Heroes of Faith

I have a sign in my kitchen that my wonderful friends gave me. I purposely put it in a place where my family and I are reminded as we leave our home to:

 “Let our faith be bigger than our fear.” 

For the past many weeks I’ve had the opportunity to study the book of Hebrews. This past week my study focused on Hebrews 11, also known as the “hall of faith.” I have read about Abel and his generous whole hearted offering to the Lord, Noah and his reverent fear of God, and Abraham’s unwavering trust in the seemingly impossible, to name a few. 

What is faith? The Bible defines faith as:

The assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. 

I don’t know about you but it is very hard for me to not be fearful, to not worry about what tomorrow will bring, to trust that God is in control no matter what the circumstances may be. 

As I studied this week, I began to think about my own heroes in the faith... their faith that taught me what it means to truly love Jesus... their faith that taught me, despite my circumstances, to believe Romans 8:28, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” My heroes have shown me through their walk of obedience what it means to stay rooted in His word, to study and know it, and to have it “hidden in my heart.” My heroes have shown me how important it is to stay connected to other believers. When my faith is lacking and doubt starts to seep in, “my crew” points me back to Jesus. My crew reminds me of His promises, His faithfulness and that His word is true. I want to be in that hall of faith. I want to have courage to believe that His “grace is sufficient for me.” My prayer for you is that you will want the same and you will let your faith BE BIGGER than your fear. Who are your heroes of faith?

"Even If" by Mercy Me

A Day of Love

So it was just Valentine’s Day, and it is a Day that I happen to love. I’m sure that many of you don’t like it, and I’ve heard that it’s a “Hallmark holiday” and that people get all stressed out about getting “the right gift.” Flowers become VERY expensive, chocolates become a hot commodity and there are many big stuffed animals with hearts attached to their bellies. It is fun, and extremely annoying all at the same time, that a simple box of chocolates costs so much more than usual (I have a friend that waits until after Valentine’s Day to buy all the Russell Stover chocolates that she can. Brilliant, right?). My husband calls Valentine’s Day the Hallmark holiday, but he knows I love it so this year he got me heart camoflage pajamas. He told me that he knew that pajamas are my favorite thing since I pretty much only wear yoga pants, leggings or pajamas. I could argue but I know it’s true, and he knows my love of camo! To celebrate the day, a friend helped me decorate the house with hearts everywhere that said little attributes about the kids or had little Valentine jokes. 

While all of the decorating and celebrating brings me such joy, my favorite part of Valentine’s Day is truly what I try to keep our family focused on and that is God‘s love. We get to celebrate His love for us and share with others:

God’s love for us does not change no matter our feelings towards Him and no matter our circumstances. 
God’s love for us sent His only Son to die on a cross for us. 
God’s love for us gives us a Savior and cleanses us of ALL the dirtiness that we bring. 

I love how The Message calls Jesus our Complete. “But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.”  (1 Corinthians 13:10 MSG) His love is INSATIABLE, UNDENIABLE, COMPLETE!

My friend also helped me write scripture verses all over the house. On Valentine’s Day the first thing I give the kids is a heart with the scripture verse that says:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV) 

Another heart says:

"Love means following His commandments, and His unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love.” (2 John 1:4-6 MSG). 

That’s what Valentine’s Day needs to be all about, celebrating God‘s amazing infinite wonderful love for us! I don’t know how you celebrated this Valentine’s Day or even if you acknowledged Valentine’s Day at all! But I do hope you know God‘s unconditional and incomprehensible love for you. YOU are His child and my prayer is that you feel completely overwhelmed by His love for you!!

Oh The Deep, Deep Love by Sovereign Grace

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 

(1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV)

Reflections

Confession: I struggle with jealousy. 

My kids were home two days last week because of the snow and ice. I am tired. Don’t get me wrong it has been really fun! I am so glad my kids were home because snow days. We did not have much snow but it was enough for them. They threw snowballs, built mini snowman, and even practiced sledding down the hill! However, as I watched them from my wheel chair, I became really bitter. I looked past all the many blessings and just looked at everything I did not have and wanted! I tried to make a list of things I could be thankful for instead of wallowing in my pity (although I really wanted to wallow).

I have a wheelchair that can go outside and watch the kids play in the snow. 

I have children that wanted me to come out with them and waited patiently until I got in my chair to play in the snow. 

My children were healthy enough to run and play outside and most of the time had a really good time with each other! 

My husband is very hard-working and has a good job that provided us with a house that keeps us warm on a cold day! 

Our house also has big doors for wheelchairs and ramps... it even has cabinets with drawers that pull out and are easily accessible! Our house really is amazing... talk about God‘s provision!  

