Well here lately, I have received so much help from God. Lamentations 3:22&23 Says " It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning : great is thy faithfulness." I have held this scripture so tight in my heart; because it is so true. As of late, I've reclaimed an old hobby of reading and thru this traveled to the wonderful world of parenting books....Wow- there are a lot of those! I've tried to make careful selections and only read authors that I know , in my opinion, have a right biblical perspective. In reading these books, on the blessing of raising little girls, I've been confronted with my own -ever so lingering past ( you know that lovely tool that the devil likes to use at prime moments of doubt and regretful thinking.)
These books, which I thought were harmless, drudged up so many hurtful memories to the point I was really depressed. It is no secret - to those who know me that my Mother and I have a somewhat tumultuous relationship. There is just no reason to hide this or sugar-coat.( I write this blog to get out feelings and situations that I hope thru my experience will help others - so I'm no going to make this off limits just b/c it's family)- my slight disclaimer ~ So despite the good intentions of my reading- it really hurt me! I began to dwell on circumstances that surrounded my life as an adolescent and and early teen and saw a lot of things that really bothered me- Even though at the time I accepted them as cool behavior and even modeled those characteristics; Now that I have girls of my own I work hard at insuring they don't make the mistakes and spiritual blunders that I made.
I began to have to deal with feelings that I had pushed down for so long. Even though I knew since my Salvation, all these things were covered by the Blood of Jesus, I had never really dealt with them. A great pillar of encouragement in my life,explained to me that I simply needed to heal from these wounds and that with the Lord's help it is possible,but it could take some time. You know up until that point I had never really viewed my self as wounded. I started to look at things in a new light.
If you are like myself over the years you've always heard - you just have to shut that door and move on- It's been forgiven so quit dwelling on it. Which is completely true! However, how do you handle those times when moments seem so real to you and the hurt is like your back in that situation? This applies to any one who has a past or who has been hurt.
After a eyeopening message by our pastor that Sunday, I began to look at that closed door a little differently. The message was about being hurt and wronged by someone and how despite our nature of wanting to wrong that person back, we should have the heart of Jesus and forgive - because in the great scheme of things God has forgiven us of so much more and does it daily.....I know... pretty awesome view right?
I found the gift of forgiveness that morning. The fact that I could forgive myself and others and Do it with the right heart - not just because I'm a Christian and had too! I have closed the door to my past. However, I like to think of that door as a screen or glass door... One that closes but you can still look thru and see the other side. Not because I want to dwell there or look on it - but because I want to learn from it. I want to use it as a tool in my future!
This verse really jumped at me this week! Isaiah 43:1"....Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine." Isn't it precious how Christ redeems us and is truly our Father. Just like with our own children ,no matter how they falter, we love them, pick them up and remind them they are our babies. This is exactly what this verse did for me! I just want to praise God for renewing his mercies daily in me and most of all for being my heavenly Father.
Hope this will bless you and perhaps remind you of how much you are loved by Christ- So Much that he died on the cross for your sins! God Bless!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Look out for that Momzilla !!!!!
If you are anything like me, you will find your Mother's words slipping out of your mouth on occasion. Don't you just hate it when that happens??? I instantly stop myself and think really??? where did that come from? Whether your Mom was a great example of child rearing or not -you have to come to grips that eventually some traits will slide into your own practices with your family and children whether you like it or not.
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." I love how the term train is used here.We as parents should look at our children in this aspect because we are training them whether we realize it or not, even by our own behavior model. When I was in college, I majored in early childhood education ;because of this I had to take several psychology classes and despite the liberal views of most people in these classes ;they were beneficial. I remember when we were on the topic of children the Professor made a point to say that you can see the type of parenting kids are exposed to by their play.
Since hearing this I always check myself to see how Cara is interacting with her dolls and and to see if she is showing kindness ...etc. I think every parent needs to look at themselves constantly for areas of improvement. After all your children are a gift from the Lord. Psalms127:3,"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Shouldn't you treasure them and want to give them the best....more so the best of yourself.
I know in this busy world ,even though you don't want to admit it, your children can take a back seat in your life to work, worries and other difficulties that are inevitable. We as women lots of time bare most of the burden when it comes to our children. We are in charge of meals, laundry, homework, hygiene, and then on top of that a lot of women also work outside the home. I exhaust myself just describing it. As you should know already, my husband and I are blessed in our situation to where I can help in his job but I can do it from home and take care of our girls too!
