Courageous (movie review)

We had the opportunity to see a pre-screening of the movie Courageous at our church a couple of months ago. It is jam packed with action, drama, and diverse story lines. More importantly, it is challenging and sends messages that our world desperately needs to here. That being said,

GO SEE IT AND TAKE EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

The movie hits theaters on September 30, 2011.

And, check out the nifty poster on my sidebar. If you are a blogger go grab one and promote the movie on your blog too.

In Jesus Name, Bye!

Our kids have come to love praying. Something that used to be new and a little awkward for our family has recently become like second nature and we are all pretty comfortable with it. I try to have prayer time with the kids once a day in the mornings. I also try to pray with them throughout the day as situations come up. Then, of course, there is mealtime and bedtime prayers. I thank God that we have started to have so much prayer in our house because we didn't used to. I wholeheartedly believe in the power of prayer and am so glad that it has become a larger part of our lives.
Braedon recently wanted to add his little twist on his prayers and of course Kaley followed suit. They have started saying, "In Jesus name, Bye" at the end of a prayer instead of the usual "In Jesus name, amen." I am quite confident that this little detail doesn't really concern God and that He loves to hear children pray no matter how they end it as long as they are praying in Jesus name. I think it is pretty cute that they wanted to make their prayer's unique

Keeping A Record Of Wrongs

While studying 1 Corinthians 13 love something struck me. I realized that I didn't understand how all encompassing the phrase that says "keeps no record of wrongs" is. I tend to think of it as actually keeping a mental note of what exactly was done wrong and then bringing it up in a later disagreement. I think it is that but I also think it is withholding love or acts of kindness and love because of how my feelings have been hurt by something done to me wrong or something done wrong in general. For me, this strikes home in a huge, huge way. I first noticed it with my kids. I find that sometimes (even when they are not doing anything wrong) I am a bit snappy and my tone of voice is not very loving. They are doing everything I ask them to do but I am still being a bit brash and bossy instead of gentle and loving. God is so gracious to bring this to my attention and make me ask myself why I am being short with them. When I start to pray about it and dig down to the root of the issue, God has shown me over and over that it is unresolved conflict. It is something that happened earlier that day or even the day before that has left me with a bad attitude toward them. This is a prime example of keeping a record of wrongs. Instead, I need to fully resolve the conflict and choose to forgive them for it in the moment so it does not keep feeding negativity into our lives. This may sound a bit simple but I didn't even realize I was doing this until God revealed it to me. Something would happen we would deal with it and move on. I really thought I was over it simply because I wasn't consciously thinking of the wrong. But, deep down it was still there unresolved and continued to play out negatively in our daily interactions. Immediately after I started noticing it with my kids I started noticing it with my husband. Sparing the gory details, we get in little spats don't really resolve them and try to move on. This leads to me being disrespectful and unkind to him. Lesson? I need a serious lesson on conflict resolution. Recommendations?

1 Corinthians 13 Love

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..." 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

God has been all over me about 1 Corinthians 13 love for about two months. I always know He wants to teach me something when the same theme keeps coming up in several (6 or 7) sources that I am reading or listening to independently yet within the same time frame. I love it that this is one of the ways God likes to get my attention. Of course, this prompts me to start paying a bit more attention. However, it doesn't necessarily make me "get it" any quicker (hence the 2 months). What I have learned is that there is no earthly, physical way that I can live out this kind of love without the example of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit living in me. It brings to mind Galations 2:20, which I have adopted as my life verse.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." I don't want to live; I want Christ to live in me. I don't want to try harder; I want to let Christ do everything through me. But, I still haven't quite figured out exactly how to do that. I have some nasty old flesh patterns and am self-seeking a lot of the time, whether I realize it or not. Yet at the same time, I know and completely trust that my God is faithful and if I cry out to Him in prayer and ask for the strength and guidance, He will provide.

Daddy and Modesty

The other day we were outside in the backyard. It was hot and Kaley was wearing a tank top. It was a little big but it is one of the only casual, play-time summer shirts she has. I noticed that the arms kept falling down and showing her chest but I didn't think much of it. Then, Andrew asked me if I could think of anything to use to hold the back of the straps together to keep them from falling down. Without realizing the issue (and without rushing inside to fix it), I just said "I'm sure I have a barette that would work." A few minutes later, Kaley needed her diaper changed so Daddy disappeared inside with her. When they returned Kaley had a twist tie holding the back of her tank top straps together. Then, it hit me. It doesn't matter to Andrew that she is only one and that we are alone in the backyard. She is his little girl and he wants her clothes to cover her. I am so thankful that I have a husband and Kaley has a father who will fight to preserve her purity through modesty, even at 18 months old.

Next Generation Women's Mentoring

Our first meeting was fabulous and with it came a couple of more confirmations that I am in the exact place that God wants me. Our great friend who has been such a blessing to us by watching Braedon for four days when Kaley was born, we swim in her neighborhood, she has went to DR appts with me, she just came over to watch the kids the other day while I had to go to the DR...she has done way too much for us and I thank God for her everyday. Anyway, I asked her to babysit during the weekend of the retreat in October because that will be the weekend before the Deacon's banquet and Andrew will have to work all weekend preparing for it. She said sure and then asked what I had going on. I proceeded to tell her about this mentoring program and she was excited for me and asked who my mentor was. She was so shocked and excited when I told her who it was...turns out they go back like 10 or 12 years! As if I needed anymore but I was asking for more confirmation because I wanted to be sure I was doing what God had planned for me. In finding out who all was in my group it turns out that I had a small connection with every single one of them but our paths had not been brought completely together until now. I didn't ask for more confirmation, I was too excited that it was going as great as it was already. Though when we received our first book, it was on the subject that I need the MOST help with right now and it is by my FAVORITE bible teacher...Nancy Leigh DeMoss who I have been following now for almost two years! I think God was just showing off at that point. I am so excited I feel like a giddy little school girl. My Creator wants a deeper more intimate relationship with me and He put these resources in place to help make that happen...amazing!

Cobb Pregnancy Services - 2009 Fundraising Banquet

A few months ago, I had the neat opportunity to visit Cobb Pregnancy Services. We toured the facility and listened to the director share amazing stories of God's work through this ministry in bringing people to Him while saving and changing lives. The center provides assistance and education to those who have an unplanned pregnancy while helping their clients realize the value of their life and the value of the life they have created. Additionally, they provide abstinence and lifestyle education. All while sharing the Gospel!

After the visit, I received a newsletter including an announcement of their 2009 fundraising banquet. I noticed that Janet Parshall was going to be speaking and thought what neat opportunity to go listen to her speak live. Soon after that I was cleaning out lots of stuff from our house and delivered some donated baby items to CPS. It was then that I spoke to Lori about the fundraiser, one thing led to another and now I find myself a table host at the 2009 fundraising banquet!

My heart has been deeply touched by this ministry and I am very privileged to be in this role as a table host at their 2009 fundraising banquet. This is a little outside my comfort zone and I am left with one huge doubt and that is that I will not be able to confirm any guests. However, I keep hearing God tell me to be a faithful servant in this role and He will bring whoever He wants to bring.

Matthew 11:28

"Come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

Wow, what an awesome promise from God! A few days ago, weary was the only word I could think of to describe the way I was feeling. Everything with Braedon was a struggle. These battles occurred over normal daily activities like getting dressed, changing diaper, eating dinner, brushing his teeth, and going to bed, just to name a few. Braedon was getting over his second bout with Strep Throat. Kaley came down with Pinkeye and a Sinus Infection. Andrew had just gotten over being sick and I was getting sick. Our house quickly lost it's usual peacefulness and so did I. In thinking about how I was feeling and why, I found this verse and decided it was rather appropriate to meditate on, memorize, and study this week.

I am not complaining about my life. I LOVE my life, my God, my husband, my kids, my home and I thank God for them everyday. Though, life's circumstances do tend to become a little difficult at times and God gently reminds me that I need Him, more than ever, to give me strength, grace, and rest to finish the good race.

Next Generation Women's Mentoring - Assignment 1

Launch night of the mentoring program is coming up this week and will include a time of sharing the vision for the ministry, testimonies, group introductions, sharing family pictures, and sharing our answers to the following questions.

1. At the end of this mentoring year, what would you consider a successful mentoring experience to be?
I am hoping that by the end of this mentoring year I will be better equipped with practical disciplines and real-life wisdom in order for me and my family to grow closer to God and manage life better.

2. What would you like God to do in your life during this year together?
I would love for God to teach me how to let Him guide me every minute of every day. In answering this question, I thought about the areas of my life I was struggling in and need God's direction. I thought about the areas that I excel in and how God may want to use me. I thought about how much I want to bring glory to Him in all I do. This can all be answered by seeking Him and following His lead every minute of every day. However, sometimes I just don't know how that plays out in everyday life.

