FAVOR- God's favor causes situations, circumstances, rules, regulations, laws, policies & even my mistakes to change in my favor! AMEN!

#43 - Who do you Employ? Angels or Demons?

I would say Good Morning... but it's really good afternoon. I guess if you are reading this at night, Good Evening! :) Buenos Noches. How are you doing this fine day? I am blessed. My alarm went off this morning and after snoozing about 3 times, I finally shut it off all together and slept. AND, my boy continued to sleep too!! God is SO good to me to give me such an awesome boy!! We have been very thankful for Grandma & Grandpa's Christmas money to him. :) He has gotten a lot of new clothes! Yippee! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa! Your gift is coming in handy now, when it is needed!! :) 


Well... there is always more and more to be found in the Word. It is very humbling! Just by looking up the original Greek or Hebrew meanings to just a single WORD can bring a whole new meaning to a verse!! Like, for example.. we aren't going to plant on this verse... but check out this verse and see what you think: "The conies are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks." Proverbs 30:26. So... what is your thought about that verse? First of all, what in the world is a coney? Second, "feeble"... I guess they are weak? And my thoughts continued with this, if these weak animals, I pictures older people that couldn't walk good... if these weak animals are walking in the cliffs and rocks and mountains... why? Why would they do that, they could fall?? Well... looking up ONE word changed the whole meaning! In this verse, the use of the word "feeble" means the following: mighty, vast, countless, strong in number, numerous. Whoa! So my original picture of little, old, animals walking with canes and almost falling off the cliff was a totally wrong picture! And, coney... I thought goat. But, no. When I looked up coney... coney is a rabbit, a rock badger. 


We could go on and on. But all that was just BONUS for you! :) hehe! Just some things I found interesting. We'll call it some "extra credit" study. :) But wasn't it interesting?! Would you have thought the same as me about "feeble" and "coney"?? 


Let's get rolling in our word for the day. 

Proverbs 30:32 - If you have done foolishly in exalting yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth.

Proverbs 31:26 - She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

Let's look at some of the Hebrew definitions for the word "foolishly" in Proverbs 30:32. It could read like this: If you have fallen down, become faint or lost one's strength, If you have drooped or faded as leaves on a vine fall, If you have lacked in firmness, resilience, vigor or energy becoming stupid & dull - My take on that... if you have screwed up. If you have really messed up. Your shoulders are drooped over. You know you have messed up. You have sinned, you have fallen short. Maybe it is a sin that has continued to pop it's head up and you just want to overcome it. You feel low. You feel upset. Disappointed. You just don't know how you can overcome this on your own strength. You have let yourself down and you feel like you have let God down too. How could you mess up again. That word... again... ringing through your ears. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! 


If you have exalted yourself, put yourself above others, bragged on yourself, given yourself a better position than others... you have become first and others last. If you have thought evil....the Hebrew further describes as this: If you have fixed your thoughts upon, considered, purposed, planned, devised, plotted with evil intent. If you have done these things... if you are considering or planning out evil, lay your hand upon your mouth. Why would you lay your hand upon your mouth? Seriously? Why lay your hand on your mouth? 


WORDS WORDS WORDS! At this point you have only gotten to the "thinking" stage. Your words have not been released. They have not been given LIFE! As soon as WORDS are released, they bring life! They either bring life or death. Your words either employee the action of angels or demons. If the words of evil that have been going on in your mind... that you have been considering... if those words come out, you then employee demons to work on your behalf, to bring those thoughts or plans to life! To bring them to pass. (Is. 55:11, Hebrews 1:14, Ps 103:20, Eph. 6:12, Jude 1:6) Angels obey the Word of God. We need to SPEAK it to give them their assignment! To bring to pass God's Word! Employee them with your words! Don't just have them sit around doing nothing. They are ready to help bring God's word to pass... they need to be employeed with the WORD. 


Our Proverbs 31 friend is speaking Words of power. Wisdom. What comes out of her mouth sets a good example for us to follow. If evil thoughts have come into her mind, she has covered her mouth. The WORDS that come out of her mouth are filled with LIFE. Kindness. Love. She speaks words of LIFE. 


What a HUGE topic that we could study for a long time!! The POWER of our WORDS! Satan can not read our minds... he can try to place thoughts into our minds, but he can not read what we are thinking. The moment WORDS are released, he is filled in. When we speak the WORD, we speak what God would have come to pass. When we are sick, but we speak, "BY JESUS STRIPES, I AM HEALED", we speak the ANSWER to come to pass. We line up our WORDS with GOD'S WORD and with GOD'S WILL! We are lining our words up with LIFE. Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue has the power of life and death... Let's bring LIFE! Sometimes that may mean just covering our mouth. Sometimes that means getting our words in agreement with the WORD OF GOD. 


Who is your employee today? Angels or Demons?
___________________________


Some good books: 

• Hung by the Tongue by Francis P Martin
• What you Say When you Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter

Mobile Update: Blog is coming. A bit late today, but within the hour. :) The boy & I slept in! Very much needed! PTL, I am healed & PTL my boy is a gr8 sleeper!

#42 - Poor, Needy or lazy?

Good morning! So... here I sit, the boy is still sleeping. He hasn’t even woke up for his bottle yet! It’s 10:10! The boy and I yesterday had a bit of a rough day. We have overcome some symptoms and are healed in Jesus name! But, needless to say, when your body is fighting something, it seems like you may tend to be more tired than normal. We praise God that we are HEALED in Jesus Name! We stand on God’s Word and it promises that BY JESUS STRIPES WE ARE/WERE HEALED! Since that is the case, we come into agreement with the Word! We call our body 100%! Whole! Healthy! Complete! Working properly how God created it to function! Amen? AMEN! 

While I wait on my boy to get up, I am enjoying Kahve cup of coffee #2. Yum! Don’t forget the sugar free hazelnut until it is the nice shade of blonde! :) For real, one day when I grow up, maybe I’ll appreciate just drinking coffee black, I guess until then I will just enjoy the sweet goodness of my cream with coffee! :) 

Internet is still not working. They can’t come out until Monday... or we have to go to the Time Warner store to get a new “cable box”. We may do that today.... so what that means is when this blog is finished, I’ll have to go to a Wi-Fi spot to submit it! Out of all the networks around where I live... about 15, all of them are blocked for a password. I suppose I could ask my neighbor for theirs. We’ll see. 

