Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 21

I woke up this morning with a bad attitude.  Not gonna lie.  I had a pretty hectic week and I wanted to just hide away today and not deal with reality.  I was at the kitchen sink doing the dishes and said to my husband "Sometimes I wish I could just take a personal day, when I could just read a book, drink some tea, watch a movie, or take a nap."  He simply stated "So why don't you do that today?  You need to take a day.  You are in a grumpy mood and you need to take a day off."

Wait, what?  Did he just tell me I'm grumpy?  He's supposed to be all supportive and let me gripe for a while.  EXCEPT THAT...one day I gave him permission to tell me when I am playing the martyr.  I asked him to tell me to snap out of it when I am having a bad attitude.  And that's what he did today.  It was done in love and I pouted for a few minutes and then I realized that he was totally right. 

So as I was eating the omelet that he so generously made for me for breakfast, I thought about how I could have a better attitude for the rest of my day.  That's when Philippians 2:4-5 popped into my mind.

"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." (NASB)

Obviously somewhere in the back of my mind I knew the reference to having the attitude of Christ Jesus, or it wouldn't have popped into my head when I needed it.  But I had to go to my concordance to find exactly where it was located, and the precise wording.  So I figure, why not memorize it for SSMT verse 21?

As I was reading Philippians 2 to get a feel for the context of these verses, I began to realize something.  Paul didn't tell the people to stop looking out for their own personal interests.  He didn't ask them to play the martyr and only look after everyone else.  He simply told them to ALSO look out for the interests of others.  Care about others needs.  Watch each others' backs, so to speak. 

The NIV version of verse 5 says "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."  That word "relationships" is really what it is all about.  It takes the focus off of just me.  I am still concerned with taking care of my own needs, but I also look out for the needs of those around me.  It removes the selfish ambition and creates an attitude of "we're all in this together."  As Paul says in Phil. 2:2 "Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." (Emphasis mine.)

For the next two weeks I will be working on my attitude as I memorize Philippians 2:4-5.  I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, who brought this verse to mind on a day when I really needed it.  Oh - and it doesn't hurt that I have a husband who helps me change my bad-attitude into a better-attitude, with love and encouragement.  Thanks honey!

Siesta Scripture Memory Team Vs. 6

I can't believe I'm on my 6th memory verse already!  That means that we are almost 1/4 of the way through 2013!  Although I am glad that Winter is melting into Spring, it certainly seems like the first three months of the year have gone by in a heartbeat.

I know I didn't post my verse at the beginning of this month.   I haven't spent much time on the computer at all, really.  When my laptop broke down last month I was a little sad but it has been a real eye opener to me about how wise I need to be about where I spend my time.  I have been spending way less time on facebook or playing my favorite game of words with friends, and way more time focusing on my family and home.  It has been a really busy month so far anyway, schedule wise.  So I took Beth Moore's advise and chose two verses together to memorize and meditate on this month.

Psalm 92:1-2 say:

It is good to give thanks to the LORD
And to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night.

I can't tell you how many times I have looked at my note card and repeated these verses out loud already this month.  Over and over the words resound in my heart.  Give thanks.  Sing Praise.  Declare His lovingkindess and faithfulness. 

I remember singing a simple praise song in church as a teen that goes like this:

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad...

The Psalmist goes on in Psalm 92:4 to say "For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands."  Sometimes you just have to belt out a good praise song to the Lord and everything feels better!  These days my favorite song to crank up the volume and sing along with is "Strangely Dim" Francesca Battistelli.  The song is all about fixing our eyes on God so that everything else around us- all our doubts and worries- will fade away as we turn them over to Him.

Yes, He has made me glad.  By all that He is, and all that He has done.  By holding my hand on some days and carrying me through others.  He is so good.  And I will declare His lovingkindess in the morning and His faithfulness by night.

 

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 4

Goodness!  It's already time for another memory verse.  I knew a few days ago which one I was going to pick.  I was listening to a program while I was folding clothes, and a verse caught my attention.  I don't really have time to elaborate right now, but someone may need to hear this truth today as much as I needed it this week.  The words come directly from Jesus and I heard them loud and clear ringing through the depths of my heart as I folded my children's clean clothes on my bed that morning.


“You did not chose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
-John 15:16 NASB

"I chose you, and appointed you..."

Whew!  I don't know if I'm the only one, but boy did I need reminding of that this week!  I think sometimes we believe that it's the other way around.  That we chose Him.  We invited Him into our heart and that was that.  But no, HE chose US.  He pursued a relationship with us and is still pursuing us on a daily basis.  That is worth memorizing and repeating and shouting out loud, if you ask me! 

