The Bigger YES!

It's easier to say "no" when you have a bigger yes.


And right now my bigger yes is on mission with Historic Faith, and our commitment to have the courage for sacrificial generosity.


That's my Historic Faith lesson today.


It's handy it's also in today's devotional...I just think God has a wonderful sense of irony.


I knew I needed to do today's devotional study, but I wasn't in the mood.


Really I wanted dessert. Something fun too, like a quick trip to Dairy Queen for dilly bars sounded yummy...but that wouldn't be happening.


And then shopping seemed like the thing to do. For clothes specifically.


I know spring isn't here yet, but I have got the urge to splurge right now, and nothing is quite quenching my shopping thirst. I'm sure there's one or two of you out there in blogger-land who can agree with me.


However, we are working on our budget and have made our Historic Faith commitment and honestly, it's pretty tight, (if you're real quiet I think you can hear it squeak) so, shopping isn't in my near future...neither is eating out. (at least until the budget is ready)


So...while I was still in my "avoiding sitting down to read the devotional mood" I decided to go shopping anyway...in my closet.


And I have to tell you...I had a great time.


I dug through bins and the far back recesses of closet rods and dug out a couple of sweaters and even found an old scarf I shall be adding to my clothing rotation.


So...the shopping itch was scratched.


But, the dessert desire was still nagging. And then I had an epiphany (I get those a lot)...and I realized I could skip dessert, have an orange and maybe drop a few pounds in the process. So...maybe through this journey I'll have a couple of things to thank God for, including: less debt, more work in the Kingdom, a closer relationship with Jesus, a retro fashion look and a cute waistline.


Hey, a girl can dream, right? Jesus said not all things are possible with men, but with God all things are possible...and there's just no limitations on the ways He might choose to work in me.


And I thoroughly enjoyed reading tonight's devotional and thinking about a bigger "yes," when I had just experienced tonight's little endeavor.


I've got a bigger yes, and that makes it a little easier to say "no" to the novelties...yes, even shopping and DQ dilly bars.


Think what I'll find when I allot a little room in the squeaky budget to hit the Thrift store! :)


H =D

Week One, Day Two...Denying Me of Myself.

“If anyone would come after me let him deny himself and take 

up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”

Luke 9:23 & 24

So, today's devotional asks the question:

"What does it look like for me to deny myself and pick up my cross?"

While I am scared of the actual "picking up" of the cross, I'm actually concerned with the "deny myself" part a little bit more.

We've just started working within our budget.  

Honestly every time my husband mentions the word "budget," he might as well be saying, "Dear, back away from the dessert table, step out of the arcade, get out of the pool, put on a life jacket, don't forget your helmet...oh, and turn off the tv, 'cause it's time for bed."

Everything about the word "budget" says, "No more fun zone."  It actually screams it...wait, no, it doesn't raise it's voice because that might be considered in the "having of the fun" department.

Can you tell I'm not crazy about budgets?  Have I made it clear enough?  

So...sounds to me like "denying myself" is the actual cross I'm lugging around.  And I'm letting it get me down!  I'm letting this thing control me.  

I'm realizing how I've gotten it all wrong.

I'm doing the exact opposite of what Jesus says to do.  He promises that when I pick up this cross and deny myself, deny my desires and selfish ways, that I will lose my old life and gain life in Him in the process.  A life He promises is WAY better than this thing I've been calling the good life...running all willy nilly throwing my dollar bills wherever they land because it sounds "fun."

Goodness, I'm grateful for this devotional today.  

I've taken this whole day to process my thoughts on this verse in Luke 9 and finally had an epiphany from the Holy Spirit.  I realized that I have not been walking around with an attitude of gratitude, but rather I've been a grumpus sitting on my rumpus thinking of all the "not fun" things associated with this new 'budgetized' way of life.

Jesus promises He will save my life...and I honestly believe that He will, now it's just time to walk it out.  And I'll be heading out for a stroll in my bike helmet and life jacket "budget", hand in hand with Jesus, leaving that old yucky, grumpy me on the side of the road.  

