NO GIFTS!!!

My husband and I were having a conversation about some gifts we had left to buy. He informed me that he wanted to eventually go from buying gifts for people to giving money to missional things in their names. I was immediately like, " um, No". My husband continued to not understand why I would not want to give money to a child who needs food or have Bibles printed in different languages. That was not what I was saying. My heart is torn because I love seeing people open gifts I have gotten them. I love making things for people and maybe giving them something they have never seen. I love that feeling of giving. I still would want to give money to missional things but I also love buying small gifts for the people we love.

With all that said. I thought about my reaction some more and realized; giving money to an organization who is sending Bibles all over the world or helping people build a church in a desolate country, IS AN AMAZING GIFT. I can't be there to see a child get there dinner, a family get chickens to help feed their family, or a tribe get a Bible in their language. BUT, can you imagine what that would be like? Watching people open gifts with that magnitude. Some of them never having gotten anything given to them. I realized that watching the people I love open gifts was wonderful and still could happen but watching them open a card telling them that in their name, THEY FED A FAMILY, that is speechless. I am so glad I married a man that sees the importance of this type of giving. He always bring me back to what is good and what is necessary. I love him all the more. My heart is being shaped and molded into what God wants and that hurts most of the time. Learning something new can be hard sometimes. I do not like change and changing Christmas the way I've always done it will take some time.

So, in the years to come we are moving from buying needless gifts to making more gifts and donating money to needs that are necessary in the name of the one's we love. Thank you to my hubby for being the spiritual leader in our home and making these decisions. God knew I needed you!!!!

Diligence....

Katelyn and I are doing 10 weeks of Character studies for our Bible time. The first week is on Diligence. It is great because each day has a different passage out of the Bible that helps learn the meaning of the character trait. Today's lesson showed me something I never noticed. We read the story of Jonah. I know, I know, we've all read that story a million times and know exactly what happens: Jonah gets swallowed by  a whale( actually a big fish) because he did not listen to God. There was a little part I had missed though. In the beginning of the story, Jonah is on a ship trying to flee from God, which cracks me up. Flee from God??? Really?? Anyway, as the storm violently threw the ship back and forth, the ship's crew began to question why this was happening to them. They cast lots to see whose fault it was and the lot fell on Jonah. Jonah admitted earlier that he was running from God. Now, he told them his God was the God who created the wind and sea. The ship's crew was immediately in fear of this God. They began to realize that this God must be the true God. "At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to Him.~ Jonah 1:16. Did you catch that??? EVEN IN JONAH'S DISOBEDIENCE, GOD WAS GLORIFIED!!! I had never paid close attention to that small verse. Even though Jonah was on the ship because he was disobeying, God still was glorified because these men feared Him and made vows to Him. They had realized the God that Jonah believed in was the true God. See, I would have thought opposite. I always feel that the more I disobey, the more people do not see Jesus. Guess what?? GOD CAN BE GLORIFIED WITHOUT YOUR HELP!!! WOW!!! That's humbling. Even in the midst of Jonah's disobedience, these men saw God and feared Him. he proved that He was in control of even the storm and could calm it if He wanted to.

I look at this two ways. Number 1: I see that God is bigger than I have ever been taught He is. He can do more than just what He does through me. Even when I mess up, say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, or flat out disobey, HE WILL BE GLORIFIED IN SOME WAY!!! Number 2: HE WANTS TO USE ME!!! God wanted to use Jonah. God could save Ninevah by Himself if he wanted to but He wanted to use Jonah more than Jonah could see. I think sometimes He just wants to see if we will obey and also that we grow and learn in being used. When Jonah repented and said He would go, God gave Him a second chance and because Jonah obeyed, Ninevah was spared. I pray everyday that even in my imperfections and sometimes disobedience, that God would be glorified. I also pray that when He wants to use me, I GO!!!! I surrender it all, give it all up, put all my "stuff" aside, give up my wants and desires,  lay my fear aside, put man's opinion of me out of my mind and follow the one true God who gives life.

Another Birthday!!!!

I can't believe I am about to have another birthday!! I still feel like I'm in my twenties, newly married and living on faith. This past year has been the hardest yet! Losing my dad and Josh and I  completely surrendering and walking in faith has deemed this a trying year. This time last year, I would have never imagined that all these things that have happened would have happened. Sometimes it still feels like a dream I will wake from and all will be the same. God had other plans. He already knew what I would go through, what my family would go through. He was in control from the beginning and is even now. I pray that this next year is full of miracles, rest, and worship of Him. I pray that I become a better wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend. I pray that I see my children's hearts grow in love for their Savior, family, and others. I pray for a refining fire to ignite my soul and create an urgency to see the lost saved. I pray that my family sees God do amazing things through our obedience in church planting. I pray that my daughter continues to excel at schooling but more than anything that her heart is constantly moving to the things of God. I pray that my entire family will feel God's peace as we journey without my amazing dad in the years we have left. Lastly, I pray for total surrender to the life God has called me to.

