Sunday Social

I'm not typically a Sunday blogger, but I saw A Complete Waste of Makeup's Sunday Social Link Up last week and it was super cute.  Wanted to join in today.  Grab a button and join in too!           She gives out five random questions and even gives out five for next week too!  What a fun way to learn random facts about all your bloggy friends!!  So, here goes:

 

Question One: What do you miss most about being a kid?

Answer: Boy oh boy do I miss the days of no responsibility.  Granted, back then I thought homework was even too much. 

 

Question Two:  Did you have a nickname growing up?

Answer:  Why, yes I did.  My older cousin could not say my name when we were kids, so he called me "Owie."  Not gonna lie, it is still a nickname, as well as different variations - like "wowie." 

 

Question Three:  What was your favorite thing to do at recess?

Answer:  Tether ball!!  Loved tether ball at recess!!

 

Question Four:  What did you want to be when you grew up?

Answer:  I wanted to be a "Computer Operator." Hahha.  I would see commercials with people typing while wearing headsets and talking on the phone.  To me, that was the epitome of multi-tasking.  That is was what I wanted to do.  I guess I kind of do that now, with more emphasis on the "computer" than the "operator."

 

Question Five:  What was your favorite toy?

Answer:  I honestly do not remember.  A toy that I do remember is Teddy Ruxpin.  Remember him?  Yeah, that cute bear with the movable mouth taught me how to read.  Good times.

 

 

What about you?  How would you answer these questions?

   

Fab Five Friday {12}

If you are new to Fab Five Friday...   Every Friday we reflect on our week and post Five Fabulous things.   Sometimes it is not always easy. But, we do it!   We ponder on the good of our week. We encourage you to do the same.   Share with us!! We love reading how your week has been too!!
1) This week I am grateful for:
 

Falen:  A super awesome lifegroup that his having a lil' birthday gathering for me tonight!  I can't wait!

Laura:  A super awesome friend who refuses to "break up with me."

2) This week I am thankful for:   Falen:  My mom.  She bought me this super cute green laptop for my birthday and Skyped with me last night.  Not just conversation.  We had a virtual dance party.  Good times!  

Laura:  A friend who went behind my back and risked making me angry to help me.  As painful as the process was, I needed the rebuke I received to pick my Inward focused self up off the floor.  Thanks Melissa and Falen!
3)  This week I learned:   Falen:  [Gasp] That I was a no-reply blogger!  Rebecca over at Let Them Eat Cake just so happened to post how to remedy the situation.  I thought I would double check, and sure enough I was.  Situation remedied! If you aren't sure, double check.  (If you are a no-reply blogger, I can't respond to your comments via email.)
Laura:  That there is a Christian radio station based out of Toledo, Ohio which covers more than half of my commute!  I am lovin the new tunes at YesFM!  Oh yeah....I also learned that technology is great....WHEN IT WORKS!   4) This week I accomplished:   Falen:  A step toward my Chazown by emailing my pastor's wife asking if I could help in the women's ministry.  The ball is rolling, and I'm excited about it!    Laura:  Flipping my perspective from Inward pain to Upward grace.  I also accomplished my first writing assignment in Law School...so glad that's over...well, almost, not due till 4 p.m....so I'm still tweaking!   5)  I am looking forward to:   Falen:  I'm looking forward to Coffee and Jesus!      Allison over at Feeding My Temple invited me and since I am a huge fan of coffee and am in love with Jesus, I couldn't turn down the opportunity!  Wanna know more about it, click here.  Wanna sign up to participate regardless of where you are, click here.

Laura:  My niece's bachelorette party tomorrow...it's gonna be a great day of pampering and fun.  I am anxiously looking forward to baking cupcakes this week for my niece's wedding...I pray it goes well! We look forward to hearing from you every week. So, tell us the positive of your week. We love to learn about you, engage with you, and get to know you.   Have a great weekend!!
              Linking with these Awesome Bloggers:   Fantabulous Friday; Faith Filled Friday; Oh So Amelia; Favorite Things Friday; High Five For Friday; Let Them Eat Cake; The Faith Filled Life; Harvest of Friends; Five Minute Friday

It's Okay

I'm late posting.... And that's okay.
This post will be Sweet and Simple.... And that's okay.

