this is our happily ever after

Daily Word (needs)

As promised here's a devotional I wrote to accompany this week's memory verse.  I am challenging myself to do this every week in an effort to work on my book, A Daily Word. 

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Needs:  a lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches.”  Philippians 4:19

How many times have you heard the phrase, “Is that a want or a need?”  My Mom used to say that to me when I wanted to spend money and it aggravated me so much.  However, like most phrases our parents annoy us with as children, I find myself repeating it to myself as I walk through Target.  Every time I’m in that wonderland of cute, inexpensive, brightly colored eye candy I have to play that recording in my head.  There are so many wants and needs in our society…some material, some spiritual, some relational. 

Throughout Scripture, God promises to provide what we need with his unlimited resources, His glorious riches.  He knows our needs more deeply than we do and He assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him. I just spoke with a friend last night who had a need for a large sum of money in order to purchase a building for their ministry.  They had no idea how the money would be provided, but they knew that God would provide it in His time, in His power.  They received a phone call yesterday and on the other end of the line was someone willing to pay for the building.  Yes, God will supply all you need to do His work.  Period.  End of Story.

Many of us still have unmet needs, so what are we to think about that?  Well, we must evaluate whether our request is a want or a need, a longing or a necessity.  Ask the Lord to help you discern between desires and essentials and be open to what He reveals to you.  Sometimes there’s a role you must play in order for God to meet your needs.  If you need a job then you must make effort and connections to find one.  If you need healing in a relationship then you must be willing to take ownership of your actions and words.

Another key to having our needs met is to wait on God’s timing.  Oftentimes He has lessons for His children to learn during the wait, and until those lessons are learned He cannot fully supply what He has planned for us.  Fight the urge to press ahead of God’s plans and purpose to get the outcome you’re praying for.  Believe He has a good plan for you, but waiting is a part of it.  Embrace it and ask Him to reveal what His purpose is while waiting on His timing. 

Be encouraged that the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings, our Father in Heaven knows each and every hope you have, whether it’s a want or need.  He has the power to bless you with His glorious riches and He will provide for each and every need you have in your life.  Examine your desires everyday and ask Him to give you exactly what you need for that day.  Keep your eyes and heart focused on Him, so that you may differentiate between wants and needs.  Then find comfort and courage in knowing that He has the power to provide everything you need to accomplish His purpose for your life. 

 

 

memory verse monday (week 8)

It's simple....I'm trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing with this season of life.  Yes, I'm a SAHM, but I'm seeing the need to give K some time away from me while using my gifts and talents to add financially to our family.   I applied for a work at home job a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything...and that is maddening and frustrating to this impatient girl. 

I'm a make it happen kind of girl...especially when I get my mind set on something.  It might take me a long while to get on board, but when I'm ready to go...let's go....so this time of waiting to hear something has been tough for me.  In my mind this particular job would be perfect for me, our family, my desire to work from home, to use my gift of teaching and communicating with parents and students.  But then I wonder, does God have something else in mind...hmmm...He can be hard to figure out sometimes!  I will continue to seek His will and see where He leads.

right click, save, and print on 4x6 cardstock

digital card from Amber Edition of Project Life

memory verse monday (week 7)

Over the next couple of weeks I will finally be finishing up Beth Moore's Breaking Free Bible study that I've been working through for what seems like...forever!  It's been a tough, challenging, dig deep study which has really done a work in my life.  It was through this study I realized my desperate need for Scripture memorization in order to abide in Him each and every day...especially in the moments where it would be so easy to fall back into my old self serving patterns. 

In Day one of week 9 (there are 10 weeks total) Beth writes, "Only a trusting heart will approach God honestly with the secret struggles of the mind.  When we offer a trusting heart and an honest, open mind to God, renewal is on its way."

I desperately need my mind to be steadfast on Him and have chosen this verse to memorize this week.  Because God is pruning away some old habits and patterns from my life I'm left feeling a bit raw and vulnerable in my spiritual life.  I've found myself spending more time reading Christian blogs, articles, devotionals, etc (which is great), but instead of being encouraged and challenged I've been feeling condemed, like I'll never get it together!  There's such a battlefield of the mind everyday for believers...and the closer I get to breaking free of some strongholds the more Satan is after me in my vulnerable places. 

That's why I love this verse so much....He will keep me in PERFECT PEACE as long as my mind is steadfast on Him.

Not steadfast on my shortcomings

Not steadfast on my patterns

Not steadfast on the quality of my quiet times. 

