Namesake Week 5 Day 2: Writing in the Sand

Today's Scripture: John 8:6-11, Jeremiah 31:31-34

When we look at what Jesus was doing when the Women Caught in Adultery was brought before Him for judgement, we see that Jesus was bent down writing something in the dirt. I have heard this story before and the bible does not say what Jesus was writing but we know it was words. One of the ideas (the one I love the best) is that Jesus was writing the women's name. The men that brought the women forward was just a pawn to the undoing of Jesus, so if Jesus had written her name the men would have had a very hard time continuing to see her as an object. By writing her name Jesus was saying this women is more than her sin, more than her mistakes, She has a name.

One of the other ideas that I like is that Jesus was writing a message of love, forgiveness, mercy and grace. A message that would have brought comfort to the women who's fate lied in Jesus' hands. The message must have been important for there is only one other time that Jesus (through God) wrote something and that was the 10 commandments. God wants a relationship with us that is made of love not obligation to obey a set of rules. God writes this desire to be obeyed on our hearts and wants our desires to match His desires.

One aspect of this story is the bible never questions the women's guilt, but she is as guilty of breaking God's laws as the men who accused her. If you are free of sin cast the 1st stone. The men who brought her to trial had to then look into their own hearts and one by one walked away. God longs to write His love on our hearts and wants our obedience to be willing.

Jesus,

Help me to fall in love with you. Please help my actions to flow out of my heart and have this love be reflected in my outward obedience. Come and write Your words on my heart. Show me how to desire what you desire and how best to follow your will.

Amen

Namesake Week 5 Day 4: Gods Arithmetic

Today's Scripture: John 21:1-19

Most of us are a work in progress, a mix of old and new, past and present. With God's helpful arithmetic he can guide us to subtract the negative and add the positive equaling a balanced life.

Here is an activity from this chapter of the book.

Read the following scripture and put a + or a - to indicate if it was a positive or negative moment for Peter.

Luke 22:14-20 ____

Luke 22:24 ____

Luke 22:33 ____

Luke 22:34 ____

John 13:8 ____

John 13:9 ____

Mark 14:32-41 ____

John 18:10 ____

Matthew 26:69-75 ____


"It's at our times of greatest need that Jesus can show us the great forgiveness." J.G.

One great example of God's arithmetic is found in Matthew 18:21-22. Jesus says that we are to forgive 70 x 7 times. Jesus is trying to tell us not to keep count or keep a grudge of how many times someone sins against us, but that we should forgive more often than we can count.

For every mistake that we make Jesus adds another chance, He doesn't subtract his grace or mercy He just adds another 1, if you turn away from His 7 times he will give you 8 chances at redemption.

God's Arithmetic will never add up, but will always make sense to us all in the end.

Namesake Week 5 Day 3: Disappointing God

Today's Scripture: Luke 22:31-34, Luke 22:54-62

A few years ago a co-worker of mine told me "You can't hold others to the expectations that you hold yourself too." After all these years that advise still stays with me, I remind myself of it whenever I feel disappointed by the actions of others. I think that some people (some Christians even) wonder what is the positive in living in this post-Eden imperfect world? Jessica LaGrone's response is "we get to see how God deals with disappointment" Just live a parent, when God feels disappointment with us its because we are making bad choices and He only wants the best for us. The best thing about God and a lesson that we should all learn is even when deeply disappointment God response with GRACE. God will reach out to us again, and again, and again.

Here are some examples of God's grace:

Ephesians 2:8-9

Hebrews 4:16

Romans 5:1-2

"When we act in disappointing ways, God is not surprised. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He is ready to respond with Grace. He also knows that failure is like a sieve that can strengthen us. " Jessica LaGrone

I have a really hard time with expectations and disappointment as a mom and wife! God must deal with this as well, being our Holy Father, but he shows us unconditional love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. These qualities are the ones that I strive for everyday. To show my children that when we are disappointed we can still be gentle and not lash out or recoil, we need to extend understanding and love. We have a choice just like God has a choice to reject us or to work on us.

Friday Funday - Dinner with Family and Friends

Yes, its Friday! The weekend is here and I am in a great mood.

My best friend and wife to my husband's cousin is coming over with the kids and we are having dinner and drinks.

