Monday, December 16, 2013

The Love of Jesus

So it's been a while, a long while actually. I am not sure where to start but have found this blog to be an outlet. So forgive me if this post is scattered!

The last seven months have been tough and great all at the same time. Due to some stuff in my personal life in October, I hit an all time low. I was emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually drained. I'm talking running on fumes and then stranded on the side of the road low. But........................

You wanna know what I found in that darkness? What I found in that pit? The ultimate love of Jesus! Through a combination of my precious friends, amazing family, and fresh words from God through scripture and through The Grove at Passion City Church I realized a few things. I would like to share them (or document them) here so that I can have a written reminder of who God really is.

  • We are all rooted in something. I was rooted in insecurity, my past failures, in other people. But what we must be rooted in is Jesus and in the Word of God. If you're truly rooted, when the storms of life come you will not be moved.
  • Psalm 52:8 says that we are an olive tree planted in the house of God. You know what I learned about an olive tree? That even if it's cut down to the roots, it can still regenerate. That it will grow and flourish again as long as the roots are in place. Can I tell you that life and situations had cut me all the way to my roots and was starting to work on my roots? But God had me! And I am starting to regenerate, to grow, and flourish yet again!
  • God's love is wider and deeper than anything we have ever done. Jesus is a relentless pursuer of the heart and he will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up on you!
  • When I am going through struggles, it is NOT meaningless. God has a purpose! He is going to bring me through the issues, not over them. And He is going to be right there beside me every step of the way!
  • Even when you are living in a desert, God always provides a river. I am thankful that God provided a river for me!
  • We flourish in spite of our circumstances by worshipping. Worship says to Satan that he can't take our trust in Jesus! He can't take our joy in the Lord! In that worship, we exchange our issues for the beauty of God and He gives us beauty for our ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)
  • I flourish by taking a deep breath and letting it all go. It's HIS spirit working in me! He is replacing my ashes with beauty!
  • In my waiting, I don't have to fix it all. Jesus has already done that. He has already won! Why do I doubt?
So that is just a small glimpse into what God has started to reveal to me and in me! I don't know if it's because I am seeking God's will for my life and seeking His face more than ever before or what. But what I know is that I have a freedom in the love of Jesus! And of course, just as I begin to walk in that freedom, Satan comes knocking. The bible says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And though I am still weak, I know that God is strongest in the middle of my weakness! He is big y'all! He is good! Though he comes against me to try to steal, kill, and destroy me, I know where my roots are now! They are strong and getting a little stronger everyday. There are things coming against me on every side now that I've got my personal life worked out but it's okay. I got some roots, and they are STRONG!!!  If you're not rooted strongly in God and in His word and if you have never truly experienced the love of Jesus......dig in! He is sooooooo good!

If you are walking through a dark place, find a quiet place and play these songs. Let the love of Jesus wrap around you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TeIHxQdjys



Sunday, April 7, 2013

5 months....YIKES

Holy cow! Talk about falling off the "blogging" band wagon. It has been almost 5 months since I posted anything. That is just crazy. Life has been extremely busy and chaotic. In a lot of good ways! Quick recap of the last 5 months:

November:
  • Thanksgiving with the fam
  • Martina McBride concert with my mama and my sister
  • Black Friday Shopping
December:
  • Christmas--my favorite holiday because of the time we get to spend with our family and friends. Love it.
  • Christmas break.....time away from work to enjoy with my family
January
  • New Years! (That's about all)
February
  • Valentine's Day
March
  • Destiny rocked out the Talent Show at school (sorry, you'll have to turn your head to see)
  • My sweet hubby finally got a teaching job in Hall County. He is now teaching 4th grade at Tadmore Elementary. I couldn't be anymore proud of him than I already am. He has worked so hard for this moment and he has always been the perfect example of perseverance. He should be the poster child for the phrase "Never Give Up" and he walks in the truth of God's faithfulness. 
  • And lastly, Easter with my family. Can I just tell you how much I love spending time with my loving, precious, caring, somewhat crazy, fun family? Cause I do! Here are just a few pics and if you look close enough you are liable to see some of the crazy...errrr...fun shining through!
The Whole Family

Crazy Sisters

My precious family
 April:

WOW! Here we are at the 2nd week of April already. I would be perfectly happy with time slowing down a little. Right now it is Sunday night at the end of our Spring Break. We had an absolutely WONDERFUL trip for break to Orlando, Florida to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. My daredevil 9 year old is now obsessed with roller coasters. It was quite humorous to see 12 and 13 year old kids getting scared and getting out of line for a coaster when my barely tall enough 9 year old diva is giggling with excitement. Did I mention she got me on a 90 degree incline coaster not once but twice? And she got me on a free fall ride that scared the crap out of me but that she absolutely loved, not once, not twice, but three times. Yes. Call me crazy but those memories will last forever! Here are just a few of our pics from the trip:
In Seuss Landing with the truffula trees

Ready to rock the roller coasters....day 1

Dinner dates....can you tell who she gets her "crazy" from? LOL!




On the weight loss front, there is not a lot to report. Still hovering between 197 and 200. Hey, at least I'm not gaining. And I keep telling myself that it's not about a number on a scale. It's about how good I feel and the energy that I have. It's about not being self conscious at the theme parks for three days that I might not fit into the seats on the rides. Actually everything was quite comfortable. Life is good. I am healthy, and I am not just a number on a scale. Don't get me wrong: I am not finished. This journey is a daily struggle but I got this. I have figured out it is all in moderation. The only thing that has not been in moderation for me lately is exercise. Who the mess goes running or even walking outside in 30 and 40 degree weather? Not this chick! Now that the weather is getting warmer though, I am pushing myself to get back to "wogging". I am doing the Color Run in September with some great friends so I have to make sure I am ready for that!

I guess that brings us up to speed. All in all, life is good. I am blessed! Far beyond what I deserve!