Getting out of the boat

In Matthew 14:29 it says: Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came towards Jesus.

With that in mind, I took a step out of "my boat". I am not the type of person who loves to entertain or host events or parties. Not because I am not a social person, but because I think about the little details and turn down the dark road...the selfish road - the worry road. I think, "My house is too messy", "I wouldn't know what to cook", or  "my house is not nice enough, or my kids are so wild how will they act for guests?! " or "I'm just not willing to go all out, I'm a mom of three and just am too tired....."

These are all thoughts Satan uses to stop us from doing good works, like hosting- and showing hospitality.

 In Romans 12:13 it says: 

Share with Gods people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Wow! I read this and felt so convicted that I have not been doing this as Jesus calls us to do. He wants us to do this for everyone, not just our family and friends.

So, when I heard that His little feet were stopping in Geneseo and needed a host family-to keep them overnight. I took the chance, I took this opportunity to trust God and get out of the boat. 

Just like Peter did, he got out of the boat, he trusted Jesus would let him walk on water. He walked toward Jesus. Peter took a chance and had an amazing experience no one else had! (Yes, he later took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink- but Jesus pulled him out.) But I'm just speaking about the getting out of the boat. No one else did. He was blessed by his willingness to get out of his comfort, safety zone. He had a God filled moment, one of pure connection with Jesus.

I feel God blessed our family by this experience and I can say it was more meaningful to me (to all of us) than I thought it ever could be. To meet my new friends from India was a gift. I will treasure the short time I had them in our home, to talk, laugh, play games and to eat with them. My kids were able to learn about other kids in different places of the world- in particular India. They were able to see how we can bless others just by feeding, playing and talking- I want them to see how easy this was- I want them to not miss future opportunities. I want them to have a better mind set then I did.

Thank you Jesus for these children who can travel and sing praises to you. Thank you for convicting me to open my doors to your people. I am forever grateful. 

Our prayers will be with our new friends as they travel back home. I encourage anyone to look into 

Http:/hislittlefeet.org  

The organization is amazing and these kids can sing and dance right into your hearts. 

Hebrews 13:2 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

The Christian metamorphosis-transformation from the inside out

At my home we decided to order "the cup" of caterpillars from the online website called insectlore. This would be so fun because as a family, we could watch these caterpillars change into butterflies. So, with this science experiment I personally was very excited for the kids. I learned later on, I was almost more excited than the kids...

After we received the cup of caterpillars in the mail, I could feel my anxiety heighten because these creature's lives were now in my hands- literally. I took the cup and placed them into my child's room in a safe place and we all enjoyed watching them wiggle and move around. (for about 5 minutes-haha)

I started a journal for the kids and everyday we would look at the little tiny caterpillars and write updates on what they were doing. We talked about their changes and what we thought would happen soon.
The changes started after a couple weeks- they grew larger and fatter. They slowed down in movement, they climbed their way to the top of the cup where they hung down making their "J" shape. Then it was time to transfer them to the large netted butterfly home I had bought for my daughter. After I pinned the disc with all the "J" shaped caterpillars onto the side we waited with an excitement to see the butterflies emerge. Days passed and we waited. I thought about what was happening to the inside of these little creatures. Then I read a paragraph from a website about the changes that were happening to the caterpillars, out loud to the kids:

"The transformation itself is amazing. Think of it as recycling -- if you drop a plastic bottle off in the recycling bin, it can be melted down into an entirely different shape. This is what happens inside the chrysalis. Much of the body breaks itself down into imaginal cells, which are undifferentiated -- like stem cells, they can become any type of cell. The imaginal cells put themselves back together into a new shape. A few parts of the body, such as the legs, are more or less unchanged during this process".

Wow. The insides of caterpillars change, they liquefy. They break down and are made into a whole new insect. The DNA changes. It is a total transformation! It made me think of this verse from the bible in

2 Corinthians 5:17-Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, and the new has come."

Our creator God, has made the caterpillar change from an ugly little caterpillar that can only crawl on the ground to a beautiful, colorful butterfly that can fly in the air and surround itself with beautiful colorful flowers in the light of the warm sun.

As we are born into this world, we have a gift. We have a choice to make. We can accept the free gift that God offers to us- his gift of salvation.

 He is willing to take our old sinful nature and transform us into something better- something stronger and more amazing by the grace of his love! He wants to change us from the inside out. He wants to transform us by filling us with his Holy spirit and rebuilding us back with the love he can only provide. The joy and the love only He can put into our hearts.

 God is our creator, and he loves us. He wants us to be like the beautiful butterfly that can fly in the air, and be bold and bright. He wants us to see the beauty in the bright colorful flowers. He wants us to enjoy all the beauty in his creation. This is a gift that if offered to you.