I am going to make Baked Chicken Flauta's, and beanny cheesy Flauta's for the kiddos.

I found the recipe on Pinterest from Hot Cookin' Mama.

You an find the recipe on my pinterest Food Board or here is the link

Bakes Chicken and Spinach Flauta's

Here is my version of the recipe

What you will need:

• Regular flour tortilla's, cut in half
• 2 / 3 chicken breasts
• 1 can stewed or roasted tomatoes
• 4 C water
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• Grated cheese
• Re fried Beans (for the beanny cheesy flauta's)
• olive oil or cooking spray
• Sour cream, guacamole or salsa for dipping

Directions:

• Place the chicken breasts in a large pan and cover with chicken broth or water
• Bring to a boil then reduce heat add tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes (or until chicken is done)
• Shred chicken and mix with seasonings
• Preheat oven to 450 degree's
• Grease a baking sheet and set aside
• Place shredded chicken and cheese along the edge of each cut tortilla and roll up starting from the edge. For the Beanny cheesy flauta's do the same way beans first then cheese.
• Place seem side down on baking sheet
• Brush with olive oil or spray with cooking spray
• Bake in the oven for 5/10 minutes each side

My BBF is making a yummy salad and we will talk the night away! I can't wait.

Hope your weekend is great and make sure to fill it with tons of memories because we only have 940 weekends before our kids turn 18. 

Hope for the Weary Mom - Chapter 7

7. Coming to the End of Yourself

How do I fight with all I have to love deeper, stronger, longer, and harder? Especially when I'm weary and have little left?

Am I on the right path? And leading my girls and husband down the right path?

These are questions I ask myself all the time, are you asking yourself similar questions?

Today I woke up in so much pain, from my back. I am always slow in the morning, I call it my granny time. I took my meds and got no relief. Its frustrating and makes me mad that I have these limitations. That when I have ten million things to do I am unable to do any of them.

Just like this chapter says I'm trudging and overwhelmed with the never-ending exhausting tasks of being a wife and mother, but then I also have the MS, injections, doctor appointments, and chronic back pain. My youngest has had a ear infection every month since April so she too has meds and follow up appointment, I see tubes in her ears in the near future. 

TIRED...that's how I feel all the time! I guess I'm coming to the end of myself and I'm having to face my sins and shortcomings.

It's important that we set aside come quiet time with God to admit our sins and shortcomings. To go to the alter, where we can empty our hearts mess out to God, where He can meet us and bless us with grace and joy. When we do this it invites the Lord to speak to us, show his unconditional love, support and He will always welcome us into his arms.

"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"

Worship is the greatest way to refuel.

"The joy dwelling place is found in the Lord."

From my journal,

Page 85 really spoke to me

"See the thing about worship is that it acknowledges in the very deepest part of our souls that we need Him. We can't take this journey on our own. We need the very presence of the Lord to strengthen and guide us. We need Him every hour...He wants to whisper into your heart that He loves you and will never let you go."

3. You can find an alter to kneel upon anywhere and at anytime. Make sure to make an appointment with God to kneel and meet Him.

4. Places I have met God (knelt at the alter):

Standing all alone in my living room

When I'm out on a motorcycle ride with my husband, I always feel free and joyous in times like these and pray prayers of thankfulness

In bed at time right before I fall asleep

In the car

5. My goal is to create a space in my home that is all mine where I can have a desk. A place I can sit in quiet conversation with God, and the space to do my devotions and blog work.

  

Hope for the Weary Mom - Chapter 5

5. When you want to run and hide

There have been many days as a mother I have wanted to just hide, when the frustrations of the day seem to much and you just cant take any more. My oldest has really been pushing my husband and I to our breaking point lately. Rebelling against all our rules and beliefs coupled with her nasty attitude, make me want to either bang my head against the wall or simply stay hiding under me covers. My youngest is like nothing I have ever met in a 3.5 year old girl, she is more similar to a 3.5 year old boy. So much energy, she doesn't even know what to do with it all. I think she sucks it out of me!

God will often put us just where we wants us. Just like the story of Hagar - weary and worn God placed her where she would hear his voice. There is no place that we can hide from God, He knows our hearts and so knows all our hiding places. He looks intently for us, scans the world for us, to find us and show us His love and support. Its a secret game of hide and seek, one that God always wins.

