Treasure

Dark clouds filled the sky, and thunder broke the peaceful silence.  One glance behind him, and he knew he didn’t have long.  A flash of lightning just seconds later told him the storm was almost here.  He started walking faster, his toes sinking in the sand with every step.  Oh, how he loved the feel of the sand and the gentle touch of the water as the waves made their way to his legs.  As the rain began to fall, he made sure his pouch was tucked securely into his pocket. He would have to run to beat the storm making its way down the shoreline. The gentle waves had already turned violent, forcing him to move further up on the beach.  Running was difficult with one hand pushing against his pocket, but he could not lose his pouch.  He ran, faster and faster, until finally he reached his covered porch, collapsing as soon as he cleared the top step.  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his pouch and opened it, spilling its contents onto the wood floor.  “Yes,” he thought, “they’re all here.”   He picked each shell up and examined it carefully, turning each one over and over.  Every time he held a shell in his hand, he imagined what it looked like before...before the life it held inside had died. What had this tiny shell had to endure?  As it worked to protect the animal inside, what had it been through?  Based on the smooth lines and textures of each shell, he could tell they had weathered many storms.  They had been tossed around in the waves of the ocean.  But, how beautiful they were!  He loved the way each shell, although similar to the others, had something unique.  Each shell had specific characteristics that helped tell the story of its journey to land.  As he examined his treasures, he smiled.  “These are amazing!”  As he carefully placed each one back into his pouch, he realized the storm was over.  There was only a slight breeze blowing now.  He gently tucked the pouch back into his pocket.  “You’ll be safe here,” he whispered, as he stepped off the porch and headed back toward the beach. He was excited at the thought of finding more shells that may have washed up during the storm. What would they look like? How different had their journey been? His hand slid over his pocket.  No matter what, he knew he would keep them in his treasure pouch, safe and secure. They belonged to him, and he loved them.

  When God looks at us, He sees a treasure.  He sees someone who has weathered more than a few storms.  He sees someone who has been tossed around by the struggles of life.  He sees someone who feels lonely and lost.  He sees fear, insecurity, doubt.  He sees the lies that we try to hide behind...the thoughts that keep us bound.  He sees everything about us. And, He smiles.  

     You see, God doesn’t see those things as flaws that have caused a decrease in value.  Nor does He see our worth decline with every struggle.  The “flaws” in our life, the things we think render us worthless, are integral parts of our journey.  They’re important details that help tell a story. Our life story depends on them, but our worth does not.  God does not see us as the messed up version we often see of ourselves.  He sees us as a treasure worth protecting.  A treasure worth securing in His treasure pouch.  A treasure He thinks of constantly. 

“Every single moment you are thinking of me!

How precious and wonderful to consider,

That you cherish me constantly in your every thought!

O God, your desires toward me are more

Than the grains of sand on every shore!

When I awake each morning,

You’re still thinking of me.”

--Psalm 130:17-18 (the Passion translation)

To God, we are HIS treasure.  We belong to Him, and He loves us.  Next time you are bogged down by feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy, remember who you are and who you belong to.  Stop trying to be worth something to others and realize that being worth something to God is more than enough.  Then, you will find peace.  Take comfort in knowing that you are a valuable piece of creation, you are loved and thought of by the creator of the universe, and “your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in HIS treasure pouch.”

💗💗💗💗💗

Surrender

SURRENDER

When I hear the word surrender, I think of war.  In every battle, either someone wins and someone loses….or someone surrenders.  Surrender means that someone gives up.  They get to a point where they say “I can’t do this anymore”.  They give in to their opponent.  They hand over everything they were trying to hold on to.  Most often, it’s the things they’d held onto so hard…the things that were most valuable to them.  They relinquish control. 

I also think of a police chase.  When someone is running from the police, they use everything they can think to use to avoid getting caught….hiding, speed, lies, disguises, excuses, and even weapons.  When they are out of options and finally realize they are not going to win, they slowly step into the light, lay down their weapons, and raise their hands into the air. 

Now, lets apply those ideas of surrender to our surrender to God. 

