Romans 15:1-2 Msg

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us.  Strength is for service, not status.  Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

What a beautiful verse.  I really like the Message version of the Bible for this main reason, it takes a verse and so to speak puts it in simple words for me :-)  I can understand "strength is for service, not status"  I can understand "How can I help?"  In these simple words I can relate it to my life and how I can use my strength to serve others.  My ministry today is being a mom, sometimes my strength is cleaning the bathroom that was destroyed by my two year old daughter, other times it is cleaning up that accident she had in her bedroom, and others it's snuggling my sweet bebs in when they're sick.  My strength right now doesn't seem like much, but God didn't ask me to do great things, just "to look after the good of the people around us".

So for now, that is my job, and what a beautiful job it is.

What's your job right now?  Are you using your strength for service?

1st Peter 4:12-13 ESV
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

In one week, we had learned that our house's value was less then what we owed it, that the furnace needed to be replaced, and that the basement was flooding.  What a devastation to us, a sad realization that a house that we no longer lived in was costing us more then we could imagine.  Thoughts of just foreclosing, and giving up ran through my head, but then I realized something.  God has never let our sweet family down.  Even in moments of financial suffering He has always provided.  Is this a fiery trial for us?  A test for us?  What a small trial, compared to the sufferings of Christ.  Gratefully, when this is through the glory of Christ is revealed and in that dear readers I rejoice.

1st Peter 2:22

1st Peter 2:22 msg
He never did one thing wrong, not once said anything a miss.  They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back.  He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.

I am the type of person to want to prove a point, to make sure if I have been wrong that I speak out and get as many digs in to the questioning person as possible.  Not very nice... I know.  So when I read this, the first time my heart hit a wall.  Not only did Jesus die an unspeakable death, but He died with the sins of others on Him quietly.  Never once telling them I told you so, or pushing facts down their throat because He knew He was right.  What an incredible reminder for someone like me.  Jesus was content to suffer in silence, content to let God set things right.  So the next time my sweet husband says something inconsequential (I know it's wrong) I hope and pray that I hold my tongue and let God set things right.

What about you?

How are you going to apply this to your daily walk?

If you're looking for a book to read in the Bible, I highly recommend that you read the whole book of 1st Peter, it's pretty rockin'.  Have a great day, dear readers and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Stealing the Preacher

Hello World,
We are starting to get back into the swing of things :)  The house is still a little bit in disarray, but what can one do when you have lived out of your suitcase for two weeks?  Yesterday one of our church pastor's spoke about being a diligent worker.  It was like a light bulb went on for me, even though I'm a stay at home mom I still have a job to do.  I should be giving my all, diligently and with effort.  I love being a mom, but sometimes I forget that these children are my job and God has put them in my life for a purpose.  What an awesome reminder that I need to be diligent and hardworking as a mother.  Has a light bulb popped up for you recently?

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer is about Crockett Archer.  Crockett is on his way to interview for the position of pastor when all of a sudden his train is being robbed and he is kidnapped!  Crockett never imagined God would have a hand in this incident or that good was meant to come out of it.  Always, God's path is the best even when it contains an ex train robber, a sweet red headed lady, and a community in need of their own pastor.

Oh those Archer boys!  It really is a delight to read about these delightful brothers and see how they're doing.  I will say that you can read this book as a stand alone though and not feel like you missed anything.  From the moment you start reading you are thrown into the tale and trust me dear readers you are in for a roller coaster of an adventure.  You'll have a train robbery, a sweet courtship, a stubborn man, and a story that will wrap itself around your heart in no time.  If you want a great read, I highly suggest Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer.

Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

Here is the verse that got to me yesterday.  As you can see there really isn't any way of making that look pretty :)  If you're a diligent worker you will be highly regarded and if you are not, labor will be all the more harder.