Hats off to ladies who can do it all! I myself get overwhelmed at times ,but I do have wonderful women in my family that I can always talk to and get good Godly advice for times when I don't know what to do. We need this as mothers- The Bible even makes reference to it. Titus 2:3-5,"3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
It is my goal and hopefully something that I can inspire other women to pattern by ...The Proverbs 31 Women....This is what I want for my life to exhibit. Proverbs 31:28, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Just remember that your life is your own. Even if your Mother wasn't the best example you can still be a great example for your children, and If you had a great Mother then arise up and call her blessed!
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." I love how the term train is used here.We as parents should look at our children in this aspect because we are training them whether we realize it or not, even by our own behavior model. When I was in college, I majored in early childhood education ;because of this I had to take several psychology classes and despite the liberal views of most people in these classes ;they were beneficial. I remember when we were on the topic of children the Professor made a point to say that you can see the type of parenting kids are exposed to by their play.
Since hearing this I always check myself to see how Cara is interacting with her dolls and and to see if she is showing kindness ...etc. I think every parent needs to look at themselves constantly for areas of improvement. After all your children are a gift from the Lord. Psalms127:3,"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Shouldn't you treasure them and want to give them the best....more so the best of yourself.
I know in this busy world ,even though you don't want to admit it, your children can take a back seat in your life to work, worries and other difficulties that are inevitable. We as women lots of time bare most of the burden when it comes to our children. We are in charge of meals, laundry, homework, hygiene, and then on top of that a lot of women also work outside the home. I exhaust myself just describing it. As you should know already, my husband and I are blessed in our situation to where I can help in his job but I can do it from home and take care of our girls too!
Hats off to ladies who can do it all! I myself get overwhelmed at times ,but I do have wonderful women in my family that I can always talk to and get good Godly advice for times when I don't know what to do. We need this as mothers- The Bible even makes reference to it. Titus 2:3-5,"3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
It is my goal and hopefully something that I can inspire other women to pattern by ...The Proverbs 31 Women....This is what I want for my life to exhibit. Proverbs 31:28, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Just remember that your life is your own. Even if your Mother wasn't the best example you can still be a great example for your children, and If you had a great Mother then arise up and call her blessed!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Is the Grass really greener???
This week I began a study on discontentment in women, specifically women in the Bible. I'm thankful that the Lord showed me alot while doing this. As a woman, I'm aware of what a epidemic this really is, however, I'm sure it is just as much rampant with men ....I'm just looking at it from the perspective I understand. Let's start with Eve. I never looked at Eve as having discontentment. I just always thought that she was a pretty weak-minded gal.
In Genesis 3:6 "..and that it was pleasant to the eyes,and a tree to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her ;and he did eat." It is amazing when you think about how this woman literally had everything at her finger tips and still wasn't content. This truly shows how discontentment leads to sin. If we are too busy looking at what we don't have instead of appreciating what we do we will be more prone to fall into sin. Another example of this is our economy; Look at what has happened, we are killing ourselves working to buy things with money we don't have to impress people who don't even matter! Really?? Look at what is warned in Luke 12:15 "..Take heed,and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
From a woman's perspective, I can see where it would be very easy to open yourself up to this discontentment thru having jealousy in your heart. It is easy to get your eyes off God and on others and their things. I believe we all want to look nice and be the wife and mother we should be but too many times we get off the plan the Lord has laid out for us (Eph 5:21-32) and look at what the world shows us. Today's woman doesn't submit to her husband; she is women enough to go and make thing happen for herself.....just as Eve did.
As we journey into the depths of sin with our discontentment,we find leads us to have a sifted recollection. Just as we sift our flour to take out the lumps and hard places ;out our mind begins to do the same with our memories. Women especially might look at their marriage and begin to drift back to their single days - what fun they had living it up with out any chains tying them down such as a husband and kids and how they enjoyed being independent and the rush of a new relationships. However, sin doesn't let them see how they longed at that time to have the life they are in now and how enamored with love they were for their spouse in the beginning and how lonely the quite times were.
Take for instance the children of Israel in Exodus 16. Here they were led by Moses out of the bonds of slavery of Egypt. Now they are in the wilderness looking back and remembering not the hard labor and bondage but how nice it was to have the food they had. We do this all the time! How quickly we can see the glimmers of good but not the truths of what was. We will always have a negative outcome when relying on our selective memory.
With all this turmoil in your heart, your discontentment turns you into a spiritual dwarf. Whether you realize it or not your discontentment is directed at God. When you begin to hate everything about your situation you get farther away from the one who put you in it. In Matthew 6: 24 - It plainly states a man cannot serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other. In this area, One always falls out of church ,or if you remain you become completely disconnected with it. Our needs are supposed to teach us to trust more in the Lord and have faith in the plan he has for us- but if you are a spiritual dwarf you simply can't see things that way.
