Miko's Sweater

I had a great time knitting this sweater for Miko's first birthday (April 12th). Well, if I'm honest, there were some hiccups along the way. I admit there were moments of frustration when I needed to unravel parts of it to go back and fix spots that were messed up. And it definitely taught me a lesson in patience as I learned new knitting lingo and techniques through trial and error that I didn't know previously. But in the end I was so happy that I didn't give up. It felt great to see the finished product and to find out how much my sweet niece enjoys the lady bug buttons. 


Reflecting on this project makes me think about life walking with God. Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you have made a hundred mistakes? Well, this week I had one of those days. When this happens the temptation I am faced with is to beat myself up over all the wrong things I have done. And the devil's hope is that I would stay in that place of self condemnation. But God says in His Word, 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) 

We won't always get things right. We may fall from time to time. But God is right there to pick us up, brush us off and heal our wounds. In hard times I often don't see my circumstances from God's perspective. They can seem so big and overwhelming. But He always sees the big picture and will often use my circumstances to accomplish His good will for my life. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

When we give our lives to Him in full surrender, from that moment on, daily He takes delight in lovingly transforming us and molding us into what He created and desires for us to be. Sold out lovers for Jesus! As we surrender our pitfalls and mistakes at the foot of His cross He says, "You don't need to hold onto that anymore. It's already been paid for. You are forgiven." Period.


So I am learning day by day not to beat myself up for making mistakes. And to let go of anything I have done wrong in the past. Because He doesn't want me to hold onto those things. What He has for me is so much better. His plans for us are so much greater than we could ever hope for or imagine. The dreams we have are very small compared to the dreams He has for us. And in order for me to accomplish those dreams there's something important that needs to happen. 


Jesus wants to renew the way I think about Him and the way I think about myself. He wants me to see myself the way He sees me. And that process started a long time ago, but it will continue from day to day until the day Jesus comes back for us, His Bride. Each day my mind is transformed more and I see myself the way He sees me.... I am His beautiful creation. I am His daughter who He loves beyond words. I am His friend who He can confide in. I am His and He is mine.

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."          (Colossians 3:1-3, emphasis added) 

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."      (Romans 12:2, emphasis added)

Louisiana: The Call, The Answer, The Miracle

Two and half years ago while in Kansas City, Missouri I heard God say, "Watch Louisiana." Minutes later, I found on the road, a white paper bag that said Louisiana Kitchen. A sign? I thought so, but what did it mean?

At the end of August, 2011 I received a phone call from a Pastor friend of mine. He invited me to pray about the possibility of being a part of a new church plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Shortly after, I was reminded about what God had said two years prior in Kansas City, Missouri, " Watch Louisiana." Was this a divine ambush?

As Jessica and I prayed about this invite and the word God gave 2 years earlier, confirmations began to pop up everywhere.

The following day after I received the call from my Pastor friend I was in a conversation and the person I was talking to brought up Louisiana randomly, or maybe not randomly. Hmmm? The whole time we were in Wyoming I don't recall anyone talking about Louisiana, but the day after the invite I did. The very next day at work, I was in a conversation with a totally different person and guess what he began to talk about? That's right, Louisiana!

I received a typical, weekend, I love you call from my dad in September. During the conversation he told me that while he was talking to my uncle Stan, he said, "You will never guess where Cody and Jessica are thinking about going?"

Immediately, my Uncle Stan blurted out, "Where? Louisiana?"

My dad inquired, "How did you know that?"

Uncle Stan said, " I don't know, it just came out."

By this time Jessica and I were confident about moving the family to Baton Rouge, but we wanted wise counsel and a sure path before us. We wanted to hear what our current Pastors thought about the situation. We wanted to know if they had any wisdom or warnings to share with us. We scheduled a time to meet and they took us out to lunch. We did not know where they were going to take us, but come to find out the owner of the restaurant we went to is originally from Baton Rouge. What are the odds? It seemed like another confirmation from God. If that was not enough, the little league playoffs, on ESPN, were playing on a t.v. at the restaurant. You will never guess what teams were playing? The Billings, Montana team was playing Louisiana. It just so happens that Billings, Montana is the closest major city to Cody, Wyoming. Wow! We were blown away.

We had crossed one major hurdle, knowing that God was calling us to Louisiana, but another one lay ahead. The financial hurdle. It was going to cost over $3,500 to move our family half way across the U.S. and we were making income enough to live comfortably, but not save too much. To save $3,500 might take us a couple of years on only my salary.

One Sunday afternoon we were making our way out to lunch when Jessica ran into our former landlord who we had not seen for a couple of months. As they visited, Cindy told Jessica that God had told her to give our family $500.00. She did not know why and was not even sure if we were still in Wyoming. She told God that He would have to bring us to Cindy, and that is exactly what He did that Sunday.

Over the course of about two months we received a little less than $3,300. 00 We never once asked for any money but believed that God would provide if He was indeed calling us to Louisiana. God used 12 different people who financially sowed into our lives in order for us to comfortably make the journey from Cody, Wyoming to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Shortly after money started coming in towards our big move another blessing was released to us. I landed a job painting, which is what I was doing in Cody. The wonderful thing is I did not have to even look for a job but one was virtually given to me. Not only did I get the job, but the owner of the company is also a pastor of church and come to find out, is an incredible man. Favor! Favor! Favor! There is untold favor stored up for Gods children.

In summary, God supernaturally revealed His will for us to make the move to Baton Rouge. We supernaturally were supplied about $3,300. And I was presented with a job without even searching. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The apartment that we were scheduled to lease told us there was a deposit, but when we came they told us we didn't have to pay for some reason. That was a huge blessing and we didn't make any squabbles about that.

Thank you Jesus for your incredible kindness and heart of adventure. We wouldn't want to be anywhere else but in the center of your will.

God Speaking

by: Mandisa

Have you ever heard a love song set your spirit free?

Have you ever watched a sunrise and felt you could not breathe?

What if it's Him?

What if it's God speaking?

Have you ever met a stranger who already knew your name?

Have you ever cried a tear that you could not explain?

What if it's Him?

What if it's God speaking?

Who knows how He'll get a hold of us?

Get our attention to prove He is enough.

He'll do and He'll use whatever He wants to,

To tell us, "I love you."

Have you ever lost a love one who you thought should still be here?

Do you know what it feels like to be tangled up in fear?

What if he's some how involved?

What if He's speaking through it all?

His ways are higher. He's ways are better. Though sometimes strange.

What could be stranger than God in a manger?

Who knows how He'll get a hold of you?

Get your attention to prove He is enough.

He'll do and He'll use whatever He wants to,

To tell us, "I love you."

God is speaking...."I love you."

Can unforgiveness keep us from the banqueting table with Jesus?

Our lives are not short on opportunities to be offended. In fact, Jesus was tempted with offense until His very last breath. His cross was stationed between two other crosses with two very different men on them. One of these men cried out for mercy and the other was a tool in the enemies hand. The devil in his final assault used a thief on the cross to slander our perfect Savior and give room for Jesus to be offended before His death. If offense was received into Jesus' heart the manifold plan of salvation would have been destroyed.

Offense gives birth to bitterness and unforgiveness. Unforgiveness short circuits our relationship with God and gives legal right to our enemy to torment our lives. Many Christians have diseases, illnesses, tormented minds and souls because they will not forgive.

Recently I met with a Christian friend. Before we met I received a vision from God. I saw my friend sitting at a long, rectangular, banqueting table with a white table cloth. He had a large, eloquent plate before him inlaid with gold, and piled on the plate was food fit for a king. My friend was ready to eat with fork in hand and napkin stuffed in his shirt, but he couldn't. There was a huge black figure behind him with red eyes keeping him from eating. That figure was a demon and his name was bitterness.

When my friend and I met he shared from a place of frustration, desiring to have more experiences with God and hear His voice. I then shared the vision with him that I had before our meeting. I asked if he was holding unforgiveness toward anyone or if he had felt betrayed. His lips lifted up on one side, a kind of half smile, as if he was caught. He began to open up and share a painful experience that presented opportunity for him to become offended. I then led him in a prayer of repentance and he forgave this person by whom he was bitter towards. We bound the spirit of bitterness and unforgiveness and cast them out of his life.

