Anxious to Help

I went to my first Unmasking Anxiety class the other night at our church.  Our speaker covered a lot in two hours so when I went home I had a lot to talk about!  But one of the main things I learned was that we have the power to change what we are thinking.  God made our brains able to direct the rest of our bodies to do some amazing things like have the strength to give birth (or go through c-sections).  He also allows us to think thoughts that will send messages (via chemicals*) to our bodies that allow us to feel anxious, scared, or sad (for the proper times).

For homework we were asked to research verses with the word “thought” and I found Proverbs 12:5, “The thoughts of the righteous are right”.  That goes along with Philippians 4:8 which has helped me a lot when I think of something that prompts anxiety in me.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

Then I read another interesting verse in Proverbs, “But counselors of peace have joy” Proverbs 12:20b.

The day after my class I had the opportunity to share with our son how he can choose a different way of thinking.  We were at a park with a carousel and he didn’t want to go on unless I was sitting with him in the seat because he was NOT getting on a horse, of course.  J I was armed now with Scripture and with a tiny bit of sensible knowledge.  Just set your pattern of thinking to be healthy rather than something poisonous like, “something is going to happen to me!” or “oh I will be afraid”. 

Let’s stir each other up to think TRUE and right thoughts.  We will help our kids to set those habits that will help them throughout their lives to thrive in Christ rather than wallow in worthless thinking.

*I am not a medical professional.

Prayer Warrior Momma

Has the beginning of this year been as full for you as it’s been for me?  I am totally excited about this year though – don’t know what (or Who) it will bring but I’m expectant for Jesus to return!  What about you, momma?  This and the current events give me all the more reason to pray over our children Scripture prayers.  Here is a LITTLE list of Scriptures I read aloud in prayer to our kids at bedtime.  (I hold the Bible in my hands and read it so they get a visual to remember forever.) 

Deuteronomy 30:20 "that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days..."

Philippians 1:9-11 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 2:14-18 "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.  Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me."

Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”

And SO much more.

Jordan, our 2 ½ year-old daughter says, “Mommy, can you pray me the Bible?”  That works for me, SURE!  (Sweet moments.)  Another nightly tradition is to spend moments running my fingers through our kids’ hair and around their face reciting Numbers 6:24-25 (see above)… However, I said it from memory the first time years ago and stuck with that “version” to this day.  I say, “May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you, giving you peace and comfort through the night…” and their part is (really loud), “AND JOY IN THE MORNING!”

Lord, I pray that this post serves as an encouragement for mommas to pray for their children out-loud, from Your word.  I pray your favor upon them as they raise the generations, blessing their household with faith and much grace.

Ooooo...That's Ugly

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions’…So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.” Exodus 16:4; 17-18 (NLT)

My husband and I have been blessed to experience times of plenty, but we have also made some financial mistakes. We know the economy is bad, and that has contributed to some of our stress, but we also know that we are in a season of pruning…God is doing a work in us. We have changed up many things about how we live and spend money in order to be good stewards of all he has blessed us with. We have budgeted, made a plan, and implemented strategies of both Crown Financial and Financial Peace Ministries.

In spite of all that, no matter how much we save, is seems like it is eaten up by locusts. Seriously! There are usually just enough urgent, financial surprises that bring our balance back down to…well, let’s just say extremely dependent upon the Lord. My husband and I realize that God is doing something in our lives, and that he wants to teach us and draw us closer to Him. We have coined it our “Daily Bread Season”—we have enough to tithe, pay our bills, and satisfy just a few of our wants. Let me assure you, we are definitely learning about contentment.

So…just the other day, we were at Chuck E Cheese to celebrate a friend’s birthday with our oldest Doodlebug. He had pizza, his own Chuck E Cheese cup, and tokens. When the tokens ran out, he wanted more. However, I explained to him that he and the other kids had all run out of tokens at about the same time and that Mommy and Daddy were on a budget, so he should play in the little play gym or something. He started crying. He just didn’t understand why he couldn’t play just a few more games. After all, one of his really close friends was still playing. Well, after enduring his tears for a while, I looked in my wallet and found that I had a dollar on me, and he was able to purchase four more tokens. He got his way…this time.

BUT just a little while later, he came crying to me again—his friend’s mom had just bought her son some cotton candy. They offered to share with my little guy, but he wanted his own. “What! You have got to be kidding me!” I thought to myself. I spoke to him about being grateful and being content with what we have, but he was just content to complain that day. (As a side note, I must admit that he must have been really tired, because he does not usually act so spoiled.) He cried a little more, and then figured he was better off partaking in the cotton candy that was offered by his friend’s mom rather than whining and crying to me.