Slow Moon Rising

Hello World,
Well we just finished up a whirlwind vacation in Wisconsin.  It's a bittersweet feeling I have, one where I miss all of my family and friends and the feel of comfort called home, but sweet because we truly have developed lasting friendships and life here in Amarillo.  So it's sad to say goodbye to the comforts that I would consider to be my childhood home, but it's nice to be home with friends and the simple joys of living a very blessed life.  I hope that makes sense, as I'm typing I'm trying to sort out everything that I'm feeling and hope that you understand that I love both just as much.  Truly God has blessed me greatly.  Has he blessed you with something unexpected lately?

Slow Moon Rising is the third and final installment of the cedar key novels by Eva Marie Everson.  Written over numerous years; five women's viewpoints are seen through the eyes of the reader as they come across unexpected secrets that have affected themselves and their families.  These leading ladies have to deal with the consequences of other's actions and in the end understand the grace of God.

Deep breath.  This is a hard book to read, please don't get me wrong Eva Marie Everson is a great writer.  She just deals with really tough topics that will make you contemplate and see that in the end sin really can have a ripple affect over the years.  Understand though, that God's grace and amazing forgiveness is throughout the book and just like Christ overcoming death so does this book overcome sin with forgiveness.  So dear readers if you are looking for a deep contemplative book to read, I suggest you read Slow Moon Rising by Eva Marie Everson.
*This book was given to me via Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group in hopes of my honest opinion and I honestly gave it.
"Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Philippians 4:4
 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

I love the simplicity of this verse.  Always, rejoice... Through the good times and the hard, the laughter, and tears, the contentment, and through the strife, through times of poverty and richness.  Always Rejoice.  So dear readers, Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Touching Heaven

Hello World,
We are vacationing this week!  It has been such a blast seeing family and sweet friends.  Reuniting with them is always memorable and fun.  Are you doing anything fun this weekend?

Touching Heaven by Leanne Hadley are little stories that show the faith of children when it seems that they have nothing.  These children have been diagnosed with brain tumors, cancers, rare diseases, and yet they are resilient and filled with joy.  This book is about their lives and deaths, their love and joy filled ending.

Being a mother of three this was a book I read with a kleenex box.  Not only does this book tell some very hard stories, but it also tells about God and His amazing love for everyone.  Dear readers, I know this review is short, but I highly recommend this book to you.  It is something that I feel everyone should read.

*This book was given to me via Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group in hopes of my honest opinion and I honestly gave it.

*Available June 2013 at your nearest book retail.

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

I don't think there is a single person in this world that hasn't experienced being tired.  I know for me when I'm tired the thought of rest seems like heaven to me.  And here we have Jesus telling us to come to Him, anyone who is weary or burdened, come to Him and He will give you rest.  What a beautiful thing.

Deadly Devotion

Hello World,
Today we celebrated our youngest child Liv Shelby's birthday.  It's fun to see the confusion on their faces when everyone is singing Happy Birthday to them, and then the complete joy on their faces when they realize that they get to eat cake and open up presents too.   It truly was a treat to see Liv's expressions on her special day.  Did you have any special occassion happen today?

Deadly Devotion by Sandra Orchard is a mystery set in Port Aster.  Daisy Leacock seems to have taken her life.  Kate Adams a close friend and co-worker of her's doesn't think that it was suicide.  She thinks that someone murdered her.  Can Kate unearth this closed case and put it back into the hands of dectective Tom Parker?  Can she find out who killed daisy or is she just imagining things?

This book had many twists and turns.  If you are not avidly reading it, you might be a little confused, but if you stick to the story line you'll find yourself immersed into an interesting mystery.  It had many characters playing in it, and it almost had a guess who feel.  A lot of suspects, but not a lot of evidence to pin it on just one.  Dear readers you'll enjoy this mystery romance, but I must warn you that it does kind of leave you hanging and wanting to read the next book in the series.  Hopefully Ms. Orchard will have it out soon :)
“Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
*This book was given to me via Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group in hopes of my honest opinion and I honestly gave it.

Since I'm on vacation :)  I want to do a little something different.  If you comment what your favorite verse is, I will put your name in a raffle to win Deadly Devotion.  Go for it, and just so you know my favorite verse is Romans 4:20.  "No distrust made him waiver concerning the promises of God, his faith grew stronger as he gave glory to God".