I told my friend that the banqueting table I saw in the vision was the fellowship table with Jesus and that he was made to feast from this table. My friends relationship with God had been hi-jacked and he wasn't having greater experiences with God because he took the bait of offense and allowed tormentors into his life. Unforgiveness can destroy a persons life.

The devil is working feverishly to cause offense in our lives and sometimes through those we care for the most. If the devil gets us to take the bait of offense, demons are released into our lives and they will reek havoc. If we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. Out of Gods mercy he allows demons to torment those who do not forgive in order that they might cry out and be released from the prison of unforgiveness. (Read Matthew 18:21-25, 6:14-15)

In His last breaths Jesus said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Likewise we are commanded to do the same. Every time we release forgiveness toward someone we re-present Jesus and release the kingdom of God into men's lives. Mercy triumphs over judgement. Let us feast at the banqueting table with Christ and steer clear of all offense. He who is forgiven much, loves much.

Grace and Peace,

Cody

Joy is irresistable, especially at the workplace.

When heaven invades earth, people come to Jesus. They can't help it, they find out how good He really is. In heaven the joy never runs dry. When joy is released into a world where people are without hope and God, heads turn, and lives change. David is one life that has been changed by the joy of heaven.

My boss has been praying for David to come to Jesus for over 5 years. When I started working for this company four months ago, David's heart was closed to the gospel. David is now believing, experiencing, and hungering for more of God. What was the shift? The atmosphere of Heaven is irresistible. And when we take heavens atmosphere with us where we go, miracles happen, even at work. Imagine that?

Shortly after I started working for this painting company the realm of Heaven started breaking in on the job site. Explosions of joy would interrupt our work. Bummer, I know, joy at the workplace? Outrageous joy and belly laughter would sneak up on us and change everything in the atmosphere. Had I not known that God's kingdom is full of joy I might have been surprised why this laughter came unexpectedly and for no apparent reason. Often as I was filled with increasing joy and mucho laughter, a smile would creep up on David's face, and then a laugh, until he couldn't stop laughing. It seemed as if most of the time I would start laughing, then David, and sometimes it spilled out to others on the job site. But God was doing something special between David and I. God was ambushing David's heart with laughter. This is no exaggeration, in four months the joy of the Lord has come on the job site more than 20 times. Looking back, God was drawing David with His cords of loving kindness, and opening his heart to the gospel.

One night after work I prayed for David and God answered my prayer and did much more than I asked for. David came to work the next morning explaining that after I prayed for him he felt like he was wrapped up in a warm blanket of love. He said that feeling did not leave that whole night. He laid on his bed with a funny look on his face and his fiance asked him if something was wrong. He said, "Nothing's wrong, it's God." After that prayer he has been reading his bible on a nightly basis, talking about God at the job site, and still enjoying the joy of the Lord. One day at work while we painted a base board side -by- side, David began expressing how much he was thankful for me and told me that I have brought happiness back into his life.

David has been moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work and has been exhorting and encouraging my boss and I. The other day he came back from an appointment with his psychologist and he said it was terrible, and he didn't know why he was paying his psychologist money for the last session. He found himself counseling his psychologist when it was suppose to be the other way around. He said his heart was burning to tell her about God. Now that's transformation!

He recently came to work and shared with me that the previous night something amazing had happened. He sat on his bed awake. With his eyes closed and he had a vision. Images played across his mind like a movie. God showed him his future and gave him a list of areas in his life to change and then showed David how to do it. He could not sleep the whole night because he was overwhelmed with happiness.

My boss and I have shared a few words here and there with David about God. But, it wasn't our words that drew David to Jesus. It was the presence of our King that we carry with us. Many prayers have gone before God for David and have culminated towards this wonderful work in his life. Yet, I believe it was the presence of Heaven invading the earth that tipped the scales in Davids heart. The fragrance of Christ rests on His children in varying measures. The more we cultivate the presence of Jesus in our life, the greater the works that Jesus can do in the atmosphere around us. As we draw closer to His heart we begin to love, sound, look, and smell more like Jesus. Where we go, He goes. If we are saturated in Jesus then He supernaturally spills out and draws men unto Himself.

Grace and Peace,

Cody

A Prayer

Dear Lord,

Help me to spread your fragrance wherever I go.

Flood my soul with your spirit and life.

Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of yours.

Shine through me, and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul.

Let them look up and see no longer me, but only you, O Lord!

Stay with me, then I shall begin to shine as you do; so to shine as to be a light to others.

The light, O Lord, will be all from you; none of it will be mine; it will be you shining on others through me.

Let me thus praise you in the way you love best, by shining on those around me.

Let me preach without preaching, not by words but by my example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to you.

Amen.

-John Henry Newman

(One of Mother Teresa's favorite prayers, said every day by the Missionaries of Charity)

God is love

Giving

Toby

some

love.

I love Samuel and Abigail a lot! But the love I have for them does not even begin to compare with the love our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. Sit back and rest in Him as He reveals His love to us.

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

~Zephaniah 3:17

And Your thoughts toward us

Cannot be recounted to You in order;

If I would declare and speak of them,

They are more than can be numbered.

~Psalm 40:5

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;

And in the night His song shall be with me-

A prayer to the God of my life.

~Psalm 42:8

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

The Lord will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly.

~Psalm 84:11

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

~Psalm 103:8

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be

more in number than the sand...

~Psalm 139:17-18

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,

Slow to anger and great in mercy.

The Lord is good to all,

And His tender mercies are over all His works.

~Psalm 145:8-9

You open Your hand

And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all His ways,

Gracious in all His works.

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,

To all who call upon Him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

He also will hear their cry and save them.

~Psalm 145:16-19

You have ravished my heart,

My sister, my spouse;

You have ravished my heart

With one look of your eyes...

~Song of Solomon 4:9

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God did not send HIs Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him might be saved.

~John 3:16-17

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.

And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

~1 John 3:16

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

~1 John 4:7-9

Faith + Compassion=Miracles

I have been reading a book by Roberts Liardon called God's Generals. This book is about men and women who were used by God to bring revival to America and to other parts of the world. This book has stirred my faith so much and I want to answer the call that He has for my life. Here is an excerpt from the chapter about Smith Wigglesworth:

As I ministered in a prayer line years ago, a man came up to me with tears streaming down his face. He told me of the power he had experienced in the Voice of Healing revival meetings. The power of God in those meetings set him free. Then he said something I will never forget as long as I live: "Isn't there anybody who walks in the power like they did back then? Isn't there anybody who can set me free? Is there anyone like that today?"

Has the power that Smith Wigglesworth walked in left the earth? Did it go with him when he died? Of course not! The same power Wigglesworth operated in is here for us today, we don't need more power. We just need to use our faith and compassion for that power to operate. Wigglesworth operated in the boldest faith I have ever seen since the book of Acts, but that faith was ignited by compassion. Smith took God at His Word and moved by compassion for the people, and that combination produces miracles.

The challenge now comes to our generation. God has issued the call for men and women to invade cities and nations with the power of heaven. Will you answer the call of God? Will you dare to only believe? Is your heart so moved by compassion for the multitudes, that you will take God at His Word and step out? Let it be said of our generation, "...through faith [they] subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." (Hebrews 11:33,34.) Stir up the gift within you, and invade your home, your community, and your nation with the power of God. Let the will of heaven be done on earth - through you!

Children of Peace

God is peace. We can be sure that Christ is found wherever His peace is. Where peace is there also are the reaches of His kingdom. Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Peace is a landing strip for Gods word. He releases His words to us on the fertile soil of His peace where it is sure to bear good fruit. James 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Peace is our umpire. It helps us discern what is from God and what is not. There is no peace for the wicked. The wicked hordes of hell and the kingdom of darkness are ruled by fear. When our peace has escaped us we can be sure that an enemy spy is in our camp whispering conspiring lies from Hell. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,…….