There’s a battle for our lives.  Every day.  Every single decision we make, every thought we have, every word we say…everything about our lives plays into this battle.  Unfortunately, we try to be the lead role in the battle.  We try to solve our own problems, raise our own kids in our own way, choose for ourselves who we will marry, plan our own careers, and pave our own way.  In actuality, we end up fighting with the wrong side! We end up fighting against the One who could help us the most.  The One that could save us.  Whether you’ve fought this battle your whole life and constantly felt the affects or you are just now understanding that you cannot do this anymore, surrender is crucial.  It’s time to say, “I can’t do this anymore.”  Spiritually surrendering doesn’t mean you give up, defeated.  It means you give up trying on your own.  It means you relinquish control. It means you stop holding on to everything you’ve held on to for so long.  It means you put everything about you….the good, the bad, and the ugly…into the hands of Jesus.  Surrendering to Him doesn’t mean you lose.  It means you win. 

Our lives can also become like the police chase.  Except in this case, we are the runner and Jesus is the one chasing after us.  When we are living our way, doing our own thing, we tend to run from Jesus and living fully for Him. We hide.  We run full force into anything other than His arms.  We lie.  We use every excuse we can think of.  We even try to disguise or cover up who we are.  We run and run and run.  Maybe it’s not as apparent as the criminal being chased by the police.  Maybe your life seems put together.  It’s likely you have everyone deceived, and possibly, you’ve even been deceiving yourself.  In reality, if we are not running toward Jesus, we are running away.  Luckily, He never stops chasing after us.  It’s time to slowly step into the light, lay down every weapon and device we’ve used to run, and raise our hands in surrender. 

In battles, there may be prisoners of war.  In police chases, there may be prison time.  Surrender can be costly.  Relinquishing control is not an easy decision.  I’m certain that the surrendering side of battle weighed out the pros and cons of their decision first.  In the end, however, the negative effects they would feel because of their surrender were a better option than not surrendering at all.  The criminal knows there will be consequences to his actions once he hands himself over to the police, but at some point, he decides that the consequences he will face because of his surrender were a better option than continuing the chase.  It will likely cost us something when we decide to relinquish control of our lives.  But, we must understand that the cost of our surrender is a better option than trying to live without Jesus at the wheel. 

Sometimes, a surrender is conditional.  One side agrees to do certain things in exchange for the surrender of the other.  Other times, there is no such offer.  For us, we would be crazy to think we could demand a conditional surrender with the One who has already died on a cross for us.  We cannot say “Jesus, I will surrender my life to you IF you do this.”  Our surrender needs to be a total surrender with no strings attached.  However, the awesome thing about Jesus is He has already promised us so much.  We do not surrender to earn what He has promised, we surrender because we realize we cannot do life without Him.   His promises are always true, but when we surrender ourselves to Him, we’ve opened the doors to the fulfillment of those promises in OUR lives. 

WARNING: In war, there is a term called “false surrender.”  Basically, one group would “surrender” to draw the enemy out of cover to attack them off guard.  While this was often effective in battle, it will not work for us.  We cannot half-heartedly surrender to Jesus and expect a victory.  The difference in a false surrender during war and a false surrender to Jesus is that instead of it helping us, a false surrender will draw US out of cover and allow Satan to attack us off guard.

Surrender isn’t a one-time deal.  It’s not a single decision that lasts forever.  It’s a process.  And it’s hard.  We would be naïve to think that total surrender to God would equal an easy life free from troubles and challenges. Surrender doesn’t prevent problems or trials; surrender gives you a hand to hold as you walk through them.  Surrender requires a level of trust that says, “Whatever happens, it’s part of God’s plan.”  Why do we, as humans, struggle with relinquishing control in our lives?  Do we think our ideas and plans are better than the plans God has for us?  Do we somehow think God doesn’t know what He is doing?  Or maybe we honestly believe that God’s ways are better, but we don’t think we deserve His goodness and love so we continue to do things on our own. We keep trudging along, doing the best we can, but with every step we keep sinking deeper and deeper.  We think our faith and life in Jesus depends on us - instead of trusting in His power and faithfulness.  The truth is… well, Jesus is truth.  He is bigger than our challenges.  He is bigger than our trials.  He is bigger than our plans.  His views for our lives are bigger than we can see for ourselves.  And He is waiting on us to lean into Him.  Total surrender isn’t easy, but it is worth it.  Every day, every moment, choose to surrender to Him to the best of your ability.  He knows your heart, and He is willing to help you along the way.  What a beautiful adventure life can be when we surrender ourselves totally to the One who loves us extravagantly!

