What would I do without my God...

Today I give thanks.

I work in a job where people come in, step up to my desk, tell me their problems and ask for help fixing them. I have to know or figure out the answers to their questions. Some of these people’s problems are so devastating and the sadness in their face just hurts my heart sometimes. 

But every person’s problems remind me of one thing. No problem I have is really that bad because people around me are experiencing things that are so much harder. Furthermore, nothing I face is impossible because I have a loving, omnipotent, omnipresent God who is with me every step of the way. 

Sometimes I sit there and think about how much of a dark, black hole I would be in if I were in those situations without God. But then again, I would be that same black hole without my God, even in the best of times. 

Seeing these problems that other people have, first hand, makes me so thankful for what I have and helps me send up a quick prayer absolutely anytime I have a moment of difficulty.

There is always a way, through God. You can always find a way with His help and I truly believe He has a plan for us all. Be His light, not matter if you’re helping other people solve their problems, or trying to solve their own. 

That’s all for now my friends.

Happy Wednesday!

Em

A lesson in significance from the anointed king.

Anointing with oil is representative of God’s favor and power to carry out significant responsibility. Before Christ came and died for us, specific, very special people were chosen to be anointed by God. One of those people was King David. 

We can learn so much from the time that God sent Samuel to find the king that would be Saul’s successor. God sent Samuel to visit Jesse and his sons, for one of his sons would be the anointed king. What a beautiful example of obedience to God we have in Samuel. 

Lesson #1: Anointing is initiated by God. God sent Samuel to find the new king. 

Samuel looked over each of Jesse’s sons, including Eliab who looked like the typical figure that would become a king, but God said none of them were to be king.

Lesson #2: Favor from God is not just for those with the right looks, talents or gifts. God looks, not at our outward appearance, but at our heart. 

Since God told Samuel that none of these men were going to be king, Samuel asks Jesse if he had any more sons. He says that there was only the youngest (David), but he was in the fields, tending to the sheep. 

Lesson #3: Anointing can be found in the fields. Translation: it doesn’t matter whether you work in a cubicle, if you are a fire fighter, in the military, are a stay at home mom, are a starving college student, or if you feel stuck, not knowing what you want to do with your life. God sees us! God knows our hearts and he sees us, no matter if we have the proper age, experience, or occupation that society deems favorable. God sees each and every one of us and loves us beyond measure whether we are a CEO or changing our babies’ dirty diapers. 

Lesson #4: We must go back to the fields, even after being anointed. Translation: David could’ve been haughty and entitled after he was anointed by Samuel, but instead he was marked with great humility. We must do that same. As long as we have accepted Christ, we are anointed in God’s kingdom. But we must go forth, back into whatever we do every day and spread His light. We must be faithful and let God work on us right now, for whatever He has in store for us later. 

God sees you wherever you are. You are significant to Him and His kingdom. He will use you and He has great plans and promise for your life because you are anointed. Christ is in you. Be His light. 

XOXO

Em.

The Imperfect Family

One of the biggest things I’ve missed about Mississippi (apart from our beautiful house... *tear*) is our church. But luckily for us, they’ve got technology down pat so I can watch live and past services all the way from sunny San Diego! 

The series they are in the middle of is called “The Imperfect Family” and it has included some of the best sermons I have ever watched. It has been wonderful and pertinent timing, being a newlywed and wanting to eventually grow our family. 

One thing I love about Northwood Church in Gulfport, MS is the music! Worship is led by the pastor’s son and usually includes one of both of his daughters as well. I always love worship, and it is evident that when these people sing, the entire room feels it. I’ve been in churches during worship before where everyone stands and stares at the band playing. Now you don’t have to go crazy, but have some joy! Rejoice! Praise your Father! 

Anyway, here is the link for the latest services at Northwood. I highly recommend the Imperfect Family series, but honestly, I’ve never seen a sermon there that I didn’t enjoy or get something meaningful out of. 

http://vimeo.com/86435462

Here is the link for all the past services at Northwood.

http://www.northwood.tv/Media/Services.aspx

Happy worship my friends!

God Bless,

Em.

A Grateful Heart and Self-Control

Life, especially this military life my husband and I live, throws us curveballs constantly. God likes to keep us on our toes and sometimes plans don't go our way. 

For example, my husband's phone got turned off by the cell phone company, leaving me with no way to contact him because his computer was dead and the charger was in my car. We went in before deployment, setting a date for them to hold his number. We realized we needed a little more time to get our ducks in a row and tried several times to stop his phone being turned off, but nonetheless, it happened. When we tried to get his phone turned back on, the company's whole system was down. Did I get frustrated at first? Yes. Do I realize this is a spoiled problem to have during a deployment? Yes. A lot of spouses get to talk to their service member very very sparingly during a deployment.

It would be so easy to get angry about these inconvenient little plan changes. You know that angry, bitter feeling where all your insides just seem to be in knots? We have to fight that. I know I do. and I feel so much better when I let those things go. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Keeping a grateful heart is so important. It allows us to see more clearly and hold on to that self-control that God instructs us to have. 

I love watching 19 Kids and Counting and I think Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's example of self-control is something everyone can learn from. In an old episode I caught the other day, their area in Arkansas was hit by a devastating ice storm. When Jim Bob was outside assessing the damage, he acknowledged that the children were watching to see what his reaction was going to be. His display of self-control was crucial in keeping his family calm and secure, but also thinking through a solution for the problem. Michelle's patience and self-control in raising so many little ones always inspires me. It is something I hope to come close to (even remotely on the same spectrum would be glorious) when I have our own little one. 

Displaying these characteristics takes a lifetime of learning and adjusting, but our God is a loving and merciful God. He knows we make mistakes, and is waiting with open arms to grant us forgiveness. The sooner we learn that fact, the more at peace we will be. 

Have a blessed week! 

Lots of love,

Em

Be Nice to Yourself

Ellen Degeneres end each show by saying “be kind to one another.” We tell kids to “be nice” to their siblings and peers. But how often are we reminded to be nice to ourselves? 

I had a bit of a stressful day the other day. I was not being very nice to myself at all. My hubby calmed me down, thankfully. I am always so thankful for him. He is definitely the only person who can bring me back down when I’m up, and vice versa.

Anyway, I finished out that day with lots and lots of prayer and needing to hear from God. I truly believe that he speaks to us. Sometimes, something in particular sticks out of a message that we’re hearing. Sometimes a song gives you the words you need to hear. Sometimes, something just pops into your head completely out of the blue. I truly believe that all these things are God. All of these situations are God telling you what you need to hear. Now mind you, it’s not always what you want to hear. 

The next morning I woke up and immediately what I opened my eyes I heard “be nice to yourself.” I don’t quite know how to describe how I heard it. It wasn’t quite audible but it wasn’t quite completely in my head either. I know it was God. 

The thing is, I try to set these lofty goals for myself. To try to do this more or not do that as much. The thing I realized, is that those aren’t very tangible. However, anyone, including small children can understand “be nice.”

Why are we so quick to be kind to others and take care of others, but not to ourselves? I know I am.

Take this opportunity to set little reminders in your head. Make a trigger, of sorts, for yourself; just little check ups to make sure this is happening. This helped me so much and any amount of stress I encountered, I could deal with and work through by making sure that I was being nice to myself. So simple, but so effective and meaningful.