  They help the position with great esteem and would bow and worship in the Kings presence.  If they were asked to serve the King, they were willing to lay down their life for him.  They never questioned obedience to the throne and respected every decision. 

As I lay in bed after the movie I began thinking about the ways that I should honor my King.

- Believe
- Worship
- Obedience
- Serve
- Respect

Honoring our God is not something I do when I have time, or worship when it's convenient.  It's not a choice.  It's a lifetime agreement to serve, protect and value my God.  It's a daily choice to lay down my desires.  History has shown if our kings are dethroned and other wicked kings are allowed to take their place, we set the stage for destruction in our kingdom!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
                                                                                - Mark 12:30


Tammy Walker

A Merry and Content Season.

Last week an idea that has been randomly rolling through my head finally came together for me.

As I sat with a group of ladies, some younger - some older, in the home of a friend, I realized that we are all in different seasons in our lives.

Now I'm well aware this is nothing new. I've even mentioned it before when I spoke about my coveting struggles when I work at UHC at my old job. Just hear me out.

I think it helps to realize and appreciate that we all are in different seasons of our lives. Especially at this time of the year when it can be so tempting to not only over spend from our budgets but also overindulge in activities and general busyness. I know I've thought "Oh, I wish I could do that, but I don't have a sitter" or explaining to the kids why "everyone else we know has gone to Disney" but not us. It's always so tempting to compare our season with others.

Oddly enough, my friend's Keurig drove this point home for me.   Tammy is truly one of the main people who helped me as a new mom to get on budget and on track. If it hadn't been for her and Dave Ramsey I wouldn't have had our finances to a place where I could not work full time today.

As I glanced at that Keurig and the women gathered in that home, I thought of all the wonderful women I know and the seasons they are in.

I wasn't happy that I was still single at 29 when all my friends were married around me. God used that season to teach me that He is my bridegroom and to show me that despite my past, I deserved to be treated like a princess.

I wasn't happy when we were having fertility issues and miscarriages. I was absolutely devastated when we lost our little girl Grace. And while I'll never understand why, I learned that God is not scared of my anger at him. He loves me unconditionally.

I wasn't happy on many days when we decided to get our finances in order. It was hard to break a thirty some year streak of instant gratification. But it taught me about being a good steward and the freedom of not overspending.

There are days now that I struggle with everything I have to do. I can easily get bent out of shape over a messy house or the current four loads of laundry on the side of my couch that I need to fold this morning. This is now my season. I have my kids at home with me and it's a constantly messy season. But I'm going to enjoy it because I can already see changes coming. There will be a time when hanging out with Mom and Dad isn't the coolest thing to do.

Wherever you are right now, just take a deep breath. Remember, this is a season.


Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13

Guest post: Voice Recognition

A funny thing happened to us when Kyla was just a newborn.

We were, of course, exhausted from sleep deprivation. Glen was home and he lay down with Kyla, both napping. I was working upstairs on our family website when the phone rang.

I snatched it up quickly, so it wouldn't wake my sleeping beauties. (No one ever called or rang the doorbell, unless Kyla was taking a rare nap.)

I hissed, "Hello?" into the receiver.

"May I speak to Glen?" a woman replied.

"May I tell him who's calling?

"Yes," she said, "his mother."

She had the wrong number, and we hung up when I told her so. Unfortunately, we were not done. The phone immediately rang again. I jerked it up, still wanting to save the quiet in the house.

"Hello?" (We didn't have caller ID at this point...)

Same woman's voice said, "Hello, may I speak to Glen?"

"I'm sorry, like I just told you, you have the wrong number."

"I want to talk to my son! You better let me speak to him!"

Admittedly, I was frustrated. I told her, as calmly as I could at that point, "Ma'am, I know my mother-in-law's voice, and you are not her! You have the wrong number! We have a newborn, and she is asleep. Please do not call back!"

We hang up.

The phone rings a third time.

Resisting the urge to tear it from the wall, I answer with an abrupt Hello, and get a man's voice in reply.

"Yes, may I speak with Glen?"

(I can laugh now, but I assure you it was not funny then.)

"Sir, I assume that I just spoke with your wife, and like I told her, you have the wrong phone number. You are not my father-in-law, I know his voice!"

By this time a little wisdom kicked in, and I unplugged the phone.