It's a New Year!!

                           

It’s a new year! 2017 is behind us, and 2018 is before us.  A new year always brings about a mix of emotions: excitement, anticipation, nervousness, determination.  A feeling of change.  The beginning of a new year is when many people make resolutions, or firm decisions to do something different in their life.  For me, the problem with resolutions is the first time you mess up, it feels like failure.  There’s a huge pressure with resolutions that weighs you down. That feeling of failure when you mess up causes many people to throw in the towel, making resolutions seem short-term. If you look at memberships at any fitness center in January and then in February, you would see a huge drop in numbers.  People have good ideas and desires, but following through is more difficult.  For me, setting goals works better than making a list of resolution “to dos”.  Goals are desired results…the object of a person’s ambition or effort.  Goals are things that you work on continually.  It’s deciding what you want and putting your best effort into achieving that.  Goals are more than empty promises of change.  They are the changes…. made because you have determination and ambition.  They’re something that you work hard for, even if you mess up along the way.  Goals aren’t set aside the first time you fail. 

So, how do we set goals, and how many should we have?  Honestly, the answers to those questions are different for everyone.  Some people do well with making a list of multiple very specific and detailed goals.  Other people choose one or two goals to work toward over the course of the entire year.  Goals can be short term, long-term, simple (getting a small task done on time or getting to work on time), or more complex (deepen my relationships with my family). No matter what goals you have for yourself, the key is staying motivated and determined to make it happen.  Work hard and don’t give up.  If you mess up, keep going. 

I have made a few goals for myself this year, and I will work hard to make them happen!  My goals are written down in my journal and I have discussed them with my best friend.  Often, we set goals for ourselves in our minds without ever writing them down or sharing them with someone close to us.  The problem with that is unless we share it somewhere, we have nothing or no one to hold us accountable.  No accountability makes it easier to forget about a goal when it gets tough or when we make a mistake.  Share your goals.  And if someone confides in you with their goals, support them and encourage them!

In addition to setting goals for myself, I have decided to choose one word to represent my year.  Everything I do this year I want to point back to this word. It will become my focus.  Unlike resolutions that can be easily broken, choosing one word to center myself around will give me a “vision for real change.”  I chose the word: 

INTENTIONAL

Intentional means deliberate and done on purpose.  It is an adjective, which means it describes.  I want my life to be described as intentional.  I want my actions to always be purposeful.  Intention is a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action(s) in the future.  It involves mental activities such as planning and forethought.  Intentional means everything a person does needs to be thought out beforehand.  Will this action make a positive impact in my life or my world?  For me, living an intentional life means making a determined effort to do things purposefully in all areas, especially with my relationship to Jesus.  Spiritual growth requires intentional effort.  Brian LaCroix said, “be a person who does not live by default, but lives by decision.”  In my life, I want to be more determined to do what it takes to know God better and love Him more. This year, I don’t want to just let things happen.  I want to focus on pleasing God in whatever situation I’m in.  I want to live intentional.  I want to be intentional with my marriage and my relationship with Anthony.  I want to take a good thing, and focus on making it better.  I also want to be intentional with my parenting. As parents, we are expected to teach and model Biblical principles to our kids.  I can’t model Godly living, trust in God, a love for God and His Word by default.  It takes determined, decisive effort.  I want that. 

I want to be intentional about my actions, my words, and my attitude.  Ephesians 5:15 reminds me to “be careful how I live.”  Everything I do or say should have the purpose of bettering something in my world.  A word that is related to intentional is diligence, which means careful and persistent work or effort.  Being diligent is having an earnest and persistent application of effort.  I have to apply myself.  It’s not surprising to me that some antonyms of diligence and intentional are inactivity, laziness, and neglect.  This year, my focus is to make every moment count.  And as I focus on being more intentional in all areas of my life, I will be expecting that God will do wonderful things in me and around me because of it.  This year, as God works in me and around me, I will also enjoy the ride!!!!

Truth?

