A Holy Pursuit

Alright, friends, confession time for me. You know how some people say they have a sweet tooth, symbolizing a desire for candy and desserts? Well I am absolutely convinced that I have a whole mouthful of sweet teeth. All I know is that my often insatiable desire for sweets can’t be caused by just one tooth. It’s often an overpowering temptation for me to gorge myself on sugar and sweet foods, in order to try to satisfy that sweet tooth (or teeth). However, I have come to realize that eating a cookie or a brownie or ice-cream does not satisfy my desire for sugar, instead it seems to intensify the urge and I continue wanting more. I have learned that I have to really watch my sugar temptation or I will allow myself to give in far too often. I find that the same is true for many other temptations. We think that giving in to one little thing won’t be a big deal, but before we know it, that temptation has given way to more temptation and more sin and more destruction, and we have a muc...

Ok guys, I have to admit, I just caved from my normal tea routine and grabbed a decaf coffee. It just sounded so yummy. Even though it’s gorgeous outside, although a little dreary, I was sitting at my computer shivering and needed a little something to warm me up. This coffee is doing just the trick. As I was considering which promise to share this month, one in particular jumped out at me. Maybe because it’s underlined in bold in my Bible, but I think it’s mostly because the Lord knows I need to dwell on the Truth of this verse every day of my life. This particular passage is also a favorite of my family of origin. My parents have had a plaque with this verse hanging in their living room for quite some time. It has a picture of a majestic eagle soaring above the earth. Any guesses on the verse I’m talking about? If you guessed Isaiah 40:29-31 you are absolutely right. It contains such a pertinent promise to those desiring to live a victorious life in Christ. “He gives power to ...

A couple weeks ago Bryan and I were able to have a wonderful sleepover with our two nieces, Lily (4) and Violet (2). They are as opposite as they come, with Lily being very quiet and sweet, and Violet being every bit as loud and hilarious as she can be! Needless to say, it is always a good time being with them. On this particular evening of our slumber party we were eating dinner and told the girls that we had a surprise for them after they finished eating. Of course, they immediately resorted to a game of 20 questions, trying to figure out their surprise. After a round of questions and failed guesses from both of them, sweet little Lily exclaimed, "Is our surprise a big pile of dirt?!" Bryan and I could not contain our laughter as we explained that the surprise would hopefully be a little better than a pile of dirt.  As I tried to figure out why Lily thought a pile of dirt would be a good surprise for little girls, I was reminded of how our Father in heaven loves ...

It’s a new year which always makes me feel like I have a new start and can accomplish new goals and endeavors. I liken it to finishing a journal and starting a new one. Just such a good feeling! With this new year I am looking forward to going through some of God’s promises with you, and focusing on a different one each month. As I go through different challenges or hardships in life, it is the knowledge and application of God’s promises that keep me rooted and able to press on. I love studying more about God’s promises and how to apply them to my life and I am excited to embark on this new journey with you. So grab a cute mug, fill it with your favorite coffee or tea, and plop down in your most comfy chair. The first promise we’ll be studying is from Romans 8:28. This verse states, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”. What wonderful, encouraging, captivating words! For those who are in Chr...

If I’m completely honest, instead of sitting down with a nice mocha or cup of tea, today I’m partaking of TheraFlu and EmergenC. What a blessing that my lack of a voice doesn’t affect my typing fingers! In addition, what a wonderful blessing to know that God never suffers from laryngitis. He will never have something that needs to be said and yet, be unable to speak it. The question is- will you listen when He speaks? On another note, who else loves to create an annual Christmas newsletter or special card to send out? I’m not kidding when I tell you that one of the things I most looked forward to about my first Christmas as a wife was being able to send out Christmas cards. Bryan successfully talked me down from the “newsletter family” ledge for now, although I still fondly remember my mom asking me to give her the highlights of my year so she could include them in our family newsletter. Regardless, I guess it’s cuter to read about a 5-year old, rather than a 25-year old. This yea...

I recently had the privilege of reading the devotional book, “Wife After God”, by Jennifer Smith. I began reading this book primarily as a scholar and critic. I did not realize how much this book would challenge and encourage me as a wife, and as a woman of God. I expected this to be a typical devotional book focused on the seeming impossibilities of Proverbs 31, or something like that. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the depth and practicality of this book and author. It was beyond what I expected. Smith begins with a look at the historical significance of women. Doing so gave a very solid foundation for the rest of the study, as a woman’s purpose for being created was discovered. God gave us a great glimpse into the purpose of creating women when he formed Eve, and in the subsequent and preceding verses about how man should not be alone and how they should have a creature suitable to stand with them and be their helper. Building on that, Smith goes into very practical stu...

I don’t really follow basketball much, nor do I care to. In fact, I don’t care to follow much about the sports world. I would much rather be playing a backyard football game, a pick-up game of basketball (which I readily admit I am not very good at), or some sand volleyball, than sitting in front of the TV or computer watching someone else burn calories. However, I do greatly appreciate the physical stamina and raw talent that I observe during the occasional sports-watching evening, and I do love spending time with my husband watching an occasional game in person. I recognize that athletes are not only gifted in their sport, but also very driven in their training. I played volleyball from Jr. High through my freshman year of college at MBI, so I get that it takes dedication and heart. However, like I said, I would rather be playing than watching. With that said, when all the hype surfaced about Lebron moving to Miami four years ago, I was rather entertained simply because my then ...