Let’s get rolling this morning. 

Proverbs 29:7 - The consistently righteous man knows & cares for the rights of the poor, but the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge. 

Proverbs 31:20 - She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy (whether in body, mind or spirit).

All right. Put down your rocks. Put away your stones. Put down your gavel & take off your robes. I’m going to be transparent here. So, as I was reading Proverbs 29:7...I read it, then I read it again. As I skimmed over the part that says “cares for the rights of the poor”, I literally thought... “Let’s just move on from this! I don’t believe in just giving people a handout. I hate it when people are just lazy and expect everything to be given to them.”  As I just about started to continue to read, I STOPPED IN MY TRACKS. I thought, WAIT! It says this in the WORD. I need to take note of what this is talking about. Regardless of my beliefs and my current “greatest pet peeves”... I need to make sure ALL my beliefs line up with the Word, and IF they don’t line up with the Word, I need to RE-ALIGN my beliefs. 

When I asked about this topic to the Holy Spirit, He said that it definitely would take some study. My first instinct said, “Ok, let’s see what ‘politics’ has to say about the poor. Let’s see what the ‘law’ has to say about it. What’s my responsibility or what ‘should’ I believe?” And then I was quickly corrected again. So, the Holy Spirit continued with me, “NO! Don’t see what politics or the law says about the poor, look first to where you SHOULD look! Look to the Word! What does the WORD say about this subject. The ‘law’ should line up with this. Who you follow in politics should have beliefs that line up with MY Beliefs!” 

My knowledge on the subject is a limited, and I’m sure many of you may know more or may have studied more on the subject. But as I have briefly looked up a few things & in my limited study, here are a few things that I have found. With more study, I’m sure we could find MUCH more on this topic! 

• 2 Thessalonians 3:10 - For while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat. 
• James 1:27 (KJV & AMP) - Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. 

In the realm of “government handout”... I believe if people are able to and can work, they need too. I could really get onto a soapbox about this subject, but I won’t, today. But praise the Lord for scripture, it does back up my belief of the importance of working. If you don’t work, you don’t eat. I believe that their is a difference between the POOR, those in NEED and the LAZY. I believe that 2 Thessalonians is talking directly about the lazy. Those people who are able to work, but will not. Those people who just want to “ride off the coat tails of others”. Those people who just do not want to work. Even despite the economic times, there is not a shortage of jobs. I have a friend who works for a staffing agency. He says that the problem lies not with lack of jobs or lack of employment opportunities, but with people being placed in jobs and then do not show up. It’s not that they are not capable, but it is that they do not want to work. They just don’t show. Or a status level gets in the way and people may think, “I am above that job. What would people think?” I know an engineer who lost his job, and just to put food on the table for his family until he could get another job, he delivered pizza’s. 

This is a Word for me today, for sure. The Proverbs 31 woman opens her hands to the poor & needy. Then James talks about VISITING, HELPING & CARING for orphans & widows. To many of us, this may be something where we have gotten “too busy for.” I have two grandmothers who are widows. What a great reminder that we are given a charge to visit them. To help & care for them. 

So.... today.... what can you do to help the needy? An orphan? A widow? Imagine having lost your loved ones... a widow loosing their spouse. An orphan loosing their parents. :( It is sad. What joy a “visit” could bring. What a blessing dropping a check in the mail could bring. Helping in whatever way you can. 

My grandma lives about 800 miles away... but, I just pulled out a card to drop a note in the mail. 

Can you do something small today? A card? A visit? Money? A call? An act of love? 

What can you do? Do something today. 

Delayed Post: I will be posting a blog today, just delayed bc our internet is down. Should be up within the hour. :)

DOR! - Mobile Update: Power got knocked out, internet down. Guess it's good it's my DOR! Have u thot about scheduling a DOR? U'd love it! Have a blessed day!

#41 - Praise & Validation

Good morning! Lovin my morning. God is so good & what a blessing to fill a day with thankfulness!!! I am SOOOO thankful to be able to stay home and be a mom! I am so thankful to be able to do what I love every day! To be a mom, get in the Word without a "watch" tied to my time, to be a wife and make Tyler lunch... to go see my boy smile when we go in his room in the morning. BLESSED!! Thank you LORD!!! I'm SOOOO thankful! I'm thankful to be able to pursue my passion of writing, something I have always loved and am now able to do it. What are you thankful for? In the amplified version, Proverbs 27:22 ends with this, for a man is judged by what he praises and of what he boasts. Well, I PRAISE THE LORD for LIFE! I PRAISE THE LORD for the ability to breathe and the ability to PRAISE! I BOAST at how good my God is! I BOAST that HE is JEHOVAH JIRAH, HE is the Lord my Provider - not our business, not Tyler's job, not my books, but GOD IS OUR JEHOVAH JIRAH! I BOAST in that! He has all the money in the WORLD! He is a wealthy Dad and provides all my needs according to HIS riches, which are abundant! I BOAST that my God is JEHOVAH RAPHA! He is GOD MY HEALER! He has healed me of everything. My knee is healed in Jesus Name because of my JEHOVAH RAPHA! I walk in divine health! Tyler Jr walks in divine health! He doesn't need to be healed, because he doesn't get sick! What's better than being "healed"?? Never getting sick or hurt to begin with!!! DIVINE HEALTH! That is how we live! We walk in divine health! I boast in my Father for allowing us to do that! What a great day to PRAISE THE LORD! 


Well, let's get into some Word this morning! :) 

Proverbs 27:2 - Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 31:31 - Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].

So... our verse in Proverbs 27 lines RIGHT up with what I have been reading in the book I'm about to finish, Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. It is most often a "guy" book, but I picked it up for several reasons. A friend of mine said it was one of her top 3 favorite books (she's the one who read between 50-75 books last year)... also, I know how much my husband liked it, and I have a boy now! I have a little guy who will grow up to be a little boy who will grow up to be a Godly Warrior for Christ. What a better way to learn about a boy, than to read about how God designed you MEN! To learn how you think! It has been very insightful! 


