Loosing Our Way...

"Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads

to destruction, and those who enter it are many.  For the gate is narrow 

and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." 

 Matthew 7:13-14

As we go on our Christian walk, there are times when we are not as close to God as others.  It's not God fault.  I hear people complain that God just is so distant.  He left me through this situation.  I am going through this alone.  But, God doesn't leave us or forsake us.  The Creator of this universe is waiting patiently for you and me.  We're just human.  Sometimes easy is well... easy.  Too easy to resist.  How many times do we walk away from Him??

God doesn't say the narrow way will be easy.  The Bible says it's the hard way.  It's forgiving others, even when undeserved or unasked.  It is letting go of anger.  It is making time for Him in ways like prayer and church.  It's teaching your kids about God.  It's reaching out to others with the love of God.  It's a relationship with God.  It's putting God in the center of your life...then putting the things you want in.  God first. 

"But FIRST seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness..."   Matthew 6:33

"For those that live according to the flesh set their minds on the things

 of the flesh, but those that live according to the Spirit set their mind 

on things of the Spirit.."   Romans 8:5

If you are reading this and you feel a distance between you and God.  Know deep inside your heart that God loves you.  As messed up as you can get.  He loves you.  He loves the way you look first thing in the morning.  You know why?  Because you are His child.  HIS!  And know something else too.  Just know that we have all been there.  We all go through periods in our Christian walk that we wonder off a bit.

 The main thing is getting back on that narrow path. Nurture your relationship with God.  How? The same way you nurture your relationships here on this earth.  You spend time with Him.  He is waiting with open arms just for you.

God's Beauty

We went for a hike today. To be in the midst of God's Beauty is a
wonderful thing! I look everywhere and see the flowers showing
us God's glory!  It is beautiful!
 

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
Psalm 150:6

A blush of pink...

Snowflakes in the middle of spring...

Sunshine in the petals of flowers...

A Weed full of Wishes! :)

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is
to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone
with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and
that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple
beauty of nature. I firmly believe that nature brings solace
in all troubles. - Anne Frank 

Thoughts on Blessings...

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
 Another withholds what he should give,

 and only suffers want.

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,

And one who waters will himself be watered."

Proverbs 11:24-25

Tonight I'm examining myself a bit.  I believe it's good to take a look at yourself.  See the things that need worked on.  Accept the things that cannot be changed.  Take a good look ~ warts and all.

And I wonder ~ when others count their list of blessings, do I even cross their mind?  How many lives have a really, truly touched?  How many would consider me a blessing in their life?  Before you get too worried about me, I'm fine! LOL  Just a little deep thinking...

Am I doing my best to make a difference??

Do I try to reach out to others?? (even when it's not easy)

Do I love more and judge less?

My 'goal', you could say, is not to be on every one's list.  Just to give freely...to bring blessings to others... to be the person that other's are happy to see.  We all have people we'd love to hide down another isle and pretend we didn't see.  Be Honest!  I know I am not the only one!! LOL =D  I just want to make sure that it's not me your hiding from!    

I realize that I can't make everyone like me.  It's took me years, many books, and the help of God to make me realize that statement.  It bears repeating.  Not everyone is going to like me.  (or you!) But, that is okay.  Just live with the light of God inside of you.  Either they will accept you eventually or not.  Just work on yourself.

But right now ~ think of the blessings in your life.  What do they have in common?  The ones that pop in my head... they accept me they way I am.  They love me despite myself.  They reach out when I need encouragement.  So that is what I need to be to others.....
               Accepting
                                                Loving
                                                                       Encouraging

Candle of JOY

"...for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” ~ Nehemiah 8:10

So much of our time is spent waiting. Waiting in line. Waiting until Friday. Waiting in traffic. Waiting until your married. Waiting until your kids are bigger. Waiting for something... We need to remember one thing.

