ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

How do we make God feel? Keep that question in mind as I run through some scenarios.

• You have a best friend that says she'll spend time with you. You haven't seen her for a long time and she promises a day with you. You have big plans of all the wonderful things you will share with her...and you can't wait to hear about life in her world. But the day comes and 'something comes up'. She promises next week you will get together, but the week rolls by without a day together. Couple things I would be thinking...1) Is she really a best friend? 2) Actions speak louder than words.

• Your spouse works long hours, and when you finally have potential time to spend together, they are either grumpy/complainy about the demands of life or voice that they'd really love to indulge in their hobby than spend time with you. There's already a void in your relationship throughout the week by their long hours, and even when the weekend comes, no special time is set aside for you...again. Couple things I would be thinking....1) Does my spouse really love me? 2) Actions speak louder than words.

QUESTION: Aren't we the best friend/spouse to God?

Think about it. Challenge yourself with this question. Do you spend the time with God that you promise Him. Do you make your appointment with Him daily? Weekly? Do you share the wonderful things of life with Him, like you do your friends....or do you only complain. Which complaining is okay, we do that with friends and He wants us to cast our cares and burdens on Him...but do you celebrate life with Him. Or do you only run to Him in crisis - ONLY?

Is work, hobbies, friends, work/making $$$ or everything else - more important than God? Look at your calendar. What activities in your schedule include God? Does where you spend your time communicate that God is a top priority? 

We say we love God, but do our actions say so? 

• Our children need more of us. We say they are our number one priorities. We promise trips to the park, coloring book time, reading time, cuddle time....but somehow, somewhere all that time turns into chores time, phone w/ friends time, or social media time. Our kids are longing for us. And we are absent in the home, physically present, socially unavailable - leaving our kids unstimulated, without affection, and without attention that communicates YOU ARE PRIORITY. Couple things I'm thinking....1) No wonder kids need meds, they're emotinally bankrupt. 2) Actions speak louder than words.

QUESTION: What if God was a parent like us?

Hardly available to listen to us? Unavailable to help us in life? Leaving us independent, forcing us to survive this world on our own without guidance?

Thank God He doesn't, right? Thank God He's NOT! He is readily available to listen, to rescue, to provide, to comfort us. When we talk to Him, He is fully listening. We are His #1 priority and He very well communicates that to me.

So here's the challenge:

Do what you say you're going to do

for God/with God - consistently.

Long-term.

You will finally gain some spiritual ground, you'll spiritually grow....and then, you will be able to be the parent your kids need, the spouse your husband/wife needs. You will soon become the child of God He intended for you to be!

Back from the WOF Conference & Wow!!! Change is good!

Amazed, challenged, encouraged, uncomfortable, refreshed, refocused....these are the things I've felt the last 48 hours at the Women of Faith Conference.


Here's what I got to do this weekend...
Next year's is Sept. 14th & 15th - Who wants to go?

Amazed that I'm not the only imperfect woman on the planet. Amazed that so many women love God and go to great lengths to get to this conference. Amazed at the variety of hardships, catastrophes, and trials that so many have gone through in life, deaths, accidents, illnesses, affairs, divorce, obesity. Amazed by God's continual faithfulness in other women's lives.
Challenged with my opinions...something to the affect of "Our opinions are a form of judgment". OUCH! - Right in the kisser. :) But a good thing. I need to be told that not everything that comes out of that hole is necessary! Yes, I will be working on a lot. Challenged with being a better friend by being a better listener, not always having the answers/offering solutions/advice...but just letting friends unload and be hugged and comforted. Challenged with my words, my "buts", my attitudes toward the things I disagree with, and challenged to be a more submissive, respectful, admiring, and a purposefully appreciative wife.

Encouraged that I am 'not invisible to God'. While I wear many hats in my home: Cap as Molly Mommy, Hard Hat as Wendy Worker, and a feather boa as Linda the Love Slave...I am seen by God when I am the chef, the chauffeur, the accountant, the psychologist. And when I go to great lengths to squeeze in time to take care of my body, those efforts to honor my spouse and health with care is seen and accounted for. Encouraged that while "a good day is a day of multiple tasks, we all have our bad days of multiple personalities". This encouraging message was so well illustrated through an awesome skit. Reminded through another one that moms are like the men of old that built cathedrals. They were unnamed with men, yet God knew each one. He saw all their hardwork, and sacrifice in building these ginormous building of exquisite architecture. They built with the satisfaction and confidence that the audience of ONE is who they lived for. Reminded that God sees all we do as mothers - all the things we give up for the kids and our spouses...He doesn't miss a thing and He is so blessed by your continuel dedication to do whatever needs to be done to take care of your family.

