In every situation...

There is a season for everything. Currently outside our season is changing. We can see and feel many things happening. It’s getting colder; we can feel the wind brisk upon our skin. The air even smells different. We see the leaves turning brilliant colors; bright orange, red, yellow and purple. Bushes so bold they look like they are on fire. The amazing thing is, though they look so beautiful they are actually dying, but just for a season. 

Our lives are very similar to this. God allows us to have seasons. He allows things to come and go. He allows change to happen. He allows things to die off. Through this process for the most part we learn to love and trust Him more. But what about the time when the change doesn’t make sense. When the change or dying off period actually hurts. God gives us strength. He comforts our hearts and heals our hurts. We have to have faith and trust in Him. We may not always feel that we trust our faith but we have to be very careful. We are not called to have faith in our faith. We are called to have faith in God and never doubt Him. 

See we have a very real enemy. Someone who would love nothing more than to destroy us. He likes to ruin families, break down marriages, poor lies into the lives of the believer and bring about doubt. We have to be very careful to discern the lies and the attack of Satan. We have to know the truth of God so we know how to fight our enemy. God has given us a great tool in His word for doing just this. Ephesians 6:16 says, "In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one". 

There are a few terms I love. Warrior chic is one. I love this term because to me it speaks of being in battle. I feel that as men and women of God we are always in battle. God has given us that shield so that when Satan’s flaming arrows come we are there to extinguish them. Were always fighting the good fight. No matter what season we are in, what unexpected event has occurred, or what Satan tries to through at us, we are ready for battle. See, we are called to live on mission. On mission for the gospel, ready and willing to go, ready to fight. 

Even though at times we may not understand what Gods plan is for our lives. We need to trust that it’s for our better. So, if He calls us to move, downsize, make financial adjustments, take a new job, forgive, love through the hurt, speak kindness when everything you receive is harsh, let go, move on, grow up, or go beyond, we need to realize He is in control. This to is only for a season. 

Weather its trusting God or fighting the doubt that the devil throws at us. God has given us the privilege of standing in the victorious space He desires for us. Right beside Him. I've heard the saying that mans demotion is God's promotion. I believe this to be true. A pastor recently told a story of a man who worked for a hardware store for many years. He helped build this company, poured many years of his life into it. He helped to grow this company to be very large. One day the company decided they needed to downsize and they had to let him go. He was very upset by this. All of the time he spent, the years, and the hard work, all felt for nothing. But that man decided not to be the victim but instead to get right back up and keep moving. He and his friends got together and opened up their own little hardware store. You may have heard of it before. It's called The Home Depot. See mans demotion is God's promotion. 

Remember although we are at war with Satan, we are at peace with God. Fight on; choose to be the victor not the victim. Trust God; allow Him to do a great work in your life, even in this season. May we continue to learn while we live, and fight while we have the strength. 

With His Love,

Edie

Some of my all time favorite warrior chics

How to be the best

So, I know what all of you are thinking. How does she do it? How in the world is she so good at so many things? How does she have time to do what she does and always with a smile. She makes it look so easy. Always put together and never with a hair out of place.

Stop, no really, you're so flattering.

Ok whatever, so I thought I would blog and let you know how to be awesome at everything you do and to show you exactly how I do it all. Be sure to get out your paper and pen. Take notes. So, here it is. Here we go. Are you ready for this?

How to have the best blog ever.

Let "them" whoever they are to say what they will about blogging several times a week to increase traffic and views. I like to mix it up. Blog everyday for awhile, then once a week, then once a month, and for the big cliff hanger. I like for them to hear crickets for a couple of months. Just enough time to where they almost forget about me and the mission. Then BAM!!! I'm back at it. Oh yeah back in business baby. Keep them guessing. What else do you have to do than waste time pulling up the blog just to find out that the last post you see is reminding you what Easter is all about? Good times right? No, not so much? Well, glad to know that I'm successful at the purpose of blogging all together.

Okay, moving on.

How to be the best at homeschooling

Just when May turns to June and the weather gets warm and the days become longer and your eleven year old son doesn't feel he can go solve one more problem in algebra, go ahead and break the news that he actually has two weeks of school left. Try and cheer him up by telling him that while he's sitting in the school room learning how Alexander the Great, even though a very evil man, was extremely instrumental in translating the Bible into Greek, he can always look out the window, point to all of his little friends and laugh because they are wasting their days playing basketball when there is no way in the world that their future 5ft 3inch self is ever going to the NBA.

Then after those two weeks pass go ahead and realize that you are missing a reading assignment. Be sure to throw your heard back and laugh in hysterics when he tells you he cant find the book. So spend an extra week wasting time looking for the book that is no. where. to. be. found. Go ahead humble yourself, swallow your pride, watch your homeschool teacher of the year dreams fly right out the window and call and have them email the assigned reading over to you in a matter of literally three seconds. So fifth grade made have lasted almost a month longer than it should have and your child may have the shortest summer break ever, but hey you have to give him something to talk to his therapist about later in life.

