Goodbye and Thank you!

There is a time and a season for everything under earth.  As the seasons change on the earth, so does our spiritual seasons.  I sadly am saying that I will be putting down my writing for awhile.  I feel the Lord  wanting to shift me and re-direct me this coming up season.  I have NO clue of what that is but I am willing to wait before Him.  I love to write, and it will be weird not to express myself through it. I hope that I have brought you some encouragement the past few months.  However, I know that God has a plan for me and I want my destiny in Christ to be fulfilled, no matter what that looks like:) It's not my life but His to lead through me.
  Thanks you for supporting me on EEE! I've enjoyed pouring my heart to you all and loved reading the comments left.  You are all a blessing.... Go forth and be victorious:)

Are you Dead or Alive?

It is Ralene’s turn to post this week but she has been dealing with her son’s health.  He has been hospitalized with severe respiratory issues, so please keep her in your prayers. 

Are You Dead or Alive?

This past weekend we celebrated Easter, or what I like to call Resurrection Day.  For me, it is an exciting time spiritually because it is a reminder of what Jesus did for us on the cross. It also gives me an opportunity to reflect on my walk with God and what areas I still need to work on.  In a way, I take the death of Jesus as a symbolic gesture of what sin, old habits, thoughts, unofrgiveness or past mistakes that I too would like to put to death for the new season to come.  The fact that Jesus was able to overcome physical death allows me to have hope that I too can overcome my physical challenges daily when I choose Him to help me.  

            In Deuteronomy 30:11 it says, “Now what I have commanded you is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.”  When I read this scripture it helps me to know that God never asks us to do anything we can’t do without His help. We all can use some improvement in areas of our life that may tempt us to veer away from God at times.  It may not be habitual sin, but rather small choices that can hinder us from having complete victory daily.  For example, maybe you spend too much time watching tv, rather than being more productive with your time.  I’ve been guilty myself of watching not so life giving shows allowing it to fill my mind with junk and discouragement.  Maybe food, shopping or Facebook are issues that keep hindering you in ways from doing what God needs you to do. Facebook is a huge distracter these days for a lot of people, including myself if I don’t keep myself accountable.  In other words, we have to make sure we keep ourselves balanced and aligned with God’s will for our lives.  Too much of anything can be harmful.  Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. 

            Romans 12:1 says” Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice-holy and pleasing to God.” What areas in your life do you need to be put to death so that God can be glorified more?  What areas can you sacrifice to God so that it can become pleasing to Him this season: your marriage,broken relationships, finances, thoughts, emotions, health, job, your past, or any habitual sin?  Whatever it is, remember that the Lord’s hand is never too short to reach in and help you (Numbers 11:23) When Jesus resurrected, so did we—as new creations in Him!  So are you willing to out your flesh to death so you can be made alive today in Christ? Thank you, God, for your promises to help us become new daily. Give us the confidence we need to be victorious on this Monday as we begin our week in you, celebrating that our Redeemer lives!

Make Your Bed!

“Make your bed!”  I use to hear this from my mother when I was younger constantly. I would  then sigh deeply and make it with an attitude, thinking the whole time, what’s the point?  Needless to say, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree and I get the same reaction when I tell my children to do it.  Today, as I made my own bed, I pondered the importance behind this simple task.  Why is making your bed so important? Maybe I am asking this question because this week has been a week where I have been struggling with my flesh, including, making my bed.  Let’s get real, who really cares if your bed is made, because how many people go into your room when they visit? Or, as my son would so boldly ask, “Won’t I be just getting back in it tonight, so why bother?”  It’s tempting to just shut the door and not bother.  Trust me, I’ve done it a few times, but this is what I’ve learned about making the bed, it’s a small discipline that has payoffs later…

