can't you smell that smell...

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrances of the knowledge of Him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those tho are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life."  (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a)

WOW, the devo this morning used the analogy of spilled milk and the sour smell it leaves for days...sometimes weeks!  Thinking about that all-to-well-known of a stench...and then thinking about how a negative attitude STINKS up a storm that can last or at least make an impression that could last up to a lifetime...WOW!  Father, I know that I can have a pretty NASTY attitude at times and I NEVER want to leave a stench when I leave a room or end a conversation!!!  Father, I pray that you create in me a clean/pure heart that portrays a sweet smelling aroma to others.  May I be the fragrance of life to my family, friends, fellow students, stranger at the grocery store, and beyond!  In Jesus' sweet smelling name I pray...Amen! :) 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

good heart = good tongue...

today's verse:

"We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.  And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong."  James 3:3-4

In a small country church, an altar boy who was serving the priest at Sunday mass accidentally dropped the glass of wine.  The priest struck the boy and shouted, "Get out and don't come back!"  That boy became Tito, the COmmunist leader.  In another cathedral, an altar boy who was serving the bishop at Sunday mass, accidentally dropped the glass of wine.  WIth a warm twinkle in his eyes, the bishop gently whispered, "Someday you will be a priest."  That boy grew up to become Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

(THE ABOVE TAKEN FROM WWW.GIRLFRIENDSINGOD.COM)

This lesson is so powerful to me as a mother & wife.  There are many times that my words are not positive to my kids or to my husband.  I am ashamed at some of the things that come from my mouth.  I think my heart is right, but I also know that I am a selfish person...so when I'm not busy with what I want to do, my words are positive and encouraging to my kids.  However, when I'm busy with a task or schoolwork, or even a silly little email, I do not choose to have the patience or desire to put my kids first.  Father, I pray today I start being intentional about my priorities.  I pray that my heart for You be apparent in my words to my husband and my children.  Father, I want to be like you and I want my children to feel Your love every time my mouth is open...even in times of discipline, may they know and feel my love and more importantly Your perfect love for them. Thank you in advance, God, for giving me the patience and positive words that you desire for my family.  In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Matthew 12:34-35 says... "The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart.  Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they good things.  But evil people have evil in their hearts, so they say evil things."

These verses scare me today as I think back and see how my words have been changing.  I am embarrassed to think and reflect on the foolish words that I have spoken recently.  Father, I ask your forgiveness today for the things I do and say that displease you.  I am foolish at times and pray for a better day when my words are encouraging and powerful rather than degrading and destructive.  I also pray that my attitude in speech is more positive as well.  When I speak to my husband, Lord I pray that my tone and my heart are full of love and grace!  In Jesus' Name, AMEN.

Thank you God for allowing me the freedom to speak and type what's on my heart.  I LOVE you and want to be more like your Perfect Son, Jesus! :)

contentment...

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." = 1 Timothy 6:6 NIV

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  -Philippians 4:19 NIV

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."  - 2 Peter 1:3 NIV

Dear Father, forgive me when I act like a child and want more.  Forgive me when I go from "I want" to "God wants me to have" in the blink of an eye.  I know You desire me to have a thankful heart - a contented heart that wants only one thing...more of You.  I say with the Psalmist, "The Lord is my Shepherd.  I have everything I need."  In Jesus' precious Name, AMEN!

www.girlfriendsingod.com

love God & love others...

so, as i was reading my morning devotional (www.girlfriendsingod.com), it reminded me of a news show i saw a few months back about the good samaritan : www.abcnews.go.com/Primetime/WhatWouldYouDo/story?id=4420829&page=1

1 Thessalonians 5:14 "We ask you, brothers and sisters, encourage the people who are afraid.  Help those who are weak.  Be patient with everyone."

It seems that we are encountered with special needs each and every day...however, we are not always aware of these needs because we are sometimes too focused on ourselves and our busy schedules.  It is our relationship with God that determines our love for others and our compassion for other's needs.  

There are 2 main reasons we are blinded by the needs that pass us on the streets each day...

#1) We are too busy (read Hebrews 13:2)

#2) We do NOT care enough (read 1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4-20)

Bringing me back to The Good Samaritan story...

