Good morning my bloggy friends! We got out of class early last night because our professor had been sick and he really wasn't feeling up to staying the full time. Oh what a blessing it was to me as my stomach was telling me that I needed to go back to bed. I love how God has a way of working things out and taking care of me. I really need to remember His perfect ways as doubt and fear begin creeping in! God is faithful - God is faithful - God is faithful!

I don't think I've shared with you another way that God has been faithful to me. When God started prompting me to go to school, my first concerns were time and money. Even though my time is short, I have been able to complete all assignments on time. I don't know how, but it's a God thing! I was not able to receive any student aid but got approved for student loans. The plan was to pay back the interest on the loans while I was in school and then the rest after school. Praise God, He has paid for my entire first semester through donations and scholarships. I am so crazy for ever doubting God! He always, yes I said always, comes through when you obey His will.

Matthew 7:26-27 Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell - and great was its fall.

What has God laid on your heart? What is He prompting you to do? What do you need to say yes to today?

This will be my last post for a few days as I will be losing my Internet. I will be back when it's hooked up at the new house.

May God bless you and yours

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Sorry for missing you yesterday, but I was not feeling up to thinking. The flu hit me hard on Sunday afternoon and I was still trying to recouperate. I am feeling somewhat alive today but can't say much more than that.

I just wanted to ask for your prayers as we continue to prepare to move on Thursday. There is still much to be done and I am trying to get as much homework done as I can now because it will take almost a week to get my internet hooked back up after the move. Please pray for this to be a smooth transition.

Thank you

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Hello and happy Friday!! :) I read this article in Guidepost magazine yesterday and wanted to share.
The Change Guarantee
Ariane de Bonvoisin

Fear is the number - one "change demon," as I call it - or dominant emtion - that shows up during times of change. Say you've just lost your job or your life savings. Instead of hoping the fear is going to go away, you need to find something that becomes bigger than the fear. The best antidote to fear is faith - faith in yourself, faith that things will work out, faith in God.

When something new is on the horizon, that means God has a different plan for you. But you need to participate. Faith requires action - action that sometimes is uncomfortable because change so often involves the unfamiliar.

What actions can you take to fight fear with faith? Find a way to serve. Take away someone else's pain. Give whatever you can: your time, your heart, your home. Power will move through you. Your inner strength, courage and sense of perspective will return to you. And remember what I like to call "The Change Guarantee": From any change something positive will happen for you. It might not happen in the way you think, or on the timeline you think, but it will happen. Have faith.


Have a great day and a great weekend!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Matthew 6:27 "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I have a confession to make. I have disobeyed the Word of God this week. I have been overwhelmed, stressed and worried. These three things have kept me from truly connecting with my Savior.

1. We are moving in one week. I am not even close to ready.

2. My homework assignments have been large and taking much of my time.

3. I am attempting to prepare a message for the upcoming ladies banquet I'll be speaking at.

4. Due to the above, I have been slacking in my normal household duties and when my house isn't clean, I'm not a happy person!

5. When we move, I will be down to caring for 2 children and my income will be reduced by 75%

I finally gave it all up this morning! I can no longer carry my loads but I know Who can. In my desperate prayer, I specifically gave each thing on my list to God. I made the decision to do what God asks me to do TODAY and not worry about what is going to happen tomorrow.

AAAAAHHHHHHH - sweet release!

What do you need to give up? What is tying you down and making you heart heavy? It is time for your sweet release. Enjoy!

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Matthew 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock."

Are you founded on the Rock?

When your foundation is secure, nothing can tear you down.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

It is so cool how God's Word can speak differently as we go through each circumstance of our lives. This is only the second day of reading the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 and God spoke to me in a totally different way today than yesterday. God is good!

Several things really stuck out to me today as I read the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12). My Bible's commentary said this about these verses: Each beatitude tells how to be blessed. "Blessedness" means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God's kingdom. The Beatitudes don't promise laughter, pleasure or earthly prosperity. To Jesus, "blessed" means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

I couldn't have said it any better.

Are you looking for happiness or blessedness? Are you content in what blessings God has given to you or are you always looking for more? Can you have joy and peace no matter what is happening around you?

You can have all these things through Jesus - will you accept Him?

