Will you fight for happiness????
Current mood: inspired
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Today I played hookie from work and spent the day withmy husband, then we went and got the kids early from daycare. We cam home and hung out till dinner time. We decided to take them out which doesn't happen often, it's too crazy. We had a great time just being a family. When we got home I decided to take the kids for a walk around the neighborhood.

As I watched my children walk and look at nature in all God created, I realized that happiness is what we make of our situations. The last month I had this cloud following me and I knew it was going to consume me if I didn't let God have control.

Today I saw His sunshine and in that sunshine I found happiness in the rays, in my God, in myself, in my husband and in my children.

We have to make and fight for the happiness God's provide, sometimes we just don't look hard enough!!

Fight for happiness and seek places where you might not think it would be.

"I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you." Isaiah 43:1-2

10:27 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

BELIEVE
Current mood: thankful
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Believe

Through the unexpected things that happens in our lives, we draw from God the strength we need to carry on with Christ.

For He will always hold us up whenever it gets too tough and carry us through the hardest times, when we can't feel His love.

I know that at these times we feel abandoned by our Lord, we wonder what is going on, we can't feel His presence at all.

But He has not abandoned us nor forsaken us in our need.
He allows the unexpected things be life lessons we should heed.

So we will grow with deeper faith and be strengthened in the Lord. Then when we face the storms of life we'll be stronger than before.

So when the unexpected comes remember God's in control and nothing in life is ever wasted but are memories that we hold.

So when others come across our path that are facing what we've faced, we're more than able to share God's love
And touch them with His grace.

Life is never about the people who ACT TRUE to your face. It is about the people who REMAIN TRUE at your back.

Unknown Author

5:58 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

God in the Margins!
Current mood: grateful
Category: Religion and Philosophy

I received this book called from MOPS called "breathe" by Keri Wyatt Kent.

(I am Para phrasing)

One of the chapters talks about "God in the Margins".

The chapter describes when in the old days they used "airmail". The paper they used to write on was very thin. They would try to write as much as they can in order to only have to send one sheet and not pay more for their letters.

Keri describes how we get so busy in life that God is usually pushed into the "margins" of our lives. We write and write (do and do, add more and more to our schedules) and fill our papers (fill up our days) with all the responsibilities and needs of our lives that God always is the first thing to get pushed into the margins of our lives.

I was so convicted by this chapter! One thing she mentions is "what would happen if God was in the center of our papers and everything else was in the margins?" I stopped and God spoke to me. He asked me "Am I in the center of your paper and can you write in the margins?" I said "NO, I couldn't possibly fit all I do in the margins!"

He gave me an exercise and I challenge you to do the same. Take one lined piece of paper and write within the margins (you only get one sheet) start writing all the things you do. Be specific, don't write just job..... Write what you are responsible for doing. Don't just write down children..... Write down all the things you do for your children. You will find that you will start to cram and find room to write everything..... That's ok. When you feel you are done take another piece of paper and in the middle in big letters write GOD, in the margins write again all the things you are responsible for....... it's amazing....... there isn't enough room...... so then you have to start erasing so fit the most important things in your life!

God reminded me of a scripture that my husband and I hang on to so dearly and it helps remind us to keep our home in line with God and to do things He instructs us to do not things we want or things others want.

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Psalm 127:1

Take time to see where God is on your paper of life!!

Amanda

A Parent 4 Christ

9:02 AM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Rest of God
Current mood: refreshed
Category: refreshed Religion and Philosophy

The Rest of God

"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" Exodus 33:14 

Since the New Year is here, I thought that ending the year in a message on how to get, enjoy and stay in God's "rest" would set us on a path of joy, peace, assurance and acceptance in where God has us at this moment of our lives.
 

In my own life I know how at the end of the day I ask, "God where was my rest today, am I ever going to get rest, and why does it seem that the moment I think I can have it someone interrupts my rest?" With so many responsibilities, my children, their school obligations, appointments, husband's job and side business, bills, church, ministry and you name it we have to do! It's hard to see rest in site. The moms (or who ever stays home with the children and I know that parents who both work can still relate) seem to be the ones who are the glue that holds every thing together. We are able to manage and stretch so that at the end of day everyone is sleeping peacefully. In the late hours of the evening (or early morning hours) this is when God reminds me that I am blessed to be standing in my home and to have all those responsibilities.  As hard as it gets and as many bad things that seem to happen, I can always counter those with all the good things and blessings in my life. He is faithful to reward us and give us rest; we just choose to over look His rest.

I always thought that "rest" was a miracle! I have six children and never saw rest in site. I would dream of sun, warm air with a slight breeze, lounging with a cold drink, delicious food (that I don't have to share with anyone), oh yeah my husband by my side, and QUITENESS. No children, no phones, no email, no bills, no appointments, and no people. I knew that one day God would give me that! At least in my sleep deprived state of mind I prayed for the miracle of rest.

                One day I decided to look into what does "The Rest of God" look like. Now that was a few months back and I never finished studying. The holiday season came and seemed to bring a cloud of overwhelming hysteria. Even when you try to keep things calm and not over do, it always happen. By New Year's Eve you are so ready for school to be back, no more crazy shoppers, family went home, somewhat normal bedtime and over all sigh of relieve that it's all over. Yet you know that life will go on and it may not be holiday season but family life is a "busy season" all year long.

By this morning I was beyond the vision of rest. I knew that my bucket was dry and I was gong to crack. I sat on the couch and my husband ever so gentle said "do you want to read your bible?" I glanced at him and thought "is he serious? I know that the minute I sit down someone will interrupt me and I will loose it on someone!" Isn't it funny how when we ask God for a refill and He gives us that opportunity, we are so quick to shut Him out? That is what God said to me at the very moment. "Are you shutting me out?" I then turned to my husband and said, "Hand me my bible." He just smiled and I went into my room, sat at the desk, opened my bible and there was the paper I had started writing on about God's rest.

I started reading and knew that I had to finish it. I was so amazed that I missed the true meaning of rest. I found that in everyday there are moments that God gives me rest. In my flesh I wanted more! I wanted the kids to sleep longer, play outside longer, the phone to not ring at all instead of the two I only had that day, to do no laundry instead of one load that I mustered up the energy to do, and in general no noise for more than 30 minutes (5 minutes of quietness is a miracle!). When I look at it compared to my "normal" days that was a restful day. Nothing major happened and over all I didn't do much. So then very gently but firm, God reminded me of little things each day where He gives me rest. But first I have to stop being so busy, stressed out, and in a hurry or I will miss out on the simple, precious, sweet, yet powerful moments of rest He puts in my life.

Here are some biblical definitions of rest;

Rest =   To be secure, at rest

                To be peaceful

                To settle on, rely on

                To lean upon, take hold of

                Support, rely on

                Relaxation, relief

                Peace, health, prosperity

                Abide with

                Have, hold, keep

                Remain, live

In studying this, one definition that took me by surprise was "relaxation". Did you notice that it is only mentioned one time and all the other definitions relate to what we have to do and in doing that God will give us certain things back. Here is how God spoke to me when I listed the definitions and He revealed to me the path of rest.

• If we are secure in God, then rest will come.
• When the busyness of the world doesn't get to us and we are peaceful, that is rest.
• When we settle for God's will and rely on Him that where He has us at this moment is in His control, that's rest.
• When in the hard moments of each day, if we lean and take hold of God, that is rest.
• There are always moments in a day where you can relax and get relief, so look for them that is rest.
• God does promise peace, health, and prosperity when we accept His rest in our lives.
• He abides with us in every moment and rest is so sweet when we allow Him to rest with us.
• To have, hold, and keep! You have to do this every day to acknowledge that those moments of rest are yours. (Make boundaries in your life)
• REMAIN AND LIVE.

When we can understand that God wants to give us rest, get this in your hearts, apply it to your day and surrender to that rest, He promises that the rest will be with us always. YOU CAN REMAIN AND LIVE in His rest every moment! Amen!!

They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul.

 All who would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.

 They took an oath to the LORD with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns.

All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them.

So the LORD gave them rest on every side. 2 Chronicles 15:12-15 (NIV)

Pray this prayer if you need God's rest in your life!

Father, I have worked so hard and I have given all I've got! I see in the bible that the Israelites found rest when they sought You "with all of their heart and with all of their soul". There is a place of rest in You that I have not entered into yet. There is ability to rest in Your presence that I've not yet found, Teach me, Lord, to give you first place in my life. Teach me to seek you with all my heart and with all my soul – and to find Your rest. Thanks You, Lord, for ordaining times of rest for Your people. Thanks you for calling me to a season of rest, even in the midst of my hectic life. I am here to learn from You, Lord. Teach me to rest!

6:17 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The Hats we Wear - Part 1
Current mood: refreshed
Category: Religion and Philosophy

The "Hats" We Wear

By Amanda Ruthruff

"Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." Proverbs 24:3-4 NKJV

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it…." Psalm 127:1a NKJV

     The "hats" we wear are all the things we do in our lives. They range from family responsibilities, work and/or business, extended family and friends, church and/or ministries.

     We all carry them and some people can carry more than others. Some we wear because we have too and some we put on without knowing the real purpose of them. Most of the "hats" we put on we do without even asking God if we should wear them.

     To set this up for you, here are some definitions so that as we go through this it will give you a foundation and in the end a purpose for all your "hats".

     One more thing before we start, God should always be first in our lives. I don't want to start this off without stating that none of this will work until you have that commandment truly active in your life. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30

     There are so many "hats" we could talk about and there are many specific hats you might wear in each of these areas that I have listed. But from a personal testimony and what God has taken me though recently these are the ones I most identify with. I pray you can relate to these and God reveals other "hats" in your life.

Here are some definitions of words you will hear throughout this message.

Responsibility = A particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible

Favor = Something done or granted out of goodwill, a kind act

Blessing = Something promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being, or prosperity

Calling = An inner urge or a strong impulse, especially one believed to be divinely inspired to accept the Gospels as truth and Jesus as one's personal savior.

Family Hats – Responsibilities

     These are our spouses, your children and all functions of our home. They are all things you have true obligation too. These are "hats" you can't just take off, they are God given and they have a purpose for your life. If God has blessed you with a family, then this is your first ministry with no question or second guessing. It comes before any other type of Ministry and God requires that in order for you to fulfill your calling. Your house must be in order. 1 Timothy 3:1-12 explains the requirements for ministry….. "4 He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?" You must meet the needs of your household before you meet the needs of others. How your ministry runs, is a reflection of you're household.

Jobs and/or Business Hats – Responsibilities Part 2

     These "hats" are required to provide for your family. Your job/business can overtake you and pull you away from your family and some seasons call for that. But you have to have a balance. Proverbs 10:4-5says "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son".

Church and Ministries – Our service

     These "hats" have many functions and aspects. They are harder to determine whether God is placing the "hats" on us or if we have just picked them up along the way.

Hat That Fits– Gifts, talents and our calling.

     These "hats" are where your heart is and you know that God has placed you there for a purpose. You love the work and the impact the ministry has on people or children. This "hat" could also be your calling, the main purpose for your time on this earth. It is also very important to understand that this "hat" always goes on after your "family hats". And some of these "hats" are only for a season not a life time.

Out of Style Hats – Our old habits

     These "hats" are ones you go window shopping for and you decide you like it even though it is out of style and just doesn't go with your fashion of clothes. Or you pick them up somewhere because you can't stand to see them lying around. In both these situations, the question is, did you even ask God if you could buy it or pick it up? These "hats" end up not working but we keep them anyway because we always have operated that way.

     This next "hat" is my pain point in this message. This is from a time in my life where God dealt with me; my old habits and ways I would help others to not deal with my self. This turned into disobedience and the result was I was not longer in God's will for my life. It was a hard time and my heart was hurting. I left so many emotions, and my attitude was reflecting what I was feeling. Through the Word of God, messages/sermons, prayer, and conformation, my husband and I came to the revelation of what He had in store for us. Letting go of my flesh, what "man" had said, and worldly understanding was a difficult task. Once I did, God's grace was unleashed on my husband and I. We knew what we had to do and it was no longer a question. We know that God has control of our lives, my children's lives, and the purpose He has sent us here for. We are not here to fulfill man's thoughts of us or what they think we should be. We are here to trust, be obedient, committed and faithful to our walk with Jesus Christ. He knows where we come from and where we are going. He is so amazing! The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-6 NIV

Hats that aren't ours – Our trials.

     These "hats" are borrowed or loaned. They were intended to be temporary. We were holding them for someone or "filling a need". These "hats" only became ours permanently because we didn't give them back or say no! We keep them because you don't want to hurt someone's feelings or let people down. Saying NO, is an exercise of humility. Being honest and saying that you can't take the "hat" and know that God will find someone else.

I want to break down "filling a need".

Filling = Webster's says; 1. something used to fill a space.

               Strong's says;  2. to satisfy

Need = Strong's says;    3. necessary, opportune, suitable

                                      4. to have, hold, keep

                                      5. to be under obligation

                                      6. demand, requirement

            Webster's says;  7. lack of something required or desirable

                                      8. to be under the necessity of the obligation

Here is my comparison of how "filling a need" works.

1 & 2. You saw or were told of a "hat" in need.

3. You know the "hat" needs someone and you think are, or were told you are, suitable to wear it.

4. Then you claim the "hat" as yours without making sure God told you to put it on first.

5. You start felling weighted down and feel obligated to keep the "hat" on.

6. You now fill like wearing the "hat" is a requirement and there's no removal option.

7. You can't even give it away; you realize no one wants the "hat".

8. And finally bondage and burn out. The "hats" come crashing down around you.

     Taking on the "hat" of "filling a need" will cause bondage of co-dependency, guilt, resentment and finally you burn-out. "Filling a need" is not bondage but when you don't take off the "hat" or give it back when God tells you too, that's where the bondage begins. You don't bless a ministry by wearing this "hat", you hinder what God really wants for that ministry. You also block what God wants you to do and what He may want to do in someone else.  Here is the truth….. you are IN-DISPENSABLE!!! When you think that you are the only one who can wear that "hat", "you aren't giving God the credit that He can raise up people He needs, to do the jobs He sent forth for the Kingdom." (Vicki Caruana) The bottom line of "filling a need" is that it is a "favor" which is an act of good will, not what God wills for your life.

     Those statements may seem harsh but its truth that God has revealed to me. Now I want to say that I do feel trying different ministries to see where you fit in and what God has called you to be is a wise choice. I also believe that God gives us many gifts and talents. But don't forget that just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

1:19 PM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Blessings of Motherhood - Updated
Category: Life

Mike and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary and I have only been saved two years. I lost one baby in the first year of our marriage and then had my oldest son, Mikey, one year later. At 3 years old he was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome which is a type of Autism. Then I had Kallen, who at 3 months old started having allergic reactions to several things. Over the years his issues have turned into food allergies, indoor/outdoor allergies, eczema and asthma. He also had some developmental delays, sensory problems, and he was the poster child for ADHD. He had two anti-flaxtic shocks when he was 4, and has been rushed to the hospital so many times that I cant keep track. Then I had Avery who at 6 weeks old was hospitalized for RSV and pneumonia. In the next two years of his life he had stayed in the hospital for up to a week at a time, totaling around 6 times and many trips to the ER. This also was accompanied by asthma.

I knew I had these children for a reason but it wasnt until after I got saved that God slowly started showing me why. I felt that I must have done something wrong in order to have three boys who all have some sort of medical issue. I didnt feel they were a burden, but my heart was heavy with a lack of understanding why I had to go through all of this with them. I loved my boys and devoted every waking moment to them but always held a part of my heart from them out of fear. The fear was that I would loose them because of their problems.

I got saved in October 03 and God started changing my heart. It wasnt until Rob Sanchez came here in 2004 and prayed over me that I truly allowed God to have not just control over my life but the lives of my children. God gave me revelation through a story Rob shared from the bible about Hannah (2 Sam 1:1-22). I then understood that my boys were a blessing and they are proof that God uses all kinds of people and children to touch the lives of others. After that evening with Rob, my heart opened and I came home and prayed over my boys for the first time. That night God gave me a dream that I was pregnant. Two months later I had another dream that I was pregnant and God told me the babys name was Hannah Grace. The following day I found out that I was actually pregnant. When I had my ultrasound and saw her I knew that she was a sign to me that my heart is my children. God gave them to me as a gift not a burden, Psalm 127:3 says Ps 127:3 Children are a gift from God; they are his reward. My boys are how other families will see how Jesus changes the lives of adults but in children as well. That they will grow up and use their lives to reach people and bring them to God. Hannah was a new start in my heart to live out true motherhood.

Now since that revelation God has slowly been healing my children and continues to heal them and use their issues to touch lives. A month ago Mikeys doctor removed his diagnoses and we have seen him turn into a boy we thought we would never see. Kallen is still dealing with allergies and asthma but they seem to be on an even level and not as up and down. He is out of programs for the sensory and ADHD issues. If anyone has spent any time with Kallen, they know he is still the poster child for ADHD but God is definitely moving in his life and healing him of that. Avery went this last fall and winter without being hospitalized. A few ER trips but Praise God just little things. Hannah is a healthily girl and her goal in life so far is to keep up with the big brothers.

God not only makes being a mom an important role but I believe that He wants us to make sure that our children know we love them with all our heart not the part that just supplies their needs. We are blessed that we get to be their first example of Christ love.

As mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; Isa 66:13 NIV

UPDATE - 1/25/07
A few months back Mike and I took in a 16 year old "at risk" youth. Her story is very powerful and we thank God that we are able to be apart of her life. We are able to give her a chance to have a rel sense of what family is and what God can do in people lives. She has adjusted better than we thought and we can't wait to see the awesome things God is going to do in her life and how He is going to use her in a mighty way.

Two weeks ago, Mike's daughter (13) came to visit on her normal weekend. When it was time for her to go home, she refused. She felt that she wanted to be here with her dad and begin to get closer to God. We are now in the process of the parenting plan which would state that she lives here until she is 18. We are so excited that she is here and that she gets to have some time to be a everyday part of this side fo her family.

Both os thes girls have some hard issues that they need help dealing with and emotions. They have had many things happen in there life that have influenced who they are today. But we believe that Jesus has the power to take all that from them and give them a new life and new start. We won't let the enemy use his addictions, alchol, drugs, depressions, eatign disorders, anger, bitterness, generational curses, bondages to hold these girls down anymore! They have a call on their lives and we know that God gave them to us to help guide them in His ways. We know that it comes with challenges and soem heart ache, but we trust God enough to know that this is His will and it will all work out acording to His plan!

SO WE ARE NOW A FAMILY OF........ 16 YR GIRL, 13 YR GIRL, 9 YR BOY, 7 YR BOY, 4 YR BOY AND THE BABY GIRL WHO IS 2!!!!!!

OUR QUIVER SURE IS GETTING FULL!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

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