This story reminds me of how important it is to have a close relationship with Jesus, so we will know His voice when He calls us home one day.

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27 NASB).

 

 

 

Guest post by Selena Campbell who blogs at Campbell Clan, as well as Campbell Cookin'. 

Practice Rehearsing Victories

The following is a guest post from Tracey Moore, who blogs at Building My House.


I have a long story to tell, but bear with me, I have a good point in the end.

I haven't been driving on the interstate for very many years, 18 years to be exact.

Where I grew up there wasn't a close interstate and really there wasn't any traffic, it was a one stop light town. (I love it, by the way). Anyway, since having kids, driving has become one my worst things. Not that I'm a bad driver, but I just panic over everything, I mean, EVERYTHING!

One day, about 5 or so years ago, we (our home school co-op) took a trip to Pittsburgh, PA. I was okay with this trip, it was the first time I drove to Pittsburgh but I had printed off the directions from map quest and was pretty confident that it would be a fine trip. We stopped at a rest stop before we got into town and one of the lead drivers had asked if everyone was fine and talked about the tunnels and on on... I had told him that the tunnels were closed for construction, he didn't know that and wasn't confident in getting into town the other way, so I had to forfeit my directions, my lifeline, my only way in and out.

So, panic sets in. Once I get there I find some friends who say they are leaving well before rush hour to avoid the traffic, so I tell them to not leave without me. In the meantime, I am in the beginning stages of a full blown panic attack. I didn't know what was happening, this has never happened before. I am losing my mind. Luckily, one of my friends suffered from them several times and informed me that I was indeed having a panic attack, which didn't really help the situation, because now, how am I going to get home. And we left right at 5:00! I forgot about any past victories that God had pulled me through. I was just focused on the fear...

I did make it home. It took several months for me to be able to be in the car without having some form of anxiety.

Flashback....(Before Pittsburgh trip)
I drove to Dover, Delaware. I followed my brother up so I wasn't worried about how to get there, but I had to come home, without written directions. Guess what, I prayed before I left his house. My prayer went something like this...God, you have parted the Red Sea a few times and I need you to part this Red Sea for me. I know you can do it and I am going to believe that I make it home without any problems. That means the traffic will be low and I will know exactly where I need to be. Jesus name, Amen. I made it, exactly as I had asked!

There were a couple of other times that the same exact thing had happened. And you know what, God answered my prayer exactly as I had asked. He cares about these things, the things that really get us worked up. He wants us to give them to Him and in the meantime, our faith is built.

Present day...
I was sick and tired of being afraid to travel north on I79. I'm not sure why the residue of that Pittsburgh trip still lingered, but even going to Morgantown was a big issue. A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law was in from Texas to help with my father-in-law, who had knee replacement surgery, and she needed a ride back to the airport in Pittsburgh. Scott and I picked her up and we were going to take her back. Guess what? I volunteered to take her myself. That's right, not a passenger, but the driver.

What was I thinking?

 So, the night before God reminded me that David rehearsed his victories. I envision David having a box of some sort with souvenirs from various battles. The jaw bones from the animals he killed, you know, all the fun stuff. And before he went into a battle that God wanted fought, he sat down and opened that box and remembered all the things that God had brought him through. So I opened up that box in my memory of the interstate battles, fought and won, with God's help and I kept rehearsing those victories in my mind and in my heart. My prayer that day went something like this...Okay God, it's me again. We've been down this road before and I know that you have brought me through, but I need you to part this Red Sea for me once again. Could you make the traffic light? Could you make it so there are no vehicles when I need to merge into traffic? Could you give me the wisdom to make quick decisions when I need to do so? Jesus name, amen.

I got in my Jeep and drove to Pittsburgh! No anxiety! And everything I asked for God granted. Another victory to be rehearsed in the future and my faith built.

I want to keep those victories in my memory box and open them regularly, not forgetting who holds my world in His hands. Do you realize how amazing that is?

Thanks for listening reading.

Until next time, stay blessed,
Tracey

Why I don't go to home group.....and why I should.

Raise your hand if you have good intentions of going to home group. 

Yep, so do I.

I actually do have good intentions.  When I see that it's home group night in the bulletin I always think "Oh, that would be nice".   Every time we go we end up having a good time.  We enjoy the people, we have great conversation, great snacks and our kids even have fun playing with the other kids. 

So, why don't we go?

Good question.

