Mark 3:25 says, "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."
My husband and I are reading through the book of Mark at the moment and he happen to read this very passage one evening while we were in the middle of an argument. Jesus shook his finger at me as these words were read and all I could do was bow my head in acknowledgement. I knew my pride needed to wither and I needed to become reunited with my husband.
It is Satan's desire to cause discord in the house of unity and he will use any thing to cause disruption. Ever find yourself unable to remember how an argument started or unsure why exactly you are angry? Satan's little mind tricks have worked on us and we took the bull by the horns; setting him free in a china shop with our actions. Blow after blow we strike one another down and why? For what? For selfish gain and out of fear...all attitudes of our enemy.
A marriage, a family unit is a stronge force to be reckoned with against the enemy, should they all be standing together and our enemy certainly knows it. It's a stealthy tactic he uses to turn us against one another. If we can't recognize our pride and selfishness, our fear and hurt and hand them over to the Lord, our houses will certainly crumble.
Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another, just as I love you, so you must love one another..." Paul describes love like this..."Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." No, none of us will be perfect at this technique without a few slips of the flesh from time to time but with this as our families game plan, our house will not be divided against itself. It will stand strong in the face of our adversary. It will be a light to the world for our Abba whose love for us is perfect.
Help us Lord, to be a house united for you!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Day 2 of our Beach Trip
My eyes shot open this morning at 6:46 am at the sound of my husband's loud snores. "I could go for a run." I thought for a brief moment but quickly talked myself out of. After all, it is vacation and sleeping in should be on the agenda. So instead I drifted back off into peaceful sleep. An hour and a half past before I woke again...this time for good. Leaving my snoring prince to continue his slumber, I got to work on his Father's Day breakfast. I was soon greeted with the droopy eyes and smiling faces of my girls. They were hungry and ready to head to the beach. Breakfast almost ready. Bacon, eggs, toast and strawberries were on the menu but they turned up their noses and voted Fruit Loops for themselves. The smells of food brought our guy out of the bed and into the kitchen. "Happy Father's Day!" us girls greeted. With a grin and a thank you, he sat down to eat.
Soaked in sun screen and drapped in bathing suits, we headed outside to gather our things for the beach. Like the first settlers to America, we staked our claim on a plot of sand and called it ours. The Reds quickly got to work on sand mounds and hole digging while I cracked open my book and Seth headed for the waves. Soon after Joci was ready to venture out with Dad, boogie board in hand. Lila, on the other hand, has decided she is much like her mother with no desire to ride the waves. Several times I asked if she wanted to go out but was always answered with a quick "No"...just like the Capital One baby, that one.
Joci is a quick study and learned to boogie board like a champ on this first real day in the ocean. Lila, we discovered, loves the art of sand throwing and not just up in the air...at her sister's head. (She sat in "time out" quite a few times today for that.)
A little girl, bright red hair and able to claim my family if she wanted, came across my path crying and looking for her mommy. I waited a few moments to see if a woman would come to comfort before I approached this pitiful one but no one did and so, gently I asked if I could help her find her mommy and with big puppy dog eyes she agreed with a head nod. Her name was Sidney and after ten feet of walking in the direction she came, dad showed up with a smile and shouted her name. All was right again as she rushed into his arms, back to safty. Thank you Jesus!
I have found myself trying to pray a lot but the Spirit constantly is telling me, I'm covered so I sit in peace. No thoughts, no worries, no longings...very out of character for me to be quite honest but I will admit, I am loving the peace.
The girls have gone to bed without a fight and Seth is out to a movie for some down time on his day. I think I'll take advantage and read a bit more. So far, so perfect!
Soaked in sun screen and drapped in bathing suits, we headed outside to gather our things for the beach. Like the first settlers to America, we staked our claim on a plot of sand and called it ours. The Reds quickly got to work on sand mounds and hole digging while I cracked open my book and Seth headed for the waves. Soon after Joci was ready to venture out with Dad, boogie board in hand. Lila, on the other hand, has decided she is much like her mother with no desire to ride the waves. Several times I asked if she wanted to go out but was always answered with a quick "No"...just like the Capital One baby, that one.
