HE'S GOT THIS

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Exodus 14:14

 

There was a time a few years back when I was up against some giants.

 

"He's got this"...the wireless words my friend sent to balm my aching heart.

 

HE'S GOT THIS.

 

And He does. I find myself using the sentence often.
(If you're my friend, you'll get the same text from time to time.)

In fact, I found myself typing just today:

 

HE'S GOT THIS.

 

The Lord our God He holds our stories in His hand. He writes. We're His and He intends for good.

He LOVES us. He KNOWS us. He's FOR us.

 

So, when my heart hurts and my eyes tell pain, I remember words from the simple text of days gone by:

 

HE'S GOT THIS!!

 

HE DOES.

 

 "For he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”

Hebrews 13:5

THE RECEIVING END OF HURT

How often have I unintentionally hurt someone? I may never know...

 

How often have I found myself on the receiving end of hurt? And, why did God allow it?

 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

 

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Hebrews 4:15

 

Jesus can relate to our sufferings because He's lived them. He knows them. He feels what we feel. He can empathize.

 

How then, do I expect to become more like Him without fiery trials of my own?

 

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

1 Peter 4:12-14

 

How can I know how to show comfort if I myself have never known the comfort of God?

 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

 

How can I understand a hurting heart if I myself have never been on the receiving end of hurt?

 

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

James 1:2-4

 

With each gouge over the course of this life, it's true I've gained what I could not know apart from trials and pains.

With each singe and scar God has blessed me with, my heart has come to depend on Him all the more,

to love people and long to share in their hearts' trials all the more. In this, I find joy!

 

And if these things are so, then alright. I'll accept the task at hand. I will joyfully endure a cross that Christ has chosen for me.

 

When I weep, I'm not alone. For, I have a Savior who has indeed been through inconceivably more than I.

How great a gift to know sufferings, big and small.

 

If I'm to know more of Jesus' heart, then I'm to endure many things in this life.

I'm to find myself at times on the receiving end of hurt.

 

Lord, help me to receive what you intend.

 

"But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example,

so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten,

but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins

in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness."

1 Peter 2:20-24

 

"It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes."

Psalm 119:71

 

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.

For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:10

MAKING IT WORK...ISLAND PROJECT

He's at it again...

 

That hubby of mine, so willing, so servant hearted for our family. He's making it work...again.

 

The first thing that needed tweaking when we decided to stay in our home before adopting Noble and India was our eating area. We're all for "making it work" around here, but fitting 10 people around a 6 man table just wasn't exactly ideal.

So, we forfeited our "family room" area off the kitchen and used the space for an oversized table nook instead.

 

 

   It works. :)

 

Best of all, we sold our old farmhouse table and bench for nearly exactly the price of the project,

which definitely counts as a win, win in my book!

 

We're making it work, one step at a time...and having lots of fun in the process.

 

Here's to documenting our latest space-maximizing project:

 

Our "changing table-turned-kitchen island" has had 2 barstools historically.

Let's do the math...8, almost 9, eager children all desiring to watch Mommy cook, share 2 seats...again, not exactly ideal.

 

SO, I had just the idea for just the right guy for the job...kind husband.

 

(Thanks, Brodie!!)

First, we added some outer legs to our existing homemade island:

 

 

(I won't miss viewing the clutter/India's favorite play toys!)

 

Then we added some extra storage shelving on the sides:

 

Starting to take form:

 

 We purchased 4 barstools at a great price on walmart.com:

 

 

Added some wainscoting, baseboards, and paint:

And voila!

 

 

 Never again/rarely (let's be realistic here) will the little people in the house be jousting for a front row seat while I chop.

 

Happy kids. Happy wife. :)

Thanks, hubby!!

 

The kitchen really is the {heart} of our home.

 

"Give us this day our daily bread."

Matthew 6:11

MOTHER-DAUGHTER GET AWAYS

We went on a mother-daughter get away, my teenager and I.

What a special time!

 

We shared fellowship, food, fun, Vanilla Coke.

We made memories and bonded all the more as we celebrated her 13th birthday.

 

 The first time we spent the night away together was when she turned 9.

How big she seemed back then, my first. My, how time flies...

. . . . . . . . . . .

 

We went on our first mother-daughter get away, my new 9 year old and I.

It was such a special time!

 

We shared fellowship, food, fun, and even Vanilla Coke.

We made memories and bonded all the more as we celebrated her 9th birthday.

(Elka's root beer float "cake")

 

And oh, how time flies...

What a blessing our mother-daughter get aways have been! To take time away with just the one, to celebrate our relationship and dig deeper, to meld and love and share and work through life together...it's a dear and cherished gift.

What a delight to watch each child grow, to embark upon each individual mission in each unique life.
How awesome the task and privilege to shepherd each God-given heart. He's entrusted them to me...
and there's no ministry I'd rather pour into. I savor the challenges and the JOYS!

 

Thank you, Lord, for my daughters, big and small. Thank you for my sons. Thank you for the journey of training hearts and loving little ones as they traverse their childhood days. Thank you for the years to come and all that lies ahead. May I run this race well and fulfill the mission you've appointed me to in this season of motherhood. How I LOVE being "Mom". What a blessing...Thank you.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed."
Proverbs 31:28

CHINA ADOPTION UPDATE #4

It's a......GIRL!

 

And, boy oh boy, have we been on a roller coaster ride this past year! But God...He is steady. He calms when the storms rage.

He whispers and the waves are stilled. He sees clarity amidst our most confusing days and we can trust Him.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

That's just what we've been up to...a whole lot of blind trusting in the One who authors our story, His story.

He pens and we follow, just one illuminated step at a time.

 

We've seen God's handiwork in our China adoption journey through the types of things we don't get to see when all is calm.

We've seen the Lord close many doors and I've cried many tears. But He's now opened just the right one...for our girl.

We cannot wait to welcome her into our family!!

 

Twists and turns, ups and downs, we've finally said yes to our {daughter} and God is good.

 

We LOVE her.

 

Our arms are open wide.

 

We'll have medical issues to contend with such as we've never dealt with before, but we're as ready as anyone can be for the unknown. We're as fit for this task as God has deemed we need be. He'll be with us all the way.

 

So, the countdown is on to go and get our girl. God's timing is just right so no rush.

But, as soon as we can, we'll be holding her and loving her...we ALL can hardly wait!

 

We're on the road to China and so many other things God has ordained. We couldn't possibly understand what we've signed up for, but we believe God sees the whole plan. And we believe that plan is good. He's certainly gone to great and creative lengths to get us to this place of adoption for our little girl. He's whirled the road to her in a way that we cannot mistake this is Him.

 

We're coming soon, little one, and Abba Father is with you until then. Safe in His arms you'll be.

 

What an honor to be permitted the opportunity to raise this new daughter of the King.

May the Lord use us and spend us for His glory in her life and may we learn even more reliance upon Him.

 

China...sweet girl...here we come!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I have four children. Two are adopted. I forget which two."

-Bob Constantine

2 CORINTHIANS 3:17

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

2 Corinthians 3:17

 

Shane & Shane with Phil Whickham, Liberty

HOLY SPIRIT

Helper, Counselor, Teacher, Comforter...Forgotten God. There are many ways to describe the Holy Spirit.

God's Spirit who dwells within those of faith, He leads and guides, prompts and directs. We are wise to listen.

 

"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
2 Corinthians 3:5-6

 

The Holy Spirit of God is the voice of truth. He gives gifts. God offers Himself through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
He even speaks through His children. It's awesome to know when God is using one of His followers to speak His words into the heart of one who needs to hear. Whether it be encouragement, correction, discernment, grasping hold of a lost soul searching,
the Holy Spirit speaks. I'm listening...intently.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
John 14:26

 

When the Holy Spirit is misunderstood or "forgotten" even as some might say, we can get trapped in religion.
We can get trapped in heady theology. We can miss out on the fellowship of knowing God.

 

"These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.
For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."
1 Corinthians 2:10

 

Knowing the Holy Spirit is life. Knowing Him is how to make it through each day. Knowing the Holy Spirit of God is to know Christ and hear His voice, today, to share Him with others who need Him desperately...even more than people know.

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness."
Romans 8:26

 

We can have our heads puffed full to overflowing with knowledge and memorization, books, degrees, and titles of high standing, but if we do not KNOW the Holy Sprit, if we do not LOVE Him...we're as lost as the one who rejects.

"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God,
purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
Hebrews 9:14

 

The Holy Spirit is Christ. When I think of Jesus and how He KNEW the thoughts of those He sat with, the rejects, the prostitutes, the Pharisees, He knew their hearts. And, if His Spirit dwells within me and if I'm yoked to the Vine so to hear His voice, then if I'm listening...still...available...He can infuse my heart with His care and concern for others. He can use me, empty vessel girl, to minister.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
 

That's who I want to be, a poured out vessel voice witness for the Lord. I want to know the Holy Spirit and His power.
I want to listen to His voice. I want to discern what He senses in the person standing in front of me, so much so that He can minister to them through me. I long to hear His whispers, to feel what He feels when He looks deeply into eyes, straight to the depths of souls. That's who I want to be...usable to share God's love with those who need Him. And we all need Him. Even those who know Him intimately still need Christ every day...that's how He's set it up.

 

We're His kids. He's our Dad. We need Him. We need to know Him. We need His Holy Spirit.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
2 Corinthians 13:14

 



GRACE

Grace, grace, God's grace...

 

We sing it and preach it and wear it like a cloak, this grace we know is real.

 

But, do we LIVE it? Do we GIVE it? Do we offer what we've received?

 

"For by grace you have been saved..."

Ephesians 2:8

 

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

 

Distressing as it is when human relationships fail to offer grace, we know there is One who will never EVER fail us.

His grace is perfect, encompassing, free, readily ours. God's grace is amazing! Hallelujah!

 



ADVERSITY

True...when we step out in faith and live our lives against the grain, we will encounter adversity. It seems inevitable. But, it is also true that when we rest in God's will for our lives, in spite of adversity which may accompany His plans, there remains peace.

 

"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."

Proverbs 24:10

 

Oh, that our strength (God's strength in us, really) might not shrink in the day of adversity, but rather soar all the more through our trials and weaknesses, persecutions and dilemmas. God is always good.

 

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

 

Oh, that God's love would prevail in all things as He works even adversity for good!

 

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

 

Oh, that love for one another would remain, even when God has designed us all to be so very different.

 

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.'

Ephesians 4:32

 

There's joy in accepting God's workmanship through adversity. There's growth through the trials.

There's peace in holding fast to our heart's convictions even when we are opposed.

 

Fear God, not man. I remind myself each day.

 

Do not violate your conscience. A recent sermon reminds me of this too.

 

"But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith.

For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."

Romans 14:23

"So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man."
Acts 24:15

 

"With a clear conscience, you live in an abundance of freedom and joy." -John MacArther

 

Yes, it would be sinful to violate our conscience when we feel peace in the Lord's directing.

Yes, there is freedom and joy in such doing.

And, yes, this may bring with it adversity. But, that's ok.

God works ALL things for good for those who LOVE Him...and we do.

 

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

for those who are called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28
 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

Romans 12:12