The Samaritan had a choice, just like we have a choice every time we are confronted w/ a need.  The way we love and take care of one another should be a living illustration of God's love.

Father, please forgive me for my calloused attitude toward those in need around me.  Forgive me for making my Day Timer my Bible.  I don NOT want to be a hypocrite, Lord.  Give me a heart of compassion and  the eyes to see those You send my way.  I pray that my life will exemplify Your love and mercy.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

running in circles...

(idea taken from www.girlfriendsingod.com)

Do you ever feel as if you are going in circles spiritually?  Do you feel as if you are going through the same struggles repeatedly?

I have 2 specific "struggle circles" that I repeat over and over again...

(and NO neither one is drinking!!!  ...just wanted to make that CLEAR!) ;)

It is becoming a bit frustrating not reach victory over these areas of my life.

And I continue to wonder why???

We aren't the only ones going in circles.  God had the Israelites going in circles for 40 years in the wilderness.  Why?  He was waiting for them to be obedient.

God help me to be obedient...I understand why you gave us free will, but sometimes I wish I didn't have that will as an option...It just makes things that much harder to choose You!  Help me to have self control in my "struggle circles" of life.  And I thank you, in advance, for the victory You already have planned in my life! :)

Dear Lord, so many times, I see myself as an untrained horse.  I bolt to what is familiar rather than submit to Your lead.  Help me to follow Your lead, submit to your guidance, and walk in tandem with Your peace.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE:  "Submit yourselves, then, to God."  JAMES 4:7

today's truth...

Today's truth:

"However, anyone who does not love does not know God...for God is LOVE.  God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world that we might have eternal life through Him.  This is real love.  It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away or sins."  1 John 4:8-10

God, thank you for teaching me to sacrifice my fleshly desires, being negative & critical of my church family.  Thank you for teaching me unconditional love through it all...

I want to be LOVE just as Jesus was...

spreading light throughout the earth...

it's been a long while...

Oh My...

I can't believe it's been 8+ months since my last blog entry...I look at that picture and think...

"That doesn't even look like me anymore!"  "AHHHHHH!"

(I've chopped my hair and gained about 25 lbs. or so.)

In the past several months a LOT has happened besides physical change...

I finished my 1st FULL year back to college since the 90s!  (OUCH, I'm old!)

I turned 30! (double whammy w/ the 'oldness' factor!) ;) 

Greg threw me a surprise party! (i LOVE him!)

I accepted a PT job to begin in September! (YEAH!)

Our family has taken several vacations/roadtrips! (memories that will last a lifetime!)

And I have enjoyed my 1st ENTIRE summer as a stay at home Mom! (priceless!)

Spiritually, 

I have learned a LOT!  Maybe not what I expected to learn in terms of scripture and godly wisdom, but nonetheless it's been a good lesson...a simple lesson.

I'm not one to hold a grudge...I think I'm a pretty loving and forgiving person overall.

However, in a year of church transition God pointed out something HUGE!!!

I LOVE my church and have always felt it was my extended family...until I felt hurt and threatened by certain words and actions I witnessed.  I then became embarrassed and unsure of my LOVE for this church I once called, "Family."

There were times I wanted to just GIVE UP and stop going.

There were times when I wanted to give everyone a piece of my mind.  (Greg got more than he bargained for with me!)

BUT, God was NEVER calling me (or my family) to leave the church, He never told me to speak "my mind."

Instead He used me to calm a storm that enraged my soul.

He used me in other's lives who were feeling some of the same hurts and transitional pains.

He taught me what it truly means to know & be unconditional LOVE.

He reminded me of the power of prayer and a positive attitude!

I am thankful to serve an AMAZING God who unconditionally LOVES me, even in my darkness. Yet, He continues to use me...I don't know why...I feel so inadequate on so many different levels, yet He continues to use me.  I pray that I continue to follow His lead in my life and that He will lead me onward to a better life filled w/ unconditional love.

p.s.  God has even worked on restoring a broken relationship in my life...something I never thought was possible...THANK YOU Father for teaching me.  

I pray that as I prepare for another semester back in school and a new PT position, that I am constantly reminded of the importance of keeping you 1st in my days.  I LOVE you and Praise you for all that you are...merciful, powerful, and full of grace!  In Jesus name, AMEN!