This week I’ll be exploring motherhood by sharing what I glean from, “Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today” by Kathi Macias and offering creative DIY ideas for Mother’s Day gifts.
As mothers, don't we learn along the way? Mistakes teach us about grace as we partake of its abundance during each stage our children face. Sometimes their very words strike a chord, compelling us to trust even in the Holy Spirit who resides in their hearts. Other times its the sound words of those who have gone before us.
I love the power of story. Jesus taught through story and the Bible is filled, from Genesis to Revelation, with stories of when God came down seeking fellowship with His people. So when I happen to come across the book, "Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today," I didn't have to read the back cover to know I wanted it. Stories of mothers, their lives written for all to see.
God's Word and His truths stand the test of time. I was not disappointed when I began to pour over this book, gleaning from women God chose to become mothers. Already I have learned about Hannah's persistence in prayer and Mary's sacrifice. I've related to Eve's mistakes and Sarah's impatience.
Each woman had a sacred calling. The same calling as mine, even as I fold laundry, cook meals and look for my lost keys! Along with character studies on each woman, you'll find journaling prompts to weave together their purpose with yours.
If you are a book lover, buy this book and download these bookmarks, reminding you of how blessed you are to be a mother! These bookmarks can be gifted to friends, family, neighbors and any other mothers in your life.
:: Click to Download Mothers Day Bookmark (PDF File)
Welcome
Name
Inspiration
Blossom in Prayer :: Desktop Background Download
Moments prior to the steep climb to Calvary, Jesus prayed for all believers to have unity. More than 50 years later, the echoes of that prayer reached Rome. Paul prayed believers would be in one accord and one voice to the glory of the Father.
Unity is not found in denominations or philosphies of faith. It is not defined by the churches we call home or doctrines written on our statement of faith. Unity is only found in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Paul taught Christian unity develops from a deep and profound belief planted in individual hearts. For us to be of one mind, our mind must be focused on Christ.
Today, may the seed of Paul's prayer blossom in our lives. Be of one accord, with one voice, toward one purpose of glorying God.
When you log onto your computer, use this desktop background as reminder and guide for your own prayer life.
:: Click to Download "Blossom in Prayer" Desktop Background (1280x800)
"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 5:5-6, 13
Remember This :: No. 2
"Remember This" is a challenge to sow God's Word in the soil of your hearts. Meditate, analyze, question, think on, ponder and remember this.
Plant this is your heart. Perhaps, write it out in your own words. Define the verbs. Make it real in your life. What do this verse mean to you?
Meet some of the women joining this study and introduce yourself here. Read the first session and join the group discussion here.Read the second session and share your responses here.
Also did you download the desktop background "Planted in Prayer" guide yet? Keep praying...
PLANTED is a 4-week Bible Study. This is Week 2: Firmly Rooted. View an overview of weekly lessons. // Begin week 1, Sowing Seeds // Subscribe now to receive posts via email or rss feeder.
Planted in Prayer :: Desktop Background Download
"Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22
What a promise! If we are to be firmly planted in our walks, we must be planted in prayer. Like drought, winds and erosion that threaten to uproot trees not properly planted, prayerlessness can cause us to be tossed to and fro. As a result we can forfeit blessings, become weak in temptation, have anxiety or close our ears to God.
I created this desktop background as a prayer guide for the duration of this study. When logging onto your computer, be reminded to pray for God to ground you in His love that you bear much fruit.
:: Click to Download "Planted in Prayer" Desktop Background (1280x800)
Special thanks to Creative Designer, Promise Tangeman for the inspiration to create this. Check out this "Pray for Kate" desktop background and join the thousands praying and fasting today for this precious 7 year old who has been battling brain cancer since, July 2009, with a new spots recently discovered on her MRI. While you are praying for Kate, will you also pray for Brielle Murray and Daisy Merrick who are battling childhood cancer.
From Left Field
For once, I am at a loss for words. When God’s spirit invades your soul in abundance, little room is left for reckless emotions to take over. The ones that deceive, overwhelm and cause our spirits distress, confusion and despair. When I look to the light of His brilliance and glory, He is all my blinded eyes can see.