Woke up late. Got to work only one minute late.
It's okay.

My boy missed the bus. My wonderful husband took him to school.
It's okay.
I had no water to shower. There was a trickle that was able to fill my sink. It's okay.
Changes at work due to new flooring caused slight chaos. I stayed put and remained productive.
It's okay.
Hubby doesn’t like me hosting Bible Study at my house. He gave me the okay to host next Wednesday.
It's okay.

Highlight of it all:
Being called into an attorney’s office to pray before court.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57:5

Praising him today for his glory, grace, and favor. (My Sunshine Today)

 




 

 

Into The Word Wednesday ~ Isolation

Into the Word Wednesday is a link up and blog hop where fellow Christian bloggers share something they have learned this week while Into the Word. If you are a Christian blogger, feel free to connect and follow other bloggers who are sharing their recent steps of their walk with the blogosphere! If you are not a blogger and you are interested in reading more biblically based posts, scroll down and click until your heart desires.

    Law School is...stressful beyond belief.  And the way I am going about Law School compounds that issue.  I am commuting 80 minutes one way to school 5 days a week and I am a single mom (thank God they have a great Dad in their lives).  I wake up at 5 a.m. to get myself ready, get kids ready, drop kids off at the sitter's and preschool, and drive to school.  I get home around 6:30 and have mom/kid time till bedtime at 8...then it's back to studying till late.  And...I have to squeeze in somewhere grocery shopping, housework (yeah, that's not happening), paying bills, other family and church commitments, and sleep.  I don't have time to socialize at school because I have to utilize the limited time I'm on campus to study and I'm isolated from people back home because I have no time for anything.  I don't tell you any of that to complain, but only to set up the facts of this story.  Gotta have all the facts before you can analyze the issue, right?  So...since law school brain is hard to shut off...here's my IRAC analysis of my latest Issue!   Issue Whether I will fall apart while in law school when the stress and isolation focus my thoughts Inward.   Rule "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment."  Proverbs 18:1 (ESV)   "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)   "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."  Proverbs 34:17-29 (ESV)   Analysis Proverbs 18:1 is precisely what I'm afraid of!  I don't want to fall from God because I've isolated myself and begin to seek my own desires.  Meeting together in His honor and encouraging each other is limited.  And lately, those who I expect to encourage me the most have let me down when I needed it the most.   But God....He hears my cries for help.  He is always near to me.  Only He can fill those gaping holes in my soul.  He will encourage me, renew me, and make me new...over and over...as many times as it takes.  He will never give up on me.   And being a Favor Finder, I know there is good in this struggle.  I know that in this Waiting Room of law school full of stress and isolation I am learning to rely on God and to cry out to Him and to not expect people to fill me.  Focusing in on the lesson He is working in me rather than the pain I feel will get me through.   Conclusion My self inflicted isolation is dangerous, but so are my high expectations of people to fill me and encourage me.  God will hear my cries for help and He will fill me.  I will not fall apart in law school because I will focus Upward Not Inward!
Comments/Disclaimer In all honesty, I have written this blog so as to convince myself of this conclusion.  In practice, this is much harder.  Isolation is miserable.  Feeling let down by people is miserable.  Flipping perspective is more than difficult.  I sure as heck do NOT have it all together.  But I will persevere.  So, this blog is one that I will be reading over and over to remind myself of this Truth!     Is there a Truth that you know but have to constantly remind yourself of?
  We would LOVE it if you linked up with a post about what God is showing you in the Word, or in your life. Please also stop by and see what God has been teaching each co-hosts this week: Sarah at Fontenot Four Kelly at The Houtz House Party
Becky at Tales For Ashes
Kelly at Exceptionalistic  

   

Labels

  It is easy to place labels on people.