But not only did He choose us, He appointed us to go and bear everlasting fruit.  If that means I need to fold the laundry one more time, then that is exactly what I will do!  And while I'm at it I will be praying and asking for Him to pursue the five little blessings He has entrusted to me with the love and passion that caught my attention so many years ago.

I hope you know how much He loves you and is pursuing you today.

Blessings,
Melissa   

Think Small

I know, I know...you've always been taught in life to "think big!"  That's not the case here.  In fact, when I started this blog I was thinking small.  "Small Things," that is!

Several years ago I was feeling rather defeated when it came to keeping my home clean.  Hey, I was just trying to remember to breath with a new baby and four more small children clamoring at my feet for my attention!  But then a friend showed me Rachel Anne's blog, Home Sanctuary.  She helped me have an entire new outlook on being a homemaker. 

As an at home mom, I felt the pressure to always keep my home clean, have delicious meals on the table and make sure everyone was taken care of.  Do you detect a hint of perfectionism in there?  Well, I was setting myself up for failure. 

Rachel Anne made me realize that building sanctuary in my home is not about everything being perfect.  It's not about a spotless kitchen, or gourmet food.  It's the Small Things that make sanctuary happen.  With her help, I've learned that Sanctuary is a three-legged stool, made up of Peace, Order, and Beauty.  It takes all of those things together to make my home a safe haven for my family and all who enter here. So after reading a few of her posts, I joined the Company Girls and dug in!

I've learned a lot as I've followed along with the small things since that first day.  I've made friendships and won prizes and cheered on other Company Girls.  I made it through some really tough times and blogged about some exciting victories.   With a little effort and a LOT of prayer, I've come a long way on my journey to sanctuary.

But my journey is far from over.

Now I'm in a new season in my life.  All of my kids are in school (grades K-6), and I've gone back to work part time.  My schedule looks way different here at home, but I'm still striving towards sanctuary.  Every day I remind myself to just breathe.  It's the theme over at Home Sanctuary for 2013.  Take it one small thing at a time.

Rachel Anne extended the invitation so wonderfully that I'm going to now pass that invitation on to you.

I'm inviting you to find that part of yourself that longs to come home to a place that is uniquely "you" and comforts your soul as soon as you walk in the door. I'm inviting you to give up the silly notion of "perfection" and embrace the deep truth that "Home is Sanctuary," no matter how big or small, fancy or plain. It is the place where you create history, find your faith, accept each other's flaws, and give one another strength. It is where you'll find beauty and grace in everyday dishes, tossed backpacks and mismatched socks. It IS there....even if you don't see it right now. I'll show you.

 

 So think small in 2013!  Come join the Company Girls and simply Breathe.

A Priceless Gift

Sometimes I just need a little reminding to have a positive attitude.  Rachel Anne over at Home Sanctuary had perfect timing this morning with her post Glass Half Full. 

In her post she says "Learning to have a positive attitude is a gift we can give our children...and is a gift we can give ourselves."  A gift.  Encouraging words.  Understanding.  Grace.  All gifts that are priceless, wrapped in selfless love.  Gifts designed by the Master of giving. 

Mornings aren't always the most positive environment around here with 5 kids getting ready for school.  Take this morning, for example.  I was having a tough morning, being stretched to the limit.  One of my boys came to me and said he was sorry for making me mad.  I was only trying to teach him that he needs to be responsible for some things on his own in the morning because Mommy can't do it all.  I think all he heard was "I'm mad at you because you're making my life difficult."  I hugged him and told him I wasn't mad and that I was sorry for coming across that way. 

Am I sorry for trying to teach him to help himself in the morning?  No.  I am, however, sorry for the way I presented the lesson.  It must have been in my tone of voice.  Or maybe the words I used.  Perhaps it was just the frown on my face.  I am so thankful that he was brave enough to approach me.  My heart sinks to think that I could hurt one of my children with my words.  I'm so glad they are quick to forgive me.

I am going to try to have a more positive attitude in the morning.  Hopefully it will be contageous... a gift worth wrapping and unwrapping over and over again. 

"Let all that you do be done in love." -1Corinthians 16:14
 

Full to the Measure

"For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace."   
-John 1:16

I love this verse!

Paul uses this same word "fullness," in Ephesians 3:14-19, when talking about the love of Christ. In both cases, the greek root word is pleroma - definition - fullness, fulfillment, completion (Strongs concordance 4138)

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Emphasis mine.)

