GENESIS 41:52

"God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

Genesis 41:52

WHEN I AM WEAK...

"'If only I were stronger,' we say, 'I could overcome my...(fill in the blank sin),'

and so we plead with the Lord to strengthen us that we may exercise more self-control.

 

But this is altogether a fallacy; it is not Christianity.

 

God's means of delivering us from sin is not in making us stronger and stronger,

but by making us weaker and weaker.

 

That is surely rather a peculiar way of victory, you say; but it is the divine way...

 

Once you see the truth you will recognize that you are indeed powerless to do anything,

but that in setting you aside altogether God has done it all.

 

Such a discovery brings human striving and self-effort to an end."

 

-from The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee

. . . . . .

 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him,

he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:5

 

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

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

who loved me and gave himself for me."

Galatians 2:20

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

 

"But [the Lord] 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.

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 12:9-10

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it."

-from Kung Fu Panda (and Brodie)

PRIDE

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5

 

Pride.

 

It destroys and hurts and tramples and shouts. It's a soapbox perched upon wounded beneath.

 

I read this week that "legalism is invisible to the legalist" and how true these words prove to be.
I echo, "pride is invisible to the proud". And, it often wears a mask.
 

Pride.

 

It blinds and blots and wrecks and divides. It slithers in and bites.

 

How the enemy loves the corrosiveness of pride.

    

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."

Proverbs 11:2

Oddly enough, it seems most often the opposite of pride lurks beneath the mask. In fact, it's more likely that insecurity, self-doubt, even whimpering memoirs of years gone by swell pains and fears of future present and manifest in pride. How ironic.

The child wounded, the rejected maimed, the crushed, all rear up storehouses of yesteryear.
And generations cycle round, chasing tails of history's pride.

BUT, can it be that the triumphs of Christ's sacrifice might trump such wicked schemes? Might it be that the same deficits which produce pride could actually result in an opposing effect instead? Genesis 50:20 blares blindingly as I process:

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."
Genesis 50:20

I'm thinking empathy, sensitivity, genuine humility, compassion, deep longing for the Savior...
these things too might spawn from hurts and how much more productive!

It IS possible that griefs and problems and injustice past CAN in fact point to victory through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we identify, release, and allow the Lord to restore our desolations, He is glorified and praised for His handiwork through our voids. We CAN all be FREE from the burdens, destruction, and ramifications of pride.

Lord, please reveal what lies beneath the masquerade of pride.
May cycles cease and new hope reign victorious in our lives.
And after all, we point to you with praise for what you've done.
The masks fall off, and real hearts shine through battles you have won!

May this be our heart's cry.
Amen.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:3

THE GROVE

We ventured off the beaten trail today to join friends on their 40 acre avocado/citrus grove.

 

What an incredible day!

 

The adventure and educational experience was only topped by the sweet fellowship.

 

Everyone had a ball!

 

 

Whenever we make a trek like this, we wonder if a move to somewhere over yonder

is right for us. We're not packing our bags just yet...

 

But, the wide open spaces...

 

 

...and freedom of playing in nature...

 

 

...and the ability to live off the land...

 

 

...plentifully...

 

 

 

...are enticing.

 

 

Thanks to the generosity of dear friends, we took home more produce than I've ever had in my kitchen at one time!

 

 

What a treat!

 

 

We will see what the future holds, but for now we count memories of climbing trees, picking fruit, the laughter of off-roading in Gators, dripping citrus fingertips, and more avocados than we could possibly eat (or can we?!) as special gifts from a special family.

 

 

Thank you, friends, for such a wonderful day!!

 

"Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."

Matthew 7:20

HAPPY LOVE DAY!!!

What can I say? We love LOVE around here...and Valentine's Day is the perfect time to celebrate!

 

 

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

 

I have to admit, by the time I even sense February drawing near, my heart swells with excitement to usher in the LOVE month. Heart shaped plates, candy and extra hugs...Valentine's Day is one of my favorite days of the whole year!

 

 "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

 

There is nothing greater than God's amazing LOVE! And, though we celebrate that daily year-round,
there really is just something extremely sweet about February...and Valentine's Day in particular.

 

 "Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

John 13:34

Our day started out especially exciting this year when Brodie surprised the kids
by coming home with the kitten we had decided not to adopt the day before.
[We did, however, end up with a parakeet! But that's an entirely different story...]

I think we were just as happy as the kids were to give them this special Valentine's Day surprise.

 

"Happy" doesn't quite cover it...

 Giddy? Enamored? Lifelong dream come true?

      It makes me think of how my Father God blesses me...and how much joy it must bring Him to lavish His kids with His love.

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"
Matthew 7:11
 

It's been a day filled with LOVE, pink {heart} pancakes (our favorite Valentine's Day tradition),
LOVE, pink milk, LOVE, surprises, and more LOVE after that!

May our hearts most importantly focus on our love for Christ
and how that pours out into everything else that God may be glorified most of all!

 

HAPPY LOVE DAY!!!

 "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way;

it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things,

believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

JESUS ACT STICK DATES...LATELY

I've shared before about our Jesus Act Stick reward system.

We've used it for many years without wane and truly it's been a tremendous blessing for our family!

All of the kids down to our 2 year old earn sticks when we observe that they've exhibited selfless love or sacrificial behavior with a genuine heart. It's an honor to reward their kind actions. We display our Jesus Act Stick jars on a focal point table in our home where they can be visibly built into our daily life. I enjoy seeing with my eyes and allowing our children to notice tangibly the benefits of a loving heart. The jars serve as a reminder.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

John 13:34

We believe in the power of positive affirmation and encouragement and find that when we stop to point out our children's good fruit, they grow even more. Of course, parenting requires we also contend with the difficult, employ discipline when needed, and correct wrong behavior. But, when we emphasize the positive in others, we perpetuate more positive. Children and adults alike believe what's spoken into their lives (both positive and negative). This is why we are intentional to point out and reward Christlike actions with Jesus Act Sticks and one-on-one dates with Mom or Dad to follow.

Kids are built up and quality time memories are made...it's a win, win!

Here's to documenting just a bit of our Jesus Act Stick dates...lately.

. . . . . .

First, Elka and her daddy had a great time playing tennis together.

The ball machine made it extra fun!

She was a serious player and it sounds like she did amazingly well!

We're so proud of you, Elka!!

. . . . . .

Next, the little boys both had earned 10 JAS at the same time and ice cream was on their radar. Oh, the looks on their faces when I handed them their little congratulatory certificates! They were SO excited and it was SO cute!!

We're all for encouraging sibling bonding...so every now and then, we'll double up on a Jesus Act Stick date for that purpose.

This time it was Noble and Boden, the lucky brothers, sharing ice cream and toppings together with their daddy.

What a treat!

Best Brothers :)

Mission accomplished.

. . . . . .

One of my all time favorite JAS date traditions is a Souplantation date with my Brodie. How I love these memories with my growing boy, cherished memories of conversational bliss at "our table" that will indeed last this mama a lifetime!

It's always a bonus to find out at the register that kids eat FREE that day! Woohoo!!

Thanks for picking me for this special date, Brodie!!

. . . . . .

Next came Aida and her dad...sushi is their favorite...

and this growing up girl of ours got a real grown up date with her doting daddy.

What an honor to date a daughter and make sure she knows exactly how she ought to be treated.

What a blessing, this precious father/daughter combo.

. . . . . .

Our Jesus Act Stick dates are always such sweet, sweet memories.

Here's to MANY more!!!

"Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord."

Psalm 127:3

MOVING ON FROM HURT

 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

Ephesians 6:10-13

 

"So, here's the deal." (I tell myself strong)... It's time to move on from hurt."

 

My immediate flesh-full response yelps, "BUT..." and a trillion justifications why I should continue to bathe in the pain clang like gongs in my heart and my head. Of course, there are many reasons to wallow.

 

And yet, there is One very great reason to make a choice to the contrary. His name is Christ the Lord, and "HE'S GOT THIS,"

I remind myself (again), redundant for good purpose.

 

He does.

 

And so, I've made up my mind, full of dependent hope. I'm moving on from hurt.

 

I'm switching gears and perspective and focus. I'm transitioning, so it seems, through a new stage in the cycle of grief.

And, oy, how did I find myself cycling through pain again? But, this is God's best plan and His most accomplished work in my life has come through seasons of I-would've-rather-not-had-to-go-through-that grief. Ok, then, I accept.

 

I muster up courage and contemplate, "What gain is there in misery anyhow? What benefit the festering?"

It's simply going nowhere fast as satan clangs his gong.
I diagnose this with the same heart and mind that have wavered...and I'm moving on from hurt.

 

I am.

 

The reality is, it's just not me to saturate in pity. I'm the optimist, remember?!
(I point this out to myself {again}, my frail, obedient push to wriggle out of hurt.) But, it's working. I'm growing in conviction.
God's Word sings victory in onslaught. Crescendo gaining might. And, the battle belongs to the Lord.

 

It does!

 

So I default to children's songs which sing verses written just for me in this minute of time.

How did God know I'd need them now?

 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
Philippians 4:8

 

"Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed...for the battle is not yours but God's.'"

2 Chronicles 20:15

 

"The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD."

Proverbs 21:31

 

Inhale. Exhale. He is good.

 

And there's NO WAY on earth my God has left me alone in this mess.

He's for us. He LOVES us. He's got this. I trust Him. SO, I'm moving on from hurt.

 

{smile}

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6