Jesus Freak
Teenage Mom
Bitch
Bible Thumper
SAHM / WAHM
Workaholic
Slut
Military Wife
Dork / Nerd / Geek
Hypocrite
Christian
Crazy
Good Girl / Bad Girl
Addict
Overachiever Family Friend
But the worst labels are the ones we place on ourselves...and those are too painful for me to list...

The self inflicted labels are the worst because they sound true...they are hard to ignore because deep down you know they are true, at least partially...

But God sent his own son to bear the punishment that we rightfully deserve!

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.  And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:1-4

God doesn't condemn me for my sin. He Saved me from the punishment I deserve!  I need to quit condemning and punishing myself for sin that God has already forgiven.  Those self inflicted labels may sound like truth, but God has already washed them away.

I AM a sinner, but the only label that truly matters is that I am SAVED from the law of sin and death!



What labels hurt you the most?


Linking up with: Titus 2 Tuesday; Heart + Home; Time-Warp Wife;  Teach Me Tuesday; GFC Blog Hop; Tuesday Tango; Simply Better; Teaching What is Good

Revive Your Marriage ~ Praise

   

At church this Sunday, we sang Matt Redman's "Never Once."  Have you heard it?

As we sang and praised God, I was flooded with specific memories of times I thought I was alone.  Times where I chose my ways over His ways.  Times where my perceived isolation led to pain in those around me.  Times where I, myself, was hurting and struggling.

  Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did you leave us on our own.  

In each specific memory, I carried my husband's last name.  Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew I had to prepare this post on Praise in Marriage, maybe that's why God brought these past circumstances to the forefront of my mind.

You see, a lot of wives out there aren't married to a spiritual leader, me included.  The thought of "praising" him makes my head tilt a little.  Yet, with arms lifted high and tears welling up in each eye this Sunday, I rejoiced in the grace and mercy from a Father with boundless love and infinite forgiveness.

  Carried by your constant grace Held within your perfect peace Never Once...   This same grace, mercy, love, and infinite forgiveness is our call to action to pass the same on to our husbands.  He may not spiritually be where God has called him to be, but through our actions, respect, honor, and grace he can be changed. 1 Peter 3:1-2  

While we wait for them to step into the role of spiritual leader of our families, he can still be praised.  We can still build him up, encourage him, honor him, and respect him while extending the same grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness that Christ gives us without our deserving it.

 

When battling the whys in the face of disappointment, remember:

Every step we are breathing in your grace

Evermore we'll be breathing out your praise

  This week's challenge is to:     Come back and tell us which one(s) you decided to do!        To see what other bloggers are posting in this series, click here!

Linking Up With:
Covered in Grace; Monday's Musings; The Better Mom Monday's Link Up; Mom's Monday Mingle; A Life In Balance; Simply Helping Him; Grace Laced Mondays; Marital Oneness Mondays; Make the Scene Monday; Matrimonial Monday

Fab Five Friday {11}

If you are new to Fab Five Friday...   Every Friday we reflect on our week and post Five Fabulous things.   Sometimes it is not always easy. But, we do it!   We ponder on the good of our week. We encourage you to do the same.   Share with us!! We love reading how your week has been too!!
1) This week I am grateful for:
 

Falen:  Friday finally being here. 
 

Laura:  Surprisingly enough, I am grateful for the horrible year I had last year.  It taught me a lot and I'm grateful for the lessons learned.  Those lessons allow me to reach out to others going through similar circumstances.  I now see God's Favor in my past struggles.

2) This week I am thankful for:   Falen:  All the people that took time out of their days to think of me on my Happy Birthday on Monday.  Each phone call/text/card/gift/Facebook message warmed my heart.