It reminds me of a few stories that relate to our verse for today. One which came from Wild at Heart. John tells of a time which he went rock climbing with his sons. His son, Sam, got to a rock and was unable to get over a ridge, he hung there and the longer he hung, the more scared he became. Then, the tears began to come. As John assured his boy, he said, he knew of a rock climb that may be more fun, they could go try that one instead. Sam said, "No, I want to do this one." As his dad coached him through some of the rough spots, verbally helping him to get to the top, as he was close to the top, his dad said something that would ring in his ears, "Way to go Sam. You're a wild man." The book goes on to talk about how boys need praise from their fathers. Boys need to hear validation from their dad. Especially as they are in their pivotal years, they need to hear that "they have what it takes," "they can be a man." Later, Sam came up to his dad and asked, "Dad, did you really think I was a wild man up there?" Sam came back looking for that validation from his dad, looking for that assurance, looking to hear that he had what it takes, looking for praise and assurance as he was being ushered into the years of change where he would go from boy to man. 


I remember Tyler telling me of being a boy, only in elementary school and playing in a football game. As maybe an 8 or 9 year old, he jumped into the truck with his dad after finishing his game, happy as a clam because they had a great victory, and Tyler had a touchdown. As he jumped in, he asked his dad, "Dad, did you see me? Did you see me run that touchdown? Dad, what did you think?" enthusiasm was bursting as little Tyler asked the question of his daddy. Looking for praise, looking for validation. His dad responded, "Son, I don't want to ever hear you say that again. We do not talk like that because it sounds like you are bragging and we do not brag." They road the remainder of the drive back home in silence. Tyler's balloon deflated. His face sullen. The one and only person he wanted to please, his dad, deflected his excitement and the joy of victory was now meaningless. 


I think both of these stories tell a lot about Proverbs 27:2. Let another praise you and not your own mouth. Someone else, and not your own lips. In the first story, the dad took the opportunity to praise his son when he saw he had a great opportunity. He saw a chance to build his son up, to encourage, to speak words into his life that would lift his self-image, that would help him to look at himself in the mirror in a positive light. He saw the opportunity to praise and he took the opportunity to praise. He is building up a man, not a girl, but a man. Helping him to see that he can do it, he has what it takes to "conquer the mountain." Not just the mountain that they were actually climbing, but any mountain. He was instilling a "you can do it" mentality in his boy. In the second story, Tyler was deflated. :( Though his dad taught him something very valid and important, something that even goes along with Proverbs 27:2. Let another praise you and not your own mouth. He was teaching Tyler the importance of not being boastful. Something that does indeed need to be taught. Although, he missed a valuable opportunity to praise him, to build him up, to let him know he is capable of anything. Now, if you know Tyler's dad, he is a big, grown teddy bear! He is an amazing man of God, a man that loves the Lord passionately, a man that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He is so full of love, all 6 feet 5 inches of him! He makes Tyler look little. Though this moment was a very memorable one for Tyler in the sense that he didn't receive the praise & validation he was craving, his dad did pour many good things into him throughout his childhood. Tyler's parents poured many good things into all the kids! One stat that is pretty astounding, how often do you hear of 3 kids, popular, attractive, fun, athletic ... 3 kids from the same family waiting until their wedding day to have "relations" for the first time!? That is a statistic that is very rare in this day and time. So, Tyler's parents poured a lot of good stuff into them as they grew up. 


Our Proverbs 31 friend... check her out... everyone enjoys praise, enjoys being elevated and encouraged. Well.... look at our Proverbs 31 friend, she is praised at the city gates. At the entrance of the city, people praise her. I can see it now... as you are driving into the city... there it is a billboard of our Proverbs 31 friend... her new invention, her new product that she has made, her philanthropic services she has created to help the needy. There at the city gates her "works" go before her and she is praised. But lets not forget a VERY valuable lesson.... one of the most common ones we have probably all heard; sowing and reaping. If you look up several verses in Proverbs 31, you can see that SHE has sown! Proverbs 31:18 - her lamp does not go out at night of trouble, sorrow, doubt, distrust - she is helping people at all hours of the night. Proverbs 31:20 - she opens her hands to the needy, she reaches out her FILLED hands to the needy (whether in body, mind or spirit). Proverbs 31:26 - on her tongue is the law of kindness. 


Our Proverbs 31 friend receives praise from others, but look what she has done first! SHE GIVES PRAISE! Just like if you sow corn, you reap corn. She has sown praise, and now she is reaping praise! 


Today, find someone you can praise. Is it your child? Your spouse? Praise them. Notice the good things they are doing. Is it your son? He needs validation, especially as he is young, and even as he gets older. Something a boy desires more than anything is to know that his dad is proud of him. To know that his dad loves him, but most importantly to know his dad respects him for what he is doing. Sons of all ages crave this validation. And, I believe daughters do too. They want to hear that they are "doing good", "making a difference." Find someone to praise today. The person at the drive-through window. You may be the first person to praise them ALL month! They may not get it from parents, co-workers, or anyone. Your praise may keep them going. Tell them they are doing a great job. Tell them you appreciate them. Or even you like their hair or smile. Find something to praise!


Praise & Validation. This is one way to grow up confident, godly men and women of Christ. 

 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

#40 - Who do you Follow?

Buenos dias! How is everyone's morning so far? Things here in Columbia are quite swell. Had a good time getting some instructions for my week from the Holy Spirit.  Praise the Lord that we can rely on Him versus rely on our own understanding, or our own direction. His way is so much better, less things done in vain when we listen to the direction of the Holy Spirit! Listening. Listening is a very valuable attribute to acquire. Learning how to LISTEN to the voice of the Holy Spirit is something that is available to everyone who is saved. When we accept Christ into our life as our Saviour we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Our "spirit" is "re-born". That is why they call it being "born again." Our spiritual compass has been reset to things of God. We have the "still small voice"... aka: the Holy Spirit, living inside of us wanting to direct us & guide us. At first... it may take awhile for you to really feel like you are "hearing" correctly. I remember developing that ability to listen. I remember working on it, working on listening. Let me tell you how it happened for me....


