tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28424963267332010992024-03-07T22:26:53.601-05:00Jaime's JournalJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-23753721845255893302012-10-23T21:48:00.000-04:002012-10-23T21:48:03.616-04:00What made me smile today
Olivia had her first orthodontist apt today ~ it was a long apt and yet she did
great ~ we were still in Portage at 5:30 and she was suppose to be at volleyball at
6:15 so we were in a bit of a rush ~ from the back seat I hear come on people we
have a schedule lets get going ~then of course we hit yet another red light ~ Liv says in a goofy voice come on light turner people lets turn these lights green ~ So I ask Liv do you really they have people that turn the lights ~ YES mom :)
Oh what goes through the mind of a 9 year old Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-42251046246086665822011-01-18T13:12:00.010-05:002011-01-18T22:02:13.174-05:00Beauty<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A3Jv1Hf2oCw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A3Jv1Hf2oCw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />After listening to this song and a few others I felt so filled and blessed to spend time focusing on God and who He is, and where he opens my eyes to His beauty. It's all around and yet so many times my eyes and heart are not open to see it. I prayed that the Lord would continue to open my eyes to see Him. He sees every detail of me and yet I want to see more of Him, and know more of His character and beauty.<br /><br />I was blessed to have a big chunk of uninterrupted time today and this prayer was answered very quickly. Have you ever spent time with God and he revealed something to you that you wanted to shout from a mountain, tell your best friend or hubby and yet you knew it was not the right time or maybe you would never tell anyone. <br /><br />God gave me that beautiful moment of intimacy today and that is where I saw his beauty.<br /><br />Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse NIV<br /><br />Beauty is seen in <br />*sunsets<br />*sunrises<br />*Lake Michigan<br />*snowy days<br />*flowers in the spring and so much more<br /><br />Another type of beauty that came to mind was in relationships <br />* seeing an 80 year old couple holding hands<br />* laughter of children <br />* husband and wife adopting a baby after trying to get pregnant for 3 years<br />* flying accross the country to surprise your sister for a girls weekend<br />Beauty in relationships is a priceless gift! <br /><br />He created the heaven and the earth, mountians and the spring flowers and the amazing moments that we get to see or be a part of. Pray with me today that God would open our eyes to see more of His beauty because it is everywhere.Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-9447936556719190782010-10-20T13:51:00.002-04:002010-10-20T13:51:00.299-04:00Making the right Decision<div><strong><font color="#660000">Romans 5:4-6 (New International Version)<br />4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.<br /></font></strong>Are you dealing with a situation that you know is character building? Maybe you are trying to buy or sell a house and it is just not happening. You are seeking God's direction and yet you feel like nothing is popping out at you. Maybe you are looking for a job and not sure if you should look into job A or job B. I remember a few months ago I was really hung up on making the right decision. I did not want to miss God's plan for me. I felt I should go in a certain direction but was that my own thoughts or was that the spirit guiding me? When I called to talk to a friend about it I really felt like I had to make a decision. It couldn't be both could it. She said don't get to hung up on the decision that you loose sight of God. If we focus so much on what to do next that can take up a lot of our thought process. So this time as I am faced with a decision I am just praying that His will be done. What will bring Him the most glory. Not what would I love or what do I want but what will glorify Him the most. This is NOT easy but I know that I am happiest in His will.<br /><font color="#660000"><strong>Exodus 33:21-23 Message<br />God said , Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. When my Glory passes by, I'll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I've passed by. Then I'll take my hand away and you'll see my back. But you won't see my face." </strong></font></div><br /><div><font color="#000000">This verse was in my devotional this morning and it made me think about God's hand on our lives. He put his hand on Moses but he has given us the Holy Spirit. He is always with us to giude us and all we have to do is ask. </font></div><br /><div>My favorite part of this verse is God saying look here is a place right beside me. I feel so comforted by that and it reminds me that my God is with me and has his hand in my life. </div>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-31787184691811104782010-09-30T11:41:00.001-04:002010-09-30T11:43:59.505-04:00Love this song!!<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fEJ9ayvUYqs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fEJ9ayvUYqs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-47890256892083310872010-09-01T08:28:00.002-04:002010-09-01T08:38:04.113-04:00The day aheadLord I want to join with you to tackle the day ahead. I have a lot on my mind, some of which could take my thoughts captive. I ask for a sound mind today and your wisdom in all situations. Your purpose and plan is greater than mine help me to remember that. Thanks you for all the beautiful summer days you have given me with the girls and help us to enjoy the last few. When I think of all the blessing you have given us the stressful situation become minimal. Thank you Lord for your guidance<br />I Love youJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-38910942244451618952010-08-30T11:05:00.000-04:002010-08-30T11:06:12.472-04:00Real and True<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UbSMfL5LuSo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UbSMfL5LuSo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-76936768478454259392010-07-01T08:59:00.002-04:002010-07-01T12:38:45.753-04:00His FaithfulnessAs I tried to have a minute of quiet before the girls woke up this was the song<br />I kept singing. I was attempting to read but these were the words God wanted<br />for me today. So putting my reading aside I really thought about this song:<br /><br />Great is Thy faithfulness!