A New Role

What role are you most comfortable in? Are you a business person? A teacher? An artist? A doctor or nurse? Perhaps you are gifted in many different roles. I have always gravitated towards roles that involve people. For example, I have been a teacher, coach, and counselor thus far in my life. A new role I am learning is being a mother.

Two questions that I often get asked are, “Do you like staying at home?” And, “Do you miss teaching?” The answer to both questions is, “yes.” I absolutely love every second of getting to be with Grace and Kalei; on the flip side, I do miss the interaction with middle school students and adults. I have realized that I am still a teacher; but now my subject matter is feeding babies, changing diapers, napping, playtime, reading time, tummy time, rolling time, sitting time, standing time, bouncing time, and of course, dancing time.

My lesson plans now consist of preparing healthy meals for the girls (and Cole and me), networking with other children who are Grace and Kalei’s age, and organizing my ‘to do list’ in hopes of getting lots accomplished while they are napping! I am grateful for the precious gift of time that I have been given to be with the girls. I am equally grateful for the sacrifices our parents make to come watch the girls so I can get my middle school student and adult interaction ‘fix’ while substitute teachingJ

 A song that sums up my new mommy role, or any role that I am in, is called Let Them See You. My relationship with The Lord is the most important ingredient in my life; and my prayer is that Grace and Kalei would see the love of The Lord through the way that I love them. Ultimately, that is the greatest gift we can give anyone.

 1 John 4:7-12

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

 Colossians 2:6-7

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Let Them See You by JJ Weeks Band

Take away the melodies
Take away the songs I sing
Take away all the lights
And all the songs You let me write
Does the man I am today
Say the words You need to say?

Let them see You in me
Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing
Let them see You
Just let them see You in me

Who am I without Your grace?
Another smile, another face
Another breath, a grain of sand
Passing quickly through Your hand
I give my life, an offering
Take it all, take everything

Let them see You in me
Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing
Let them see You
Just let them see You in me

With every breath I breathe
I sing a simple melody
But I pray they'll hear more than a song
In me, in me

Let them see You in me
Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing
Let them see You

Let them see You in me
Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing
Let them see You
Just let them see You in me
Just let them see You in me
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOg-1JjAdGk

Adoration

What is your favorite Christmas song? This time of the year I have Christmas music on all day long. It brings me comfort listening to songs that bring all the attention onto the Christ child, Jesus. The song that stands out to me the most in my current walk of life is O Come All Ye Faithful.  

O Come All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant
Oh come ye O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him born the King of angels;
O come let us adore him Christ the Lord.

God of God light of light
Lo he not the virgin's womb;
Very God begotten not created:
O come let us adore him Christ The Lord.

Sing choirs of angels sing in exultation
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God in the highest:
O come, let us adore him, Christ The Lord

See how the shepherds summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear
we too will thither hend our joyful footsteps;
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord

My favorite part of the song is the chorus, “O come let us adore him Christ The Lord.” I never really gave much thought into adoring someone or something until having children. Now that I can look into the eyes of our own babies, I have a glimpse into what Mary and Joseph must have felt when they gazed into the eyes of baby Jesus that starry night in Bethlehem.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2: 6-7

Luke does not mention Mary and Joseph hugging and kissing their newborn; but, I am sure they snuggled their new baby and adored him to pieces. What a beautiful feeling – to hold a new born baby! I can vividly remember holding Grace and Kalei for the first time just like it was yesterday.  

According to Merriam Webster, the number one meaning of adore is “to worship and honor as a deity.” I adore Jesus because He is my King, my Savior, and my Lord. Without Him, I would not be alive. Without Him, I would not have Grace and Kalei to gaze and smile at. WITH Jesus there is so much to celebrate.

This Christmas I celebrate the gift of life: especially in the form of two squirmy, smiley, and snuggly little girls. We are so grateful that God orchestrated our lives to welcome Grace and Kalei into the world.

                              

Amidst the craziness of the holiday season I hope you are able to find time to stop and adore the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

With love,

Cole, Chelsey, Grace, & Kalei

Worth the Wait

 

 

               What is it in your life that you have been waiting in expectation of? Is it a new job? Is it a new home? A spouse? A season in your life to pass? According to Merriam Webster, to wait means ‘to stay in place in expectation of.’

                Waiting has looked vastly different for me as I have grown up. When I was young I eagerly awaited Mom’s chocolate chip cookies to come out of the oven; and I would not sleep the night before going to Adventureland! As a teenager I anxiously awaited getting my driver’s license. In college I expected to meet my husband (and thankfully did!). As a married woman I was excited to try to have children. In all of my life scenarios – my waiting has been unique.

                For me, the expectation of having a child can best be described as climbing up a steep roller coaster and not knowing what is on the other side. I am coming up on the five year anniversary of when our quest to have children originally started. The car of the roller coaster we have been on has been climbing, and climbing, and climbing -  - - - until finally, on May 22, 2013, our car peaked at the top of the track and began descending on a ride we would never forget!

                No one can honestly prepare you for what you will experience once you start descending at the peak of a roller coaster – you have to live it out to appreciate ‘the drop.’ The drop is the best part! And so it goes as a new mommy to Grace and Kalei. I eagerly waited the day the C section would take place at 9:00 A.M. All of the prayers,  happy tears, sad tears, frustrating moments, and difficult conversations were ALL worth it when we heard the cry of our first born, Grace Marie.

 

Tears of joy trickled down my face. Sixty seconds later, Kalei Leena arrived, and the happy tears just kept on rolling.

 

About thirty minutes later I was back in my hospital room HOLDING these precious miracles. It was then, in that moment, that I recognized the meaning behind God’s timing. He wanted us to FULLY appreciate His goodness and His blessings to us –in His time.

  

In my season of expectation of waiting to be pregnant and then waiting to have the twins - a  song that I went to often on my ipod was On and On by Chasen. My favorite lyrics, and the ones that still get me every time are, “But you’re right when you say that you set the time for the plans you make; That in your perfect time your plans and your ways will unfold.”

On and On by Chasen

Awake tonight, I'm breathing the air of the night sky
Listening and wanting an answer to questions you're wondering
I never thought it would ever be possible
To cross the lines we drew that govern what we say and do
But no height and no depth could separate us
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/chasen-on-and-on-lyrics.html ]
Some say we need a miracle, some say there's no hope at all
But I know that Your love is strong, it goes on and on and on and on
Rise up when it gets us down, it'll be the voice in a blaring crowd
'Cause we know Your love will lead us home
It goes on and on and on and on

I tried my way, it always ends up being a mistake
But You're right when You say
That You set the time for the plans You make
I never thought that I could ever learn to let it go
Somehow it's better when I follow in the paths You show
So I'm here I'm waiting cause I believe

There is no fear of belief
There's just this cold reality
That wants to take me away from You
There is no doubt in my mind
That in Your perfect time
Your plans and Your ways will unfold

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqh9sHTXcAI

 Along with the song, one of my go to verses that encourages me daily is, Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Whatever it is that you are desiring or waiting for, I pray that you will have the perseverance to climb the roller coaster to the top. It just may be worth waiting for. 

 

                                     

*Pay special attention to what is written on their onesies:)

365 Days

When you see ‘365 days’ what comes to mind? Possibly the countdown from one birthday to another; a countdown between an annual family vacation; or it may be the amount of days before you get your promotion.

 

When I think of 365 days it reminds me of the 180 degree turn I have taken in the past year. It was literally a year ago at this time that I miscarried our third child. If you have ever been around me (before being pregnant), you know that I am not overly emotional. Well, I can honestly say that a year ago at this time was the saddest, lowest time in my life. I did not understand why God would grant us a child and then take him/her away from us so quickly. Nothing could replace the child that was/is ours and nothing could make me feel better. Or so I thought. I am confident that the people God placed in my life carried me through that difficult time. The verses I read and the friends and family who surrounded me gave me a glimmer of hope; a hope in God’s promises and His faithfulness. It was that glimmer of hope that gave me the strength to keep carrying on and trusting His timing.

 

I don’t tell you that to make you feel bad or feel sorry for me. I tell you that with an authentic heart, because I know many of you have gone through a similar situation; whether it is the loss of a job, house, spouse, friend, etc. All losses require a special level of trust and understanding. The loss we endured last spring led us to the greatest blessing we have been granted thus far: two growing girls inside of meJ

 

There is a song that I have heard numerous times that triggers my emotions whenever it rings in my ears: Blessings, by Laura Story. It dawned on me recently that the meaning behind this song fits into our four year fertility journey.

