Poetry~ "Less of Me and More of You Lord"

The life we live is a war raging on, a war that is raging for our minds and our hearts. I do not want to get pulled into all the distractions prying for my attention, don’t want riches that overflow or success to follow my name.

    All I want, all I desire, it is all I ever wanted, was less of me, and more of him. Less of me and more of his love, more of his power, more of his righteousness more of Him, and less of me.

  I want to set aside selfish ambitions. Put aside, what I think is best for my life, for I know so many times when I try to do it on my own, things just fall apart at the seams, But I know when He is in the center, all does come together. He is the one that breathed new life into me, so I want to fully surrender and live my life for him.

    It is not about me, or what I can do, it’s about Him and who I’m becoming in Him. I am just trying the best I can to be his humble servant, his precious child. So Lord with all of my faults that I know you see past and you forgive.

  Lord you have given me so much, at times I feel what I can give in return, i come with empty hands, all you ask   is to accept you, to believe in the promises you give and live my life to further your kingdom, not of this earth, but for the life that is to come. Take me just as you find me, iam weak, but you are strong, there is nothing I can do on my own, only with your strength can I overcome what the world throws my way.

  Less of me, and more of you Lord my precious Lord.open my eyes to see the broken lost and hurting, bring them into my life, so I can share your love. As you have loved me, I can in turn love those around me. Let me step out of myself and reach out with your love… less of me and more of Him. Its my one desire, be more like you, you created us in your image, I want to live my life for you….less of me and more of you, less  of me and more, oh so much more of you Lord!

Is God Calling you Into Unknown Territory?

Good afternoon readers, my prayer is that you will be encouraged by what God has placed on my heart this afternoon. I originally was going to write on something different, but the holy spirit put this on my heart, part of the reason was  what was taught at church during the sermon really convicted my heart and I felt compelled to share with you all. The sermon was on the “Gospel and how does God want us to react to the gospel?”

   The example used in the sermon was Abraham and the kind of faith He had., his faith wasn’t always rock solid,  and like us he  stumbled too at times and fell back into old habits and his faith became weary at times just like us. The passage we focused on was taken from Genesis 12:1-3, it goes on to say this was the first encounter Abraham had with God, the first time God spoke with Abraham. God told Abraham  to GO and leave everything, not just some things, but leave it all behind and then wait for what comes next, he didn’t explain what he was doing , he didn’t lay out the steps for Abraham  beforehand, no, he just said GO….. He had no idea where he was going what he was doing or how God would provide.

   This sermon was what I need to hear, it was as if God was speaking to me. I truly believe that God does not bring you to something if he is not going to give you the resources to complete it. If he brings you to a trial, he will lead you through it and it will stretch your faith, it easy to doubt what we can’t see, its easy to become afraid when we are walking unknown territory. Our pastor said something that really stuck a chord with me,” God doesn’t call you to something you can do on your own”

   God sees the bigger picture, we see through our eyes, we become inpatient and question Gods sovereignty, faithfulness to complete what he started.  HE is the same yesterday, today and forever. This sermon really got me thinking and praying; I realize I need to pray that God broadens my vision, I pray that I listen for his voice and direction and not let my own insecurities or fears stand in the way of what God wants to accomplish through me. We do not know our future, but we know we serve a all powerful, all knowing God who has our best interests at heart, he tells us in his word to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these other things will be added unto us.

 What would you do, if God called you to give it all up? How would you respond to the call? To leave the familiar behind and walk out in faith, with no clear vision, just the words Go and trust me! That is exactly what God asked of Abraham. This sermon spoke volumes to my heart. i knew that I need to be ready and willing to go if God calls us elsewhere, but we all make up excuses at times or barter with God. Moreover, it never ends well when we try to do things our way, thinking we know better than God.

   This is where don and I are in our life, were listening for Gods voice, his still small voice to reveal his plan. We want to be in his Word, to use it as our spiritual compass, were in prayer, we have people praying for us that the path be made known. It has not yet; but was trusting and walking by faith.

