dear daughters,
Do you like roller coasters? I do. I remember riding one at Six Flags when I was in high school seven times in a row. It would have been eight if I hadn’t gotten sick! I love the thrill of going up and down. But going up and down in life is not always fun.
Sometimes we feel we are on top of the world, that we can conquer anything, and that everything is going our way. Other times we feel like we are down in a valley, or even a pit, and may wonder how, when or if we will ever get out.
I read Psalm 23 the other day for the umpteenth time. You know the one, “The Lord is my Shepherd….” We hear it most often at funerals. But its message is more about life than death! It says this, “Even though I walk through the valley…Thou art with me.” It says a bunch more, but I encourage you to go read it for yourself. God knows that we live in a world that is darkened by despair, destruction, disease and death. But He promises us that as we walk through life, even through the valleys and pits along the way, He is with us. He promises to comfort us, to guide us, to provide for us and to protect us. Is that good news, or what?!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Busy as a Bee!
dear daughters,
Busyness! Do you ever feel so busy you can hardly see straight? That’s how I’ve felt recently. Aimee and I feel like we’ve traveled the country in the last two weeks as we’ve visited two colleges AND driven to an out-of-town swim meet. Meanwhile there’s a house to run and a list a mile long!
I know Aimee has much on her “to do” list; and I bet you do, too. Being busy is really ok with God, providing we are busy doing what He wants us to be doing. He created us to work and worship, not sleep and slouch on the couch! But sometimes we get busy doing things that are not His desire for us. We get busy with video games, TV shows, meaningless texting, mindless web surfing, and just plain wasting time. God wants us to be busy about His work and the work He has designed for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
God has a “to do” list already written for our days, and none of our lists are exactly the same. We are all different, born in different circumstances, living in different situations and holding different gifts. He gives us choices as to what to do with our days, but He has specific things He desires us to choose to do with our uniqueness to bring honor to Him. When we choose the activities He has designed for us to do, we may be busy but we will be BLESSED!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Busyness! Do you ever feel so busy you can hardly see straight? That’s how I’ve felt recently. Aimee and I feel like we’ve traveled the country in the last two weeks as we’ve visited two colleges AND driven to an out-of-town swim meet. Meanwhile there’s a house to run and a list a mile long!
I know Aimee has much on her “to do” list; and I bet you do, too. Being busy is really ok with God, providing we are busy doing what He wants us to be doing. He created us to work and worship, not sleep and slouch on the couch! But sometimes we get busy doing things that are not His desire for us. We get busy with video games, TV shows, meaningless texting, mindless web surfing, and just plain wasting time. God wants us to be busy about His work and the work He has designed for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
God has a “to do” list already written for our days, and none of our lists are exactly the same. We are all different, born in different circumstances, living in different situations and holding different gifts. He gives us choices as to what to do with our days, but He has specific things He desires us to choose to do with our uniqueness to bring honor to Him. When we choose the activities He has designed for us to do, we may be busy but we will be BLESSED!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Heart's Holiday
dear daughters,
What a beautiful holiday weekend I just enjoyed, vacationing in New England! The beauty of the fall is a wonderful reminder of the creativity of our God, and the control He has of our world. Autumn always comes, year after year, according to His plan. Now, maybe there’s not as much fall color in Texas as there is in Massachusetts or Maine; but nevertheless, the seasons come and the seasons go year after year just as He ordains.
Knowing God is in control is a comfort in times of crisis. Right now, our country is in the middle of a lot of change and concern. There is a close presidential race underway. There is a rollercoaster stock market making news every day, causing everyone to question their economic future. You surely have your own personal crises going on, your own changes and concerns. But when we know, really believe, that God is in control, then we can trust Him and rest in the comfort our faith brings.
Today I was reading in Psalms 118, and I was blessed by the first half of verse 6. “The Lord is for me, I will not fear.” It doesn’t ask if the Lord is for me. It doesn’t say the Lord is sometimes for me. It just states that He is, all the time. And when I know, really know and believe that He is for me then fear will not take hold of me.
