” The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10

What things seem to steal, kill, or destroy your life? Maybe it’s the busyness around you, an illness, financial issues, bitterness, anger, a rough marriage, or negativity. These things take part of your life away don’t they? They bring heartache and difficulty. Wouldn’t you rather have a rich and satisfying life? What types of things would give you that? What brings you satisfaction and joy in your life? I would love to be in your head right now as you think of things that satisfy your life!! What overflows you with  joy deep down in your heart?

Lots of things satisfy us….at least for a while! I think of children when they open up their Christmas gifts and the joy radiating from them as they play with their new toys. But as we all know, that joy doesn’t last long ,as maybe a month goes by, and they are telling you they are bored! We get so annoyed at that don’t we!! But, I think as adults we need to turn that situation back on ourselves and dig deeper into our own hearts as we think about the things that bring us joy and satisfaction. What was on your list? Are the things that you were thinking of something that loses it’s joy as time goes by? Maybe a big house, an expensive car, or a vacation to the beach satisfies you! These satisfactions don’t last because eventually we want something else….kind of sounds like a child doesn’t it!?

As I have been taking time to reflect on WHO my God is, John 10:10 has been coming to me over and over. He gives abundantly. He came to give us a satisfying life. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately which means it isn’t just in Heaven, but that He gives us life here and now that is to be rich and full. It may be hard to see when you are going through difficult times. Many may be asking…is this the abundant life Jesus promised? Marriage difficulties, financial struggles, death, sadness, grief, hard times…this isn’t abundant life! What is Jesus talking about?

It has taken me a few years to grasp this concept. I remember asking a friend a few years ago where this abundant life was. I have just begun to realize that Jesus didn’t mean joy in all our circumstances. He didn’t mean that we wouldn’t struggle. Our abundant life is IN HIM not in this world. I am not saying that we don’t have joy in this world, but I am saying that our joy is made full in HIM. He is the one that gives abundantly. When you begin to grasp WHO your God is, you begin to see differently. You begin to look with different eyes…gazed upon Him and not on your circumstances and where life has placed you. Jesus comes alive IN YOU and consequently you have this abundant life that no longer is based on your possessions or surroundings, but instead on your heavenly father and all that HE GIVES…his comfort, his trust, his love, his forgiveness, his grace, his compassion, his gentleness, his kindness, his protection. All these things are constant and overflowing from our Heavenly Father. What can be more rich and more satisfying than that?

Take a few moments and read Psalm 63:1-5 , Proverbs 3:1-2 , Psalm 9:2 and reflect on the joy that the Lord brings to us. Take time to KNOW him and to reflect on the satisfaction that only he can give! Keep your focus on Him and enjoy the abundant life He offers to each of us as we take time to know our God!

I wanted to post some information about an event that the Wadsworth United Methodist Church is planning in 2 weeks. I hear Becky Harling is a wonderful speaker! You don’t want to miss this event!  Check it out:

Wadsworth United Methodist Church’s

Women’s Ministry Team

would like to invite you to attend:

“Unlocking the Beatitudes”

on Friday, September 25^th from 7:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m. and

Saturday, September 26^th from 8:30 a.m. ~ 3:30 p.m.

 A life of heartbreak can indeed be blessed.  As a child who suffered sexual abuse, Becky Harling learned to live with an emotional script of shame, fear, and distrust. As an adult, she learned that life’s heartbreaks are many and varied. Determined to overcome her pain, Becky set out to rewrite the emotional script she had followed for years. Her search for healing led to Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, and what she discovered forever changed her life.  In her second book, Becky invites women to let go of past hurts and redefine how they respond to life’s emotional challenges. Based on the beloved words of the Beatitudes, Rewriting Your Emotional Script speaks directly to a woman’s unique struggles and shows how to find hope in life’s heartbreaks.

Please register no later than September 21^st at www.wadsumc.org or by calling Jennifer at (330) 336 – 7202.  The cost of this event is only $10.00 and includes refreshments, lunch and much more!

