The Shield of Faith

My cup runneth over!!  I can't begin to describe all I was feeling as I sat in church this morning, soaking up all that God was speaking to my heart.  To say that I feel God pursuing me, getting me to finally drop my worries and insecurities, would be a gigantic understatement!

I've already shared that we're studying the armor of God (The Believers' Battle) right now in church.  Today's message was on the shield of faith.  We already know that battles are inevitable.  We have to be ready, to stand firm.  We are to always be wearing the belt of truth (an attitude of readiness), the breastplate of righteousness (living a holy life), and shoes with a firm foundation ready to stand our ground (and to know and be confident in that God is on our side).  These are a part of our everyday lives.

But, Ephesians 6:16 calls us to, 

"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one."

The stakes are high and the devil is shooting those arrows.  We have to know when we're under attack and need to know how he'll attack.  Remember in Genesis 3:1-5 when Satan was tempting Eve to eat the fruit?  He was trying to deceive her.  Trying to get her question what God had told her. 

You could have knocked me over with a feather when Pastor John pointed out how Satan attacks.  In that moment, all the questions I've had came rushing back:

Sure you heard it right?

Did He really say that?

Sure you can believe that?

Can you really pray about that because you really don't deserve that.

To fight in the battles I face, I have to remember where the thoughts are coming from.  I have to take up the shield of faith when Satan shoots and intercept the thoughts meant to destroy me.

I have to resist him.

(1 Peter 5:8-9 ^"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith...")

I have to take up the shield of faith.

(1 John 5:4, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.")

I'm so thankful for the truth in this message.  I'm so thankful for the way God loves and pursue me!



His mercies are new every morning!

I wake up to the radio and this morning, the first thing I heard on 88.3 was a scripture about the faithfulness of God and how we can trust him in all things!  WOW!

Then, today at school, our Friday focus was about...FEAR and WORRY!! 

I love how God has found ways to encourage me this week.  I know He is, once again, showing me that He knows all the details of my life and that cares about what burdens me!

What unspeakable joy comes from serving Him!!

Fear

This past week I've really had to fight fear.

I've been fighting for a student this year, and it's all coming down to this week of testing.  Will he/she get the help they need?  I've been fervently praying, believing that God is going to intervene of his/her behalf!  But, each time they've come for testing, I've had to work through fear and a feeling of helplessness.   

This past week I've also been dealing with personal fear that I thought I'd conquered.  Ok, conquered isn't the right word, but I really did feel I was able to speak truth when I felt the fear coming on.  Satan really snuck up on me this time.  My dreams have been so real and made this fear come to life like never before.  With this foothold, he has successfully whispered the same old lies I fall for every time.

BUT, I just love how the Lord weaves things together!

The past several Sundays I've heard messages on the Armor of God - the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet planted firm in the knowledge that God is on my side.  It's been wonderful and so timely, too!  This week I've been reminded that bullies of doubt and fear have no hold on me.  God is on my side and I can live in confidence knowing I can stand firm in Jesus!

Then, tonight as I sat down for my quiet time, the passage of scripture I was to study was about Jehoshaphat and the army that was coming against him.    Upon hearing about the army coming to destroy the kingdom, the scripture says that Jehoshaphat "feared", but he didn't dwell there!  He immediately sought the Lord through prayer and fasting and praising God saying, "We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)  The Lord replied saying, "Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s."  (vs. 15) and "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” (vs. 17)  WOW!  Another reminder that God is on my side and is with my always!

I'm so grateful for His gentle reminders this week.  He is so good to me! 

Saturday Spontaneity

To say that I'm not spontaneous would be a bit of an understatement.  I enjoying going to bed each night having already made my plans for the next day.  If these plans are changed, my heart tends to beat a little bit faster and I have to do some "self talk" to tell myself things are ok.  Today, I was a bit spontaneous and didn't need to "talk myself down" to achieve it.  (Yay for me!)

My plans were to pick up around the house, do a little cleaning, plan next week's menu, make a grocery list, and go to the store. 

Usually we spend Saturday mornings riding, but it's been too cold, or we've been too sick to go.  I thought that was true for today also, but Dad texted around 9:00 and asked if I wanted to go riding at 10:30.  It had been so long and I love it so much, I couldn't pass up the chance.  I was so glad I went!  Today Dad rode Stormy to teach me a few things.  I'm so glad he did!  When I ride Stormy I don't get to see him.  I loved watching him move today!  He's a beautiful animal!!  And, might I add, he was/is a perfect gentleman, too!  I rode Rowdy and confirmed what I'd always suspected - I don't really know that much about riding horses.  Stormy just takes excellent care of me!  :)  Rowdy gave me a great ride, with a few thrills thrown in! I had a great time!

We got back to Mom and Dad's, and Dad changed my oil.  After that we spent some time talking about the Bible and current events.  I loved this time with them.  I left feeling very thankful for this season in my life.  If were married and had kids, I wouldn't have this extra time with my mom and dad.  Believe me, I don't take it for granted and am soaking it up!!

When I got home Tonya called and asked me to come over to Tina's to play games while the "big" boys were at the Tournament of Champions.  I quickly showered and headed right over!  I always enjoy the "little" ones.  It was great to catch up with Tina and Tonya, too!  It seems like I haven't really talked to them since Christmas or New Year's Eve.  Sisters are the greatest!

The day didn't go as I had planned and it's a good thing I was flexible, because the it was so much better!

