Backward Thinking

I've been doing a lot of studying the Bible lately for teaching Sunday School and for a retreat I'm speaking at in May, and one of the themes that keeps popping up is the idea of how much we can't trust our own hearts and minds to tell us the truth, and how much the things that seem right and true in this world are really backwards or upside down thinking.


My cousin Katy posted this on Facebook today, and I thought it was such a cool picture of how backward we can have it:



Thanks for sharing, Kate! Love ya!

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Small

Big-
You are Big
Maker of stars so enormous
Earth appears as a speck of dust
Designer of galaxies beyond our reach
Sculptor of mountains too high for me to summit
Big-
You are Big.

But today it is your smallness
That steals my breath
And fills me with awe
And sends me to my knees.


Small-
You are small.
Your signature stamped on the minutest cell
Aware of each hair upon my head,
Your tiny jar
Collecting every,
     individual tear that


f


a


l


l


s


Small enough to know our hearts,
You see
me.

I am not lost on this speck of dust
I am known.
You saw my Micah,
Lost to me before she was big enough to see
But not lost to You who held her in Your hand and ushered her to Your side
The day she flew to be with
You.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?

Small-
You are small.

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Guest Blogger: Lysa TerKeurst

I'm so excited and honored to have Lysa TerKeurst, author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, here today as a guest blogger.  Don't forget that tonight is the next installment of her free 10-week webcast series based on the Made to Crave book.  I'll have more info at the bottom of the post about the webcast. 

Desperation Breeds Defeat
Based on Chapter 16 of Made to Crave

Thought for the Day:
 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)


I was walking through the airport when an incredible aroma suddenly grabbed my attention and taunted, “Do you know how happy I can make you?” A candy shop had just made a fresh batch of nutty, caramel popcorn.

I felt my knees get weak, because I love caramel popcorn. I started to rationalize buying this special, thinking, “I can’t get this flavor at home, and I’ll take half home to my kids.” In that moment, a new truth God taught me during my healthy eating journey popped into my mind and saved the day: desperation breeds defeat.

In the book of Genesis, the Bible tells an interesting story about twin brothers who illustrate this point. The elder son, Esau, was favored by his father, Isaac, because of his prowess as a hunter. In contrast, the younger son, Jacob, was a quiet homebody. One day, Esau returned home from an unsuccessful hunting trip totally famished, and demanded some stew from his brother. “I’ll give you food,” agreed Jacob, “but first, trade me your birthright.” Esau replied, “Okay, I’m so hungry, I’m about to die.” So Esau traded the honors due to him as the firstborn son for a simple meal of stew.

Upon first glance, it’s easy to ridicule Esau’s decision. I cannot imagine selling your whole birthright for a pot of soup. But I had to look at my own life and ask, “What great thing have I traded for so little in return? How often do I trade healthy food for junk food? What temporary pleasure have I craved so much that I gave up lasting victory?”

Desperation does indeed breed defeat. But God promises answers for desperate situations in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

The “way out” that God provides is the ability to decide in advance what I will and will not eat each day. I plan my meals right after breakfast when I’m feeling full and satisfied. The absolute worst time for me to decide what I’m going to eat is when I’ve waited until I’m depleted and feeling hungry. So I prepare a healthy snack to have on hand or keep in my purse.

When I’m unprepared or I’ve rushed through a proper meal, my stomach screams for something quick. And quick options usually come in a variety of unhealthy temptations, just as I experienced at the airport. However, that day I had decided ahead of time that I would keep an apple in my purse for a snack, rather than trade my healthy progress for something like caramel popcorn.

Let me be clear. I’m not saying that we should flee food. However, we must prevent the control that food can take over our lives. If we purposely begin to think before we eat, we’ll be better able to see the way out that God promises when we are tempted.