Filled to the measure. What does that mean to you? To me, that means never empty. Christ's love never runs out. Out of His fullness we have all received. And there is more where that came from. Grace upon grace. We have eternal access to this power, this love, that strengthens us and fills us up on a daily basis.

That, my friend, is a love worth celebrating!

May you be strengthened out of His glorious riches today,
~Melissa

A Love that Matters

This is not a Valentine's post.  Not that I am anti-Valentine's Day...I have a Valentine that has loved me faithfully for 17 years now.  I even have a special Valentine to give to him, and one for each of my children.

But this post is about something bigger.  It's about a love that is deeper, wider, and higher than we can ever imagine.  This morning, as I was worshiping before the Lord, I felt a fresh wave of His love flow over me.  It was as if He was asking me somewhere in the depths of my heart, "Daughter, do you know how much I love you?"  I wondered at His question.  How could there be any doubt about how much He loves me?  Of course I know!  But then it came again..."Do you really know how much I love you?"

Perhaps after this morning I know a little bit more how great His love is for me.  That's why I wanted to post about my experience here.  Maybe one of you needs to hear today how deeply He loves you.  I pray with Paul that you will "know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."  (Ephesians 3:19)

John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Now that's a love worth celebrating!


Blessings in Christ,
Melissa

Trusting Him Sight-Unseen

I've just been sitting here listening to the rain on my skylights, thinking about the Israelites in the dessert after God brought them out of Egypt.  What do rain and the dessert have to do with one another?  Well, this morning my quiet time I was reading about how the people were complaining to Moses, even after God had shown His faithfulness and provided miracles on their journey through the dessert time and again.  The Bible says that they grumbled against God, "And in their heart they put God to the test by asking food according to their desire." (Psalm 78:18)

Read how He answered them in Psalm 78:21-29

Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath;

And a fire was kindled against Jacob
And anger also mounted against Israel,

Because they did not believe in God
And did not trust in His salvation.

Yet He commanded the clouds above
And opened the doors of heaven;

He rained down manna upon them to eat
And gave them food from heaven.

Man did eat the bread of angels;
He sent them food in abundance.

He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens
And by His power He directed the south wind.

When He rained meat upon them like the dust,
Even winged fowl like the sand of the seas,

Then He let them fall in the midst of their camp,
Round about their dwellings.

So they ate and were well filled,
And their desire He gave to them.

Did you see that progression?  They complained that they wanted food.  God got angry because they didn't believe Him and trust Him for His salvation.  And YET (that's the word of the day), and yet He opened up the heavens and caused it to rain down manna to show them, once again,  that He provides. 

I would love to say that I never grumble.  That I am content in every situation and satisfied with the portion of strength and provision that God gives me for each day.  But then I would just be lying.

2 Corinthians 9:8 says "God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work."  If I believe this promise, which I do, then I can stop worrying about what I need for tomorrow, or the next day, and just be thankful that I have been given enough for today's needs.

I've been reading "The Resolution for Women" by Priscilla Shirer, and she puts it this way in her 1st chapter, Surprisingly Satisfied:

Whatever He's given or not given, He's done for a specific reason-a reason known only to Him perhaps but one you can trust with full confidence, sight unseen.  Every decision you need to make, every task you need to accomplish, every relationship you need to navigate, every element of daily life you need to traverse, God has already perfectly matched up with an equivalent-to-overflowing supply of His grace.

That about sums it up for me.  My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)  So this girl is going to gather up her manna for today and trust Him to provide for tomorrow all that I need.

Trusting Him "sight-unseen,"
Melissa

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 23

I can hardly believe that it is the first of December.  There has been so much change in our lives this year that the months have just flown by.  November was so full of excitement that I didn't even really have the chance to sit down and blog about it.  There were birthdays and concerts and vacations and Thanksgiving with both sides of our family.  Yes, there was a lot to be thankful for in November.  And now, the Advent season is upon us.  It is time to reflect on the one thing that will always be unchanging in my life...the everlasting love of God revealed to us in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-2, 14 NASB

Last month, I chose a memory verse from Luke to remind me that God always fulfills the promises of His Word.  I was listening to Beth Moore one morning and this verse really sank in, right to the core of my being.  It was "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her." (Luke 1:45)  It is one thing to memorize scripture, but to believe that every promise in the Bible is true and still applies to me today, well now, that is something entirely different.  This year, God has really impressed upon my heart the relevance of His Word in my life on a day to day basis. 