<br />Great is Thy faithfulness!<br />Morning by morning new mercies I see.<br />All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;<br />Great is Thy faithfulness,<br />Lord, unto me!<br /><br />Great is His faithfulness and yes unto me. Is it hard for you to<br />receive a compliment or gift from others. What about God?<br />When you know that God has given you a gift how do you respond?<br />His faithfulness is not something that is wrapped in a pretty pink package and yet<br />thanking God daily for His faithfulness is important. I so easy forget<br />all the ways he shows His faithfulness. I have been able to be a stay at home mom for<br />7 years and that is a huge gift for our family. I know that that is not His call on<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">every one's</span> life but was for ours and His faithfulness has been revealed in that.<br />Great is His faithfulness!!<br />As I looked again at these words this verse came to mind<br /><br />Psalm 40:3<br />3 He put a <strong>new song</strong> in my mouth,<br />a hymn of praise to our God.<br />Many will see and fear<br />and <strong>put their trust in the LORD.</strong><br />My song was Great is Thy Faithfulness what is yours what is the NEW song in your mouth?Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-45865992825777439432010-06-07T21:45:00.003-04:002010-06-07T21:49:16.170-04:00His LoveRomans ( Message)<br />31-39So, what do you think? <strong>With God on our side like this, how can we lose</strong>? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for <strong>us</strong>, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, <strong>is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us</strong>? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and <strong>Christ's love for us</strong>? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:<br />They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.<br />I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—<strong>absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.</strong><br /><br />The more I read about His love for us the more time I want to spend with my Savior!!Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-61739506740701162012010-05-21T08:29:00.000-04:002010-05-21T14:06:11.463-04:00Hero HeadQuartersThis was so cute I have to share: We always look forward to VBS at Grandma Greats church and we received the invitation last week. The first line reads- You're invited to "Hero Headquarters" where kids join forces with God!<br />After reading just the first line Olivia looks at me with a tilted head and asks will God be there?<br />I loved this question and I have been thinking about it for the last few days. I can't remember my exact answer but at first it was no you will not see him but his presence will be there.<br />Sometimes the questions that kids ask make us dig a little deeper. What do we really believe. I know that God shows up to events like this and loves to see children learning about His love and praising His name. This VBS is all about the hero's in the Bible that are not super powerful, and yet there faith is used for great things by God. Now that's real life.<br />So will the kids that week be able to see God? The Bible says if we know Him we have eyes to see Him. As believers we see Him in the big and little in life. God has recently woven a relationship into our life and we know it is all His work. When our eyes are open and willing to see Him and His work you will see it everywhere.<br />So the question will God be there? YES but you have to have your eyes on to see Him. Now my 6 year old will not get that but I know this is only the beginning of our discussions about seeing God's work and plan in our life.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+4:9&version=NIV">Deuteronomy 4:9</a>Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14:17&version=NIV">John 14:17</a>the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1" version="'NIV">1 Samuel 12:16</a>"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-31475529350107568312010-05-18T06:39:00.004-04:002010-05-18T06:55:09.843-04:00Psalm 34 Never hide anything From GodI am reading this morning in a message Bible and these verses are so true.<br />Ps 34:4-5 and 8-9<br />God met me more than halfway<br />he freed me from my anxious fears<br />5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.<br />Never hide your feelings from him.<br /><br />8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-<br />how good God is.<br />Blessed are you who run to him.<br />9 Worship God is you want the best;<br />worship open doors to all his goodness<br /><br />What a verse to start the day! God wants us to take<br />everything to him. Yes he already knows and yet he wants us<br />to share out hearts.<br />Romans 12:1(Message)<br />So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: <strong>Take your everyday, ordinary life</strong>—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.<br /><br />What ordinary life can you put at his feet today?