Laura:  Small but meaningful conversations with my children.  Time is hard to come by lately and God is helping me make the most of the limited time I have.
3)  This week I learned:   Falen:  My Chazown.
Laura:  It's possible!  All the doubt and all the 'why bothers'...they are all lies!   4) This week I accomplished:
  Falen:  Enduring a lot of resistance.  I know that may not be an normal accomplishment, but this week was not the easiest.   Laura:  With all the commitments I have, I still had time to reach out to someone in need.  I see it as a great accomplishment in my life right now that I can make time for others...rather, that God makes time in my life for me to reach out to others.   5)  I am looking forward to:   Falen:  Sleeping in tomorrow and taking a step toward my Chazown.
Laura:  Kairos started yesterday, and I am looking forward to seeing God work in the women at DCI.  I am also looking forward to my niece's wedding in 2 weeks.  And....the one and only television show I still watch starts back up in 9 days...super psyched :)
We look forward to hearing from you every week. So, tell us the positive of your week. We love to learn about you, engage with you, and get to know you.   Have a great weekend!!
           
 Linking Up With: Fantabulous Friday; Faith Filled Friday; Oh So Amelia; Favorite Things Friday; High Five For Friday; Let Them Eat Cake; The Faith Filled Life; Harvest of Friends; Five Minute Friday

Coffee Mug Swap

I had the absolute pleasure of participating in a Mug Swap hosted by Dalayne and Britt.  This was my first swap, and it was a blast!

We were assigned bloggers to receive a mug by a secret sender.  The secret recipient's social media information was emailed to each secret sender.  We were to investigate all avenues to find out what kind of mug would be perfect for our new mug getting blogger friend.

  My secret sender mailed me this beauty:  

How cute is that!!  It says God is Love.
She sent a card that also said, "I hope you like the mug. I drew it myself just for you."   How sweet is she?!   Who is she?   She is...   Jessica at The Thriftiness Miss Thank you Jessica!!!   It's perfect!!  

If you have a second, stop by my secret recipient. 

Her name is Amber, and she blogs at One Life to Live.

I know she is super busy (because I stalked her, online of course) and on top of that she didn't get her mug until late.  I'm so sorry Amber!  I hope you like it anways.  I can't wait to read your post about it!

With this being my first swap, I think I will do it again!  What about you?  Have you ever done a blogger swap for mugs or nail polish or socks or any other item?  Tell me about it! 

Linking Up With: Mug Swap Link Up; Two in Diapers

Into the Word Wednesday ~ Chazown

Into the Word Wednesday is a link up and blog hop where fellow Christian bloggers share something they have learned this week while Into the Word. If you are a Christian blogger, feel free to connect and follow other bloggers who are sharing their recent steps of their walk with the blogosphere! If you are not a blogger and you are interested in reading more biblically based posts, scroll down and click until your heart desires.  

 Friday night and Saturday morning I had the privilege to participate in a Chazown Experience at church with my dear friend Cindy.

    I was a little nervous going into this, because it offers a bold statement...   "If you complete The Chazown Experience honestly, humbly, and prayerfully, God will change your life for the better!"   I mean, honestly, that's a line you would see in an infomercial or some sort of scam for money.  HOWEVER, knowing the heart of my church and its reputation, I decided prayerfully to go for it.   The key verse in this study is:   Where there is no vision, the people perish. ~Proverbs 29:18   The word "vision" here in Hebrew is Chazown, which means dream, revelation, or vision.   The purpose of this Experience is to find out what God's Chazown is for your life.  It certainly isn't the easiest thing to do, as it dives deep into your past experience (good and bad).  Then, you discover your core values and your spiritual gifts.  Where these three aspects of your life overlap, that is your Chazown.   After much digging, praying, and admittedly doodling, this is what I, personally, ended up with:     Identity Worth Grace Perspective Redemption Truth Encouragement  

 

Encouragement

Growth

Grace

Perseverance

 

 

Encouragement

Exhortation

Hospitality

Prophecy

Writing

 

Long story short, I learned what my Chazown was.  I was blown away by how eye-opening yet in front of my face it was... 

 

"My Chazown is:

To motivate and strengthen women to find

their identity and worth in God,

seek freedom from condemnation,

comfort in redemption,

and grow in hope of God's promises."



When I turned to Cindy with my mouth hanging open after reading it to her, I will never forget her reaction: "I could have told you that!"  Hahhaha.  I love her.

 

Another key thought was:   "Many people end up somewhere. Few people end up somewhere on purpose."  

If you are not sure you are doing what you are called to do, destined to do, or designed to do, prayerfully consider going through the Chazown Experience.  All the material is FREE online here.  If you do, come back and tell me all about it.  I would love to pray for you as you find out what God's purpose is in your life.

  Side note: I recommend NOT doing this alone.  You are going to need help.  Do this in your small group, with a friend, or send me an email.   

 

We would LOVE it if you linked up with a post about what God is showing you in the Word, or in your life. Please also stop by and see what God has been teaching each co-hosts this week:   Sarah at Fontenot Four Kelly at The Houtz House Party
Becky at Tales For Ashes
Kelly at Exceptionalistic     Into the Word Wednesday Blog Hop Rules:   1. Write a post about what God is teaching you this week. 2. Follow the host and hostesses via GFC. 3. Grab a button to put on your blog - the more the merrier! 4. Check out (and comment) other people's blogs, and be blessed by all the sisters and brothers around the world!              

Encouragement

I was having a conversation yesterday with a friend about our insecurities as women.  I was encouraging her that her worth isn't based on what other people say about her or even what her husband says about her.  Her worth is based on what God says about her and God says she is glorious...a wonderful and beautiful Child of God.  As hard as it can be to ignore what other people think, especially your spouse, the only opinion that matters is God's.  And His Children are Glorious!
Our conversation progressed into building up our daughters so they wouldn't have the same insecurities that we have.  I told her how I am very intentional about making sure the first thing my daughter hears in the morning is that she is a "Beautiful Child of God."  Throughout the day I give her other compliments, but I want the first thing she hears every day to be that she is a Beautiful Child of God because I want her to base her worth on what God says about her, not what I say or some guy says to her or what other girls will say to her as she grows up.
So, this morning as I woke Allyson up I told her she was a "Beautiful Child of God."  And you know what my baby girl said back to me?!  She said you are a "Beautiful Mommy of God."  Now I know she doesn't get the concept of being a Child of God yet, but the fact that she hears me every day and is acknowledging the affirmation through God melted my heart.  And it also affirmed my efforts as a mother in raising my children to walk with Jesus.

How do you build up your children?  How do you attempt to break the cycle of insecurity in your children?
   
 Linking up with: Heart + Home; Time-Warp Wife; Titus 2 Tuesday; Teach Me Tuesday; GFC Blog Hop; Tuesday Tango

Revive Your Marriage ~ Friendship

It is effortless to talk business to your spouse.  Confused?  Tell me if these are familiar conversations in your house:   "Are you dropping the kids off tomorrow?" * * * "Will you pick up up some toilet paper on the way home?" * * * "What do you want for dinner?" * * * "Did you make a vet appointment for the dog?"   Those conversations, while necessary, sometimes are the only conversations had with all the parenting, chores, working, and errand running done every day.  Yes. They are need-to-knows of running a household.  But what about the want-to-knows?   Remaining friends with someone who already knows all your stories in life isn't impossible, but it does take a little more initiative than the business talk. Admittedly, I am no pro at this.  But, here are some alternative questions to spur some want-to-knows...     "Want to take the dog for a walk?" * * * "Want to watch a movie?" * * * "Want to get a sitter and go do something?" * * * "Want to go play laser tag?"  

