So...we were on our way home from Church Saturday night and my husband asked if we just wanted to stop and get something to eat and take it home. "Not cook?" I thought, sounds perfect to me. We decided on Subway that is located inside our Loves store. Chris announced to the kids that we were going to Subway and they could each pick out one piece of candy too. My son replied, "Yes! We are so rich!" Chris and I looked at each and both said simultaneously, "Yep, we are!" It was such a great moment that I will never forget and it just reminded me of how rich we really are. Sometimes we get so focused on what we don't have that we lose sight of what we do have. I am so thankful that we all have closets full of clothes, we each have beds to sleep in, and we even get to go to Subway every once in a while. I want to ask you-What are you thankful for today? I want you to think of 5 things that God has provided you and your family and say a prayer of Thanksgiving! Wouldn't it be awesome if God got flooded with prayers of Praise!
Ladies, We are so rich!!!!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Amnesia
Hello my Friends!
I hope you had a great Easter with your family and celebrated the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!!
One of my favorite things about Easter every year is the watching of the classic movie The Ten Commandments (No, I was not watching the Final Four-my bracket was shot). Even though I have watched Charleston Heston year after year lead the Israelites out of Egypt, there was one thing that kept jumping out at me. It was the fact that the Israelites kept getting amnesia. They were witnesses to some of the most amazing miracles in the Bible from the plagues, to being freed, to water coming out of a rock so they could have something to drink, Oh and the small miracle of parting the Red Sea. Are you kidding me? They walked on dry land with a wall of water on both sides of them! But yet they still doubted, questioned his presence, and even started worshipping a golden calf when they didn't hear from God immediately. I was just amazed at the lack of faith "God's people" had in God.
I started thinking about my own life and my own trials and I realized I have done and still do this same thing. I often ask "God where are you?" "Are you still there?" "Do you even hear me anymore?" And have even tried to do things my own way when God just wasn't moving fast enough. All this when I, too, have been a part of some great miracles in my life from healed marriages within my family, 3 miracle babies, God working out situations in coaching etc. He has shown his faithfulness time and time again. The bible teaches us that God IS faithful even when we are faithless. Praise the Lord!!!
Whatever you are facing today in your family, marriage, school, job, relationships, it is time to get your memory back and remember that God has been faithful before-He will be faithful again and again and again!!!
I hope you had a great Easter with your family and celebrated the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!!
One of my favorite things about Easter every year is the watching of the classic movie The Ten Commandments (No, I was not watching the Final Four-my bracket was shot). Even though I have watched Charleston Heston year after year lead the Israelites out of Egypt, there was one thing that kept jumping out at me. It was the fact that the Israelites kept getting amnesia. They were witnesses to some of the most amazing miracles in the Bible from the plagues, to being freed, to water coming out of a rock so they could have something to drink, Oh and the small miracle of parting the Red Sea. Are you kidding me? They walked on dry land with a wall of water on both sides of them! But yet they still doubted, questioned his presence, and even started worshipping a golden calf when they didn't hear from God immediately. I was just amazed at the lack of faith "God's people" had in God.
I started thinking about my own life and my own trials and I realized I have done and still do this same thing. I often ask "God where are you?" "Are you still there?" "Do you even hear me anymore?" And have even tried to do things my own way when God just wasn't moving fast enough. All this when I, too, have been a part of some great miracles in my life from healed marriages within my family, 3 miracle babies, God working out situations in coaching etc. He has shown his faithfulness time and time again. The bible teaches us that God IS faithful even when we are faithless. Praise the Lord!!!
Whatever you are facing today in your family, marriage, school, job, relationships, it is time to get your memory back and remember that God has been faithful before-He will be faithful again and again and again!!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Great night!
I just wanted to share with you what happened in the Roberts' house last night. We were doing our night time ritual of prayers and reading the bible with the kids and the story was Jesus getting baptized. We were just asking them questions about baptism and if they knew why people get baptized. It was really just normal night time conversation about our bible story before going to bed. After the potty, drinks etc. everybody was in bed and I was in Chloe's closet getting her clothes out for the next day when I heard,
"Mommy."
"Yes, Chloe?"
"I want Jesus to come live in my heart."
As tears ran down my face, I yelled at Chris to come here. I told her to repeat to Chris what she had said and she did. We looked at each other and knelt down beside her bed. Chris asked her why she wanted Jesus to come live in her heart and with the most innocent, sarcastic voice she said, "Dad, because He doesn't live there now."
We prayed the prayer to ask Jesus to come live in her heart with her in her bed.
Does she fully understand what exactly it means to be saved or born again or even grasp what Jesus did so she could ask him to come live in her heart. No She doesn't, but God reminded me
of the blind man who was born blind and Jesus healed him. The Pharisees were questioning him to find out what exactly happened-trying to find fault in Jesus in some way. When they asked the man about Jesus and what Jesus had done for him they said, "Give glory to God, we know this man (Jesus) is a sinner." The healed blind man replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind and now I see!"
He didn't fully understand what was going on, but what he did know was that he was blind and now he sees. Chloe doesn't fully understand the decision she made, but what she does know is that Jesus wasn't there before and now He is. Praise the Lord!!!!!
I never thought I would have a happier day than the day she was born. I was wrong-I have joy like I have never felt before-it is the day she was born again!
"Mommy."
"Yes, Chloe?"
"I want Jesus to come live in my heart."
As tears ran down my face, I yelled at Chris to come here. I told her to repeat to Chris what she had said and she did. We looked at each other and knelt down beside her bed. Chris asked her why she wanted Jesus to come live in her heart and with the most innocent, sarcastic voice she said, "Dad, because He doesn't live there now."
We prayed the prayer to ask Jesus to come live in her heart with her in her bed.
Does she fully understand what exactly it means to be saved or born again or even grasp what Jesus did so she could ask him to come live in her heart. No She doesn't, but God reminded me
of the blind man who was born blind and Jesus healed him. The Pharisees were questioning him to find out what exactly happened-trying to find fault in Jesus in some way. When they asked the man about Jesus and what Jesus had done for him they said, "Give glory to God, we know this man (Jesus) is a sinner." The healed blind man replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind and now I see!"
He didn't fully understand what was going on, but what he did know was that he was blind and now he sees. Chloe doesn't fully understand the decision she made, but what she does know is that Jesus wasn't there before and now He is. Praise the Lord!!!!!
I never thought I would have a happier day than the day she was born. I was wrong-I have joy like I have never felt before-it is the day she was born again!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The best quote ever!!!
So...I was on facebook and I ran across a guy who was in my youth group back in the day and had this as one of his favorite quotes: God never said it would be easy. He just said it would be worth it! I love it! That quote hit me right between the eyes. Is this not so true in every aspect of our life?
Wait for the right person to marry-It will be worth it
Wait to have sex before you get married-It will be worth it
Wait on the job that is perfect for you and your family-It will be worth it
Wait until you have the cash to pay for something-It will be worth it
Wait for God's direction and not your own-It will be worth it
Wait for God to answer your prayer-It will be worth it
It may be hard being bold for Christ in your work, home, friends-It will be worth it
It may be hard staying true and faithful to your family-It will be worth it
It may be hard living in a world that rejects God-It will be worth it
The Bible teaches us that if we lose our life we will gain it. Giving up our life is suppose to be the most freeing thing, but we like to make things difficult and make it the most trying thing. Francis Chan, pastor and author of Crazy Love says that when things go wrong or get hard, we tend to hold on to them a little tighter instead of giving them fully over to God. Why? Because when things are going great-God is doing a great job with my life. But when things start getting a little tough, we think God must need a little help and we grab the wheel back and try to take over. The Bible says that God works ALL things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Yes, even the hard times!
I want to encourage you each time you have a bad day, month, or even year resist the temptation to take the reigns back in your life. God never said it would be easy-He just said it would be worth it!!!!
Be encouraged today!!!!
