The Not-so-Super-Mom

The Not-so-Super-Mom

Last night I was laying in bed trying to sleep, but I was so wide a wake.  My mind was running 100 miles per hour...thinking of all the stuff I did, or didn't do, and what I should have gotten done, during the day.  In the the midst of my mind's running through the day, I started to think about what type of parent I am, and what my girls will turn out like.  I know how I want them to turn out, but I also know that I in and of myself am in no way able to get them to the place where I want to see them.  I make mistakes, huge ones, over and over again.  How am I, in the craziness of this world, supposed to somehow keep my girls on the right path, and protect them from all the evil that surrounds us?  As I lay there pondering all these things, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and I'd like to share it with you today.

Daughter, you aren't good enough, you can't protect them from the evil in this world.  You are not all knowing, ever-present, or all powerful.  You, daughter, are not perfect, you are human, you make mistakes.

But, I know your limits, I know your heart and your love for your children; and I love them more than you are even capable of, and I love you.  Don't fret that you can't be with them everyday to protect them and guide them, because I Am!   I Am able!  I Am all knowing! I Am ever-present! I Am all powerful!  I will uphold you and help you to be the best parent you can be, and when you can't go any further, where you stop, I will make up the distance.  In your weakness I Am strong...trust your little children to Me.  I will be with them, I will guide them and protect them.   Trust them to Me!

As I laid there and these words washed over me, I felt a sweet sense of peace and hope.  

The pressure is off. 

I don't have to be super-mom! 

I can just trust in the Lord...He has got this.  

Let these words sink in... 

Think about it for a few minutes... 

God. has. got. this.

You don't have to do it on your own, in fact it is pretty much impossible to do it on your own...

Trust Him. 

God is so good! 

A Mother's Love!

A Mother's Love!

The love between a mother and child is so wonderful...it doesn't matter that yesterday you got frustrated and had to put yourself in timeout...it doesn't matter that the house is a disaster...it doesn't matter that your hair is a mess, or that you're still in your pj's at 4 pm...you are mom and your kids love you.  No matter how many times you have to ask your children to pick up their toys, or to eat their veggies. No matter what, when your kids make mistakes, fall down, and find themselves in the midst of disaster, you still love them.  There is nothing quite as sweet as the sticky kisses of a two year old, or as precious as the hugs you receive from a mud covered 4 year old as they run in from playing outside.  And their is nothing more comforting than a kiss and hug from mommy when they are hurt or feeling sad.

The love of a mother and child is unconditional, and without end, it is a gift from God!!

It is tough to find something to compare with this gift from God,  there is only one love that we can compare it to.  A love that is strong, unconditional, and  never-ending...that is the love of God towards us.  

I am overwhelmed by God's love...there are not words to describe His love.  God gave us a special ability, as mother's, to love our children and to see first hand just how much God loves us..it is only after having your own kids, when you feel the indescribable love that fills your heart for that child, that you get a true glimpse of just how much God loves you.  

I remember once when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, I was getting ready for work, and talking with the Lord about how excited I was to get to see this babies face, to get to know her personality, and I remember telling God that I just could not imagine loving the child more, and I had not even met her yet.  As I  reached up to put a curl in my hair, the Holy Spirit, spoke to me...like a gentle whisper, "I love you even more!"  All of the sudden, the truth in those words, hit me, and I was blown away!  His love is so strong it and so amazing, the realization of it was enough to bring me to tears, as I stood there with the curling iron held up in the air, I sobbed like a baby!  

It's not everyday, that God whispers sweet words of love in our ears, but He tells us everyday that He loves us, through His Word, through the gifts and blessings He pours out into our lives, and by giving us the greatest gift of all...His Son, on the cross, then in the tomb, and now at the right hand of the Father...Jesus conquered death, He holds the keys to Hades, and He has given us victory in every situation.  

As a Mother, you are a very special gift to your children, God has given them to you so that you can shine Jesus' light and love into their lives.

