I have another book to reflect on that is a FANTASTIC addition to any Mom's library of resources.
I picked this one up at the Lifeway Christian Store while I was in pursuit of a different resource. I went to the bookstore on a "mission" for a little booklet that contained a series of sermons by John MacArthur entitled, "The Fulfilled Family". You can find these sermons on his Grace to You website at, http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/52/the-fulfilled-family. But, I couldn't find the booklet so I continued on my mission for another great resource to read along with my Bible regarding God's expectations for the family and more importantly for a Mother.
I happened upon "The Mission of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson.. I thought, "Well, I wonder what this author has to say about a mother's mission and more importantly is it aligned with scripture?". I purused the book for a bit and found myself not wanting to put it down. That's a good indication of a good read.
This one is definitely a keeper. Its one book that I found myself truly convicted and desiring to read and re-read portions over and over again to make sure that it was sinking in my head. It pulls together all of the scriptures found in the Word regarding God's expectation for a Mother and how those differences stand so far apart from mainstream society. Given the conflict between the Bible and the world's way, its comforting to read from an author that speaks boldly, confidently, and clearly about what God desires of a mother's heart.
I don't want to give away too much on the book, so I'll just stop there and encourage everyone to grab their own copy, a cup of coffee, and get cozy in your favorite chair as you ponder and reflect on God's mission of the Mother.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Reflections of Mueller
In addition to my daily Bible reading of various verses to remain encouraged each day, and the "Jesus Calling" daily devotional (by Sarah Young) that provides wonderful reminders in connection to the Word of God's sovereignty and control over all things, I picked up the book, "Answers to Prayer" by George Mueller during the last few months leading up to receving the contract on the house.
When you're waiting on God and praying for an answer to a specific requests that is burdening your heart, its just plain easy to wallow in self pity and worry that your prayer will never be answered. Satan knows our weaknesses and can play upon our emotions to be led to doubt what we believe in our heart that God is doing in our life. Taking the thoughts that Satan and we ourselves conjure up in our minds and hearts captive and replacing them with Truth is so imperative. If we don't take them captive they will fester and grow like mold or a virus and take root in our heart and mind. Before we know it we'll find ourselves believing a total lie.
Close friends let us borrow the book by Mueller several years ago and I recall reading through a portion of it at the time. Now several years later I picked it up again and decided to read it completely and wow... it just resonated with me in such special ways given the fact that I was continuing to wait on God and lift up our requests to Him. One thing that I admired in Mueller was his steadfastness to pray. He first off prayed for things that solely brought the Lord glory and he would continue to pray until God answered it. He prayed over and over again, petitioning the Lord multiple times in one day for the requests on his heart. And, while time could pass by for years without any sign of the prayer being answered, he described his confidence in the Lord knowing that the Lord heard him and would answer it in His time (and, not when he thought God should answer) .
This was such an encouragement to me and it helped me in my waiting period to learn more about my God's character. His timeline is not my timeline and through the waiting I'm led to be fully dependent on Him and no one else. I learned that, this is His desire. That I depend on Him. That I need Him and that I'm patient on His working things out for His glory and not my own.
Some days I wondered if God looked down at me saying, "here she goes again.. praying that same prayer request." and, the truth is He knew each moment that I prayed what I was going to say, but the beauty was my need of Him and ultimate dependence for His power in the midst of what felt like a hopeless and difficult situation.
Muellers faith blessed my soul. We all will have to wait for something in our life. In the circumstances that we're waiting on the Lord and the end of our waiting results in His glorification, I pray that we will not grow weary in our waiting, but we'll fall to our knees each time that ee feel ourselves growing discouraged. And, we'll seek the Lord however many times that it takes to be renewed in our Spirit because we know that He never grows tired of our requests.
When you're waiting on God and praying for an answer to a specific requests that is burdening your heart, its just plain easy to wallow in self pity and worry that your prayer will never be answered. Satan knows our weaknesses and can play upon our emotions to be led to doubt what we believe in our heart that God is doing in our life. Taking the thoughts that Satan and we ourselves conjure up in our minds and hearts captive and replacing them with Truth is so imperative. If we don't take them captive they will fester and grow like mold or a virus and take root in our heart and mind. Before we know it we'll find ourselves believing a total lie.
Close friends let us borrow the book by Mueller several years ago and I recall reading through a portion of it at the time. Now several years later I picked it up again and decided to read it completely and wow... it just resonated with me in such special ways given the fact that I was continuing to wait on God and lift up our requests to Him. One thing that I admired in Mueller was his steadfastness to pray. He first off prayed for things that solely brought the Lord glory and he would continue to pray until God answered it. He prayed over and over again, petitioning the Lord multiple times in one day for the requests on his heart. And, while time could pass by for years without any sign of the prayer being answered, he described his confidence in the Lord knowing that the Lord heard him and would answer it in His time (and, not when he thought God should answer) .
This was such an encouragement to me and it helped me in my waiting period to learn more about my God's character. His timeline is not my timeline and through the waiting I'm led to be fully dependent on Him and no one else. I learned that, this is His desire. That I depend on Him. That I need Him and that I'm patient on His working things out for His glory and not my own.
Some days I wondered if God looked down at me saying, "here she goes again.. praying that same prayer request." and, the truth is He knew each moment that I prayed what I was going to say, but the beauty was my need of Him and ultimate dependence for His power in the midst of what felt like a hopeless and difficult situation.
Muellers faith blessed my soul. We all will have to wait for something in our life. In the circumstances that we're waiting on the Lord and the end of our waiting results in His glorification, I pray that we will not grow weary in our waiting, but we'll fall to our knees each time that ee feel ourselves growing discouraged. And, we'll seek the Lord however many times that it takes to be renewed in our Spirit because we know that He never grows tired of our requests.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Answered Prayer
Its been about 2 moths since I've blogged and given the fact that I haven't advertised my blog yet, the only audience is me! So, I'm the only one to give myself backlash for slacking.
Lots of things have transpired over the last few months...
- As we continued to lower the asking price of our home the activity of interested prospective buyers started to pick up. We got our first offer in March, but after serious consideration and asking God for wisdom we unfortunately had to turn it down.
God was faithful and continued to bring lookers to the house. In early May we received 2 more offers in one weekend, one of them being our best offer yet and we accepted and entered under contract.
- We're now scheduled to close July 1st so we've been doing the things necessary to close on the house. This process has been so *new* to us. We've experienced a lot of processes after going through the construction of a home, but never anything like this. Our agent has been absoloutely fantastic (more on her later)
- To date, we've had the water inspected, our septic system pumped & inspected, the home inspected, and have filled out all sorts of paperwork to prepare for closing.
- As we near closing, we've started packing up the house and prepping to store things away.
- After exhuasting the short-term rental options in our area which are so pitiful, we decided to take our in-laws up on their gracious offer of letting us stay again with them (they so lovingly took us in for a 2 1/2 years while we constructed our home back in 2002-2004)
- I informed my boss that I was expecting and told him that if all goes well I'd like to transition home from work at the end of August to start homeschooling my kids in September.
- The kids said their good byes to their school, their friends, their teachers, etc. That was a tearful day. My oldest's class had been praying for the sale of our home since September (she made our real estate ad her notebook cover; a realtor in training?), so to witness the culmination of their answered prayer on the last day of school filled me up so. They presented my daughter with a class picture and then prayed over us for our new adventure. Her teacher and I held each other and cried.
- I've continued to narrow down the kids homeschooling curriculum and outline their schedule. I've met with a few parents considering homeschooling (mind you I haven't homeschooled a day in my life) and have passed onto them what I've learned so far. I've also met with a mom that I share a like-mindedness regarding my philosophy on education and all (more on that later too..) and she's helped me further narrow down what types of material I'd like to use our first year.
- We've narrowed down which modular home plan we're considering for the next home which we're going to build on our property and are praying that God would provide us a reputable builder to construct the home. The modular process is a much quicker process than stick building on site. They build the home in doors in an offsite location and then transport it in "modules" to your property and put it together. We've visited the factory where they are constructed and then several models so that hubby could see the quality of the their work. My prayer has been to inform him as much as possible so that he can make an informed decision.
- and.....................we're continuing to GROW! Baby Jordan No. 3 has NO IDEA what their family is doing here on the outside world. LOL. The baby is working on growing day after day, so the baby is busy as well (wouldn't it be neat if a baby could blog from the placenta..)
This is my belly and not my bottom as my 6 yr old suggested.
whew! I think that catches our crazy life up so far.
I felt compelled to share all this because the questions are starting to come and the interesting looks are starting to turn up on faces of co-workers, friends, family, etc. as I share our plans & how they are unfolding.
Some I'm sure think we're absoloutely off our rocker to sell a home that we spent a 1 1/2 yrs. building just so that I can stay home and teach my kids who were in a perfectly safe and wonderful school! Its a little absurd when you think about it. Good job, beautiful home, comfortable life, why mess up a good thing?
The only way I can explain it in one word is, God.
He'll make you do some crazy things. Kinda like love you know? When you fall in love you'll do some really silly things to make your confidant happy. Well, my God did something really crazy too. His Father sent his ONLY Son to die on a cross to redeem a people that had no desire to love him. This Son was scourged, beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross and He was INNOCENT of the crime that He was accused of. We find ourselves asking why? He too did it because of His love for God the Father.
While I'm sure I'll continue to get the strange looks and questionable responses from folks of why we're doing what we do, my prayer is that our life will speak a testimony of love, sacrifice, submission, obedience, hope... I know that this journey will not be easy, but God is with us.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Lots of things have transpired over the last few months...
- As we continued to lower the asking price of our home the activity of interested prospective buyers started to pick up. We got our first offer in March, but after serious consideration and asking God for wisdom we unfortunately had to turn it down.
God was faithful and continued to bring lookers to the house. In early May we received 2 more offers in one weekend, one of them being our best offer yet and we accepted and entered under contract.
- We're now scheduled to close July 1st so we've been doing the things necessary to close on the house. This process has been so *new* to us. We've experienced a lot of processes after going through the construction of a home, but never anything like this. Our agent has been absoloutely fantastic (more on her later)
- To date, we've had the water inspected, our septic system pumped & inspected, the home inspected, and have filled out all sorts of paperwork to prepare for closing.
- As we near closing, we've started packing up the house and prepping to store things away.
- After exhuasting the short-term rental options in our area which are so pitiful, we decided to take our in-laws up on their gracious offer of letting us stay again with them (they so lovingly took us in for a 2 1/2 years while we constructed our home back in 2002-2004)
- I informed my boss that I was expecting and told him that if all goes well I'd like to transition home from work at the end of August to start homeschooling my kids in September.
- The kids said their good byes to their school, their friends, their teachers, etc. That was a tearful day. My oldest's class had been praying for the sale of our home since September (she made our real estate ad her notebook cover; a realtor in training?), so to witness the culmination of their answered prayer on the last day of school filled me up so. They presented my daughter with a class picture and then prayed over us for our new adventure. Her teacher and I held each other and cried.
- I've continued to narrow down the kids homeschooling curriculum and outline their schedule. I've met with a few parents considering homeschooling (mind you I haven't homeschooled a day in my life) and have passed onto them what I've learned so far. I've also met with a mom that I share a like-mindedness regarding my philosophy on education and all (more on that later too..) and she's helped me further narrow down what types of material I'd like to use our first year.
- We've narrowed down which modular home plan we're considering for the next home which we're going to build on our property and are praying that God would provide us a reputable builder to construct the home. The modular process is a much quicker process than stick building on site. They build the home in doors in an offsite location and then transport it in "modules" to your property and put it together. We've visited the factory where they are constructed and then several models so that hubby could see the quality of the their work. My prayer has been to inform him as much as possible so that he can make an informed decision.
- and.....................we're continuing to GROW! Baby Jordan No. 3 has NO IDEA what their family is doing here on the outside world. LOL. The baby is working on growing day after day, so the baby is busy as well (wouldn't it be neat if a baby could blog from the placenta..)
This is my belly and not my bottom as my 6 yr old suggested.
whew! I think that catches our crazy life up so far.
I felt compelled to share all this because the questions are starting to come and the interesting looks are starting to turn up on faces of co-workers, friends, family, etc. as I share our plans & how they are unfolding.
Some I'm sure think we're absoloutely off our rocker to sell a home that we spent a 1 1/2 yrs. building just so that I can stay home and teach my kids who were in a perfectly safe and wonderful school! Its a little absurd when you think about it. Good job, beautiful home, comfortable life, why mess up a good thing?
The only way I can explain it in one word is, God.
He'll make you do some crazy things. Kinda like love you know? When you fall in love you'll do some really silly things to make your confidant happy. Well, my God did something really crazy too. His Father sent his ONLY Son to die on a cross to redeem a people that had no desire to love him. This Son was scourged, beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross and He was INNOCENT of the crime that He was accused of. We find ourselves asking why? He too did it because of His love for God the Father.
While I'm sure I'll continue to get the strange looks and questionable responses from folks of why we're doing what we do, my prayer is that our life will speak a testimony of love, sacrifice, submission, obedience, hope... I know that this journey will not be easy, but God is with us.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Learning to Lean and Depend on God
As God continues to hold my hand through this waiting period of life, I have been blessed along the way through the experiences that God is blessing me with. I had the opportunity to present a devotional on “Waiting on the Lord” to the ladies fellowship at my Church and was able to pull from all the lessons I’ve learned to date on waiting.
Though waiting on the Lord can be challenging because we live in a society that is groomed to expect an immediate response to just about everything – especially when it comes to technology – there can be immense blessings realized through total reliance on our Heavenly Father for our needs.
While we’re waiting, here are some things to keep us busy,
1) God does hear us, so we can talk to Him.
a. Psalm 116:1; I love the Lord, for he heard by voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2) God can be trusted, so we can trust Him
a. And they that know your name will put their trust in you: for you, LORD, have not forsaken them that seek you. (Psalms 9:10)
3) God is worthy of our praise in any circumstance, so we should praise Him
a. Rev 4:11, You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power.
4) God is provides all our needs, so we should thank Him
a. When we praise and thank God for what He’s done our thoughts will be diverted off our situation and onto God’s provision
b. Philippians 4:19, And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
5) God is working everything for our good, so we need to wait and watch for Him to be glorified
a. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
6) We should seek out what God is teaching us in this waiting
7) We ought to focus on God’s promises
a. Examine & manage your thoughts/perspective
8) We should meditate daily on God’s Word and replace impatient, negative thoughts with God’s truth
9) Pray, pray, pray – express to God how you feel. Prayer is a demonstration of our reliance upon a Sovereign God
a. When everything is going as you want the need to rely on God seems minimal compared to a situation where you feel helpless and God is the only solution to your situation. You will find as you commune with God, crying out to Him, praying to Him, that you know Him more.
b. You will become stronger each time you come to Him.
c. Enlist others to pray with and for you.
10) When you worry, you do not trust your Heavenly Father. That means you don't know Him well enough.
11) Examine if your petition(s)/what you’re waiting on is consistent with the Word of God. Pray God’s Word back to Him in your prayers.
12) Examine the condition of your heart and confess unrepentant sins
a. Psalm 66:16-20
i. If I had Cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened: he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
13) Study the lives of those who waited & struggled with waiting (e.g., Job, David, Abraham, Sarah)
14) Examine God’s track record in your life
a. If you have any question about the future, look at the past. Did He sustain you then? Don't worry--He will sustain you in the future as well.
15) Focus on the gift of TODAY
God gives you the glorious gift of life today; live in the light and full joy of that day, using the resources God supplies. Don't push yourself into the future and forfeit the day's joy over an anticipated tomorrow that may never happen. Today is all you really have, for God permits none of us to live in tomorrow until it turns into today.
God knows exactly what we stand in need of. Waiting on the Lord is not a sign on God’s inactivity in your life. As we wait on God and He molds and shapes us inwardly through our prayers, meditation, and examination of our relationship with Him, God will drive us to rely upon Him for our every need until He outwardly glorifies Himself through us in answered prayer.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Thankfulness
As God draws me closer to Him in this waiting journey of coming home to my family, He has blessed me beyond measure by answering a prayer that has been settled within my heart for a long time and is linked to my desire of coming home and homeschooling the kids.
Over the years God has been softening my husband’s heart to the idea and as I’ve idly sat by and watched his desire for another child grow, I had been focusing my energies on transitioning home first before adding to the family. I guess God had other plans in regards to adding to our family first!
Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
I realized just a week or so ago that I’m with child again.
Over the years God has been softening my husband’s heart to the idea and as I’ve idly sat by and watched his desire for another child grow, I had been focusing my energies on transitioning home first before adding to the family. I guess God had other plans in regards to adding to our family first!
While we haven’t broadcast the news yet, we’ve been ecstatic as if we’re expecting for the first time. I’ve been through this before, but it’s like a new world again to me. To think that a new person is growing inside me gives me hope as we continue forward with bringing me home.
In the past few months I’ve remained encouraged through God’s Word. The "Jesus Calling" devotional continues to be an immense blessing to my heart and mind as each morning God’s Word is refreshed. I can relate to each entry and the reminders that each devotion brings has given this waiting experience perspective.
I understand that God has a purpose for every experience of my life and He’s drawing me to lean and depend on Him and on my husband. As I submit to my husband, I can see that my husband is dying to self by striving to align our life according to God’s Will. And, as he submits to God day by day I am letting the reigns go of trying to control situations and just let allow God and my husband to lead our family.
I’m learning so much about God’s provision in these times and what it means to truly depend on him. He will never forsake us.
Joshua 1:5, 9
as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Hope in a New Year
As we welcome a New Year, I come into this year not certain of how it will end.
None of us know how it will end.
I’m reminded in the Bible, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt 6:34)
God wants me to lean and depend on Him and His Word explains that the more that I do that the more He is glorified from my complete dependence on Him. That can be so very challenging for a person who likes to have everything in order and together. I don’t do well with the unknown.
I received a neat Christmas gift from a friend. It’s a devotional book entitled “Devotions for everyday of the Year: Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. The book is written as if God were talking to you, calling out from His Word.
The January 6th entry says,
“I am able to do far beyond all that you as or imagine. Come to Me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish. As My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me. Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark. The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention. Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.
Ephesians 3:20-21, Romans 8:6, Isaiah 40:30-31, Revelation 5:13
This reminder was just what I needed to keep hoping in God. That He hasn’t forgotten my heart’s desire.
When its Dark
The last time that I found myself in a “dark” place spiritually or I should say consistently consumed with the unknowns of how something would turn out it was helpful to document what I was feeling.
Eight years ago we built a home for our family. It was the most challenging experience of my life. What’s interesting was it was self-inflicted. No one MADE us build the house that we built, but we definitely felt led to do it and was confident that God would provide for us.
And, there were a lot of unknowns throughout that process. Unmet deadlines, questionable funding, unreliable subcontractors, etc. So many factors that contributed to daily stress. If I could put it plainly.
Now, 8 years later as I reflect back on the process its interesting to ponder over how God in His sovereignty brought us through that process. There were many moments that we didn’t know how we would continue on and God saw us through.
Many tearful moments and prayers lifted up for God to be glorified in the construction of our home and now there are many tearful moments and prayers lifted up to leave this place.
To move on to an even higher glorification of my Father out of sacrifice, pruning, giving up of something that God was so gracious to give to us.
I remain hopeful that God has a plan for our family and that He will glorified beyond measure.
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