Grace in the Midst

Pondering: I am often tempted to fall into the false belief that if I do my absolute best for God, life will go smoother and I will find more rest.  Lately I feel Him calling me to do the opposite (or at least in the opposite order).   He seems to be whispering - Rest IN ME that I may do my best in you.  Living with guilt, feelings of failure, and an "if I just try harder" mentality is SO far from what He has for us.  And yet, for me, it is SO easy to fall into.  So today, if/when those feelings of failure creep in (which more than likely are directly from the enemy), I am going to ask Him to teach me how to Rest IN HIM that He might do His best in Me. 1372. The  January Joy Dare  suggestions: January 15 - one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared...           My bath robe           My heart - first to my God, then to my husband           My thoughts...

1354. I was  FORMERLY ...SEPARATE FROM CHRIST  1355. Now I am included in the covenants of THE PROMISE 1355. I have HOPE! 1356. NOW I am IN CHRIST 1357. I am no longer FAR AWAY because I have been BROUGHT NEAR... 1358. By and because of the BLOOD OF CHRIST (Nothing I have done, will do, or will ever be worthy of...simply a gift of incredible sacrifice) 1359.The  January Joy Dare  suggestions: Yesterday - 3 sounds you hear...           The fan in my boys room - and quiet boys :)           The clock ticking           My fingers clicking away on the keyboard 1360.  The  January Joy Dare  suggestions: Today - 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God...           Restored relationships           Someone telling me that I have made a difference in their life (so amazed that He uses me despite my MANY imperfection...

1339. God RAISED US UP 1340. We are WITH HIM - the same HIM who lovingly created the entire universe 1341. The RICHES OF HIS GRACE are INCOMPARABLE...Nothing can compete with our God's grace 1342. His KINDNESS 1343. Though my FAITH is weak at times, I do have FAITH - and because of that (and that only) - I have been SAVED 1344. My salvation, A GIFT! 1345. I, me, Val, daughter, momma, wife, sister, friend am GOD's HANDIWORK - and by the way - so are you! 1346. He has CREATED me to DO GOOD WORKS - so He will give me the strength 1347. I am PREPARED  by and in Jesus Christ - whether I'm confident, or not - (though I know it is truly possible to be confident in Him) 1348.The  January Joy Dare  suggestions: Today - something above you, something below you, something beside you...           My husbands (and God's cuz He gave me my husband) love...expressed through acts of service IE my pan rack :)           Along this s...

1300. Believing friends 1301. Their love for me & for their family in Christ 1302. Paul's example - He KEEPS ASKING 1303. Our GLORIOUS FATHER 1304. The giver of WISDOM & REVELATION 1305. We can continue to KNOW HIM BETTER 1306. He has called us to HOPE - when we feel it & when we don't 1307. We have no idea how incredible the RICHES of hi GLORIOUS inheritance will be 1308. I BELIEVE - and want to BELIEVE more 1309. He offers us INCOMPARABLY GREAT POWER 1310. The POWER He offers us is the same as THE MIGHTY STRENGTH HE EXERTED WHEN HE RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD! 1311. Even when things feel out of control, Christ is ABOVE ALL RULE and AUTHORITY, POWER and DOMINION 1312. Not just today, but forever 1313. ALL THINGS are under Christ's feet 1314. He is the HEAD OVER EVERYTHING 1315. That includes me - He is head over me.  Though my growth seems so slow (and even feels like I'm shrinking sometimes) - He is head over me 1316. He is HEAD over my hom...

In Christ (despite my weaknesses, sinfulness, mistakes, & attitudes) I am... 1289. Holy 1290. Faithful 1291. Blessed 1292. Chosen 1293. Blameless 1294. Predestined 1295. Adopted 1296. Redeemed 1297. Forgiven 1298. Marked with a seal 1299. God's possession Ephesians 1 1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,    To God’s holy people in Ephesus, [ a ]  the faithful in Christ Jesus:   2  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ   3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  4  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love  5  he [ b ]   predestined us for adoption to sonship [ c ]  through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—...

1253. Productive mornings 1254. Lazy afternoons 1255.  2 Corinthians 12:9 1256. Wireless headphones - and the fact that they actually worked 1257. Keeping up with the dishes without a dishwasher 1258. An organized art supplies shelf 1259. Matt making lots of shots on his basketball night 1260. All three kids going to bed early - and the ability to get a lot done - or not. 1261. Another new day 1262. Matt coming home early from work and taking the kids on a walk 1263. The kids excited squeals when daddy walks in Quick thoughts : I am thankful for the ability to praise even when I don't really feel like it.  Nothing is particularly wrong this morning (other than maybe missing my mom)- I'm just feeling tired, lazy, and not exactly "in the mood" to praise.  Yet, after writing this quick list, I feel a bit better.  Not perfect, but better.  I am also thankful for the reminder in Psalm 117 of his GREAT LOVE TOWARD US, and his FAITHFULNESS that ENDURES FORE...

1238. Blank slates 1239. New beginnings 1240. Celebrating the new year with loved ones 1241. Looking forward to all that He has in store 1242. A wonderful visit with my mom 1243. Ugly/Beautiful - overwhelming organizational projects that I need to finish up/keeping the house tidy will be much easier once I finish them 1244. Remembering I can do anything for 15 minutes 1245. A sign on a friends wall "Keep it Simple" 1246. The friend on who's wall it hangs 1247. A moment of quiet 1248. Hot Showers 1249. The Lord's prayer, and how it seems to apply no matter what the circumstance 1250. Blake - "what in the wowld", "oh man" (grandma-isms) 1251. The boys tears for Grandma - so thankful that they know and love her 1252. God's consistant, never-ending love & grace Psalm 116  1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.  2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. ...

1228. Sleeping in 1229. Daddy waking up with the kids (without us even talking about it) 1230. Myself and 3 kiddos snuggled in Blake's bed (when I finally did wake up) 1231. My mom helping me organize my kitchen 1232. Saturdays 1233. Trust filled friendship 1234. Being "caught" at a drive through 1235. Baskets fitting perfectly on an old shelf 1236. Empty sinks 1237 "Our God He IS, our God He WAS, our God He's ALWAYS GONNA BE" Quick thoughts/prayer on Psalm 115: So thankful for Your LOVE and FAITHFULNESS, Lord. May we not put other "gods" before You Lord.  Thank you for the reminder that if we do we will be like those gods - with mouths that can't speak, eyes that can't see, ears that can't hear, noses that can't smell, hands that can't feel and feet that can't walk.  As we continue to learn how to put you first, Lord - give us mouths that speak, eyes that see, ears that hear, noses that smell, hands that feel an...

1216. Blake laughing till he cries 1217. Cole - "daddy does bean bags" 1218. Grandma, the smiles she brings, and...the help that she is to this tired momma 1219. A new toilet seat 1220. Knowing you made a right decision though it was a hard one 1221. Laughing with friends 1222. My friend Jess - a wonderful hostess 1223. Compliments 1224. Long drives with good friends 1225. The funny things other people's kids say like "its a match" (long story). 1226. "We ask God for patience...and we want it now" - a fellow "momy". 1227. The fact that God is at work in me - be it ever so slowly Quick thoughts on Psalm 114 - Lord, may we see you as you really are...POWERFUL, SOVEREIGN, WORTHY OF PRAISE.  May we not take You or Your name lightly, but learn to LEAP and even TREMBLE in Your presence.  May we BELIEVE Lord that you turned a rock into springs of water, and KNOW that you are the same God yesterday, today and forever.  You still move mo...

1202. Unexpected mall trips 1203. Grandma buying our boys perfect bath toys 1204. God working through ALL THINGS 1205. Reading 1000 gifts with my mom 1206. Getting lost, and actually finding my way home with a map (that is quite miraculous for me) 1207. Being reminded the importance of praise and thanksgiving, both through 1000 gifts and Psalm 113 1208. Having a bad dream, and waking up incredibly thankful it was just a dream 1209. Perfect timing 1210. Finding a lost cat 1211. My sister 1212. Being, and continually learning how to be a HAPPY MOTHER OF CHILDREN. 1213. Sprouted Ezekiel English Muffin Pizzas with tomato paste and fresh farm cheese 1214. Matt actually eats them, likes them & requests them 1215. Out of town friends that I get to see tonight :) :) :) Psalm 113  1 Praise the LORD.[a] Praise the LORD, you his servants;   praise the name of the LORD.  2 Let the name of the LORD be praised ,  both now and forevermor...