I was a Spanish & Bible teacher at a private Christian School. During my prep period in the morning, I would go to the library and spend time in the Word and journal. As I began to try to listen, I remember I would often get so distracted by ANY noise I heard. I would feel like it totally threw me off track. I had to try so hard to listen. I remember sometimes I would even close my eyes & plug my ears just so all I could hear was the "emptiness" inside my brain. I wanted SOOO bad to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. I wanted so bad to experience the relationship & direction of Him. One of my struggles when I tried to listen was thoughts like this: "Oooh. I need to call Tyler to see if he got our conference tickets." - "I need to swing by and pick up some chicken so I can make chicken casserole tonight for dinner." - "Oh yah, I need to remember to return the ski pants to Robin." Literally, I felt like my time of listening was the time every reminder would pop into my head! It was very distracting & honestly kind of annoying. Eventually, I remember going through this practice each day to try to empty my mind of thoughts, and it actually worked! I would close my eyes, picture a truck... it was a truck that had a cement wall on the front of it (lol! for real!). I would picture this truck with it's cement-wall front driving very slowly and pushing all the thoughts out of my brain so my brain was empty. After all the thoughts fell off the side... cliff... whatever... my brain was a clean, empty slate ready to listen. I would say, "Good morning Holy Spirit." And I would hear back, "Good morning Amy." And there is where it began. I wrote down everything that I felt like the Holy Spirit was saying to me, instructions, things to do, stories to remember, verses to look up. Sometimes I felt like I didn't know if "I" was actually hearing Him, or if it was just me. Well... one morning, the Holy Spirit was heavily talking about a particular subject... I was writing it all down... he just kept on this subject. Then when I opened my Bible, I felt led to turn to this certain chapter, and there it was! ALL the scripture backing up everything I had just finished journaling. All the instructions, right there. Just to confirm to me that I was hearing correctly, the Holy Spirit directed me to "confirmation" in His Word. How exciting. Today... I don't have to close my eyes, squint really tight and plug my ears to hear. But, we all have to start somewhere. And, that is where I started. 


Anyways... quite a long intro to today's verses... let's get into the Word. 

Proverbs 31:30 - ....but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

Proverbs 26:9 - Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool.

Proverbs 26 is loaded with a lot of good stuff.... but, as I tried to get past some of the obvious things that jumped out at me... I started to realize how much Proverbs 26 talked about the "fool". In verses 1-12, it talks about the "fool" 11 times! 11 verses talked about a fool. As I re-read the verses several times, I wanted to find out what made someone a fool. That led me to search it out a little. 


As I searched, I found what I would consider the ULTIMATE foundation of what makes someone a fool. Psalm 14:1, 53:1 both read this:  The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.


Proverbs 1:7 - The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.


Our Proverbs 31 friend, we know is not a fool, she reverently & worshipfully fears the Lord. So, big check beside her name! She is on board with being wise. Now let me say this, there is hope for the fool. That's called the GREAT COMMISSION (Matthew 28:19-20). As Christians, that is part of our calling to reach out to these "fools" who say "There is no God." It is part of every Christians assignment to help fulfill the Great Commission, to GO and make disciples of all the nations. Some Christians are called to be missionaries to another country to help the Great Commission be fulfilled, others are called to be a missionary right where they are, in their jobs, schools, homes, churches, malls, grocery stores, right in the town where they live, to be a beacon of light to others, to share the love of Jesus with those who do not know Him. 


As a Christian, I believe one of our greatest responsibilities is to KNOW who to take advice from. Proverb in the Hebrew is defined as sentences of ethical wisdom. And we know by reading our Proverbs for today, that a "proverb" in the mouth of a non-believer is just foolish words. Who are you taking advice from?!? Whoa! A pretty big pivotal point of importance. Who are you following. We know if they are one who says, "There is no God", then we would be a fool to follow them. We would be a fool to take their advise. We would be a fool. Look to who you follow now in business, in politics, in books you read, in music. Are they people who say, "There is no God." And as Christians, we know just believing in God is not enough, even the demons do that and tremble, but we need to believe in the one and only way to be saved is confessing with our mouth that JESUS is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised him from the dead. It is then when we have CONFESSED and BELIEVED that we are saved. Who are you following? Have they done this. Have YOU done this? If you haven't, you can do it now very simply by praying a simple prayer, out-loud, something like this: "Father, I come to you right now and want to ask forgiveness of my sins. I confess my sins to you. I also want to openly say out loud that I DO believe that Jesus died on a cross for me. That I would be saved. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. I believe in my heart that you raised Him from the dead and that now He sits at your right hand. Thank you Father for saving me. I am now BORN AGAIN! I am now SAVED!" - It's that simple! Now begins the fun of re-newing your mind to things of God. Getting in the Word, studying the life of Jesus (the book of John is a good place to start). 


Sometimes, we may not have complete control over who we follow. Whether it is the president of the company we work for, a senator, governor, President of the United States. We may have some voice, by voting, but if we are following non-believers (aka: FOOL according to Ps. 14:1, 53:1) in any area of our life, it is our responsibility to help CHANGE it! To PRAY PRAY PRAY! For us to say that we followed not in vain, but we prayed. Pray for salvation. 


If you can change who you follow, do it. Don't take advice from fools. 
If you can't change who you follow, change it by PRAYING. 

#39 - Power of Association

Good morning! As I sit here at my kitchen table...I just realized why I almost always have my quiet time outside on the screened in porch... lack of clutter! It is so nice to just have "your place" that you go to spend time with God. To spend time in the Word. Listening, reading. A place that is special. Or at least, the more time you spend there, the more special it becomes. A time that can be filled with revelations and "ah-ha" moments. This morning I stayed inside, at my kitchen table because I knew it would be a quicker morning than usual. We are going out of town this afternoon, and I have a lot to do before we leave. And... yes.... clutter of a kitchen table. I heard once this lady say how to cut down on "clutter".... she said, "When you come in to your home, don't lay something down, put it away." We are still working on that!!! I definitely don't like clutter...not to mention, clutter creates a little bit of "chaos." If not in the actual home, just in your spirit. If words could be married.... I think these words go together: clutter & chaos, organization & peace. It's like when you walk in a cluttered house, you just feel uneasy, yucky. But when you walk in and things are put away and neat, you just feel at peace. Well, I am still working on certain areas staying un-cluttered in our home, especially the kitchen table and kitchen bar.


Ok... well, let's roll....

Proverbs 23:20 - Do not associate with winebibbers; be not among them nor among gluttonous eaters of meat.

Proverbs 31:18 - She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good...

This morning there were so many good directions we could go; food (v 1-3), wealth (v 4-5), thoughts (v 7), discipline (v 13-14), envy (v 17), hope & expectation (v 18), truth (v 23), wine (v 30-35). Since Proverbs 23 talked so much about gluttons, eating, drinking... it actually began the chapter with the danger of being a glutton, and ended the chapter talking about being drunk.... the verse almost in the middle talked about both. That seemed like an appropriate verse to park on for today. 


Since we don't use the word "winebibbers" on a daily basis... I thought I'd look it up and see what the meaning was in the dictionary. To my expectation, it means "drunkard" or "a person who drinks much wine." How powerful is the beginning of Proverbs 23?! Do not associate with. Wow. We have read a lot of books, listened to a lot of CD's that talk about the POWER of association. And here, in the #1 book of all times, is also directing us in who NOT to associate with. Do not associate with drunks... and do not associate with gluttonous eaters. The dictionary calls a glutton, "a person who eats and drinks excessively or voraciously." A glutton, most often are probably the people who are overweight. A glutton or winebibber, they lack discipline or restraint from drinking or eating. They overdo it. They are excessive. 


So what's the deal with the POWER OF ASSOCIATION? I have heard a very common quote many times over the last 10 years... you may have heard it as well, but it goes like this: "You can determine where you will be in 5 years by looking at the people you associate with and the books you read." Another one on association: "Your income is most likely within $5,000 from the circle of friends you hang out with." A good rule of thumb:

• If you want to be a drunk, hang out with partier's.
• If you want to be fat, hang out with people who overeat.
• If you want to be poor, hang out with broke people.
• If you want to be negative, hang out with people who always complain or have something bad to say.
• If you want to be wealthy, hang out with wealthy people.
• If you want to be fit, hang out with fit people. 
• If you want to be motivated, hang out with people who have a dream, who are going somewhere.
• If you want to have a great walk with the Lord, hang out with passionate Christians.
• If you want to quit smoking, hang out with NON-smokers. 
• If you want to have a better, more positive attitude, hang out with optimistic, positive people.

If you are always with people who drink alcohol, you will most likely mirror what they do. Looking at your association is much like looking in the mirror. You most likely will begin to mirror and look like, and do the same things that those people you hang out with do. 


Who is your DREAM YOU? Find who that person is. Go out of your way to spend time with them. Ask if you can buy them a cup of coffee. Once a week. Once a month. Just get around them. Surround yourself with people who are in life where you want to be! Ask if you can buy them lunch. Even if it was just once/month. Ask them questions. "How did you get where you are? What books did you read? How did you overcome the hurdles along the way?" Everyone has an innate desire within themselves to help someone else. ESPECIALLY if the person is asking them questions. It is an honor. People love to feel special. 


Our Proverbs 31 friend... she tastes and sees. She enjoys the fruits of her labor. If she bakes a chocolate cake, she enjoys a piece. She doesn't eat the whole thing! :), but she enjoys it. Enjoy life, but don't be excessive. 


Is overeating a problem? Begin to take small steps. Cut your food in half. Serve your plate from the stove, don't bring the whole dish to the table. Get chips or pretzels out of the bag, measure them out, then put the bag back in your pantry versus sitting on the couch with a WHOLE bag of chips! Out to eat? Cut your food in half and ask for a box before you even get your plate. Put half of it away before even starting. Or split a meal with your spouse. You will be surprised that you really are satisfied. Chips and junk-food a problem? Don't even buy them when you grocery shop then! Buy fruits, veggies, yogurt, jello, sugar-free pudding, carmel rice cakes. Set yourself up to win. 


Is drinking a problem? Change your association. If all your friends are drinkers and partier's, begin add some new association, become part of a new group, get involved with a young singles group at church, or business team, or softball team. Do something that gets you away from your "old association."


Take control of your life! If you do not do it now, 5 years from now you will be older, fatter, poorer, and not a bit happier. Choose wisely who you associate with. 


Be who you've always dreamed you could be. Be the dream YOU! Start today with your association!

#38 - How to be a "Dynamic Duo" with your Spouse!?

Good morning! I have a full day of things to do today. Work on a slide-show for Tyler Junior's baby dedication on Sunday, get him some shoes, make baby-food.... hum... and it would be great to actually work on some taxes. I really need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit WHAT I need to work on today. Because, since I have a lot to get done and it doesn't sound like I can do all of it, so being directed would be important. Let's go ahead and get going into some Word.... 

Proverbs 22:29 - Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Proverbs 31:23 - Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

First of all, I thought it was interesting that as we read about this "Ultimate Woman", this Proverbs 31 woman.... it takes a "time-out" to give us a small look into who she is married too. Who is the husband behind this amazing woman? Or rather who is the husband in front of/beside this amazing woman? Who is he? We already know, to be married to HER, he must really be what I would call THE BOMB.COM! (holla Jill!) He must be THE MAN! I mean... just take a minute and think about who this couple is....if you have been following each day in the posts of who the Proverbs 31 woman is, she really is the complete package. I'm sure she did not "marry down". I'm sure she married a pretty amazing man... and actually we know that she did as we see just a brief insight into who he is in verse 23. This couple could be coined as the "Dynamic Duo". As powerful couple. 


Diligence elevates you to a place of influence. A place where you can be heard. Since the Word does not contradict itself, we can say that since the Proverbs 31 husband is sitting in a place of influence, among the elders of the land (which may include the king), he has been diligent and skillful in his business. He is sitting among the people of influence. 


