Category Archives: spiritual life

The Blessings Abound.

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Today I read this:

“Stop trying to work things out before their times have come. Accept the limitations of living one day at a time. When something comes to your attention, ask ME (God)whether or not it is part of today’s agenda. If it isn’t, release it into My care and go on about today’s duties. When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life; a time for everything and everything in its time.

A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered. When your focus is on My Presence, many things that once troubled you lose their power over you. Though the world around you is messy and confusing, remember that I have overcome the world. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. (based on Ecclesiastes 3:1; John 16:33)” -Jesus Calling, Sarah Young

Today, as I am sitting here recovering from yesterday’s gall bladder and hernia repair surgery and I’m allowing others to care for my day to day tasks and my kids, I’m reminded that I am so blessed by others.

I’m blessed by great friends and family who genuinely care for me. Who pray for me when I need it. Who literally are here for me.

I’m also reminded that sometimes I need to stop glorifying busy (thanks Jon Acuff for the picture), glorifying productive, and glorifying clean. Life with Christ requires abandonment of those things.

I need to sit back more often and watch my kids interact. I need to sit back and focus on those placed right in front of me. I need to focus my days on Jesus and allow the rest to fade.

Today, is my day to uncomplicate life, for once, to do nothing but sit back and enjoy the scenery and the blessings. Today with many physical limitations, I’m trusting God that the mundane will get done. And I’m praising Him for the small blessings visually present in sitting back and watching.

 

 

Saturday Suggestions 2/9/13

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Screen Shot 2013-02-09 at 9.40.49 AMThis morning I made a variation of this for breakfast (thanks Pinterest! Follow my boards here). I used last night taco leftovers instead. Tortilla in the bottom of the muffin tin. Then leftover black beans, tomatoes, onions, cheese, little bit of taco meat, red and yellow peppers. And topped with scrambled eggs. Bake at 350 til eggs cook. BAM! Leftovers eliminated and it was really GOOD!

Here’s what I read this week:

On Faith:

The Gospel Party? by Emily is Speaking Up

Come Weary by Addie Zierman

The Most Offensive Word in America by Curt Devine

The Morning After by Hopeful Leigh

In Which I bless the Merciful by Sarah Bessey

A New Hope for Westboro Baptist by Mohan Karulkar

Love Finds A Way by Joseph Chambers

Something Funny:

Best Adoption Announcement Ever posted on Rage Against the Minivan

Something..you just need to check out…I’m going to be volunteering at my local event:

Convoy of Hope <—-serious, right?

I guess I read mostly faith stuff this week :) To keep up with the day to day “chaos” follow me on twitter or facebook 

Hope you have a great weekend! What are your plans?

Saturday Suggestions 1/26/13

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It seems that everyone I know is sick and recovering from “sick” of some sort, so I thought it’d be a perfect opportunity to introduce my  ”Saturday Suggestions” so you all have something to read.

During the week, in my not-so-free “freetime”, I try to sneak in some other blogs or online articles. It’s much harder to find times to read a full book, so blogs and short articles are kind of my new “thing”.

I’ve always been a “reader”, in fact, my sixth grade teacher told me, “If you spent as much time on your math as you do reading, you could very well be my student with the best grades”. Thanks? I’m pretty sure I responded with, “Well…at least I can figure out how to do math by reading, so I guess i should just focus on my reading”….yes, I was that kid.  Sassy-little-thing.

So, here’s a little of what I’ve been reading this week (the good stuff):

On Marriage and Parenting:

The Parable of the Flying Naked Baby by Jamie The Very Worst Missionary Ever

Jamie talks about how a story of her son falling out of a second story window made its way into the “storytelling” of her neighborhood and how she has come to learn the beauty of Jesus’ story.

“And I think that’s so important to me because I know that apart from Jesus I’m just so common. But when I remember that He is part of my story, it becomes something truly extraordinary.” 

3 Things I wish I knew before We got Married Relevant Magazine.

This is brilliant stuff. Definitely things, I wish I knew sooner. Game changer.

