Flourish Like The Palm Tree.

Last week was a very tough week for me emotionally. Nothing specific... but I just felt pressure, stress, anxiety, irritability, chaos, etc.  I was tired and caught a cold. 

I knew why.  I was getting ready to speak at a Women's Retreat at our church on Friday night. Nearly 50 were already signed up. Earlier that week, while driving by, I saw my name on the billboard promoting it...and I nearly got into an accident.  Satan was after me. And he was after me through my mind, through my kids...and through my husband.  For some reason, Jeremy hated me that week.  He didn't really hate me. But he did. And he knew it was Satan, so he very wisely and patiently and carefully just.... kept silent. 

Wise, yes.  But does that turn a girl crazy? YES! But he knew every emotion in him that was irritated and bitter toward me was nothing, just Satan. So he stayed silent.

On top of that, I was really struggling with this talk.  Was it the crowd? No. They are awesome.  Was it my story?  No. I've shared my testimony tons of times,. But for some reason, it just wasn't coming together.  I had one hour.  One.  How do I put my testimony into a message that is saturated with scripture into one hour?! How do you pick what to say and what not to say? I was clueless. I needed God to give me something.

He finally did... at 11:00 pm the night before.  Go figure.

The theme for the night was Hawiian and titled, "Unshakable Faith."  I was super excited about it until I sat down to prepare.  Then I was ready to jet.  Unshakable Faith?  Is that even possible?  Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsamane shook when He prayed, "Father, if it be your will, take this cup from me." He wasn't so sure about being tortured and killed the next day.

So I thought about the theme of the night. Palm Trees.  How do they survive such storms in their lives?  I started to google and found some pretty sweet things:

* Their roots are deep and wide.
* They are flexible. (They stand tall and they don't resist the storm. They ride it).
* If grown with other palm trees around them, they survive a lot better than the ones standing alone.

Hmmm... such now that's a great picture of our lives, isn't it?  So that is why scripture says the righteous will flourish like a palm tree... (Psalm 92:12). 

O.k., so now what? I thought. Great picture. But where is the meat? Give me some scripture, God.  So I thought about the title "Unshakable Faith" and went to Hebrews 11, the Faith Chapter.  Every hero in the Bible is listed in this chapter. It's even been given the label the "Great Hall of Faith."

Rhab, the prostitute caught my eye.  If a prostitute can make the Great Hall of Faith, then anyone can.  So I followed her back to her story.  Oh no. Please no, God....don't take me there.

The Old Testament. 

Joshua and the Battle of Jericho.  Yuck. I don't like the Old Testament. It's filled with words I can't pronounce, countries and kings I don't care about, and history I don't understand.  I know my Creation and Noah childhood stories, and that's enough for me.  I did not want to be brought here!

But I said, "O.k. God, I'll think about it."  I got on the computer and googled, "Jericho" and up popped the following:  Jericho: Otherwise known as the City of Palm Trees.

Crap.

So I obeyed and I began... and I struggled every step of the way.  But here is what God gave me:

When God calls us to go to battle or allows us to endure unfair storms in our life, we, like the great hero's of the Bible, can develop a famous faith and make a difference in the lives of others because of it.

Even a prositute is still changing lives today.

So what was it that led to Joshua's Famous Faith?

#1.  His Roots Were Developed.
I had read it before, but it didn't hit me until now.  Before Moses died, God told him to raise Joshua up. Train him. Equip him. Get him ready. Most of Deutoronomy is just that.

Is God developing roots in you? Do you see a battle ahead that you're afraid to fight? Is He calling you to quit your job... take a job...get out of a relationship or get into one? If you have been seeking God's will for your life and He is calling you into the uncomfortable, get ready! If God calls, it's time for walls because your foundation has been laid!

For me, the battle God called me into, way back at Northwestern College in 2001, was dating a man that was not the Ephesians 3:20 man that Hi promised me, when he told me to break up with my ex back in 1998.

Ephesians 3:20? "I will give you immeasurably more than what you could ever ask or imagine...."

I was confused.Totally didn't get it. And was definitely a palm tree standing alone in that storm. I got beat up bad with no support in this heavenly calling.  But I weathered through it anyway. I had a strong rooting system laid and everything about my foundation was unshakable, even though me (a goody goody) dating Jeremy (Saved. But a bad ass.) shook my faith every single day.  But I rode the storm.Which leads me to the second thing that led to Joshua's famous faith....

