Tuesday, March 30, 2010

What passion spills out of you?? - repost



Day 1
If you have a minute after listening to this song write a prayer or what is on your heart.

Lord I need you today. I need you everyday but today I really need to be filled with your love. Open my eyes to see what you have for me.

What are your dreams what would you do if time and money were not in the picture. What passion has God given you that ties up your thoughts. Maybe I am just a dreamer, but I think about this often. As a Mom I went into motherhood wanting one thing and now my thoughts and dreams have changed. I have changed. How about you? How has being a Mom changed you?

As Mother I think we have less time for ourselves than anyone else, but what occupies your uninterrupted time?

What do you do with that uninterrupted time?

How much uninterrupted time do you have during the day or at night?

What would you love to do with that time if you are not already doing it?

God always knows the perfect time and as hard as it is to wait on his timing, we can be sure he knows the perfect time and perfect plan for our lives.
Lets look at Ecc 3: 1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

As you read through those verses what verse was most meaningful for you today, and in this season of life. Share this verse by writing it down

As I look and read these verse the one that really sticks out for me is 7- a time to be silent and a time to speak
I really want Gods direction and for him to speak into my life and I know that for that to happen I need to be silent. I need to be silent and to listen to him but I also need to be silent and respectful to others(my husband). Looking back at the verse that you wrote down write a sentence or two about why that is important in this season of life.

Take a minute today and just be silent before God and ask him to speak into your life and show you his love.


Day 2
I think this is such a fun song and yet it makes me think about the steps I am taking in my life and are they the ones that God has planned for me.

I love to watch shows like American Idol or So you think you can dance. I love to watch people going for and achieving their dreams. Most of these people on these shows are given a God given talent and they can not help but do what comes so natural to them. When they interviewed Joshua on So you think you can Dance last year(08) I remember them asking him so when did you start dancing? He was in about 2 or 3rd grade and was getting in trouble for dancing in class. So his teacher recommended to his parents that he should start taking classed outside of school. Dancing was just a part of him he could not help but dance. Some of the judges tell the dancers you were made to dance. I know that sounds a little dorky but when you watch them it’s true.
As I love to watch these show I think about what has God given me that I cant help doing. Something that make me feel so alive. Something that I know is my God given talent or interest. Think about that for a minute.
What is your special gift from God?
What has God given you that you cant help but doing ? What spills out of you?
Encouragement, teaching, Serving
Singing, Loving others, Hospitality
Dancing, Mercy, Cooking
These are a few to get your mind thinking. We are all given gifts from God so if you are having trouble and thinking what are my gifts take a minute to pour your heart out to God. Also ask a friend or family member that will give you an honest answer. Sometimes we cant see our own gift and yet to others they are so obvious.
See if you can find scripture to back our gifts given by God.
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A few times when I have been watching these shows I have been a little convicted of the time that is takes away from other things. This is the thought that has come to me more than once. Are you going to watch their dreams come true or are you going to make your own come true. I know that I can not make those dreams come true on my own, but they also cant come true by watching T.V. for hours on end.
What can you think of in your life that might be a dream distract or dream killer? ( a negative attitude or maybe being around negative people)

Lets look at a few verses that get us back in God’s truth. I know for me just seeing what his word says helps me in the day to day.
These verses are very special to me because they are my daughter ( Mia’s) life verse. Lets write them out together Jeremiah 29: 11-13

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart.
First God already knows the plans for our lives before we start praying or asking. Second we are to call upon and pray to him and then he has promised to listen. Third we will find him when we seek him with all of our heart.
How do we seek him with all our heart?

For me it is putting him above everything and everybody else. When life gets crazy you seek what God has to say not what your neighbor or you friend tell you to do. Also to spend time with him and put that time as a huge priority. God knows as Mom’s we are busy, but we are still called to be in relationship with him.
Take time and write a prayer today that God gives you the desire and the time to seek him with all your heart.


Day 3 -
I am sure that this song is talking about falling in love with a guy but what about our love for Jesus. My love for Shawn has grown through the years and has really grown through the tough times. I can see the same pattern with my love for Christ. Through the years my love, trust and faith in him has grown. Christ is always the same but for me that relationship has taken time.
When has your relationship with Christ grown the most.

We don’t wake up one day at the same level as Moses it’s a process. One day at a time and one step at a time. On a little deeper note we can take steps forward or backwards which way in your walk with Christ are you walking right now?
This question is for you feel free to Journal if you feel lead.

If you are taking steps forward in your relationship with Christ right now Praise God! If you are taking steps backwards Praise God that today is a new day and today you can take a step forward all you have to do is get up.
Who did Jesus call to get up in Mark 2:9 and Matthew 9:4-6

Lets all take a step forward today in our relationship with Christ.
Lets take a minute to pray and seek his guidance for our lives.