Moving right along.

How to have a garden that people envy

The first thing you have to do to have the best garden, is beg your husband for 3 plus years to plant one. When he tells you NO, and yes that's with a capital N.O. Because he says he knows exactly what will happen. It will quickly turn to a weed garden and it will take over our entire acre of yard. So he thinks. The next step is to start juicing. That way you have to buy an extreme amount of fresh produce on a daily basis and he will get tired of the constant trips to the store, the amount of money spent of fresh fruits and veggies, and the fact that he has to move all of the green stuff out of the way to get to the salsa gets old real quick. (not to mention that juicing is amazingly healthy for your body. Its just an added bonus)

Anyways, so after all of this and after your gracious husband agrees to finally plant you a garden. You need to be sure to employ as many family members as you can. Be sure to not just include the members of your household but also your father and your elderly grandmother in law with COPD as well. Make sure you have five people telling you what to do at a time (husband included). Also don't forget to pay very close attention to everyone else's garden planting tips, stories, and shenanigans. Oh the stories! Be sure to start planting very late in the evening so that you will have to play the fun game of beat the clock. Right when you see the last bit of light fade away quickly grab the last of the seeds and shove them in the ground and yell finished. Say a quick prayer and sweetly look over at your husband, give him a cute smile to say see this wont be that bad.

Wait a few weeks and then take in all that is yours. All of your hard work and the past three years of begging has finally paid off. Beautiful kale and cute little baby cucumbers. Ok, so our green beans and spinach didn't do so well but you could use it to toss a small salad. Brag to everyone on how your garden grows. Thank your husband for all of his hard work and tell him how we should have done this three years ago.

 Here's the part that gets good. Go crazy and stretch yourself as thin as possible. Make as many plans as you can, as a matter of fact go ahead and double book some. Be sure to attend every child's birthday party known to man, so that you have absolutely no time to pay any attention to your garden. Every morning when you go out to the garden to grab your kale and cucs for your juice, go ahead and remind yourself to add weed the garden to your todays-to-do-list. So after feeling like everyday is Groundhog Day when you look out the window at the garden, succumb to the fact that your husband was right all along and the weeds are to much for you to handle. Be honest with yourself, they are taking over everything! That's okay though because you can still get to your kale and cucs, and the juice taste just as good.

A cute little picture of our bounty. Our sons smile seems to fit my excitement a little more and our nieces smile seems to fit my husbands. Aren't they too stinking cute?

Kale/Weeds/Dirt



 

So there you have it. Just a few quick ways to be the best at all you do. Okay so the jig is up. I'm not the best at everything or even close to it. I fail a blogging, homeschooling sometimes and even gardening. There are many other things I fail at, but I'm trying. The best news of all is that even though I am not a perfect person, I serve a perfect God. One who loves me unconditionally. It still blows my mind that Jesus, who knows all of my flops, faults, and fears still loves me. Loves me enough to die for me. To have thought of me while hanging on the cross at Calvary. The God and creator of the whole earth still, still wants my heart. He owns the skies and still desires me. And you. Next time you are feeling as great about yourself as I do sometimes, remember you are loved. You are never alone. God is with you always. He will never forsake you. You are not forgotten. Your struggle and strife is not for nothing. God will work good for all who love and are called according to His purpose.  No matter if you are punching keys on the computer at the office, working road construction in the heat of the summer, running a small nation, caring for a dying family member or rocking crying babies in the dead of night, God hears you call. He knows your heart and he knows how hard you are trying. He sees your struggle. Call on His name. The name above all other names. The name of Jesus.

 

Have a blessed week and be sure to check back often. :) he he

 

Edie

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

God Is Love

My Jesus My King

Have a blessed Good Friday!

What fills your void?

Why is it that we struggle so? Why do we hold on so tightly to things that we know are no good for us? Why would we be willing to go down in ruins knowing that we could stop it all from happening? Why can't we give up the control we think we have, when in reality what we are struggling with or addicted to, is really controlling us? I'm not just speaking of drugs or alcohol, but also money, things like possessions, work, eating, exercising, not eating, fame, glory, attention, security, shopping, fear, or even people. Why is it that we keep trying to fill a void that only He can fill? Why do we keep piling in all of this when we know it will never do the trick.

It starts out innocently enough but eventually it takes over. It grows and manifest and becomes the thing we think we cant live without. The tolerance grows higher and higher and we are left needing more. It becomes our secret sin that we think no one knows, but in reality everyone knows. It makes a fool out of us. It turns us in to something we never wanted to be. It can take us from the on top of the world to living on the streets homeless in no time flat. It can rob us of our relationships, spouses, kids, homes, jobs, it just wont stop until we stop it. When is enough enough?