Uncomfortable in knowing that because I have heard these words - change needs to happen within. Being there with friends, who heard what I now know...will be my accountability to let the Word of God change my inner most being. Uncomfortable that while I have prided myself in being 'transparent'...I am not one to leave myself vulnerable. Uncomfortable to realize that by this, I keep many out in fear of disappointment. I need friendships. I need best friends. I need closeness with other women. Other women who will speak truth in my life, hug me on a bad day, help me, let me help her...I need people in my life. Not so comfortable and easy for me sometimes...trust issues, fear of disappointment, fear of abandonment. They all want to well up in my heart and they do...making it tough for some to break on in to the other side. So long I've worked at keeping people at arms length to avoid pain and hurt. Life has seemed easier this way, yet not as joyful or as fulfilling.

Refreshed with a new vision of my role as a wife and mom. Understanding that it continues to be the respect my husband receives that makes our world go round. Refreshed that I'm not the only one who hates folding laundry, but do it anyways because my family needs me to. Refreshed that all the energy I expend preparing meals is motivated by my love for my family's health, and it's an honor to care for them all. Refreshed to be to be able to go for a couple of days to have love and passion stirred up for my family...to devote more of my attention to them and less on this screen. Thank you Amy Grant for your words and song to remind us we need to give more attention to the people who depend on us and less on the nightly news.

Refocused on the few years I have left with my kids. Refocused that it's the bedtime stories and prayers that will leave lasting memories in my kids' minds. Refocused that life is short. As Brenda Warner shared her stories of tragedy after tragedy...it's not the circumstances that run our life but how we respond with honor, courage, and integrity when no one is looking. Refocused on who needs my attention, my eyes, my affection, my love above all...my husband and my kids. Refocused that the way to respond and make this renewed perspective a living reality is to continually be in a close, intimate connection with God. Refocused on the fact that He does have a plan and purpose for my life, and because I am here w/ breath in my chest, He's not done with me yet. So I must show up, and embrace where He leads me. As eternity is only one phone call away for anyone at anytime, I must make this life count daily. Finding Him first thing...then Him pointing the way.

As Mandisa sang "the shackles off my feet"..and the worship team singing, "If He is for me, than who can stand against me" - I was reminded of His enduring love and acceptance for me. Jesus Christ loves me just the way I am...and I will be more like Him when I let Him live through me to touch other people's lives.



His Love is OVER THE TOP for us!!!

 A refreshed perspective, filled with direction and confirmation is what I received this weekend. And just in the nick of time. My days had recently grown weary, and I needed a refill. Thank you Mary and Rachel for taking me along to the Women of Faith Conference. My goal is to attend each year. I need to go for myself...and for the sake of my family. Closing my eyes tonight with such a grateful heart for what God has done in my life...and all that He has in store. He is so very real. I hope you see His grace through my life somehow. May God bless you all as you go to church and visit with family. Be open to what God has to say to you, and to what He wants to do through you...your life greatly impacts so many others, so walk it out with Him by your side.

G'night -

Got fruit?

I was out in our garden last night and was inspired for today's post. I was looking at my squash plants and evaluating how some have squash already growing on them, and others are little, undernourished, scrawny plants. Yet they sit side by side with the healthy ones...it made me think of 'us'.

As a believer, the Bible calls us to 'bear much fruit', but are we? Are you?

Looking at these different plants, which one are you? You may be a little scrawny one because you just found the truth & have began your journey of following Christ and you have began the growing process.

You may be a larger one with a healthy fruit, growing and swelling in size with flavor. However, are you one who has been 'following the Lord' for many years, but remain fruitless? What is the fruit that God would have you bear?

According to Galatians 5:22, the fruit of the Spirit is:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-Control

On a scale of 1-10, 1 being worst, 10 being your best, how would you rate yourself on each of these? Have you had a lot of joy and peace lately? Or have you been filled with anxiety? Have you been frustrated with everyone around you? Or are you patient (and gracious) towards others, i.e. family members, coworkers, employer, employees, spouse, kids, other drivers on the road?

How are your relationships? Do you have any broken ones? Dysfunctional, resentment torn ones? Or are you being kind, and loving (and forgiving) toward others who have wronged you?

And where is your self-control at? Are you having self-control in your eating, drinking (sugary and/or alcohol drinks), your finances/spending, your argumentative conversations, your anger, your_______________(fill in the blank).

Here is the great thing about these fruits of the Spirit...they are NOT intended for you to muster up all on your own. They are the results of your soul being watered by the Word of God (Bible), fertilized by doses of church, consistent care and maintenance by the presence of the Lord in your life ushered in by prayer and worship!

