A friend of mine on Facebook made a good point today after I posted the Phillipians verse. There is a difference between being content and being complacent.
To me, being complacent is being resigned to the way things are, not hoping or trying for change or for anything better. It's not at all related to peace or joy, but more in being stuck and hopeless.
Being content, in my opinion, is resting in the joy of our salvation in Christ and our future with Him DESPITE my circumstances. REAL joy is not a result of our circumstances, but a knowledge that our circumstance won't affect our security in HIM, and our circumstances can be used to glorify God and lead others to Him.
When circumstances aren't "ideal" or when things are outright horrible, look for God's hand. Nothing He does or allows in our lives is arbitrary. It is ALL for His glory and usually, if you look really close, you can see His hand. There is joy and peace in knowing that, if for nothing else, our suffering will be used to bring Him glory and our lives can be a testimony to others of His loving kindness.
Our insignificant time on this earth has NOTHING at all to do with us and our pleasures and desires...it is ALL about THE CREATOR who created us, THE SAVIOR who redeemed us and THE SPIRIT who lives in us being glorified.
It is my desire in all I do to be available to be used by HIM to do that!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
My verse today...
Philippians 4:11-13
"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
New Bible Study
Today I am starting a new Bible Study. I found it on the website www.WomenStudytheBible.com
So far it looks pretty cool. Today is on being thankful. It has some interactive things to do to go deeper in your study.
Phil 4:10-13
"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Here is a link to it in case you'd like to check it out.
Study 1, Lesson 1
So far it looks pretty cool. Today is on being thankful. It has some interactive things to do to go deeper in your study.
Phil 4:10-13
"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Here is a link to it in case you'd like to check it out.
Study 1, Lesson 1
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
I feel so funny starting to blog again. I was reading my old blog posts earlier and feel like I've grown up so much since then.
I started blogging in 2005! 6 1/2 years ago. My girls were 1 and 11! Since then I've taken up running and have run in two half marathons, moved across the country, taken up reading, quit drinking coffee, started drinking coffee again, I'm attempting to start extreme couponing, I'm homeschooling this year, my oldest daughter lost her thumb and she also found a long lost brother and aunt (hahaha..confusing if you don't 'know' us), my youngest has turned out to be one of the smartest little people i've ever known as well as one of the most, shall we say, "adventurous" (to a fault). I've gotten a LOT of gray hairs (totally uninvited btw)....
I've also felt led to start working with girls in the Youth at church. I feel like they are so bombarded with lies about beauty, relationships, love, modesty, and so on...I just can't stand by and watch as this generation of girls turn into a generation of women who are scarred from the mistakes of their youth and abuse of society.
I've also developed a deep relationship with my Lord, I've realized the one purpose in this life is to bring other's to Christ and glorify Him in all we do...and honestly, I believe that's the most important think I've learned in my whole entire life. It affects everything I do, every relationship I have, and though I fail quite often...I really feel like I know why we are here and it's not about us. That brings me comfort.
So, I don't know where this blog will go...I'm guessing there will be posts about all of the things I mentioned above. AND I don't know who will read it. But here I am...for some reason for weeks I've been thinking about doing this, so I'm doing it!
So, here we go.
;-)
Stephanie
I started blogging in 2005! 6 1/2 years ago. My girls were 1 and 11! Since then I've taken up running and have run in two half marathons, moved across the country, taken up reading, quit drinking coffee, started drinking coffee again, I'm attempting to start extreme couponing, I'm homeschooling this year, my oldest daughter lost her thumb and she also found a long lost brother and aunt (hahaha..confusing if you don't 'know' us), my youngest has turned out to be one of the smartest little people i've ever known as well as one of the most, shall we say, "adventurous" (to a fault). I've gotten a LOT of gray hairs (totally uninvited btw)....
I've also felt led to start working with girls in the Youth at church. I feel like they are so bombarded with lies about beauty, relationships, love, modesty, and so on...I just can't stand by and watch as this generation of girls turn into a generation of women who are scarred from the mistakes of their youth and abuse of society.
I've also developed a deep relationship with my Lord, I've realized the one purpose in this life is to bring other's to Christ and glorify Him in all we do...and honestly, I believe that's the most important think I've learned in my whole entire life. It affects everything I do, every relationship I have, and though I fail quite often...I really feel like I know why we are here and it's not about us. That brings me comfort.
So, I don't know where this blog will go...I'm guessing there will be posts about all of the things I mentioned above. AND I don't know who will read it. But here I am...for some reason for weeks I've been thinking about doing this, so I'm doing it!
So, here we go.
;-)
Stephanie
Here We GOOOOOOO!
So I think I'm going to start blogging about anything and everything.....God, my venture into extreme couponing, parenting, marriage, cooking, running, reading...and anything else that pops into my little head. I am also known for messing around with computers and I will probably end up totally messing up my template, more than once. So here I go, maybe, jumping back into the blogesphere...
I got a lot of work to do!
It's been more than 3 years since my last post. A lot has changed in 3 years! I'm thinking of blogging again. First I guess I gotta clean up my template cuz it's a mess with all the changes in the browsers over 3 years!
:-)
:-)
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Messed up template
is my blog all messed up when you look at it?
let me know in my comments...cuz its all messed up looking at it on my computer.
let me know in my comments...cuz its all messed up looking at it on my computer.
Wow
So, I've been thinking maybe i could start blogging at least once a week. So I'm gonna write today and see if I can do this.
I've been working at my church for the last year part time in the Children's Ministry as a preschool coordinator. Making sure the preschool Sunday school teachers have what they need, make sure they show up and if they don't I make sure someone is there for the kids...I also do other odds and ends in the office too. It's fun!
My husband has been getting more active too, helping out with the elementary school ministry.
My oldest is in the 9th grade now, and she's about to turn 15! She is planning on going on a missions trip this summer and she helps out with all sorts of things at church too. It's great. I can't believe we're starting to talk about college more seriously! 3 years from now she'll be 4 months or so from GRADUATION!!! That's just nuts!
My youngest is 4 1/2 now almost. She is in Pre-K. She's one of the youngest being that her birthday is about 2 weeks before the cut off...but she's so dang smart! She's starting to read. She can sound things out and it's so exciting when she gets it! She'll be heading to Kindergarten in the fall.
God has been so faitful. This economic crisis has hit us pretty hard. My husband is a Realtor. It hasn't been easy but we're still doing ok.
I'm so happy that my hope doesn't lie in the power of Obama, or Bush....Or McCain, or anyone man has appointed....My hope lies in the power of the MAKER of kings, the MAKER of Presidents...My hope is in the ONE TRUE GOD...the MAKER of the heavens and the earth...
One of my favorite verses.
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
I've been working at my church for the last year part time in the Children's Ministry as a preschool coordinator. Making sure the preschool Sunday school teachers have what they need, make sure they show up and if they don't I make sure someone is there for the kids...I also do other odds and ends in the office too. It's fun!
My husband has been getting more active too, helping out with the elementary school ministry.
My oldest is in the 9th grade now, and she's about to turn 15! She is planning on going on a missions trip this summer and she helps out with all sorts of things at church too. It's great. I can't believe we're starting to talk about college more seriously! 3 years from now she'll be 4 months or so from GRADUATION!!! That's just nuts!
My youngest is 4 1/2 now almost. She is in Pre-K. She's one of the youngest being that her birthday is about 2 weeks before the cut off...but she's so dang smart! She's starting to read. She can sound things out and it's so exciting when she gets it! She'll be heading to Kindergarten in the fall.
God has been so faitful. This economic crisis has hit us pretty hard. My husband is a Realtor. It hasn't been easy but we're still doing ok.
I'm so happy that my hope doesn't lie in the power of Obama, or Bush....Or McCain, or anyone man has appointed....My hope lies in the power of the MAKER of kings, the MAKER of Presidents...My hope is in the ONE TRUE GOD...the MAKER of the heavens and the earth...
One of my favorite verses.
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
You Are God Alone
I have been singing this song in my head the last few days, in times when I feel uncertain about the future of our country and of our freedoms as Christians...This song means so much!
You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are
You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are
Thursday, July 10, 2008
My Dear Friend...
A very good friend of mine from High School passed away yesterday. She found out in January that she had a tumor on her brain. Over the last few months she had 2 surgeries. She never fully awoke from the second one.
She was such an amazing example of Jesus Christ. Her and her family have been so strong and faithful.
Ramey had a beautiful voice. You can hear some of her stuff here
There is more about Ramey and her journey here
Yesterday our Lord called her home.
Please pray for her husband and her 7 year old son.
She was only 33 years old. But she leaves behind a legacy of beauty, sharing Jesus UNASHAMEDLY, and honesty and love.
This song has encouraged me through this time.
She was such an amazing example of Jesus Christ. Her and her family have been so strong and faithful.
Ramey had a beautiful voice. You can hear some of her stuff here
There is more about Ramey and her journey here
Yesterday our Lord called her home.
Please pray for her husband and her 7 year old son.
She was only 33 years old. But she leaves behind a legacy of beauty, sharing Jesus UNASHAMEDLY, and honesty and love.
This song has encouraged me through this time.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Books
I haven't been a big reader since I was a kid. But right now I'm working on 2 books. One is a devotional/pray journal type book, and the other is a marriage book.
Life is too short to have a so-so marriage, in my opinion. I can guarentee, for those of you who have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, that if you take the first steps to bettering your marriage, you will begin to see changes and feel changes. But you have to have patience to stick it out. God will WORK OUT what you WORK IN! :-)....I heard that from Beth Moore.
So here are the books:
The Joy of a Promise Kept: The Powerful Role Wives Play
Whispers of Hope
So there is my unsolicited 2 cents for the day.
:-)
Blessings to you all!
Life is too short to have a so-so marriage, in my opinion. I can guarentee, for those of you who have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, that if you take the first steps to bettering your marriage, you will begin to see changes and feel changes. But you have to have patience to stick it out. God will WORK OUT what you WORK IN! :-)....I heard that from Beth Moore.
So here are the books:
The Joy of a Promise Kept: The Powerful Role Wives Play
Whispers of Hope
So there is my unsolicited 2 cents for the day.
:-)
Blessings to you all!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Remember When?
Remember when I would write on my blog daily? Several times daily? Now I don't even do it once a month.
Part of me misses the blog world....but I have to say....my house is now USUALLY pretty clean....I've gotten more involved in things here in the real world....
But still...there is something so special about all of you that I've never 'met' but formed such great friendships with.
I just want you to know I am still here...
I will eventually change my slideshow and add some new pictures....eventually.
For now, here are some recent ones....relatively recent I suppose....
Part of me misses the blog world....but I have to say....my house is now USUALLY pretty clean....I've gotten more involved in things here in the real world....
But still...there is something so special about all of you that I've never 'met' but formed such great friendships with.
I just want you to know I am still here...
I will eventually change my slideshow and add some new pictures....eventually.
For now, here are some recent ones....relatively recent I suppose....
Can you believe how my girls are growing up? Where on earth does time go?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Saturday, February 02, 2008
She's 14
When I became mom, she was 7 (almost 8)....holy cow. She's grown up right in front of my eyes. She's 5'8 (I'm only 5'4 mind you)....beautiful, smart, Christ-centered, respectful, considerate, motivated.....WHEN? Tell me where the time has gone!
I'm looking for a pic of her right now....it's tricky to find one...she tends to hide from the camera FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON....most pics are ones with silly faces which would TOTALLY embarass her..
Pic from our wedding, she was almost 8
Last 2 years of posts about her bday with pics...
12th Bday
13th Bday
Just wanted to share!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Captivated
This song is so amazing.
I have listened to it over and over and I still love it...my little one is learning the words now too!
Click here to listen to 'Captivated---Shawn-McDonald'
Captivated - Shawn Mcdonald
When I look into the mountains I see your fame
When I look in to the night's sky it sparkles your name
The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
That's what draws me to you
I am captivated
By you
In all that you do
I am captivated
When I wake unto the morning it gives me your sight
When I look across the ocean it echoes your might
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way you made me
That's what draws me to you
I am captivated
By you
In all that you do
I am captivated
The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way you made me
The blood in my veins and my heart you invade
The plants how they grow and the tree and their shade
The way that I feel and love in my soul
I thank you my god for let me know about you about you
I have listened to it over and over and I still love it...my little one is learning the words now too!
Click here to listen to 'Captivated---Shawn-McDonald'
Captivated - Shawn Mcdonald
When I look into the mountains I see your fame
When I look in to the night's sky it sparkles your name
The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
That's what draws me to you
I am captivated
By you
In all that you do
I am captivated
When I wake unto the morning it gives me your sight
When I look across the ocean it echoes your might
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way you made me
That's what draws me to you
I am captivated
By you
In all that you do
I am captivated
The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way you made me
The blood in my veins and my heart you invade
The plants how they grow and the tree and their shade
The way that I feel and love in my soul
I thank you my god for let me know about you about you
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Still kicking
Yes, we are all still here and doing well. It's been an extremely busy couple of months.
Thanks you Gwen for checking on me...I can't believe it's been 2 months since I posted anything!
I will post new pics of the house soon.
There are a lot of colors in our house now...not one white all. I totally love it!
I'll post soon!
Steph
Thanks you Gwen for checking on me...I can't believe it's been 2 months since I posted anything!
I will post new pics of the house soon.
There are a lot of colors in our house now...not one white all. I totally love it!
I'll post soon!
Steph
Friday, August 17, 2007
Another Year has passed....
Like sands through the hourglass.....yada yada....I never thought that phrase would ever make sense to me....but the older I get the more I understand just how quickly life comes and goes...
My youngest is turning 3 today!
My oldest starts the 8th grade on Tuesday....what in the world is going on?!?!?!?!
So much is going on right now...
The Little One's Birthday party is tomorrow...The girls are starting school on Mon/Tues....We close on our new house (PRAISE THE LORD!!) on Wednesday.... we'll be knocking a wall down, putting in new floors and painting...we have to be out of this house that we've been in by the 31st...my hubby and i are leaving on the 31st for our first trip away from the girls since the little on was born....(only for 2 nights)...I'm starting a VERY part time job (around 10 hours per week)at our church in the Children's ministry...
So i just wanted to update you guys on me and us and we....nuts as usual!!!
:-)
My youngest is turning 3 today!
My oldest starts the 8th grade on Tuesday....what in the world is going on?!?!?!?!
So much is going on right now...
The Little One's Birthday party is tomorrow...The girls are starting school on Mon/Tues....We close on our new house (PRAISE THE LORD!!) on Wednesday.... we'll be knocking a wall down, putting in new floors and painting...we have to be out of this house that we've been in by the 31st...my hubby and i are leaving on the 31st for our first trip away from the girls since the little on was born....(only for 2 nights)...I'm starting a VERY part time job (around 10 hours per week)at our church in the Children's ministry...
So i just wanted to update you guys on me and us and we....nuts as usual!!!
:-)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
POTTY TRAINING CRY FOR HELP
So my beautiful nearly 3 year old is ALMOST potty trained....we got the peepee down really well..
Now I know a lot of kids are SCARED of going poopies on the potty, but she's not. She's done it and get's all proud and excited...but the only time she does it is if I catch her in time to get her there....otherwise it's in her big girl undies or her pull up (whatever she has on at the time)....SHE WON'T TELL ME WHEN SHE HAS TO GO POOPIES!
She's very VERY very smart...I know she knows what to do...but why won't she do it.
Normally I wouldn't stress and I'd let it happen when it happens...but I have less than 6 weeks until she starts 3 year old pre-school and she is NOT ALLOWED to wear pullups...she MUST BE POTTY TRAINED AND IN BIG GIRL UNDIES....
WHAT DO I DO???? HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANY AND ALL ADVICE IS WELCOME....
THANKS...
Now I know a lot of kids are SCARED of going poopies on the potty, but she's not. She's done it and get's all proud and excited...but the only time she does it is if I catch her in time to get her there....otherwise it's in her big girl undies or her pull up (whatever she has on at the time)....SHE WON'T TELL ME WHEN SHE HAS TO GO POOPIES!
She's very VERY very smart...I know she knows what to do...but why won't she do it.
Normally I wouldn't stress and I'd let it happen when it happens...but I have less than 6 weeks until she starts 3 year old pre-school and she is NOT ALLOWED to wear pullups...she MUST BE POTTY TRAINED AND IN BIG GIRL UNDIES....
WHAT DO I DO???? HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANY AND ALL ADVICE IS WELCOME....
THANKS...
Monday, July 09, 2007
Hurry Hurry Hurry
Go to my friend JAYMI'S blog and enter her totally awesome giveaway!!!
She's giving away a Winnie The Pooh movie so GO GO GO and enter her giveaway RIGHT NOW!!
:-)
Later!
She's giving away a Winnie The Pooh movie so GO GO GO and enter her giveaway RIGHT NOW!!
:-)
Later!
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