The struggle isn't really the addiction, its what we fill the void with that we all have. We can search and seek and pour in and consume all we find, but if its not Jesus it will leave us empty. I have been there. I still struggle. We all do. The important thing is we have a God who has not left us alone to fight our battles but is there fighting for us. I may not know what it is like to struggle with a serious drug addiction but I know what it is like to struggle with your thoughts. I may not know what it is like to struggle with alcohol but I do know what it is like to struggle with  be held captive to fear.

Beloved I have been down in that pit and without Jesus it wouldn't be long before I was right back there. He is the only thing that can fill that void. He created us with the void so that He can be the one you put in its place. I just want to encourage you today know matter what struggles or hardships you are enduring. Relationships in trouble, addictions, bandages, brokenness, or even illness beloved just cry out to Him. He was sent to bind up the brokenhearted and aren't we the brokenhearted? My love, He is healer!

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.

Fat Albert

Nothing like getting on the treadmill at the gym, looking up, and seeing Fat Albert on the television. Now that's some inspiration. No seriously that was some inspiration!

So, last night I decided to get my self up and head to the gym. I hadn't worked out since Monday and honestly I didn't feel like walking through the doors of the gym let alone walking on a treadmill. I've been in a funk lately; been struggling through some things. Fighting battles that are really the Lords to fight. I've been wrestling with things that I am no longer held captive to. Not really sure what was going on I just kept trying to figure out why I was struggling. I know God has a plan, I believe Him, trust Him, love Him, but I just had no peace.

When I saw Fat Albert on the TV, as funny as it was it gave me some insight. You know its kind of like putting that picture of yourself on the fridge when you need to lose some weight. So every time you went to the fridge you would be so disgusted you would just turn and walk away without even a morsel. You know the picture, the one you would just me mortified over if someone actually saw it. The one where you look at it in disbelief that its really even you. The one you can't stand to look at but at the same time you just can't look away. Like a train wreck. Well that's what I realized I needed to do. I need to put a spiritual picture of myself up.

I need to daily, sometimes hourly remind myself of the bondage I was once in, the battles I fought, the insecurities I had, and the fear that took over parts of my life. I need to see that so I can be reminded that Jesus redeemed me from that. He has healed me, released me, set the captive free. I no longer have to live as a wounded person because I am free. I am free in Christ. Those insecurities that creep in, do I measure up, do I matter, can I do this. I need to put them in their rightful place and that is not here in my mind. The Bible says Jesus is the Prince of Peace and peace is exactly what I needed. Peace of mind. I needed to go before the Lord to receive peace. He is peace so He can give it and He does. The Lord is doing a work in me and as hard as it may be on me at times I am ever so grateful. He loves me, oh how He loves me, and He loves you! I want to encourage you sweet friends that if you are struggling as I have been. Take it to the Lord, He is faithful. He hears your cries, knows your heart, He is just to forgive, He desires fellowship with you. He can heal your brokenness and I am living proof that He does. This is one captive He has set free! Hallelujah!

Fight hard and be Thankful

Fighting for peace of mind today. I hate that devil! He likes to try to come in and fill me with doubt, insecurity, and fear. He thinks I'm gonna fall for it again, not this time. I'm not the easy target I used to be.

Our family received some hard news today. At some point recently my Mom has had a stroke. She is doing fine, it was minor. If there is such a thing. It has affected her memory mostly. She fights to remember things that might come easy to you and I. She will be having some more test ran soon that will hopefully tell her more. The crazy thing is yes, she has shed a few tears, but she has an undeniable peace about her. She says that even though she is still in shock, God has given her comfort.



Mom and I
2009



Her and I are in the middle of a Bible study right now that is pretty intense and has us searching the scriptures back and forth with great passion. The Lord is amazing the way he works. I'm not sure that she would be this calm if she hadn't been walking so intimately with the Lord right now. I am so grateful for God's timing. Its almost to much for my little heart to bare.

I love my Mom dearly, shes one amazing woman. She has given me so much and has given up so much for me. I am blessed to have her. My prayer is for God to heal her this side of heaven. Everything in my being cries out for that, but if He chooses not to, I am more than grateful for this time in my life. This time where Mother and Daughter can sit next to each other and cry tears sorrow and joy because of the love of our one and only Jesus.

Thankful to be a shoulder she can cry on. Thankful to be daughter who loves her. Thankful to be a friend to encourage her. Thankful to have a Lord who hears me when I stand on her behalf and cry out in the name of Jesus. Thankful to have a God who heals. Thankful to have a God who fights for her when then enemy attacks. Thankful to have a God who loves her. Thankful to have a God who has redeemed her. Thankful I have God. I LOVE YOU LORD JESUS!