Not steadfast on the appearance of another believer's walk with Him

STEADFAST ON HIM....HIS WORD....HIS TRUTH....HIS PROMISES!

Will you join me in Scripture memorization this week? 

right click, save, and print

2013 One Little Word

It's that time again...the time I reveal my one little word for the year ahead.  This has become one of my favorite traditions.  Around November for the past 7 years I begin to think, plan, and hope for the upcoming year.  What are some things I'm wanting to add to my life?  What are some things I'm wanting to shed, to let go of?  There's always something in both categories, usually several somethings. 

This past November found me in the midst of canvas design, lots of busyness, searching for balance, trying to get it all done, and realizing that no one can do "it all", event though I was sure trying!  As I began to look forward into 2013 one word that I thought about a lot was simplify, but that word didn't quite resonate with exactly what I was wanting to accomplish in 2013. 

Although I am someone who has pretty consistent quiet times with the Lord each day I have felt something lacking...like too often what I was reading, studying, and seeking wasn't grafting into my everyday life.  Yes, I would certainly underline things in my Bible study and think how something in particular seemed written just for me, but the application wasn't happening as much as I desired. 

For the past month or so I have been rereading and reworking Beth Moore's Breaking Free study and I'm truly seeing some positive changes in my personal life.  In reflecting on this I realized that I can do Bible Study all day long, memorize Scripture, fill prayer journals, and meet/chat with my accounability partner every single week, but if I am not abiding in the Lord outside of those moments with Him then the growth I'm seeking is going to be sporadic and stunted. 

So in 2013 it is my one and only goal to ABIDE in the Lord.  I know that if I can do this every single day then He will bring to pass what He wants to accomplish in me.  He will help me to simplify my life.  He will help me to be a good steward with my time and resources.  He will help me be the mother Karsten needs. He will help me be the wife Brian needs.  He will help me be the friend, daughter, artist, designer, life group member, blogger, writer, and photographer He wants me to be.  ABIDE....it's all He's asking for me (and you) to do. 

Abide means: to wait for, to endure without yielding, to bear patiently, to accept without objection, to remain stable, to dwell.

I have a weekly Scripture printable coming later on today which includes a portion of this verse, but here's a bonus in case you want to memorize 2 verses instead of one.

Just right click to save and then print. 

 

Choosing One Little Word

2013...it's literally right around the corner of this upcoming weekend!  Before you know it, or are ready for it, you'll be watching the NYE countdown as 2012 becomes last year and just like that you've crossed into a new year. 

What are you hoping for in 2013?  Do you have goals/resolutions?  Do you get excited about the possibilities that a new year holds?  Are you ready to press the reset button and start over with a clean slate?  Are you like me, just itching to break open your new planner filled with blank days and hopes and aspirations? Do you feel God pushing you, guiding you, stretching you, challenging you to change something in 2013? 

If you've been around this little blog of mine for very long you know that every year I choose One LIttle Word for that year.  One word that could potentially make a big impact on my life.  2012's word is Cultivate and though I have enjoyed this word and it has spurred me towards cultivating things in my life that I may have not otherwise culitvated so intentionally without the word, I am ready for a new word.  I don't plan on waiting until Jan 1st to reveal it (like I've done in the past), but I'm not revealing it quite yet. 

I want you to think about choosing a word for 2013...I believe so strongly in this because I have seen the power of influence HE can have on your life through it. 

Here's how I choose my word and please don't panic because you don't have a long period of time to let the word find it's way into your heart...give yourself a few weeks if need be...just allow it to come to you in His time.  This has become a very spritual thing for me because I choose my word based on THE WORD.  Every word I have chosen comes from a specific Scripture I've also choosen for that year. 

• Begin to think about what 2013 may hold for you, or what you want it to hold for you.  Where are you desiring to be more conformed to His image?  What lies ahead that you know you're going to need a whole lot of His power to get through?  What are some goals you have for yourself as a individual, friend, wife, mother, daughter, etc.?
• As you're having some quiet time begin to talk to God about choosing a word.  Ask Him to reveal a word, a verse to you, that aligns with point one.
• I don't suggest frantically searching for the word...just believe it will come through Him and be aware of the way He is speaking to you through devotionals, Scripture, music, friends, etc. 
• Make sure to find a Scripture to memorize that goes along with your word.  
• Share your word with at least one friend telling them what it means to you, what changes you're hoping to make because of the word, how you feel God whispering to you through the discovery of this word.
• Write a letter to yourself about how you came to this word, why it resonates with you, how you think it might affect your life, what you're hoping for in 2013.  Then seal the letter and read it on the last day of 2013 to see reflect on the year.

