She Runs By Faith

My Women's Bible study group is studying the book "Choose Joy" by Kay Warren and, though we're only two weeks in, I will already say it has been life-changing. My view of Jesus has been very skewed in the past, as I've seen Him as more of a sad, stern character than a joyful person. Jesus was actually a Man of joy and this Man had a sense of humor, too! Last week's study presented the verse Hebrew 12:2 and helped me to see it in a new light. Take a read below: Do you see what this means - all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running - and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now...

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 I've found that actually drawing out the verses helps me to remember them! It's a little hard to do when E is climbing me, but I tell myself it's okay if the drawings aren't perfect :) Being Joyful Joy is a whole lot deeper than the emotion of happiness, which depends on outward circumstances. True Christian joy reflects an inner peace and delight in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the blessing that flows from our relationship with Them. How awesome is God's immeasurable love for us, what Christ has done for us, and ultimately what is in store for those who remain faithful to Him! Praying Continually In the 2014 resolutions post , I mention that growing as a "prayer warrior" is one of my goals this year. God has revealed so much to me about what prayer is and how to do it. What I've lea...

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. PROVERBS 16:24 Generally, any stories I bring back from Walmart aren't too positive or inspiring, but today was really something. Lately, I had been feeling discouraged as a stay-at-home mom and have been feeling like somehow it's "not enough" to just be a mom. Maybe I should take on more design work... look for a part-time job... try to get busier somehow. When my logic returns to me, I realized what a ridiculous lie this is from Satan! Yet, it still gets me down from time to time. Society glorifies "busy-ness", careers, money, material things, etc. Motherhood and family? Not so much. After a relatively unpleasant doctor appointment for Eli (2 shots and a difficult blood draw), we went to get groceries at Walmart. While in the checkout line, Eli was putting on a show for the elderly woman behind us and that sparked a conversation. He's such a flirt! We talked about how wo...

The Bible has a lot to say about the heart! In fact, so much that I started this post before Thanksgiving and keep placing it on the back burner. There is so much information about our hearts in the Bible and keeping your heart in check is such an important aspect of spiritual growth. Like Solomon says below, EVERYTHING you do flows from your heart! Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. PROVERBS 4:23-27 The Heart God's Word isn't referring to our physical, blood-pumping organ heart, or those cute little red hearts we draw on love notes ;) The "heart" referred to in the Bible represents our intellect, emotion, and will. "Our heart dicta...

Biblical love is very different from "love" the way the world sees it. Over our Thanksgiving trip last week, I saw a true example of biblical love and it was beautiful. The story is a bit lengthy, but hang in there. I wish I could have had pictures to go along with this story because I still see it clearly in my mind. It is a picture of true sacrificial love and a person laying down their life for another. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. JOHN 15:13 We headed to the Carousel in MT on Wednesday last week so all of the cousins could go for rides. Fortunately it was indoors; it was a bit too chilly for an outdoor Carousel in my opinion! This place was full of kids, parents, and really good ice cream. Lots of laughing, smiles, and all kinds of cute family moments. It was like the county fair, but all year long! E went for two rides on the Carousel and that was enough for us. I tried to get him to nap while we watched the other k...

Worrying is something I do way too much and Jesus has a lot to say about that! "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 than food, and the body more 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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your he...