Wonderful.

This month is very special for our family....as we have two children who were born during March.  When deciding about our verse to memorize for H3 this month, I thought about how excited I am when their birthdays arrive, the stories of their birth and cute little memories of each stages they've experienced, the years we've been blessed to have each of them in our lives....aw, sweet, sweet blessings. The verse that popped out was one many people choose on birth announcements, or display on photo frames or wall art in a child's room.  You will easily recognize it and may already have it memorized.

"I will give thanks to You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

 Wonderful are Your works,

 And my soul knows it very well."

~Psalm 139:14

Oh, my sould knows it very well.  I take one look into the chubby, silky face of a newborn and I know the Lord's works are wonderful. How could your soul not know it well?  I remember times when all of my wonderfully made babies were in my arms for the first time....my heart, my very soul ached, I was that happy. It seizes you.  It completely seizes your heart, your mind, your very soul. 

But it isn't just then, in that very moment. Nay, I'd say it happens, over and over again, with each breath they take, each milestone they conquer, each birthday that comes, each tear that is shed and giggle that is shared......my soul knows the Lord is capable of quite wonderful works, indeed, my soul knows it well.

Stillness = a necessity

It did not take me but a minute to realize what verse to begin with for the new year of H3.  And it won't take you but a minute to realize why I chose it, the relevance behind it, and the necessity it demands.

Do you feel like you are running in a marathon all day for some or most days, even on the weekends?  The holidays are just like a spiraling tailspin for most, if not all of us.  And they often lull me into thinking, "as soon as the holidays are over, things will slow down".  Have you ever said that?  Or as soon as we get past this birthday party month, or this next holiday, or this next deadline at work, or this next big project for school, or this next hurdle with someone's health, or this next birth or death of a loved one, or this sport's season. Well, I've come to figure out what happens after you get through "that next one"....another something comes right on the heels of it.  Not always bad, I'm not saying it's always negatives that bombard us.  Often it's many good things....but still they seem overwhelming when all is said and done.

I didn't make a list of New Year's resolutions this year.  I know what I need to do.  Without a shadow of a doubt, and this verse sums it up completely for me. To be certain my primary focus is where it needs to be in all the hustle and bustle, not of the holidays, but of everyday life.  Hopefully, you can draw from it as well. 

"Be still,

 and know that I am God."

~Psalm 46:10 

The Message version of the Bible says it like this: 
Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God!

I love that.  And truly, could it get any simpler than that? No, not, sit on your laurels and wait for money to grow on trees, your children to raise themselves..... But do take the time to notice God in every day, acknowledge His prescence in your life, allow that prescence to guide and guard you.

Here's how it speaks to me, Kimberly's paraphrase for my life, for my busyness and unsettled days.  I know to begin my day with HIM is best...to be still in Him for a time each morning, or with prayers throughout the day, to rest well in the night.....

BE STILL, KIMBERLY! I am right here beside you, each and every day.  Look at me, I am seeking your heart daily, will you seek after me?  In today's decisions at work, at home, with your family and friends, with your testimony and walk, with the big and the small problems, with the sadness and with the joy...Be still and know that I am God. The God who works miracles.  Not all miracles will be what you expected, but all miracles are what I command. And what I command is always for the best for those who seek me. One day, you will understand. But for today, BE STILL....in ME.

Calamity? What calamity?

There's never going to be a month go by that I couldn't write a post similar to this one. It's just how life goes. Because we live in a fallen world, nothing will ever be perfect, not even for just a month.  That is of course until we live with our Father in the promised land one day....for eternity.  
I have friends and family who are going through some pretty deep things right now. Good and Bad. Difficult decisions. Thrilling fun.

I mean some emotional oceans. A cousin who tragically lost her husband. Friends battling cancer. Friends who are experiencing their children leaving the nest for various reasons. An uncle who had emergency surgery. Friends who are making big moves. Milestones for others. New businesses. Marriages. Pregnancy. Buying new homes. Inferitlity. Success in school.  etc.etc.

Depths of sorrow, depths of love, depths of joy, depths of pain, depths of excitement and anxiety all rolled into one. 

Well I have encouraging news to deliver from the good book.  News to help you make it through the hard times and news to encourage you in the joyful moments.  News to help you aspire to reach for what the Lord has waiting.  

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."~~~Jeremiah 29:11

He has a plan for you. He makes that clear, in fact he declares it in Jeremiah 29:11.

He gave us these words.  Why don't you hide them in your heart....and pray them over your children, the family who is grieving, the friend who is depressed, your girlfriend who is struggling with finding her mate, any new adventures that are calling you....use this verse for all aspects of your life.  Let the Lord lighten the load through the heavy stuff as well as craddle close those joyous moments today!

Sorry for the H3 post being late this month.  Our internet has been out for about 4 days, acting all wacky on my iphone as well as our home computer.  May not sound like much of a problem to you, but it is when you're used to such modern conveniences.  Sure, I should have had the forethought to schedule this post ahead of time....but alas, I didn't. So, again, sorry for it being late, but here's the new verse for July.

"in all your ways acknowledge him (or submit to him),

and he will make your paths straight (or will direct your paths)."

~Proverbs 3:6

See...I told you it was important to learn June's verse....it connects right to July's verse.

This combo was one of the very first scriptures I memorized in my adult years, about a decade ago, when I decided I'd give it a try to keep some of that good stuff God had written on lock down in my gray matter. 