Later Tater, me and Jesus have a date, and it just might involve some "fun."

Feeling free and it feels good!

How about you LIFERS?!

I'd love to hear what you're thinking about out there in bloggerville.

H :)

"Who do you say I am?"...Week One, Day One Historic Faith

So...Historic Faith is officially under way.


It's been a long journey for our church leadership to bring this to fruition...a year of praying, time spent seeking wise council, intentional planning, hard discussions...and of course God's amazing timing have ALL gone into this huge endeavor for our church.


We are talking about Historic Faith...a moment in time that has the potential to change lives, church bodies, and ministries all over the world! This is a HUGE adventure, and it's not to be taken lightly.


And with that thought in mind, we all have to remember to do OUR part. Prayer and working through our daily devotional book is one great way to start owning our own slice of this movement.


So, here we are...week one, day one. Let's take it one day at a time, one step at a time, one prayer at a time.


This day we are reading through Luke 9:18-27. Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say I am?"


Peter is the only one who responds correctly, he says that Jesus is the "Christ of God". Today's devotional asks us to take it personally. Who do YOU say Jesus is?


My husband and I woke up early and prayed this morning. I'm stealing a lot of today's blog post from our discussion and his prayer.


As I sat in our quiet living room this morning with wet hair in a towel and lovely coffee breath my husband and I talked to our Father. We prayed, "Father, the passage in Luke is difficult to think about... "who do you say I am?". Father I know you are the creator of everything; that you are all powerful, all knowing...and I can't believe you're going to use me on this journey. I struggle to feel valuable enough to be a part of your plan. But I am, because you say so...so Lord please help me to remember that while I have a small part, it is still a significant part. I'm humbled to bear some of this burden Father, but excited for the journey."


So, that's where our family is beginning this adventure...acknowledging who God is and owning our part.


How did you sit with today's devotional LIFERS?


Who do you say Jesus is?


Looking forward to some good thoughts over the coming weeks, can't wait to travel this journey with our church family!

The listening place...

I had a thought I felt like discussing.


Between this next month's church newsletter on marriage and family, and our small groups going through several studies on the book of Exodus, my brain's been on overdrive.  I was reading back through the beginning of Exodus and this verse struck me:

The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt.  I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering." 

- Exodus 3:7

So I read that verse and thought through the rest of the book of Exodus, and how God did something in response to their cries.  And just as He did for the Isrealites, he does for us today: God hears our cries...he knows we suffer and are in trials...he understands, he listens and he responds.


As an adult I understand this concept...I cry out to my Father, and I know He will respond, and I'm okay with whatever His will is for me.


Trying to help my children understand this concept...now, that's a different story...


When the kids were babies, it was pretty easy to respond to their cries.  Generally they were hungry, tired, overstimulated, or had a diaper disaster.  As a parent, you hear the cry and you respond.


My children are getting older; no longer babies, and their cries have changed.  Their cries now are over hurt feelings, frustration, bumped knees and fear.  Lately, they have both been struggling with nightmares.


Last night they both awoke (at separate times) upset and afraid of bugs crawling all over them.  My husband rushed to their beds in the middle of the night ( I was knee deep in dream land ), comforted both kids and helped them get back to sleep.


This morning, my son woke up irritated and afraid.  He was still struggling with his dreams last night.  I went upstairs, helped him out of bed, reassured him there were no bugs in his room, helped him find clothes and then escorted him to the bathroom.


Somewhere in the shuffle he said, "I don't understand.  We prayed last night for God to keep the bad dreams away...how come He didn't?"


I said, "I don't know why you had bad dreams buddy.  Let's look at it a different way: even though you had a bad dream when you prayed you wouldn't...your daddy came up and sat with you,  your bed and room are warm and safe, and I'm here to talk with you about it this morning.  Last night didn't go the way you wanted, but you're still blessed buddy."  And with that he seemed moderately satisfied and went off to scrub the morning sleepies off his teeth.


