Today I decided I would step away from Facebook for awhile. Sadly it has become a time waster but not only that it is a distraction in my life right now. Not just with my time, but in my thought life as well. 




I have been feeling as if I need to walk away for sometime, but I just kept finding reasons to go back.Well today I did it! I'm  just going to have to pray I can actually keep this commitment, and
not fold. :)


The funny thing about all this today was when Brianna, my daughter, read on my Facebook account that I was leaving for a time being. You know what she asked me with a grin and a giggle in that way that  only Brianna can?!? She asked me what I was going to do with all of my free time!! FREE TIME!! What I declared as I began to laugh with her. But then reality set in....


Yep....It is time to say goodbye to Facebook and be with the people that are with me right now.


I think God has much to teach me and I am seeking His direction, so I will relish with all my"extra"time. Maybe, just maybe I can draw nearer to Him. 


Looking forward to the next step,


Ann

Evaluation

There is nothing like your foundations being rocked to get you reevaluate your direction in life. This past few weeks have been difficult for many people I know and love, but I am watching God to see what He wants me to get out of this "time" and what He desires for me to do.


Over the past few days I have been reading in the book of Matthew, today was quite convicting for me. I hope you will indulge me for a bit as I share with you my thoughts. I am not a theologian by any stretch of the imagination, so bare with me as I make my feeble attempt. 


Today's reading was in Matthew 6 & 7. The first part of that I was stopped by was on prayer, a most familiar prayer to most, the Lord's Prayer. I have read this prayer many times in my lifetime, but today this prayer grabbed hold of me like it has never done before.Here is the prayer with my commentary added:


Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name( how much I do not truly honor my Father in heaven, the one who takes care of my every need)
your kingdom come,( what a day that will be to be able to see your kingdom)
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven ( I do not fully understand all things but you do, so therefore I trust you)
Give us today our daily bread ( your provision is more than I deserve, but yet I take it for granted)
Forgive us our debts , as we also have forgive our debtors( this one got my attention, do I harbor any resentment, strife or just unkind thoughts towards others. Then maybe the reason is I need to let something go)
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.( There are times when I truly have felt a hold on me that was not from God, I know that something was trying to keep me from His presence. So yes please keep me from the evil one.)


Chapter 6 continues to talk about storing up treasures, not here but in heaven. I read a good example today about storing up treasure, by Claire Cloninger. Her article suggested to look at some old photos and observe the things you "treasured" at the time. Where are these items now? Probably gone and destroyed. When we are gone from this world the things we accumulated will no longer matter, the only thing that will mater will be eternity. How easily it is to loose sight of this.


This section ends with a familiar line-- For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Oh how I long to not desire the things of this world, but to truly long for Christ. Really isn't that all that matters-- Christ alone. 


As I continue to read in Chapter 7 I am reminded about judging others, but I want to take that a little further than outwardly. I think when we usually think of this passage we relate it to looking at  persons appearance or how they act.Conversely I was draw to think of how we assume people to be. What if instead of looking at a person that appears to have it all together, we really got to know the person, maybe they need a friend.Or what about the person who seems to be a mess, maybe they are someone you need in your life. What if instead of believing when someone says they are "fine" to really delve in and see if  they are truly "fine". What if we stopped judging people by assuming that they are okay, because of what we assume.How would our world, our churches change if we began to truly "see" those inside and outside our church walls.


One of the ending pharses in Matthew 7 is this: But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.I do not want to be a fool, not following the teaching of my Savior. I want to make sure my life is exactly what Christ wants for me, sometimes that means I must give up my desires allowing me to better follow Him. It may sound like a sacrifice, but what a privilege it truly is to serve my God. A God that is active, living, and cares for all my needs. 


Thanks for reading my thoughts....I hope they are a blessing to you. If you get a chance say a little prayer for me, as I sort my thoughts out and seek God's direction. I'll  be sure to be praying for you.


Blessings, 


Ann

God is with me

Letter from God (click here to watch this video)

Have you ever had one of those days, maybe one of those weeks. Sometimes I begin to become so inwardly focused and forget that instead I am to be upward focused.At those times I wish I could say that I always ran to God and asked Him to take control.......but that would be a lie. I wish I could say that I always have it all together....but I do not. I wish I could say that I handle it all with grace....but I am far from it. 


All I need to really remember when I have one of "those" days is that my God is always in control. He is always with me. Nothing takes my God by surprise. My God is the only one I need to worry about impressing, but at the same time I can be completely real with Him. He will carry me when I can not go any further. 


I do not know what I would ever do without my God walking with me step by step, day by day, and moment by moment. 


Thank you God! You are my all in all. 


Ann

Beginning and ending journeys

My God is simply amazing. It is so awesome to be able to look back and even forward at what all He has done, will do and where He is leading.God has taken me on quite an adventure over the last few years, one of which most of my friends even family do  not even know the full story.

One thing I can say for certainty that my God has a plan( Jeremiah 29:11) that He will continue to do a good work in me(Romans 8:28). I can reflect now on all those times past when I wondered why was God allowing all of "this" to happen. I can remember times when the pain was so deep, so great that I thought I can't do "this" any more. I remember times on my knees before my God praying, sometimes begging Him to make "this" all better. But sometimes, no all the time God knows what is best for me. Even though I can not see it at time nor may I ever, I must trust that He knows what is best for me.

Now that I am through alot of the "this" in my life I can say I understand some of the whys. It does not make the hurt any less or the struggles any easier. Although it does seem to somehow make it  a little sweeter. See now I can get a glimpse from the other side of the "this" in my life.Now don't think that

 I have it all together because I don't. I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I still struggle with many things. BUT I know that no matter what my God will see me through it,every last step. He has been so faithful in my life.

So I am now getting ready in 7 short days to start this newest journey in my life, college. I am so excited about it, I feel like a little school girl. My kids tell me how silly I am for getting so excited about something so mundane as school. I don't think it is the process of school that has me excited,but more of the process that got me to school. If only you new how much work God has accomplished you would be giddy with excitement too!

Looking forward to watching God at work!

Ann

Thought Provoking

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/06/how-to-live-your-best-life-2/

What a wonderful post. I hope I can write as beautifully as this someday. I was truly moved and blessed when I read this. I hope that my life is a blessing to my family. I am also striving not to be too busy to spend time with them. I don't want to look back on this time wishing I gave more............

Encourgement

Last night I was watching my husband take care of a few problems that had arose over the last few days. As I was watching him I realized that he has become quite the diplomat while dealing with difficult situations. I am simply amazed at how well he handled everything that came our way. Not to mention the encouragement he gave freely to others while all of this was going on around him.

It seems, after you have been married for a few years you forget to appreciate the little things in your husband( at least I do). So this has been fun to purposefully watch him to see how I can appreciate him more.

This journey of marriage is amazing!

They Each Had Secrets - FamilyLife.com

They Each Had Secrets - FamilyLife.com

I just read this article.I really love that it is not just a fairy tale romance. It deals with real stuff that couples struggle with all the time. Marriage is not always a "walk in the park", but one thing I have learned over the years is if we have our focus on the right person then it will be much easier. Are you focusing on the good in your spouse? Are you using their love language to speak to them? Mostly are making God a part of your relationship?

Day 6 of Encourgement

I am thankful I have a husband that is willing to pray with me.

Reflecting

Well, these past two weeks have been very full to put it mildly. When I think of the events of these past two weeks it causes me to reflect on my past. I have been thinking  of lately of how far we have come, how many obstacles we have over come, how much joy we have experienced, trials we have overcome, how my children have grown and matured and so much more. I have been allowed to live through many things in my lifetime. Many blesses but also many trials as well.

But as I reflect on these things one thing I am thankful for is that no matter whether it may be joy or sorrow my God has been with me. I may not have always gone to Him...but He has never left me. God has walked with, carried me, directed me through all of these times. He has also blessed me with some amazing friends to walk with me even if it was only for a time. I can not imagine living a life that is without Christ.

These thoughts give me hope for any trails that I may face presently or in the future that God will help me through. How blessed am I!!

Have a wonderful day!

Ann

Today is the start

Well, today I registered for my first college class. I am a little nervous...well I guess that is putting it mildly. But I am trying to walk one step at a time following where God will lead me. That task is not as easy as it sounds. None the less it is something I must learn to do, something I am striving to do. I have a great desire to live my life as one that is glorifying to Christ, but sometimes self gets in the way and I get my eyes off of the mark.

So here is the start to a brand new journey......

Encouragement Day 4 & 5

Since I did not post yesterday I need to catch up.....So 2 things about my beloved husband, I am blessed to have a husband who is willing to get up super early ( on his one day to sleep in) and take our oldest son to his Martial Arts Tournament.Brian is constantly giving of his time to do for our children. The 2nd thing is that my husband is someone I am falling in love with all over again over this past year. It has been fun to see him with "new" eyes over this last year...

It is always amazing to allow God to work in our lives and see where He wants to take us. I love that we are able to be in love with each other after 18 years of marriage. 

Day 3 of Enouragment

I'm thankful that I have a husband who is willing to help with household work, such as laundry.

Encouragement

Since it is technically the next day I thought before I call it a night I would post my 2nd day of encouraging word about my husband.

#2  My husband is willing to improve himself constantly trying to be a better husband and father. He would do anything for his family.

Life changes

Sometimes life change is fun, sometimes it is exciting and sometimes change is just plain scary. Over the next several months my family and I will be experiencing several life changes. As I look towards these changes I realize that I will be experiencing the complete range...from fun to just plain scary. I hope that during this time of change I can handle everything with grace, something I know I will need to trust God heavily for.


When I think about all the upcoming events in my life, it causes me to realize how much I must truly trust in God. Sometimes we all give lip service saying I trust God...but do we really?I mean completely trust Him with everything, not holding anything back. I know I fail at this at times.

 My character is that I  want to know the plan, work the plan and yes sometimes even control the plan.So this makes trusting sometimes a difficult thing. It requires me to let go and let God have the reigns. I constantly have to give these reigns of control up because I am constantly picking them up.

These next few months maybe years will be a test to see how well I can let God truly have the reigns of my life. I'm sure I will fail, but I am thankful I serve a God who forgives freely.

So if you think of me, be praying for me in this time of life change. As you know life is hard enough,but  when it is not something that can any longer be controlled or even guided, it becomes even more difficult.So that brings me back to trust..... I must trust my what My God has told me in His word. 

Psalm 31:14

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “ You are my God.”

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

New journey

Well, I am starting a blog today...Not quite sure where to begin. My goal with this is to just a have place to record events and thoughts of my life. I'm under no delusion that anyone will find this interesting...well maybe my husband. :)


Now that I mention my husband I come to a thought. A few weeks ago I was reading in the book of Proverbs about how we should be encouragers to one another.One thing I tell my children and the kids I work with in ministry is that learning something with out application is pointless. So in order to be a follower of my own words of "wisdom" I am going to attempt to write encouraging things about my husband  each day for the next 30 days. I want to be an encourager.



So here I go.....


My husband, Brian, is a great provider for our family. He works very  hard and sometimes more than one.He is even to willing to travel one hour each way daily. So how blessed am I.......................