A daily life pattern {#hellomornings}

I'm a work in process.  Sometimes I enjoy it and sometimes I don't.  These past several weeks - not so much.  I could give you a list, but what would that accomplish?  
Suffice it to say that I KNOW God is at work.  
How do I know that?  Because He does things like shake up my life - all of it...marriage, kids, work, school, finances, business, everything.   Yeah, He loves me THAT much.  
Know what else?  He urged me to sign up for the Winter - Hello Mornings Challenge.  I didn't look into it...I just went and signed up.  What are we studying you may ask...Why, Job of course.
Job.  
Go figure.  I love the Bible.  And I know it's God's love letter to me.   But really God? Job?   Now, in this season?   Yes daughter, in this season.
He loves me SO much, He's reminding me how a man, a regular man, with a wife, 10 kids, and all of the stuff that we deal with on a daily basis, dealt with a boat-load of adversity.
We finished the first chapter today.  Yep, just the first chapter...
Actually, I could have parked there for weeks.  So much.  So real.  So life.
Let me share a few of my "take-aways" from this first chapter...
1.  Job was a regular guy.   He had regular issues.  He had a wife and kids - 7 sons and 3 daughters.   I'm sure he had some sort of job because verse 3 lists his possessions and ends with "this man was the greatest of all the people of the East."  He was a busy and important guy.
His lifestyle wasn't wrapped up in that though.  Verse 1 indicates that Job was "blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil."  My Bible has a great footnote that says because Job was blameless and upright doesn't mean he was without sin, it means his daily life pattern was toward righteousness and away from evil.
A daily life pattern.  Toward righteousness.  Away from evil.
In verse 8, God describes Job as blameless and upright.   Now, who on earth wouldn't want Almighty God to say that about them?
2.  Job was not exempt from trials.   We all know the book.  We may even know some of the trials he faced.  But have we stopped to think that he was a regular guy facing these trials?
Now, God was aware of what was happening - He always is.  In verse 12 - He even put a limit on what satan could do - he couldn't "lay a hand" on Job - he couldn't touch his physical body.
So satan did what he does - what he still does to this day.  He used people - the Sabeans and Chaldeans as well as natural elements - fire and wind to take away Job's children and possessions.  
3.  Job's response was exactly what God expected. Verse 20 "Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshipped."  WHAT?  His kids, his stuff it's all gone and he's worshipping?!?
If only I could say that that is my response to trials.  I can't.  More often than not, I complain, cry, moan and groan but I don't set my heart to worship in those times.
And finally, verse 22 - "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."  Again, I wish I could say this is my response, but honestly, this Jesus-girl has a long way to go when it comes to dealing with trials.  
In my mind, I can almost imagine Job in the midst of his worship saying something like...
"This - all of this is not God's fault.   And because it's not God's fault,  I'm going to worship Him through these situations,  because I KNOW that I know HE is faithful,  HE is true, and HE loves me."
I don't know about you, but I want that to be my response in all matters, my prayer at all times.  I want to become a woman who lives her life toward righteousness and away from evil - daily - creating a daily life pattern that is pleasing to God - so pleasing in fact that He can't help but take notice...
What do you think?  Are you reading through Job too? How do you handle trials?

Holding My Peace...

