Showing posts with label linked post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label linked post. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Spring and simplicity





I love fall. The smell of burning leaves, pumpkins growing, thoughts of pie and warm rich colors all around. It is a season that feels cozy, small and quiet and evokes a spirit of rest. But this year, maybe because our sweet girl is on the way, I am truly excited for spring.

I love flowers and happy bright colors. I am not one who wants bouquets of flowers brought home from the store. My hubby is awesome and knows that I can't bear the thought of spending more than $10 on a bouquet of flowers that will die in a week. Oh but give me a garden filled with blooms (heart eye emoji here) - it is a dream! I have mentioned it here before but my little dream home for us would be a farm house with some acreage and flowers, chickens, big garden and bees. Now, I have never had any of those items and I am not going to lie, the tomato plants I have had, they survived probably because they were hardy, but I would like to learn. The older I get the more I desire for that peace of simplicity. To be less in the world and more in what God has blessed us to care for.

I desire that simplicity for our home as well. We are a big family. My husband and our kids are precious blessings and I want to cultivate a home that gives a feeling of peace and order. Having less stuff means more time to rest and enjoy each other's company. It has been a process for me for years of letting go of things. I am a dreamer at heart so I have 10,000 ideas and plans going on in my mind at one time. But unfortunately, I have this slight hurdle of follow through so the projects and plans tend to stay in their dream stage, meaning a pile (or piles) of projects growing around the house. I am a work in progress. I am happily finding that balance of allowing myself to dream (that is part of the fun) while still being realistic of knowing when to actually purchase items. Really, being a creative, it is just my desire to put something together that is pretty.

Not really sure where this post is going. Maybe just random thoughts :) It started with looking at Magnolia's Silos spring recap and how much I am drawn to the photos and desire to do something along those lines. Thinking about the different jobs I have had over the years, my favorite was working at an inn along the coast of Maine for the summers and being responsible to set up the decorations for weddings. I didn't do the big things, like lighting, bringing in the floral pieces etc. I was given the freedom to add those delicate touches the bride and groom hadn't considered, like the placement and organization of name cards, having the centerpieces be just so for balance and beauty, small details of lighting and candles to highlight the gift table and cake table. Really, just the little details that made them neat and orderly with simplicity.

My hope is that the Lord will see fit to bless us with some sort of creative job like that in the future. My husband and I are entrepreneurs at heart. He has the gifts of big picture, marketing and management. While I on the other hand have the small details, beauty, customer service part. What I love about how God has wired the two of us is that we are both creative in different ways. He is the one on the ground holding the big happy red balloon flying in the sky (me.) But, by God's grace and prompting, he keeps me grounded, aware of the God's faithful and secure character, and he doesn't let me go. And I let him see we can dream and have that reckless and free trust for our Heavenly Father's love for us. It is one of the sweet and refining gifts of marriage God has blessed us with. And it is truly by God's grace that we can see them as gifts and not hindrances.

So here is to joyfully embracing spring and the different seasons the Lord has for us. God has truly impressed upon my heart this past year that life is a gift, He is trustworthy and faithful, His love is steadfast and that to enjoy the season you are in. You just don't know what He holds for your tomorrow but we can trust that every prayer never ever falls to the wayside. He hears and cares for each one.