Peace is a guardian. It guards our hearts and minds in Christ from everything that is not of Him. Thoughts are gates to heaven and hell. When our thoughts are not taken captive to the obedience of Christ a gate to hell is open. When our thoughts align with Christ all the doors to hell are shut and peace reigns. Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace is a foundation on which God builds His kingdom. God will add to and build further where peace is a foundation. Everything built on peace will stand and all other ground is shifting sand. If we build upon an idea or a word spoken where peace did not underlay, that structure will without a doubt collapse. Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

We rule and reign in peace. When we are seated with Christ the enemy is under our feet. Our peace is only taken when we leave our eternal inheritance of sitting with Christ in heavenly places. Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Each Moment

I feel very blessed when I sit back and look at the children the Lord has given us. As Samuel is growing and maturing I wonder what his desires will be as he gets older. Will he continue to love sports, playing instruments and reading stories with his Mommy? Right now he gets excited about the littlest things in life. Or should I say the things that seem small to me. Going to the library, watching a movie, getting a piece of candy, getting a new toy: all these things that seem small to me are exciting to him.

I feel the Lord is showing me through my son to enjoy the small things in life. Often I am looking forward to certain events. Or waiting for this tribulation or that trial to end. And when that event happens or that trial is over what then? The Lord wants me to take each moment as it comes. Looking for Him in the midst of it. Enjoying the moment with Him. No matter how insignifcant something may seem in my eyes, EVERYTHING is significant to Him.

I imagine a child trying to get his moms attention while she is glued to the t.v. or a book. The child says, "Hey mom, I want to show you something!" And the mom says, "Just a minute..."

Sometimes I see myself as that mom and God is trying to get my attention like the child. God is saying, "Look over here, Jessica I want to share this hidden treasure with you! Won't you pay attention for a moment so I can share it with you?"

God is in each moment and circumstance hoping that we will turn to Him, look into His eyes of love and draw near.

I want to pay attention. I don't want to miss one moment.

i try to unload the dishes before she gets there, but she's pretty fast

fuzzy hair

this is what he did when we told him to smile :)

The Rhythm of Life

When in rhythm there is an unstoppable fluidity, a harmony, a momentous unity. I have begun to run again these past two weeks and while doing so the Holy Spirit is teaching me with faint, yet intimate whispers about rhythm. Not only am I learning how to run and have fun while doing so, I am also learning life lessons as I run with the Teacher, Holy Spirit. While I run I am noticing the importance of my body staying in rhythm with itself. What I mean by this is whatever pattern of speed and pace I stride to, my arms too must move with my legs; not only the arms and legs, but my breathing, and state of mind as well. The stronger the fluidity and longer the harmony of my body in sync with itself, the greater vitality I seem to have as I run. The value of the run is maximized. Enjoyment, stamina, strength, and endurance are all working for me.

There is always opposition on runs, whether it is the terrain, climate, weather conditions, energy level of my body, or incline. But the more I seem to stay in a running rhythm the greater chance for success I put before myself. The less I am in rhythm the more I put extra resistance in my path. Such is the challenge of abiding in the rhythms of the Holy Spirit. When I am in rhythm with the Holy Spirit there is an unstoppable fluidity, a harmony, a momentous unity. When abiding in Spirit it is impossible for me not to fulfill my destiny.

The journey of my faith walk is similar to the terrain that is before me when I run. There are times that I run on flat pavement and other times up inclines or down them. There are times that I run at a slow pace and other times that I am flying with the wind. Christ is the author and the finisher of our faith, the journey before us is already established if we dare to partner with His leadership. There are season when I am moving in His Spirit at a steady pace with ease. There are other times that I am moving so fast downhill it is hard to keep my feet under myself. These are the times when Gods grace is pushing me forward, taking new ground in an accelerated time. Almost everything I touch prospers and I feel like, "how much more can I take?" At times there are mountains that stand before me and I am not only taking ground forward, but yet at the same time vertically. These are the times when my true grit is discovered, when the heart is revealed and faith is tested. I personally feel I am in one of these seasons at this present time. The pace is slow, the battle is on two fronts and my heart is ready to explode giving all I know how. The ground being won seems insignificant and I am tempted to give up and turn back around but that will be to no avail.

Rhythm, the secret to vitality, the path toward victory in God. The more I learn to stay in rhythm with the Holy Spirit the greater my potential is for enjoyment in God, victory, and ultimately fulfilling my destiny and making history. The less I am in rhythm the more unnecessary resistance I place before myself. God and the devil already are planning resistance in my life. Gods resistance is working good toward me and producing fruit. The devils resistance is set in my path to kill, steal, and destroy. I don't need anymore resistance! I believe this is sufficient.

Father, teach me how to in all things stay in rhythm with your Spirit. With your consuming fire burn away all of the mindsets, affections, and behaviors that hinder this dance of intimacy and friendship with your Spirit. Help me to surrender!

This was an excerpt from Cody's journal.

Hungry

I want to be hungry for more of God. But there are some things in my life that want to pull me away from that desire. When I feast on the things of this world, be it media, movies, books, t.v., facebook, etc...I find my hunger for God lessens. I feel like I get fat on these other things in my life. Sometimes to the point where they become idols. And when I walk away from them I realize they are not able to fill the hunger pains that are inside. The only One who can fulfill my hunger is Jesus.

"One of the greatest uses for Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time." -John Piper

Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the first and great commandment. "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-39)

When I pour my time and energy into the things I listed above can I really do what the Lord has called me to do. I'm not saying that all forms of entertainment are bad. I think these things can be used for good. I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to cut back on these things in my life, so I can make more room for Him.

I heard this verse the other day and it struck me:

"I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:13

Do I treasure God's word more than food? I want my answer to be yes. I'm realizing how many times I check my email each day versus opening my Bible. Or how many times I check my facebook versus waiting on the Lord and seeking His face. I am waiting, checking, wondering when I will receive my awaited answer. Now I can see how much time I was wasting with these. How much time I could have been waiting on the Lord, seeking His face and reading His word. Communing with Him. Getting to know Him better. Receiving an answer from Him.

I like the following quote by Bill Johnson. He is the pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California:

"In the physical we become hungry by not eating. In the spiritual we become hungry by eating God's word. Eat (read) God's word and get in His presence and you will become hungry for more of Him."

It think it's time for me to turn off some distractions.

It's time for me to feast on His word.

It's time for me to wait for His voice.

It's time for me to set certain things aside for something greater.

Someone more powerful.

Someone more satifying.

I feel like He's drawn a line in the sand and is asking me to cross it and follow Him. I ask myself, "Am I willing to leave these things behind for Him?" He longs to be with me. And He longs to be with you also. He's waiting for us. He's hungry for us.

Will we be hungry for Him too?

Psalm 65:11 You Crown the year with Your goodness. And Your paths drip with abundance

What happens when you travel to a foreign land (Cody, Wyoming) with no money, no place to dwell, a pregnant wife, a 2 year old son, and all you have is a promise from God and faith?

You get to experience the wild, ineffable, love of God!

This is a re-cap of our experience of God's paths dripping with abundance in 2010:

. We were given over $4,000 through different people at different times.

. For three months we were afforded the opportunity to live in a newer 5th wheel trailer for free (after sleeping in the car for 2 weeks).

. A place to rent in the valley of Cody, Wyoming surrounded by the breathtaking mountains.

. Everything a home could need was given to us the day we moved in; kitchen supplies, couches, beds, linens, etc...

. I was given 3 raises in one year.

. I was given a promotion at work.

. A wardrobe of like-new maternity clothes was given to Jessica.

. Over a years supply of clothes for both Abigail and Samuel.

. We were given one of the most wonderful dogs in the world, "Toby." After we picked him up from the shelter we found out his name means God is good!

. We have been abundantly blessed with the reception of Abigail Grace-Ann (Pure Joy).

. After a previous c-section Jessica was able to have Abigail naturally.

. God made a way for us to go to Chicago for Heather and Jay's wedding, California for Thanksgiving, and Missouri for Christmas.

. Jessica was on the worship team at church and was given the opportunity to lead worship for a ministry that provides food for low-income families once a week.

. We were given a van and the title is in our name.

. Our children have both been used in amazing ways in the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit.

. Jessica and myself have had more of the manifest presence of Jesus in this last year than all of the years of our lives combined.

. We have had multiple days and nights of outrageous laughing in the joy of the Lord. In many ways He has used this to rescue us at different times.

. Two separate people have told me in the last year that I am the most blessed person they have met in their lifetime.

We can do nothing without Christ, but in and through Him we experience and radiate the Glory of God.

What are you thankful for?

