Happy Spring!!!

Today is the first day of April!!! I don't know what the weather is where you live, but it is beautiful here.

I have always loved the month of April. This is the month where spring really hits full force. The flowers start to bloom, the days are warm, the windows in the house are open, and I am ready to wear sandals!! Good-bye Pantyhose.

Everything always seems so fresh in April, so new. It so reminds us of God's mercy. New every morning. Take the time today to thank Him for His renewing mercy!

There are three stages in Bible reading: 1) The cod liver oil stage where you take it like medicine; 2) The shredded Wheat stage where it is nourishing but dry; and 3) The peaches and cream stage when it is consumed with passion and pleasure. Albert Wells

I found this quote the other day and for those who know me you know how much I love quotes. This one really got my attention. I never thought about Bible reading in this way but how true it is.

What stage are you in? I think that we can waver between all three stages based on our circumstances. When things are going well and we are enjoying our Christian walk, Bible reading is a joy! When we are going through trials, and God is really working in our hearts, Bible reading may seem like a medicine; we do it because we feel we have to, but we don't enjoy it.

When ever I feel like I am just going through the motions; reading the Bible because as a Pastor's wife I am supposed to, I know it is time to re-evaluate my quiet time. It is so easy to get in a rut. When you find yourself in that situation, find a devotional guide or new inspirational book to help. Do not stop reading the Bible. You need to read the Bible everyday! I am suggesting a companion book to guide you to scriptures that are relevant to you. A good one is a "Woman After God's own Heart" by Elizabeth George. Just remember, anything you find in a devotional book you need to check with your Bible. If Scripture does not back up what you read, get a new book. The Bible needs to be our guide!

Strive to day to make everyday a "peaches and cream" day!

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

We heard some news this week that hurt! People who we thought were our friends and supporters of our ministry suddenly informed us that they would be leaving the church. My husband was devestated but more then that he was hurt. The wife informed him that she didn't like his preaching and didn't like his Pastoring style. Again, this was a couple that were friends. Friends!

I have really gotten into my Scripture this week and through all of this we have such a peace in our hearts. We know that we are where God wants us to be. So many people this week have showed such support and overwhelming love without even knowing what is going on. God is so good!

Satan is really trying to tear up our ministry. Why? Because he sees that the work of Christ is going strong. Souls are being saved, the church is growing, and lives are being changed. God is good! We start our winter revival this week. What a coincident! Just before a life-changing event, Satan works his hardest.

Yes, even through this storm, and it is a big one, I have peace. My husband has peace. We know that God has something good planned for this week. Satan may throw his darts and there may be some casualties, but the battle is the Lords. Through this storm we will stay under His umbrella of protection, and no matter how bad the storm, we can have peace.

God's Grace

God has been so good to me! I do not deserve the life I have. None of us do. As I heard in a song last night, "He came all the way" I only had to take one small step. Just Believe.
Thank you Lord for you blessing.

Family Friday!

We had a sprinkling of snow last night. And by sprinkling I mean it looks like someone sprinkled pixie dust. The boys were a little disappointed. Oh well, we still have several more weeks of winter so maybe we'll get another chance.

We are still waiting for our school books to arrive, so their Christmas break is lasting longer then expected. In case you don't know, we have decided to return to homeschooling again. We home schooled for three years and thought we would try sending them to a school this year. Big Mistake. It was a long drive (48 miles one way) and we really were not impressed with the academics. So after much prayer, we are going to homeschool again. The boys are actually excited about it. So we wait. Hopefully we will be able to start on Monday.

We plan on setting Fridays aside for family activities so stay tuned for pictures.

A Time to be Thankful

I am thankful for all my unanswered prayers. What? You may ask, "How someone can be thankful for unanswered prayers?" But just think about it. What if God had answered every prayer you ever prayed just the way you wanted it. Who would you be married to? I thought I was going to be married to the first guy I ever had any interest in. Thank goodness that God knew what was best for me. I am thankful that he did not answer that prayer! Here is another scenerio. Have you ever prayed for God to work out an uncomfortable circumstance or to take away a trial? My husband lost his father to cancer when he was 11 years old. He has shared many times how he prayed and prayed for his father to be healed. God choose to take him home. My husband looks back on that and sees that God used had a bigger plan. So many times he has comforted others who have lost loved ones. He understands what they are going through because he as been there. Be thankful today for all those prayers that God didn't answer the way you think He should have.

Remember, His ways are perfect!

Wonderful Wednesday!

I have decided to use Wednesdays as a chance to speak of the wonders of God. So many times we take for granted all that He does for us on a daily basis. My family is healthy. My husband loves me. I have a wonderful home. etc. Do you thank God daily for all you blessings? Most people don't. But the minute things go wrong in their lives, people blame God first.

I think of the story of Joseph. He had the right to grumble. Family problems, employer problems, problems with people who didn't keep their word, but through all of this he stayed faithful to God. I thinks we sometimes forget that God sees the big picture; He knows what is going to happen days from now, weeks from now, months from now, and years from now. He is working in our lives now to prepare us for what is coming later. The next time you go through a trial and you wonder why this is happening to you, remember, God may be preparing you for something later.

Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

As the song says

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don't see Him
Remember you're never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

He sees the master plan
And He holds our future in His hand
So don't live as those who have no hope
All our hope is found in Him
We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry
He's weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

Remember "Trust His Heart"

Stephanie

I’m so glad you stopped by today!
I look forward to reading your comments.

My life has been blessed by a gracious and loving God.
I love Jesus and want to grow more like Him daily.

I desire for women to see themselves thru God’s eyes – to BELIEVE they have worth and value because God says so in His Word!
I want to see women become radical in their walk with Him.

My prayer is that you will be refreshed, inspired, and encouraged thru your visit here;
that you will KNOW how precious you are to our Heavenly father – and that your heart’s desire will be an ever-increasing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Blessings to you all!

Nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

2 Timothy 1:12

Boy is it cold outside today! A high of 34 and a chance of snow on Thursday.

My first blog of the new year. Hopefully I will begin to understand how all this works and will become a consistent blogger. I am realizing that this is a lot of hard work.