For more information about Lysa TerKeurst and her book Made to Crave, please visit:

www.MadetoCrave.org

Thank you so much Lysa!  If you'd like to participate in the free Made to Crave webcast series Lysa is offering, you can watch it tonight on the Made to Crave website or at http://www.ksbj.org/ at 8:00 EST (adjust for your timezone).

They'll also replay it again on Tuesday at 12 noon EST, 3pm EST, 8pm EST, and 10pm EST for anyone who misses the live show.

And I'll be back next Monday to share more about the book, the webcasts, and how they are impacting me personally. 

Also, JenD. you were the winner of the Made to Crave book giveaway, but unfortunately I don't have a way to contact you. Please let me know how to get you your prize. If I don't hear from Jen before next Monday, I'll announce a new winner.


Thanks again, Lysa!  Happy Monday everyone!

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When a Princess has a Crisis of Faith

Make sure you don't miss your chance to win Lysa TerKeurst's newest book, Made to Crave by clicking here. The winner will be announced on Friday.

I've always said I didn't want to shelter my kids or give them an unintentional message that I was afraid for their faith to be challenged.

I wanted to raise them to not be afraid of the tough questions because what we believe is True, therefore it can stand up to skepticism and challenge and still be True.


Both King Charming and I have also raised them to be critical thinkers, to not just take something as true because someone (or the Internet) says it is true, but to test what they are told.

We want them to use their minds and although it is an act of faith, they do not need to check their intellect at the door in order to place that faith in Jesus. Faith in Him is reasonable.

All of that sounded great in theory, but recently I had to put that confidence into practice and I must admit my gut reaction was to panic.


Sometime in mid-November, I began to notice changes in one of my princesses. In order to protect her privacy, I won't go into great detail, but I was so worried about how resistant she suddenly became to any activity that had to do with church, the Bible, praise, or prayer. For two months I fretted and worried and tried to get it out of her what was wrong, but she wasn't letting me in.


And then I finally got smart enough to pray about the issue. Why, Oh why don't I remember that is where I'm supposed to go first?


The answer was to pray more. Somewhere along the way this past year I got off course with my prayer life and I realized I had stopped consistently covering my family in prayer. And when I started praying for her, the guard came down one night at bedtime, and in tears she started sharing a list of questions she had and let me see how doubt had crept in and how she was afraid and not so sure that what we believed was true anymore.


I wish I could say I was able to calmly and rationally reassure her, but emotion crept in and turned my mind to mush. I didn't have all the right answers. I just tucked her in to bed and ran to King Charming for help. : )


The next morning, I sat back in awe and listened as he led her through a set of questions that helped her come to logical conclusions on her own about the real evidence her faith was built upon. He also praised her for being a critical thinker and let her know he was proud of her for thinking through this stuff. Later that night she prayed, "Thank you, Lord for showing me you are the true God."


And then I breathed a gigantic sigh of relief. : ) I was so thankful for the answers to my prayers for her. And I'm so thankful for the continued peace I see in her lately.


She is such a smart little girl and so young to already be going through these times of doubt. But it was so cool to see how God carried her through and encouraged her. I believe her faith will be stronger now then ever because she is learning that He is worthy of her trust, and I'm glad that her faith is becoming her own, not just something she believes because her parents do.


I learned a lot going through this first little crisis of faith with one of my children. Here are some highlights:


• Don't stop praying for them. I pulled out this list again to help focus my prayers.

• Don't panic, just pray even more. The more I panicked, the worse pressure I put on her.

• Remember God will cover where I fail. He answered her questions even when my stumbling and stammering couldn't.

• I'm thankful my husband is so smart. : )


Thank you, Lord, that you are worthy of our trust. Thank you that you are real and what we believe is True with a capital T. Thank you for loving my family even more than I do, and for answering my prayers. Thank you for helping my sweet princesses grow up to be beautiful women of God.

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Made to Crave Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed.  The winner will be announced later today- 1/14/11. 

I remember as early as the second grade being aware of my weight and sucking in my tummy so I would look prettier to the little boy I had a crush on.     

By the time I was twelve, I went on my first real diet, beginning a cycle of gaining and losing, gaining and losing, that spanned the decades from that 12-year-old version of myself walking into my first Weight Watchers meeting ,to the "34-year-old, 30 pounds over my ideal weight" self I am today.  Believe me when I say, I have tried them all. 


The last thing I need is another diet book.


Although I am a huge fan of Lysa TerKeurst and Proverbs 31 Ministries, when I heard Lysa's latest book was to be on weight loss, I have to admit I rolled my eyes. 

(Please forgive me, Lysa)  

The idea of reading one more book on this subject felt painful, and I doubted Lysa, a pretty Southern girl, could really understand those of us who have battled this issue our whole lives.  But I'm happy to say I was wrong!

For one thing, as I'm reading Made to Crave, I'm learning Lysa does "get" it.  And for another thing, this isn't another diet book.  It's a Bible study designed to help find satisfaction in God instead of food.  It's a Bible study designed to point the way to victory and to discover keys to lasting change.


And that is definitely something I need. 
(long for, desire greatly)        


Lysa explains the purpose of Made to Crave here: 

So, I'm reading Made to Crave and I hope you'll join me. 

Three Exciting Announcements: 

1.  Lysa is offering a FREE 10-week Made to Crave webcast series for anyone with access to a computer.  All you have to do is go to www.MadetoCrave.org  at 8:00pm EST every Monday, and you’ll be able to participate from there. (Please note these times are Eastern Standard Times. You will need to adjust for whichever time zone you are in.)

2.  Each Monday between now and February 14th, I will be hosting a blog series called, Made to Crave Mondays where I'll be sharing my personal journey reading the book and participating in the webcasts, as well as guest blog posts and video segments from Lysa about Made to Crave.

3.  Lysa gave me an extra book to giveaway to one of you!  Just leave a comment below letting me know that you would like to read Made to Crave and you will be entered into the drawing. 

The drawing is open to U.S. residents only and will end Thursday, January 13th.  I'll announce the winner on Friday, January 14th. 


Additional Entry Options:   

All you have to do is leave a comment below to be entered, but if you want extra chances to win, leave a separate comment for each of the things you do below. Each comment is an entry.

1.  Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs (see sidebar) or let me know you already do.

2.  Follow me on Twitter @BeckyAvella and Tweet about this giveaway.

3.  Follow @LysaTerKeurst on Twitter

4.  Like Lysa TerKeurst on Facebook by clicking here

5.  Blog about the giveaway and leave me a link to the post

I'm excited and hopeful about this journey for you and for me. 


Is anything too hard for the Lord?  - Genesis 18:14 

Love,

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The Read and Share Bible Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed.  I'll be back later today to announce the winner.  : ) 

Happy New Year!!  It's 2011 and I can't think of a better way to kick off the New Year here on Everyday Becky than with a giveaway, can you?. : )

Tommy Nelson's Read and Share Bible

Recently, I was looking at my girls and thanking the Lord that they are growing up to be His, with a good understanding of the Bible and faith that is their own.  Then I looked at Prince Charming and remembered that we need to be intentional about building that same foundation in him. 

About that same time, Tommy Nelson Publishers contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing their children's Bible, The Read and Share Bible.  I jumped at the chance to add another resource to our library for introducing Prince Charming to the Bible. 

He loves his new Bible and calls it "Mine".  : )  We just spent some time this morning snuggling on the couch and reading one of the stories. 

These are the features I enjoy the most: 

• The Simplicity of the Stories-  Each two page spread is its own story which is a length consistent with my two-year-old's attention span.  He won't sit still for longer stories in other children's Bible's yet.
   
• The Discussion Starters-  At the end of each story is a discussion starter or question to involve the child in the story.  I love this because I'm trying to learn myself to "not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22) and want to teach my kids to not just read but apply what they see in the Bible.
   
• The Illustrations-  The illustrations are Prince Charming's favorite feature.  He is still so young for understanding all that we are reading if he will even sit still that long, but he loves the pictures.  He will turn the pages and point out different details he likes.  I enjoy seeing him engaging with the Bible stories in a positive way even when he is so little.

See For Yourself:

The Christmas Story as found in the Read and Share Bible

Here's How to Win One! 

Tommy Nelson has generously donated a copy for me to give away to one of you and I do love to give things away.  Thank you, Tommy Nelson!  : ) 

Just leave me a comment below telling me of a child in your life that you'd like to share this with or if you plan on donating it to your church's children's ministry, tell me that, too.  Each comment will be an entry.

 Contest is open to U.S. residents only and will end Friday, January 7, 2011 @ 6:00 AM (Mountain Standard Time).  I'll post the winner on Friday.

Additional Entry Options- 

If you want extra chances to win, leave a separate comment for each of the things you do below.  Each comment is an entry.  Lot's of extra chances to win!  : ) 

1.  Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs (see sidebar) or let me know you already do. 

2.  Follow me on Twitter @BeckyAvella and Tweet about this giveaway. 

3.  Follow @TommyNelson on Twitter

4.  Blog about the giveaway and leave me a link to the post

5.  Visit http://www.tommynelson.com/ and tell me what you like.  (Hint: There are some Free Goodies on there)

6.  Like  Tommy Nelson on Facebook. 

I'll be back on Friday to announce the winner! 

Disclaimer: ** I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review.  All of the opinions expressed are my own or those of my children. 

 

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This Thankful Heart- Multitudes on Mondays

"Oh my words could not tell, not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed

By this thankful heart"
- Matt Redman

Counting My Blessings One by One to 1,000...

#77   A Thanksgiving meal that was a true feast.  Smiles like this one were my reward:

 

 

#78   A perfect bird

#79   A Thanksgiving that was far more than a meal, but a weekend of love, laughing, cards, shopping, and cousins.  Memories-  

 

#80 Seeing the big kids learn Pinochle with Grandma and Grandpa:

(And wondering when they become the BIG kids?) 

Beyond the Holiday:

#81  King Charming telling me I'm beautiful and laughing at me when I say my face is aging.  : ) 

#82 God's gentleness when He is disciplining me and shaping me.  We've been working on something lately, and I keep failing.  So thankful He doesn't fail me and doesn't quit on me. 

Clinging to this verse:

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. - Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

#83 Family friends who surprised us and visited our church Sunday morning.  The joy their surprise brought my kids.  (and me)



#84  Whispered conversation at the coffee pot in the back of the church with sweet friends (When we should have been sitting down and listening).  Trying to squeeze in everything I wanted to tell them into a few quick whispers before we became a distraction. 

 

#85  Reading, reading, reading- every chance I could steal this weekend.  Books that made me cry at the end, but smile at their beauty.  

#86  Tuesday morning.  Can't wait to do it again someday.  

#87  Remembering this:

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.    

-Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

                                                                       
Remembering all the times He has in the past

                                         Confident He will continue in the future.

#88 Singing this song at church today:   

 

This thankful heart overflows. 

I'm participating in Multitudes on Mondays on A Holy Experience.

Love, 

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Why Just a Day? How About All Month Long?

Thanksgiving is on its way!

In a few short weeks, my home will fill up with my family who are coming to help me celebrate, and I am so excited for that special day.

Amidst my busy preparations, house cleaning, and menu planning, I don't want to make it to December missing what the holiday is all about- Thanking God.

Last Sunday night, our pastor talked to us about Thanksgiving coming and challenged us to consider dedicating this entire month to giving thanks instead of relying on the one day.

His challenge resonated with me. I'm excited about how much better prepared I will be on the day, if I spend the whole month actively identifying my blessings and purposefully saying, "Thank You!"