He has upheld me when I felt I could no longer stand.  He has reminded me that I am never alone.  He has given direction where there was none before.  He has taught me to look to Him in the midst of storms.  He has given me courage to face uncertain change.  He is my strength, my motivation, and my reward. 

I could go on and on, but I think I will sum this post up with my second to last memory verse of 2011. 

 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name." -Luke 1:49

May you all be blessed by His Word,
~Melissa

10 Things Tuesday on Friday

Ok.  So it's not Tuesday.  But sometimes a girl just has to stop and give thanks.  Otherwise, the events of a very trying week could consume her thoughts with negativity.  Why allow that when there are so many positive, good things to dwell on? 

1. Little man is feeling much better and so am I.  We spent lots of time cuddling this week.  Not that I would ever ask for one of my kids to be sick, but it really does bring out the "nurturer" in me.  Even when I'm not feeling well myself.

2. Fall has finally decided to show itself.  Last year I didn't get to savor my favorite season because it seems like we went from Summer to Winter overnight.  I really do love the many colors of the leaves and the warm days and crisp nights.  Not to mention the tastes of Fall like apple cider, and pumpkin spice muffins and lattes!

3. Although I am definitely not a morning person, I really have enjoyed watching the sun rise over the beautiful hills that surround us here.  We have a big picture window in our dining space that nicely frames them.  This morning was a particularly glorious sun rise with oranges and pinks and purples reflecting off of a few scattered fluffy clouds.  If only I could paint!  I would capture the image forever on canvas.

4. I've had some great dinner conversation with my kids this week at the dinner table.  I know that the days will quickly come when there will be kids missing from the dinner table due to activities and sports.  I want to cherish the moments that we spend together eating dinner as a family.  My favorite night was when we went around the table and showed our appreciation for each kid by highlighting something special about them and then giving them a round of applause.

5. We finally got half of our firewood delivered yesterday.  My garage is filled with the fresh scent of Oak.  I'm so thankful that we have two fireplaces to help heat this big home this winter.  When it does get cold here it gets really cold.  If I remember correctly from the last time we lived here, it can even get to sub zero temps.  That's without a wind chill factor.  I will say that I'm glad that those days the sun is usually shining bright.  It may not warm us, but I can face the cold days a lot better when the sun is shining.

6.  Here's a sad one from last weekend, but it's worthy of sharing.  I went to my dear friend's dad's funeral last weekend.  She was my babysitter growing up so I knew her dad pretty well.  I was so thankful that my husband watched the kids for me for the weekend so I could go and support her. 

7. While I was driving across the state to get there I had a lot of good worship and prayer time with God.  I really enjoyed the uninterrupted time (6 1/2 hours one way) in the car.  It felt like catching up with an old friend.

8. The funeral was in my home town so I got to stay at my mom's house.  While I was there I visited with my Grandma, who lives just down the hill.  I loved waking up in the morning to hug my mom and have a cup of coffee with her.  My sister joined us on Saturday and she and I went to see a movie together Saturday night.  That's something we haven't done in years!  It was wonderful to visit with my family, even though it was only for a couple of days.

9. While I was away, my neighbor had her baby!  I am waiting to go take a peek because I know how difficult the first week home can be.  I will eventually put together a meal for them and a basket of goodies for their other two children, but for now, they have family taking good care of them.  I am so thankful that God put us next door to them.  We've already become good friends.

10. We're going to try out our Pastor Friend's church again this weekend.  We've checked out a few other churches in the area and none have really been for us.  LIFE Church is very lively and they are seeing lots of people come to Jesus every week.  They have a really good kids' program and great worship.  I love to listen to the Pastor preach because he has a lot of passion for God's Word and how it applies to our lives today.  I hope that we can finally get plugged into a church that is right for our family.

Well, that's 10!  I sure do have a lot to be thankful about!  It's like I always tell my kids: When you're having a bad day (week), just be thankful!  Find something positive to think about and that will make it easier to walk through any trial that comes your way.

To quote the wise prophetess of the book of Judges, Deborah, during a difficult time of her life, "March on, my soul, be strong!"  (Judges 5:21b)

Have a great weekend all!
~Melissa

Words, Deeds, and Giving Thanks

Ever since I picked up a few hours at my in-laws ACE store, I've been thinking a lot about work.  Not just my job there, but the tasks that I do every day at home.  I have been asking myself if I am I putting forth my best efforts, as if working for the Lord, the way that Colossians 3:23 instructs.  Proverbs 31 uses words like "eager, vigorous, and profitable" when referring to the wife of noble character's work.  I wonder, could my work be described as such?

