"Word Wednesdays"...Immeasurably More

Oh, Rend Collective... your songs are fabulous! This week I want to show you the lyrics to a song that we've been singing at church recently. Take a minute to really think about what these lyrics mean. God is so much bigger and better than we can even comprehend. Our minds can't grasp it. When I doubt something that God is doing, I need to remember how big He is. He knows what He's doing, and I don't have to. That's hard for a control-freak like me, but it's definitely something that I'm praying for God to change in me.  

Immeasurably More

Rend Collective

More than all we ask

Than all we seek

All our hopes and dreams

You are immeasurably more

Than we can know

Than we can pray

All our words can say

You are immeasurably more

There's nothing greater than Your love

You're more than we can imagine

There's nothing sweeter on this earth

You're more than we can imagine

Our hearts respond to who You are

It's You oh Lord that we adore

You are more, You are more

You're more than we can imagine

You are more, You are more

You're more than we can imagine

More than all our sin

Than all our shame

Stronger than the grave

You are immeasurably more

I can't help but sing

Can't help but praise

My heart can not contain

You are immeasurably more

There's nothing greater than Your love

You're more than we can imagine

There's nothing sweeter on this earth

You're more than we can imagine

Our hearts respond to who You are

It's You oh Lord that we adore

You are more, You are more

You're more than we can imagine

You are more, You are more

You're more than we can imagine

You're more than we can imagine

No eye has seen, no ear has heard

What is coming, what is coming

Never-ending joy, never-failing love

You are coming, You are coming

[x2]

You are coming, You are coming

There's nothing greater than Your love

You're more than we can imagine

There's nothing sweeter on this earth

You're more than we can imagine

Our hearts respond to who You are

It's You oh Lord that we adore

You are more, You are more

You're more than we can imagine

You are more, You are more

You're more than we can imagine

You are more, You are more

You're more than we can imagine

"Word Wednesdays"...Counsel from the Lord

In Joshua 9 (ESV), news of what the Israelites were doing was spreading among the nations. The Gibeonites decided to use a little trickery to prevent a battle. They made it appear to the Israelites that they had traveled from a far distance by using dry and crumbly bread, old sacks, old wineskins, and old sandals. They asked Joshua and his men to make a covenant with them. Verse 14 is the key text here: "So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD" (ESV). Needless to say, this backfired. Three days later they found out they were in fact their neighbors and they had been deceived. 

I am so guilty of not seeking counsel from God when I think I have everything under control. I am a recovering control freak. I say recovering because, well, it still creeps in more frequently than I would prefer. Like the Israelites, it often backfires on me. God is running the universe, and He knows what is best for me. He is all-knowing, and my finite mind isn't. What about you? Do you seek God's counsel? Even for the seemingly small things? 

"Word Wednesdays"...A Good Conscience

Today on "Word Wednesdays" I want to talk about a point that was mentioned in our sermon this past week at church that has really stuck with me. I have heard several people say "they aren't good enough to be a Christian," or "they're too bad," or "they've done too many bad things." Even I am guilty of letting Satan try to convince me that when I sin Jesus won't love me anymore. I know that's a lie, and I am thankful that He forgives us of all of our sins past, present, and future. However, the point that was mentioned this week had to do with Paul (formerly Saul). 

For those of you who don't know, Saul was one of the biggest enemies to Christianity. He went around hunting down Christians and killing them. Then, God changed his heart, and he became a Believer. It was truly a miraculous story! Read it if you haven't (Acts 9, ESV). He went from condemning any Christian he could find to writing most of the New Testament! Praise God! 

Here's the point I'm trying to make though. In Acts 23:1 (ESV), Paul spoke to the council and said, ""Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." How could Paul say this? He went around killing people. He was a huge enemy to Christianity before God saved him. How could he have a good conscience knowing what he had done in the past?

He was able to say this because of Jesus. He was bragging on Jesus and what He had done for us on the Cross. Paul knew that all of his sins were washed away, and he knew that now God had given him a new heart. If Paul is able to say that he has a good conscience, why can't we? God sees all sin. However, when we have Jesus as a Savior, He doesn't see us as the filthy mess that we are anymore. He sees us as a new creation living to glorify Him. 

"Word Wednesdays"...Tell Others About God

Today on "Word Wednesdays" I want to take a brief minute to reflect on something that I read in Joshua 2 (ESV). If you are unfamiliar with what is going on in this portion of the Bible, let me give you a short summary. Moses has been leading the people to the Promised Land. Moses then died, and Joshua took over the leadership role. Joshua sent two spies to check out Jericho before they tried to overtake it. While they were there, the King of Jericho found out about the spies and sent for them. A prostitute named, Rahab, hid them in her house to protect them. She even lied to keep them hidden.

