My Bible in 90 Days Journey

Putting this last ninety (ninety four if you want me to be perfectly honest) days into words is proving more difficult than I thought it would be.

Renewed passion for the Word of God.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  II Timothy 3:16-17

Renewed conviction for the sin that so easily creeps in.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  Galations 5:19-21

Renewed gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.  Isaiah 52:5

Renewed reverence for God’s majesty.

Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?  You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them.  In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed  In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.  Exodus 15: 11-13

Renewed commitment and laser focus on my ministry.

But they were scheming to harm me so I sent messengers to them with this reply, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down.  Why should the great work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”.  Four times they sent me the same message and each time I gave them the same answer.  Nehemiah 6: 3-4

Renewed patience for God’s timing.

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27: 13-14

I could go on and on all day with the gems God shared with me during this concentrated time in His word.  It was so worth it and my prayer and hope is that this fire that has been ignited for the Word continues to burn strong in my life and the rest of those that joined in this challenge.

A special thanks to Amy from Mom’s Toolbox for starting this movement online and encouraging me along the way.

What do you say?

I would have wanted to mull it over with a friend too.

Clear my thoughts.

Have someone to talk about all that had occurred in the last three days.

To discuss what it all meant.  And then there were the rumors from the women who had visited His tomb and found it empty.

Then, when confronted with the power of what had happened in the last three days, from the One that had led them for the last three years….what do you say?

How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  Luke 24:25-27

What do you say?

The crucifixion and the resurrection were all for a purpose. Planned from the beginning by the One who made us, knowing that we would need a way out.

That the Word would become flesh.

Living flesh whose breath was extinguished for me.  For you.  For the world.

We are all guilty of not noticing.  Not believing.  Not knowing the magnitude of God’s love for us.

What do you say?

I say thank you, Jesus.  I say How great is our God.  I say I believe.

What do you say?

Marriage Tips for Beginners

Mike and I will celebrate our 13th anniversary in July.  Every year we celebrate the fact that we have beat the odds, particularly for how young we were when we got married.  Today Sheila encouraged us to look back and think about what we wish we had known when we first became husband and wife.  By sharing those things the hope is that couples who have not been married for quite as long can benefit from the things we have learned in the trenches of marriage.

Here is my (by no means conclusive or exhaustive) list:

• Love is a verb not a feeling.  I do not always “feel” in love with Mike.  I hope that doesn’t sound mean because it’s not.  Most of the time those feelings have little to do with him and more to do with me.  With how busy I am, where I am in relationship with God, my fatigue level and illness.  Do I always love him?  Absolutely.  Why?  Because love is a decision, a choice, an action.  And I make the choice to love him everyday, the decision to be the best wife I can be every day and look for ways to act out that love (like putting the toilet paper so it rolls over even though I am an under girl)
• Date night is not neglecting your kids. I remember how guilty I felt each time (which was rarely back then) that Mike and I would go out alone.  I would spend the whole time calling home to make sure the kids were okay and when I wasn’t calling home I was talking about the kids.  It was years before I realized (after a marriage conference) that spending alone time with my hubby was vital to the health of our relationship. We began making that time sacred, focusing on us and our relationship, doing fun things together (love riding the motorcycle) and our marriage greatly benefited from it.  Let go of the mommy guilt.  A healthy marriage is actually one of the best things you can do for your children!
• Make sure you are on the same page.  So many of our early arguments could have been completely avoided if we understood where the other was coming from.  We frequently sit down and check in with each other to make sure we are working toward the same goals.  If you don’t understand something your spouse said or it seemed hurtful, double check with them.  I am amazed at the times I have told Mike something he said hurt my feelings and he looks at me like I have horns.  The way he said it or his choice of words was not meant to hurt me.  Huh?  Would’ve never known that if I hadn’t asked.
• In your anger do not sin.  The Bible is your life manual and it gives great advice for what NOT to do when you are angry.  Notice God doesn’t tell us not to get angry, He wired us to have feelings and emotions.  Our mandate is to not let the anger get the best of us and lead us to sin.  To lash back, to say hurtful things, to go to bed fuming about something your spouse did, to give the silent treatment…all of those are red flags that we are letting our anger cause us to sin.

I could go on and on with the things God has revealed to me during the last twelve years.  For more sound advice on marriage visit Wifey Wednesdays.

Multi-Tasking Monday

I am starting my own theme for Mondays as I have so much to share…

First, my vlog for Monday Mingle, hosted by Eighty MPH Mom.

The questions this week were:

Do you have siblings?  Did you want more or less siblings when you were growing up?

What was your wedding song?

Did you do anything special for Valentine’s Day?

Tell us something special about your spouse/partner

Here are my answers:

Then I need to give you my Mamavation update.  I am down another 2.3 lbs this week (which is absolutely amazing considering all the awesome food we had at Blissdom).  I have not been able to walk outdoors because there is 4 feet of snow on the ground but the hubby and I did a lot of unpacking/cleaning so I am assuming that is where I burnt off most of the calories.  I continue to drink ice water and the occasional glass of juice with club soda.  I know that staying away from soda is really helping with the weight loss.  We have switched completely to whole wheat bread (still getting a little complaining from the family on this) and brown rice in my quest to make the switch to whole grains.

Last but not least is my Bible in 90 days progress. Confession time:  I am behind AGAIN.  Having the hubby, kids and 3 dogs cooped up in the house with me all week, after falling behind while at Blissdom, has me still in Job when my #b90days gals are in (one of my favorite books) the Psalms.

I have a plan to catch up (that is how I caught up the last time I was behind) and with the kids (hopefully) going back to school tomorrow I can get back in to my normal routine.

I also need to say that it was amazing to meet so many other women going through the challenge.  Some of us got together for coffee Friday morning at Blissdom and sharing our thoughts, struggles, insights and more was incredible.

That is all for this fine Monday morning!  Head over here to see my menu plan for the week and to enter to win some money saving coupons.

The Waiting Game

Back in the spring of 2006, God put a strong call on my life.  I argued with Him (while crying, laughing and driving down a dangerous stretch of highway).  I told Him He definitely had the wrong girl.  But, God can be persistent (in case you didn’t know that).

Fast forward three and a half years and I somehow figure I should get out my measuring stick (so to speak)…see how far I’ve come towards that plan.

Of course, I do not measure up to my own expectations.

And then I start saying things like this “I should be farther along with {x, y, z}.  If I’m ever going to fulfill this burden on my heart I should at least be at point {j, k, l} by now” and “I knew I was unworthy of this call, God got this one wrong” and “I should be doing more to make this happen” and “what did I do wrong?”

Interestingly enough, the sermon at last night’s midweek service was on Psalm 23.  And I learned something I did not know.  The valley of the shadow of death referred to in verse 4 translates from the Hebrew into the valley of swirling shadows.

Hmmm, swirling shadows.  Could this be shadows such as:

a period or instance of gloom, unhappiness, mistrust, doubt, dissension, or the like, as in friendship or one’s life?

OR

a dominant or pervasive threat, influence, or atmosphere, esp. one causing gloom, fear, doubt, or the like? (definitions courtesy of dictionary.com)

Could it be that the enemy wants me to be surrounded by the swirling shadows of mistrust and doubt?

Could it be that God is leading me through the last three and a half years, not in abandonment of the vision He provided, but in preparation for it?

Is it not in the valleys of life that we stand to learn the most?

So, today I am thankful for the promise of Romans 8 (if you have time read the WHOLE chapter) especially, verses 15, 18-21, 28-31, 37-39.

Exactly what I needed to hear this morning:

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship [or daughter-ship, in my case] and by Him we cry Abba, Father.  Romans 8:15

Oh, yes!  That is all I need to do- cry out to Him who is with me all the time. The One who is faithful to complete the good work in and through me for His glory (and in His timing).  God’s measuring stick does not compute accomplishment or human “doings”.  He cares far more that I am leaning on Him throughout the journey.

For more Thankful Thursday posts, click here.

Contentment and Kids

I realized something this weekend.  My children do not possess a spirit of contentment.

Maybe it’s the catastrophe in Haiti, maybe it is reading the Bible in 90 days, maybe it is observing how my kids handle disappointment…I don’t know.  But, I do know that I am deeply convicted that it needs to change.

To be completely honest, it took a near death experience for me to fully grasp what being content truly means, just as the apostle Paul wrote in Phillipians 4:11-13:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

I want to teach my children the secret spoken of in these passages.  That being content should not depend on whether you get to go to the skating rink with your friends or whether you have the latest video game in your hands the second it is released.

I am mad (adolescents can push my angry buttons quite well), I am sad (that they don’t have a deeper understanding of this concept) but most of all I am determined.

I am determined to go back to the way we used to do things in our house…before we got busy.

Oh, friends, if only we could see how busyness is a tool of the enemy.

When my kids were small, we had a gratitude and prayer journal that we wrote in almost daily.  We would go back at the end of the year and see how God had provided for us and answered our prayers.

I have a prayer journal but do we continue to do this as a family?  No.

Why not?  Because between homework, sports and general busyness, that time has not been a priority.

I have told myself it isn’t that big of a deal.  My kids are good kids.  They go to church, youth group and mission camp.

We can rationalize anything away, can’t we?

My husband and I discussed this  (in the car, the only place we get true privacy LOL) and committed before the Lord that our focus would change from this point on.

We only have a few years of direct influence on these boys.  I want them to leave our home knowing how to be content, no matter the circumstance.  I need to unwrap the secret that I learned, and that the apostle Paul learned, and instill it in my children.  Will you pray for me?

P.S After thinking and praying about this all weekend, I came across a post that confirmed we are on the right track.  You can read it here.

This post is linked to Tuesdays Unwrapped.

Mamavation Monday

I am so proud of the Mamavation moms and Leah Segedie from Bookieboo for coming up with the concept.

I had fallen off the Mamavation wagon during the holidays although I was able to make some changes like eliminating soda from our house, switching to all whole grains and trying to increase my physical activity.

Today, I want to focus on a friend’s Mamavation journey, so please read this:

Guest Post by Katie Hostetter at Frugal Femina

If you follow me on Twitter, you know exactly what the word “mamavation” means, because I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing it since I applied on January 1st. I am fortunate to have some followers left! Basically, it’s a 7-week boot camp to help 2 moms get fit in 2010, and it’s supported by Smooth Fitness, Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Gaiam, Bookie Boo, and MomTV. The team gives you a ton of support with a nutritional plan, a fitness program, and much more! You can watch my application video and read all about my lil’ journey over at Frugal Femina.

I am so blessed to have made it into the top 5 finalists. Now I need you to vote daily so I can make it into the final 2! I already shared my measurements with thousands of people, so you know I am committed! But seriously, this is all part of my quest to make 2010 one of the most positive years ever. I’m finishing up my last semester of nursing school, reading through the Bible in 90 days, taking care of Xon and Bradley {aka Hubs and Little Munchkin}, and trying to take care of myself, too! I’m not Superwoman, but I do want to focus on good things this year and surround myself with good friends and family.

So I’m hopin’ you’ll cheer me on and head on over to Mamavation and vote. You can vote once a day from each IP address through the 21st. And I won’t mind a bit if you happen to spread the word amongst your friends. Maybe I can encourage you all along the way! Mamavation is a great network of support, and you can be involved whether you have 200 pounds to lose or 0. We all need to stay healthy and fit!

Special thanks to Andrea at Mommy Snacks for being my Fit Friend and encouraging me throughout this campaign.

Fresh Perspective

I joined the Bible in 90 days challenge and have posted about it before. Our reading focused on Leviticus for most of the week last week.

I admit that I went into it kind of rolling my eyes and being irritated about all the do’s and don’ts.  (You have to understand that I spent many years during childhood in a very strict sect of a very erroneous denomination.  Therefore I get very rankled when I start reading the “rules” I was expected to follow for so long.)

God really used this reading to give me a fresh perspective on this part of the Bible.  We read in Numbers that Moses was leading over 600,000 people to the Promised Land.

Can you imagine being responsible for that many people, in the desert, living in tents?

The Israelites had lived in Egypt, where everything was decided for them.  They lived as slaves with very little rights.  Then they go into the desert…and I venture to guess they needed some rules, some guidelines, some direction.

Suddenly, it made sense to me.  The Mosaic law wasn’t that different from the laws that we have in our country to prevent anarchy and lawlessness.

We know as mothers that children need boundaries, guidelines, structure.  That is what the law was providing.

I needed that fresh perspective.  I understood that God was looking out for the greater good.  Many of the rules instructed the people how to handle infectious diseases, how to handle mildew…God was looking out for their best interest.

I am so thankful He is still concerned with the best interest of those that believe.

Can’t wait to discover more hidden treasures during this amazing challenge.

Balance, goals and all that

There have been a flurry of posts about New Year’s resolutions, goals, etc.  Many women have been feeling the need to balance it all (particularly those of us that blog/work from home).  While I by no means have the market cornered in work/life balance, I have come a long way from when I first started working from home and thinking that I could do everything, be everything to everyone and have the Martha Stewart model home.