 Do you want to change and leave the ugly past behind? Do you want to let go of your guilt of sin and know that you have a father in heaven who forgives you? Do you want to start a new life that will lead you to happiness and love- one that has a promise of eternal life with Christ?

Take the gift He offers to you if you haven't- The transformation you experience in the walk of Christianity is amazing. Its not always easy, just as the caterpillars have a long journey, they have to work hard and its exhausting in times. But God provides the times of rest for the caterpillars, and he will for you as well.

Our God is a perfect God, one who loves more than we can ever imagine- one who is merciful, forgiving and awesome. This is the God who has a plan for your life, and wants you to know and trust Him in all you do. He will be your redeemer- he will transform your life!

Understanding the names of God

If you know me at all, you know that I am a dedicated  BSF attendee. I have been a "member" since 2007. So, I do mention this bible study quite a bit in my blog.  Because of BSF, I have studied the bible in such depth that it has helped me understand God and all of his traits better. Building a deep relationship with God is how you grow deeper with the understanding and knowledge of what He wants for you. Your purpose of life. "The" purpose of life. Its really amazing to have that peace and comfort you attain through his blessings.  And really to know Him better is the only way to do this.

Being a leader in BSF,  I learned to pray in a different way. Of course I pray my own way, but there is the prayer circle at BSF that is amazing. As a leader, you gather together in a circle of wise women for prayer once a week. Starting with praising God for all he has done for you, then they continue with worshiping Him in all his names, and glorifying Him, then sending our requests to him, etc. Well one thing I really loved about this was the praising him by names. God has more than one name you ask?! Yes! He is still the One God Almighty- Jesus Christ, but has different names to know Him better and describe his divine nature.

To learn the Hebrew and Greek of the bible is so important in learning how to get more depth the bible offers....you can put things together so much easier when you learn the history of the jewish culture, etc.

So, I wanted to list some of the names I like to use when I feel like praising or crying out to my God, my heavenly father.  I actually wrote this list of names in my prayer journal to reference to.  You can find many more names, but these are my favorite to use. Here is a great site to see more Names of God.

Jehovah- Yahweh- God-a reference to the Lord's Divine Salvation
Jehovah-Jirah- God will provide
Jehova Rapha- Lord Our healer God
Adonai- Lordship of God
El Elyon- Most high God
Elohim- God the power and might
El Shaddai-  All Sufficient God
El Roi- The God who sees me

There are so many more names of our one true God. Learning these names, can open your eyes to many of His awesome attributes. God is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords. There is no one higher than Him. We serve an amazing, loving, passionate, merciful, all knowing, patient God. I have no idea why some fight to not believe in Him. If you just take the time to learn his word, your heart and eyes will be open to his power in your life. Its only something you can see for yourself to fully understand it. I pray that anyone who reads this, feels the need to learn more about Jesus today!

Slowing down...

Some days I feel like I just want to stay home, enjoy the comfort of where I know best. Being a mama of three children, I am always driving somewhere whether it is to school, pick up from school, grocery store, guitar lessons, soccer games, BSF bible study, or playdates, or many other things on the to-do list.

I know many moms feel they have to be somewhere at all times, going here or there, doing this or that. Well at least that was me. I am now realizing I want to live the slow life. I want to slow down. I want to not rush my kids out the door all the time. I don't like chaos- and I do not handle it well.  Who really does? I find I snap at the kids easier, and feel stressed out which makes for a grouchy wife and mama...and friend. Chaos comes with more than one can handle. Why do we feel we can handle way more than we really ought to?  Society puts pressure on us- but we don't need to follow the worlds way.

 I also have my own photography business that I have built up in the last three years, and I am so grateful to have been blessed with it. Love snapping photos, love my camera, and love my clients.  I have come to realize, I really love it- but my children are so precious and only small for a few years. I need to balance my hobby/business. I need to make a plan Stan. So all can wait. All can be balanced when you really want balance. Just weigh out your choices. Go with your heart.

So, as I sit here and think about how nice the day was (especially being a snow day-no school), I encourage you to slow down too. I know this is not a mind stopping, super awesome blog post you are going to jump with joy after reading. Sorry, you probably wont ever get those from me-haha
But, at least think about what is most important to you, and what you want to enjoy in this life. Its okay to live the slow life. Enjoy what your kids are saying to you- now you can listen. Look around at the home you have made for yourself, and be grateful. Take time to read your bible, and have time in solitude with Jesus. I like to go into my closet. Dark and peaceful. Play with your kids. Get crafty. Read a novel. Bake cookies. Then do insanity. haha

Enjoy life. Slow it down, and just relax. Breathe. All will be well with your soul.....

