#268 - The Silver Lining Through the Melt-Down Days

Has it been one of those days or weeks? Have you found yourself sitting at your kitchen table, plopping your head down on the table and just letting the tears flow (or at least wanting to do that). Have you found yourself rubbing your temples thinking, "Am I good enough to do this job? Am I doing a terrible job? How can I be better when some of my natural tendencies aren't geared towards being good at _____________."

Friend, it will get better.

Isaiah 26:4a - So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him.)...

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her...

Do you have an area of expertise? An area where you really do feel like, "I got this. I know what I'm doing." Then on the flip side, do you have an area where you feel like your brain is on overload, smoking, just trying to figure out how to do _____________?

For me, I definitely feel like I have those areas. I feel confident in my ability to listen to the Holy Spirit. I feel confident The Lord has called me to write. I feel confident in helping my kids be great sleepers and on a schedule that is conducive to what I want. I feel confident in my ability to nurse (so far 3 kids - Tyler Jr & Trinity until 12 months, Timothy is on month 5), pump and store a large supply of breast milk in the freezer….. but then, I have my areas. You know, those areas.

Those areas in my life, like trying to figure out how to organize a desk or nook in my house so it doesn't look so cluttered. My brain and organizing…. ahhhhhhh! I'm a "wannabe melancholy" - detail oriented, organized, everything in order. Although, it feels like there is smoke coming out of my ears because my brain is working so hard to figure it out when I'm trying to think about how to organize a certain area. Let's just say, it's not a natural gift!

Potty training. (argh!) Trying to help Trinity to not get (pardon me), poop all over the toilet seat when she gets up half way through going potty, as I walk away for just a second to tend to a crying baby.

Disciplining my kids so they will be obedient the first time they are asked to do something. Helping them be kind to each other and others. Discerning when the party is over and it is time to do some work (both Tyler Jr & Trinity are sanguines and constantly having fun! Especially Tyler Jr, I think he wakes up and there is a party going on in his brain!!! He wakes up, FUN! He gets dressed, FUN! He eats, FUN! Everything is bouncing and FUN!)

Keeping the house in order… being on a schedule… getting back in a routine of working out…. yaddee, yaddee, yaddee. You name it, I have my list of things I'm working on (or need to eventually work on!).

After a recent melt-down day… I'm reflecting on the silver lining. In organizing a desk/shelf area, I found a book (who knows when or where I got it), What a Difference a Mom Makes by Dr. Kevin Leman. What a perfect book for me to pick up right now. Learning how to raise children, specifically a son, and those important roles I play as a mom. Learning why everything is always a competition, because that's how boys are wired. They need to conquer. They are programmed to want to win.

Silver lining in someone I met. As I listened to the Holy Spirit prompting me to go meet some people while grocery shopping. I brushed up on my Spanish speaking skills and found out this ladies sister may just be the person I've been praying for to do some work I need done.

Silver lining. A good night sleep can make a lot of things better. A fresh start. Sometimes you may just need to go to bed, or take a hot bubble bath. On those days where you may be trying to think of your "highlight" as we do every night at the dinner table, "What was your highlight for the day?" The days where you internally are searching and thinking to yourself, "I didn't have a highlight today! I just want the day to end." 

Tomorrow is a new day. In retrospect, you may be able to find silver lining to your melt-down day. :) Did you meet someone who will be able to help you on something? Did you get a book recommendation of an area you need help in your life?

Not finding any silver lining to your melt-down day? Can you find a book to help? In your prayer time, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the book you need to read to help in an area you may be struggling. It's amazing that our weaknesses are someone else's strength. Can you utilize someone else's strength? I read 43 pages in one sitting (rare for me) this morning because what I view as an area I'm growing in knowledge, is someone else's strength. They can help me in my growth!

Ultimately, trust in the Lord. Commit yourself, your day, your strengths, your weakness, your pile of laundry, the dishes in the sink, the cheerios under your kitchen table to Him. Lean on Him to help you figure out how and when to do what you need to do. Hope confidently in Him and His ability to provide the people and resources for you to do your job with excellence. 

TODAY have EYES TO SEE. Be on the look-out for the resources you need, a book or person, a podcast or audio that the Holy Spirit will place in your path to help you! As you read the book or listen to the audio, you will breathe a sigh of relief as you think, "This is JUST what I needed! There was silver lining in my melt-down day after all."

#245 - You Want Kids? God WANTS You to have Kids Too!

Malachi 2:15-16a - And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation....

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her... 

I always thought Christians are the people who should have lots of children. My logic? Logical, of course! Why not the Christians? Christians having multiple children who will grow up to make an impact on this world for Christ. Christians, especially the ones who really "live the life", raise their kids up knowing about Jesus, teach godly principles... those people should have lots of kids. Our world NEEDS them! Our world needs bold believers! So... though my thoughts seemed logical... I never really had scripture to back up just "WHY" Christians should have kids! And, WAAA-LAAAA, wouldn't you know it! Here it is in black and white in the Bible! And did not God make you and your wife one flesh? And WHY did God make you one? Because He sought to have a godly offspring from your union. 


God brought YOU & your spouse together so you could have godly offspring! It is HIS desire for you to be fruitful and multiply!