Some of it sticks better than others. :)  I bet you've noticed that as well....have you?  During the almost 2 years we've been memorizing....have you noticed how it's easier to lock those scriptures in when they are something that really speaks to your heart, your soul, your crisis or heartache or joy or sorrow or whatever your moment is and the words written are exactly what you needed to get you through it? 

Well, to me, Proverbs 3:5-6 speaks to everything in my life and can be applied daily. 

I can't sum it up any better than the Message does in it's breakdown of Proverbs 3:5-6, so I'll close with it.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

he's the one who will keep you on track.

I know my pathways have always been easier when they have been straight. There's a reason why the signs say "Dangerous Curves Ahead"....cause the devil puts them there hoping we will wreck every time. Failure. But God can make even the curves straighten out, at just the right spots in the road, in just the nick of time. All we need is to be listening, looking, seeking his will. Daily.

By the way, I hope you are all having a great summer.  Be blessed with safe travels and straight paths!

To trust brings peace.

Back in 2009, when I began H3, I wondered when I would use this verse. It is one of my all time favorites (okay, really I have a lot of all time favorites…what can I say, it’s a good book!) I kept putting it off, not like when you “put off” mopping the floors, but “put off” kind of like when you think something is special and you want to save it for just the right time.

Then I decided it was silly to wait for the right time….God’s time is always the right time….so why not use it today?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

 and lean not on your own understanding”

~Proverbs 3:5

How easy is that? Trust someone else, not just what you know….um, yeah, not easy if you think of trust in worldly terms. But we have to think on a much larger scale....trusting the One who created the world. It can still be hard, we often get caught up in praying for God to help out in a situation, when really we still have our minds closed to what He may be telling us.  All because we think we understand it ourselves. We don't. Very often when we try to "lean on" our own understanding, we fall flat on our face.

Trust, honest trust in the Lord, is what carries us through.  And as I titled this post, to trust brings peace. But it's not always an easy road. However, it's the right road if God is on it.  I recently read in a Max Lucado book, "Peace is promised to the one who fixes his thoughts and desires on the King."

Fix your thoughts and desires on Him today.  Trust in Him and His will.  Peace follows. 

It really is that simple....we humans just make it hard with all our warped ideas (please tell me I'm not the only one who has some warped ideas that God has to set straight :). 

Again, "lean" not on ourselves....God is there to provide all the foundation we need. 

(And by the way, you better learn this verse....it's a foundation for next month's scripture!)

Yes, yes, I realize I forgot to post the H3 verse....

 it's been a crazy few days, but here it is now.

And to be honest, I'm going to make it short and sweet for this month's introduction to the verse.  

On Wednesday, April 27, 2011, my home state of Alabama experienced catastrophic destruction from a mass of storms that produced multiple, gravely large tornados.  Tornados that brought numerous death, hundreds and hundreds of lives were lost across the southeast, and also destroyed complete towns, communities, sections of cities.   I'm sure no matter where you live you probably at least saw some national coverage of the damage.

It's much worse in person. I've never seen anything like it in my lifetime. I've never experienced anything like it in my lifetime. And I must say, the outpouting of love from the body of Christ in the aftermath.....well, I've never experienced that either.  And when I say the aftermath, I mean mere minutes after the tornados hit and even now, almost two weeks later. 

To see pure and absolute devastation is heartwrenching, and it does seem eerily similiar to 9-11 and days afterward, sure, the somberness is hanging, looming overhead......but to see rising from the rubble the awe inspiring care being sought out from fellow Americans to their neighbors in need brings just pure and absolute pride and amazement.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." 

 ~Romans 8:18

Folks are suffering in this present day, it's true. Not just from the ravages caused by the tornado. But in the after shock as well.

Folks are suffering in this present day, it's true. And the fact is simple, it may not have been caused by a tornado of any magnitude. At least not the variety that can be picked up on radar by their local meteorologist. 

I'm going to leave you with some thoughts I recently read in a devotion written by Luci Swindoll:

"But all the difficulties that invade our peace are woven together by the loving hand of God to be fashioned into something good. Every detail is important to our Father. He knows our condition, our framework, and our areas of vulnerability and will never ask of us more than we can bear. Therefore we can be sure that, as His purpose unfolds hour by hour in our lives, He won't make a mistake."

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those people who have lost loved ones , lost their homes, their businesses, their towns that were completely wiped out....

This one is what I like to call an "oldie but a goodie"....

Because with those kind, the oldies but goodies, well, you can never go wrong.  You know you have your favorite pair of shoes or sweater, your time honored recipe for chicken casserole, your go to movie or book selection that may be a couple of decades (or more) behind the times, the "works for every occasion" little black dress, and let us not forget the music of our era...I think they refer to it as a classic nowadays...etc. etc..... you know the reliable pieces of our life.

Well that's what this month's H3 verse is.....an oldie but a goodie.  And one I had thought I might never use because I figured everyone already knew it by heart, already had it memorized and sealed upon their foreheads. 

It was fear really.  Fear that you would be bored when you read the selected verse.  Fear you would think I wasn't trying hard to find a scripture with a good meaty, heart wrenching, or uplifting or life changing revelation type moment involved.  

I figured you would read this months verse and think, "really, that's all she could come up with from ALL the verses in the bible, all those out there that we need to really be sinking our teeth into, and she gives us this?  I know this. I've known this since I was a kid. Why in the world would I need to write this on a 3 x 5 index card and paste it to my bathroom mirror this month as a reminder? I know this. I can say it in my sleep. " 

Basically, just add this to all my other insecurities in life, I was scared I would disappoint you.  And so for months I have left it out of the H3 possibilities. But no more.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. "

~John 3:16

Yes. I know. I know. You already know it. You've known it since you were a kid. You can say it in your sleep.