Just as I began to seriously question and criticize the quality of my work, I came across Colossians 3:17.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

A couple of things about this verse appeal to me.  One, it covers both words and deeds.  When I talk to my husband, my children, my co-workers, my boss, or whoever else I come in contact with, I should speak to them as if doing it in Jesus' name.  Whether I am reconciling the reports for a paycheck, or doing the laundry for my family, I should complete those tasks as if I am doing them Jesus' name.  Whatever I say or do, I must do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Two, it covers HOW I do these things.  "...giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  Did you catch that last part, "through Him?"   On my own, there is no way that I have the power or strength to give thanks for all the conversations I have or tasks that I complete.  I couldn't possibly be thankful for that tough reprimand I have to give my son, or the toilets that have to be cleaned, again.  BUT when I call on the strength of the Lord Jesus and give thanks through Him, all of a sudden the impossible becomes possible.

Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  This includes giving thanks when I do not always feel like it.  For example, when I find myself grumbling about having to sweep and clean our hardwood floors, I stop and say a prayer of thanks for the beautiful, large home that the Lord has provided for our family of seven.  There are so many blessings in life to be thankful for, why dwell on the negative?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!
~Melissa

Company Girl Coffee 3.4.11

Good afternoon! I have been a busy mom lately, but I thought I'd take a minute and chime in for some Company Girl Coffee.

The other day when Rachel Anne posted "Grab Bag" as the Small Thing of the day, it reminded me that I never gave a final update on my 28 bags in 28 days. We finished well over 28 bags. It was a mixture of clothing and toys to donate, and lots and lots of trash. It's amazing what you collect when you live in a home for 6 + years!

I learned I big lesson about myself last month. I tend to hang on to things because I think I need them to hold on to the memories. It's as if I think the stuff I own makes up who I am. As I was sorting I really had to ask myself why I wanted to keep certain items. It was very good. Not only was I cleaning up the clutter in my home, but also getting rid of a little "heart clutter." God really helped me work through some tough things that I didn't even know were there.

I still have plenty of time to work on de-cluttering and packing. And God still has plenty of time to work on me. I love the way Natalie Grant puts it in her book The Real Me. "I am not the woman I was five years ago, and hopefully I am not the woman I will be five years from now. I am evolving, changing, becoming. It's not so much who I am but that I am a work in progress, striving to become more like the one who made me."

Have a great weekend everyone! This post is linked up for Company Girl Coffee!

~Melissa

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 4

It's time for another Siesta Scripture Memory Verse! So far I have memorized three fabulous verses and they have really stuck in my heart. Not a day goes by where I don't think of and sometimes recite out loud at least one of them! God is so good. He is revealing new things to me in His Word on a daily basis.

On Sunday my Pastor was speaking on God's will for our lives and He touched briefly on how it is God's will for us to be sanctified, that is, to become more like Jesus. After listening to him speak on it, I thought to myself, "well, if it is that important to God, then it is that important to me too!" So I went to the Scriptures to investigate.

Do you know that Jesus prayed for us to be sanctified, as He Himself was sanctified? You can find His entire prayer for the disciples (and us) in John Chapter 17. It's a beautiful passage of Scripture that shows his heart for us. I want to just give you a glimpse of it here though.

Starting at verse 17 Jesus prays "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word..."

Those first words really stuck with me. "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." What a great reason to crack open my Bible every day!

Some day I'd like to memorize this whole prayer. But my memory verse for the second half of this month actually comes out of a prayer from the Apostle Paul's heart. It's 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."

Oh yes, the God of peace is Faithful. And He who began a good work in me, (and you) will be faithful to complete it!

Blessings!
~Melissa

Coffee, Pie, and other Things to Enjoy

Last night I made my first apple pie. I've had my eye on the recipe for a while now. It was simple, with minimal ingredients, and used a ready-made pie crust. The kids gave it two thumbs up! If I can follow the recipe, anyone can do it. I'd offer you a bite with your coffee, but it pretty much got devoured in one sitting after dinner last night.


You can find the recipe and try it for yourself at one of my favorite blogs: Eat at Home. She posts more than desserts. Every week she posts a menu, the recipes, and a grocery list to go with it! It's one of the most useful tools I have ever come across. If you menu plan, or want to start, I would recommend checking it out.