             Let me explain, in Hebrew 12:11 it says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  Learning to make my bed in the morning is a symbolic gesture of me choosing to overcome my flesh.  Isn’t this what leading a disciplined life is all about—killing the flesh?  For some reason, it sets the precedence in my mind for the rest of  the day.  In other words, if I train my flesh from the start of the day, it makes it easier for me to continue to choose so throughout the day.  Some may argue, but I’m sticking with what I know works best for me.  No one knows or probably doesn’t care if you make your bed, but the way I see it is God sees and knows all.  Are you willing to be faithful with small things that may not seem to matter in the big picture?   What you do and don’t do matter.  Don’t get me wrong, the Kingdom of God is not going to crumble apart if you don’t make your bed.  However, it’s  not about the bed, it's about a disciplined  mindset, a disciplined choice, a disciplined way of life that produces  fruit later and brings peace to your everyday!  Ask any great athlete or successful person how they achieved their goals and I can almost guarantee it began with small disciplines that led to greater ones along the way.

Are you lacking in the area of small disciplines that could help you get to greater ones? Do you have the tendency to only do the big things and skip the small things? If so, what small habits can you begin to help place you on the path to a disciplined life in God?  It’s been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step, or perhaps one made bed..So, go make your bed!

His Name was Aaron...

The room was crowded, filled with many faces, each one scarfing down the food before them.  For some of them, it was their only meal for days.   As I scanned the tables, I saw him.    His head was bowed low as he ate slowly, as if it was painful with each swallow.  He was barely hanging on for life.  His dark hair appeared messy and he wore a  torn sweater with a white collared shirt just peeking through.  He was deep in thought, quiet and humbled.  My heart filled with compassion for this young man as I watched him.  It’s never easy to serve at the homeless shelter.  The faces of suffering and pain are almost too much to bear sometimes, but I know that this is where the Lord changes lives. So, I swallowed back my tears and kept serving, hoping to be used in some small way.  Lord, just help me be a light of hope here tonight.
            Then, like a soft breeze came a whisper from the Lord, Tell him he’s my creation, remind him how much I love him and purposed him specifically with a bright, powerful mind, remind him that he is mine and I have made him with promise.  He is smart—remind him!  Tears began to fill my eyes as I felt the love of God for this young homeless man fill me up, so much that it propelled me towards him.   At first I was taken aback by what God was nudging me to do, but love moved me!
            I pulled out the chair in front of him and nervously sat down.  He looked up with his deep brown eyes and quickly looked down again.  I swallowed and asked him his name.  His name was Aaron.  I boldly spoke to him the same words God had just given me for him.  I could tell he was taken back and speechless.  Then his eyes filled with tears and a huge smile appeared on his face, yet no words were spoken from his mouth.  The other homeless men got quiet around us.  In fact, one of them whispered, “Boy, that is weird, man!”   Aaron laughed gently but did not speak.  Instead he grinned from ear to ear.
            He knew…He remembered….. In that moment he was loved!  It was as if Holy Spirit touched him right there and healed him.  His smile said it all as his countenance changed before my eyes.  I said it again, “Aaron you are smart and God has purposed you and will use you—trust Him!”  He looked at me and I could tell that it was received.
            I then walked away with tears falling from my own eyes.  I was just touched by God through Aaron!  My heart was filled with so much joy and promise for a man that I didn’t know.  But God knew Him!  His name was Aaron…
            Please pray for Aaron tonight.  He is a young man from the Kansas City Rescue Mission that I had the honor to meet tonight.  Like you and like me, he has a destiny in Christ Jesus and a prayer for him tonight from you could empower him to that place….Thanks for listening...

Move Over Easter Bunny and Cadbury Creme Eggs, There is Something Sweeter--Jesus!