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning and happy Monday my bloggy friends! Thank you for praying - yesterday's church services were filled by the presence of God. What a powerful message that we all need to hear in regards to dealing with conflict. Check it out at www.pontiacbible.org. We may not all deal with some issues but conflict is one that none of us can hide from.

Our pastor put out a challenge for us to read the sermon on the mount each day. It is located in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. I began today and was totally convicted. These chapters bring much challenge but I can see how reading them each day will bring these commands to mind when faced with everyday situations.

I am currently writing a research paper for school on the importance of putting your husband before your children. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Earlier this week, our pastor posted a request on Facebook explaining that his next sermon series would be on dealing with conflict and asked if anyone would like to share thier experiences. I knew that I had done some writing on conflict pain in the past and checked my documents to see if I could find it. The piece I had wrote just happened to be exactly one year previous to when he is starting this new series. Here is what I had wrote:
April 21, 2008
We watched a video at church yesterday and one sentence stood out to me that was over the head of a woman - “avoids relationships for fear of pain”. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfeXxkbgCVE) I am that woman. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I have broken most all of my relationships with friends and family. Those still intact only consist of surface conversations and smiles. My intimacy with my husband is gone because I fear intimacy with anyone. It only gives them more of an opportunity to hurt me. Of course people have hurt me over the years – everyone gets hurt but the last five years seem like the hurt was constant between friends, church, family and husband. Getting angry and walking away is my learned defense mechanism. It is all I know now. I don’t know how to overcome this. I don’t know how to trust again. I don’t know how to let anyone in. I feel like my heart has shriveled up and has nothing to sustain it. I avoid sharing my feelings because it only leads to being hurt once again. I can’t endure any more pain. I used to be a loving, compassionate, gentle person who enjoyed people but I now see people as something to avoid. My husband asks where this person has gone, but I don’t know what to tell him. I want superficial relationships so I can be in control. It is not fair to those around me but I don’t know how to change.

I thanked God because of the differences He has made in my heart since I wrote the above. Here is what He has been up to:
A few months ago, God began prompting me to restore broken relationships. My pride was instantly flared by even the thought of asking for forgiveness from people who had hurt me so badly. God has prepared my heart each day for this time as I have watched Him soften my heart. He continued to make His will apparent through sermons, devotions, His Word, and words from others. Mike and I had already forgiven each other and were connected once again, and I had inched my way back into some friendships but my previous church family was who God pulled me to. He showed me many ways that I had sinned against my church family and how I needed to ask for their forgiveness so that my relationship with Him could continue to grow. It was humbling to consider that my heart was not the only one that had been hurt. It took every ounce of courage I had and the strength of God to contact the church and ask to meet with the board. When the meeting was over, the Pastor suggested that I pray about individuals that God wanted me to contact. I prayed and instantly had a list on my heart. It would have been very easy to leave it at that but it wasn't in God's plan. I have now spoke face-to-face with the people God laid on my heart. I have asked for forgiveness from each one. The bitterness is gone. We recently attended our old church for some family baptisms and I really enjoyed the visit. I didn't feel tense, stressed and bitter like times before but at peace with the people and with God. His amazing love does amazing things in my heart.

Conflict can cause much pain but forgiveness brings much peace.

Please be praying as I will be sharing this during our church services tomorrow.

Isaiah 51:1 "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug."

Have a great day and a great weekend!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Have you ever felt alone as a mom? Lost in your chosen field of mothering?

There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.

Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. Over time I hope to share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here.

In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

Have you ever heard someone say "God is not going to give you more than you can handle"? Now, I am not a Bible scholar or even close so I could be mistaken but could you show me where it states this in the Bible? I was thinking of this statement as I brought home my load of homework last night, wondering how I was ever going to get it done before next Tuesday. I realized that God gives me more than I can handle all the time - everyday. I can't handle anything on my own - I rely on Him for everything.

1 Corinthians 10:13 states that ..... "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear" but it doesn't say that He will not give you or allow you more than you can handle. If He did that, why would we need Him?