A few years ago I met a couple, they were so nice (still are nice!). Well, as I got to know the wife better,  I found out how good she was with kids. But in conversation she said concretely, "Oh no, we can't have kids. The doctors told us we can't." She was pretty sold on what the doctors said. I could tell she wanted kids, and would make a great mother if she had them. She and her husband were Christians and loved Jesus. At some point I gave her the book, "Supernatural Childbirth." It listed out sooooo many of the women in the Bible who had challenges getting pregnant, but how God blessed them with children! I would anticipate, those women in the Bible, Sarah, Rachel, & many of the other women... if they would see today's doctors, I'm sure they too, would have been told, "No, you can not get pregnant." Jesus is seed of Abraham & Sarah. Jesus is in that lineage. If Sarah hadn't have gotten pregnant, if our Saviour had not come.... where would we all be?

To this day, I do not know if my friend even read the book... but wouldn't you know it, the Doctors said, "You CAN NOT have children." But in 2011 she gave birth to a baby boy! :) Praise the Lord!!! :) When doctors said, "It CAN'T be done!" God said, "NOTHING is impossible to those who believe! NOTHING is impossible with Me!"

The Word says God is no respecter of persons, if God can do it for Sarah & Abraham at 90 years old, He can SURELY do it for you!!!

#240 - $1.79

Ephesians 5:4b -  ... voice your thankfulness [to God].

Proverbs 31:28a - Her children rise up and call her blessed...

Have you ever learned a simple lesson that caused your heart to melt? From the unexpected, that you just thank God for having eyes to see & ears to hear. The kind of lesson that really makes you step back and look at your own attitude & gratitude. I recently had just that kind of lesson. 


One night this week I was driving in the car with both kids running a few errands. Tyler Jr was being such a good boy and listening so well, I wanted to reward him for his obedience. As we were at our last stop, I went ahead and got him some candy. It wasn't anything too special. It was a sucker... $1.79 sucker, so it was a good one. Before we took off, I opened it up and gave it to him, and here's where the lesson began. He said, "Thank you Mommy candy. Thank you Mommy candy." For a 2 year old, he's pretty good at saying please & thank you, so I wasn't surprised to hear it. I responded with a smile, "You're welcome." Politeness can go a long way. Well, over the next 15 minutes as we drove home, periodically Tyler Junior would pipe up again and say, "Thank you Mommy candy. Thank you Mommy candy." He continued thanking me for the candy. He was really enjoying it and he kept letting me know. Each time he thanked me, my heart began to melt. That something so little as a sucker, could cause such thankfulness from my 2 year old. Each time I responded with something like, "You're welcome buddy. Mommy really appreciates you being such a good boy tonight." 


This morning as I started to journal and get into the Word, the Holy Spirit stopped me. He reminded me about how far a grateful heart could take you. True, honest, genuine gratefulness. Thankfulness. A heart of gratitude. A heart that thanks our Father for all that He has done & all that He is doing. I started thinking about ALL the many blessings I had to be thankful for. Would my Father take the same amount of pleasure if I were so verbally thankful, like Tyler Junior? Even if I thanked Him for something that I had already thanked Him for once? Would He like my thankfulness? Absolutely. I have been made in His image. As my heart melted hearing my doll baby, my 2 year old sincerely look at me and thank me for his candy probably 6-7 different times, it made me thankful that I bought it. It made me want to do more good things for him. I believe our Father is the same way. I believe our Father wants to bless us and our thankfulness causes the same response in Him. The response that says, "I just want to bless my daughter more. I want to do more for my son. His thankfulness, her thanking Me makes it all worth it. How else can I bless my child?" 


As I drove that night, I was beaming. It was worth it. I learned a great lesson in gratitude for $1.79. 

#227 - Laying the Foundation for Godly Children

Proverbs 31:1-2a - THE WORDS of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him... What, son of my womb? What [shall I advise you] son of my vows and dedication to God?

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying]...

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Here in Proverbs 31, we could almost ask the same question because we are truly going a full circle with this Ultimate Woman of God. As we take a look at where the teaching of the "Virtuous Woman" really came from, we see in Proverbs 31 verse 1, the teaching is coming from King Lemuel's mother. She is ultimately teaching him basic godly principles. Early on in the chapter 31, she teaches him to not drink wine lest it pervert his judgement, speak for those who are not able to speak for themselves, judge righteously over the poor and needy, and then she wraps up the entire remainder of chapter 31 with qualities and characteristics of a godly woman, who we refer to as the Proverbs 31 Woman or Ultimate Woman. King Lemuel's mother is responsible for laying the foundation of what he should desire in a wife.

The Ultimate Woman does TWO things:

1. Mother's TEACH Who the Proverbs 31 Woman is. 
2. Mother's MODEL Who the Proverbs 31 Woman is. 

As we begin in Proverbs 31:1, we see firsthand how this King is learning what to look for in a wife, his mother taught him. His MOTHER taught him what to look for. His MOTHER is "advising" him as to the godly characteristics that will help him to accomplish God's calling on his life. This mother has vowed and dedicated her son to God. She has committed him to God. Now her desire is to raise him up to find his ULTIMATE COMPLETER. She knows his flaws, his weaknesses, his pitfalls. She knows those very areas in his life where she has had to provide assistance, maybe a crutch for him. Maybe support, encouragement, maybe some polishing up details of a project he has started but not completed. Mom knows just what qualities her son needs in his life to complete him VERSUS compete with him, in order for him to accomplish the great calling God has on his life.