Wait for the right person to marry-It will be worth it
Wait to have sex before you get married-It will be worth it
Wait on the job that is perfect for you and your family-It will be worth it
Wait until you have the cash to pay for something-It will be worth it
Wait for God's direction and not your own-It will be worth it
Wait for God to answer your prayer-It will be worth it
It may be hard being bold for Christ in your work, home, friends-It will be worth it
It may be hard staying true and faithful to your family-It will be worth it
It may be hard living in a world that rejects God-It will be worth it
The Bible teaches us that if we lose our life we will gain it. Giving up our life is suppose to be the most freeing thing, but we like to make things difficult and make it the most trying thing. Francis Chan, pastor and author of Crazy Love says that when things go wrong or get hard, we tend to hold on to them a little tighter instead of giving them fully over to God. Why? Because when things are going great-God is doing a great job with my life. But when things start getting a little tough, we think God must need a little help and we grab the wheel back and try to take over. The Bible says that God works ALL things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Yes, even the hard times!
I want to encourage you each time you have a bad day, month, or even year resist the temptation to take the reigns back in your life. God never said it would be easy-He just said it would be worth it!!!!
Be encouraged today!!!!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Have you sold your house?....Nope
Have you sold your house yet? I probably get asked that question at least once a day-every day. And every time, I reluctantly I have to mumble out the words...Nope not yet. When you are in the coaching profession, you kinda have to sike yourself up to move...again. You get tired of moving, but as for me, I am ready to move-now! I have to admit, I am all over the place in my prayers-I sometimes pray that our house will sell or that he would give my patience until it does or even ask for forgiveness for questioning God's whereabouts in all this. I just sometimes don't understand why God would lead us to this coaching job (which we love) in the town where I work, we go to church etc. and yet we still live somewhere else. You may have felt this way at some point or even right now. I will tell you something that helps me each time these thoughts creep into my mind.
I am encouraged by the story of David as a young shepherd boy. After God rejects Saul as King of Israel, He sends Samuel to the house of Jesse because "He had chosen one of his sons to be king." Samuel went to the house of Jesse and looked at all the older sons and even though they were very tall and handsome, God tells Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Samuel asks Jesse if he has any more sons and Jesse says, "There is still the youngest, but he is tending to the sheep." Sure enough, David is brought in and He is anointed to be the next King of Israel.
Even though David was told and called to be King by God-it wasn't time yet. So David went out and continued to tend to the sheep. He was then later called to play the harp for King Saul, killed a giant, fought in many battles, had to flee to live in a cave because King Saul wanted him dead, all while knowing that He was suppose to be King someday. I am sure at some point David was saying, "I am not sure what you are doing, God, but I will continue to go where you send me." Each one of these setbacks were actually set ups for what God was preparing to do in David and through David. Each test prepared David a little bit more to be the King God wanted him to be.
When David finally was seated at his calling as King of Israel, God said these words to him,
I am encouraged by the story of David as a young shepherd boy. After God rejects Saul as King of Israel, He sends Samuel to the house of Jesse because "He had chosen one of his sons to be king." Samuel went to the house of Jesse and looked at all the older sons and even though they were very tall and handsome, God tells Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Samuel asks Jesse if he has any more sons and Jesse says, "There is still the youngest, but he is tending to the sheep." Sure enough, David is brought in and He is anointed to be the next King of Israel.
Even though David was told and called to be King by God-it wasn't time yet. So David went out and continued to tend to the sheep. He was then later called to play the harp for King Saul, killed a giant, fought in many battles, had to flee to live in a cave because King Saul wanted him dead, all while knowing that He was suppose to be King someday. I am sure at some point David was saying, "I am not sure what you are doing, God, but I will continue to go where you send me." Each one of these setbacks were actually set ups for what God was preparing to do in David and through David. Each test prepared David a little bit more to be the King God wanted him to be.
When David finally was seated at his calling as King of Israel, God said these words to him,
"I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. ....The Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you....Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me, your throne will be established forever." 2 Samuel 7:8-15
Wow!! That gets me every time! I believe God is with us, preparing us for great things. May you too, find comfort in the story of David. God is faithful-even if we are faithless! Be encouraged today
Friday, January 8, 2010
New Year, New You
Happy New Year!!!