#2. He Was Called to Stand Tall.
At the end of Deutoronomy Moses dies, but Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom when Moses laid hands on him. In  Joshua 1, before the battle of Jericho and other battles take place, God spends His first one-on-one personal moment with Joshua.  He raises him up and says, "Be strong! Be Courageous! For the Lord Your God is with you! Do not be afraid! Do not fear! I will give you every piece of land you step foot on....."

But...."Do not let the Word depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night!"

Woah.  I thought back to my moment at Northwestern College.  It was nearly midnight. I was alone in the chapel. It was dark and the janitor was about to lock up. Tears streaming down my face , I'm on my knees at the front of the altar. God, I cried. Why are you calling me to date him? Why won't you take these feelings I have for him away? As I was sharing how awful the experience was, dating a guy with such baggage who continued to mess up while my "perfect" godly people around me thought I was crazy, I look up.  And if I could have seen the spiritual world I would have seen angels hovering above.  At that time is when I, like Joshua, heard my own personal commission and calling to stand tall. I felt God say, "One day he will wreck this world for Christ!"

It was at that moment God had to have filled me with His spirit of wisdom. My roots were deep, they were wide, and I was filled up, called and commissioned...ready to fight this battle. Little did I know how hard I would have to fight. 

The third thing I found was this:

#3. Joshua Was Flexible.
In other words, he rode the storm.  He didn't resist what God was asking him to do, no matter how insane or crazy it was.  First, he was told to march around the city 13 times and the blow trumpets and shout.  Really? But the walls came tumbling down.  He went with it. He kept his heart right with God. He stayed close to God.  He didn't let the Word leave his life.  The Word was his life.  And then there's the next several battles... but with different strategies.  God tells him to ambush one and surprise attack the other. 

God is a God of variety, isn't He?

I thought about my battle. What felt like a hurricane in my life when He called me to break up with highschool boyfriend was more like a sprinkle compared to the hurricane ahead.  Fast forward a few years.

Jeremy and I end up married. In less than 2 years we experience him in a serious construction accident, deal with pornography crap, have 3 miscarriages, a new baby, a new job and a new move. Who survives that in just 24 months?  Well, we weren't doing so hot.  But I kept my foundation strong and this time had other palm trees around me. Heck, I was a church staff member. How could I not fall apart working in a place where I get paid to read my Bible and pray.

But Jeremy. That's a different story.  His rooting system wasn't so deep... or wide.  And the palm trees around him, well... you know. The construction environment. Dirty jokes. Bad attitudes. Bitching about your wives...  and a beer or two or more after work. And this storm in our life. He didn't survive so hot.

Next thing you know we've got hurricane Katrina just slamming us to the ground.  A.K.A. Affairs.  How did I surive? How did we survive?  Like Joshua, we rode the storm.  We shook.  Oh did we shake!! But we didn't break it. We didn't resist it, but learned from it.  We didn't turn bitter toward it, but turned our hearts toward God.  We didn't let the Word leave our hearts. Our mind. Our lives.  The Word was our life.  And we spent the next 4 years picking up the rubble. The mass destruction left behind.  And although we occassionaly find traces of broken lumber and shattered glass, God has delivered the very thing He promised me in 1998. Yup 14 years ago (God is crockpot). He gave me my Ephesians 3:20 man.

And He has remained faithful to the very thing He told me, on that lonely night in the chapel of NWC back in 2000. Today Jeremy is wrecking this world for Christ.

So, what was the final thing that took place in the life of Joshua after he flourished like a palm tree?

#4. Joshua Enjoyed the Promised Land.
Not only did he, Rhab and her family, and the Israelites enjoy the land... but Joshua and Rhab made the Great Hall of Faith! Although more storms will come (we have yet to raise teenagers) and we certainly haven't "arrived" (we still have marriage fights)... we too are enjoying what feels like our own Promised Land in our marriage.  I have never been happier. 

Ephesians 3:20. I always focused on the first part, but it's the last part that has the power....

...according to His power that is at work in you.

In me? Oh, you mean you never had the intention to just hand me an Ephesians 3:20 man on a platter? This was a "you and me work together to make it happen" type thing? Hmmm. Now I get it.  Maybe I should have read that more closely up front.

And then the verse ends, ...to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen  So just why all of this?!