I'm sitting here watching my youngest son sword fight with his dad using spatulas from the kitchen. It sure is fun having one kid at home still. My husband would argue that he's going to be the most spoiled because he's the youngest. (Of course, that's coming from someone who's the oldest of 5 siblings!) I guess, in a way, he's right. No other kid gets to stay at home with mom alone for two whole years. Or gets to sword fight with dad on his day off. I'd say that the other kids get their share of 'spoiling' around here too though. There's plenty of love to go around. :)

This week I've been thinking a lot about the pace of life. I don't know about you, but it seems like for me, everything is moving too quickly. I zip around my house doing chores, sometimes forgetting to slow down and play with my son. I wait impatiently in the grocery line instead of stopping to say hello to the clerk, or the person behind me that's waiting as well. All for what? A few extra minutes of time in my day? No. Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day.

So this girl is going to slow down and enjoy the life that God has given me. Enjoy my husband, my children, and my friends. I'm going to take the time to make that phone-call (instead of an e-mail), and maybe even write a letter, put a stamp on it, and mail it. And yes, I'm going to take time to bake home-made apple pie.

Have a great weekend everyone!

~Melissa

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Glad Surrender

"Discipline is the wholehearted yes to the call of God. When I know myself called, summoned, addressed, taken possession of, known, acted upon, I have heard the Master. I put myself gladly, fully, and forever at His disposal, and to whatever He says my answer is yes."

-Elisabeth Elliot, Discipline, the Glad Surrender

I have been thinking a lot about surrender lately. We sing about it when we worship Him. We talk about the surrender of our whole hearts unto Him. However, the Bible does not "directly" address the matter of what it means to surrender totally and completely to Christ. So what does it really mean to "surrender all?"

Mark 8:34-35 says this:

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

Jesus lists three conditions here for those who wish to come after Him:

1. Deny yourself.

2. Take up your cross.

3. Follow Him.

Total and complete surrender. I abandon my own will for Christ's. Not without sacrifice, but with much reward.

Jesus promises in Mark 10:29-30:

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life."

Eternal life. That is the reward of total surrender.

This morning in church we sang the song "Worshiping You" by Deluge. The words are simple:

Take this offering that I bring
humbly I fall on my knees
to proclaim your everything.
My life's nothing without you
take my hand and lead me through
you are my sustaining love.

I live to worship you (2x)

CHORUS:
Here I am worshiping you, with all I am worshiping you.
Bowing down in spirit and truth with lifted hands worshiping you.

Why do we lift our hands to the Lord when we're worshiping Him? It's an attitude of surrender. For me, it means letting go of whatever He asks. I gladly surrender to Him my life, because my life is nothing without Him.

What does total surrender mean to you?

Mountains and Valleys

Rachel Anne, over at Priscilla Shirer's blog posted some great thoughts today from Priscilla's new book "One in a Million." I left my comment there on the blog, but thought I would share a little more in detail here.

Not too long ago, I asked God when I would have my next mountain experience with Him. It seems like I've been in this particular valley for quite some time. His answer came to me in a song. "Up on the Mountain" by Patty Griffin. Towards the end of the song I started thinking about how Moses must have felt up there on the mountain, able to see the "promised land" from a distance, but knowing that he'd never get there.

Numbers 27:12-14
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go up this mountain in the Abarim range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes." (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)

I wonder if Moses, who met with God on more than one mountain, longed just a little bit for the valley that day. Back then, the mountain was where you met with God. It was where you would find His presence, and hear His voice. Today, we can meet with God, hear His voice, and find His peace anywhere. Yes, if we steady our eyes and watch for Him, even in the valley, we will find Him in the midst of our "camp."

I once had a conversation with my husband about mountains and valleys. We talked about how, early on in one's walk with God, it seems that there are more mountain times than valley times. Every worship experience, sermon, or prayer time is so fresh and new that you can't help but soar.

Then, as we become more mature believers in Christ, we don't just experience God on the mountain tops. Our relationship with Him becomes based on trust, instead of emotion. We sense God's presence with us on the mountain tops, AND in the valleys of life. There is joy to be found in both. In fact, the more time I spend "camping" in the valley, the more grounded in Christ I feel. I'm not saying I LIKE trials and hardships, but they help me mature in my faith.

James 1:2-4 says this: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Those words, mature, complete, and not lacking anything appeal to me. In order to get there though, we can't ignore the words trials, testing, and perseverance. The good news is that God doesn't leave us alone in the valley. He's right there, camping out with us.