Miracle of the Moment

Good Morning my loves,

It is all very still in the house this morning. Kiddos are still sleeping and very soon it will all start to rev up. I wanted to take some time to ask you how you are. How is 2013 starting off for you? Are you feeling refreshed with a new hope for the next year? Are you excited for the change of a new season? Or are you still holding on to 2012 with all you have? Are you going into 2013 kicking and screaming? Are you like me and change is hard, or to be honest even the thought of change is hard? I'm usually a no person by nature or maybe it’s more by fear. My first response is usually no. I don’t like change, it’s uncomfortable, unpredictable, and sometimes doesn’t work out. I want the guarantee, the for sure. I sometimes worry a lot about what the future holds and miss out on the right now. But knowing the Lord like I do, I knew He wasn’t going to allow me to stay that way for long.

2012 was a good year but a tough year. A lot of change! I mean A LOT of change! Through that though the Lord has dealt with me with much mercy and grace. He has allowed me to dig my heals in and throw my fits but also He has loving picked me back up and renewed His promises in me. He's shown me how flexible I can be and how when trusting in Him the pain is eased. He's given me new hope and shown me that He has a plan for my life and its all for His glory. He has opened my eyes to the miracle of the moment. I miss out on so much when all I do is focus on the past or on the future. I miss out on the right now. My days are filled with two amazing sons and one cute little niece that I have the privilege of spending a couple of hours with each day, home school, sports (my little competitive soccer player is becoming a man right in front of my eyes ), being able to see the world through my 3 year olds eyes which let me tell you is a blast, a husband whose heart is devoted to God and our family, a lot of extended family and after living away for 10 years its more than a joy to be able to spend time with them, amazing friends, and a mission that the Lord put upon my heart.

So if I am so focused on what’s next or what I left behind, I miss out on the joys of right now. Living my life for now may seem like a simple thing to do, but for someone like me that has trouble with letting go of yesterdays and is fearful of the unknowns of tomorrow, right now is a hard thing to focus on at times. I pray that as we all go into this New Year we will learn to have our eyes wide open for today. Let the past be the past and let tomorrow come as it may.

I want you to read some of the words of a song written by Steven Curtis Chapman. Let these words resonate in your soul toward all you face.

"Miracle of the Moment"

‘Cause we are who and where

And what we are for now

And this is the only moment

We can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out

And listen to your heartbeat

There’s a wonder in the here and now

It’s right there in front of you

I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment

There’s only one who knows

What’s really out there waiting

In all the moments yet to be

And all we need to know

Is He’s out there waiting

To Him the future’s history

And He has given us

A treasure called right now

And this is the only moment

We can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out

And listen to your heartbeat

There’s a wonder in the here and now

It’s right there in front of you

I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment

And if it brings you tears

Then taste them as they fall

And let them soften your heart

And if it brings you laughter

Then throw your head back

And let it go, let it go, yeah You gotta let it go

And listen to your heartbeat, yeah

Breathe it in and breathe it out

And listen to your heartbeat

There’s a wonder in the here and now

It’s right there in front of you

I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment

Available on Steven Curtis Chapman's This Moment CD, or on iTunes.com

Enjoy your day and every moment of it!

Love you so,

Edie

 

Onething 2012

Happy New Year Beloved!

What a great way to end 2012 and begin 2013. We spent some time at the Onething Conference this past weekend and it was amazing. I encourage each and everyone of you to attend a Christian conference at sometime. You will leave there not as you entered. Just to see 20,000 people worshiping the Lord will bring you to your knees. It was renewing and refreshing.

As I looked out over everyone with their hands raised in worship it brought tears to my eyes because my heart felt like this is what heaven will be like. People of all ages, race, size, and shape worshiping the one true God. I am so thankful for what the Lord has done in my life. He has pulled me out of the pit and set my feet on solid ground. I am thankful for His love, grace, and mercy for without it I would be living one miserable life without any hope.

As I look back on 2012 and ahead to 2013, I see a lot of things I want to do differently and some that I want to stay the same. Most importantly though I want to further my relationship with the Lord. I want to know Him more intimately and love Him more deeply. I want to be so close to Him that I can not tell where I end and He begins. He has done so much for me in my life, for my loved ones as well. I am excited to see how He will use me to further His kingdom in 2013. I am thankful for the ways He has used me in 2012. I owe Him my life. Praise Jesus Christ alone, the One True God!

So what about you, any blessing in 2012, any changes you want to make in 2013?

Just a heads up the Exodus Cry Abolition Summit (Combat Human Trafficking) is Jan. 2nd-4th 2013 go to exoduscry.com/abolition-summit for more information.

Cant wait to see how God touches my heart at the summit. Hope to see you there.

Let's EMBRACE 2013 and all God has for it!
Lovin you all deeply,
Edie