Even more confused? Let me explain. Have you seen two guy best friends sitting at Starbucks talking about their feelings and children's snot bubbles? Guys build friendships and bonds through "hanging out." Love and Respect calls this shoulder to shoulder time. Us women love face to face time. Insert Starbucks scene with to ladies and it's not so awkward, right? 

 

 

This weeks challenge is to come up with a "want-to-know" and reignite the friendship in your marriage.  If you already know eachothers' stories, make some new ones! 

  Got an idea, share it with me, cause this girl can only handle so much tv...  
  To see what other bloggers are posting in this series, click here!

Linking Up With: Covered in Grace; Monday's Musings; The Better Mom Monday's Link Up; Mom's Monday Mingle; A Life In Balance; Simply Helping Him; Monday Mingle; Grace Laced Mondays; Marital Oneness Mondays; Make the Scene Monday

Fab Five Friday

If you are new to Fab Five Friday...
Every Friday we reflect on our week and post Five Fabulous things.
Sometimes it is not always easy. But, we do it!
We ponder on the good of our week. We encourage you to do the same.
Share with us!! We love reading how your week has been too!!
1) This week I am grateful for:

Falen:  This being our TENTH Fab Five Friday!  How cool is that?!  So thankful for and blessed by all you readers and commenters!! 

Laura: Unexpected encouragement and affirmation!

2) This week I am thankful for:

Falen:  For my final week in my 20's!  Monday is the Big 3-0 for me! I am also thankful for this amazing weather. Here in Oklahoma, the temperatures have been perfect. About ready to break out the jackets. I loooove jackets!!

Laura:  Coffee and music keeping me awake when I need to be awake studying or driving.

3)  This week I learned:

Falen:  Just how important car insurance is!  Totaling a car the day after an insurance cancellation notice is no bueno.  (Not me, but lesson learned nonetheless.)

Laura:  Too much coffee can make you sick :(

4) This week I accomplished:

Falen:  A lot of eating (belly full!), watched a lot of Impractical Jokers episodes (laughed a lot!), and helped my junior high-er finish his Facebook project.  He's growing up waaaay tooooo fast!!!

Laura:  Holding it all together under extreme pressure...

5)  I am looking forward to:

Falen:  Learning about my Chazown this weekend.  Chazown is Hebrew for dream, revelation, or vision.  I am also looking forward to taking my baby girl (I know she's eight, but she is still my baby) to the Fairy Ball.  There will be tons of little girls dressed as fairies, watching ballerinas and making fairy crafts. 

Laura:  Illumination and Kairos!!

We look forward to hearing from you every week. So, tell us the positive of your week.
We love to learn about you, engage with you, and get to know you.
Have a great weekend!!

Linking up with:
Fantabulous Friday; Faith Filled Friday; Oh So Amelia; Favorite Things Friday; High Five For Friday; Let Them Eat Cake; The Faith Filled Life; Harvest of Friends; Five Minute Friday

Saturday's Song

Tomorrow is ILLUMINATION!  Finally!!!  I could NOT choose just one Toby Mac song....so here are a few of my favs...and I may even shed a tear if they aren't played tomorrow night.
ENJOY!

Me Without You

Jesus Freak

Funky Jesus Music

Gone

50 Shades

50 Shades of Grey is Everywhere right now....we can't escape the discussion...so let's hit it, and the issues it surfaces within all of us, head on.....

"I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.  I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.  But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:2-3

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."  Ephesians 5:3

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  2 Corinthians 10:5

I discovered a book, Fifty Shades of Black and White, this week (it's a free download, check it out!).  This is a biblical response to Fifty Shades of Grey.  I'm still in the middle of this book, but this issue just seems to be permeating my every day life lately.

Also, Brant Hansen from Air 1 recently blogged about questions on sexuality.  They are great video interviews with Sy Rogers answering questions from Air 1 listeners.  These interviews could not be aired due to their content but are extremely honest!

So as we fight sexual temptation and are inundated with the "normalcy" of sexual immorality...what are your questions?  Where would you like to see this conversation go?  This blog WILL be revisited!  Feel free to leave a comment or email either of us with suggestions.

Into the Word Wednesday - My Go To's

Into the Word Wednesday is a link up and blog hop where fellow Christian bloggers share something they have learned this week while Into the Word. If you are a Christian blogger, feel free to connect and follow other bloggers who are sharing their recent steps of their walk with the blogosphere! If you are not a blogger and you are interested in reading more biblically based posts, scroll down and click until your heart desires.
These are my "Go To" verses. 

When I am feeling a little spiritually off and am not sure what's causing it:  Psalm 51:10

"Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit in me."


When I am just not sure or feel like I need to control everything or am even hurt by someone or something:  Proverbs 3:5

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and lean not on your own understanding."


When I feel alone and discouraged, hurt, betrayed, or talked about:  Romans 8:31

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?"


When my past mistakes haunt me, or I feel like I will never be good enough, have enough faith, or screw up again:  Romans 8:1-2

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."


When I feel defeated, like giving up, like running away, or too tired, too weak, too bad:  Romans 8:37

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

I pray you find encouragement in one of these verses today.  These verses have all be life change verses for me.  Romans 8 is my favorite chapter in all the Bible, as it changed my life.

Do you have a "Go To" verse? 



We would LOVE it if you linked up with a post about what God is showing you in the Word, or in your life. Please also stop by and see what God has been teaching each co-hosts this week:
Sarah at Fontenot Four Kelly at The Houtz House Party
Becky at Tales For Ashes
Kelly at Exceptionalistic
 

 

Into the Word Wednesday Blog Hop Rules:

1. Write a post about what God is teaching you this week.

2. Follow the host and hostesses via GFC.

3. Grab a button to put on your blog - the more the merrier!

4. Check out (and comment) other people's blogs, and be blessed by all the sisters and brothers around the world!

 

 

His Love

Being divorced and single has caused me to think a lot about my past relationships.  What kind of man have I looked for in the past?  What kind of man am I looking for?  Where have I gone wrong?  How can avoid this place again?  This thought process led me here:  I have often been in relationships because I felt like someone finally wanted me.  

Even looking back at my marriage, I truly do remember thinking "I love this man because he loves me."  In my mind, no one could possibly love me...so if this man did then I found "the" man for me.  And when I didn't feel loved by him.........  (I now know that what I feel isn't real...Thank You Pastor Steven Furtick)  

Looking back at the few "encounters" with dating that I've had since my marriage, it's hard to even figure out where the attraction began.  But I did finally boil it all down to the fact that they paid attention to me and made me feel wanted.

I had that whole internal conversation with myself as I drove home last week.  And as soon as I had come to that realization...'How He Loves' was playing on my ipod...

Laura, I love you.  Stop looking for someone else to Love you.  I love you.  Stop basing your worth on a man's love for you.  I love you.  You are a Child of Mine.  I love you.  I have a plan for you.  I love you.  I am jealous for you.  I love you.  Nothing can separate  you from My love for you.  I love you.  Even knowing full well the totality of your sins...  I LOVE YOU!

This has been my favorite song since I first heard it back in 2009, but the words never meant as much to me as they did last week when God spoke to me through them.  And since God speaks to me through music, the lyrics of 'God Girl' by Jamie Grace apply as well...

And when my ears start hearin' what people say
Hurry up find love cause time's tickin away
Well, I'm not bein' lazy I'm just waiting for
Still waiting for the right boy
Cause I only want to listen to your voice
So I'll be listenin'
Always listenin' to you every day

I won't sit here and tell you that I know what I'm looking for in a man or even what I should be looking for (I'm not that far into this process), but I do know that I'm in NO hurry.  I will listen for His voice!

Help me discover what I should be looking for.  Share with us why you Love your spouse <3

  Linking up with: Heart + Home; Funny Thing of It Is; Time-Warp Wife; Titus 2 Tuesday; Teach Me Tuesday