I Need a Pedicure ….

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15).

My feet don’t hurt today. Usually I can feel an ache in my feet; not today. Perhaps thats a good thing.

I don’t usually look at feet – typically thy are the last thing that matters to me. I own a couple pairs of shoes, mostly boots, they are worn and if you look close…the soles are almost gone. So close to nothing….Almost …. they are weary and worn ,… like me

What about those feet though? Those feet IN the boots? Are they as worn, as torn up? They are safe, mostly protected from cold and wet and muddiness…..Safe in those boots (makes me think of us out in this nasty, mudy world – yet still wearing Him, safe with Him)

I need a pedicure. To take the ache from my feet. I need a pedicure to get me up and off my feet. Don’t you know….feet are lovely. ovely when they are sharing the gospel. Lovely when they are serving those who are “the least of these…”

Where have my feet taken me lately? I haven’t been out and about much – mostly in my garden; tending seeds and plants and berry bushes, apple trees……Wait, my little ones have been with me. My feet have been with them – teaching them, showing them the glory of God’s creation – the beauty and the power in these things He created, for us! For us to enjoy and tend to

Where have my feet been? They have been preaching to an aunt who is ill – Alzheimers and cancer – its a sickness only He can cure. She needs a pedicure.

We all need a pedicure some days. To clean our feet up; to brush them off – or mayve to get them dirty. I think maybe getting them dirty speaks more than having clean, pretty feet. What do you think?

All I know is I want people to see the Gospel in me; when I am out and about – my feet, let them show Him. Let them guide other to Him.

I think maybe…..just maybe…I can skip that pedicure…and go for a mudbath! Getting my feet dirty…..for HIs glory!

See The Light – Creative Fun!

See the Light; Drawing Children to Him.

When it comes to art I have zero talent! Zip … zilch … I had a three year old tell m,e recently that my “sun” was nothing more than a “bad square” haha

My oldest son, who is soon to be eight, on the other hand is very talented already. He loves to draw and paint and can sit for hours sometimes with colored pencils and a paintbrush …

I can only dream of having that kind of skill myself. But I do love encouraging his creative spirit. And so when I had the chance to review the See the Light DVD I was beyond thrilled (as was my son) In fact Tyler himself chose the Joseph video to review and did he hunt down our mail man. Every day. Until it arrived.

I love the Biblical story woven into the lesson – each piece of the process goes along with a portion of the story of Joseph itself. Very accurate too. I like that! A lot.

The directions are simple – it moved a bit too fast at some points for my son so we did do a lot of rewinding and pausing but that is a definite perk to lessons in this format too. As my son would progress, there were some things he struggled with a bit more than others. They could have broken down a bit more, some of the images (the corn and the stars) for helping little hands to really get how to draw them (stars are hard right?)

My son was so busy with this though – he made his own way. Loved the variety of colors he was encouraged to use – the coat of many colors – how he loved that part especially!

I really do love this as a tool for learning and am hoping we can come by a couple more of these as time goes by. My son was actively engaged and that can be hard to do with a little boy. He was fascinated by the process and quite pleased with the detail he put into his work of art!

Its a start that’s for sure. And the variety of programs that this company offers – WOW – all I can say is just WOW. A wonderful tool especially for those of us who are artistically impaired! haha

As you can see even the little ones find a way to See the Light

Blessings!

When Jesus Wept

….Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus…..

“Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick”

“Now Jesus loved… Lazarus”

I have heard of Bodie Thoene – I have never taken the time however to read one of her books until I was given the opportunity to review When Jesus Wept. Typically I am not one for fiction as I tend to disapprove of the lack of scriptural support in most books.I find too that often there are more liberties taken, embellihing stories with things that perhaps we should not be seeking to know.

But this was intriguing. Lazarus and Jesus We all know he was raised from the dead. But how many of us have found Lazarus to be the only one, other than “the disciple whom He loved” the Bible says Jesus loved?

Scripture does not have much to say regarding the friendship between Lazarus and Jesus. There is much mystery surrounding Lazarus. Few and far between is the name of Lazarus, yet we know “Jesus wept” prior to raising Lazarus. We read too that the Jews that were there “weeping” with his sisters attributed it to Jesus’ love for him (Fourth gospel 11:19, 33 & 36).

I was a bit disappointed there was not more of a scriptural reference but I admit that the benefit to that was that I spent quite some time seeking out Lazarus in my BIble after reading this. The raising of Lazarus is not a fictional story; its no fairy tale – it is a true historical event. And there is much I do believe we can learn from studying it more closely. As I read, and delved into my Bible as well, I saw how serious this event really wasand how deeply it impacted so many people.

