I know that there are so many folks out there that have so much more struggles and obstacles to overcome than I do...I know it in my head, but sometimes, like I know everyone does, I don't remember it in my heart. I have a selfish tendancy to think that I am the only one suffering and struggling, that I am the only one who has EVER gone thru what it is I am going thru, that no one know how I am feeling, that I am all alone in my struggle. LOL!!! Yea, and how many times did I say "I"?!?!?!?
So, for those who read this blog (all 3 of you!), I hope and pray that you know that:
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS STRUGGLED WITH THINGS!
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
WE HAVE A GOD TO TURN TO WHEN WE ARE HURTING!
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I know, I know...another post!
So, I am doing this accountability study with 3 fabulous ladies from Discovery Church, and we are reading a book that has me crying and seeing things in my life that I need to work on...and I'm only on page 34!
This book, Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl, has made me stop and think about some things in my life lately.
I battle this temptation called "If Only...".
If only I had a skinnier body
If only I had more money
If only I had a better personality
If only I had a baby
Matthew 6:19-21 says "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
People and possessions are meant to be appreciated and shared to encourage and bless us & others. However, if I am setting my heart's desire on obtaining more things, comparing my body & self to others rather than Jesus, obsessing over that child I don't have, I become more and more vulnerable to the possibility of loss. Not loss of the things/people, but loss of myself to selfishness and ungodly living. I can't follow after Christ and the world around me too.
There are times when I question my"adequateness" of being a pastor's wife, a leader for kids and teenagers, a friend to ladies that I seriously don't deserve in my life! Psalm 119:105 says that God's word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. This "path" that I am on was chosen for me from the God of all creation! It's only when I learn to follow Him and trust Him for each step in that path that I can be assured I'm right where I am meant to be and doing exactly what He's called me to do.
I am seriously going to love this study and the wonderful ladies that are taking this journey with me!!!
This book, Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl, has made me stop and think about some things in my life lately.
I battle this temptation called "If Only...".
If only I had a skinnier body
If only I had more money
If only I had a better personality
If only I had a baby
Matthew 6:19-21 says "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
People and possessions are meant to be appreciated and shared to encourage and bless us & others. However, if I am setting my heart's desire on obtaining more things, comparing my body & self to others rather than Jesus, obsessing over that child I don't have, I become more and more vulnerable to the possibility of loss. Not loss of the things/people, but loss of myself to selfishness and ungodly living. I can't follow after Christ and the world around me too.
There are times when I question my"adequateness" of being a pastor's wife, a leader for kids and teenagers, a friend to ladies that I seriously don't deserve in my life! Psalm 119:105 says that God's word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. This "path" that I am on was chosen for me from the God of all creation! It's only when I learn to follow Him and trust Him for each step in that path that I can be assured I'm right where I am meant to be and doing exactly what He's called me to do.
I am seriously going to love this study and the wonderful ladies that are taking this journey with me!!!
See You At The Pole 2011
This morning, we got up at 5:30am to get ready and be at our local high school for the annual "See you at the pole". It is a student led gathering that is done across the country where students meet at a certain time before school at their flag pole and pray for the events that are going on in their school, state, country, etc.
We had a turnout of 10 from our youth group and about 25 students in all, who came out to prayer before school started. It was a neat experience to see familiar faces, but even more so the unfamiliar faces! I will admit that I partly "expected" our kids to be there because we do our best to stress to them not just "talk the talk, but walk the walk" (or as Claude likes to put it: "Are you smokin' what you're sellin'?"!). It was really great to know that there are other students in South Central High School that are Christian and will pray for their school. They come out there early and are willing to stand around the flagpole, bow their heads, and pray...while other kids are being dropped off, walking by, wondering what is going on. THAT TAKES ALOT OF COURAGE! Others were watching these kids and will know as they see them in the halls that they were praying to God! It kinda provides a "step up your game" atmosphere for these kids.
I came home and a song kept running in my mind. It's an old song by an old Christian "Rock" group named Petra. The song is called "This Is My Prayer". One of the verses (the one that was stuck playing in my head) says:
Let me be the evidence of what Your Grace can do
To a generation struggling to find themselves in You.
May they come to know the Love of God, may their eyes be made to see;
Give me the opportunity to share the truth that sets them free...
The prayers of these kids are that they are struggling. They know God is there but for one reason or another He's not real to them. They don't feel His love and His power in their lives. They are dealing with so much CRAP everyday at school and for some it doesn't end when they go home. We, as adults, think that their struggles are the same as it was when we were there...NO WAY! Yes, it may have some of the same issues, but there is so much more pressure and it's so much easier/accepted to do things that we know are wrong.
So, this is my prayer for these kids. I ask God to become larger than Life in their everyday lives. I pray that He boldly shows Himself to them and gives them the courage and guts to stand up even when they have to stand alone. I pray that God gives them an abundance of blessing for doing what is right and that He brings alongside these kids people who will hold them up and encourage them! Friends, leaders, parents that will understand how BIG their struggles are and be the shoulder they can lean on when they need to rest!
We had a turnout of 10 from our youth group and about 25 students in all, who came out to prayer before school started. It was a neat experience to see familiar faces, but even more so the unfamiliar faces! I will admit that I partly "expected" our kids to be there because we do our best to stress to them not just "talk the talk, but walk the walk" (or as Claude likes to put it: "Are you smokin' what you're sellin'?"!). It was really great to know that there are other students in South Central High School that are Christian and will pray for their school. They come out there early and are willing to stand around the flagpole, bow their heads, and pray...while other kids are being dropped off, walking by, wondering what is going on. THAT TAKES ALOT OF COURAGE! Others were watching these kids and will know as they see them in the halls that they were praying to God! It kinda provides a "step up your game" atmosphere for these kids.
I came home and a song kept running in my mind. It's an old song by an old Christian "Rock" group named Petra. The song is called "This Is My Prayer". One of the verses (the one that was stuck playing in my head) says:
Let me be the evidence of what Your Grace can do
To a generation struggling to find themselves in You.
May they come to know the Love of God, may their eyes be made to see;
Give me the opportunity to share the truth that sets them free...
The prayers of these kids are that they are struggling. They know God is there but for one reason or another He's not real to them. They don't feel His love and His power in their lives. They are dealing with so much CRAP everyday at school and for some it doesn't end when they go home. We, as adults, think that their struggles are the same as it was when we were there...NO WAY! Yes, it may have some of the same issues, but there is so much more pressure and it's so much easier/accepted to do things that we know are wrong.
So, this is my prayer for these kids. I ask God to become larger than Life in their everyday lives. I pray that He boldly shows Himself to them and gives them the courage and guts to stand up even when they have to stand alone. I pray that God gives them an abundance of blessing for doing what is right and that He brings alongside these kids people who will hold them up and encourage them! Friends, leaders, parents that will understand how BIG their struggles are and be the shoulder they can lean on when they need to rest!
Here's that song that's been in my head! Ignore the hair, the clothes, the "oldness" of the video and really listen to the words! They are truly powerful!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A mind that's prone to wander...
2 years ago, I was driving out of the local Target parking lot and was heading to my next errand stop (I honestly don't remember where that was, but it doesn't matter to the story!). My mind was going a mile a minute (as is pretty normal for me) and I made a wrong turn. I decided that rather than making a U-turn, I would go down to the next street and go around the block. Well, that decision changed my life. I ended up in a car accident that totaled our minivan. That day made a difference in my life, in my husband's life, in the teenagers of our church's lives. That choice changed things.
When I think about how it all went down, it makes me realize how much my thoughts impact my life. I mean, if I would've been thinking about what I was suppose to be doing, I wouldn't have turned the wrong way. I never would've been behind the woman who stopped in the intersection. I never would've slammed into her. But, because my mind was wandering it changed the course of my life.
Sometimes, my thoughts take me places I definitely don't want to be.
One thought about how much better someone else has it - leads me down a path to an ungrateful heart.
One thought about how unappreciated I feel - it leads to a path full of resentment & anger.
One thought about how unattractive I am - it leads to a path full of lies about myself that makes my heart sad and lonely.
I know I can physically learn to control my tongue and my actions (although it's still a daily battle for me!), but it's really hard for me to control my wandering thoughts.
So, I claim 1 Corinthians 10:5 and ask God to help me in the battle for my thoughts.
1 Corinthians 5:10
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
When I think about how it all went down, it makes me realize how much my thoughts impact my life. I mean, if I would've been thinking about what I was suppose to be doing, I wouldn't have turned the wrong way. I never would've been behind the woman who stopped in the intersection. I never would've slammed into her. But, because my mind was wandering it changed the course of my life.
Sometimes, my thoughts take me places I definitely don't want to be.
One thought about how much better someone else has it - leads me down a path to an ungrateful heart.
One thought about how unappreciated I feel - it leads to a path full of resentment & anger.
One thought about how unattractive I am - it leads to a path full of lies about myself that makes my heart sad and lonely.
I know I can physically learn to control my tongue and my actions (although it's still a daily battle for me!), but it's really hard for me to control my wandering thoughts.
So, I claim 1 Corinthians 10:5 and ask God to help me in the battle for my thoughts.
1 Corinthians 5:10
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Why am I up?
It's after 1am and I can not sleep. My mind will not stop thinking about some things that are on my heart. I don't even know how to put the thoughts into words...
How does a parent stand and watch their child change right before their eyes? How do they watch as the child that they have loved and cared for, the child they have poured into and nurtured, start down a wrong path that will lead to heartache and sadness? What kind of emotions and struggles must that parent go through? I mean, you can't make every decision for that child, right? How difficult it must be for the parent to have to let go of that child and rest on God's Word that He loves them MORE than you, the parent, does!
The older I get...the wiser I become...the more I work with kids and teenagers (especially teenagers!!)...the more I see how God knew exactly what He was doing when He chose NOT to give me children of my own...I don't know if my heart could take it.
So...kids, teenagers, adult "kids"...if you are so blessed as to have parents (or a parent) in your life, THANK GOD for them and TELL them how much you love and appreciate them! They have a NEVERENDING job that doesn't stop when you go to bed. They don't quit loving/worrying/begging God on your behalf! Once you are a parent, that job is yours until the day God calls you home...
Mom & Dad, there will never be enough words to express my overwhelming thanks and admiration. You raised ME...I know I was a challenge (still am, at times!), but you were tirelessly praying and fighting for me to have the best that God had planned for me. I get that now. Til the day I die, I will always consider you my heros. I love you and...Mom, the tears, the prayers, the pain, the sacrifices...they were NOT in vain.
How does a parent stand and watch their child change right before their eyes? How do they watch as the child that they have loved and cared for, the child they have poured into and nurtured, start down a wrong path that will lead to heartache and sadness? What kind of emotions and struggles must that parent go through? I mean, you can't make every decision for that child, right? How difficult it must be for the parent to have to let go of that child and rest on God's Word that He loves them MORE than you, the parent, does!
The older I get...the wiser I become...the more I work with kids and teenagers (especially teenagers!!)...the more I see how God knew exactly what He was doing when He chose NOT to give me children of my own...I don't know if my heart could take it.
So...kids, teenagers, adult "kids"...if you are so blessed as to have parents (or a parent) in your life, THANK GOD for them and TELL them how much you love and appreciate them! They have a NEVERENDING job that doesn't stop when you go to bed. They don't quit loving/worrying/begging God on your behalf! Once you are a parent, that job is yours until the day God calls you home...
Mom & Dad, there will never be enough words to express my overwhelming thanks and admiration. You raised ME...I know I was a challenge (still am, at times!), but you were tirelessly praying and fighting for me to have the best that God had planned for me. I get that now. Til the day I die, I will always consider you my heros. I love you and...Mom, the tears, the prayers, the pain, the sacrifices...they were NOT in vain.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
BABIES!!!
So, I guess to a certain extent I am past the "being sad" about not having any kids of my own...because I have kids from our youth that have started pro-creating!!! Check out these pics!
Mommy, Kelsey and Baby Caden
INTRODUCING CADEN COLLINS!
born August 18th, 2011
8lb. 13.9oz. 20 inches
Mommy, Kelsey and Baby Caden
She's such a cutie pie! And a rolly polly!
This girl is sportin' some style!!!
INTRODUCING...JAMES CARTER THOMAS!
born September 8, 2011 @ 9:07pm
6lb. 14oz. 20 inches
He is so stinkin' precious! (of course, I might be a bit biased!)
Proud family!
That is CHRIS THOMAS' SON!!!!
INTRODUCING...RAYDEN ALLEN GASKINS!
born September 11, 2011 @ 5:05pm
5lb. 10 oz. 17 inches
Mommy, Julianna, and her baby!
Godfather, Cory, and baby Rayden
Family and friends! Cory, Daddy-Ray, & Mommy-Julianna
Me & Claude with Baby Rayden! He's a gorgeous baby!!!
The "Do Do" verse (aka Dr. Suess verse!)
Romans 7:15-20
15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
Sometimes, I just hate myself!
This verse is soooo ME! I find myself not understanding why I do the things I do! I do the same sinful things over and over and over. I know in my heart they are wrong, I feel so horrible inside when I've done the sin. I cry out to God to forgive me and help me to love Him more and take away this love of sin. But, I turn around and do something else that I know is sinful. WHY?!?!?!?
I don't know why! But, I love how Paul writes about the frustration with sin and the law and the grace that comes from Jesus! Sometimes, I willingly do things I know are not right...it's hard to admit that, but it's the truth. Sometimes, I do things not really thinking about it and there's a conviction afterwards. Either way, Thank God for His grace and mercy that convicts and prompts me when I am wrong.
Romans 5:20b
20 ...But where sin increased, grace increased all the more!
I am claiming Romans 6:14 and will continue to ask God to show me when my heart is not right. When I have the victory, I will praise Him, and when I fall short, I will claim His grace.
Romans 6:14
14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Fake face
OK, so a couple days ago Claude posted a comment on Facebook about "Guess who went goth?". Well, it was me...sorta!
I went to the new ULTA store because I wanted to check out the nailpolishes and I decided to let them give me a "eye makeover"...BAD IDEA!!! When I came home, I looked like someone had punched me in the eyes. Seriously, my eye makeup was all purple and gray and it was all over my eyes, including UNDER my eyes...it was horrible!!!
That evening when I was taking my shower, I tried cleaning the eye makeup off. It took me THREE times using my face cleanser to get that stuff off!!! As I looked into the mirror, I thought to myself how much it reminded me of our Christianity. We put on "makeup" to make ourselves look different. We try to cover up the flaws and enhance things that we think need more attention. And the more "makeup" we use, the more time and effort it takes to "clean" it off of us. I'm not saying that it takes God more effort to clean us, because I believe completely that Jesus washed ALL our sins away with one act, the Cross. I just think that the more we pile on the CRUD, the longer it takes us as humans to clean up.
It's kinda like this...I've heard several people in the last week talk about habits and trying to work towards good routines and form positive habits. When we start "cleaning' up our lives and start forming good clean routines/habits, it allows others to see the real us and, hopefully, see Jesus through us...NOT the fake "face" we put on.
James 4:8
I went to the new ULTA store because I wanted to check out the nailpolishes and I decided to let them give me a "eye makeover"...BAD IDEA!!! When I came home, I looked like someone had punched me in the eyes. Seriously, my eye makeup was all purple and gray and it was all over my eyes, including UNDER my eyes...it was horrible!!!
That evening when I was taking my shower, I tried cleaning the eye makeup off. It took me THREE times using my face cleanser to get that stuff off!!! As I looked into the mirror, I thought to myself how much it reminded me of our Christianity. We put on "makeup" to make ourselves look different. We try to cover up the flaws and enhance things that we think need more attention. And the more "makeup" we use, the more time and effort it takes to "clean" it off of us. I'm not saying that it takes God more effort to clean us, because I believe completely that Jesus washed ALL our sins away with one act, the Cross. I just think that the more we pile on the CRUD, the longer it takes us as humans to clean up.
It's kinda like this...I've heard several people in the last week talk about habits and trying to work towards good routines and form positive habits. When we start "cleaning' up our lives and start forming good clean routines/habits, it allows others to see the real us and, hopefully, see Jesus through us...NOT the fake "face" we put on.
James 4:8
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monthly Blues
Sometimes I just wish all my female parts could just be taken out & I wouldn't have to "deal" with them anymore. After all, they haven't done what they were suppose to do anyway. Each month it's like an annoying reminder of something I can't do!
Ok, that's how I start off feeling.
Then I am reminded of God's grace and His abundant blessings in my life. He never told me that my life was going to be all roses and happiness. He never said that I wouldn't face heartbreaks and troubles. He did, however, promise me that I would have a Comforter to help me through the hardships. He did promise that His grace would be sufficient to see me through the heartbreaks and disappointments.
When my "friend" visits me, I am just so glad I am heathly and that I have God's unconditional love and grace in my life! I am so thankful that God keeps His promises! How LUCKY am I!?!?
Ok, that's how I start off feeling.
Then I am reminded of God's grace and His abundant blessings in my life. He never told me that my life was going to be all roses and happiness. He never said that I wouldn't face heartbreaks and troubles. He did, however, promise me that I would have a Comforter to help me through the hardships. He did promise that His grace would be sufficient to see me through the heartbreaks and disappointments.
When my "friend" visits me, I am just so glad I am heathly and that I have God's unconditional love and grace in my life! I am so thankful that God keeps His promises! How LUCKY am I!?!?
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