a constant...

There are seasons in our lives.  

Times of being quiet, times of being loud.  

Times of adventure and times of routine.

Times to serve and times to be served.

Times to rest and times of work.

In all these seasons, there is something that is a constant, never changing, never failing, never ceasing...

...the love of the Heavenly Father.

And in all of these seasons, there is something constant, never changing, never failing, never ceasing...

...our need for Him.

Our need to remain in His word.  

Our need to seek Him daily.

Our need to bring every joy, tear, laughter, and hurt to Him.

At the feet of Jesus, we must remain, despite what season it is.

Because He is constant, never changing, never failing, never ceasing...

"To God alone be the glory

To God alone be the praise

Everything I say or do

Let it be all for you

The glory is yours alone

The glory is yours alone

Yours alone..."  Aaron Shust, To God Alone (song)

"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."~Acts 14:17

Praying you are seeking His face, in every season, to know your Creator...

Bree

prayers of the faithful...

About a year ago, a precious older woman from my church went home to our Lord.  She came faithfully to church every Sunday, despite health problems.  I would often see her a couple times a week at the Y, exercising (her, not me) chatting with her, my little ones in tow.  She would speak of her family, a mama of boys (special connection with her there), grandmother of boys, great grandmother of boys (and one girl!) wife, mother and grandmother of military men.  But every Sunday, she was there, usually only with a daughter-in-law, no sons, or grandsons ever present.

Then she passed unexpectedly.  And that following Sunday after her service, I sat in the back of the church and looked.  And what I saw brought more tears to my eyes than the sadness of her being gone.  There before me filling pews upon pews was her family.  Sons, daughter-in-laws, grandsons, wives, great grandchildren, nephews.  And this precious mother of boys-there was no mistaking her family, I don't think I've ever seen a family with such strong facial features resembling one another -there is no mistaking who's family they belong to!

And in my heart, I felt the Lord gave me just a glimpse of the greatness He has for this family and what He would do and was doing.  My heart rejoiced at the joy she would have of knowing what was answered to years of prayer for her family, the legacy that would come from her faith and devotion to our loving Father.

Today, I watched, tears running as her grandson and his wife, pregnant with a great grandson professed their faith, professed their need for Christ, professed their sins and their great love for Jesus and were baptized.  Within this year of her passing, her sons and their families have returned to the church, family members have been freed from strongholds, a grandson and his family have moved to another country as soon-to-be missionaries, granddaughter-in-laws have accepted Christ as well as great grandchildren.  And it continues, I could go on and on.  I have been blessed by this family and by their testimony.  It is a humbling honor to see the great things of our LORD and what He is doing in this precious family.

May we never doubt the prayers that He hears, the prayers we sing, we cry, we yell, we whisper out to Him.  This precious woman did not see it with her own eyes but with faith she believed, and He answered in His timing.  We praise Him!

"but God has surely listened
       and heard my voice in prayer."~Psalm 66:19

the Lord, books & marriage

(Google images)

I've just finished reading the book, Fireproof.  I still haven't seen the movie so reading the book was lovely, all new.  Can I encourage you to read this beautiful love story.  I think we might all be able to relate to this story, some more than others, certain aspects more than others, but I humbly think at least some part of it.

First, let me say how many books we have in our home-I love books-how can you not?!  They're overflowing from every nook and cranny, piled up here and there and of course there are so many more I could give a good home to (my poor hubby!)  Now, as much as I love these word-filled, some scripture-filled, some delicately picture-filled narratives, how many have I read you might ask?  "Well,"  I would answer, "I've started most of them."  Oh, my intentions are always for good but generally, by the time I sit to read (not too often!), yep you guessed it, this mama is out like a light!  I am always amazed at the sweet blogs where they do book reviews (I love to read them-the blogs that is...see, I can still read!)