I wish we knew a bit more background on this "King Lemuel," but he is an unknown king, and his background is a mystery. They Hebrew says he may be the same as King Solomon, but it is unknown. Knowing the background of kings in the Bible, we can look back to II Chronicles 24:1 and see that Joash began a 40 year reign as king beginning at age SEVEN!! He began as King at age 7!! Wow! Quite an early age to be running a nation! Do kids these days even tie their shoes at that age? Have they graduated from velcro to actual laces? I'm being a bit facetious here, but in all reality, most parents barely let their children play outside after dark when they are age 7, and here we have a 7 year old running a NATION! 

So... the question is... Mom's when is it too young to begin teaching your boys the qualities that are important in a wife? Mom's when is it too young to begin teaching your daughters the qualities they should aspire to attain as a godly woman/girl? In the case of King Lemuel, he could be 7, we do not know. But teaching our children from an early age is something that is a responsibility of mother's. 

I would anticipate that King Lemuel's mother isn't speaking from a hypocritical platform. I would anticipate, the characteristics she is teaching, she also models. At least, aspires to model most if not all of them. If we could go back and watch her, I bet we would see her raising up her girls to learn these qualities. One, through them watching her live out the qualities. Two, through teaching them hands-on to hone in on these qualities as well. As for her sons, as we can see in Proverbs 31, she is verbally instructing her son what to look for. She is steering her son towards the women of God he should be looking for in a wife. She is warning him to steer clear of the "loose woman" that may tempt him along the way (Prov. 31:3), she is addressing even the tough topics. She does not blindly let him just fall into the hands of the wolves (the loose woman). She is guiding him. 

Are you a Mom? If so, how can you begin today to lay a foundation for your children? Are you doing this already? What are some tips you may have to steer children in this way? Please share!

#173 - Praise as Sweet as Honey!

Good morning! I pray you had a great Easter! Time to enjoy family, food & a celebration of our ALIVE JESUS!?! :) What a blessed time. We had a great time visiting with family, and I must say that my mother-in-law, Jeannine, outdid herself with an UH-MAZING lunch yesterday! It was pretty awesome. What a blessing to have home-cooking! It really does beat any restaurant! Thanks J! :)

Let's get started:

Proverbs 25:16 - Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you, lest, being filled with it, you vomit it.

Proverbs 25:27 - It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to seek glory, their own glory, causes suffering and is not glory.

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her.

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

In our Proverbs 25 verses, both talk about honey. Sweet, honey. In the Hebrew, that is exactly what it means. Honey means honey. Unlike some other words in the Hebrew, it does not give us a plethora of other definitions of the word. Although, verse 27 does take honey and compare it to men seeking their own glory. It compares it in the latter part of the verse as something that men/women can crave. Notice. Recognition. Praise. Admiration. It compares the sweetness, the gratifying feeling that "praise" brings, that recognition brings.

So... we have two avenues to walk down on this one. We can first walk down the avenue that is just a blanket fact. Craving pure honey, sweets, sugar, desserts. Desiring and filling oneself with these pleasure in excess is highly not recommended in both verses. Proverbs 25 verse 16 does not say that sweets, desserts are bad, but it recommends using wisdom when eating them. Eat ONLY what is sufficient for that sweet tooth, pull the reigns back from allowing yourself to indulge.

OK. One word: GUILTY! Here we come, off of a great holiday.... for me, a week and a half of baking just because I felt like it! Baking, leads to needing to get rid of the "baked goods." Right?! Have you ever been eating, and you are no longer hungry, but you just want to eat more anyways because it is so good? You don't desire more, but you know that once you leave, the yummy treat will be all, so, you indulge! Guilty! Our Proverbs 25 verses remind us of to hold back! Consequences? Vomiting. Not feeling good. Feeling heavy, bloated, maybe depressed. Self-control is an underlying theme in both verse 16 & 27. I heard a trick from Dr Duke Johnson about desserts. He said to enjoy them, but to eat the best bites first! The first bite sends a "sensation" signal to your brain like, "Ooooh! This is so good." The taste-buds are heightened. Then the 2nd bite, the sensation signal that is sent to the brain isn't as strong. The 3rd bite, less strong. And before you know it, you get to the last bite and sure, it's still good, but not "THE" good like the 1st bite. So... make the 1st bite the best! He said, after having several of the best bites, you can often push the rest of the "cheesecake"back. You've already eaten the best bites of it, now just the "scraps" are left over.

That was a bit of a tangent.... but, hopefully one you can use. I'd like us to take a look at the Proverbs 31 women. Proverbs 25:27 compares eating honey, consuming in it's sweetness to seeking glory. Everyone loves to be praised. Everyone likes a pat on the back, appreciation, recognition - whether in private or public. I was even reading about potty-training this morning.... to have a POTTY dance after your little one goes potty as a way of praising them, or showing them they did a good job. Now... I'm not recommending that YOU adopt a "potty dance" (that would be funny though, especially if you don't have a little kid!)... but look to what the Proverbs 31 woman did! Two things happened for her to receive praise. FIRST: her children & her husband praised her. She was praised by those closest to her. Not praise sought out, praise that was freely given. SECONDLY: her WORKS praised her. She let her accomplishments speak for themselves. She did everything to the best of her ability, and she let the quality of her work speak for her. The quality of her work, the consistency of her work, the results of her work, she let her results, her work speak for themselves.

Allow your family, friends, co-workers to do a "dance" for you! Allow them to sing your praises. Allow your works to do a "dance" for you. That you do such great work, that it shines through. You receive praise, recognition, but in a way that is received with humility. Others given instead of self given.

So... if you want praise, let your work shine. If you want praise, sow praise. Praise others for their good work. Create your own "dance" for your friends and family when they do good! Praise others and you too will get praised! Praise... as sweet as honey!