 “Blessed are the poor in spirit…those who mourn…the meek…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…the merciful…the pure in heart…the peacemakers…those who are persecuted because of righteousness…you when people insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

Well, one week down as the new school year is on it’s way! The kiddos are beginning to be comfortable with the new routine of going to bed at 8:30 and waking up at 7:00. So far not much homework ,but we are anticipating the rush this week. Of course, our schedules are crazy with soccer, piano, cross country, praise team, and meetings each week! It’s amazing how we run full speed ahead once September hits us!

My girls go to the elementary school and each year they have a theme that they follow. Well, I was very excited when I heard that the theme this year was “Be a bucket filler”! It is based on a book and the bottom line is that everyone in the school is to fill each others buckets with praise and compliments. You want to be a bucket filler and not a bucket dipper! A bucket dipper is one that pulls out by being mean or negative to someone else. Each day when the kids come home I ask them whose bucket they filled today. I love the concept of lifting one another up and not tearing them down! This encourages the kiddos and helps them with their self esteem and also with treating one another as they would want to be treated!

Well, I must say I liked it until Brooke came home one day and she was misbehaving and so I punished her by telling her what she did wrong and sending her to her room for a time out. In her stern voice, she immediately scolded me and informed me that I was dipping into her bucket and not being nice. So of course I had to step back and evaluate my parenting technique and said I was sorry to dip from her bucket but that what she had done was wrong and she needed to be punished for it. I was not dipping from her bucket, but rather disciplining her for her wrong choices. I thought she had understood, but she proceeded the entire week to tell me that I was a bucket dipper every time I told her no or punished her for making a wrong choice! Of course, she never once thanked me for filling her bucket! 

So, what is the solution??? Think twice of how you speak to your child to make sure you are using the right tone of voice and not always having negative criticism towards them!  Praise your child more than being critical! Howerver, remember your place as a mom and stick to your guns and not let a little 8 year old ruin your day by telling you that you are a bucket dipper! Can you believe that??

” Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” Zechariah 4:10

I was running the other day in our neighborhood and as I turned onto the road that is behind the high school I could hear all the noise from the construction crews that have begun the building of the new high school. I couldn’t believe how loud they were and what a disturbance that must be to those homes that are near there. Each of those families have to deal with the noise and dirt for 3 years! I kept thinking what a long process that is and how frustrating it must be for those families.

It made me think of life and how sometimes we also see a long road ahead of us. We see alot of construction and work!  Sometimes we can see the big picture, the prize, or the accomplishment in front of us but know that it is going to be a long time before we get there.We might be like those families where we are frustrated and discouraged with the slow progress and impatient because we want to see the end result sooner than later. 

I recently finished my bible study on Esther. It was a wonderful study that taught me alot about trusting the Lord and being obedient to His calling. Esther was just a girl…one that had alot on her plate!  All of God’s people were counting on her. She needed to be obedient to His call and trust that the Lord would be faithful even though her life was at stake. When we have big opportunities placed in front of us, we need to take time to listen to Him and understand what God is asking us to do and know that whatever He is calling us to that He will equip us and empower us to do His will. Don’t let fear or insecurities cloud your vision. Psalm 139:10  states that His hand will guide me and His strength will support me. Call out to Him and ask Him to guide and empower you to do His will even if it seems like a long road ahead! Remember the scripture above from Zechariah 4:10 as it gives us encouragement that even the beginning steps are pleasing to the Lord as He sees His will moving forward!

” But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.” Psalm 3:3-4

Do you ever feel like you are in a battle? There are so many battles in this world. Battles in the home, at work, within relationships, financially, within our churches, and even attacks within ourselves. Everywhere we look there are enemies surrounding us. There are enemies attacking us.Sometimes we feel like we can’t escape them. We become weary fighting against them! Where is the relief? Where is our help? We can’t fight them on our own! Where does our help come from?….our help comes from the Lord!

In Psalm 3: 1-8 , David was being pursued by enemy soldiers . He was running for his life from his own rebellious son, Absalom, and a host of traitors. Absolom was plotting against his father, David, to take away the throne. Can you believe his own son was attacking him?  Does it get any worse than that? How about you….are you being attacked right now? Is Satan around every corner? Do you feel overwhelmed by the enemy?