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

Today. We are not talking about yesterday and the mistakes we made. Nor are we talking about tomorrow (because God will take care of that too.) Today...right now is a gift from God. What are you going to do with it? Those people in your life right now, God has put there for a reason. Yes, even the odd ones at Wal-Mart.

There are moments everyday that I let go by. Moments were I'm spaced out thinking about...yeah, you guessed it.... ME. What I want to do. Where I want to go. What I am in the mood to do. Here I am thinking about me and I miss those people walking around me. Those opportunities that God gave me to reach out to others with a smile or kind word.

Or even more guilty of me ~ I miss those moments of joy with my children. There's homework, dirty clothes, dirty dishes, messy house ~ so many distractions...so many things that have to get done... or what?? That joy of seeing your children run to you with open arms kinda' goes away when they get older. ;D Yeah, those hugs I get from my oldest son are rare anymore. (I still get a kiss goodnight!) I need to make more time with them for fun. For JOY, not just to help with dishes.

With joy comes strength. Think about it. Those moments that you seize which filled you with joy...those moments that you didn't just let pass by...those moments when joy is in your soul. They are filled with strength. You feel confident. That comes from God.

It is the other moments when your annoyed because traffic is backed up...the moments when the check-out line is too long...when you are just waiting to put the kids in bed for a moment of peace...It is then, when your body and soul are weary. When you are tired and don't care. Those are moments Satan is there making you weak.

We all have some of both days. After all, we are not in paradise yet. I just pray that in those moments of weakness, when you want to be left alone, that some one will come and bring joy to you in some small way. It is amazing how much light one candle can bring. How much joy a simple act can give. Lord, let me be that candle in some one's life.

P.S. This weekend we are doing our February service act. We are helping Faith In Action. We even have another family going to be helping us. Can't wait!

Simple Gifts...

They are the reason my heart smiles. My three kids: Joey, Luke, & Faith. My nephew, Phillip. My three nieces: Summer (left), Cara (red sweater behind Faith), Abby (little one in front)

I love all the family pictures on our Christmas tree!

The kids decorate Gingerbread Cookies to share!

Fresh baked banana and pumpkin bread ready for special teachers!

And a few gifts under the tree!

Simple things that we should not take for granted. (pic 1) A family to love and that loves you. (pic 2) Warm memories to look back upon. (pic 3) Making memories and traditions with you children today. (pic 4) The smell and taste of food made from scratch with a touch of love baked in. (pic 5) The gifts that we unwrap each day from God.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Finding JOY ...

"Whatever challenges you may face, whatever circumstances are weighing you down, you can choose your response. How you life your life is totally up to you. It's not dependent on your circumstances. It's dependent on your choices. Abraham Lincoln said, 'Most people are as happy as they've decided to be.'" Joel Osteen, Every Day A Friday.

I have just begun this book and this is one of the paragraph's in the first chapter. It is true though. Our praise should not depend on our circumstances. Circumstances change for better or worse. It takes us many times to places we don't understand. So often, the sound of our praise becomes silent when it needs to be the loudest.

"The enemy always fights you the hardest when he knows God has something great in store for you. You are closest to your victory when it is the darkest. That is the enemy's final stand. Don't be discouraged. Don't start complaining. Just keep offering up that sacrifice of praise." Joel Osteen, Every Day A Friday

I know that I feel convicted about this. My praises have still been there these past months. But ~ not always loud...not always felt deep in my soul...sometimes just going through the motions. That is not what JOY and PRAISE are supposed to be. In those moments, that is when the enemy is winning. In those moments of defeat and pity, the enemy has me right where he wants me.

That is when I should be praising the loudest. The joy will fill our soul as you are thanking God for what He has done in your life... The doors He is preparing to open... And the blessings He has planned for YOU. It is hard to stay in the pit of darkness and dispair when you are looking at all God has done and will do. Joy is a choice. Faith becomes stronger and the enemy cannot win.