#132 -Clippings

Good morning! Well... Tyler Jr got his first hair cut last night! Bye bye curls! :-( It was so cute, but just getting too long. In a way, it was sad to see the cutie curls get snipped off. It was actually a perfect segway into today's devotion: CLIPPINGS. So.... let's get started.

1st Clip of Tyler Jr's hair. January 26th, 2011

Proverbs 27:1-2 - DO NOT boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 27:21 - As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold [bring forth all the impurities of the metal], so let a man be in his trial of praise [ridding himself of all that is base or insincere; for a man is judged by what he praises and of what he boasts]

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying]....

Let me start of saying this...sometimes transparency stinks! Ha! Why?? Well.... here ya'll are out there and get to read about ALL the times I drop the ball!!! Isn't that great?! It's kind of no fun sometimes to reveal the "reprimands of Amy" or those times when I mess up... fall short... drop the ball. And... here we are again. Insert foot in mouth Amy!

Do you ever have those times when you just wish you could take the words back in? They go out, and you think, "Man... could we just rewind? Can I just get those words back?" Then, if it's actually in TEXT, in writing.... then you definitely can't hide from it. Sometimes words spoken fade a little bit, but if it's in writing, it can continue to be re-read and re-read. 

Well...here's the story... I was excited.... actually, excited wouldn't be the phrase that would accurately describe it... JACKED would be more like it! The beautifulness of social media. I received a direct message from a SUPER-HERO of mine & my husbands. Someone we respect extremely. An awesome person of God, mentor, someone who has the fruit on the tree.... someone in life where we want to be, where we will be. Basically the message was an invitation to a special meeting (that was sent to me but directed to Tyler). I showed Tyler and we were both JACKED! This person is typically out of reach for us, so it was such an honor, and really, the FAVOR of God working in our lives that they would invite us. Well... here goes Amy, like a little school girl. I was so jacked and thanked the person and also mentioned several bits of positive 'activity' that "I" have been doing lately. Isn't that lovely. Well.... I didn't think about it at the time. I was still to JACKED to give it a second thought! Until.... doesn't the Lord have great timing how He does things. I wake up this morning, get in the Word and BAM! Can't hide from the Word! Being corrected by the Word. Receiving a rebuke from the Word! But, PRAISE God! I can and will receive correction! Let's take a deeper look. 

Proverbs directly said, don't BOAST about yourself. Let ANOTHER man praise you, not your own lips! Why is that so important? Quietly working, quietly being diligent allows one to be lifted up by another. Let's look at what happened to the Proverbs 31 woman.... here she is, being DILIGENT in ALL of her work. The woman is UH-MAZING! She's buying up real-estate, helping the poor, being an entrepreneur - sewing items and SELLING them, planting vineyards, and the list goes on. She is diligently working, being productive. Her eyes are not on herself, and IF they are at any point, she is not verbalizing it, she is not praising herself or saying, "HEY! LOOK AT ME! LOOK WHAT I'M DOING!" And at the end of the day, look what happens! Her children rise up and call her blessed and her husband praises her! I can see her children, in front of their friends bragging on their mom. I can see the Proverbs 31 woman in town with her husband, on a date, walking arm in arm, and he sees some of the town counsel members (since he's known at the city gate and sits among the elders), he says, "Hey George, Bill, let me tell you what my wife did. Let me brag on my wife for a second...." Meanwhile, she sheepishly smiles, her cheeks turn a light rose color, and her husband brags on all that his wife has accomplished. All that she has continued to do in silence, quietly being diligent about her work, she is now being PRAISED in public. 

It also reminds me of what I read a few days ago. Could I not have taken a hint then? Proverbs 25:6-7 says, Be not forward (self-assertive and boastfully ambitious) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men; For better it is that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whose eyes have seen you. Basically, don't elevate yourself. In this verse, don't assert yourself to a high position that you feel you deserve, as then you may be DEMOTED IN PUBLIC. Instead, take a lower position, that you may be brought to an ELEVATED status in public, while others are watching. I've also heard it said, "Don't read your own press clippings." That's when you get in trouble because that place is the beginning of when pride can sneak it's way in.

Praise the Lord for the Word! I can receive correction. Forgive me Lord! A great lesson for me this morning. Diligently quiet. Diligently working. My new mantra! ;)

Have a blessed day!

_______________________

Enjoy the pictures of Tyler Junior's first HAIR CUT! Mama's DOLL BABY! :) 

"Bye bye curls." - Will mom be OK with it is the question!?

My doll baby!

Clip clip. Snip snip. TJ did pretty good with Ms Stacy!

No more curls.

Mom's NEW Little man! :) Off to "Save the World!" :)

#64 - RECLAIM IT ALL!

Good morning! It is a beautiful morning here in Columbia!! Fall weather is just beginning to grace us... I can tell because I have jeans on and it's not unbearably hot here on the porch! I don't even think it's in the 100's! Whoa! Maybe 90's or high 80's... but with the fan on and light breeze, it doesn't feel too bad. Tyler Jr has his 9 month "well visit" today to the pediatrician. It's usually fun! He's so good at the Doctor and Dr Sooros always goo's and ga's over how good he's doing. No shots today, so that is good!! AND the treat afterwards!! Firehouse Subs!! I think we do that just so dad has an excuse to go to the Dr's apt with us, and then can look forward to a yummy sandwich. Hey! Whatever works so dad comes with us. It's fun to have him with us!! He's a super fun person, so ANY time I can have lunch with him is a good time. We are still honey-mooning. We will celebrate 10 years January 6th! WOW! And definitely still honey-mooning. Alright... let's roll this morning... 


Today's Reading Schedule: Proverbs 8, Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalms 8, 38, 68, 98, 12

Proverbs 31:28a - Her children rise up and call her blessed....

Psalms 8:6 - You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.

Psalms 128:3, 6a - Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house; your children shall be like olive plants round about your table.Yes, may you see your children's children.

I am always saddened when someone tells me that they can not have children. Not saddened at the "words" of them telling me, but saddened at the lack of knowledge. Over and over in the Bible it talks about "none are barren, not one" or "children are a heritage" or "leave an inheritance for your children's children." If it talks about it as a promise, it is there for us! In the Bible it talks about women who were barren and their wombs were opened. They had children! 


Let's have a quick history lesson... Psalms 8:6 talks about US being given DOMINION. What does that mean really? Well, back in the garden, Adam was given the keys to everything! He had dominion over the whole earth. He had authority over everything that happened on the earth. It was HIS to rule. Well, as the story goes, you and I know that Adam and Eve sinned. When they sinned, they handed the keys over to Satan giving him dominion and authority over the earth. Giving him rulership. So, God HAD to have a plan B. God had to bring the opportunity back to man-kind to rule again. To have authority. Since God had already GIVEN it to Adam he could not take it back. Adam had dominion and through his sin, he GAVE the dominion to Satan. God could not just "take it back." He had to have man-kind take it back from Satan. God could not go back on His Word. You and I both know what happened next.... after a series of events, Jesus comes into the picture. The valiant Savior. The one who could come and RECLAIM what was rightfully ours! Who would RECLAIM our Dominion and Rulership over Satan and ALL the "works of His hands." All the works! ALL. What does ALL mean? ALL means ALL! Land, money, children, food, animals, things.... ALL. All means ALL. Jesus came back for a battle. Jesus came back to RECLAIM the keys of ALL that God created during the 7 days of creation. Jesus came to reclaim them from Satan, so he needed to DEFEAT Satan, and hand the keys back over to US, BELIEVERS in CHRIST. Death, hell and the grave. Jesus defeated Satan, defeated DEATH, rose again on the third day... and now assumes his position at the right hand of the Father, ALIVE! Why does the "Catholic Cross" not portray things accurately? Because Jesus is NO LONGER ON THE CROSS, He is NO LONGER IN THE GRAVE. Jesus ROSE again from death. Defeated death & Satan, and Jesus is NOT on the cross or grave, HE IS ALIVE! 


"Ok Amy. That all sounds great! What does that mean to me? How does that affect me?" 


"How does that affect YOU?" you ask! It affects you in a HUGE WAY! HUGE!!! I just want to type the word HUGE so big that it takes up your whole computer screen! As a believer in Christ, when you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are a "co-heir." (Romans 8:17 -Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.) - You are now a CO-HEIR with Christ, and you now have a position of AUTHORITY and DOMINION! We share in the VICTORY that Jesus had in defeating Satan. NOW, as a Believer, EVERYTHING is under our feet! Including Satan! Including sickness, disease, poverty, barren-ness, including death! We will live eternally with Jesus when we die. As believers we have inherited eternal life! If the Doctor has given you a bad report, do you know where to put it? UNDER YOUR FEET! We, as believers, need to KNOW our AUTHORITY, KNOW what rightfully belongs to us and RECEIVE IT! RECLAIM IT as ours! You and I are CO-HEIRS with Christ! Do you realize the MAGNITUDE of that? What is a Co-Heir? Someone who has "possessory rights to property or things", an estate, ALL the belongings of the successor. If we are a Co-Heir, we have EQUAL SHARE in EVERYTHING that belongs to Jesus. And He is HEIR to who? Heir to God who created it all! Read it for yourself in Romans 8:17 - "We are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ"


If it doesn't line up with the Word, don't accept it. A report from the doctor. They say you can't have children? That's not what my Bible says! You're sick and dying? That's not what my Bible says! You're young and told that cancer is going to take your life at 40 or 50? That is NOT what my Bible says! Not only are we the healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24)... but as we see in our verses for today, "Yes, may you see your children's children."  If you haven't seen your grandchildren yet, it's not time for you to go. 


And... our Proverbs 31 woman is holding up her end of the stick.... she has CHILDREN! Not one, but many. She has children and they call her blessed!!! 


SO... KNOW who you are in Christ! Know your authority! Know the promises that are YOURS! Don't accept reports that, as a CO-HEIR with Christ, don't belong to you. Ask yourself.... if JESUS CHRIST Himself received this __________, (you fill in the blank - bill, debt, poverty, sickness, etc) would He accept it? If he received this disease? If the thief came and stole from Him? Would He let the thief walk off with HIS goods? Take your RIGHTFUL position as a CO-HEIR with Christ and RECLAIM ALL that is rightfully yours! RECLAIM IT ALL!

#55 - Make it Count

Good morning! :) Well.... here I sit, the little town of New Paris, Indiana... outside in the gazebo by my parents pool. I'm sure my mom loves it! :) This is her special place she goes to spend time with the Lord. :) When I lived at home, this was a special place for me too. I remember in the summer during my break from college sitting out here for hours reading my Bible, studying the Word. I was a waitress and often didn't work until 2:00 or 3:00. My mornings would be filled with studying the book of Matthew. I remember exactly what I was learning, and I remember why I learned it at that specific time. During that time of my life was just the beginning of really establishing my foundation in the Lord. Developing that hunger that would continue to grow and grow and grow. Tyler is flying back home this afternoon. Teej (aka: The Boy) & I are flying back home on SUNDAY!!! A whole WEEK from now. Even though I was a bit apprehensive to be away from Tyler for a WHOLE WEEK.... I'm sure we will have a good time here visiting with the family... spending time with grandpa... and maybe just relaxing a bit from an exhausting week preparing for grandma's funeral. So... I will spend the next several mornings in my old spot... my place of early growth nearly 11-12 years ago. 

Proverbs 23:18 - For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her.

Well.... how can I get away from referring to my grandmother? Everything is still so fresh. The feelings, the exhaustion, the memories. So, today's verses were most definitely appropriate. As we have been in the cemetery (I've already been there 4 times!!!).... an epitaph near my grandmothers was of a mother & wife. On the epitaph was etched today's verse.... Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed; and her husband boasts of and praises her. What an awesome verse to go out on. To leave your life and people REALLY, truly call you blessed. To boast of and praise you and the imprint you have made on this world. A sure aspiration for me. 

A latter end. There is an end. It will most definitely come for all of us. The excitement about "the end" is that we can have a hope & expectation! How exciting! As believers, we can really know that the end is better than the now! The end entails DANCING on streets of gold! The end is not bad! What a wonderful thing to have a hope & expectation about. A future reward. The expectation of meeting Jesus.... receiving our heavenly mansion! Perfection. No pain. No trials that come along with being in "the world". Perfection. How glorious to think about! A life with Jesus. Imagine how beautiful it will be. 


Despite the funny and naivete of my nephew Karson.... He was recently driving with his dad Lenny. Karson, being 4 is in the "question asking stage". Why? Why dad? Daddy, why? He is full of it! Full of why why why. Full of humor and just funniness! So, experiencing a lot of talk lately of death & dying... Karson was driving with his dad and said, "Dad, will their be trucks in heaven?" ... Lenny, probably half listening (since Karson asks questions constantly) replied, "Son, probably not. I don't think they need trucks in heaven." Karson waited a bit and then asked another question, "Dad, will their be tractors in heaven?" Lenny replied, "Son, I don't think they need tractors in heaven. Probably not." Karson waited a bit then and responded with... "Well dad, I don't think I want to go to heaven then." 


Funny! He is so funny! I think there will be tractors in heaven for Karson. But heaven will be such a glorious place! A place of rejoicing, dancing, full abundance! 


Though my grandma only had one child, my dad Jim.... he most certainly rises up and calls her blessed. And Grandpa has most definitely praised her! She lived a life committed to serving him. Serving him. Ironing for him. Cooking for him. Cleaning for him. Loving him. Meeting his needs. Being his friend. Laughing with him. He most definitely has called her blessed. She lived a life to serve her husband, and he has been blessed. The last 3-8 years have been different. But before she became ill, she lived to serve. And actually... even in the greatest stages of Alzheimer's, she still served. She walked around scratching backs, hugging people, kissing them, cleaning up dishes, straightening things, telling people "I love you". She served til the end. She made the best strawberry pie... and such good crust! :) She served. Lord willing, my grandpa will remember the good times. The tribute video to grandma sure does help remember the good times. (http://gallery.me.com/themccarts#100501) She was so full of life. She was so full of fun. She was spunky & sassy & beautiful. 


Her child, her husband & her grandchildren most definitely rise up and call her blessed! Every day was a good day for her! I don't EVER remember hearing her  just dump negative on people. She was always positive. Always smiling. Always full of joy. Her life was FULL!


I encourage you to think about your "today." How are you living your "today?" What would people say about you when you leave. There is an end. When that end comes, what will be the legacy that you left? What will your spouse say about you? What will your family, your friends say? "Man, she never really smiled. I didn't like to be around her because she was always talking about people. It always seemed to drag me down. She was always negative." Or... will people be able to rejoice about who you were? Rejoice about what a positive impact you made into the lives of others? 


Decide today to model your life after the legacy you want to leave. YOU decide your legacy. What will people put on your epitaph? Make it a good one. Make it count!

#17 - Is there a Light in your Eyes?

Well... it has been a fun morning. lol. So far, I have killed 4 fruit flies & 2 flies. One fly died via "coffee overdose". :) As my grandpa would say, "Oh, he won't drink much." You've got to admit... it's pretty exciting when you go to take a drink of your coffee and as you are bringing the mug to your mouth, you see a fly floating in it. Yes, gross! I was joking with Tyler and I said if I had a pest control company this would be my slogan: "Amy's Pest Control: Sending your bugs to meet Jesus!" :) lol! Whenever I kill bugs in my house, I just tell them, "I'm sending you to be with Jesus." It always makes me laugh just to say it, so maybe it will help them in their last moments. I will say that I have been warning them. I tell them if they want to live, they need to get by the door and fly out when it opens. Ha!

Anyways... that has been my morning thus far. :) SO excited for my DOR (Day of Rest) tomorrow!! YIPPEE!! YEAH!! :) I've been feeling a bit sluggish, I can tell I need a day to be rejuvenated. Tyler challenged me....he asked me if "writing a blogpost" was "resting" on my DOR. I defensively told him the reasons why it "could" still be resting... so, with that said, I may or may not post something tomorrow. I suppose if it feels like "work", then I will just chill, but if something is just JUMPING off my fingertips, then I may post something. 

Todays verses....

Proverbs 15:30 - The light in the eyes [of him whose heart is joyful] rejoices the hearts of others, and good news nourishes the bones.

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her...

Proverbs 15 was loaded with some jam-up scripture this morning! It was almost hard to get around "the mouth", "the tongue", "the lips", "words".... I definitely think that all the repetition isn't there for no reason. Just a reminder how very IMPORTANT it is that we are guarding our lips & words. 

Proverbs 15:30 stood out to me this morning. It just made me think about the light in the eyes of people. Have you noticed it? Can you think of people that when they walk into a room, it's like they have a twinkle in their eyes, it draws you to them, you just want to be around them. Can you think of people like that? You walk into a room, you see them, and you just gravitate to them. You think, "Oooh. I want to go talk to them. They always make me feel good to be around them." I was thinking about one of my friends who I go to church with, and that is how I feel when I am around her. You know the kind of person that you just click with. They always seem to be upbeat, they are like-minded and almost all the time they have a twinkle in their eye. They are filled with the joy of the Lord. I thought of my friend, and her husband is the same for my husband. They laugh about it, but they call each other "brother from another mother", or he calls my husband an "undercover brother." They are kindred spirits with us. We believe the same, we're both goal oriented, we both know how good our God is, we both love the Lord & love learning what he has to teach us. They are indeed our brother & sister in the Lord. Can you think of someone like that... when they walk in, they just have that sparkle? 

On the flip side...do you also know those people who are NOT walking in with light in their eyes. Yes, they may be Christians... but when they walk in the room, you quickly find a reason to exit. "Uh...yah, I gotta go to the bathroom." And you dip out because you just don't want to be around them. They bring you down. They are the people who if they said they have had a good day, or are having a good day, you want to respond with, "Notify your face." They are not bad people. But, just being around them your spirits are not lifted. Can you think of someone like that? 

That brings us to our Proverbs 31 woman....her children rise up and call her blessed. Who knows that you can't make a CHILD say good things about you if they are not true??! Children have this innocence about them... this truthfulness. Our Proverbs 31 woman is getting the praises of her children! I can just see it.... their mama walks in the room and she has that twinkle in her eye. Yes, she has accomplished a lot that day, but she still has the twinkle, the sparkle, the glitter. Just by the way they look at her, you can tell they adore her. She laughs with them, she loves on them, she kisses them, tickles them and even prepares for them their favorite cookies & lets them lick the bowl clean. :) Our Proverbs 31 friend is not living a lie, she just lives with light in her eyes. She doesn't jump down their throat. When they spill something, if she needs to be firm, she is... but most of the time she realizes that plain & simple, it was an accident and adults spill things too on accident. Who purposefully spills anything? Her attitude is, "No big deal, let me just grab a rag real quick and clean it up." Because of her child messing up, she doesn't make them feel terrible, they are not looking down about ready to cry because mom made them feel terrible. They are not running off to their room in tears because of the harsh words mom said. She may ask them to please be more careful, but her eyes are still full of love. Because of the love, because of the twinkle, her children ARE more careful next time. 

What about her husband? What about the Proverbs 31 husband? What is his response to her? He openly boasts of and praises her. He notices all she does. He takes note of who she is, what she accomplishes, how she treats the children, employees, the needy. He takes note of ALL that she does, he takes not of WHO she is.... he sees the twinkle in her eyes. She not only has it with her children, but she has it with her husband too. When she walks in the room, HE sees the light in her eyes. She is an encouragement to him. She lights up the room. She makes him feel good, feel better about himself. She thanks him for providing. She thanks him for what he did that day. She tells him how handsome he is, how cute he is. She loves on him, she adores him. Her eyes light up when she sees him. She loves him. Like a newly wed, he still has her heart. And the light even fills her eyes more when her husband brags on her. He tells of all she accomplished. He boasts of her. He praises her. It is not being prideful to brag on your spouse. To tell others of how blessed you are. Because of him boasting and praising her, deep down, her desire is to even do more, to even be better, to continue on this pathway of improvement, accomplishment, success. 

What does all this do for me? It makes me think about.... which woman am I? Am I the one people avoid because of my negativity? Or am I the woman that people are drawn too? Am I an encourager? A joy to be around? Have I been notifying my face when I am out. Granted, I don't have to be "overly happy" around people that it is annoying to them... I don't have to jump in the room bouncing & going overboard on, "HEY, Look at ME! I am HAPPY!" But, I can even have the quiet joy, the glow, the sparkle. The sparkle that shows even without words. The sparkle that shows a light in my eye.

When I think of my friend who is such a joy to be around... I know that part of it is because of her relationship with the Lord. She is full. She has found fulfillment in Him. She has spent time seeking Him out, finding Him, knowing Him. 

My desire for you is that you would find the light in your eye. That as your relationship with the Lord gets stronger and grows deeper, that you would YEARN even more for the Lord. That you would YEARN for that stronger relationship with Him. That you would YEARN to know your Father more, to talk with him, to fellowship, to love Him even more. That the light in your eyes would be an automatic result from your YEARN.

Close your eyes.... listen to the words..... enjoy this video: YEARN

#9 - Your Legacy

Buenos dias! It is a beautiful morning here in South Carolina. The sun is out, the sky is blue & whispy clouds are scattered about. I'm sitting on my back porch enjoying the warm air... a green lizard is traveling down our white drain pipe, birds are chirping...in the distance I hear a lawn mower, my 2nd cup of coffee is luke warm AND I have an egg & cheese sitting on an english muffin just waiting for me to enjoy it! I had my 1st breakfast with my 1st cup of coffee! :) A banana. :) So yes... this is a bit early for me to be up... earlier than normal anyways. I woke up at 6:00 this morning!!! Unfortunately not by complete choice... if their are any mom's out their who have nursed... you will appreciate that sometimes the body calls you to get up!!! 13 ounces of liquid gold later, I was wide awake and figured I might as well stay up. :) I have had a very enjoyable morning so far! Before even getting into my quiet time, the Holy Spirit & I had some very good dialog about some cool things that are happening in my life, and that are coming up in the future. Super excited about that! 


But, let's cut to the chase and go ahead and jump in the Word...

Proverbs 4:11 - I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness.

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her...

Let the stage be set earlier in Proverbs 4, verse 3 & 4 when it let's us know who is really talking here... "When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David]...He taught me & said..."
When we fast forward to verse 11, it begins with "I". A father is talking to his son, telling him "I" have taught you in the way of skillful & godly Wisdom, I have led you in the paths of uprightness. I. I, the parents, the father, the man of God, the head of the house, I. "I, David, your Father. I have taught you comprehensive insight into the VERY ways & purposes of God." 
We know David as being "a man after God's own heart". Granted...David had his pitfalls. He had everything at his fingertips, wealth, fame, women, a decorated war hero & leader, in 1 Sam 18: 7 people even danced and sang about him saying: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." So, among a nation, he was even exalted above that of the King! Though, even the mighty can stumble as we recall David's big fall. One day his eyes gazed upon a woman bathing naked. Not only did he NOT look away, but he had his servants bring her to him, he slept with her, he had her husband murdered & took her as his wife. So, wow! Even "a man after God's own heart" is known also for his BIG FALL!


That should actually bring us hope and encourage us. In my talk with the Holy Spirit before diving into the Word I was brought back to a lot of "skeletons in my closet".... things NO ONE knows about. Things that I am ashamed of, things that I have done or thought and would love to just hide them in a locked safe & throw away the key. One after another, these things began to stream into my head...some that I have not thought about for over 10 years. But the Holy Spirit told me, that even those things would be used to bring Him glory. Even the ugly truth, the "dirties" would be used to glorify our King. 


Well, then we come to read about a father teaching his Son.... the lessons left on from a godly man David, to his son Solomon. That a fathers teachings can be a legacy. A mother's teaching, can be a legacy. Proverbs 31:28, we read how our friend's children RISE UP and call their mother BLESSED! They RISE UP and praise her. We know that this Proverbs 31 woman & mother has poured into her children spiritual truths over their lifetime (31:15). She has led & guided them. She has been up with them in their dark hours (31:18). She has left a legacy. 


I began to think about my own parents. Like David, probably all parents have some sort of "skeletons in their closet." We all probably know our parents more than anyone... we know their faults, their weaknesses, even may know of some skeletons in their closets. But like David, our parents may just also be the people who are known to be "a man or woman after God's own heart." So, I want to leave you with just a few of the "Legacy Leavers" of my parents. 

My Mom - The Legacy of Diligence: 

Since I can remember it, my mom has always been a woman of God. I remember seeing her at night, in her bed reading her Bible. I remember seeing her up in the morning, sitting out at the gazebo by the pool in the Word, reading her Bible. I remember my mom, during my darkest times, praying for me. Praying me back to a life as a follower of Christ, praying me off the road that led to desperation. Praying me to a pure, holy & full life in Christ. I remember watching my mom as my brother or sisters strayed, and she did for them as she did for me. She prayed them back. My mom has left a legacy of diligence. The gifts, talents and abilities that my siblings and I have, is largely because my mom prayed us back. To have a brother as a Hollywood model & actor, but due to my mom praying for him too, he is simultaneously serving the Lord in such a dark industry. There are so many stories of my mom, but I believe her greatest Legacy is the Legacy of Diligence to Pray us Back. 

My Dad - The Legacy of Giving: 

From childhood until now, I remember my dad as a great giver. Every way he knows how, from every joint and sinew in his body, he is a giver. With four kids, all active in sports, I recall my dad giving his last dime to us. We would need new running shoes....our old ones really weren't that bad, but it was a new season so that meant of course, "I, I, I, me, me, me, Dad, I need new running shoes." My dad gave his last dime, probably often where their wasn't a dime to be had, he gave his last dime to us. I remember looking at my dad's running shoes. He never complained, never even said a word, but while we had the newest and best, his running shoes had holes in the sides and were scantily being held together. My dad also gave peace. He was a man of few words, but great wisdom. There was peace knowing how much my dad knew! He was a studier of the Word. He was the smartest man I knew. Greek & Hebrew, you name a scripture in the Bible, he could tell you where it was. He could tell you the history. He was the leader of our house, and that brought me peace. He left a legacy of giving. He studied, went to college, graduated with a 4.0, while having 4 children, a wife & a full time job. The man is brilliant! He entered a field because it offered the greatest financial returns for a man raising 4 children. His dream has always been to be a teacher. But, during a time that he needed, he gave that up.... hopefully just temporarily. My prayer is that one day, my dad will be a teacher. Our generation needs such a passionate, wise man as my father. He has left a Legacy of Giving.

So, what will your legacy be? Have you thought about it?

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Thank you!!! God Bless. :)

Xoxo,
Amy J