I hope you each had great Holiday season with your family and friends. I have never been one that made new years resolutions, but this year our pastor challenged us to pursue God in asking for one thing this year. Maybe its "one thing" you desire from God or "one thing" you lack or "one thing" you need to let go. Whatever it is I want to challenge you, like our pastor challenged us, to answer at least one of these questions. There is something God wants to do IN you while preparing to do something through you. Now for me, I could easily ask God to SELL OUR HOUSE!!! That could be my one thing, but what fun is that.
So, after much prayer and thought I have decided what my "one thing" will be this year: To be bold for the name of Christ in TRUTH and GRACE while having complete humility. Now if you know me, you might think, "Being bold is not a problem." Well, you are partly right:) I am called to be bold with truth and grace. There are times when I want to speak only truth without the grace, which comes off as being judgemental, but then there are times when I speak grace with little truth and it comes off being passive. The bible teaches us in John 1:17 that Jesus came in Truth and Grace and if I could show the people around me both-that would be awesome! Now, I added the last phrase "with complete humility" because I know myself. The moment I can fully understand showing both truth and grace, I want to remind myself it wasn't on my own, but with Christ and Christ alone! Galations 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives within me." OK, now that I have been real with you I want you to be real with me. What is your "one thing" for 2010? Let me know!!!
I hope you each had great Holiday season with your family and friends. I have never been one that made new years resolutions, but this year our pastor challenged us to pursue God in asking for one thing this year. Maybe its "one thing" you desire from God or "one thing" you lack or "one thing" you need to let go. Whatever it is I want to challenge you, like our pastor challenged us, to answer at least one of these questions. There is something God wants to do IN you while preparing to do something through you. Now for me, I could easily ask God to SELL OUR HOUSE!!! That could be my one thing, but what fun is that.
So, after much prayer and thought I have decided what my "one thing" will be this year: To be bold for the name of Christ in TRUTH and GRACE while having complete humility. Now if you know me, you might think, "Being bold is not a problem." Well, you are partly right:) I am called to be bold with truth and grace. There are times when I want to speak only truth without the grace, which comes off as being judgemental, but then there are times when I speak grace with little truth and it comes off being passive. The bible teaches us in John 1:17 that Jesus came in Truth and Grace and if I could show the people around me both-that would be awesome! Now, I added the last phrase "with complete humility" because I know myself. The moment I can fully understand showing both truth and grace, I want to remind myself it wasn't on my own, but with Christ and Christ alone! Galations 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives within me." OK, now that I have been real with you I want you to be real with me. What is your "one thing" for 2010? Let me know!!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Trying to sell the house
So....Chris has been at his new job for 7 months now and we are still commuting to work because we can't sell our house. I am not going to lie, it has been somewhat frustrating because everything has worked out so great with the new coaching position, except for the house. Do you know how hard it is to keep a house in "somewhat" showing condition with a 5, 3, and 7 month old? I just keep thinking "It would be so much easier if we didn't have to drive almost everyday and have to take our clothes with us if we are doing anything else in the evening." And then the lesson....there's always a lesson:)
I was preparing for the bible study I lead and it was over John 11 and the the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus to come and heal their brother, but Jesus waited. He waited until Lazarus had passed away to return to Bethany. He said these words to his disciples, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe." EVERYTHING we go through is to accomplish one thing and one thing only: so that you and I will believe and our faith in God Almighty will become stronger. You may have sent for Jesus in trying to sell a house or to save a lost friend or heal family member and it seems as though He is not coming, but in reality He is not coming right now and not in the way we want or choose. But HE will come!! He will come to us as our healer, comforter, counselor, and Savior! May you and I both walk in His timing and not our own!
Have a great Christmas!!!
I was preparing for the bible study I lead and it was over John 11 and the the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus to come and heal their brother, but Jesus waited. He waited until Lazarus had passed away to return to Bethany. He said these words to his disciples, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe." EVERYTHING we go through is to accomplish one thing and one thing only: so that you and I will believe and our faith in God Almighty will become stronger. You may have sent for Jesus in trying to sell a house or to save a lost friend or heal family member and it seems as though He is not coming, but in reality He is not coming right now and not in the way we want or choose. But HE will come!! He will come to us as our healer, comforter, counselor, and Savior! May you and I both walk in His timing and not our own!
Have a great Christmas!!!
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