A Lighter Burden

If there's one thing that breaks my heart, it's seeing people, even Christians, struggling through life, trying to accomplish it all on their own. In their own power, in their own might, which if it's anything like my own power and might, I'd make to the coffee pot and have no will to continue on with my day.

My devotions in Numbers this morning brought me to an ocean of encouragement: Moses was saying to God...

 " I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me." (Numbers 11:14)

Now, Moses was about in the same place as a president or king. He was leading a nation of hundreds of thousands of people. And those hundreds of thousands of people were not a bunch of saints either. Every time Moses turned around they were complaining about something. They even wished at times to be back in bondage in Egypt. And that's where we find Moses... crying out to the Lord because these people were complaining that they didn't have some of the luxuries they enjoyed in Egypt, under bondage. God had performed wondrous miracles to first free them, and then provide for them in the wilderness. They were complaining again... and Moses was feeling in over his head.

Moses had 3 options:

1. Deal with it in his own power
2. Give it all up
3. Surrender it to God, and rest in His strength

He took option three, and God heard his cry and later in the Numbers 11, He dispersed some of the responsibilities to 70 other guys. Oh, sweet rest for Moses' wearied soul.

Jesus promises us in Matthew 11:18-30:  " Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”


If you are feeling like Moses today, and your "burden is too heavy," give it to God and let Him empower you and overwhelm you in His rest. God will respond to a surrendered heart. 

I Can't Keep Silent...

Ephesians 5:22-24, 33 -- Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything... and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

" 1. Obedience is doing what you know the other person wants you to do.
2. Submissions is your heart giving over to the other person's will.
3. Reverence is more that just doing what a man expects or demands. It is an act of the woman's will to treat him with a high degree of regard and awe.

Obedience, submission, and reverence are all acts of the will and are not based on feelings. Showing deference [respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another] toward one's husband is an act of reverence toward the God who placed you in that role. "
- Created to Be His Help Meet, Debi Pearl

God hasn't assigned us an easy task. I'm always joking with Tyler, "why did God give women two seemingly impossible tasks, childbirth and the command to respect our husbands?!" As women, our sinful nature has made it so difficult to do what is commanded throughout the Bible.

Many women have been duped by our feministic society... you see it every day in the media, and even worse in marriages. Women have be led to believe that the more independent they are from their husband and home, the more happy they will be. Men are portrayed as "controlling" and stupid creatures... and therefore many have vacated their God given roles as leader, and given the role to the less than stable woman.

About that last statement: "less than stable woman" ... which of you women can honestly say that you aren't a proverbial basket case at least once a week? Women are ruled by emotion, feelings, and cravings. And yes, that bad hair, can amount to the ruination of the entire day. Our minds are like a giant mess of spaghetti; even the simplest problem can cause havoc in our minds and actions.

God has given Men the role of leader for a reason. They aren't ruled by how "fat they feel."

Women also try to give the excuses " That verse says men are called to love their wives, and he sure doesn't love me!" SINCE WHEN do we obey God's Word, only if others are doing what is right? If you believe God's Word to be the 100% authority in your life, then you WILL respect your husband, despite his actions. It is God's command ( need I repeat command) and thus, HIS WILL for your life to respect and reverence your husband. The Bible doesn't say, women submit to your husband, but only if he is showing perfect love to you.

Our standard as wives is the Word of God. Consider it your mission, your first calling to respect, obey, and submit to your husband, and consider that calling a privilege. God has given your husband only one woman. You are that woman, and you have an opportunity, every minute of every day to bless your husband. No one else has that place in his life.

If you are a bride-to-be, have been a bride for 40 years, or you are somewhere in between, consider reading this book. Every time I open it, the Biblical perspective convicts and encourages me to be a better wife.

Part II : Of Grace & Mercy

Mercy - A complete pardon of an offense 

(not getting what we do deserve)

Grace- A free and unmerited favor or gift 

(getting what we don't deserve)

These are my two favorite words in the Bible. They describe God's love so fully to me. 

First, He forgives us from what we deserve as sinners. We deserve God's wrath & judgement here on earth, and ultimately death and eternal separation from him. But God is full of mercy, and sent his Son to take our place of wrath. We aren't going to get what we deserve. 

Then like a cherry on your sundae, or whipped cream on your mocha, God has grace for us. He sends us blessings in life, He lavishes His love on us. He comforts, heals, protects, and provides. And what have we done to deserve all these things? Nothing, absolutely nothing. In fact, without Jesus' blood and mercy, all we have to offer our Lord are filthy rags.

You can tell me you have had a rough life. That God doesn't love you. That it's not been anything like mine. But do any of us really deserve a dream life? I know I don't. I mess things up constantly. 

