The Never Ending Tests

Everyday I’m growing more and more in The Lord. Some days are harder to accept the tests He puts before me because I know I may fail, and some days I high five myself because I was victorious. And that’s the thing, when we have Christ in our life His mission is to make us more like Him so He’s constantly shaping us and molding us in forms of “tests."

Philippians 1:6 says, He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I am so grateful for God’s promise in this verse. He has started a work in me and He WILL carry it on to completion. Notice how the verse doesn’t end at the word completion but he reassures us that He is going to keep working on us until Jesus comes. So as long as I’m living and I allow The Lord to do that work He’s not going to give up on me. That test of patience will keep coming up until I pass. That little thorn of hurt I keep feeling it will continue to fester until I truly forgive. God loves us enough to see all those "tests" through completion. 

One of my greatest mentors was my high school cross country and track coach, Kathy Howell. I’ve known Coach Howell since the eighth grade and this lady would never give up on me. What I loved about her was she picked a tiny runt kid and saw potential in me. I never in my wildest dreams thought I could be a runner, but she did and she worked me hard. She was always teaching me to be a better leader and a better person. Coach Howell started a good work in me. She taught me discipline and strength and by my senior year I was ranked one of the top runners in the Rio Grande Valley. Coach Howell did her job as a coach. She carried my talent and abilities to completion.


And as good as those years were in high school I’m looking forward to my spiritual journey. This is the part in my journey that counts. Have you had a bad day or week or month? It’s ok. Get up and move forward God has started a work in you and will carry it on to completion!

7 Reasons Why We Should Seize the Moment & Pray

Over the last few days some very real needs have come to my attention. It can be easy to hear or see those needs (if you’re scrolling on Facebook) and just move on, but I’m trying to make it a point to stop and pray in the moment. No more waiting or “I’ll be praying for you” I want to seize the opportunity. 

Let me encourage you, don't be embarrassed or afraid, most people are extremely grateful that you even took the time to pray for them. The looming problem is squashed with prayer because anxiety is lifted off even if it's for a few moments or for a few days.

I’ve been reading the book of 1 Peter. So as these needs and prayer requests are coming my way, 1 Peter 5:5-11 has been a perfect reminder...

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

What a great reminder laid out for us and here are some reasons I think why:

• Don't be too proud to pray for someone in need.

• God’s hand is mighty and will lift you up in HIS timing. So don’t be discouraged.

• Give Him your worries He cares enough for you that He’ll carry it for you.

• Be ready at all times (prayed up & read up) because the enemy is waiting to destroy you.

• Resist the Devil and stand firm in your faith you aren’t the only one going through this (whatever “this” is) that is why we have to pray for others.

• Don’t forget God is a God of grace. He will restore you and make you strong.

• He is all powerful!

If you are discouraged, read this portion of scripture. Let it sink in. If someone you know is going through a challenging time read it out loud to them and seize the opportunity to pray.

Unwrap the Bible Conference

I just got my ticket to the Women of Faith's Unwrap the Bible Conference in February! My friend Vanessa and her mom Deborah will be joining me. We are beyond excited! Thanks to our hubbies we got the Premium VIP seating!!! Sign up now I want to see you there!

My Latest Addiction

I love to read!!!!! As a kid I grew up in the library and spent hours there. Do you remember Book It? Yup, I was always the over achiever in this dandy little club. 

As an adult visiting a bookstore is far more fun for me than shopping for clothes. I love to scan all the titles and just admire the pretty designs on each cover. Ok you can stop making fun of me now!

 I recently had to ban myself from purchasing another book; my bookshelf is overflowing and my iPad is full of reads I haven’t even started. In the last three months I have read 4 books and 3 ebooks. Some of these books have been my inspiration for my blog posts, a reason why I can’t stop reading. So today I’d thought I’d share the wealth of information by posting some of my most recent reads with a short synopsis. I hope this is helpful to you when picking your next book but I want to hear from you too. What are you reading?

*Not pictured is The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I purchased this one on my Kindle App for my iPad.*

Title: Winning the War Within by Charles Stanley

Length: 203 pages

Summary: This book is about facing trials, temptations and inner struggles. Charles Stanley is the father to Andy Stanley at North Point Church. The book gave insight on how to define the problem, developing a self-defense and discover the truth. It was a great read especially since we all struggle with temptation. It was difficult picking my favorite quotes out of the book because it was jammed packed with so much truth. I will say that although this wasn’t revelation  it was a good reminder, Ephesians 6:13-17 (dressing up for the battle). We forget the importance of putting on the armor and we need it daily to be prepared for battle.

My favorite Quotes from the Book:

• We forget that although God gave us the potential to feel and desire certain things, Satan has the ability to manipulate and misdirect those feelings and desires. That is the essence of temptation. Satan’s appeal to you and me is to meet God-given needs and fulfill God-given desires the easiest, quickest, and least painful way.

• God does not intend for you to live a life full of frustration and anxiety. On the contrary, Satan is the one who wants your life to be filled with anxiety. That is why he is always so quick to offer a substitute for God’s best.

• God does not promise to meet your need immediately. But He does promise the inner strength you need to keep going in the meantime. By opting for His peace rather than Satan’s substitute, you can be assured that when the time comes for God to meet your particular need, you will be ready.