Thursday, March 25, 2010

Lables

I remember the question well. What labels do you put on yourself. This was from a recent Bible study on Rehab the prostitute. Now that's a label. When I wrote these down I noticed something. Some of the same issues that I dealt with as a child are still part of my struggles today.

School was always challenging for me. I hated to read, and spelling and story problems were also very difficult.
* slow and dumb were definitely feelings I had growing up

So many times I see these labels as a negative or a struggle. Why do I still deal with these labels today? I get frustrated should be over this right! Well the evil one knows where I am weak, so he will use what he can to have fear creep in.

The great thing for children of God, is he uses our weaknesses to show His strength and Glory.

I had trouble reading and spelling ... and funny how this is now my passion. I can't get enough of reading His word and writing how it has impacted me and others. I get excited just thinking about it.

Hebrews 4:15-16
15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need

I know that without God's help, and hand in my life there is no way I would be writing, blogging and wanting to share it with others. He wants to take what we see as a weakness and show us and others His glory. If we always do what we can easily do on our own then our dependence on God is little. I am going to steal a line from a friend(Casey) The More We Depend on God the More Dependable He Becomes. God does not need to do anything to become more dependable and yet the more we trust Him the more our confidence grows in what he is asking of us. When we trust in Him and lay our lives down for Him to be in charge we will be truly blessed.
All thing are possible for those who believe - We have a choice believe in your weakness, or believe He can and will use it to His Glory

*Do you have a weakness in your life that you see God wanting to use to touch others



Near or Far

Jeremiah 33:1-3 While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time: 2"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 3'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.(NIV)

So much I would love to say about this: I am so thankful that our God our creator gives us wisdom, knowledge, peace and so much more and yet I can't say it better than the Word. Here is some scripture that spoke to me today:

Hebrews 11:6(NIV)And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Psalm 119:2Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Acts:24-29
24-29"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?

Our God our creator is more than enough, and more than capable of providing for what we need.
Hope you have time in His Word today it really has a way of putting it all in perspective. Jaime

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

We are His Workmanship


This was a video that a friend sent me a few weeks ago and was God's perfect timing.
We all need reminders that God loves us to much to leave us where we are. I hope you enjoy.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Yes Lord - You are enough

Exodus 15:13 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. (NIV)


I was given the new Hillsong CD for Christmas from my sister and this song has become one of my favorites. There is a much longer version on you tube but I love the verse that she referenced.
The song and her words about the song speak to my life and where I am at right now. She said there are points in the journey and that is so true. I have felt a nudge from the Lord to close a door now for a few years and yet questioned is that really what he is saying? I would ask other believers what do you think, or what do you think I should do. The problem with that is they were not hearing what I was hearing. I knew in my heart what I wanted and what he was asking me to do and yet I was not listening.
I was looking to others for the answer when HE is my answer.
There were two things that helped me shut that door, lock it and trust that he knows what is best for me.
* Shawn's blessing
* Really seeking God and wanting to love Him 1st and do what he has called me to do even when it might look crazy
I see again and again in the Bible that God asks his children to do crazy things according to the world, and yet to Him it is an act of trust. Do we trust that he is who he says he is. Doing a Beth Moore study once she said there is a difference in believing in God and Believing God. God has already shown he is who he says he is and he is trustworthy and yet he keeps showing me more and more of His plan and love for me.
I am not doing anything special I am just putting Him first. Yes, I fail, but overall I am making choices that say you Lord are more important than the T.V., than that extra 30 minutes of sleep.
It is a journey and all I know is I want to be on the journey with Him and doing what he has called me to do. Do I know all the plans he has for me, no, but I know that they will be better that what I could ask or imagine. The fact that I get to walk with Him daily is enough. I had to get to that point that he was enough!
I am so thankful he was patient with me because it took years.

Pray with me
Lord,
I get fired up and excited for what you are doing in
my life and so many others. You love your children
and lovewhen we put down the distractions of the world
and spend time talking, praying and reading your word.
Open our eyes to see more of you today and this week.
Help us not look at pleasing others, but pleasing you.
We know that your plan for our lives is so much better
than what we could think up, and yet sometimes it's hard to wait.
Help us to remember its a journey and the best part of the
journey is you.
I love you Lord - Amen

Thursday, March 18, 2010

It's a Faith walk

Psalm 23: 1-2
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams

Where will the Lord lead his children? Closer and Closer to him and that may be a peaceful stream, or through the Rea Sea, or through a storm.
I love this verse that leads me besides peaceful streams, but if we are honest I think we notice and cling more to Him when he is leading us through the Rea Sea or through a storm.
Exodus 14: 21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left