Be careful of the words you speak. Some cliches are thought to have come from the Bible but are no where to be found. Keep your mind and heart in the Word and you'll know the difference.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Have you ever been searching for something and not be able to find it? Each year as our daughter's basketball season approaches, we search for shoes. Basketball starts today and yet we still haven't found her shoes. Now, she doesn't want just any shoe - they must be high tops to protect her many-time-turned ankles and of course must have Prairie Central blue on them. We learned last year that looking for high tops in women's shoes is close to impossible so we headed directly to the men's section. I was so excited when we got to the first store and she found a pair of shoes on the shelf that she loved. I was dreaming of getting home early from this usually frustrating trip, until the salesperson explained that they didn't have her size. We then proceeded to every store that sells shoes in Bloomington/Normal, finding nothing. On a positive note, we were able to have her feet measured during our journey to ensure that we got the right size and ordered her favorites online when we got home. She won't have them for tonight but soon after.

There may be many times in our lives that we search for something and not be able to find it but one thing for sure - it won't be God. Matthew 7:7&8 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

The message at the Easter service focused around this phrase: "You won’t be satisfied until the Savior washes your sins away." What are you searching for? Peace, joy, trust, contentment, being desired, being whole, being loved, happiness, forgiveness, mercy, grace? Are you trying to fill a void that only God can fill? Things of this earth cannot keep us content but a relationship with Jesus can. You were made for more, will you receive it.

A relationship with Jesus begins with asking Him to be your Lord and Savior. He died so that you could be forgiven - accept His free gift of mercy and grace.

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning and happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our church had its service at Pontiac High School auditorium to accommodate more people and it was so good to see the seats fill up. It was an amazing experience of worship as the Holy Spirit dwelt among us. www.pontiacbible.org

One thing that stood out to me over everything else in the service was its "realness". As Christians, we are not here to pretend like we live in a bubble and are not tempted or suffer hardship but from our own experience, know that God meets us where we are. No matter what has happened in the past, what is happening right now, or what will happen in the future - God meets us where we are. He is faithful in every way possible.

I used to try to make God love me by doing "good" things. I reasoned that because of all I had done wrong, I would take a lot more "rights" to make Him love me and accept me. It was all a lie that satan had slyly slipped in my heart. God loves you and me. Nothing can ever change His love. Yes, that is what I said - nothing. When Jesus died, He took on all our sin - past, present and future. Nothing I do or do not do can change God's love for me.

Now that is GOOD NEWS! Now, I serve God because I want to not because I need/have to. My salvation is secure and you can have this same security. When you ask Jesus to be your Savior - to be God of your life, you are saved. You are forgiven. Praise God, your salvation is secure.

Have a great day as we continue to celebrate our Savior
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning and happy Friday! Well, last night didn't turn out as expected. The other girls that were supposed to meet up with us weren't able to come so I was able to spend the evening visiting with my best friend from high school and we went to beauty school together. What a great time we had catching up! I had forgotten how much I enjoy spending time with her! She has lived in several different states since high school but is preparing to move soon to the vicinity of Gary IN. I'm hoping living closer will spur on a more connected relationship. Facebook has been a great catalyst in keeping us connected too.

I was also reminded of how we have to be intentional about our relationships. Who do you want to build a closer relationship with? What are you doing about it?

I hope this spurs you on in getting more connected!

Have a great day and a great weekend!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Are you ever excited and nervous at the same time? I'm feeling that today. Tonight I'm getting together with some girlfriends that I ran around with in high school. I saw a couple of them at a reunion about 6 years ago but some I have not seen since my wedding, 15 years ago. When we were setting up this little reunion, I was so excited but the day is here and I'm feeling quite nervous. Thoughts of: What will they think of me? Will they still like me? I'm 100% different from the girl they last saw, what will they say or wonder about me? keep running through my head. Looking for some encouragement, I asked my husband, "what if they don't like me, anymore?" His response: "they may not". So much for encouragement!

After going through all this in my head, I came to one conclusion: Tonight, I will just be me. If "me" isn't what they are looking for, then it's their choice to make whatever decision they want. I was just talking with someone yesterday about the fact that our worth is not determined by what others think of us, who we are or what we have done but our worth comes from Whose we are. I am a daughter of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe - whom shall I fear?!!!

Thanks for the pep talk - I needed it! :)

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Today I am leaving a post for the 400th time - that is a lot of words. How time has flown since the first time I attempted to blog - I think my post said something like, "I'm blogging for the first time and have no idea what I am doing." Interesting stuff, huh?