This Mother's Day, I pray that you will be blessed by all the little gifts being a Mother can bring, but also, that in the rough times, when things aren't going as planned...I pray that those times help draw you closer to your Heavenly Father, and that through your weaknesses, God's strength will be made perfect, and the light of His love will shine through you.  

Proverbs 31:28 

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Chapter 4

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 4: Person to Person

1. Are you ready to meet the Holy Spirit personally? How can you do this?

If you do not know that Holy Spirit personally, please take this time to ask Him to come and show you who He is.  You don't have to do anything more but be honest and open and willing to learn all He has to teach you.

2. Just what does "being filled with the Holy Spirit" really mean?

Being filled with the Holy Spirit, is something that happens when we accept Christ as our Savior- Jesus then sends His Spirit (the Holy Spirit) to dwell in us.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; 

and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:19-21

And then there is the infilling of the Holy Spirit which is evidenced as speaking in a heavenly prayer language.  

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, 

as the Spirit gave them utterance" 

Acts 2:3-5

But don't stop there...make it a priority to get to know the Holy Spirit personally...He wants to be your friend, companion, teacher, and much more.

3. List the ways in which you could think of the Holy Spirit as a personal friend.

When I think of the Holy Spirit I am filled with a deep love and desire to be with Him always.  He is here for me when I don't have the words to express the way I feel, and He understands.  He always says the right thing, at the right time.  He helps me when I just don't know what decision I should make, and He loves me even though I fail Him often.  He is everything a friend should be and more, He is closer than a brother, loves me more and my mother or father, and never steers me the wrong way. He is the best friend anyone could ever ask for.

4. Where is the Holy Spirit: in heaven or on earth? What is the scriptural basis for you answer?

The Holy Spirit is here on earth!

Jesus Promises Another Helper - John 14:15-18

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

5. Explain the Rapture. What is its significance to you?

The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns for His church (those who believe on Him for Salvation).  The significance of the rapture is that someday all believers will be caught up together with Christ...this earth is not our home, and someday soon we will all get to go to heaven, our real home!

6. Why is the Holy Spirit called the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God the Father and God the Son. He is Holy, because He is God and God is Holy.  What better name could he have than Holy Spirit - it describes Him perfectly!

7. The Holy Spirit is the one who __________,  who ________ with me.

The Holy Spirit is the one who communes, who fellowships with me.

8. Is it proper to think of the Holy Spirit as the greatest teacher? Why?

Yes, The Holy Spirit is the one who inspired and wrote the entire Bible...who better to teach us about the Word of God than the very author? 

10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13

9. What does the author say is the greatest sin against the Holy Spirit?

Grieving the Holy Spirit - When we deny His power and presence we grieve Him, we step out of God's will. When we do this God's favor and blessings are no longer allowed to come into our lives - God does not take this sin lightly.  It is important to know the Holy Spirit and to follow His leading - to honor Him and give Him all the praise and glory...When we do, we will also bring Honor and glory to God the Father and to Jesus the Son.

Unshakable Faith - Day 24: Leaving and Cleaving

Unshakable Faith

Day 24: Leaving and Cleaving

1. Are you "the man of his own home" or did you "establish her own household"?


When my husband and I got married, it was at the young ages of 18 and 19, so it was difficult for our parents to let go and know that we would be okay...But I am proud to say that my husband learned how to be "the man of his own home" and I learned how to "establish my own house".  I think it helped us to live a ways away from both sets of parents, it forced us to depend on each other, and not on them.


2. Are you guilty of interfering in your married children's lives?


At this point in life it is hard to imaging having my girls fully grown and married...I find the idea of trusting someone else to care fully for them hard...but I pray that by the time that stage of life arrives, God will help me to let go. I find myself thinking about those two boys who will one day win the affections of my daughters, and I pray for God's guidance, and protection over them, for God's will to be done in their lives, so that when that time comes, I'll know that God has been working in their lives, just as He has been working in my girls' lives. I hope that will make it is easier to let go, when I know it is all orchestrated by God, and His loving hands are working in all of their hearts and lives.