Close your eyes and imagine the Israelites taking that first step. The Sea on either side of you and yes dry ground in the middle. Do they(you) trust or go back to what they(you) have always known. Then every step they took still had the sea right next to them. With that many people they could not just close there eyes and run, it was one step at a time continuing to trust. Scary and new, and yet completely in God's will. He was leading His precious children to freedom, and to do that it was a faith walk.
If you have walked with the Lord for a while, you have your own stories. We have the privilege of reading about the Israelites, Abraham, Daniel, Ruth's and many others whenever we want. I encourage you to write a few of your faith walk stories down to share with others.
Testimony of Gods work, faithfulness is always an encouragement.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Praise Him



Luke 19:40 (NIV)
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

This is one of those songs that I can't help but sing.
He moves mountains
He is mighty to save
His love is unfailing
His mercy is new every morning
He is forever
He came so we could have life with Him now and forever

It's funny how time praising my awesome God fills my tank to handle the tasks of the day and week.
Do you have a song that you can't help but sing. Please share.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Your Husbands World

Entering your husbands world

Do you really KNOW your husband? We are made for and transformed through intimate relationships. When we have a personal relationship with God we are able to form a bond with Him and our faith and trust is increased. When we let those walls down and choose intimacy with our husbands we will also grow in faith and trust with him.
One way we can connect with our husbands is to enter his world. What is he passionate about?What spills out of him without effort?What brings him Joy? For my husband it is football, more specificly Notre Dame football. His love for the game, stats and players is really hard for me to comprehend. Honestly, the only time I think about ND football is on Saturday when the game is on. In years past, it was really a sore subject for me. I would get so upset that he loved ND football so much. How could he sit and watch games for hours? He doesn't show that much passion for me....
After attending a marriage conference, God opened my eyes to see that I can look at our different passions as a positive or negative. God sees them as a positive and he wants them to strengthen our marriage. We were given the opportunity to go to three, yes three ND games this year. When Shawn got tickets for the first one I told him to take a buddy. Shawn and his buddy both wanted me to go and thought if I went I might convert into an ND fan. Well they were right. My passion is not like Shawn's but I loved going to these games. What I really loved was Shawn's joy and sharing it with him. This gave Shawn and I an opportunity to spend many hours together and talk, laugh and just have fun! So many times we get caught up in the daily grind and forget to have fun and enjoy the gift that God has given us in our spouse. Work, pay bills, planning dinners, home work for you and or the kids... All of these responsibilities are necessary and yet they tend to suck the life out of us. My husband like many men is a kid and heart, and loves to play outside, be involved in or watch sporting events, or just be active. Men love to share these activities with there wives. What does your husband enjoy doing with his buddies? Go fishing, watch a game or the races, play golf. We have a connection and bond with our husbands that no one else can touch, so if they enjoy watching a game with there buddies they would love to share it with us too. When we enter their world, take time to show interest in what they are passionate about it ends up as a win for your marriage.
If I would have insisted that he take his buddy I would have missed this opportunity. After the first game I was totally hooked and wanted the ND gear and was looking forward to the next game. I entered his world and totally loved it. We were blessed with time alone together and it gave us a new bond that we hadn't had before. With busy lives and daily responsibilities this gave both of us a chance to be a little goofy, wear the gear, do the cheers and totally enjoy the game and each others company.
What does your husband love that you could care less about? What does he love that you could do with him? You might even be surprised as I was that you totally get into it and have a great time.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Struggles

Romans 8:37
No in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him who loves us. I am not sure about you but there are certain areas of my life that I don't feel like a conqueror. In a Bible study that I am doing it asked the question what labels do we put on
ourselves? Crazy how those labels are still issues I deal with today. Sometimes they seem to go away for a while, and then bam there they are again. Insecurities! Like many women I can
go through my day and no one would guess the insecurities I am dealing with. What I find is I tend to dwell on them and this takes my focus of God. He is saying I am more than a conqueror and he also says where I am weak he is strong. So it is crazy that these are still stumbling blocks.
If you are like me I hope you take a minute and think about one of you insecurities or labels you are struggling with and give it to God. Pray that God would help you in your weakness. Know that he will.
Ephesians 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Remember the Gift God has Given us in our Kids

This is an email that I just received from a friend and what a great reminder to slow down and take time to just be with our kids. I was just thinking how thankful I am for such a beautiful day and the time God has given me to spend it with my girls.
Thank you Lord!!

TO MY DAUGHTER

*Just for this morning, I am going to step over
the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

*Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

*Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

*Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

*Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

*Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

*Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

*Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

*Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

*Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

*Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

*Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

*I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

*And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.

--
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson