Job 2

Job 2  I'm definitely seeing a pattern already and I am only in the 2nd chapter. So maybe that's not a pattern but oh well.    1 why does Satan always appear with the angels.   2 Satan still has limitation..... From God.    3 Why do we always see troubled times as punishment for sin instead of trial.    4 Why does satan always provoke the wife in hopes to make the husband denounce the Lord.  Chapter 1:6 and 2:1 the angels came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan came with them....      This is interesting to me. I have pondered on this, whether it is important or not, well it's in there twice.  After a brief conversation with my dad about this topic.... He cleared this up some.  We don't have much explanation other than the fact that this clearly shows us that satan has access to God also but is limited.  In chapter one we know that Gods allows Satan to test Job but limits him. Satan is not to lay hands on Job personally 1:12 again, 2:6. Satan is now given the power to lay Hands on.... Or well 'skin for skin' vs 4-5 but he is instructed by God to not take his life.  The most interesting is the end of the chapter, Job is still alive! Ha! Even Satan obeys the Lord.  And yet WE struggle daily to follow.  The most striking lesson from this piece of history is that sometimes what feels like 'punishment' is maybe God's way of growing us closer to him but also maybe an amount of reassurance that he hears us, he recognizes the faith that we have demonstrated in our own lives. I don't know why bad things happen but I know that God knows what we can handle.  1 Cor 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 be joyful always, pray continually, in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. I can look back many times in my life and I have felt like Job.  In fact, I remember sitting at the doctors about 4 years ago sand he asked me, 'I bet you can relate to Job right now'.  This struck me to the bone and has never left my mind since.  So of course I was prompted to study who Job was and why in the world could I possibly have related to this person.   So it only took 1 chapter to figure it out.  I was sick and felt like nothing was helping but to seek the Lord and wait upon, praise him and not loose faith......amazing how some years later, feeling much better, a different season of my life, learning from the life of Job again.  Love how the Lord can teach us something new every time we read a scripture.   Many of us have felt like Job,,, probably everyone we are just not aware of it.  The very first woman fail into the lies..... She ate that fruit and offered to her man. Well here in chapter 2 again, we see the wife being used vs 9 'curse God and die!'. Holy crap! What in the world was his wife thinking?? Probably what some people have felt like at different times. There have been moments in my life I would much rather be with my heavenly father than deal with some of the sufferings on earth..... Than it's only a half a second thought and I am reminded of the love the Lord has for me and the purpose my life holds. Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21 NIV) So why this may be my own personal conviction and maybe yours, this a reminder to me that I need to be careful with my words and actions. And that even when sometimes we may think we are being helpful to our husbands, we may be steering him the wrong direction.  Reminding me of the importance of staying connected to the Holy Spirit personally, that we cannot give Satan even an inch in our life! 

Job chapter 1

My journey with Job Chapter 1 So as I began Job today a few thoughts came to mind. It reminded me of my feelings after I saw the movie 'The Help' after the movie I hoped that if i lived during that time I would like think I would have been like Skeeter....I would have been the one that would have made a a difference, gone against the norm that wasn't right .....Of course I compare that to my walk with the Lord and let's face it - being a believer and a follower is more and more frowned upon. And most likely will continue that way. As our faith is tested we will continue to stand for what I believe is right when the world is slowly trying to take God out of everything.    Another thing chapter 1 reminded of was a conversation I recently had with someone at church. About the 'end times '  Up for debate all throughout different churches is whether God will take his children before the final 7 years, half way thru or will we be here to experience all the revelations.  I am not here to discuss it but Job 1 reminded me of when everything falls apart which it will feel that way in the end times, will I still throw myself down and praise the Lord, will I still rejoice in knowing he has my life planned out, will I not blame him for the hard times in my life? End times or not everyday is a new day, a new day to test my faith and prove myself worthy of being called Gods child.  Is my faith so strong that even the Lord himself will attest to it.   There is no doubt that Job is a man of God.  We learn this right away in the first chapter   'Job was blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil' vs 1.  If someone wrote about my life Would they say this?  The first chapter is enough for me to bathe in for awhile. The conversation between God and Satan, wow! God was positive that Satan would not be able to break Job. He waS so confident that Job was God fearing  that he actually gave satan authority to well, basically test Job. In any area that Satan could think of, other than he was not allowed to lay hands on Job himself vs 12. Seriously!? Most of the time we can be broken because of circumstances around us that are not direct hit to us but indirect hits.  So true, if you ask me after reading the first chapter most people would have broke after chapter 1.  But not Job! He rips his cloths off, falls on the ground and worships. vs 21.  In the first tests alone he lost his animals and his family.....   I guarantee most people would be mad at the Lord and feel like asking 'Where in the world are you God??.'  And we would place blame on the Lord instead of looking toward him for help. After going through devastation in our lives would we still be still and know that God has a plan Jeremiah 29:13.  Or would we run to everything trying to find answers that will never fullfill the missing piece.  Lord, please continue to strengthen my faith everyday.  So that in the deepest of circumstances I will fall down and worship you!  Psalm 123: 1 I lift my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned  in heaven.  

God's Child

Today 9-26-11 we went and saw the Ortho for Elijah’s foot and today is St Jude’s day at Chili’s (so eat out!) …. and this is what I am reminded of….

Elijah’s appointment was at Cardon’s Childrens Hospital and Miley see’s a specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. When we walked in to Cardon’s my heart was overwhelmed by the facility. Not because of its beauty or size but because of the children, children that are hurting, sick and some who live with a constant reminder that they may never be ‘perfect’ to the world.

If you have ever spent any time around children who are sick, or have a disability (which I really don’t like using that word either, I’ll explain more in a bit) 1 thing that seems to always amaze me is their zeal for life, this unexplained happiness and the smiles that light up a room. I have always felt they must have some special touch and a secret door to the wonders of God’s beauty and grace.

Growing up I spent a lot of time in the hospital so I may be a little more sensitive in these matters.  Anytime I walk among the halls of a children’s hospital I find myself in constant prayer but also a constant reminder of how much God loves us. He loves every part of us, even our ‘worldly imperfections’ because in God’s eye we were created in perfection. Exactly how he designed us and will use every part to glorify His name. Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I always reflect back to being a kid and my doctors, nurse and many friends that would spend their days with me in the hospital keeping me busy. Tasha Myers, Brent Erickson, Cheryl Anglin, Justin Ross, Brian Morgan, Cameron Raber… and this list could go on and forgive me is I left some out.  I have memories of them hanging out, keeping me busy and sharing a lot of laughs. My poor parents watch “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory probably 1000 times because for whatever reason that movie always gave me great laughter.

I think of the choices that my parents had to make when I was 8 years old. My doctor gave them 2 choices: 1. I was going to live in Denver at the National Jewish facility because they are the best or 2 move to Arizona and try the dry heat. So why some people complain about the heat - - I praise the Lord for providing a place my family can live, breathe, and serve our heavenly Father.

My parents had a choice that was not easy. Leaving everything. Family. Friends. Jobs. Everything they ever knew to venture out west in hopes I would live longer than the dr’s said. Well let’s just say my God is a whole lot bigger than any doctor… but I am thankful for them and opportunities. And for the record I am 29 years old now, 21 years more than the dr’s had in mind for me.

When I think about to those ‘sick’ times in my life, I knew I couldn’t breathe, my back muscles would ache from working my lungs so hard I always had this urge to overcome. That urge was the “Holy Spirit” had I recognized when I was little I may have been delivering people out of darkness in those hospitals but God had plans and those plans were in his timing.

To me, God has healed me. Do I struggle from time to time- yes! But he has given me life and breath to speak His word, share his love and reach out to people. He has blessed me with an amazing husband and 2 beautiful children.  Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Back to the word ‘disability’ I don’t look at these things as something that will hold someone back but I look at them as a gift, as a way of reaching people, that I might never have been able to, or somewhat understand their position if I had not been there. 2 Corinthians 12: Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

 There have been 2 friends in my life that have blessed me and continued to remind me of God’s strength even still. My 2 friends with their ‘gifts’ showed more trust in the Lord and His plans for the lives than seems possible, who still continue to have an impact on my life…..these 2 friends have went on to be with our heavenly Father and someday we will all dance together!  Miss you Ladies, Robin and Shauna.

God uses doctors and nurses, who I am grateful for. I am grateful for facilities like Phoenix Childrens, Cardon’s, St Jude’s who gives kids a chance in life. I am more thankful to God who is our ultimate healer. What that looks like for everyone I cannot say, I just know what it looks like for me.

Next time you meet a child who has a ‘gift’ pray for God’s protection and strength. Pray that in all situations we learn to glorify his name. Pray that God will teach us through whom he desires and that we will have open hearts and minds.

And that we may smile like a child even when life is hard.

2 Corinthians 5

Awaiting the New Body

 1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

I pray for all those children that they may learn to trust and hope in the Lord, My nephew: Hayden, Nora’s: Laynee-bug, my daughter: Miley and the list could continue on, all my allergy moms, asthma moms…. May these children and every child walk in your ways Father and trust in God’s great plans.

Deceitful me...