New Christians

So, I spoke this into my phone one day as I was testing out my new iPhone, and thought the voice memos were really cool. HA! That's my life people!  So, in doing so I just came up with this..(click on the pink link below "New Christians") I linked this audio rather than re-type the message I saved. Hopefully this is easy for you to hear, and maybe will help someone out there understand the walk is not always easy and you must persevere! I hope this link works for you.
                                                           New Christians

Understanding what your treasure is....

Do you ever wonder what your true treasure is? For some it is their family, or their kids. It may be their best friend, or maybe a more materialistic approach. It may be your finances, or home, your things, your car, what clothing you wear, what brand purses your own, or the designer boots and shoes in your closet.

For those who see any of the about as your true treasure, your highest possession in life- you are missing out on something truly better. Now, as I type this, I am not being judgmental by any means. I was actually convicted on this matter and wanted to share my personal struggles to show you all your not alone if the above may be true! I love my kids and family. I would die for my children any day, really I would!
 I also enjoy things, and it feels good to have a nice pair of leather boots. I have fun shopping and sometimes think too highly of it. 
But after reading Matthew chapter 13, the parable of the treasure and the hidden pearl I realized this. We are going to miss out on the BIG picture of life if we don't know who Jesus is...if we don't see him as our TREASURE.  If we don't know him, there is no hope of salvation. There is no peace and security in your life. If we don't understand how real and true this is, we will be lost souls. wondering what our purpose in life is, never being content in being you.

I have friends who say they believe in a "higher" power or worship other false gods. I know this is a touchy subject to write on if you are a non-believer ...that they have the right to choose their God. And they ask why do I think my God is the true one. I don't have an answer for them except this: My God has changed my life, I have felt the Holy Spirit, I am growing closer to Jesus every day, I see my heart loving more, and I also can feel his presence.   I have had answered prayers that I know was answered by an amazing God that loves me for being me. I do not need to earn his love, I do not need to do things to be saved. I am saved by grace because He loves me so.

In that, I want to honor Him by sharing this with others. My life could have ended with sex, drugs, and rock and roll people. (okay, a little exaggerated, but you get the picture right?) But it didn't.  God never left me though I didn't care to know Him or learn who he was. But he was patient, he let me learn the hard way- as a parent does for their child. So I am ever grateful.

If you are searching to find fulfillment in life, or feel misled by the worldly ways- know this. God is waiting for you to find Him. All you need to do is call out and ask Him to come into your heart. Easy as that! Your life may not be miraculously changed the next day, but I promise you this- you will feel a change. Your mind will start dwelling on things you may have avoided or wanted to ignore. the Holy Spirit will begin cleaning you out from the inside. Your true treasure is free, and eternal! Not only do you live a life of peace in this earthly life- you get a bonus of eternity with your maker- God!I pray you find it, the treasure worth more than anything soon and hold it dearly in your heart, mind and soul.

 Matthew 13:44-45 says this:

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it

Do I need to say it again??

How many times as a mom do you repeat things to your children?  I know with my three little ones, I feel that I am saying things over and over and over and over and over...well you get the point. Most days my kids will hear me (after about the 5th time), obey and follow my instruction until the next morning. Then its back to teaching and repeating all over again. Anyone with me?

So, as I was complaining to my mom about this exact problem, it occurred to me that I am just like my kids. I hear Gods commands and I hear them over and over- and most days I will try to remind myself to follow his instructions. But some days I wake up and fail. So that day, I need to hear it again and again and again and let that sink in to my little human brain.

God provides two amazing teaching guides. One, the Bible- Gods word of truth. The second, the Holy Spirit. They go hand in hand. Like peanut butter and jelly, like coffee and creamer, or hugs and kisses. So with one, you will grow the other- the Holy Spirit never leaves you once you have it, but it will grow so much stronger as you read the bible. The bible is a great place to start if you are not so sure what you believe or think- and you will be guided the more time you spend there, pages open and all. If you just need help understanding what you are reading- pray about it and get involved with a bible study that focuses on learning Gods word. A great place to do that is www.bsfinternational.org

 

But I find myself needing to be there every day and if I miss, I forget how to live the life I want to live and need to be reminded that I need that instruction for my life..because life seems to get too stressful, or I am not at peace, or I make mistakes I shouldn't. Just like my kids.

So, as your children have to be taught and told how to behave, how to treat their friends and family, how to take care of themselves- how to think, we too are like them. God is our Father, and he is constantly shaping us, our hearts and minds to produce fruits of the Spirit. To live a life to love Him and to love others. To share His word and be a testimony of how he loves us and changes us on a daily basis.  He wants a relationship with us, and how can we have that if we are not listening to his teaching or choosing selective hearing on things he wants us to hear? (my kids will selectively hear too, and they miss the big picture!)

The next time you find yourself frustrated with your little loves for repeating yourself for the 100th time, remember we are shown patience and love from our Heavenly Father every day and we too need to show them patience.  Learn and live.