                  Easter is fast approaching and for most people it will be a celebration of families getting together, backyard egg hunts, egg decorating, pretty dresses, chocolate filled candy and possibly a sunrise Easter service.  Tradition has it that Cadbury Eggs hit the grocery store shelves at this time too. Who can resist those creamy little delicacies, right? To boot, there are egg coloring kits of all kinds available now.  I marvel at the neat decorations they have for coloring eggs: stickers, sparkles, color dye, paint, markers, glitter-you name it, at the local supermarkets and stores.  It beats the old way we use to color eggs…Wait a minute!  Oh, that’s right, I was robbed of that joy because my mom bought us only plastic eggs because she didn’t like the mess of coloring eggs.  I forgive you, mom, because now I understand-- I have kids of my own!-lol

            Speaking of which….Kids and Easter…How do you celebrate Easter in your home? What does it mean to you? What kind of message are you sending to the next generation? All of these questions have been floating around in my head over the past couple of weeks.  Actually, more so then ever as I look at the world we live in today where there seems to be no respect for anything.  Morals and traditions are at a loss and found to be controversial and unacceptable.  Like most Christians, I’ve been trying to reflect on the true meaning of this season-Jesus!  However, this year I really examined the traditions that were past down to me and how I’ve either incorporated them into my own children’s lives or not.  I grew up Catholic but today I claim to be a non-denominational Christian.  Bottom line for me is Jesus!  I take seriously the responsibility I have to pass the heritage of Christ to my kids and to the world.

            Exodus 12:14 says," This is the day you are to commemorate;for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as festival to the Lord a lasting ordinance."  This passage is talking about remembering the Passover where God went through Egypt and wiped out all the first born children because of the sin of Pharaoh and the people. But He saved the Israelites  who honored Him and placed blood above their doors. It’s supposed to be a time of thanksgiving and reflection of the grace and provision God has given us throughout the ages.  Last night while reading this with my family, my oldest son, asks me why God would do such a horrific thing.  To him it seemed unfair. His question was reasonable for an eleven year old.  Of course, I gently explained the character of God and how this was an act of judgment done in love. Father's discipline their children in love.  Ugh-not an easy thing to explain, right? Hopefully, by the time Easter season is over with and we get through the resurrection scriptures, God will reveal that love to Him more.  However, I was tickled pink for the conversation because although it was a tough question to answer, the fact remains that God was being talked about in our home. His name was being remembered, even if the questions were hard.   At the end of the day, this is what God wants for each of His children’s children—to remember Him through the generations!  Passover and Easter is a time to remember that God promised to take us out of slavery, set us free, redeem us and take us unto Him.   It is our responsibility to remember and talk about Christ and the inheritance God gave to us through the shedding of His blood with our children.

              Is Easter a time of celebrating  Easter sales ,trying to find the perfect dress attire for your kids or is it about the gift of life being handed to you by God? We will still have fun with some traditions.  However, Easter Bunny and Cadburry Eggs will have to move over because there is something sweeter to celebrate—Jesus! He will be filling my kid’s bellies and memories for years to come and hopefully generations thereafter…

Moutain Top Whispers

“ I have had enough, Lord, take my life!”  Have you ever felt like this?  If so, you’re not alone.  In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah was at the end of himself, fearful, exhausted and hopeless.  He prayed, “Take my life, I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay under a tree and fell asleep.   I can’t help but laugh because I’ve been in this place quite a few times myself.  Physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion led me to believe that the best option for me at the time was for God to somehow take me to heaven immediately.

            We’ve all been in places in our lives where death seemed the best option.  Life can beat down on us, tempting us to give up.  This is one of Satan’s oldest tricks in the book.  If he can get us to fear, grow weary and tired--he's won! When we take life on alone, this is the result.  Elijah faced the same problem. He was afraid and exhausted and ran for his life or shall I say from his life.   How many times have you wanted to run from your circumstances and give up? For some of us—too many! Needless to say, God knows your limitations and doesn’t grow angry when you cry out in desperation for Him.  In fact, He loves coming to the rescue.  God met Elijah’s desperate cry that day, but not in the way of death, but rather with restoration and refreshment, sustaining him for the next leg of the trip.  I can only imagine that Elijah might have been disappointed to have to keep going, but God had a plan and it wasn’t all about Elijah.