I enjoyed “When Jesus Wept” overall and am eager to read more books by this talented husband and wife team. I do recommend to those who enjoy inspirational biblical fiction.

For more information, visit the Bodie and Brook’s website at thoenebooks.com.

This book was provided by the Liftuse blogtour program in exchange for my honest review.

Lately I am feeling very surreal – outside

Lately I am feeling very surreal – outside looking in – on my home, church, family….its something else….

I am a reflective person – I like deep thinking – I guess its why I don’t have more friends. My inability to just “go with the flow” – my need to se beyond what is right in front of my face and dig…deeper and deeper…..

Most people seem to just prefer going with “what you see is what you get”

I can appreciare transparency. Really I can. I think I am fairly transparent. I don’t have tie for deception, or games…I barely remember to bruh my hair some mornings my time is so limited. Not complaining – my little ones are my joy – but its true. My time is limited. I have a short fuse for it being “played with” let’ say

So maybe I am in a bad place Maybe I really am just going into a deeper place with God. Who knows. I trut Him as I journey regardless. I have faith in His promises too

So my husband comes home last night to tell me we could have a six figure household….but he blew it. I guess he was offered a job last fall – the invitation to interview never even came up …. Six figures…wow…. He wanted to know if he did the wrong thing “back then”

Does it matter? Too late now – no looking back. More money i always nice but then I get to thinking – More money means more chances for vacation. More stuff. Have I ever mentioned how tired I am of stuff? Seriously – it everywhere and I seem to be the only one who sees it (even if someone else trips over it mind you!)

That got me to thinking……So many opportunities come our way in life. Some we disregard and others we consider. Why do we not pray on these things when they come to us? Let Him direct our steps – So many things we dismiss that I bet, coud be used for His glory.

Are we trusting Him? Are we seking Him in every little thing? It all matters to Him – big or small. My oldest, when he was really little and began playing Super Mario – he would ask for God’s help to complete levels; to stay alive. I thought it was silly then. But talk about taking it ALL to God. It matters.

Its hard to believe. Its hard to remember. I have been stuck lately. Stuck like a bug in a jar of jam. I have always felt, everywhere I have been in life, an outsider looking in. I have always been the “wallflower” Isn’t that what they called the girls at school dances that just stood and never danced?

I think sometimes as I sit in our church or as I am watching my kiddos play at the ark – Watching people – trying not to be too judgemental but wonderng – is it all a mask? The group of women that sticks together like glue – they don’t notice the lonely mom in the corner – they don’t see the child crying on the swing – they look pretty, perfect in every way – but are they? They don’t seem real.

We spend too much time trying to be pretty. Trying to be someone that people want to know. Why? I mean some days I care about thee things; most days I shudder when I think of it all. Fashion, make up, those high heels that make my feet hurt (and I am not wearing them) and I wonder why? What is the gain? Itd whats within.

We try too hard. Or maybe we don’t try enough. Either way lately I feel rather; alone and not very loved. I know – I know – love me or hate me. Its okay. I have a great God who loves me so much – as. I. am. Perfectly. In His image.

It doesnt take away the feeling of being outside of everything that comes over me now and then. But I trust Him. And I know no matter how alone I feel; no matter how out of place I feel – Its enough that He chose me. I will never understand why but I am blessed that He did.

Glory!

Are you Full?

Philippians 4:11-12: I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Why i it so difficult to be content with what we have ? Why is it so many are always seeking bigger and better? It seem some folks can never have enough. How can we “be full” for the glory of God?

In 1675 it was written by Rev. Burroughs writes, “A Christian is taught by God to know how to be full.” He continues, “There are many who would gladly hear a lesson on how they could obtain fullness, but they do not consider it as necessary to learn how to sanctify God in their fullness.
If I could preach a sermon or two on how you could supply your wants and how you could obtain wealth, I have no question that our church would be filled with people.
This would be the case if I were to teach poor people how they could get rich, or teach those who are disgraced how they could get honor, and the like.
But, I am teaching you a lesson from God rather than man, and that is much better.
It is a better lesson for one to learn how to honor God in fullness than to learn how to get full.”

How true it is, even more, today! We need to learn how to prosper and yet be content. I do believe we need to spend more time in prayer; seeking from Him, how we may be full for His glory.

