Abundant life

We've been having several Bible studies lately, that have been going really well.  Every Wednesday and Saturday morning I tag along with Dad and Jake and go to a study that's with 4 young women.  If I remember right, three are Anglican, and one is Methodist.

It's been so encouraging to sit in on these studies!  The women are interested and attentive, and are willing to talk and answer\ask questions.  Alot of people may agree to have a study with you, but while they're fiddling with their phone or staring at a bee buzzing in the window, you get the feeling that they're not really even listening to what's being said.

Being in the study has just reminded me again and again of some things.

Every time I sit in on classes, and watch the people as they see things unfold, it gives me goosebumps.  Every time that we start at the beginning and review God's plan for the world - how he planned for his Son to come and take our place, it brings me to tears.  

In Genesis 3:15, talking about how Jesus will be victorious, and in Acts 2:24 - "God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."

It just brings me to tears and puts me in awe, because what a wonderful and powerful God we serve.  How unworthy we are to even serve Him, but how blessed are we to be able to!

Jesus came so we could have life.  Not just existence, but life.  Abundant, joyful, peace-filled, full life.

Even when the storms come, we're able to take comfort in the knowledge that God's above all, through all, and in all.

~

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
 John 10:10

"My lips will shout for joy,when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed."

Psalms 71:23

 "My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God." 
Psalms 84:2

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you." 
Psalms 5:11

 

Love never ends

Right now I'd like to ask prayers on behalf of the Morton and Heck families as they go through the rough time of losing dear Shauna.

Shauna battled hard with cancer for two long years, and her struggle is now over.  

Aunt Shauna - right, with sister Chasity, left

 A wonderful example to all, she was truly one of the best examples I've ever had.

She was constantly in pain

~however~

She was bright

happy

full of smiles and laughter

never complaining

always unselfish

always trusting in God

encouraging 

kind

patient

While she may not be with us anymore here on earth, she is now well and whole, being comforted by the mighty hand of God.

We have the comfort of knowing that someday, we will be reunited in The Place where there will never be suffering, pain, or tears.  

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

~I Thessalonians 4:13~

Running Route

I've been wanting to take some pictures of the scenery, and of where we go running, but when we're actually doing a more serious run, I never want to tote along my camera, so Luke and I took a bike ride, and I was able to finally get a few to show you!

 A nice downhill towards the beginning of our route...and it turns into a nice uphill when we're almost home on the way back.

 I actually love this uphill!  It's not super long, so I like to try and power up it.

 A while after the hill, there's a nice straightaway.

 A nice downhill

 The seemingly huge uphill that used to seem to take forever to run up!  It's not so bad now though, thankfully!

 

  Then I didn't take any more pictures until we were headed back to the house.  Isn't the scenery pretty?  It's the rainy season right now, so things and green and lovely!

As a side note, make sure to check out Cookie Monster, since it's just been updated!  And as a "not so side" side note, you really should go look at Luke's blog, because he has some really great posts!

The Power of a Positive Wife: Chapter 1

Last time, we took a peek at the introduction for this book.  This post will take an overview of chapter one of The Power of a Positive Wife.

Chapter 1 [part one]: The Impact of a Positive Wife

 This chapter starts out asking the question, "If you could choose the one ingredient that makes a great wife, what would it be?"..."What if her every waking moment is motivated by the question, 'What can I do to make my husband's world a better place?'...this would be great attention, but the most important ingredient is God-centerdness."  In this book, Karol Ladd stresses the important of a personal relationship with Christ, and spiritual growth.  If we're truly God-centered, and trying our best to apply biblical principles to our lives, we will try to please our husbands to the best of our ability.  Pleasing our husbands in everything, however, is not our #1 motivation.  "Her walk with God allows her to keep the other areas of her life in balance". 

Karol reminds that marriage is all about two unique individuals using their individual talents to strengthen and balance the marriage.  For, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work" (Eccl. 4:9).  We're encouraged to take stock of our talents and abilities, and find ways to use them in the best way.

In Romans 12:9-12, 15,16, Paul talks about devoted, true love.  He never asks if the other person treats us with love first.  "Showing love means helping others become better people".  The book states that we should be as blind to our husbands faults as we can, and encourage him in his good areas.  Obviously, she's not talking about a glaring sin problem, and occasions do arise when we'll need to point something out to the hubby that he can try to better himself at - she's simply talking about day to day life; encouraging us to dwell on the positive, not the negative!

When women are hurt by their husbands, they might often be tempted to try to get back at him by giving the silent treatment, use spiteful words, or even withhold intimacy.  Karol gives us the example of Paul.  He had "every right" to try to get even with his enemies, but he chose to forgive and move on.  "We need to practice the profound principle of forgiving...what does an I'm-going-to-get-you-back attitude do for us? Do they make us better people or just bitter ones?" 

 
Wives set the tone for their homes.  Proverbs 19:13, 14 says, "a nagging wife annoys like a constant dripping...but only the Lord can give an understanding wife".  Our attitudes and actions are like air fresheners.  If someone walks into our home, they can either breath in deeply and smile, or wrinkle their noses in disgust.

The last part of chapter one talks about control; Let's see what Karol has to say.  "What do wives want to control? Circumstances, for one.  We want to keep the people and things around us healthy, happy and safe.  Our families, for two.  Many of us want to control our husbands and children - to micromanage their every action."  She encourages us to identify what areas in our life we try to control, and turn it over to God.  It's not our job to try to control our families, and every circumstance in our life; when we see flaws in our husbands, sometimes we're tempted to think it's our job to try to change his ways, but that's not our job.  Our job is to encourage him in good ways, and take his name to God in prayer.

"What is your greatest weakness or challenge in your marriage?  We all know marriage is not a stroll down Easy Street...it's more like a drive Flaws and Weaknesses Lane...The question is not, 'Do you have challenges?' The question is, 'Where do you go for help, power, and strength through the challenges?"

 

Happy birthday, Candice!

Today is my friend Candice's birthday.  

Ah, how far we've come together!  We used to play with baby dolls, and nail polish, and convince the others to play dress up with us.  Now we talk every chance we get , even though we're separated by many miles.  We also have an insane number of nicknames for each other.  Alot of mine involve some form of 'Punkin'.  But let's not get too far into that...

We love to skype!

Happy birthday, Candice!

~Eye Heart Ewe!~