<br />For me as a mom have a hard time getting all the things done and still playing with my kids as I want to. Balance seems to be an issue in my life. I will be setting that at his feet, and much more I'm sure.Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-54986222882338655082010-05-14T08:47:00.006-04:002010-05-14T09:04:45.843-04:00Indescribable<p><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7PTvr755V8s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7PTvr755V8s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />After drying my hair this morning I came into the kitchen to find Olivia climbing on the counter to turn up the radio. This song was playing. It is Indescribable to hear your kids singing a song like this. Also one of the lines in the song says: who has told every lightening bold where it should go. Yesterday Olivia was very scared of the storm and thought <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">school</span> should be canceled because of the lightening and thunder. Listening to this song with her was a great reminder that God is in control of all. </p><p> </p><p> </p>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-6253335028315400822010-05-13T20:17:00.004-04:002010-05-13T21:42:03.921-04:00Freedom2 Corinthians 3:16-18<br />17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and <strong>where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom</strong>. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[<a title="See footnote a" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2" version="'NIV#fen-NIV-28844a">a</a>] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, <strong>which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (The Message)<br />16-18Whenever, though, <strong>they turn to face God as Moses did,</strong> God removes the veil and there they are—<strong>face-to-face</strong>! They suddenly recognize that God<strong> is a living, personal presence</strong>, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, <strong>a living Spirit</strong>, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! <strong>Nothing between us and God</strong>, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.<br /><br />These verses remind us that<br />* Freedom comes from the spirit<br />* God is living and personal<br />* There is nothing between us and God<br />* All of us have the same opportunity to choose Freedom<br /><br />Love them all!Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-9059249032640153272010-05-10T09:33:00.001-04:002010-05-10T09:35:29.899-04:00If you Give a Moma MuffinIf you give a mom a muffin,<br />She’ll want a cup of coffee to go with it.<br />So she’ll pour herself some.<br />The coffee will get spilled by her three year old.<br />She’ll wipe it up.<br /><br />Wiping the floor, she will find some dirty socks.<br />She’ll remember she has to do some laundry.<br />When she puts the laundry in the washer,<br />She’ll trip over some snow boots and bump into the freezer.<br />Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan supper for tonight.<br /><br />She will get out a pound of hamburger.<br />She’ll look for her cookbook. (101 Things To Make With a Pound of<br />Hamburger.)<br />The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.<br />She will see the phone bill which is due tomorrow.<br />She will look for the checkbook.<br /><br />The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two year old.<br />She’ll smell something funny.<br />She’ll change the two year old.<br />While she is changing the two year old the phone will ring. (Of course!)<br />Her five year old will answer it and hang up.<br /><br />She remembers that she wants to phone a friend to come over for coffee on<br />Friday.<br />Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.<br />She will pour herself some.<br />And chances are,<br />If she has a cup of coffee,<br />Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.<br /><br />Written by Kathy Fictorie<br /><br />This was given to me by Olivia's teacher and when I read it I knew I had to share. This is so my life and maybe your too. Hope you had a great Mothers Day.Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-19613958166678339412010-05-06T19:31:00.007-04:002010-05-06T22:06:56.109-04:00Fun quotes for Mothers DayWhen I think about my kids they have brought more joy to my life than I would have ever expected. They are the biggest blessing, and yet it is the hardest job ever. I love it and need a break daily. They make me smile all the time, and yet I can see that I will be on my knees more often. They are a true blessing from God and give me a glimpse of how much he love us.<br />Happy Mothers Day!<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">While we try to teach our children all about life,<br />Our children teach us what life is all about.<br />Angela Schwindt<br /><br /><br />We cannot fashion our children after our desires, we must have them and love them as God has given them to us.<br />Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe<br /><br />There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.<br />Walt Streightiff<br /><br />Children make you want to start life over.<br />Muhammad Ali<br /><br />A three-year-old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm.<br />Bill Vaughn<br /><br />It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't.<br />Barbara Kingsolver<br /><br />Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home.<br />Phyllis Diller<br /><br />We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open.<br />Harry Edwards</span>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-26251043099966816082010-05-05T14:32:00.005-04:002010-05-05T14:50:29.399-04:00Abundant lifeJohn 10:9-11(NIV)<br />9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; <strong>I have come that they may have</strong> <strong>life</strong>,<strong> and have it to the full</strong>. 