“In this light, contrary to popular opinion, the goal of marriage is not happiness. And although happiness is often a very real byproduct of a healthy relationship, marriage has a far more significant purpose in sight. It is designed to pull dysfunction to the surface of our lives, set it on fire and help us grow….When we’re willing to see it this way, then the points of friction in our marriages quickly become gifts that consistently invite us into a more whole and fulfilling experience of life.”

Please Don’t Help My Kids by Kate Bassford Baker.

Kate challenges me as a mom, and hopefully you as a parent to let our kids experience little “safe” bouts of freedom and hardship to learn how to eventually conquer harder ones.

“I don’t want my daughters to learn that they can’t overcome obstacles without help. I don’t want them to learn that they can reach great heights without effort. I don’t want them to learn that they are entitled to the reward without having to push through whatever it is that’s holding them back and *earn* it.”

Anger is not a Sin by Kathy Escobar (guest post on Rachel Held Evans blog)

Whew! This blog post is a great reminder about how we as parents reflect the nature of who God is to our kids. Man…straight to the heart.

“We had good intentions.  We weren’t abusive. We were just following the books that temper tantrums were a sign of faulty parenting and kids needed to learn emotion control.  

I know there are all kinds of ways children need their parents to guide, teach, and set limits on what is appropriate and what’s not.  But looking back, I have learned something very painful about our early parenting years—we sent our children a strong message that we didn’t tolerate negative emotions, only positive ones.”

I Made Up a New Word to Describe Parenting: Harderful by The Outlaw Mama

Outlaw Mama always has me rolling on the floor in tears with her funny expressions of what it means to be a mom. She created a new words that describes both the beauty and the relenting toughness it requires to be a mom.

“Harderful: adj., an experience that is both intensely wonderful  in the deepest and most fundamentally fulfilling ways, but also harder than you ever expected as the experience required of you more guts, stamina, and sheer willpower than you knew you possessed.”

Brave Moms Make Brave Kids by Jen Hatmaker

Um, couldn’t agree more. We HAVE to remember as moms were making disciples and disciples have to be tough!

“Not all risk-taking is bad risk-taking. For the love, don’t we want to raise kids who go for it? Who are brave and headstrong? These are not just the marks of achievers; they are the hallmarks of disciples. If we expect our kids to engage this broken world one day, safety has to be somewhere around #14 on the list. Our children will be totally ineffective if they are still afraid of their own shadow.”

On Faith and Service:

In which there is no “and” by Sara Bessey.

A beautiful reminder that Jesus needs to be first in our life. I was weeping through this as I realize that sometimes, He’s not “enough” for me, but he should be.

“You don’t need anymore “and” in your life. Jesus is enough.

Jesus is enough. God alone is enough, yesterday, today, and forever.”

Finding Contentment: Thoughts on the Downsized Life by Donald Miller

Great Reminder that sometimes “more” isn’t “more”.

“So, I don’t have a nice house. I don’t have a nice car (though I love it. How can you not love a car that has a popup bed on the roof?) and I don’t spend much money.

But I’m content. I can breathe. And that’s nice.”

Current Books I’m Reading:

  • Timothy Keller’s “The Meaning of Marriage” for the Second Time! If you haven’t read it yet, I challenge you to. It goes far above the “who does what” or proper roles in marriage (although thats a little part of it), but he aims to take modern day common beliefs about marriage and replace them with the beautiful and tough selfless gift God intended for us. This is the book I’m recommending for anyone who plans on getting married, is married, used to be married, is never marrying, or anyone who knows someone married. 

Next on my “reading” list:

  • “Radical” by David Platt. I’m going to be seeing him speak in March and I need to read it first. My hubby has read it, and has challenged me to as well.

My most viewed post of the week:

My First Amendment Right….Still submits to Jesus

My Latest Post:

Maybe, this is normal?

What have you been reading? Anything I should add?

Maybe, this is normal?

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IMG_3810 “You know, right now your kids need you. Your ministry is your children. You should focus on only that and let someone else  _____ (fill in the blank).” –said by more people to me than I care to admit.

I feel like the skinny pants in a fat pants drawer, or probably more like the fat pants in a skinny pants drawer. I’m the lincoln log in the legos bin. Sometimes, I wish I could be the right “thing”, but most often I’m just plainly the wrong one.