Have you ever gotten out of bed in the dark of the morning only to look back at it wondering, wanting to climb right back in and pull the covers over and call it a day?  Right then and there, before the day even began?  
That was me this morning.  
Getting up was extra tough.  I'm tired, physically, mentally and emotionally.  There are situations facing us right now (I'll spare you the details) that we simply have no control over.  Yet we have to walk through them.  We have to persevere.  We have to press.  
And it's hard.  It's hard sometimes to remember that He is the Alpha & Omega, the beginning and the end, and that He already knows the end. (Is. 46:10)
It's hard to remember that He knows the plans He has for us, and that they are for good and not evil. (Jer. 29:11)
It's hard, but not impossible to remember these things.  They are the reality.  The situations are facts.
How I long to cling to the reality...to Him.   But sometimes it's just plain hard.
I've been reading Exodus 14 for several days now.  
It's so full of wisdom, and encouragement and that's where He has me right now.  
Because I need it.  The wisdom and the encouragement.
The chapter is all about The Crossing of the Red Sea.  These people were in the midst of some circumstances, and their faith had to go to a whole new level.  
There was no hiding under the covers - the Word says they went out with boldness (v.8), even as they were being pursued by the the Egyptians.  That doesn't mean they didn't want to go back...(v11-12).  
They did some serious complaining, but in the end, they went forward. 
 Going backward was not an option (v15).
That's how I feel.  
We HAVE to go forward, but backwards is so much easier, more comfortable and familiar.  
BUT GOD in all of His wisdom, knew we'd have days seasons like this so He made a couple of promises here...
v. 13 - "Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid.  Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today.""
v. 14 - "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Don't be afraid.  
Stand still.  
Hold your peace.   All wonderful promises from an AWESOME God!  
Sometimes, and maybe it's just me, but sometimes they are a little difficult to walk out in the midst of life.  Am I alone here?
When life appears to be crumbling or at least wavering a bit.  
Don't be afraid.
When we want to fix all of this stuff that is going wrong.  Surely I can come up with an answer.  
Stand Still.
If I think enough.  If I pray more.  If I talk about it a little more surely we'll find an answer we didn't think of before.  
Hold your peace.
That's the one that really gets me.  Hold your peace.  Our peace (in Him) is the key.  Our peace (in Him) is the key to our joy.  And our joy (in Him) is the key to our strength.  
So today, I'm challenged.  
Challenged to hold onto my peace.  
Challenged to not allow the circumstances of the day to rob me of my peace, my joy or my strength.  
That's my challenge.  And it is a challenge, because circumstances look big. 
BUT GOD. Linking up with New Life Steward - WIP Wed and also with Amanda - Desire to Inspire

Seeking Him...

I've been thinking a lot about priorities lately.  For quite some time actually.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 

and all these things shall be added to you."

How do we "seek His Kingdom first" and still get everything done here on earth?  That's been my question.  The answer I've come to is to line up my priorities..

Priority as defined by Webster is:

-superiority in rank, position, or privilege 

-a preferential rating; esp : one that allocates rights to goods and services usually in limited supply

-something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives

My goods and services are my time and attention and that time is almost always limited in supply.  
We all have the same 24 hours in each day, it's all in what we choose to allocate to that time.

I've always looked at things in list form when possible, just because that is the way my brain functions best.  So here is my list...it's one Chris and I came up with this summer as we put together a mission statement for our family.

First.  GOD.  

Seems obvious, but I've had seasons in life, when HE has slid down the list and before I know it, I've not had a good conversation with Him in weeks.  Maybe busy-ness has taken over and there is a thick layer of dust that has settled on my Bible.

I have chosen to make HIM my first priority.  Daily.  This fall I was part of the Hello Mornings Challenge, with a Twitter accountability group.  It was great.  Every so often, if I didn't check in, someone came looking for me, and I returned the favor...it's a great community.

I see this as such a huge thing because not only am I starting my day right, with the Word and prayer, but I am modeling it for my teenagers, who believe me...are watching everything!

Second.  ME.

This may not seem quite as obvious.  And to be honest, I struggle with it.  It seems narcisitic to me to put emphasis and focus on me.  I'm not talking about perpetual shopping sprees, manicures and pedicures.  

I'm talking about health and exercise, creativity, reading, hobbies, etc.  Things I like to do.  

I'm trying very hard to make time for these things in my life.  It's hard, because as a mom, your needs get shoved to the back burner when other "more urgent" things need your attention.

BUT, if we aren't taking care of ourselves physically, what happens?  We get tired and sick.  What happens when we don't stretch our brains and our creativity, expanding our horizons?  We get overwhelmed and weary in the process.  C'mon moms...we have to look after ourselves before we are any use to those God has given us charge over. {preaching to myself here...}

Third. FAMILY. 
No matter how we shake it out, our family is our priority.  It's two-fold.  Our marriage and then our children.  If our marriage isn't strong and providing an example to our kids, then what?  And if we aren't sowing daily into the lives of our children, who will?