We can learn from David in the Psalms as he cries out to the Lord! In Psalm 3:7 David cries out “Arise , O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face!” I love it! He trusted wholeheartedly in His Lord! David was truly outnumbered! He knew he couldn’t fight alone, he needed the Lord! What really strikes me is that not only did he ask for the Lord’s help….he demanded that the Lord slap them in the face! I love boldness! David knew who his God was! He believed in His Lord! He knew that the Lord was his shield and protector! He knew WHO his victory would come from! He had no problem shouting out orders to His God! “Slap them in the face !”

How about you? When the enemy strikes, how do you react? Do you fight with all your might? Do you call on your friends? Or do you turn to your Lord, the shield that protects you at all times? Do you cry out to Him with the faith that David had? Are you bold in your requests? Do you truly believe that He will answer from His holy mountain and that your victory will come from Him?

Your turn:

Look up Matthew 7:7, Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 62:1-8

What encouragement do these scriptures give you about your God? I encourage you to pick one and meditate on it so when the enemy strikes you, your Lord can help you strike back…maybe even right in the face!!

It’s tough being a woman! This is the title of the latest Beth Moore Bible Study. It is the study of Esther. It took Beth Moore over a year and a half to write the study! It has just recently been released and she gleams with excitement to share her insights with women throughout the world. I love her studies and have learned so much through her writings and through her knowledge of the Word. I am excited to sit and study this summer and enjoy the teachings of Esther and apply them to my life.

I wanted to share with you one of the thoughts that she has placed in my mind this week. The book of Esther starts off by saying “This is what happened during the time of Xerxes”….it is almost like the storybooks where we read “Once upon a time….”  Upon Beth’s research she finds these words show up 5 times in scripture and each time all introduce impending catastrophe or doom!  It really makes you want to forget about all those stories that begin with once upon a time doesn’t it?

It is our life….once upon a time! Our lives are full of stories. Some stories we would rather not share because of the sadness that comes along with them. We don’t want to share the difficulties and trials we face.  But when  we look back and reflect on all the times where our lives were full of trials, discouragement,  and disappointments we usually see a brighter light at the end of that tunnel!  We came through those difficulties with greater perspective and insight on our lives. Those were the times where we grew the most!  There is no escaping the troubles of this life! They are all around us! Look at society today…people have financial strain, relationship difficulties, illness, etc. Troubles and trials surround all of us. Our problem is that we focus on those problems instead of focusing on our Lord. Our faith wavers daily. We get swallowed up by the hardships of life. We need to remember that our trials are a time of growth! I am learning to ask the Lord “what are you teaching me today!” Always remember that the Lord will never give us more than we can handle and that as we face the trials that He will give us strength, courage, and hope to come to the brighter side. Allow Him to guide you and to mold you along the way so that when you DO come through the trial, you can see the growth that you have made!

Beth Moore learned ,as she studied, that through those 5 circumstances  associated with impending catastrophe that the ending to those stories were happy….but before that happy ending was realized, much grief occured. Your mountain may seem too big to climb and the tears may be filling you to the rim, but know that Christ is there to comfort and guide you to a place of rest and refreshment! He never leaves us nor forsakes us!!

Well, I have heard that some ladies laughed at my latest blog because  they could totally relate to the scenerio in my household that morning, but my husband was not laughing!!:( So to do him justice in this situation I must say that I have had coffee everymorning since my last blog!:) He also emptied the dishwasher!:) I also want to point out ,due  to my great training from day 1 of our marriage, that he does the dishes after dinner! Now ladies, don’t be jealous of your neighbor as the Lord tells us not to envy each other!:) He is truly a wonderful husband that has put up with alot from me and who tries very hard to see where he can help out when I get overwhelmed. He has grown over the years and recognizes the fact that we need to be a team with Christ in the center.  I have been blessed by a man with a loving heart and caring spirit!  So, no more blogs about him…unless I stop getting my coffee!!:) I love you honey! (Hey, but it did work! Next time I’ll just ask!)