Dream

Have you ever had dreams or aspirations? Is there something in your life that makes you feel alive when you do it? I hope the answer to these questions is yes. I believe that God places dreams and aspirations in us for a purpose. He gives us gifts and talents to bring Him pleasure. And what makes me feel the most alive is singing. I'm reminded of a quote from the movie Chariots of Fire based on the life of Eric Liddell. In the movie Eric says,

"I believe that God made me for a purpose...but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel HIS pleasure!"

I love to sing because when I sing to God I feel His pleasure and His presence. It's the most wonderful feeling I have ever experienced. I would sing all day long if I could. My dream is to be in full time ministry as a worship leader, traveling and sharing the gospel where the Lord would lead. And I would love to be with orphans. Loving those that are often forgotten by man, but never forsaken by God. I want to see lives changed for the King. I want to see souls won and set for eternity with my Lord.

The Lord reminded me a week ago that there is a time and a season for everything. That He finds pleasure in me when I sing. And He also finds pleasure in me when I take care of my children and cook meals for my family. He likes it when I share Jesus with someone I meet at the store. He delights in me when I clean the house and call a friend on the phone and encourage them. He likes it when I talk with Him throughout my day. He delights in me every moment. And He knows that I have dreams and aspirations. And He gave them to me for a purpose.

His plans for our lives are so much bigger then we could ever hope for or imagine. And if I strive in my own strength to make my dreams come true then I may miss what He had in store for me.

God is helping me to be content to set certain gifts on the shelf at present for the sake of my family. He is teaching me that He is more interested in what I am than in what I do. ~Sandra K. Strubhar

I write all of this in hopes that it would encourage you to keep dreaming. And continue enjoying His presence while you allow Him to take care of the rest.

And then there was a van...

Before we left to see Cody's family in California a friend from our church said something to Cody. She said, "I just have this feeling that you will be coming back with a vehicle." Then Cody remembered a dream he had a couple months ago. In the dream he was picking out a van. For those that don't know we have been borrowing a Geo Metro from our landlords for a few months now. We have been praying and trying to save up money to buy our own vehicle. So when our friend made this statement we were excited at the possibly of what God might have in store for us.

While heading back to Cody from the Denver airport we stopped at a gas station just before sunset. After getting gas Cody went to turn on the headlights and realized they would not turn on. So, Cody called a friend of ours from Missouri to see if he could help him. Our friend said he had had a dream the night before about us and had been praying for us that day. While in prayer he had this feeling that we might be on the side of the road somewhere. It was comforting to know that the Lord had someone interceding for us ahead of time. We ended up staying at a hotel that night in Glendo, WY and headed to Cody the next morning. About 5 minutes from home I got a phone call from my friend Laura who is from Cody. She said she felt the Lord leading her to give us her van! It is a '93 Dodge Grand Caravan ES. It has been sitting in her driveway and has had people offer to buy it, but she never felt led to sell it. It's in great condition and it is the perfect size for our family! I am in awe once again with the Lord. He provides in His perfect timing.

"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." Lam. 3:25

Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom

As a stay at home mom I get the pleasure of spending the majority of my day taking care of Samuel who will be turning 3 in December and Abigail who just turned 3 months old. Each of my children are such a joy and I can't imagine my life without them. The Lord uses them multiple times a day to teach me. One of those lessons in the last few weeks looked like an insect bite.

One day a few weeks ago I noticed Samuel had a couple insect bites. But as each day passed I found more bites on Samuel and began to think we had flees. So I cleaned Samuel's room and vacuumed every day that week. Samuel only seemed to itch at night and had trouble falling asleep. Samuels spots are all gone now. But then when I noticed Abigail had a couple spots on Monday, I read a little about Chicken Pox online. And it sounded exactly like what Samuel had. Abigail is doing remarkably well and is not showing signs of discomfort. She is still sleeping through the majority of the night as well.

During the past few weeks I found myself becoming fearful of flees. I thought we needed to bomb the house to get rid of them. When in reality there were no flees. How many times have I wasted my time and energy worrying? God knew exactly what was going on. When Samuel's spots stopped spreading I thought the flees were gone. When we found out it was Chicken Pox I was reminded by the Lord how foolish it is for me to worry. I gain nothing by worrying.

"And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" Luke 12:25

"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." Luke 12:29-31

Thank you Lord that you hold each one of us in the palm of Your hand. I'm so glad that You know what is going on in each situation. Thank you for your forgiveness. Help me to trust in You with every part of my life.

Dos Meses

Abigail running for the next President. Samuel as her VP.

2 months old!

sleeping beauty

Abigail turned 2 months old yesterday! At her 2 month check up she weighed 12 pounds and 2 ounces and was 22 1/2 inches long.

Things she likes:

Sleeping (often sleeps 7-8 hours straight at night!)

Drinking Mama's milk

Smiling at you when she wakes up

Snuggling

Getting a clean diaper

Talking to you (cooing and making cute sounds)

Holding your finger in her hand

Listening to music

Sometimes Abigail has a hard time falling asleep. She cries, fusses, kicks and screams; she fights against the very thing she needs. I walk with her up and down the hall doing a bouncy dance until she calms down and falls asleep. One night while doing this bouncy dance I had a thought, and I felt like the thought came from the Lord. I thought that at times we are all a little bit like Abigail, fighting against the very thing that is best for us, pushing away Gods instruction and blessing. God tells us to give worry to Him, but sometimes we just don't want to let it go. God instructs us to lay down our sins, but sometimes we don't want to give them up. And sometimes we're just cranky because we don't get our own way, fussing and crying like babies. But when we, finally give up the fight and surrender, then we receive the peace and blessings God intended for us in the first place.

It is His kindness that leads us to repentance; the patience and gentle persuasion of our God of love. Our Heavenly Father will walk up and down the halls of life with us doing the bouncy dance until we finally surrender to Him.

"Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Romans 2:4

What is eternal life?

And this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

The glory, beauty, and holiness of eternity is not a detached, distant future event, but is our inheritance as sons and daughters of the living God that we have access to in the now. Our ideas of eternity do not have to be relegated to off in the distance hopes of lying on a cloud and playing a harp. On the contrary the heartbeat of eternity is experiential relationship with God in the present. When we sense, touch, place our hands on, taste and move in communion with the Holy Spirit we are thrust into eternal life now.

Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is at hand," when he walked on the planet with the sons of men. Everywhere Jesus went He released the fragrance of heaven on the earth, and manifested the eternal God in the now. Eternity was on display before the eyes of men and love commanded the atmosphere. Where Christ was, eternity was seen, heard, and felt. Yet eternity was still distant. Men and women who encountered Christ experienced eternity, but only a fuzzy glimpse of the outer rim. They could not perceive the inner workings of Christs being: His thoughts, opinions, the deep desires, the inner chambers of His heart. But I pose to you that through the cross the sons and daughters of God have access into the consuming fire of the eternal Gods heart; access into becoming one with the Maker of heaven and earth, the Father of Glory and His son Jesus Christ. We have access to experience eternity now!

Many today in the body of Christ are experiencing heaven on earth, being thrusted into the heartbeat of eternity through a deep abiding relationship in Christ. Not a knowing from a distance, not a knowing of the mind, but a rapturous experience that consumes mind, body and soul. A knowing that quenches and breeds a disdain for every pleasure not rooted in Christ. A knowing that creates a ravenous, everlasting hunger in their souls for more of Him. And yet, at the very same time there are many in the body of Christ who have more experiential encounter with their jobs, family, and temporal things of this passing earth than the One they were created to be in communion with. They are living as though in the distant future they hope to one day have access to eternity and Gods kingdom when it is Gods greatest desire to share Himself and His kingdom now for those who want Him. Due to the deception of a distant God they settle for the pleasures of the world and have little to no experience with eternity; little to no experience with Christ.

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9,10

Seeing things that have not been seen, hearing things that have not been heard, and understanding possibilities, emotions, realms, experiences, and ideas that have never been perceived by man. This is our portion: to know God. And this is our inheritance: to have eternal life in the one who laid down His life for us, Jesus Christ!!

Nothing besides Christ can satisfy the deep inner workings of our mind, body and souls. We were made for nothing less! Who is willing to surrender everything to know this Jesus, to know eternity? And what is worth not receiving Him? The further we surrender our body, soul and mind to be conformed to His likeness, the greater we taste of His glory, and the more we will encounter eternity!

And this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

-Cody