The Royal Wedding

Oh, the royal wedding. I cannot tell you how frustrated I have been all week with the ridiculous amount of coverage. I was even more annoyed this morning when I sat down to watch the new/weather as I was straightening my hair this morning. There was no news on ANY channel. They all were tuned into the royal wedding.

Frustrated. I turned off the TV, finished getting ready for work and hopped into my car. I stopped at McDonalds for my weakness, the fruit and maple oatmeal and a large Diet Coke and then headed the mile and a half to work.

As I pulled into the parking lot, listening to Air 1, the morning show hosts, Sean and Mandy, started talking about the royal wedding. Ugh. I was almost on the verge out outrage that I could not get away from the coverage.

BUT, then Sean played part of the ceremony. The minister was eloquent and spoke about marriage and the role of Jesus in our lives. Mandy continued by saying how much scripture was read, even more that at her own wedding.

I was immediately humbled. God was speaking through this wedding. All the national TV coverage gave millions of views the opportunity to hear scripture in their own homes. It was different from the news that spoke of murders, crime and tornadoes. It was a message of hope. A message I so easily dismissed.

Sometimes I just need to realize that in my own selfishness I am actually hindering others around me from hearing the words they may so desperately need. I have grown accustomed to hearing theses words, listening to Christian radio and reading my Bible, but for others the scripture they heard this morning may have been the only scripture they have heard all year. These may be seeds being planted so that God can water them and grow their hearts for Him. Humbling to say the least.

Changes

We found out yesterday that the city approved a housing complex in the empty lot behind our house. It was wonderful not having neighbors to the back and having a lot filled with beautiful trees. Now, it will be a two 2-plexes and a  3-plex. A row of garages would be backed up to our garage.

Then, when I got home last night my husband said the neighbors were putting up a privacy fence, which mean snow removal in our driveway was going to be much more difficult, and not free anymore. Our other neighbor would plow our snow into the empty area right next to our garage, which was owned by our neighbor. Although the land is rightfully theirs, it is a bit heartbreaking.

The two things I really loved about my house are changing. I normally am good with change, but this is starting to feel like a battle. I know that God has a purpose and that he is holding my life in his hands. I need to have faith that even with change, which is not personally against me even though I feel like I am being attacked. I know that the housing complex will allow others to enjoy our peaceful neighborhood and the fence will allow our neighbors dog to run freely in their yard, but I am really having a hard time resisting throwing myself on the ground and kicking my heels like a two year old.

There are going to be a lot of things in my life that come and there is no way to stop them. I have to learn how to deal with them as a Christian instead of letting the sinful nature in me want to retaliate, even though it is hard to stop those thoughts from entering my brain.

I pray that in these coming months and with the changes that are made, God allows me to see through his eyes. Maybe a new neighbor will need some extra encouragement and hope in their lives and I can share my faith with them. Maybe the fence will not separate us from our neighbors, but bring us closer to them somehow.

The Promise and the Blessing

Since I started attending Bethel, Pastor Matthew has made the Bible come to life for me. He is a teaching pastor and is very knowledgeable about the history of the Bible. We just finished a study on Daniel and I was amazed at the dates, historical players and references that I would have totally missed reading that chapter on my own.

I scoured the internet for a bible history “help” book and found The Promise and the Blessing by Michael A Harbin. The large, thick book came in the mail and I am so excited to start reading. It has you read biblical scripture and than goes more in depth! I am sure I will share some findings with you, but I am excited to understand what is going on better. I am struggling through Jeremiah right now and sometimes it is so hard to understand. I really hope this book is a blessing to my study!

We Be Big

Book Description

The story of two unlikely radio hosts and what happened when they followed their faith and instincts. Rick & Bubba are the most unlikely broadcast stars imaginable, yet hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners start their day with them every morning. Beyond that, they break the biggest no-no rule for secular radio as they openly share their faith in Christ and their common-sense way of looking at the world. Now, in We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of How We Became Rick & Bubba, readers learn how this unlikely pairing came about. Alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, this is also the highly personal story of two men who—like most of us—resisted stepping through the doors God opened for them, opting for the easier path when tested. When they finally decided to follow their instincts and their faith, though, not only did they became amazingly successful, but also a truly powerful platform became theirs.