God has everything in His control, and He is for me and my best interests. He is for you and your best interests, too! When we remind ourselves of this truth, our hearts have rest and peace. Now that’s a vacation!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
What a beautiful holiday weekend I just enjoyed, vacationing in New England! The beauty of the fall is a wonderful reminder of the creativity of our God, and the control He has of our world. Autumn always comes, year after year, according to His plan. Now, maybe there’s not as much fall color in Texas as there is in Massachusetts or Maine; but nevertheless, the seasons come and the seasons go year after year just as He ordains.
Knowing God is in control is a comfort in times of crisis. Right now, our country is in the middle of a lot of change and concern. There is a close presidential race underway. There is a rollercoaster stock market making news every day, causing everyone to question their economic future. You surely have your own personal crises going on, your own changes and concerns. But when we know, really believe, that God is in control, then we can trust Him and rest in the comfort our faith brings.
Today I was reading in Psalms 118, and I was blessed by the first half of verse 6. “The Lord is for me, I will not fear.” It doesn’t ask if the Lord is for me. It doesn’t say the Lord is sometimes for me. It just states that He is, all the time. And when I know, really know and believe that He is for me then fear will not take hold of me.
God has everything in His control, and He is for me and my best interests. He is for you and your best interests, too! When we remind ourselves of this truth, our hearts have rest and peace. Now that’s a vacation!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Thursday, October 9, 2008
God is Faithful
dear daughters,
Girl, do I have some good news for you today! God is faithful! My friend Jenny often says, “God is faithful. It’s His character to be faithful, it’s who He is, and He doesn’t change. He is always faithful.” She said her mom often told her, so I want to tell my girls, too. It’s true! The Bible tells us many times that our God is faithful, true and trustworthy. What He says, He means. What He promises, He provides.
And one thing He provides us is a way out of trouble. There are many times when we are walking along the path of life, and we get distracted by something that looks fun, even though we know deep down it isn’t God’s best for us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says there is nothing God has allowed in our path that He doesn’t know about and that He can’t get us out of, if we will look to Him for help. God is always true to His Word, so we can count on Him to faithfully provide a way out of the messes we sometimes make for ourselves. And not only does God show us the way out, He promises to walk with us on the way out. Sometimes we know how to get out of trouble, but the way out looks just as hard or harder than the way in. Sometimes the way out includes walking through tough consequences, requiring courage and endurance we don't have. God promises to help and strengthen us if we will just look to Him and trust Him at His Word.
God is faithful. He has always been faithful. And faithful will He always be. Trust Him today and every day!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Girl, do I have some good news for you today! God is faithful! My friend Jenny often says, “God is faithful. It’s His character to be faithful, it’s who He is, and He doesn’t change. He is always faithful.” She said her mom often told her, so I want to tell my girls, too. It’s true! The Bible tells us many times that our God is faithful, true and trustworthy. What He says, He means. What He promises, He provides.
And one thing He provides us is a way out of trouble. There are many times when we are walking along the path of life, and we get distracted by something that looks fun, even though we know deep down it isn’t God’s best for us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says there is nothing God has allowed in our path that He doesn’t know about and that He can’t get us out of, if we will look to Him for help. God is always true to His Word, so we can count on Him to faithfully provide a way out of the messes we sometimes make for ourselves. And not only does God show us the way out, He promises to walk with us on the way out. Sometimes we know how to get out of trouble, but the way out looks just as hard or harder than the way in. Sometimes the way out includes walking through tough consequences, requiring courage and endurance we don't have. God promises to help and strengthen us if we will just look to Him and trust Him at His Word.
God is faithful. He has always been faithful. And faithful will He always be. Trust Him today and every day!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Perfectly Pretty
dear daughters,
Today I got to thinking about Barbie dolls. They’ve been around a long time. Mine had blonde hair, and her boyfriend was named Ken. I think nowadays there are Barbies with all kinds of hair, and maybe all kinds of boyfriends, too. Have you ever met a real live Barbie doll? You know what I mean. Perfect hair. Perfect body. Perfect outfit. At least, that’s what she looks like on the outside – perfect – and honestly, sometimes perfectly plastic! The truth is no one is perfect. A person may look perfect on the outside, but she has imperfections on the inside - sins that need the forgiveness of Jesus - and hurts, disappointments and needs just like everyone else.