            God sent an angel to Elijah; “Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you” (verse 7). God recognized that Elijah couldn’t do it without his help and he would need to be refreshed, renewed and re-focused.  Elijah recognized that he had been zealous in his ways by taking on his problems alone, but God  revealed to Elijah on a mountain His great power.  “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”  The words pass by in Hebrew means to extend, cross over, pass through, let pass over, or send over.  Elijah heard the whisper of God and became strengthened again. Instead of giving up, Elijah received God's grace and peace to keep him going.
                  Do you need a mountain top whisper today? If so, be reminded that greater is He that is in you than he that is in this world.  You can overcome today when you give up all your circumstances to God.  He will help give you strength for the journey ahead.... Happy Monday!:)

Forgive Me?

I have to apologize to everyone. This has been an awful week for me. I haven't been sleeping well--partially because of my kids and partially because of some weird restlessness. Now I'm struggling with exhaustion and the beginnings of a sinus infection. I don't have the presence of mind to come up with a post today. However, so not to be remiss, I thought I'd leave you with some beautiful pictures of my family! A way to get to know "me" a little better.

The kids and I goofing off at the hotel.



I took this just the other day when all 3 kids were playing nicely together. I had to explain that Connor could not be a princess.



Daddy and Alana on Alana's birthday.



The kids watching Daddy clean off the porch.

Peace in PJs

Our lives are hectics. If you've been over to my blog, Faith, Hope, and Suspense, you know we've been discussing schedules and creating peace that way. However, as the title suggests, I'm not here to talk about schedules. In fact, quite the opposite.

Sometimes, there's peace in PJs. That's right. Every now and then we need a PJ day--like I did this morning. I haven't been sleeping well, and last night my son filled his diaper and it soaked his outfit, the bed, and his blanket. After being changed he refused to go back to sleep until we finally gave him a bottle. Total time up? A little over an hour.

I woke up this morning to Mother Nature's visit, and felt awful. Tired, crampy, cranky...and I just wasn't having it. So, I declared today a PJ day. That's right. It's one in the afternoon here, and I'm still wearing my PJs! I spent the morning watching TV and reading books with the kids. I'm closing my eyes to the laundry and the dishes, and instead opening my arms for extra snuggles under the blanket on the couch. Here in a bit, we're putting in a movie and hunkering down with some popcorn.

While I don't have any Bible verses to back up this call for rest, I will say this. I have had health issues pretty much since the day I was born, and one thing that I learned long ago is that I am useless to God or anyone else if I am not ready to go. I can't be ready to go if my health is lacking. If I'm overly tired or stressed, I can't adequately do my job.

So, every now and then, I believe it's okay to have a "sick day" before you actually get sick. Rest and refreshment is sometimes needed on days other than Sunday, agreed?

Of course, you can also go the opposite direction. Don't think that I'm saying that for every day you don't feel like getting up and going to work, you should declare a PJ day. If that was so, we'd be living in our PJs more often than not!

A couple of tips and tricks for PJ days:

1. Know your limits! If you're reaching your breaking point, either because of lack of rest or too much stress, cut back. If you need a day to catch up, take it.

2. Don't go overboard. Honestly, if you lay around all day and do absolutely nothing, you'll likely feel worse than you did before. Instead, use the day to take it slow. Instead of rushing to be dressed to the nines before nine...stay in your PJs. But still take a minute to brush your teeth. :) In the same strand of thinking, let the dishes go for today, but also, use paper plates and plastic silverware (if you have them) to avoid creating more of a mess than necessary.

3. Take advantage of the day off to focus on things you don't normally have time for. Like I mentioned earlier, the kids and I have enjoyed extra time together today with sweet treats and snuggles. We sang songs, told stories, and indulged in some extra TV shows. When the kids go down from rest time, I plan to take a nap as well! Maybe I'll read a little too. I don't get to do that as much as I'd like these days.

