After receiving an email, I thought "wow, God has answered prayer!" Well, I was wrong. I am so disappointed. I decide to call and express my appreciation but, nope. Evidently I was supposed to just be quiet on the end of the phone and agree to everything...nope don't think so. I am not going to get into this measly stuff. Why you ask...well I am going to rise above this negativity and not fall into Satan's trap. This battle is being fought by my amazing Lord! It is a petty, stupid battle that just deals with the worse of all evil MONEY! See...petty! So, I just need to focus on fighting the only battle we should fight and that is against Satan and his schemes with our Lord Jesus on our side. My main priorities is my life with Christ, my husband and children, and others around me. I am blessed beyond belief, and no one and I mean NO ONE can ruin my happiness. Happiness is a choice. And I choose to be happy, and luckily it isn't hard! I have so many things in my life that make me happy...things being my Lord, husband, children, family, and friends! Nothing else in this world gives you happiness. I, unlike others, don't let anger and bitterness rule over me. Why, because that is making Satan happy due to the fact holding on to grudges and those things makes the Lord despised! I don't know about everyone, and I can only speak about myself, but I live for the Lord. I walk with the Lord. That is what I am here for. I teach my children not only their education, but also the difference between what is right and wrong, and to walk the narrow path with Christ! To repeat, I will not fight this petty battle with yall! I am giving it to my Lord and just praying for yall. My battle is against Satan and his evil schemes that try to make me stumble. I can sleep well at night because I know that I did everything in my power to abide by my Book of Instruction (the Bible) and followed God's Word. I can also sleep well because I know my husband and children are happy here and are very well taken care of. There is no stress over here because when we are all together, it is about family time and sharing love and the Word of God. We don't focus on anything else.
To close:
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:19-27
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
Til Fingers Meet Keyboard,
Lauren
Thursday, July 29, 2010
When We're At a Loss
I did several devotionals today while the children were working on their school work and during their reading time. I was going to post one, then I changed my mind when the last one was laid on my heart to post. It starts you out reading Genesis 24:42-67. In summary, the passage is about where the servant was sent to find a wife for Isaac. And the servant found the suitable woman that God led him to, Rebekah. It ends with him bringing her to Isaac, Isaac marrying her in the tent of his mother Sarah, and Isaac being comforted after his mother’s death. My devotional then reads the following:
“In mourning the death of King Louis XV, the church bells of a cathedral in France were rung continuously for forty days and nights. As a result of this repetitive ringing, believe it or not, the echoes of the ringing sounded continuously for an additional twenty years and seven months. Like the vibrations of the hard-rung bells, loss hits us in repercussive waves. Loss of a parent. Loss of a child. Loss of a marriage. Loss of a dream. Just when we think we’re done with grief and life can return to normal, another cycle begins. And yet I’ve seen the beginning of a truth in the lives of those who grieve. The repercussions eventually grow weaker, shallower and quieter. In their place come new insight, understanding and strength. Yes, a simple touch on the wound can begin the vibrations again. But the pain is less each time the touch comes, until finally it leaves but a gentle resonance, a memory of what was but is no more.”
After reading this devotional, I know of several people who are going through all of this grief and hardships. I just hope that this can encourage them to keep them motivated and ask for help and guidance from our amazing Savior who is there at all times to comfort us and for us to lean on. I am not at all saying that it should be easy to get over a death. I know it is hard. I have lost several people dear and close to me. I know it is hard. But with the Lord by our side, we can conquer any grief or any hardships that come our way. Does that mean we will forget our loved ones who have passed…NO! We will forever remember them in all ways imaginable and the memories will be passed on from generation to generation.
