You Never Know Who's Watching

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I am so glad to be back after spending a great Christmas with my family.  I pray you all were blessed this Christmas as well.  

This Christmas my family had dinner at my sister's house.  This has become the norm for Christmas, since my sister has a beautiful house, that can fit the whole family plus more.  Not to mention my sister  has a gift for hosting and always makes her home so inviting.  

I just love when my family gets together for holidays.  We are all just so crazy.  You know how it is. The kids finish opening their gifts, they are running around and dancing to music.  The game is on the t.v., and the volume level in the room, let's just say, is above normal. You know it's loud when at times you have to use your "outside voice" just to talk to the person next to you.  There are always many conversations going on all at once. Everyone is eating something, they're passing around food and desserts.  This is what Christmas is about.  It just wouldn't be the same if it was any different.  

As I was going about my night I began to have a conversation with my mom.  She was teasing me about how she finally got a chance to talk to me, because I was with my husband the whole night.  Honestly I didn't even notice until she had mentioned it.  I was just doing what came natural, and that was spending time with my best friend.  

Then my mom had mentioned that another person said, "They look like two love birds together."  This comment was very encouraging to me.  First because it was coming from someone that I didn't even think was noticing us.  It made me think about the influence my actions and marriage could have on others, especially my children.  

Secondly, it was a blessing to hear because it was a confirmation of how much God is truly working in my marriage.  This made me think back to the times when my hubby and I would let the tensions of the moment get the best of us.  By the time we would get to our destination we were barely speaking to each other.  This was a big change from those days.  

I'm so thankful we are now more aware of our actions.  We now try to work harder at not letting ourselves get back to that point again.  

Who knows who could of noticed us during those times.  I just think of the negative example it portrayed to anyone that we may have encountered.  My marriage is definitely a work in progress. Hubby and I continually take steps both backwards and then forward when it comes to our marriage.  The one thing that I do know, and that continues to give me hope, is that I serve a God that is faithful.  When I go to Him with my marriage and I pray for Him to help me improve my negative behaviors, He hears my prayers. Then with all of His loving kindness He answers my prayers. That is the testimony that I want to share with everyone that I encounter. 

I pray God continues to work in my marriage.  I pray God allows my marriage to be only a positive influence, encouraging and inspiring  any and everyone that I meet.  In Jesus Name Amen! 



What do you think others see when they look at your marriage?
What influence do you think your marriage has on others?

Family Traditions

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Traditions-The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in 

this way.

Let me tell you I just love Christmas.  This is my favorite time of the year.  I always look forward to being with my family and celebrating the birth of Christ. "Happy Birthday Jesus!" I like sharing gifts, and seeing the looks on my children's faces as they open their gifts. All the food, beautiful decorations, and the wonderful smells of the season. How could you not love it? 

I have always loved Christmas ever since I was a little girl, of course at that time it was all about the gifts, and how many I could get. 

Now that I am a mother and have two kids of my own, things are just a little bit different.  Being a parent and having to buy all those wonderful gifts, can quickly change your perspective on all of that.  

Also now that I am a believer, God has revealed to me the true meaning of Christmas.  I have learned that the birth of Jesus and His death on the cross is the one and only true gift that we need.  It's the gift that we didn't always know we needed but come to realize that it's the only gift we need.  We just have to choose to accept it. That is what I strive to teach my children as well. 

When I think back to when I was a kid, there are many things that my family did each year in preparation for celebrating Christmas.  These things were our traditions as a family.  Each family has a set of traditions that are meaningful to them as a family.  These traditions are always looked forward to each Christmas.  

I remember each year the day after Thanksgiving, not a day sooner or a day later, my mom would put up our Christmas tree. It would be an easy process since we always had an artificial tree. We would then decorate the tree, while drinking eggnog.  Now that I think of it this must be how my obsession with eggnog began. 

Now that I have my kids and my own family, I tend to want to continue the same traditions because it's just what I am used to.  Sometimes things happen exactly how I plan it, and other times we do things in a different way.  I have come to quickly learn in my four years of marriage, that my husband has his own set of traditions that he has brought to our family as well, and his traditions are not all the same as my traditions.  