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.<br /><br />1 Timothy 1:14(NIV)<br />The grace of our Lord was <strong>poured out on me abundantly</strong>, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus<br /><br />Ephesians 1:7<br />Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. <strong>And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! </strong>He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth<br /><br />There is nothing better than God's word. I love how we can gain insight and hope from just reading His Word. God says that he came so that we could have <br />life with him now and forever. Sign me up.<br />As I was listening in Bible study this morning and thinking about life, I see again that God is peeling away layers in my life and in the women around me. He is doing this so that we can have life more full with Him.<br /><br />This next video has many great points but one that hit me was when we have experienced God's we are ruined for everything else. Nothing compares to time with Him!<br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8c69xfpwWcc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8c69xfpwWcc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-43134755384458266962010-05-01T22:19:00.000-04:002010-05-01T22:20:20.679-04:00Mia's First Dance<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q2XkI4ewDwY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q2XkI4ewDwY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-58569672469158040692010-04-29T14:14:00.008-04:002010-04-29T14:51:05.734-04:00Place your ordinary life before GodPlace Your Life Before God Romans 12:1-2 Message<br />1-2 So here's what I want you to do, <strong>God helping you</strong>: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.<em> Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.<br /></em><br />I am learning that if I am having trouble or struggling with something that I need to ask more for Gods help and stop trying to do everything on my own. I needed a reminder that taking my every day ordinary life to God is exactly what he wants. One of the struggles I am having right now is my eating. I want to eat all the time and feel like I have little self-control. I know that eating at 10:00 is not what I need to be doing and my mind seems to be focused on eating that chocolate or popcorn until I eat it. Then I am frustrated with myself afterwards and feel crappy the next day.<br />For some reason I seem to gain weight in the spring and summer and I want that to be different this year.<br />When I read this verse I am reminded that it is less about what I can do and more about asking for Gods help and laying it at His feet. My everyday, ordinary life I love that. I am not asking to be a super model and he knows that I just want to feel healthy and not obsess about that chocolate until I eat it.<br /><strong>Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.</strong> - Wow I hope you take a minute or 10 with our amazing Father and soak in His Love.<br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yT6lFcM-Fv8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yT6lFcM-Fv8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-84491587990575496452010-04-21T14:36:00.011-04:002010-04-22T11:48:13.903-04:00Struggles in dealing with an addicted fatherAs I was listing to our Bible study this week the thought of having to call my dad was totally on my mind. I don't jump out and share this with everyone but know that there has to be women dealing with a similar situation. My biological Dad(if you know my family this is not my dad Mike) is an alcoholic and is still in that bondage today. Many things are so hard about that relationship. One of the hardest things I am dealing with at the moment is how far do I let him in our life, and the lies he continues to feed me. If you were to look at my life from the outside you might think we are normal and maybe even look put together. That's the great thing about just looking, the illusions we get look pretty and yet they are usually way off. We live in a nice house in a great neighborhood, I have a loving husband and two beautiful girls. All that is what you might see. Yet living the day to day is much different. I am passionate about living a life that has meaning and living it with Christ at the center. I have to because if I didn't I would be lost. As a women it shakes something inside of you to be lied to by your father. The relationship we are supposed to have with our Dads should be honest and loving, and yet can I be honest? The only time I hear "I Love You" from him is when he is drunk. No matter how much I walk in faith with Christ that still rocks my boat. Maybe it shouldn't but it does. All of this is right at the front of my brain right now because he called again last night and I need to return that phone call. With everything in my I don't want to and yet he is still my dad. I had to get this off my heart today and writing helps me. I want anyone dealing with this to feel that it's ok to want to scream, run and or cry. Some days I just crave normal whatever that is. I also wanted to add this list of characteristics that some children of alcoholics deal with. I don't want this to be something that we hang on to but the opposite. If you find that one of these describe you and you want to be freed, ask God to heal you. Ask for his help to over come this. Our God is a healer and Redeemer and if he heals that addict then he will heal their children too.<br /><br />Adult Children:<br /><br />...guess at what normal is.<br /><br />...have difficulty in following a project through from beginning to end.<br /><br />...lie when it would be just as easy to tell the truth.<br /><br />...judge themselves without mercy.