God always gives his promises, he always comes through and cares for us even if its not the way we thought it should of unfolded. Even if our prayers are not always answered in the way we would like, he always cares for us. He knows what we need. In addition, when we take up our cross, and follow him, the blessings will be bountiful. The Christian walk is not easy; to the outside would what society views, as success is not the same as what God desires of us.

  What happens when we cannot see the tangible aspects of Gods promises, we get scared, we doubt, we try to figure things out on our own. How do we trust uncertainly? When God calls us to step out of our comfort zone and surrender and trust everything, every aspect of our lives, do we try to hold onto some or do we give up after it does not seem to be happening quick enough? It’s important to be in God’s word daily to grow in our walk with Jesus. The more we learn, the more we trust, the more we trust, the more we surrender, I know it scary. There will be times when God is not clear or at least in our eyes he just says go and trust!

    Is God asking this of don and I I do not know, but I want to trust I want god to take all my fears and uncertainly away. In addition, replace it with peace that passes all understanding. I want to trust as Abraham did. In addition, like Abraham, we will struggle and fall into old habits s at times, but we pick ourselves up and continue on this journey God calls of us. God knows our hearts. My prayer is, when and if God calls don and I we will not question the fear of human question s will not stand in the way of doing God’s will.

 Here is a quote by jerry bridges

“if we are  going to trust God in adversity, we must believe God will allow nothing to subvert his glory, so he will allow nothing to spoil the good he is working in us and for us”

Here is another quote I found, by Emily Freeman.”When you can’t see Gods hand, trust His heart”

Are you willing to trust God no matter what the cost? God sometimes asks difficult things of us, we may not understand the process, but we can trust that his plan is part of his purpose for us, we don’t know the future, but we can trust who holds our futures in the palm of his hands!

Adoption~ He Takes Us In and Loves Us, as a Father~

 Good morning  readers: .What a  beautiful day it is the sun is shining and Today is another glorious day that the Lord has made, a day for us to rejoice in .Today’s topic I want to address is Adoption, I want to talk about How God loves us and Adopted us into His family. I also want to share some personal experiences and how this subject hits very close to home for my husband and I.

  I’ve always thought adoption was such a beautiful  concept, Many couples are unable to have children and have found such love in the eyes of a child(children) that God brought into their life. Its  a struggle for many, when so many want the role of parent, and what comes easy to some, is a heartbreak for others. My husband and I have traveled this road for the majority of our marriage. We lost a little one back in 99, now in the arms of Jesus; unable to conceive has been a Struggle in so many ways. Yet from the very beginning when doctors told us we might never have another of our own, adoption was always a option for us, never did we doubt this was a road we wanted to take.

  We know there are many children of all ages from all walks of life and backgrounds that need that loving home,  who just wanted to be taken in and shown love, that’s all they ever wanted, To see in the eyes a of a hurting child, who has never felt security and love is just so heartbreaking for us both. Many of these children have been through pain we could never imagine, maybe they were abused or abandoned, it may be hard for them to comprehend that there are people, couples in this world who would take them into their homes and into their hearts in a heartbeat.

 In the same way it may be tough at times to understand the love God has for us, He is our Heavenly Father; he took us in, into his family. When he did this, its called the spiritual adoption. John 1:12 says “but to all who believe him and accept him, he gave the right to become children of God”. Ephesians 1:5  says:”God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ..This is what he wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure.”

   Understanding His love and the depth of how deep and profound can be intense, so lets think of it in this way. What does a parent do for their children? They love their child, they nurture their child, they guide and discipline their child, they want what is best for their child, in the same way, God is our spiritual father, when we accept him into our lives and hearts, we have a new family, and he takes us in and loves us as his very own.

   He is the father to the fatherless, No barrier that can stand in the way; of God’s love for his children. Some people may ask or not understand the connection that can take place when a couple adopts a child and loves them as their very own; I understood Gods love for me.  I always wondered would I be able to love an adopted child as much as my own, I thought I could, and then when God brought my godchildren into the picture, it all made sense. It was his way of revealing what I ALREADY knew in my heart, that our love that we have and the desire to one day parent a child, would not change, whether flesh and blood or adopted into our hearts, there was no differentiation.

 We love our godchildren, as if they were our very own flesh and blood, being a parent is not about bringing a child into this world, anyone can be a father or mother, but not everyone can be a dad or mom. When you invest into a child’s life, you’re are there for them, guide them spiritually, and help raise them to be all that God wants them to be; that’s the love of a parent and it KNOWS no limits to love. I know when we adopt if that’s part of the plan God has for us, we will take that child into our home, but more importantly into our HEARTS, love knows no limits, love is blind, love is transparent and wants what’s best for them.

   Quick story, couple years ago, when I was really struggling with wanting motherhood, we had just started to help watch our godchildren. One day I found myself crying alone in the room; don came up to me and asked what was wrong, I told him. He told me of a dream he had; he said  a  few years back he had this dream, a dream where a little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes and little boy with blonde hair and blue eyes were running toward  him, he didn’t think much of the dream at the time, then later he realized God was bringing those two precious children into his life to be like a second  parent to, he said Natalie don’t you realize that was mia and hunter.  he went on to say Natalie you love those children as if they were your  very own, I said of course I do, I couldn’t love them more if they were. he said god is answering your prayers in ways you never imagined, I realized the truth behind what he said, a tear rolled down my cheek, and I felt so much better.

    I realized that when the time came to adopt, the love I had would not change, it would only deepen. What a concept in that sense and to bring it full circle that’s how God views us, his children, his love is the same, were all His children, and he loves each and every one of us the same. I can take in a child into my heart and love that child with intense unconditional love, even more so does God the father love us, for who we are, with all our pasts and hang-ups and struggles. He take us in and gives us  a new life, away from what we’ve been used to, and gives us a hope  and a future.

   My heart is ready when the time comes to open up for any child that God brings to us. In addition, I know that child will be thankful. They will have a place to call home and people to call parents! so iam thankful I have a Heavenly father who took me in and gave me that love I needed, and I have a eternal home to look forward to one day! Adoption what a beautiful concept to love as your Own~

Are We Being The Wives God has Called Us To Be?

  I ‘am so thankful to God for giving me a Christian husband who loves God and who put him first and loves me as Christ loves the church. We both know the importance of growing in marriage. There are many articles and books on marriage out there, which is not the purpose of this blog entry. The purpose and point I am trying to point out is as wives are we doing all that God has called us to do in our role as a Christian wife.

  I find it so sad when not all men take on the Godly role of the spiritual leader of the household, but I also find it sad that some wives are not encouraging their husband daily and are not living out their love in action. Wanting your kids raised in the church, and leading family devotions are part of that process, but there is more, loving your wife, forgiveness, teaching respect, and there are more ways, those are just some.  Being the spiritual leader is also about His personal walk with Christ. On the other hand, being the wife God desires us to be means respecting and loving, we do that by encouraging, edifying, and caring for.

  We know what our husband should be doing, but this entry is written for the wives out there. As wives, we want and desire our husband to be the leader the spiritual role model so to say, but we will not get those results if we do not respect them. if we nag them to get that outcome. in 1 Peter 3:1-4 talks about being submissive to our husbands, that doesn’t mean being a doormat, it means respecting their leadership. Just as the word will know we are Christians by our love, so will our husbands know by the way we respect, listen, and act?