"...he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of dispair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory." Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

But in the King James version, it reads, "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;"

Praise is the answer for our darkest moments. With praise, joy will come into our hearts and lift our heads toward God again. To set our eyes on the things, not on this world with it's problems, but of the promise of God.

To Bloom

We are here in the mud and junk that this life brings. Those things in our life that can bring us down. The things in our life that make us worry...make us cry out to God. It could be health. Or a job situation. Or maybe a stack of bills that just keep coming. Maybe it is just one thing after another. Little things that on their own wouldn't hurt you, but again...and again... and again...you just get tired of fighting. Too tired to go on.

Our situations will never be perfect while we are here in this world. There is pain and suffering, even for the believer. But ~ even now ~ God wants us to bloom where we are planted. To look up towards the sun/Son, our Savior, and let our roots grow in faith through the trials. Not just grow and make it through, but to bloom...to prosper.

Right were your at ~ that is where you are supposed to be. In Psalm 37:23, it reminds us that our steps are ordered by the Lord. He knows where you've been, where you are, and where you need to go. So, take a look around. This is where your supposed to be. Find joy and laughter. Find and make moments that you can treasure later. Look and seek for the reason God has placed you there. Is there someone that needs what you can give? We all have gifts that God has given us. We just need to take a moment and not only find those people ~ but to take the time and share what we can. Maybe our gifts and our time can help another bloom.

"...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 that
strengthens me." ~ Phillippians 4:11-13

Child of God

"Can a woman forget her
nursing child, that she should
have no compassion for the son

of her womb? Even these may
forget, yet I will not forget you.
Behold, I have engraved you

on the palms of my hands..."

Isaiah 49:15-16

Isn't that amazing? It is hard for my mind to wrap around it really. I forget names all of the time. It's always very awkward when you know some one, but can remember their name. Then, after you speak to them for a moment, two steps later one of your kids say loudly, "Who's that Mommy?" Maybe that only happens to me....but let me tell you...it's a bit embarrassing!

So, God to know all of our names and to be able to keep track of who's married to who and which child He placed with who ~ it is amazing. The power of God. The love of God to not only put us here but to still want to be a part of our lives. For God to hear our prayers, whether spoken or not. For God to know our bad days and to send some one for our support or cheer. To be our loving Father through it all. God will not forget our names, our faces, but most of all, our hearts.

June Basket Winners!

One Basket with Peanut Butter and Snickerdoodle

for Nanci Robinson (I know your not a big chocolate

fan, so I picked one of our family favorites for your 2nd choice.)

One box with an assortment of cookies being sent

to a sweet lady winning the battle of cancer.

God is So Good!

One Basket with Oatmeal Raisin and Double Chocolate Chip

for Jason Scott

Thank you everyone for playing! I do enjoy baking. I know that part of it is the joy others have with receiving it. It brings me joy to see your happiness! :) Isn't it great how it works that way? If you have any suggestions that you would like for the next drawing, just hit that comment button and let me know! Thinking maybe I could find a pretty cake plate and make a three layer or something? Humm...Pie? I don't know. Let me know what you'd like! :)

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing,

You have loosened my sackcloth

and clothed me in gladness;

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent,

O, Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever."

Psalm 30:11-12

The Ups and Downs

"You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love for all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me."
Psalm 86:5-7

So often in life, this is me. Crying out in distress when conflict enters my life. Or tragedy enters. Or even confusion. Help Lord!! And yes ~ in this life, there is a lot of that going on. It seems like we are either starting that time in our lives. In the middle of it. Or just coming out of it. (remotely sounds like P.M.S. heehee!)

Lately, I've become a lot more sensitive than I used to be. I've always been that person in the card isle reading one after another trying to find the perfect card. Wiping tears away on some. Oh, yes, remember Touched by an Angel? Yeah, cried. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? Yep, cried. Funerals I went with my husband but didn't even know the person? Oh, yeah, cry like a baby. Oh, one of the worst for me is that Christmas Shoes song. I cannot listen to it - not even the first chorus - without tears!! (come on, that's a SAD song!) Now, it doesn't even seem to take that much. (Yes I know, your saying that it took sooo much before, right?) Small things in life can make my eyes misty.