Okay, my point-I read this book in 3 days in the evening, a total of 3-4 hours quite possibly!  A miracle I might say ;)  It was a light read, having the reader hoping for more, relating to the characters, intrigued by the firefighting, waiting for the next response.  But what brought tears to my eyes-the love of the Lord, the testimony of God's hand in the characters lives, His grace and the miraculous changes He truly can make in a human heart when the heart is just the tiniest bit open.
This truly was a love story.

There was much I took from this love story, but one of the main things I did was truly commit my marriage to the Lord.  When hubby and I got married, I wasn't saved.  I knew I loved this man and wanted to marry him (did I ever tell you I was an hour late-perpetually late I am!) and we would have a nice party and we were going to have a life where it was 50/50 and have children and a big house and nice cars someday.  Yep, these were my thoughts for the most part, because this is what the world told me marriage was.

It wasn't until our oldest was an infant that I asked Jesus to be my Savior and I thought just a bit outside of myself.  Slowly, I began to attend church (sometimes just to have childcare for little ones)...but the seeds were being sown.  A year later when pregnant with our second (7 months to be exact) the Lord struck a chord in my spirit and I wanted to be baptized, right then and there.  I went, tears streaming down my face with a huge smile, white robe, big belly and professed His goodness and my need for Him in front of our church.  It was Father's Day, isn't that precious?

From that time on, I began attending a beautiful church alive with His Word!  Hubby was saved but hadn't been attending.  Then one Sunday I asked and he came.  And was the Lord ready for that-oh, is He good!  The sermon spoke exactly to my hubby and his concerns with the churches we had attended.  He continued to come after that...no surprise to Him :)

But getting back to the marriage part, one huge change in our marriage was attending a MOPS meeting where our pastor and wife spoke to us ladies on marriage.  This was the first time I'd heard my husband was to be before my children.  What?  But he is a grown man who can do things for himself, here I have these helpless little ones who can't, what do you mean I should put his needs first?  And shouldn't he be doing things for me since I take care of the kids all day?  Oh, I could go on and on.  But, I didn't take offense to what I was hearing, the Lord  had prepared my heart to hear and to understand and changes started happening.

This has been a long process for us (well, probably not in the grand scheme of things) but my heart has been resistant to authority.  This is why I tell people, we are married by the grace of God :)  And I say how PATIENT our heavenly Father is!  He doesn't ask us to come to Him perfect or all put together-Praise the Lord!  Just a willing heart, at least a hint...how willing maybe, will determine how long the process will be (just something to think about ;) )

So, I read the book and I prayed.  I committed my marriage to the Lord and my role as a wife and a mother.  I committed this heart to my Father and the precious man He blessed me with, through the good and the bad, 'til death do us part, to love and to cherish, to honor and obey, to work as best I can, and to love the Lord with all my heart (because none of this will work or stick with out Him and the renewing of my mind.)

my Scottish honey :)

He is good always...

The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.~1Corinthians 7:3


For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ~Ephesians 5:23


However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. ~Ephesians 5:33


Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Roman 12:2


praying for your homes and hearts...

pictures and gifts...

I'm thinking I would like to share more family photos, especially considering I'm so terrible about sending my dear family photos of our boys.  Would you like a chuckle (well, I hope you'll chuckle)--last week I sent 2 boxes, one to my mom and grandma, the other to my dad and stepmom.  The contents of those boxes:  Mother's Day gifts, Birthday gifts (you know, for May AND January) AND the best part...CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR 2009!  Yes, so sad I know!  How many times I say, I am a work in progress!  As always, I am reminded though, my God is good and so much bigger than me and my many faults and short comings.

Praise Him, He really does care for my heart and my desire to grow.  No matter what, I am precious and worthy in Him.  Not because I am fabulously organized or consistently on time.  Not because my house is immaculate, the laundry is always done and put away or the house is free of clutter.  And not because my family's meals consist of wholesome, organic, home-cooked foods, and their days always end with showers, devotionals and story time.  These things are what I am working on and my heart's desire to be the norm in our household (and majority of it is hard let me tell ya!)  I have failed at many things, and I will continue to.  But I must listen to my Heavenly Father knowing He is my creator and He does not make mistakes.  He has given me all I need IN HIM.  Seeking to accomplish these things on my own is futile but with Him...the sky's the limit!  Amen!  I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me (and so can you.)