 Are you encouraging your husband to be the Man God has called him to be, are you encouraging him to be a man of honor and courage? We desire them to have Godly friendships and accountability in their lives, but as their spouse, we should be the number 1 person in their corner encouraging them to grow and step out in faith to lead the spiritual charge. I truly believe that is part of what were called to do. We just cannot sit back and hope they see the importance of this, we can’t nag them to want to do this. WE need to love them; wives do this, by respecting their husbands

 First, we as wives need to be growing in our spiritual walks, to make sure our walk radiated the love of Christ. Love is not nagging love is patient and kind. We should not focus on our husbands lack their of spirituality, but focus on encouraging him to grow. God is using you as his wife to help your helpmate be all that God desires him to be. are you focusing on the bigger picture or wrapped up in his faults?1 Peter 3 talks about having a gentle and quiet spirit, that should radiate into the way we interact with our spouse anger and frustration wont show him the importance, it will just build up a barrier between you and him.

 When we affirm, respect and encourage our husbands this will make it easier for Him to love and lead the way God desires it. It’s sad when men don’t see the need for fellowship or men’s study. So im challenging you respect and encourage your men even if you feel he does not deserve respect (unless in the situation of spousal abuse) God commands it otherwise. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you respect him. Surrender him daily on the altar. Pray over him. Continue to be the woman God has places in your husband’s life. Let your actions speak louder and your prayers be louder. Only God can transform hearts and reveal his truth to him. You are only Gods instrument.

Remember there are many ways to be a spiritual leader, compliment him on what he does, and pray for Gods spirit to reveal where he needs to grow.  Wives examine your heart do all in love. God knows what you need and want in this relationship, surrender and let God use you to live a life in service to Gods kingdom. Remember were all on a journey to grow and mature in Christ both in our own walks and in our marriages! As you encourage him to draw closer to God, he will grow and want to grow in his spiritual leadership of the home. Keep praying, there is power in a praying wife.

It’s a journey, you’re in it together! As you both grow and as your marriage grows it will be a investment, now that’s a commitment worth investing into!

A Easter Message of Hope~ "In the Silent Stillness~"

  My Favorite season is upon us, springtime a time of renewal and new life. As Christians we celebrate Easter,, which is a benchmark of the Christian faith. A time to remember the ultimate sacrifice our Lord and Savior did by taking our place, by willingly laying down His life for us, to cover our sins, to wipe the slate clean and make us holy in His sight.

 On Good Friday Christians Commemorate the passion and suffering of our Lord of his death on the cross and what it means for us. In one retrospect, it is sad because he had no sin, He was blameless, yet he suffered agony he did not deserve. In addition, took the sins of the world upon his shoulders. But really Good Friday is crucial because it’s a celebration of what we believe, it laid out Gods ultimate plan for us, to save us from the cross, it had to happen We could celebrate the Easter and his resurrection could be brought to fruition.

   So what about Saturday, the day our Lords body lay in the tomb. A day that many may overlook, we focus on good Friday,  we focus on Easter Sunday, but what about Saturday. I want you to close your eyes and picture this, your master, your Lord; your Savior was put to death. Now he lies in a tomb.  Now picture what his mother and father must of felt in their hearts, they knew what he had to do, but that was their son. What about his disciples, and his followers im sure they were afraid, fearful and confused. Do you think they ever doubted his words? He had told them just the day before I will be crucified, but 3 days later, I will be resurrected from the dead.

   Jesus paid the price; he knew the road he would have to travel to Calvary. He knew the pain he would endure,, but he willingly made the sacrifice for us so we can be reconnected to the Father. He loved us so much; he wanted to spend eternity with his children. As Christians, we do not have to walk around with doubt, fear and confusion<we know that grave could not hold him. We know that stone was rolled away. We have that hope, That Glorious hope.

   We know there is power in the blood. We do not serve a God that lies in a tomb, We serve A RISEN Savior. To me Saturday is important in addition, it’s a time to reflect on what the cross means, It’s our sins that held him there, yet it was His Love his indescribable amazing and prefect love that kept him there on that cross.

 In that silent stillness, Saturday as the sun rose Sunday morning our savior fulfilled just what he said, I will Rise! Hold onto that Promise, in your hearts on that glorious Easter Morn~