This week has been a hard week for my family and so many other families. So tough at times that I felt like I couldn't get out of the craziness of it all. I just wanted to hide in a closet and wait for the opportunity to come to start the week over. Well, that's never going to happen right!! If it did, how many days would I spend in the closet. Hmm????
So, my amazing King sweetly reminded me of His presence by taking me to Isaiah. He reminded me that I have been set free from not only the "yoke" of slavery, but of the "yoke" of heavy burdens. He reminded me that He knows and sees those days of joy just as clearly as He sees those days of sorrow. He doesn't roll His eyes and say "great, another whiney day". So thankful for that aren't you?
As I journeyed through Isaiah, though my heart was still breaking, He lifted my head and it felt as if I was sitting in His lap pouring my heart out to Him. I felt like a huge weight was being lifted. I pictured Him reaching and pulling that "yoke" off of me and placing it on Himself. His big shoulders are a blessing aren't they :) The amazing part was that He didn't put a timer on how long I could sit there and on how much I could hand Him or how long I could weep. Can you relate?
My heart is beating so fast as I type this and share with you. My LORD is my Waymaker, my Mountain Mover, My Deliver! I long for others to have that! Long for the joy in the midst of their pain to be so evident. It wouldn't surprise me if you could hear my heart beating right now :)
I will continue to face storms and tough times as long as I am still breathing on this earth. The beautifully amazing part is that the times I face here are temporary. My desire is to see each trial this way-understanding the pain may be unbearable at times, but knowing that it is temporary and that my Jesus is waiting to "wipe away every tear".
From Isaiah 61 we are told we have:
good news for our afflictions
binding for our brokenhearts
liberty from what holds us captive
freedom from strongholds that imprison us
and
comfort in our mourning
PRAISE GOD!!!!!
So, climb into His lap and pour your heart out! His shoulders are big and He is waiting.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
My Focus
Have you ever felt like you were missing out on something? This week, satan tried to trap me with just that very thing.
For years I have served on the children's ministry team at my church and have loved it and watched a lot of little hearts come to a saving knowledge of our Jesus. Very passionate about that! So, as the church gets ready for VBS, my heart just kind of breaks a bit. I have always been part of the planning. I actually would start planning the October prior when the new theme was released. It fueled my passion. Several unchurched kids flock into Calvary and hear the message of Christ, some for the very first time at VBS. So amazing!
This year, VBS falls in the break I am taking. Is it hard, YES IT IS. I just want to leap right in with those gifts and talents that God gave me and the passion that goes along with it. YEP, those kids are fantastic..but, what about what God wants me to do?
God showed me in ways I can understand in February of this year, that a break was necessary for my family, for me to minister to my own kids. To Homeschool, to lead, to teach, to love without the busyness!!
but...
Satan wanted to trap me. He wanted me to sign the dotted line and serve in VBS....sneaky, subtle enemy he is! He wants my family and he knows he has a better shot if he allows my focus to be on something other than what God says.
In the book of Jude, there is a reference to satan trying to get Michael to tell him where the bones of Moses were buried. He knew that if he could get to the bones of Israel's precious leader, then he could use them to get the focus off of worshipping God and onto the bones of Moses. Idolatry. WOW!
The enemy wants my focus to be off of God so he can go for my family. He is pretty coniving, using things we love to do and the subtleness of something that appears to be innocent and right, church stuff. WHOA!!! Church stuff is fantastic when it is something that God has you doing. When He is at the healm, it is powerful. I know :) But when it is not, it can take you where you shouldn't be and dry you up, I know that too : (
Satan WILL use whatever he can to sway us!! Steal our focus!
I am praising God that He is faithful to remind me that what HE says goes. I am thanking my Daddy in Heaven for his faithfulness to continue to keep me. Not for my glory or anyone else's on this earth, but for HIS and HIS alone!
PRAISE GOD, I am called, beloved and kept by God and He will keep on keeping on with my best interest at heart. GOD IS GOOD! I am clinging to Him! My Portion Forever!!
For years I have served on the children's ministry team at my church and have loved it and watched a lot of little hearts come to a saving knowledge of our Jesus. Very passionate about that! So, as the church gets ready for VBS, my heart just kind of breaks a bit. I have always been part of the planning. I actually would start planning the October prior when the new theme was released. It fueled my passion. Several unchurched kids flock into Calvary and hear the message of Christ, some for the very first time at VBS. So amazing!
This year, VBS falls in the break I am taking. Is it hard, YES IT IS. I just want to leap right in with those gifts and talents that God gave me and the passion that goes along with it. YEP, those kids are fantastic..but, what about what God wants me to do?
God showed me in ways I can understand in February of this year, that a break was necessary for my family, for me to minister to my own kids. To Homeschool, to lead, to teach, to love without the busyness!!
but...