Now, as I am up and conscious, I'm thinking about last night's events in their entirety... a warm shower and a cup of coffee are helping with the clarity too.


So...here's what I'm thinking about: God hears MY cries as his child; I cry out and I know God is responding (sometimes his response is silence), but helping my children understand how God chooses to work, means I have to be even more intentional in how I respond to my children.  It isn't just about nightmares, and preventing bad things from happening...it's looking through the bad things and intentionally responding in a way that they can see God at work.


My children have heard of Jesus and of the holy power and goodness of God their entire lives.  But as they sit in their beds at night...scared of what could be lurking in their closet, they cry out to God and are frustrated that God isn't keeping their little minds safe.


And I guess that's where mom and dad really come into play.  I know that God is sitting at their side, hearing them cry, but it's daddy who rescues them.


I think that's the most overwhelming thing in this whole thought.  They are crying out to their Heavenly Father as their daddy comes to the rescue; and they aren't putting the two concepts together.


I think that's the discussion that comes next with the kids.  While they are scared and not understanding how God is working, they need to understand that He is at work...through us...their parents.


It's our job to show them how God listens and responds.


I pray I have the words to help them...and as I pray I know God will hear me...so Lord, let me hear my children.


How about you?  Any thoughts?


H :)


P.S.  Stay tuned for more good stuff on marriage and parenting from our newsletter next week!  

The Grumbling...

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation... " 

-Phil. 2: 14-15

My son is seven.  I think I've mentioned this before.


He's sweet as pie, loves wrestling, debating, Scooby Doo, and all super heroes.  And he's serious when it comes to God.  Sometimes I worry he's too serious.


As for me, I'm a pretty joyful person; always looking for the silver lining on any cloud.  I'm a bit of a 'Pollyanna'... and my son can be quite the 'Eeyore'. (if that helps)


This past week was pretty tight for us financially.  I got to the last few days of the week, knowing payday was on Friday and was doing my absolute best to wisely budget the last $12 in my wallet, and my son knows this.


I'm heading to the grocery store to get two ingredients for a potluck I have the next day at work.  I'm in the middle of giving the kids the, "don't ask for anything in the store because I'm going to say no" speech, when my son interrupts me and says, "Can we go to Burger King?"


"No, we can't go to Burger King, I just don't have the money right now."


"Well, can I get a toy?"


"No, I don't have the money right now...I can only get a couple of ingredients for something I'm making for work tommorrow...please don't ask me for anything extra, I just can't give it to you today."


His response: "So, I don't get Burger King, I don't get a toy, AND I have to go into the store with you to get food I don't even get to eat!"


My response, "Yes."


His response, "This is so unfair."


And my mind starts reeling.  I'm thinking of all the things we've done lately...games, clothes, food, bounce houses, parties, candy, time with friends, toys, a warm house, clean water, health insurance...and then I stop.  


I can hear how I'm grumbling to God about my son.


Grumbling is "to complain in a surly manner; mutter discontedly."  While I wasn't doing it out loud, I was doing it in my heart.  


My words to my son were something along the lines of, "Well, buddy, we have gas in the car, a warm house, food on the table, water to drink and air to breath...sounds like God has given us exactly what we need for today, and that's still probably more than we deserve."  And we headed into the grocery store; I was somewhat relieved to stop arguing with my son...but still grumbling about his attitude, not out loud, but certainly in my heart.


Me...I was grumbling about my son's grumbling.  


The Isrealites grumbled.  God let them wander in the desert for a while.


I get the sense God doesn't like grumbling.  What's worse is when I think about it, my thought process is all about grumbling about my son...a person I begged God for over eight years ago.  God gave me one of the greatest blessings of my life, and here I am grumbling about him.  Grumbling is discontentment.  Grumbling is to be unsatisfied with what you've been given.


To sit face to face with my hypocritical attitude is terrible.  I don't even want to glance at the heap of stinking flesh with which I am attempting to seperate myself.


Jesus got upset with hypocrites.  Those people who pretended to be what they were not.  


