Gospel Meditations

We love our church. Have I mentioned that before? I am so thankful that God led us to Countryside Bible. One of the things the elders and pastoral staff has asked us to do as a church, is read along together in either Gospel Meditations for Women or Gospel Meditations for Men. I'm a little behind, but this was part of my reading today. This is it - in a nutshell. Our need for God, our need for a perfect Savior to be the substitute for our sinful selves. Soli Deo Gloria!

 

Hello 2015!

Can I just say I relate to this commercial?

 

 

Just to keep it all in perspective and remember where my focus should be, here is a great prayer that was in my Grace Gems email this morning:

(Matthew Henry)

"My times are in Your hand!" Psalm 31:15

Firmly believing that my times are in God's hand, I here submit myself and all my affairs for the ensuing year, to the wise and gracious disposal of God's divine providence. Whether God appoints for me . . . .

health--or sickness,

peace--or trouble,

comforts--or crosses,

life--or death

--may His holy will be done!

All my time, strength, and service, I devote to the honor of the Lord Jesus--and even my common actions. It is my earnest expectation, hope, and desire, my constant aim and endeavor--that Jesus Christ may be magnified in me.

In everything I have to do--my entire dependence is upon Jesus Christ for strength. And whatever I do in word or deed, I desire to do all in His name, to make Him my Alpha and Omega. I have all from Him--and I would use all for Him.

If this should prove a year of affliction, a sorrowful year to me--I will fetch all my supports and comforts from the Lord Jesus and stay myself upon Him, His everlasting consolations, and the good hope I have in Him through grace.

And if it should be my dying year--then my times are in the hand of the Lord Jesus. And with a humble reliance upon His mediation, I would venture into the eternal world looking for the blessed hope. Dying as well as living--Jesus Christ will, I trust, be gain and advantage to me.

Oh, that the grace of God may be sufficient for me, to keep me always in a humble sense of my own unworthiness, weakness, folly, and infirmity--together with a humble dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ for daily grace and strength.

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

 

If People Were Horses

I came across this video from SmartPak Equine and thought I would share.  Horse people will find it humorous.  Other people…well,...you may think it is…strange.

Happy Day

Today is the first day of Spring Break and it is a GORGEOUS day in North Texas.  I mean gorgeous.  It's currently 76 degrees, 7 mph winds out of the south.  Such a nice reprieve from the cold front after cold front after cold front this winter that has brought us ice, snow, sleet and sub zero freezing temps!  Yes, Spring is on its way, I do believe!  

I woke up this morning and decided to take a supplement that I haven't taken in quite awhile.  One of the added benefits to this supplement is it is a good mood lifter for me.  I mean within an hour the world is a grand place, everything is coming up roses & I'm a happy girl!!  It's not over the top but a general great attitude is a wonderful side effect!

I was thinking about some of the issues we're facing as a family, pressures with work and other commitments, big projects I have yet to tackle and complete (despite setting goals for myself year after year).  Usually I can't think too long about these "problems" or I become overwhelmed.  I think it's not doable, it's not going to work, I'm going to fail, etc. etc.  But today, all my plans to address these issues seemed a good idea, a good plan, and would result in a good ending.  And I was encouraged.  

But I stopped and remembered that nothing had changed in my circumstances from yesterday.  The same problems and issues were present.  The same seemingly insurmountable trials and tribulations existed.  But my attitude was different.  My feelings were different.

And it reminded me of the study were are concluding in our Women's Bible Study at church.  We have been going through Kristie Gant's Hope in God: A Biblical Perspective for Understanding, Overcoming and Preventing Depression.  Let me just say.  It's excellent.  I mean excellent.  Even if you've never struggled with depression, it's excellent.  It's really a study of the attributes of God and is just so well written.  I've learned so MUCH!  

One of the things that has stuck with me was the section called "What Do You Know?" which addressed the fact that we must live by what we KNOW, not by what we FEEL.  Kristie writes, "Feelings are a wonderful gift from God, but I must let true, godly thoughts control how I feel, and not allow how I feel to control my thoughts…feelings respond to thoughts with little concern for what is real or true…It is interesting to note that the Bible never commands us to change our feelings.  Rather, our feelings will change as we control our thoughts in obedience to God's Word."  She quotes Matthew 22:37 which states: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your MIND.  This is the first and great commandment."  and she quotes Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - [Let your mind] dwell on these things."  