This past couple weeks I have felt down and out and when that happens I seemed to ‘listen’ more. I have been battling the frustrations of pain and nausea, miserable. A trip to the E.R and upper scope later everything is healthy and they are thinking it’s my gallbladder but this is not why I am writing today. During this period, of my fleshly weakness I began to doubt myself and my relationship with my Father, my Love. I heard many different things from the father of lies such as, ‘He doesn’t care about you enough, you must not be His child or why would you be in so much pain, etc…” I think you get the point because I’m rather positive that we have all been there.

In my weakness “I” allowed these thoughts to radiate in my mind, I allowed them to make me question myself and my relationship with Jesus. And I woke up and decided NOPE, Not in my life and not in mind: I am Christ’s daughter; he loves me no matter what my circumstances are and does not desire me to be down and out.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
So when the enemy tries to bring us down, to make us feel unworthy, don’t allow it! We have to know in our knower (My dad always says that) that we were made new in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

NOW THAT IS FREEDOM!!

I would say that I am very confident in knowing where my relationship with Christ is, every day is another opportunity to glorify His name in my life. Why I needed to be reminded of this is beside me, but it is refreshing to overview some of my favorite verses, my favorite thoughts to be soaked into my mind and renew them in my life.

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 2 Timothy 1:7
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The last verse is a new favorite because to walk in the joy and peace that my Savior offers is better than swimming in a river of chocolate!
May the Lord fill your heart mind, body and soul with His peace and Joy this day, which is a gift. I pray you will walk in His light and bear much fruit for God’s kingdom. And when satan provokes on the deceitful self, may you remember that God gave us a Spirit of POWER to walk in peace in Christ name.

It’s a choice…. Daily I choose to pick up my cross and walk in freedom.

Empowerment

9-1-11
Where in the world has this year went is it really Spetember??? OK now that that is out here we go….

Empowerment!
My eyes have recently been open to all the overly ‘neediness’ around us, in our society and even in our churches. Do we have needs, absolutely and I am not discounting the needs that are truly needs- do you follow?? Have we forgotten to teach our children the difference between wants and needs??? We/I probably need a reminder also.

What in the world has happened to doing something, feeling like you have achieved and then challenging ourselves to something great.….. As God’s children, heir’s to His kingdom we need to walk in great and accomplish. Knowing that His blessings are more than we can imagine, we win!

Romans 8:16-27 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 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.

So from now all you can call me Princes Britney.... OK back to my blog….

Stop falling down on our knees in defeat! Stop relying on the world and start relying more on God. If/when we get caught up in depending on others we take God off his Throne and say we hold these other things in a higher value. Really what does the world have to offer more/better than what God has to offer?

In Christ we have the power to overcome!
Jeremiah 1:19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I know this to be true: if we would walk in the victory that God has already claimed we can accomplish anything we put our mind to. If we try to do it on our own, we will fail miserably every time.

Matthew 6: 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Hint: The Key word first…. Now read that verse again emphasizing the word FIRST!

Lord, please take me to a place, remind me, thump me on my head to always come to you first, A MW - Britney, as a family and as your servants open to your answers.

Lately...