And my heart sings a harmony of humility to a melody of thanksgiving.
To the one who heard the tension of my walk and desire to be used
To the one who shared struggles of becoming a wife
To the one who must take a step away to hear God speak softly
To the one I prayed for at midnight and knelt beside at noon
To the one who embraced me as a friend with love and hugs and more hugs
To the one who looked past my shortcomings and believed in me to encourage others
To the one who said I love you as I drove by and blew kisses
To the one whose heart’s health is held in His hands
To the one who cries prayers of God’s healing to enter blood and bones
To the one who enlisted me to speak of Beauty to women who feel unworthy
To the one who was ministered by words I do not own
To the one who admitted being angry with God for being a miracle
To the one who listened to my needs and offered to stand in line next to me
To the one who invited me to artistic splendor
To the ones who were encouraged by my gift
To the one who laughed hard over semantics of a name
To the one who feels inadequate for not having it all together as a mama of two littles
To the one who allowed me to cry and collapse on him as he walked in the front door
To the one who prayed for His Spirit to overwhelm
This has indeed been a week of overpowering wonder, and there is still much more in the days to come.
Above all, to the One who gently placed my fears in front of me with the challenge to face them head on. He is reminding me I am not alone. He is my strength, my anchor, my delight.
Authentic community touched this reserved soul of mine. In hallways and houses. In classrooms and cafes. From embraces to phone conversations.
I am left wondering where left field is, because that is where you came from.
Each name inscribed in my heart, God’s presence in you leaves me standing in awe.
Bathed in His goodness, I am encouraged to take yet one more step of faith toward Him. With shaking knees and sweaty palms, I hold on to all He has in store. It’s going to be good!
What more can I say, except thank you.
How have you been encouraged this week? Who has God placed in your life to encourage today?
Today's post inspired by Faith Barista.
Zooming in on Fear
“Hold, on Mama! I’ll get Daddy!”
My daughters are well aware when a spider, bee or insect creeps into my house or invades my personal space, Daddy is the one to call. Deathly afraid, I scream at the top of my lungs if I see this crawling enemy from the corner of my eye. At times, even loud enough for the neighbors to come (yes, this has actually happened).
As the insect inches closer and closer, my heart races faster and faster to the point at which I think it might stop beating. Running, no sprinting, the furthest distance away from this antagonist is my usual mode of operation. I just can’t take being in the presence of anything that might millimeter its way up my leg, sting with poison or suck my blood.
Some days I scream uncontrollably, panicking help for anyone in earshot to rescue this damsel, only to discover I’m yelling at a black piece of string rolled up to resemble a centipede. Because really, centipedes are in my house. Right.
Fear panics, sends terror into the hearts of its victims, and distorts reality. There is nothing more weakening to a believer than fear.
Fear is paralyzing.
Fear is painful.
However, zooming in on our fear and boldy taking it head on, disarms the internal weapons that wound. Staring fear straight in the eye, we unleash the invisible chains that imprison and are set free to a world of beauty, enchantment and mystery.
Have you discovered beauty that comes after facing your fears?
Today's post inspired by Photoplay at High Calling Blogs.
DIY + Printable: Signed, God
The Author spoke life into existence and penned the perfect love letter.
Your name is woven into every story.
God chose YOU before the foundation of the world to be His own.
You are indeed inscribed on His hands and He loves you with an everlasting love.
LOVE NOTES,
SIGNED GOD
This collection contains 30 messages for you! Be encourage and uplifted reading His promises. According to God, there is no greater power, nourishment or balm to our soul than the very words He breathed.
Instructions: Print cards on cardstock or photo paper, write your name on each note and read a message each day of the month!
Make another set for a friend, placing them in a treasure box, tin container or jar and pass it along when she least expects it!
Download: The link below is to a PDF (1.58 MB) document. If download is slow, right click and select "Save Target As" and save to your computer.