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, save me!’ The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:1-9
And to close, I leave you with this final verse:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Til Fingers Meet Keyboard,
Lauren
“In mourning the death of King Louis XV, the church bells of a cathedral in France were rung continuously for forty days and nights. As a result of this repetitive ringing, believe it or not, the echoes of the ringing sounded continuously for an additional twenty years and seven months. Like the vibrations of the hard-rung bells, loss hits us in repercussive waves. Loss of a parent. Loss of a child. Loss of a marriage. Loss of a dream. Just when we think we’re done with grief and life can return to normal, another cycle begins. And yet I’ve seen the beginning of a truth in the lives of those who grieve. The repercussions eventually grow weaker, shallower and quieter. In their place come new insight, understanding and strength. Yes, a simple touch on the wound can begin the vibrations again. But the pain is less each time the touch comes, until finally it leaves but a gentle resonance, a memory of what was but is no more.”
After reading this devotional, I know of several people who are going through all of this grief and hardships. I just hope that this can encourage them to keep them motivated and ask for help and guidance from our amazing Savior who is there at all times to comfort us and for us to lean on. I am not at all saying that it should be easy to get over a death. I know it is hard. I have lost several people dear and close to me. I know it is hard. But with the Lord by our side, we can conquer any grief or any hardships that come our way. Does that mean we will forget our loved ones who have passed…NO! We will forever remember them in all ways imaginable and the memories will be passed on from generation to generation.
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, save me!’ The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:1-9
And to close, I leave you with this final verse:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Til Fingers Meet Keyboard,
Lauren
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Such a blessing
It was a busy week! Mom and I took the kids and stayed two nights at the Embassy Suites downtown in Fort Worth. We had a blast. The kids had the most amazing time at the Children's Museum! I have pictures and will post later when I have a little more time. But in all it was a fabulous trip! Then this past weekend, Chris' family came down and stayed. We swam and had a fun filled day on Saturday four wheeling and having a yummy BBQ. And the best part was Sunday. It was a great day! Not only was Sunday School and Church AMAZING, Dereck and Alyssa got baptized! It was just breathtaking! We all just cried such happy tears! My dad even assisted with the baptism. What a memory the kids will take with them forever.
It was a great day, inspite of some childish bologna from certain people with dirty looks and rude remarks. But, I will just keep being my kind self and walk with Jesus. I pray for them and hope that one day, they can hand over their anger and bitterness to the Lord and focus on Him and what He has blessed them with.
Til fingers meet keyboard,
Lauren
It was a great day, inspite of some childish bologna from certain people with dirty looks and rude remarks. But, I will just keep being my kind self and walk with Jesus. I pray for them and hope that one day, they can hand over their anger and bitterness to the Lord and focus on Him and what He has blessed them with.
Til fingers meet keyboard,
Lauren
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wow!
I was working on my nightly Bible Study, and I just had to share. It was titled "Look to the Left, Look to the Right". It started out with the Scripture Reading of Matthew 9:35-38. The Key Verse being, "He (Jesus) felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36
Wow, kind of gives you a whole different aspect! In today's time, we hear all about bombings, murder, gangs, starving families, etc. We either read about them in the paper, see it on the news, and mainly now we see it all over facebook. But with everything that we either see, read, or hear, we are starting as a whole to desensitize to all the bad news. We tend to think if it doesn't affect us and our friends, we tend to turn our heads and look the other way. Maybe instead of looking to the left and to the right, we should look UP toward our AMAZING GOD and say a prayer for all of those people caught up in distress. We may not be able to donate money to Africa, but we can look closer to us and buy some groceries for a family that we know are having a hard time. Something like that. If you cannot afford it, do the best thing which is PRAY! Lift them up in prayer. God hears and answers! I pray that us as a whole will become aware of people who are distressed and downcasted and we take on one of Jesus' character traits which is compassion! A little compassion can go a long way. And just think what can happen if each and every one us did just an ounce of compassion...those ounces even add up to become HUGE!
"There is no excuse better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."--John Andrew Holmes
As I close this blog, I will leave it with one more quote.