I think we've just gotten into a habit of not going.  I know for myself, as well as many of you, life is busy.  Between running our business and working and homeschooling, we hardly ever have down time.  We've gotten into the habit of spending Sunday evenings at home as a family. 

And that's not necessarily a bad thing. 

I think what happens though, is in a bigger church it's easier to feel "unconnected".  To just pass through the church nodding and waving hello, but not really connecting with anyone.  It's easy to keep it on a superficial level.  You know, the "I'm awesome, I've got it all together...see I even have on a dress and earrings today" kinda persona. 

And that's not necessarily a good thing.

We need each other.  We need to know that it's ok to actually know and care for each other on a personal level.  It's not only ok, it's downright Biblical. 

So do I end this post telling you I'm going to go to home group from now on, forever and ever amen? 

Umm.  No.  I do try my best not to be an outright liar. 

I'm going to try to take one Sunday a month.  Just one.  And on that one Sunday, I'm going to forgo putting on my jammies at 7pm and snuggling on the couch with my family and popcorn to watch America's Funniest Home Videos. 

Instead, I'm going to to go home group. 

I'm going to be positive and pleasant, even if the kids are fighting in the car about who gets to be Batman. 

I'm going to go even if I'm nervous about meeting new people. 

I'm going to go even if I don't have anything to wear. 

I'm going to go even if I only have time to pick up a bag of chips and dip. 

I'm going to go even if I spent all of service in the lobby with a kid who wouldn't go to class and I have no idea what Pastor spoke about. 

You could say the point is, I'm going to go. 

How about you?

Guard my heart and my mind.

I read the paper.

I watch the news.

I listen to the debates.

And fear does it's best to take hold of me.

What will happen to our family, our friends, our country? 

I read articles about rising gas prices, food prices, utility prices.  While searching for new canning recipes, I stumble upon a whole world of doomsday preppers I didn't know existed. 

All this has kept me up at nights.......wondering.....worrying.....unsettled.

But then I remember that this is not what I am called to do.

10 things

My new Spring wardrobe....

Stop Comparing!

Have you ever noticed how thoughts can creep up on you?

It's not like I've ever woken up in the morning and thought "Wow, today is the perfect day to covet!"

That's not how it works. Our thoughts wander, little by little, to places they shouldn't be. 

Ronnie & I both had very good jobs B.C. (before children). And to be honest, we were not frugal back then- we liked new things, we like eating out, and that was fine. Fast forward 6 years & 3 kids later and things are a little different. I don't work full time at a demanding (and well paying) job. I am a full time wife, mother, teacher, and homemaker. And I know I'm right where God wants me at this time in life. Yet, I still have to remind myself that it's not about shiny new toys like campers or Kindles - my items of covet this weekend.

So I come home.  I ask God to forgive my poor attitude. I pray to desire Him more than these temporary things. And I remember that I am here "for such a time as this". I am here to be the best daughter of the King, wife to my husband and mother to our children that I can be - with God's help.

And that's a pretty great "thing".



"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



*This post was originally published on my personal blog at www.wvurbanhippie.blogspot.com.

I'll pray for you....well, maybe.

I'll pray for you isn't just something nice to say to a friend in need.

It's a commitment to share their burden and unite your faith as you seek the Lord.

It's an investment.  It's realizing that there is more to this life than what I want, what I need or what I have time for.

Earlier this year I read a book by Jonathan Acuff called "Stuff Christians Like".  Without a doubt, this is a tongue in cheek look at Christianity.  I remember reading a passage about praying for one another.  He writes "Sometimes saying "I'll pray for you" is just the Christian equivalent of ending a date by saying, "I'll give you a call".

Anyone else feel like they were punched in the gut on that one? 

Saying I'll pray for you shouldn't be my go to saying for when I'm uncomfortable and don't know what else to say. 

It should be my battle cry. 

I will be on my knees, seeking the Father for your need.  I will be invested in you and your situation.  I will be there to share this burden with you, because you are my sister in Christ and I love you.

Saying I'll pray for you should be more than just my good intention.  How many times have I said "You'll be in my prayers" and then promptly went right back to the day in day out business of life, forgetting about my pledge to pray for you.

Starting today, let's make a change together.  Let's make prayer our priority.  Let's spend twice as much time praying about a problem then we spend talking or fretting about it.

I'm in....how about you?