:: CLICK to Download God's Love Notes to You
Design Credit: Using graphics designed by Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals, I added text given to me by a friend to create these beautiful vintage library cards. Swoon!
We’ll study God's character of "Chesed" LOVE, in the October RENOWN Online Bible Study Series. More details on the study can be viewed here. To subscribe, click here.
A Tower That Stands
Congratulations to Leah for winning Mandy Steward’s book, Angry Homemade Noodles! For those who didn’t win, you may purchase her book here. Stay tuned Monday for a free gift of encouragement. I hope it blesses you!
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The golden rays cast against the morning sky beckoned remembrance. It was one of those sun-kissed mornings. Inhaling deep breath, exhaling the certainty that life is indeed beautiful. The splendor of the moment spawned a reflection of goodness surrounding life. While surveying the wellspring of blessing, an unexpected jolt stirred him.
Emptiness.
Unmistakable goodness settled in perfect arrangement on the surface. Yet, moments of heavier contemplation exposed rubble, debris and broken concrete. Suddenly, remnants of a foundation shaken overshadowed the beauty just pondered.
Remnants of purpose abandoned, love forsaken, fellowship broken.
Overhauling the ruins seemed an endeavor too daunting to succumb to, but mingled with the barren and broken was a beacon of hope.
Thoughts of gifts bestowed on his life were exchanged with a consuming, relentless force invading every thought, motivation and decision. Unsettled and captivated all the same, the only relief was to surrender. Surrender by kneeling down to excavate one jagged piece of concrete at a time.
Flurried, fleeting strokes on keyboard pierced the heaviness of his thoughts. No longer could he run or fight against His strength. From his fingers flowed the expression of relief and unabashed certainty.
“God has a calling on my life.”
Sujo John gave up the battle to taste of victory.
At 8:05 a.m. email was sent to his friend.
Knowing a deep change entered in, Sujo was soon caught up in the duties of the day.
Walking back to his desk, the unimaginable crashed down.
At 8:45 a.m. the building ferociously shook.
Explosion. Screaming. Confusion.
This unexpected jolt stirred terror and fear into the heart of every person around him. As debris, soot and smoke invaded the room, people stumbled over each other to descend down the 81 flights of stairs.
American Flight 11 had crashed into the building.
Image Credit: Associated Press via Yahoo
“We could see a huge crater below and above us. It was picture of twisted steel all around us with smoke and fire spreading fast...As we made our way to the lowest level it was an unbelievable sight. It was a picture of death and complete destruction. Fuselage from the plane that had crashed, burning materials, shattered glass and bodies all over the courtyard. It was a war zone.” – Sujo John
Making his way down, Sujo witnessed death force it’s way in with ruthless, calloused regard. In the face of brute force, he was compelled by vigor stronger than the apathy of destruction.
Peace.
Heaven is near.
It was time. No longer was he in the unstable building where life hung in the balance.
For a moment, time stood still. Sujo scanned the devastation, worried his wife had not escaped the second tower that jolted the earth. He issued a challenge to everyone huddled around. Reaching in with the undeniable Strength that entered in hours earlier, he yelled, “Call upon the name of Jesus and be saved.
Standing in three feet of debris, no boulders or rubble fell upon him. People desperately cried out, “Jesus!” Their life depended on Him. No hesitation, doubt or refuting the name. They simply cried out with all that was in them.
Exceeding power lies in the name of Jesus.
Twin towers collapsed, sending smoke, boulders and steel in the path of humanity but the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is a strong and mighty tower that will stand forever.
Sujo John not only rose from the ashes and concrete of the World Trade Center, he rose above the broken concrete of his own heart. Terrorists crashed in, but revival responded.
In Memoriam, September 11, 2001
We’ll study several names demonstrating God as a Strong Tower, Midgdal-Oz Shem Adonai, in the October RENOWN Online Bible Study Series. More details on the study can be viewed here. To subscribe, click here.
Disclaimer: I was inspired to write this after watching and reading Sujo’s story. In fictional prose, my intent was to capture the emptiness and renewed faith he experienced the morning of September 11. Learn more about Sujo John.
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