Check out this post!

This is a great post by a guest blogger at Almost Naptime.

I just wanted to put in an excerpt from the post that comes from "I am not but I know I AM," by Louie Giglio.

"God is more massive than our wildest imagination, bigger than the biggest words we have to describe Him. And He's doing good today--sustaining galaxies, holding every star in place, stewarding the seemingly chaotic events of earth to His conclusion within His great story.

God is constant. He blinks and a lifetime comes and goes. To Him one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. All of human history could be written on His fingernail, with plenty of room left over for more.

And God is doing well today, thank you. He has no dilemmas. No quandaries. No counselors. No shortages. No rivals. No fears. No cracks. No worries. He is self-existent, self-contained, self-perpetuated, self-powered, and self-aware. In other words, He's God and He knows it.

He is timeless. Ageless. Changeless. Always.After an eternity of being God, He shows no signs of wear and tear.

He has no needs...God does whatever He wants. His purposes are a sure thing. There's no stopping Him. No containing Him. No refuting Him. No cutting Him off at the pass. No short-circuiting His agenda.

God is in control. He sends forth lightening from His storehouse, He breathes out the wind, waters the earth, raises up rulers, directs the course of nations, births life, ordains death, and, in the midst of it all, still has time to be intimately acquainted with the everyday affairs of everyone on the planet.

God knows everything about everything and everyone. His eyes race back and forth across the cosmos faster than we can scan the words on this page...

God's rule and reign are unrivaled in history and eternity. He sits on an everlasting throne. His Kingdom has no end...He has never feared a power struggle or a hostile takeover. He doesn't have to watch His back. He has no equal. No peer. No competition.It makes perfect sense that His name should be I AM."

A New Look at Discipline: Don't Ever Give Up!

I have to admit when I read about discipline in the Bible that I cringe with fear. Why? Who knows? Maybe it I know I am not worthy and I deserve death, but we all do right? Romans 3:23 says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (NAS). Despite this, we all seem to think we should pay for our sin (or at least some of us), and we sometimes form this ungodly belief that trials and suffering are God's way of making us pay. Can I get a Amen? Ha, seriously most of us have this in our theology. Not that God is not just, and He does have requirements of us. Yes, sin must be paid for in full, but that is why He sent Jesus.

Now this is not a "greasy grace" type message, but stay with my point here. If we have ungodly beliefs that are part of our core beliefs (props to me from all fellow Healing House graduates, but that is another story) that are not based on the Word of God, then we are believing lies. Not only are we believing lies, but we are living our life and making decisions based on these lies. The funny thing about ungodly belief systems is they can be based on things that really happen to us.

In the flesh, I can experience grief, rejection, abandonment, and injustice. Stay with me here! But if I am letting those things form beliefs in my heart and living my those belief systems and cycles (can I get a Healing House whoop whoop, ha, ok back to my point), then I am not living by the truth of the Word of God and the freedom that Christ paid for me. Hebrews 12: 1,2 says "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (THANK GOD!), who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (NKJ)". Now I can get an Amen on that one huh??

Now, in reference to our ungodly beliefs, I will refer to the "weight" that Hebrews 12:1 says to "lay aside". Life can really suck. Even a little rejection can hinder us for years. I have just reached a point (and I know I will be tested in this for the rest of my life) where enough is enough. I WILL NOT let these ungodly beliefs rule my life today. I will not believe lies. I choose each day or even each hour or even each minute, with God's grace, to believe what He says about me and my life. I am not disregarding painful situations and saying just get over it. That is not a godly belief either. We must grieve and cry out to the Lord. The Bible says that God "..puts our tears in a bottle.."(Psalm 56:8 NAS). I am not in any way saying we should not let God's healing process have its way with us. I am talking about those core beliefs in our heart that sometimes are formed from life's junk. I just want to be free. John 8:36 says, ""So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." I want that. I am so thirsty and desperate to live in that freedom. I do not want to live and be ruled by fear. Lord, help us all!