That brings me to a question. What should be our goal? What should our desire be if we want to accomplish more for the Kingdom? If we want to complete our calling with fervor? What should be our goal? I want to list out some words that come to mind... some goals to achieve when aspiring to be this Powerful Duo: 

• Unity 
• Trust & Belief
• Together-Together
• Support
• Moving as One
• On the Same Page
• Fully Supporting
• Fully in agreement with Goals
• Speaking the same Language

To be a "Powerful Duo", "Dynamic Duo" it is going to need to start with Unity. Unity in the marriage. You may have heard the phrase being "Together-Together". The Proverbs 31 husband has moved to this place of influence. He is sitting among the elders. He has a VOICE in the Land. He has influence with the king... with the President. His diligence has elevated him to this position of influence. 


To walk in Unity, strife needs to be far from you. The bickering, the quarrels, nagging. All of that needs to be eliminated. Unity means you ARE moving as ONE. You are in the flow. You have immersed yourself in the Word so much, both husband and wife that you are even able to complete thoughts or sentences. You are fully "Together-Together", you are going in the same direction, you are in agreement, you are on the same page. 


To get to this point, you must first IDENTIFY WHERE you are going? 

1. Get together with your spouse
2. Identify WHERE you are going
3. Pray about direction and a plan
4. Get back together and PLAN. SET A PLAN.
5. Re-Group - "Honey, this is what I'm doing to move towards our goal. Are we still on the same page?" 
6. SPEAK IT - Speak the same language. Read about the Tower of Babel - Genesis 11:1-9 - You can do ANYTHING! If you and your husband are on the same page, if the goal is ultimately going to glorify God and point back to God, NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE! You may write your goals on an index card, in the notes of your cell phone, on a sheet of paper.... But SPEAK YOUR GOALS. Let me give you an example: 

• Almost 9 years ago, Tyler and I determined where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do. We looked up scripture to back what we wanted to do... from there, we set a plan and began speaking it daily. Several times a day. We had our stop watches go off a certain times throughout the day to remind us to SPEAK OUR GOALS. Speak LIFE into the direction we were going. It started with something pretty simple, but this is what we said, "Thank you Father that we have an overflowing abundance of wealth and riches in our house, that we produce over $15,000 a month, that we shall never lack, that we are debt free and that we are spiritual Giants!"

We began speaking that daily. Through a series of events, God led us to some spiritual truths that we were unaware of, some revelations that unveiled our eyes to some things. We were introduced to a business that eventually began to change the course of our finances. And we continued to SPEAK our goals. Those things did come to pass. The key is STICKING WITH IT! It may not, and probably will not happen over night. And... speaking to myself, I need to get back to speaking my goals out loud, daily! Out loud is important. Don't just THINK your goals. Speak them out loud. 


What if your husband is not on board with you? What if your husband is not saved? 

• Work on YOU (see below- Get in agreement with God) and pray for him. 

What if you are not married? 

• Easy! All you have to do is get your goals in alignment with God. It's easy for you to get into agreement with God... you and God, get in agreement. Maybe your goal has to do with an area you love or are gifted in, well, bring it before God, pray the power of agreement (Matthew 18:19). And from there on, daily THANK GOD for the answer! Thank God for doing it! Thank Him that BY FAITH it is DONE! You prayed it, you believed it, it is done. Now walk it out until you see the manifestation!

This world needs POWERFUL people! Be a DYNAMIC DUO! Get "TOGETHER-TOGETHER" with your spouse! Set a plan, put it in motion, be diligent and see your life be elevated to a place of influence! A place with a Voice! 

GOOD DAY! :) WELCOME ANGIE & LENNY, and KRISTI! :)

Good MORNING!!! Sometimes when I say that I just want to say, "GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!" lol. Does anyone else ever have the urge to do that?!? :) It makes me laugh just to say it. Praise God for our men and women who served and are serving in the armed forces! Our freedom's definitely were not free, so I'm super thankful for those who have fought for us!! Believe it or not, the "Star Spangled Banner" still gives me goose bumps every time I listen to it!


OK!
Just wanted to welcome some new followers this week.... a quick shout out too: 

ANGIE & LENNY

and

KRISTI

YIPPEE!!! 

So glad to have you joining us!! :) 

A quick note to ya'll... :) ... if you have just joined us, go back and read the post, "Proverbs 31 - The How To". It will actually give some direction on how to use this devotion. Married, single, male, female. This is definitely a blog that can be useful for everyone!

Well... today I am enjoying my DOR (Day of Rest)! So yah... some people don't know why we typically take our DOR on Wednesday.... in the middle of the week. Well... let me tell you why. I know, most people celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday... well.... Sabbath... it's suppose to be a day of rest, right? A day of being in the Word, studying, reflecting, resting? Well... for Tyler & I, Sunday just did not seem like a very restful day. By the time we got up, got ready, got the boy ready, went to church, got lunch and finally ready to settle down, it was 3:00!!!! 3:00 in the afternoon!!! By that time, the whole day was pretty much gone... we had time to grab an afternoon nap, and typically had some things going on with our business team on Sunday evenings, so it was a day that seemed FAR from restful!!! SO... we have since redesigned our DOR. We like it best when we take our DOR on SEPARATE days! For a parent, especially mom, that is for sure the best so that MOM can have a break from "MOMMING" (hehe! that is a new word... yes, i just invented it just NOW!) So, that is ideal. It doesn't always work out like that, we do sometimes have to take our DOR on the same day due to scheduling... but that is just how it goes sometimes. When we do have our DOR on the same day, I usually at least try to get out for a few hours without the boy. He is adorable, but mom actually does enjoy her time too. And needs it! Do I hear an AMEN from the mom's out there?? 


So... today. DOR. There will be no dishes, no laundry, no cleaning the kitchen, no real cooking, no vacuum-sealing food or fruit (for smoothies), no making baby food, no working on taxes, no "TO-DO" list. Today, I just get to relax. Do whatever I want. Go to the pool. Read a book. Maybe go to a fru-fru store just for the fun of it. NO AGENDA. Already spent some time in the Word... got some GREAT stuff by the way.... already read in a book..... gave the boy a bottle. It's been a good morning so far! :) 


SO... enjoy your day. I encourage you to find a day that you can rest. Find a day that WITHOUT guilt, you can kick back without an agenda and just simply relax. 