So, here I am.  All stinky and fleshy and thoroughly disgusted...and the Pollyanna attitude God instilled in me is starting to emerge.  I know God's grace has to be sufficient for me, otherwise I might crumple under the realization of my wrong.  


I've grumbled to God about my grumbling precious boy...and now I have a glimpse of an idea of how to give grace to my boy, because it's the grace God has given me.  


I'm so sorry for my grumbling Lord.  Thank you Father, for my precious boy.  For all of his personality and wit, his humor and fight, his love and anger...and thank you for teaching me grace...so I can attempt to teach it to him.




H :)

Beautiful Feet and the Good News of Jesus...

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! 

Romans 10:15

This has long been one of my very favorite verses.  In my small group this past week I came to the realization I was struggling with parts of the good news of Jesus.


I realized that I frequently confess stuff I've done to God.  I confess my anger or impatience, my struggles, my grumpy untrusting, unfaithful heart.  I also say (almost daily)..."and Lord, please forgive the things I've done that I don't even know I did."  


It's like the ultimate last minute, "Whew...I think I got it all."


Huh,..."I think I got it all God."  I think I was able to confess everything so somehow I can appear clean to you.  I know I'm clean because you see me through the filter of Jesus...but I still want to make sure I've got every last ounce of yuckiness out...that way I'm covered.  


Huh,..."that way I'm covered?"  Isn't that what Jesus did?  Covered me with His perfect sacrifice so I no longer have to stress about getting it right...about being righteous?  


I think it saddens me to think that after all this time, after this long walk I've had with Jesus for many years now...I still don't have ALL of the good news.  


I know it's part of the journey with Jesus.  I know fully understanding his love, grace and mercy...and fully understanding what He did for me through His death...and His life, I might never wholly grasp while on this planet.  


But...is the good news I'm walking around with look good to others?


"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"


That verse has prompted me to ask: How good is my good news?  It should look like the BEST news ANYONE could EVER have...but does it look that way?  What do people see when they see me?


Do people see the work of the gospel, of the good news, when they see me?  If they don't...how can I really help bring the good news to others?


How about you...how good is your good news?


Curious what you're thinking out there in blogger-land...would love to hear from you.


H :)

New Year, Same Jesus...

This morning, getting ready to head back into work after a week and a half of Christmas/Family/Traveling busyness, I was listening to some Seeds Family Worship music.  They have a song called, "More Than Conquerors."  

"We are more, more, more than conquerors!  Through Him who loved us, through Him who loved us!  What could separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus?  Nothing!"

Here's the link to the song if you don't know it: 

It's a very addicting song...the words and tune are stuck in my head this morning.  

It's from a few verses in Romans 8, where Paul is writing to the church in Rome, and he says, 

( I tried to simplify it so it wasn't so long...but decided against it.  Who couldn't use a little more of God's word?)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, 

who have been called according to his purpose.  

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the 

likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; 

those he justified, he also glorified.  

What, then, shall we say in response to this?  

If God is for us, who can be against us?  

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - 

how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  

Who will bring any charge against those who God has chosen?  

It is God who justifies.  Who is he that condemns?  

Christ Jesus, who dies - more than that, who was raised to life - 

is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

 As it is written:  

'For your sake we face death all day long; 

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'

No, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us.  

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, 

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, 

will be able to separate us from the love of God 

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I'm struck by all of the TRUTH in His truth.  

We've participated in such wonderful traditions of our Christmas celebrations.  We've had grand feasts, exquisite sweets, lovely gifts, laughter and joy and we've brought in the New Year with great anticipation.  

Yet, as everything feels new and fresh, with New Years Resolutions and a new beginning to a year that holds great promise; we can be reminded that Christ remains the same.

He is constant.  For those of us that have died and risen again with Him, we can be assured of His ability to hold us close, keep us from separation from Him, continuing to do the good works set before us. 

As we begin this New Year we can have confidence that Jesus already knows what's in store for us...and His will is good.  We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

It is indeed a Happy New Year!