Title: A Glimpse of Jesus by Brennan Manning

Length: 140 pages

Summary: Brennan Manning is just a lovely writer, almost poetic in a way. The book was written for what he believes is the most pressing spiritual problem of our age: self-hatred. His writing encourages you to not look at ourselves if we want to understand God’s love but is better understood by looking at the life of Jesus. Unfortunately Mr. Manning passed away not to long ago so we won’t be seeing new books on the shelves, but he does have a few others that are worth the read.

My favorite Quotes from the Book:

• There is more power in sharing our weaknesses than in sharing our strengths.

• Healthy guilt is other-centered, arouses compunction and the desire for reconciliation, and calls us into the fullness of humanity by staring in the face defiantly and without embarrassment the gods of pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, and self-pity. “Learn from me,” the Master says, “for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29). Unhealthy guilt is self-centered, it stirs our emotions to churn in self-destructive ways, leads to depression and despair, closes us in upon ourselves and preempts the presence of a compassionate God. 

• By sheer undeserved grace, I’ve been able to abandon myself in unshaken trust to the compassion and mercy of Jesus Christ. 

Title: It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado

Length: 146 pages

Summary: Don’t be fooled by the length of the book it was actually a quick read. The book encourages you to look outward and not inward. God is so much bigger than me. The title pretty much explains itself.

My favorite Quotes from the Book:

• Our society is not wired for this kind of thinking. It’s a “me-centric” world out there which destroys much of what should be good. And for some, life’s troubles are magnified because they believe life is all about them. - David Robinson

• If you think it’s all about you, and I think it’s all about me, we have no hope for melody.

• Why does the earth spin? For him. Why do you have talents and abilities? For him. Why do you have money or poverty? For him. Strength or struggles? For him. Everything and everyone exists to reveal His glory including you.

Title: The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian

Length: 203 pages

Summary: This book was powerful. I’ve prayed for my husband many times but it was so eye opening how important it is to pray for one another in a marriage on a daily basis; to be intentional. She even provided a prayer after each chapter to help guide you on what to pray for. She also provided lots of stories on her own relationship with her husband which was nice to hear a “been there” attitude but in a very humbling way.

My favorite Quotes from the Book:

• Something amazing happens to our hearts when we pray for another person. The hardness melts. We become able to get beyond the hurts, and forgive. We even end up loving the person we are praying for. It's miraculous! It happens because when we pray we enter in to the presence of God and He fills us with His Spirit of love.
• The past should not be a place where we live, but something from which we learn.

Ebooks:

Pursuit of Proverbs 31 by Amy Bayliss

How to Have Your Cake and Eat it Too by Mandi Ehman

Simple Blogging by Rachel Meeks

So share with me what you are reading, I'm dying to know!!!

*The above reviews are my personal thoughts and opinions. I did not get paid or was asked to promote or advertise these books*

True Beauty

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which of great worth in God's sight." 

- 1 Peter 3:3-4

 I think it's within every little girl to want to feel pretty, to be treated like a princess, and certainly wants to be told she is. I think even their mommas desire that too! Our society doesn't make it easy. I know I've struggled with feeling not pretty enough, not tall enough and the list goes on. So if I expect my daughter to love herself the way God made her it starts with me. I have to love me, just the way I am. 

Thank you God for the comfort of your word that says a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth to You. May my life as a mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend strive for unfading beauty in Your eyes. And may I pass on that truth to my daughter who will face insecurities and hurt by this world we live in. Your word is powerful and true!

Halloween Madness

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween yesterday. This was really the first time my husband and I got to experience trick or treating with our kids now that they are a little bit older. My sister, sister-in-law, my mom and nephews and niece got to experience it with us. Here are a few pics from our fun evening. To see the entire album click here.

The Intentional Parent

*Disclaimer* The following post is written towards moms but could most definitely be applied to dads and really any individual.

“What people are craving isn’t perfection. People aren’t longing to be impressed; they’re longing to feel like they’re home.” - Shauna Niequist Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes

I tend to be a perfectionist. I’m the mom who likes her house in order, clean, and everything in a timely manner. Guilty as charged! Although it’s okay to want all those things I also know my kids just want me. It’s a difficult balance. My schedule is crazy today do I put in a load of laundry in the washer or sit and play dolls with my daughter? I know some of you are thinking, “duh, spend time with your kids!” But it truly is something I have to be intentional about on a daily basis. I hope I’m not the only mom who struggles with this!!!

Although my husband likes to walk into a clean home and dinner in the works he’s also communicated to me that happy kids who’ve had a great day with mom are also comforting to him, the chores can wait and will always be there. To hear that from my husband means a lot because it gives me permission to let some things go and he has no hidden expectations.

Do you recall the story in the bible (Luke 10:38-42) where Martha and Mary have a visit from Jesus? 

 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I would be Martha in this story! I’d be running around with my head cut off trying to impress Jesus when he’s not a bit least concerned about the bookcase that needs dusted or the crumbs on the counter. I would be missing my opportunity to spend time with him!

To apply this to my every day life if I’m not intentional I could be missing wonderful opportunities with my kids. They want the fun mom every once in awhile. The one who plays ball with them and has tea parties. They don’t want the mom whose constantly barking orders at them or getting onto them for the messes they make. Be intentional with your time because people aren’t craving perfection they are longing for a home!

Additional Resources:

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

If you want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get out of the Boat by John Ortberg

Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George

Power Verses:

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 21:5 

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun