My Journey of a Lifetime

Turning a corner

2009-02-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to say that I have turned a corner in this journey of how I spend my time. I have been praying Ps 86:11 "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name." God is so faithful to answer such a prayer. No longer is my desire for TV time. Now my passion and desire is consumed with loving my Lord and enjoying sweet fellowship as He speaks to me through His word. He has been renewing my mind and realigning my priorities. The strongholds are being broken. It is certainly a process but I believe the hardest part is over. I would encourage anyone who would like to join me on this journey to stick with it. It's really hard in the beginning and you have to choose daily/hourly. But the more you make the right choice the more your desires are changed so that in the end your desires are aligned with His desires for you.

I also made a CD of worship songs that speak about giving all the Jesus. For me, worship is life changing. One of the songs that is continually in my mind is 'Above All Else'. It is the second song that plays on this blog and here are the words:

Above All Else
Vicky Beeching

Jesus, My passion in life is to know you
May all other goals bow down to
This journey of loving you more
Jesus you’ve showered Your goodness on me
Given Your gifts so freely
But there’s one thing I'm longing for

Hear my heart’s cry; And my prayer for this life
Above all else; Above all else
Above all else give me your self

Savior, the more that I see Your beauty
The more that I glimpse Your glory
My heart is captured by You
Jesus, You are my greatest treasure
Nothing this world can offer
Could ever compare to You

Lord, I pray that our hearts would be captivated by You.

A Living Sacrifice

2009-02-16T23:00:00.000-08:00

The Lord has been speaking to me for a while now about sacrifice. It says in Romans 12:1 that we are to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him as our spiritual act of worship. I’ve always loved that verse and sincerely desired that God would use my life to bring glory to His name. Well, now He is teaching me a new level of being a living sacrifice. In our women’s bible study, we are going through the book of Daniel. We see this amazing example of Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego who after being taken into captivity in Babylon, purposed in their heart not to be defiled by the King’s delicacies but to be set apart and not conform to the world around them. And so in one of my inductive questions I wrote “Have I given every area of my life to God’s control? Am I willing to give up luxuries if my God asks me?” Shortly after that the Lord began to speak to me (again) about not watching TV and seeking Him. Next I watched a study by Beth Moore who shared about how in America the culture pushes us to be indulgent and focus on gratifying self. She challenged us to sacrifice an area of indulgence in something we watch, something we eat and something we buy for six weeks (which means 12 weeks for us since we only meet every other week). Then she said something like “for some of you the Lord has already been speaking to you on this and His message to you is: I’m not kidding.” So right then and there in my small group I committed to no TV for two weeks and asked for prayer for how to handle the remaining 10 weeks. For the next two weeks I wrestled with the Lord - trying to negotiate “reasonable terms” of my sacrifice (how ridiculous). You see three of my favorite shows were beginning (American Idol, Survivor and Amazing Race), plus there were a couple reality shows that only had a few weeks until the finale. I had the audacity to think that NO TV was requiring too much of me. So after much negotiation, ‘I’ decided that I would only watch one hour per day on the condition that I also spent one hour seeking the Lord. I was so proud of my (now pitiful) sacrifice and looked forward to sharing it with my small group. Then over the next three days my devotions said things like:

“Give Jesus your undivided attention and your unquestioned obedience all day long.”
“Surrender to His will, don’t struggle with it. Make the adjustment. Turn the corner.”
“Delayed obedience is disobedience – a dangerous place to be in – but obedience brings life and peace”

Then on Sunday, our Pastor in his sermon said ‘don’t complain or argue with God – just do it!’ I really felt like the Lord was requiring me to sacrifice all TV time and anything less would be disobedience. And so I raised the white flag and committed to no TV for the next 10 weeks (from now until Easter).

I’ve also committed to not eat chocolate for the 40 days of lent, starting on Wednesday, February 25th until Easter. For those that know me, this will probably be the hardest sacrifice. I’m not catholic, but I really like the practical idea of abstaining from something you enjoy to put your focus on the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. I think it’s a great way to enter into Easter.

The last area that I was challenged in is something I would buy. I haven’t felt a strong prompting of the Lord in this area yet. Maybe instead of something I would buy; I can sell something of value. Today I read an email from a dear friend who obeyed God when He told her to sell her wedding rings to give money to the poor. Wow, I am so convicted (and encouraged) by her willingness to immediately sacrifice in obedience.

Recently I led worship and boldly sang “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee…Here am I, all of me. Take my life, it’s all for thee…Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine.” Looking back now it’s convicting. Do I really mean the words I sing? Am I really a living sacrifice yielded completely to the Lord’s bidding? I sure want to be! I am so thankful for my loving Lord, who has been passionately pursuing me these past few weeks. And so I pray “Thank you, Lord, for speaking so loudly to this stubborn, selfish heart. Forgive me for trying to take back what I have already committed to Your service…ALL of me. Give me the strength to walk in obedience in all areas, as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You.

New Year's Resolution

2009-01-03T23:17:00.000-08:00

I have many New Year's Resolutions for 2009. Some people don't like to make resolutions, but personally I find it inspiring to think that I can start afresh with a new year, with renewed goals, and new determination to be a better wife, mom, friend and servant.

By far the most important Resolution is #1. To spend time daily sitting at the Lord's feet. For me it is so much easier to "run the race" with Jesus than to carve out times of solitude and meditation. I like the analogies in scripture of running, walking, serving, doing....and yet I see the example of Jesus himself while He was on this earth taking time to be still before the Father. The Lord in His gracious way has shown me this past year how necessary it is for me to be renewed daily. I'm still studying on Abiding in the Vine from our past Women's Retreat; and have come to love the analogy of Jesus as the True Vine imparting life, power, wisdom, peace, and everything we need for each day. The lesson for me is that it's daily. In a short devotion by Andrew Murray he writes:

From Day to Day: "The inner man is renewed from day to day" 2 Corinthians 4:16. There is one lesson that all Christians should learn - the absolute necessity of fellowship with Jesus each day. The Lord Jesus will every day from heaven continue His work in me. But on one condition - the soul must give Him time each day to impart His love and His grace. Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indespensable condition of growth and power. The Lord will teach us just how meek and humble He is (Mt 11:25-30). Bow before Him, tell Him that you long for Him and His love, and He will let His love rest on you.

Resolution #2. To show my husband more love through "Acts of Service" (His love language). This involves taking the mounds of clutter that has been tucked, stuffed, hidden and pushed behind closed doors and organize, sell, donate or toss it.

Resolution #3. To be more patient with my son. To be consistent in discipline. To spend time daily being silly, laughing and enjoying these precious moments.

Resolution #4. Start a prayer calendar for my family and friends. Designate specific days for each person to be lifted up in prayer all day and to ask the Lord for a specific scipture or word of encouragment to share with them.

Resolution #5. Memorize scripture. Write a scripture each week on an index card then recite it each morning, read over before each meal and try to say it from memory before bed.

Resolution #6. Actively and diligently pursue the road of adoption.

Resolution #7. Grow in my ability to skillfully play the keyboard. Learn new hand positions for major chords. Practice playing by ear. Learn to play songs without the chords in front of me.

Resolution #8. Grow in my awareness of mission opportunities around me. Spend more time developing relationships with my neighbors and sharing my faith. Give sacrificially as the Lord directs. Fast & pray one meal every Monday for God to move mightily in specific missions (Thomas Family in Africa, Thiele adoption in Ethiopia, Shubin trip to Ethiopia, Ruben in Africa, GFA Missionary)

Resolution #9. Limit TV time (again)

Resolution #10. Take care of my body. What resolution would be complete without the mention of a diet? :) Make healthier choices, eat out less, excercise, consistently take vitamins and supplements, find an active hobby that I enjoy, get an annual exam, save up for a blood panel workup, drink more water, eat less sugar!

Well, that's my top 1o. I'm sharing them for a sense of accountability. Feel free to ask me how I'm doing. I look forward to a new year and seeing how the Lord will continue His transforming work in and through me.

Christmas Morning

2008-12-27T01:23:00.000-08:00

It was so fun Christmas morning for Luke to come downstairs to find this GeoTrax remote controlled train set. Of course that meant Daddy & Mommy were up late Christmas Eve doing the assembly. But it was sooo worth it to see his excitement. He has fun making up stories about the passengers and different trains, and using the remote controls to go forward and backward. It's perfect for his age.

Happy Birthday, Jesus

2008-12-27T01:06:00.000-08:00

Luke helped me make a cake for Jesus

He enjoyed singing to Jesus and blowing out the candles :)

This Nativity Advent Calendar has been such a fun way to share the true meaning of Christmas.

Luke could not wait to put baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning. He wanted to do it all month long and was sooo excited to finally get to put him in the manger.