Thank you Lord for another year.

Is Joel Olsteen's preaching satanic???

I came across a message that John MacArthur preached about true religion. There are so many similarities between Satan's words to Jesus in the desert to many preachers today. John MacArthur just lays it out there about one pastor in particular. I had to share this with my friends because people are being led straight to hell with this prosperity and favor teaching. There is no preaching about the Savior and repentance. Here is a small portion of John MacArthur's sermon:

A few weeks ago there was an event here at Dodger Stadium with Joel Osteen, thirty-five thousand people at Dodger Stadium, something like that. He is now the largest, quote/unquote church...I’m using the word loosely...in America down in Houston. You need to understand that he is a pagan religionist in every sense. He’s a quasi-pantheist. Jesus is a footnote that satisfies his critics and deceives his followers. The idea of this whole thing is that men have the power in themselves to change their lives. In his definitive book, Your Best Life Now, he says...and that ought to be a dead giveaway since the only way this could be your best life is if you’re going to hell. He says that anyone can create by faith and words the dreams he desires...health, wealth, happiness, success...the list is always the same.

Here’s some quotes from his book Your Best Life Now. “If you develop an image of success, health, abundance, joy, peace, happiness, nothing on earth will be able to hold those things from you,” end quote. See, that’s....that’s the law of attraction that’s a part of this kind of system.

Here’s another quote, “All of us are born for earthly greatness. You were born to win.” Win what? “God wants you to live in abundance, you were born to be a champion. He wants to give you the desires of your heart.” “Before we were formed, He prepared us to live abundant lives, to be happy, healthy and whole. But when our thinking becomes contaminated, it’s no longer in line with God’s Word,” end quote. By the way, “God’s Word is not the Bible, God’s Word is that Word that comes to us mystically, spiritually, that tells us what we should want.”

Here’s another quote, “Get your thinking positive and He will bring your desires to pass. He regards you as a strong, courageous, successful person. You’re on your way to a new level of glory.” Hum...how do you get there? “Believe...he says...visualize, and speak out loud.” Same exact approach. Words release your power. Words give life to your dreams.

Here’s another quote. “Friend, there’s a miracle in your mouth.” I think Isaiah might object to that. He said, “I’m a man of unclean lips and I dwell amidst a people of unclean lips.”

Here’s Joel Osteen’s prayer. “I thank You, Father, that I have Your favor.” Wow! Did he meet the Pharisee in Luke 18, or what? “I thank You that I’m not like other people.”

Here’s another quote. “I know these principles are true because they work, for me and my wife.” Oh, so that’s the test of truth. Are you kidding? I know these things are true because they work for me and my wife? Sure, you’re at the top of the Ponzi scheme.

And then he said, “Even finding a perfect parking spot at the mall.” And I ask, “What about the little old lady you cut off to get into that parking? What about her dreams?” Maybe she was born to lose. I mean, it’s so silly, so bizarre.

He says, “God has already done everything He’s going to do, the ball’s in your court.” You have to take that part of God which exists in you and create your own reality.

What is the source of this? Where does this come from? Answer: Satan, this is satanic. This is satanic. This is not just off-centered, this is satanic.

Why do I say that? Because health, wealth, prosperity, the fulfillment of all your dreams and your desires, that’s what Satan always offers. That’s called temptation, based on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. That’s exactly what corrupt fallen unregenerate people want. That’s why it works so well, right? You can go right into Satan’s system, make everybody feel religious and turn their desires, their temptations into somehow honorable desires. I mean, what did Satan say to Jesus? Grab some satisfaction, why are You hungry? You need to eat. You need to be healthy, whole. Why would You let Yourself be unpopular? Dive off the temple corner, whew, everybody will be wowed. You’ll be the winner, You’ll be the champion. You’ll be the Messiah. They’ll hail You. And by the way, if You just look over the kingdoms of the world, I’ll give those to You, too.

That’s satanic. So the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, 1 John 2:15 to 17, it’s all a part of the world and it’s all passing away. And why are these false teachers so successful at what they do? Because they’re in cahoots with the devil. Why is Satan successful? Because his temptations, although they might appear noble on the outside, are in perfect accord with all the fallen, corrupt, selfish, proud, evil desires of sinners. This is a false kind of Christianity and a false view of God. God is the one who reserves the right to make you well. “Have not I made the blind and the lame and the halt, He says? Or to allow you to be sick? God has the right to make you prosperous or to give you little. God reserves the right to control the circumstances and events and experiences of your life for His own ends and His own purpose.”

