I've been blogging now off and on since October 2008, and for me, it's not just merely a avenue of self expression. It's a way of reaching out, sometimes to get back what I'm needing and sometimes giving what I think needs to be given. I've got something to say!
But so do you!
Many of my friends and aquaintances don't understand this blogging.
Man! I've got people in my life that don't even know how to use a computer, or have one and don't use it, they're missing out!
What are they missing out on?
Internet hugs, support in unusual ways, connection with the outside world, realizing we are not alone in our struggles, others are going through similar trials. Encouraging words of love and support just when you need them in a way that's just right for you.
Everytime I write, I think........ "I wonder if they'll read it. Why do I keep doing it? I bet if I quit writing, nobody would even miss me." (There's a huge pity party going on here, but it drives me CRAZY!)
I write because it is the easiest way for me to communicate what I'm feeling.
To those who don't know me very well...... yet. I am a 37 year old mother of 4 so far.
I home-school all of them and my two neices, run my own online business, maintain house and home, help where I can when I can, oh and by the way..........
I have a mild form of cerebral palsy.
I don't let it slow me down much though. Oh no. I've got too much to do and say and experience. However, it does get in my way sometimes.
There are times when my brain knows exactly what it's trying to communicate but the mouth and the body send out a completely different message.
For example, my two year old just woke up in a Horrible mood. I meant to hit SAVE and continue writing this later. I hit PUBLISH.
So, let's try this again. I'm often mis-understood, and it gets really frustrating.
I have one friend who constantly mis-reads my words, actions and emotions.
Continually trying to explain my real intentions or thoughts or feelings is exhausting.
As I said in an my previous post, I'm currently reading Stepping Heavenward by Mrs E.Prentiss. It's a wonderful, inspiring book for any woman going through changes, trials and tough times.
I know each one of us have our own story to share.
Mrs. Prentiss wrote Stepping Heavenward in a journal format.
The main character is Kate, who begins writing this journal on her sixteenth birthday and allows us to follow her journey heavenward through her life as a young girl, wife, mother and daughter to God.
She learns through her struggles, only God can truly set you free. Only in God can you find true happiness, and it's only when you learn to depend solely on him and give your life away to serving Him and helping others that you find the true meaning of life in this world, LOVE. And that LOVE, His LOVE leads you to a life of fullfillment more than you can ever imagine.
Remember the person I spoke of that often mis-understands me?
Kate has many people like that in her life, as do all of us. What did she learn through each trial and struggle?
She prayed.
"God, give the strength to love them. Show me how to love them."
He does just that.
So I will keep writing, and I will keep explaining myself, and I will continue to pray,
" God show me how to love them more and more."
Thank you to each and everyone of you who take a moment to read this blog, and follow along with me on my journey.
Thank you for your comments. They mean so much to me.
Without these comments, I doubt I would continue on, but we all need inspiring.
We all need encouragement and support, each in our own way.
May we continue to grow and journey together.
You've got something to say - say it!!
We'll never truly know the impact we make on this world until Jesus' face we see.
until then...... enjoy the youtube video I've posted here
The song and lyrics You've got Something to Say by Matthew West. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSVGocVpLko
Amy
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Trusting In and Depending On God - Continually Learning
I love how God talks to us.
Non-believers and skeptics may scoff at us for saying God still speaks to us today, but it is true.
God does speak to the "heart," of man (and woman), in his own way.
Jeremiah 29:11-14a says (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.
and Matthew 13 says
15For this people's heart has become calloused;they hardly hear with their ears,and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'[a] 16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
God does speak to his children today - in his own way.
1Peter 6-7 says
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 James 2:7
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
We were all created for fellowship with God, first and foremost. God will and is using all things to draw men to himself so that through us his glory might be shown.
If you've been following my blog, you might have read between the lines that I am one who claims to know God, love God and Trust in the Lord. Yet when trials and test come, I am but a child, who hasn't handle things as well as I should if I was truly maturing and trusting in him.
I fail him over and over and over..........and yet......... "He still loves me," (from the book Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E Prentiss).
He told me to Trust in Him in Proverbs 3. He told me not to be anxious about anything in Philippians 4, and yet I did not listen. I fretted, I worried. I allowed myself to be swept up in the currents of emotional and mental turmoil instead of resting in his loving grace, and I have suffered the consequences. Much like the prodigal son, I left my father's care and did things my own way. Things have not gone well for me and now my health has suffered from my foolishness.
Thank you to the women in my life who have all recommended the book Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E Prentiss.
Thank you to the people in my life who are constantly praying for me that I might understand how deep and how wide the Father's love is for me.
God is working through all these means to draw me to himself.
I am seeking Him, his wisdom, knowledge and grace and I am learning to trust, lean and depend on him more and more.
My health is improving. God has let me see that through my own doing of fretting and worrying, I let my body get depleted of some very important nutrients and building blocks necessary to have the health to do what God has called me to do.
Please do keep me in your prayers as I am now learning how to eat properly and take better care of my body so that God may get all the glory.
I am spending more and more time Walking in God's Word and Talking with Him in prayer.
I am learning to be content, not to fret, worry, or be anxious about anything. Instead I must learn to Trust in Him, Acknowledge Him and Let Him Direct my path.
Life will not be without test or trials but.....
"6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippian1:6 NIV)
He Love Us,
Amy
Non-believers and skeptics may scoff at us for saying God still speaks to us today, but it is true.
God does speak to the "heart," of man (and woman), in his own way.
Jeremiah 29:11-14a says (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.
and Matthew 13 says
15For this people's heart has become calloused;they hardly hear with their ears,and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'[a] 16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
God does speak to his children today - in his own way.
1Peter 6-7 says
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 James 2:7
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
We were all created for fellowship with God, first and foremost. God will and is using all things to draw men to himself so that through us his glory might be shown.
If you've been following my blog, you might have read between the lines that I am one who claims to know God, love God and Trust in the Lord. Yet when trials and test come, I am but a child, who hasn't handle things as well as I should if I was truly maturing and trusting in him.
I fail him over and over and over..........and yet......... "He still loves me," (from the book Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E Prentiss).