     Who do I trust?  I am fully aware of the fact that in this world, you cannot trust anyone or at least, very few people can be trusted to speak and act in truth.  But, can even the most trustworthy be fully trusted?  Or if we are being completely honest, is there really anyone we can confide in, share secrets with, and bare our souls to that will respond in truth?  Do I have that kind of relationship with anyone – other than myself and God, of course?  My spouse, maybe? No, even then, sometimes our words and actions don't truly convey complete truth.  We are often led by emotions rather than truth.  As great of a relationship as we may have with our spouse, we are only human.  Living in truth doesn't always happen.  So, where does that leave me?  With no one I can trust completely with my life – my plans, my choices, my everything – except God and myself?  Yes, I have those few...those certain people in my life that I can talk to and trust that they will keep secrets and help me handle my feelings.  Those people can offer advice to help, but can I fully trust that they are always speaking truth or do they unknowingly lead with emotion or an effort to try to dull the pain of my situation?  So, it's me and God.  But, is it?? Can I honestly trust me?  Do I know that in everything, I speak the truth?  Or am I, also, often led by emotions?  Do I always act based on the truth, or do I somehow make myself believe something else because it feels good, seems better, or sounds right?  So, where does that leave me?  I can't even trust myself?? 

     There's only one truth.  John 14:6 says, "Jesus told them, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'."  John 17:17 says, "teach them your word, which is truth."  The only Truth is Jesus.  His Word is the only fully trustworthy guide for our lives.  So, as wonderful as close friends are and as helpful as their advice can be, we should always seek God and His Word for truth.  And, as right as our own mind sounds, we must remember Satan is warring against God for us.  And, he will use whatever or whomever he can to lead us from the Truth.  The target of this battle is our hearts.  Which is why the Bible says we have to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23).  If we aren't careful, Satan will find a way into our hearts before we have even put our guard up.  He will use our own selves, which obviously sounds right and seems like what's best for us, to let our guard down and let something other than Truth  direct our path.  We begin to believe the "only I know what's best for me" lie.  We cannot fully trust ourselves to act in truth.  We are human.

     Am I suggesting that it's pointless to seek the advice of others?  That it's ridiculous to talk to your best friend, spouse, or parent about your situations? Absolutely not.  However, I am suggesting that we always seek Truth.  If the council you get does not line up with the Word of God and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, don't let it get into your heart.  Be cautious.  Even with your own self.  Guard your heart.  Remember, there is only one Truth – seek Him.

Hide-n-Seek

     She sits excitedly...waiting, slowly counting as he runs out of sight.  1, 2, 3, 4... Her eyes pop open quickly, hoping for a glance of the direction he may have went.  No luck.  She can't see him.
9, 10! Ready or not...
        Only he is always ready.  He loves this game as much as she does.  He works hard to find the perfect hiding spot.  One that is not extremely difficult to find, but that will still require some searching. 

        He hears her little feet pitter-pattering down the hall.  Her small voice yells, "Where are you?" A part of him wants to answer back, wants to give away his location, but then he remembers her face when she, in fact, finds him on her own.  The smile on her face, the giggles, the long embrace...so he decides to wait a bit longer.  After all, he wants her to be able to find him.
        So, he waits.  Finally, he hears her getting closer.  His breathing slows, he stays completely still.  Waiting.  He finds great pleasure in this game.  Such joy watching his daughter find his newest hiding spots.  Then... "One more time, Daddy!" she says.  He smiles.  And again, he hides, waiting to be discovered again.
 
        In Ephesians 1:17-18, we learn that we were called by Jesus to experience Him.  He wants to be discovered much like in a simple game of hide-n-seek.  When we play hide-n-seek with our kids, we don't hide never to be found and we also don't immediately tell them where we are.  We could.  But we allow them to search for us because we know the joy that comes when they discover our hiding place.  It's not for our benefit, it's for the joy and what it does for them, the Searcher.  Jesus wants us to experience that joy.  And He loves us enough to allow us to search..... And the joy that comes when we discover Him, when we experience Him!  We were called to experience Him.
     Continue to look for Jesus.  Search for him.  And find joy when you discover Him, His presence, His love....deepening your intimacy with Him.