Benjamin Robert Rose

Benjamin was born Thursday morning, weighing in at 6lbs 10oz and 19 inches long. 

He's such a  precious, perfect, little guy!

 Granny Great with her newest great grand baby!

Cousins!

 Proud parents!

(And they're already so good at it, too!)

Welcome to the world, Benjamin!  We've been waiting for you!



Happy Birthday, Papa!

Tonight we celebrated Papa's birthday.  We went to eat at his favorite restaurant and then headed to the movie's to see "True Grit".  Much to my surprise, it was really good!  There was this one part, though.  Snakes!  Just as one struck to bite, Papa grabbed me!  Scared me so bad my whole body hurt!  That's SO him, though!

Can I just tell you how thankful I am for this man?  His faith, relationship with Jesus, and knowledge of the Bible are ROCK SOLID.  He doesn't ever miss a chance to tell you that he loves you or give you a big 'ole bear hug.  He's wise, strong, smart, funny, and tender hearted.  He is the best storyteller ever!  And every time we're together he tells me he prays for me every day.  

I love this man SO much!

Welcome Home, Wofford Family!

Tonya and her family arrived home from Disney World on Saturday.  We all got together Sunday evening to look at their 300 hundred pictures and video!

 I think all the cousins missed each other!

 Abby and Jacob brought all the boys back a gigantic sucker!

 There were a few technical difficulties.  Some pictures wouldn't rotate.  :)

 Checking out some video!

 Somehow, wrestling is always a part of family get togethers...

 More videos!

And, of course, more wrestling!

 Check this out!  Chase is almost as tall as Uncle Matt!

 Yep, just a tippy-toe away!

Take a good look at that handsome smile now, because he won't ever let me take his picture!



One Smart Cookie

Just a normal day, but it was a GREAT one!

first day back and kids were glad to see me and ready to learn

had an honest, open conversation with my principal - feels good to be supported

enjoyed watching Chase play basketball

had a blast at Bunko and ate some incredibly delicious dessert

Good day!

Christmas Break

I had a wonderful Christmas Break.  Granted, it wasn't spent doing things I usually do over vacation, but this week and a half brought its own unexpected blessings.

Friday (Christmas Eve), I started coming down with something, but was hoping it was just sinuses.  Christmas morning I woke up with chest congestion and a hoarse voice.  Thankfully I didn't really feel all that bad.  It sounded worse than it was.  Sunday was much of the same.  Then, Monday morning I got a double whammy when I woke up with a fresh cold - yuck!  The unexpected blessing was that I usually spend Christmas Vacation going and going and going.  These "symptoms" caused me to stay home and take it easy.  Usually when it's time to go back to school I'm disappointed with the lack of time I spent at home, just hanging out and reading.  Well, not this year!  I feel rested, relaxed, and read-up.  I also got acquainted with (and seriously addicted to) TiVo!!

Another unexpected blessing was that I discovered I needed a new battery for my car - and it didn't take getting stranded anywhere or being late for work!  Thursday night I ran over a skunk.  I didn't kill it, I just drove over him.  While he lived to stink another day, he definitely left his mark on my car.  It was TERRIBLE!!  I'm so thankful it didn't stink up the inside of my car.  I wasn't so lucky with the garage.  That night I parked it inside because we were supposed to get ice/snow and it was going to be so cold.  When I got up that morning, I could smell a little bit of it in the house.  I absolutely couldn't have that, so I parked my car outside.  Saturday (Christmas Day), after leaving Papa and Grandma's, Dad dropped me off at home to get my car, but it wouldn't start.  It wouldn't turn over.  The cold weather zapped my battery.  No worries, though, I got about 5 years use out of it!  Sunday after church, much to our surprise, it started right up and we Mom drove it to Wal-Mart to put a new battery in it.  I'm glad to have that done!  With the new battery, I can realize how it had been dragging to start.  Now it's peppy as ever!

Another unexpected blessing was that I got to spend some quality time with Kayla!!  She called and asked if we could get together Monday after Christmas.  I had such a great time with her and am so thankful we got to catch up.  It had been a few months.

I did spend two days shopping with Mom and one day shopping with Tonya, which is always a blessing!

The break was wonderful and just what I needed!

1.1.11

Another year.  No major changes to my everyday life, and yet, I feel so different.  I feel like I know myself and am more comfortable with who I am than ever before.  How can that be?  It can only be because of God's amazing grace that's for certain!!

I feel silly saying it, but I'm going to say it anyway.  I feel like something is just on the horizon.  Plans for me that God is getting ready to reveal.  There is just such a spirit of excitement and expectancy in my heart, so overwhelming it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it!  

I've prayed so long to desire whole heartedly what God wants for me - husband or no husband - kids or no kids.  I'm finally there.  I still want these things, I just want whatever God has planned more!  Now that I've finally gotten out of the way, I can't wait to find out what that is! 

God, I want whatever you have.  I don't have to understand it.  I know who you are.  You are good and you do good.  I know that whatever you're working out for me will be beyond my wildest dreams!

New Year's Eve

Spent with some of my favorite people! 

Dinner at Mexican Villa and then bowling.  There was some late night Rummikub, too.

 Too bad these are all the pictures I have.  :(  My camera battery died!

I also rang in the New Year saying, "So long!" to these loved ones!  They're headed to sunny Florida for all that Disney World can offer!!