Later that day, my husband and I spoke with our Doodlebug about being grateful and the fact that some kids never get to go to Chuck E Cheese, and he should be thankful for all that we do for him to make sure has fun experiences with his buds and as a family. Before I went to bed, I was reflecting on the day on what had occurred at Chuck E Cheese. I still couldn’t believe how ungrateful my son had acted, and then it hit me…God spoke to my heart and said, “Beloved, that is exactly what you do to me.” Ouch!!! You mean my attitude is that ugly sometimes too?! Unfortunately, yes.

Although my husband and I know God has us in a “Daily Bread” season for a reason, we (or at least I) sometimes complain inwardly or outwardly that I want more than that…I want a nice financial cushion for a rainy day…after all, that is what all the Christian books say I should have if I was being a good steward. Right?!

Well, I think biblical financial management is great. I would love to be like Joseph when he became the proprietor of Egypt and saved 20 percent of all the food in storehouses during the years of famine so that he and all of Egypt would be spared during the famine. Yet, after wrestling with God on this one, he has firmly spoken to our heart that that is not my season right now. After all, wasn’t Joseph in jail for sticking to his convictions just a few chapters before he was blessed with abundance?!

Bottom line, God was revealing some of the ugliness and ungratefulness of my own heart. I needed to learn to be content with exactly what he has given me. How about you? Is there anything in your life for which you need to be more grateful? Is your attitude looking kind of ugly? Let’s pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you that you know our needs (and our wants) even before we ask you. You have been so faithful in times past, you are faithful even now, and you will be faithful again. Help us lay aside our own thoughts and feelings in order to embrace complete trust, hope, and joy in you. Help us have clean hands, pure hearts, and right attitudes before you no matter what season you are allowing us to go through right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Dear brothers and sister, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James1:2-4 (NLT)

Something Different

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)

The other day my husband was talking with a group of his co-workers. The subject: the real meaning of Christmas. My husband asked why we celebrate Christmas, and most were on board that we celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas time. But they were baffled by his next question: Why did Jesus have to be born? The room was silent. No one had an answer, and he shared with me later that it broke his heart. So, in his own way, he began to explain the “why” of Christ’s birth.

I remember taking an Everyday Evangelism class at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale years ago. This class was such a blessing to me because it gave practical ideas and suggestions on how to share the Good News of Jesus in a way that people can understand and relate to. One of the best tools I learned was to draw a picture. Write the words “Us” on the left side and “GOD” on the opposite side of the paper. There is a big gap between “Us” and “God”. Then you draw arrows in the direction of “GOD”, but all these arrows make a descent just before they reach “GOD”. These arrows represent our very best efforts to jump across or bridge the gap between us and God. We help others. We give to the poor. We try to treat everyone kindly. You get the drift. However, we are sinners trying to access a holy, perfect God by our own efforts…so we fall short.

Next, draw a horizontal line from “Us” to “God” (like a bridge) and a vertical line down the middle so that your bridge is the shape of a cross. This cross represents the perfect life of Jesus that bridges that gap between us and God. He is our great mediator, the way for us to access the Father (John 14:6). Jesus does what we can’t do for ourselves: he pays the price for our sin, clothes us with his righteousness, and restores the relationship between us and the Father. Jesus closes the gap.

Someone told me recently that thanks to Facebook, Google, and the power of the internet, she could never run for political office. I chuckled because I know my pre-Christ life, and I was so grateful the internet was not up and running then to take snapshots of it. It is so amazing to me that as a culture we are often quick to acknowledge that our lives are not squeaky clean enough to run for political office because of some stupid thing we did years ago. Yet, many believe they are good enough for heaven, and to live there for eternity with an all-mighty, all-knowing, and all-powerful God. That logic really isn’t rational, but it is popular. I wonder if people feel this way because they don’t know who they are (a sinner) and why Jesus had to be born (our savior).

I loved Joannie’s blog earlier this week and the suggestions she gave to make this Christmas more memorable. I particularly loved her advice about the Jesus party and the limit of 3 gifts (just like Jesus received three gifts from the magi). I believe it is so important for our children to love Christmas—have fun, celebrate, go all out to make memories commemorating Jesus’ birth. Personally, I think Santa is an irrelevant distraction from the true meaning of Christmas. A little boy once told me that Christmas was about Jesus and Santa. Really? The truth is one day he will grow up to know (hopefully) that one, Jesus, means everything and the other guy with the reindeer who comes down the chimney…well, he doesn’t even exist. A fictional Santa gives gifts to children if they are “good”, but the other, Jesus, is the ultimate gift from God because he knew we could never be “good enough” on our own.