As Priscilla Shirer puts it in "One in a Million,"

Unpack your bags. Because camping out is part of this journey. Patience is part of what's required for our hearts to get in tune with God's desires.

For now, I've stopped longing for my next mountain experience. Instead, I've unpacked my bags and I'm enjoying peace, right here in my own little valley while I wait on God, one day at a time.

May you be blessed as you watch for Him wherever you are,
~Melissa

My Worship Experience

Thursday night was worship night at our church. I had a really hard time getting all the kids ready to go (because my husband is the Worship Pastor I was on my own) and I didn't have a very good attitude by the time we got to the church. But I just knew I needed to be there. In my heart of hearts, I knew God had something for me.

The first set was good. The songs were all ones that I love and the room had a good vibe going. Our Pastor came up and prayed, and took an offering. My DH took a few minutes to read a devotion and then we had two minutes of complete silence. During this time, we were supposed to listen to God. Not pray and ask Him for things or even spill out our hearts to Him, just simply listen. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I felt the Holy Spirit minister to my heart. He simply said over and over "My daughter, I love you. I will not leave you. I want all of your heart."

The band started up again and by this time people were sitting or kneeling to pray all over the sanctuary. When they began to sing the song "You Won't Relent" I felt a stirring in my heart to stand up and stretch my hands out into the air and receive His love for me. I hesitated, because I didn't want to disturb those around me and become a distraction.

Don't we do that sometimes, not only when we are worshiping, but even just in our day to day walk with God? We have a hard time simply practicing a childlike faith because we don't want to be "noticed." We'd rather blend into the crowd. I tell you, this child of God is done blending into the crowd! I want to be noticed for Jesus!

Priscilla Shirer talks about a young lady in her book "He Speaks to Me" that did just that. She had a child like faith that stood out in the crowd. Her name is Ryan, and she is Autistic. Here's what Priscilla had to say about her:

"She hasn't learned that her style of worship should please and impress people. Her worship hasn't been tainted with religious pomp and circumstance. She doesn't pay attention to the people around her or worry about what they might think of her. Out of her childlike relationship with her Savior, Ryan just gives Him everything she has."

We could all stand to be a little more like Ryan.

I did end up standing up and giving Him everything I had in me. I sang loud and I raised my arms as high as I could get them. I sang "Come be the fire inside of me, come be the flame upon my heart. Come be the fire inside of me, until You and I are one." And I cried. And I cry still.

Come Lord, Come.

I'm so glad He doesn't relent. Aren't you?

I Love a Good Happy Ending!

Last night my DH had some work on the computer to do, so after the kids were settled in to bed for the night, I settled in to watch a nice "girl movie." You know, one of those movies that makes you laugh, cry, and feel great at the end when the guy and the girl live happily ever after?

The thing about a good movie, (and this one was good and pretty clean, which is hard to come by these days!) is that it hooks you from the beginning by helping you to identify with the characters. Then, it unfolds the story, bit by bit, as you root for those characters to succeed. Of course, before success, there is usually some sort of failure, or mishap, that makes us feel sorry for the characters.

Last night I saw it coming from a mile away. Oh, the heroine in the story had many unfortunate moments, because she was living a life of lies, from one small fib to the next, but eventually, it all caught up with her and she was completely humiliated. Talk about hitting bottom.

It was so bad, that I just couldn't watch. You know how some people hide their eyes when there's a scary moment in a movie? Well, I had to "hide my eyes" from her humiliation. I wanted to fast forward through her difficulty and get to the happy ending. Silly, I know.

What does this "girl movie" have to do with what matters to me? Well, last night it dawned on me how much I treat my life like I'm watching a movie. Things are going along great and I laugh, and feel good. Then, when it comes to the part where things go sideways, where my own mistakes catch up with me, or someone hurts my feelings, or I just don't get to where I want to be fast enough, I want to fast forward to the happy ending.

Instead of trusting God in the good, and the bad, I just want to skip the bad all together. At the very least I want to close my eyes and say "just tell me when it's over!" What I really should do in those times, is fix my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

How did the movie end? The girl set things right and owned up to her mistakes. She mended relationships that were broken by apologizing to the ones she loved that she had hurt. And yes, she got the guy. But she had to walk through her failures to arrive at true success.

In this lifetime, we will have difficulties. Most of the time difficult situations are lessons in life that we have to learn due to our own shortcomings. Sometimes though, we are involuntarily dragged into hard times by those around us. Either way, God is faithful, and He will stay by our side to the end.