Sometimes I get so tired of watching life from the wheelchair and I want to stand up and do! I have so many things to be thankful for but I can quickly look past that and focus on all the things that I want or think would make my life better. Isn’t it easy to get focused on all of the things we want instead of all the blessings that we DO have?

I play a game with my kids called Count Your Blessings. They roll their eyes (especially my 10-year-old) but begrudgingly they play it and they always end up in a better mood. Each person only has three seconds to name a blessing. I normally keep them going until I begin to see smiles on their face instead of the grumpy looks and arguing that are about to ensue.  In Philippians 4:8 God's Word tells us “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” In Colossians 3:2 it says to “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Whether it be our spouse or our children or coworkers we choose the tone for our life. We choose our own attitude and our focus. Are we going to choose an attitude of gratitude or an attitude of grumbling and complaining? What do we reflect to others? Do we reflect Jesus Christ or ourselves? My prayer for each of us is that as we start our day we make a conscious decision to set our mind on things above and begin to look more like Christ as we reflect Him to others.

"Joy Pours Out" by Christy Nockels

Life Verse

What is your life verse?

Last year for Christmas our kids received life verse journals. Each page of the journal has a different bible verse and then a coloring page. The journal also has activities that go along with that verse that help explain the meaning of the verse. For example, they can choose to color the page and verse with Matthew 5:16, “in the same way let your light shine before men so that others may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” Then we discuss what it means to let our light shine before others and we list ways we can do this in their journal. As we started the new year, I had them pick out a verse that I can pray over them as they begin their new year. I take their journals into the kitchen and before they start their day I pray over them using that specific scripture. I don’t always have the words to say and I don’t always feel like God is listening. However, God’s Word does not change based on my feelings or mood and whether I feel a certain way or not, He IS listening! When I need to be reminded of God‘s protective shield over our families lives, I pray Psalms 91:4, "He covers you with His feathers you will take refuge under His wings His faithfulness will be protective shield.” When I feel alone I pray Psalm 56:3, “when I am afraid I will trust in you.” When I feel discouraged or worried I pray Philippians 4:6, "don’t worry about anything but in everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your request be known to God.” When I pray for the fruit of the Spirit to be reflected in my children’s lives in my life, I pray 1 Timothy 4:12 “ don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but be in example for the believers in speech and conduct in love in faith and in purity.”  When I need to be reminded of God‘s strength and power I pray, Psalm 93:4, “ mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty.” I thought for a long time that I was inadequate with the words I spoke and the way I prayed aloud. Prayer is conversation with God. I begin my prayer in the morning when I wake up and I say amen when I put my head on my pillow. It is a constant conversation with the Creator of the universe and maker of you and me. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 it tells us to “pray without ceasing.” Ceasing means never stopping...lifting every detail up to our Father. I recently bought a shirt that says you’re in the details and I wear it A LOT to remind myself and others that God is in the details of our lives. I challenge you as we begin this new year to find a life verse for yourself and for your family members. Pray it over them and pray it over you remembering He is in the details! My prayer for you is to know Him more intimately this year than the last!

A Thrill of Hope

Our family went on “the polar express” Saturday night. We’ve been doing this as a family since our oldest was a toddler. I make a golden ticket ( or someone helps me now:) and we put their golden tickets under the tree that say “one ticket ride to the polar express. “ We have hot chocolate and get our Christmas PJs.  We hop in the car and head out to look at Christmas lights. My husband even punches their ticket with his Santa hat on as they get in the van just like in the book or the movie. This year I had a friend recommend the peppermint milkshakes at Chick-fil-A as a treat while looking at Christmas lights and we all thought that sounded great!  I took our pictures and everyone was set for a fun evening....until the milkshake spilled. We were halfway through the lights and our oldest stepped on his brothers milkshake. It dripped on his car seat and he of course started sobbing.  While I would love to say that we saw Jesus’ kindness in my oldest’s response, instead he started laughing at his younger brother. My daughter just looked at me and said, “ well at least I’m being good mommy”. You can insert your eye roll here or screaming because I felt like doing all of those things! I threw napkins and wipes back to my oldest who cleaned it up and let my crying child finish my milkshake. I had fortunately taken pictures to send to the grandparents and put on Facebook before the spilled milkshake and crying began so we looked like such a happy family. We are a happy family BUT we are human and therefore sinners. We desperately need Jesus.