But so what. You don't think it's worth celebrating every day you wake up and the Lord has given you the gift of life. Oh, I do.  Maybe you have children who don't know this verse yet. Teach it to them. My eyes were opened to how easy this verse is for us, for everyone, during a recent Sunday service.  In his sermon, the pastor walked near my kids (Elder Son sitting on the 2nd pew, Baby Girl and Middle Child one row behind him) and said -- "John 3:16"  then looked at them saying "you all know it"....and proceeded to listen, as in unison, my 3 blessings from the Lord recited it back to him. 

I don't recall sitting down and teaching it to them, I just know they've heard many people (Sunday school teachers, pastors, VBS workers, missionaries, family members, etc) refer to it hundreds of times over the span of their short lives. They know it because it is "an oldie but a goodie". 

It's Easter month. We'll all be hunting eggs and eating chocolate bunnies soon. We'll eat ham and deviled eggs, and maybe a pineapple casserole. At church we'll spend some time focusing on the death of Jesus & his crucifixion, as well as celebrate His rising on the third day. But do we really stop and think about what happened, what really happened for us. For me. For you. For our children. For our children's children.

God gave up his son.  I can't do that. It would be physically, emotionally and mentally impossible for me to allow that same fate to fall on one of my kiddos. As hard as these teen years are forecasted to be, and the mood swings that already arise at times, I could never watch people beat or spit on Elder Son.  I would never allow Middle Child to hang on a cross by nails while others stood by laughing and mocking. And assuming I had the power, you can rest assured Baby Girl would never breathe her last breath....not on my time. And I certainly wouldn't do it for all the vile people of the world, or even just for you. I'm sorry, but I'm just being real.

But God allowed that all and more to happen to his child.  And for us. A bunch of filthy sinners. The vile people we hate. Me. You.

He gave up his Son. He gave us Jesus. He gave us life. He gave us life in Him.

Go back up to the first paragraph of this post....see those words/phrases I highlighted?  They stand out for a reason.  Because every single one of them describes this verse and it's meaning for us.

God gave us Jesus.  An oldie but a goodie.

• He is a favorite.  (I'd pick him in any horse race, to win out in my bracket, to knock out the competition in the first round, to be the hands down....favorite.  Anyone would be dumb to not choose Him.)
• He is time honored. (remember that little thing about Him being the Alpha and the Omega?  yep, that clinches the epitome of time honored.)
• He is the go to. (period. need advice? ask Him. )
• He works for every occassion. (love, mercy, grace, the good times, the bad times, the depression, the deaths, the nasty, ugly moments where he brings about peace and comfort, somehow.)
• He is a classic. (like a good Hemmingway or Dickens novel, oh, you'll read about Him for years to come. Sure, his "claim to fame" happened over 2000 years ago, but He's still got it after all this time.)
• He is reliable. (when all others fail us, He's still right there.In a section all His own. By far, whether we want to hang our hat on worldly "things" or not, in the end, HE is THE MOST RELIABLE PIECE of our life.)

I know. You already know it. You can say it in your sleep.

Now live it.

Temptation

One of my favorite reality shows is Biggest Loser. Do y'all like it? Oh, I do.  I love seeing those people change their lives week in and week out.  Sure, sometimes they mess up, make a mistake....but they get back out there and push harder next time.  They don't give up.  You know those episodes where they have a "temptation" challenge.....and Biggest Loser producers are good, they put out the contestants favorite items, the most alluring of foods, sensual smells, tantilizing sights of deliciousness.....some contestants are strong in their devotion to reach their goals and thus the temptations are far less appealing, and others, well they often come up a little short.  They are weaker.  They fall to temptation. 

No different than everyday life for all of us.  Biggest Loser is a show about losing weight and ultimately, searching, achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper food and exercise.  And often they do a little inner soul searching along the way.  But back to those temptation challenges---certainly a part of their journey, but you know what, they are really just a glimpse into the devil's handiwork in all of our lives....and I'm not talking about the cupcakes either. 

We are all faced with temptation daily. Every. Single. Day. Temptations come in many sizes and flavors. Some are so crafty we don't even realize it until it's far too late...we're already knee deep in them (gossip or selfishness or affairs or bitterness or greed or whatever it is that hinders our walk with God) before the brain processes the Lord's conviction.  And then when we do figure it out, we are so upset with ourselves, it's easier to give in more. 

We knew we didn't need to eat the cupcake (or yell at our kids), we didn't really even want the cupcake (in fact, it was that unexpected bill that came in the mail that put a sour taste in our mouths, not even something the kids did anyway), but the cupcake was there, taunting us with it's mile high frosting (the kids neglected to put their laundry away, again) and brightly colored sprinkles (sure you thought it would make you feel better to get it off your chest and family was the best place to explode---they have to love you even when you're crazy).   And besides, the world (satan and his cronies here on earth) says cupcakes are divine, just divine...so go ahead and eat as many as you want.  

You know that's exactly what satan and the world wants us to do.  See the temptations.  Fall to them.  Wallow in our self-pity afterwards and in essence sin some more. Satan won't give up.  Please remember he tempted Jesus many times. He offered the biggest, moistest, red velvet cupcake smothered in cream cheese icing.....but Jesus stood firm. 