He told me to Trust in Him in Proverbs 3. He told me not to be anxious about anything in Philippians 4, and yet I did not listen. I fretted, I worried. I allowed myself to be swept up in the currents of emotional and mental turmoil instead of resting in his loving grace, and I have suffered the consequences. Much like the prodigal son, I left my father's care and did things my own way. Things have not gone well for me and now my health has suffered from my foolishness.
Thank you to the women in my life who have all recommended the book Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E Prentiss.
Thank you to the people in my life who are constantly praying for me that I might understand how deep and how wide the Father's love is for me.
God is working through all these means to draw me to himself.
I am seeking Him, his wisdom, knowledge and grace and I am learning to trust, lean and depend on him more and more.
My health is improving. God has let me see that through my own doing of fretting and worrying, I let my body get depleted of some very important nutrients and building blocks necessary to have the health to do what God has called me to do.
Please do keep me in your prayers as I am now learning how to eat properly and take better care of my body so that God may get all the glory.
I am spending more and more time Walking in God's Word and Talking with Him in prayer.
I am learning to be content, not to fret, worry, or be anxious about anything. Instead I must learn to Trust in Him, Acknowledge Him and Let Him Direct my path.
Life will not be without test or trials but.....
"6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippian1:6 NIV)
He Love Us,
Amy
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Going Home
Yesterday, while my two oldest were at girl scouts, I took a journey back in time.
I went back home to my old home place, the first time in 15 years.
Ten years ago today, May 20, my dad too made a journey home, his heavenly home.
God is helping me through many things right now and I just felt compelled to share this journey with you.
The same people who bought the home in 1994 still live there today. It was our home for only 10 years, but they have now lived there 15. Their kids stood in the same spots we stood for prom pictures by the lake, the kids have all grown now and grand kids come to play.
I was allowed to walk back to the lake to spend some moments in quiet reflections, as I looked around, the good memories flooded in like much needed rain.
All the work my dad had done on this yard...... railroad tie by railroad tie, brick by brick, pier by pier. He did all of it by his own hands. I stood on that pier and remembered Saturdays working in the yard helping my dad mow the yard.
He used to get so mad at me. I practiced my driving on the riding lawn mower, and it never failed, I'd always run right over the newest little tree seedling he planted, every time.
We thought that tree would never grow.
Oh but those trees did grow, they are great pines now, cypress and oaks, towering over us like great giant soldiers.
I remembered roses, 4th of July, fish fries..... and oreo cookies on a swing.
This past week our family experienced a very frightening situation, someone we knew had a gun and was heading in our direction......... again a flood of memories came rushing back.........
My dad was a policeman, 28 years on the force. He loved that job. But there were times........sometimes, well, we just weren't safe, or were we? There were times when dad's life was threatened.
You know how most kids are taught a fire escape plan at home if ever there was a fire? I had a "Duck & Cover, Get down if I say so", plan growing up.
My dad worked undercover at times. So I was taught at a very young age that even in the grocery store, if he said, "Get down," I was to get down and stay down. I was also taught that if ever a strange truck or man approached the house, I was to run and get my dad.
There were times when that happened and the Plan was put into action.
So you can imagine my horror this past Saturday when we received the call that someone we knew had a gun and was headed this way. It was a man my husband had just spoken to on the phone, a man we are trying to help. We were outside: my husband, my children.
We went in the house, shut and locked all the doors, closed the blinds, and I prayed.
I had put all of that behind me, I didn't want to relive this again. But I was, only this time it wasn't my dad, but my husband and my family at risk. I hated this!
Memories flooded back. My dad was in SWAT. I remember each time the SWAT team got called out. My mother started cleaning. She'd scrub floors, she'd clean. She wouldn't stop till he came home. I understood at this moment why she did that. "Dear Lord I've got to do something and I don't know what to do! Keep him safe! and Bring him home!"
Our Saturday situation progressed similarly to those SWAT situations. The man with the gun showed back up at his home, and my husband, our pastor and three policeman with rifles went over to his house to make sure he was unarmed and was not going to hurt anyone.
I was so glad God brought my husband back home Saturday night.
I can imagine my mother felt the same way each time my father came home.
In fact, 10 years ago, when I got that call that dad had a heart attack and they were taking him to the hospital, I had to stop and remind myself that Daddy was off today. He was at home.
I always figured my dad would die on duty. I had to remind myself he was at home.
And how true those words were, " Dad was home." My dad went home to be with the Lord, May 20, 1999.
God has been using my memories, life situations, my children's lessons and scripture to guide me and lead me along the way. I'll be perfectly honest, I don't consider myself a, "baby," Christian, but I will tell you my grades are not good and I will probably repeat many many years before being, "promoted to glory."
My eight year old has been reading the story of Moses and the Israelites in the desert.
The children of Israel, they were just that, children. Trusting one moment, rebellious and disobedient the next. Over and over God did all he knew to do to draw them to himself. All they had to do was trust and obey.
It's sad when we get to the part of the story where Moses is disobedient and God says, "OK, that's it. You don't get to go into the promise land Moses. It's time for you to go home."
Go home.
Psalm 23 (NIV)
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
I went back home to my old home place, the first time in 15 years.
Ten years ago today, May 20, my dad too made a journey home, his heavenly home.
God is helping me through many things right now and I just felt compelled to share this journey with you.
The same people who bought the home in 1994 still live there today. It was our home for only 10 years, but they have now lived there 15. Their kids stood in the same spots we stood for prom pictures by the lake, the kids have all grown now and grand kids come to play.
I was allowed to walk back to the lake to spend some moments in quiet reflections, as I looked around, the good memories flooded in like much needed rain.
All the work my dad had done on this yard...... railroad tie by railroad tie, brick by brick, pier by pier. He did all of it by his own hands. I stood on that pier and remembered Saturdays working in the yard helping my dad mow the yard.
He used to get so mad at me. I practiced my driving on the riding lawn mower, and it never failed, I'd always run right over the newest little tree seedling he planted, every time.
We thought that tree would never grow.
Oh but those trees did grow, they are great pines now, cypress and oaks, towering over us like great giant soldiers.