Satan wanted to trap me. He wanted me to sign the dotted line and serve in VBS....sneaky, subtle enemy he is! He wants my family and he knows he has a better shot if he allows my focus to be on something other than what God says.
In the book of Jude, there is a reference to satan trying to get Michael to tell him where the bones of Moses were buried. He knew that if he could get to the bones of Israel's precious leader, then he could use them to get the focus off of worshipping God and onto the bones of Moses. Idolatry. WOW!
The enemy wants my focus to be off of God so he can go for my family. He is pretty coniving, using things we love to do and the subtleness of something that appears to be innocent and right, church stuff. WHOA!!! Church stuff is fantastic when it is something that God has you doing. When He is at the healm, it is powerful. I know :) But when it is not, it can take you where you shouldn't be and dry you up, I know that too : (
Satan WILL use whatever he can to sway us!! Steal our focus!
I am praising God that He is faithful to remind me that what HE says goes. I am thanking my Daddy in Heaven for his faithfulness to continue to keep me. Not for my glory or anyone else's on this earth, but for HIS and HIS alone!
PRAISE GOD, I am called, beloved and kept by God and He will keep on keeping on with my best interest at heart. GOD IS GOOD! I am clinging to Him! My Portion Forever!!
Monday, April 16, 2012
My Jonah Story
Today is rainy and icky outside, but my heart still rejoices!
I am totally blessed to be a part of my girls' education because of the permission from the Chief Administrator, MY KING!
I almost missed the calling to teach them because I was so busy doing everything else, telling God my schedule was already booked. Really, telling God...hmm! As my pastor would say " how's that working out for ya?" Well, it didn't. Ministries I was involved in lost their joy, I was forgetting details and for me, that is not a good thing. Details ruled for me! So, little by little, God weened me from my own agenda and brought me to His. So, here we are today. The blessings pour out because I am working on my God's agenda. You think I would have learned that lesson a long time ago.
But........................
When I was in Jr.High, I felt like the Lord was asking me to work full time with kids. I felt it strongly. I had it in my mind to do it too. Well, something tragic happened in my life at the age of 15, and because of it, I believed God didn't have much interest in me anymore so, I lived on my agenda. My crazy crazy agenda. For years I knew what was best for me. Instead of working with kids, I would become a Marine Biologist, I always loved the water and the life that lived in it. So, there I was...my life, my plan, my way. Right? WRONG!
For years, God wanted me to go to "Ninevah" and do what HE said to do, but instead, I got the first "boat" going the opposite direction. Then, I spent what seemed like a lifetime in the belly of a fish tossed overboard by the life I had planned. There was so much more tragedy and pain and sin and and and....the list goes on and on.
Finally, I cried out to my God and He came to my rescue. He was there with me the entire time. He never left me, just like He promised He would never do. He pulled me up from that mucky, yucky life and brought me to where He wanted me. There are alot of scars from that "belly", but each one reminds me of the where my plan took me, causing me to want to stick with the Master's plan.
He gave me a "goose bump" reminder, a good one, on what He called me to do about 9 years ago and since then I have worked with kids, working at it with all my heart for Him and not for man! AMEN! I have worked in children's ministry at the church for years and years and just this Feb, took a break for 6 months (at least) at God's nudge, to focus completely on my own kids and their school. Praise God that it didn't take a "big fish"this time.
I am sure He will bring me back to the amazing kids at church in His timing. For now, I am a teacher to my girls and He is the Planner! My heart is filled!! God is so good!
Have a blessed day in our LORD!
I am totally blessed to be a part of my girls' education because of the permission from the Chief Administrator, MY KING!
I almost missed the calling to teach them because I was so busy doing everything else, telling God my schedule was already booked. Really, telling God...hmm! As my pastor would say " how's that working out for ya?" Well, it didn't. Ministries I was involved in lost their joy, I was forgetting details and for me, that is not a good thing. Details ruled for me! So, little by little, God weened me from my own agenda and brought me to His. So, here we are today. The blessings pour out because I am working on my God's agenda. You think I would have learned that lesson a long time ago.
But........................
When I was in Jr.High, I felt like the Lord was asking me to work full time with kids. I felt it strongly. I had it in my mind to do it too. Well, something tragic happened in my life at the age of 15, and because of it, I believed God didn't have much interest in me anymore so, I lived on my agenda. My crazy crazy agenda. For years I knew what was best for me. Instead of working with kids, I would become a Marine Biologist, I always loved the water and the life that lived in it. So, there I was...my life, my plan, my way. Right? WRONG!
For years, God wanted me to go to "Ninevah" and do what HE said to do, but instead, I got the first "boat" going the opposite direction. Then, I spent what seemed like a lifetime in the belly of a fish tossed overboard by the life I had planned. There was so much more tragedy and pain and sin and and and....the list goes on and on.
Finally, I cried out to my God and He came to my rescue. He was there with me the entire time. He never left me, just like He promised He would never do. He pulled me up from that mucky, yucky life and brought me to where He wanted me. There are alot of scars from that "belly", but each one reminds me of the where my plan took me, causing me to want to stick with the Master's plan.
He gave me a "goose bump" reminder, a good one, on what He called me to do about 9 years ago and since then I have worked with kids, working at it with all my heart for Him and not for man! AMEN! I have worked in children's ministry at the church for years and years and just this Feb, took a break for 6 months (at least) at God's nudge, to focus completely on my own kids and their school. Praise God that it didn't take a "big fish"this time.
I am sure He will bring me back to the amazing kids at church in His timing. For now, I am a teacher to my girls and He is the Planner! My heart is filled!! God is so good!
Have a blessed day in our LORD!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Past and Future Blessings
My first homeschool journey :)
God had me pull Casey, my son from school when he was in the end of the 5th grade. I did not want to do it, no way! With a lot of nudging, God showed me in ways I can understand that I must do it. Finally, I obediently pulled him out and begin homeschooling. I literally had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully, my God did.
As we struggled through the first couple of years, I began to see a change in my son. A good change :) Anyone of you that knew us way back then knows full well what I am talking about. God did it, not us, not a preacher, teacher or other person influence, only God!
When he graduated in 2009, I had him a diploma and a transcript and he was ready to go, or so I thought. When we went to Lamar, they would not accept the diploma or the transcript. I was devastated, my son was devasted. This was not what we expected. So, he ended up having to take the GED. You know what, HE ACED THE TEST WITHOUT STUDYING! YES AMEN! What that test did was prove to us both that he did learn and I did teach and my God led! We both needed to know this!
This morning, he is taking another test. He is testing for the Jefferson County Sheriff's office.This first step to begin his career in law enforcement. I am so proud of him and so thankful to God for getting him here.
Now I am on the journey with my girls. When we started this year, my 15 yr old just wanted to graduate and be done with school, now, she wants to go to University of Houston for photography. My youngest is planning to attend A&M for Teaching and Library Science. THIS IS GOD FOR SURE!
Today, my girls are officially finished with the 2011/2012 school year and I have to give the glory to my amazing God! My heart is pounding with excitement as the Lord plans and I obediently follow for the 2012/2013 school year. (Through the encouragement and advice of other homeschoolers and HSLDA and THSC, I now know how to do the transcripts and diplomas)
I know there will continue to be hurdles, humps and setbacks. I also know that my God is with me on this journey and He will handle them! He reminds me in Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still" He is my Warrior! GLORY!!
I am so thankful for the support I have from other homeshooling moms, my co-op and most especially my LORD!
Have a blessed day in the our LORD!
God had me pull Casey, my son from school when he was in the end of the 5th grade. I did not want to do it, no way! With a lot of nudging, God showed me in ways I can understand that I must do it. Finally, I obediently pulled him out and begin homeschooling. I literally had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully, my God did.
As we struggled through the first couple of years, I began to see a change in my son. A good change :) Anyone of you that knew us way back then knows full well what I am talking about. God did it, not us, not a preacher, teacher or other person influence, only God!
When he graduated in 2009, I had him a diploma and a transcript and he was ready to go, or so I thought. When we went to Lamar, they would not accept the diploma or the transcript. I was devastated, my son was devasted. This was not what we expected. So, he ended up having to take the GED. You know what, HE ACED THE TEST WITHOUT STUDYING! YES AMEN! What that test did was prove to us both that he did learn and I did teach and my God led! We both needed to know this!
This morning, he is taking another test. He is testing for the Jefferson County Sheriff's office.This first step to begin his career in law enforcement. I am so proud of him and so thankful to God for getting him here.
Now I am on the journey with my girls. When we started this year, my 15 yr old just wanted to graduate and be done with school, now, she wants to go to University of Houston for photography. My youngest is planning to attend A&M for Teaching and Library Science. THIS IS GOD FOR SURE!
Today, my girls are officially finished with the 2011/2012 school year and I have to give the glory to my amazing God! My heart is pounding with excitement as the Lord plans and I obediently follow for the 2012/2013 school year. (Through the encouragement and advice of other homeschoolers and HSLDA and THSC, I now know how to do the transcripts and diplomas)
I know there will continue to be hurdles, humps and setbacks. I also know that my God is with me on this journey and He will handle them! He reminds me in Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still" He is my Warrior! GLORY!!
I am so thankful for the support I have from other homeshooling moms, my co-op and most especially my LORD!
Have a blessed day in the our LORD!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Continued Strength
I am so completely blessed by my LORD! I just went back to work after being off for three weeks with my kids (vacation). God used that time to get me organized in both my priorities and my time.
Him first thing, then breakfast with my kids, school, and family hang time. I even started reading aloud to my youngest (my 15 yr old was listening in ..yay).
I was concerned that when I went back to work on my 12 hr 5am to 5pm days, that I would revert back to being to tired when I get home to want to do anything and waking up later on my days off. I prayed so hard to my Daddy in Heaven to continue to keep me where He had brought me during my time off, and you know what, HE HEARD ME!! I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday and was able to spend time with Him, come home to cook, tidy up and help where the kiddos needed for school. WOW!! That is only something God can do.
Let me give you a short testimony:
I was six years old and at my mother's funeral when I accepted Christ.
As I listened to the pastor's words I began to understand that I could not spend eternity in heaven with God because of the separation caused by my sin. I knew my mother was in heaven. So, very sweetly, God used that moment for me to realize that without Jesus, I would never see her again. From there, I listened even more intently to the pastor who was leading her funeral. He spoke of this Saving Grace and I understood at that moment that I was being called to that Grace!! AMEN!! The Holy Spirit moved in me I accepted that gift of Salvation and Jesus became mine!! YAY!!!
I would love to say my life was a bowl of chocolate cherries after that and that I devoted myself fully to walking with Christ, but it wasn't and I didn't. That is a whole other story! I can tell you though, I now understand full well the meaning of deliverance :)
Over the years, God has taught me where my strength comes from. There are days when I think I can't do this anymore, and He then reminds me that because of my Covenant relationship through Christ, I have His strength. I also have His Identity and His Protection. ( I strongly suggest reading Kay Arthur's study or any other study on Covenant to fully understand what I am talking about). My Savior will not drop me on my face and say "okay, I am finished with you...see ya". PRAISE GOD, He will "never leave me or forsake me". He will keep me! I am His beloved. He will continue to lead me on this journey of Homeschooling and family priorities. I am loving this King of mine!!
Thank you again for listening to my heart. I do want to mention one more thing. My mom was a teacher, it is one of only a few memories I have of her....I had always wondered if I had any of her in me...Love how my LORD answered that one for me..He gave me her teacher's heart!
I am thankful that I will get to see her again and compare "teacher notes"
My cup runneth over!
Have a fantastic day in the Lord!!
Him first thing, then breakfast with my kids, school, and family hang time. I even started reading aloud to my youngest (my 15 yr old was listening in ..yay).
I was concerned that when I went back to work on my 12 hr 5am to 5pm days, that I would revert back to being to tired when I get home to want to do anything and waking up later on my days off. I prayed so hard to my Daddy in Heaven to continue to keep me where He had brought me during my time off, and you know what, HE HEARD ME!! I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday and was able to spend time with Him, come home to cook, tidy up and help where the kiddos needed for school. WOW!! That is only something God can do.
Let me give you a short testimony:
I was six years old and at my mother's funeral when I accepted Christ.
As I listened to the pastor's words I began to understand that I could not spend eternity in heaven with God because of the separation caused by my sin. I knew my mother was in heaven. So, very sweetly, God used that moment for me to realize that without Jesus, I would never see her again. From there, I listened even more intently to the pastor who was leading her funeral. He spoke of this Saving Grace and I understood at that moment that I was being called to that Grace!! AMEN!! The Holy Spirit moved in me I accepted that gift of Salvation and Jesus became mine!! YAY!!!
I would love to say my life was a bowl of chocolate cherries after that and that I devoted myself fully to walking with Christ, but it wasn't and I didn't. That is a whole other story! I can tell you though, I now understand full well the meaning of deliverance :)
Over the years, God has taught me where my strength comes from. There are days when I think I can't do this anymore, and He then reminds me that because of my Covenant relationship through Christ, I have His strength. I also have His Identity and His Protection. ( I strongly suggest reading Kay Arthur's study or any other study on Covenant to fully understand what I am talking about). My Savior will not drop me on my face and say "okay, I am finished with you...see ya". PRAISE GOD, He will "never leave me or forsake me". He will keep me! I am His beloved. He will continue to lead me on this journey of Homeschooling and family priorities. I am loving this King of mine!!
Thank you again for listening to my heart. I do want to mention one more thing. My mom was a teacher, it is one of only a few memories I have of her....I had always wondered if I had any of her in me...Love how my LORD answered that one for me..He gave me her teacher's heart!
I am thankful that I will get to see her again and compare "teacher notes"
My cup runneth over!
Have a fantastic day in the Lord!!
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