It's been special already. Each morning during our drive to school this week, the girls have been listing the things they are feeling thankful for that morning. It's interesting to hear the creative things they appreciate, and it has given me fresh perspective. For example, one of the girls said, "I'm thankful for the colors. I'm glad the world isn't black and white." Now I've been looking around and seeing color in a new way.

"Yes, little girl, I'm glad this world isn't black and white, too!"


I want to use my blog as a place to highlight my gratitude and I know just where I want to begin.

This afternoon, I thought it would be interesting to see what pops up when I Google my name, and I stumbled across this article about me on my church's website. It made me incredibly grateful to re-read it today.

So, Father, I want to publicly thank you once again for your faithful presence in my life and the knowledge that you hold my future as well!

Love,

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Mercy!

It was already 4:00, and I just knew I was going to be late picking up my girls from choir practice at school. 

I hastily buckled in Prince Charming, jumped in the driver's seat, and threw the car into reverse. 

And then...

CRUNCH!

Instantly, I knew I had done something really, really stupid.  Something you can't just say, "oops" and then forget about.  

You know, it's always wise to wait for the garage door to finish opening before you try to exit the garage. 

As I inspected the damage, the door was off the track, looked slightly mangled and required a lot of effort just to get it up enough so I could back the car out.  There was nothing more I could do, and had to drive away, leaving the door wide open because it would no longer close. 

Driving to the school, all I could think about was how stupid I had been, of how much money I had probably just cost us, and I cringed, knowing I needed to call my husband and confess before he beat me home and saw the mangled door. 

So of course, I did what any sane, grown-up woman would do-  I called my mama.  : ) 

Unfortunately, she wasn't home, and my Dad answered instead.  And he was NO HELP AT ALL!  He chuckled unsympathetically, and quite cynically, and said,

"Oh man, he is going to be so mad at you!  He isn't going to be happy at all!" 

Thanks, Dad.  Just the encouragement I needed.

Unable to postpone the inevitable any loner, I parked in the school parking lot, and dialed my cell phone.  And you know what? 

Instead of condemning me or expressing the anger I was sure was due to me, King Charming said, "It's OK.  I'll check it out when I get home." 

At home, he whistled while he worked on the garage door, getting it back on track.  Then he walked in the kitchen, gave me a kiss and hug and said, "Well, it works again."  Then he winked and said, "And the big bulge in the door gives it character." 

I couldn't believe the difference between the reaction I anticipated receiving and the mercy and grace he showed me instead.   

I was given MERCY. 

The definition of mercy is NOT getting what you do deserve. 

I was shown GRACE. 

The definition of grace is getting what you DON'T deserve. 

I thought of how this little melodrama that unfolded here Wednesday afternoon was a picture of how Jesus treats me- forgiving me, taking my punishment upon Himself to show me mercy, and loving me with a grace that I do not deserve.  

This whole thing made me thankful, and humble. LOL.  

Don't they say that people want houses with character?  Mine has some now.  : )

Happy Friday All!  

Love,   

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Like a Glass of Cool Water to a Thirsty Heart

It's Friday night, and I'm closing this week with a sense of satisfaction I haven't felt in so long.

I've been sitting here contemplating what changed this week to make me feel so "right." I suppose its a new beginning, a return to a predictable schedule, and a sense of order after a busy, chaotic summer.

More than anything, though, I think it has to do with me finally listening to that Still Small Voice. I never decided to drift, but somehow I got wrapped up in swimming lessons and vacations and summer busyness. I ended up neglecting the most important element of my life, and made it to August dry and thirsty and with a bad case of the blues.

One of the sweetest parts of this week has been my early morning "Dates With Jesus." Each morning this week before anyone else woke up, I read my Bible, drank my coffee, and prayed over the new day.