 

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

I thought he was ‘punishing’ us by not giving us what we wanted. In reality, His LOVE is all I needed.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

According to dictionary.com, the definition of mercy is an act of kindness, compassion, or favor. Even though it was painful and frustrating to go through the ‘trial of waiting’ he has shown us compassion and favor by blessing us with growing twins!

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

 

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Clinging to His word and those around me helped me realize that I would one day be a mommy.

Psalm 36: 5 Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

Realizing daily that this life and all the joys and struggles that go along with it are merely a blink of the eye – compared to what awaits forever in eternity with our King.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

 

So what does your ‘365 days’ look like? What trial or blessing are you living in right now? Have you been shown mercy? In 365 days the Lord took my shaken, scared, and doubtful heart and turned it into a heart of pure joy. Wherever you are today I pray that you can find hope in God’s faithfulness.  

Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as a shield.

 

 

Updated photo of one week of growth! Week 28 to week 29! Truly blessed.

 

 

Looking Forward

What are you looking at today? What are you looking forward to? Or perhaps, what are you trying to bounce back from looking at? On this particular day looking forward includes peering through my house windows and seeing snow everywhere! I love snow days!

 

 

 

Looking ‘backwards’ – I recall snow days when I was in elementary school that involved building forts, snowmen, and drinking mugs of hot chocolate. So far this morning I have relived the hot chocolate part of my childhood snow day memories, not sure I will venture out to build a snowmanJ

 

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to hear Pastor Todd talk about taking a windshield type of view at life versus living life focused on images in the rear view mirror. Hearing his message sparked thoughts about how I live my life. Currently, I am basking in the joy of looking forward to all the blessings our children will bring us when they are born in 6 months or less. Due to answered prayer, I find it easier to forget about the rear view mirror memories of my life, and have been able to focus more on the present and what the future holds for me/us.

 

However, windshield or a forward looking type of attitude has not always been the case for me. During the four year time of waiting, some days were more difficult than others to understand God’s timing and plan for us. When miscarriages kept surfacing in our path, we got discouraged over and over again. It was during that season of my life that I often used a rear view mirror type of mentality and felt sorry for myself that I did not have what I wanted; and that I had to go through several losses. I think that is why Pastor Todd’s message hit me so hard Sunday – because I used to struggle with the concept of not having what I desired. I asked Cole after church if we would still be in the waiting process – if we would be windshield type of viewers. Neither one of us could actually respond, due to the emotions tied to our new joy and our former ‘suffering.’

 

We fully understand that God is good all the time and that He will bring us joy and happiness, as well as trials and sufferings. Currently, we are enjoying a time of joy and celebration. For those of you who are enduring a season of waiting, suffering, or trial/s, do not lose hope. As Christians, we can endure pain or loss and still see hope in it. This is possible because of our belief in Jesus’ sacrifice, and our trust that we will be with Him and our loved ones someday. This is not always easy to hear, but is true. I appreciated Jerry Bridges thoughts on hope and the verses that go along with it:

 

“God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. God never wastes pain. He always causes it to work together for our ultimate good, the good of conforming us more to the likeness of His Son” (see Romans 8:28-29 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.)

 

This holiday season I pray that you are able to peer through your snow filled windshield and bask in the life that we have because of the little baby boy born long ago in Bethlehem. Merry Christmas from all three of us!

 

Luke 2:14

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 

ANGELS WE HAVE HEART ON HIGH

1. Angels we have heard on high
   Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
   And the mountains in reply
   Echoing their joyous strains.
• Refrain:
  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
   Why your joyous strains prolong?
   What the gladsome tidings be
   Which inspire your heav’nly song?
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
   Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
   Come, adore on bended knee,
   Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
4. See Him in a manger laid,
   Whom the choirs of angels praise;
   Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
   While our hearts in love we raise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHkroAFnQwc – sung by Chris Tomlin

Answered Prayer

Has there ever been a time in your life when you prayed, and prayed, and prayed – just to have the answer be “not yet?” Or, are you on the flip side? Have you prayed and received an answer immediately (within one to two months) of your request? The power of prayer has come to new life for me lately. Throughout our quest to become parents, we have had countless people respond to us by saying they would continue to pray for the desires of our hearts. There were times when I doubted that God was even listening, but then He would come through with a glimmer of hope somehow/someway, so I would continue to believe that His timing had to be right. One of my favorite lines from a friend about prayer was when she told me that God DOES in fact answer all prayers; it is just that his answer/s float up in the clouds until He thinks you are ready to receive the ultimate answer. I am overjoyed to share with you God’s faithfulness and His ability to work miracles, and that our prayer request has been granted: we found out on October 2 that I am pregnant!! Official due date is June 10, 2013. Matt Redman’s song, 10,000 Reasons was on repeat the entire day when we found out (and continues to be one of my favorites)!!

Psalm 103:1-2 PRAISE THE LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. PRAISE THE LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. The Lord heard the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of the heart), and He has filled us with so much joy by granting our request. Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

After blood work confirmed that my pregnancy hormone numbers were rising, the doctor told us to come back in three weeks to find out the number of babies inside of me. My intuition was two the entire time (or it could have been that is what I was hoping for all alongJ). As you can see below, my intuition was correct!!

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

Zechariah 9:12 Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

Two weeks later we had my 9.5 week ultrasound (Nov.8^th). Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

 

 

Baby ‘A’ decided to show off for the occasion: can you see his/her smile?!

 

 

And Baby’ B’ is just hanging outJ

 

 

 

So, it goes without question that two of my 10,000 reasons to Praise the Lord this Thanksgiving, are for the two growing babies inside of me. We could not be more thankful, elated, or excited! God is good – all – the – time.

Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” This is the premise of Mark Schultz’s latest song, All Things Possible. I have listened to this song on the radio multiple times since October 2^nd, and each time I hear it, I believe even more in the power of God’s mighty hand. My light is no longer faded in yearning for a child, I am rejoicing in the “One who’s making all things possible!!”

May you find reassurance this day, week, or month in the hope that God does answer prayer and that He is faithful. He may not be on our earthly time clock, but He will come through in some way, shape, or form. Sometimes, even more than we could imagineJ

All Things Possible by Mark Schultz

1st Verse

I Will Call on Your Name,
For There's Always a Way,
When You Lead me.
And When Life Knocks me Down,
I am not Counted Out,
For You're With Me.
And You're With Me.

Chorus

Even when it feels like The Light is Fading,
And I've Lost my Way,
Still I'm Holding on to the One who's Making,
All Things Possible.
Even when it feels like my Heart is Breaking,
Hold on, there is Strength!
Knowing I Belong to the One who's Making,
All Things Possible.

2nd Verse

I know Mountains can Move,
I've seen what You can Do,
In my Weakness.
So my Heart will Believe,
If I Wait I will See,
My God doing,
What only He can Do, Yeah!

Chorus

Even when it feels like The Light is Fading,
And I've Lost my Way,
Still I'm Holding on to the One who's Making,
All Things Possible.
Even when it feels like my Heart is Breaking,
Hold on, there is Strength!
Knowing I Belong to the One who's Making,
All Things Possible.

Bridge (3x)

My God is Strong and Mighty.
My God is Faithful.
My Hope is in the Lord,
For He is Able!

Chorus

Even when it feels like The Light is Fading,
And I've Lost my Way,
Still I'm Holding on to the One who's Making,
All Things Possible.
Even when it feels like my Heart is Breaking,
Hold on, there is Strength!
Knowing I Belong to the One who's Making,
All Things Possible.

Repeat Bridge (2x)

My God is Strong and Mighty.
My God is Faithful.
My Hope is in the Lord,
For He is Able!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXRNX5NrX5A

 

When Fear Creeps In

Based on your level of fear and/or anxiety, how would you rank these examples: 1) you are mowing your lawn and all of a sudden a snake slithers by your feet. 2) you get to the movie theater after dinner on a your first date, and your ‘potential’ boyfriend/girlfriend only wants to see a horror film. 3) you are cruising along on your vacation out of state, and to your surprise, the car stalls on the interstate because it ran out of gasoline. In terms of being afraid of the unknown, I would personally rank these examples 1) running out of gasoline, 2) sitting through an uncomfortable horror film, and 3) seeing a snake. Regardless of the example, we face fearful situations every single day. Lately, I have been more consumed with thoughts of the ‘unknown’ and being afraid of what could or could not happen. So, I have been taking some time to read, listen, and learn more about fear.    