False religion is the most heinous of all sins because it’s a violation of the great commandment, “Love the Lord your God, the true one, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength,” and false religion that borrows His name but creates a false God and borrows the name of Christ but creates a false Christ is the worst kind of blasphemy.

Comparing!!

Isn't that what we do? Compare ourselves to others. We see all the good things in someone's else's life and assume that we would be better if we had a life like theirs. A few months ago, I finally felt that I was comfortable in my own skin. I finally got to a point where I looked at other people's lives and realized I was called to the life I have by the Lord and for that reason alone I was blessed. Then, it seems to creep back in. Not all at one time but in small waves. I know we all think someone else has it better. I want to encourage all of you that comparing is discontentment. We also have no idea the things in other's lives that we think are so great. We do not know the past someone has had to go through to get where they are now. We don't know the daily struggles that person has that they can't seem to be set free from. We have no idea the issues that a person's deals with everyday whether physical, mental, or circumstantial. So, stop comparing. If you are walking with the Lord, He is all you need to compare your life to. Emulate Jesus and no one else. He is the picture we should constantly look at in comparison.
Sometimes we compare in other ways. We can compare in the other direction. We look at someone else and think we have it together better than them so we are living a more godly life. But what about when you compare your life to Jesus'? Now how godly do we look?? Isn't that what it's about though: LOOKING MORE LIKE JESUS!! I want to look and live like Him and no one else. That is much harder to do but oh so worth it.My life can be much sweeter with Him as my example.

A Morning at an Abortion Clinic

This past Saturday, my husband and I stood with other Christian men and women in front of an abortion clinic in Charlotte. I have never been to one and this experience left me speechless and I haven't stopped thinking about it. Since I am at a loss for words I thought I'd share what my husband blogged about after we went:

“Real men lay down their lives for their babies.”  This was the most soul-stirring thing I heard said yesterday while we stood outside the abortion mill on Latrobe in Charlotte.  It was profound for two reasons.  First, because it was said by a ten year old holding a microphone talking to a guy in his thirties as he walked his wife/girlfriend into the abortion mill.  And two, because it’s true.

The church in America feels good about itself because when the preacher stands against abortion we say “amen.”  When we go the the ballot boxes we check the box next to the candidate who is pro-life.  So, we’ve done our part right?  Yesterday, I watched at least thirty girls walk into that clinic in the span of two and a half hours.  Thirty babies, believed to be just tissue, had their lives snuffed out. At the very least these precious babies received a death threat from a “counselor” who’s main motive is to generate income for the mill.  (NC law requires a “counseling” session and 24-wait before abortion)

If you were alive in Nazi Germany in the 40′s, what would you have done to save the lives of millions of Jews being slaughtered on a daily basis?  The church doesn’t need to get nuts and vicious with those who perpetrate this disgusting crime.  The church needs to be a visible light of hope to women who are deceived into thinking that an abortion will make life better and erase a “mistake” they made or remove an inconvenience in their life.  Yesterday, we offered these girls free medical care, free cribs and clothing, a free baby shower, and love but their minds had already been made up.  The good news is that this past week eight babies were saved at the Latrobe mill because some girls wanted to hear that there is another way.

I know not everyone is wired for this.  Not everyone can get on a mic and preach the gospel of hope and confront people with their sin in order to proclaim to them that there is a Savior.  But, why couldn’t you show up at a clinic one Saturday a month and stand and pray and be a visible reminder to these girls that this sin cannot done in secret and there is another way of hope.  You can hand out brochures with information.  Is it really enough to just say “amen” when your preacher says abortion is wrong?

a Good Judge

We are still making our way through our God's Names book for our family Bible time. Today, we talked about God being the Judge. People all over the world say that God is loving and good. We tend to forget that He is also a Judge. He makes all the decisions and is in charge. God is a GOOD Judge. He judges on the heart. He doesn't judge whether you are smart, good-looking, wealthy, poor, male, or female. He judges your heart. I know that God is love but He is also just. He will bring justice in every situation and He determines what is justice. While we studied this today, we were also brought to the realization of heaven and hell. Because God is a good Judge, those places have to exist. There is no in between or a third choice. You go to heaven or hell when you die. If God is a good Judge and judges on a man's heart, then we all deserve hell. We were born in sin and imperfection. But then Jesus came and paid our ransom. God turned His back on His own Son so that we may live forever with Him in heaven. So many people want to say God is love but forget that He is also the Judge that decides which place we end up. He made a way but so many still make the decision to walk another way. Why?? The God of the universe made a way for us to be with Him forever and have a personal connection with Him in life. I don't get it sometimes. To me, there is no other decision to make or way to go. I am so thankful for Jesus taking my place on that cross. Every sin I have committed and will commit is forever forgiven. I will sin and I will fail, but I am made righteous in the eyes of my Judge. I am thankful for a good Judge. I am thankful for a Savior you paid my debt.