Child like faith

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.   John 3:16-17




This year for Easter Jennifer and I  decided to ask kids in our church what Easter means to them.  Enjoy!

"Jesus died on the cross to wash away my sins". ~Alex  age 6~

"It's love encouragement, all the things Jesus".~Amyah age 7~ 

"Jesus was so powerful  when he died on the cross 

He came to life after three days".~Corry age 10~

"What Easter is all about is, we celebrate God waking Jesus up from His nap."  "If Jesus didn't wake up from his nap, then we wouldn't wake up from ours one day, and then we'd miss the party in Heaven." ~Jacob age 6~

"He died on the cross to wash away my sins" ~Shiloh age 3~

"Easter is about Jesus dying on the cross and raising from the dead". ~Elsie age 6~

"Jesus died on the cross because he loves us, 

and he came back to life in 3 days"~Nate age 7~

"I like Easter because of egg hunts, and its about Jesus because he rose". ~Brandon age 8~

"I like to celebrate Jesus's resurrection with a beautiful frilly dress and candy"~Naomi age 6~

"That Jesus came alive"~Julianna age 5~

"It is kinda like a party for Jesus, because that is the day he rose from the dead"~Daniel age 6~


"Easter means resurrection and new life" ~Justine age 10~

-“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such 

as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:14-15

After watching the movie Monumental with Kirk Camren,  I was talking to Jennifer about it and we decided that we want to travel Massachusetts and visit it.  Now we have set a goal in place to set money aside and take our kids to see it.  I don't want to give out to much detail because I see a blog post about in the future. Here is the link that gives you more historical facts you can visit for now. http://ctmonuments.net/2010/08/national-monument-to-the-forefathers-plymouth-mass/ 

I have set up a "faith" jar to help in my part of funding this wondrous journey.  Note the name book...Never Give Up by Joyce Meyers...hmmmmm sounds like a plan.  Jennifer and I will keep you posted on our journey. ~Missie

Beauty in Weakness

Beauty Revealed in Our Weakness

How do we women gird ourselves with strength when we feel tired and overwhelmed?  How can the Proverbs 31 woman be always strong, always wise, always kind, and never fear?  I don’t know about you, but most days I don’t feel up to par on all those things.  What is her secret? It’s the grace of God. 

The most important thing I have learned and this learned through my weakest moments, is what grace actually is.  Real righteousness is by grace through faith. Grace actually does the works in us. When we try to do works, we just get in the way of grace. Paul called it frustrating the grace of God. But if we let grace reign in our lives, grace will do righteous works in us. Grace, in Greek, is the word, charis -the power of God for His work. 

This is what the Bible talks about when it says, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”  What a concept.  Is that what Proverbs 31 is talking about?  I believe it is giving us a taste of what a weak woman who walks in the grace of God looks like.  When I’m up to my ears in laundry, dishes, appointments, obligations, and kids, tired and overwhelmed, those are the greatest moments to lift my hands to the Lord and cry out for help.

This continual connection with Jesus and his power is what brings kindness, peace, and wisdom to my heart’s attitude.  When I stop striving to get everything accomplished in my own strength, calling out to God with an honesty revealing my true weakness and absolute dependency on him, I find an inner peace, calm, and strength I didn’t have before.  Things seem to get done without me using up all my strength and energy. 

When I get low on those virtues, I immediately close my eyes and take a moment to ask God for his grace and wisdom. Some of my greatest parenting wisdom has come from my lowest, weakest moments when a desperate prayer to God showed me what was going on and what to do.

I’ve noticed my priorities change as I include God in my day to day activities.  The stress and importance I had placed on having the cleanest home has been balanced with making sure I still have the time and energy to go play tag with my kids outside.  As I ask God for strength, my house stays clean enough, and my children have a nice Mommy!  The scripture 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says it all.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong

I am convinced this is the only way our lives can reflect a beautiful Proverbs 31 woman. Others, including our husbands and children, will see that difference in us and be drawn to the love of our Savior. And when we fail, His grace is there to pick us up and give us another chance.

By His grace,

Jane

Amber...

Teach me to do your will,

  for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit lead

me forward

  on a firm footing.

Psalm 143:10 

     Meet my amazing sister in Christ Amber.  She is pictured her with her son Tyler who is her world.  She is a fine example of what a mom should be.  She keeps her eyes on the Lord asking him daily on how to be the mom she is called to be.  Psalm 143:10 is one of her favorite verses and she clings to it daily knowing that God is in control of her life.  She knows that the promises God has for her are never ending.  

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

     This happens to be another favorite verse of hers. For Amber has such amazing faith in God that she remains in him and is constantly asking God to show her where she can grow to become a better person.  This is one of the many reasons why I admire her.  She always has a kind word to say and a smile on her face. She has such a quiet strength that brings strength to people around her.  I must say that I am blessed to be called one of her friends.  I love you Amber and I am thankful for you and all that you are.       

                                                                                              ~Missie 
                                                                                                 

                                                              

 
     

Update! Update!

Just a quick update

Jennifer and I

walked 3

miles today

in a hour 

and 10 mins!

We both

are sore

in

places we

didn't know

was 

possible!

It was fun

and we 

are up 

to 

another 

challenge. 

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.  2 Chronicles 15:7 

The Longest Journey...

       

                The Longest Journey begins with a small step taken

            

           by a brave person. ~unknown

     Jennifer and I have started on a journey with a goal in mind.  We have committed to start walking 3-4 times a week..  We have both come to a point in our lives and realized we need to be healthier.  To help us with our accountability we will be blogging along the way, so be prepared to laugh and cry with us.  Today was our first day of being brave and taking the small steps needed to better our lives.  We made it 1 1/2 miles which to us was like walking four miles.  Some of our comments to each other afterwards was, "I feel like jell-o all over", or "I got up to walk and hobbled instead".  The goal we have set  is to walk up Table rock   To me personally it is huge I tried it last summer and only made it half way up the mountain.I got really sick and almost passed out.  After taking a break I started down the mountain and I bumped into Jennifer and her kids.  I would probably say that was the starting point of a good friendship we are both very thankful for.

~Missie
                                                                                           

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him! Exodus 15:1 

Our Mountain!

 

Time spent with God

Sow with a view to righteous 

reap in accordance with 

kindness

Break up your fallow 

ground for it is time

to seek 

the Lord until

He

 comes to rain

righteousness on

 You.

                                                                  Hosea 10:12

     God has graciously given each one of us 24 hours a day, to do with what we believe is important. We schedule, prioritize, and give it away to the people and things we value the most. Over the years, I have realized how important it is to spend time with God daily. Giving Him my undivided attention, as I would a friend. Reading even a small portion of His word, seeking His will for my life, His direction, and His voice. I have learned through out my walk with Him, that time spent getting to know Him is priceless, and yields the most return. In reading His word; I began with the book of John, which introduces the life and ministry of Jesus. Then continued through Matthew and Mark, and finished with Luke, the first four books of the New Testament.  I have learned who Christ is in these books, and who I am in Him. When I take the time to read, I walk away refreshed, renewed, and hopeful. With old things passed away.  I stand on a firm foundation with an outlook more positive on this journey called life. So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord.  His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain.  Like the spring rain watering the earth.  Hosea 6:3

~Sandy


Thank-you Mom for sharing your heart and wisdom on the importance of time spent with God.
                                                                                                                  ~Jennifer

The Big Question

Blessed is she who believed for there will be a fulfillment of those things told her from the Lord. 
Luke 1:45

     Have you ever asked a question and expected a very different answer than the one you received?

     As a new believer, I was walking through a lonely time of my life that left me feeling like a failure, unloved, and unworthy of the righteousness, peace, and joy I'd heard of and my heart desired. I had come to learn these feelings to be all lies from the enemy in the form of doubt. So I asked God, "do you love me"? The response I heard still  remains as the only time I've heard the audible voice of God. He said, "will you walk with me"? I was completely taken aback and my original reaction was...REALLY?!! You answered my question with a question??
     You see, I already knew of His love for me. I knew He formed me in my mothers womb (Jeremiah 1:5) Numbered every hair on my head (Matthew 10:30) Called me according to His purpose (Romans 8:28) and kept no record of my wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). What I so desperately needed was a relationship with Him. To walk with Him as Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden. Each day as they walked and talked with God His presence surpassed the rest of their day and brought peace and joy. As well as time to drink in all that comes from that time set aside for Him. Strength renewed, burdens relieved, and love fulfilled.
     Over the years since this realization, I'm happy to share my relationship has matured, grown roots in a local church and formed many friendships that provide the accountability required to not return to that lonely time but to continue to believe in all He's told me and walk each day with Him.

~Jennifer