I remembered roses, 4th of July, fish fries..... and oreo cookies on a swing.
This past week our family experienced a very frightening situation, someone we knew had a gun and was heading in our direction......... again a flood of memories came rushing back.........
My dad was a policeman, 28 years on the force. He loved that job. But there were times........sometimes, well, we just weren't safe, or were we? There were times when dad's life was threatened.
You know how most kids are taught a fire escape plan at home if ever there was a fire? I had a "Duck & Cover, Get down if I say so", plan growing up.
My dad worked undercover at times. So I was taught at a very young age that even in the grocery store, if he said, "Get down," I was to get down and stay down. I was also taught that if ever a strange truck or man approached the house, I was to run and get my dad.
There were times when that happened and the Plan was put into action.
So you can imagine my horror this past Saturday when we received the call that someone we knew had a gun and was headed this way. It was a man my husband had just spoken to on the phone, a man we are trying to help. We were outside: my husband, my children.
We went in the house, shut and locked all the doors, closed the blinds, and I prayed.
I had put all of that behind me, I didn't want to relive this again. But I was, only this time it wasn't my dad, but my husband and my family at risk. I hated this!
Memories flooded back. My dad was in SWAT. I remember each time the SWAT team got called out. My mother started cleaning. She'd scrub floors, she'd clean. She wouldn't stop till he came home. I understood at this moment why she did that. "Dear Lord I've got to do something and I don't know what to do! Keep him safe! and Bring him home!"
Our Saturday situation progressed similarly to those SWAT situations. The man with the gun showed back up at his home, and my husband, our pastor and three policeman with rifles went over to his house to make sure he was unarmed and was not going to hurt anyone.
I was so glad God brought my husband back home Saturday night.
I can imagine my mother felt the same way each time my father came home.
In fact, 10 years ago, when I got that call that dad had a heart attack and they were taking him to the hospital, I had to stop and remind myself that Daddy was off today. He was at home.
I always figured my dad would die on duty. I had to remind myself he was at home.
And how true those words were, " Dad was home." My dad went home to be with the Lord, May 20, 1999.
God has been using my memories, life situations, my children's lessons and scripture to guide me and lead me along the way. I'll be perfectly honest, I don't consider myself a, "baby," Christian, but I will tell you my grades are not good and I will probably repeat many many years before being, "promoted to glory."
My eight year old has been reading the story of Moses and the Israelites in the desert.
The children of Israel, they were just that, children. Trusting one moment, rebellious and disobedient the next. Over and over God did all he knew to do to draw them to himself. All they had to do was trust and obey.
It's sad when we get to the part of the story where Moses is disobedient and God says, "OK, that's it. You don't get to go into the promise land Moses. It's time for you to go home."
Go home.
There it is again.
But you know what, that story of Moses is a good story to explain death.
I teach my children that God is always with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.He loves you so much. He chose each one of us. He adopted us. He created us. He knows everything about us, all our needs.He has special plans for each and everyone of us and we are all part of his wonderful loving family,all brothers and sisters in Christ. I also believe that God is not going to take any of us home until our work on this Earth is done.
Go back to Moses. He was working for God. When he struck that rock instead of speaking to that rock. He disobeyed God. He could no longer be the people's leader. A new leader must be chosen, Joshua. There was no more work left for Moses to do. It was time for Moses to go home.
And that's how I accept death. God is the one who gives life and God is the one who takes life, and he won't take you home until your work on this Earth is done.
My dad's work on this Earth was done, it was time to go home.
If I had stopped to ponder this concept, there wouldn't have been any need for fear.
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The Lord is our shepherd. He leads us. He guides us. He protects us.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
There are going to be days when bad things come our way. We will face troubles. But we are His.
We have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our life and he has anointed us and covered us with His blood. We keep our eyes on Him. Trust in Him. We are His. We belong to Him, and we will not go home until the work he has for us to do is done.
My two oldest daughters and I are reading together the books of Elsie Dinsmore.
These stories are about a young girl's life from the tender age of 8 to her death.
The story begins by explaining that her mother and father fell in love and married secretly.
When the guardians find out, they separate the young couple, send the young man off to schooling in Europe. The young woman is with child. She delivers Elsie and then dies of a broken heart. Elsie is then raised by her nursemaid and a loving Christian Scottish woman until she is about 4 years old. The nursemaid and Scottish Woman pour the love of Jesus and the knowledge and scripture into that child's heart, soul and mind like nurturing milk.
At the age of 4, Elsie is forced to move to her father's home place, even though he is still in Europe. She is now to live with her grandfather, his second wife, and her children. None of these are Christians. They see Elsie as strange, an outsider. They treat her most unfairly.
Elsie is so knowledgeable in the love and saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that despite all the ill treatment and troubles surrounding her, she pours forth her soul in prayer to God and devotes her life to studying the scriptures and being Christlike.
We are now in book 3 of the 60 something books in this series, and even though the young girl in the book is only 10 years old now, she has taught this 37 year old woman many things about keeping your focus on the Lord. Cry out to Jesus. Turn to Jesus. Pray. Study the Scriptures. Memorize the Scriptures. Take Comfort in Gods words and His promises in His WORD. Dedicate yourself to having the same qualities and character of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I know I can get through anything for Thou art with me, and when there is no one who can possibly understand, no one to talk to talk to, no one to seek guidance from........... God is with me.
Take it to the Lord in prayer. Let God, the God of all comfort, love you, comfort you with his words and promises and give you peace.
Peace........, I made my peace yesterday on a dock on a lake. On a dock built by my own earthly father's hands, I surrendered my life, my all, my everything into my heavenly father's hands.
I will now do my best to Trust in my heavenly father's care and Lord and gentle shepherd of my life. I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
The God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33 (NIV)
In His love, Amy.
But you know what, that story of Moses is a good story to explain death.
I teach my children that God is always with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.He loves you so much. He chose each one of us. He adopted us. He created us. He knows everything about us, all our needs.He has special plans for each and everyone of us and we are all part of his wonderful loving family,all brothers and sisters in Christ. I also believe that God is not going to take any of us home until our work on this Earth is done.