This was a wonderful addition to my ibrary – something I believe we all need to understand more. In a world that says we can never have enough we need the truth that much more today. He is the only one who can fill us full – He is all we need. As for all that we have, does not every good gift come from above? And as stewards of thee “things” should we not be sure that we use them, evermore, to glorify Him and to further.

No truer words have been spoken than: I must decrease that He may increase.

Contentment, Prosperity and God’s Glory is a treasure that everyone should read; take your time and approach it in prayer. There are amazing truths here we should all seek to live out.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory by Jeremiah Burroughs for free from Cross Focused Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

We have all wondered at some time

We have all wondered at some time – what is Heaven like? What will we experience in the “afterlife”? While I tend to be wary of indulging too much in materials that speak (outside of the Bible’s authority) on what happens next; I was curious enough to take a chance and review The Gate when I was given the opportunity.

The description says: When an ad for a vacation cottage catches the eye of a man on the edge of burnout, he impulsively sets off to visit the property while his wife and daughters are away. When he arrives and is ushered through the gate, he finds something far different from the typical vacation retreat. In fact, it seems he may have found the back door to heaven. The proprietor and people from his past welcome him with food, rest, and conversation until what started out as a little escape from everyday life turns into an experience he will never forget.

So let me say while I loved the writing and the concept of this book, I was torn truly. Much like The Shack this is a sweet, inspiring tale sure to bring a peace and comfort to one in need. However, as in The Shack, I fear the liberties taken, representing our Lord and Savior can be very dangerou to one’s salvation.

I have been told many time now that I need to read fiction as fiction and apologetics as apologetics but I do believe that there are some things we need to just trust God in. Its about showing faith. All that we need to know is within His word. The Bible is the only source we need. If we need to know, it’s in there

That said, this could be a wonderful read for someone in need of comfort; someone who is in the eye of the storm BUT we must remember that this is fiction. We need to be wise and discerning testing all things. As it is written: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?- I Kings 3:9

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Working Through it All …

I have been struggling….inside … I am one who believe in keeping thing separate. I do’t mix work and play. What is in the home stays in the home. I like my privacy. I like my alone time. I like things neat – in their place – in order.

Life is not always like that. Sometimes we convince ourselves that it is but it really isn’t.

Surprise!!!

Balloons and confetti – it a mess. Most people are thrilled; there is joy; excitement…I am not most people…..I jut want to get the broom and clean this place up.

Since our exchange daughter has been moved (due to the whole “God thing” a the program called it!!?) its been quieter here. But its also been messy here. Her desire to experience the world; the struggle he went through with us, caused her to have a new family for the rest of her time here. But once the move was in place she wanted to stay. he begged to stay. Her desire to be a part of both worlds has been a struggle for me too. ‘

I admit – I am more of a hermit by nature. I enjoy quiet time; solitude. Maybe its becaue I homeschool – I have three little ones, so every moment is go. go. go. When I get to ettle down and then another need comes to me…I admit it – my servants heart is not what it could be. I could see opportunities for ministering, but instead, often, I see things being “taken” from me. Our “daughter” was like that.

She was a teenager; far from home. she was emotional; she was conflicted in many things. I can not fault her for being a child. I cannot blame her or be angry at her for actions that are typical of a sinful child – actions that we are all guilty of at one time in our life. Who has not been forceful about getting something they have their heart set on – no matter the cost? Who has not been selfish, who has not been sad and angry> Who has not wanted to be something more than what we are? She is a child.

I am working through all of these emotions. I did not realize I was as fond of her as I was. I did not realize that my distance was not as I thought it was. Yet she is in a different place now and her desire to be where she was in the beginning cannot be taken lightly. There is so much involved her.

She was born again; water baptised; holy ghost filled….She does not need us -she needs to pray – she needs to go to Him.

I need to care for my little one. A confusing time for them; frustrating for me. When the last thing I want is to teach them how much strife really does come with being a child of God. sigh

They need to know. They need to be taught to be strong and to have faith in Him. They need to be taught and shown how to forgive; how to pray for thoe who persecute u and how to continue to show Him in all we do even as it all come against us. And they need to know that we all have struggles working through it all

It is not simple. The life oas His child i a struggle. But we need to focus on the peace and the joy that come from knowing Him – from being His. We need to remember that we are all sinners. It does not get easier because we are born again; the infilling of the Holy Ghost does not take away the desire for sin. But it does give us everything we need to be strong in His name.

I pray for the trength to love and forgive even in those times when it is hardrd. That my little ones may see and understand that no matter the troubles; His grace is enough. And when we are weak, HE is strong.