In the past month it has been a challenge to find a good ‘chunk’ of time to put all my thoughts into words. Today, it seemed as if everything ‘made sense’ and I had time to write. One of my favorite messages from Pastor Todd was on the topic of ‘waiting;’ and can you guess what day he talked about this? September 23 – our anniversary. Cole and I just looked at each other and smiled when Todd started talking; it was as if God wanted us to SPECIFICALLY hear MORE about how to wait properly for what our hearts desire. My favorite line from Todd that day was “we should prayerfully and carefully do what we KNOW; while we wait for what we don’t know.” As I sat there in the padded chair, I started to tear up as I thought about the truths that have been set before me: Jesus died for my sins, He loves me more than anyone else ever can or will, and THIS love and relationship with Him is what I KNOW is true. Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes EVERYTHING work out according to his plan.  As Cole and I further discussed this we brought up the facts that God does have our best in mind, and He will work out everything for His good and in His time. The bible talks about God working out ALL things for us in several places. Why then, do I still doubt His goodness from time to time?

When I get caught up in the fear of the unknown, my thoughts begin to be clouded over in doubt and fear. For example, I fear that God will not allow us to hold a healthy baby of our own; I fear that I am not living up to the example of a Godly wife; I fear that I am not a ‘good enough’ teacher for my students. What are your more consistent fears or doubts? What would happen if we lived an entire day without fear, doubt, insecurity, or anxiety? It is possible to balance these emotions and it starts with truth. I found Max Lucado’s podcast, ‘Fearless’ to be very beneficial. Max said that in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – Jesus commands us 20 times on the topic of not being afraid: do not worry, but have courage and be of good cheer.

I have found the following verses to be helpful, and wanted to share how they speak to me about fear, worry, courage, God’s love, and faithfulness. I hope that at least one of these verses encourages your heart wherever you are today.

Psalm 112:7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

I do not need to be afraid of bad news, but keep trusting that whatever God allows to happen MUST go through His hands before it gets down to me.

 

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This is one of my all-time favorite verses, which I read often. When I think of this verse, I have memories of the movie, “Honey I Shrunk the Kids.” I like to picture myself as a tiny person standing in the strong hand of God. No lawn mower will ever be able to ‘mow’ me overJ

 

Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

When I get stuck in the rut of ‘stinking thinking,’ how is this benefiting my health? If God is taking care of the birds, he certainly will take care of all of my needs.

 

Matthew 8:26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
Mark 4:40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Like the disciples in the storm crying out to Jesus, why do I doubt that He will not provide for me? When I am in a ‘doubtful mood’ I am not acknowledging the faith that God has instilled within me. With Him by my side, anything in life is a possibility.

 

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Halleluiah! Jesus already died for my sins and the sins of the world: this should be enough to enCOURAGE me daily.

 

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

There is no reason to worry about life or circumstances. Worry will only snowball into other health issues. The best thing for me to do is talk to God and pray to Him about it. The second best thing I can do is talk and pray with friends and family. If you are one of these people: THANK YOU for your constant love, support, and prayers.

 

Romans 8:36,38-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Being CONVINCED about a topic is the opposite of being doubtful about a topic. I am 100% certain that God loves me with all of His heart. I am confident that His love is the only love that will remain constant and true no matter what happens to me here on earth.  

 

In closing, I would like to leave you with one of my favorite songs: Mighty to Save by Hillsong United. Every time I sing it I get goose bumps and/or tear up. The lyrics especially encourage me that God’s power is alive and real. There is no reason for me to fear the ‘unknown.’ God assures us he CAN move mountains. Now, the JOY comes in waiting and watching the mountains in your life MOVEJ  

 

Mighty to Save: Hillsong United

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

(Chorus:)
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose & conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears & failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender (I surrender)
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hillsong_united/mighty_to_save.html ]
(Chorus:) (2x)
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose & conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

(Bridge:) (2x)
Shine Your light &
Let the whole world see
We're singing
For the glory
Of the risen King
Jesus

(Chorus)
You're the Savior
You can move the mountains
Lord You are mighty to save
You are mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
You rose & conquered the grave
Yes You conquered the grave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ghKwGEQRA