Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. In the beginning, I thought why is it called Good Friday? Then I realized that today is such an important day that marks His love for us. He died on this day. We remember the sacrifice He made for us. We no longer have to sacrifice animals to cover up our sins. He fulfilled His promise to us. "He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) The list goes on an on and that is why it is good. I am thankful for all the promises He has kept and His love for me.

I found this incredible video about His crucifixion and a talented sand artist. I hope you enjoy your day and remember all that He did for us.

Have a Good Friday!

Testimonials--Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty

Lately, I've been really interested in hearing how people get saved. I love hearing how each story is so unique to them and in all honesty, why wouldn't it be? That's the God we serve. Everything He does is unique and individualized to us. He knows exactly how to reach each and every single one of us because He created us!

I, along with many millions of other people, love watching Ducky Dynasty. The first episode I saw, I enjoyed it but it wasn't until the very end when they all came together for dinner and prayed. That was when I really thought this show has a much deeper level. I wish there were more shows out there that are more family friendly and inspiring than watching some trashy show of their train-wrecked life.

Whenever discussing this show with my circle of friends, they always ask me who my favorite person is. Each person brings a unique flavor but I must admit it's Phil. What I love about Phil are his views of the world and how passionate he is about the Lord. What he tries to instill in his grandchildren is what I think is missing in many families these days. Here is interview about his journey:

The Silver Ring Thing

This past weekend was FULL of all kinds of wonderful church activities for all of us! We started on Friday night and ended on Sunday night! I loved every single minute of it. Friday night we as a church stuffed over 15,000 Easter eggs full of all kinds of candy for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Let me say it again....over 15,000 eggs! Our Pastor keeps adding more and more eggs every year and I must admit that 15,000 should be the limit. It was fun enjoying the pizza party, indulging in some of the candy--just to taste and make sure the kids would approve ;) and of course enjoying the fellowship with one another.

Saturday was a wonderful day filled with baking, ice fishing, and playing cards with the family. Family time is always amazing and it's encouraging to see my husband sharing his beliefs with his nephew in hopes of getting him saved--hopefully one day soon.

Sunday....now Sunday was amazing. We woke up and headed off to Church. I'm donating my time assisting with counting the tithes (which is a learning process) and then we headed off to do our weekly grocery shopping. After coming home and putting everything away, it was time for our "youth group at home" series seems how my step-daughter has withdrawn herself from her local youth groups which she used to participate with.

I am trying out this great series so far...and I'll provide more details later after we give it at least a month test drive. So far, so good! Praise the Lord! My husband headed off to his Men's Bible Study and my step-daughter and I headed off to The Silver Ring Thing.

This was the first I have ever heard of this event and I was super excited about it. We already presented her with a purity ring over the summer and we pray that she will honor it and keep her promise to God and her dad. By attending this event, it seemed she had recommitted herself and I hope she got what she needed. There were some real captivating stories shared by many people and some were heartfelt and some were emotional. I highly encourage attending this event. Buy as many tickets as you can and get as many teenagers to go and experience this. 

They also had a parent session and had a lot of items for sale to help initiate the sex talk and then the parents were allowed in to view the rest of the show. Again, a great time with a great message and a realistic look of other teenagers who are willing to wait until they are married. It seemed to really put it into perspective for her that she's not alone and it's cool to be able to say to your future spouse...."I waited for you!"

Rejoice in Today

Upon waking up this cold and snowy morning, I thanked God for today. I am well aware that none of the situations were resolved last night and that's okay with me because it's not my timing, it's God's timing. I also thanked Him for giving me another day/opportunity to live this life and to fulfill His plans. I look around and give thanks for all that I have and even the things that I don't currently have. I look at all the love I have not only with my family and friends but also the many pets that sleep with us and I am very thankful for all of them. 