My dry heart soaked up words like these I read this morning:

“That we might not rely on ourselves, but on God”

“For no matter how many promises God has made they are ‘Yes’ in Christ”

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

(All from 2 Corinthians)

I think the rightness I feel tonight is just my thirsty heart saying, "ahhhh" like you do when you've been really parched, but then get to drink a big glass of cool water.

It's one of those things I have to ask myself, "Why didn't I do this sooner?" And, it's one of those things I know will be a challenge to continue.

Why do we fight the things that are best for us?

I'm not writing this to pat myself on the back because I got up early every day and did something spiritual. It's more of a confession of how unspiritual I have been and a reminder to myself of how much I need that time with Him everyday.

Tonight sitting here feeling filled up and content, I'm so thankful for this truth:

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

- 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT


I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

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Getting Rid of Worms

The worship leader leaned into the mic and invited all the kids up to the front of the church this morning to sing before they were excused for Sunday School.

The girls drug Prince Charming with them, but he was more interested in taking off his new shoes than singing, so he ended up back with the grown ups as a spectator.

As I settled him into the chair next to me, I heard her announce, "We're going to sing, 'Cast Your Burdens Upon Jesus'. How many of you know this one?"

Instantly, I lifted my head to make eye contact with Oldest Princess and we shared a knowing smile between each other.

She could not have picked a more perfect song, I thought as I looked at my daughter on the stage.

This week my girls will be starting a brand new school. Homeschooling was a wonderful thing for us for a season, but God has opened up a new door and another great opportunity for the girls. I'm excited about it. I see it as an awesome opportunity, but poor Oldest Princess isn't so sure.

The looming unknown is killing her. She's had tummy aches and isn't sleeping well and keeps asking me a million "what if" questions. I've been worried and anxious for her, wishing school would just hurry up and start so she could settle in and stop fretting.

I heard the worship leader ask, "How many of you like to fish?" This time both of the girls perked up. This was definitely an analogy they could relate to!

They raised their hands high in the sky, and I heard Littlest Princess bragging to the kids standing next to her, "I caught a King Salmon" as if that made her more qualified to sing the song than the rest of them.

"Well, I want you to take the things you are worried about and pretend they are worms. OK, now hook those worms onto your hook and cast them upon Jesus to take care of for you. And grown ups, I want you to stand up, too, because I know you have burdens, too."

It was so sweet to watch us all casting our lines of burdens away and on to the Lord's capable shoulders. I began thinking of all the burdens that have weighed me down this summer and decided I wanted to be free from them as well.

After church we took a picnic lunch to the park, and Oldest Princess and I found some time alone. Walking across a bridge, we looked down at the stream flowing below it and talked about how much we both needed that song this morning.

She smiled and said, "Mommy, I hooked ten worms onto my hook."

I asked her what her ten worms of worry were, and she ticked them off one by one on her fingers, "School, school, school..." and then giggled. So right there on that bridge the two of us started singing:

Cast your burdens
Upon Jesus
For He cares for you!

We cast our worries right off the bridge and imagined them washing away down stream. Feeling lighter, we ran from the bridge to the swings, competing to see who could swing the highest as we sang even louder this time.

Higher, higher, higher, higher
Higher, higher, higher, higher
Lift Jesus higher

Lower, lower, lower, lower
Lower, lower, lower, lower
STOMP Satan lower.

It was one of those impromptu moments that will remain a sweet memory for me. It felt so good to be the crazy lady in my church dress swinging and singing at the top of my lungs with my little girl as we released all our cares and worries.

If anything is burdening you today, I hope you'll join Oldest Princess and me. I highly recommend finding the closest swing, hop on, and start singing. Feel the freedom that comes as you cast your burdens upon Jesus and lift Him higher.

Do you have any specific worms on your hook today? You can leave a comment or send me an email and I'd love to pray for you.

Love,

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Music Moves Me. What About You?

First, I'm so glad I was able to make so many of you laugh at my expense yesterday. : ) And I must report that Oldest Princess is VERY proud of being right.