I have a tremendous burden for those in poverty. I can’t help it. It’s like somehow God weaved that into my d.n.a. (Okay there is a lot of reason for this-mainly my parents), but it’s like I can’t go on living a normal life. I just can’t. It’d be much easier to be normal–to let someone else.

So, when people tell me my ministry is to my children….here is what I want to say (but, I can never find the words):

Please hear this…my ministry IS first my family. I am with them 99.9% of the time. I’m probably with them more than should be allowed. But, my ministry can’t stop there….let me explain:

They are taught important things. Oren can tell you a lot of important (and unimportant) things. Lately he’s been interested in IMG_4049mammals, and he can tell you what qualifies as a mammal. He can tell you that Darth Vader saved Luke Skywalker out of love and that love always conquers evil.

He also can tell you all about how God sent a rescuer. He can share with you that Jesus loves our hearts beyond what we will ever know and that sin creeps in and hurts our hearts. He will tell you that sin makes Jesus sad, but He will always love that hurt heart. But, that he wants us to make us have whole healthy hearts and that he died out of love and that love always conquers evil.

Addie can point to the Christmas manger and tell you, “It’s God” (she’ll also point to Santa Claus and say “it’s god”…and she might be right he is an idol to some. I didn’t teach her that…she’s just really that theologically gifted).

Cadie can tell you about flowers, and pretties (I think she might become a jeweler one day), and will sing to you the most beautiful lines of gibberish.

Judah can say, “milk” “all gone” and “more” in sign language. He now officially says, “hi” so at least were winning on the social skills front.

To me a “mom” ministry is so much more than buttering bread and making sure they don’t have too much sugar. Or that Oren receives no gluten, wheat, soy, corn, tomatoes, beans, peas, kiwi, oranges, etc, etc, etc…and that we’re a nut-free house (pun intended) .

It’s more than making them responsible or to use their manners (Don’t be concerned-we’ve had some serious talks about farting lately).

IMG_4033It’s more than whether or not they go to college or are financially successful.

It’s more than having a clean house, which I’ve already decided is impossible with four kids.

It’s a much bigger ministry that just “being a good mom”to my kids–its serving others because of them.

It’s showing them that life with Jesus isn’t just something we talk about at our dinner table or at church on Sunday.

It’s about modeling my relationship with Christ through my life, the whole thing, and not just my role as a caregiver to these babies. Someday these babies will need to know what service for the Kingdom looks like and that learning starts now NOT eventually when it’s MORE convenient.

When we go to the Safeway down the street, and Oren sees a homeless man begging for money and he exclaims, “Hey are you without a home?” (Insert my embarrassment here) and the man yells back, “Yes!”

Oren gleefully responds, “Hey don’t worry, my mom ALWAYS helps people without a home. She loves to do that for Jesus.”

I have to match my words with my actions.

It’s showing my children how to love people and I can’t tell them this—I HAVE to show them.

It’s showing them that the man who looks, smells, and speaks differently than us is worthy of receiving open armed kindness for Jesus sake.

I have to care about the food going bad in our fridge because just across the street their neighborhood friends are going hungry. My “caring” has to be moved into inviting those kids and their parents to sit at my table. I have to for Jesus sake.

I cannot ignore it. It’s not  just a part of me, it’s a part of my faith.

And, if the man I so openly discuss with them, lived a life in service to the “least of these” then I will too, for His name’s sake, and also for my little babies sake.

I’m doing it for my kids-that I hope will embrace a similar life, dedicated to serving Jesus through ministering to others.

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I’m doing it because I need to: for me, for them, for my church, for the kids next door, for the man at Safeway.

Isn’t that supposed to be normal?

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” Matthew 22: 37-40 (The Msg).

My First Amendment Right…..still submits to Jesus.

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I am  pissed angry, and tired.

I’m tired of political posts that are used for “making a point”. You know the one that calls people who have an abortion a “murderer”, the ones that proclaim that people living off of welfare as “leeches”, homo-sexuals as the root cause of all America’s problems. I can keep going…

You know exactly what I’m talking about…

I may agree with some of the political stances behind some of these posts, I may disagree blatantly, but if you’ve somehow thrown a few stones at any person in the process…you’ve lost me.