I have not posted a blog in a long time; lately I have been so inspired to write again, about what? Not sure but I’m just going to start.
A brief catch over the past year, Eli just celebrated his 1 year at New Hope which has become in saturated with servants and has become a church family to us. Elijah is tearing it up gymnastics, he thrives! He is so focused, loves it and truly has a talent. He also started soccer last night- he is quit the busy bee. Miley is growing too fast, she is very smart and when she puts her mind to something wow! Her imagination runs crazy it’s pure joy listening to her play with her babies or “Sthisters.”
My crazy adventures have been full of fun, trying times but most importantly God has taught me to give him my schedule and be obedient to do the things he’s asked me and learn to say no to things….
This past year I have been running the children’s department at church, running our woman’s ministry, I started homeschooling Elijah this year and all the other things that fall in line with being a mom and being me. I am still decorating cakes and my new love and joy is cooking from scratch. I have begun to bake, cook and prepare from scratch…and store/freeze. I can now walk into a grocery store and completely bypass the frozen section and the canned food isle, and boxed food isles… it is a great feeling for me to know what is in my family’s food (and safest for Miley). And I am thankful that God has given me time to be able to accomplish this. I understand that is not for everyone so by no means am I patting myself on the back or saying its wrong of others. I am merely just talking about me and my family personally. I have a lot to learn in this area but every day is a new adventure.
One of my biggest ‘projects’ has been homeschooling. When Eli and I started to talk about this as a real option I truly doubted myself. And I still do! If it were not for my Savior I still probably could not accomplish this. If he calls- he will equip (Even in homeschooling). Elijah is in an enrichment program so he goes to school 2 days a week for all the ‘electives.’ When I have him at home we do the core work, wow, it is absolutely amazing how much his young mind can absorb. I think most of the time he’s really teaching me- yes….I think I’m learning more than him! Crazy right??!! I am learning more than how to classify a sentence but to be patient, loving and really listen….and really enjoy the time I get to spend with him.
Let’s get serious… Boring yes but God had shown me a ton lately! And it’s always personal. I don’t blog to brag on my family but to share what I am learning and how I am growing in my relationship with my Father, My savior!
I always hear people talk about who they most represent in the bible but I have always felt like I couldn’t narrow it down to 1 person and/or at different points in my life I have resemble the heart of different biblical people. Right now, I have been on what I called my Romans road…. I have been engulfed in Romans and Corinthians written by the apostle Paul. Reevaluated every aspect of my life and asking God to reveal to me the areas I need more of Him. Less of me and more of you! Very cliché but so true, Paul’s heart amazes me! He tells it like it is and truth and nothing more or less.
I think the church in general is hurting, we are so caught up in trying to please people in the world that we are forgetting to preach/teach gospel- even if it offends. I am not referring to all churches but many and if we are not completely surrendering to the Lord than who are we surrendering to- the world? We can argue all day over what style our church should be implementing but in the end it pointless and does nothing but cause dimension in the church. Paul lays it out there, exactly what our church should look like. If I could sum it up, I do it like this ‘We need to be open to allowing the Holy Spirit to move in our church without any restrictions! No matter what denomination you are.
Don’t believe me? Pick up the bible and read it for yourself. The Holy Spirit is the most vital gifts he gives us now and we shut him out of our lives because we are afraid of what he may do.
I have had this weight on my shoulder of not wanting anything but Gods word. I don’t want extra workbooks I just want to pick up my bible and dig in, praying that God will reveal to me what he desires for my life, my family’s life.
This has become my daily prayer from Francis Chan’s Book The Forgotten God, page 37, “I want to consistently live with an awareness of His strength. I want to be different today from yesterday as the fruit of the Spirit becomes more manifest in me. I want to live so that I am truly submitted to the Spirit’s leading on a daily basis. Christ said it is better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like I know that is true. I don’t want to keep crawling when I have the ability TO FLY.” (All caps on fly is my emphasis.) AMEN~

My prayer and the church of God’s prayer, may the Holy Spirit be free to run wild in our lives.

Change

I have not been blogging for awhile, obviously, because God was working in me and in my family. The past couple months have been full of change and continuously challenging us to get plugged into God and allow Him and only Him to light the path more than ever before. God showed me there would be a time again that I could continue sharing my ‘madness’ but for that moment, it was one-on-one time.

Let’s start back in May 2010, Eli was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene. Very exciting - it was the most powerful service I have even been in – where God Himself was there - no doubt in my mind. During the Ordination, all of the Ordained Elders in the church laid hands over Eli and myself and prayed for us… I wish there were words to express the feeling of some of the Holiest men of God surrounding us and lifting up their voices on our behalf. It was an amazing powerful choir of prayers…. I walked away from that feeling as though I had been baptized and cleansed deep down to my very inner parts. And asking myself, can I get that every day!!!!!!

A few weeks before the Ordination the Lead Pastor in our Church resigned, which is always interesting to see where God will take the church from that point on.

We began to seek God and what that meant for our family and he told us to ‘stay the course.’ So that is exactly what we continually focused on. The call and where God had us - pressing on into the ministries that were already in place. It could have been very easy to live in the unknown and veer off track - but God was clear, press on and ‘stay the course.’

June 23, 2010 we had our first interview as a family, for the Lead Pastorate position at New Hope. I remember standing there with Eli before we walked into Paradise Bakery and we entered into prayer, only asking God that His plans be engaged no matter what that meant, staying, leaving…. It was in His hands and with that came the most overwhelming peace.

That night, after the interview, the secretary of the Board called Eli and extended the call to him as Lead Pastor. Very exciting but yet full of so many emotions…..

They announced us as the candidate for Pastoral Family on June 27, 2010, voted July 11, 2010 and Eli was installed as Lead Pastor July 25th 2010 of New Hope Church.

That morning before the vote, we were asked by numerous people if we were nervous. It was a unique situation as we were already a part of the church and being there though all this. Regardless, I can honestly say we weren’t. The outcome of all of the transition in our life has always been and will always be Gods will - PERIOD. And with that comes more peace than words can express.

When I started this blog I wasn’t sure specifically where I was going with it... now I do! As our family begins this new chapter in our lives, I ask that you would commit to praying for us, our church family and the future - that will always rest in the path that God has laid.