Joci is a quick study and learned to boogie board like a champ on this first real day in the ocean. Lila, we discovered, loves the art of sand throwing and not just up in the air...at her sister's head. (She sat in "time out" quite a few times today for that.)
A little girl, bright red hair and able to claim my family if she wanted, came across my path crying and looking for her mommy. I waited a few moments to see if a woman would come to comfort before I approached this pitiful one but no one did and so, gently I asked if I could help her find her mommy and with big puppy dog eyes she agreed with a head nod. Her name was Sidney and after ten feet of walking in the direction she came, dad showed up with a smile and shouted her name. All was right again as she rushed into his arms, back to safty. Thank you Jesus!
I have found myself trying to pray a lot but the Spirit constantly is telling me, I'm covered so I sit in peace. No thoughts, no worries, no longings...very out of character for me to be quite honest but I will admit, I am loving the peace.
The girls have gone to bed without a fight and Seth is out to a movie for some down time on his day. I think I'll take advantage and read a bit more. So far, so perfect!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Day 1 of our Beach Vacation
With only three bathroom/food/gas fillup stops, we made it to our cozy beach house in seven and a half hours. It was mostly uneventful if you don't include the 15 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic on old faithful (I-20) due to a minor fender bender, oh and the constant job of breaking up a fight about who touched who first between a five and two year old.
As the ocean appeared on the horizon, us girls became giddy in love while Seth breathed a sigh of relief. "WE MADE IT!" There is nothing like seeing the smiles on young girls faces and watching firey red hair blow in the wind as the roar of the ocean breeze rolls in with every wave.
It took about an hour to unpack and get into our bathing suits before our feet were able to soak themselves in salt water. Perfect. The first touch always is, washing away the cares of this world like some powerful potion. Daddy took the oldest red out a little deep for mommy's comfort, but that's what Dad's do...promote courage in the midst of danger. Little Red and I stayed ashore and covered ourselves in sand. Already, close occupants are asking where they got their ginger tops from, confused as they take in the sights of my or my husband's blonde hair.
Hours pass and tummy's grumble. Dinner needs to be had and no grocery's have been bought so back into the car we go after cleaning the grinds of sand from our bottoms. Shopping at Wal-Mart, at the beach, is like shopping on Black Friday. People pushing and shoving, trying to get the last jar of pickles and bottle of wine. "Why don't they stock sufficiently", I wonder as I mozy through the aisles with my train of a cart. You know the one. It has a huge bench seat that attaches to the buggy that my girls INSIST we get but never ride in after five minutes into the shopping trip. Oh well. Stress, interestingly enough, does not find me in this chaos...toes in the ocean already took care of that a while ago.
So back at our home away from home I now sit. Cupboards full, belly full, feet up, relaxing and writing, gazing at the ocean from my back porch seat, missing Mack, who is on a wonderful cruise with his beautiful Mom. Time to hunt for some sea shells. Joci hasn't forgotten that I told her we would tonight and she keeps reminding me every five minutes. Back onto the plush white sand I go!
As the ocean appeared on the horizon, us girls became giddy in love while Seth breathed a sigh of relief. "WE MADE IT!" There is nothing like seeing the smiles on young girls faces and watching firey red hair blow in the wind as the roar of the ocean breeze rolls in with every wave.
It took about an hour to unpack and get into our bathing suits before our feet were able to soak themselves in salt water. Perfect. The first touch always is, washing away the cares of this world like some powerful potion. Daddy took the oldest red out a little deep for mommy's comfort, but that's what Dad's do...promote courage in the midst of danger. Little Red and I stayed ashore and covered ourselves in sand. Already, close occupants are asking where they got their ginger tops from, confused as they take in the sights of my or my husband's blonde hair.