Mary Magdalene and the burial of Jesus is another great example of God meeting us in our messiness. Mary went to prepare Jesus' body and there she fell broken in grief, She fell to her knees at the tomb. And it was then that Jesus spoke her name, met her in her mess. She clung to Jesus and believed in the miracle that running to him might create.

We need to cling to Jesus so that we too might have miracles performed in our lives. Hebrew 4:16 and the book of Esther are wonderful places to learn how we need to run to Him instead of running and hiding from Him.

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength." Isaiah 40:31

From my journal,

My favorite place to relax and get away for a little while is in my backyard. I lay out in the warm sun and daydream or read while Cloe plays in her little pool. Sometimes I just sit there and listen to her playing or laugh. Its peaceful!

Lately I go to the Lord in prayer more than I read my bible. I do love reading all the stories of advice and guidance, its comforting to know that its a place I can always turn to. And there is comfort in knowing that Jesus once lived a life filled with conflicts, frustrations, and discomfort just like my life. 

There is nothing I can't tell God for he has heard it all and knows the intentions of my heart.

Hope for the Weary Mom - Chapter 4

Chapter 4. When Life Hurts To Much 

Whether its loss, pain, or struggles we all have times in life when life itself hurts to much. Sometimes when we hurt so much we close off our hearts due to the pain. "My heart is constantly waiting for the next sucker-punch of life." -Hope for the Weary Mom

The past few years have been filled with set backs, hard times, and disappointments. A kind of numbness settles in when bad things keep happening. You kind of stop feeling sad when the next bad thing hits. When we experience rough times, pain, or loss we need to turn towards God instead of turning away and closing off our hearts. But the best thing is He will always be waiting to welcome us back.

Mom's seem to feel life more deeply, we hurt when our kids hurt or are sick. We are often wounded by other women in our life's instead of being encouraged. We often feel alone as mothers and wives, or feel less when we compare ourselves to others. Life is hard for everyone, but we women are emotional creatures and life often sweeps our feet out from under us.

From my journal,

The recent hardships in my life - As you have read I was diagnosed with Relapsing and Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) in May, I have been dealing with chronic lower back pain since 2010, my oldest daughter is having some trouble with drugs, alcohol and has become sexually active with no remorse or thought about the promise she made to save herself for marriage or obey our house rules, my youngest is a crazy active little spark that tries my limits everyday, and I wish my husband would be a stronger Christian and take the lead more often.

2. Since I reinvested myself in my faith I have really tried not to second guess God's plan, But there are times when I have to remind myself "God only gives us what we handle." Guided studies and books for christian women have really been my saving grace, plus I love sharing my thoughts here on the blog.

3. I closed off my heart and turned away from God shortly before having my oldest daughter (from shame). I just floated along through life, investing way to much into the life's of my friends. I think I was searching for that loving and supportive relationship that only God can provide. It took all my friends turning away from me to realize this, that I needed to reconnect and reinvest my time with God. 

5. God had a plan for us before we are even born. He is there to keep us on that path. To guide us down the right road. As mother's we need to lead our children down this road with us. Because of free will we sometimes take a side road, or get off at the wrong exit. But God is our map, always constant and willing to lead us. Sometimes those wrong turns give us the experience to handle something later. I think sometimes the struggle of control leads to things not going our way as a lesson / reminder that God is in control. We need to live life under God's plan not our own. 

New study - Hope for the Weary Mom

I just stared reading Hope for the Weary Mom by Stacy Thacker and Brooke McGlothlin, and I love it! I am already on chapter three, but I think it might be a great book and subject to discuss here on the blog.

Can be found @ http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Weary-Mom

"Right now, I have nothing to give. Nothing. Nada. I’m tired and don’t feel good and honestly, I want a break from everything. It’s not that I want to leave my family, trade them in, or get new ones. I WANT to be with them. I just want a break from hard hearts, discipline, correction." This book is written by two mom's who are just like the rest of us, just trying to figure out how to be a great mom. "Stacey and Brooke understand the hearts and needs of moms today. They speak with a voice that’s encouraging, authentic and will draw in readers from many different seasons and stages of life that have one thing in common: they need hope." ~Holley Gerth, author of You're Already Amazing

At the end of each chapter there are 5 prompt questions that I am choosing to answer in my journal during my quiet time. This is not a book review type of post, I wanted to share my struggles as a mom with all of you, and hope that this will help put me on a less bumpy as a mom. Maybe by my opening up to what I;m going through I can be there for another mom who is going through the same thing. I really encourage you to follow along and interact through comments and emails to this series. 

My Prayer for Today

Yesterday and today my stress and anxiety levels have been through the roof. I feel so out of control, but I hate talking about it..so I try to bury it.

With all the normal stresses of life, being a mother, a wife, a women, having health issues, plus financial stressers, it all becomes sooo much. Sometimes I feel like I a carrying a bag of bricks on my chest and I just need a clean fresh breath. So that's what I turn to God for, He is my fresh breath!

If from reading my blog you haven't guessed my favorite place is anywhere near the ocean and my favorite colors come from its waters. I use these images for strength sometimes. I imagine the sound of the waves and the feel of the wind and mist.

On these days I also crank the MC Contemporary Christian station on my TV, Michelle Tumes "Christ of Hope" is playing right now.

"May He bring you hope

Hope you have never, never known

May the Christ of hope

Embrace you evermore"

She Reads Truth - Prayer in the Bible Day 14

Prayer in the Bible Day 14: Memorize

Today is all about quiet time with the word of God, meditate and memorize his word. Go back over all the scripture we have read so far in this study, see what speaks to your heart. Spend this time in with God, drink in his words and memorize them into your heart. We do this to bring honor and joy to God and for us it allows us to grow in his TRUTH.

She Reads Truth - Prayer in the Bible Day 5

Prayer in the Bible Day 5: Confession & Repentance

Day 5 Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 The Parable of the Lost Son

The thing about sinning, confessing, and repenting is that we first have to be honest with ourselves that we have done something against God and our beliefs. Once we have been honest with ourselves that this is something we didn't mean or want to do and we are not happy with the what we have done we must then go to God and those affected by our sin. We can't go to God with some preconceived thought of how God will respond or with an expectation of what restoration might look like. Confession and Repentance is very simple we have to take our offending sin to God, be honest and genuinely repent and want to do better. 

No matter the sin or how long you turn away from God He will always gladly welcome you Home.

From my journal:
It's such a reassuring thought that God will always celebrate our return home, but the going home can sometimes be so hard. It took me almost 13 years to get back to God, and I struggled a lot in these years with other sins and brokenness. I was face down in my sin and the devil made me feel unworthy of God's forgiveness and love. It took having my second daughter to forgive myself and not think about what God was going to do. I finally stepped out of the dark and turned to God. Nothing really happened at first, but I continued to pray and pray! I started to feel God with me and have the confidence that only He can bring. My life started to fall into place and I felt happy and peaceful. There are still days when nothing goes right, I yell at my kids, or I'm selfish but my life is in such a better place having a relationship with God. 

"He was dead and has come back to life."

"He was lost and now he is found."

Getting back into the Word

After a long weekend away at my parents home in Nevada, I have woken up early today with a renewed purpose. I was going to explore a new daily bible study, but felt drawn back to shereadstruth.com and found the 3 week study Prayer in the Bible.

I also want to incorporate some of my sewing and crafting projects into this blog. So I need to know from you, do you want tutorials or just pictures and updates?

Stayed tuned tomorrow for the start to Prayer in the Bible.

Biblical / Bible Study Journal

Since I have been doing my bible studies I have been journaling. Most people might think that journaling is something they did in grade school, but its really fun and its a place to reflect back to on your thoughts about God.

Journaling doesn't have to be like taking notes, it can be personalized to what you want it to be. If you are reading a passage and an image comes to mind draw it, paint it, write it out. Its your journal, make it pretty. If you scrapbook or are a paper crafting type person use embellishments, decals, buttons, etc.

The most important thing when doing a bible study journal is to have your journal next to you with a pen when you are reading the bible. Then as God speaks to your heart you can write down those passages or thoughts, even if its something short you can come back and draw, doodle, or write more down later.

I really great place for ideas and a place of how to start a biblical / bible study journal check out Ann Voskamp's website A Holy Place.

