Who is the Judge?

I am not into politics or likely to get into a political debate. This does not mean that I do not care, because I do. I am worried about our country and I am worried about who will be the next President. However, I am doing what I can do: praying for the outcome. Praying that God will give us all wisdom as we consider who to elect as our next President. Everyone has an opinion on who is best and most people have a lot to say about the candidates that are running. All you have to do is turn on the news or scroll through Facebook to see what people have to say. People are lashing out in anger and saying lots of things about the candidates. This reminded me about a passage in John 8 where a woman was caught in adultery. The law in that time was that the woman was to be stoned to death. As the people questioned Jesus He said to them, "Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." The people began to slowly go away, Jesus turned to the woman and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" to which the woman replied, "No one, sir." Jesus said to her, "Then neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more."

As we are tempted to judge the people and their actions around us, I want to remind us all, that we are not the judge and jury of others, only God is.

I was reading my devotions this morning and I came across a VERY timely message from the Psalms, which we can apply to the political situation we are currently facing. This next portion of this blog is taken from Warren Wiersbe's commentary entitled Be Exultant.

In Psalm 94 we can see that few problems cause God's people to question His rule more than "Why do the helpless and the godly suffer and the wicked get away with their crimes?" This Psalm (94) teaches us that the righteous have four responsibilities:

1) Praying to the Lord for Justice (vv.1-7) God's requirement for His people is that they "do justly...love mercy, and...walk humbly with their God" (Micah 6:8), for the lord loves justice and hears the prayers of those who have been treated unjustly. Since the Lord is omniscient, He is able to judge motives as well as actions that deal with situations and people justly (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 32:34, 41; Rom. 12:17-21; Heb. 10:30-31). We want the Lord to act immediately, but He is gracious and longsuffering (Ex.34:6-7), and we must walk by faith (Luke 18:1-8). The wicked convince themselves that God does not see their evil deeds (v.7), but He does!

2) Warning the Wicked of Their Danger (vv. 8-11) After praying to the Lord, we must confront the wicked with the truth, as the Lord gives us opportunity. If God is able to rule the nations by His providential decrees (Acts 17:24-28), is He unable to deal with a band of wicked officials who are breaking His law and exploiting His people? The subversive plans and plots of these evil leaders cannot be hidden from the Lord, nor will they go unpunished. Paul quoted this verse in 1 Corinthians 3:20 to warn church leaders in Corinth not to try to guide the church using the world's wisdom, but to rely only on the wisdom of God found in Scripture-the gold, silver, and precious stones (Proverbs 2:1-4; 3:13-15; 8:10-11, 18-19).

3) Accepting God's Discipline (vv. 12-15) The psalmist recognized the fact that the difficulties of life could help him mature in his faith. If God immediately rescued His people from their personal difficulties, they would become "spoiled brats" and never grow in faith or character. There is coming a time of judgment, but the Lord will spare His people from it. The psalmist believed in the justice of God, the future judgment of the wicked, and the promise of a righteous kingdom for the upright in heart.

4) Working with God for Justice (vv. 16-23) The psalmist  was experiencing the devious plots of the evil leaders and cried out to God for help. He knew the judges were twisting the law to exploit the poor (v.20), and he was slipping into a deep and dangerous situation.

In evil days, we give thanks that we have the Lord as our refuge and fortress. But we hid in Him, not that we may escape responsibility, but that we might be equipped to go forth and fight the enemy. 

In the end it is the Lord who knows the hearts of people and who will judge justly.-Warren Wiersbe

As I was typing this I also thought of a quote from Ann Voskamp, that states: 

"The hard things will be for good, the good things will be forever, the best things are forthcoming."

Remember who the Judge is, accept that He knows best and let him who is without sin cast the first stone to those you are wanting to judge. I make mistakes, I mess up and I would not want the whole world talking trash about me, think before you speak (or type). 

Unbelief

As I was doing my devotions this morning several things I was reading really resonated with me. It's an area where I struggle...get it under control...then struggle again. 

I am sure you can relate. 

The first thought that really captured my attention was from Warren Wiersbe, "While it's normal for us to hope for a quick way of escape and important for us to understand our feelings and circumstances, it's far more important to look to God and ask for His help."(emphasis mine)

I have to admit that this stepped on my toes a bit. I chewed on that thought for a few minutes as I have things I want God to fix right away (hello, genie in the bottle?), but at times I forget to look to God and actually ask for His help...I'd rather complain about the problem than go to the one Who could fix it...anybody else struggle with that?!

Anyway, I moved on and kept going when a few minutes later the second thought hit hard, "Unbelief almost always underestimates God and magnifies our personal weakness and problems. Unbelief sees only giants, problems, impossibility and obstacles. Unbelief leaves God out of the equation and never acts or stands firm on the truth of God's Word."-Krista Williams

Ouch...that one stepped harder on my toes and putting these two thoughts together I really felt like there was a huge finger pointing right at me. 

Are their areas of your life that you are only seeing giants and impossibilities? Do the obstacles seem bigger than you are? I hear you. I find myself saying a lot recently, concerning one thing in particular that "I just don't understand how it's going to happen."

Can I just tell you that I am doubting in that area and FORGETTING to stand firm on the truth of God's word! Philippians 4:13 tells me that "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." IF God wants this situation to happen then He will make it happen. If it doesn't happen then that means that God does not want that particular thing for me in this season of my life. It does not mean that He doesn't care or He did not answer my prayer. 

It means that His will is greater than my wants!

I want to be like like the father in Mark whose son was possessed by an impure spirit who said "I do believe; Lord, help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

There is a song by FFH  called "Daniel" that started going through my head this morning and it says:

I want to be like Daniel in the Lion's den

Waiting for God's love to save him

I wanna be, I wanna be,

I want to be like Moses when he raised his hands

And all the winds and seas obeyed him

I wanna be, I wanna be

When  I need to drink from that living cup

When I need to fight but I give up

When I need to feel God more and more

I'm reminded of the ones who were here before

I don't know about you, but I want to be like Daniel who was facing impossible odds, but trusted God anyway. I want to be like Moses who was also facing impossible odds but trusted God despite impossible odds. I believe I am more like Jonah who was stubborn and headstrong, running from God first, before trusting that God's way is in fact the right way, and then obeying and trusting God.

What obstacles are you facing today? What giants are standing in your way? Who do you want to be? One who lets unbelief and giants hurl you into the pit of despair? Or one who acknowledges that those giants and struggles are big and real, but my God is BIGGER?

There are many things we will never understand this side of heaven, but can I encourage you that if you trust in the one true God, He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will provide all you need, not all you want. His ways are not our ways.

Weeds

For Mother's Day this year I gave my mother-in-law a coupon for 3 hours of our time to do whatever she needed done around her house. I was thinking cleaning the inside of the house or organizing or something like that. Never did I dream that she would ask me to help with weeding her flower gardens. I was like are you sure? You sure you don't want me to help clean out your closet or SOMETHING?! Anything other than pull the weeds? But, she wanted help with her weeds. So, the kids and I went and spent time helping her weed her flower gardens. When we left her house I was exhausted, but felt I had done a pretty good job.

When I pulled into my driveway I was STUNNED. When did I get weeds in MY flower garden?? How did I not notice?! I swear they must have all grown in while I was at my mother-in-laws house! However, since I know that is impossible, I will say that it must have happened and I was so busy with the other things going on in my life that I never noticed until I took the time out to weed someone else's garden. So of course it's been eating at me to get out there and take care of my weeds.

Sin is like that too. It roots in and festers before we ever notice that it's there...and if we are not careful it will start choking out the life in us. It starts out as one little weed or one little sin, but before you know it there are so many weeds you don't know where it started or where you should begin to pull them out.

One thing I noticed as I started pulling my weeds is that one weed  looked pretty innocent...but the longer I examined it and tried to find the root, I realized it had multiple roots...6 in fact. Sin is like this too. It starts out as one little sin...then before you know it, it has taken over different parts of your life. You find it hard to realize where it started and where and when it is going to end. I would encourage you to find the roots and start there. You may not even realize you are in sin...until you start pointing out someone else's...and then you hear that little voice saying what about that little lie you told? Or when you yelled at your kids, or spouse or parents? What about when you sat there gossiping? Or what about what you were just looking at on the computer? Or the way you looked at your co-worker? Or the bitterness you are holding onto because things have not turned out how you thought they should? Or when you...???

Some roots are so deep that you need extra help getting them out. I found that there were some roots that I had to take the spade after, and even then it was difficult to get it out. Some sins are so deep that we need to spend time in prayer, trying to figure out where it came from. We may need to go apologize to someone or confess what we have done.

I want to be like David who said "Create in my a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10)."

1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

What weeds are growing in your garden?

What do you need to take time to clean out today?

Get rid of it

A move is a perfect time to get de-clutter, simplify and get rid of stuff. Knowing we were going to be moving again, the last year in Greece we gave away a lot of clothes, books, and toys. I thought I had done a good job of getting rid of stuff.

Until we got in our new house.

Once we got in our house we unloaded the suitcases we had brought with us and our airshipment. I set to organizing right away, because that is what I do. I soar in an organized space, but I flounder and flop in clutter. I just can't handle it. Then we got our storage stuff....what?! What is all this stuff?! I did not realize we had so much stuff. So, I set about trying to organizing that too, again, because that is what I do. The next day we got our sea shipment.

I was drowning in clutter and disorganized chaos.

We have never had such an unorganized move. It was not even our fault. When the movers in Greece (6 of them) packed out our stuff, Matt couldn't keep an eye on all of them (for those doing math, it was one Matt and 6 movers and 8 separate areas that they were packing up.) So, when we got our stuff, one box would have homeschool stuff, but was labeled toys, so it ended up upstairs instead of downstairs. Another box was labeled dining room, but somehow ended up upstairs. Some boxes had toys from Kayla's room, toys from Elijah's room and some homeschool stuff!!! It was a mess.

I don't understand the thinking process that went behind the boxes. When the movers unpack stuff they literally just take everything out of the box and sit it on the floor. Which I prefer. That way I don't have to get rid of the boxes and I can see what is what. As I was sorting stuff I was sitting it near the stairs...top or bottom depending on which direction the item needed to go. I told the kids not to walk up or down the stairs empty handed, to carry something in the direction it needed to go. I carried books up and down the stairs for 4 solid days!!! Everything ached. My arms and hands still ache (I am not exaggerating).

As I was sitting on my homeschool room floor trying to get everything organized, I snapped. Why did we have so much stuff?? I had been cleaning it out every.single.year...there should not be this much clutter!!

Why was I holding onto stuff that we NEVER used?! What was the point of that? Did I really think if I had not used it in 5 YEARS I was suddenly going to use it now?! Um, no. That was the final straw. In the last 5 years we have lived in 3 different houses/countries...and I had packed and unpacked this stuff enough. I realized I needed to quit holding onto this stuff that I never used! It was not bringing me joy, it was causing a lot of frustration as I was trying to organize it and I did not have enough space for it all. As I was cleaning this stuff out (at least a hundred books/games/puzzles) I wondered what else I was holding onto that I did not need.

Stress.

Depression.

Feelings of being overwhelmed.

Aggravation.

Annoyance.

Bitterness.

Wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.

I could go on, but I will not because you get the point. What about you? What are you holding onto that you need to get rid of? Do you have clothes in your closet that you haven't worn in 10 years? I think you can get rid of them. Shoes you never wear? Get rid of it. Knicknacks that you are tired of dusting around, that you don not know what to do with them? Get rid of it? Jealousy over something? Get rid of it. Anger at someone that you have not let got of? Get rid of it! Bitterness that your life has turned out how you wanted it?? I get it!! Get rid of it!!!!!!!!!!! Did you know that holding onto these things can actually make you sick??? Did you know that their is an actual disorder for prolonged bitterness?? It's called PTED (posttraumatic embitterment disorder). People actually experience symptoms of anxiety, depression and rage from this disorder. Is that bitterness you are holding onto worth the way it is making you feel? Is that anger worth it? Are you finding joy in the clutter around you?! If not, get rid of it!!! You will feel so much better, mentally and physically.

I love this verse:

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV)."

Life is so incredibly short you all. So incredibly short. Get rid of the things in your home that are not bringing you joy. Get rid of the things in your life that are bringing you down. Get rid of the people that are not healthy for you. Clean out the clutter and reclaim your life, find joy in the everyday moments, make them count, because you do not get a chance to do life over. Focus on the people and things that do matter and let go of the things that do not. You will be so much happier and healthier if you do.

House and Job Update

It has been a while since I have updated the blog. One of my sweet friends reached out to me and thought maybe it was a comment she had made that prevented me from doing any more posts. So, rest assured, it is not you that has prevented me from writing, we have just been slammed with life. In addition to keeping up with the kids school work, I was keeping up with my two classes, we were house hunting, then having meetings about the house, traveling back and forth from Concord to Charlotte and waiting to hear on Matt's job situation. Since the last time I have written, Kayla has gotten braces, we accepted our air shipment, we put over 500 miles on our van just for house hunting, over 2000 miles in traveling back and forth from here to TN and other things we have done around town,  Elijah had four teeth pulled and goes back this morning for an evaluation to see if he will need more teeth pulled or if they are going to put spacers in where he had the last teeth pulled, plus he was sick last week.
We also put an offer in on a new house, that was accepted and we are moving ahead with closing. While this is a very good thing, we had to compromise on a lot of what we wanted, so in some ways it's really bittersweet. Every single day some new obstacle has popped up over the last few months, I wish I could say this is an exaggeration, but it is not. I am not in any way trying to complain, I am simply laying out a few details, I will spare you most of them so that it doesn't seem like I am complaining.
Matt took an addition month off of work in the hopes to get a good job and just have the job situation settled before having to go back to work. On Thursday we found out he did not get the job we were hoping for. Today he goes back to work, but in a position they have determined they will put him in and it is a demotion. So, today is also bittersweet. We had a lot of hopes and dreams when we moved back from Greece and quite frankly none of them are coming to fruition.
I had two more classes that were supposed to start today, but since we will be moving into our house soon and there is so much to do, I dropped the two classes. I got burned here as well, but will move on. I hope to pick them back up in September.
So, today, Matt goes back to work after 7 weeks off. As I mentioned a moment ago, this is bittersweet. We are very thankful that he has a job. I am thankful that he is going back to work today as this is the first step of us getting back to a "normal" schedule. The kids and I came back to NC 10 weeks ago today, which is how long we have  been in transition (so far!). Matt came back 7 weeks ago. This week will be hard on us, especially Elijah as we have gotten used to Matt being around all the time.
Next Wednesday we are set to close on our house (pray everything goes smoothly). We will attempt to start painting the house on Wednesday. On Friday we will get our storage shipment and the following Monday we get our air shipment. We are going to be very busy trying to get everything settled...and that Thursday Elijah will turn 11!!! My class that I am still in (and it is kicking my tail!!!) ends April 8th. Hoping to finish strong, but would appreciate prayers through all of these chaotic events!
We have had a lot of questions as to where we are going to go to church, so I will say here we have not made any solid decisions. We are not going to burn a bunch of bridges. We have literally been taking it one day at a time, which is all we can do. Right now we are living in my father-in-laws house and we are attending his church, it's just easier and we of course love the church and the people.  Life has been completely overwhelming and still is. We will continue to make the decisions as we have to, but I refuse to plan to far ahead, I simply can't. I have to focus on today and the tasks that need to be done in this day!
One final note, as a reminder to our family and friends...I had said before once we get settled we were not traveling for 6 months to a year...this still holds true. If you are not in the immediate area we are not making any plans to travel. We need time to settle and heal. We are weary, battered and bruised. We want to see you all and would love to have you come see us!!! Thank you for understanding this.
We are looking forward to getting our suitcases unpacked and we are thankful that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are looking forward to being settled, hopefully for a really good, LONG time!!!
As you think of us, continue to pray for us. I know the Lord has great plans for us and we are just waiting to see the good that will come out of all of this.
"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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

Not the bug :)

Today is Friday!!! Hallelujah! It has been a long week, month, year!!! However, today I am rejoicing. Why? Because it is Friday. Here are a few things I LOVE about this particular Friday:

I have had hugs and kisses from my loved ones...I am LOVED!

My loved ones are all healthy.....we are blessed!!!!

It is Friday!!!....that mean's it's the weekend!

We built a bonfire....we are blessed!

WE roasted hotdogs.....we had food to eat.....we are blessed!

The hotdogs were super yummy...........we are blessed :)!!!!

WE made smores......we are blessed :)

I had Ghiradelli Carmel chocolates that I used to make S'mores.....I am doubly blessed!!!!

Don't worry, we had the stuff for regular S'mores as well :)!!! Still blessed!!!

Matt and I sat around the bonfire talking for at least an hour....quality time...I am blessed!!!

Not every day is going to be great and sunshine and roses. The hard days make us appreciate the good days even more. So after a month or so of hard days I am incredibly thankful for this good day. I am thankful for PERSPECTIVE. I know in the scheme of things these hard days are a mere blip. I know that EVENTUALLY we will know which job Matt is going to get in Charlotte and then we will FINALLY be able to get in a routine. But, today, that doesn't matter. At least he will have a job and eventually we will get our routines back.

I hope you all have a FABULOUS FRIDAY AND AN AMAZING WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you all for your encouragement and love.

I am blessed beyond measure to have friends like YOU in my life!!

Sometimes you are the bug

This morning as I came out to the kitchen to start the coffee pot, there was a stink bug on the floor. I looked right at him and told him I wasn't messing with him. I did not want to stink the place up with all his poisonous, stinky fumes. Yesterday, I was that bug. I had a nasty attitude and if anyone had bothered to mess with me I would have been putting those stinky poisonous fumes all over the place. I don't want to make excuses, so I won't. Life is very difficult right now and I have a lot of things hitting me all at once, and I was just completely overwhelmed by life. I didn't want to be the bug. I sat down, had a good cry and tried to get all those emotions out, but it just wasn't enough. I love what Lysa TerKeurst has to say about our emotions, "I can face things that are out of my control and not act out of control." Ouch. Can I really?! I know I can, I know it is a choice, but in the heat of the moment, do I let me emotions control me? Or do I have control over my emotions. Sigh. Yesterday, my emotions definitely had the control and I acted out of control. Not only with my words, but also my eating. I won't mention what I ate or how much, but let's just say it wasn't pretty. I am not going to dwell here, but today are you the bug? Are you stuck in a seemingly impossible situation and you can't see the way out? You are tired and weary of the situation and just about everything else? Lysa has a few more words of wisdom, that speaks to my heart, and hopefully to yours as well "God does work for the good... in all things... every single thing... even our most raw and seemingly impossible things... but we must know it even when we don't feel it and let God have His way."