This was a really interesting book to review. Rick and Bubba start the book with their stories from childhood on. They are funny and real the whole way through the book. Both men were interested in radio at an early age, but other sports and activities sparked their fancy throughout their childhood. When they met they knew something special was created. They loved their radio show, but changes in ownership of the radio station made them trust God in a whole new way.

I recommend this book for other media lovers, such as myself. Rick and Bubba are hilarious and you can totally relate to their life stories and testimonies. Check it out!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Heaven is for Real

Friday night I picked up a book and I have read it through already. It was given to me by my sister, who always recommends good books, so I am almost sad it took so long for me to pick it up.

What is this amazing book, you ask? It is called Heaven is Real by  Todd Burpo. Todd is a pastor and a father to this super cute boy on the cover.

Colton is this beautiful blonde boy and Colton went through a very traumatic illness, but came through with more than his life, he also went to Heaven during surgery.

Colton slowly started telling his family about his experience in Heaven, knowing things far beyond what small minds are taught in Sunday school.

The Burpo's family story is amazing, one that makes you think and brings you to a whole new level of believing. I am trying harder and harder to see God through a child's eyes. I pray for the innocence and openness that comes from the mind of a child.

A constant gardener

Complete honesty coming your way...so be prepared.

Last week I posted the verse:

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Proverbs 1:4

I am not always the most wise woman you've ever met. I struggle so much with keeping my mouth shut at the most inappropriate times. I raise up old regrets and discussions (or arguments) and often have to go back and apologize for my words, my actions.

I have learned with marriage that wisdom is one of the biggest keys to a successful marriage. I am slowing learning to be more submissive and respectful, but sometimes that stubborn little devil inside spouts out words and actions that cause drama and strife. Not good.

I am constantly praying for seeds, seeds that will develop into the fruit of the spirit. I often beat myself up when I backslide. I know that I am far from perfect, but I want the fruit of the spirit to embody my life and my marriage.

Peace instead of arguments, joy instead of causing pain, love instead of hateful words, patience in every step and between every word, kindness instead of a cold shoulder, goodness instead of a harsh thought or word, faithfulness instead of lacking in the faith, gentleness instead of stubbornness and self-control instead of an unleashed tongue.

I am constantly praying for these seeds to grow to full, juicy fruit in my life. I let the weeds come in and strangle those seeds, but the key is that I have the knowledge to fight those weeds. I have the ultimate weed killer, and the knowledge that I will have to constantly fight these weeds, this evil nature. It totally sucks, but I will continue the battle and grow a beautiful harvest.

I think last night that I realized I have to be a constant gardener. I have to be in my garden every day, watering my seeds, pulling the weeds and making sure the seeds get the Son.
 (images from Google images)

Praise Be

Grad'y Story

The Charlatan’s Boy by Jonathan Rogers.

Here is the basic storyline

As far back as he can remember, the orphan Grady has tramped from village to village in the company of a huckster named Floyd. With his adolescent accomplice, Floyd perpetrates a variety of hoaxes and flimflams on the good citizens of the Corenwald frontier, such as the Ugliest Boy in the World act.

It’s a hard way to make a living, made harder by the memory of fatter times when audiences thronged to see young Grady perform as “The Wild Man of the Feechiefen Swamp.” But what can they do? Nobody believes in feechies anymore.

When Floyd stages an elaborate plot to revive Corenwalders’ belief in the mythical swamp-dwellers known as the feechiefolk, he overshoots the mark. Floyd’s Great Feechie Scare becomes widespread panic. Eager audiences become angry mobs, and in the ensuing chaos, the Charlatan’s Boy discovers the truth that has evaded him all his life—and will change his path forever

The Charlatan’s Boy is a great story. I think children and young adults will relate really well to Grad’s first person account of not knowing who or where he came from and being thrust into the entertainment world. Grady has always pretended to be something or someone else, but the truth finally comes. I don’t want to spoil, so I won’t tell the ending! If you have children or young adults that loved Chronicles of Narnia or stories along those lines, they will love this book.

God is moving

I have lived in Fargo since August of 2005. I have spent the last six years really searching, really wondering what my purpose was and why I was in Fargo. My closest friends all moved to the cities, but I found a job fairly quickly in Fargo and moved here, alone. I quickly made friends, but I still desired to find something out of Fargo, something closer to Minneapolis. Nothing seems to open up and I was still in Fargo.

A job at the bank opened up and allowed me some more free time, but it still didn’t seem exactly right. I prayed for Christian friends and God put a few special people in my life to help guide me into the spiritual world in Fargo. I found a few churches I liked, but I still didn’t find my right fit, somewhere where I felt like God was moving, pushing.

Once I met Paul I knew that I was going to be a resident of the Fargo area for a long time. My husband is very settled in this area and, since I love him, I decided to stop looking towards the cities and try to become more of the community.

Sometimes I felt so far away from God. I could not figure out his plan for my life. I wanted a clear picture and I knew that I had a purpose, but felt worthless because I could not find that purpose. At this point I was miserable at the bank and was reaching and praying desperately for something more.

I took a week away from my job at the bank and found clarity. I needed to find a new position and needed to get away from the stress. The position I had was dragging me down, along with my faith and I was pulling those around me, mostly my husband, into this deep hole of despair I felt.

The Monday I went back to work there was a job opening at the bank for the position I now have. It was a huge change, but I am so much happier. I love the bank I work at and this job fits me and my personality so much better.

It has also opened new doors for me. I have gotten involved with the Moorhead Lions and love getting more involved with the community. It has also given me more time to get back into blogging and most importantly, growing my relationship with the Lord. I used to be so tired every night I would go to bed exhausted early. But now I have time to gather my bible and really work at figuring out my purpose. I also got back into going to a church I went to when I moved to town and finally found a bible study group that fits.

Long story shorten….God is moving! It is amazing. I can  look back at my path and know that God was working and moving the whole time and I just had a super hard time seeing it. Everything does happen for a reason.

I finally feel like I am learning why God kept me in Fargo, had me work where I work and brought me into the groups he did. Our bible study group really wants to reinvent the college age/young adult group at our church. A couple years ago it disappear as the pastors and staff in the church changed. We want it back and want to use it to gain hearts and create more discipleship within our church.

I am so excited. As we talked about the idea in bible study last night this sense of desire, passion and purpose overtook me. I am fairly new to the group, but they are amazing and loving and totally desire to mature in God too.

God is moving in my life. I cannot wait to see what happens. You better believe that I will be telling you about it! If you would like to pray for our group that would be amazing. We have to get to church as excited as we are and then start to figure out the best way to get it off the ground. I feel like I am stepping outside my boundaries, and possible into the “lion’s den” but I finally feel like I am seeing God’s path for my life and man, that is an amazing, amazing feeling!

Dearest friends and family

Dearest friends and family,

Lately the world has seemed to become an even more scary and evil place. Sometimes it is so hard to watch the news or read a newspaper because the suffering causes my heart to ache.

I know that someday the rapture will occur and my heart breaks for those of you who do not know the Lord or are struggling with faith in general. I realize that I have not always been the best witness of my relationship with God, nor has the human race with what they call religion.

The end times will come. The signs are starting to show and it may happen while we are on earth. I know that faith is hard, so hard. There will be one day when all our questions will be answered, but right now we must just hang on and know that the Bible is our truth.

I am terrified of the rapture, because I know that some I love will be left behind.

I beg, plead with you, that you open your hearts. Faith is hard, so hard. I have struggled all my life, but the one thing I have not let go of is the fact that we have a Maker. There are parts of the Bible I cannot grasp, and with my human mind, maybe I am not supposed to.

But, please look inside and decide for yourself where you stand. God is all around, you just have to open up and your mind and listen.

I became a Christian in 3^rd grade. I am not sure how to witness correctly, how to make someone else believe the things I do. I know many of you are searching and I know that many of you are so close to the truth, you just need to jump.

What I ask of you, from the deepest part of my heart, is that when you are given a 2^nd chance, you believe. You grasp all the Bibles you can and strain for the truth. Even though the tribulation times will be tough, you will be able to see God for who He really is. Stay away from the evil and the Devil. Spread the word, huddle together with other new believers.

I don’t want anyone I know or love to be left behind, but I know that in order to be part of the church you must believe and have faith in the Father, Son and Spirit. Please do not hardened your hearts to God. I am constantly praying for you.

Missie

Wisdom proved right

Today's reading is Matthew 11. I love this chapter, especially the end, but I chose not to focus on what I know well and search out some new truths.

Matthew 11:18-19 For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say "he has a demon." The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say "He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend to tax collectors and sinners." But wisdom is proved right by her actions.

It is so quick to judge, to label and to scoff at someone who is different. John the Baptist and Jesus were very different but came for the same calling.

We need to not prejudge but use wisdom and a heart of openness when we meet new people, but we also need to look at their ways and actions. I have been studying a lot on the end times and the AntiChrist will rise and look and act amazing, but when you take a look at the source of the actions with the wisdom the written word has given us, hopefully we will be able to see the Antichrist for who and what he really is.

A wise woman

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Proverbs 1:4

For more Word-filled Wednesday visit the Internet Devotionals Cafe



Grace

Today's reading is Matthew 10 (i missed a couple blogging days)
There was a lot that stuck out to me in this chapter.

Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, whoever loses his life for my sake will find it

God has told that we must expect trials as his children. I can go easily see where temptation seeps in like a small weed and grows to cover my entire life. I want to say that no matter what I would always stand up for my faith, but too many times I have shrunk to the back of the room and not said a single word.

God calls us to reach out, to speak up. That is so scary but He also tells us that this life on earth is nothing compared to what Heaven will be.

Lord please forgive me for not voicing my faith and relationship with you. Help me to stand tall and witness for your cause, the greatest cause of all grace and a relationship with our maker. Amen.

The End Times

At church we have been working through the book of Daniel and it's prophesies. We are now living in a world that could take on the signs of the prophecies. 

The pastor started with a reference we in Fargo could always relate to. Flood season. We have three seasons here, winter, flood and construction. When the first few snow flakes we love them, they fit so well with Christmas and are part of our family traditions, but by the end of January we are afraid of every little flake that falls. Each flake means that the river could get a little higher and higher. We watch the weather, the signs, and warn each other of the upcoming flood. We help our neighbors sandbag, shovel away excess snow and prepare for the upcoming water.

The bible gives us the same signs, warning and motivation to be prepared for the end times. I believe in God and have for a long time. I believe in the end times and the warning signs. Sometimes I don't understand what our full purpose is or why this is how God's plan works, but that is when faith has to come into play.

Our pastor is great at putting historical information into his sermons. It is awesome to learn more about the historical references in the Bible and how accurate it is. We went through Daniel 11 today and our pastor when through how the first 35 verses were historical and have already came true, the kings Xerxes, Alexander the Great and Antiochus.

But as horrible Antiochus was, descrating the temple and called himself to be worshiped above Zeus, it only makes us wonder what the reign of the Antichrist will be like.

I am almost certain that we will see the end times in my life time. It is coming so close and signs and even news headlines are screaming at us that God is moving. It is scary and exciting at the same time.

But it makes me wonder how many around me are not preparing, do not know anything about God or his promise. I feel that the call to witness and spread the word is more eminent than ever, but I don't know how to reach out and witness. I am so scared to just walk up to people. I do try to have conversations with people about faith and God when it fits in. I try to do good works to help my neighbors and those in need. I want my life to scream Jesus.

But there are some around me whose hearts are so hardened that I am not sure how to get them to believe. I know the biggest thing I can do is pray. I also think that those closest to me are not going to be able to come to Christ through me. I know that I plant seeds, but I hope that others around my life will also plant seeds and learn to relate to them better.

Our pastor ended the service with a call, not a warning. We as Christians know that the rapture is coming. We know that because of our believe God will take us to heaven before the really nasty stuff starts to happen (Rev. 3:10). I don't want to leave anyone behind, because even the fiction works of the "Left Behind" series show that the times are treacherous and horrible. I am glad God gives a second chance for those who did not believe the first time around, but it is going to be so much harder to be a Christian in those years that it is today, and we have it pretty easy in the states. Even though we know we will be saved at the perfect moment, we need to let those around us know so that they are given the gift of grace too.

God's mind is amazing and there is probably a lot I will not ever understand until I am kneeling before the throne. But the one thing I know is that without faith, without the relationship, there is nothing.

A good tree

Today's reading was Matthew 7. I had a really hard time choosing just one verse, especially since these five verses all went together. 


Matthew 7:15-20 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.


People bear fruit, some good, some bad, but no matter who you are, you bear some sort of fruit. God has shown us the fruit we should desire and grow to bear (Galatians 5:22)


Throughout my life I have had people come in and out of my life that I knew grew  fruit that would not encourage me to bear heavenly fruit. We are strictly told to stay away and watch out for people like this. We need to look for people who bear the fruit that we want to bear, people we want to resemble.


Lord, please help me learn to watch out for the false prophets and those who try to snare and trap me. Lord, please bring amazing people into my life who will guide me and help plant seeds that will bear the fruit of the Spirit in my life. 

Splash

Tonight I read Matthew 6. This chapter is so full I could write blog posts about every scripture that pertained to me.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own.

Only hours after I wrote the post about being washed by the water and the impending flood in Fargo, I received a from my husband that we had water, large amounts of water, in our basement.

Luckily we have an unfinished basement but my husband had made it useable and had his computer and four large fishtanks downstairs.

I had no idea what I was going home to. I left at 11, went to Target to collect supplies and headed home. After changing out of my work clothes I headed downstairs. I almost came to tears when I stepped off the bottom stair and my bare feet splashed into icy water. For hours and hours I pushed water into the drain, mopped and placed dry towels down.

Thursday morning, after barely sleeping because I was so worried about the basement, I crept back downstairs. The situation had gotten worse. I called work and then began another morning of pushing water. To our complete blessing, and I am giving all credit to the Lord, a construction crew was there by noon to install a sump pump.

We are still not water free. The water table is so high that water is forcing it's way into every crevice. I have been stressed and worried about my house.

Tonight I am reminded that we are not to worry. As a close friend once said, "worry is sin."

Lord, thank you for being in control. It feels like the waters are raging, but I know that we will be fine. We are so blessed for the things we have Lord. Please help Paul and I not to worry and use these unusual circumstances to grow closer together and to learn to lean on you more. Amen.

Thirsty

Today's scripture is Matthew 5 and the verse just jumped right off the page today. It is one that mottos my blog and my life

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

God gives us a desire, a longing, a hole. Some choose to fill it with entertainment, others with work, others with family and some with addictions. But God shows us in Matthew how to fill that hole, that longing. When we seek Him we will no longer thirst or be hungry.

I often find myself running towards other things to fill the void. When I am unhappy I expect my husband to make me happy. When I have had a bad day I can shove down a cheeseburger and fries like I have never seen food before. When I am lonely I reach for television or sometimes even people that are not healthy to have in my life. When I am angry I want to scream, insult, be sarcastic and take revenge.

But, I was taught a feel weeks ago to H.A.L.T!
When you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired go to God. God will fill my longing, ease my aching soul, teach me His words and wisdom.

One of my favorite quotes is "when you can no longer stand, go to your knees"

Lord, please continue to make me long for you so that I can continue to be filled. Your Words are never changing, yet always there to comfort and guide. Please help me HALT when I am trying to fill a void with anything other than your word and prayer. Amen.

Fasting

Today's scripture is Matthew 4. There is a lot going on in this chapter. Jesus is tested for 40 days, hungry for days.
Matthew 4:2 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Man, I am hungry after like 15 minutes. I have never fasted because I fear failure immediately. I know that, as Matthew states man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

By never fasting, never even showing a desire to fast I am showing a lack of faith. I know that fasting with a hungry husband in the house would be really hard, but I really believe that some amazing fasting and feeding on God alone could really change my life.

This summer I plan to take a couple days away and focus on my relationship with the Maker.

Lord, I pray that you show me guidance on spiritual fasting. Help make a way and time for me to revel on quiet moments with only you. Amen.

Sent from my iPod

Washed by the water

Every year since I moved to Fargo we have a rising river, sometimes scary and sometimes under control, but every year millions of sandbags need to be filled, families displaced and roads closed. Although March and April are rough months, the city banks together and works to calm the raging water, putting up sandbags and building earthen dikes. My husband and I are about 2 miles away from the river, so really we have no issues other than the closed roads, but I know numerous people who live close to the river and each year are tormented by the rising water. Fargo was recently voted the worst weather in the country, nice huh? The waters are high, 31.05 feet as of this morning, 18 is flood stage and we are moving into major flood stage. We received a lot of snow this winter, causing even larger river scares. But there is one thing I know, God is in control. NeedtoBreathe has a song that always comes to mind when March and April rolls around. It is called Washed by the Water

Washed by the Water - NeedtoBreathe

Daddy was a preacher
She was his wife
Just tryin to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light
People started talking
Just to hear their own voice
Those people tried to accuse my father
Said he made the wrong choice
Though it might be painful
You know that time will always tell
Those people have long since gone
My father never failed
Chorus
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
Even when the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even when the ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won’t never ever let you down
I won’t fall
I won’t fall
I won’t fall as long as you’re around me

Chorus
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

Highly Esteemed

Today's reading was Matthew 2 and 3. The verse that stuck me the most today was Matthew 3:17

And a voice from the Heavens said,"this is my son whom I love; with whom I am well pleased.

We are all children of God. He is our maker, our sculpture, our designer. Just as Jesus was part of Him, so are we.

Throughout the bible there are specific people the Lord calls upon and announces that they are well loved and that he is pleased with them. In the long list of people at the beginning of Genesis (5:24) the list directly points out Enoch and how he walked with God.
Numerous times in the book of Daniel, Daniel is told that he is highly esteemed, a man of preciousness to God. I want that.

Lord, you came to earth to save us. We are called to make our paths straight for you. I pray that you place the seeds of wisdom in my heart, help me continue to water and yield the fruit of the Spirit each day. Guide me so that one day I can kneel before you and hear that I am highly esteemed by you. Amen.

Sent from my iPod

A new insight

I have read Matthew a million times...so today I really tried to read it with a new insight and a new mind.

The scripture that stood out to me the most was Matthew 1:17: thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to Christ.

I have often found myself full of doubt, I am sure all of us have been down that road. The Bible is giving us clear facts through all these, sometimes tedious, genealogy reports. The Bible is giving us clear timelines, locations and historical facts. Science to the Bible. Faith is hard, not seeing, touching or feeling God directly is hard, but I totally believe all the reports of location and generations were all put in the Bible for people like me who need a why and a fact to believe.

I am going to start digging through the facts in the Bible. The references to dates, times, locations and really research the lives of past Christians. Not only will I help increase my faith, it will undoubtably help others as well.

Lord, I pray that you continue to guide my footsteps. Please continue to bring knowledgable, trustworthy people into my life to help me grow and mature in my relationship with you. Give me an unquenched thirst to know you more. Amen.

Reading through the Gospels

Today Mom’s Toolbox is starting a journey through the books of the Gospel. I have tried (unsuccessfully) reading and blogging through the bible in 90 days, but it proved to be A LOT for me. I am still continuing that journey, but I have always loved the Gospels and am excited to join other bloggers in this journey. I learn so much through my own reflection and than reading what others find within the text.

Wanna join me? This week’s reading is:

Day 1, Monday April 4^th: Matthew 1

Day 2, Tuesday April 5^th, Matthew 2-3

Day 3, Wednesday April 6^th, Matthew 4

Day 4, Thursday April 7^th: Matthew 5

Day 5, Friday April 8^th: Matthew 6

Day 6, Saturday April 9^th: Matthew 7

Day 7, Sunday , April 10^th: Matthew 8

The reading is fairly compact, so I think that it is pretty easy to add into your day! I am also going to try to follow Mom’s Toolbox’s method for journaling about the reading. Her method is called SOAP.

S: Scripture – Write the one scripture that I feel God is using to speak to me in today’s reading.

O: Observation – What might He be telling me with that scripture?

A: Application – How can I apply it to my life?

P:Prayer – What is my prayer to ask God in helping me to make that application?

So tonight I will start my journey. I would love to know that you are starting as well. Leave a comment and let me know so that we can have an online bible study group discussion!

Spiritual War

Today at church the pastor was talking about the battle we go through every day, but not the battle between flesh, but the battle in the spiritual world.
I have read stories, read scriptual and heard sermons. It still scares the living daylights out of me. I think that it is easier to totally ignore that face the truth. God is moving every day (which I like) but the devil and his minions are out there too.

It seems like a fairy tale or one of the fantasy stories I read. Angels verses demons, bad verses good, but technically, that is the reality. We are God's army too...we are called with specific duties.

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

This is crazy stuff, stuff I cannot even pretend to understand. I am one of those people who believes that ignorance is bliss. I know this is not the right stance in a situation like this, one that is hidden behind a veil of reality. But the one thing I do know, is even though I don't want to know, I know that I can put on the armor God gave us and always keep praying. Faith is hard enough, and believing in a huge battle going on isn't really that hard to understand either, when you look at the world we live in, but sometimes it scares the living crap out of me.
So, I definitely going to do the one thing I can do, I am going to keep on praying for the Lord's people.