Satan is going to throw temptations at our feet as well....and sometimes we are going to fall....but we just can't give up and allow ourselves to stumble over them day in and day out. We need to remember that while satan may have the power to provide those very enticing temptations....we serve a God who has an even bigger power to help us overcome each and every one. Each and every one. 

So, the next time you are tempted (which should be sometime today, before, during and after you read this post) remember this month's H3 verse and speak it so your brain and heart can hear God's words.....

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  But God is faithful, he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
                                                                     ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

You are going to be tempted.  God says that.  But the good news is that He also says he will be with us and provide a way for us to stand firm just as Jesus did.  There's always a way out....we just need to look for God's light shining the pathway.

Perfect Love

It doesn't exist. Right?  I mean really, those two words should never be placed together because it just isn't possible.  Think back to your high school years...oh, I know you don't want to, but humor me, okay?

I bet at some point you had a boyfriend and were totally in love...totally. Enamored with him, even.  

And it was perfect. For about 3 days. Or maybe even a week.  Even a lucky few of you who felt perfection for a month.

Then the drama of relationships hit full force. Ugh, the drama. (And to think, my high school days were during a time where facebook, email and cell phones were not even in use.)   

Needless to say, despite the nurmber of times I wrote his name in pretty script along with mine on the outside of my notebook, the perfect love I thought we had was never there. Sadly, even though every 15 year old girl would argue with me, the truth is there is no perfect boyfriend. Not even when you get to 12th grade.  

What about your husband, you say?   Oh, I didn't even know my guy in high school so he doesn't really count.

Sure I finally found him, with God's grace, after high school.  And it was an immediate love. I was enamored with him, certainly. He left me cute little messages on my scrabble board.  It was adorable. And a few short years later, we were married. And he's really close to being the perfect husband. Thanks to me. :)

So, marriage, that will bring about perfect love, right?  No.  Did you not read the first sentence???....it doesn't exist. There is no perfect husband.  There is no perfect marriage.  (He probably doesn't even know where to find our scrabble board now.)

There can be really great marriages, full of really great love, shared between two really great people.   

However, there is no perfect love. Not from us anyway.  But with God there is perfect love. It's just what He is, it's in His blood, that same blood that covers us.  His perfect love allowed his only Son to die.  His perfect love gave us salvation. 

Through Him we can know love, we can experience love, we can share love, we can give love. Because of the love He has shown us, we can love others, our non-perfect boyfriends, our non-perfect husbands, our non-perfect children, our non-perfect co-workers, our non-perfect friends, our non-perfect fill-in-the-blank.

Know God so you can know love, true love. It's the only way.

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
~1 John 4:8

God is love. He is perfect love. 

Have big plans for the new year?

Raise your hand if you can believe it's 2011????  Anyone? Anyone?  Yeah, me either. But it is and so we go forth....with a clean slate :)

I'd be willing to bet that somebody out there (come on, don't leave me hangin') has made some of the same statements as me during the holiday season.  Notice I did NOT say RESOLUTIONS.....just a few reflective points I've mulled over in my brain.  Such as:  

Spending 1 on 1 time with each child more frequently
Losing weight
Eating healthier
Devoting more time to bible study
Organizing....there's something to be done in every room
Quality time with my friends
Finishing Projects
Starting new ones :)
Cleaning out my master closet....ugh. 
Snacking on raw veggies instead of all that other junk
Date nights with the husband....ooh la la
etc.etc.etc

To be honest, this is basically the same list of these reflective points each year, it seems.  This year I have decided to handle things a bit differently, I'm letting the Father in on these thoughts instead of trying to tackle it all alone.  And I'm planning to start the new year off with this verse in mind:

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see." 

 ~Hebrews 11:1



You see, I know that Christ is here, although I cannot see Him.....through my faith, I can feel His mighty prescence.  And this verse spoke to my heart personally at the visions in my head for relationships, weight loss, organization,  etc.  I may not be able see the results yet, but my faith in what I hope for, with the Lord's help, will be easier to achieve.

Do you have something in mind you want to achieve?  The new year has begun, resolutions have been made, in fact some may have already been broken.

 So what are your big plans for 2011? Regardless, I have only one thing to say, don't forget to include the Father in those plans. Otherwise....well, you're on your own and that doesn't always work out so well. 

A little something to stuff in your mouth.....

Who can even believe that it's NOVEMBER already????  Me either.  Thanksgiving, my birthday, my sister's birthday, two nieces birthdays, the Iron Bowl, gymnastics competitions, etc. ....it all happens this month.  A calendar month, chock full of stuff as usual!!  So, as with last year during this H3 adventure, I want us to pause and really be thankful.  We should be doing that every day, not just in November, not just on that particular Thursday at the end of the month, but every. single. day. ....be thankful

Look, I know it's not always easy....I've had a few hard days lately myself....days where I thought it impossible to appreciate what the world was handing me.  But I've had to realize, the world isn't going to offer much in the way of good.....but every day I can find something to be thankful for in our Lord. Every. Single. Day.

I chose this month's H3 verse because hard times befall us all....but the Lord is there amidst it all, my friend, and don't ever let Satan convince you otherwise.  On Thanksgiving Day, we all stuff our mouths slap FULL with all manner of yummy food....you know you do.  Well, this verse plainly states what our mouths should truly be FULL of....and it ain't pumpkin pie.

"I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

~Psalm 34:1

So replace that giblet gravy and dressing that falls out the sides of your mouth this Thanksgiving season. 

Let words of praise to the Father be overflowing instead. Every. Single. Day.



L137---trust me, you're gonna want to remember it.