Go back to Moses. He was working for God. When he struck that rock instead of speaking to that rock. He disobeyed God. He could no longer be the people's leader. A new leader must be chosen, Joshua. There was no more work left for Moses to do. It was time for Moses to go home.
And that's how I accept death. God is the one who gives life and God is the one who takes life, and he won't take you home until your work on this Earth is done.
My dad's work on this Earth was done, it was time to go home.
If I had stopped to ponder this concept, there wouldn't have been any need for fear.
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The Lord is our shepherd. He leads us. He guides us. He protects us.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
There are going to be days when bad things come our way. We will face troubles. But we are His.
We have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our life and he has anointed us and covered us with His blood. We keep our eyes on Him. Trust in Him. We are His. We belong to Him, and we will not go home until the work he has for us to do is done.
My two oldest daughters and I are reading together the books of Elsie Dinsmore.
These stories are about a young girl's life from the tender age of 8 to her death.
The story begins by explaining that her mother and father fell in love and married secretly.
When the guardians find out, they separate the young couple, send the young man off to schooling in Europe. The young woman is with child. She delivers Elsie and then dies of a broken heart. Elsie is then raised by her nursemaid and a loving Christian Scottish woman until she is about 4 years old. The nursemaid and Scottish Woman pour the love of Jesus and the knowledge and scripture into that child's heart, soul and mind like nurturing milk.
At the age of 4, Elsie is forced to move to her father's home place, even though he is still in Europe. She is now to live with her grandfather, his second wife, and her children. None of these are Christians. They see Elsie as strange, an outsider. They treat her most unfairly.
Elsie is so knowledgeable in the love and saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that despite all the ill treatment and troubles surrounding her, she pours forth her soul in prayer to God and devotes her life to studying the scriptures and being Christlike.
We are now in book 3 of the 60 something books in this series, and even though the young girl in the book is only 10 years old now, she has taught this 37 year old woman many things about keeping your focus on the Lord. Cry out to Jesus. Turn to Jesus. Pray. Study the Scriptures. Memorize the Scriptures. Take Comfort in Gods words and His promises in His WORD. Dedicate yourself to having the same qualities and character of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I know I can get through anything for Thou art with me, and when there is no one who can possibly understand, no one to talk to talk to, no one to seek guidance from........... God is with me.
Take it to the Lord in prayer. Let God, the God of all comfort, love you, comfort you with his words and promises and give you peace.
Peace........, I made my peace yesterday on a dock on a lake. On a dock built by my own earthly father's hands, I surrendered my life, my all, my everything into my heavenly father's hands.
I will now do my best to Trust in my heavenly father's care and Lord and gentle shepherd of my life. I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
The God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33 (NIV)
In His love, Amy.
Psalm 23 (NIV)
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
New Beginnings - A New Home, A New Life, A New Start
Hello everyone,
It's been a long journey to get back here.
We officially moved into the new house March 27, 2009.
However, we just got reconnected to internet yesterday. There was no service here. We had to have new lines dug.
The house is absolutely beautiful and perfect: 5 bedrooms/2 ba, a 2 car garage, my kitchen and our office are in the center of the home.
We have a dining room and a great room to entertain and host small groups in.
We have a total of 1.3 acreas and we are almost entirely secluded back here in our little corner of the new subdivision.
It's like living in the country but we are minutes away from our church, Wal-mart and the bank, and 10 minutes away from the "big" city of Longview where my husband works and our home-school group is.
We have a huge wrap around back porch, our house sits on a hill and there is a lake we can see at the very back of our property.
We bought the kids playground today and we will be landscaping here in the next two months or so, getting grass growing, bushes, roses, etc.
God has been so good to us, we are completely debt free except for the mortgage, and even that is pretty good, we are living comfortably on my husband's salary.
I'm still running www.anotherblessing.com which helps pay for the kids music and sewing lessons, my cell phone and hopefully soon a second car so we don't have to share.
I took over the education of my two nieces in the midst of all this.
I have 4 children: Lisa (11), Ariel, (8), Amelia (5), Michael (2), I homeschool all of them.
My neices are Adalina (5) and Leeanne(4)
For those of you that don't know me, I'm a Christian, Conservative, Quiverfull, Homeschooling, Keeper at Home, Stay at Home mom and Work at Home mom and have been since 2000.
I enjoy reading books about Amish/Mennonites, Listening to Christian Music, watching cooking shows and cooking, and learning about the Duggars and other Large Christian Families. I teach Sunday School, dress modestly, and maintain our family budget with the use of www.angelfoodministries.com, coupons, schedules, routines and menus
We had to get all new emails, phone numbers, etc.
So please let everyone know I'm still here and pulling it all back together.
Thanks so much.
Amy Wingfield
3400 Woodview Lane
Kilgore, Texas 75662
wingfieldfamily@gmail.com
www.anotherblessing.com
I'll post pictures of the house and land and family as I can, keep checking back, I'll post as often as I can.
It's been a long journey to get back here.
We officially moved into the new house March 27, 2009.
However, we just got reconnected to internet yesterday. There was no service here. We had to have new lines dug.
The house is absolutely beautiful and perfect: 5 bedrooms/2 ba, a 2 car garage, my kitchen and our office are in the center of the home.
We have a dining room and a great room to entertain and host small groups in.
We have a total of 1.3 acreas and we are almost entirely secluded back here in our little corner of the new subdivision.
It's like living in the country but we are minutes away from our church, Wal-mart and the bank, and 10 minutes away from the "big" city of Longview where my husband works and our home-school group is.
We have a huge wrap around back porch, our house sits on a hill and there is a lake we can see at the very back of our property.
We bought the kids playground today and we will be landscaping here in the next two months or so, getting grass growing, bushes, roses, etc.
God has been so good to us, we are completely debt free except for the mortgage, and even that is pretty good, we are living comfortably on my husband's salary.
I'm still running www.anotherblessing.com which helps pay for the kids music and sewing lessons, my cell phone and hopefully soon a second car so we don't have to share.
I took over the education of my two nieces in the midst of all this.
I have 4 children: Lisa (11), Ariel, (8), Amelia (5), Michael (2), I homeschool all of them.
My neices are Adalina (5) and Leeanne(4)
For those of you that don't know me, I'm a Christian, Conservative, Quiverfull, Homeschooling, Keeper at Home, Stay at Home mom and Work at Home mom and have been since 2000.
I enjoy reading books about Amish/Mennonites, Listening to Christian Music, watching cooking shows and cooking, and learning about the Duggars and other Large Christian Families. I teach Sunday School, dress modestly, and maintain our family budget with the use of www.angelfoodministries.com, coupons, schedules, routines and menus
We had to get all new emails, phone numbers, etc.
So please let everyone know I'm still here and pulling it all back together.
Thanks so much.
Amy Wingfield
3400 Woodview Lane
Kilgore, Texas 75662
wingfieldfamily@gmail.com
www.anotherblessing.com
I'll post pictures of the house and land and family as I can, keep checking back, I'll post as often as I can.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Where do you go for Encouragement and Support? The Answer Has Always Been Right Here With You, By Your Side...... Waiting on You.
Hello everyone.
Maybe I've inspired you. If so I'm glad.
May you continue to seek, grow, live and learn God loves you.
The Encouragement and Support You Desire Has Always Been Right Here With you,
Waiting on You.
"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalms 121:2"
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8"
I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3
I just finished reading the book Susanna by Glen Williamson, the story of Susanna Wesley.
I hope to read more books like this one soon.
Susanna Wesley was the mother of John and Charles Wesley, She was pregnant 17 times, two sets of twins both died, 6 others died right after birth, of the 9 living, 1 dies while she is in childbirth, most of all the girls have bad marriages or no marriage, but through all the hardships of poverty, great debt and great sorrow throughout their lives both Susanna and her husband, Samuel, stayed strong in their faith and convictions.
The lessons I learned from reading this book are, in my opinion, unmeasurable. Throughout the past 8 years, I have WANTED and LONGED to find someone to understand that I have given everything, every aspect of my life over to God. He is in control and we should trust in Him.
I have not found that person yet, nor do I think I ever will.
I do not know another person in East Texas that believes as I do. I'm sure they are out there, but for whatever reason, God has kept us from each other. I guess he needs to deal with each of us in His own way and in His own time. Maybe, when we are ready, he'll bring us together.
Reading the book, talking to other couples, I observed how Susanna Wesley and her husband Samuel a minister, and my own minister and his wife share nothing personal about their lives with anyone but God. They take everything to God. They don't share their burdens or their problems with anyone but each other and God.
Other than my occasional writing, I'm beginning to feel that is what God is asking of me.
It's like, "Amy, you've been looking in the wrong places for your support and encouragement. Come to ME!"
God is to be my best friend in the whole universe next to my husband. God and my husband should be the ones I talk everything over with. God should be the one I take every need, desire, want, and petition to.
In my case, I often lack patience, contentment, trust and security. These are the things I've learned to ask God for.
"Lord please give me the peace that passeth all understanding. Help me to remain strong in my faith. Please continue to give me patience, contentment, knowledge and wisdom. Help me to be a good wife, mother and friend. Take all my hurts and past scars and fill me with your loving grace. Guide me in the way I should go dear Lord. I am yours and you are mine. Thank you Lord for choosing me and loving me." Amen
I'm posting less and less now. But my friendship with God and my husband are growing. I desire to know God better through his Word and through my prayer time. My husband and I are learning to be life long friends now, even if we don't agree on everything, we are learning to have a little grace with each other and we talk to God a lot!
Do I still want a friend to visit with? Yes, of course.
Do I absolutely need others to understand me? No, I have God and I have my husband.
God as blessed me with so much, my salvation, my husband, my children, and God meets all of our needs. I stand in awe at the works of his hands.
He fills me with his Words, especially Psalms,& Proverbs, and most of the books written by Paul, I love listening to Christian music and being inspired by the Holy Spirit through the words of the music.
I pray and I watch, I listen and I learn, and slowly, ever so slowly, only in God's timing,
The emptiness I once felt is slowly being replaced by a love and grace and peace that no human could ever give,
My greatest support and encouragement in what I feel called and led to do comes from God.
I hope these words have inspired you to go to God first.
I'm not saying don't write to us here or don't email each other.
We always like hearing from each other.
I'd love to visit personally with each and everyone one of you in my own home. I love having people in my home to talk things over with them.
But in these most hardest issues of personal convictions and issues concerning one's calling and beliefs,
I'm learning the one who will encourage you and support you the most is the one who did the calling in the first place;
God the father, Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord
You are going to have obstacles.
People are going to be cruel, insensitive, downright rude.
Some may think you've gone nuts, crazy, fanatical, etc.
It doesn't matter what other people think, say or do.
Keep your eyes on Christ, make Jesus the center of your life.
As women, be devoted to God, your husbands and your families.
Stay strong in your faith and your convictions that you are doing exactly what God has planned for you to do.
What's right for me may not be right for you, and that's ok. God has a special plan for each of us.
We all have special jobs to do within the body to work together in Christ for the glory of the Lord.
Not all of us can be a foot or an eye.
Not all of us are called to be stay at home moms, home-schoolers or keepers at home.
You are always going to run into people who do not understand your choices or your life...... But you don't understand theirs either.
One of the greatest things I think I will someday accomplish is when I mature enough in Christ to love everyone despite our differences and disagreements. I'm not there yet, I humbly admit that. I'm still wanting everyone to understand me, but maybe someday................
For now, it's a season of isolation time, as I learn to lean first, and foremost, on God for my support, encouragement and strength and second, on my husband as we grow old together.
To God be the Glory,
Amy Wingfield
wingfieldfamily@cablelynx.com
http://www.anotherblessing.com/
"Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry," Psalms 10:17
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. " Deuteronomy 8:3
"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalms 121:2
" The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
" I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3
Maybe I've inspired you. If so I'm glad.
May you continue to seek, grow, live and learn God loves you.
The Encouragement and Support You Desire Has Always Been Right Here With you,
Waiting on You.
"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalms 121:2"
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8"
I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3
I just finished reading the book Susanna by Glen Williamson, the story of Susanna Wesley.
I hope to read more books like this one soon.
Susanna Wesley was the mother of John and Charles Wesley, She was pregnant 17 times, two sets of twins both died, 6 others died right after birth, of the 9 living, 1 dies while she is in childbirth, most of all the girls have bad marriages or no marriage, but through all the hardships of poverty, great debt and great sorrow throughout their lives both Susanna and her husband, Samuel, stayed strong in their faith and convictions.
The lessons I learned from reading this book are, in my opinion, unmeasurable. Throughout the past 8 years, I have WANTED and LONGED to find someone to understand that I have given everything, every aspect of my life over to God. He is in control and we should trust in Him.
I have not found that person yet, nor do I think I ever will.
I do not know another person in East Texas that believes as I do. I'm sure they are out there, but for whatever reason, God has kept us from each other. I guess he needs to deal with each of us in His own way and in His own time. Maybe, when we are ready, he'll bring us together.
Reading the book, talking to other couples, I observed how Susanna Wesley and her husband Samuel a minister, and my own minister and his wife share nothing personal about their lives with anyone but God. They take everything to God. They don't share their burdens or their problems with anyone but each other and God.
Other than my occasional writing, I'm beginning to feel that is what God is asking of me.
It's like, "Amy, you've been looking in the wrong places for your support and encouragement. Come to ME!"
God is to be my best friend in the whole universe next to my husband. God and my husband should be the ones I talk everything over with. God should be the one I take every need, desire, want, and petition to.
In my case, I often lack patience, contentment, trust and security. These are the things I've learned to ask God for.
"Lord please give me the peace that passeth all understanding. Help me to remain strong in my faith. Please continue to give me patience, contentment, knowledge and wisdom. Help me to be a good wife, mother and friend. Take all my hurts and past scars and fill me with your loving grace. Guide me in the way I should go dear Lord. I am yours and you are mine. Thank you Lord for choosing me and loving me." Amen
I'm posting less and less now. But my friendship with God and my husband are growing. I desire to know God better through his Word and through my prayer time. My husband and I are learning to be life long friends now, even if we don't agree on everything, we are learning to have a little grace with each other and we talk to God a lot!
Do I still want a friend to visit with? Yes, of course.
Do I absolutely need others to understand me? No, I have God and I have my husband.
God as blessed me with so much, my salvation, my husband, my children, and God meets all of our needs. I stand in awe at the works of his hands.
He fills me with his Words, especially Psalms,& Proverbs, and most of the books written by Paul, I love listening to Christian music and being inspired by the Holy Spirit through the words of the music.
I pray and I watch, I listen and I learn, and slowly, ever so slowly, only in God's timing,
The emptiness I once felt is slowly being replaced by a love and grace and peace that no human could ever give,
My greatest support and encouragement in what I feel called and led to do comes from God.
I hope these words have inspired you to go to God first.
I'm not saying don't write to us here or don't email each other.
We always like hearing from each other.
I'd love to visit personally with each and everyone one of you in my own home. I love having people in my home to talk things over with them.
But in these most hardest issues of personal convictions and issues concerning one's calling and beliefs,
I'm learning the one who will encourage you and support you the most is the one who did the calling in the first place;
God the father, Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord
You are going to have obstacles.
People are going to be cruel, insensitive, downright rude.
Some may think you've gone nuts, crazy, fanatical, etc.
It doesn't matter what other people think, say or do.
Keep your eyes on Christ, make Jesus the center of your life.
As women, be devoted to God, your husbands and your families.
Stay strong in your faith and your convictions that you are doing exactly what God has planned for you to do.
What's right for me may not be right for you, and that's ok. God has a special plan for each of us.
We all have special jobs to do within the body to work together in Christ for the glory of the Lord.
Not all of us can be a foot or an eye.
Not all of us are called to be stay at home moms, home-schoolers or keepers at home.
You are always going to run into people who do not understand your choices or your life...... But you don't understand theirs either.
One of the greatest things I think I will someday accomplish is when I mature enough in Christ to love everyone despite our differences and disagreements. I'm not there yet, I humbly admit that. I'm still wanting everyone to understand me, but maybe someday................
For now, it's a season of isolation time, as I learn to lean first, and foremost, on God for my support, encouragement and strength and second, on my husband as we grow old together.
To God be the Glory,
Amy Wingfield
wingfieldfamily@cablelynx.com
http://www.anotherblessing.com/
"Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry," Psalms 10:17
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. " Deuteronomy 8:3
"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalms 121:2
" The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
" I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Power of Encouraging Words - You've Got Something to say! Please say it!
I've been blogging now off and on since October 2008, and for me, it's not just merely a avenue of self expression. It's a way of reaching out, sometimes to get back what I'm needing and sometimes giving what I think needs to be given. I've got something to say!
But so do you!
Many of my friends and aquaintances don't understand this blogging. Man! I've got people in my life that don't even know how to use a computer, or have one and don't use it, they're missing out!
What are they missing out on?
Internet hugs, support in unusual ways, connection with the outside world, realizing we are not alone in our struggles, others are going through similar trials. Encouraging words of love and support just when you need them in a way that's just right for you.
Everytime I write, I think........ "I wonder if they'll read it. Why do I keep doing it? I bet if I quit writing, nobody would even miss me." (There's a huge pity party going on here, but it drives me CRAZY!)
I write because it is the easiest way for me to communicate what I'm feeling.
To those who don't know me very well...... yet. I am a 37 year old mother of 4 so far. I home-school all of them and my two neices, run my own online business, maintain house and home, help where I can when I can, oh and by the way.......... I have a mild form of cerebral palsy.
I don't let it slow me down much though. Oh no. I've got too much to do and say and experience.
However, it does get in my way sometimes.
There are times when my brain knows exactly what it's trying to communicate but the mouth and the body send out a completely different message.
For example, my two year old just woke up in a Horrible mood. I meant to hit SAVE and continue writing this later. I hit PUBLISH.
So, let's try this again.
I'm often mis-understood, and it gets really frustrating.