This is all part of marriage and having a family.  Two become one, and that includes all of your childhood traditions too.  

This is where you need to come together and decide what traditions from each side are important to your family, and which traditions you want to continue with your family.  

Remember sometimes traditions that were important to your family as you were growing up, may not be as important to your family, now that you are a parent with your own kids.  Those decisions have to be discussed with your hubby and decide on, when it comes to carrying on the traditions from both sides of your families. 

You can also decide to start brand new traditions that become memories that only your family can cherish.  Everyone comes from different backgrounds and this option is also very important when you or your hubby may not have traditions to pass on to your new family. 

God allows you to begin traditions of your own.  Often that makes the traditions even more special because they are part of who your family is.  

The most important thing to remember is to be prayerful, even when it comes to your family Christmas traditions.  This will help with the whole process of deciding which traditions to pass on, and which traditions to begin within your family. Also we want to make sure our traditions are not just our personal desires for our families, but they are led by God.  

Traditions can be fun and meaningful to us and our families, but we must remember to be mindful to glorify God in all that we do. 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  
1 Corinthians 10:31

So I pray that you and your family shares love, praises God, and celebrates hard this Christmas. From my family to yours                   I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

What are some of your family traditions on Christmas?

What does Christmas traditions mean to you?

Be A Finisher

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Today I was really inspired by a post that I read on Priscilla Shirer's blog Going Beyond Ministries.  The blog post was titled Wisdom Poured Out. This post talked about how Priscilla and a group of women had the privilege to listen to a speaker and gain some life changing wisdom.

This speaker was a 70 year old woman who has been married for five decades, she has served in ministry for four decades, and she has raised successful God loving children.  God has blessed this woman to live a remarkable life, and that definitely was intriguing to me.

In the blog Priscilla shares her notes and she lists some nuggets of wisdom that she had obtained from this speaker.  At the end of the blog Priscilla ends it by asking the questions: Which one speaks the most to you? And why? As I read through the bullet points of wisdom each one encouraged me, but there was one that really made me stop and think. It read:

• Anyone can start a new thing, but only some can finish what they started. Be a finisher.

This one stood out to me most because of the way I view my past.  When I look back at my life a lot of my past is bookmarked by things that I started and did not finish.  Often they were good things, but there were also times that were bad.  This includes college, jobs, ministry, and even relationships.

That made me think about my relationship with the Lord and also my marriage. These are two relationships that I am committed to for life.  In these relationships I can confidently say, "I will be a finisher." That is a good feeling!

In order for these relationships to last, I must take responsibility in nurturing them.  Just because I accept the Lord in my heart, or say my wedding vows on my wedding day, it does not guarantee that these relationships will last a lifetime.

Since these are the two most important relationships in my life, I work at growing and improving them. Here are a few of the many ways I do this.

- Putting them first.  Making them a priority above all else.

- Taking my time and effort to building them up. This includes reading my bible,           

  praying, researching ways to improve my marriage, spending quality time with 

  my hubby.

- Not allowing myself to have any other options. Having the attitude of a 

  lifelong commitment. 

When it comes to my relationship with the Lord and my marriage these are two relationships that I truly value.  They are part of my legacy that I want to leave for my children, and grandchildren, and my future generations. 

Are you a finisher?

What does being a finisher mean to you?

Unexpected Blessings

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The one thing I always find funny is how we pray to the Lord day after day for His will, His healing, or His miracles in our lives.  Then the moment He gives us exactly what we prayed for, we are in awe and overwhelmed by His goodness.  

I guess I find it funny because it happens to me all the time.  This is a good thing, because God wants us to be overwhelmed by His love. 

God wants us to have the joy that can only come from Him.

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you!  May those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"

Psalm 70:4

Our ways are not His ways, so God will often surprise us with the unexpected.  We can have our own preconceived ideas of how things should be, or the way things should go.  Then God will hit us with a blessing that we could not have ever imagined. 

When God does this, we just need to thank Him and praise Him for His goodness.

The one thing that I have learned is in order for God to bless you in this unexpected way, you must completely trust Him.  When you give God your complete trust, you are leaving yourself open for God to work in your life.  Once you are able to do this God will be able to surprise you with the unexpected. 

It's also important to remember we must always do things with a pure heart.  God knows our motives and if we are just acting in order to receive a blessing, then that is all that it is an act. In result you will only hurt yourself and it is definitely not pleasing to God.

After God has allowed you to experience a miracle or a blessing in your life, you must not keep it to yourself.  Go tell others of your story, of the awesome God you serve.  Not in a way to brag, but to share with others the goodness of our Lord.  God not only wants to bless you but many others as well. Sharing your testimony can encourage other believers. I know it always does for me.  It can also inspire the hearts of those who need to seek Jesus, because many times they are not familiar with the ways of the Lord.

I pray that you can trust in Jesus today.  In doing so you allow Him to give you His joy, and truly there is nothing better.  This joy can come in the form of an unexpected blessing, or just the pure joy of knowing Jesus.

What is a way that God unexpectantly has blessed you?

Can you say that you truly trust Jesus in your life?

Waiting on the Lord

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We know that when we have a desire in our hearts, all we need to do is present it to the Lord.  Our God is so good.  He will always hear our prayers, and then present to us His answer.  There is a well known quote that talks about this very point. 

He says yes & gives you what you want
He says no & gives you something better,
or He says wait & gives you the best

Now even though we know the third answer says, God will give us the best, the waiting part is the hardest.  This is when we can we can become the most discouraged.  

Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart is glad in Him, because we must trust in His holy name.  Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.  Psalm 33:20-22

This verse explains exactly how we can have a glad heart, during the waiting period.  It is only in Him, and it is all dependent on our attitudes.  The verse explains that we trust in His holy name.  

We can't give up hope even when it seems God is not there.  

"Remember silence does not mean absence." 

God often does the most in those times of silence.  In your waiting God is working, no matter if you see the results or not. Grow in your faith and trust in His promises.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

I am definitely personally familiar with the feelings you experience while waiting on the Lord.  I wait in anticipation for the day that my husband completely surrenders his heart and serves the Lord.  

Thankfully, after a few years of trial and error, God has taught me how to wait and simply trust in Him. In return He has given me a glad heart and a renewed vision for my marriage.  

Last Sunday my pastor preached on this specific topic.  I made sure to take notes because I know this is an on-going process. 

How To Wait On God:

1. Wait with the right heart-Have an attitude of expectancy  no matter what you may see. The enemy is a liar and he would love to plant a seed of doubt in your heart.

2. Continue to worship-Remember why we should worship Him.  Don't forget who He is and all He has done.  The deepest  place of worship is when we can have a true encounter with the Lord.

3. Wait with eyes wide open-Your eyes may be open but your 
spirit is blind.

Lord I pray that you are with us while we wait. Help us to completely trust in you.  Help us  to trust in You and Your word. We know that when we trust in You, that means we trust that you will give us what is best.

How do you stay faithful in your waiting?

Are there times when you experience doubt? 

4 Things The Holy Spirit Taught Me About My Marriage

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In marriage it is so important to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It seems that ever since I have been married the Holy Spirit has really been teaching me some valuable  lessons. I realized that the only way I can be the wife God has called me to be, means I must listen and learn from the Holy Spirits leading. With that being said here are 4 of the most impacting things that I have learned from the Holy Spirit about my marriage.

4 Things The Holy Spirit Taught Me About My Marriage

1. My marriage is my ministry-Ministry: The act of serving.  As wives we have a calling to submit, serve, and support our husbands.  When you pray for your husband or with your husband you are engaging in ministry.  Marriage is a service to God.  By loving God and honoring your vows you are serving the Lord.  Your marriage can also be a service to others, by being an example to other couples that are already married, or looking to get married.  Just remember you can be a positive or negative example.

2. God has called me to be my Husband's prayer warrior-When we pray for our husbands earnestly, specifically, and consistently, it can have a lasting impact.  Make praying for your husband a daily habit.  Listen and communicate with your husband, so you can know what specific areas He needs prayer.  God also works through your life while you are praying for your husband.