L137

So, if you've been visiting the House of Bowling blog here for any length of time, then you know that on the 3rd of every month we put up a new scripture to think about and try and memorize.....in hopes of "hiding HIS words in our heart" (H3). 

And for those of you who began this little adventure with me into the H3 club ---- pat yourself on the back, it's our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!  That's right....we've been at it for a whole year. I'm glad you started with me.  I'm glad you're still here.  I'm sure we've lost a few, but I know we've gained new people it seems like each month, and we're always ready to have ANYONE and EVERYONE join us!!!   And I am thankful for each one of you.  Maybe you only learned a couple of verses, maybe you can recite them all from the past year---it doesn't matter, what matters is that God's word has been resting in your heart every time you read these verses....and for that He is pleased. 

I bet you're wondering what L137 stands for.....I'm about to tell you.  Is it a bar code?  A ticket # ?  A call out at the Bingo?  A skew # for produce? An aisle in Target?  A train ride? Your stadium seat? An airline flight?

Nope.  It just so happens to be a little code for this month's verse selection.....which includes a few profound words from our Lord:

"For nothing is impossible with God."

~Luke 1:37

Look....it's short, easy to remember, EVERYONE can use it (I think daily), and we even have a code for it.....God is so good! 

All month, and for the remainder of your days here on earth, remember L137.....For nothing is impossible with God.

• When the evil of the world is crushing in, and it becomes increasingly harder every day to find the good, remind yourself:   L137
• When you are having a hard time accepting the will of the Father, through death, divorce, harsh work climates, miscarriages, liars, infidelity, envy, bitterness, you think there's no way past it all....always know:  L137
• When your teenager's behavior is less than desirable, you're exhausted and at your wit's end, your doubting your ability to parent, know that there's always a place to turn for help.....keep in mind: L137
• When you are struggling to make end's meet, your family has experienced job loss, financial burdens are piling up, there is a way out, seek His face and remind yourself: L137
• When you are tempted time and time again, trials are around every corner, the devil is after you like never before,  and he's saying mean and ugly things that you are believing about yourself, he's laughing at your inabilities, your shortcomings, your failures.....shout back at him: L137
• When a close friend or family member has betrayed you, it seems too hard to forgive, almost impossible to move on.....but wait, remember: L137
• When chaos reigns at your house, the laundry never ends, the bills arrive daily, the children expect to be fed, the co-workers ask you to do more than your fair share, the friends take but rarely give, the challenges of parenting are overwhelming (it is a HUGE responsibility), the committee meetings, the constant rush through life, the fact that sometimes people just aren't going to like you, some will never agree with you, and we all still have to live here together on this planet anyway.....when all of it comes crashing down, week after week, please take a single moment daily to take a deep breath and don't count to 10....just say to yourself very calmly: L137

This verse comes from the gospel of Luke when the angel Gabriel is predicting Jesus' birth. The angel has told Mary what is to come, and she questions him.  I'm sure she was not particularly happy with his insinuations....a child? Why I haven't even been with a man!  How could I be having a child? 

Gabriel continues on telling her of Elizabeth's pregnancy as well....and reminds her she herself will be carrying not just any baby, but rather the Son of God. And what does the angel say to back up his story:  L137

"For nothing is impossible with God."

Not even an immaculate conception. 

Friend, do you hear that?  Mary, the mother of Christ, was a virgin.  A great miracle, no, the greatest miracle ever....all because of Luke 1:37.  We all know how that story pans out in the end.  Don't you know Mary has to be the proudest mother ever.....just think of her brag book. Oh, if she only had a blog......she could certainly top any ol' story I could dig up about my three little blessings. 

Was she scared in the beginning? Sure.  Was she uncertain how people would perceive her and her growing belly?  Was she ashamed of what Joseph would think?  Worried silly about the gossipers of her day? Do you think she ever felt like the world's burdens may be too much too bear alone?

Mary trusted God with her problems.

Now, don't you think God can handle our problems as well? 

Mary believed in God's promise.....she believed in the words of L137. 

Will you?

Scripture Cards

I have heard from many of you, but I don't want to leave anyone out who may be interested. Don't forget to message me (text, facebook or email) to let me know if you would like to receive the H3 scripture verse cards in the mail every month. 

H3 folks...sorry to bother you, but...

I have misplaced my book that has all of the H3 folks and their addresses in it....along with various other vital information.  I am very sad. I even resorted to offering 5 WHOLE BUCKS to the first kid who found it over the weekend.....under a couch, behind a chair cushion, between the mattress, etc.  And either it's really lost, or they weren't impressed with the $5 reward money. 

Maybe I should up the ante.

First one to find it gets to live in a house, with a cook and a maid, and free laundry/taxi service.  Any takers?

At any rate, I need my book and it can't be found as of yet.  Believe it or not.....I have all your H3 cards to mail out (even the ones left from this summer when I took a break from things).   Some of you may not care to get the reminder verses in your mailbox at home, and that's fine too.  However, I know it's a hassle, but if you would still like to receive the H3 cards in the mail please, please, let me know. Or if you are new and wanting to join up with H3--super!  Text me, Facebook me, leave a comment here, shoot me an email, whatever....thanks!

I need your help with something.....

That's what the old preacher said when he called the kids to come down to the front pew for a little children's worship time.  It was a Sunday night service a couple of years ago, and my kids headed down right away, ever the volunteers.

What the preacher went on to show the kids has stuck in my mind ever since....and theirs.  I think of it every day...when I brush my teeth.  Here's his story paraphrased as best I can remember it.  I tried to include some pics I made to make it more visual for you....although it's not the same as seeing the shock and awe on the faces of the kids when the preacher did it at church that night.