But there is hope for the discontented - you don't have to live with your unhappiness and turn to ruin. First realize that God's presence is constant . Despite your feelings of being alone in this remember what it promised in Hebrews 13:5 "..I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." IF you are his child, you are never alone. Be aware of how the Devil seeks out avenues to cause havoc in your life. You should search your heart and ask God to help you see your sin and take it from you.
Also take in to consideration that God's resources are unlimited. No matter how you struggle or find areas that your are unhappy with do as 1 Peter 5:7 commands "Casting all your cares upon him; for he careth for you." We serve a Father that made all creation, do we not have faith that he will see us thru our hardships? The Christian life was never promised to be an easy walk but the Bible does say that we should " Delight ourselves also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart." Psalm 37:5
Last but not least we should realize that God's plan is inevitable. No matter how hard we try to fix things to our favor, our efforts are useless. God does have a plan; You are a story that has been written and God already know the ending. Psalm 37:6 says: " Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust in him; and he shall bring it to pass." It should be a great comfort to know that God is in control. We should revert back to our child like faith and not over analyze the waves of life but ride them out on our float knowing God is holding us upover the water.
I did this study because I myself am faced with discontentment at times. In my family alone I've seen it and out in the world it is everywhere. My only prayer is that one reading this my see their own sin as I have in writing this and do something about it! -God Bless you and keep you
Casey <3
In Genesis 3:6 "..and that it was pleasant to the eyes,and a tree to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her ;and he did eat." It is amazing when you think about how this woman literally had everything at her finger tips and still wasn't content. This truly shows how discontentment leads to sin. If we are too busy looking at what we don't have instead of appreciating what we do we will be more prone to fall into sin. Another example of this is our economy; Look at what has happened, we are killing ourselves working to buy things with money we don't have to impress people who don't even matter! Really?? Look at what is warned in Luke 12:15 "..Take heed,and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
From a woman's perspective, I can see where it would be very easy to open yourself up to this discontentment thru having jealousy in your heart. It is easy to get your eyes off God and on others and their things. I believe we all want to look nice and be the wife and mother we should be but too many times we get off the plan the Lord has laid out for us (Eph 5:21-32) and look at what the world shows us. Today's woman doesn't submit to her husband; she is women enough to go and make thing happen for herself.....just as Eve did.
As we journey into the depths of sin with our discontentment,we find leads us to have a sifted recollection. Just as we sift our flour to take out the lumps and hard places ;out our mind begins to do the same with our memories. Women especially might look at their marriage and begin to drift back to their single days - what fun they had living it up with out any chains tying them down such as a husband and kids and how they enjoyed being independent and the rush of a new relationships. However, sin doesn't let them see how they longed at that time to have the life they are in now and how enamored with love they were for their spouse in the beginning and how lonely the quite times were.
Take for instance the children of Israel in Exodus 16. Here they were led by Moses out of the bonds of slavery of Egypt. Now they are in the wilderness looking back and remembering not the hard labor and bondage but how nice it was to have the food they had. We do this all the time! How quickly we can see the glimmers of good but not the truths of what was. We will always have a negative outcome when relying on our selective memory.
With all this turmoil in your heart, your discontentment turns you into a spiritual dwarf. Whether you realize it or not your discontentment is directed at God. When you begin to hate everything about your situation you get farther away from the one who put you in it. In Matthew 6: 24 - It plainly states a man cannot serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other. In this area, One always falls out of church ,or if you remain you become completely disconnected with it. Our needs are supposed to teach us to trust more in the Lord and have faith in the plan he has for us- but if you are a spiritual dwarf you simply can't see things that way.
But there is hope for the discontented - you don't have to live with your unhappiness and turn to ruin. First realize that God's presence is constant . Despite your feelings of being alone in this remember what it promised in Hebrews 13:5 "..I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." IF you are his child, you are never alone. Be aware of how the Devil seeks out avenues to cause havoc in your life. You should search your heart and ask God to help you see your sin and take it from you.
Also take in to consideration that God's resources are unlimited. No matter how you struggle or find areas that your are unhappy with do as 1 Peter 5:7 commands "Casting all your cares upon him; for he careth for you." We serve a Father that made all creation, do we not have faith that he will see us thru our hardships? The Christian life was never promised to be an easy walk but the Bible does say that we should " Delight ourselves also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart." Psalm 37:5
Last but not least we should realize that God's plan is inevitable. No matter how hard we try to fix things to our favor, our efforts are useless. God does have a plan; You are a story that has been written and God already know the ending. Psalm 37:6 says: " Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust in him; and he shall bring it to pass." It should be a great comfort to know that God is in control. We should revert back to our child like faith and not over analyze the waves of life but ride them out on our float knowing God is holding us upover the water.