Anyways, that was all a side note ha! My point was really about discipline. I really sometimes avoid devos about discipline like the plague. I hate verses about disobedience. I never really knew why? I just thought I was weird. I am weird, but that is another blog too. So, of course it happens. I am gracefully taking a journey through my "Fingerprints of God" devotion by Jennifer Rothschild, and I come to Week 6 called, "Shaped by His Hand". I ruffle through the next few pages in anticipation of what is to come, and there they are: verses about discipline. I do it again. My reflex was to avoid this week like the Swine flu. My thoughts were racing, but I decide to give it a chance ;). Glad I did. I have a whole new look at discipline and my Almighty God who is my Abba Father.

What did I learn from Week 6:
Discipline and other similar words in the New testament come from the Greek word, "paidea", which means:
"1.) the whole training and education of children. It also includes the training and care of the body.
2.) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions."
(from Lexicon results on Blue Letter Bible online, October 15, 2004)

Now, I can handle that. I realized that my ungodly belief was that all discipline was punishment. I am realizing that if that was true, I sure deserve a lot more "discipline" if I have to pay for all my sins. Not that we can not open doors for punishment, but God the Father does not want a spoiled child. We all know that spoiled children are not a pretty picture and neither is a spoiled Christian (if there is such a thing?)

So, as Christians, we are all experiencing "paidea" together. Oh Lord, I hope that grammatically that even makes since, but I am not professing any Greek or theological expertise here ;)

Let's choose to look at our training as a good thing that will produce good fruit. Why? Well, let's see what our Father God says about it in Hebrews.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

"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." Hebrews 12:11 NIV

Jennifer Rothschild points out that it is really the way that we react to God's discipline or training that is important. Hebrews 12:5 says And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you"(NIV).

So, today let's band together and not give up. Let's choose to throw away our ungodly beliefs even if we have made mistakes, which all have and will continue to do.

Jennifer Rothschild says one of her favorite passages is Hebrews 10:38-39. It says, "BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul"(NAS).

I like to right Godly belief statements in my journal to replace my ungodly beliefs. I can not take any credit for that, another prop to Healing House.

SO my new Godly beliefs from my devo today are (drum roll please):

I WILL NOT LOSE HEART!
I WILL NOT DRAW BACK!
I WILL HAVE A HARVEST OF PEACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS!

I put them in caps because I tend to have to scream them at myself to believe them. Hey whatever works huh? Life is hard. It really can just push you down, no it can hit you like a train coming at you at 400 miles per hour. I just want to be free. I want to live out my salvation that God sent His Son for 2,000 years ago. Has it been easy? No! Is it worth it? YES! I love my Lord and He has been faithful to me.

I will close with a a song by Rita Springer called "Worth It All".

"I don't understand Your ways
Oh but I will give You my song
Give You all of my praise
You hold on to all my pain
With it You are pulling me closer
And pulling me into Your ways

Now around every corner
And up every mountain
I'm not looking for crowns
Or the water from fountains
I'm desperate in seeking, frantic believing
That the sight of Your face
Is all that I need
I will say to You

It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this

You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this"

That is our prayer today, Lord. We choose to believe you hear it. We love you.

Siesta Summer Bible Study

First of all, the pic above is our new family hobby: Biking! I could post another blog on how I obtained my mountain bike and Andrew's Schwinn for an amazing price, but not enough time!! All I can say is garage sales rock!!


SO the main point of my e-mail: I just e-mailed some friends from church on my contact list about this, but I was going to paste in the e-mail I wrote. The LPM blog (Beth Moore's blog) Siesta's are doing a summer Bible study. The title rocks the house. ;)

Hey Girlfriends!

I love having a devo/ Bible Study book to do every day because it helps inspire to spend time with God. Anyways, Beth Moore's siestas (her blog followers) and Beth and her daughters are going to do Me, Myself and Lies: A Thought Closet Makeover (sounds great just from title) by Jennifer Rothschild for their summer study. It can be done all different ways. I do not think any of us has an extra night to meet, but I thought whoever wants to do it, we can do it individually and follow Beth's blog because they will post questions etc. It says something about a video, not sure about that but I know Jennifer's books can be done without video. So anyone who wants to do it, I thought we could go ahead and order the book.