I remind my children all the time how much Jesus loves them. Of course I always tell them how much their dad and I love them and that Jesus loves them so much more and they can possibly imagine. However if am being honest though while I remind them and believe that Jesus loves them more than we can imagine, I do not always believe it for myself. This world is hard. I hear of so many things in this world that I do not understand and cannot comprehend. In the Message version, Romans 8:28 says “the moment we get tired in the waiting, God does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” We are called to trust his heart when we do not understand, and put our faith in God when circumstances seem hopeless. We are His BELOVED. The verse that many of us learned as children and can probably quote from memory tells us that God loved the world SO MUCH and sent His son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  I don’t know about you but sacrificing my own child is not something that I comprehend. God’s sacrifice and His great love for us to draw us to him is unimaginable. In a season that has become more and more about getting the “greatest gifts” we forget that the greatest gift is Jesus. I see this phrase on many magnets and bumper stickers but Jesus is the reason for the season! My prayer for you this Christmas season is that in all the hustle and bustle you are reminded of His great love for you! O, come let us adore Him!

Four Miles to Empty

One of my dear friends told me the other day that she was about 4 miles to empty. What a great way to describe how life’s circumstances sometimes make us feel. I know I struggle with an overwhelming sense of discouragement. I struggle with loneliness. I’m surrounded by family and friends that I love and love me, but my circumstances many times leave me feeling lonely… four miles to empty as my friend says. Do you ever feel that way?

Most mornings before school I have my children put on the armor of God. I have taught them about the armor since they were little, so they are pretty good at naming all the different parts. In Ephesians 6:11 it says to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” I tell my children to remember they have it on each day, but do I really remember myself?

We have the helmet of salvation on that says we are children of God. We are God’s children and no matter what circumstances we have in life, our salvation cannot be taken from us.

  

We have the shield of faith. The shield of faith surrounds us, yet we question who God is and whether or not he is even there or cares. Our shield of faith tells us that God is right there with us IN COMPLETE CONTROL! 

We have our belt of truth which tells us not only are ALL His promises true but I tell my children the belt also means we need to be people of truth too. Sometimes the truth hurts but telling the truth is always better than a lie! 

We put on our breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness is defined in Webster’s dictionary as acting in accord with divine or moral law, free from guilt or sin. However, we are sinners and it is impossible for us to be righteous. That’s why we need Jesus! God looks at Jesus’s perfect righteousness when he looks at us and not our own. We are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. In The Message version of the Bible, Romans 3:21-24 tells us “The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.”

Last we put on my two favorite parts of the armor of God to teach my children, the sword of the spirit (the word of God)and the shoes of peace (gospel ready boots). We have God’s Word, the Bible, with us ALWAYS to fight against the ways of this world and circumstances in our life. That’s why it is so important to have God’s word hidden in our hearts because it will direct our mind, thoughts, and the words we speak to be focused on him. Finally we put on our gospel ready boots (or tennis shoes, sandals, flip-flops... as I tell my children:)) because whatever circumstances come our way we have on the shoes of peace because we have on the armor of God. Wherever we go today we represent Jesus Christ, in our words and in our actions, let each step we take glorify Him!  

In Ephesians 6:18, it says to “pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." We have this armor but we need to remember to activate it with prayer. I always told my children it’s like going to the beach with sunscreen to protect you but never using it! My prayer for you is that today when you feel 4 miles to empty you will remember to put on the armor of God and know that you’re not alone He is right there with you!!!

Head to Toe (The Armor of God Song) by Christy Nockels

“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG

Heart Eyes

Confession: I struggle with being self centered. 

I get so wrapped up in how my needs are going to be met and how my family‘s needs are going to be met. My lack of driving is fairly new, and I struggle with feeling completely dependent all the time. It is amazing how busy you will become making sure all three kids are taken care of as well as making doctors appointments and just life in general (like the grocery store and laundry:)) My reminders list has about 20 things on it each day. I get up really early to get ready for the day, but it’s crazy how fast the time flies and it is dinner time! I have heard many times that Satan likes to keep us busy and so focused on everything else besides God.

I was reading a devotional with my daughter last night and it talked about having heart eyes. It doesn’t mean following after our own heart. Our own heart is deceitful and can lead us astray. Heart eyes means having our eyes open to those around us...seeing others as Jesus does! We are God’s treasured possession. What do you do with treasure? You take care of it...good care of it! You always know where the treasure is and that it has everything it needs. God didn’t just create some people to be treasured; He created ALL people to be treasured! 

I don’t want to always be focused on myself and how my needs are going to be met. That’s where I have to learn to trust and lean on God and not my own understanding of the circumstances surrounding me. In Proverbs 3, it says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil."

I want to fear God and know that He is a good father... He loves my family much more than I do! After all He created them:)! I want to have “heart eyes” to focus on those around me. When someone else is always taking me to the grocery store or an appointment or my children’s school, I want to see them as the imago dei, or as the "image of God," and encourage or listen in any way I can. Every time I go to an appointment, do I see those around me? I don’t want to miss an opportunity that God has placed in my path or be unaware of those around me. I want to have heart eyes and my prayer for you is that you will too!

“For you were once darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord; live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8

Brandon Heath "Give Me Your Eyes"