SEASONS OF DRYNESS MAKE THE ROOTS RUN DEEP, STRENGTHENING THE VINE FOR WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS……

How do we respond to the silence of God? To the seasons of dryness?…Anger? Depression? Bitterness? Self condemnation?
OR DO WE RESPOND WITH….
with an EXPECTATION that God is about to bring you to a deeper knowledge of Himself?

Today I am focusing on the second answer…the EXPECTATION! Over the last few years, a good friend of mine gave me some advise…”Don’t have expectations because there are always disappointments!” I have learned to hold onto those words in relationships in my life…except for one…my relationship with Christ! He never disappoints! HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

Many Truths speak to me as I ponder the question “How do we respond to silence and seasons of dryness?”….Truths about God and His faithfulness in our lives….Knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us…Knowing that He hears our Prayers…Knowing that as we come near to Him, He comes near to us…KNOWING that He is a Faithful God! When we have times of silence and distance, we need to keep those truths in our hearts and meditate on them day and night! I want to share one scripture that has spoken to me often over the last year …Psalm 46:10. BE STILL!! Easier said than done, but truly needed in our lives today! Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. Be still and place it at His feet (even in the silence).Wait patiently for Him! The second part…”Know that I am God!” What does that say to you?? For me, it speaks volumes. I need to quit putting Him in a box. He is GOD! He can do all things!! He is more than we can even imagine…His Power, His Faithfulness, His Compassion, His Love…He is ALL KNOWING…The Beginning, The End…THE I AM….How can we NOT EXPECT the direction and vision He is about to show us! How can we question Him and His presense in our lives? He wants us to see and to hear and to know His plans!! He wants us to grow in our Faith and to become disciples for Him! Maybe we should have the mindset that the longer we have to wait, the greater expectation we should have….WOW, He is going to show me something really, really GOOD! It would make the waiting a little easier!! Wait for those Blessings and remember that His IS God and will Provide!

“For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for His help.” Isaiah 30:18

As we wait, we struggle at times. We become frustrated and weary. We cry out and we ,at times, wonder where He is and why He is waiting so long to answer us. We become impatient…like a child. Children….one minute seems like eternity for them when they want something. You tell them, “one minute” and 10 seconds later they are in your face asking the same question. They have no concept of time…. Annoying isn’t it?! Their ability to be patient is truly lacking….But then I am convicted as I think about God and my patience with Him and His time….we are like little kids to Him too! You wonder what He is thinking or saying to us as we are constantly “in His face” pleading for an answer in OUR time. As we go back to Psalm 46 I can just hear Him saying (or yelling) “BE STILL CHILD! KNOW THAT I AM GOD”! …OUCH!

But when I ponder the waiting and the silence it also makes me think ….How many times are we just not listening and miss His voice!! I was reading in PRAYER by Philip Yancey that he heard a theologian remark once that in the Gospels people approach Jesus with a question 183 times whereas He replied with a direct answer only 3 times. Instead, Jesus responded with a different question, a story, or some other indirection. His point was that Jesus wants us to work out answers on our own…using His truth in His Word and learning how He lived His life. He wants us to work things out with the guidance of Him! If Jesus gives us direct answers all the time….how do we grow? Maybe the silence we encounter is truly a form of empowerment….not abandonment. He is using this time of silence to equip …..to empower….to renew…to engage us as His children… through the knowledge of HIM. Through the silence, maybe He is waiting for you to come to HIM. To Pray. To seek His Truth. To be empowered by His Word. He wants our roots to run deep! He wants us to strive to be like Him by earning it….not by having it handed to us on a platter! That is too easy!

I don’t know about you, but when I look back on the difficult times in my life when I had to fight my way through the rough patches, the valleys…..they truly did make the roots run deep, even in His silence. Those times made me stronger. They made me open my ears wider. They made me search for Him harder. They made me be still and know that He, and only He, IS GOD! Sure it would of been nice if He would have just handed me the easy way out…the clear voice…but then, would I be the person that I am today? Definately not.

If the silence is there in your life….”Be still and Know that He is God” …AND wait with EXPECTATION to see the light that He is about to reveal to YOU! Dig deep and seek the relationship that He WANTS with you! Meditate on His Word and may the Blessings Pour!! May your roots dig deep and may your vine be strengthened for the future!