Monday manna

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9


When I first saw this verse, (and the ones prior to it) I didn't think there was anything more that I could say to illuminate them. Of course, I was wrong and God had a different plan. As I went through this week, God was planting little nuggets to help me understand them better. First let me say that I had typed this all up, and thought it was saved. I pushed the post button and it all disappeared. I'm hoping this second version will live up to the first one's legacy LOL.

I was watching the movie Fireproof last night. If you have not seen this movie, you must. I don't care if you are single, married, divorced, widowed, etc. It is a wonderful testimony of God's redemptive power in relationships. In the movie, Caleb, (Kirk Cameron) recieves a book from his father called "The Love Dare". The instructions are to focus on a different aspect of marriage or your spouse every day for 40 days. One of the days leads Caleb to study his wife. He was to make a candlelit dinner for her, and to ask her some questions at this dinner to see what makes her tick. What makes her happy? What makes her sad? What are her dreams? What does she love?

As Christians, we should be doing the same with God. We should be having candlelit dinner with Him, and have a list of questions to ask Him. How do we do that? The only way to ask God questions here on this earth is through prayer and reading His word. Our candlelit dinners full of questions are our devotional times with the Lord. Let's think about putting on a candlelit dinner for a moment. We get out the good china and silverware, throw on the linen tablecloth, play soft music, pull out our best recipes, and don't forget the candles! When the moment comes, we make sure we look our best and everything is perfectly ready for our guest. Do we do this for the Lord? Don't misunderstand me here. I'm not saying that God will only accept us if we are polished and perfect. I'm also not talking about needing hours to meet with God. I'm talking about the posture of our hearts. Are we coming with an open heart to God or have we put up walls of self-defense? Have we prepared ourselves to meet with him or are we just going through the motions? Are we giving him the first fruits of our time, or just the scraps that fell off our schedule? Are we soaking in his word, or are we distracted by other things that we just can't get off our mind? We were created to be in fellowship with our Lord. He wants our best offerings, not our leftovers.

In the bible, our relationship with the Lord is compared to a marriage relationship.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Rev 19:7

Do you see that? The bride has made herself ready! My friends, there are many ways we can get ready for our Lord. One of those ways is by getting to know the character of our God. My friend preached the sermon at our church this Sunday for the family service. She is travelling to Disney as I type this. My friend told us about how she got ready for her trip by doing some research. She looked up the Disney characters in books to learn all about them. The reason she did this, was so that when they saw the different characters at the theme park, they would recognize them, and know what role they played in the Disney movies. The only way we can recognize God, is if we know his character. What pleases Him? What burdens His heart? What (or who) does He love? What are His desires? We can learn all of this in His word.

And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,so your God will rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5b

Paul said ANYTHING you have learned or seen from him, put into practice. Paul was certain that what he was teaching, and modeling, was all that he learned from Christ. Christ was certain that everything He was doing, His Father in heaven was doing as well.

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19

Have you ever seen a little girl playing dress up with mommy's high heels, and scarves and hats? How about a little boy strapping on his daddy's toolbelt and boots? They want to be just like us. We are children of the most high God. We too should be trying to be just like our heavenly Father. How about we strap on his helmet, and wield his sword and shield, and grow up to be just like him?

Monday Manna :)

Hello there! Yes....I am terrible at all this blogging stuff. I have such good intentions, with such bad follow through. I will keep plugging along, because that is how my life goes!

One of the things that has heightened my interest in getting back here is Monday Manna over at my friend Joanne's blog. If you have not met her, go here: http://joannesher.blogspot.com . She is a fellow Christian that grew up Jewish and is a budding writer. I love her entries!

So without further ado....


The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Genesis 12:1

Joanne's question is this: What does this verse say to you?

Well, at first I was like "nothing!". Then I really got to thinking about this verse. It is really rich with meaning for me. In this verse, The Lord is asking Abram to leave everything he knows. Abram grew up with his people, his father's household, his country. Sure, they may have travelled a bit, had travellers come to their area, accepted changes to their way of life occasionally. What God was asking was that he leave those things behind to accept the things that God held for him. All I have to say is "scary!".

When I was in high school, I met a boy. Ok, several of them. I was searching for something to fill the hole, the emptiness, I felt inside. My search led me to my husband, and to The King of Kings. This was a whole new experience for me. I found a man (ok, boy) that loved me for who I was, not what I could give to him or do for him. Someone who came from a family that accepted me from day one with the love of Jesus.

Church was something that intrigued me. I loved hebrew school, and learning about all the old bible stories. I loved the holy days, especially Purim. So, I started going to church with my husband. Finally, after seeing a play called "heavens gates, hell's flames" I accepted the Lord as my Savior and friend. This name that was never spoken in our house, was now upon my lips. My father's, or more accurately, my mothers house was not impressed.

God had called me out of my household, and all that I had known, and asked me to follow him. I did, not knowing what he had in store for me. Was it scary? Yes! I was walking a path that was previously not known to me or my ancestors (my mom-Jewish, my dad-catholic, me-born again believer). It was a walk of trust and faith. It still is.

Had I known that God was going to trust ME so much, I may not have chosen this path. You see, I am just dust. Without the breath of life from God inside my nostrils, I am nothing. Add God, and I can do anything he empowers me to do. I never dreamed I would be leading ladies in a study of God's word. I never dreamed I would be leading women in worship. I never dreamed I would be the worshipper that I have come to be. I never dreamed that I would be so in love with a savior that is unseen.

What I am saying is this: What you have on this earth is nothing compared to what God has already prepared for you. He is holding onto it, waiting for your obedience, and is waiting to bless you with it. Step out in faith, you will not be sorry.

Steph

For Today...

FOR TODAY June 22, 2009...

Outside my window...The leaves are blowing pretty good today. The weatherman told us that we will get a break again today from the rain, but I'm not sure I believe him just yet. There are some pretty grey clouds out there and the sun is hiding. I'm so tired of the dreariness of it all.

I am thinking...of how busy this week is going to be.

I am thankful for...an awesome Esther night on Saturday. We read the book of Esther and drowned out the name of Haman with our noisemakers. Then we got beautiful for the King. Then we had an amazing time of worship led by a local all-girl worship band. It was amazing, and God totally met us there.

From the kitchen...I need to make something for an end of the year class party for dessert. Any suggestions?

I am wearing...grey shorts and a black tshirt with stars.

I am creating...a clean, inviting home :)

I am going...to the beach! So excited to travel with a friend to the beach for an extended day trip.

I am reading...Psalms

I am hoping...that the car battery lasts through the trip. It's been giving me a bit of trouble the past few days.

I am hearing...My daughter playing dance dance mario.

Around the house...putting away everything from Esther night and packing.

One of my favorite things...a good book, my sand chair and the sound of the children playing in the ocean.

A few plans for the rest of the week:ballet! My daughter's performance is this weekend, and there are rehearsals planned for this week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Join us at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Monday June 15 2009 Daybook

FOR TODAY June 15, 2009...

Outside my window...A bright sunshiny day! My pool is sparkly, and the trees are waving hello.

I am thinking...About the reasons I get overwhelmed with my house, and my life.

I am thankful for...Nice quiet afternoons. Won't be too many of those from here to September.

From the kitchen...Breakfast and dinner for Bailey the dog. Rice and chicken for now. I'm hoping she's feeling better soon.

I am wearing...Jean capris and a soft pink top with embroidery around the keyhole neckline.

I am creating...a mess?

I am going...To the beach with my good friends next week.

I am reading...Captivating. Fantastic book to help us understand why we are who we are.

I am hoping...To hear from God today.

I am hearing...The buzz of the pool filter, and the mindless noise of the t.v.

Around the house...I'm hoping to weed and deadhead the flowerbeds, as well as replace some of the flowers that got too wet and didn't make it.

One of my favorite things...Harmony with my daughter.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Softball games, swimming, and bible study.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..Want to join us? http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Back to the Monday morning daybook!

FOR TODAY March 9th, 2009

Outside my window...Outside, it looks much like my mood. Kind of gray and gloomy, but I can hear the birds singing a praise song just outside my view.

I am thinking...that amidst the things that are trying to pull me in five different directions, there is a God who is a steady anchor for me that has breakthrough just on the other side.

I am thankful for...the health of my family.

From the kitchen...just a mess of dishes

I am wearing...a short sleeve red shirt with gray sweatpants and no shoes

I am creating...the mini women's retreat for church

I am going...to take my dad to the orthopedic for his crushed toe

I am reading...captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge. An amazing book with much insight into the feminine heart.

I am hoping...that my mil can watch my child with a belly ache this morning while I take dad to the dr.

I am hearing...the hum of the computer

Around the house...chaos that needs to be taken care of

One of my favorite things...the smell of clean sheets

A few plans for the rest of the week: Taking care of my dad, finishing the Beth Moore study with the women on Wednesday, going to see the PA ballet dress rehearsal on Friday with Jessie's dance class.

No picture today...can't find a good one!

Want to join in with us?

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY November 24th...

Outside my window... Kind of a gray gloomy day. We had a hard frost this morning, so everything is kind of sparkly from the ice crystals.

I am thinking...How faithful our God is. His word says that we cannot add one hour to our life by worrying, and we do it anyway. I just got word that He pulled through for a family I know and have been praying for, and it is so encouraging! They trusted him and tried not to fret and were an example for us all.

I am thankful for...Quiet mornings that I can gather my thoughts and lists for the day.

From the kitchen... Oh the kitchen will be busy this week, as I am hosting Thanksgiving for our family. I'm expecting 11 this year. I will be baking pumpkin and apple pies, a 22 pound turkey, candied yams, mashed potatoes, home creamed sweet corn and some other things. For dinner tonight, it will be crustless chicken pot pie.

I am wearing...comfy purple house slippers, running pants, and a green 3/4 length sleeve top. Ready to Fall clean today!

I am creating...My Christmas house. I'm starting to think of the decorations and when to get the tree. I might even pull out my manger scene to work on painting it a bit.

I am going...Nowhere! This week will be spent at home as much as possible.

I am reading...Grace based parenting

I am hoping...That can space out my tasks enough that I can get everything done that I want to before Thursday.

I am hearing...Silence that is golden.

Around the house...Just organizing things and clearing the way for Christmas things to arrive at their proper spots.

One of my favorite things...Curling up on the couch with a blanket, hubby and the dog at night. Add a cup of tea too!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Eat? LOL I want to deep clean most of the rooms in the house before decorating. Maybe get our tree this weekend. I'm fretting over the tree, as we now have a 9 month old, knee high, bundle of energy dog. Did I mention she likes to chew on twigs and bark? I have garland at the top of the stairs (wrapped around the banister) for autumn that resembles twigs, with some sparkly beads throughout. She has chewed off many of the pieces while we weren't looking. It looks terrible now! So much for my fall deco....*sigh*

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Jessie at the fall display at Longwood gardens. Christmas pictures coming soon :)

Secret Keeper girl

Are you a mom? Do you have a daughter? You must see this! www.secretkeepergirl.com Are you tired of your little girl being pressured to grow up too soon? ME TOO! My little girl is 8. She is in the 100th percentile for height. Do you know what this means for her? She is in a small junior size. JUNIOR! Do you know what that means? You got it.....midriff baring, cleaving showing, and skirts that barely cover the derriere. NO! FOOT DOWN, NO!

If you feel the same way, please, please, please (Yes, I'm not ashamed of begging you) go to this site www.secretkeepergirl.com and sign Dannah Gresh's petition to get the fashion industry to listen up. We will not allow our little girls to compromise their integrity for the sake of fashion! NO WAY!

Can you tell I am passionate about this subject? We went on retreat this weekend to the assemblies of God women of purpose in Hershey PA. They had many speakers and worship leaders and soloists there. Dannah Gresh was by far the one who captured my attention. She teaches our little girls modesty in a fantastic fun way. She also speaks to our youth about purity. About waiting. About saving the gift they have recieved from God for their marriage bed. How amazing is that? If she is coming to your town any time soon, you MUST go see her. She also speaks to women about overcoming the lies of the enemy, saying that you lost your purity, and now are unable to serve the body of Christ.

If you know me, and my heart, it is to see women set free. Free to love, free to worship, free to dance, free to live, free to serve God and free to serve each other. We cannot do this when we are in bondage, and captivated by the enemy and all he has to "offer". No! Jesus has come to set us free, and offer much more than the enemy of our souls ever can.

Let us put feet to our faith and fight the good fight. For our babies. For our daughters and sons. For the next generation and the one after that!

Stephanie