I am just SO full of thankfullness!

In the middle of the stress of my life ~ the daily conflicts ~ the pain ~ I still can find JOY because Christ hears my cry. Because even when things are not going the way I think they should ~ God is still in control! Because even when I am having a fit and acting like a two year old (or teenager!) ~ God still blesses me!

24. Daisys growing wild in the fields.

25. Smell of honeysuckle through open windows.

26. Sunshine after the storms.

27. Snuggles with my babies.

L I F E

I do know that no one said that life would be easy. It's just that sometimes ~ I do wish it was a tiny bit easier. :) Or maybe not even 'easier' is the word I'm thinking of. I think it would help me out just to even have the game plan. That the hard parts would be a bit better because I'd know what the next play was. The decisions would be a bit easier because I'd know where I'm headed.

Then ~ there is real life. The walking through the mud because we didn't see the bridge down the other path. The making a wrong decision because we thought it looked right. My husband works at a factory now. He's never liked his job. They are now talking about going down to two lines. Which, with all of the layoffs they already had because of the economy, would leave him jobless. Kent is the dreamer. (just open a bakery) I'm the realist. (the hours, loans, ect) He'd love to find that awesome job. I try to be realistic with him. If you ask people, sad to say, but most people don't like their jobs. One of our friends is a driver. His job has long hours and, of course, stress. That's LIFE. But, he finds teaching in church to fill his soul.

My job is just that ~ a job. Do I wake up excited about my job? Not really. But, my job gives me the hours I need to support my family. It doesn't fulfill me each day, but I leave it behind when I walk out the door and find people and things that fulfill me. I love being with my kids. I read books to lift me. I bake for my family and others to make me happy. I love to paint and take pictures to see my world. I write and do other things that fill my soul. My job doesn't define me. It's a small part of my life that helps pay bills. Maybe when the kids are bigger and I don't have to think about after school care, another job will come along.

I don't think that God wants us to be miserable in our jobs. Sometimes I think the misery is coming from us and our attitudes. (at least from my experience) I believe that we're in those places for a reason. To encourage others. To learn something. Any number of reasons. Sometimes those awesome jobs are out there with your name on it. (woo-hoo!) But, sometimes God puts is in a not-so-great job so that the good insurance will pay for heart surgery. (been there!) Or so that your autistic son doesn't have to deal with daycare. (done that!) So, I don't know where this road of LIFE is taking us. But ~ that's nothing new. I'll just let God be my pilot and lead me where I need to go for real joy comes not in our lives or jobs ~ but in Christ alone. No matter what circumstance may come, there can still be joy.

"Count in all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you
know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness
has its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
James 1:2-4

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by
the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope."
Romans 15:13

Rejoice

"But I trust in your unfailing love;
My heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord's praise
For He has been good to me."

Psalm 13:5-6

It is easy to look around and see things to be negative about. Turn on the news. Look at the bill pay pile. Look at my home that is begging for a spring cleaning. (getting in the mood, just not quite there yet!! LOL)

Yet, in all that mess... all those things that can clutter your mind and heart ... I have to just push it away. And rejoice! For God has been good to me. Thank you Lord for loving me despite my failings. Thank you Lord for reaching my Dad and bringing him home to be with you. Thank you Lord for my kids. Even when I was little, I always knew I wanted to be a mother. Thank you Lord for a husband that tries. Tries to support his wife and kids in every way. Thank you Lord for my Mom that helps us so much. Thank you Lord for my nephew & nieces. It's a little like being a grandparent early! :) Thank you Lord for my friends that pick me up, love me, and have my back. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You Lord!

I know that I sometimes forget just to rejoice and say thank you. I get busy asking for help. Or see a need in others. Or just cry & whine. Tonight ~ I just wanted to say Thank You!