 Colossians 3:12  says this:       

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience

When death happens...

When death happens, it seems to always remind me that we will all die one day. Its like eye opening to the fact- that we are not invincible.  We may not be around next year or the next day......a little dark, but so true.

 Over this Christmas break, I lost my father in law who I was very close with and loved dearly. After the funeral, and the family has all returned home, it made me think more about life. What a precious gift it is. Everyday is a gift. Even those days you cant wait to end, when the kids are taking all your clean clothes out of the laundry basket, milk is being spilled, your dog has had an accident in the house and you can't get anything productive done that day. Even those days are truly a gift.

Life is so short, shorter for some, longer for others. I am 33 years old and can't believe it. I have three kids, and have been married 10 years already. It seems like yesterday I was in college....so glad those days are behind me (I was a wild child). But, we are given an amount of time in this life, and we can make the best of it if we choose, or the opposite.

I have known people to blame the world for their circumstances, never taking on full responsibility for their actions. I have seen people live a life where they refuse God, they refuse to believe Jesus is the Messiah. These people, I have seen struggle and go down paths and not come back.  Knowing Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the true God can change your life!

I was pregnant with my first born Denver when I was 25 years old. I did believe in God, but didn't know him all that well. I felt that the holy spirit called me during this time and I took the chance to know Him more. And so grateful I did!! Just because I knew God and believed in him, I didn't really have a relationship. That's the important part of your walk! Just like if you are married and don't have a relationship with your spouse- that could be a big problem in your marriage!

I encourage anyone who reads this to take that chance if you don't know who Jesus is to open Matthew in the bible and read it. The bible is the only way to hear and see the truth. As you read the bible,  God will speak to you- just as He as done to me. You wont hear an audible voice, but you will feel something in your heart....give it time, it will get stronger. Pray and ask for help understanding. It will be given.

If you don't know Jesus, and you die- well you won't be with Jesus.
 Its scary and sad. I want everyone to take the chance and begin a new life or relationship with Jesus as your savior.  So, think about your life, and remember it not going to last forever.

When you die, you leave stuff behind. All the stuff is just stuff for others to go through, give away, or throw away. The legacy you choose to leave will be remembered and left behind as well. Hmm, what else? Pictures, memories, and possibly children too- all left behind on this earth. Those are important, but what I encourage you to look at is knowing your own destination after death- there is security in knowing you will be in Heaven with Christ. It is comfort in death, to others and yourself.

Cherish your days- and ask yourself where you plan on going when you die. I plan on being with my maker- the one true God and I hope you do too!

A great bible study for anyone is: www.bsfinternational.org

How about a New Years Resolution to know Jesus better?

Happy New Year to everyone! Yes, everyone says that on this day- January 1st, but I will say it again to torture you- haha. Well, as I am a frequent facebook reader, (sad, I know) I noticed so many "New Years Resolutions" being posted by friends. One, I know my self way to well to stick to any resolution...I hate resolutions. Its like, "hey self- lets make a goal, and announce it to the world so I can fail miserably in a month and feel like a loser." So I could never stick to one, or could I?

I started to think about where I am in this journey of life. I just lost my father in law a couple days ago, whom I loved dearly. Watching my kids and my husband say goodbye is painful. As a woman, I just want to comfort them and make it all better.

How could I even do that if I don't know Jesus Christ? You really can't. I am so thankful that through this hard time, I was secure in my faith to tell my kids we will see Grandpa Cox again in Heaven. I just wondered how someone gets through those deep, dark, sad days without knowing their heavenly father,  without that faith. I am going to be honest with you, that is 1/3 of the issues I am going through- and if Jesus wasn't my rock- I would be curled in a ball in a dark lonely place asking what the point of life is.

But I do know Him. I know enough to tell you He helped me through this trial in life. I can tell you He has changed me, my view of life, my heart and my soul. But am I done? Do I think I know Him well enough to stop learning about Him and his promises? Am I a "good enough Christian"? NO, NO, NO way! This is just the beginning of my walk with the Lord. He has just revealed to me how bad I need him.

Psalm 19:7-11 says this:         

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

So what does this have to do with a New Years Resolution you ask? Well, I would encourage you to make your resolution to know Jesus. To study the bible- the holy word of God. The real deal. Not reading what other people write about Him, not listening to others talk about Him, but to read from His words in the bible. The Holy Spirit will speak to you and open your eyes to the truth. You will hear what God wants you to hear and help you with what you need.

John 8:32  says:         

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 This could be the change in your life that will set you free. Free from the insecurities of where you may go when you die, the fear of death, and the chains of worry you are being squeezed by.


So, Happy New Year! And I hope you will make a resolution that will make this year, and the rest of your life better in ways you never thought it could!