Pages

Thursday, January 19, 2012

be inspired

Today I'm being inspired by these colorful art prints I found on Etsy and Pinterest.
I think I may have to get out my easel and watercolors!


Both above prints from The Wheat Field

Silver Ridge Studio

Stephanie Ryan Art

tumbler.com



Aren't these beautiful?




Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Give Me Jesus- Jeremy Camp

How beautiful would it be to start and end each day meditating on this song...

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Feeling Weak?

Need some nourishment for your soul?

I have to testify to how awesome our God is! Last night my son had trouble breathing during sleep. We have had many problems with him in the past where we have had to take him to the ER at 2 in the morning, so of course, I had Josiah sleep next to me so I could monitor him throughout the night. Pretty soon it was 3 am and I had gotten little sleep. I felt soo helpless and weary watching my son in his restless sleep. I broke down and cried out to God, telling Him I could not do this no longer, that I hated feeling soo helpless. At that exact moment, God placed this verse upon my heart...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9

If I had been standing at that moment, I'm pretty sure I would have fallen to my knees at the overwhelming presence I felt. At that moment I realized that as mothers we can not fix it all. That's why God asks us to give our burdens to Him. I realized how God uses humbling experiences to draw our attention back on Him. 
We are made for Him and by Him, therefore we are not  meant to live separate from Him.

Human weakness provides the ideal opportunity for the display of divine power.
(The classic example of power in weakness is the cross of Christ.*)

I thanked and praised God for revealing His word to me and prayed that if it was His will, to help Josiah sleep better that night. As I prayed I realized Jo had quieted and his breathing became easier as he fell deeper asleep.... Tears filled my eyes as I saw anew how God's mercies are never ending. I could not have taken away my son's problems, but God used that moment to show me how He cares for our smallest of needs.

It is not everyday that my prayers are answered when I ask of them, and I'll never know this side of heaven why God chose that prayer to answer, but I do know that God is strong even when we are weak. He is unchangeable. He is unfailing. And He will always remain faithful.

I wanted to share some scripture to hopefully bring you peace if you are feeling weary...

Jesus says in Matthew 11: 28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, 
and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength
1 Corinthians 1:25

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

And my favorite verse on this topic...

Do you not know?
 Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
          the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
                      and His understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary    
              and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
  and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40: 28-31



* Taken from NIV Study Bible notes by Zondervan

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

A Point To Ponder

For Christmas Brandon bought me a new Bible, and I couldn't be more thrilled with it. Every morning Josiah hops onto the side of our bed and listens as I read from the Bible. 
One of my favorite things about my Bible, is that it's a Study Bible. Yesterday I read this and wanted to share this point to ponder...


" Christ's death paid the penalty for their sin, but it would not become effective for their salvation unless they trusted in Christ as Savior."
- p.1938 in the Zondervan NIV Study Bible 2008
Even the devil believes in Jesus and trembles, but have you proclaimed Him as your Savior?