Some GREAT stuff in the Word this morning.... Proverbs of the day for me:

• Proverbs 21:21
• Proverbs 31:17

Have a blessed day! Thanks for following!

#37 - What is #1 in Leaving a Lasting Legacy?

Good morning. It's so fun to be a parent. Tyler and I walked in to "the boys" room this morning, as we frequently do... just to look at him. He was face-planted in his bed with his butt in the air. He is so funny! His sleeping positions make me laugh. And now... as we speak, it's funny to hear him... he just started moving around in his bed. He's playing with some toys and listening to himself make noises. It's so funny! He totally makes me laugh!! What joy a child can bring. 

Proverbs 20:11 - Even a child is known by his acts, whether [or not] what he does is pure and right.

Proverbs 31:29 - Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

So... as I was reading this morning, as these verses jumped out at me, I felt like I had a few obvious observations. Like... if a child is known by his acts... what does that say about me? I am known by MY acts. Right or wrong, people look at me and judge me by what I do. People judge me by what I accomplish or don't accomplish. Am I responding in a situation or "off the cuff" reacting? Like a child is known by his or her actions, I am known by my actions also. What do I want to leave for this world to remember me by? 


Tyler & I have talked and thought about this. We know that we will one day, in a ripe old age, leave this world and go home to be with Jesus. Well... when that day comes, and we are home with Jesus, what will we have left for the world to remember us by? What will we have left for our great, great grandchildren to remember us by? Will we leave a lasting legacy? 


I have heard a lot lately of interviews done with older people in their 70's, 80's & 90's. One of their big thoughts & questions is, "What is the lasting effect that I have had? Has my life counted for anything? Am I leaving a mark?" I think of this because as Tyler & I have talked about it, we reflect on what we know of our great grandparents... or great great grandparents, and it's very little if anything. I'm sure they did good things, but I do not know them nor do I know what they did or if they did anything great. Tyler and I want to be the great-great grandparents that stories are told about... in year 2190 when little Gracie Jo is sitting on her mom's lap, she looks at the picture above the fireplace and asks her mom and dad again.... "Mommy, tell me some of the stories about Great, Great, Great Grandma Amy & Grandpa Tyler. Tell us again about the things they did... about the people they helped and how they changed lives. Tell us one of the stories about them. Please mommy, please." I want to leave a mark that meant something. 


SO... that was my "obvious" take-away... and what jumped out at me. BUT... that was what I saw on the surface. As I started asking the Holy Spirit... he took me a bit deeper and in a completely different direction. To do virtuously, nobly & well... what does that take? Let me share with a story....

A former president was interviewed. As he opened up about some mistakes he had made, some very key factors were revealed in why some catastrophic mistakes occurred. He talked of working late hours, of sometimes staying up through the night to try to handle some of the major decisions that were needed to be made. He made decision after decision, some nights only going off of 2, 3 and 4 hours of sleep. During these critical times some of the major mistakes took place. The reporter asked him if he could change anything, what it would be. He said one thing. One word. One activity. He would change one thing. Sleep. At the time of his most critical points of decision, he messed up partially because he was not alert, he was not sharp. He messed up because he was running on empty. He was running on lack of sleep. He tried to accomplish too much and it caused mistakes. 

There is a great tip to be learned in all that. Accomplishing is important... but rest plays a valuable role in accomplishment. As I was reflecting on this, the Holy Spirit said to me... 

People need permission to take a break. Permission to rest. Resting is important. Some people are too tired, they just need to rest.If the enemy can just get you to KEEP going, he knows when you are tired, he can get you to sin. He wants you working off of fatigue. 

I know for me, firsthand, this is the case. When I am tired, physically and mentally fatigued, I am walking in a danger zone of sin. I need to take a nap. 

So... if it was a Word you needed today... if you are running on empty, take it as a word to you! Take it as the Holy Spirit talking to you. Today, when you get home from work, do something different. Go take a nap (and don't feel GUILTY about it!)


Go take a NAP! There is something not only refreshing about it, but freeing! Especially when you do it GUILT-FREE! NAP! NAP! NAP! 


Do you want to leave a lasting impression on this world, leave a legacy that is a positive one, that generations to come remember you? To do so may mean taking a nap, getting your rest. Or, like the president... you may leave a lasting impression but it was due to the mistakes you made because you were too busy to sleep. Don't make the same mistake and be remembered for your major pitfalls. Get your rest and let the Lord lead you to accomplish what you were called to do! Leave a lasting legacy and start today by going to take a nap!


OK... I'm going to go give the boy his bottle and take a NAP! :) YIPPEE!

#36 - Trust - To Do & To Be.

Wow. So... what a morning. You know "those" mornings? Let's just say it's been interesting. One of the exciting things that have happened this morning is the toilet overflowed. :) Exciting!! I mean, it overflowed! I'll spare you of the details... but, all is well, life is good and it's a beautiful day out. We are blessed! Ms Sherrie is here right now doing some laundry, so ROCK ON with that. And she loves, loves, loves Tyler Jr. Her and her husband Kevin, just love him like a grandchild. She was telling me this morning, "Please Amy, if you ever just want to bring him over, if we don't have plans, we'd love to watch him." Kevin was asking her to call me on Saturday to have "the boy" come over. He just adores Tyler Jr... and Tyler Jr adores him. It's so cute. Kevin wants to be called "Pat-Pat". So... Pat-Pat it is! :) Praise God for local "grandparents" that love your child and want to watch him!! Let's say, Date Night!?!? :) 


Since I'm super behind schedule, we better roll.... 

Proverbs 19:21 - Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.

Proverbs 31:11 - The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.