Sweet, simple, and enjoyable--that's what PJ days are in this house. They help to restore the soul and give me the extra energy I need at this moment. There are some months where I have a PJ day almost every week, there are some months where I don't have any. I just have to know my limits to get the most out of PJ day.

Do you have PJ days? What do you use them for?

Keeping Perspective

We've all had someone tell us, "It could be worse." When we're feeling down and out, that's the last thing that we want to hear. We want our pain to be important enough to acknowledge. We want time to sit and stew and vent, or whatever else we need. The sad truth is, most of the time--it could be worse.

This past weekend, a writing friend of mine had to give her daughter into God's hands. Her daughter is only 9 months old and she had a heart transplant Saturday night. Praise the Lord that she is doing fine. You can check out her journey at One Woman's Dream.

I have another friend whose daughter has been really ill for the past 2-3 weeks. She's only three. The doctor's don't know what's wrong, and my friend has to watch her daughter be poked and prodded, knowing there isn't anything she can do for her.

I have yet another friend who, like me, just moved to Hawaii. Only, she has a 4-yr-old daughter and is pregnant. Her husband deployed overseas this weekend.

These are just a few people I can look out on and know that, yeah, my life could be so much worse.

We live narrrow-viewed lives. Our perspective is skewed because we focus on ourselves. Little things, like running late or a child making a mess, can essentially ruin our mood, or even our day. We let petty things get under our skin and take away our peace.

Life is so much more than the everyday nuances. We need to remember to thank God for each little blessing, big or small. And we need to remember to thank Him for the bad as well because, well, it could be worse. We could not have Him at all.

Shutdown Peace?

                Pending in the news today is talk of a Federal Government shut down.  For many Federal workers, including the military, this means- no pay checks.    "The longer a shutdown is in place, the more extensive the costs become," said John F. Cooney, a partner at law firm Venable who designed shutdown plans for the government while employed at the Office of Management and Budget. No doubt that if this occurs that it will  be costly and stressful for a lot of people.   I’ve already seen a lot of posts on Facebook of anxiety and frustration.  It’s tempting to go down that road of worry but where does it actually get us?  Let’s get a Kingdom view…

                Psalm 40:17 says, “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.”  Faith is what is needed in times like these.  We are fooling ourselves if we think that things will get better.  Just look at the world today and all that is taking place.  Things are not stable by any means. However, I choose not to be shaken but rather stand firm on the Rock who holds me—God!  For me, it is as simple as taking any fear or worry that rises up in me and giving it to God.  Instead, I choose to focus on the promises of God who have sustained generations through times of trial, so why would God stop now from being who He is—Faithful!  He is the God who supplies all our needs, the One who sustains life.  Do you honestly think that God who raised Jesus from the dead is worried about a financial government shutdown?  Is He not the One who put the stars  and the foundations of the earth  in place?....Hello?

                I leave you with this peace/piece of truth today from Colossians 3:20 “ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”  Are you tempted to focus on the world and circumstances around you today?  Where does your supply come from, the world, men or God?

Father, please help your people to focus on Your purposes and not on worldly situations.  Peace was bought for you today, receive it, walk in it, and give it away! Happy Friday!:)

What Kind of View Do You Have?

Often times as Christians, we hear, “It’s not about you!” Ouch, no one likes to hear this!  However, it’s true —it’s about God!  Kingdom business is always at hand.   Jesus understood this truth and lived His life with purpose, knowing what His destiny was , and  keeping it before Him daily.  I love the fact that He did not allow circumstances to distract Him from the greater vision.  Quite simply, He had a Kingdom View! God sees our end from our beginning, but we too know what our end will be when we are in Christ—eternal glory with Him in Heaven...

 Yesterday, I was speaking with a girlfriend , who I've known for years.  We have the kind of relationship where we can be completely honest with one another, the ion-sharpen-iron kind.  It is such a blessing as we’ve both shared our hearts of joy and heartache with one another through the years.  It’s a safe place for me to go when I truly need someone to listen without judging me, while also keeping me accountable and encouraged at the same time. 

