Just Enough

When I just don’t think I have enough for the day- 

Some days are just hard. And then that one day can turn into another day and then another. Consecutive days of hard.  Those are the days when you just don’t think you have enough left to give. There is nothing left in the tank. It is flat on empty. 

I have been experiencing a lot of those days lately as a caregiver to my mom.  For me. this means traveling 5 hours, back and forth, often, to be with her and love up on her. Just being her comfort and advocate. This time with my mom is very precious to me, but it can be quite draining. Its a roller coaster. Up and down. One day, I told a very dear friend that I just didn’t think I had it in me anymore. I just didn’t think I could do it. I was emotionally spent, exhausted and my heart was breaking for her. My friend reminded me that I had 'just enough' for the day. YES!! That’s what I needed to hear. Just a few simple words with deep meaning. "Enough for the day."

Just enough. 

Enough energy. Enough compassion. Enough patience. Enough strength. Enough courage. Enough love. Enough comfort. Enough God.

I was immediately reminded of the Israelites as they were in the wilderness. God provided them manna for each day. He provided them "just enough”. 



Just enough food. Enough nourishment for one day. He knew exactly how much they needed. Exactly. Sustenance, nourishment, Manna...enough for every hour of every day. Day by day. For as long as they needed it. And a double portion on the 6th day! Did you know that? God gave them exactly enough.


Know that God says...

I will give you just enough...


So, when those hard days come…Be still and know.

Know that God says...

I will rain down a potpourri of manna for you. For whatever you need for today. I am giving it to you. Open up your fists. Raise up your hands.
Hold them out. 

Let the manna fall into your palms. Know that I have sent it to you. This is your nourishment for the day. Lift up your face and let the manna rain down on you. Drink abundantly. When you feel like your strength is all dried up..look up and receive my strength. I will not withhold it from you. It is like the morning dew.  I give you water for your thirst. I will revive you. I will quench your thirst. 

I will give you just enough..

Know that God says…

When you feel alone and call out, I am here with you. Lift up your hands and gather the manna of my friendship and companionship. It is your bread from heaven. It will strengthen your heart. (Psalm 104:15). Open your hands and I will fill them with good things. You are never alone.

Know that God says...

I will give you enough manna for each day. Whatever you need. Just enough. For as long as your need it!

Because, Know this....

I am ...

So, what is your Manna? Your need? Lift up your hands open your palms, gather HIS manna and rest in Him! 

Be A High Hurdler

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“Be a High Hurdler” 

I love our Monday morning staff devotion time. I always walk away with new life principles to implement throughout my day. Today, Scott Brittin, our President, discussed being a “high hurdler”. Scott was a high hurdle jumper on the track and field team in high school and he was recently inducted into his high school wall of fame.  Scott did not start out as a high hurdle jumper. His coach saw something unique in him and suggested to him that he should in fact, “Be a high hurdler." A high hurdler? This was not something that Scott saw in himself at the time. But, his coach was right. He did have it in himself to be a high hurdler. Through his coach speaking into his life, he was able to see that potential in himself. 

God not only speaks directly into our lives Himself, He often speaks into our lives through other people. He wants to draw more out of us than what we may actually realize is there. Sometimes, it is hard to embrace the walk that God has set out before us. We may doubt our ability or we may not even recognize the ability in ourself at all. If we let God speak into our lives through others, be it a coach, mentor, friend, spouse or others, then HE will draw out of us more than what we see or realize is already there. God knows it is in us, waiting to be developed. He created us to be His workmanship, with different gifts, talents and abilities.  He wants us to take a risk for Him and to develop the gifts and talents he gave us. He wants us to trust Him in those abilities and to know that we can walk with Him and proceed along the path that He has laid out for us. 

How do we do this? 

We need to receive what others speak to us through God. We need to embrace it and walk forward in it. Does it take time to develop those characteristics and gifts in us? Absolutely! It takes time and practice. Will we immediately become a success and overcome every hurdle? No! We will have to work on overcoming the hurdles. We will have to practice. We will have to learn the process. During the learning process, we will hit some of those hurdles and we will knock some hurdles down, but, eventually, once we learn the process, we will overcome the hurdles and, like Scott says, “We will run like crazy to the finish line." With God, we will make it over every hurdle that is in our path. 

I like how Scott tied the devotion all together for us with these 3 main points. 

In order to “Be a High Hurdler” we must,

1. Let God speak into our life.
2. Let others speak into our life.
3. Practice to get the process and form right.

Now, let’s go jump some hurdles for God!! 

Ephesians 2:10

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand so that we would walk in them.

Letting God Lead Your Child

The role of parenting is challenging but oh so rewarding. There is such a fine line between leading them and letting them go. What we may want for our kids as a parent may not mesh with what our kids want for themselves but most importantly, it may not mesh with what God wants to do in and through their life!  He has big plans for our kids that we just can't see! They need our guidance and direction desperately, but sometimes it is hard to know when the time has come for us to step back a bit and surrender our own expectations, ideas and dreams that we have for our kids!

My youngest daughter has been in the process of determining which college to attend in the fall. We have applied, visited, auditioned and prayed about this decision for the better part of her whole senior year. Finally, with much prayer and discussion, we were able to narrow it down to two schools.

Final decision time arrived. Wouldn't you know, her decision was different from the one her dad and I  thought she would make. Imagine that! Then, I asked her the, "Are you sure?" question, to which she replied, "Yes! I am very sure. This is where God is leading me".  Smart Girl! 

I am so glad she is going where her savior is leading her and not me! As a parent, I want nothing more than to see my child walking in Christ  and following His lead.  Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew what it was like to let go of Jesus and allow Him to follow His Father's lead. (Luke 2:41-52) Sometimes, this is easier said then done. I may tend to get in the way of the process and not realize it!  How do we step back and let God lead our kids? Well, we have to get out of His way! 

Here are a few ways that as a parent, we may get in the way of His leading:

1. Our Expectations-We need to surrender our own great expectations for our kids over to God. 

2. Our Control-We need to surrender our own control of our kids over to Godl! 

3. Our Emotions-We need to surrender our own heart and emotions of our children leaving home over to God. We have to let them go where He leads them.

I may have had a lot of "what if" questions about the decision at first, but in the end, who am I to get between my baby girl and her God? HE is doing some serious work in her heart. HE is molding, stretching, challenging, teaching, growing, loving and leading her. HE is planting her at this school for such a time as this. I was called as a parent to plant the seeds and train my daughter up. 

My job is simple, and as hard as it is, I shouldn't stand in God's way!  I have to let go of her and let God lead her!  After all, she does belong to Him! 

Train up a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it!

Memorizing Scripture...Can It Really Be Done?

I don't know about you, but sometimes the thought of scripture memorization can be pretty daunting. I can barely remember where I left my keys or what item I went into the grocery store to pick up!  You know exactly what I mean, don't you? Well, the study I am participating in right now,James, by Beth Moore, gives each participant the opportunity to go a step further than just memorizing a verse or more a week. Beth gives each participant the opportunity to "go deeper" into the Word by memorizing the book of James! The first thing that crossed my mind was, "There is no way I can memorize the whole book of James". Then that little voice inside of me said, "Yes, yes you can...and God will help.  If you can remember hundreds of songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s, you can memorize and remember the book of James"! 

But how? How do I do that? The answer to that question is,  1) You do it over time, 2) You discipline yourself and 3) You abide in the Word of God!  Ladies, if we abide in Christ, His Word will abide in us! 

Beth gives spectacular tips in a video tutorial for memorizing the book of James. She uses the word ABIDE and turns it into an acrostic, which is listed below. I believe this can be used not just for the book of James but for single memory verses as well.  (check it out here: http://vimeo.com/34810546)

Ask God for the ability.

Believe you can do it.

Increase the portion each week.

Determine a set time everyday to practice.

Enjoy it.

These tips may give you a fresh perspective and a bit of encouragement, whether you are memorizing one verse, one chapter, or more.They are very practical and valuable for help in memorization. Which one of the tips do you find most helpful? 

I would also like to share the following 4 quick tips that you may have seen before but it never hurts to repeat:

1. Hear it (Hear the Word)

2. Write it (Write the Word)

3. See it (See the Word)

4. Speak it (Speak the Word) 

Maybe you can find an audio Bible CD or an audio App and listen to scripture in your car. Maybe you can hang stickie notes all over you house...on mirrors, the refrigerator, the washing machine. What about putting stickies in the car? Really, wherever you spend a lot of your time would be the perfect place for a stickie note, or as I like to call them, "Love Notes From God". 

Finally, the most important part of scripture memorization is the "why". Why should we memorize scripture? There is so much value in memorizing scripture. John Piper wrote the following regarding the memorization of scripture:

"The abiding of Jesus’ word in us means that his words find a home in us. They fit. They belong. The words of Jesus don’t “abide” without effect. When they take root, they produce faith and holiness. “Sanctify them in the truth,” Jesus says; “your word is truth” (John 17:17). So when his words abide in us, sanctification happens. We are transformed. Holiness, Christlikeness, happens. So, in sum, the abiding of Jesus’ words in us means that the words of Jesus take root and bear the fruit of faith and holiness". (http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/if-my-words-abide-in-you--2)

I want my faith to grow. 

I want to be transformed. 

I want God's Word to find a home in me. 

I want the Word of God to take root and bear fruit. Fruit of faith and holiness! 

What about you? 

Do you have any special tips that have helped you remember God's Word?  If so, please comment below. Let us know what scripture you are memorizing this week!!

Abiding in Him,

Devotional Links for 2013

Here are some great links to devotionals to help you stay in the word in 2013:

Chronological Bible Reading

Beth Moore: Siesta Scripture Memory Team

Jesus Calling- 

Download the app for 1.99

You Version App: Multiple reading plans

My Utmost for His Highest

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

Streams in the Dessert

What is your favorite devotional? Please share it with me!!

Advent Week 2-Peace

Advent Week 2

Preparing for Peace

Luke 1:26-47

Matthew 1:19-21

Isaiah 9:6

                                      My soul Glorifies the Lord,

                                      And my spirit rejoices in Him.

                                              Luke 1:46

God began preparing the world for the birth of Christ over 700 years before it came to pass, as seen in Isaiah 9:6. God prepared Mary's heart for the birth of Christ by sending the angel Gabriel to tell her the news of her pregnancy and her soul glorified the Lord .(Luke 1:26-46)  At the time Mary became pregnant, she was betrothed to Joseph. God prepared Joseph's heart by sending an angel to him in a dream to explain the upcoming birth of Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-22) 

Here we are, over 2000 years after the birth of Christ. The Christmas season is in full swing. This week, as you prepare your heart to celebrate the birth of Christ, remember, that in all the busyness of the world, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. God's purpose for us during Christmas is not to feel over-stressed and over-worked. He wants us to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas by seeking the gift of Peace, His son, Jesus. He wants us to seek Him first. In seeking Him, our souls will glorify Him and our spirits will rejoice in Him. (Luke 1:46) God wants us to remember that Peace was made flesh and was born in a manger. He wears a crown and sits at the right hand of the Father. There is no gift greater than the gift of Peace. Seek Him and you will find Him!

May the blessing of Peace fill your heart and may your soul glorify the Lord  as you prepare for Christmas!

To Us...Hope is Born

To Us... 

A Child of Hope is Born*

And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

And we have reason to hope because...    

To us...

     He is the Wonderful Counselor.

     We have hope because he is our ever present helper.

To us...

     He is the Mighty God.

     We have hope because His power is above all other. 

To us...

     He is the Everlasting Father.

      We have hope because His reign shall have no end. Ever. 

     

To us...

     He is the Prince of Peace.

     We have hope because He is hope to the weary. In Him we find rest.

We have been given the greatest gift of all. Hope was born!

O, Come let us adore Him!

                           

                              *To us a child of hope is born 

                                Author: John Morrison (1781; Alt)

                             
                       
Hoping in Him with you,

ADVENTure through Christmas

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Advent is almost upon us. The word "advent" actually means "arrival" or "coming". The purpose of Advent is to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of Christ (arrival) and to remind us that we are to expectantly await His glorious return (coming). It is a time of reflection about the amazing gift that God gave us, the gift of His Son, Jesus, the best gift of all! 

Below are a few links to some great Advent resources. Let us know if you have a good link to share as well!!

Old Traditions, New Life. A Worship Tool for Advent 

Children's Sermons for Advent

Billy Graham Advent Resources- Free Download

Max Lucado Advent Devotional

Celebrate Advent

Please join me as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of Jesus! 

Holy Boldness...

When I get tired and bored with my house, the first thing I usually do is run to the paint store and load up on color swatches and color books. Blues, greens, whites, browns, grays, yellows and golds. There are so many colors to choose from. I bring all the swatches home and start taping them to the wall. I know my husband is thinking, "Oh goodness, here she goes again". By the time I am done my wall looks like a forest of trees in autumn! I sit back and analyze the wall. Which color looks good in the light? Which color goes with the furniture? Which color makes me happy? Usually, the BOLD colors are the ones that make me happy! But, you know what? I am always a bit fearful to paint the walls a BOLD color! Why? I like bold! Why can't I just go for it and fill the walls full of amazing bold "wow colors" instead of going with the neutral colors? Because, the neutral route is safe! You know what I mean, don't you? The neutral route can also be bland, blah and boring!  I don't want boring! I want BOLD! I want bold walls. You know what else I want? I want to live a BOLD life. I want to be BOLD in my walk with God as well! I don't want to take the boring route with God. God didn't call me to be a boring christian, He called me to be a BOLD christian! 