I would LOVE to hear what word you've choosen...leave me a comment or email me at [email protected]

Come back in a few days to see what my word is for 2013 and why I chose it. 

The Proverbs 31 Woman

Don't cringe!!!  I hope this post is uplifiting to all the women out there.  I know sometimes when I hear all the attributes of the Proverbs 31 Woman I say to myself...well that's just the Christian version of Superwoman.  And aren't we taught to allow God to pour grace into our lives so that we can let go of these too high standards and relieve some of the pressure of being perfect wives, Moms, sisters, daughters, and friends?  So what is it God...am I supposed to be Super Woman or not? 

Yes...and No.  I believe that God is providing an example of who we can be if we rely on Him to order our lives, our schedules, our finances, our time, our relationships.  There is no possible way I can be this girl on my own...it exhausts me to even think about it.  The last thing I need to add to my daily to do list is sewing clothes for my family.  Seriously, I don't even own a sewing machine!  But, I'm choosing to not throw the baby out with the bathwater.  I believe there are still some very applicable truths in these verses for the "modern woman." 

I'm not going to unpack every verse in Proverbs 31:10-31, but I am going to leave some thoughts here. 

1. I believe that the Proverbs 31 woman seeks God with all of her heart, soul, and mind.  This must begin with surrendering some sleep (or staying up too late) and spending the first part of her day with the LORD.  How can we possibly know what God wants us to do if we're not spending time with Him?  For me this happens right after I brew my first cup of coffee and at least 30 minutes before my son wakes up. 

2. I believe that if she is married she spends time building her husband up instead of tearing him down.  She shows respect and appreciation for what he does with his life and how he cares for his family.

3. If she is a mother she invests in her children, teaching them about Christ and showing unconditional love for them. She realizes that taking care of their spiritual needs is just as important as taking care of their physical needs.

4. She takes pride in caring for her family...feeding them, washing their clothes (my most dreaded chore), caring for their home, and creating an environment full of warmth, love, and security.

5. She takes care of herself....getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well.

6. She serves others in her community.

7. She makes wise financial decisions, sticks to a budget (a big work in progress for me), and learns how to stretch a dollar.

8. She adds value to her family either monetarily, by using what she already has, or by finding ways to save money.

9. She's smart with her time...not wasting time on things that do not honor the LORD.

10. She's has an inner beauty, wisdom and grace that only comes from a deep rooted relationship with the LORD.

In one of my current devotionals, The Frazzled Female, I read this list and loved it so much I typed it up to print out.  Please feel free to right click, save, and print.  I have it posted on my refrigerator as a reminder. In your next quiet time I encourage you to talk to God about what the Proverbs 31 woman would look like in your world.  Do you need to add or subtract something from your life in order to be more aligned with His will for your life? 

Qualification (Daily Word)

Qualification-a condition or standard that must be complied with (as for the attainment of a privilege)

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own.  Our qualification comes from God.  2 Corinthians 3:5

What are your qualifications? Let’s see I am a degreed and certified Elementary school teacher.  I’ve completed CPR training. I’m building my photography portfolio so that someday I can be qualified to bless others with my talent.  When looking for a job your resume shows your qualifications; your degree, work experience, and even recommendations from those who can attest that you are qualified for a specific job. 

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul explains that his mission to spread the Gospel doesn’t necessarily come with a resume or recommendation letters.  In fact, he would be considered the last person qualified based on his former years of persecuting Believers.  He states that his qualifications come from God.  While encouraging the ministers of the new covenant, he explains that the only letter or recommendation they need is themselves; their actions.  Do they walk the walk?  Genuine belief in Christ was and is marked by the Fruits of the Spirit reflected in life. 

Paul is teaching that we don’t need to attend seminary or fill our bookshelves with Christian titles to serve our God.  We are enabled by His Spirit to be ministers of the Good News.  This does require sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.  Oftentimes I avoid many service opportunities because I don’t feel qualified.  But, if I feel the Holy Spirit urging me to step out of my comfort zone to serve or share the Good News, I am opening myself up to experience God’s power in a new and unexpected way. 

Where have you been holding back because you don’t feel qualified?  What is the Spirit stirring in your soul that you know will require you to step out of your comfort zone?  Remember God’s will is always paired with His power.  Through Him you have qualifications that you won’t know about until you step out and rely on Him.

