It is a crazy time in the world right now. We have this Coronavirus that is attacking everything we know, our families, our schools, our stores, our jobs, it makes you question so many things. What does this mean to our economy? What does it mean for our kids? This virus is going to have a ripple effect that we cannot even fathom. As an introvert, being home "quarantined" and having all activities cancelled is refreshing to me, I love the down time, I love the extra time with my kids, I love the slowness of life right now. As, I am sitting around doing puzzles, catching up on house work, and really focusing on being still, I am reminded that God calls us to rest. God created the world in 6 days and on the 7th day, He rested. Why? Do you think He was tired and exhausted from making all this? I mean why would He need rest and down time? The bible also tell us to "Be Still" and know that I am God. During this time where I am almost being forced to rest and just be, I can see the importance of all of this.
God didn't rest because he was tired, He rested because He was done creating. He gave us the the 4th commandment, Remember the Sabbath ( day of rest) and keep it holy, so we would rest. The point of the Sabbath is to set a day apart where we are to honor God, focus on Him and adjust our thinking from the world to Him. It is a day where we no longer have to work and try and do everything on our own, but to rest IN HIM and glorify His name. When we rest in Him we realize, it is not about ANYTHING we have done, but all that He has done for us. In Psalms 46:10 Be Still, does not mean to stop moving and sit around doing nothing. It means to stop striving, stop working hard, stop fighting. TRUST in HIM,lay it all down, let it all go, and know HE is in charge, HE has it all in His hands. Just chill!!
I just want to encourage you as we are in this period of rest together, stop and focus on what is important, try not to feed into the frenzy and the hysteria that is in the world and Be Still and trust Him. Take this time to focus on family, kids, friends, and get into the Word and draw close to the one who created you and everything you love. He is good and His mercies never fail. He is a promise maker and a promise keeper, stand on His promises, oh how He loves us!!
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Week 1
Three is my favorite number so I might as well update on day 3. I joined a weight loss group, weigh in was Sunday, so I started weight loss Monday. I am super excited because I have not mentally had to fight food urges, I haven't felt like this is an impossible journey. The group goes until April 25th, however I am going to continue through May, and then try and maintain my loss. I have been walking at least 20 mins a day, and I hope to do that at least 5-6 days a week, I will increase the time, and then increase the speed. At some point right before kids, I was running 3 miles, I would love to get back to that.
Another goal is to listen to three podcasts in a week, I really do better with visual learning, so I compromised today and listened to sermon on you tube. Except it wasnt' a live stream, it was still Audio. The content was fantastic though. It was on listening to the Holy Spirit. Lots of people say they can't hear God speak to them. Bill Johnson laid it all out quite simply for me. I am going to sum it up. When you are born again, you have a natural ability to hear God. You don't hear God when you are striving, like putting on worship or reading scripture, you hear God when you are at a place of rest. God will speak to you when driving a car, shopping etc...He is not some alarming voice that comes from the outside, He is a familiar voice that comes internally. The holy spirit is designed to talk to our spirit. Our fleshly side cannot hear Him, only our spiritual side can. He will speak things that are way better than we could ever come up with. His voice pierces your heart. You will feel His presence, His peace. The Holy Spirit has come to comfort, guide, teach, empower, and intercede for us. He also has come to reveal things given to us from the Father, He is there to help us find them. When you get into the word, worship and prayer, your ability to hear the Spirit is awakened. So if you long to talk to the Father, read His word, sing His praises, get on your knees. He hears you! He will speak to you, just stop striving as if you can make Him speak to you, it is when we are in His rest and our minds are at peace when we will hear Him.
Another goal is to listen to three podcasts in a week, I really do better with visual learning, so I compromised today and listened to sermon on you tube. Except it wasnt' a live stream, it was still Audio. The content was fantastic though. It was on listening to the Holy Spirit. Lots of people say they can't hear God speak to them. Bill Johnson laid it all out quite simply for me. I am going to sum it up. When you are born again, you have a natural ability to hear God. You don't hear God when you are striving, like putting on worship or reading scripture, you hear God when you are at a place of rest. God will speak to you when driving a car, shopping etc...He is not some alarming voice that comes from the outside, He is a familiar voice that comes internally. The holy spirit is designed to talk to our spirit. Our fleshly side cannot hear Him, only our spiritual side can. He will speak things that are way better than we could ever come up with. His voice pierces your heart. You will feel His presence, His peace. The Holy Spirit has come to comfort, guide, teach, empower, and intercede for us. He also has come to reveal things given to us from the Father, He is there to help us find them. When you get into the word, worship and prayer, your ability to hear the Spirit is awakened. So if you long to talk to the Father, read His word, sing His praises, get on your knees. He hears you! He will speak to you, just stop striving as if you can make Him speak to you, it is when we are in His rest and our minds are at peace when we will hear Him.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
IT"S 2020!!
I am excited for this new year. I have never been one for resolutions, but last year I started with a word for the year, "reflections", this year God has given me the word restoration. I am super excited because we are coming out of almost a decade of a season in our lives where we poured all we had into those God placed in our path. I wouldn't trade that journey for anything. It was a time of growth, healing, loving, crying, and pure exhaustion. The relationships we made and the kids we watched bloom were so rewarding, and I am humbled to have been given the opportunity to get to know and guide such sweet beautiful souls. BUT OH THE EXCITEMENT OF RESTORATION!!!!
I have for many years felt like I have forgotten who I am, and I mean who I am from the bottom of my being. What do I love? What are my passions? What do I hate? What exhausts me? What energizes me? What do I long for? Dream about? If I had to describe me, who is that? Does anyone actually see ME? When I am sad, what helps? If I am feeling giddy, how do I express that? What is my "style"? LOL my kids would tell you I have no style, I have turned into a frumpy 40 yo who takes no time for herself. I can tell you that is going to change!!! I am coming out of a season of sacrificial serving and I am finding ME again. God has promised to restore us and I am standing on His promises and declaring that this is a year where I AM RESTORED. I am taking my health back, both physical and mentally. My relationships with my husband, kids, friends, are going to be so much more. Our office is going to be restored to what HE has designed it. He is going to show up in BIG ways and His goodness will shine! If you've taken the time to read this, I pray God's blessings and favor over your life and that you will be restored in the areas where you are crying out to Him. Love to you all!
I have for many years felt like I have forgotten who I am, and I mean who I am from the bottom of my being. What do I love? What are my passions? What do I hate? What exhausts me? What energizes me? What do I long for? Dream about? If I had to describe me, who is that? Does anyone actually see ME? When I am sad, what helps? If I am feeling giddy, how do I express that? What is my "style"? LOL my kids would tell you I have no style, I have turned into a frumpy 40 yo who takes no time for herself. I can tell you that is going to change!!! I am coming out of a season of sacrificial serving and I am finding ME again. God has promised to restore us and I am standing on His promises and declaring that this is a year where I AM RESTORED. I am taking my health back, both physical and mentally. My relationships with my husband, kids, friends, are going to be so much more. Our office is going to be restored to what HE has designed it. He is going to show up in BIG ways and His goodness will shine! If you've taken the time to read this, I pray God's blessings and favor over your life and that you will be restored in the areas where you are crying out to Him. Love to you all!
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