<br /><br />...have difficulty having fun.<br /><br />...take themselves very seriously.<br /><br />...have difficulty with intimate relationships.<br /><br />...overreact to changes over which they have no control.<br /><br />...constantly seek approval and affirmation.<br /><br />...feel that they are different from other people.<br /><br />...are either super responsible or super irresponsible.<br /><br />...are extremely loyal, even in the face of evidence that loyalty is undeserved.<br /><br />...tend to lock themselves into a course of action without giving serious consideration to alternative behaviors or possible consequences. This impulsively leads to confusion, self loathing, and loss of control of their environment. As a result, they spend tremendous amounts of time cleaning up the mess.<br /><br /><br />I have to say the first time I read this list it made me feel that I was not as crazy as I thought. Most of these on some level have been a part of my life at one time or another. Sad but true. I am so thankful that God is not leaving me where I am today and that with His help these rough edges are being shaved away. I have listed the website where I copied this list and I am sure there are more out there like this.<br />http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/adult/a/aa073097.htm<br />If you are dealing with a parent that struggles with addiction ask for God to surround you with His love. He is the only one who can brighten my day when I am dealing with an ugly situation with my Dad and I know that we can brighten yours.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvIEJ_PmqJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvIEJ_PmqJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-86019216761910088882010-04-17T20:39:00.000-04:002010-04-18T21:29:30.153-04:00Cat and Mouse<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11:10&version=MSG">Luke 11:10</a>"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a <strong>cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in.</strong> If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing—you're at least decent to your own children.<strong> And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the <em>Holy Spirit</em> when you ask him?<br /></strong><div>I had read this verse many weeks ago in the Message and liked the wording, cat and mouse game. I love that we can go to our Father and ask what is truly on our hearts. The Bible says to come with confidence in Hebrews 4:16. </div>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-68528326342376752692010-03-30T10:04:00.001-04:002010-03-30T14:02:47.293-04:00What passion spills out of you?? - repost<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PIE5QtkxzvM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PIE5QtkxzvM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>Day 1</strong><br />If you have a minute after listening to this song write a prayer or what is on your heart.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />As Mother I think we have less time for ourselves than anyone else, but what occupies your uninterrupted time?<br /><br />What do you do with that uninterrupted time?<br /><br />How much uninterrupted time do you have during the day or at night?<br /><br />What would you love to do with that time if you are not already doing it?<br /><br />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.<br />Lets look at <em>Ecc 3: 1-8<br />There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. </em><br />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<br /><br />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<br />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.<br /><br />Take a minute today and just be silent before God and ask him to speak into your life and show you his love.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Day 2 </strong><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br />What is your special gift from God?<br />What has God given you that you cant help but doing ? <strong>What spills out of you?</strong><br />Encouragement, teaching, Serving<br />Singing, Loving others, Hospitality<br />Dancing, Mercy, Cooking<br />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.<br />See if you can find scripture to back our gifts given by God.<br />*<br />*<br />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.<br />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)<br /><br />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.<br />These verses are very special to me because they are my daughter ( Mia’s) life verse. Lets write them out together <em>Jeremiah 29: 11-13</em><br /><br /><em>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. </em><br />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.<br />How do we seek him with all our heart?<br /><br />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.<br />Take time and write a prayer today that God gives you the desire and the time to seek him with all your heart.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Day 3 </strong>-<br />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.<br />When has your relationship with Christ grown the most.<br /><br />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?<br />This question is for you feel free to Journal if you feel lead.<br /><br />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.<br />Who did Jesus call to get up in Mark 2:9 and Matthew 9:4-6<br /><br />Lets all take a step forward today in our relationship with Christ.<br />Lets take a minute to pray and seek his guidance for our lives.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-48772725738967947732010-03-25T20:53:00.013-04:002010-03-29T17:09:09.090-04:00LablesI 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.