Our Christmas table ready for lunch with Nana & Papa Lynn

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

We wish you a Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

Joy to the World

2008-12-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

Our Little Drummer Boy

2008-12-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

God cares about the small things

2008-12-12T23:19:00.000-08:00

I just have to give a shout of praise to the Lord for helping me figure out how to finally make this blog into three columns. Thank you, Lord! I know that seems like a small insignificant thing, but I prayed and asked the Lord for help when I was stuck and He gave me the idea that worked to fix the problem. I L-O-V-E to see the hand of God in the small things because it just reaffirms that my awesome, all-powerful, King of Kings who holds the universe in the span of his hands desires to involve Himself in the details of my day. Amazing! And if he cares about the small things, how much more is He orchestrating the major events of my life.

Psalm 37:23 says "The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives." Thank you, Lord, for caring about the details of my life.

I was just reading a portion of "Love Letters from Your King". It says "My Princess...You are My delight. I delight in every moment we spend together. I delight in giving you the desires of your heart. I delight in hearing you call out to Me. Don't ever feel like you're unimportant to Me. There is no reason for you to feel unsure of My love for you. I am always waiting for you to delight yourself in Me and in My love. It is my pleasure to bless you abundantly. Don't look to anyone else to meet your deepest wants and needs...only I can turn your tears into joy and fill the emptiness of your heart. So delight yourself in Me, and you will live life to the fullest because you are My delight. Love, Your King

Overcoming a picky eater

2008-12-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

We hit a milestone today. My son ate steak and peas for dinner ~ whoo hoo! My dear little one has been such a picky eater (he would only eat chicken/turkey for protein and green beans/corn for a vegetable) and now I know that it's my fault. You see in the past I would prepare separate meals for him if we were eating something "not on his approved list". I know, you must all be shaking your heads in disapproval but I tell you in the past this little guy would go to bed hungry before eating something he didn't like.

So I want to thank my dear friends Amy & Drea who encouraged me last month to "make him" eat his vegetables. The very next night we had broccoli and believe me it was a battle but he ate some. I told him that if he doesn't eat them now then he will have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner the next day, plus he would not get any chocolate milk (which is the ultimate torture because he LOVES his chocolate milk...FYI my version is part Pediasure and part milk). Anyway, it hasn't been easy and most of the time he guzzels water in between bites. But he's eating vegetables and I feel so much better knowing my son is getting the vitamins that he needs to grow and be healthy.

The other victory is he ate steak for the first time. As I was cooking dinner I was tempted to fix chicken nuggets for him. But I determined that I would serve him the same food that we eat. To my utter amazement he didn't even put a fight. He loved it. I am so encouraged to see progress in what has been my most challenging issue with him. So to all those moms who struggle with picky eaters, there is hope.

Picasa Web Albums - Julie - Our Family 2008

2008-12-09T21:15:00.000-08:00

Picasa Web Albums - Julie - Our Family 2008

City of Surprise Party

2008-12-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

While I was at our Women's Christmas Luncheon, dad and son joined up with friends to enjoy the City of Surprise Party. It was a fun time.

Praying for our children

2008-12-08T21:56:00.000-08:00

Bring The Rain: Seven Prayers A Day

I came across this blog tonight and was very inspired to pray God's Word over my son. I've seen first-hand this past year of the real power in speaking God's word to defeat the attacks of the enemy. Then our Assistant Pastor taught this Sunday about the importance of having a great offense agaist the enemy. How perfect to be pro-active in praying God's word over our children. How powerful for them to hear us praying God's word over them.

It's Christmas Time

2008-12-08T19:25:00.000-08:00

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. This year is the first year that we decorated our tree, put up lights outside (thank you sweetie), and decorated the inside by Nov. 30th. Yeah! It is wonderful to enjoy them for the entire month. I love seeing all the different lights in the neighborhood, getting cards from friends near and far, the atmosphere of generousity and kindness, listening to christmas music, drinking hot cocoa by the fire, reading the christmas story, all the festive christmas parties, and mostly I love how all these things cause me to think every day about the amazing and unfathomable sacrifice my Lord Jesus made in being born that blessed night. I am really enjoying the opportunity to create family traditions that focus on Jesus with our four year old son. It is so fun to see Christmas through his eyes and teach him about the true meaning. One area that the Lord is growing me in is sacrificial giving. It's easy to give from our abundance; but it's another thing to give when it costs you something. The Lord is showing me different ways that I can give up something in order to bless others, and in turn be a sweet gift to Jesus this Christmas Season. He was our ultimate sacrifice, who gave up everything. My gifts seem so small in comparison but I know it blesses His heart as I learn to become more like Him.

Picasa Web Albums - Julie - Luke's 4th Birthday

2008-12-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

Picasa Web Albums - Julie - Luke's 4th Birthday