And she is perfectly safe. She did not get carried off to Oz. Thanks for your concern. : )


I'm so moved by music.

I'm also moved by words.

I love it when beautiful music is combined with beautiful words. Some songs entertain me, some convict me, some lead me to worship. Others spark my imagination.

Sometimes God speaks to me through songs better than a sermon.

When my mind was too numb from grief, music was a way He delivered messages of hope to my heart. And recently, I noticed He is using songs to inspire my writing.

My latest favorite song is "What Do I Know of Holy" by Addison Road. I love how it speaks to me about my own past and my own heart condition. I love how it reminds me to not limit God and to remember He is not a tame lion.

I'm excited about how the lyrics of this song are helping me to define and create one of the characters in the novel I'm writing.






What about you? Do you have any songs that are speaking to you currently? What do you think of this one? Do these lyrics speak to you? I'd love to hear how.

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IT Won't Depart from Them- A New Look at Proverbs 22:6

As moms, many of us carry a certain amount of burden for the spiritual condition and future of our kids.

I think about it often. I wonder, Will my kids have their own faith? Will they stay faithful to Jesus after they grow up? Am I doing everything I can to make sure that happens?

Sometimes it is scary. What if I'm doing it all wrong?

There is a verse in the Bible that says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV).

That can be a comforting verse, or it can add guilt if your child grows up and does depart from it. Then the question changes to What did I do wrong?

Ravi Zacharias was on my car radio the other day teaching on parenthood. He discussed Proverbs 22:6 and said in the original language the verse could lend itself more to Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old it will not depart from him.

That interpretation was comforting to me because I was reminded ultimately my children are responsible for their own relationship with the Lord, as we all are.

I can't do it wrong because it isn't up to me. My children have freewill and all that I am trying to pour into them will not depart from them when they are old. It will be in their hearts to draw from as they live out their own faith.

If they stray, they will be haunted by it until they return to Truth. It won't depart from them.

My dream for my kids is that they will continue in the faith and will not have to ever know the emptiness of a life without purpose, a life without hope, a life without true love, a life without Jesus. That they will be rescued from sin and will spend Eternity in Heaven with Him.

I'm thankful that He will not let go of them. And I'm thankful for their beautiful childlike faith right now, a faith that is so strong despite my failures and successes as their mom.

It is all their own.

It will always be their own.

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Rest for the Weary

During my study time, I read this paraphrase of Matthew 11:28-29 and felt like it was a memo of love to me this morning and figured I couldn't be the only one who needed it.

So here is an invitation today to you from Jesus:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (The Message)


Learning the unforced rhythms of grace today,

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Don't Despise the Journey

If you don't like the number on your scale. It is probably because you aren't weighing yourself correctly:

The proper way to weigh yourself! : )

I've shared on here before (and more on my fitness blog) about my struggle to maintain my weight. It has been a life-long battle and one I often doubt I'll ever win.

Whoever coined the phrase "Yo-Yo" dieter must have had me in mind. My past is full of defeat and victory in this Battle of the Bulge.

Last year was a year of victory. This year has been a year of stress eating, blues, and 25 unwanted pounds back on my body. It makes me feel so ashamed and unhappy.

I have no one to blame but myself. It was my hands grabbing comfort food. It was my mind saying, "Reward yourself" after a stressful day.

I used to beg, "Make me skinny, Lord."

Now I've been crying out, "Change me, Lord!" I am so tired of the up and down trip on the scale and the way it messes with my mind, emotions, and self-esteem.

His answer is, "I am changing you."

To which I respond, "Not fast enough."

I'm reading a book called, The Body God Designed: How to Love the Body You've Got While You Get the Body You Want. When I read this part the other day, I knew I had my answer:

You need to accept that you are on a journey. The journey itself is not a waste of time because along the way you are going to learn about God and you are going to learn about yourself. Do not despise God because He's asking you to take baby steps toward your destination instead of miraculously transporting you there in one fell swoop.