To bring His glory to you. To me, to anyone reading this.... and of course to glorify Him.

Well, it was worth it.  And for now, we are enjoying the calm before our next storm.  I don't like to think about that. But either way, when it comes, our roots will be ready and we'll be ready to ride (hopefully). Yikes!

So with that, I sent the 75 women on Friday night away with a challenge from Paul in Hebrews 12, after he finished recognizing all the hero's in the bible.... 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us!  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God!....

...Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God with reverance and we, for our God is a consuming fire!"



"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree...."

Psalm 92:12

So Blessed.

God leads through me a Bible Study of 27 women her in Brandon, SD. Every night I show up nervous with a plan... but not a definite one.  With a group so large, yet so intimate, I really struggle leading it.  I'm either comfortable with 3-5 or with a microphone and 50.  My fear is that some might feel like "just another face in a sea of faces" ~ The bank, Kutless.

I love these women with my whole heart. We are a group of women who range from being pastors kids, to never having cracked open the bible.  We are messy. We have bad marriages, rebellious kids and addictions. We have healthy families, stable, solid and strong.  We come from all different denominations.  All different backgrounds.  Even different nationalities and different ages.
We are the church.

This Friday night, at 7:00 in Brandon at the Assembly of God church, I am speaking at a women's event.  If you are close by, you're welcomed to come! The girls know have really lifted me up through this time of preparing. They have been the church to me, reaching out in meeting my needs.
I received the most meaninful gift last night. It was an easter back filled with my favorites: Butterfingers, Twin Bings, Mr. Pibb and Coffee Creamer. Not to mention a gift-card for a massage! My sister-in-law had also created a scrapbook of encouragement notes from some of the girls, filled with scripture to encourage me... beginning with the first letter of the alphabet and working it's way down to Z.

As I sat in bed reading, tears filled my eyes. I had no idea how God had really been using me. You hope He is, but you just never know.  So many nights I come home feeling inadequate and incapable to do what God has called me to do... feeling like the night was a disaster and some of the girls might not come back.  I feel soooo dependent on God every step of the way...

Which is exactly why lives ARE being changed.

As I was reading through the book, everything they wrote touched me. This was written by Stella: 

"In one of your blog entries you said something about hoping one day you will be able to 'pay it forward' for all the selfless gifts you and your family have received, I personally believe that with how you are allowing God to work in your life and pouring that out into people is so much more valuable than any material item you could possibly pay someone back with....".

Rewind two weeks ago:

It was laid on Jeremy's heart for us to get away this month and take a quick trip to Vegas to just get away.  We have a pastor friend there who could breath some life into us as well.  Although we had found super cheap tickets and a super cheap hotel, if you have followed my blog at all, you know that even this is a HUGE chunk for us.  Jer was blessed with the opportunity to lay someones hard floor and came back with a good chunk of unexpected cash. And although it covered the trip, we knew it really needed to cover our groceries, diapers and gas the rest of the month.  But then an unexpected job of laying trimwork in Nebraska came up!  So we felt blessed by God, and purchased the tickets.

Two days later the trim work job fell through. Our hearts sank. Crap. "God?" We prayed. "We're not feeling good about this decision anymore....."

Three days later, out of the blue, a man walked up to Jeremy at church and said, "I heard you're going to Vegas. Here's the hotel on us." It was as if God said, "Yes, I want you to go and I've got your back."

What Stella didn't know, was that in that moment of feeling affirmation from God, we also asked, when is it OUR turn to bless another financially?

Through Stella's words God re-defined what "paying it forward" could look like. I always knew that...but it never hit me like it did last night, that in paying it forward, I already was.

Anyway, if you're reading this, I have a huge night tomorrow night and I would be so grateful for your prayers of protection over me, my marriage and our family.  Jer and I have felt very attacked. Which is good, but not fun. It's going to be a powerful night. God has revealed some great stuff to me and the message is completely HIM. I'll be talking about how God and we can develop a strong faith through the storms and battles in our life.  I don't want to spoil it, so I'll stop writing....

But stay tuned. I'll be sure to share it in a future blog! :)

More!

This is a continuation of my previous two blogs....

I just continue to be blown away. Last night Jer and I received another $200.00 from someone who said God laid it on their hearts to give. They didn't know why, they just obeyed.  I asked her, "Did you read my blog?"  Nope. But she went home and did after that!

As we lay in bed and tried to piece this all together, we discussed the specific amount that we needed. Our mouths dropped when we realized God didn't just supply our needs.....He doubled it.

But there is something interesting here. These last several weeks, I've done something a little different than I have in the past.  Normally, I pray for a need to be met. God always meets it (but in His time). But then when it is, I stop. I say thank you, and I don't ask for more.

But this time, I haven't stopped. I've continued to pray each and every day for more and more and more of an outpouring.  And everytime I did, I would pray Psalm 139.."Test me God and know my heart! Search me and know my anxious thoughts! Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life!"

I knew that I had to make sure my prayer was not selfish. You know, the silent thought of: God, can I get more money so that I can get my nails done? I used to get my nails done, when I was dating. Then once we got married and had kids, reality hit. I've always thought to myself, When people see me getting my nails done again, that's when they can know we're sitting pretty good!

Our hearts desires is to further God's kingdom. We feel called to full-time ministry someday. But financially, that's scary and humbling! It would mean our financial support would be dependent on others (well, still God of course, but you know what I mean). Do you know how hard of a thought that is? Especially for a man?! But I'm wondering.... are we in training for this? I think so. I definitely think so.
 
So, with that thought...God's got an entire ocean of water to quench the thrist of hungry souls! Therefore, I'm not going to stop asking for more!! I'm not going to stop at just a teaspoon when their are unlimited buckets overflowing!
 
February has absolutely been our month of outpouring. How ironic, the month of love. God's love. And although we still don't know what March will hold (God is God and will do what He wants)... we definately know who's holding March!!
 

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us. To Him be the glory forever in the church and in Jesus and throughout all generations forever...

Holding March.

So if you haven't read my earlier post titled, "You'll Walk", take a second and do that! It's short.

My heart is all mixed up right now. If anyone told me that we would be able to live off of the income we do, I would have laughed in their face. Oh the joy, the adventure, and the fun it is to be a follower of Christ! This has been the best ride of my life. He called me to quit my job 3 years ago when my husband didn't have a job. Who does that?!

The bible says, "My sheep hear my voice and they know me." We heard Him. We knew it was Him. We just knew, even though it didn't make any sense. We did it (quit my job) and it's been making sense ever since.

Some ask, "how do you know?"  I always compare it to a phone call.  If you recognize the voices on the other end it's because you spend time with them.  If you don't.....you don't.

How do you spend time with Him? Scripture and prayer.  Pretty simple.

So I quit my job and I get to raise my kids. I'm not saying God calls every mother to that. But He called me. But He didn't call me right away. I worked full-time with 2 kids in daycare for a few years. Anyway, there will never be another year that my kids will be like THIS today. Never ever. And I get to see every moment.

On January 26th, just a few weeks back, I tucked my little boy into bed. What I didn't know is that as I was wishing him a "Happy 5th Birthday" for the final time that day, giving him a final snuggle and placing his blankie right next to his cheek....another boy across town at that very moment was dying.

His name was Luke. He went to Dyson's preschool. But unlike Dyson, his birthday was just days earlier, and he had just turned 4. He was taking a bath and something happened. He hit his head and drowned.

It could have been Dyson. It could have been anyone of our kids. Every mother in Brandon has held their child a little more tightly ever since. This has ripped my heart out. I've had dreams, I've shed tears and not an hour goes by where I don't think of Katie, and how I could be in her shoes at any time.

I feel led to write more about it in the future. My heart longs to interview Katie and her husband maybe six months down the road, or so, when they are ready... IF they are ever ready. We'll see if God brings anything out of that. But for now, please just pray for them because they are not well. They are beyond broken-hearted. They are at a deeper low than you could ever imagine. He was their only son. Their first-born child. Luke left behind a little sister, who adored him.

In all of the strep, flu and ear infection we've had in our home, I have counted my blessings and have tried not to complain.  And although this has been the worse month ever since we've moved here a year ago, God has showed up over and over.

In addition to my earlier blog, God provided even more. We received a surprise $250.00 check in the mail, Jer got a surprise raise!!, I got a surprise bonus, and Jeremy got a surprise cash gift sending him on a snowmobile trip this weekend. All within two weeks. Hello?!

It didn't just rain. It poured.