<br /><br />School was always challenging for me. I hated to read, and spelling and story problems were also very difficult.<br />* slow and dumb were definitely feelings I had growing up<br /><br />So many times I see these labels as a negative or a struggle. Why do I still deal with these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">labels</span> today? I get <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">frustrated</span> 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.<br /><br />The great thing for children of God, is he uses our weaknesses to show His strength and Glory.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>Hebrews 4:15-16</strong><br /><strong>15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our <em>weaknesses</em>, 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 <em>time of need</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />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.<br />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<br /><br />*Do you have a weakness in your life that you see God wanting to use to touch others<br /><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em></em></strong>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-81268037047104385482010-03-25T08:29:00.003-04:002010-03-25T09:09:37.948-04:00Near or FarJeremiah 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: <strong>3'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.</strong>(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NIV</span>)<br /><br />So much I would love to say about this: I am so thankful that our God our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">creator</span> 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:<br /><br />Hebrews 11:6(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">NIV</span>)And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must <strong>believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him</strong>.<br /><br />Psalm 119:2Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with <strong>all their heart</strong>.<br /><br />James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives <strong>generously </strong>to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.<br /><br />Acts:24-29<br /> 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. <strong>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!</strong> 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?<br /><br />Our God our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">creator</span> is more than enough, and more than capable of providing for what we need.<br />Hope you have time in His Word today it really has a way of putting it all in perspective. JaimeJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-62825679549563563472010-03-24T10:24:00.000-04:002010-03-24T15:01:28.054-04:00We are His Workmanship<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UXut0HxncvY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UXut0HxncvY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />This was a video that a friend sent me a few weeks ago and was God's perfect timing.<br />We all need reminders that God loves us to much to leave us where we are. I hope you enjoy. </p>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-21212549571751493262010-03-21T21:48:00.009-04:002010-03-22T12:07:16.664-04:00Yes Lord - You are enough<strong>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)</strong><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_rvlDOv6LrU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_rvlDOv6LrU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />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.<br />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.<br />I was looking to others for the answer when HE is my answer.<br />There were two things that helped me shut that door, lock it and trust that he knows what is best for me.<br />* Shawn's blessing<br />* Really seeking God and wanting to love Him 1st and do what he has called me to do even when it might look crazy<br />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.<br />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.<br />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!<br />I am so thankful he was patient with me because it took years.<br /><br />Pray with me<br />Lord,<br />I get fired up and excited for what you are doing in<br />my life and so many others. You love your children<br />and lovewhen we put down the distractions of the world<br />and spend time talking, praying and reading your word.<br />Open our eyes to see more of you today and this week.<br />Help us not look at pleasing others, but pleasing you.<br />We know that your plan for our lives is so much better<br />than what we could think up, and yet sometimes it's hard to wait.<br />Help us to remember its a journey and the best part of the<br />journey is <strong>you</strong>.<br />I love you Lord - AmenJaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2842496326733201099.post-14537245658766452852010-03-18T20:52:00.004-04:002010-03-18T22:54:02.081-04:00It's a Faith walk<strong>Psalm 23: 1-2<br />The Lord is my shepherd;<br />I have all that I need.<br />He lets me rest in green meadows;<br />he leads me beside <em>peaceful streams</em></strong><br />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.<br />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.<br /><strong>Exodus 14: 21-22<br />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 <em>and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left</em></strong><br />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.<br />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.<br />Testimony of Gods work, faithfulness is always an encouragement.Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170905849666672273noreply@blogger.com2