1 Peter 4:11 (New International Version)

¹¹If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Well, onto the pictures...Praying all is well with you!

mama and her boys

the big brothers with the littlest brother (now I might be partial but I think they might be the best big brothers in the whole world!)  ;)..and yes, these are older pictures!

His "love notes"

Goodness gracious!  Here I am again, 15 minutes until midnight and writing a post!  I must be getting older because it seems I keep catching a cat nap around 9'ish (on the couch, chair, nursing little one...) and then I get my second wind!  Now of course I must admit I very much enjoy this quiet time, and the thought of a lovely cup of decaf right now is very tempting...hmmm (at least I'm getting wise in my old age and not making regular!)

Let me share (side note-still thinking, do I make the coffee or not) what a beautiful day at church we had yesterday!  We had a "Rally Day" which consisted of a beautiful breakfast (which my sweet hubby cooked  over 8 pounds of meat for-nothing like some bacon and sausage---ohh, if only we had had some biscuits and gravy...oh how I love the South :))  The day was to kick off the Fall season for Sunday school-it was lovely!

So yes, as much as I enjoy meals, that's not what was amazing (though it was pretty high up there!)  We were blessed to have worship led by John Waller and his wife, Josee (read here about them).  I believe I've mentioned it here before but if there is something I miss about our last church it is the worship.  I love music, I love how the Lord ministers to us, how it stirs my soul, how when our eyes close and our hearts hear His word, we praise Him, hands raised, spirits filled...oh, it can leave you speechless can't it!

We are blessed by our church here so please don't get me wrong, just a different type of church and more importantly an entirely different culture (South to New England...very different..and quiet :) )

This dear man and his wife sang blessings over the men and then over the women and then asked everyone to raise their hands to Heaven and follow him in song.  All hands raised in the church!  It was precious, precious, precious!  We were then blessed by a message given by a missionary who, along with his wife translate the Bible into over 24 native languages!  Can you imagine the gift this is?

The Spirit was moving...

The Lord reminded me, especially as of lately, that He is right here, big and mighty, I just need to pay attention.  Though we don't have the large worship band here (we are truly blessed by the one we do have) I have seen more professional artists in our sweet little church then ever in my life.  I am amazed by this, but our precious Father is not.  He sends us "love notes" in all places, a sweet song, a call from a friend, a bird's song over an entry way, the vibrant color of Spring flowers or Autumn leaves, a hug from a little one, a surprise meal and even the quiet with a good cup of coffee.

Let us not miss Him.  Our day should begin, end and be filled with Him and His Word-it truly is a gift from God--the creator of the Universe, the Creator of Life!  This is humbling and full of His grace and mercy.

Praising Him :)

life...a sweet gift to us (acorns growing at the park)

Psalm 66


 ¹ Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
 ² Sing the glory of his name;
       make his praise glorious!
 ³ Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
       So great is your power
       that your enemies cringe before you.
 ⁴ All the earth bows down to you;
       they sing praise to you,
       they sing praise to your name."
       Selah
 ⁵ Come and see what God has done,
       how awesome his works in man's behalf!
 ⁶ He turned the sea into dry land,
       they passed through the waters on foot—
       come, let us rejoice in him.
 ⁷ He rules forever by his power,
       his eyes watch the nations—
       let not the rebellious rise up against him.
       Selah
 ⁸ Praise our God, O peoples,
       let the sound of his praise be heard;
 ⁹ he has preserved our lives
       and kept our feet from slipping.
 ¹⁰ For you, O God, tested us;
       you refined us like silver.
 ¹¹ You brought us into prison
       and laid burdens on our backs.
 ¹² You let men ride over our heads;
       we went through fire and water,
       but you brought us to a place of abundance.
 ¹³ I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
       and fulfill my vows to you-
 ¹⁴ vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
       when I was in trouble.
 ¹⁵ I will sacrifice fat animals to you
       and an offering of rams;
       I will offer bulls and goats.
       Selah
 ¹⁶ Come and listen, all you who fear God;
       let me tell you what he has done for me.
 ¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
       his praise was on my tongue.
 ¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
       the Lord would not have listened;
 ¹⁹ but God has surely listened
       and heard my voice in prayer.
 ²⁰ Praise be to God,
       who has not rejected my prayer
       or withheld his love from me!

the reigns...

the boys...

I somehow had this realization yesterday while dusting (I was at work-not my own home ;) ) that my boys will one day be grown men, prayerfully with families of their own...and hubby and I will still have a life to live...a whole life...a whole new season that I'd somehow never truly realized.  I'm so focused on the now and what our lives are right here that it is hard to imagine anything beyond this.

I have to admit I've been struggling lately with what I want our life to be now and fearing that it will never be and then life will be passed and the kids will be grown and that's as far as my thoughts usually go.  I know our children are not and should not be my life.  They are precious gifts from the Lord whom He has entrusted to our care, to train up in the ways they should go...that we might let them go on to the purpose He has called them to, praying we've done the best we can and knowing His grace is there to cover our mistakes.  So saying this, maybe this is the realization that maybe I am thinking like this.

But I digress, so my struggles...discontentment and fear.  Both not true or honoring to our Father.  But I can't emphasize enough to you the grace that has poured out from my precious Heavenly Father.  Despite my heart attitude, He has heard my cries, my pleas to fix this broken and sinful heart of mine.  He has been faithful to show me quickly how He hears me and cares for the little things as much as the big things.  I prayed, I cried for joy...and He filled me.

I can only turn to His Word...His love to us.
I have prayed He would allow me to know Him better, to be the woman He has called me to be, to know who I am in Him.

He is faithful, I know this, I cling to this, looking forward with faith that He is in control and knows SO MUCH better than I do what is best for all of us-not just me.  How precious He is, with mercy and grace and all in love.


Deuteronomy 28:11 (New International Version)

¹¹ The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.

I sit in the cart continually handing over the reigns but holding onto the ends out of fear we might never go down "that" path.  He stops the cart, sits and listens, and waits, patiently reaffirming that the cart might end up on that path...and it might not.  But no matter which way He leads it, if I let Him...and trust Him He will take me on the BEST path.  He gently puts his hand out and waits for the reigns of this cart that sit in my hand.  I give them, asking for His help to let go, His peace surrounding, His voice to my heart.


Deuteronomy 5:33 (New International Version)

³³ Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

 And He will lead...and I pray to sit and look out past the cart and see the beauty of the path He drives, looking beyond the reigns, taking the blinders off, the fears, the worries subsiding,
...trusting, hoping...in faith...

looking out...

Psalm 121:1-2

A song of ascents.

 ¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from? ² My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

Bless you dear friends,

thankful...

Thanking Him this day

the fresh breeze of the cool water against my face...
my sweet family beside me...
looking over at hubby, his face toward the sky, mind at ease...
pizza in the fridge for dinner...
sleeping little ones...
dryer and washer going...
whipped cream in my coffee...
His Word...
His Grace...
His continued Mercy...
His patience with this heart...

He is good always...


1 Chronicles 16:34

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
       his love endures forever.

a work in progress...

I'm wondering if I don't have anything better to do than to mess with my template (and the font and of course the lovely colors) here.  Geez, I have a whole lot to do!  I have been in the midst of cleaning out this infamous back room for a...month ( I think.)  I have to explain- we are a 6 person family living in 2 bedrooms WITH a third bedroom as storage---anyone see a problem here?!