As I was driving to work, I couldn't help but smile when the sun is in my eyes because there are many days that I don't get to see it and feel its warmth. I am glad that God is full of grace and mercy because every time I make a mistake (which is a lot) I know that He's there ready to forgive me of it, once I ask for it. I am learning that just because one part of my life may be heading south doesn't mean the rest of my life is. So be glad in the good things in life, and most importantly be glad in the bad things in life because that's God's way of helping us grow and shaping us to be the person we are supposed to be!

Tuesday Devotional

I struggle daily with my limits. I struggle because as a new wife and a step-mom, where do I draw the line? It's difficult raising not only a teenager (who just moved in with us less than a year ago), but also a teenager who is not mine and I don't want to cross any lines with her dad/my husband and her biological mom. Last night I prayed for guidance. I prayed for help to know when and what to say and even when to let go. This morning's devotional was just what I needed.

Relax! God is Working--March 19

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]" Matthew 11:28

 Being relaxed feels wonderful. Being nervous, tense, and worried are not so wonderful. Why aren't more people relaxed? Jesus said if we are weary and overburdened, we should go to Him and He will give us rest, relaxation, and ease (see Matt. 11:28-29). Jesus wants to teach us the right way to live, which is different from the way most of the world lives. 

It would be putting it mildly to say that I was an uptight woman for the first half of my life. I simply did not know how to relax, and it was due to me not being willing to completely trust God. I trusted God for things, but not in things. I kept trying to be the one in control. Even though God was in the driver's seat of my life, I kept one hand on the wheel just in case He took a wrong turn. Relaxation is impossible without trust! 

If you know you can't fix the problem you have, then why not relax while God is working on it? It sounds easy, but it took many years for me to be able to do this. I know from experience that the ability to relax and go with the flow in life is dependent upon our willingness to trust God completely. If things don't go your way, instead of being upset, you can believe that getting your way was not what you needed. God knew that, so He gave you what was best for you, instead of what you wanted. 

If you are waiting much longer than you had hoped to, you can get frustrated, angry, and upset or you can say, "God's timing is perfect; He is never late. And my steps are ordered by the Lord." Now you can relax and simply go with the flow of what is happening in your life. When it comes to things that are out of our control, we can either ruin the day or relax and enjoy it while God is working on the situation. As long as we believe, God keeps working! 

Trust in Him: How relaxed are you? Your answer is directly related to how much you trust God. It may take you many years like it did me, to fully trust Him, but each day will be better and better as you trust more and learn to relax.

After reading this twice, typing it, and praying about it over my morning exercise, I will let go, relax, and know that God is in control. As a step-parent, I don't have a say over many things because there are other parents involved. It's difficult being a step-parent but knowing some of the situations that arise will be out of my control is something that I'm going to have to give to God and know that He's taking care of it.  I am considering all these situations as a way of Him teaching me how to handle my own children--someday.

The Prodigal Son

The Prodigal Son/The Lost Son...either way it is know to you, it is a very popular parable in the Bible. But in all honesty, the very first time I read it, I not only didn't quite understand it, but I also took the side of the older brother. Here is the story for you to read if you need a refresher:

The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Now if you are anything like me and have an affinity for David Jeremiah, check out his video that explains it all. He has such a way to put it into easy ways for me to understand and I'm so thankful for him. Believe me, you'll thank me later ;)

The Bridge to Heaven

You know that saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words." Well I believe it with all my heart. People cherish photos because it is one instance where a moment of time is captured. I have seen some of the most incredible photos lately of the cross and this photo is not only mind blowing, but also the quote. 

I was scrolling through some inspirational images from The Bible Series' website and this stopped me in my tracks....well honestly several stopped me and I'll be sharing those with you as well but this one gave me goose bumps. 

Behold my dear readers........

In this life, only one Man can make a bridge to Heaven, and he did it with only two pieces of wood.

It's so true when you think about it. There's only one way to heaven. Let's pretend that on the left side there is sin and on the right side is heaven. But what is separating between the right and left in an enormous gap that can't be crossed on your own. There's no swing, no boat, no ladder....nothing to get you across other than believing in Jesus. He's the bridge. He's the answer. He's the reason.