I have one friend who constantly mis-reads my words, actions and emotions. Continually trying to explain my real intentions or thoughts or feelings is exhausting.
As I said in an my previous post, I'm currently reading Stepping Heavenward by Mrs E.Prentiss. It's a wonderful, inspiring book for any woman going through changes, trials and tough times.
I know each one of us have our own story to share.
Mrs. Prentiss wrote Stepping Heavenward in a journal format. The main character is Kate, who begins writing this journal on her sixteenth birthday and allows us to follow her journey heavenward through her life as a young girl, wife, mother and daughter to God. She learns through her struggles, only God can truly set you free. Only in God can you find true happiness, and it's only when you learn to depend solely on him and give your life away to serving Him and helping others that you find the true meaning of life in this world, LOVE. And that LOVE, His LOVE leads you to a life of fullfillment more than you can ever imagine.
Remember the person I spoke of that often mis-understands me?
Kate has many people like that in her life, as do all of us. What did she learn through each trial and struggle?
She prayed.
God, give the strength to love them. Show me how to love them.
and he does just that.
So I will keep writing, and I will keep explaining myself, and I will continue to pray," God show me how to love them more and more."
Thank you to each and everyone of you who take a moment to read this blog, and follow along with me on my journey. Thank you for your comments. They mean so much to me. Without these comments, I doubt I would continue on, but we all need inspiring. We all need encouragement and support, each in our own way. May we continue to grow and journey together.
You've got something to say - say it!!
We'll never truly know the impact we make on this world until Jesus' face we see.
until then...... enjoy the youtube video I've posted here
The song and lyrics
You've got Something to Say by Matthew West.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSVGocVpLko
Amy
But so do you!
Many of my friends and aquaintances don't understand this blogging. Man! I've got people in my life that don't even know how to use a computer, or have one and don't use it, they're missing out!
What are they missing out on?
Internet hugs, support in unusual ways, connection with the outside world, realizing we are not alone in our struggles, others are going through similar trials. Encouraging words of love and support just when you need them in a way that's just right for you.
Everytime I write, I think........ "I wonder if they'll read it. Why do I keep doing it? I bet if I quit writing, nobody would even miss me." (There's a huge pity party going on here, but it drives me CRAZY!)
I write because it is the easiest way for me to communicate what I'm feeling.
To those who don't know me very well...... yet. I am a 37 year old mother of 4 so far. I home-school all of them and my two neices, run my own online business, maintain house and home, help where I can when I can, oh and by the way.......... I have a mild form of cerebral palsy.
I don't let it slow me down much though. Oh no. I've got too much to do and say and experience.
However, it does get in my way sometimes.
There are times when my brain knows exactly what it's trying to communicate but the mouth and the body send out a completely different message.
For example, my two year old just woke up in a Horrible mood. I meant to hit SAVE and continue writing this later. I hit PUBLISH.
So, let's try this again.
I'm often mis-understood, and it gets really frustrating.
I have one friend who constantly mis-reads my words, actions and emotions. Continually trying to explain my real intentions or thoughts or feelings is exhausting.
As I said in an my previous post, I'm currently reading Stepping Heavenward by Mrs E.Prentiss. It's a wonderful, inspiring book for any woman going through changes, trials and tough times.
I know each one of us have our own story to share.
Mrs. Prentiss wrote Stepping Heavenward in a journal format. The main character is Kate, who begins writing this journal on her sixteenth birthday and allows us to follow her journey heavenward through her life as a young girl, wife, mother and daughter to God. She learns through her struggles, only God can truly set you free. Only in God can you find true happiness, and it's only when you learn to depend solely on him and give your life away to serving Him and helping others that you find the true meaning of life in this world, LOVE. And that LOVE, His LOVE leads you to a life of fullfillment more than you can ever imagine.
Remember the person I spoke of that often mis-understands me?
Kate has many people like that in her life, as do all of us. What did she learn through each trial and struggle?
She prayed.
God, give the strength to love them. Show me how to love them.
and he does just that.
So I will keep writing, and I will keep explaining myself, and I will continue to pray," God show me how to love them more and more."
Thank you to each and everyone of you who take a moment to read this blog, and follow along with me on my journey. Thank you for your comments. They mean so much to me. Without these comments, I doubt I would continue on, but we all need inspiring. We all need encouragement and support, each in our own way. May we continue to grow and journey together.
You've got something to say - say it!!
We'll never truly know the impact we make on this world until Jesus' face we see.
until then...... enjoy the youtube video I've posted here
The song and lyrics
You've got Something to Say by Matthew West.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSVGocVpLko
Amy
Friday, January 23, 2009
Submit - Battling with God, This Warrior is a child.
The song today is by Twilia Paris - The Warrior is a Child.
"They don't know that I go running home when I fall downThey don't know who picks me up when no one is around I drop my sword and and cry for just a while 'Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child"
Submit- Does this word make you cringe?
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? James 4:1 (NIV)
Like a child who has been told they are to do something they do not want to do, you can just see yourself standing there, putting your hands to your head, grabbing fistfuls of hair, crying out to your father in heaven and going, "NO!!!!!!!!!!!"
He's familiar with these temper tantrums, I'm sure.
James goes on to say throughout Chapter 4 (NIV)
"2.You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
6"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
17 "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
That last part is a real blow to the ego.
"Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
Ok, everyone who is struggling with this issue of submission, you know you want to,
go ahead and take a deep breath and sigh deeply. (SIGH........)
The Bible tells all of us to submit first to God, and then to one another in reverence to Christ.
Job 22:21"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ"
What does Submit mean anyway? I looked it up.http://www.freedictionary.com/, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary
Submit- To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.Submission - the condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant
Submissive - Inclined or willing to submit,
Submission - showing quiet obedience
I did a word search for these three words on http://www.biblegateway.com/
The Word, "submit," came up 26 times, "submission," 8 times and, "submissive" 4 times
As a woman, the Bible is quite clear on the matter.
I'm sure many of you are very familiar with the following:
Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord."
Ephesians 5:24 "Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh boy, there are times when I really don’t want to do that.
It just doesn’t seem fair. Are we really suppose to obey, be compliant, humble ourselves to our husbands lead?