I did this study because I myself am faced with discontentment at times. In my family alone I've seen it and out in the world it is everywhere. My only prayer is that one reading this my see their own sin as I have in writing this and do something about it! -God Bless you and keep you
Casey <3
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
I must say I truly LOVE Christmas- I love everything about it. Nothing is more fulfilling than making cookies and sweets with the kids, going to church functions( because Jesus is after all the true meaning of Christmas), and seeing family you never get to see. However, I have noticed that this year my Christmas spirit is starting to dwindle a little. I was a the peak when we were decorating and putting up the tree etc. but now I am starting to feel like it will be a blessing to get it over with.
Everyone is so wrapped up in the materialistic things this year....and of course no one can afford it. My husband and I were talking the other day about how kids would react if this year for Christmas they received the gifts our grandparents did back years ago....a piece of fruit and maybe some hard candy and if you were lucky a small and perhaps homemade toy....The cries of devastation would be heard round the world. I did get tickled ,when at our church Christmas play rehearsal with my 3-7 yrs old kids , I asked what they had asked to get for Christmas this year and they replied Ipods and a four wheeler ( Thank God Cara is still relatively simple...the only thing she wants is a tent (and if it was made from cardboard she probably wouldn't notice LOL)
Then you have others who love the show of Christmas! and to be honestly ...it's just down right disgusting. Now I'm sure you are contemplating my scrooge- ness ...but I really do like Christmas. I like the simple things of it. This year for the most part we aren't doing gifts with family ( only the kids) and that is who it is really for anyway. Why spend time and money you don't have to give someone you never see something they don't really need.
Now on to Santa....Thank goodness my Mother-in -law doesn't have a computer because she thinks we are down right horrible for this. I have never told Cara that Santa is real. She knows that he was a nice man who used to give out toys.....now she enjoys every Christmas movie from Rudolph to the Grinch but I felt that it wasn't necessary to make Santa the all-seeing eye of Christmas. When we were in the mall, we stopped to see Santa and at first she was hesitant, but seeing her cousin bound up and ask for her easy bake oven, she figured she would try it out. After we left, I asked her what she thought about it and she replied...We'll he seemed like a nice man.
I'm thankful for all the Lord has saw fit to bless me with in life. I have a wonderful family. I am so thankful we all attend church together. I'm so proud of Jacob and his desire as a young man to be at church with his family ~ That says alot of his character. Since Christmas is on a Sunday this year, We will be at church that morning. It was almost appalling to hear a lady, at our church dinner Sunday, explain that she would see us after Christmas because she wasn't going to be there because they had so much to do.
Now isn't that true worldly Christmas fashion- If you weren't planning on attending church Sunday - I hope this blog does shame you into going. After all isn't worshiping God does seem quite respectful seeing as this is HIS holiday.
On a final note please remember...despite all the cliche` saying you hear thru out this season, Jesus is the reason for the season. If it wasn't for his life we would not have ours. Counting your blessings isn't just for Thanksgiving....... MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Everyone is so wrapped up in the materialistic things this year....and of course no one can afford it. My husband and I were talking the other day about how kids would react if this year for Christmas they received the gifts our grandparents did back years ago....a piece of fruit and maybe some hard candy and if you were lucky a small and perhaps homemade toy....The cries of devastation would be heard round the world. I did get tickled ,when at our church Christmas play rehearsal with my 3-7 yrs old kids , I asked what they had asked to get for Christmas this year and they replied Ipods and a four wheeler ( Thank God Cara is still relatively simple...the only thing she wants is a tent (and if it was made from cardboard she probably wouldn't notice LOL)
Then you have others who love the show of Christmas! and to be honestly ...it's just down right disgusting. Now I'm sure you are contemplating my scrooge- ness ...but I really do like Christmas. I like the simple things of it. This year for the most part we aren't doing gifts with family ( only the kids) and that is who it is really for anyway. Why spend time and money you don't have to give someone you never see something they don't really need.
Now on to Santa....Thank goodness my Mother-in -law doesn't have a computer because she thinks we are down right horrible for this. I have never told Cara that Santa is real. She knows that he was a nice man who used to give out toys.....now she enjoys every Christmas movie from Rudolph to the Grinch but I felt that it wasn't necessary to make Santa the all-seeing eye of Christmas. When we were in the mall, we stopped to see Santa and at first she was hesitant, but seeing her cousin bound up and ask for her easy bake oven, she figured she would try it out. After we left, I asked her what she thought about it and she replied...We'll he seemed like a nice man.