Here is a link to Beth Moore's Blog about it: LPM Blog or

Here is a link to Lifeway to see what the book is about: Lifeway or


I checked Amazon and it is not cheaper than the lifeway price!

Anyways, I have such a burden in my heart for us as Christians (especially myself!) to be able to smash the lies we believe with the word of God. I have come SUCH a long way in the past 4 or 5 years by just exposing lies I believed and I was set up to believe. It started through being introduced to Cindy's ministry and has just exploded in my mind from there. Not that it is always easy and fast, but I find if I keep on reading the Word and staying honest before the Lord, all the sudden one day I start thinking right in one place or another and then it snowballs into other areas.

My God is good! I really mean it. I am the apple of His eye and He is my Daddy who I can crawl in his lap and He will love on me. He orchestrated my life from day 1, well before day 1. I did not always believe these things. Really some of these have just become core beliefs just recently, which is crazy because they line up with the Word of God.

SO, if you desire to crush those lies the enemy taunts you with day and night, join me in this study! It will just be a personal study we do together. If you want me to remind you to order this book, e-mail me back. If it not the right thing for you now that is fine too. There is power in unity and I just want to let you guys know what I am doing and have you join me for the support that I need and you will need.

Please e-mail me if you want to do this so I can remind you to order your books! Also if you have e-mails of anyone else at church or any friends you want to let know about this study let me know too. The more the merrier, let's get out our hammers and crush those lies!! I am cheesy but for real though!

I love you guys!
Katie

" 30 day shred"

I decided to order Jillian Michael's 30 day shred due to numerous bloggers taking on this challenge. Plus it was only $8.99 plus free shipping on Amazon!

The Preacher's Wife wrote a blog today that applies the shred principle to us spiritually. I like it so read it!! Better Off Shred


XOXO,
Katie

Easter pics

Easter was so special and great. I had our fam and a few friends over at our house. Andrew LOVED his Easter basket and threw the grass everywhere as you can see in one of the pics above. God has truly blessed us!

XOXO,
Katie

Happy Easter Weekend!

Thank you Jesus, My Lord and Saviour, for dying and spilling your precious blood to cover the sins of the world. I am forever grateful.

I just kept listening to "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin today. I decided to post the words. Just let them sink in to your soul. He paid it all. Oh I am forever grateful.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

XOXO,
Katie

Andrew's First Communion :) and Grape Party

I love this pic! I can not believe he was still long enough for me to capture it! We had communion at church on Sunday. We actually had separate communion with the youth (so special) and had a grape party celebration afterward. That is another story though :). Ok, just a side note my husband is so creative. We had a really special time of communion together with the youth. We really felt the presence of God as we broke the bread and drank the juice together. So Clayton had this idea to make it fun after communion by having a grape party. We had grapes, sparkling grape juice and grape soda. Ok, I must post a few pics!

We love a grape party!

Grape Eating Contest

Clayton and I with our grapes!

Ok, enough bragging on my talented and hot husband!!

Back to my point!
Andrew's grandparents decided to get him out of the nursery to take part in communion. What an idea! I would never have thought to do that because he is so young, but what wisdom.
Proverbs 22:6 says,
"Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it."
I will hold on to this pic forever. I will keep it as a memory even in times when it might look like God is not moving in Andrew's life or heart. It is not that I want that for him, but we all go through those seasons. I will keep this picture in remembrance of God moving early in such a special boy's life.
Thank you Lord that you draw us near even when we are infants. Lord you are so good.Thank you Lord that you are the living water that all are thirsty for in life. That our emptiness and longings are only filled by you. My biggest desire is that Andrew and the youth (who are like my children) would know that only He can satisfy and truly "taste and see that He is good" Psalm 34:8.

Know today that He is a personal and intimate God who created and formed you (Psalm 139). He cares for every intimate detail about your life, even the things you desire that you think are trivial to Him. I know it because I have experienced this so deeply in my heart. I have "drank of the water that will cause me to never become thirsty again" John 4:14

May His presence be with you!
Katie