            As we talked, she was telling me about a recent disappointment she had endured.  She didn't get the promotion or job that she had recently applied for.  I had compassion for her because I knew that she had worked hard and was looking forward to the possible opportunity.   As humans, it’s normal to feel disappointed and begin to question the possibilities of why.  However, this only ends up in leading us down a road of self absorption, ourselves up or possibly resenting others.  As she went on telling me her heart, I quickly reminded her that God’s “no” is not always personal or meant to hurt her, but rather  possibly protect her and  or even position her  appropriately according to His plans for her.   In other words, there is always a bigger picture and it isn’t always about us.         

            She needed to get a Kingdom view—we all do!  We get so wrapped up in our lives and the details that move us from day to day that we forget that the world does not evolve around us.  The world is God’s creation and so are we—He’s in control!  Each of us have a destiny and are purposed specifically.  Timing and proper alignment are important to God.  He needs each of us to be where we need to be at just the right time, so that His good works can be glorified through us.  We have to trust Him with the details and stop making life about us.  Easier said then done, right?  I understood her heart because she wanted to rationalize things, but you can’t because we only see such a small part of the bigger picture.  I reminded her to trust Him with timing and alignment for her life. My friend graciously agreed and thanked me for the reminder.  What she didn’t realize, is it helped remind me, too!  Also, it made her feel better that it wasn’t a rejection from God but possibly a protection or guidance of where she really needs to be for next year. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you but bring you a hope and a future.”  Maybe it should also read, “ For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, to properly align you and it isn’t always about you, but if you trust me, I will bring you a hope and a future, better than anything you can imagine!”

            Do you have a Kingdom view or is your view on life narrowed by self?  Be encouraged today to keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of not only your faith, but the Kingdom!  Trust Him today to position you properly for the best life He wants for you, even if it doesn’t make sense to you.  Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture—God!  When we get a Kingdom view then peace follows  because our hearts and minds are then aligned with God’s will and our eyes are on Him—not us!

Familiar Peace

Facebook has literally changed the way we communicate with people.  Long gone are the days of sending cards, letters and e-mails .  It is a fabulous resource for staying connected, especially for me –the military wife-- I appreciate it!  Saying goodbye is a way of life for me, and it doesn’t matter how many times I have to do it—it never gets any easier!  However,  Facebook has  helped close the gap, and I continue to enjoy  old friends I’ve met along the way. 

                While on Facebook a week ago, I found out that one of my old acquaintances  is moving to Leavenworth.  My heart rejoiced knowing that I would see her bright and smiling face again.  She is a joy to be around ,and I looked forward to reconnecting again.  What is it about knowing someone and them knowing you that brings  peace and joy?

                Some how  it reminds me of my Heavenly Father- my friend.  Psalm 139:3 says, “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”   I love that God knows me and is familiar with me daily: the good, the bad and even the ugly.   How is  it possible that He wants to remain knowing and loving me?  At times, familiarity can bring a form of peace, but God is  perfect peace that lasts!   We have a relationship that stays connected, even when I move. I don't have to find  Him on Facebook to reconnect.  Yet , I can call upon Him anytime, and that familiar love is rekindled instantly. I can move across the nation and it doesn’t change my relationship with Him--whatsoever!   He is a constant, familiar  friend whose love never fails or changes! I am grateful He is one friend I will never have to say farewell to.  

Today, in what ways do you  need to reconnect with God ?  Allow yourself to re-familiarize yourself with His love, grace and peace.  The great thing about God is that you don’t have to log onto a computer to see His latest status or reconnect. His status  remains the same, “I love you and will always be your friend!” 