So I wanted to share the biblical model of the Proverbs 31 woman and let you in on a little secret:

Balance is a myth!

God presented us with a pretty tough act to follow in the Proverbs 31 woman, can I get an amen?  Have you ever taken the time to look at her and study her closely?  The Bible does not say she accomplishes all those things in one day or perfectly (which is what I think many of us mean when we say we want balance.  We want to be able to do it all!)

If we take a closer look at the Proverbs 31 we will notice that she does make good choices about how she spends her time and she operates according to her priorities.

• She is purposeful about bringing good to her family through the use of her time, skills and energy.
• She plans ahead and is efficient.  She is prepared for tough times.
• She makes her husband and children feel loved and cared for.
• She is giving, warm and compassionate.

Those are all great attributes that I would venture to guess many of us employ in our own family life?  So, why do we feel like all we do is not good enough?  That we need to be better? Do more?

The Proverbs 31 woman was a force to be reckoned with.

Guess what?  So are you!!

Instead of holding her up as a measuring stick of all that you are NOT, how about noticing the things you are doing right in 2010?

• Do you intend to bring good and not harm to your family?
• Do you work hard to provide them with a clean home (notice I didn’t say perfectly organized and spotless) and healthy meals?
• Do you take the time to laugh with your kids, knowing that these moments are important and having you as their mom is what is truly important?
• Do you love Jesus?

If you answered yes to these questions then, my friend, you are doing a great job.

Our husbands and children may not feel like arising and calling us blessed every moment of every day- that’s okay.  We are flawed, sinful human beings.  God and God alone provides the strength to be the woman He calls us to be.  It will not come through striving or trying harder.  It will only come through submitting and relinquishing control to the One whom is to be praised.

What is your point, Melissa? I want women to cut themselves some slack.  There are strategies to employ that can make life easier (and we will discuss those in the days to come), that can help you get on track with organization and time management but more importantly, there is a users manual (The Bible) that beckons you this year.  I promise that the more time you spend in the Word the more the other areas of your life will fall into place.

That is truly a finer thing!

This post is linked at Run The Earth, Watch The Sky, Kelly’s Korner and Amy’s Finer Things.

Where I am at…

I have joined with several other ladies in a pledge to read the Bible in 90 days (you can learn more about it here).  Today is day five.  I wanted to share some of my thoughts from what I have read so far.  It is truly amazing what God can lay on your heart when you are open to listening.

First of all, I have to admit that the first five books of the Bible have never been on my preferred reading list.  The list of who is the father of who and how long they lived can just get boring with a capital B.  One of the reasons I think that this format is going to be successful for me is because the reading is on a deadline.  My type A personality thrives on deadlines so knowing that I have to read through a certain chapter by midnight tonight to be on track is very motivating and gets me through the begats.

The other reason the Old Testament can get kind of heavy for me is because I have such internal turmoil trying to reconcile the God that inspires fear, demands blood sacrifice and encourages war to the God that I know today.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe they are the same but reading through the Old Testament makes me that much more grateful for the gift Christ gave us through His death on the cross.  All the legalism from the Old Testament was washed away with His blood and for that I am so thankful.

On to the reading and my thoughts:

I enjoy the creation story.  It is beyond my capacity to fathom that God created all that I see out of nothing.  What a mighty God we serve!

The story of Joseph is one of my favorite in the Bible.  Joseph was such a fine example of a man who persevered under difficult circumstances and did the right thing, whether it was popular or not.

The biggest lesson I learned from Joseph’s story is that if you give up, you may miss out.

Joseph had so many opportunities to give up, to say what people wanted him to say, to allow bitterness and hatred to take up residence in his heart.  But, he chose love, he chose obedience, he chose to trust in the path God had for him.

And imagine what he would have missed out on had he given up and given in to all the negativity that surrounded him.  His own family sold him, he was falsely accused, imprisoned…yet, his inner strength and character always triumphed in the end.  And he was rewarded (here on this earth and I am sure in heaven as well) God ALWAYS came through for Joseph.  What a testimony!

As you can see, Joseph’s story is the one that has really hit home with me in the first few days of the reading.  I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me in the upcoming weeks.

Are you taking the challenge?  Is there a particular story God has used to touch your heart?  Please share in the comments!

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