What does the GOOD book mean to you?

So I was thinking today about what the Bible means to me..I know what it means to my children and what it should mean to me, but do I use it the way it should be used?  Is it the light for my path as I take this journey with God?  Do I read enough devotionals, scriptures, and share the precious words with others?  In the word, For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12(KJV)  What does this passage mean to you?  I believe it means that God's word is truth...constant... real....never to be questioned. 
NEW CHALLENGE...Think about how a child's eyes are blind to the bias of the world when it comes to the WORD.  So I challenge you to use blind eyes in the reading of the WORD, leave the world to the world! 
The other day I was rocking my son to sleep, he gets up and goes to get the Bible.  Coming back to our chair, he says "Mommy it's time to read the bible."  I said, "OK...what does it say?"  He starts, "Jesus loves me....in my soul....it's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...come inside it's fun inside."  My son loves the Word and truly believes everything he loves is in it!  Blind faith of a child is how we should read the Bible.  Good luck, God Bless, and happy blind reading!

This challenge was given to me and I give to you....

So Monday night at my bible study I was given the challenge to find out how Romans 8:28 applies to me...Cathy.  Well it's taken me this long to decide how it does...or to pick one.  I am, as I believe "only human" full of flaws, sins and lots of mistakes.  Thank goodness I have a Father who doesn't mind.  For those of you who do not know and maybe don't have your bible nearby..."And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to the purpose." Romans 8:28 (KJV) In the last 3 years because we had to relocate, the house that we (Nick and I) built, picked out everything down to the nails is for sale.  Needless to say it is still for sale.  For the first year, I worried myself to panic mode!  As I do alot of my burdens, I realized that I needed the extra shoulder of God for this one.  Turning it over to him I have felt peace with situation although it really hasn't changed...I still have a house in TN, way more than I can afford since I am now a stay-at-home mom, and can't do ALL the things for my family I used to!  However, all this tells me is that I was meant to share my story and let others see me act and react as a christian mother should.  I know we all have our situations...I would love to give you a chance to share...(sharing) should not be a burden but a blessing.  We HAVE been called to his purpose!

Does your commitment have balance or a hula-hoop effect?

My commitment is the one thing I have always thought I would eventually find a balance to.  I have been wrong up to this very second that I am typing this...In a previous bible study we discussed our lives with hula-hoops as our obstacles! I knew during the study that, yes I had lots of hula-hoops...but I THOUGHT I was balancing them well. Today, not that it is different than any other day, but today I find myself overwhelmed with WHERE my commitment is supposed to find balance and realizing all my hula-hoops are possibly on the floor.  In scripture "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Matthew 6:33.  As easy as this might sound, I can assure you it most certainly is not.  So what are your obstacles? Mother, Wife, Employee, Volunteer, Christian.......this could go on for days...I don't have that long.  What choice do you make between your job and commitments to your church family...your sick child and your job? These all great questions put me in the position of NOT knowing where my commitment is.  I am challenging myself to further feed my walk with God by reading 2 scriptures a day.  Sounds trivial but as you read seek first HIM and everything else will come!  You are welcome to join me in this and I would love to hear about your experiences.....By the way for those of you that took the spouse challenge, either it went great and you are stingy or it failed and you don't want to embarrass your spouse anymore....Thanks for listening today...I hope that you can "shake-it" enough to keep those hula-hoops balanced on those wonderful hips! God Bless you...

If color was a feeling...what would yours be?

So most know my situation over the last few years.  Let's just say it's not been the easiest and not been a motivation to hold onto my faith.  Over the last couple years.. my husband was transferred to another state leaving me with the three children and a "more" than full-time job...my middle child began having some medical issues...we spent the entire time wondering how our financial status would ever recover...like I said not the most positive enviroment.  We continued to pray, eventhough in our situation we didn't SEE God.  I tried to remember that God works on HIS time not mine and that like most issuses in my life, when his love shows up it was good for his glory and even better for my faith.  So needless to say when a wonderful friend sent me an email today with this verse and story I couldn't wait to share!  By the way I feel "silver" today.

Malachi 3:3  He will sit as a refiner and purifer of silver.  This verse puzzled some women at bible study and they pondered on the statement.  One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver.  That week the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch his work.  She didn't mention anything abou the reason for her interest.  As she watched, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up.  He explained that refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.  She thought of how God holds us in such a "hot spot", and remembered the verse, He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.  She questioned the silversmith, " is it true that he has to sit in front of the fire the whole time"?  He answered, "Yes, not only do I have to sit here holding the silver, I have to keep my eyes on the silver the entire time it is in the fire.  If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed."  She askes, "How do you know when the silver is refined?"  He smiled and answered, " that's easy, when I see my image in it."  So TODAY if you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember God has his eye on you and will continue until he sees his image in you!  Over the last two years I was held in the fire and refined...I am now a refined piece of silver with the image of God!

 

 

He blessed me through marriage.....

So I have known for a very long time that I was blessed through marriage, however I am not sure that I have believed it all along...  My husband and I met in college.  I was young and ready for anything, I wasn't always the easiest or nicest person.  He was ummmm, how do you say full of himself nicely... well after 13 yrs of being together and 11 yrs of marriage, I know that God is an amazing "match maker" because he gave me the only partner that could possibly complete me.  As every marriage does we have had lots of ups and downs, but through it all we support each other and are true partners.  Alot of people believe that there is one person "soul mate" for everyone.  I believe that there is one "partner" for everyone.  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33  My husband supports me when I am right, wrong, or confused!  Not sure if that means he is smart or not so smart.  Point being he supports me!  I pray that God instills the same support in me for all of his decisions!  Marriage can be comical, fun, and exciting if we let it.  On the flip side of that....it can be sad, boring, and a battle if we let it.  My challenge is to all the wives...for the next 24 hours no matter what is going on in your marriage, DO NOT say one "negative" word towards your spouse!  Good luck and leave me some posts of challenges and/ or success! I pray for ALL today. May God Bless You:)

Renewal of personal strength....

So as I left my bible study last night, I was blessed.  Well, convicted.  That room is filled with the most wonderful women and their support over the last couple months has been a blessing on it's own.  Last night after I left, our group remained on my mind for hours! As I was browsing through the next week lesson I decided I had SO much to say and share I thought the "blog" idea was best.  I know I have NO time, but this is comforting to me and is ME time.  So here goes.....With all discussion I think we all realized we needed to pray for individual strength this week!  The enemy has beaten up all our friends and loved ones this week (he knows where we are weak because we can't hide it ourselves). This verse was on my mind when I woke this morning and I felt it was time to share.  You are wearied in the length of your way; yet you did not say "there is no hope".  You have found the life of your hand; therefore you were not grieved. Isaiah 57:10(NIV)  So although I, you, others feel overwhelmed, let-down, beaten, we "in our hearts of all hearts" know that we are covered!  I believe God is telling us that we control the destiny of our thoughts...the enemy can only interfere if we provide him a window.  Let this bless your day and remember you control your faith....may it be strong!

First words to share.

So I decided on the title of this blog because of the steps it has brought me thru during my life so far.  There are days when I question my sanity, ability, and strength to complete my personal to do list.  This verse has held dear to me for so long.  My best friend and I shared this verse with each other years ago and I believe without a doubt that it was sent to us straight from God.  When I felt down or out I could always look back at the notes she left around for me and remember this verse.  Smile there is always a time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)  I wanted to start this to share ideas and happenings in my life, to help you smile...it is proven that if you smile more you WILL live longer than anticipated.  Until tomorrow smile, pray, and share!