I don't know what end you are on. Maybe you're on the end where God is calling you to give, but you're hesitant to do so. I can't express the amount of good that has happened within our family and for other families..... simply because people, like you, were obedient to God's calling.  There have been times we have been called to give, when we didn't have. But, we did and God supplied it every single time.

Every one of these gifts were from people who felt called to give.  They didn't have to. Heck, they all have financial dreams of their own! But they did it because they are people who love God, trust Him and will listen to Him.

So here I am, just in awe. Our bills for February will get paid and Jer gets to go on a trip being exhausted, tired and weary. He will come back spiritually renewed having spent a week with amazing men of God doing something fun. I'm so excited for him. He deserves it. He practically gave up all his hobbies for his family and now he is blessed with a free trip. I couldn't be more thrilled.

God gave us just what we needed. Nothing more, nothing less. He keeps us comortable just enough to avoid the late fees... and although we don't know what March will hold...

We know who's holding March.

You'll Walk.

We're on a tough stretch regarding finances. I mean.... tougher than usual. Tougher than we've seen in years.  However, we're exactly where God put us.

I have been called to stay home and raise the kids and do exactly what I'm doing.
Jer has been called to work a job with a 50% paycut and do exactly what he is doing.

We don't mean to complain because we have chosen to live this life... and I'm certainly not saying those who truly follow God will be left with empty wallets. But I AM saying that by us following God, we ARE being left with empty wallets right now. Well, empty for American ways. Not necessarily Haiti.

Definitely not Haiti.

But, by being completely dependent we have been able to experience God in ways I wouldn't trade for the world!! It's so scary (and so awesome) and not a lot of fun (but a TON of fun!). We are finding the more we "practice" at it, the less scary it gets. And with our obediance, He is always (and I mean always) faithful.

Last week, we received an unexpected gift card for $200 for groceries. Today in the mail we recieved an unexpected prepaid visa card for $50.00.

What can I say? Where God guides,God provides. Every single time.

Is He speaking to you? To your spouse about something? Get united, take each other's hands, fix your eyes on Jesus, and jump.

Watch....You'll walk.

Matthew 14:29

Quiet is Wisdom.

I've been feeling led to post about this topic for a few weeks now. Let's talk about what happens when we scream at our kids. 

In our household we're pretty patient for the most part. But you will see it happen a lot quicker in me than my husband! And every single time I find myself feeling terrible and begging for their forgiveness. I then pray that they will forever forget that image. But it is so hard sometimes!

Our temperature is rising. Finances suck. We aren't on good terms with our spouse. Things have been going wrong all day and continue to snowball. We've asked our kids to get dressed, brush their teeth or pick up their toys a thousand times. Yet they don't listen. We patiently ask again, while boiling inside. Still, nothing. Finally we snap and "Monster Mommy" or "Demon Daddy" rears it's ugly head, gnashes it's teeth, jumps out of it's chair...... and looks something like this:

And if we capture the not so Kodak moment, we will see an image pierce our hearts of one very terrified little girl.

Or maybe, unfortunately not. Maybe she's a teenager now and has been used to it her whole life. So now, it doesn't even phase her. It just affirms in her that she really has no reason to look up to you. But there is always hope, and I'll get to what we can do in a minute.

Yelling. We hate doing it, but the results are so darn immediate! We see action and it seems to be the only thing that gets their attention. But in the end, we both lose. They lose a feeling of self-worth. We lose their respect.

And the truth is, if they didn't listen the first time we asked. It's probably because they knew they really didn't have to. It's our fault. Not theirs.

When we freak out on our kids, ten years down the road, they may never remember what they did wrong....but they will remember that livid look on your face and that feeling of terror and disguest toward you and that feeling of worthlessness.

Maybe yelling gets results. But do you really want them to obey because they are scared s***less?! Or do you want them to obey because it's the right thing to do and because they love you?

So what do we do? Parent from your feet. Not your seat. Start being consistent. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Expect them to listen the first time you ask. If they don't, don't freak out like an insane stupid person. Just simply and calmly take away their Leapster Explorer and brace yourself to endure the explosion on their end when they find out. :)

I strongly recommend this book. I've read it before and applied it for awhile but I need to read it and apply it again. Not only is it super easy reading and flipping hilarious, it really does work.  But here is the fine print: If you want your child to change... the hardest part about this book will be changing you.

Sin happens when we run our mouth. But if we are quiet, we are wise. 

Proverbs 10:19.

It's All His Anyway.

Jeremy and I have very generous parents at Christmas time when it comes to their kids. And this year, when asking for our Christmas list, we made the decision to only ask for cash.  I excitedly wrote, "Our 10 year anniversary is coming up in a year and a half and we want to do something special!"

We knew how slow...slow...sloooow (as "Cat In The Hat" would say) it takes to build up our savings with the job God has called Jeremy to live out. So we thought this to be smart. Until I called our Edward Jones guy who is a fan of Dave Ramsey. Grr.

After a half hour conversation, we came to the realization that if putting our Christmas money, cashing out our credit card points (in which we built up when Jer ran his own business for the purpose of a plane ticket), AND draining our one savings account (also saved up for a trip).... we could be (drum roll please)...dut du duuuhh!...... debt free by April.

So in about 5 days we are kissing Cancun good-bye and writing a stupid check to my college loan, sealed with a curse and a prayer that maybe, just maybe, God will allow a miracle to happen. We kind of feel like that newlyweed couple on the movie "Up" who dreams about a trip together and tries to save up the money jar, only to shatter it over and over for stupid bills. :) We've had that jar for years and God never fails to surprise us with His plans for it instead. I'm sure you know the feeling.

I felt really terrible at the Christmas gathering when people all around us were opening up gifts left and right, and Jer didn't open a single gift. He said it didn't bother him. But it bothered me. He works so hard for this family and has already given up his hobbies and sold his toys - his duck boat, decoys, and quad just to name a few - so we could pay bills - so that I could stay home and raise our kids.  He deserved to be lavished this Christmas. And instead, this money was going toward debt. Debt for my college degree. A degree that I'm not even using. Woop De Doo.  But on the way home I looked at him said, "Well, like Ramsey says. Live like no one else today and we'll live like no one else later, right?"

My devotions lately has been from Luke 18. The Rich Ruler.

He came into contact with Jesus and asked Him how He could get to Heaven. Christ (with a point to make) listed all of these rules to follow. The man said, "I have obeyed these rules since I was a child." Jesus said, "All right. What about your money? Your toys? Your comfort? Sell that and you'll get in."

The man couldn't do it. He walked away choosing his wealth, but grieving over the choice.

So then Jesus says to the people who watched the moment, "You know, it's easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for anyone to get to heaven." They ask, "well how the heck are we supposed to make it then?!" Jesus responds, "With God all things are possible."

What He was so mysteriously saying was, "You can be as wonderful and good as you think you are, but you're not getting in. Face it. Heaven is perfect. You're not. Sorry." So, that's why He gave us Easter.

So it's fixed, right? We all get in? Nope.

Just like the rich young ruler, if you want to take on His free gift of life happily ever after, it comes with a cost.  For the longest time I thought that if you just "pray the prayer" with someone to "ask Jesus into their heart" you're in.  Maybe, but I will never ever again talk to anyone about heaven or even raise my kids to believe that until they first understand Luke 14:25.

Jesus Himself is saying, "Um. O.k. Do you build a house without first getting an estimate? yeah, nope.  Do the same with me. Don't ask to get into my family without first understanding what that means." 

It means  - being willing to surrender everything and pick up your own personal cross to follow Him. It means understanding that if you're going to take on this life as a so called "Christian" then you are signing over your rights.

Your right to happiness (he's more concerned about holiness).
Your right to run your own agenda and your plans.
Your right to your money.
Your right to do the things you want to do.
Your right to be treated the way you think you should be treated.

Doesn't sound very fun, does it?  OH IT IS! There is nothing greater than living a life, knowing I've got a Good Boss who knows what's going on and can see things I can not see (versus a greedy crappy boss who thinks he knows but really doesn't). A perfect Boss who can't screw up is telling me what to do with my time, my money, my character, my stuff... because the truth is, it's not even mine anyway. It's His.

When I start living and acting that way, I have found that in the end I am much less stressed out. He does a much better job with His angenda, His money and His people then I could ever do. I fail to realize this a lot.

So, this Christmas He called Jer and I to spend His money paying off debt. Boring...but good. And we trust He sees something for our 10 year anniversary on June 21, 2013 that we just can't see.  Whatever it is, I'm certain it's great!

So with this New Year, I challenge you to to count the cost and give it all up. It's worth it. I promise... and it's anything BUT boring.

Happy New Year!

It all worked out in the end. :)