Putting it before Him, or laying it before Him?

 Throughout our lives we question why certain aspect of our lives have gone awry, or haven't happened at all. Why has this happened for so and so, but not for me? We wait and writhe in the misery of feeling defeated, and feeling "it will never happen". For some, it's financially, relationship wise or a multitude of other things that are important to us. We forget that it's His timing, not ours. He has our best interest at heart, He see the whole picture. I believe in some cases, it's a result of sin by or or against us.. for finances it could be spending issues, in case of relationship it would be trust issues, whatever it may be. Then there are times we just feel stuck. What about those times?


  In the book of Exodus, we learn about our God in a different light.. He is jealous for us. You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.- Exodus 34:14 Have the very things you've been waiting for become "god" in your life? Do you find yourself living for this object, person or aspiration? Does it consume your thoughts, and make you thirsty for just a sip? 


  I have found myself sinking in to daydreams and planning for things that aren't even reality yet. While it's okay to dream and think about "one day", it is poisonous to let it consume you. It's a dangerous thing when you approach the line of putting this aspiration or desire between you and Him. You can be sure that He will remove it to get to you, and some times it means destruction. Be careful of the things you long for, they may be the very thing making the road longer. Be aware of your weaknesses, and resist temptations. Keep in mind the words in Jeremiah (29:11) "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." 


   I am a dreamer, I love nothing than to think about the future and the things I hope to accomplish in life. Everyone needs a dream to make a reality, but dreams can become a curse when you long for them to happen, instead of taking action. How can I expect to see the directions and provision God is giving me, if I am building a statue blocking my vision? We all need to step back from the things we hope for and ask ourselves "Am I PUTTING it before Him, or LAYING it before Him?" 
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.- Luke 12:31

"Play date" with Jesus

I never thought I would cry over a child pretending.. but when your son pretends he is watching Jesus on the cross, and he is on the verge of tears himself, it does some thing to your heart.

   Kai and Alyssa were playing quietly in the living room, when Kai picked up a piece of paper and pretended to read it. He turns to his cousin and says "Lyssa! We have to go to the Kingdom! It's far far away." I immediately thought he got it from the movie Shrek 2. So off they went into the" Kingdom", which just so happens to reside in my kitchen. I hear him whispering, and asked him what they were doing (it's a mom thing) he told me "shhh we're hiding in the Kingdom". Assured that they weren't trying to escape, I sat back and just listened from the other room. I heard Kai whisper "see? see the angel lyssa?" Then a few moments later he whispered "let's find Jesus.." So they walk slowly in the living room in search of Jesus. Malakai then changed the story saying, "Look! There's Jesus! He's up there on the cross! That guy's gonna hurt him.." While Alyssa lost interest being the younger one, Kai turned to me and said "Look mommy! Jesus is on the cross!" As he told me, his eyes filled with tears, that he tried to smile away. He started to rub his eyes and walk over for a hug. Of course I reminded him of the rest of the story as he walked over.. and he joyfully told Alyssa "Look! He's alive!" He told me that Jesus was going up to Heaven, and pretend to wave and say good-bye. Then he asked Jesus "Can I go with you??" and pretended to hold Jesus' hand and took Alyssa's hand and they walked together to "the Kingdom". 

I wanted to share this because it's amazing to me that Jesus gives us ALL understanding. He knows exactly how our minds work.. He can give wisdom and understanding even to a child. The message of salvation is so simple.. He makes it so easy and we complicate it with fear. Fear to share, and fear to believe.. all He asks is we acknowledge Him and ask for forgiveness. Why is it so hard to explain as adults, when a child can play it out? I pray that I can truly acquire a child-like faith. What an awesome thing to see your son "play" with Jesus :)

Psalm 116:5-7

 ⁵ How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
      So merciful, this God of ours!
 ⁶ The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
      I was facing death, and he saved me.
 ⁷ Let my soul be at rest again,
      for the Lord has been good to me.

My thoughts on Bin Laden..

   We have defeated a great enemy, are you rejoicing?


   I began to but like other friends of mine, a lot of thoughts went through my mind. First off, is this a hoax for political gain? Seeing as how it's the headline around the world, I'm going to say no it's not a hoax. It's hard to trust the media, but even though I don't care for him as a President, I don't think Obama is foolish enough to hit a new low and announce such a sensitive subject for our country, without cold hard facts. 


  Next I thought, am I wrong to rejoice with my country? I don't think God rejoices in seeing men fight each other, or seeing a man die without knowing Him. However, I don't think He is against war.. He himself ordered Israelites to go to war against other nations. He used war more than once to dissolve powerful leaders, and as awful a person he was, Bin Laden was powerful. I also thought about in the book of Exodus, and how God Himself allowed Pharaoh's heart to harden. Am I saying God allowed Bin Laden's heart to harden? Not necessarily. Maybe Bin Laden never heard of Jesus? The fact is we will never know. But God took Pharoah from the face of the earth with a hard heart, he needed to be removed in order for other things to take place. 


"And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” So the Israelites camped there as they were told.- Exodus 14:4


  Lastly, what is going to happen now?? We aren't sure, and it is worrisome. I've decided to do nothing but follow His word on this one. If we sit here and think of all the possibilities, good and bad we will drive ourselves mad! I pray for all the muslims in our country, that they won't have to face discriminatory remarks and stereotypes like after 9/11. The more we worry, the more chance for skepticism and with that I believe we nurture the beginnings of hatred. "


So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."- Matthew 6:34


  I can't speak for you, but I know I will be rejoicing with my country. Not because a man has died, but because as a nation under God, we have been able to conquer! Remember David and Goliath.. Israel and Judah rejoiced in their victory, and though Bin Laden wasn't physically a giant.. he was a powerful giant as a leader. Our God is greater, and stronger.. and though it is sad to see souls die without knowing Christ.. we are not wrong in my opinion, to rejoice in conquering a giant!     


1 Samuel 17:51-54
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. ⁵² Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. ⁵³ Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp. ⁵⁴ (David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, but he stored the man’s armor in his own tent.)


God Bless America and thank you to our troops for defending us!