Merry Christmas from our home to yours'!

 

This time of year is especially meaningful to me because we celebrate the birth of our savior! Do you ever think about what life would be like if we had no Savior? I do, and I can imagine that I would lead a very hopeless life. Yet there are millions of people out there who don't believe or haven't yet heard. This makes me very sad because there is so much more to life than living for ourselves, or even our families and friends. I am praying for more opportunities in the coming year to share my faith with others without being ashamed or afraid of what they might think. For me this comes through building deeper relationships with those I come in contact with--my neighbors, my kids' friends and their families, people I seem to "run into" frequently. I pray the same for you this Christmas season---and also that you will see Christ in a new light and be renewed in your spirit.

Merry Christmas my friend!

Loving Him

~Mel

Thoughts

"Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you." Ephesians 4:22-24 The Message

Lord, help me to strain every thought through the sieve of your word and not allow any deceit, bitterness, jealousy, or malice any place in my heart...that I may live in the freedom of my new self, all made possible because of you.

Loving Him,

~Mel

Getting Past Ourselves

I find it amazing that old truths can still be like fresh water for my soul at times I need them. I have just started a new personal Bible Study called "Becoming a Woman of Excellence" by Cynthia Heald. It's one that I bought years ago with the intention of doing...and never did. So glad I kept it around after all this time. I am really enjoying it. The first chapter has been covering the laying off of our old selves and running with our new selves. This morning I wanted to share a quote with you by Hannah Whitall Smith:

"The greatest burden we have to carry in life is self. The most difficult thing we have to manage is self. In laying off your burdens, therefore, the first one you must get rid of is yourself. You must hand yourself...into the care and keeping of your God...He made you and therefore He understands you and knows how to manage you and you must trust Him to do it well."

This really spoke to me. There are many things that hinder me from allowing me to be free from my self: pride...thinking I can do it all by myself and being overly confident in myself; thinking I am not valuable, that there is something wrong with me and that I can't do anything right; comparing myself to others, and being preoccupied with my performance, to mention a few. It is so critical that we accept ourselves as God made us in order to live in the freedom that He gave so much for us to enjoy. Here is another quote by Jerry Bridges:

"Self acceptance is basically trusting God for who I am, disabilities or physical flaws and all. We need to learn to think as George MacDonald did when he said, "I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God's thought, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest, and most precious thing in all thinking."

Lord, you made me and you know me better than I know myself. Help me to see myself the way you see me and love me; help me not to look to others for approval, but only strive to please you. I want to bring glory to you and please you above all else. In Your Son's precious name, Amen.

Loving Him today,

~Mel

God is our Refuge

For the past few months I have been trying to memorize Psalm 46 with my Bible Study group. It sure doesn't get easier after you turn 40! I have it posted up on the wall in our bathroom where I dry my hair every morning, so my ritual is to tackle a new verse every couple of weeks. I finally have it down, but more than that, I have learned once again that memorizing something really makes you think about the words. I have grown to love this passage. One of the most rewarding things about memorizing scripture for me is that I can recall it exactly the moment I need it, instead of having to go scrambling for my Bible.

Here is Psalm 46:

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

⁸ Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

⁹ He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.

¹⁰ "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

One of my all-time favorite verses has been Psalm 46:10 "Be Still, and know that I am God." It has been neat for me to have this verse in context and realize the whole Psalm is really about God being in control of our lives and that no matter what happens to me, He "is my refuge and strength." He is ALWAYS with me- "an ever present help in trouble," and "the Lord Almighty is with us." Nothing is too big for Him! I pray I will never forget Psalm 46.

Lord, help me live today knowing you are my refuge and strength and an ever present help in trouble. All I need to do is ask and you will help me with whatever situation I'm in. Thank you for being my Almighty God. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for saving me.

In His Strength,

~Mel

He's Been Busy With Me

While I have been absent from my blog for a few months God has been hugely at work in me. I wanted to share with you what He has done. For many years I have struggled with hidden anger from past hurts. I have tried to hide it deep inside, but it always manages to rear its ugly head somehow to some unsuspecting person, usually a family member, but sometimes even a friend. I'm going to quote to you from my journal entry from September 15th:

Today is a new day for me! I have chosen to throw my suitcase of bitterness very far away and I am choosing not to be angry one more day. The bitterness I have been holding onto has gotten so bad it has reared its ugly head in so many small but big ways. Lord, you are so wonderful. Where would I be without you? Thank you for being faithful and answering my prayers to forgive. Thank you most of all for loving me through this. I'm letting it all go today. Please continue the work you began in me, now that I have submitted to you. Thank you for my "Calm My Anxious Heart" Bible Study and the ladies in my group. You have spoken and I have changed because of it. I'm quoting from the chapter I read last night on being content in relationships:

"As I look at His (Jesus) response to betrayal (Matt. 26:38-46 while in the garden of Gethsemane when He asked His friends to pray for Him and they fell asleep), I am convicted. I must be willing to overlook imperfection as Jesus did. If I insist on perfection or nothing, I'll end up with nothing. I must be willing to forgive. And if you long to be content, so must you. Unless we do our anxious hearts will not be calmed" (p. 75).

Forgiveness is not an option! "Failure to forgive not only wounds our savior but it destroys us. A lack of forgiveness causes the bitterness plant to take root in our hearts. A Christian is a candidate for confinement and unspeakable suffering until he or she fully and completely forgives others, even when others are wrong. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. Forgiveness breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness. It is not a feeling but a secret choice of the heart. " (p. 77-79)

Lord, I know I cannot do this without you. Please help me to remember you and your word whenever bitterness starts to creep in. Please help me to choose to forgive and choose to look past others' faults. I feel the most free I have felt in years. Thank you. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for grace. And most of all, thank you for loving me through everything.

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe that God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." Colossians 3:12-14 The Message

Loving Him victoriously with all my heart today,

~Mel

Thirsting for Him

One of my all-time favorite Psalms and I know I have already blogged about these verses, but they are so powerful and meaningful to me.

Psalm 63

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

 ¹ O God, you are my God, 
       earnestly I seek you; 
       my soul thirsts for you, 
       my body longs for you, 
       in a dry and weary land 
       where there is no water.

 ² I have seen you in the sanctuary 
       and beheld your power and your glory.

 ³ Because your love is better than life, 
       my lips will glorify you.

 ⁴ I will praise you as long as I live, 
       and in your name I will lift up my hands.

 ⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; 
       with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

 ⁶ On my bed I remember you; 
       I think of you through the watches of the night.

 ⁷ Because you are my help, 
       I sing in the shadow of your wings.

 ⁸ My soul clings to you; 
       your right hand upholds me.

 ⁹ They who seek my life will be destroyed; 
       they will go down to the depths of the earth.

 ¹⁰ They will be given over to the sword 
       and become food for jackals.

 ¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God; 
       all who swear by God's name will praise him, 
       while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

I love how The Mesage states verse 1, "God--you're my God. I can't get enough of you!" That is exactly the way I feel. I need Him so desperately in every area of my life. I am nothing without Him! 

I am so thankful for these promises today.

Loving Him,

~Mel

Abundant Living

"The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full. " John 10:10

As Christians we have so much to look forward to in spending etrenity with Christ. But what is even better for me right now, is the life I can have with Him TODAY! The life He gives us is richer, fuller, more satisfying, gratifying, joy-filled, etc. becasue He gives us His love, guidance, mercy, forgiveness and even more blessings. In other words, eternal life starts immediately! This is so freeing to me and I have realized this more and more. My Bible commentary says it so well: "Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane becasue of His overflowing forgivness, love and guidance." It makes me think of the old hymn, "Higher Ground". Here are the words:

I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

Refrain

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven's table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Verse Two
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

Refrain

Verse Three
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

Refrain

Verse Four
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray till Heav'n I've found,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

Refrain

Praying you find abundant life in Christ and experience that for yourself this day!

Loving Him,

Mel

Mother's Day

What a wonderful Mother's Day I had today! I am so blessed to be the Mom of two wonderful boys and an awesome husband. They made me a delicious breakfast this morning and presented me with cards and lots of hugs and kisses. During Sunday School their teachers had them write personal notes and gave them to me afterward. All throughout the day the boys kept wishing me Happy Mother's Day, then tonight we celebrated with dinner at a nice restaurant. Though life is sometimes difficult and my children are not always angels, I'm thankful for the family God has blessed me with and I count it a true blessing to be a wife and mom...it's all for HIM!

