Choosing Gratitude Intro

Tomorrow we will be starting our 30 Day Challenge on Gratitude.

We all face trials in our lives, some may be considered small and others big. But when you are going through those trials they are still difficult and a trial to that person.

BUT...we must remember that God instructs us (on more then one occasion) to be joyful/to find joy DURING those trials.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.-James 1:2

One of my sister in-law's oldest son has a nut allergy. She and I were talking about his nut allergy during our stay in MS, and she was sharing how difficult and scary it can be. But then she said something I haven't been able to get out of my mind...it's a concept I know and understand...but tend to forget. She said,

She gives God the glory and find JOY (yes, that's right JOY) in him having a peanut allergy. Because it draws her closer to Christ. She is "forced" to rely on Him more/alone.

WOW!! I want to be able to give God the glory and have joy through this trial! I have lost my joy. I struggle with self pity, instead of drawing closer and completely relying on Him! 

As a reminder you can buy Nancy's book Choosing Gratitude or you can just follow/join in with the post.

I have been trying to decide if I want to do a Mon/Wed/Fri with the days in between to reflect/do homework. Or do Mon-Fri with the weekends for catch up. I think i will do the later, since that is closer to an actual 30 day schedule. *wink*

Do you have a preference  Are you going to join me in the challenge? If so are you going to read the book? 

I'm excited!! A little nervous too, since I am also starting my new quite time routine  though I think they go hand in hand. 

For HIS Glory,

If Only...

Credit:allgroanup

After reading today's Seeking Him, I JUST HAD TO SHARE!

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Sometimes we fuel our discontent by playing the “if only” game.

“If only we didn’t have to move . . .”
“If we lived closer to my parents . . .”
“If we had a bigger house, I wouldn’t be so cranky.”
“If I were married, I wouldn’t look at those magazines.”
“If I wasn’t married, I’d start to give to the church.”

Nancy: We get deceived into thinking we’d be happier with a different set of circumstances.

“If he was the spiritual leader he was supposed to be, I probably wouldn’t be leaving him.”

Nancy: The truth is, if we’re not content in our present situation, we probably won’t be happy with another set of circumstances. Joy comes when we focus on the love and faithfulness of God. He’ll be with us no matter what else is going on. That’s why the apostle Paul could say, “I’ve learned to be content whatever the circumstance.”

No matter what you’re facing, you can choose the pathway of contentment. Choose to trust God, and find His joy and peace.

With Seeking Him , I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Wow, I don't know about you, but this personally "hit home." Last week I was struggling with feeling overwhelmed and discontent.

I found myself continually thinking, "if only..."

If only...

• My man had a job.
• lived some place nicer.
• we lived in a different town.
• we had a yard.
• we owned a home.
• we could settle down and I could make our place more homey.
• my husband would do this or that, or not this or that.

The list goes on and on.... :/

I am struggling with contentment and joy within our current trial. But God has been reminding me that I'm sinning and I need to hand it over to Him.

Just think about it Paul showed contentment and joy, while in prison under the city of Rome!! Wow!

I want to choose to trust God. My prayer is He will give me the joy and peace that comes with that. *smile*

Are you struggling with contentment? Joy?

For His Glory,

God is Bigger

Do you spend more time telling God how big your problems are, or telling your problems how big your God is? - Jason Meyer

I've been really having a hard time with everything. I was especially struggling the beginning half of last week. The tension was think in the air and I wasn't sleeping well. I would wake up with feelings of anxiety. Psalm 37:8 I struggled with fear, anxiety, bitterness, anger, hurt, betrayal, etc. 

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

I know it's wrong and I am struggling with feeling terrible about it! I don't want to question and worry! I want to keep my eyes focused on the Lord and trust Him in ALL things!

"Trust in HIM at all times, you people; pour out your heart before HIM; GOD is a refuge for us. Selah" Psalm 62:8

God has been showing and reminding me this week that I am not fully trusting Him and that HE is BIGGER then everything that is going on! He is perfectly able to change hearts and protect the vulnerable, that He will provide for our needs. We/I just need to trust and keep my eyes above.

"Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth. " Col. 3:2

 I was talking to a friend and she was sharing her struggles and her husbands lack of employment the past couple of years and she said, "I can attest to the fact that  God is BIGGER than I ever gave Him credit for."

"Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24

I realized that I was telling God how big my problems are and not remembering that God is BIGGER!! Eph. 3:20 I keep focusing on the fact that my trials include hearts and children, not just unemployment, not just me...and well...that scares me! But God is bigger then anything! He created everything and can change hearts...and protect the hearts of children...and provide all our material needs...provide employment...and strengthen my marriage. 

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6

I know God is using this time to sanctify me and make me more in His image. 

"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." Heb. 12:6

Though I'd rather not have to go through these trying times, BUT I know they are for my good! I can find peace and joy in that!

"My brethren  count is all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2-3

Here are some wonderful reminders from Michelle at Above Rubies:

He is able to:
do exceedingly abundantly above all! Eph 3:20
Make all grace abound! 2 Cor 9:8
Aid those tempted! Heb. 2:18
Save to the uttermost! Heb 7:25
Keep you from stumbling!
Present you faultless! Jude 2:4
Keep us until the Day! 2 Tim 1:12
Subdue all things! Phil 3:21
His ability has no end, and He lives in us!
"According to your faith let it be to you." Matt. 9:28-29

What has the Lord been teaching you lately?

For His Glory,

Walking on Faith

By faith Abraham obeyed when he called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Heb. 11:8

I have started to read, My Utmost For His Highest. By, Oswald Chambers. What a great book! He takes a verse, then expands on it. With everything that is going on right now Hebrews 11:8 really "hit home" for me. The chapter is on faith.

by faith Abraham...

by faith he dwelt...

by faith Sarah...

by faith Joseph... 

by faith Moses...

by faith he forsook...

by faith he kept... 

by faith they passed...

by faith the walls...

...By Faith...

Here is part of what Oswald Chambers had to say on verse 8 :

"Have you been asking God what He is going to do? (why yes, Mr. Chambers I am struggling with needing to know!) He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, (yes, I do. I struggle with believing He will do it in my life though) and will you go out in surrender to Him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does? 

Suppose God is the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him-what an impertinence worry is(yes, is it I wish I didn't struggle with it so much)! Let the attitude of the life be a continual "going out" in dependence upon God, and you life will have an ineffable charm about it which is satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experiences  until so far as you faith is concerned, there is nothing between yourself and God."

I don't know about you, but I want that type of faith! I don't look forward to the trials and tribulations it may take to get me there though! *smile* But in the end they will be worth it.

What about you, do you want that type of faith? Do you have that type of faith? Do you fully and completely rely on God and are not surprised at anything He does?

For His glory,

Meeting Jesus on the Water

So He said, "Some." And Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Matt. 14:29-31

     It has been a long, rough week. I'd say Saturday through Wednesday morning where the hardest. They went by s...l...o...w...l...y! Now that New  Years is over with, Lord willing my husband can find a new job. I hadn't even remembered it was New Year's until everyone was texting us. 

     During this trialing time, I have to keep my eyes on Jesus! In church one men said he felt God leading him to read Matt. 14:29-31. And I thought that is how I feel. I'm trying to stay focused on God, but I struggle with fear. When that fear creeps in, more and more thoughts and fear creep in and I start to doubt and sink.

     I'm still struggling with disappointment and some anger. We are all boxed up and where looking for a HOUSE to rent up North. First off, I was excited to move up North (sad to leave our church though). It's close to ski mountains and they get more snow for the kids to play in. We would have had a house to ourselves to rent. Then we where planning on buying,. I was really looking forward to settling down and eventually buying a home. It's quite and out in the country that way. So even if we couldn't afford to own a lot of land, the kids would still have woods to run and play in. My hearts desire to own a home where we can all be under one roof. I can finally make a place cozy to live in and not have half our stuff in storage waiting. I would love to have chickens for fresh eggs and a very big garden. *smile* We where planning and dreaming and this time it looked like it was going to become a reality. But God has other plans. I am struggling with that. I have been reminded that God has something better planned, then that. Sometimes it feels hard to believe. BUT, I must keep my focus on HIM, not on what I feel or know. *smile*

     I am trying to stay focused on what I am thankful for. Here are a few:

1.      I am thankful for my church family. They have come along side of us to counsel, pray and encourage us. I have several other friends who's husbands are either out of work or have been in the same situation before. I am thankful for these other godly, older, sister's in-Christ to advice and encourage me. I am also thankful that my husband has godly men to encourage him.

2. I am thankful that Josiah (our son) still has medical insurance! He still needs quite a bit of medical care and get medical supplies delivered monthly. So I praise God for provided that for him.

3. We can continue going to our church.

4. We didn't get stuck in a yearly lease (way up North, far from friends and family), then find out a few days later that my husband didn't have a job!

5. That my husband is home to invest in his family. I truly believe that God used this job to bring my husband up here so we could all be together as a family. He did say he wanted a job that allowed him more time with his family! *chuckle* Now he has more time then he bargained for. All teasing aside, he can use this time to build our marriage, our children, our family, etc. Though I'd prefer my husband to not be out of a job, I am thankful that he is here! I have been joking that we have been married a month. Since we have never lived under one roof since, EVER. So it's been a challenge and more so now that we are all home together. But as "iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Prove 27:17

6. Though I don't like where we live, I am thankful we have a decent apartment to live in. I'm also thankful that I only have to share the washer and dryer with the family below us and that is it not coin operated (I had to remind my self of that detail). *smile*

Well, the list could go on for, "my brethren, count it all joy when you fall fall into various trials." James 1:2

Was there ever a time your or your husband was out of work? What did you do? I would love to hear from you!

For His glory,

Joyful in Trials

Image via Barry Skeates/Flickr

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.

James 1:2

Have you ever had one of those days (or perhaps more then one *wink*), where you feel overwhelmed and frustrated? I know I have!

Josiah has been teething and is cranky. He only wants to be held and screams LOUDLY and angrily!

I prayed to have more patience and God has answered!...Now my 2 year old is pushing the boundaries even more the past few days. She is constantly whining and wanting my attention. Ha! God is trying to teach me patience through her. *smile*

My oldest spills a mess on the freshly cleaned floor. I want to scream!!

Then I remember, James 1:2. I am to find JOY in all my trials. I don't know about you, but when I hear the word trial, I think of BIG trials, not "little" trials. But God doesn't say to find joy in only "big" trials (which as a family we are going through some now.). He says to find joy in VARIOUS trials.

That's when I stop and think, I am so THANKFUL that Josiah alive! That his lung are strong and healthy enough to make sounds, let alone scream! I remember when he was too little to make noise. The first time we heard him make a noise was in the NICU and they had to reinsert his breathing tube and he made some little noises like a mouse squeaking. I WEPT for JOY and the fact that he was getting strong enough to make sounds.

 I thank Him for this time of instruction and that I am able to be home to instruct and discipline her. i find joy in her wanting me to be part of her life (even if it is 24/7 *wink*).

I thank the Lord that He has allowed me to stay home and home school Dakota.I am joyful that she is home with me and her sibling during the day.

Don't forget JOY!! What are some trials that you have dealt with lately and how did you find joy in them?

For His glory,