3. God uses my husband to speak to me.  When we get married two become one.  So often God can confirm His plan through your husband.  Also we must be careful of feelings of criticism, when God uses our husbands to convict us.  It important that we remain accepting and thankful, because it is an opportunity to grow.  If you are unsure God's will for you, find out what your husband thinks, assuming he is sensitive to the things of the Lord.  When you and your husband sense the same conviction to go in the same direction, it is an indication of what God's will is.

4. Being a loving wife=Being a good forgiver-Being married is the best way to exercise the act of forgiveness.  God allows so many opportunities in this relationship to say "Sorry" and show forgiveness.  It's not always easy to do, but it is definitely what God wants us to do.  Forgiveness allows us to experience freedom.  We must start with forgiveness in our own hearts before we can pour it out to our husbands.  Anger is natural and also inevitable, but leaving it to fester can become a dangerous thing in our marriages.  

You can never learn enough when it comes to the Holy Spirit.  This is a continual process that both spouses should be open to throughout their marriage.  There is always something new that you can learn. Pray that the Holy Spirit can teach you something new that can benefit your marriage. 


What are some things the Holy Spirit has taught you about your marriage?

How has your marriage grown since you have learned these lessons?

Hunger for Jesus

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For Thanksgiving my family had dinner at my in-laws house.  All of my husband's side of the family came over.  There was good conversations, and lots of kids running around, so we all had lots of fun.  Not to mention there was plenty of delicious food for us to fill up on, so you know we went home completely stuffed.

I always like to have all that good Thanksgiving food at my own home as well.  I decided to cook my  Thanksgiving dinner at home for Sunday evening.  I made sure the turkey and the stuffing was all prepped and ready to go on Saturday night.  All I had to do the next morning was stuff the turkey and put it in the oven. 

In the morning I put the stuffed turkey in the oven, and the kids and I  were off to church.  My husband was at home, so I left him with specific instructions, on how to take care of the turkey.

While at church my mind began wandering and I began thinking, "I hope my hubby remembers to check the turkey, and it does not burn to a crisp."  I also started thinking about "How good the turkey was going to taste, and I couldn't wait until dinner." 

The awesome thing was, God brought me to church in order to remind me of my spiritual hunger.  The pastor preached about a story in the bible that I had been familiar with, but never realized the importance of how it could apply to my life.

The story is about a Gentile woman that approached Jesus begging Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.  This story tells of this woman's great faith.  She did not give up her pursuit  of Jesus no matter what the obstacles.  This woman hungered for Jesus, and wouldn't stop, until Jesus gave her whatever He could give.  

Eventually Jesus did grant this woman her hearts desire, because of her unending faith, her daughter was healed.  Read this story in Mark 7:24-30

This story really encouraged my heart.  I began to think of my spiritual hunger for Jesus.  I wanted to be like this woman.  Having a strong unending desire of Jesus.  

Sometimes we may feel satisfied with where we are spiritually in our relationships with Jesus Christ.  God wants us to want more of Him.  There is no limit to His love.  God's word says to ask and we will receive.  All we need to do is pray that God gives us an overwhelming desire to draw closer to Jesus.  Once God gives us a hunger for more of Him, we must do our parts to  maintain this hunger.  

How to Maintain your Spiritual Hunger

1. Learn how to self feed-We can't only wait until Sunday to be filled up with His word.  On a daily bases study the bible, pray to God, meditate on His word, find people to pray with. 

2.  Cultivate a vibrant prayer life-Go deeper with our prayers.  It's okay to pray about our needs and wants to God, but we also need to pray that God would reveal himself.  Go into the presence of the Lord.  When praying block everything out, it's just you and the Lord.

3. Be watchful of the things that steal your appetite-We must be alert of the things that go on in this world.  It could come to you in a way that is so innocent and subtle, but beware because the enemy is always looking for an opportunity to strike. 

About my Thanksgiving dinner, my hubby did a great job watching over the turkey.  By the time I got home, the turkey was ready to be eaten, and looked beautifully browned.  My family sat down and  enjoyed our dinner.  I felt very blessed.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8

Do you hunger for the Lord?

How are ways you maintain your spiritual hunger?

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

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Lord I thank you that you are a faithful God.  Even when I am not faithful, You love me anyway.  

I am most thankful for the unconditional love you freely give me everyday. You are an awesome God. I am also thankful for the great love of my husband and children. 

Lord I pray that today you bless my time with my family.

Lord I pray that today my family can feel your love. 

Lord I pray that today my family can remember all that you have provided, and all that they can be thankful for.

Lord I pray that today you can allow me to boldly share my love of you, with my family that does not know you.

Lord I pray that today you allow me to be an example of you in all that I do.

Lord I pray that today my family can share conversations that will always glorify you. 

Lord I pray that today my family can share experiences that will become lifelong memories.

Lord I pray that you all have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for each and every one of you. In Jesus name amen.

Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.     Ephesians 5:20

What are you thankful for today?

How are you spending your Thanksgiving?

Envy

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How many times have you looked at someone else's life and thought, "I wish that could be me." 

We may try to imitate what they have or secretly compete,  in an effort to (as they call it)  "Keep up with the Joneses."  I know we have all experienced this, in some way, whether we think those exact words, or even have feelings of jealousy. 

We know that God's word instructs us against being led by these feelings.  In the word it does not say, that we are not to experience these feelings.  It is only natural to our flesh, but it is important not to be led by these feelings, because they will cause us to sin.  The word of God also offers us many ways that we can overcome these feelings, and the answer is only through Jesus Christ. 

There may even be times when we feel frustration because we see success in the life of a nonbeliever, and we look to our lives and all we see is a struggle.  We have envy, and can't understand why God is not blessing us in this way.  This is something that is hard to experience, but we must remember 

God always takes care of His children.

Also remember that the enemy will definitely try to attack you if he feels you are a threat to his evil schemes. So trust that God is in control. 

This morning in my quiet time with God.  I was reading Psalm 37 and felt so encouraged regarding this issue, because God gives us clear instructions on how to overcome these feelings of envy and jealousy.  He also promises us that when we choose to trust Him in this area, He will give us peace, righteousness, and the desires of our hearts.

Do not fret because of evil men or envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.  Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:1-4

Continue reading this whole Psalm and you will be encouraged by God's love and how He promises to take care of his children.

I am so thankful that we serve a God that not only understands these feelings that we experience, but He also gives us clear guidance, in His word on how to overcome them.  He then comforts us and prospers us, when we choose to follow and trust Him.

How can we not feel blessed when we have that type of assurance?

Have you ever experienced feelings of envy?

How has God helped you overcome?

Being Like Salt to the World

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You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall it's saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under peoples feet.  Matthew 5:13

God's word tells us that we are the salt.  We have to remain salty or we become no good.  We will be thrown out and trampled under peoples feet.  I have always read this verse, understanding that God is calling us as believers to be different. Christians must bring flavor to the world.  The flavor is Jesus Christ. 

Yesterday while I was driving my daughter to preschool, we were listening to her bible songs cd that she got from church.  It's one of her favorites so it's usually on heavy rotation.  I love it because it's a great way for her to learn God's word, and she just loves singing out her praises to God.  I'm so used to hearing it over and over, that I have come to the point where I sometimes  block it out(you know how us moms do?)  

Today was a little different.  I happened to be listening, and something caught my attention.  Between the songs they have interludes.  The woman on the cd was speaking about us being salt in the world.  She then said, " Salt makes us thirsty, we must make people thirsty for Jesus."  I don't know why I never thought of it in this way before, but I guess God had revealed it to me.  It was so simple, but all of a sudden it made sense to me.  We must be like salt to the world, so people can be thirsty for Jesus.  In the word we learn that Jesus is the living water.

But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him  a spring of  water welling up to eternal life.  John 4:14

The only way that we can make others thirst for God, is being thirsty ourselves.  We must desire to be like Christ, to live our lives according to His word, striving each day to draw closer in our relationship with Him.  Once we can live our lives in this way, others will see something in us that they desire.  They will thirst for what we have.  

This lesson of being like salt can apply to our marriages as well.  We should desire to bring flavor to our marriages.  Often we can allow our marriages to become bland.  We must be the salt in our marriages that cause our spouses to thirst not only for us, but most importantly, for Christ.  Be the example in your marriage that allows your spouse to draw closer to Christ.

How are you salt in your marriage?

Do you desire to be salt to the world?