Michael Phelps wins the Gold!

I have really enjoyed watching the summer Olympics this year! It has been so refreshing to have our whole family watching the events and rooting for team USA!

Our favorite event was the swimming, especially Michael Phelps! We stayed up late every time we knew that he would be performing. Why? Because we had to know if he would beat the world record and it was addictive!

When his relay won the gold we were rejoicing right along with him, hooting and hollering! How incredible that we were able to watch as the fastest swimmer in all of our human history performed. It really was a privilege. It also got me thinking.

Did you see his mom? She was so cute to watch. I enjoyed seeing her reaction each time her son won another gold medal. She was precious! Once, when Michael won by a nail length, she had a stunned look and when she realized that he had won his seventh medal, she fell to the floor! I loved it!

That's when I began to wonder about my own children. You see, God created Michael Phelps to be the fastest swimmer to ever live. How did he get into swimming? When did his mom realize that he had a talent? You don't win medals like that unless you are talented and committed. How do we know what our children were created to do?

This is something that plagues me at times. I have six children and I cannot let them try everything that's out there. I spend a great deal of time praying about each opportunity and asking God to show me if they are gifted or talented in a particular area that He wants to cultivate.

Can you imagine if Michael Phelps had never entered in a swim meet? The Olympics would have looked quite different this year!

I am not expecting my children to be in the Olympics or set any world records. No, I am looking for them to serve God in the way He wants them to serve.

Eph 2:10 "God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do."(GNB)

The works that we are to do for God, He has already prepared for us! He is the master builder. May He guide each of us as we raise up the next generation.

Fatih of a Child

In doing the Beth Moore study, Believing God, I've been digging deep down to see if my faith is real and if it's grounded in the scriptures.

One thing I'm supposed to do, is say the 5 step statement of faith. Statement number four is, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

On the surface, that statement sounds easy. When you get down to the realities of life, fear and doubt seem to be lurking behind every new door!

Recently, I had a chance to listen as my two nine year old daughters were having a conversation about their upcoming birthdays and what kind of party they wanted to have. Here's how the conversation went:

Val, "I was thinking that I'd like to have the entire home school coop over for a cookout on my birthday." (There are 100 children in our coop!)

Val, "But then I thought, no, because it would be too hard for mom." (bless that girl!)

Steph, "Val, if Mom can raise six kids, she can do ANYTHING!"

The faith of a child! I guess it's all in perspective, isn't it! The truth is, I have only been able to raise my six children because of God and His love and grace. Based on that fact, He will help me in any situation. Apparently, I need to get back to having a faith like a little child.

Believing God Week #3

Can God do what He says He can do?

I started off by saying, "of course He can!". As the study has progressed this week, I'm finding myself a little ashamed because it is really digging up some unbelief in my heart, OUCH! This study is really cleaning house in my spiritual life.

Beth splits the churches today into two basic categories: Those who say there are no miracles happening today, and those who say its all about the miracles.

Interestingly, both of these views are sinful! If you don't believe there are miracles anymore than you aren't having any faith. Conversely, if you believe there must always be signs and wonders you are called, adulterous and wicked! That last one really threw me! If you want to look up some scriptures I'll list a few.

Heb. 11:1, 1Peter 1:21, Romans 4:8, and 1Cor. 13:13.

The reason why we shouldn't always need miracles is because we begin to focus on what He can do for us, instead of focusing on who He is. It makes sense, I'd just not thought of it that way before. I was raised in big faith churches and I fear many of them fall into the second category.

Here is a phrase that I really liked:

We don't know if He will, but we must believe that He can.

That's one I'll keep on the forefront of my mind as I move foreword.

Beth goes on to point out that we tend to base our beliefs on what we see happening to others. This is not how we are supposed to base faith! We should be so saturated with the Word of God that we believe what God says about a situation.

There are so many good truths that I've learned this week. I think I'd need to post every day to cover it all. I am going to sum this one up here:

She talks about the difference between the old testament covenant and the new testament covenant. The new testament covenant is written on our hearts, not a tablet. God's number one priority is to work a good work in our own hearts, the inner man, not the outer man. He can and will still perform outward miracles, but He will only do so if it will benefit our inner man.

My sweet friends, let us not get caught in this circle of unbelief:

We believe little because we see little and we see little because we believe little.

Let's get into the word of God and saturate ourselves with it to the point of believing God can do what He says He can do!

Holding Hands

Isn't it sweet to see a child holding hands with their parent. This is a picture of Tiff and Mom holding hands. Tiff is three years old and our years of holding hands are numbered.

This year has been the year of my calling. God has graciously reached into my life and prophetically called me into a ministry that I was created for. In His sovereignty He also gave me a warning, "In the excitement, don't step out in front of God."

This picture has such profound meaning to me. I know all too well, that when my children stop holding my hand, they tend to step out in front of me. If we are in a parking lot, stepping out in front can mean injury. I am constantly reminding my kids to let Mom go first, but without holding my hand, they tend to walk too fast.

We consider ourselves adults, don't we. But after my stern warning, I realized that in God, we aren't adults until we meet Him face to face in heaven. For now, God wants us to hold His hand. We are NEVER too old to hold His hand. In doing such, we ensure that we won't run out in front of Him and risk getting hurt.

Pictures of Vacation!

What a wonderful week we had! My sweet husband surprised us with a week long trip to sunny, Myrtle Beach, SC. It has been one of the most relaxing vacations that we've had in quite some time. My sister, her husband and their son were there in another condo. Here are some of the pictures that I think you'll enjoy!


My Son is the one on the left, his older cousin is in the white shirt. My 6yr old daughter is in the surf behind them.


Nothing like riding the waves on your boogie boards!


Skin Boarding, it's the latest rage with all of the boys at the beach.


Relaxing in the surf, bonding moments.



No trip to the beach is complete until you have the sand castles.


Father and daughter, aren't they sweet!


My youngest two making mud pies.


Thank you, my wonderful husband! You are a gift to me and our children. I am a blessed woman.

Vacation

Hello all!

My husband has surprised us with a special vacation to sunny Myrtle Beach, SC.

I just assumed I would be blogging and keeping up with my blog reading this week, but I really feel like the Lord is telling me to sign off and just take time to enjoy every moment with my precious family. So, I'll be praying for all of you, and I'll be back next Monday.

If you think of it, pray for us, for safety and that we'd really bond as a family.

PS. This is a picture of my oldest daughter walking to the ocean to check it out when we first got here. There will be more photos to come next week.

Inside

Have you ever heard any of the following statements:

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Intel Inside

What's in your wallet?

Ok, so the last two are commercial ads. The point is what do you do when you meet someone new? Do you judge them by their appearance? the way they look, smell, dress, or speak?

We've been searching for a new church and consequently we've had the opportunity to meet many new people. How have we judged them?

According to God's Word, we are only supposed to look at the heart.

Joh 7:24 Don't judge by appearances. Judge by what is right.

I've decided to try and be careful as I meet these new people. I've asked the Lord to let me see only the good in them. This is difficult because we don't really know them, and whether someone is good or not is a heart matter. But God has been good enough to help me not judge them based on appearances. I want to see them the way God does. With loving eyes, not harsh eyes.

Here's another one:

The truth is in the pudding. (Where did this one come from?)

Anyhow, once we get to know someone, then we can make a true judgement and determine if they are exhibiting the fruits of the spirit - or not. Until then they will be:

Innocent until proven guilty.