Hours pass and tummy's grumble. Dinner needs to be had and no grocery's have been bought so back into the car we go after cleaning the grinds of sand from our bottoms. Shopping at Wal-Mart, at the beach, is like shopping on Black Friday. People pushing and shoving, trying to get the last jar of pickles and bottle of wine. "Why don't they stock sufficiently", I wonder as I mozy through the aisles with my train of a cart. You know the one. It has a huge bench seat that attaches to the buggy that my girls INSIST we get but never ride in after five minutes into the shopping trip. Oh well. Stress, interestingly enough, does not find me in this chaos...toes in the ocean already took care of that a while ago.
So back at our home away from home I now sit. Cupboards full, belly full, feet up, relaxing and writing, gazing at the ocean from my back porch seat, missing Mack, who is on a wonderful cruise with his beautiful Mom. Time to hunt for some sea shells. Joci hasn't forgotten that I told her we would tonight and she keeps reminding me every five minutes. Back onto the plush white sand I go!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
A piece of heaven
The clock struck three p.m. and out the door, I went; bag over my shoulder full of all things needed to cut hair. Two days ago, a dear friend of mine asked if I would come and cut her parents' hair. Up in age, they are unable to get out of their home, and happily I accepted the opportunity to make a house call. I have met Mr. and Mrs. Evans on one other occasion under the same circumstance; however, since then they have had to move into their other daughter's home (my friend's sister) due to the decline of their health.
As I walked into this unfamiliar place, I was greeted with open arms full of hugs. They all knew me by name. How? I assume my friend had already told them of me but I couldn't be sure. The way they said it, was as if it had been on their lips forever and within seconds, it felt like home. The walls busted at the seams with family members, all there to visit with the couple of sixty six years and to learn from the eyes that had seen much of this life. Did Mr. and Mrs. Evans know they were teaching as they sat in their seperate chairs there in the living room?; teaching of Christ's love over each generation represented that gathered around them (three in all); teaching of commitment and loyalty. I doubt they did but I am certain that as laughter filled the air with stories and jokes floating through, the family learned. I cut hair with slow gentle hands and soaked the moments in...listening, smiling, witnessing. Jesus stroking the hearts of all. Love pouring out of every syllable spoken.
When my work was finished, fresh peaches and strawberries served over warm cream cheese bunt cake was brought to everyone in the room. I sat and ate, the sweet taste on my tongue, cacooned in the romance of my Abba through this wonderful family, listening to the rain. Such peace.
Departing was just as sweet, hugging the necks of all; each whispering words of thanks in my ear. Little did they know, the pleasure was all mine. I received such a blessing being in their midst, an outsider welcomed into this piece of heaven on earth. It will be a moment in time that will remain with me always.
As I walked into this unfamiliar place, I was greeted with open arms full of hugs. They all knew me by name. How? I assume my friend had already told them of me but I couldn't be sure. The way they said it, was as if it had been on their lips forever and within seconds, it felt like home. The walls busted at the seams with family members, all there to visit with the couple of sixty six years and to learn from the eyes that had seen much of this life. Did Mr. and Mrs. Evans know they were teaching as they sat in their seperate chairs there in the living room?; teaching of Christ's love over each generation represented that gathered around them (three in all); teaching of commitment and loyalty. I doubt they did but I am certain that as laughter filled the air with stories and jokes floating through, the family learned. I cut hair with slow gentle hands and soaked the moments in...listening, smiling, witnessing. Jesus stroking the hearts of all. Love pouring out of every syllable spoken.
When my work was finished, fresh peaches and strawberries served over warm cream cheese bunt cake was brought to everyone in the room. I sat and ate, the sweet taste on my tongue, cacooned in the romance of my Abba through this wonderful family, listening to the rain. Such peace.