TV, magazines and movies make us think that there is a perfect definition for beauty, and if we don’t fit it, then we are worthless. This is not true! God perfectly formed us just as He saw best. We don’t see things the way God does. God doesn’t look at the outside, He looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) Yes, He gives us a body in which to live, to work, and to serve. But our bodies were not meant to all look the same. We are each created to live, work and serve differently. But we are all created with hearts to worship Him, and accepting Jesus as our Savior makes our hearts perfectly acceptable to God and able to love Him beautifully. This is perfectly pretty to God!
God purposed you to be perfectly pretty in your own unique way. Today, tell God what David told Him in Psalm 139:14, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well!”
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Today I got to thinking about Barbie dolls. They’ve been around a long time. Mine had blonde hair, and her boyfriend was named Ken. I think nowadays there are Barbies with all kinds of hair, and maybe all kinds of boyfriends, too. Have you ever met a real live Barbie doll? You know what I mean. Perfect hair. Perfect body. Perfect outfit. At least, that’s what she looks like on the outside – perfect – and honestly, sometimes perfectly plastic! The truth is no one is perfect. A person may look perfect on the outside, but she has imperfections on the inside - sins that need the forgiveness of Jesus - and hurts, disappointments and needs just like everyone else.
TV, magazines and movies make us think that there is a perfect definition for beauty, and if we don’t fit it, then we are worthless. This is not true! God perfectly formed us just as He saw best. We don’t see things the way God does. God doesn’t look at the outside, He looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) Yes, He gives us a body in which to live, to work, and to serve. But our bodies were not meant to all look the same. We are each created to live, work and serve differently. But we are all created with hearts to worship Him, and accepting Jesus as our Savior makes our hearts perfectly acceptable to God and able to love Him beautifully. This is perfectly pretty to God!
God purposed you to be perfectly pretty in your own unique way. Today, tell God what David told Him in Psalm 139:14, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well!”
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Prayer Power
dear daughters,
Do you believe that God answers prayers? He does! David wrote in Psalm 138:3, “When I called on you, you answered me and made me bold and strengthened my heart.” David knew the power of God and the power of prayer. He had experienced the supernatural.
When we call on God, He does answer us. Sometimes we don’t recognize His answer. Sometimes we don’t like His answer. But when we pray for His will to be done, He will answer. David had obviously prayed for God to give him boldness and strength of heart. And God did! If you are in need of courage, confidence or even determination to tackle something in life today, just pray! God just waits for us to ask Him for His help. He loves hearing that we are in need of Him, and He longs to show His love to us by answering our heartfelt prayers. Ask Him for what you need today!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Do you believe that God answers prayers? He does! David wrote in Psalm 138:3, “When I called on you, you answered me and made me bold and strengthened my heart.” David knew the power of God and the power of prayer. He had experienced the supernatural.
When we call on God, He does answer us. Sometimes we don’t recognize His answer. Sometimes we don’t like His answer. But when we pray for His will to be done, He will answer. David had obviously prayed for God to give him boldness and strength of heart. And God did! If you are in need of courage, confidence or even determination to tackle something in life today, just pray! God just waits for us to ask Him for His help. He loves hearing that we are in need of Him, and He longs to show His love to us by answering our heartfelt prayers. Ask Him for what you need today!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Monday, October 6, 2008
Good Grief!
dear daughters,
Have you ever been made fun of? I have. It hurts. It’s especially hard to take when we are being made fun of for being good. I found out on graduation night from high school that several of my classmates thought I was a “goody two-shoes.” The kids in my class thought of me as being too good to have any fun, and they gave me grief over it. But the truth is, not having fun with the group was probably more about my being shy than about being good at that time of my life. I wasn’t a perfect teenager. I certainly wasn’t good 100% of the time. But while I wasn’t the “goody two-shoes” they thought I was, I was too good to have the kind of “fun” some of the kids at school were having.