 

Morning (Daily Word)

Morning—the time from sunrise to noon; a period of first development

“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.  Lamentations 3: 23-25

His mercies begin afresh each morning…how refreshing is that??  He doesn’t wait for a new calendar year, or a birthday, or until we get it all together to shower us with His mercies.  Each day we get a new beginning, a start over, a blank slate to glorify our God.  Mercies are defined as a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion.   I don’t know about you, but this encourages me.  Failure, disobedience, sin are a daily thing for me.  I can go to bed with a laundry list of places throughout my day where I messed up.  But if I repent and recognize my shortcomings I can get a fresh start the next day.  I don’t know about you, but I love fresh starts like I love fresh sheets.  Sometimes I just have to stop and realize that my sheets are dirty before I can take the step to get them clean and back on the bed…feeling fresh and clean.

Our God knows our need for fresh starts each day, for mornings, that hold possibilities for a new day.  I have made it a priority in my life to begin each day in God’s Word, otherwise I feel like I’m beginning my day on my own power.  Here’s what my mornings typically look like.  Beginning at 6 am (ish) I wake up to an irritating alarm.  I grumble and consider snoozing it, or just turning it off, but most of the time I groggily stumble out of bed, go to the bathroom (don’t be offended…we all do it), and head to the kitchen to make the most important drink of the day, my first cup of coffee.  Then I head to my place on our loveseat and surround myself with my Bible, journal, to do list, devotionals, current Bible Study, highlighters, colored pencils, and a pen.  As I read my Bible and devotionals I am always searching for the one thing God wants me to consider for the rest of the day.  Some days it jumps off the page and applies to a recent prayer request other days I have to dig a little deeper. 

The point is this…God will give us new mercies each morning.  Who doesn’t want that at the beginning of every day?   If I begin my day watching the news, listening to secular radio, or checking Facebook, them I am not preparing my heart to welcome these mercies into my life.  I don’t believe you have to spend much time before the Lord, but in order to gain God’s perspective on your day you have to start your day with God.  If your mornings are hectic like many mornings are in many households then wake up 5 minutes earlier and read one Psalm or work on memorizing one verse.  The last part of this Scripture says that God is good when we depend on Him and search for Him.   In the mornings who or what are you depending on…searching for?  Other than my cup of coffee I hope that every morning I continue to depend on God to reveal Himself to me.

Jesus made it a priority to get up early and go spend time with His Father.  That’s humbling…if He needed this communion with God each morning don’t you think we do too? 

thoughts on discipline and cultivating a Christ-like life

Clearly I need to work on remembering ALL of the Fruits of the Spirit.  I have now added faithfulness and kindness and I double checked to make sure I included 9 of these Christ like qualities!!!  Sorry if you printed already....updated on 3/6/12

Discipline seems to be the word of the week in my life.  Maybe because the topic week 3 in my Brave Bible Study is discipline.  Discipline is such a two edged sword...we all want it, have it down in certain areas of our lives, but in other areas it's well....lacking.  I am really disciplined in some areas; having a daily quiet time, planning menus and cooking, getting dressed every day (as in not staying in my jammies all day).  But there are areas where I am totally undisciplined; exercise, buying stuff I don't need, picking up my shoes off the living room floor (Brian calls the area by our coffee table, the shoe farm!  He's so funny..ha ha). 

It seems like as soon as I gain discipline in a few areas I struggle with, other areas fall apart.  I wish I could just get it all together...once and for all.   I think we all struggle with these feelings.  No one has it all together...even the perfectionist you know.  I can be a huge perfectionist in so many ways, but I think it's because I'm attempting to fill in the areas of my life where discipline is lacking. 

I read this in my study today and had to share it with you...this totally spoke to me and gave me some relief and comfort. 

Holy Dependence

What if on this earth we will never be completely disciplined in every area of our lives at the same time?  And what if that's on purpose? A design element.  A Creator component.  An intentional decision by our God so that a holy dependence is require for us to mature toward each new place in discipline.

Maybe God allows my lack of discipline because it keeps me running to Him.  His strength is the source by which I will grow into greater discipline.  He makes me able to take the next brave step.  Maybe if I woke up tomorrow completely disciplined, perfected even, I would think more about myself and my great accomplishment and less about God and how much I need Him. 

I do not speak for God, and the Scriptures do not elaborate here, but what if a perfectly disciplined life was never God's intent?  What if He intended holy dependence for life-long growth toward Himself?

In this study, Angela Thomas also gave 10 practical steps on how to begin creating more discipline in your life.  She noted that she got this information from The Pillars of a Christian Character by John MacArthur. 

1. Start with the small things--do one thing that has been rewritten on your daily to do list over and over and over again.  For me, this was putting my Christmas dishes away.  I can tell you, that this was the first thing I did this morning after my quiet time and I fell SO much better!
2. Get yourself organized--  Thank God I am very organized, but I do have a basket of papers in my office that needs to be dealt with today or tomorrow. 
   
3. Don't constantly seek to be entertain--  The fact is there are some things we just don't want to do, but it's got to be done.  Turning off the tv during the day has completely transformed this area of my life.   I will only allow myself to watch recorded programs after I've done what needs to be done!
   
4. Be on Time--typically not my issue, but I know many people who run late all the time...it just stresses me out way too much to run late.  (if you saw a silver CX9 zipping down the beltway yesterday morning that might have been me, running late to the Pediatrician appointment, so yes, it happens in my life, but I detest it)
5. Keep your word--Let your yes be yes and your no be no.  Matthew 5:37
6. Do the most difficult (or dreaded) task first-- then it's finished and you can breath a sigh of relief
7. Finish what you start--this can be tough for me.  I tend to get lots of projects going in one day.  Scrapbooking, laundry, cooking, blogging, editing photos and of course playing with and caring for Karsten.  I think I need to learn to simplify my to do list each morning and not bite off so much.
8. Accept Correction-- "He whos ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.  He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding."  Proverbs 15:31-32
9. Practice self denial---make Godly and wise choices even though you would rather do the fun or easy thing.
10. Welcome responsibility--Grow up, make good decisions, and make a plan to live differently

 

Cultivating a Christ-like life, a huge part which is discipline, requires the fruit of the Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit's presence in my life there is no way I can begin to emulate Christ.  My selfish desires will take over every time.  I will want to sleep in instead of getting up early for a quiet time.  I will have judgemental thoughts about someone instead of seeing them as Christ sees them. 

The last section of Galatians 5 speaks of the power we have through the Holy Spirit.  If you believe that Christ was crucified for your sins and then resurrected from death 3 days later and you also believe that He is the ONLY way to heaven then you are a Believer, a Christian.  When you accept this as TRUTH you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit.  This week's printable is the Fruits of the Spirit.   Living out these characteristics in my life should be my daily to do list...with all of my chores at the bottom.  So, I'm going to print this out and place it several places in my house (my bathroom mirror, my kitchen counter, my office, and maybe my car) 

If you right click and save you should be able to print out a 4x6 or save it as your screen saver on your computer, or both!!!

Meditate (Daily Word)

Meditate--Think deeply or carefully about (something).

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8

right click image to save and print

In the first chapter of Joshua God gives a charge to Joshua to continue what He had directed Moses to do; to lead His people into the Promised Land.  In verse 8, God tells Joshua to study the Book of Instruction continually.  But God doesn’t stop there, He tells Joshua to meditate on the Word day and night and to obey everything it says. 

How does this apply to believers today?  Meditation seems to be a popular culture word these days.  People build meditation rooms and fill them with tranquil items.  Others may meditate during yoga or sitting quietly in a dark room.  Certainly none of these ways of meditating or the places we do it are wrong.  It’s not about how, where, or when we meditate; what’s important is what we’re meditating on.  Christians are called to meditate on Scripture, but in order to meditate on them we must know them, read them, study them, and write them on our heart.

Just as Joshua was called to meditate on the Book of Instruction, so are we.  We live in a world inundated by worldly values and godless priorities.  In order that we don’t begin to accept these unrighteous standards we must guard our hearts and minds through memorizing and meditating on the Word.  What do you find yourself thinking deeply or carefully about?  Are you consumed with thoughts of worry? Anger? Bitterness? Jealousy? Hopelessness? Or maybe you’re consumed with thoughts of how to make sure that your child succeeds, or that your spouse gets that raise, or that you just feel stuck in life.  I challenge you, along with myself, to take those thoughts captive and to replace them with God’s Promises, His Truth…found in His Word. 

This will require time in His Word.  If you’re not sure where to start, begin in the Psalms.  We, as Believers, simply can’t neglect His Word---The Bible and prayers are the key to doing His Will.  We must know Him before we can know what He desires us to do.   Take some time today to read Scripture and then meditate on it.  What does it mean to your life?  How could you apply what you’re learning to your journey?   Study—Meditate—Apply