3. Are you having trouble honoring your parents yet not allowing them to interfere in your marriage?


When JC and I were first married, we immediately moved about 6 hours away from my family and about 5 hours from his.  This helped us to break the ties, but we still had issues with parents wanting to know everything about our finances, or wanting to give advise when we didn't want or need it.  I understand now looking back, I see kids who are 18 and 19 and I think, "Wow, we were married at that age?!?"  So, I know why it was tough for our parents to let go.  But sometimes the interference made it difficult, we had to sometimes just not answer a question or tell them that it wasn't their business.  It always made us feel bad, but we knew that we had to do it on our own and that there was just somethings we weren't going to share with other people.  Over time our parents grew to know and understand that we were adults and that we weren't going to share everything with them, and we also grew to realize that there are times when it is okay to go to our parents for help.  I think we all grew in the process, and we have a good relationship with both sets of parents.  Which is a huge blessing! 

Unshakable Faith: Day 16 - Unity

Unshakable Faith

Day 16 - Unity

1. Do you agree that women have strengths and perspectives that men do not have, and men have strengths and perspectives that women do not have?


Yes! I believe that God created men and women with different strengths and perspectives, so that when they work together they compliment each other...where one is weak the other is strong and where one might view the situation one way the other can view it differently to help get a better view when they work together.  God did not make any mistakes when He created us, we just need to learn to appreciate our differences and learn to work together, instead of trying to change each other.  


2. How have the roles of men and women been severely challenged in this time?


The roles men and women have today are much different than they were even 200 years ago.  Some of the changes are good, and others are not so good.  Since the focus of this blog is on helping women grow in their daily walk with Christ, I am going to focus on us girls for a moment.   Today it is not uncommon for women to act as the leader in the home, however, God created us to submit to our husbands...this doesn't mean that we are not as important as our husbands or slaves to our husbands.  What it means is that the husband should be the leader, making choices and decisions for the family based on what is good for everyone involved.  And then we, as the submitting wives, come naturally under the protection of our husbands.  God set it up this way, to protect us.  When we stop doing things God's way, and try it our own way, we end up with huge problems.  I encourage you today to start allowing your husband lead, God wouldn't have set it up the way He did for no reason, so trust God and submit to your husband, and just see how the Lord blesses you both!


3. Have you witnessed or heard about great churches and movements that have died with the death of their founder(s)?


It is sad when someone spends their life working and building something they hope will make a difference for many years to come, and then as soon as their gone, it slowly dies and soon it is just a long lost memory.  I think many times this happens when the church members expect the leader to feed them, and they never grow up to feed themselves.  God did not give us pastors, prophets, and teachers, to hand feed us all of our days.  God gave them to us as leaders to help us as we read and study and grow on our own.  If you depend on your Pastor to feed you each Sunday and hope that it is enough to get you through till the following Sunday, you have missed the point.  Just as our bodies need physical food each day, our spirits need spiritual food each day...once a week is not enough!!  We need to make sure we are taking responsibility for our own spiritual growth and not constantly depending on our Pastors, teachers and leaders!

Unshakable Faith - Day 12: Fruitfulness

Unshakable Faith 

Day 12: Fruitfulness

1. Do you agree that abortion is one of the ultimate forms of the depravity of humankind?

Yes, God loves us and forms us in our mother's womb.  Every child conceived is special and loved...God has great plans for their lives before they even take their first breath.  Who are we to determine that that life is not worth keeping?  I believe that every child has the right to life.  The day that a mother and father choose their own happiness, or what seems to be the easy way out, over loving and protecting the gift God has given them is a very sad day indeed!

2. What does "take care of your own" mean to you?

"Take care of your own" can mean different things...I've heard people use in a selfish context, "Hey, I gotta take care of me and mine, if I don't no one will!" - Here the only thought is about me, myself and I, it doesn't matter what other people need or that I could possibly help them, the only focus is on taking care of myself.  This is the exact mindset that allows people to feel like abortion is a good decision.  But then there is the opposite meaning...the focus is on others, on serving, loving and caring for those around them or those given tothem to care for.  Whether it is fun and easy, or sad and very difficult, this person will choose to care for the others who need it, before caring for themselves. 