The bottom line is, the Lord's Will will prevail. The Lord's Plans, will come to pass. Nothing is a surprise to Him. His plans and purpose for our lives has been laid out before time.... we don't surprise him by our "response" or our "actions"... He has known it all along. It is the LORD'S PURPOSE that will stand! I heard a bald guy recently say, "Despite whatever I would want to do, I have come to grips with the fact that I will never be the star of a Shampoo commercial. It's just not going to happen. It was not in the make-up or design of what I was called to do. What I was suppose to do. What I was meant to do." And that is the same with us! God has placed in us a very specific calling that WE are called to accomplish. Our passions are a clue to what our calling is. What we LOVE to do, is a clue to why we were put here on earth. The LORD has placed that purpose in our heart... it has been weaved into our make-up... that was why we were designed. For example... it FLOORS me that there are some people that love to do things with "sound" and "light" for events. Making sure that microphone's work properly, that sound comes through speakers at the correct pitch and volume, that projectors work, screens work, that all the intricate details work when putting on a conference or "event". That floors me. That would be the last thing on the planet that I would want to do!!! I have no desire to do it, no gifting at it... and honestly, it would be very toilsome and taxing on me to try to do something like that. God did not put that in my make-up. I was not designed to be the "sound person"....or "I.T. person".  But PRAISE GOD there are people out there that are called to do that! So GOD has designed the purpose within us, and our purpose is important! We may have plans or thoughts or ideas... but ultimately it is the PURPOSE why we were put here on this planet that will PREVAIL. 


Called to cook!? The Lords purpose will stand... the path will lead you there. Called to entertain? The Lords purpose will stand... the path will lead you there. Called to speak? The Lords purpose will stand... the path will lead you there. Called to lead? Make money? Start business'? Be a mom? Be a teacher? Be a nurse? Write books? Be a missionary? House orphans? Adopt kids? Help the needy? Build houses? Clean houses? Climb mountains? The LORDS purpose will stand... the path will lead you there! Don't ignore what you love. There is a good chance that is the path that the Lord will lead you on. It is NOT an accident that you are reading this. I was called to write THIS... THIS exact blog post.... and right now at this time, God knew that YOU were going to be reading it. It is part of HIS plan. It wasn't a mystery. Before time, He knew this would be written and He knew you would read it. This could be one of the tools that gets you on the path of HIS PURPOSE for you. The ONLY purpose that will stand. The ONLY purpose that is important for you to complete. 


As a wife, it is a responsibility of mine to be a wife that my husband can trust. In Proverbs 31:11, it says the heart of her husband trusts in her confidently. Tyler should be able to, without hesitation, trust me fully. Let me give you a few examples of that. My husband should be able to: 

1. Trust in my ability to listen to the Holy Spirit. - Tyler should know and be confident that I, as his wife and as a Christian woman am listening to the Holy Spirit. I am being directed by the Holy Spirit. This "knowing" that he should & does have brings him great comfort. He knows I am being directed, not just being flighty, not knowing what way I am going. Not wishy washy or unsure. Not being tossed and turned at the next thing I hear from anyone. He can have confidence and rely on my ability to be LED by the Holy Spirit.
2. Trust in my ability to be productive on the RIGHT things. - Not being productive in what the Holy Spirit wants us to do leads to us doing and accomplishing things in vain. Things that don't matter. Things that could wait, or things that may never need to be done. So... as a "stay-at-home" mom... the world often views those people as, "Oh. You're a stay at home mom. (*All the while they are thinking - "You have it made then, you must do nothing but go to the pool, make lunch, eat bon-bon's, look sporty as you go to the grocery store.... you basically have a "nothing" job...you are insignificant."*)" - IF I am going to be who I'm called to be as this Proverbs 31 woman, I am NOT off the hook for being an income producer, even AS A STAY AT HOME MOM. This Proverbs 31 MOM, was an entrepreneur. Her husband isn't lacking in "honest gain" because SHE is bringing gain in. She is also diligent and even amidst her "mother" duties, she is being productive on the RIGHT things. She has more of a purpose than JUST BEING A MOM. Read Proverbs 31:10-31. Her purpose extends MUCH farther than just raising kids, changing diapers, feeding her family. My husband should be able to TRUST in my ability to be directed by the Holy Spirit AND be productive doing the RIGHT things. For me, part of the "right" things includes writing books. 
• A few clues that it is part of my PURPOSE: 
• (1) It's been directed by the Holy Spirit. He TOLD me to begin. 
• (2) It's something that comes easy to me. 
• (3) It's something I have a great passion to do. 
• (4) It's something I LOVE. I find joy in it. I find excitement in it. 
• (5) It's something that allows me to add value to people and see a difference in others. 
• (6) It is something that glorifies God & points back to Him. 
3. Trust in my ability to be OBEDIENT to do what the Holy Spirit says EVEN IF it is different than what he says. - Recently Tyler mentioned some things that he wanted me to do, or that I "could" do. He was just talking. He was talking about things that "sounded like a good idea." This happened twice within a few days. Both times I had a "flag" go up in my spirit. Like a "warning". The Holy Spirit then proceeded to tell me, "Don't feel pressured to do what Tyler is saying. Whose plan are you following. Whose purpose are you accomplishing. Mine or Tyler's? Don't feel pressure. I have told you the 2 things you are suppose to be working on, continue to do that and I will release you for more things when those are completed." So, Tyler had great intentions. He was speaking out of "Tyler"... he was not telling me to do those things because the Holy Spirit told him too, he was just talking to me. I told him about what the Holy Spirit told me, and he was ALL FOR IT. He was on board. He knows if I'm working to accomplish "Tyler's Will" and it's not "God's Will" I would be working in vain. And, my ultimate responsibility is to God, even above that of my husband. Tyler knows God is first in my life, and I know God is first in his life... and we wouldn't want it any other way. The moment I became first in Tyler's life or vice versa, that would be called "having an idol". Anything before God is an idol. So, Tyler trusts in my ability to be OBEDIENT to the Holy Spirit. 

Obedience can yield $$$$. Recently, the Holy Spirit was very heavy on me and would not let up about something I was suppose to complete. I could not get away from it. The Holy Spirit would not let up. I had to turn down invitations to do things because the Holy Spirit was deliberate about me completing the assignment He had given me. He is not always that persistent about the "timing". So, I completed it and it ended up yielding us a lot of money. Let's just say about what I made in 5-6 months at my job. The Holy Spirit knows what he is doing. He knows what you will need before you know it. And your obedience to Him is ALWAYS the best thing. 

Trust. To Do - Trust the Lord. Just to it. His purpose will prevail and you will enjoy it because it encompasses what you love to do!  

Trust. To Be - Be trusted by your spouse. May they be fully reliant on your judgement and your direction from the Holy Spirit.