Our Bible study group met last night and got part way through chapter 35 of "The Purpose Driven Life" about God's strength in our weakness. What great discussion we had! We are each trying to get better at owning our weaknesses instead of trying to hide them. Without being open about the things we struggle with, we cannot help others.

One person read Psalm 34 during the study. I encourage you to read it - here' the commentary: It goes along great with the discussion.

"God promises great blessings to His people, but many of these blessings require our active participation. He will deliver us from fear, save us out of our troubles, rescue us, show us goodness, supply our needs, listen when we talk to Him, and redeem us, but we must do our part. We can appropriate His blessings when we seek Him, cry out to Him, trust Him, fear Him, refrain from deceit, depart from evil, do good and seek peace, are humble, and serve Him."

Good stuff!!! Enjoy!

Also, I registered for the Hearts at Home Conference coming up March 13 & 14. Registration ends Feb. 4. I highly recommend this conference to any mother. It has been a huge blessing to me over the past few years that I have attended. Check it out at www.heartsathome.org.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

I'm so excited - God is speaking to my heart this morning. It is so humbling to realize that God would want to talk to me. Why would the Creator and Sustainer of this entire universe want to talk with us? Because He loves us - isn't that just the coolest thing??!!

We are getting close to finishing "The Purpose Driven Life" in our Bible study group. I was reading chapter 35 this morning, titled "God's Power in Your Weakness". Oh, such rich truths invaded my heart. Amazing reminders of who and how God wants us to be.

If you are discouraged - if you feel hopeless - if you are hurting - if you feel like your weaknesses consume your life - read chapter 35 of "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, just read it.

It brought to mind, many struggles, weaknesses, and hurts but then explains the rewards for each. It brought hope, comfort and excitement!

I'm going to share a crazy thought with you: God wants to use you - God wants to use your weakness, your embarrasment, your shame. You think that God only uses strong, qualified, perfect people?? WRONG!! God uses the weak to lead the strong. God uses the humble to break down the prideful. God uses imperfect people because there are NO perfect people!

This chapter, covers a large passion of mine - encouraging people to share their "story" to bring others closer to God. Be real - be authentic - bring glory to our God.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning my bloggy friends! We talked about Jeremiah 1 on Friday and yesterday. In several of the verses, God spoke words that give us great confidence and encouragement. Vs. 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;" Vs. 8 "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you," Vs. 19 "They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,"

What sweet encouragement from our God! These are things that I need to be constantly reminded of because satan loves to remind me of how incapable and insignificant I am.

Moving on to chapter 29:11-13 "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me when you search for Me, and I will listen to you, you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."

This may sound a little crazy, but for the last several years I have wanted this verse tatooed on my body. My husband isn't keen about it, so I haven't and won't but what an amazing verse.

Why worry? God's plans are already set for us! Why fret? He wants us to seek our hope in Him. He is everlasting, He is always good, He is always faithful, He is always true, He will not leave us, He will not forsake us, He loves us no matter what!! I have to say that again - our God loves us unconditionally. That was very difficult for me to understand or believe for a very long time, but now I know, His love for you and I never changes. When we do good, He loves us. When we do bad, He loves us. Period. It doesn't change.

I am so thankful that the God who plans my life will always love me. How about you??

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning and happy Monday! I stand amazed, once again, at our God. On Friday, I posted about reading Jeremiah 1 and the impact that it had on me. That evening, I read it to my family and we discussed what it meant to each of us. Sunday morning, we get to church and guess what the Pastor is teaching on? Jeremiah 1!! At Bible study last night, we studied it again! God is so faithful as He speaks to His children. He knows exactly what we need to hear and when we need to hear it! I praise God for and am amazed at the fact that He actually wants to speak to me - a lowly sinner, who deserves hell but by His grace have been welcomed into His family.

We had a very busy but very fun weekend, here's some highlights:

My parents, grandma, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and us went to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield IL on Saturday. Here's a picture of all the cousins with Abraham, Mary and their children.

Then, Nathan dressed as a soldier

Saturday evening brought more fun with game night with some great friends. It's amazing what you learn about people just by playing games with them! :)
Sunday brought more fun: worshipping God, playing in the snow and watching movies.

Whew! Like I said, fun filled! I just love a weekend filled with God, family and friends - it just doesn't get any better!

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

It is officially a wonderful 15 below zero outside. It is still only about 55 degrees in my house. All I have to say is: Brrrrrrrrrrr. The wood burning stove is blazing, so like yesterday, we'll probably be sweating in a couple of hours.

I read some wonderful words from the Lord yesterday morning, reread them last night to my family and then back to them this morning.

In Jeremiah 1:4-9, Jeremiah says "Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.'

Then I said, 'Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.'

But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, 'I am a youth,' because I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,' declares the Lord.

Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, 'Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.'"

Commentary: Often people struggle with new challenges because they lack self-confidence, feeling that they have inadequate ability, training or experience. Jeremiah thought he was only "a youth" too young and inexperienced to be God's spokesman to the world. But God promised to be with him. We should not allow feelings of inadequacy to keep us from obeying God's call. He will always be with us. When you find yourself avoiding something you know you should do, be careful not to use lack of self-confidence as an excuse. If God gives you a job to do, He will provide all you need to do it.


Oh, such good stuff - and at such perfect timing! I have just had a few situations this week, when I have encouraged people to obey God's calling for them - whether scared or not. Jeremiah and I have much in common - not believing that nothing is impossible with God. I said much of those same words and had feelings of inadequacy when God called me to share what He had accomplished in my life. After years of arguing with Him and believing that I knew myself better than He did, I finally said yes and He has taken care of everything else. I believe that it will be the same for you.

Say yes today - wait not one minute longer - allow God to show His faithfulness to you - hang on to Him and go for it!! You are His child, what more do you need to know??!!

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning! It is extremely cold today. 11 below to be exact. We have found this winter that our furance is not big enough to heat our home during extreme cold. Even though it's running non-stop, it's about 54 degrees in here. Brrrrrrr cold! I've got space heaters running and just lit the wood burning stove in hopes of some heat.

Anyway, I've been noticing the beauty of the sunsets lately - here's the one from last night which also includes blowing snow. It reminds me of the awesomeness of our God. Enjoy!

Also, a few other interesting pics of bath time for the puppies:

Did you notice the color of the bath water?? No wonder they stink so bad!!
Doesn't Mike's expression show you just how much fun he is having!!

I hope you have a great day! Stay warm!

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

Good morning my bloggy friends! My husband and I have been painfully watching some close friends go through a very difficult time in their marriage. We have attempted to help the situation by giving them Scripture verses, prayer, our advice and encouragement, but it doesn't seem to detour the hearts involved.

Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, I wondered, do I need to be bold and somewhat harsh with pointing out Scriptures, again, that show their choices are wrong in God's eyes or do I leave them with their decisions and just be there for them?

I read Acts 13:1-11 today - a man desired to hear the Word of God and asked Paul and Barnabas to share it with him. There was a magician with him who didn't want him to hear about God and was trying to persuade him, not to.

Vs. 9-10 "But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, 'You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?'"

Because Paul knew what the magician was attempting to stop the Word of God from being heard, he was bold and harsh with his words.

I believe there is a time to be lovingly harsh with our words and a time to stop wasting our breath.

I believe this answered my question - it's time for me to show them love and be the best prayer warrior I can be. Thankfully, our God is in control!!

What's your opinion in these matters?

Have a great day
Living fearlessly,
Christie