I can't say that I am always selfless, but I definitely aim to care for and love others, not focus on me and what I may need or want.  God gave us one commandment that is greater than all the others...Love one another. That's what "take care of your own" means to me.

3. Are you leaving behind a trail of life and fruitfulness?

I certainly hope so! I hope that when other people's lives cross with mine, whether for just a short time or for a long while, that their lives are touched by God's love flowing through me.  

Psalm 91 - Chapter 4: Under His Wings

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 4: Under His Wings

He will cover you with His pinions, 

And under His wings, you may seek refuge.

Psalm 91:4a

Have you ever had one of those days when you just feel like you need a hug?  A day full of stress, pain, fear, or loss...a day when no matter what you do, you feel like the only thing that is going to help is to have someone special, someone who really cares, give you a long hug and protect you with their warm arms.  

That is what God is offering here, in this verse His sheltering arms and caring embrace are compared to the feathers and wings of a mother hen.  

Peggy Joyce Ruth tells a story in this chapter about a mother hen and her baby chicks, who were all scattered across the yard, when a large hawk flew over, threatening the chicks.  The hen didn't run and try to gather all of the chicks to her...no she just hunkered down and raised her wings, all the while clucking to the chicks telling them to come.  Then the chicks all ran to the hen and she covered them safely and securely under her wings...the hawk would have to go through her to get to her chicks. 

I love the picture this makes...I can just see God with His loving arms spread out calling, "Daughter, daughter, come! I'll protect you from all of Satan's schemes and evil plots. Come to Me daughter, for I love you and will be your shelter from the storm!" 

God has His arms raised, He is calling, now will you choose to run to Him for shelter and protection, or try to do it on your own?

The Last Prophet - Chapter 5: The Refining Fire of God

The Last Prophet

Chapter 5: The Refining Fire of God 

Questions to Ponder:

1. Where did you first commit to be a follower of Jesus Christ? 


I was in the daisy's class at a church in northern California, around the age of 4.  

2. What was one noticeable change in your life after accepting Christ? 

As a little child, I was really shy and quite fearful, I remember figuring out very quickly that when those fears would come and try to keep me awake at night, I could call on the Jesus, and just saying His name brought peace.  Many nights I would fall asleep just saying or singing "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus"

3. What is the significance to silver and gold in this section of scripture? 

I love the few points that Pastor Bill pointed out in this chapter see pages 89 & 90...

 "After the dross is removed, He turns the heat down.  Then He begins to mold and form you.  Then, He polishes you until He sees the reflection of His own glory.
     Silver is a beautiful metal, and it is also extremely useful.  It has long been used in the making of fine jewelry.  Because of it's electron configuration, all visible light is reflected in its surface.  This attribute makes silver the metal of choice for mirrors and photo processing.  Silver also has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals and it is used extensively in batteries.
     It is not coincidental that God compares His people to silver.  Silver is not only beautiful, it is useful.  God's people - in their purest form and highest function - reflect God's glory and conduct His power and grace." 

I cannot say it any better than that!  


4. What do you feel is God's main goal in refining you? 

God's main purpose and goal is that all of us would reflect His perfect love and glory to those around us.  When others look at me, I want them to see Jesus!

5. What is God working on in your life right now? 

Patience, and integrity...Our Pastor has preached on integrity the last couple of weeks, and God has really been working on me to be a person of integrity, not just when others are watching, but at all times.  When I'm driving down the road and see a cop, there should be no reason to quickly hit the brakes...I should be a law abiding, honest person even when the cop is not sitting there clocking my speed.   Also, He is teaching me that it is always better to give the truth in love than to outwardly say one thing and think something completely opposite... most of the time people can tell whether you are being honest about your feeling, and telling them what you think they want to hear only makes them feel like they can't trust you.  It's not always easy, but it is always the right thing to do!

Sermons for Mothers · Max Lucado

Sermons for Mothers · Max Lucado

Here are some awesome messages that will encourage and help every mother!

If you are a mother we celebrate the gift of you today!

Happy Mother's Day!!