Here’s why: Jesus said,

Matthew 25: 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

Jesus came for those people too.

Sometimes I think we think that our first amendment right means we get to say whatever we want-regardless of the consequences, another blogger this week said, “Again, the First Amendment protects our freedom of speech; it does not protect us from the consequences of the things we say.”

Let me remind you that while we have the “right” to say, whatever we want, we cannot forget that our political bullying posts may in fact be hurting someone. More importantly, it may be damaging the witness we have for Jesus.

Making a political stand, will never be the right thing if we do it in the wrong way.

Screen Shot 2013-01-18 at 8.38.05 PMWhat if you knew that your words like an ice pick dig into the wound of a woman who made a choice she regrets everyday. A woman who grieves the child she willingly allowed to be removed from her body. When she sees posts calling her a “murderer” she is reminded of that day and she feels unwanted by a community that is supposed to be the people of the great physician. What she needs is grace, healing grace. 

What if you realized that your degrading words infiltrated a single parent working 3 part time jobs. Who was trying with all their might to make a living, while still stuck in a financial rut. And wants to walk right out the front door of the church. Because they feel unwelcome. We forget that living on a minimum wage job and supporting a family isn’t always possible. We forget that sometimes (especially in an economy like ours) that jobs are hard to find for the educated-let alone those relying on a highschool diploma. If you’ve ever spent any amount of time in a government agency, you notice right away the whole system is meant to demoralize and make you feel like a leech, unwelcome, and unwanted. We forget that the church isn’t often a place that is welcoming for the poor, but it should be. And hearing people of God, saying as much just pushes them further from the pews. What they need is grace, redeeming grace. 

We may be finding that the gay community genuinely believes that God hates them. And why wouldn’t they? It’s plastered on your facebook wall. What they need is grace, reconciling grace. 

I know that these situations are simple, and they are not always true, but they are conversations I’ve had recently with people who have been hurt. These are my friends. These are your neighbors. These are people you may not expect.

In James 2: 5-13, it says, “ Listen, dear friends. Isn’t it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world’s down-and-out as the kingdom’s first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God. And here you are abusing these same citizens! Isn’t it the high and mighty who exploit you, who use the courts to rob you blind? Aren’t they the ones who scorn the new name—“Christian”—used in your baptisms? You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: “Love others as you love yourself.”

But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can’t pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God’s law and ignoring others. The same God who said, “Don’t commit adultery,” also said, “Don’t murder.” If you don’t commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you’re a murderer, period.

Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.”

If you use your first amendment right, use it carefully. Be above reproach. Use mercy when posting. Use endless amounts of grace with your speech. Jesus didn’t use words to condemn, he used service to win hearts.

If you call yourself a Christian and claim to follow Jesus and He wouldn’t have said it….then please don’t either. You’re first amendment right…still submits to Jesus. Try it his way.

What are your thoughts? How do we engage in open dialogue without being offensive? Have you had similar experiences with social media?

Other blogs you may be interested in:

Favorite Most Bestest Mom    Grandpas Without Homes   Obama Won, Romney Lost: Now what?

The Older Brother in me?!

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Having grown up in church most of my life, and being a pastors daughter, a pastor’s daughter-in-law, and married to a man who is planning on becoming a pastor, let me tell you, I have heard the “prodigal son” story often. (If you haven’t-check it out)

You know, the story of a father lavishing his love and grace on his son who had betrayed and made mockery of the household name. You know, the story of the son who had returned after eating with the pigs. You know, the story where the older brother gets mad and throws a temper tantrum.

Well, recently, during a small group, we went over this story again. And, sometimes, when you hear a story so many times you stop listening, perform a mental “roll your eyes”, and discuss the same things that you’ve always discussed. (is this just me?)

But, this time was different. My friend said, “I think that IF the older brother had really known the fathers heart, he might’ve joined in the celebration. But, I think he was so busy working, he had forgot to notice that his father had to have spent hours and hours and hours waiting on the porch for the missing son. He probably would’ve have noticed the many prayers offered up on the younger sons behalf”. gulp. 