Fourth.  CHURCH.

This one gets a little fuzzy for me, as I work at the church, so I spend a lot more time in the church than your average person.  But I'm coming to realize my view on this one has be askew...I've seen the church as a building.  Because that's what we call it...the church.  

But Jesus - whenever He went anywhere said, "the Kingdom of God is at hand..."  We carry Him, so shouldn't the church go with us?  When we go to the store or the library, shouldn't the church go too?

Now, we operate as usher, trustee, security, Sunday school teacher, and life group leaders, on top of my administrative position, so we have some influence on people's lives.  That's the church I'm really referring to here.  

Fifth.  WORK.

Again, the fuzziness, because of the working at the church thing.  But, my husband owns a business, and that needs attention.  He needs to spend time working the business...you because we like to eat and stuff.  And I am working this blog thing.

But what happens if work/blog rises to the top of the list?  Would that be at the expense of family time? or church responsibilities?  There are seasons, don't get me wrong, when work rises to the top for a short time because of special circumstances.  But it shouldn't be the norm.

Sixth.  EVERYTHING ELSE.

I don't get here very often.  Not really sure what qualifies, except for those things that don't fit anywhere else.  Basically if it doesn't fit in the other categories, then it's probably not going to get a whole lot of attention.

Those are my thoughts.  With two teens, a small business, and tons of commitments, I've really had to put things in perspective so as to not get out of balance in any direction.

Tell me - do you struggle with priorities and balancing your world?

Honored to be Linking up with:
Wifey Wednesday
WIP Wednesday

Cold & Flu Season Strategy

Oh Man!  It's that time of year...cold and flu season.  With kids in school and crazy everyday schedules, the probability of contracting something goes up...way, way up.

Given the "crazy" of the last 8 weeks, it's nothing short of a miracle that my family has only had minor encounters with colds and viruses.  I am tremendously thankful for this.

Prayer.
I have spent more time praying - especially over the kids as they head off to school each day.  I find myself praying God's protection over their whole being - that no flu, virus, bacteria or accident would come near their temple.  God's Word declares in Isaiah 54:17 that...

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord."

I'm taking this very seriously! 

I also credit our good health fortune this fall season to a few home remedies that I have worked diligently to maintain on a daily basis.  Here they are...

Vitamin C.  And lots of it.

When one of us is feeling "something coming on" I start the vitamin c and zinc.  A nurse friend informed me last winter that at the first sign of a cold, take vitamin c and a zinc lozenge several times a day.  So we do.  Nobody likes it, because the taste is less than pleasant, but it seems to work.  We do this several times a day - like 3-4 times a day until the symptoms subside.  Let me just add here - this has to be done at the first sign of symptoms...don't ask me why, but it does.

Elderberry Syrup.

I'm not sure where I first found this idea, but I've used it sporadically for a couple of winters now.  But this fall I decided to go all in and keep the kids and I on it daily.  About 2 tsps. in the morning. No biggee.

Then, when someone feels "something coming on" I bump it up to the Echinacea-added variety and increase the number of doses a day to say 3-4.

Here is my recipe for Elderberry Syrup...again, I'm not sure where I got it from, and I've tweeked it a bit, but if you search Elderberry Syrup you will get a ton of different options.

Apple Cider Vinegar.

This is something new I discovered.  The wonders of ACV!  I have personally added this to my daily routine, to combat headaches.  I am very prone to sinus headaches, and the ACV is known to thin out the mucus so that it doesn't clog up the sinuses and cause the headaches and infections.  I take about 8 ounces of water with 1-2tsp of ACV and some agave once or twice a day.  It seems to help as the headaches have definitely been less frequent.

A couple of times this fall, colds have tried to set in and I've given the kids the ACV a couple times a day and they seem to be better in a few days.