Needless to say, with much prayer and large trash bags and a yard sale-we are finally using the third bedroom!  Last night ( I tell you this because hopefully you'll feel better about yourself) I went through the dreaded paperwork and found utility bills from 2000!  Guess I don't need those anymore, right? ;)

I have been released from the pack rat mentality (praise the Lord!) but it truly is a process.  So, all of you precious organized, time oriented, efficient people-don't take these gift for granted...and extend grace to those who don't possess these gifts naturally...we're a work in progress!

Pictures to come....before and afters (brace yourselves!)

Some inspiring pictures over at my letters to emily (a sweet blog that blesses.)


Praying all is well...

Psalm 94:18-19 (New International Version)

 ¹⁸ When I said, "My foot is slipping," 

       your love, O LORD, supported me.

 ¹⁹ When anxiety was great within me, 

       your consolation brought joy to my soul.

When I sa

Bree

id

, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”

- Psalm 94:18-19

heart and treasure...

A precious visit to a "Walk through Bethlehem" at a local church a few years ago...

Do you ever have the desire to go completely natural?  I'm talking chickens and goats in the backyard, everything from scratch, organic, veggies from the garden you've sown, bread you've kneaded by hand, no TV, books and nature exploration, babies, homeschooling and SCRIPTURE ALL THROUGH THE DAY...a life committed wholly and completely to Him...

Well...this is the desire that has been lingering in my heart :)

Oh sweet friends, first, I think half of you are already living this way to a certain degree (maybe minus the goats!) but secondly, God's Word can (and should be) in every moment of the day no matter out in the rolling fields or crammed in the bustling city...

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Luke 12:34

For where your heart is, there your treasure will be also. ~ Matthew 6:21

Pondering these two verses, just a switch of two words...

He is good always, praying with you and His will for your life (and ours as well, to be sensitive to His voice and calling.)

Bless you!

mustard seed...

There is an amazing thing that happens when you allow the Lord to work in your heart...changes actually start to happen!  You see situations through different eyes, something you once fought you now enjoy.  Something or even someone you struggled with, you enjoy.  Why?  All because of the grace of a loving God.

I find myself enjoying my work, enjoying it with purpose.  I'm consistently telling my little ones, what we do we do it for the Lord, all things we should do with a joyful heart for the Lord.  How I catch myself not modeling that example though.  I see our little ones and the Lord gently convicts my heart, "is this your attitude they are modeling?"  Oh yes Lord, forgive me, help me....and He does.

So I gently ask for your forgiveness for my post (with the whiny moments) about the people from away.  Yes, I spoke about God's goodness and Him showing me my attitude even then, but it has been lingering on my heart about my attitude behind the entire situation.  But, this is me, I am human, flawed beyond measure, living and learning by the grace of a most awesome, mighty, powerful and wonderful Creator, our Heavenly Father.  His Holy Spirit gently convicts, teaching, comforting, growing me into the woman I desire to be for Him.

So dear friends He is good, let us praise His mighty name!

He loves us, forgives us and we accept that forgiveness with a grateful and humble heart, living not in fear or condemnation but in freedom and truth and an unconditional love through Jesus Christ.  What an amazing place to be!

May your day be amazing in Him!  Spend time every single day in His Word-yes, even 5 minutes, if your life or one of your loved ones life depended on it would you do it-faithfully committing to it?  Well dear ones, it really does.  He asks us for a mustard seed of faith, let us show our love for Him with a reverent and honoring heart...I am doing this right along side of you, let us pray for one another, encourage one another in our walk with Him.  There is no better place to be :)

Luke 13:18-20 (New International Version)

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

 ¹⁸Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? ¹⁹It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." ²⁰Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?

1 Samuel 12:24 (New International Version)

²⁴ But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

God bless you friends,

♡

Happy Father's Day to my dear hubby, my dad and our precious heavenly Father-

We bow down and worship you  LORD....we bow down and we crown you the King...
LORD of all Lords you will be...You are LORD of my life and King of all kings...


He is precious and worthy of all our praise, may we live for Him completely.
Happy day to you :)