Words are a powerful tool that can be used to build up or tear down. In the past, when confronted with using self control with words, I would think of the spoken word. Last night, as I began a writing composition class, the professor reminded me of how important the written word is.

The written word is how God relay's "His story" to us.
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.

Jesus is the Word
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The written word is no different from the spoken word. We must be careful and choose the words we use wisely.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according tot he need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

In the past, I have written letters/email/etc. to people containing words that I wouldn't speak to their face. I also have received the same from others toward me. Let's stick with this lesson - If you wouldn't say it, don't write it.

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Following directions is not always my strong suit. Starting today and for the next 12 weeks, I will be going to class on Tuesday instead of Monday. I finished up my homework yesterday and sent it electronically to the assignment mailbox. As I was getting some paperwork together, I glanced over my assignment sheet which stated that we were to bring our homework to class in paper form. Whoops. My 13 year old daughter overheard me telling my husband of the situation and made it a point to remind me that following directions in school is very important. Oh how I love it when my own words come back to haunt me!! :)

God loves you and me. God's wrath against sinners was satisfied when Jesus died for us. This does not mean that God does not discipline us. In our small group we discussed discipline after reading Hebrews 12:4-17 which explains that God disciplines us because He loves us. Our pastor shared that discipline comes from the root word disciple which means to learn. In order to become more like Christ we must endure discipline - we must learn and change.

If you have children, you discipline them because you want the best for them. Right? You want to mold and shape them into a godly person. God's relationship with us is similar but magnified many times more.

I don't know what you are enduring right now, I don't know if it is discipline, consequence, testing, temptation or just plain life but what I do know is that the old cliche is true "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I know, I know that doesn't seem very comforting but what we learn from those times of enduring is priceless.

The great commission calls us to make disciples of all the nations - how can we be making disciples unless we too are being disciples?

Keep learning - don't give up - think about what past times have taught you and look forward to the day that you will realize what you learned from what you are going through right now.

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning and happy Monday my bloggy friends! All my excitement on Friday was over a date with my hubby and what a great date we had. It started about 5:30 on Friday evening and didn't end until about 5:00 Saturday evening. It is so refreshing to have the opportunity to spend that much quality time together - it happens so rarely, but when it does, we treasure every moment. What have you been doing to connect more with your spouse? Remember, after God, our marriage is our #1 responsibility - yes, even before the kids!!

We are in the midst of membership class at our church (http://www.pontiacbible.org/) and each week we have memorized a new Scripture. For this week, we will memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Sometimes, we may only think of the "big" sins (murder, adultery, stealing) when we read about being tempted but have you been tempted to fear, worry, gossip, think or say negativity, feel hopeless, etc. lately?

You and I are not alone. We may feel alone, but that is only another lie from satan. Not only have other people felt every feeling you are experiencing, but Jesus has too. Jesus' emotions were the same emotions we have. He felt everything we feel but He did not sin. He was able to keep His emotions in check with God because of His relationship with His Father.

As humans, we are selfish and sinful. No matter how hard we try, we will eventually mess up but the sweet truth is that Jesus understands what we are going through.

Although God allows satan to tempt us, He is still in control. He gives us a way out. Just like Jesus, we can keep ourselves in check through our relationship with God. When you are tempted are you looking for the way out or feeling like their isn't one?

God's Word is true - there is a way out - there is another path. Ask God for directions.