I've also been giving Anna ACV every morning - to help combat the skin issues she deals with, so she's been getting the added benefit as well.  Here is a site I found that lists the many health benefits of ACV - Natural Healing Home Remedies.  

These along with plenty of rest, lots of hydration and exercise has been what has helped keep us healthy this fall.

How about you?  What are your cold/flu preventative measures?

♥Lori
**Please note - I am not a health professional, only a Mom trying to keep her family healthy without frequent trips to the doctor's office.**

 
Honored to be Linking up with:
New Life Steward - WIP Wed 
Women Living Well

Balance of Intake & Outflow

It's quiet here tonight. Everyone is at church - Chris is on security and the kids are all at Youth Group.

I probably should have stayed for Bible Study. That probably would have been the right thing to do.
But I just feel so full right now.

So much so that if I take in one more teaching my brain may explode.  In the last month I've attended Quitter with Jon Acuff, a Deliverance seminar at church, watched the keynote speakers from Allume on video, attended a full weekend of guest speakers at our church last weekend which also included a Women's Breakfast attended by 170 women! That doesn't include my Hello Mornings, Bible in 90 Days, Reading / Lesson Prep for Life group next week, a book review, and 31 18 days of Practice, all of which I tried to keep up with in October.

I'm tired.  And I'm full.  And I just couldn't take in one more teaching right now.

Do you ever feel that way sometimes - full?  Like if you hear one more teaching... Or worse yet, if you don't get some of it out, you'll positively explode?

I know we're supposed to study and increase in knowledge, etc...

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

I get it.
 
But is there a point at which enough is enough already? 

At what point should we consider our tank full and begin to release that which has been released to us? 

I'm at that point I think.  I have put or rather, God has poured so much into me recently that I am needing to get some of it out. 

"And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh."  Ecclesiastes 12:12

It is wearisome in some ways.  Isn't it?  Do you ever feel that way?  Filled to overflowing and yet struggling to get it out at the same time? 

Am I saying study is bad? Oh no I'm not. 

What I'm searching for right now is the balance of intake and outflow. How much to take in and what/when to release it.

That's it...it's balance.  My scales are out of balance. I need to spend some time processing what I've taken in so that I can release it. I need to process my notes from the various events, finish that lesson, write that book review, and move forward in a continual motion - inflow and outgo.  

I don't feel I can take anymore in, because I'm so full. The remedy to that is to pour out that which I have taken in. 

Of course - it's a process.  Oh my.  
I've been so busy I couldn't even see this simple truth. 

♥Lori

Honored to be Linking up with:
New Life Steward - WIP Wed
Women Living Well

Determined Abandon

Photo credit: Chelsea Sugar via Kirsty Helen on Pinterest

Okay, so there was this little conference last weekend.  You may have heard of it - Allume.  Well, I didn't go...big bummer, but you can bet I'm already praying about next year!  

I was however able to catch the keynote speakers because the wonderful people at Teach Them Diligently offered them in their entirety.  I have yet to listen to Ann Voskamp's, mainly because of that silly little thing called time, but I wanted to share one of my take-aways from Problogger - Darren Rowse's keynote.

Darren did a great job of lacing blogging gems throughout his testimony, things like the idea of following "sparks" -  those seemingly "little things" that happen, that if we act fast, could produce great results, and if not, we may miss something very special.  He gave several examples in the area of blogging and community, but my takeaway was for life in general - my walk.

How many times, oh Lord help us, but how many times do we miss opportunities at the grocery store or the dry cleaner because we are in a rush to get to the "next thing"?  Maybe it's just a smile that will "spark" a conversation in the meat department that could lead to someone finding some peace - the Prince of Peace in their life storm.  I've seen it happen - when I'm looking.

That was awesome, and I'm still chewing on it, trying to absorb the bigness of it, but his final story was just as powerful. 

Darren told this crazy story about being in a cafe and eating an extra large slice of  mudcake. With a Fork.  Nearby, a little girl got the same {extra-large} size piece of mudcake and she ate it...face first.  She went after that thing.  She wanted it, probably looked forward to it all day, and by golly she went after it.

I could totally picture the whole story in my mind's eye as Darren is a great story teller.

His charge with that story was that we "put the fork down" and pursue God with the same gusto as that little girl. 

He used John 6:57 as a text...

As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.

Darren also explained that "feeds" in this passage means "feasts"...big difference.

Immediately, I was reminded of something someone said to me awhile back.  

"We should pursue God with determined abandon."

Determined abandon.  What does that mean?   

Determined = resolute, staunch, decided, settled, resolved
Abandon = to give up control of; to yield oneself without restraint or moderation

God really is trying to get my attention, and maybe yours too... He's saying that we need to let go of our preconceived ideas.  Take the lid off of the box that we've put Him in and make a decision to "put the fork down" and follow HIM wholly, completely, without restraint.  Just follow Him, wherever He leads...it may seem crazy at times, but I for one don't want to live so reserved, that I miss the "sparks" or opportunities that He may have for me.

Thank you Darren for your inspiration!  Even though I wasn't in the room, I received the impartation!  You can be sure of that!

There was so much more I gleaned, but I am focusing, really focusing on these nuggets for now.  I want to get it right.   

I don't want to miss those little sparks of opportunity anymore.  

I'm putting the fork down...
♥Lori 

Honored to be Linking up with:
New Life Steward - WIP Wed
Women Living Well
Allume 

This is Day 18 in my 31 Days of Practice Series 

that I joined for the month of October.

 

It's Bigger Than Me...

It's bigger than me...
It's bigger than us...
What if we...

These are all statements I keep hearing...from different people, in different contexts.

It's the stirring in my heart.  

I don't want to be so self-focused that I miss the needs around me.  And let's face it, that is mighty easy to do given the times we are living in.  Jobs, kids, schedules, it all requires our attention.

BUT, what if?

What's your dream?  

What do you want to DO?  

How do YOU dream of making a difference?

My answers are still forming.  I started this blog in 2008, and only now, four years later, do I have an idea of its purpose - to make some sort of a difference. 

How does that work?  Honestly, I have no idea.  But God does. 

He knows the desires of my heart

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this
^{Psalm 37:3-5}

He knows the plans He has for me (and my blog)

^{"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jer. 29:11}

I have every confidence that what I give to Him, He can use.

So tomorrow I'm taking a step toward making a difference. 
Christian Mommy Blogger is encouraging a Revival Blackout to pray for our nation, the upcoming election, and our President.  

Leighann hit the nail on the head when she spoke in her video about Revival starting with us and reaching our spheres of influence, and reaching their spheres, and so on...what if???  

Bottom line? We are called to pray for our leaders, regardless of how we feel about them or whether we agree with them.  
The call to pray is always bigger than us.

I'm in.  Are you?

♥Lori

Linked with Courtney at Women Living Well. 
                       Mary Beth @ New Life Steward

This is Day 13 in my 31 Days of Practice Series 

that I joined for the month of October.

What are you adorned with?

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."  
 1 Peter 3:3-4

Photo Source


This passage really got me thinking.  

What am I adorning myself with? 

Adorn is "to enhance the appearance of especially with beautiful objects" (Webster's Dictionary)

Does that mean we shouldn't get nice things, stylish hair cuts, use make up, wear nice clothes and jewelry?  Honestly, I don't think so.  It says "...don't let your adornment be merely outward..."  - so basically it shouldn't be the only thing we focus on.  Right?

I think the next verse really clarifies things - what we should focus on is that "inner beauty" - the hidden person of the heart (the soul) - the spirit man if you will.  That's where the bulk of our efforts should go.  Developing our spirit man by spending time in the Word, Worship the Lord, Fellowship with other like-minded believers, those kinds of activities.

I guess the question is this - do we spend as much time adorning "the hidden person of our heart" as we do the outer?  That stings a little bit.  How long do you take to get ready in the morning?  Me, it's about 30 minutes, without interruption - Ha!  Do we spend at least that much time with the Father each the morning?  

Don't get me wrong, I like to look nice and wear nice clothes, and I really do believe God would have us to be presentable because that re-presents Him as well.  Not to mention it's a blessing for our husbands... 

BUT the development of that quiet, gentle spirit is much more important to Him.  Gentle here means - lowly, a humility that is considerate, unassuming, gentle, mild, and meek.  And let me just say this too, meekness is NOT weakness, it's power under perfect control.  

Those are the traits I want to develop.  I can't shop for them at the mall, I have to develop them in my quiet time of study and prayer, and even more so in the crucible of life.  That's where true gentleness and humility are developed.  Daily life.  The Crazy.  The Mundane.  The Process...

What do you think about this whole adorning idea?

Have a great rest of your week!!
 ♥Lori

Linked with Courtney at Women Living Well. 
                               Mary Beth @ New Life Steward

This is Day 8 in my 31 Days of Practice Series 

that I joined for the month of October.

What if...

We traveled to the Nashville, TN area this past weekend to attend the Quitter Conference with Jon Acuff and a host of other fabulous speakers.  It was a conference for dreamers, by dreamers.
 
Now, I'm not a dreamer, at least I wasn't a dreamer.  As a child or teen, I never dreamed of what I would do one day, or who I would marry.  Life just kind of happened.  
 
Needless to say, I wasn't sure why we were there at the Quitter conference, until I heard this one word...IF.  

Matt Chambers was talking about finding balance and eliminating excuses.  And when he talked for just a moment about the word IF drowning out our dreams, I literally caught my breath.  

I never thought about it before, 

but the word IF leads to either 

HOPE or EXCUSE.

Think about it...

"I'd love to work on that missions project, IF ONLY I had more money."
"I'd love to help tutor children IF ONLY I had more time."

That IF leads to excuses.

Now think about this...

"It's only an hour of my time, but WHAT IF God could use it to ___________?
"It's only a few dollars, but WHAT IF I used it to ___________?

"WHAT IF..." brings HOPE!

It's my new favorite phrase. It holds so much promise!!

I am only a beginner dreamer, but the fire has been lit, and I see so much promise.  Thank you Jon Acuff & Friends!

This is just one of the many "take-aways" from a loaded weekend~

Happy Wednesday!!
♥Lori

Linked with WIP Wed @ New Life Steward  
                   iFellowship Blog Hop

Baby Steps...

Last week I posted here about becoming more of a Producer instead of such a Consumer and how I almost bailed out of all of it.

And this week with only two other posts written last week - all I can say is I'm working on it.

This past week has been really busy, so realistically, unless I was ultra organized and had posts written and scheduled ahead of time (which is something I aspire to) I wasn't going to post much anyway. 

The baby steps I have taken are these...

*I check Social Media (mostly on my phone) during WAIT times.  WAIT times include car pool, appointments, etc.  It does NOT included times when I'm sitting at home with my family.

*I modified the notifications on my phone.  My iPhone is truly a blessing, but like anything, it can be a real distraction if I let it!!!  Can I get an Amen?

*I some of my app locations on my phone, even creating folders for Producing and Consuming!

*I'm not reading blogs or emails before I finish my Quiet Time / Bible in 90 Days reading.  The only exception to this is Tweeting at 6am with my HelloMornings Friends.  But that is a check in and prayer time...

I read a quote recently (sorry I don't know the original author, please let me know if you do...) that spoke to my heart on this matter.

Don't be a spectator in life, participate in it...

That's how I see this Producer / Consumer thing.  As a consumer, I'm a spectator, basically just watching God work in the lives of everyone else.  As a producer though, I'm able to share what God has been doing in our lives and maybe touch some lives.

Sounds crazy, but this really is my Work In Process...and I'm thrilled with the baby steps I've taken. 

♥Lori

Linked up with WIP Wed @ New Life Steward

                         Women Living Well Wednesday