Think Big Thursdays: Are you looking for the clues?

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Ever experience one of those priceless moments when you are sitting there and realize that you have been given secret clues throughout the day (week, month, year perhaps) to questions that have been lingering deep within? What is even more amazing is that you discover clues to things you never even realized you were looking for!

That is what yesterday brought to me ~ the realization that every single one of us will encounter these special clues throughout our day. These clues can be so small that if you are lost in yourself, in worry, or even in desperation to please they can be missed. If you are so bent in doing things your way, you will miss out. I say this in confidence because I have experienced it as well. I have missed out on some clues or as I often like to call them "God Whispers" because in my own head and yes, sadly my heart too I was intent on doing things my way.

I heard a LOUD whisper yesterday, almost a groan that was deep and demanding to be heard. It was this. "See me first! I want to give you every desire of your heart, but I want you to seek me first with everything you have. That means you are going to have to put some things away for right now and just seek me. Find me. Know me. And then, then my child ..... everything you desire you will find."

*insert crickets here*

Yes. I did. Deep within me, I got it. I heard it. I slept it last night. It was like my body hasn't rested in I cant' remember how long and it is simply because I have been chasing more of the things I want in life, and only seeking Him only halfheartedly.At best only partially. As in not fully.  Let's take a sneak peek at that scripture and see what it says.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

But what is it exactly that is going to be "given to us"? Oh let's take a step back because God is very clear on that!

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (Matthew 6:25-32 NIV)

And of course you can't forget the last part of that chapter as profound as it is.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

I would like to think that we also shouldn't be concerned with the good things, the blessings of tomorrow because each day is filled with enough of those things too! If we are looking forward we miss out on what is right in front of us. I am very guilty of this, especially during the school year when I am a busy working momma and housewife! Keeping life glued together when it feels like it is going to split at the seams from being over-scheduled is not easy. I think this is why God calls us to seek Him first so we can let go and just be a kid again ~ His kid!

That means every single day I wait for His lead ~ not my own. If I am going to be a "writer" He will lead me down that path in the way He so desires. No  more struggles. No more trying to make things happen feeling like I am spinning out of control.

I am ever so grateful to have tools in my hands ~ Cd's, Podcasts, Virtual services and all the fellowship with like minded people that I could imagine or ever hope for. For these are the things that lead me closer to Him and further away from the rat race of this world. These are things that help me to see the clues in life that are being left for me to pick up, and use for the next step.

Thankful Thursday: July 11, 2013

It is already Thursday again, and you know what that means! It's Thankful Thursday! Before I begin I must tell you something! Being grateful for what you have, opens the door to see life in a new way! There are less pity parties, you become appreciative of the little things that are happening around you, and in turn you begin to live a fuller and more enjoyable life. Can I tell you a secret? Your children (and/or grandchildren) become more thankful too. STOP saving the conversations about what your thankful for only for the Thanksgiving table.

1. Healthy children! The twins went to the doctor this week for well child checkups and sports physicals as they will be playing football in a couple of weeks.

2. Friends that become family! Not just the husband and my friends, but the kids too. "The girl" has made a life long friend (which we have prayed for many times throughout the years), and these two girls get along so well! They are like sisters, only being a few weeks apart, yet so much alike.

3.  COFFEE!

4. Summer Vacation. We have one more month left. Can I tell you a secret? When the summer ends, I will be ready. I have been able to tackle the areas in our home that had been neglected since we moved in. When summer ends, we are automatically thrown into a crazy schedule, but it's our crazy schedule!

5. The intimate way that God Almighty parents us ~ His children, in ways that we might would parent our own children. I have seen his hand of discipline this week ~ and it is beautiful.

6. Pure joy that comes from putting God first, in every single thing we do. There is a better way to measure 'success' in one's life! Successful or Faithful ~ which are you! ( WOWZERS ~ that is pretty powerful statement for me!)

Photo courtesy: unknown

Those are just a few of the things I have been thankful for this morning! :) Yesterday was a difficult day for me emotionally as I had to come to a crossroads. When I woke up this morning? Rejuvenated, renewed, and overjoyed! Today is a day in the sun! The twins and I are heading with some friends to the wave pool for some summer time fun!

Thankful Thursday: July 4th 2013

Photo courtesy: Unknown

This Thursday is a bit different then some. See, it's Independence Day here in good ol United States of America! Happy Birthday America!

This year, it is even different because freedom means more to me today then possibly ever before. Behind the scenes I had been involved with a "ministry" that practices some very hard core... how to put this mildly.... mind control. Sadly, anyone can fall prey to such things if we are not careful. Freedom ... it is not, but pure unhealthy bondage to legalism and sadly.... a skewed vision of pure Christianity. I will not name names, or even disclose the ministry I speak of. Why? Fear of retribution, and to be honest it is NOT what this post is about. This morning I woke up and realized..."I'm free!" In a morning coffee conversation with a dear sweet sister in Christ I shared this following statement: " i feel like the "life" that make me well ME ... has been shoved down so deep that it is rushing to the surface for air." And I mean it. In the last three years I have fought my own flesh ~ and sadly changed my personality in some ways for the best, but in ways that matter ... not cool! I became this quiet spoken person ... afraid to share the things in my heart, thoughts in my mind, and well... even came to a point that I couldn't write a lick of anything. I began to think i was worthless, and it was a sin to think of anything GOOD about yourself ~ when really.... God wants us to have some self confidence. Don't get me wrong I know I am nothing without him.... but He did create me, my personality, and the quality and traits that I was trying to KILL because they didn't line up with this ministry's view. They lined up with God's view ~ because well... he made me! He knows me .... even when I try to "fake it till I make it".

This Independence day is a gift! A gift of embracing all those things I am ~ and knowing that if I don't fit into someone's belief.. I am still okay. I know what the Word of God says ~ and sadly... I have allowed myself to be controlled mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by someone other then He.

I am free! Set free for all to see! I won't hide, and I pray that I never fall for anything like this ever again! There is a fine line between change, and losing one's identity. If you have to lose your identity to be accepted ~ or even to believe that you will not be accepted by God for not changing .... then run! Run far away! Jesus was put on this earth and put to death on a cross, rose again three days later for every single sin you have sinned. EVery one of them. Before, during, and after reading this post! Sure, we should strive to stop sinning .... but you CANNOT earn your way into Heaven!! EVER! NEVER believe that lie!

From my family to yours ~ Happy Independance Day!





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