There are many, many thoughts from this passage, but here's the part I want to focus on today. Rahab said to the spies, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath" (Joshua 2:9-11, ESV). 

Do you see what happened? People had been talking about God. "For we have heard..." God's people were telling others about His miracles. They were telling what He had done for them. This information about God was spreading by word-of-mouth. We need to be doing the same thing. We need to be telling others about God... who He is and what He has done for us (salvation being the biggest thing). 

If you are a Christian, God has saved you and brought you into a relationship with Himself. I get to have a relationship with a Holy God! I am no longer separated from God by my filthy sin. What has God done in your life recently? What can you be telling others about? That is the main goal that I have for "Word Wednesdays." I want people that I may not get to talk to all the time to hear about God and how awesome He is! Leave a comment and tell what God is doing. You never know how God might use you to tell someone else about Him.

"Word Wednesdays"...Know the Bible

This week on "Word Wednesdays," I am really speaking to myself, but perhaps you can gain something from it as well. This week's post is just a brief thought that I had while reading my Bible. It makes sense in my head, so I hope it makes sense once it is typed. 

I was recently reading Deuteronomy 30. Specifically, Deuteronomy 30:14, "But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it" (ESV). This verse is referring to the ability to keep God's commands. It states in Deuteronomy 30:11 that none of this is beyond our reach (ESV). God doesn't hide what he wants from us. He wants us to love Him, walk in His ways, and keep His commands (Deuteronomy 30:16, ESV).  He has given us the commands He wants us to keep through His word. We have no excuses.

Could this be said of me? Do I know the Bible so well that it is in me, and it naturally comes out to help me keep His commands? Not enough. Is this possible? Yes. Do I pray that God will help me with this? Yes, but not as much as I should. 

God wants us to know His Word. He wants us to obey it. He wants us to rely on it. He wants us to seek the answers to our every day struggles in it. I believe the more you read it and study it and pray about it, God will keep it in the forefront of your mind. That way when the need arises, it will be in your heart and mouth.

"Word Wednesdays"...Oceans

If you want to read a description of "Word Wednesdays," check out this post. Just a reminder...feel free to comment and engage in friendly conversation. 

This week's post is about the song, "Oceans" by Hillsong United. Read the lyrics below, and then I'll explain why it's important to me.

"Oceans" by Hillsong United

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Good lyrics, right? This song seems to have become the theme song for many in our church right now. This summer has been a time of transition. Many of our members moved away because God was calling them to another city. Several moved to Knoxville, TN, one moved to Cincinnati, OH, one couple moved to Camden, NJ, and another couple moved to Florida. My sister-in-law moved to Birmingham, England to be a missionary! These people were like family to me. I usually saw most of them several times a week! 

If you don't know much about CRC (Christ-Reconciled Church), let me first tell you that we are a Bible-believing, God-fearing, God-obeying church. Next, let me tell you that we are like a family. We live life together, "And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:44-47, ESV). So when people move away, it's painful and sad. When more than ten people move away all within a few months of each other, it's even harder. It helps to know that these people are following the will of God. It may not have been easy for them; I think most of them would tell you it wasn't, but they listened, and they went. 

So what does this have to do with me? Why is this song my theme song right now? For one, this summer has been hard not only because of people leaving, but because of other things going on in our lives. Trusting that God would provide what we needed when we were looking for tenants for our condo wasn't easy for me, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you,even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble""(Matthew 6:25-34, ESV). I struggle to want to do things on my own. I want them to happen in my time, and not God's. "Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior" (Oceans, Hillsong United). This song asks God to take us places we would normally not choose to go in order to have more faith in Him and Him alone. 

Even when I am sad about friends moving, God is still there. He wants me to lean on Him. "So I will call upon Your name, and keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace. For I am Yours and You are mine" (Oceans, Hillsong United). God is always, always, always, there for us. He doesn't leave us, He doesn't move away, He is there. Turn to Him, lean on Him, trust Him wholeheartedly. I'll be here learning to do the same.

2014 Goals! (I'm not calling them Resolutions)

I know I'm a day late on this, but that's what strep will do to you. Yuck.

I've never been very good at sticking to my New Year's Resolutions, but I do have some serious goals that I want to work on whether it is a new year or not. I thought that if I put them on my blog I may feel a little more pressure to complete them. So here you go...if you can handle reading all of this.

1. Read through the Bible. Man. This is literally on my list every year. I will eventually accomplish it. Hopefully, if it is on here I'll feel like I will be held accountable for it.

2. Talk to more people about Jesus! This one is harder than it should be for me. I have been given the best gift I could ever get (eternal life with my Savior)…why don’t I tell more people about this?

3. Be a better wife. I know what you’ll say when you read this. Oh, I’m sure you’re a great wife. You know what, though? I think I can always be better. My husband is wonderful, and I need to act like it more.