JUST ANOTHER DAY at RES

(this will be a funnier story if you know me well enough to know how I feel about mice)

On the playground today, I noticed some chaos among most of the kids.... As I walked toward the evergrowing pile of students, I heard from another that there was a mouse. Immediate stress mode (for those of you who know me, you understand)...but I continue my walk toward them. Upon arrival, I realize one of my kids is holding it in his hands. Its a baby mouse. Stress increase! I immediately said, in my momma voice, " Put that thing down and go wash your hands! That's disgusting!" Then I realized it's now on the ground, freely able to run up my leg if it chooses to. Stress again. But I'm the adult. Hmmm....with a crowd of students waiting to see what I'm gonna do, I have to make a decision. I want it dead but first, I don't want mice guts all over my shoe and second, the kids are wanting me to help it.  I take a breath and decide to use my foot to push it along and direct it to the fence....the whole time I'm freaking out on the inside! But what am I to do? I'm the adult....so here I go praying I don't have to lose my pants in front of my kids if a mouse ran up my leg! I was doing good when all of a sudden, as I was passing one of my girls, her foot slams down on top of the baby mouse (with a flip flop on). Total silence...no one moved. We all just held our mouths open..... then she raised her foot and it was still alive but dying. I said what'd you do? She said, "Mrs. Tonya, I hate them things!" I'm with her, but now I had to do something.  Ugh, so I stomp the thing again to finish it off...then I hear, "Mrs Tonya killed it!!" Uh, I was trying to save the disgusting little creature for you all. But whatever. Then I had to use my foot and move the mouse to the fence. This is not part of my job description. (For the record, I'm kinda thankful for my girl.... I do not like mice. One less in this world is ok with me)

A Life Well-Lived

    

     Recently, I was asked to define the characteristics of a life well-lived.  What does it take to be able to say a person’s life is or was well-lived?  A fancy house and nice cars in the garage? A quick climb up the career ladder to a position of wealth or power?  Becoming a world traveler visiting all of the best vacation destinations?  Joining a band and going on tour?  Becoming a famous author?  Painter?  Winning the lottery?  While all of these things sound wonderful, is that really what it takes to feel satisfied or to feel like you fulfilled your life’s purpose?  My heart says no.  But, if I’m being totally honest, often times my flesh says it is.  I would venture to say that most people battle with the same thoughts.  If I could just buy that extra large house with the in-ground pool or that sharp truck I’ve had my eye on… If I could just land that supervisor job… If I could just travel here or vacation there… If I could just make more money… If I could_____________... you fill in the blank.  There’s always something to fill in the blank.  But, in reality, a life well-lived has nothing to do with the size of our house or our bank account, the career we have, the amount of toys we have in our garages or vacations we’ve taken, or the number of followers we have on Facebook or Twitter.

            So, how do we define a “well-lived” life?  Is it because at the end of our days, someone will say “they lived a ‘good’ life”?  Does “good” somehow equal well-lived?  Partly, yes.  But, that’s only a minute detail of one’s life.

            We were created for a purpose.  We were created to have a relationship with Jesus…to love Him.  Everything we do should mirror the image of Christ, and ultimately, bring glory to His name.  A life well-lived comes from realizing our need for a relationship, a friendship, with Jesus.  A well-lived life allows Him to live through it.  When a person realizes how much Jesus loves them – enough to die for them – and totally surrenders their life to Him, He is able to live in and through them.  Their life will demonstrate many of the same characteristics we know of Jesus.  It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive or how much money you have.  What matters is Jesus.  A life well-lived is a life totally dedicated to allowing Jesus to shine through in EVERY detail.  It’s a life that understands how important it is to love Jesus.  And loving Jesus means loving people.

            Two names come to mind.  Doug and Connie.  Two people who love Jesus.  Two people who are living life well – in totally different ways. 

            My friend, Doug, is the executive director of Tiny Hands International, an organization created to combat human trafficking.  He has poured his heart into the work they are doing, traveling the world to speak and raise awareness of the horrors of human trafficking, funding his own trips to visit Nepal and help in the children’s homes they’ve begun, and meeting with people from all over the world to advance the work being done.  And why?  Because he has a passion to let his life be used by Jesus.  His heart is overflowing with love.  Because he loves Jesus.  Period.

            My friend, Connie, is a Christian wife and mother of six.  She has faced many trials in her life, suffered much loss, and has had many ups and downs.  Most recently being her youngest son’s battle with hepatoblastoma.  However, through it all, she has kept her faith.  When most people would have thrown in the towel, Connie fought.  Her life has become a powerful testimony, and her family has become a light to over 18 thousand people all over the world via Facebook.  Through it all, she continues to value family and the importance of being there for each other.  She has poured her heart into showing the world the love of Jesus by the way she lives.  And why?  Because she has a passion to let her life be used by Jesus.  Her heart, amidst all the pain and hurt, is overflowing with love.  Because she loves Jesus. Period.

            Both Doug and Connie have figured out how to have a life well-lived.  And their lives seem nothing alike.  A life well-lived does not look the same for everyone.  It’s about understanding the importance of loving Jesus and allowing Him to use you no matter where life takes you.  That’s a life well-lived!

Always busy - How about You???

    

Hey guys! I haven't written anything in awhile, so I hope you haven't forgotten who I am :) This summer has flown by, and it seems that there's been lots going on.  Everything we've had going on has been good or fun, just busy.  The girls and I have been volunteering at Hope Reins, a youth/horse ranch in our community.  We went camping on the beach for a week, which was amazing! My brother's family came to visit for a few days, so we had some good family time.  Mahla's been working, Anthony's had to go on a strict, medical diet for a month so we've been learning to shop and cook to accommodate that, we've had get togethers with friends, and the girls have had some sleepovers.... busy, busy, busy.  And as the school year quickly approaches, I anticipate an even lengthier list of "things to do", especially since I'm moving from 5th grade back to 2nd.
     One thing I've noticed this summer though is that being busy doesn't have to be a bad thing.  Often we have a tendency to associate the word busy with stress.  The more we have on our plates, the more we feel stressed and pressured to get everything done.  And we all know that stress is no fun, not to mention very unhealthy.  So, how do we keep our busy lifestyles a positive thing instead of weighing us down? Ultimately, how we deal with the busy-ness of life comes back to Jesus.  Our ability to handle the whirlwind of chaos surrounding our lives depends on the depth of our relationship with Him.  How do we deepen our relationship with Jesus? The same way you deepen any relationship.....you spend time with Him.  Busy doesn't have to be bad as long as it doesn't take away from your intimate time with your Savior.  And as your relationship with Jesus deepens, you will feel differently about the things you are involved in.  Will you be physically tired? Yes, absolutely.  We are human.  But, you will also be filled with joy.  You will be able to see things in a different light....a God light.  Life and the things you accomplish become special and meaningful. So, if you feel like there's just too much on your plate, take something off.  Learn to say no.  Just know that the one thing that should never be pushed aside is your intimate time with Jesus.
     One last thought from a conversation I had with my momma :) ..... Do we have seasons or times in life where we are able to spend more time digging deeper into the Word and drawing closer to Jesus? If that's true for you (and I'm betting it is), take advantage of those times.  Maybe it's those times that prepare us for the seasons in life that push us to our limits, the seasons in life that keep us from studying, the circumstances that are often beyond our control...

My prayer for you is that you will keep God first, enjoy your busy schedules, cherish the quiet moments with Jesus, take advantage of any opportunities to deepen your relationship with Him, and no matter where you are or what you are doing, work at it with all your heart!

Thanks for reading!

True Identity

Hi. My name is Tonya. I'm a wife, a mother, a teacher in a public school, a preschool teacher at my church, a hobby artist, and a newbie at Bible art journaling and blogging.  I'm someone's best friend, someone's coworker, someone's daughter. I like to read, hike, camp, and be outside.  This is me.  This is who I am.  But, do these things define who I really am? 

As humans, we pour our all into what we are.  We work to be a part of something -- we strive to be known as something...something good.  We are proud of our titles. We work hard to be great at what we do.  And, that's awesome.  Even the Bible says that "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as for the Lord" Col. 3:23.  So, if you are a husband or wife, work to be the best spouse you can be.  If you're a parent, be the best parent you know how to be.  In your jobs, your hobbies, your relationships...work to be the best.  Give it your all - with enthusiasm.  BUT, what if all of that was suddenly gone? What if you find yourself with none of what you've worked so hard for?

I'm not trying to be the bearer of bad news or all doom and gloom here, but over time, all of the things we've "become" in this world will eventually change.  Maybe by choice or through the inevitable cycle of life or maybe even extreme or unfortunate circumstances.  And when that happens, who will we be then? Often times, people find themselves lost - not knowing where to go or what to do next.  They have been pouring every ounce of time, energy, and resources they had into who they were, but something happened that changed the dynamics of their life and they are left asking "what do I do now?"

God wants us to find our true identity in Him...our joy, our purpose... it's all found in our Father.  We were created by Him, for Him.  Every second of our existence should be spent glorifying our creator.  The other titles we hold are temporary perks, or bonuses, God has blessed us with.  But our main identity should be found solely in God.  As Christians, 1 John 3:1 reminds us of who we are... "What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it -- we're called CHILDREN OF GOD! That's who we really are..." (Message Bible)  Let that sink in a minute.  Close your eyes and think about the fact that you belong to the creator of the universe.  He loves you, and He created you in His image. We are His sons and daughters.  That's who we really are. When we begin to grasp the reality that above everything else we are, we are His, we will find a joy and peace we've never felt before.

If you begin to find your identity as a child of the King and still hold those titles that make up your life, enjoy it! And be blessed.  The quicker we realize our true identity and what really defines who we are, the more we can enjoy our temporary lives here on Earth -- our relationships, our jobs, our hobbies.  We can relax and have fun knowing that no matter what, we belong to Jesus.  We are His... a child of the King!  That's who we are.

That's who I am. I am a child of the King, a daughter of the creator of the universe.  I belong to a God who loves me, who knows every single detail about me, and who wants to have a relationship with me. My prayer is that God will help me continue to live my life to the fullest, not because I'm trying to create a life for myself based on my titles or position in this world, but because I know who I am in Him. 

That's my prayer for you too!  Begin to understand who you are in Christ and live your life to the fullest! Enjoy every part of this life as a child of the King! Smile! You are His!

Thanks for reading!

From a Bible Art Journaling beginner...

     As a Bible journaling beginner, I just thought I would share with you what I use to study scriptures creatively right now.  I have been reading numerous blogs about the different supplies that people had purchased and the types of note-taking/wide margin Bibles bloggers were using.  There are so many brands and types of art supplies that look amazing! And I cannot wait until I can decide and get my hands on my own wide margin Bible...... but I'm so indecisive about what I want.

     I could not wait to start art journaling though! So, I'm using the Bible I already have and doodling like crazy!  I'm a bit more limited on what supplies I can use since I have no margins and everything I do goes over the words (or on the introduction pages of the books).  Along with my "regular" Bible, I also picked up a cheap journal from Ollie's to journal in.  For now, I have highlighters, colorful BIC pens, gel pens, a black ultra fine point Sharpie marker, and colored pencils....stuff I already had or found cheap at Walmart.  Colored pencils work perfectly over the words - the picture shows up great but the words can still be read easily. My favorite colored pencils, Prismacolor, were given to me as a gift. (Thanks, Helen!) Originally, they were to use in my sketchbooks....I had never even heard of Bible journaling at that point.  Thank goodness for these colored pencils though! They really are awesome for my Bible! :)

  
     But now I've done enough artwork in this Bible that it will be hard to move on to another one once I decide on the one I want...... I will though, and I'm sure I will love having the wide margins to use for notes or to draw using other forms of media, but I am loving the look and personalization of my current Bible. :)  And I'm sure once I have a different Bible, I will still randomly return to my old one. So, for anyone that has wanted to start Bible journaling but doesn't have a wide margin Bible, I say go for it anyway! Grab some colored pencils and get creative with the Bible you currently use!!

     What I've found out about Bible Art Journaling is that it keeps me focused, and it also helps me remember the references to meaningful verses in the Word.  It also helps me gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of many verses because I have to study them before I know what I want to draw.  I also find myself looking back through my artwork almost daily, which means I am reading the same verses over and over..... hopefully causing it to "stick" in my brain and in my heart. Plus, it's just plain fun!  You should give it a try. And, you don't have to have a ton of supplies to get started.......just use what you already have!

     I'd love to know if anyone reading this blog post does journaling.  Feel free to leave a comment.....what type of Bible do you have and what supplies do you just love?  I'd also love to hear from those of you who are just beginning like me! What did you start out with or what have you found that is totally amazing? I love sharing new ideas. :)

Thanks for reading!!

    

Guard Your Heart

Why is it so important that we guard our hearts? 

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." 