He took out his bathroom kit and pulled out a toothbrush.

Then, after fumbling around trying to unscrew the toothpaste and get everything situated atop a napkin on his knee, he managed to ask one of my kids to volunteer to help squirt some toothpaste on his toothbrush.  Which they did, but before he closed up the toothpaste, he decided it needed just a tad bit more....

And so he would up with this mess.....and then asked the kids to help him.  Again....eager to be chosen to help, all three of my kids shot their hands up in the air.   They just wanted to help.....but they didn't know that he was going to ask them to do was impossible.   The chosen child hopped up from the front pew to offer his assistance (I'm sure he thought he would just be asked to clean up the mess). 

It was then the preacher said, "I need you to put the toothpaste back in the tube".  

With wide eyes and a look of disappointment on his face, my child shook his head and said, "I can't".

And immediately he spoke of our speech life, how it's a lot like this toothpaste.....once we've let our words come spewing forth from our mouth, there is no way to put them back in....we can't.

 "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD: keep watch over the door of my lips."  ~~Psalm 141:3

Words are very powerful.  They can be very uplifting or extremely destructive. 

 As a mother, I take my job of family cheerleader very seriously.  Over the summer I read a devotion about family that said words are like seeds, whatever we "plant" or speak, will grow.  Do we want the critical, negative words to grow in our children, among our friends and family, our co-workers? I don't think anyone would say that they want that....but it's exactly what happens when we speak that way, our realm is soon surrounded by negativity.  The devotion went on to say we needed to look for the good in our children, husband, family.  I would add that is also true for our friends, co-workers, church members, etc.  We seek out what is good and speak it, becoming a cheerleader, because everyone needs a cheerleader. 

I know there have been times I have spoken a harsh word to my husband or children....when if I had only corrected with more of a cheerleader spirit....giving them more positive comments to go along with the negative one.  The devotion had a great acrostic to the word THINK that I thought I'd share and close with...

THINK before you speak:

T      = is it True

H     = is it Helpful

 I      = is it Inspiring

N     = is it Necessary

K     = is it Kind

A Panting Soul.

I promise I'm going to get going again on the blog...hopefully one day soon.  Of course, you may not care at all of our absence....it may have been a nice little break. :)   But we've just been enjoying the summer....and while I have tons of pictures and stories I could tell, memories of our summer of twenty-ten,  I've just been soaking them up for myself lately.  I'll get around to sharing them, pinky promise. :)

However, for now, you'll just have to survive on another H3 post. A new verse to meditate on for this month. And with it comes my own little post with jumbled up thoughts that may or may not have anything at all to do with what the Lord had intended, but it often helps me remember what His word says anyway! :)   Bear with me, here we go.

"As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, O God."

~Psalm 42:1

Where ever you are, tell me, have you been experiencing a hot summer?  We have.  Especially the last few days.  I hear snippets on the radio or tv stating weird things like "heat index of 108" and true temps in the triple digits.  Seriously, we've topped 100, on more than one occasion.  Now, I don't know about you, but that's hot to me. Even the sun lover that I am can only take so much, before I curl up in the air conditioner with a cool glass of lemonade and watch countless episodes of Deadliest Catch....I already miss Captain Phil.

Anyway, back to the hot summer.  I worry about our animals.  Our beloved labrador and even that pesky feline.  Fresh, cool water is a necessity for them during these harsh summer months. Ever hear of the "dog days" of summer? Well, we, my friend, are among them as we speak.  And what I've noticed is that once you've been outside for more than 1.8 seconds during the dog days of summer, you're gonna sweat. Regardless of how much Clinically Proven Degree you swipe across the pit.  Just sayin'.

Have you ever noticed though that a dog doesn't really "sweat"?  Not as we think of sweating....their sweat glands are located in the pads of their paws....not the best place for secreting sweat when you're burning slap up in the throes of summertime in the south.  

So, dogs pant.  They pant a lot.  If you have a dog, or have ever been around any dog, especially outside in the summer, you will have noticed this panting.  Sure they do it when they get anxious, scared or excited too. A few months ago, if you remember the story entitled Man's best friend and a leap of faith, then you will rememeber our dog Sadie was panting incessantly....from the trauma of being hit by a car.  But most often, Sadie's panting (and that of other dogs) is a way of cooling off.  Panting is like their own personal way to release body heat and lower their temperature. 

I was reading a story in a book the other day that was talking about this very thing....various animals, sweating and the heat.  I wanted to share a bit with you....it's important and ties in so cleverly to our verse:

"Basically, all warm-blooded animals need some way to regulate body heat in warm weather.  This can be done through sweating, panting, bathing, or all three.  Most animals follow their instincts and seek rest, shade, and a nice, long drink when the temperature soars.  Not a bad approach. Frankly, we humans should do the same."

I couldn't agree more.  During the remainder of this scorcher of a month called August.....remember to pant, remember to bathe yourself, in the Lord.

A new school year is fast, and I mean fast, approaching.  Fall will show itself soon with a calendar filled to the brim with activities for families all around.  Hardships will come.  Many have already arrived. Many in the friends and family we share with here on the blogosphere and in our personal lives as well.  Work duties are calling out, even louder, because the vacation is over.  It's time to buckle down, get to the nitty gritty, gear up for what is to follow the dog days of summer.