Do you have these things in your life: the Word, prayer, worship, and church? They are the glue that keep your lives held together!!!

In Matthew 12:33, Jesus says, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit".

"No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it". - Hebrew 12:11

My garden will only survive when I ACTIVELY participate in its growth. I have to be disciplined to water it, fertilize it and pluck out the weeds. I have to be disciplined to take care of it. Just like our lives, we must be disciplined to say no to the things that spoil our fruit: the wreckless behaviors, the interfering relationships, the careless church absences, the obsessive overcommitments, the continual divisive conversations, and the complete negligence of God.

We want fruitful lives. We want to lead people down the path to eternal life with our actions of love, gentleness, kindness, and peace. The only way that others will enjoy our fruit is if we enjoy time with the LORD! We have to discipline ourselves to show up and let God speak to our hearts and submit to His guidance. We have to let Him nourish our souls to bear the fruit.

I want to be like this healthy rich-colored vine on my pumpkin plant. This thing is the healthiest one in the patch. I want to be the one that stands out next to the rest and shine for the Lord. I want people to see Christ in my life.

Are you willing to let God into your heart daily? Are you willing to turn on the music that sings of God and edifies your soul? Are you willing to rid your life of the unhealthy relationships that tear you out of God's will and presence? Are you willing to make it to church to hear the Word preached in a way that inspires you to change? Are you willing to make Jesus Lord of your life above all else so that you can bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, etc?

Choose this day to let Christ in your garden, your heart? Take out that dusty Bible and ask God to speak to you. Ask God to become real to you in your everyday life. Talk to Him about everything. Depend on Him for everything...but most importantly....love Him completely!

REMINDERS for the week!!!

• Make time for your workouts - put it on your list of to-dos!
• Count your calories and track them.
• Schedule time to pay bills & keep your checkbook balanced.
• Pay cash for items - DON'T swipe the card everywhere you go.
• Stick to the budget! Stick to your shopping lists!
• What's your # 1 priority today! This week!
• Who are your # 1s?
• Keep margins in your time.
• Pack healthy snacks when running errands.
• Make time to play in the backyard w/ the kids.
• Make time to listen to your spouses heart & pray for him/her.
• Be responsible today & don't procastinate.
• Start the week out strong & focused!
• Smile on the inside & out! 

I work hard to play hard...but sometimes I focus on the work part a lot more than the play part. And when these 2 are my playdate buddies....how can I not stop what I'm doing and have some fun?

My #1s!!!!



This is what I needed to remind myself of today before I start another week a little disorganized & in a hurry!

Happy Father's Day

Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven debtors,
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

- Matthew 6:9-14

Are you appreciating your Father in heaven today? So grateful for what He does for me. Thank you Lord for all your provision and protection! You are so faithful and good to me, thanks for being the 'Best Dad' a girl could have!

My Boys...

My focus is shifting,
My time is running out,
Soon they will be grown,
I've got to make it count.

So many hours lost to "just a minute",
Have quickly been slipping through my hands.
I can't get them back, and I just can't forget it,
I don't want to lose these last moments that I have.

They are why I am here,
Not to the save the world, yours and mine,
But to provide them with warm hugs, love & care,
They're only mine for this short length of time.

Finding that it's my 'distractions',
That run my patience thin,
It's not their interruptions,
They just need my time & attention.

So I make the needed adjustments,
Making them my priorities,
Yes it will take better time management,
After time w/ the Lord & Daddy.

I only get one shot at this,
So I better make it count,
Soon they'll be grown & I will miss,
All the days I could've made it count.

Hanging onto Life?

What part of this life are you hanging onto? Leisure, power, popularity, financial security? The rewards of success in this life on earth? Clinging to this life may cause us to forfeit the best that God has for us. True joy will come when we loosen our grip on earthly rewards and free our hearts to follow Christ. (My paraphrase of the commentary of these verses below in the Life Application Bible NASB.)

As I spent time in the Word today, I got stuck on the verse Psalms 63:3: God's lovingkindness is better than life. This verse reminded me that we need to hang onto Him tighter than we hang onto life. This led me to read Matthew 10:39:...he who loses his life for Jesus' sake will find it!

Sometimes I need a reality check to make sure that I am laying up my treasures in heaven. It is so easy to get caught up in keeping up w/ the Joneses, and pursue wordly success above heavenly success. Keeping a balanced perspective is a must for a believer. Having nice things can be great...just make sure that your personal relationship w/ the Lord is not ignored/neglected for the sake of chasing things.

This is for me. I realize that I am human and I love feeling successful. But I must first be successful at seeking God before I can enjoy my success on earth (Matthew 6:33).