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Seconds after I posted this blog I read a devotion put out by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Do you think God is trying to tell me something???
I Know How I Designed It
6 Apr 2009Van Walton"…we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus…" Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)My amazing husband can do anything. He's a fix-it man. There isn't anything he can't repair or create. He rebuilds damaged computers for family and friends, repairs weed eaters and garage door openers for neighbors, and rescues broken furniture from trash heaps. Recently he brought a chair home from a dinner party. It wasn't a gift and we didn't steal it. Someone sat in it and broke it!After two days of taking the chair apart - performing what looked like orthopedic surgery to me, you know when pins and screws are inserted to keep bones and joints from further damage – followed by a little gluing, sanding, and staining, the chair looked brand new."Wow!" I said, impressed."Sit in it and rock back," he encouraged."Rock back? I don't think so! What if I break it?""Oh, believe me. You won't.""How do you know?" I asked, not convinced."I know how I designed it. I know the pressure points and how much stress it can take" he responded with a smile of confidence. "Go on. Sit in it and rock back."I sat down and rocked back.The chair was solid. I don't care who sits in it, or how they land in it now, it will not break.I think about the times we don't believe we can handle any more stress. The pressure seems overwhelming and we cry, "Time out! I can't take any more!"God responds, "Trust me. You will not be destroyed. I know your pressure points. I know how much stress you can take. I know how I designed you."I cannot describe the peace I felt when I related the work of my husband's hands to the work of God's hand.Of course He knows how much I can take. After all He is my Creator, the one who bent down by the river and fashioned me with His hands. He's the one who knit me together in the depths of my mother's womb, the one who is called the Potter.He knows the exact temperature needed in the kiln to create the perfect clay vessel. He knows how hot the fire must be to separate the dross from the silver and gold. He knows how much pressure a diamond or emerald must withstand in order for it to come forth solid and brilliant. He knows how long the irritant must sit in an oyster before it becomes a pearl.My Father knows exactly how much I can take. He knows because He designed me. With that realization I am able to trust Him and smile at the future, no matter how hard life is today.Lord Jesus, You are the Carpenter. You know exactly how to build a piece that will withstand pressure and stress, a work of art that will not easily crumble. You created me the same way. Rather than tremble in the fac e of despair, help me trust in Your design. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Good morning and happy Friday! Yeah, it's Friday and I'm so excited because I'm going on a date with my hubby tonight! The kids are hanging with their grandma and grandpa tonight and tomorrow. Liz and grandma are shopping for her new room. She is so much like me and has her list properly made and in her purse.

We've been going to the Pontiac rec center on Thursday evenings to play basketball and noticed a sign for a scuba diving class. My husband has scuba dived in the past but decided to take the free first class last night. He had such a great time and was still pumped this morning. He now wants to start the certification class.

This is something he really enjoyed doing before we were married but hasn't had the opportunity since. It is one of his dreams to dive in really cool places all over the world but a dream that he hasn't pursued due to financial and time restraints.

What is your dream? What is holding you back from your dreams? I hope and pray that it is not fear. Fear controlled my life for many years and still tries to wiggle its way back in but I am learning to trust God in those times.

I was watching a 5 part message by Andy Stanley on growing in faith on youtube and he spoke about how when you say you can't do something because you are afraid, it is the perfect situation for you to do that thing and grow your faith. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRm-dgN0H9w

Is fear holding you back?? It is time to trust God. It is time to grow your faith. It is time to believe in the God you believe in!!

Have a great day and a great weekend!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

I just read the first chapter of Nahum -what a wonderful reminder of the power of our God. If you are in a situation right now that makes you wonder how God could ever be big enough to work out your problems, I encourage you to open your Bible and read Nahum 1.

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning and happy Wednesday my bloggy friends. My husband and I were discussing how some people think we are weird because of the decisions we make. Now, this used to bother me but I've considered how many people disagreed with how Jesus lived during His time on this earth. We make decisions to please God and do what is best for our family. In no way am I saying anything we do is right or wrong for you but only for us.

Through some very difficult lessons, God has taught my husband and I to put our family over things of this earth. Because of this, we choose to only work specific hours to allow more time to spend as a family.

Also, through difficult circumstances, God has taught my husband and I that in order for us to have a strong and stable marriage we must take extra effort and time for each other. We frequently choose to go on a date. Finances do not always allow for us to go out on a date so we sometimes just have a date at home to enjoy each other's company.

We also try to make good financial decisions as God wants us to be good stewards of what He has blessed us with. I have to confess that we have made many many bad financial decisions that we still are paying consequences for but as God continues to grow and mature our hearts, we are learning to spend in ways that please Him. We have learned that the first step to making good financial decisions is to give back to God at least a tenth of our gross income.

I am so thankful that God continues to mold and shape each of our hearts as He teaches us His truths.

What is God teaching you? What has He asked you to change in your life? Even though change is difficult, we must always remember - God knows what is best for us even when we don't agree!

People not understanding and being called "weird" isn't so bad, in fact, it connects me even more with Jesus as I know He understands.

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie