Unwelcome Guest

There is a story I read.

Not a fictional story. But a mama who is battling cancer..What a remarkable woman of God! http://mundanefaithfulness.com

My sweet love said something last night to me that was profound!!

And something that Kara said in her post today that was so awesome...We don't have to overcome something that God has already conquered...But I guess sometimes we still try to fix it ourselves, right?

 "There is much that wants to steal our joy, rob us of today- for me it’s cancer, what is it for you? These unwelcome guests- well, they exist, pretending they don’t is simply a lie. How do we meet the hard in our story, live it honestly, then head out into life and live? Live in the grace of the greatest story ever told. And guess what, it wasn’t just a story. It was the truth."

Gosh I love this!! Walk in this! God meets your hard with his grace!

Who are you?

Do you ever search for someone that has been through a similar situation in life that you can talk to....To see how they have handled it, how God saw them through, how they grew in their walk with the Lord, or just someone that has had some similar experiences/pain. I love to research people.  I love people and what makes them do the things they do...Even though God calls us to Him-he is closer than a brother- and he wants us to come to Him with our questions, doubts, fears, anxiety...Sometimes you need a friend to hold your hand and say " I have walked that mile.  Its hard but God will see you through. " and to even give you sound Biblical advice (even though it may not be what we want to hear).....

Well, being that I am a lover of what makes people act and think the way they do...I have had to look in the mirror and discover what makes me think and act the way I do...What makes me tick?  What has caused my failures and accomplishments. While I can't tell you exactly the reason why we are pushed to the brink of some things we do, I do know that whatever I am doing in my life at that moment reflects my walk with God. What we do as Christians reflects two things- Good Fruit or Bad Fruit.  If my fruit is rotten, my attitude is probably rotten as well! God is teaching me that everyday. What am I leaning on Him for, or am I using my own judgment and decision make skills (or lack of) to make decisions for me.  I can guarantee that you if you are not spending time in fellowship with God, then you probably are not making very good decisions about  your life, friends, marriage, kids, job, etc....I know from experience.  Hard pill to swallow.

No one likes correction or reprove. We don't like to discipline our children but it has to be done or they will not grow up with the morals they need to survive this sinful world.  Therefore, God has to refine, discipline, or take me down a few notches if I will ever live the life he ordained for me.  A life of peace and joy. Contentment, harmony, love, - all of the good things from God.

I am so thankful I get to do life with this man. He encourages me.  He gets me. Loves me like crazy and tries unselfishly to make me happy.

I am also thankful for many others. Their wisdom and knowledge. Their life experience to help others and their willingness to allow people into their lives to motivate, encourage, push forward.

I am also thankful for this lady.  I don't know her personally and yet we do not share the same struggles.  We are both the same in that we need God's grace! We need him to meet us when we struggle or when we are down. How awesome is the testimony of a lady who suffers, but yet she only wants to leave a mark on this earth as a servant of Jesus.  Mundane Faithfulness

I encourage people to seek out God's unfailing love.  While we do not ever deserve another thing from our God, he loves his children and wants us to be blesses. He loves me and the sinful person I am. How awesome is that as though our sins are like dirty rags, He still died for us.

With all of that said. I hope today if you are reading that you will examine what makes you the person you are. Is it satisfying or does it leave you empty? 

Jenn

2nd Grader

We have Second Grader Super Star!
WHAT!
How did this happen?
When?


Her sweet teacher requested the parents write a letter about their 2nd Grade Scholar! And oh how I love a writing project!

All about our Sunshine Baby....

Dear Ms. Whitten,

Josie Ellen-Marie Forman was born on July 10, 2007.  That day was a very special day for many reasons. The first reason being that it rained that day! Seems normal, but not that year. In 2007 the United States was experiencing a record setting drought. That day we called Josie our rain-maker. Josie was also born on her Aunt Amanda’s (Nana) birthday. What a way to begin life! So from then on, Josie has definitely lived up to her “big personality”.

I think naming her Josie, like the cowboy Josey Wales and nicknaming her the Rain-maker, like an Indian, must have had something to do with the pretend meaning of her name “big personality”.  We have always liked Cowboys and Indians anyway.  Josie thinks that everyone’s name means something like it did in Bible times.

The actual story behind her name is nothing significant. We just liked the name. And after she learned about the names in the Bible meaning something she simply asked her Gigi one day what she thought Josie meant. So off the cuff, Gigi replied with a chuckle her first thoughts, BIG PERSONALITY!  Her middle name(s) comes from our grandmothers. After all, family heritage is important.

As my grandmother (who is actually adopted Chota Cherokee, haha) observed of Josie at a very early age, she has always been very spunky, full of life, and well rounded. Not a typical girly-girl. Josie has never been interested in a baby-doll, but rather fills her bed to capacity with stuffed animals and names them all. Born with a love for animals, it has grown into a passion for horses and any other four-legged creature. We joke that she will be the lady campaigning to save the abused animals and make a shelter for them in her home.

Sister is a very deep thinker, tender hearted and compassionate. But also very strong willed and determined. A bit of a know it all and a hard head.  I love her independence and how she is not easily swayed. I love that she is very passionate about learning more about the Bible and studying God’s word. She loves to watch the Bible and read it. I know she feels God in her heart and His nudges. We as parents just pray for  
 
her to be a light to her peers and share Jesus.

Josie is also learning to not be such a picky eater (speaking it! And working on it).  So if you see her just eating bread or bread and ketchup, etc. don’t be alarmed. It’s a work in progress. 

Ask Josie what she wants to be when she grows up, and she will most likely say a barrel racer, cowgirl and a Veterinarian. Big dreams! Oh and she has also put on the list a wife and mom. 

She loves to hunt and fish with her daddy. She gets upset if her daddy takes the deer to the processors. She wants him to bring them to field dress them and gut them. Then she is ready to get her finger nails painted and pick out her sassy outfits.

This little girl keeps us moving and on our toes! That’s our Josie-Girl!

 

 

 

 

Enemy Lines.

Well, something that is very deep to my heart and that truly rips my heart to shreds -
Marriages being taunted by the enemy...

In that past month I can count 5 couples that are struggling with divorce or marital problems and OH! how this burns me up! I literally feel my blood boiling.

And so comes the most recent attack- A friend asked how she could help another friend... First, I am honored that she would even consider asking me! Because I AM NOT the one people come to for marriage advice. But I do have ample life experience on what not to do! And thru that experience, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my man! But that is ALL because we have Jesus! Plain and simple! And so my response was this.... I am sure I said too much or not enough...But my prayer is that God will heal this couple and reconcile. But if I know anything...God is in the healing and reconciliation ministry. He can take a mess and make a message. Take the bad that the enemy left for rent, and turn that into something fabulous for HIS GLORY!! In your face Satan! Jerk.

 

First thing- Are they Christians?

Without Christ at the center of any marriage, it will be a battle for any husband /wife to reconcile any differences-

 

The reason being is that when you are focused yourself and not Christ and his principles/standards/will then you are being selfish, seeking your own desires, battling your own sin nature. When you have Christ in your heart then you are allowing him to change you daily. You are focusing on allowing him to give you those fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-26)…Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control.  Otherwise. We just have rotten fruit. We are stingy. Mad, hateful, lustful, greedy, rude, etc… it  says in Matthew we are known by our fruit (Matthew 7:16)…

 

I have tons of scripture I personally love and use on growth and encouragement for myself in my own daily walk! Romans 8, 2 timothy 1:6; 2 Tim. 2:11-13; Roman 3:23-24; 5:2-8; 10:9-11

 

Also, as a believer you have to put on the armor daily! Like its your job! Ephesians 6:10-20

 

 Next, the husband has to be the leader of the home!  And Wife submit to her husband OUT OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST. Ephesians 5:25

Its not that he is being chief and commander of his wife and she is being the door mat! I have a great study on this. I will look it up and send to you. I really had to understand what reverence to God was before I could truly honor, respect and submit to JJ;s authority. But when you are serving God together this whole concept works and it is so amazing to watch and feel God in your marriage.

 

Years ago when you and L^&* first knew JJ and I, we had no clue what marriage was all about, or even how to give a Godly example of that....I pray that we can somehow convey to other couples our passion for each other and Christ. And what He truly intends for a marriage to be as we continue to learn.

 

Instructions for Christian Households

²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[b] her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body. ³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[c] 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

 

Next, as a female, it is my own personal desire to become a Proverbs 31 Woman. I try to study and live by this! I want to be the very best wife and mother God intends for me to be. Encourage your friend to read and study.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

^10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

Next is to remember we have to be on the marriage team…God created us with a need for compansionship.Genesis 2:18-22…Part of companionship is establishing trust & being able to rely on another…We cant bash each other to friends. God doesn’t bash us or vice versa…So why would we bash the one we made vows before God to? God pursues us, so we have to pursue our spouse. Our spouse is a gift!

So obviously there needs to be some reconciliation in the marriage…2 Cor. 5:17-20

2 Corinthians 5:17-19New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We have to forgive just as Christ has forgiven us!! Reconciliation redeems relationships! Restores harmony! We have to extend grace and mercy to our spouse just as Christ extended those same GIFTS to us as sinners. We have to be humble. Because ultimately we are not the judge. And we did not deserve the same forgiveness, grace or mercy Christ gave us for our own sin.  

Last!! (well not really, but for now) is tell your friends to find time for one another each day to look at each other daily and talk. Communication is very important. Go the extra mile to show your spouse that you love him/her!