"Should we feel at times disheartened and discouraged, a simple movement of heart toward God will renew our power. Whatever He demands of us, He will give us at the moment the strength and the courage that we need." --Francois de La Nothe-Fenelon
Til Fingers Meet Keyboard,
Lauren
Wow, kind of gives you a whole different aspect! In today's time, we hear all about bombings, murder, gangs, starving families, etc. We either read about them in the paper, see it on the news, and mainly now we see it all over facebook. But with everything that we either see, read, or hear, we are starting as a whole to desensitize to all the bad news. We tend to think if it doesn't affect us and our friends, we tend to turn our heads and look the other way. Maybe instead of looking to the left and to the right, we should look UP toward our AMAZING GOD and say a prayer for all of those people caught up in distress. We may not be able to donate money to Africa, but we can look closer to us and buy some groceries for a family that we know are having a hard time. Something like that. If you cannot afford it, do the best thing which is PRAY! Lift them up in prayer. God hears and answers! I pray that us as a whole will become aware of people who are distressed and downcasted and we take on one of Jesus' character traits which is compassion! A little compassion can go a long way. And just think what can happen if each and every one us did just an ounce of compassion...those ounces even add up to become HUGE!
"There is no excuse better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."--John Andrew Holmes
As I close this blog, I will leave it with one more quote.
"Should we feel at times disheartened and discouraged, a simple movement of heart toward God will renew our power. Whatever He demands of us, He will give us at the moment the strength and the courage that we need." --Francois de La Nothe-Fenelon
Til Fingers Meet Keyboard,
Lauren
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Been awhile!!
Everything is going fantastic! Chris is loving his job and especially his hours! He is off every weekend, which rocks! I am doing great. So ready to start the upcoming school year! So many fun things planned and including awesome science projects and experiments!!! I know I sound like a nerd, but I love watching the kids being amazed...it is kind of like I am a magician (but not really...you can be a magician with just a little baking soda...it can make tons of things fizz etc lol). The kids are doing well. We are missing Alyssa like crazy. She has been with her dad. I get her back Friday, thank goodness! I have been missing her like CRAZY!!! But she is having a blast and that is all that matters. I did have her for a week and we all had tons of fun! Went to several places, but the best of all was Great Wolf Lodge! The kids loved it! The place is SOOOOO worth the money! We are going to make it an every summer vacation! We all swam pretty much all the time lol, but the kids enjoyed the quests! I don't see how anyone would go there and NOT have their kids do the quest!!! They enjoyed it soooo much. We also went to eat at the Rainforest Cafe to celebrate James' and my birthday. It was super yummy! It was a great week.
Let's see....news....well Dereck and Alyssa are getting baptized the 25th! I am one proud momma! Having my kids wanting to love and abide by Christ is such a blessing! Everyone is coming down. Chris' parents and brother and sister in law are coming down! I am so excited. Dereck and Alyssa were hoping they would come :) My dad is even assiting with the baptism. That is a memory and a blessing in itself!! Can you tell I am proud?!?! :)
Mom and I are also going to go on a mini vacation with the kids this month as well. We are going to stay in a hotel in Fort Worth and take the kids down to Cowtown and the Children's Museum. And hopefully something good is playing at the Omni! It is going to be a blast!
Other than that, not much else is going on. School stuff is pretty much done. Just waiting to start it!
Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Til fingers meet keyboard,
Lauren
Let's see....news....well Dereck and Alyssa are getting baptized the 25th! I am one proud momma! Having my kids wanting to love and abide by Christ is such a blessing! Everyone is coming down. Chris' parents and brother and sister in law are coming down! I am so excited. Dereck and Alyssa were hoping they would come :) My dad is even assiting with the baptism. That is a memory and a blessing in itself!! Can you tell I am proud?!?! :)
Mom and I are also going to go on a mini vacation with the kids this month as well. We are going to stay in a hotel in Fort Worth and take the kids down to Cowtown and the Children's Museum. And hopefully something good is playing at the Omni! It is going to be a blast!
Other than that, not much else is going on. School stuff is pretty much done. Just waiting to start it!
Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Til fingers meet keyboard,
Lauren
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