I hate it when other people are right.IMG_3849

I also hate it, that I just realized I’m more like the older brother than I’d like to admit. Sometimes, its easy for me to get so caught up in “busy” and “doing” and “life” that I miss the Father’s heart altogether. God’s grace being offered is something that I sometimes take advantage of. I forget how much I need it. I forget the things that moves him to celebration.

So, I left group that night with a new prayer,

“Lord, teach me to be on the porch with you. Teach me how to have your heart, and get rid of the “older brother” in me”

A few weeks ago, during church on Sunday, after worship service had concluded, I was visiting with the people around me. Caught up with a conversation, I didn’t notice much going on in the sanctuary, but I looked up.

Walking down the middle aisle, was a woman I knew.

I had spent months discipling her and teaching her about Jesus. Praying and crying with her over coffee at Shari’s. Then one day she stopped coming and calling. She had left her husband and all of her old life. Changed her phone number, deleted her facebook, and was just gone. My heart hurt knowing that she didn’t feel like she could continue to share her life with me, but I understood that she was deeply wounded in ways I didn’t understand and it was easier for her to shut off from everyone, including me.

But, here she was, suddenly six months later walking down the aisle towards me.

It would have been easy to be mad. It would have been easy to ignore her. She had walked away and ended the relationship, I’m pretty sure I would’ve been justified in feeling that way.

But, God had been preparing my heart for this moment.

I said, “Excuse me” to the person I was talking with. I headed down the aisle towards the woman with outstretched arms.

We held each other in the middle of a sanctuary embracing. She began to shake inconsolably with tears.

Through my own tears, I said, “I am so glad you are here. I have been praying for you every day.”

The she said, “I’ve been wanting to be here for months, but I was worried that I wouldn’t be accepted. That God would be angry or you would be mad. God made me come. He wants me here I know it”

And she’s right, the Father is so glad she’s home. She’s been home every week since so changed by grace and undeserved love from Jesus through me.

IMG_3839But, you know who is changed more? I’m pretty sure it’s me.

Luke 15: 32 “His father said, ‘Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!’” (The MSG)

Happy Birthday to my Hubby (18-21)

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I’m a little behind on my praise pact days. But, just between us, its because I’ve been saving them up to share until today. I asked Oren, “Do you know what today is?”

He said, “Halloween? I love Halloween there’s lots of candy. And I only have to say Trick-or-treat!”

I responded, “No-not Halloween. What else did we say was coming besides halloween?” (Thankful he hasn’t yet realized Halloween came and went and we did nothing for it this year)

Oren, “HMMMM…..so its not Halloween, but I’m sure it’s good because you’re excited (very smart observation here)…oh I know: IT’S DADA’S BIRTHDAY. Yes! Cake!”

Although, Cole does not like birthday’s to be made into a big deal with a big party or plans. He is a celebrated person daily around the Chambers house and he deserves a little recognition as to why we like to celebrate his birthday–and as Oren so keenly observed it makes me happy to be able to.

I am thankful that everyday at approximately 5:00 p.m. the sound of the car entering the driveway, bring about a small party here. All our kids run, jump, crawl, and scream with jubilee, “Dada’s home!!!”

Daddy being home means that my kids have a giant playmate who takes them on adventurous races, tight rope walks, leaps from skyscrapers, motorcycle rides, the creates dance routines, and journeys through the jungle. And at the end of these make-believe adventures, there’s a man sitting on the couch with his arms full of four beautiful blessings, sharing that there’s an even better daddy waiting to take them on an even bigger and better adventure.

I’m thankful that my husband serves his family unconditionally. He works all day tirelessly to provide, and then often comes home and help wrangle the animals (I mean children) to shove the necessary nutrients into their bellies, get their pj’s on, and conquer bedtime. Then even on top of that, he’ll even clean up dinner, sweep the floors, wash some dishes, and let mom relax in a shower.

I’m thankful that I have the privilege to have someone who loves my kids unconditionally. Who sits with me and watches them grow and change with as much anticipation and glee as I have. I’m thankful that we can laugh and enjoy the process of raising kids and not let it come between us and pull us apart, but make it grow us together and deepen our friendship and love.