     There are specific reasons why it is so important that above everything else, we should guard our hearts.  Think about your heart.  Every emotion you've felt, every relationship you've had,  every dream you've had, and every passion you've had for things in your life.....it all comes from your heart.  It's who you are.  It is the source of everything we think, say, and do.  Your heart is valuable, and valuable things are meant to be guarded.  That's why we buy security systems for our homes - to keep our valuable things guarded.  Because your heart is so valuable, it is also under constant attack.  Thieves never try to steal our garbage....they go for the best, most valuable things we own.  Satan is a thief and he is trying to attack your heart.  He will use circumstances and disappointments in our lives to try to get us to lose heart......so we have to guard it.  And the best way to guard it is to fill it with Jesus.

>>>>>For me, my prayer is that I can always work to guard my heart and that I live a life where everything I do points to Jesus.

>>>>>For you, my prayer is that you would understand just how valuable your heart is and how important it is that you guard it from the enemy.

"If we lose heart, we have lost everything."

Thanks for reading!!

SUPERHERO PARENTING POWERS?!?!

     Hey guys! I am writing this blog as a parent of a teenager and an almost preteen :)  If you are reading this and you are not a parent, it's likely that you will be one day or you will at least play a part in the life of a young person at some point in your life.... so keep reading. It's for you, too. In an age where social media has taken over, a "do what makes you happy or feel good" mentality is pushed, and an "it's all about me" attitude is the normal, we have a huge task ahead of us as parents if we want to teach our kids to live their lives for God. The demands of the world and the need to fit in are not going to go away or ease up....they'll only get stronger. So, who's freaked out as a parent now???? To be honest, I am.
     So, what now? We realize that we live in a broken world; one that is pulling our young people in every direction possible except toward Jesus. We also understand that teenagers have a huge longing to fit in with their peers and to be what society views as popular. But, if you watch and listen long enough, you will also notice that nothing being offered is working to fill that hole in their lives....no matter what they try, it's not enough.  That is why we continue to hear about new ideas, new drugs, new fashion statements, new trends, etc. Teens continue to push the limits to try to fit in and to be "cool".  As a parent of two daughters, realizing these things is why I am a little freaked out.  Ok, if I really think about it, alot freaked out.
     It is likely that unless you are some sort of superhero, you will not be able to change the world so that your teenager can just glide right through these years and come out on the other side ready to tackle the adult world. And, I'll admit it...I'm not Wonder Woman and although my husband argues that no one has seen both him and Batman in a room together, he is not Batman. Sorry, honey.  So, where does that leave us "regular" parents?
     We have to start with ourselves and our own families. We can't change the world, but through Jesus, we can work toward changing the mindset of our own kids.  Teenagers will always have things that look appealing and desirable in the moment.  We have to teach our teens that it's not about feeling good in the moment.  They need to know that it's ok to be different than the world.  Romans 12:2 says, " Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God.  You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it.  Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (from the Message) How do we teach our kids to fix their attention on God? How do we teach them to be like Christ in a world that constantly screams conformity?  We have to train them.  Training is an active process lived out daily in all areas of our lives. It's not about just memorizing verses and going to church every week.  It's about living every day according to God's word.  Training comes from observation.  Our kids need to see us truly living life with our attention set on Jesus.  Every decision we make should be made with Jesus at the center.  Our lifestyle, who we hang out with, our actions, how we handle problems, what we allow into our minds....all of that should mirror a lifestyle like Jesus.  Our kids don't need someone preaching at them about how they should live.  They need to see their parents living out a Godly life in front of them.  And they need to see that living for God can be fun. :)
     My oldest child is at the beginning of her teenager years, so I am just beginning this new chapter in my parenting journey..... I will likely read every parenting book I can find, ask other parents for advice, cry, get mad, and do anything else that I can throughout this process..... But, I do know where I'm going to start. It starts with me....and lots of prayer.  I pray that I can live my life according to Romans 12:2 and that as I fix my attention on God, my daughters will see something in me worth imitating....worth striving to do or be in their own lives. I hope that's your prayer, too.
     I do know that this will not be an easy task and that my husband and I will fail many times as parents, but I also know that my daughters are worth it.....and that no matter how many times we fail, we have to get right back up and keep striving to live a Godly life in front of them.  My kids are worth it.....your kids are worth it..... remember "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).... WE CAN DO THIS!!!!

Thanks for reading!