Waiting is a God thing....

I hope you’ve had a wonderful week. It’s Friday! WooHoo!! I want to share something that’s been on my heart for a while now. In today’s society we’re lead to believe that we don’t have to wait long for anything. One hour photo, fast food, drive-thru pharmacies, online shopping, express check-out lanes, e-mail & instant messaging, etc; these are just a few to mention. So it’s easy for me to say that having to wait for something is considered a hindrance, to say the least. I’m a fan of instant gratification; when I want it, the quicker the better. What about you? Do you get frustrated when things don’t come in a timely manner?
Well this unfortunately goes against what God consistently teaches in the Bible; sit, pray, & wait. When we desire something we should be still, pray, listen & wait. We have to discipline ourselves to not strive for instant gratification on our own but to wait for God to reveal His will to us. He wants to have alone time with us & promises to meet us there always.

Jeremiah 29: 13-14 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

God also promises in Hebrews 10: 34-36 that if we ask whole-heartedly & wait for His will, the outcome will be GRANDER than what we can do on our own.

Hebrews 10:34-36 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. 35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

So I ask you to join me in challenging ourselves to simply slow down, pray, wait & listen for God to reveal His promises. Although I don’t know how long we have to wait, I do know that whatever your prayer is God will answer in His time. In the meantime, continue to study His word, love each other as He does us, & Remember to Praise Him Always!!! I love you & pray this has brought you some comfort & encouragement in your life.

You're Blessed!

Good Morning Ladies! I hope you had a wonderful week! It’s FRIDAY! Woo-Hoo!! I want to apologize for last week’s mishap. So I’ve been reading in The Message Bible & I came across the verses below. They were so beautiful & really spoke peace to my heart! I got my New King James version out, looked up the same verses & found out that I was reading the Beatitudes. Imagine that! I love the Beatitudes for the hope that they bring. I’ve been struggling with some things spiritually & have found comfort in them; I promise they will give you some comfort too for whatever you’re facing also. I really enjoy sharing these messages with you every Friday & pray they touch your lives as you’ve touched mine. I love you & hope you have a nice relaxing weekend! Remember to Praise God Always!


Matthew 5
You're Blessed

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Just jabbering...

Sooo...today the kids & I got up & went w/ my Mother-in-Law,  to town to get Hadley's hair trimmed. I say trimmed but it was literally less than an inch. (I saved it by the way...) I had been begging my hubby to get it trimmed b/c it's curly & was getting hard to manage. Well between me & you I can't tell any difference. Better luck next time. After the salon we went to trusty old McDonald's, ate, then let Hadley play for a bit. Then it was time to tackle Walmart, which was suprisingly not that bad. We finally ended up @ a wonderful frozen custard parlor to de-stress ourselves from the day out w/ kids. :0) Here lately Hadley has een acting crazy. She can be sweet one minute & a wild hyenia (spelling?) the next. I literally have no clue what's going on but I know somethings gotta give. She's super smart. Maye it's b/c she's mine that I'm partial to her :0) Anyhow, she's saying the pledge of allegiance (not sure about that one either?) now. Couple nights ago she was playing w/ Carson on the floor,when I looked over to her she had his hand on his chest & was trying to unball his fist. All while saying the pledge of allegiance. (Another proud Mommy moment) Carson is rolling all over the house. It does no good to lay him on a blanket b/c he's off it in a couple seconds. Right now I'm trying to fight Hadley off the computer so I guess it's time to close for now.

No Complaining!!!

I want to tell you about God talking or revealing us things He wants us to do. Sometimes all we need is confirmation; the key is to just listen! Yesterday I was on my way home from work & was going over today’s e-mail in my head. I had a Christian radio station playing in the background & had come to a point where I couldn’t think of anything else. (Writer’s block kinda) So I started to pray God please just give me something more to help these ladies relate to what I’m trying to say. Well He answered!! Have you ever had that happen? It’s the best thing ever. I’ll get to what He said later…

I know we’ve all been there on Sunday mornings where we’re just too tired, the kids are misbehaving, you have “nothing” to wear, or we just need a break from Sundays. I’ve done it too many times! I was thinking about the thousands of people who traveled from all over, miles & miles to hear Jesus speak, to see His face, to touch His garment, or to be healed. (see below verses) Then here I am
complaining about getting in my car w/ AC & driving less than 10 minutes up
the road to hear His word. This is when He spoke…The newscaster on the radio was talking about the thousands of people who stood 7 plus hours in line for the new iPhone4. Hmmm…Thank you Jesus!! Can you imagine? I mean I personally have stood in line for Black Friday shopping but nowhere near 7 hours. So why is it that we wait hours in line to get these gadgets but complain about getting up & going to spend some time getting to know our Jesus? That’s all He’s asked of us! John 6:29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” So I pray that we get back to the basics & remember why we’re really here on this earth. To love, serve, & spread the Good News of the Gospel. I hope you enjoyed this & it humbles you, as it did me. I love you & Remember to Praise God Always!!!

Luke 6:17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, 18who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil^a spirits were cured, 19and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

Happy Father's Day!!

Good Morning Ladies!!! I hope you've had a wonderful week. It's Father's Day Weekend!!! What an amazing holiday this is!


Dad, Daddy, Father, Papa….These are all words we’ve used to call our…well Dad. Now what does Dad or any of the other names mean to you? My Dad is a jokester, he’s loveable, gives good hugs, & can be hard-headed at times but I wouldn’t trade him for anything. Some of you may have fathers that have been a positive influence in your life & have a great relationship w/ him. Some of you may have fathers that have caused you pain & hardship or you may not even know your father. Webster’s dictionary says that the 1st definition of Father means male parent and the 4th definition means God. :0) I love that! What Webster doesn’t tell us is that there are many different types of fathers or father-figures. He may be your real father, your uncle, your pastor, or he could be your grandfather. Regardless of your circumstances you know that we are all daughters of our Heavenly Father & He has always, is always, & will always be with us, even when we feel like we’re all alone…Below I’ve included a couple verses from Romans explaining that when we are born again in Christ, He adopts us as His own. I can only imagine the love & security of crawling up in His lap one day with His arms wrapped around me. What a day that will be!! So this Sunday I ask you to honor you Father’s memories or give him a call or hug to let him know you love him. Don’t forget to thank our ultimate Father for all He’s done for us! I love you & remember to Praise God at all times!

Your Sister-in-Christ,

Amanda



Romans 8:14-16 (New Living Translation)

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[a] of God.

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[b] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”[c] 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

Procrastination<-------------yucky word

Every Friday I send out a encouraging e-mail to some friends & family. This weeks was an eyeopener for me. I hope it humbles you as it did me. Also if you would like these weekly e-mails please message me your e-mail address on facebook.

Good Morning Ladies! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week. It’s Friday!!!! Woo-Hoo…So this morning’s e-mail is a result of my procrastination. (I don’t like this word or its effects, by the way) This has been a short week for me as I was off Monday for Memorial Day & I took a day off Wednesday. Hadley, my 2 year old, has been away every night to Vacation Bible School @ our church till about 9 pm also. So you would think that I had ample opportunity to have this wonderful message prepared for you. Well your wrong….& I apologize. But don’t be discouraged.

This morning I was running around slinging kids on my hip, tripping over toys, spilling coffee, all the while asking God “Hello, why haven’t you given me anything for this week’s e-mail.” As soon as I said it, I was stopped in my tracks b/c truth is I had all this “FREE TIME” to pray, study, & prepare for today. Instead, I have a clean kitchen & I’m caught up on ALL my laundry. I don’t believe God is too impressed with my accomplishments this week. The bible warns us about “idle hands”, although I wasn’t idle physically w/ all the chores I got done, I think the following verse is also talking about an idle spirit. We are supposed to be the “hands & feet” of Christ, sharing His word with others. It’s also saying the result of your work is nothing if you’re not pleasing to God. It’s better to be still & listen to Christ than to chase after self pleasure. Blah Blah Blah…I’m stepping on my own toes this morning, but what better message than one told from firsthand experience. So, once again I apologize for my procrastination but at the same time I hope you think twice before putting something off. I love you & hope you have a wonderful weekend. Remember to Praise God Always!!


Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 (New Living Translation)
4 Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

5 “Fools fold their idle hands,
leading them to ruin.”

6 And yet,

“Better to have one handful with quietness
than two handfuls with hard work
and chasing the wind.”

Shining Light!!!

 The other day I was scrounging around in my underoo drawer & came across anew bra that I had completely forgotten about. Well, naturally I was very excited at my new discovery I quickly swapped my scraggly old brafor my new one. It was like instant shot of confidence knowing “my girls” were right where they were supposed to be all along. I felt like I could conquer the world, me & my new bra. Throughout my day I was more outgoing & content with myself to the point where people werestarting to notice. Isn’t this similar to how our lights shine for Jesus? He gives us our “new found confidence” to go out into the world to show & tell people of His everlasting love. Some people see our mysterious joy & want what we have in their lives. I’m not saying that my life is peachy but because I have Christ in my heart, I know for a fact that I’m never alone in life’s challenges. Now, by no means am I comparing God to my new bra! This is just a parable, per say; although they do both have the power & strength to move mountains. :0) The verse below explains that our confidence comes from God & isn’t man made. 2Corinthians is full of confidence boosting verses if you get a chance to read through them. As you go about your day I ask you to mentally put onyour “new bras” & reignite your little lights for Christ. Let them shine in everything you do today! I love you & pray you have a wonderful day. Remember to Praise God Always!

2 Corinthians 3:3-5 (New International Version)3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of ourministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5Not thatwe are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but ourcompetence comes from God.