A great person to follow is is Jennifer http://web.stagram.com/n/hersoutherncharm 

She has some great examples of how to have a fun and colorful journal. 

MelissaEmma  http://web.stagram.com/n/melissaemma1and
her website www.melissaemma.blogspot.com. Is another great place for journal inspiration.

She Reads Truth - This is the Bible Day #8

She Reads Truth - This is The Bible Day #8

Day #8 Scripture: Psalm 119:129-152, Luke 8:4-21, Luke 11:27-28, Romans 10:17

Intimacy with God comes in spending time in the word. We turn to God and his word when we need relief and encouragement, but we also need to share what we learn with others. Hearing and telling is the give and take of the scriptures. 

Today's Psalm passage teaches us that we can pray and cry out to God for rescue and he responds with teaching us his words and guiding our steps with love. I know your laws / commands are TRUE.

Psalm 119:143 "As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands."

From my journal:

In Luke we read about the light of God's word. No one lights a lamp and covers it up. The word of God is like that lamp it shines brightly for all to see. But just like the farmer's seeds some only hear the words for a moment, some don't have the deep roots to help the plant grow, others life gets in the way, but for those that hear God's word and cling to it and it will grow a hundred fold. 

Luke 11:28 "Blessed are those that hear the word of God and put it into practice."

Faith comes from hearing, hearing the message and sharing it with all who will hear it.

She Reads Truth - This is the Bible Day #7

She Reads Truth - This is The Bible Day #7

Today, let us memorize God’s word. Not for our own glory or honor, but as praise to our Father and the growth of His Truth in our hearts.

 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:103, ESV

Random Thoughts Today

I am full of random thoughts today.

We had a great vacation, but Cloe, my husband and I came back sick (I will share more from our vacation in my next post). I am finally feeling normal today, but Cloe once again has that horrible cough from just a few weeks ago. When I am stuck in the house for 3 or more days with a sick little I find myself catching up on movies, yesterday while Cloe slept in my arms I watched The Impossible. What a movie!!!! I felt such fear, sadness, and inspiration. I wish that God would send me daily reminders to be thankful, to cherish each moment, and to remember that God has protected my family from tragedy.

That is my goal this year to remember that it could all be gone in the blink of an eye, to breath and release all those moments I cannot control, and to be thankful and happy!

Vacation - Being Present and Staying Centered

My family and my best friends family are preparing to go on vacation next week to the coast. The beach is one of my favorite places to go. We try to rent a beach house every year for a week so that we can really soak in all that ocean air and get away from the stresses of everyday life. But we weren't able to go last year, so I have been craving a long vacation since 2011.

Every time we go I always tell myself that I should bring my bible study and a vacation journal and use them, but each year I leave them at home. I really want to try and make the commitment to follow through. In past years with so many people and kids in the house my OCD really kicks in and I end up feeling more stressed on the trip then I do at home. I think if I take 20 minutes each morning alone it might center me and help me remember that I have to let go and just enjoy my vacation and time with my family.

I have been wanting to start a bible journal (I have had the journal in my nightstand drawer for a couple weeks) maybe this will be the jump start that I need.

I can't wait to get my toes in the sand and take a walk to the tide pools. Stay tuned for pictures from our trip.

ragstostitches.com

Forgiveness and Peace

Last night I was reading about forgiveness and peace and realized that I didn't really understand the way that forgiveness works. I have always gone to God to repent for my sins and ask for him to forgive me. I kind of just did it and then waited to fell better, to feel the weight being lifted. Well forgiveness from God also requires that we forgive ourselves and believe that we are in fact forgiven. We also need to remember that we are forgiven as we forgive others, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.". Through forgiveness comes peace.

Lately I have been praying a lot for peace. Having a 14 year old daughter makes for a very moody and chaotic house. Most of the time my daughter doesn't want to get along with anyone, and more specifically with me. She fights and argues about everything, doing her chores, getting along with her sister, obeying our rules, and being respectful. Because of this and her getting into trouble I am more likely to react in anger than any other way. So I pray for peace, for a peaceful house! When we are at peace we handle almost anything that life throws at us. God gives us peace through faith. When we are in union with God and have strong faith there is no need to stress and worry.