*seeking Peace in a storm

I find myself hungry this morning. And thirsty. I feel parched. But it isn't a physical hunger or thirst. It is spiritual. I've been starving myself all summer I realize. Almost as if I have been running the opposite direction of My Portion...My Provision. My mouth is dry. Yes, I've read the Bible. Yes, I've attended Sunday church. Yes, I've knelt and prayed. But I have not been hunting...pursuing...chasing!

Conversations that occur at the lunch table at work are interesting most days. Recently the conversation took a little bit of a serious turn while discussing how much excess we Americans have in comparison to other countries. I couldn't tell you how we arrived at this subject, but many different opinions were expressed and discussed. And I gained knowledge and insight about a couple of my co-workers. Like I said, I don't know exactly how we got onto this subject, but when we dug into it, true hearts were revealed, and it broke my heart a little because these people are like my 2nd family, and some I consider friends. I do my best to live my life openly as a Christ follower. Ask anybody that I work with and they could testify to this. So when discussing the economy and being afraid of the government and what is happening and doing all the "I wish it would get better", "If we had a better leader", yada, yada, nonsense, I pretty much stand firm that: A) ...

A few nights ago I received a text from one of my oldest friends- oldest as in years of our relationship, not her age, lol. She was asking prayers for her health and for healing and relief from the pain that she is enduring. It was late, so I didn't call her, but instead I stopped right there and text-prayed with her. Typing that it sounds a little weird-ish, but, I am here to tell you that it was strong. You see, her and I don't speak often, and we don't get a chance to see one another often either. We live roughly 510 miles apart; one of us in the heart of Arkansas and one of us in the panhandle of Texas. On top of being so far away, we both have two kiddos and husbands that have crazy busy work schedules and life has just taken over. But do you know what we know? Anytime, day or night, rain or shine, we are their for one another. In prayer constantly. In thought daily. In heart always. Lifetime friends. I am so thankful for her friendship. Knowing ...

I have been trying to memorize two verses a month along with the Living Proof Ministries Siestas  and I have been having some issues staying on track. I did this the last time around and was so blessed by it! The verses that I memorized in 2011 are still with me and really have saved me on many occasions when I was about to make a choice---like 1 Corinthians 10:13 when I deal with temptations, or Romans 12:21 when I have a bad thought about a situation or person. This year my memorization has not exactly gone as smoothly and I am having to work at it a little more---chalk it up to my busy schedule and a little rebellious nature if you want to, but for whatever reason, I have been struggling. So the verse for the last two weeks in May and my first verse for June have come in the form of song! And I already have both memorized! I stumbled across Seeds Family Worship music about a year or so ago for my kids and once you hear a song 2 or 3 times, it is stuck! And that is g...

I need to learn to pray again. Ok, so just typing that sentence kind of feels like a tiny burden has been lifted. Admitting that to the world makes it more real rather than like a little secret I've kept to myself. For a while now, I have just kept that one inside, behind a tiny black door in my heart, where only I knew about it...well, God and me. I am confident that my prayer life used to be in decent shape but these days, not so much. I send up some popcorn prayers when I hear of things happening around me, like my baby sister having tests run or the recent Oklahoma tornadoes. But I will sadly admit that getting on my knees or my face...wait...to be even more truthful, just waking up and starting the day with prayer and then ending the day with prayer, that doesn't happen like it should. I don't want to be on a strict prayer schedule. I don't want to make this about routine prayer or a checklist type thing. I need my prayer life to be my lifeline! I n...

Is it weird that all I want for Mother's Day this year is a bottle of perfume (only because I have been out for probably over a year) and I want an entire afternoon with my family, cleaning the garage? :) Sounds like a lot of fun doesn't it, lol! I have always loved Mother's Day, even when I wasn't a mom yet. As a child, I loved to create a personal gift for my mom. You know the kind, a clay handprint, a painting of the sun and a rainbow, a macaroni necklace. Fun and simple, but so meaningful. As I have gotten older, I realize it isn't so much about the gifts as it is about feeling like your children really love and appreciate you. My kids are so little that I don't think they understand that yet, so I find those creative little gifts they bring home from school, daycare and children's church to be some of my greatest treasures. But as an adult, and a mom, I know what Mother's day is truly meant to be. My mom recently moved in with us for a few...

"The unbridled beauty of a comeback lies first in God's grace; second, in the decision to accept that daily dose of grace; and third, in the gain of a clear perspective that keeps you steady in Jesus' palm."--Angela Naxworth, Womb Woven and Wonderfully Made comeback--A return to formerly enjoyed status or The act of making up a deficit The Free Dictionary by Farlex I am taking back my ground; Returning to my former state of joyful hope in the Lord and His Salvation and Righteousness! Not just returning, but with a new awareness and renewed spirit! He has freshly forgiven me today, saved me again and again with each breath that I breathe...each step that I take. NEW MERCY! mercy-- compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender: lenient or compassionate treatment Merriam Webster Dictionary When I speak that word, "mercy", something within me just bows down in worship and adoration. It is such a beautiful word-a beautiful picture ...

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. And the Spirit and the Bride say 'Come!' Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take of the water of life freely....He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen"  Revelation 22:17, 20-21 (NKJV) I have been studying the Bride of Christ for quite some time now. I began studying it back in the summer in preparation of our annual Fall Women's Retreat that occurred November 2nd & 3rd. The subject matter is overwhelming to say the least and I was quite intrigued by it all. At our retreat we covered a few different subjects, 1) the Parallels Between the Jewish Wedding Customs and the Bride of Christ, 2) Preparing for the Big Day, and 3) Love Song for a Savior, but only touc...

Today I am featuring an excerpt from Marilynn Dawson's book Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey . This is the fourth week of the blog tour and so you will get a peak into Volume 4 of her 6 volume book.  You can visit the first 3 stops of the blog tour here: Volume One: Excerpt- The Prince of Peace Rides In  http://tdtwr.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/let-the-tour-begin/ Volume Two: Excerpt- The Fire of God's Love http://christianeveryday.com/index.php/becoming-the-bride-of-christ-blog-tour/ Volume Three: Excerpt – Psalm 27  http://fromadaughter.blogspot.ca/2012/10/becoming-bride-of-christ-personal.html If you would like to download a free copy of Volume 4, follow the link at the end of this post. And without further ado, enjoy this excerpt from Volume 4 of Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey ! ************ Psalm 30 Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for ...

This November 2 & 3 is our church's ladies ministry's 2nd annual fall retreat. Much prayer led us to the theme or topic of The Bride of Christ. We have a small congregation so the planning of this event is in the hands of two women: myself and my pastor's wife. So we began the planning and preparation for the retreat. I began looking for different ideas on Pinterest and created a Pinterest board dedicated to the retreat and named it "Bride of Christ". This is a very intimidating and serious subject and so we have not been taking it lightly at all. Our retreat consists of 3 "Sessions" and we had already figured out what #1 would be and #2 would be taken care of by our guest speaker. We were kind of stumped as to what to do about session #3...so we just kept praying... On September 22 I received an e-mail from a lady by the name of Marilynn Dawson. She just published a series called "Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey"....

I have been so very tired lately. The busiest part of the year for me seems to be over, but I'm in such a mode of busy-ness (is that a word?), that even though things have slowed down a bit, I walk through my house after the kids have gone to bed and I look for things to do. I can't seem to sit still for long. My husband is working in TX for 2 weeks and so it's just the kids and I right now. Yesterday, I left work at 4:30, stopped by the grocery store for some grapefruit, bread, apples, and flour, then picked the kids up by 5:15. When we pulled in the driveway, the "I'm hungry"'s began and so afternoon snacks were given. I decided that we were not going to church last night-it's a 20 minute drive one way and by the time we get home it is normally 8:30 or later and I still had to go clean the revenue office...blah... So I cooked dinner and then went out back to sit on the deck for a few minutes of peace. I sat back in my chair outside and looked ar...

I've been busy...and by 'busy' I don't mean a couple of things here and there, I mean, every single day, overloaded with to-do lists or meetings or appointments, blah blah blah! And with my husband going off to work 9 hours from home for 2 weeks at a time, I'm learning that this Super-Mom business can be handled with more grace, both for myself and for my family (and others). You see I am a 'DO-er', if that makes any sense to anyone. Normally, when I set out to do something, it gets finished. The task is completed and more often than not, it is done ahead of schedule! But not lately! Example #1: I started a Bible study prior to vacation in July. Started strong. I even stayed up to date while on vacation, which is a feat in and of itself! But then I got home...back to work (which had piled up while I was away), and reality and exhaustion set in (probably stemming from the longest 30 hours I have ever spent in a car, driving from California to home in ...

It's that time of the year again! This is such an exciting time to me and always has been. I remember as a child that I couldn't wait for school shopping- I love school supplies, new pens and paper, crayons, markers and notebooks. But when I was a kid I did not like shopping for school clothes.  I grew up in a family of 6; I was child #2 of 4, with an older sister and a younger sister and brother. My parents did not have a lot of money, so they mainly focused on making sure we had all of our school supplies and then two, maybe three new outfits and a new pair of shoes. And of course, the three sisters shared clothes when possible. I dreaded going into the department stores and watching my parents flinch at the check-out register, both because of the high total and the fact that such a high amount bought so little for 4 growing kids. I remember one year in particular: 7th grade. You know that awkward age-nowadays we call them 'Tweens'. It was a very tig...

I need to SIMPLIFY! I am beginning to see how much I complicate and muddy things up in my little life here on Earth. For one, I try to control EVERYTHING! And for two, I try to be EVERYTHING! I really just want to be SIMPLE...to live SIMPLE... I got my first taste of simplicity when I made my own homemade laundry detergent! (Silly, I know) Now I need SIMPLICITY to spill into other areas of my life. I don't think simplicity always means to make easier...sometimes, simplicity takes a little work on the front end. Kind of like two things that my family is going to take a try at... I LOVE these two ideas...but I have complicated them into failure in the past...and the hubby, well, he does not like to embrace organization...he is the kind that flies by the seat of his pants... BUDGET & MEAL PLAN Being a full-time working mom and wife is tough...so in my mind, these two things are lifesavers...but when I get home, I am tired and just want to relax, so I have ne...

I have always heard the word "lent" and never thought much of it. I heard it was a time of fasting for Catholics, and honestly, that is about it. Until today: I got the urge to Google "Lent" and even "Lent for Baptists" (because I grew up Baptist and my home church is Baptist). I came across some very interesting information...very convicting...very stimulating...very challenging! My first question was, what exactly is Lent? Lent is a Christian Festival. In the past it was a long, strict religious fast when people gave up all rich food. Lent is the time when Christians prepare for the greatest of the Christian festivals known as Easter, by thinking of things they have done wrong. It was a time for spring-cleaning lives, as well as homes. I like that thought: SPRING-CLEANING LIVES  Lent began this year on February 22nd, which was Ash Wednesday and it will end on Easter, April 8th. Lent lasts 40 days, excluding Sundays. 40 days; like Jesus spe...

I like lists; something about bullet points or numbered lines that I enjoy.  I like outlines, plans, planners, calendars, etc. In previous posts I think I have admitted to being somewhat of a control freak, and so lists and plans fall under that category.  Now, as much as I enjoy them and think they will help and look awesome, I have rarely ever stuck to one.  I long for order and organization, but can't seem to follow through or succeed in completing my lists/plans.  SO, today, I wanted to make a list of things that I need to begin-and not give up on or leave unfinished: 1. Let Go so that God can organize and control my life!   2. Make it a point to NOT hit snooze!  3. Begin my morning with prayer, followed by a short work-out and quiet time. And end my day early in the evening, with prayer and the Word of God on my heart, mind and lips.  4. Eat dinner at home, with my family, at the table at least 5 times per week! ...

Good morning all! Luke 10:38-42 New International Version (NIV) At the Home of Martha and Mary   38  As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  39  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  40  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”     41  “Martha, Martha,”  the Lord answered,  “you are worried and upset about many things,   42  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. [ a ]  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” I did not get up when I should have this morning. My goal is to be up by 4:30 a.m. so that I have time to get a workout and quiet time in before my shower, hair/makeup rou...

I'm a mommy of 2 beautiful children: Aspen, my sweet and spicy 5 year old daughter and Hunter, my super cuddly and wild almost-2-year old son. These two keep me going day in and day out, so we pretty much do whatever it takes to give them the best that we can...and you all know how expensive "the best" can be. About 4 years ago I was working in childcare, in the nursery, and one of my babies' mom began telling me of a children's consignment event that she participates in. I lived in Conway, AR at the time and my Aspen was only 2 years old. Lisa, mom of 2, Meagan and Mason (the baby boy in my class), filled me in on all of the details. 2 Times per year: Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter Purchase, gently used children's clothes for great prices! Consign your gently used children 's clothes to make some extra money Volunteer to work during the event to earn early shopping passes Help market the event to earn early shopping passes Sales in a...