But what if we think he’s wrong in what he believes?
Keep reading ladies..... it's not all bad
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Peter 3:1" Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,"
1 Peter 3:5 "For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands,"
Why do we struggle so much with this issue?
We're selfish.
Our sinful nature is a selfish nature. We all have sin, and in the center of sin is what? "I"
Philippians 1:21 (NIV) "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
If you are a Christian, then these words are true
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
For us as women, the instructions seem to go on and on:
1 Timothy 2:11 "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission."
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I used to think Paul had a problem with women, but the more I read, the more grace I’m given to discern and gain in knowledge and wisdom.
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Throughout scripture everyone is told:
Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out."
1 Timothy 2:8 "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
Job 13:5 "If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom."
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There's a matter in my own life where this issue of submissiveness keeps coming up.
I just don't want to do it.
Here recently, the issue arose again.
In the past, I would have, like a child, kicked screamed, ranted and raved.
But now, compared to the past, I have committed myself to studying the scriptures, prayer and seeking wise counsel.
It makes all the difference in the world.
Hebrews 5:7 "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Psalm 4:1 "Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."
Psalm 102:17 "He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea." Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Psalm 4:4 "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. "
I tried my best, I wanted to do what is right, but in the end, remember, I am only still a child, maturing and growing daily in God’s word.
When I could stand it no longer, when I felt I had no one to turn to but God and desperately needed someone to talk to, I went to a friend whom I trust and sought wise counsel
Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach"
We’ve had this same discussion 3 times now in 9 years,my friend and I, and once again I let my friend know, “I’m here again and I don’t know what to do. I messed up.”
James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
This friend is patient, probably losing patience with me, but still always there for me.
1Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Hebrews 3:13 "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
My friend listened to all I poured out and then, in love and wise counsel, gave me the same advice I’d been given twice before
“Submit – and pray like the dickens!”
But this time……..
“I was ready to listen.”
Isaiah 26:16 "LORD, they came to you in their distress; when you disciplined them, they could barely whisper a prayer."
Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Mark 9:29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer. "
Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Philippians 1:9 "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight"
So, how did this end?
I knew and have known along what to do.
I submitted.
God is working and all is well.
I leave you today with the words of Paul in Philippians 1.
Words I’m beginning to appreciate more and more.
In His love,
Amy
Philippians 1 (NIV)
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." (NIV)
"They don't know that I go running home when I fall downThey don't know who picks me up when no one is around I drop my sword and and cry for just a while 'Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child"
Submit- Does this word make you cringe?
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? James 4:1 (NIV)
Like a child who has been told they are to do something they do not want to do, you can just see yourself standing there, putting your hands to your head, grabbing fistfuls of hair, crying out to your father in heaven and going, "NO!!!!!!!!!!!"
He's familiar with these temper tantrums, I'm sure.
James goes on to say throughout Chapter 4 (NIV)
"2.You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
6"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
17 "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
That last part is a real blow to the ego.
"Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
Ok, everyone who is struggling with this issue of submission, you know you want to,
go ahead and take a deep breath and sigh deeply. (SIGH........)
The Bible tells all of us to submit first to God, and then to one another in reverence to Christ.
Job 22:21"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ"
What does Submit mean anyway? I looked it up.http://www.freedictionary.com/, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary
Submit- To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.Submission - the condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant
Submissive - Inclined or willing to submit,
Submission - showing quiet obedience
I did a word search for these three words on http://www.biblegateway.com/
The Word, "submit," came up 26 times, "submission," 8 times and, "submissive" 4 times
As a woman, the Bible is quite clear on the matter.
I'm sure many of you are very familiar with the following:
Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord."
Ephesians 5:24 "Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh boy, there are times when I really don’t want to do that.
It just doesn’t seem fair. Are we really suppose to obey, be compliant, humble ourselves to our husbands lead?
But what if we think he’s wrong in what he believes?
Keep reading ladies..... it's not all bad
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Peter 3:1" Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,"
1 Peter 3:5 "For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands,"
Why do we struggle so much with this issue?
We're selfish.
Our sinful nature is a selfish nature. We all have sin, and in the center of sin is what? "I"
Philippians 1:21 (NIV) "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
If you are a Christian, then these words are true
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
For us as women, the instructions seem to go on and on:
1 Timothy 2:11 "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I used to think Paul had a problem with women, but the more I read, the more grace I’m given to discern and gain in knowledge and wisdom.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Throughout scripture everyone is told:
Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out."
1 Timothy 2:8 "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
Job 13:5 "If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom."
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There's a matter in my own life where this issue of submissiveness keeps coming up.
I just don't want to do it.
Here recently, the issue arose again.
In the past, I would have, like a child, kicked screamed, ranted and raved.
But now, compared to the past, I have committed myself to studying the scriptures, prayer and seeking wise counsel.
It makes all the difference in the world.
Hebrews 5:7 "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Psalm 4:1 "Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."
Psalm 102:17 "He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea." Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Psalm 4:4 "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. "
I tried my best, I wanted to do what is right, but in the end, remember, I am only still a child, maturing and growing daily in God’s word.
When I could stand it no longer, when I felt I had no one to turn to but God and desperately needed someone to talk to, I went to a friend whom I trust and sought wise counsel
Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach"
We’ve had this same discussion 3 times now in 9 years,my friend and I, and once again I let my friend know, “I’m here again and I don’t know what to do. I messed up.”
James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
This friend is patient, probably losing patience with me, but still always there for me.
1Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Hebrews 3:13 "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
My friend listened to all I poured out and then, in love and wise counsel, gave me the same advice I’d been given twice before
“Submit – and pray like the dickens!”
But this time……..
“I was ready to listen.”
Isaiah 26:16 "LORD, they came to you in their distress; when you disciplined them, they could barely whisper a prayer."
Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Mark 9:29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer. "
Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Philippians 1:9 "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight"
So, how did this end?
I knew and have known along what to do.
I submitted.
God is working and all is well.
I leave you today with the words of Paul in Philippians 1.
Words I’m beginning to appreciate more and more.
In His love,
Amy
Philippians 1 (NIV)
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." (NIV)
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