We have the ultimate love story in Jesus. He paid the price for us on the cross. There is nothing on this earth that He won't walk through with us if we let Him. He is our happily ever after in this life, and the life to come.

"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:6-7, NLT

**Update**

A few girls (Ok, everyone who has read this) have asked what the name of the above mentioned movie is. I didn't mention it on purpose, because I didn't want to take away from the lesson God was teaching me. But now that you've read this far, the name of the movie is "Confessions of a Shopaholic." It's rated PG for some mild language and "thematic elements", whatever those are! I only raised my eybrow at one scene, which suggested (nothing was revealed) a couple was doing something they should not do outside of marriage. I laughed my head off and it had some really deep, great lessons in it about both finances and honesty in relationships. I definitely recommend it if you need a good laugh/cry!

Humble Matters

As I was reading in my bible this morning four words stuck out to me. "I cannot do it." They stuck out to me because of what followed. "But God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

To really understand the boldness of this situation, I need to back up a bit and give you a little more information. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, raised to a high position because the Pharaoh recognized God was with him, then thrown in prison because Pharaoh's wife accused him wrongly, and that's where he is now. The Pharaoh needs a dream interpreted so he sends for Joseph.

Picking up in Genesis 41:15 - Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

Way to go Joseph! Right answer! "I can't, but God can." Even when his life was on the line and he knew that this could mean freedom, or back to the dungeon for him, he was clear that it was God, not him, that had the power to interpret the dream. Joseph was only the vessel that God was using to do so.

Joseph goes on to interpret Pharaoh's dream and because he did, Pharaoh restored him to an even higher position than he was in before he was sent to prison.

Genesis 41:39-40 - Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."

Did you see that? Pharaoh's response was "Since God has made all this known to you..." Because Joseph humbled himself and gave credit to God right from the start, Pharaoh had to also give God credit for the interpretation of the dream!

How many times have I been in a situation where I should have given God the glory, but took the credit for my own? Too many.

What a great lesson Joseph teaches us here. "I cannot do it...but God will."

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

Puzzling Matters

I have a husband who is a puzzle addict. It started small. 500 pieces or so. No big deal. A nice family activity as we sat together and completed the puzzle in one sitting. Then, one day while he was on vacation, he came home with a 1500 piece puzzle that took over our table and lives. Honestly, 1500 pieces! Well, we finished it (with the help of some friends on New Year's Day) and it felt good. There was a sense of satisfaction when it was all done. We put all the pieces back in the box and reclaimed the table for other activities...or so I thought.

The same friends that helped us with that puzzle brought us a new one! This one had the same amount of pieces and was by the same person, only it was a lot harder. That's it in the picture...a big mesh of buildings and trees! Everything seemed to blend together with many of the pieces similar in color. But oh, we were determined.

We settled in last weekend and finally finished it last night. That is, all but one piece. See it, missing in this picture? My DH looked and looked, but it is nowhere to be found. Our friends bought it second hand, so the piece could have been gone from the start, or it could have been lost somewhere here. (I do have 5 kids, after all.)

Why would I blog about such a insignificant subject matter as puzzles? I'm glad you asked! Yesterday when we were in the final stages of the puzzle, I was reminded of a sermon that our Pastor gave one day. As we walked into the sanctuary, each of us was handed a piece of a puzzle. He explained himself by sharing how ONE piece in our hands doesn't mean much, but all of them put together makes a beautiful, complete puzzle. (No, he didn't make us put it together, he just showed us a picture of it on the overhead.)

Anyway, there we were last night, trying to make some sort of sense out of all the green pieces we'd been staring at for hours, when my husband just smacked a piece down on the table and said with humor "There! It fits!" We both laughed as he tried to force the piece into the gap. As funny as that sounds, don't we do that with life sometimes? We come to a place of uncertainty, where everything looks fuzzy, and try to make - no, try to FORCE, something to fit? Not knowing where the pieces fit in can be very unsettling.

Other times, we pick up just the right piece and presto! It fits just perfectly. Regardless of whether the pieces seem to come together easily, or take a little more time and patience, (maybe with the help of a friend and some new perspective) there is one thing that I know to be true of life. God knows the big picture before we even begin to see it. He is like the picture on the box that we have to keep looking to in order to see the final picture. Look to Him when life seems puzzling. Things will fall in place eventually. Unlike our puzzle with one missing piece, God has all the pieces. And eventually, they will all come together to make the beautiful picture that He has created just for us to enjoy.

Psalm 139:16 (Amplified Version) "Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them."