1172. Blake and Cole enthralled by the birds outside Avi's window 1173. A precious video (taken by Matt) of Cole and his "doggie" 1174. The way we are able to capture precious moments on film - so that we may treasure them forever 1175. The Lord providing at the last minute 1176. His Sovereignty (this one will probably make the list a million times...as does His GRACE) 1177. Family 1178. Friends that feel like family (even ones that don't know they do) 1179. Free Wi-Fi in public places 1180. Hope of getting our Christmas card (well, maybe New Years card) printed today 1181. Precious photo cards of family and friends all lined up on our wall 1182. Counting down the days till Christmas with our construction paper chain (thanks for the idea Jamie & Trish) 1183. Blake, out of the blue  - "Mommy, why did God tell Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit on the tree" I answered (afraid to write my answer here in case it isn't entirely theologically sou...

1155. That we can come before God with open and honest hearts whether our attitudes are right or wrong - see the Psalm below 1156. David's example of coming to God with praise an prayer when he was struggling... rather than blaming and/or running from Him 1157. So thankful I don't feel like this towards anyone at this time (and hopefully never will) 1158. That though each of us deserves punishment (as it is clear that David's enemy did...not to mention David), God continually pours out His love and grace. 1159. God's SOVEREIGNTY, GOODNESS & LOVE 1160. Multitasking - listening in on a parenting conference call & getting Mount Foldmore folded 1161. Blake playing quietly and with a good attitude while the Cole and Avonlea rested. 1162. A whole week at home (and the fact that I LOVE being home now...that is a miracle in and of itself) 1163. Matt starting a load of laundry every morning - so at least I only have Mount Foldmore - instead of Mount Washmore :) ...

1143. Pajama days 1144. Avonlea's expression when she sees daddy 1145. Frequent flyer miles - mom is coming for Christmas! 1146. Ugly/Beautiful - our messy house/the blessings that make it messy 1147. Unexpected evenings with daddy (he was too exhausted to play basketball) 1148. The children's book -  Circus Ship 1149. Cole sitting in the middle of a big group of kids (listening to Circus Ship) and raising his hand when the author asked a question (imitating the bigger kids) 1150. Cole's "performances" 1151. The way my heart melts when I watch my children in public places 1152. Realizing that God's heart probably melts in the same way (probably even more) when he looks at us. 1153. The life long search for "bear" (Blakes special stuffed animal that we never can find) 1154. The reminder of Gods GREAT LOVE and FAITHFULNESS found in Psalm 108 (below) Psalm 108 1 My heart, O God, is  steadfast ;  I will  sing  and  make music  wit...

All these gifts...in one Psalm! 1081. God speaking through his word & His... 1082. Enduring love 1083. Redemption 1084. Deliverance 1085. Unfailing love 1086. Wonderful deeds 1087. Satisfaction in Him 1088. Subjection 1089. The ability to cry out to Him 1090. then...HE SAVES 1091. He breaks away chains 1092. He heals 1093. He rescues 1094. He fills us with songs of joy 1095. He brings us out of distress 1096. He stills the storm 1097. He guides 1098. We exalt 1099. He blesses 1100. He increases our numbers 1101. He humbles us through oppression, calamity & sorrow 1102. He lifts up the needy 1103. He increases our families 1104. We see and rejoice 1105. We heed these things 1106. We ponder the loving deeds of the Lord Psalm 107 (Emphasis Mine) 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good ;  his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the land...

Psalm 106   1   Praise the LORD. [ a ]     Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good ;    his love endures forever.   2  Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD    or fully declare his praise? 3   Blessed are those who act justly,    who always do what is right.   4  Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people,    come to my aid when you save them, 5  that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,    that I may share in the joy of your nation    and join your inheritance in giving praise .   6  We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;    we have done wrong and acted wickedly. 7  When our ancestors were in Egypt,    they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses,    and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. [ ...