Thursday, March 12, 2015

love thy neighbor (linked post)...being content

"Thou shalt love thy neighbour."
Matthew 5:43
"Love thy neighbour." Perhaps he rolls in riches, and thou art poor, and living in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion; thou seest every day his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous banquets; God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with thine own lot, if thou canst not better it, but do not look upon thy neighbour, and wish that he were as thyself. Love him, and then thou wilt not envy him.
Perhaps, on the other hand, thou art rich, and near thee reside the poor. Do not scorn to call them neighbour. Own that thou art bound to love them. The world calls them thy inferiors. In what are they inferior? They are far more thine equals than thine inferiors, for "God hath made of one blood all people that dwell upon the face of the earth." It is thy coat which is better than theirs, but thou art by no means better than they. They are men, and what art thou more than that? Take heed that thou love thy neighbour even though he be in rags, or sunken in the depths of poverty.
But, perhaps, you say, "I cannot love my neighbours, because for all I do they return ingratitude and contempt." So much the more room for the heroism of love. Wouldst thou be a feather-bed warrior, instead of bearing the rough fight of love? He who dares the most, shall win the most; and if rough be thy path of love, tread it boldly, still loving thy neighbours through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their heads, and if they be hard to please, seek not to please them, but to please thy Master; and remember if they spurn thy love, thy Master hath not spurned it, and thy deed is as acceptable to him as if it had been acceptable to them. Love thy neighbor, for in so doing thou art following the footsteps of Christ."
This might be one of my favorite devotionals. The gift the Lord gave Mr. Spurgeon in his ability to write so eloquently and with such truth touches my heart. 
Thinking on this devotional...remembering to be content where you are at (no you don't have to stay there, but if that is where you are to be, be content) and you are not better than anyone else. The Lord has a plan for each of us and a refining process, and He knows just how to get to those weak, unfruitful areas in our lives. We praise Him through it all. Isn't that what we are called to do? To love and worship Him. Paul praised Him with little and much. He praised Him in the most beautiful of places and in the pits of prison. Can't I do the same? Yes, by His grace and mercy. He has shown me so much this winter...weak areas, prideful areas and more of who He is and how I can trust Him. I am humbled and thankful. I am praying we are going into a restful season, it's not easier but more of a time feeling a bit more secure financially. No matter what though, I know His provision, faithfulness and grace is sufficient for this mama. I love my Father with all my heart!
Praying your day is blessed!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Words of truth (linked post)...

"It reminds me of the Lord....you see I'm His daughter and there are countless times that I have a desire, one that wouldn't really amount to anything if it came true, except to put a smile on my face.  And the Lord does it for me.  Not because I deserve it, because I sure don't.  But, because He loves me.  What a thought!  The Creator of the Universe loves me and gives me the desires of my heart!  And I can't help but think that as I smile for His wonderful gifts He showers on me,  that it makes Him happy that I'm His girl."
~Kami- A Day in the Life of a Missionary Wife (blog)

Beautiful words that we should all be remembering as His children :)



Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”~Joshua 1:9 ESV
Reading about fear this morning and knowing He is right here with us, trusting Him on this journey for His glory, because we are His.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Linked post...beautiful words

So thankful for these beautiful words this morning...

"Our lives are very different, but our human spirit is the same: we are creative women who love our children, we find joy and purpose through our work, and we take pride in how we can use our talents to make our lives better.
We are working moms.
I have never been more proud to be in that group than now." ~Emily

Reading this post this morning here

I will praise you with an upright heart,    when I learn your righteous rules.- Psalm 119:7

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Day 18 intentionally...packing and blessed

no...this picture doesn't have anything to do with the post, just couldn't resist the hilariousness of it!
you just need to smile...
....and yes, his brothers put these on him ;) 


Boxes, boxes, boxes...paint, paint, paint and more paint!

Blessed by dinners, friends helping with lifting, moving and building, friends wisking our kiddos off to the beach and then feeding us on top of it!

Blessed by the possibilities of what is and is yet to come...more than we could imagine!

Blessed most importantly by the ABUNDANT love of our Savior.

Humbled...to God alone be the Glory...


so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.Hebrews 9:28 ESV


Saturday, October 13, 2012

a crazy thought...

Yes, I really am going to put pictures up...soon (as soon as I download them to my computer!) ;)

On another note, I have this crazy idea...I am jumping on the blogger band wagon and already composing (in my mind only of course) posts for a 31 days challenge (idea from here.)  Yes, I know I was supposed to start on October 1st but with a 6 day old wee-one at that time, not so realistic for this mama (maybe not so realistic for right now either but we'll just ignore that.)

So why am I telling you I'm going to do this?  Really just to keep myself accountable.  I'm starting Monday and the 31 days will be about being "intentional", something I struggle with.  I have great intentions but awful follow through!