I'm thankful for all the Lord has saw fit to bless me with in life. I have a wonderful family. I am so thankful we all attend church together. I'm so proud of Jacob and his desire as a young man to be at church with his family ~ That says alot of his character. Since Christmas is on a Sunday this year, We will be at church that morning. It was almost appalling to hear a lady, at our church dinner Sunday, explain that she would see us after Christmas because she wasn't going to be there because they had so much to do.
Now isn't that true worldly Christmas fashion- If you weren't planning on attending church Sunday - I hope this blog does shame you into going. After all isn't worshiping God does seem quite respectful seeing as this is HIS holiday.
On a final note please remember...despite all the cliche` saying you hear thru out this season, Jesus is the reason for the season. If it wasn't for his life we would not have ours. Counting your blessings isn't just for Thanksgiving....... MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Dealing with the public
Growing up I always had a job...as a matter of fact between 16-18 I had about 2 to 3 at one time. I actually knew what responsibility was unlike some kids coming up today. Eventually life and mostly the Lord led me to where we are now and I get to work from home. I really enjoy it and it benefits us tremendously because we need me for our business and I need me to watch my kids so....it works. I am, however, a working Mom and do have to deal with the public (over the phone ) on a daily basis.
I truly find it amazing how entitled people feel they are. We work with a certain "class" of people. Most of them my house would fit in their bathroom . LOL. Needless to say some of these folks were born to money and others probably worked their way thru life to get to the point where they can enjoy it. Despite their annoying requests these people do provide me with my paycheck--- so I will not go on about how difficult they are.
So to get to the point- the other day my husband and I were talking about how we are no longer going to cater to these people and how it was getting ridiculous( as it does around Holidays)and I happened to start thinking about how ridiculous we are to God. If anyone has ever took the time to really understand that God owes you absolutely nothing , they might could see their selves this way.
A while back our pastor preached several messages about our relationship with God that got me thinking. For most of my life I have been under the impression that God loves everybody and most of the people you sit around in church- well they are all going to heaven. Well that is very incorrect- Our Pastor made things so much clearer to me thru the scriptures and it has really burdened my heart. We all deserve hell- That is what we deserve, we can do nothing to earn our way to heaven.
BUT God thru his infinite mercy reaches down and picks us. How amazing is that!! God chose me. Despite all of my past, all of my faults, relentless sinning, he chose me and made me a part of his family. I have begun to be almost ashamed to pray the way I used to - You know about 1 min while you are already in bed half asleep and think well...I could use this or this?
Have you ever just started out by simply thanking God for all he has given you? If not you should try it sometime......Here's a thought for the day ...and it is borrowed...What would you have today if you only had what you thanked HIM for yesterday??? Needless to say, even when I get aggravated with stupid people and think there is truly no end to the madness- I just think about how I have annoyed God over the years and his loving kindness still see fit to bless me!
I truly find it amazing how entitled people feel they are. We work with a certain "class" of people. Most of them my house would fit in their bathroom . LOL. Needless to say some of these folks were born to money and others probably worked their way thru life to get to the point where they can enjoy it. Despite their annoying requests these people do provide me with my paycheck--- so I will not go on about how difficult they are.
So to get to the point- the other day my husband and I were talking about how we are no longer going to cater to these people and how it was getting ridiculous( as it does around Holidays)and I happened to start thinking about how ridiculous we are to God. If anyone has ever took the time to really understand that God owes you absolutely nothing , they might could see their selves this way.
A while back our pastor preached several messages about our relationship with God that got me thinking. For most of my life I have been under the impression that God loves everybody and most of the people you sit around in church- well they are all going to heaven. Well that is very incorrect- Our Pastor made things so much clearer to me thru the scriptures and it has really burdened my heart. We all deserve hell- That is what we deserve, we can do nothing to earn our way to heaven.
BUT God thru his infinite mercy reaches down and picks us. How amazing is that!! God chose me. Despite all of my past, all of my faults, relentless sinning, he chose me and made me a part of his family. I have begun to be almost ashamed to pray the way I used to - You know about 1 min while you are already in bed half asleep and think well...I could use this or this?
Have you ever just started out by simply thanking God for all he has given you? If not you should try it sometime......Here's a thought for the day ...and it is borrowed...What would you have today if you only had what you thanked HIM for yesterday??? Needless to say, even when I get aggravated with stupid people and think there is truly no end to the madness- I just think about how I have annoyed God over the years and his loving kindness still see fit to bless me!
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