Later she goes on to say, "If you are a believer, God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will use His Word to change your life by transforming your thoughts.  As He transforms your thoughts, your feelings will come in line with reality.  God says over and over to guard your mind and your thoughts." She then quotes several verses, the ones which stood out to me were Lamentations 3:21-23 "Yet this I call to MIND, and therefore I have HOPE: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Later she says, "Thoughts are so fickle when left to themselves!  They will run from one thing to another, telling you whatever your flesh wants to hear.  And when they do so, they inevitably produce feelings that are hard to control.  When you find your thoughts running wild and untamed, you must come against those thoughts and force them out…'…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.' 2 Corinthians 10:5  When you determine that a thought is contrary to the Word of God, put it out and tell yourself truth about God instead.  Repeat truth to yourself over and over until the thought has completely left."

This is so true!  And it hit me like a ton of bricks this morning.  I don't (or shouldn't) need a pill to change my outlook on life or my feelings. I texted this to my husband this morning and said, "I am reminded how much FEELINGS can affect my outlook.  Nothing has changed about my circumstances or about God's truths and promises.  It's just my outlook and how I FEEL.  I need to constantly remind myself of God's unchanging truth, love and promises in order to battle my constantly changing feelings."

And that's my deep thought of the day!  Ha!

So with that being said, I'll leave you with some links to some videos I posted on Instagram (and Facebook) of some of our adventures from today….hope they work!

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Happy 2014

Well, if you're like me, you're probably wondering where the holidays went and how can it be possible that the kids return to school next week? Our break from school and schedules was wonderful. We had a relaxing, quiet Christmas at home. We survived some cold temperatures and hunkered down in front of the fire most nights and stayed up late, and slept in late as well ;-)

As my mind thinks back on the last year, and looks ahead to the coming one, I have a few resolutions I thought I'd share...here they are in no particular order:

1. Get back to riding.

 

 

Since a week or so before the girls started school, I can count on one hand the number I've times I've been out too ride. I miss my horses so much! And they are all just standing around, getting fat hay bellies and letting their muscles atrophy! My arena looks like a pasture and will take some dedicated dragging, weed killing, and working over to get in shape to ride again. I'm not setting up any other goals for myself other than getting back in the routine of riding two or three of them 3-4 times a week. We'll see where I am in a few months and then maybe I'll readjust. I just want to get back to jumping and training again (and maybe some selling of a few of them before the year is over)!

2. Institute once a week family meal.

Okay, I will admit that we don't sit down at the table to eat as a family every night. And we really never have. With Jason's schedule, it was always easier to make the kids' food, feed them, get them ready for bed, and then eat with (or without) Jason later on. But our girls aren't getting any younger and with ballet and riding schedules competing for our time, I know we need some time to connect. I was really inspired by something I saw on Pinterest which I thought would make the whole thing a lot of fun.

http://beautyandbedlam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Amazing-Family-Dinner-Time-Tradition-Conversations-starters.jpg

Just click on the link to go to this woman's blog. She has created a pdf you can download and print out with conversation starters to use at family dinner nights. Put them in a jar and let one person pull out a "starter" each meal. I thought it was cute and would be easy enough to add my own, should I be so creative, as time goes on.

3. Keep a thankful jar.

Well, at least that's what I'm calling it! On the heels of family meal time, this seemed another good "jar idea". This time the inspiration came on Facebook...the picture explains it well:

 

4. Organize!

If you've seen my Pinterest feed over the last few days, you'll see I'm researching different ways to organize some aspects of our family life. I think I've narrowed it down to a few options. Now I just need to implement! This lady has a TON of organization ideas on her Etsy site:

5. This little blog o'mine.

I want to post more regularly. I know I've said that before and I've done good and not so good jobs of keeping up with it. But this is my baby book, my family yearbook and keeper of our memories. I want to be more dilligent at remembering life while the girls are still young. Goodness knows we missed out on several years already with two of them. So, I'm going to try and make a few posts a week. It may not be exciting but it will be about our kids (mostly) and what's going on with them and the horses and the farm. And that's what I want to remember!

6. Get my Christmas cards sent.

 

And by Christmas card - I mean the picture from December 2012 that I didn't get sent out, and the picture from December 2013 that I need to send out, both before December 2014 rolls around!

 

7. Remember what is most important.

 

We are so blessed and thankful for our church, Countryside Bible Church. Pastor Tom Pennington, the elders, and the deacons and members have been so influential in our lives. They keep pointing us toward Christ and as this new year commences, I know and have already been reminded, that we will face many challenges and trials this year; in addition to many blessings. Remembering who is sovereign and having a Godly response to whatever circumstance God ordains to lay before me is what I strive to do.

 

I was reminded today of Philippians 1:27-28 "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents."

 

Another verse that has been at the forefront of my mind lately is Colossians 1:9-12 "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthend with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."

 

This is my prayer for 2014.

 

Until next time...

Thankful

I started this post back during Thanksgiving but didn't get around to finishing it. However, I think it's still the season to be thankful - isn't every season of our life supposed to be this way?. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessaloninans 5:16-18

So Ava was looking through her latest Young Rider magazine and found this ad in the back. She thought it sounded like a lot of fun:

 

I responded with an "Ahem! Doesn't that sort of describe your life on an everyday basis?!?" I mean we're not an "official" working horse farm but we do have horses and we do work! There is never a shortage of chores to be done around here!

But it got me thinking...how many things (tangible or intangible) in my life do I have and either take for granted or don't even recognize? I have been convicted lately about enjoying life with my children instead of being so busy that I'm rushing right by them or spending entire days without really "talking" with them - can I hear an "Amen!"?? Certainly I'm not the only busy mother who feels this way (which by the way - I saw something on Pinterest or Facebook recently that said something to the effect of "I don't know why they call it 'stay-at-home-mom' because I'm never at home!")

So I thought I'd list some of the things I'm thankful for below, in no particular order:

1. My Haven

I call this my haven, for lack of a better word, because this is where I spend my most treasured time each morning. I get up usually around 4:30 (notice that those windows are DARK at this time of day) and here I spend a good 1 to 1 1/2 hours every morning for my quiet time (prayer, Bible reading, Bible study and maybe 5-10 minutes at the end for some Pinterest or Facebook time ;-) I have all my neccesities - iPad with Olive Tree installed, coffee, pen, paper, and candles. It is uninterrupted quiet time - no kids or distractions.

2. My Family

This gives you a sneak peek of what our Christmas cards will look like (that is, if I get them out in time, unlike last year). It was one of the last warm days before ICEMAGEDDON 2013 hit. I think of the 12385 pictures I snapped a few turned out ok ;-) Ava is now 11 (going on 18), Amelia is 6 and Audrey is 3. They are all full of life and keep us on our toes! One of my goals for the new year is to spend more quality time with them. That's such a cliche but I feel like I spend a lot of time with them doing busy stuff - not enough fun time or relaxing time. And of course Jason is included in my sentiments - he's just not in the picture!

3. Gorgeous sunrises

Okay, a little sappy perhaps but every morning when I see the sun coming up I am reminded of Lamentations 3:22 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

4. Jesus Christ and His sovereignty

While the ice storm that hit has delayed plans and caused some problems, my pastor was wise to remind us of God's sovereignty with this verse: Psalm 147:16-18 “He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes. He casts forth His ice as fragments; who can stand before His cold? He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.”

We were very fortunate that we did not lose power or have any pipes burst like last time such a strong cold front invaded North Texas in 2011. However, I am reminded that even if we did lose power or have other "terrible" or unexpected things happen that God is still sovereign, He is still in control, He has ordained every moment, circumstance and situation in my life and He is working it all for my good and His glory! How can I be anything but grateful and thankful for everything in my life (the perceived good and bad things) knowing that?

2 Corinthians 11:27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.