As a more guarded logical person, I feel like sometimes I dont’ do a very good job of articulating my appreciation for this, but I am very thankful that my husband is a man who feels deeply and is willing to share those feelings openly. By watching his compassion for the hurt, the lost, the outsiders of a culture and watching it break his heart breaks mine because I know that that unique personality trait is a gift. God has used my husband to not just sit with the hurt, but feel what they feel. To place himself in their shoes, and I am lucky to be able to watch and understand what a gift that really is. 

I love that at the end of the day and at the beginning of the most horrible day, my husband is an encourager. He will always reminds me that I can trust in God’s strength and it will carry me to make it. I love that he blesses me with cheerful words and believes in me deeply. When I’m feeling like my college degree’d brain has been full of nothing but gibberish and baby talk-he reminds me that it’s still going to the best most worthwhile things.

I’m thankful for his friendship and that even in the biggest argument, my best friend is still in there challenging me on my choices not because he’s being selfish but because he knows its not what I want for myself or God’s best for me.

I’m thankful that even when I’m a hot mess. My clothes are full of baby vomit, this mornings pancake batter, I haven’t showered, I’ve been a royal crank, and I’ve been yelling, crying, and otherwise pulling out my hair, my hubby still loves me and tells me I’m beautiful because I’ve been working HARD all day and that is far more beautiful than the rest of it.

Although, I’d love to take all the credit for the things I write on my blog, Cole really is the one who deserves most of the credit and I’m thankful that he feels honored that I share them. The things I write about are usually based on the discussions were having at home. The things were learning together. The things we are challenging ourselves to do, rethink, and creatively love about our life together. 

All these things are great, and I love him more because of them, but do know my favorite thing about him, the thing I celebrate the most? I celebrate the fact that his beliefs about God are more than just words. He talks a lot of great things, but even more so, he lives out what he says. His day to day routine, and the goings on speak more about the heart he than 25,000 words could. Just by watching him interact with others, love the un-loveables, seek truth and knowledge, pray for those around us, and seek Christ with deep conviction and treat all people with grace has challenged me to live better and to live differently along side him.

I know that I am a blessed woman. I could really thank God daily for the man that he placed in my life 13 years ago and who I said, “I do” to at the altar almost 7 years ago, but today I’m hoping that above everything, Cole feels that his life is celebrated.

Will you celebrate him with me and comment how thankful you are for him too?

Obama Won, Romney Lost: Now what?

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Some thoughts:

Today I’ve heard a lot of things that are disheartening from both sides. So I thought I’d share some things that are on my heart.

1. Sometimes we, as American Christians, get so caught up in our nation. We forget that all around the world there are Christians who live in nations where it is illegal to worship God, it is okay for the government to make you have an abortion, and it is not a “republican” or a “democratic” nation and yet Christianity still flourishes because that’s NOT the most important thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s not important–it’s just not THE MOST important. Because we are Americans, we have privileges and rights. We get to vote with our morals, our opinions, and our desires. And I am so grateful for that right, but we just can’t be too surprised when it doesn’t go our way. Jesus himself said it wouldn’t.

John 15: 18-19 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.

2. I am not mad, disappointed or happy and elated that Obama won. I don’t agree with Obama or Romney 100% so for me, either one really is just okay, neither one is great.  Both have some good ideas both have some poor ones. Both have some moral dillemmas within their platforms. I think there are some serious issues that our government is facing. And, don’t get me wrong: I’m NOT apathetic or impartial, I have an opinion and I voted based on my preference and what I believe was important and based on morals. But, realistically, I just firmly believe that government will never be the solution for REAL change in this nation or in the world. So we can be okay with whatever the outcome is and whatever our government does or does not do–we know that our purpose remains the same–To share the Love of Jesus. We know that until people know that– no vote will matter. As Christians, we need to believe in treating the core disease not the symptoms. So for the next four years of Obama’s presidency and the four years after that, and the four years after that–the real question still remains how will you be changing your neighborhood, your community, your city, your state and treating the disease not the symptom?