I am learning that God is changing me from the inside out. He wants me to be healthy, but although my physical health is important, its temporal, and secondary to my spiritual health which is eternal. That doesn't make the journey easy, it has been TOUGH lately, but I'm learning to not despise it, to accept who I am right now and God's love, to grow from my mistakes, and to not give up. This is God's way of doing a permanent fix in me, not a quick shallow one, and that's worth the wait.

What kind of journey does He have you on at the moment?

Praying for you!

Love,

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The Songs I'm Singing Today

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My Favorite Holiday!

I loved the girls' sweet Easter dresses, tights, and fancy shoes.

I loved watching Prince Charming taste his very first "Peep."

I loved having King Charming with us for church even though he had to function on less than an hour and 1/2 of sleep because of his crazy work schedule.

I loved the Egg Hunt and my annual Easter Bunny Cake that brings back childhood memories of my Grandma's annual bunny cake:

But I think my Facebook status from last weekend says what I loved best of all:

My favorite holiday. Celebrating the hope of ALL mankind this weekend. No greater love! Our Hero has come and rescued us. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

Hope you enjoyed celebrating the most pivotal point of human history! I hope you know Him, too, and have allowed Him to be your Hero.

If you ever have questions about my faith, feel free to ask.

Love to all!

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The Song I'm Singing Today

I saw this video on my Aunt Karen's blog and fell in love.

We own the "Planet Earth" videos and every time I watch them, I'm filled with worship. This song is beautiful, too.

Enjoy! (P.S. Watching it in full screen is the best)




"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
- Romans 1:20


"How can I say 'There is no God' when all around Creation calls?"


There are so many ways God calls us to Himself-

The awesome beauty of His creation is one.

Worshipping Him today!

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But God, Isn't this the Wrong Way?

Warning: You are about to enter the realm of my wandering, rambling thoughts. It probably won't make a lot of sense. : )

So what are you doing, Lord?

It's so weird. I've been taking steps- (albeit tentative, nervous steps)- in a certain direction that I THOUGHT God was leading me in. Now there are new ideas, things that may be coming from Him, but appear to be going in the OPPOSITE direction than where I thought He was leading.

And it is quite possible I could be making it all up and this new direction isn't coming from Him at all. Confusing, huh? : )

Then there are remaining questions of unanswered things that I thought He was doing and then didn't. There still seems to be so many loose ends floating around inside of me, and I can't imagine how He is going to tie up those loose ends. I guess I just have to trust that He will.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Ideas, ideas, ideas...

What are God ideas and What are Becky ideas???

And even if we turn around and walk in what feels like the WRONG way, isn't God capable of getting me to the RIGHT place anyway?

In your prayers, above everything else, beware of limiting God, not only through unbelief but also by thinking you know exactly what He can do. Learn to expect the unexpected, beyond all that you ask or think.

See each time you intercede through prayer, first be quiet and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, how He delights in Christ His Son, and of your place in Him – then expect great things.” -Andrew Murray

I love the title of Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God? That phrase has been running through my mind all morning, and I keep responding, "What happens when you are willing to say yes, but don't know what to say 'yes' to?" Guess I better read the book instead of just the title. : )

Oh well, no matter which direction He's leading me, He's definitely working IN me. Guess there is stuff in there that needs some remodeling.

Lord, please bring clarity and direction to the chaos of all my scattered ideas, half done projects, ambitions and dreams.

I want to follow, not lead.

I want to follow, not drag my feat.

I want faith and courage and wisdom to lead the way, no longer held back by fear and procrastination and rabbit trails.

Remember, Lord, how in the fourth grade Mrs. Hall called me "her little absent-minded professor"? Not much has changed since then.

So instead of this fretting, I'm going to just be quiet and worship You. Then I'll see what you do next.

Love,

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