Satan Has No Control

How many times do we as Christians struggle to ask for forgiveness. I have talked to several friends and we all agree that there are sometimes we just don't want to ask God for forgiveness. It has nothing to do with us thinking we don't need it, and everything to do with being ashamed.

Ashamed to go to a perfect God, and admit (silly us, he already knows) that we screwed up. again. I hate that feeling but I have had it several times. That knowing that you need to make things right with God because yet again, you've failed. I feel like I don't deserve His forgiveness. I don't want God to let me off that easy to where, I neglect Him and yet He still longs for me to come back to Him. 

Last Sunday we were singing "Before the Throne of God Above" and a few of the lyrics really touch my heart. Read them slowly.

When Satan tempts me to despair, And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look, and see him there Who made an end of all my sin. Because a sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free; For God, the Just, is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me

Satan uses guilt. He wants us to stay far from the Savior as long as possible. But He doesn't have control over us. We are free from the bondage of sin. It has no reign over us. So don't let Satan make us think it does!

God has pardoned me. He has died a horrible death because He wants me. He wants me to be with Him. He wants me to come to Him with praise, hurts, and yes, even failures. Once I am in His hands, NOTHING can separate us from His love. Because it is unceasing. 

Full House Makes Me Cry

It's true. I tear up within 2 minutes of watching it. I haven't seen it in what seems like forever, but I was flipping through channels, saw it was on, and therefore had to peak. Of course I would know what episode it was within the first few seconds. Anyway, it makes me cry. So do engagements, weddings, and births. (I cried at my own weddings, and my sisters, along with each of my friend's weddings.) I also get close to tears when I see a child I adore (Audrey, Kylee, Owen, Mason) grow up too fast. I cry at church, and while watching movies where I see kids in horrible sittuations. I cry when I think about Thailand and how much I miss the people there. I cry when I hit my funny bone on something. I also laugh so hard I cry. I cry when I get tickled. Tears stream down my face every Spring due to dumb allergies. I was born sensitive what can I say. I used to try to hold it back so that I wouldn't get attention, sometimes I still do. Even still, I am becoming more and more okay with showing that emotion freely, because sometimes, a girl just needs a good cry. It feels refreshingly freeing. 

Side Note: After crying while watching full house I then went on twitter and tried to find most of the actors/actresses on there. That's right, I'm not ashamed. I am now following Danny, Jesse, Kimmy, DJ, Stephanie and Joey. Oh the memories!

Date(s) #35

We had a few 'mini' dates this past week. We spent a chunk of the day last Saturday painting our steps... Little did we know they took 24 hours to dry. I guess we should really read the back labels.. We then spend the evening with Lauren and Steven which was nice and relaxing. Rarely do I go somewhere without thinking through all the things I need to get done. This evening was not like that, and it was fabulous!

On that same Saturday I made homemade pizza dough, so we spent Monday night making our own Pizza. It was delicious! The only convincing I needed to do to get Drew to help was to give him permission to flip the dough in the air... success! We were a tad surprised it turned out. There may be a few times that my cooking has just not worked out for the best, but not this time! It was delicious!

Kiddos

Mason and Kylee are doing great, thanks for asking. :) They are at such great ages! I know they aren't my kids so giving an 'update' on them seems weird, but I love the fact that I get to watch them grow up and being a part of their lives! These kids are great, so I want you to get to know them.

Mason is 3 and talks constantly. He has the funniest expressions and loves to have "5 more minutes" outside/playing/watching a movie or whatever else he desperately doesn't want to stop doing. He gives great hugs and loves playing superhero and hiding from his parents when they walk through the door. Of course he yells "su-PRIZE" before they can 'look' for him. He has such a tender heart and hates if you tell him he has done something wrong.

Kylee is so stinkin' smart. She is 20 months old and carries on normal conversations with me. She repeats everything, loves singing twinkle, twinkle little star, and says 'That way' every time we pass a park. She thinks KNOWS she can do anything her brother can do and usually is right! She also gives great kisses.

We get together with Lauren and the kids she takes care of often. They are pretty much all BFFs. Yes, I just said that.

In times like these I wish I knew Bob the Builder Personally

 Oh the things we have learned during these almost 4 months... Drew is becoming a jack-of-all-trades since having to figure out how to put our house back together. I am so OVER the mess, but am loving my renovated house (even though it was fine the way it was before!) The steps are half done, but other than that we only have the randomness to finish up... Unfortunately, since we aren't tripping over tools, we have majorly slowed down in the lets finish this thing and be done mentality we once had. Drew no longer wants to learn more 'trades'. He wants to pretend it's done. I have to say we are doing a fairly good job of it! I really don't want to have this big of a project almost finished for years. That would feel yuck. Hopefully we will get motivated again soon since we've had a little break. Time will tell.

Raindrops on roses...

Raindrops on roses tulips? and whiskers on kittens duckies? Alright so that doesn't work at all, but as Kylee and I had our morning date I was feeling pretty joyful like that song expresses... We also love singing "I'm bringing home a baby bubble bee" and in that song a bee stings. So I think the sound of music song fits in well with Kylee and my date day.

Is grace enough?

Oh Karen, how I have missed reading your books. Thank you for reaching me an amazing truth about our creator while reading your book. I love how God uses many very separate avenues to bring about a common theme that I need to understand better.

Many times we ask God for miracles. So often we have specific miracles in mind though. We think that God should heal that sick family member, or give that person a promotion, or keep those that are in dangerous situations safe. We may want our child to love God with all that we have and grow up to be  a pastor or missionary or doctor. Thankfully, God has a way clearer picture of how all things work together for good. You see he may choose to let that family member die, or allow someone to lose their job. Do we still trust Him when that is His decision??

Karen pointed out a great passage in 1 Kings about Elijah having a hard time. So God said that he would make himself known to him. So there was fire, but God was not there. There was a gust of wind, but God was not found in the wind either. Then there was a still small voice. That is where God was. We so often look for God to be in the huge accomplishments or amazing things in life, that we overlook the daily whispers of God. We don't recognize that Jesus is in your child learning a memory verse, or someone understanding God a little more during a conversation you have with them. We don't see God in the years of health that we do have, we just feel like He isn't there when things go wrong.

I have been thinking a lot about being grateful for the little things God gives us. He doesn't owe us anything. My friend Rebecca's fiance said something the other day that will probably be with me a long time. He said that when someone argues that God isn't there, say "shhhhhhhhh we don't want God to be fair." Think about that. Do you really want our powerful creator of the universe to be fair and give us what we deserve?? Then maybe we all should start being a little more thankful in the little things that He does....

I have also been studying Galatians. In chapter 2 verse 21, Paul states that " I do not set aside the grace of God..." I admit that I fail to acknowledge the massive amount of grace that my God lavishes on me. often. If He never gave me my desires, He still is worthy of my praise because he is a gracious God. My praise should be without ceasing due to that fact alone. 

Are we still enough to hear His whisper... see His constant hand on our lives?