God is a gracious, merciful God. 

Hebrews 4:11

 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, 

that we may obtain 

mercy and find grace 

to help in time of need.

Read Part I: Of the Faithless and the Faithful One here. 

Six on Sunday: Blogging Rules

The first of the series begins with rules. MY blogging rules. If you ever suspect I've made an infraction on any or all, please notify the local authority... aka my softy husband.

1.  Personal devotion time must be completed.
If I'm not getting my Daily Bread, then how can I post the very convicting thoughts that God presses upon me?

2. In order to even sign onto blogger, our house must be clean. 

That's right, if you don't see me here often, it's 'cause our house is terribly messy. Or my OCD has kicked in again. You'll have to ask my husband which it really is. Poor guy was in for a little bit of shock after the honeymoon.

The BeAUTifUl flowers my husband surprised me with on V-Day.
 I told you he spoils me.

3. This is a journal, not a commitment.

Yeah, yeah, it's great to have 300 followers. And to write eloquently. Even post some pretty amazing photos. But in reality, this is just a place to record my thoughts and memories as a young wife. These days will never happen again and this is a place to look back and see the amazing work that God has done, and will continue to do in our lives. The day I start feeling a responsibility to blog, only because I haven't posted in a few weeks (or months) will be the day this blog shuts down. As God gives me time, I will talk of His unending mercies.

4.  Absolutely no complaining. 
 Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.


5. Relationships come first. 
Time with the husband... sisters.... my new baby nephew(coming soon, to a sister near me!).... or family.... these all get first priority over the ramblings of this blog. 

6. Whatever is true, noble, right, & pure...
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Any "gods?"

Exodus 22:20 He who sacrifices to any god, except to the

 Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

Strong. Solemn.Warning... our God is a jealous God.

 I find a similar idea in the relationship with my husband. Would I even dream of pouring out my time, energy, and adoration to a man other than Tyler? Don't you think he might be jealous if I began cleaning, cooking and spending large amounts of time with another man? To do so, would clearly be out of Biblical bounds.

That screams sin.

How is it then, that it is so often dismissed when we pour out our time, energy and adoration to another "god?"

Yes, I'm guilty of just that. I've sacrificed to many others besides my One True God. Oh, and just so we're all the same page, another god doesn't necessarily mean a little golden buddha. Mine are my body, my earthly life, and entertainment.  I've spent more hours than I'd like to admit towards my physical appearance. I've given in to the worry and fret of this life. I've let the world's entertainment swallow precious moments away from my devotion time.

I've fallen short. What God desires of me is my undivided attention. Just like my husband when I get home from work.

 God deserves all of your devotion, adoration and worship. Don't forget, to give that to another "god" would mean utter destruction.

 Let's pray for a renewed devotion to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

We've Got It All

Thankfulness is being pounded in to me. 

I heard it last Wednesday night. 


I heard it on Sunday Morning. Sunday Evening. And again during devotions on Monday in our study through Exodus:


^{Exodus 16:8}
Also Moses said, “This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.” 


Not only are unthankful, complaining and grumbling people just plain not fun to be around,

 " being unthankful is a slap in the face towards God and the transformation process He is working in your life RIGHT NOW."
-Pablo Moreno, Engage Truth

We made a thankful list over a steaming hot mocha and caramel macchiato, and trust me, coffee DID make it on the list!

Our Marriage

God overcame some pretty big obstacles to make our dreams come true!

Our Jobs

God has and still continues to provide abundantly.

Family

Really, how could we BOTH come from such loving families? That's huge, people, huge, and I hope we never take it for granted. 


2 Running Cars

Church

Try bouncing around for a few weeks and starving yourself spiritually. Then go to a church where the BIBLE is taught. You'll walk away feeling like it's Thanksgiving all over again. 

OUR Home

No place we'd rather be. 


Healthy Bodies
We have strong healthy bodies to serve the Lord. Now where is it you want us, God?

Carly 

Yes, the dog made it on the list. She makes us happy and always brings a smile to TYLER's face. 


Sunshine -y Walks
Or even gray walks. Doesn't matter, it's just one of our favorite times. 

Coffee

Don't ask. Don't tell. It's a God given addiction.


Tyler is HERE
As we think back to one year ago, when Tyler went to Bible College, it was the HARDEST time we've encountered yet (but still we wouldn't have changed it). Not that Bible College is a thing of the past, it's now just an adventure for our future, if God so wills. 


Guidance
This last week we were faced with a decision. A tough one, and we didn't know how we could possibly know what was the right thing to do. But we committed and surrendered it to God, and He made the way clear. 


 Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory.... 

||| TO GOD BE THE GLORY |||


What are you thankful for?