Even today, there are other people who have all kinds of “fun” that I choose not to have. Sometimes it can be hard not to join the party. And sometimes by not following the crowd I have paid the price with friendships. But God tells us not to be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) And He says “A good name is to be more desired than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1)
When we choose to be good for God, we sometimes get a bad rap with some people. But God promises that we’d rather get a bad rap from others than have a bad reputation with Him. So stand strong in your faith, stand up for what’s good, and stand in front of God one day in heaven and hear Him say, “Way to be good! Now come in and have some real fun for eternity!”
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Have you ever been made fun of? I have. It hurts. It’s especially hard to take when we are being made fun of for being good. I found out on graduation night from high school that several of my classmates thought I was a “goody two-shoes.” The kids in my class thought of me as being too good to have any fun, and they gave me grief over it. But the truth is, not having fun with the group was probably more about my being shy than about being good at that time of my life. I wasn’t a perfect teenager. I certainly wasn’t good 100% of the time. But while I wasn’t the “goody two-shoes” they thought I was, I was too good to have the kind of “fun” some of the kids at school were having.
Even today, there are other people who have all kinds of “fun” that I choose not to have. Sometimes it can be hard not to join the party. And sometimes by not following the crowd I have paid the price with friendships. But God tells us not to be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) And He says “A good name is to be more desired than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1)
When we choose to be good for God, we sometimes get a bad rap with some people. But God promises that we’d rather get a bad rap from others than have a bad reputation with Him. So stand strong in your faith, stand up for what’s good, and stand in front of God one day in heaven and hear Him say, “Way to be good! Now come in and have some real fun for eternity!”
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Friday, October 3, 2008
TGIF!
dear daughters,
TGIF! (Thank goodness it’s Friday!) By the time Friday rolls around, most people are ready to put their feet up and do nothing. I think it’s true with teenagers these days as much or more than with adults. Younger people just getting started in life have a lot of pressure these days. Pressure to perform. Pressure to be perfect. Pressure to please. Pressure, pressure, pressure!
What happens to a tire if its pressure gets too high? It can blow! Just like a balloon that gets filled too full of air, it can just pop. Jesus knew that we can feel like that balloon sometimes, like we are ready to explode. That’s why He told His disciples in Mark 6:31 “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile.” Notice Jesus said “Come away”, not “Go away.” He wanted them to come away with Him. He said it again in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
But weekends can be just as busy as the weekdays sometimes. There are sports and friends and church and family commitments, and oh yeah, that project due Monday. This weekend, find a quiet place away from all the people and pressures to relax in His presence. He promises us rest if we will take the time to be alone with Him. I pray you take time to rest in Him this weekend!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
TGIF! (Thank goodness it’s Friday!) By the time Friday rolls around, most people are ready to put their feet up and do nothing. I think it’s true with teenagers these days as much or more than with adults. Younger people just getting started in life have a lot of pressure these days. Pressure to perform. Pressure to be perfect. Pressure to please. Pressure, pressure, pressure!
What happens to a tire if its pressure gets too high? It can blow! Just like a balloon that gets filled too full of air, it can just pop. Jesus knew that we can feel like that balloon sometimes, like we are ready to explode. That’s why He told His disciples in Mark 6:31 “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile.” Notice Jesus said “Come away”, not “Go away.” He wanted them to come away with Him. He said it again in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
But weekends can be just as busy as the weekdays sometimes. There are sports and friends and church and family commitments, and oh yeah, that project due Monday. This weekend, find a quiet place away from all the people and pressures to relax in His presence. He promises us rest if we will take the time to be alone with Him. I pray you take time to rest in Him this weekend!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Joyful Walk
dear daughters,
Have you ever been in the same room with somebody, but they act like you don’t even exist? I have. It makes you wonder if they are just trying to be rude, or if you are really that unnoticeable or that insignificant to them. I bet God wonders that about us sometimes. Even though He’s always in the room, we don’t always act like it. Sometimes we forget it, but a lot of times we try to ignore it. We try to pretend He isn’t there and doesn’t see what we are doing. We do our thing and certainly don’t strike up a conversation with Him. In those moments, we are telling God, “You are not important right now.” But that doesn’t mean He leaves. He just doesn’t keep interacting with us when we are obviously not interested.