Psalm 146: 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

3. Even if doomsday scenario’s occur (I’m positive they won’t), if our gas prices are ridiculous, if gays marry or don’t marry, if marijuana is legalized or remains illegal, if abortion continues or is overturned, those things are just temporary. Jesus himself told us that God has his best for us, even if it seems like we are suffering.

Matthew 6:

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So what do we do?

We pray. We pray for our leaders. We pray for our nation. We pray for our enemies and our friends.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “[Instructions on Worship] I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 

We love those with whom we disagree. We treat them respectfully. We stop bashing their side. We let everyone else bash, gloat, be sad and we turn the other cheek.

Luke 6:27-28 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.

We use our first amendment right carefully. We watch our words and our tongue. We guard it so that others see Christ-not condemnation, anger, and retaliation.

James 1: 19-20 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”

We have faith that our Kingdom isn’t here. God still wins. He always does.

John 16:31-33 Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

We keep on Keepin On. We live the life God called us to.

Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one anotherhumbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

We let Jesus Platform be on our hearts as we move forward:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3

I voted (17)

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I voted and placed my ballot in the box. I’m not entirely excited about my vote, nor the candidates represented on the ticket this election year.

ImageToday, although I’m not original in saying this, I’m thankful for being able to take that pen and cross off a choice, my choice for who I believe will run the country the best. I’m thankful that in this nation, I personally get to do that not only as a citizen, but also as a woman. Both are absent still in many nations.

I’m thankful that regardless of my choice, or any other choice, that Jesus still wins. That he can use whomever He wants to accomplish His glory.

I’m thankful that whoever gets elected tomorrow political ads will stop and my mailbox will stop being a junk drop off for all these flyers!

I’ll end with this thankful: I’m thankful for little people and their “political” discussions.

Oren (my 5 yr old son), “I’m voting for the president, because he’s already president”.

Abby (my 7 yr old sister), “Well…Mitt Romney lowers taxes and Obama raises taxes, so I’m voting for Romney”.

Oren, “Well…its a good thing then that I don’t have to listen to you or Mitt Hominy because I don’t have to have taxes.”

Sleep, sanity, husbands, and daylight savings. (13-16)

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James Bryan Smith in A Good and Beautiful God says that, “Sleep is an act of surrender. It is a declaration of trust. It is admitting that we are not God (who never sleeps), and that is good news”.

My late evenings are generally filled with the need to stay up longer to be more productive and do grown up tasks such as chores, and reading, and catching up on all the “grown up” shows. Most of my daylight hours are consumed with children, toys, stuffy noses, and dirty diapers–So this makes sense, but it ruins me having a normal bedtime. Sleep for me is both a best friend and a worst enemy. I need adequate sleep and yet, usually sleep is the first thing I give up to meet needs: my needs and my family’s needs.

Let’s be honest, this sleep deprived mom is usually slighty (And by slightly, I mean extremely) cranky. The sound of cranky kids to this sleep deprived mom is usually a panic invoking invitation into borderline insanity. (Can anyone relate?).

James Bryan Smith is right. Sleep is for me a need. A need that I had never placed in the context of trusting in God. As a mom, I need sleep to be my best friend because it shows my kids that I am surrendering my worry my cares and my anxieties and placing my complete trust that God has it under control. No amount of reading or chores will ever make me better; not a better mom, friend or a better wife. Usually, in fact, the opposite is true: sleep deprivation makes me worse at both.

Lately, my husband and I, have challenged ourselves to get more sleep. That means that we give up grown up tasks have a dirtier house, and are calling ourselves “old” because bedtime is now strictly 10 pm.

Sometimes though despite my best efforts sleeping does not work. This weekend was one of those times, sleep was my enemy. No matter how much I tried tossing and turning, my husband was still snoring and talking in his sleep, my 11 mo old thought 3 am was a good time to be awake, and no amount of trying to fall asleep was working. I found myself frustrated and very awake until approximately 4 am.

You know what was amazing? Even though my sleep deprivation was out of my control, I was able to gain an hour because of daylight savings, my hubby woke up with our kids and let me sleep til I naturally woke up.

Today I’m just thankful for sleep, husbands, and daylight savings. And that I get to keep my sanity for one more day. :)

Psalm 4:7b-8 “At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, For you, God, have put my life back together.”