  

False Peace

                                      What do I put my trust in?  This is both a hard and an easy question.  I use to put my trust in myself.  After all, I thought who better than me to know what makes me happy and at peace.  I did this by trusting in the world and what it had to offer me.  At times, money was my security. I believed the lie that more money brought me more stability, so I spent a lot of time trying to secure happiness in it.   I quickly learned that wasn’t the case after ending up discontent and never satisfied with enough of it.  Money comes and money goes.  At other times, I put my trust in needing an identity, thinking it would bring me validation.  I strived to have a name and a title. After all, wasn’t getting an education and being someone what I was taught?    After seeking an education, getting a job and a title, I was still left empty.  Status and titles don’t necessarily bring you peace, but rather more stress.  People and relationships was another avenue that I depended on for my happiness.  I looked to people to make me happy and fulfill areas in me I needed.  However, people disappoint because they’re only human.  Many failed relationships and friendships left me empty and lonely.   As a woman, I was tempted to place my happiness in beauty, so I would spend hours at the gym, or on the latest diet so that I could feel pretty or worthy.  It didn’t help that I was reminded of this pressure because America spends millions on this industry to pressure women into believing they have to obtain this false Barbie image.   Now that I’m almost 40, I realize that I spent wasted time and money in such matters-never obtaining this look.   Physical beauty fades, but inner beauty is lasting-I don’t have to spend a dime for that or starve myself!  There are a variety of ways that we can get caught up in false peace. Satan is an expert at leading us down dead-end roads that leave us confused, lost and lonely.

            All of these areas became areas of false peace! They were desperate attempts to gain happiness and security in my life, but I’d find myself never really at happy.  Instead, I felt depressed and feeling more like a failure than when I started.  I marvel at the fact that God allowed me to choose each one, but knew in the end, I would choose Him. His thoughts and ways are always higher than ours and that is why I have come to trust Him for my real peace.  Too bad, I didn’t ask Him from the beginning for this peace, because it really is that simple!  False peace has the potential to change in a moment’s notice.  You just have to look at the world today to know the world’s economy is constantly changing, so if your hope is in the success of your finances, I suggest you make a more eternal investment-Jesus!  Also, people and the standards for beauty, success and titles is another false idol we go after.  In the end, it fails us.   I am sure if you asked most of the beautiful, successful Super Models if they ever thought their fame, beauty and fortune would last forever, they would probably tell you yes.  However, it doesn’t.  Same goes to the top gurus in business and finances. 

            Life can change in an instant, and we quickly learn we aren’t in control. Psalm 20:7 says, “
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” True peace comes from within and it begins with knowing the One who gives it.  His peace remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, while everything else fails.

             Do you trust in chariots and horses that can run away? What things do you trust to bring you peace ? Could it possibly be false hope and peace you are relying on?  I encourage you today to exchange your false peace for the peace that lasts forever…God!  May you have true peace as you start out your week!:)

Ch-ch-changes

Anytime you endeavor to begin a new project, inevitably your plans change. You think you’re on the right track, but come to the realization that you swerved just a little too much in the opposite direction. It happens to all of us more often than we care to admit. Whether its biting off more that we can chew when it comes to our schedules or starting a new Bible study that isn’t quite for us.

So, what do you do when it becomes obvious that change is needed?

CHANGE IT.

Life is action, people! Constant, fluid movement. Time marches on and there isn’t enough of it to be hurrying to be what you thought you were supposed to be.

It seems a bit ironic to be talking about this in the middle of our “peace” theme this month. Because change that is needed can get under your skin and fester causing nothing but unrest and undue torture.

After lots of thought and some discussion, Kimchi and I have decided to make some changes to how we post around here. I don’t have any details yet, but we do know that we want to come out with a message to encourage, empower, and extend our knowledge and advice to our readers. Lots of exciting things are just around the bend.

We hope to unveil the new EEE on or about the beginning of May. Eek!

It’s the right time of year for change too. Spring. The beginning of something new. What changes are you making this month?

And, hey, have you checked out our personal blogs? If not, stop on by and see what's going on in our lives and learn more about us!

Kimchi: Fab Life-Army Wife

Ralene: Faith, Hope, and Suspense