Departing was just as sweet, hugging the necks of all; each whispering words of thanks in my ear. Little did they know, the pleasure was all mine. I received such a blessing being in their midst, an outsider welcomed into this piece of heaven on earth. It will be a moment in time that will remain with me always.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Cute things my kids did today
This Morning:
There is a running course near my house that ventures around Lake Peachtree. I run it often with my baby girl. She has the pleasure of making my workout a little tougher by riding in her personal carriage that I must push. She is potty training, so before we start our journey, I take her into City Hall (the closest building open at that hour with a public restroom) to use their facilities to try and avoid accidents. While in there this morning, I spotted a rolly polly crawling on the very clean, not yet dirty from lots of traffic, floor. I got excited because Lila Grace has yet to see one of these creatures. "Lila, look!" I said pointing at the insect. At that moment, I poked it until it curled up into it's shell forming a ball and then I proceeded to show my sweet, beautiful little girl how uniquely the rolly polly becomes a ball when feeling threatened. "Ball?" Lila asked. "That's right, Lila. Isn't that neat?" I asked. She looked at me, then looked at the bug then yelled, "NO! SPIDER." Without warning, down her foot came with a splat, squashing the poor rolly polly. Never batting an eye, she strolled out of the bathroom with confidence, having done the public a great service. I could only laugh and shake my head. Her daddy would be proud.
This Evening:
Every Wednesday night, my family and I head to church for bible study and my children are always itching to go with excitement. This week's bible study was a very heavy lesson about the Anti-Christ. After the study, we gathered up our things and headed out into the parking lot, our spirits were a bit somber but the moon light captured all of our attention with it's bright beauty. The solom spirit left quickly and fellowship with other participants of the bible study began. Though usually desolate at this hour, it is still a parking lot and as a mother, one eye is always on my girls as they find adventure in the open space, chasing one another and giggling. Moments go by and I spot my oldest, Jocelyn, swaying as if to music, looking up to the sky. A smile begins to form on my lips as I wonder what she must be hearing. Soon after she begins to blow kisses to the sky, one after another after another. My eyebrows come down on my forehead as more curiosity forms and she catches my gaze. "What?" she asks. "Nothing, just wondering what you are doing." With a giggle and a big smile, she ever so confidently answers with, "Just loving on God, Mommy." My heart became a puddle on the ground and tears welled up in my eyes. Precious, just precious.
There is a running course near my house that ventures around Lake Peachtree. I run it often with my baby girl. She has the pleasure of making my workout a little tougher by riding in her personal carriage that I must push. She is potty training, so before we start our journey, I take her into City Hall (the closest building open at that hour with a public restroom) to use their facilities to try and avoid accidents. While in there this morning, I spotted a rolly polly crawling on the very clean, not yet dirty from lots of traffic, floor. I got excited because Lila Grace has yet to see one of these creatures. "Lila, look!" I said pointing at the insect. At that moment, I poked it until it curled up into it's shell forming a ball and then I proceeded to show my sweet, beautiful little girl how uniquely the rolly polly becomes a ball when feeling threatened. "Ball?" Lila asked. "That's right, Lila. Isn't that neat?" I asked. She looked at me, then looked at the bug then yelled, "NO! SPIDER." Without warning, down her foot came with a splat, squashing the poor rolly polly. Never batting an eye, she strolled out of the bathroom with confidence, having done the public a great service. I could only laugh and shake my head. Her daddy would be proud.
This Evening:
Every Wednesday night, my family and I head to church for bible study and my children are always itching to go with excitement. This week's bible study was a very heavy lesson about the Anti-Christ. After the study, we gathered up our things and headed out into the parking lot, our spirits were a bit somber but the moon light captured all of our attention with it's bright beauty. The solom spirit left quickly and fellowship with other participants of the bible study began. Though usually desolate at this hour, it is still a parking lot and as a mother, one eye is always on my girls as they find adventure in the open space, chasing one another and giggling. Moments go by and I spot my oldest, Jocelyn, swaying as if to music, looking up to the sky. A smile begins to form on my lips as I wonder what she must be hearing. Soon after she begins to blow kisses to the sky, one after another after another. My eyebrows come down on my forehead as more curiosity forms and she catches my gaze. "What?" she asks. "Nothing, just wondering what you are doing." With a giggle and a big smile, she ever so confidently answers with, "Just loving on God, Mommy." My heart became a puddle on the ground and tears welled up in my eyes. Precious, just precious.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
He does exist
"...But woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short.” Revelation 12:12
Satan certainly exists in our world and his purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to shut you down, lock you up, keep you quiet about the truth of Christ until your death and relentlessly he will try to use the woes of this world to certainly do just that. He will tell you, "You are not worthy, no one cares about you; You are unattractive, undesirable, beyond reconciliation. God let all this happen to you...." And he doesn't stop there.
Scripture says "... he [Satan, himself] masquerades as an angel of light." (2 Corinthian 11:14) So not only does he come at us with fury to destroy our confidence in Christ but he also has the ability to decieve us into thinking that what he is lying to us about is truth, is right (i.e. we have the right to treat others with crudeness and judgement because they have hurt us, are not in our circle of status, take up offenses..so on and so on), and convince us that Christ would be ok with all of it because He doesn't want us to subject ourselves to hurt...right? In Matthew 4, he used scripture to try to trip up Christ Himself and he will certainly pull that on you to try to get you to not walk in the truth.
This all sounds so defeating but here's the kicker...HE HAS ALREADY BEEN DEFEATED!!!
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[e] Colossians 2:13-15
The powers and authorities of Satan have been disarmed by the cross! All the accusations he brings against you, all the lies he tells you, the deception, the blame, the shame, all of it has been canceled out by the blood of the lamb for those who believe. Don't give him the power he does not have. Don't let him take your testimony away from you. Don't let him steal the joy and peace that Christ died to give you. You have the power inside of you that defeated your enemy. Recall it, use it, trust it, live it and walk in peace!
because he knows that his time is short.” Revelation 12:12
Satan certainly exists in our world and his purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to shut you down, lock you up, keep you quiet about the truth of Christ until your death and relentlessly he will try to use the woes of this world to certainly do just that. He will tell you, "You are not worthy, no one cares about you; You are unattractive, undesirable, beyond reconciliation. God let all this happen to you...." And he doesn't stop there.
Scripture says "... he [Satan, himself] masquerades as an angel of light." (2 Corinthian 11:14) So not only does he come at us with fury to destroy our confidence in Christ but he also has the ability to decieve us into thinking that what he is lying to us about is truth, is right (i.e. we have the right to treat others with crudeness and judgement because they have hurt us, are not in our circle of status, take up offenses..so on and so on), and convince us that Christ would be ok with all of it because He doesn't want us to subject ourselves to hurt...right? In Matthew 4, he used scripture to try to trip up Christ Himself and he will certainly pull that on you to try to get you to not walk in the truth.
This all sounds so defeating but here's the kicker...HE HAS ALREADY BEEN DEFEATED!!!
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[e] Colossians 2:13-15
The powers and authorities of Satan have been disarmed by the cross! All the accusations he brings against you, all the lies he tells you, the deception, the blame, the shame, all of it has been canceled out by the blood of the lamb for those who believe. Don't give him the power he does not have. Don't let him take your testimony away from you. Don't let him steal the joy and peace that Christ died to give you. You have the power inside of you that defeated your enemy. Recall it, use it, trust it, live it and walk in peace!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Step Moms
Jocelyn, my five year old, asked me last week if her and I could go out on "a date", just her and me. Of course, I was thrilled at the suggestion and began to make arrangements in our schedule to accomendate. A fairy tale movie adventure pricked our hearts, thus leading us to the theater on this Saturday evening to escape into Mirror, Mirror, a twist on Grimms telling of Snow White.
It went as many a fairy tale goes; a princess taken hostage by her evil step mother due to the death of both mother and father later to be rescued by the handsome, brave, valient prince. It was a thrilling and humorous tale and enjoyed greatly by my daughter and myself...but it left me wondering, "Why are step mothers always depicted as "evil". "
I have the great privilage of being a step mother and have sought the Lord earnestly on how best to be in this role. Some say that being a mom is the hardest job given to a woman but I will honestly admit that being a step mom is even harder. You are handed this precious child to love and cherish as your own (a thing that takes lots of prayer and petition), knowing that in return, you will never quite receive that same amount of love in return, and rightfully so. [May I just add here that I also have the privilage of a great friendship with Mack's mom. She is an amazing woman and mother and I am very honored that she finds me worthy to help raise her son.] He or she will always love their own mother much more than you. If in a crowded room, with their mom on one side and you on the other, without your spouse (the child's other biological parent), the child will always go to the one who gave birth to him, first. It is a very tough postition but when he does choose to catch your eye with a smile and wave, it is a heart melting thing.
While it is the toughest job in my life, I absolutely love it and I'll admit, Mack is one of a kind and the son I've always dreamed of. I hate the word "step" and rarely use it when speaking of my relation with Mack. The Lord has taught me so much through and because of him and I wouldn't change what we are for anything in the world. It took some time but our relationship with one another has flourished into something very beautiful and I fail to see myself as the "evil step mother" through his eyes. He readily hugs on me and tells me he loves me on a daily basis. My prayer is that he always will.
So, I write for all the step parents, who have sought for a healthy relationship with their step children and say, "May the Lord bless your selflessness. You are noticed and appreciated for all your efforts and not the "evil one" the movies, and sometimes society, think you are." No, it is not the ideal situation for child or parent but with God's help, it can be used for His good and glory.
Thank you Mack and Kim, for making my position much easier than most have ability to say. Our story is one that SHOULD be in the fairy tale books.
It went as many a fairy tale goes; a princess taken hostage by her evil step mother due to the death of both mother and father later to be rescued by the handsome, brave, valient prince. It was a thrilling and humorous tale and enjoyed greatly by my daughter and myself...but it left me wondering, "Why are step mothers always depicted as "evil". "
I have the great privilage of being a step mother and have sought the Lord earnestly on how best to be in this role. Some say that being a mom is the hardest job given to a woman but I will honestly admit that being a step mom is even harder. You are handed this precious child to love and cherish as your own (a thing that takes lots of prayer and petition), knowing that in return, you will never quite receive that same amount of love in return, and rightfully so. [May I just add here that I also have the privilage of a great friendship with Mack's mom. She is an amazing woman and mother and I am very honored that she finds me worthy to help raise her son.] He or she will always love their own mother much more than you. If in a crowded room, with their mom on one side and you on the other, without your spouse (the child's other biological parent), the child will always go to the one who gave birth to him, first. It is a very tough postition but when he does choose to catch your eye with a smile and wave, it is a heart melting thing.
While it is the toughest job in my life, I absolutely love it and I'll admit, Mack is one of a kind and the son I've always dreamed of. I hate the word "step" and rarely use it when speaking of my relation with Mack. The Lord has taught me so much through and because of him and I wouldn't change what we are for anything in the world. It took some time but our relationship with one another has flourished into something very beautiful and I fail to see myself as the "evil step mother" through his eyes. He readily hugs on me and tells me he loves me on a daily basis. My prayer is that he always will.
So, I write for all the step parents, who have sought for a healthy relationship with their step children and say, "May the Lord bless your selflessness. You are noticed and appreciated for all your efforts and not the "evil one" the movies, and sometimes society, think you are." No, it is not the ideal situation for child or parent but with God's help, it can be used for His good and glory.
Thank you Mack and Kim, for making my position much easier than most have ability to say. Our story is one that SHOULD be in the fairy tale books.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)