Friend, can I tell you that the easiest way through this heat,
through the busy life that never seems to slow,
through the endless problems that surface in your workplace, in your church, in your home,
through the pain and sorrow that comes to us all through trials, death, divorce, broken hearts, gossip, burdens, etc.

The easiest way through every moment this life offers is to seek rest in Him.  To take our bibles, study and contemplate these words written so many years ago.....to take a long drink of this life giving water only He can provide. 

That's the only way to truly mend our souls.  To have our soul pant for the Father, as the deer to a stream of water.

Don't let the devil scorch you with the evils of this world.  And certainly don't allow the devil to scorch you in the afterworld. 

When the fires are burning around you...remember this verse: 

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." ~Psalm 42:1


Drink Him  in....and soak up His mercy. 

Being Free.

July rolls around and what first comes to mind?  July 4th. Family. Food. Fireworks.  Normally in that order. :)  I also think of Freedom.  Freedom to spend time with my family.  Freedom to eat as much as I want of blackberry cobbler, homemade ice cream, and BBQ ribs.  Freedom to watch the night sky lit up with all variances of color bursts in a display of American beauty. Freedom to attend church.  Freedom to pray to an Almighty God.  The one and only Almighty God.  Without fear.

And these freedoms I speak of...well, at times, myself and many others, take these for granted. We've always had this opportunity to live in the land of the free, home of the brave.  Freedoms that our service men and women have sacrificed their time, their families, their comfortable way of life, their air conditioned, king size bed, hot water, slow drive on Sunday afternoons, firefly catching with their kids, grilling hot dogs by the pool, having an afternoon nap because they splurged on the ice cream, watching all the cousins enjoy that brief moment of sparklers before someone gets burned by a fly-a-way spark.   Yes, all those freedoms that our soldiers have to miss out on, so we can sit back enjoying our American life, while they guard the heart of America.  

Man, I'm thankful for our freedoms.  I'm so thankful for the folks who have given so much of themselves to serve others, those who have sacrificed it all, so we can continue to say we live in the land of the free, home of the brave. 

But let me tell you what all of this has to do with our H3 verse for the month.....oh, yes, it's about freedom, but I bet you could have figured that out by now, right?  While the freedoms we have here in the good ol' USA are wonderful, they are nothing compared to the free life offered to us by the blood of Jesus.  

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

~John 8:36

Have you been set free by the Son?  If not, please do so.  One man gave his all for you.  Like many of our war heroes, He sacrificed his life, for your freedom....your freedom that doesn't just matter during your life in this country, but rather for all eternity!   

For July, and all year really, remember to thank those who serve or have served under our stars and stripes, remember to pray for them and their families. 

And for July, all year, the remainder of your life, remember the words held in John 8, verse 36.  Tell them to a friend.  Share them with someone, anyone, don't keep them to yourself......encourage others to know true freedom. Freedom in Jesus.  Forever.

Delightful. HE certainly is.

I promise....these months fly by from 3rd to 3rd.  Do you not agree?  I hope you are still staying with us and focusing on each month's verse.  I know it's hard to memorize them all....but I also know the Lord doesn't ask more of us than he thinks we can handle. Although believe me...I question him about that ALOT at times. Like all during the month of May for instance!! :) 

Maybe not every verse speaks to you, and that's okay.  But every verse speaks to someone.  Somewhere. 

This month's verse, I think, will speak to everyone. It would be near impossible for it not to.....because everyone falls into one of these categories.  Daily. 

• You asked the Lord for a blessing of some kind and HE delivered. Naturally, he would.  He's in the business of bestowing blessings.  Sometimes though, have you ever noticed, HIS blessings may not come at the time desired by us, or in the manner we may have chosen, but they always exceed what we deserve.  
• You are currently seeking the Lord's guidance for future blessings. They just haven't arrived yet.  And some are going to just KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!! 

And here's the verse to remind you of these moments in life: 

"Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your heart."

~Psalm 37:4  

I know many of you probably already have this verse memorized.  We see it often in nursery decor, on baby announcements, etc.  It's definitely a popular verse, and rightly so.  But let's go deeper with it this month.  Let's really focus on allowing the Lord to give you the desires of your heart.  Certainly, for many women that desire is for children.....a baby to call their own.  Nothing is more precious. 

 But what about our friends and family who are waiting for the blessing of a spouse. I have several on my own heart that I pray find their mate that God has in store for them.

And what about the reconciliation of marriage as a whole, as God designed it? Divorce rates are ever climbing.  It's a scary world.

And what about those burdened with finding work to provide for their family during this economic time? So many without jobs. 

And what about our military families, their safety abroad and at home? Wives and children who have experienced many deployments of their loved ones, and those whose reality was the ultimate sacrifice. For my freedom and yours.

And what about your neighbor who's reached the last stages of cancer, hospice has been brought in, the family have all collected together? I hear of this all too often now a days. 

And what about just wanting to have some peace of mind?  Do you have concerns, worries, problems in life that seem overwhelming at times? All the time? Me too.

Do you have any of these same desires?  Do you know others who do? 

Oh, you get the idea.  The list could go on and on really.  Our desire is basically just whatever I am praying for.....whatever you are praying for.....whatever he/she/we/them.....are praying for......and the list of desires is endless.  So, this verse encompasses everyone.  Or at the very least, anyone who is praying to the Lord for their desires to be met.  For their heart to be heard by the only One who can heal it.

My focus for this month, and what I hope yours is as well, is not so much on the desires portion of this verse.  I know the Lord has seen my desires, even those I think I've managed to wedge deep in the crevice because they seem so selfish....yea, even those, he's seen them.  He knew they were there before we did. He knows our desires long before we speak them aloud.

Instead of worrying about presenting my desires so boldly....I want to focus more on the first half of the verse.....delighting myself in Him.  Spending time at his feet, daily.  Spending time on my knees, daily.  Spending time delighting myself in Him, His blessings, the small and big--from the breath he gives me each morning, to the coupons in Sunday's paper, the laughter of my children, to the safety of my husband, the health of my parents, to the popsicles on a hot day, the joy of friendships, the fun of flip flops in summer......for each and every moment.....DELIGHT in Him.  The one who makes every moment happen.  Not by chance.  But by His divine nature.

I chose this verse because I have a lot of unspoken requests on my prayer plate right now.  Some serious points I'm laying before the Lord and asking for help, for His help.  But I also chose it because it's summer.....and I love summer, in fact I'd say that I think summer is just DELIGHTFUL.  And it made me think of this verse. 

Go ahead....summer is here.  Delight yourself in the Lord.

He already gives us the answer as to what will happen next. He will give us the desires of our hearts.

Here's to a DELIGHTFUL summer for us all!!!  Don't take a break from soaking up the real SON this summer.

Hiding His words in your Heart......May's Verse

I ask my husband a TON of questions....a TON.  Sometimes I ask so many it becomes annoying....just ask him. :) Especially during a movie....that he is currently trying to watch.....that I don't understand!! :)

I ask my Mom and Dad a bunch too (there's wisdom in the ages, you know).  I ask quite a fair amount to my in-laws as well (they are really fantastic folks).   And of course I have many close, trusted friends and family who I seek counsel with at times. 

Sometimes I want answers, opinions or their thoughts on the matter and sometimes I just want a sounding board. 

Have you ever been confused?  Have you ever not known the answers?  Needed help finding the answers?  Without having someone use a condescending tone? What about just wanting to talk through some ideas, some questions, some concerns? 

Unsure about future decisions?  Making choices for jobs, church decisions, school issues, family moments, home relocation, friendship renewals, parenting dilemmas....anyone relate????

Have you ever needed some advice?

Some good advice?

Some real honest advice, that might hurt a little going down, but in the end you know it's right?

You know, some real solid guidance....

Solid.  Rock Solid.

Well, it just so happens there's a verse that tells us we can have just that.....Rock Solid Answers....if we only just ask.

"Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,

who gives to all generously without criticizing,

and it will be given to him." 
~~James 1:5

So....all you need to do is ask. When a heavy burden is upon you, and you need help finding answers, yes, it's okay to ask your husband, your mama, your BFF....but in the end, make certain you are spending time having conversations with the Father, listening to His wisdom. 

The wisdom He so freely gives.  He loves helping....it's in His genes.

Hiding HIS words in your Heart---April's Verse

I think it's so wonderful that this month's H3 verse falls on Easter weekend.....really emphasizing why we chose to announce the new scriptures on the 3rd of the month..........HE AROSE!! 

They could beat him, spit on him, mock him, scream at him, despise him, test him, tempt him, be jealous of him, hate him, spear him, laugh at him, just about anything horrid you can think of....they did it to him.....and finally in the end, he died. 

And if the story stopped there, we would call it a tragedy.  We would say it was very sad.  We would probably not tell any of our friends to read it, because what's the point....the good guy dies in the end.

Thankfully, for me, for you, for everyone ever to live in this world, the story doesn't end there.  In fact, that's just where it starts getting good....because we all know what comes next!!  HE AROSE!!  And if you know someone who doesn't know the rest of the story, please tell them now.  Don't think of it like a ruining the best part of the book or movie.....spill the beans, spoil the spoiler.....TELL THE WORLD HE AROSE, HE LIVES, FOREVER! 

And don't forget to add in that we can also live forever, because of that ultimate sacrifice HE gave. 

• The sacrifice that cannot be stored in a pastel egg this season. 
• The sacrifice that is far sweeter than a dark chocolate bunny.
• The sacrifice that cannot be outdone by finding the golden prize egg--HE is the golden prize.
• The sacrifice that cannot be held in an adorable, woven, painted, monogrammed basket.
• The sacrifice that will never hide inside a bunch of plastic grass.

This month's verse comes from one of the gospels, Luke.  And as I searched, I noticed that Luke is the only gospel that gives this particular information in his account of Jesus' death.  The other gospels say that Jesus cried out, loudly, and then they also mention that afterwards he gave his last breath.  But what they leave out, and what ultimately Luke left in, spoke right to my heart.  And so, I am praying it will also speak directly to yours:

"Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."  When he had said this, he breathed his last."  ~~Luke 23:46

Luke gives us these humble words from Jesus.....and I can't wait to get to heaven and tell Luke, thanks.  Thanks for these words which I think we should all live by.  It should be something that we speak out, something that we cry out in a loud voice to the Lord, every single day he gives us breath...."Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"!!

Every single day, wake up and offer your life to the Lord. 

• Offer your talents to be used for the Lord. 
• Offer your desire to be in His will. 
• Offer your eyes to be opened to what He is showing you. 
• Offer your service to obey His commands.
• Offer your ears to hear what He is speaking to you.
• Offer your heart to hide his words in.....because you just never know when you, or someone around you, will need to hear them.

Y'all, I know I say it probably every month, but I just love this verse.  I don't know that I've ever really comtemplated it as much as I should.  

Father, in our quest to be more like Christ, let us all give our spirit to you, to mold, shape, and keep safe in your hands.

Happy Easter!
He Arose!