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Serving and Loving Him,

~Mel

Renewing My Quiet Time

I am studying a book about growing deeper with God and the first couple of chapters deal with intimacy with Him. One of the ways we get to know God and His heart is by spending time with Him in His word and in prayer. I have had some pretty dry times spiritually and it's usually because I am in a rut with my devotions--either because I'm not getting enough out of whatever book I'm using, or just plain not spending any time with the Lord. But this week as I was studying I came across these verses form the Psalms that I don't ever remember reading. It was so eye-opening to me-I have always believed that reading my Bible has great rewards, but these verses sure put it all into perspective.

Psalm 19:7-11 (New International Version)

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

It has caused me to realize that I need to not spend as much time reading Christian books as I spend just reading the Word and praying about how I can apply it to my life. I am excited about what God is going to teach me through this new, renewed time with Him. I am also going to start memorizing scripture again- I have done this in the past too, and it has been so meaningful.

Blessings on you as you grow deeper in Him.

Thanks for stopping by!

Loving Him,
~Mel

The "Me Time" Myth

Here is an excellent article about the more time we spend away from our children, either being distracted or literally gone from the house, the MORE time we want to be away from them.

http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/11598542/

I could not have said it better!

Loving Him today,
Mel

Stepping Away

Facebook is a great thing! It has been so wonderful to connect with friends from the past that I thought I would never see again. It has also been great to keep in touch with friends who live far away or even those who live nearby- it's a way to stay in touch without being on the phone, which is something that is hard for a busy Mom with kids to do. But as with many things in my life, I have become undisciplined and allowed it to replace the more important things- like my devotions and time with the Lord, time with my family, being productive and getting things done around the house. Some days I literally go from FB to homeschooling, back to FB, back to schooling, checking one more time, back to school...school finally being done...back to FB, changing a load of laundry, FB, deciding what I should fix for dinner (finding a recipe on line), FB, ...you get the picture. And sometimes sweeping the floor, cleaning a bathroom, playing a game with the boys or vacuuming in between. It had begun to fill a void in my heart and brought instant gratification on those lonely days every homeschool Mom experiences.

A couple of weekends ago I finally, finally confessed to my husband that I was actually getting quite an addiction going with FB and spending way more time on it than I should be. He told me he could take care of it (wink, wink) and as a joke he set up a block (AKA parental control--hee hee). He made it so that I could only be on FB during the hours of midnight to 9AM (9AM is when we start school). That weekend was wonderful.... since I actually didn't even get up until 8 and then had to make coffee and check e-mails, etc., I only ended up on FB for maybe 10 min. The next day was the same, and the next. Pretty soon I was back to spending time with the Lord-- desiring it and not doing it out of duty-- and spending more time with my family. I even bought a cross stitch project and have been really enjoying it. The block is now off and I now have a new perspective. The addiction is gone!! I'm so much happier and my days are so much more productive.

It's funny because I had never thought of myself as lazy, but this was sure eye opening for me and a reminder of how easy it is to have something else take the place of God- He should fill those empty places in my heart. I need to go to Him when I'm feeling a little down or discouraged or lonely. Only He can fill the longing in my soul and make me truly happy.

Psalm 63 is one of my favorites:

1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.

10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.

11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Only He can fill the longing in my soul and make me truly happy. And that is the kind of joy that I want...the unspeakable, unstoppable, unexplainable joy of the Lord!

It Happens Every Time

Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."


I have never watched a lot of TV. Maybe it's because we didn't get TV in South Africa until the late seventies, and even then it was only on during certain hours. It just never became a habit for me. But there is a deeper, more subtle reason for me avoiding it. It seems every time I think I "need" to watch a particular program, my heart grows discontent. I see something I think I need, or I see someone who is much more attractive than I and I start feeling like I "need" to do something different with my hair or clothes or whatever! Or there are the home shows that I love to watch, but many times leave me feeling less than content with the home I have and wishing for the one I have seen on TV. It's always something. I begin to covet what I don't have and become discontent. It happens with some of the Ladies magazines as well. I try to stay away from them for the same reasons. Now I am not trying to judge anyone else who watches TV or reads magazines...not at all! This is MY problem. And it's something I will continually struggle with and if I am going to be obedient to HIM I need to abstain from watching and reading things that breed these kinds of attitudes in my heart. I want to put the Lord first in everything I do, including the kinds of things I allow to enter my mind, because I need to guard my heart at all times. For me this is a daily, sometimes hourly, effort. The reason I say this here is because if I write it down here in my blog it keeps me accountable. I know I can't write or say something and then do something else, so here it is. Thanks for reading!

Loving Him,
Mel

Am I really Loving my Neighbor?

Don't you just love it when God clearly speaks to you about something? That happened to me today. This morning in my devotions my study was about love. Later in the day during our homeschool PE hour, our "Mom chat" was on the subject of...you guessed it--LOVE!!

I have been so blessed this day. I have been reminded once again that we cannot love others until we realize how much He loves us. And once we do, we won't be able to stop loving, giving, encouraging, serving, doing, etc. As a Mom I want to focus more on how much He loves my children than on the "rules" and things they should not do; I need to encourage them more, build them up more. I get so caught up in what they are doing wrong so often that I forget to remind them (as I forget myself) of how much Jesus loves them!

Matthew 22:37-39 (New International Version)

37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

If the GREATEST commandment is to love one another, then I imagine the consequences of not doing this will be quite great.

I once heard a pastor say that He loves you as though you were the ONLY one in the world to love...I told my boys that yesterday. My oldest beamed as I told him and I plan on telling him much more often!!

Blessings on you today as you strive to love Him and bathe yourself in His love for you...and then pass that along to others!

Loving Him,

Mel

Just Obey Already!

James 1:22-24 (The Message)

"Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like."

The Lord spoke to me this morning- again through a very familiar verse. I wonder how long He has been trying to talk to me about this, and because it is so familiar, I just read it and move on--just like the man who looks in the mirror! I can be thinking I am doing the right thing, and yet my behavior and attitudes do not change. I yell at my kids, argue with my husband, think impure thoughts, covet what my friend has, complain, spend too much time on the computer when I have other work I need to do---and the list goes on.

"I am to obey what I know; respond to, don't ignore, what God asks me to do through His word, the urging of the Holy Spirit, my conscience, and what I simply know to be right" (Michael M. Smith "Becoming More Like Jesus").

Oh Lord, please help me to slow down and listen to you...and obey what you tell me, even when it means giving up something I really enjoy. I want to put you first, be faithful and honor you in everything. Thank you for always loving me!

Loving Him,

Mel

A New Day!

For the last few weeks I have been working through a book on character called "Becoming More Like Jesus." This week as I was studying I was led to the passage in Matthew that tells of The Beatitudes--- a passage I have read many times in my life. It was written in a different translation, however, and it really came alive for me and I wanted to share it with you. Here it is:

Matthew 5:3-12 (The Message)

3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Wow! I love this version of this oh, so familiar passage. In fact I printed it up and posted it on my wall (my "real" not virtual wall!) above my computer, where I can see it all the time.

Each of the verses spoke to me in a different way, but the one that has spoken to me most is verse 5- "you're blessed when you're content with just who you are-no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."

I have been struggling with contentment lately. We have recently moved to a new state with all of the changes that come with moving: finding a new church, new friends, new homeschool group, activities for my boys, living in a rental and still having half of our belongings in boxes in the garage since the house is so small! I haven't dealt very well with this lately, especially since we made an offer on a beautiful home and it was not accepted. I have really been feeling sorry for myself and quite honestly I have not been very fun to live with. The Lord has been convicting me and I have been praying for Him to change my perspective and help me to "be content in all circumstances" (Phil. 4:11). I Praise Him for His faithfulness!! As long as I continually look to Him--read and study His word daily, pray continually, sing praise songs (in my head or out loud), and constantly check my thoughts--He has helped me and will continue to help me to have joy and continue to be the wife and mom I need to be to my husband and children. I would not be able to do this without Him!! In my weakness, He is strong---and His grace is sufficient! (2 Cor. 12:9)

I love the Lord with all my heart and so desire to be His today.

Loving Him,