This is the family picture that I will be sharing.

Next Generation Women's Mentoring

I am embarking on a new adventure beginning in a week and a half. It is called "Next Generation Women's Mentoring" where I will be under the mentor-ship of a woman who is a little further along in life and has an established, mature relationship with Christ. This ministry was put into place at my church in order to fulfill Titus 2:3-5, which says:

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

I can't even put into words how excited I am about this. Since I was pregnant with Braedon, it has been my prayer that God will continue to teach me how build a Christ-centered home, glorify Him with my marriage, and point my children to Him. God has been faithful time and time again in providing people and resources for me to glean wisdom from. Now, thank you again, God for this wonderful opportunity to have a structured mentor relationship and the chance to grow some more in this area. The mentoring program will last for ten months and we will read a book a month and have memory verses. We will meet as a group (there are 5 mentorees in my group) once a month and will have at least one weekend retreat. Did I mention how excited I was about this? I am soo super excited. The other thing that I love about it is that it is pretty structured and the church is taking it very seriously. I have to sign a covenant stating that I will complete my reading and assignments and that I will be on time for events. My husband has to sign a statement of support saying that he understands that this will take away time from our family and that he will support me in this allowing me the time commitment. I just think it is so awesome that this is being taken so seriously because learning the Word of God, loving my husband, and loving my children are the top three priorities that God has called me to. Praise Him that He not only called me to this but he is also equipping me with the knowledge I need to fulfill the calling!

Hebrews 4:13

I think that I might have somewhat of a groove for my accountability bible study with my friend Michelle. At first I would pretty much wait until the end of the week, hurry to memorize it, and try to come up with some thoughts so that I could blog about it. However, now I am meditating on it and memorizing it bit by bit and day by day throughout the week. This has proven to be much more fruitful.

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."


This verse really sums itself up but sometimes I read scriptures like these and think it is so important yet shouldn't really be all that hard to understand. However, lots of times God's word is difficult for me to understand and apply. Although I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that God is omniscient, I believe it completely. There are lots of things about God that I can not wrap my mind completely around and I praise Him for that because I don't really want a God that can be completely understood by my human, feeble mind. In being omniscient, God is all knowing and all seeing. He not only sees my actions but also the thoughts and motivations behind them too. He sees and knows all, discerning my heart attitude. The idea that God already knows everything is understandable but the verse goes onto say that everything will be uncovered and laid bare... This made me think about how sometimes I try to cover up my actions with reason. I think that I can be the judge of how I should or should not act, depending on the circumstances. Yet, part of being humble before God is realizing that I don't have the right to make that kind of judgement. I am called to be obedient and glorify God with my actions, despite my circumstances. When I stand before the Lord and give account, He is going to hold one person responsible for my actions...ME. Dear God, please take from me the desire to serve myself first and fill me with the desire to serve You first, being your good and faithful servant.

Hebrews 4:12

This is a great verse that speaks to the major power and importance of the word of God.

The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart.

When thinking about just how powerful something has to be to divide soul and spirit, I ended up looking both of those words up to see their definitions. From a definition standpoint, they can hardly be separated. From a materiality standpoint, they also can hardly be separated since they are both immaterial. That to me says POWER!

The bible is so often taken out of context and/or "judged" sometimes but what this verse is saying is that the word of God judges our heart. It is extremely relevant (and powerful) in our current, real-life circumstances and our hearts should be aligned with what it says instead of what we want or don't want it to say. It reminds me of something I heard a couple of years ago and it has stuck with me. Instead of looking at the bible through a "worldly" filter, look at the world through a "biblical" filter.

Be Near Me To Be Like Me

I spend a lot of time in this rocker, whether to cuddle for no reason or to comfort a hurt of one of my babies. Today while I was cuddling with Kaley in the rocker, Braedon scooted over his kid's chair right next to me. At the time I didn't think a whole lot of it. A couple of hours later when I returned to the room and saw the chairs sitting there together, I realized how special it was that he had pulled his chair right up next to mine. I sat in the rocker again, feeding Kaley, and trying to recall his manner when he did it so I could try to discover his motive. Though I could not recall any specifics, I concluded that he either wanted to be near me or wanted to be like me. God has taught me so much about having a relationship with Him through relationships with my children. This is one of those times. God wants me to scoot my chair right up next to His to be near Him and become like Him.

The Power Of Music

I don't know how music effects other people but put the right words with the right tune and it is so powerful to me. In fact, the right tune is so powerful to me that the words will just take on life, regardless. Therefore, if the words are not positive and uplifting then the song will have a negative impact on my mind. I used to be a die hard Linkin Park fan and now I realize why I was in a constant bad mood back then. However, the opposite is also true. If I feel myself getting in a down mood I can turn on an uplifting song and let it speak to my heart. Further, I can turn on a Christian song and it will light my heart and soul on fire for God and I begin worshiping Him whether I am driving in my car, playing trucks with Braedon, rocking or feeding Kaley, cleaning or doing laundry, blogging, or pretty much anything else. I thank God so much for the gift of music and the sensitive spirit I have. I consider my sensitive spirit a huge blessing but it also comes with a call to protect my spirit from lyrics or other material that is not glorifying to God. Here are a few songs and a thought to go with each.

-Casting Crowns, Slow Fade - I have actually posted about this song before here
-John Waller, While I Am Waiting - This song is a beautiful word picture of a faithful Christian giving God the trust that He deserves.
-Casting Crowns, East to West - "from one scarred hand to the other"...need I say more?
-33 Miles, One Life To Love - This is an awesome reminder to not take relationships for granted and take advantage of every moment we have and value the most important things in life.
-Hillsong United, The Stand, What an awesome creator we have who sacrificed so much for us. Worshiping Him is the least I can do.
-Jeremy Camp, There Will Be A Day - What a wonderful word picture of the promise of eternity with our wonderful God.

These are not nearly all of the songs that speak volumes of hope into my life but they are in the forefront of my heart right at this moment.

Parent Commissioning for Kaley-2

Kaley did so good during the service. She was happy, alert, and smiling/gazing the entire time. She had on this beautiful white dress with a white bow in her hair. It was such a neat time. See next post for more details.

Parent Commissioning for Kaley

Today was parent commissioning, formerly known as baby dedication, day at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. This is a special ceremony where the baby and parents come up on stage and a life verse is read for them and the officiator asks the parents if they commit to raise the child in a Christ-centered home. Then, the officiator touches the baby and welcomes them to church and prays for the family and all families seeking to raise their children in Christ-centered homes. We were blessed enough to have Bryant Wright and his wife, Anne, performing the service for us today. Anne held Kaley while Bryant announced us and read her life verse, which is 1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do all things in love." Then, Bryant put his hand on Kaley's head and said "Well, Kaley, welcome to church. We will be seeing a lot of you." She just gazed and smiled at him. It was too cute. It was a very special time for us at church. Afterward, we had a casual lunch back at our house. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful people that God has blessed us with as our church family. They truly are serving as our family as the majority of our blood relatives are out of town. I can't thank God enough for their presence in our lives. Normally, I wouldn't even have thought to have a celebration after the service but recently God has really given me a bigger heart of appreciation for these types of things in life that really deserve celebration. So, kind of last minute, I threw together the idea of having people over for lunch after the service. It as such a blessed time with good friends enjoying each other and celebrating this wonderful thing we call life that God has given us all. Praise God!
I love the way Kaley is gazing at Anne and Bryant in these pictures...too cute!

Devotion Shared by Amanda

As I was going through my rut this week, I reached out to a circle of friends, sisters-in-christ, fellow bible study and Sunday School ladies for support. I knew that the enemy would just love to keep me in seclusion about what I was going through so I knew I had to reach out. I emailed them and asked that they pray for me because I had not been the wife and mother that God wants me to be and was having a pretty rough week. Also, I had been seeking God on what to do in the future during similar circumstances and how specifically He wanted me to grow as a result of this rut.
One of my friends emailed me back the following:

"I recently got the devotion book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and I wanted to share today's devotion. Well I thought it was today's until I realized it wasn't April 7th. I guess I got off track. The devotion book was made when Sarah spent time just listening to God so the book is written like Jesus is speaking.

I am the Potter, you are the clay. I designed you before the foundation of the world. I arrange the events of each day to form you into this preconceived pattern. My everlasting Love is at work in every event of your life. On some days your will and Mine flow smoothly together. You tend to feel in control of your life when our wills are in harmony. On other days you feel as if you are swimming upstream against the current of My purposes. When that happens, stop and seek My Face. The opposition you feel may be from me, or it may be from the evil one.

Talk with Me about what you are experiencing. Let My Spirit guide you through treacherous waters. As you move through the turbulent stream with Me, let circumstances mold you into the one I desire you to be. Say yes to your Potter as you go through this day. Isaiah 64:8 Psalm 27:8"

God is amazing!