I used to wonder how some people can be so joyful all the time. One day, God showed me the answer in Psalm 16:11, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Wow! There is joy in His presence, but wait…He is always present, right? So why am I not always joyful? There’s a difference in being in the same room and being on the same path. When we choose to listen to what He tells us about life, and walk with Him on the right path, even when things are hard, then He will fill us with joy! I think it’s sort of an overflow of His joy that He feels for us when we are walking with Him and obeying Him. Kind of like the joy we feel when we know we’ve made our parents happy. Joy is contagious! So make your Father God joyful today, and allow Him to fill you up with His heavenly joy!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Have you ever been in the same room with somebody, but they act like you don’t even exist? I have. It makes you wonder if they are just trying to be rude, or if you are really that unnoticeable or that insignificant to them. I bet God wonders that about us sometimes. Even though He’s always in the room, we don’t always act like it. Sometimes we forget it, but a lot of times we try to ignore it. We try to pretend He isn’t there and doesn’t see what we are doing. We do our thing and certainly don’t strike up a conversation with Him. In those moments, we are telling God, “You are not important right now.” But that doesn’t mean He leaves. He just doesn’t keep interacting with us when we are obviously not interested.
I used to wonder how some people can be so joyful all the time. One day, God showed me the answer in Psalm 16:11, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Wow! There is joy in His presence, but wait…He is always present, right? So why am I not always joyful? There’s a difference in being in the same room and being on the same path. When we choose to listen to what He tells us about life, and walk with Him on the right path, even when things are hard, then He will fill us with joy! I think it’s sort of an overflow of His joy that He feels for us when we are walking with Him and obeying Him. Kind of like the joy we feel when we know we’ve made our parents happy. Joy is contagious! So make your Father God joyful today, and allow Him to fill you up with His heavenly joy!
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Every Day is Sunny with God
dear daughters,
What a beautiful day outside! I love the fall. The weather invites us outside to enjoy God’s creation. Somehow being in His creation on a sunny day feels not only warm on the outside of me, but on the inside of me, too. We somehow feel God right there with us when we are outside enjoying His creation on a beautiful day. But gloomy, rainy days can sometimes feel lonely. When we are stuck inside, trapped in the walls of our manmade rooms, we lose sight of God’s creation and His presence with us. When we aren’t reminded of Him by our surroundings, we can think that He’s not around. But He is! The Bible says God never leaves us. Over and over again His Word promises that He is always right beside us.
Even if it’s not raining outside, we can feel like it is a rainy day. Maybe when you’re at school you sometimes feel lonely, afraid and discouraged. Maybe you wonder if God even knows. Well, He knows and He cares! He loves you and wants you to live your best so you can enjoy life the most. And He promises to walk right beside you while you do it. God said in Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." God said to be strong and courageous not once, not twice, but THREE times in just four verses! He doesn’t want us to be weak and timid, but strong and full of courage, trusting in His promise to be with us all the time and help us in all we do. Loneliness vanishes when we remember we are never alone.
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
What a beautiful day outside! I love the fall. The weather invites us outside to enjoy God’s creation. Somehow being in His creation on a sunny day feels not only warm on the outside of me, but on the inside of me, too. We somehow feel God right there with us when we are outside enjoying His creation on a beautiful day. But gloomy, rainy days can sometimes feel lonely. When we are stuck inside, trapped in the walls of our manmade rooms, we lose sight of God’s creation and His presence with us. When we aren’t reminded of Him by our surroundings, we can think that He’s not around. But He is! The Bible says God never leaves us. Over and over again His Word promises that He is always right beside us.
Even if it’s not raining outside, we can feel like it is a rainy day. Maybe when you’re at school you sometimes feel lonely, afraid and discouraged. Maybe you wonder if God even knows. Well, He knows and He cares! He loves you and wants you to live your best so you can enjoy life the most. And He promises to walk right beside you while you do it. God said in Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." God said to be strong and courageous not once, not twice, but THREE times in just four verses! He doesn’t want us to be weak and timid, but strong and full of courage, trusting in His promise to be with us all the time and help us in all we do. Loneliness vanishes when we remember we are never alone.
living to love, loving to live,
momma b
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