T is for Trust, Tribe.

T is for Trust

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” - Isaiah 26:4 NIV

I am starting to think something is wrong with me. I can't seem to trust! I don't know why! Maybe it's because of my abusive past I don't know.  It's just frustrating. It's bad enough that I have trouble at times trusting my family and friends. But worst of all I have problems Trust my Father God! Am I the only one with this trouble!!? I know He know's what's pest for me it's just that not knowing! URR! It's so aggravating! It's so much easier to say that you trust God than actually do it.

I think this is the hardest thing in the world to do. To let go and give God complete and total control. The hardest thing for us to do is release our faith.
When we truly trust the Lord with our hearts, we finally give Him permission and freedom to minister to us without us getting in His way.
He won’t force anything on us. But we must let go completely.
By NOT trusting Him…we are retaining our control over our situations.

He won’t force anything on us. But we must let go completely. Easier said than done but I find comfort in God's Grace and Mercy

A person who wholly follows the Lord is one who believes that the promises of God are trustworthy, that He is with His people, and that they are well able to overcome.- Watchman Nee

S is for Success

S is for Success

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also ... Matt 6: 19-21.

Three years ago we had it made. We were the worlds defintion of success. I was teaching full time and my hubby was working +50 a week a his job. Sure I didn't see my husband very much but we could afford anything we wanted. so it was ok. At least I thought so. Then it all changged almost over night. My husband got laid off and I had to take a medical leave of absence from teaching. Our life of luxury fell with a thud. I truly believe that thud was God's saving grace for our family. Had we continue continued down that slippery slope my husband and I  would have been divorced at best and dead a worst.

Life was hard when we were both unemployed-it make us stop a revalutate what success is and what it should be in our lives.  Our eyes were opened to value and worth of friends, family, and most importantly our faith. Now life has such a richness that we never would have seen had we continued to chase after the worlds defintion of success.

However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change, we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts. God will see that you do want society.

Henry David Thoreau

 

 

 

The Letter Q and R

The Letters Q and R

The past few days have been crazy. My friends Jeremy's funeral was Saturday and then the whole thing about the headaches. I have had headaches almost constantly for the last two weeks. Talk about making you crazy! I went to the doctor on Friday and he said it was allergies. He confirmed my fear that the allergies here in Southeast Texas have been worse than usual this year. Anyway he gave me some medicine and this time the medicine is worse than the cure. It makes me physically ill. Well I let him know that he said there was nothing else he could give me and that I would just have to make do the best I can. That on top of everything else going on right now (my job ending, worrying about paying bills,..etc.) I wanted to quit. I haven't felt good and it's affecting every other area of my life-nothings quite as good as it should be. From my blog post to my house keeping,to my work.  I want to crawl up under the covers and not come out until everything better. I think I qualify for a mental mental health day or two-or more. Then in the quiet I hear a still small voice say-"Have you talked to me about what's going on?"  Knowing the answer to that question I cried. "I didn't have time or feel like talking to you about it!" I began to cry. Yet again it seemed like I had abandoned Christ when the storm came. Instead of clinging to Him all the more. I quiescently sat and prayed. I felt Christ peace wrap it's arms around me.  I saw a very in my bible reading that I had never seen before. It said.This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. .(Isaiah 30:15) 

Repentance and rest is you salvation. Repentance-doing a total 180 away from the sin you have in your life. He's calling the Iseralites to get real!  I think he's talking about physical rest but more importantly I think He's talking about mental rest. How many times are we sitting somewhere doing something yet our mind is a million miles away thinking about something else. God wants us to tune everything out and just listen and rest in Him.  In quietness and trust is your strength. Quietness huh? Me quiet? Lord do you know your talking to a motor mouth about being quiet!?  However, I was surprised when I looked at the definition of the word quiet. One of it's meanings is

free from disturbing thoughts, emotions, etc.; mentally peaceful: a quiet conscience. Free from disturbing thoughts? How could I do that? By prayer and keeping my mind on things above. Slowing down and not getting bogged downby our culture. And trust, if we are quiet I believe that we can hear from Him better and hearing Him helps us to trust more. 

 

P is for Pet Peeves and Prayer

P is for Pet Peeves and Prayer

Do you have those things that get on your nerves?  I mean really get on your nerves-like waving a red flag in front of you? I do and I thought I share a few of them in no particular order. They ALL get on my nerves!

1. Communion Hoppers.  I don't know if that is the correct name for this group of people but that is what I call them.  Communion Hoppers are people who do not come for church they solely come for communion. They manage to wait until the last possible second to come in and they make a ton of noise. They like to be the first in line for communion and as soon as it's over they leave.
  

2. Tailgaters. Let me start this peeve with a disclaimer. I know there is hope for you tailgaters out there because I used to be one.  Now for my ranting. We are headed in the same direction why do you have to ride my butt. Is it because you think you are in a bigger hurry than I am? If that's the case-go around! I am going as fast as I feel I can with in the confines of the law or traffic. You driving right behind me makes me drive slower!  How did I get over my tail gaitting? By planning ahead and leaving on time! So I don't have to rush and ride someones butt!

3. Lack of Manners. I know we are in a busy fast paced society but how long does it take to have a few manners. Please and Thank You go a long way. If we are to busy for kindness we are too busy! 

Do you guys have any pet peeves? 

With all my Pet Peeves I need prayers and to pray. Prayer is something that God has really laid on my heart lately. I still don't pray as much as I should but I am getting there. I am super excited about a prayer group that is starting at our church. I think we have gotten so busy that we don't have time to pray like we should. I think it's part of Satan's plan to distract us and keep our minds off of what we should be doing.
Ladies I also wanted to share with you that Hallee The Home make is starting a bible study on May 1.  The bible study will be over The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie OMartian. You can find more information about the bible study here. I'm excited about being a part of it.