The term BOLD is defined as courageous and daring, not hesitating, adventurous. To be BOLD for God is something we should all strive be!  Boldness is available to us through the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. That's right, we have access to HOLY BOLDNESS! How awesome is that? HOLY BOLDNESS empowers us to step out in unwavering confidence so that we can fulfill our God-Given purpose. Ephesians 3:12 states that we have boldness and confident access to God because of our faithfulness through Christ. God doesn't want us to walk in hesitation! He wants us to  trust Him and walk forward boldly and without hesitation! God wants us to:

• Pray Boldly
• Study His Word Boldly 
• Worship Boldly
• Seek Him Boldly
• Listen Boldly
• Obey Boldly
• Trust Boldly
• Walk Boldly
• Speak Boldly

     Being bold in our spiritual life will equip us to step confidently with Him as we serve our families, parent our children, love up on our neighbors and serve our communities. We have the power to proclaim the kingdom of God and the teachings of Christ with complete boldness and without restriction. (Acts 28:31) We have access to HOLY BOLDNESS through the spirit of God who will confidently empower us to complete our God-Given purpose. He will give our souls the strength to be bold. (Psalm 138:3 ESV) Soul strength! I LOVE the promise of that!! I want Bold Soul Strength!! Don't you? Well, what are you waiting for?  Let's go paint the world with HOLY BOLDNESS for God!! You won't regret it and He will bless you for it!! 

Oh, by the way, I did choose the BOLD paint color for my room and I LOVE it!!

REMEMBER HIM!

The phrase, "don't let me forget" is probably one of the phrases I use more often during the day than I should be allowed! I always say to my girls, "don't let me forget to_______________" . Usually it has to do with something I need from the grocery store. Do you know what I mean? Well, if you are on the upward side of 40, maybe you do!  I remember how easy it used to be to memorize things in school. I always used to have a pretty easy time remembering dates and formulas. I especially had an easy time if I put the words to music. Funny how I can remember all the words to a song from the 70s but can't remember where I put my car keys!  One thing that I sometimes have trouble remembering that I shouldn't is scripture! I have tried several different methods of scripture memory including, but not limited to, Index Cards, Sticky Notes, Spiral Index Notebooks, Journals, Spiral Rings-these can go on your key chain which makes them convenient and close by (if you can remember where you put your keys, that is ;-)). 

Lately, I feel like God wants me to remember Him. All of Him. Always. Period. He wants me to remember Him and remember His word. God's Word says, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." Deuteronomy 11:18 God wants us to fill our minds with thoughts of heaven (Colossians 3:2). But why? Why does God want us to memorize scripture?  There are many, many great benefits for memorizing scripture. Through remembering scripture I can:

Glorify Him

Reflect Him

Share Him

Love Him

Serve Him

Grow in relationship with Him

Pray scripture to Him

Be cleansed through Him

Learn instruction from Him

Instruct my children in Him

Fight temptation through Him

Encourage others through Him

Shepherd a small group through Him

Make it through a crisis with Him

Remember Him

I know there are many other whys for scripture memorization. What about the "how to" of memorization? I think starting small is a good way to begin. To start, try a verse a week. Possibly pick a topic or a word and then do the following:

Remember by Writing It

Remember by Reciting It

Remember by Repeating It

Remember by Reviewing It

Remember by committing yourself to His Word

  Ready, Set, Remember!! Let's get to it! Grab a cup of coffee, your Bible, a pen and some index cards and let's "Remember Him" together!!  If you have any secrets to scripture memorization, comment below and let me know! I would love to know what works for you!! I can't wait to go on this journey with you!!

Psalm 119:9, 11

Memorizing God's Word enables use of the Sword of the Spirit to overcome Satan and temptations...to have it readily available for witnessing or helping others with a "word in season."

Valentine Craft For Volunteer Appreciation...

How do you show appreciation to your #kidmin volunteers?

Since Valentine's Day is next Monday, I thought this would be a great opportunity to show our team how much they are appreciated. We have about 70 Small Group Leaders on our K-5  Team. They work hard, really, really hard, and I just want them to know how thankful I am for their hard work.

I came up with the slogan, "Thank You For Your Heart Work". I know that they are planting the seeds in the hearts of the kids and I know that they put their whole heart into the kids so I thought it was kind of a catchy slogan.

I decided to bake brownies and I found the cutest Wilton Heart  Combo Cutter at JoAnn's that was absolutely perfect for making heart shaped brownies.

 

The best part of the project was definitely trying to figure out how to present the brownies in a cute way.
I cut out a bunch of hearts from red card stock and wrote the slogan on each of them. I used CD Sleeves which I found at Target and put the hearts on the sleeves using small round circle stickies. Here is how it looked:

 


I actually decided to do cookies as well as brownies since I had so many to make. Here is the finished project:

Total cost for this project was less than 20.00!!!


I hope this makes their heart smile!! I can't wait to hear what you are doing for your volunteers or your family and friends for Valentine's Day! Post a comment below and let me know!!






Have a blessed day!

Running with Him,

Lori