We'll see how my follow-through is with this ;)

A happy and blessed weekend to you!  We're loving the beautiful amazing colors of fall, the crisp cool air, final days of our big boys football games, and of course sweet baby cuddles...this is my favorite season, in more ways than one :)




“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

Friday, August 10, 2012

{this moment}


...summer days are coming to an end...but I LOVE Fall!  Happy Friday friends :)

"Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises." ~Psalm 98:4


linking with Soulemama

Sunday, May 20, 2012

urgent prayer needed

Please pray for this family and their son. I do not know them personally, requested prayer from another blog I read.  As the body of Christ, let us lift one another up in prayer.  The heart of a family crying out...

Thank you,

Thursday, December 29, 2011

linked post- stewardship

great post here I found by clicking the "next" button on my blog from blogger.  glad I did :)

enjoy!

Praying you have a had a blessed Christmas.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

children (linked post)



Our children are a precious gift from God :)
Excellent article here.
Praying you see your little ones (or older ones) through His eyes.


 "Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked.


   Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.” Genesis 33:5


Sunday, May 22, 2011

linked post- mud :)

"Because even mud is beautiful."


...she couldn't have said it better...read here...
Amen sister!


Finding joy in who we are and He created us to be...


a self portrait of sorts :)

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.



Galatians 5:13 (New King James Version)


Monday, April 4, 2011

amazed...quiet

Without words, amazed by His hand upon lives, in and through them...we are only to obey...

This young woman's testimony leaves me speechless, with tears, humbled and amazed...asking for you to pray for her and her sweet ones and the journey the Lord has her on...

Praying all is well, I've been quiet for a while, resting in His care, sometimes clinging (always clinging!) Resting in the assurance of His goodness and mighty works and plans He has...and that I shall trust and obey, for I am here to serve Him, with joy and love.  In His strength and not my own.


“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” - Ephesians 1:7


Saturday, March 19, 2011

Isaiah...

Resting in His care....a sweet post from a dear friend with an amazing testimony...

Praying you are resting in His care,

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

me-- with an explanation

explanation:  It has been weighing on my heart to make sure this post does not come across the wrong way.  Sometimes when we read something, especially be it in an email or blog post etc., something can be misunderstood not knowing the meaning behind the words.  This was my feeling behind this post, replying that God saved me.  The Lord saved me by His grace so that I now have the promise of a life with Him and His Holy Spirit now on this earth.  He saved me not from my family but from myself.  I am truly blessed and humbled that even though I did not grow up in a Christian home, I grew up in a loving home that had the hand of God all over it.  I can look back now and see His love notes to me all through the years of my youth, be it through Bible books in the doctor's office, book read to me at night, Christian friends He placed in my path and most importantly the love that was (and is) given to me by my family all of those years with an abundance of forgiveness to the selfish and ungrateful person I was.  


Our God is good forever and His mercies are new every morning...
In His love, 
Bree



Who I am in a nut shell...(what I posted on Bloom)...

I am mama to 4 precious sons and wife to an amazing man. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home and by the grace of our Heavenly Father, HE saved me. I have been a Christian for 10 years now, later baptized on Father’s Day of 2002, where I wept, chocking it up to pregnancy hormones, but now knowing it was my spirit that wept for the joy of coming to Him. He is good! So here I am, living daily, only by His grace and His strength, trying to learn who He created me to be, learning to live with forgiveness and healing of the past and to love the Lord with my whole heart, that I might show that same love to the precious family He has blessed me with. God is so good, all the time! ....
~Bree


Sunday, February 6, 2011

Bloom (in) courage...starts today!

bloom (in) courage ...sweet ones, won't you join me here?  Through His beautiful ways, I was able to purchase Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts and funny enough, wanting to retreat to a little nook and read the entire book in one sitting, I found myself only being able to catch enough minutes here and there to read through chapter one.  Well, as it should be no surprise, this evening, catching up on a few blogs I came upon Bloom at (in)courage (a book club started by Angie Smith and her friend Jess and now beautiful new addition to (in)courage) and realize the new book they've chosen is Ann's wonderful book!  And tonight is the first night they've posted their video with Ann in it (and will be through the study!) and they're on chapter 1!  We should never be surprised by His timing :)


Praying you'll be able to check out Bloom at (in)courage, and follow along with the study.  So many times I find myself serving in different areas and somehow it seems to close the doors to Bible studies or women's groups.  This in itself is a season of my life, and I praise the Lord for it!  So with that, I thank Him for allowing this opportunity to arise :)


May His face shine upon you, may you rest in His care, find joy in His presence and an everlasting love in His Word.  For sisters, He is good ALWAYS!  AMEN, AMEN!



“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” - Proverbs 21:21


Saturday, January 29, 2011

reading...

...in her most amazing and humble words, she writes this here...

"We don't see the material world for what it is meant to be:  as the the means to communion with God."
"...communion with God..."  

Life pulls at us from every direction: children, marriage, church, school, home, work, friends, ministry, finances, meals, family, our own desires, our own insecurities and struggles...the list goes on.

But He gives us a glimpse when we can slow down just for a minute and reminds us,
...it is only about Him.


He isn't another space on the calendar, another check box on the to-do-list, another Bible study or Sunday School class...this isn't the only place we should meet Him.

He is our everyday. Our every moment.  Our fill.  Our Hope.  Our home.  He makes us complete.

We search and search for "our purpose", our calling, our destiny to fulfill...and it sits in front of us, He sits before us, resides in us,
...we are to love and be loved by our Creator...to commune with God...

Humbling, isn't it?

Praying for you, may you be encouraged in His word, find love in His care, and be encouraged in the knowledge that you have been created with purpose and utmost love, He hears your heart and rejoices and weeps with you.  You are His, created to love and be loved by Him...

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:31

Thursday, December 2, 2010

His peace...Advent link

Oh how wonderful!

Free Jesse Tree Devotional from Ann Voskamp @ A Holy Experience

I have pictures to share soon...life is so busy and overwhelming at times but God is so good because His peace He gives me, even in the whirlwind...

...the verses He is continually laying upon my heart...

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)




Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26)





But the LORD has become my fortress,

   and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. (Psalm 94:22)

God bless you dear ones, celebrating in this Advent season...

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

motherhood & Proverbs 31...

A sweet friend linked to this (10 Point Manifesto of Joyful Parenting w/free printout) on her blog and I am following suit.

What sweet, sweet encouragement and gentle conviction to live a life that glorifies our Heavenly Father.  Embarking upon this mission as a parent, as a mother, as a wife and whatever other hat you may wear cannot be done without your face...your heart, turned...listening to the slightest of whisper of the Lord.

sleeping little one's hands
The Proverbs 31 woman is not an imaginary "ideal" woman.  She is a woman who had her heart turned to the Lord, at His feet, who through His grace, accomplished the goals and plans He had set before her.  Had she relied upon her own strength and good intentions, I gently think, she would have failed miserably.  God's love, His strength, is made perfect in our weakness and would we see Him working so lovingly and majestically in our lives if we were so confident in our own abilities?

12 She brings him {her husband} good, not harm, 

   all the days of her life. 
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks. 
20 She opens her arms to the poor 
   and extends her hands to the needy.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; 
   she can laugh at the days to come.26 She speaks with wisdom, 
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 
27 She watches over the affairs of her household 
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 
(Proverbs 31:12,17,20,25,27,30)   

Great grandma, our sweet boy & green beans...

I am humbled every day at what gets accomplished, because of Him and my heart attitude towards the day...and yes, His grace is mighty when my heart falls short.
"Open my eyes that I may see 

   wonderful things in your law." (Psalm 119:18)



Saturday, November 6, 2010

weekend link...

Such a sweet post from a mama's heart-oh, how I can relate :)

Bless you sweet ones, praying your weekend is filled with Him and seeing those around you through His eyes, praising the Lord for new mornings...





 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, 
   for his compassions never fail. 
23 They are new every morning; 
   great is your faithfulness. 
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; 
   therefore I will wait for him.”


~Lamentations 3:22-24 (New International Version)

2021 today...

And here we are two years later. We had a vile presidential election in 2020, are still having a worldwide pandemic (Covid-19), and the voic...

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