So let’s show those in our sphere of influence something different: peace, joy, and hope—all the things only Christ can offer. I would also encourage you to set aside a special time to explain to your little ones (in an age appropriate way) WHY Jesus was born, put less emphasis on a fictional Santa “who is going to give them lots of presents”, and have a very MERRY CHRISTmas!

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means, ‘God with us’. Matthew 1:23

Dear Father,

We love you! Thank you for the birth of Jesus, your Son. Thank you that he did what we could not do on our own—live a perfect life and bridge the gap between us and you. Thank you for loving us that much. Help us focus on you this Christmas, to have your joy and peace in our hearts, and to share the miracle of Jesus’ birth with our children, family, and friends. May we put on the attitude of Christ and seek to serve others this Christmas. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Please check out this link to the song "Here With Us" by Joy Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om5-95_Byjo

Embrace the Season

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Less. Smaller house. Less furniture. No cable. Less cell phone minutes. Less spending money. Less shopping. Less!

I have to admit that this season of “less” that I am going through has not been easy. As soon as we have a little bit of “extra”, something else happens: medical bills are due, the check engine light comes on in the car, etc. I have been frustrated and tired of “trials”. I have been ready to scream, “When is this trial over? What am I doing wrong? What are you trying to teach me already?” But then God knocks on my heart and whispers: contentment. He wants me to have the secret of contentment that Paul wrote about in Philippians. He wants me to grow. He wants me to be mature and complete, not lacking any good thing. Paul wrote to the early church:

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11b-13

I have to honestly say that God has blessed me with seasons of plenty. Seasons when I have had extra money in my account, and seasons where I could go shopping without worrying about a budget. I have to also honestly say that I am not in that season right now, and as uncomfortable as it may be, I have noticed…change. God is not changing my circumstances; God is changing me!

God is teaching me that He is the secret of contentment in every situation. That if I walk through this life with Him as my focus, I can be content because He is with me. He will never leave me (Deuteronomy 31:8) . In this season, I am rediscovering the joy of my salvation. I am becoming more appreciative of my family, my friends, and my daily bread. I am thankful that I have a car to drive that allows me to connect with the other precious moms God has placed in my life. I am thankful for the love I share with my husband and kids. I am thankful for God’s love for me.

So actually I have MORE. More of Him. More of a desire to know Him. More intimacy in my devotional times with Him. More compassion for others who are going through tough times.
It’s a little humorous because my four year old son is also learning to be content with what he has as I am starting to say “no” and “not right now” to some of his requests.

Unbeknownst to me, I had accidentally become the overindulgent mom. If Mikey wanted it, Mikey got it…after all, why not? We had the money, and his requests seemed reasonable. Little did I know, his heart was doing a transition as he accumulated more stuff…and he has a lot of stuff! You see, he was started to become less appreciative and thankful for what God had blessed him with, and more insistent on the fact that he needed “that” new toy, book, etc. He had come to think he was entitled to get something new every time we went to the store!

After the tenth, “Mommy please may I get just one thing!”, I would explain to him that he needed to be thankful for all the wonderful things that he already has…a room overflowing with toys and books, and he needed to be thankful that he had friends to play and share his stuff with. But he kept begging…so much so that I started to lose my patience a bit. Out of frustration, I thought out loud, “The only way to make you more grateful for what you already have is to stop giving you everything you want...now”.

And then it dawned on me, that is exactly what God is doing in me right now. Too many times, I have been like that with God. I start rattling of my list of prayer requests of things I need (or want) and often forget to thank him for what He has already blessed me with and for the fruit He is producing in my life during this season of less.

So, my prayer for each of us is that we would learn to fix our eyes on Jesus and all that he has done for us. That we would see that He is the secret of our contentment. Nothing else will last. Clothes fade, shoes get worn out,cars die, and furniture needs to be replaced…but He remains faithful and true forever!

Dear Father,
You are so good to us! You sent your only son to die for us while we were still sinners. Please restore to us the joy of our salvation. Whether we are living in a season of plenty or of want, please help us to be thankful for all that you have richly blessed us with us. You have given us the best gift of all…the ability to have a personal, living relationship with you. May that truth transform the way we view our circumstances today. And while we are waiting to be free of our current trial, may we soar in our relationship with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verses to consider:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

"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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34

Questions to consider:

What season of life are you going through right now? What is God teaching you about yourself? What is God teaching you about Him?

Application:

Think of practical ways you can teach your children to be more thankful. If time allows, share your ideas in the comments section of this blog. I would love some suggestions. :)