Meaningful Monday

...a post of something meaningful in my walk with the Lord this week.


Listen to This:

"I'm a Lover of Your Presence"- Bryan and Katie Torwalt

Remember This:

"My own flesh is twice the enemy to me that Satan is. Once we know how, we do not hesitate rebuking Satan, because we despise him. On the other hand, we dearly love our own flesh. We have far more difficulty rebuking it."  -Beth Moore

What God's Word Says:

Romans 7:14-25

The Message Paraphrase (MSG)

 ^14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
 ^17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
 ^21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
 ²⁴I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?
 ²⁵The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Obligations

Sometimes I feel like there are so many obligations that I just want to stop it all and do nothing.

I'm kind of an over-achiever in a lot of areas, and I make these super-high standards for myself that I know I'm not going to be able to achieve. I just set myself up for failure. Mainly in my home and with my kids.

Take blogging for example. My blog is here to record personal thoughts, photos, etc. I'm not going to be the next Mom Creative or theNester. Why do I put pressure on myself to do more than I feel like doing? I haven't blogged in a month because I just haven't had time, yet every time I read someone else's posts, I feel guilty for not doing my own. Why do I put that pressure on myself? In the long run, it doesn't matter a bit.

Laundry. Paying bills. Organizing. Keeping sand off of my wood floors from those little boy shoes. Getting the boys to put their toys back where they belong. Laundry. Trace eating a meal without making a huge mess. Having the kids bookshelf in order. Keeping my clothes in color order. Laundry.

I'm realizing more and more that I hate to see the mess. I love clothes hampers because you can shut the lid and they look pretty, not chaotic and overflowing. Even our living room bookcase makes me crazy sometimes with all the different colored books and different sizes. See, I told you I was kinda weird.

All these things that super mom should be able to accomplish and so many times I fall seriously short.

Some days I read Proverbs 31, and it just makes me feel worse. I don't rise before dawn.

Days like this I just want to lean back into my Savior and take a deep breath. I want to sit there in that moment forever and pretend the world doesn't exist.

He lovingly reminds that my value is in Him.

My purpose is to know Him and to make Him known to others.

So take heart, moms...for every obligation you place on your own shoulders, realize that Jesus only desire of you is that you surrender your worries to Him and spend time having a relationship with Him. He's ready and waiting to take those burdens...if we will only let go.

As For Me and My House...

Since I became  Lifegroup leader for my church, we have been meeting each week in my home. One week we were talking about meditating on Scriptures, and I was telling my ladies how I like to write favorite scriptures on notecards. Then they all started commenting on how they had already noticed how much scripture I had throughout my home. I guess since I'm used to it, I really didn't realize how I have things posted everywhere! I took a few pictures to share with you.

This canvas was given to me for my birthday a few years ago from Jeffry's parents; it hangs in our living room above our sofa. Jeffry's mom and dad had taken the boys (only 2 at that time!) to get their pictures made while Jeffry and I were on a trip. The canvas is an actual photo made to look painted on. 

The photographer added this Scripture at the bottom, 

"For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." 

Needless to say, I was SO surprised; I bawled my eyes out! 

These two Scriptures are taped on my makeup counter mirror. I got them from Angie Smith's blog post about Praying For Our Children. I have notecards for the different verses Angie listed taped up in each area (by the tub, on their bathroom door, etc.) I have a button for Angie's post (one of my favorites of all time) on the right side of my page; see Praying for My Children.

These two notecards are also on my makeup mirror. (I spend a lot of time there!) These are Scriptures that the Lord has given me lately. 

"He keeps us alive in times of famine." - Psalm 33:19

"The famine was so bad that there wasn't so much as a crumb of bread for anyone. Then there was a breakthrough." - 2 Kings 25:4

"God has chosen you to take your place before Him to serve in leading worship- this is your life work; make sure you do it and do it well." - 2 Chronicles 29:11

This verse is my new life verse! Since I lead worship at our church, it totally struck me when I read it in the One Year Bible. When I was struggling with my fears of inadequacy about God's call on my life to lead worship, He gave me the Scripture from Esther 4:14 about having been chosen for such a time as this. So how cool is it that this verse in 2 Chronicles starts with the same phrase?! 

Another favorite scripture hanging over my piano in our entryway.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for some have entertained angels unaware." - Hebrews 13:2

These notecards on posted beside the door frame near our kitchen table. These are verses the boys are working on memorizing. We make them into songs or clap a rhythm along with them to make them easier to remember. We actually have "Do everything without complaining and arguing" posted in more than one place in our home. I need it as much as they do sometimes!

I love this plaque! Right now it rests on my mantle in the living room. It was a gift from my bestie, Kisha. The phrase "The Lord is my Strength and my Song" is found several times in the scriptures. 

Exodus 15:2, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2

These two notecards are on my bathroom mirror. The first is a scripture and the second is a phrase that I daily remind myself of right now. 

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

Hope you have enjoyed a little tour of the Scriptures in my home! 

Black and White

Jenn Johnson from Bethel Church in Redding California

This is definitely worth the 12 minutes it takes to watch. Gives you something to think about.





We need to figure out what we love, who we are, and what makes us come alive, and partner with who He's called us to be.

New Year's Resolution

My New Year's Resolution comes from Proverbs 31. I've read this many times, but I re-read it this morning in my quiet time and I really feel like it encompasses my goals for this year.

A Wife of Noble Character

10 [b]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.

19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm[c] clothes.

22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

You are mine.

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you."

Isaiah 43:1-2

Psalm 119

This chapter has become one of my favorite passages in the Bible. I love reading it in the Message paraphrase. Here are a few highlights from throughout the chapter that I wanted to share with you all.

"You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God....you walk straight along the road he set....Then I'd never have any regrets.

I'm single-minded in pursuit of you.

My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!- insatiable for your nourishing commands.

Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation....I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.

I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way. (That's so me!! Ha)

I'm thoroughly committed to living your way....My troubles turned out all for the best- they forced me to learn from your textbook.

And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.

I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order.

Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything. (Desperation!)

Let my cry come right into your presence, God.

Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well."

All I can say is "Wow" and I hope He speaks to you through this passage the way that He has to me.