4. Be a better mom. Same as above. I mean really, look at this face.

5. Get and stay organized. I love organization! I love anything that helps me be organized. However, I have a toddler and a husband that aren’t such big fans of it (or at least they aren’t big fans of helping me stay organized). We also live a super busy life, so I need things that help me stay organized quickly! Leave me a comment if you have any tips!

6. Keep the house clean on a regular basis (not just when I know people are coming over). This also goes along with #5.

7. Make some crafts. I have a  “Crafts” board on Pinterest. You can follow me by clicking here. I would love to be able to make some of those crafts.

8. Continue to stick to our Monthly Meal Plan. We have been doing much better about this, but I want to keep it up and improve even more!

9. Blog more frequently.

10. Get a yearly check-up. I have to put this on here so I can be held accountable.

11. Go to the dermatologist. My Papaw found out he had melanoma this past year. His doctor told him that his whole family should get checked because it is genetic. Again, I put that on here so I could be held accountable.

12. Go outside with Eliana more when it is warm. I tend to get busy doing work and don’t go outside enough. I’m hoping this year she can even play in the backyard some while I take my laptop out there and watch her play. However, I do want to make sure that I am playing with her, too.

13. Find more fun things to do with Eliana during the day.

14. Get Eliana out of the breakfast (yogurt) and preschool lunch (pb&j) rut that she is in.

15. Go to Disney World!!! We are doing this later this year, and I am super excited! I have already started researching and looking up tips (it’s what I do…don’t make fun)!

16. Continue to find ways to be frugal!

17. Go to bed earlier. Midnight isn’t cutting it for this 30-year-old.

18. Continue working on turning our basement into a den/playroom.

19. Relax. Try not to feel like you or anyone or anything else has to be perfect. God has everything under control.

        

Did I really just come up with 19 goals for 2014? That is crazy! Hopefully I can follow-through on most of them! Hold me to it!

Christmas Decorations...a home tour.

Once again, I'm doing a link-up with Kelly's Korner. This week it is all about Christmas decorations! I love decorating for Christmas! I'm always sad when January comes and I have to take it all down. I think the house looks so boring once the decorations are gone! Anyway, allow me to give you a little tour of our home. I usually do a little more, but with a 21-month-old, I have to be careful. She tends to be a little curious. 

This is probably my favorite area of our house. This house doesn't have a mantle, so I had to figure out what to do with this garland when we moved here. This was my favorite decoration in our condo, too, so I knew I had to use it somewhere. I made the flower arrangement, and I just stuck the poinsettias in the garland. 

This is our tree. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the theme is snowmen. 

These are our stockings. I love Eliana's cable-knit stocking! I just realized how messy her books are in this picture. That drives my OCD-self a little crazy.

This is our dining room. Are you sensing a snowman theme? I love these plates! They came from Kohls a few years ago.

This is my favorite kitchen decoration. It's a cute snowman plate holder that I got a few years ago! That's also one of my favorite appetizers on the plate. It's a hot pepper peach cheeseball. Maybe one day I'll post the recipe.

This is our newest addition to our Christmas decorations! This is our Little People Nativity Set. Eliana loves this! I am hoping we can use it each year to help tell her the real story of Christmas.

Finally, this is the tree in Eliana's room! It matches the pink in her room perfectly! I'm hoping to add some ornaments to it each year. 

Eve's sin...

While reading the beginning of Genesis yesterday, I had a new perspective on the effects of Eve's sin. This new perspective likely came because this is the first time I have read that passage since Eliana was born. I am a mother now, and I am wearing what I like to call my "mom filter." Basically that just means that I have to think about how most everything I do affects my daughter.

Anyway, back to the new perspective. Eve was the first person to ever sin against God. "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." (Genesis 3:6, NIV).  Later on, Adam and Eve's son Cain, killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8). Now, think for a moment about this. Imagine that you are a mother, and one of your children murdered one of his or her siblings. Not only would you grieve the loss of the child that died, but you would have to deal with all of the emotions that you would have toward the other child. I can't even imagine! Now...think about Eve. She (and Adam) brought sin into the world. Can you imagine the thoughts that must have gone through her head? I imagine it would have gone something like this, "If only I had not listened to the serpent and eaten the fruit, Abel would still be alive."

As a mother, I try to protect my daughter from things that will hurt her...stairs, electrical outlets, hitting her head on the coffee table, swallowing my earrings, RSV, etc. I'm sure Eve did the same (except minus the modern day things like electrical outlets and such). How did she get over the fact that eating the fruit brought sin on every man (except Jesus) for the rest of time on Earth? Did she understand that God would right her wrong with His Son? Did she know that God knew that would happen and He had a plan bigger than anything we could ever imagine?