You Can Trust God

"Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:5-7 

I woke up this morning with a heavy and anxious heart. The economy is starting to take a toll on our family. My husband shared with me yesterday that we're in financial trouble. He is a worrier by nature and he tends to say that a lot, but this time his tone and expression was different, and it scared me.

My worst fear is that I will be pressured to send my children back to public school so I could help with the finances by going back to work. I couldn't bear the thought. I would do anything to avoid it, but I had to start with prayer; tearful prayer.

Earlier this summer I had to go to the hospital. It turned out to be nothing urgent, but the bill came in. Being under-insured and struggling to get by, I sent an application to reduce our bill and request to make monthly payments. I didn't expect much since so many people are out of work and most of them are uninsured.

It had been couple of weeks since I sent that application, so I called the hospital's billing department today.  By the grace of God, the bill was paid in full by an anonymous donor! I immediately began to cry and praising God with the lady still on the phone. I couldn't even speak though the tears of joy. My heart is so full and overwhelmed of His greatness and love.

A couple of years ago I heard a journal reading by Paul Washer. Before the news this afternoon I thought of it. He shared in tears of the providence of the Lord for the mission he started, and feared it would die out.

If you're struggling and need encouragement, listen to this incredible message.

2006 Heart Cry Paul Washer Journal Reading

Happy New Year

Every year I have my resolutions. Last year I resolved to no resolutions, but this year is different. I've already started on the path of fitness, so my resolution is to keep at it. I also have other "To Do" this year.

 

• Read my Bible more consistently
• Spend more time in prayer
• Be a better wife and mother
• Witness more
• Keep up a morning routine so I won't get behind the rest of the day
• Getting organized
• Do at least one 10 mile hike
• Going from a 4 times a week to 6 times a week of exercise
• Eating better
• Plant a vegetable and an herb garden
• Spending more time outdoors with the kids
• Read 12 fiction books
• Start running
• Learn all the functions and operations of my digital camera
• Take some really cool photos
• Freeze more meals
• Teach my boys to read fluently

Welcome Autumn!!

If you look closely, you can see the bees.

My two youngest boys are too scared to make their way along "Scarecrow Alley".

He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate. Psalm 111:4

My favorite season is finally here. I love the colors of orange, yellow, green, brown and even red. I also love the smell of spices when I enter a market and taking in the cool air.

I took these pictures to remember the beautiful day I had with the kids on a cool (for Southern California) October afternoon. I pray I never lose my sense of wonder of the faithfulness and consistency of His creation.

Just a Quick Testimony

I guess I'll start as most blogs start and say I've never blogged before. I'll just tell you about myself. God saved me at the age of 25 when my life was nothing more than to get drunk as much as I could get away with and manage to go to work the next day. I've been a Christian for 16 years, so that would make me 41 years old. I don't know where I would be today if God didn't save me from the pit I was in. I'm so grateful. I'm a wife of one of the sweetest and most romantic guys around, Mike. I have three sons, Kyle who is 13, Blake 8 and David 6. Before I was saved, I was also a feminist, and really didn't have much interest in having kids. I think to be honest, I didn't trust my ability to be a parent. Once I had my first child, I couldn't believe God could bring such a love within my heart for my boys.

I'm not a good writer, but I love to communicate and share what the Lord teaches me. I thought I would use this as an outlet and hope it will encourage someone out there. I plan to start a video blog soon on the Titus 2: 3-5 principles that have reshaped my heart and attitude towards marriage. My marriage was in serious trouble for the first 10 years.

I've been married for 15 years, and it wasn't until a few years ago that I realized I was committing blasphemy according to Titus 2:5. A self righteous, proud, bitter, discontented, angry woman would not win my husband or anyone else to Christ. Once I studied and applied each aspect of Titus 2:3-5, things changed. My husband is now a true believer as of this past July. Praise God! I don't want anyone think this is some secret formula for making a saved husband. Only God can save. I also had to realize by my own failures that following the Titus 2 principles is not some kind of humanistic method on how to be happy. The benefits became a byproduct, and not the prime product. Once it became about the Lord and obeying His word because I love Him, and recognizing I deserve nothing outside of His sufficient grace and mercy, I rested in His providence. I know once I changed my attitude about God's word and made the changes, I became closer to God, thus bringing a revival in my home. Mike has changed in ways that only God can make happen. It didn't happen over night. It took almost 15 years. I’m far from perfect, but he knows I"m trying to be a good wife. By striving to love him unconditionally, being a trusted friend, showing the respect he craves so much and admitting my failures, is when he began to witness God’s grace first hand in spite of my frailties.

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5 KJV