Life is Hard, BUT GOD is Good!

Saturday morning! The day my family gets to sleep in and my time on the front porch with Jesus lasts a little longer. Oh, how needed it is this morning! You know those days that are just hard? And then you have those days that are even harder than that?

Yep, that was my week.

Life is hard, BUT GOD is good! ALWAYS!

BUT GOD!! Hallelujah!

This morning I picked up my Bible to head outside and it was like my soul felt so content as soon as my hands wrapped around that precious book. Feeling the weight of all those pages infused with the breath of my Father and holding his love note to me was, in itself, so healing and comforting. And as soon as I walked outside, this verse of scripture came to my mind:

"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)

This life on earth is temporary. Flowers will fade, grass withers up, discouragement will come, people will disappoint, sickness happens, death is mourned....Yes, life is hard! But I have to remember that this is not my home. I'm just passing through until I spend eternity with my Father in heaven. So when things on this earth disappoint and I feel discouraged, as I have so much this week, I have to continually immerse myself in truths of God's Word and depend on him to see me through. So many times I look through the lens of my own eyes and I see the hurt and evil in this world but when I look through the lens of my Father, I see a whole different view. I see the beauty of his creation, I see the blessings shining brighter than any pain, and I see the hope of glory! We are here for His glory and to fulfill His purpose for our lives and though it may be hard, the reward of eternal life with Him will be so worth it!

"You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

Psalms 16:11 (NLT)

So, today, I will look through the lens of my Father. I want to see others the way he does. I want to see his glory all around me and look for ways to be the blessing to others. I will wait patiently on him during these seasons of "wait" and trust his heart. I will praise HIM because he is so worthy! Because the same God I praise on the mountaintops is the same God who carries me through each valley!

I'm HIS child. Redeemed by HIS blood. Walking in HIS grace. Living for HIS glory! Hallelujah!

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NKJV)

The Longest Day of the Year

Well, today is the longest day of the year....summer solstice. The day when the sun stays up longer and nighttime is the shortest. It, of course, is also the first day of SUMMER!

That word invokes a lot of feelings in people. Haha! From happiness that school is out to dread when those electric bills of non-stop A/C start rolling in. Here in the southern NC area, these temps have already reached the 100 mark and the humidity has been so thick that just walking through it takes extra effort. Lol! But, this is summer in ILM and we get used to it.

As I'm sitting on my front porch this morning, I'm enjoying all the sounds of nature during my quiet time. The frogs singing the birds chirping and, of course, Louie panting at my feet. Ha! I see the raindrops drip off the house from the huge downpours we had throughout the night and I'm thankful they brought in the cooler temperature this morning!

As I rock in my rocking chair, I love to imagine my Jesus sitting beside me in the other and I just talk. I love to share my heart with him and tell him all about the day. It brings comfort to tell him my hurts and share with him my joys. I imagine him speaking to me and then through His Word, I sit in silence as I hear His voice in my spirit. I hear His promises from those beautiful pages of scripture. Promises of comfort, provision, grace and mercy. Promises that He will never leave me and of His incredible love. And it's in these moments that I could rock forever!! O, how I love my Jesus!

Today, I as I begin this longest day of the year, I lay it at His beautiful feet. I ask him to show me how to use this day for HIS glory. It really is all about him and His will for my life so, today, I will choose HIM!

What about YOU?

Let's go forward in HIS will and see amazing things happen! Happy summer to YOU!

"But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!"

Romans 13:11-14 (MSG)

And the winner is.....

Congratulations Angie Edwards!!!

You are the winner of the first Summer Bible Study giveaway!

I will give you your book when you come to study on Monday night!! Woohoo!!

Summer Bible Study…Giveaway!

We are only 1 week away from beginning our Summer Bible Study!

I am so excited and praying that God will do a mighty work in the hearts of each and every attendee. We have a great group signed up and ready to go but it is not too late to join us! There is still time to register and join us for an amazing summer study of God's Word. We will be doing Beth Moore's newest Bible study, "Children of the Day". This is a in-depth study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians. You do NOT want to miss this! To register, you can email your name and phone number to womensministry@scottshill.org

So, for those of you who have been in Bible studies with me before, know how I LOVE to do giveaways!! Of course, I will be doing that each and every week of our summer study but I thought I would do a little giveaway before the study even begins! Woohoo!

If you could see how happy I am right now!!! I LOVE TO GIVE STUFF AWAY!!!!!!

Okay, are you ready to see what I am giving away?

Here  it is……..

Yes!!! I am giving away a FREE copy of the workbook for the Summer Bible Study! Woohoo!!!

So how do you get it?

Well, I am glad you asked! ;)

All you have to do is leave me a comment here on my blog, on my Facebook post or email it to me at ajordan10@ec.rr.com and tell my why summer Bible study is important to you (make sure to include your name)! I will announce the winner on Thursday and deliver it to you myself!

If you are not signed up for the study, you are still eligible to win, but I would love for you to join us! If you live out of town I hope that you can find a group to do it with in your town or download the videos online. And, well, I won't be able to deliver it to you myself, but I can mail it to you! :)

If you are registered and already have your book, this will be a great way to invite a special friend to join you for the study and gift her with the book!

ARE YOU EXCITED YET?

I AM!!!! 

So, let's get the comments going……NOW!

Last Day of Vacation

Well, today is our last full day of vacation. Tomorrow we will pack up the car and head back to our homestead in NC with hearts full and refreshed. As everyone on the last day of vacation, I am sad to see it end. It has been a wonderful time of God and family, which is just what I had hoped for. I know Ben will be glad to get back to his sweet girlfriend and Callie back to being silly with her cousin Sharon but I’m thankful they have had a great time here and didn’t even complain when the Wi-Fi signals would crash. Lol! O, what a different age we live in. Matt and I pained them through stories of our vacations growing up when there were no smart phones, only dumb phones that you actually had to pay for a long-distance call. There was also no FaceTime or texting. Yes, we lived in the “dark ages” or so they think. Ha! But we survived to tell about it and it didn’t kill us.

This wasn’t a fancy vacation. It was just getting away from the fast-paced routine of our lives for 8 days and slowing down in the beauty of God’s creation. We cooked every meal, except one, and did laundry just as we would at home. It has been the simplest and cheapest vacation we’ve taken. Ha! Which was a blessing because just like everyone else, money doesn’t flow freely (especially this year! Lol!). We are definitely thankful for this timeshare we invested in 16 years ago! J

Today’s agenda consists of cooking my family a big breakfast and lounging around until our time on the lake. Then we will head to the pool for our last afternoon and  grill out one last time tonight on our back deck overlooking the woods as we watch the deer run by and our cute little bunny we have seen almost everyday. We will do some laundry so we can arrive home without the dreaded piles of “vacation laundry”. And of course, I will visit my little chapel again tonight and spend some time at the feet of my Jesus and in prayer and thank him again for the blessing of family, the power of prayer, this time of rest, and praise him for ALL He is to me!

So, today is the last day…and it is going to be GREAT!

"This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

A Watchful Eye

I spent the afternoon at the pool with Callie and Caleb yesterday while my men recovered from a little too much sun the day before fishing on the lake. We had a great time! We enjoyed the pool and the hot tub! At one point Callie wanted to head down to the deeper section of the pool but Caleb was content up at the shallow end playing with some other kids. So, I told Caleb to stay put and I would be watching him. The pool was extremely crowded yesterday because the temperature was absolutely perfect. It was so crowded, in fact, that they were out of pool towels. As we went down to the other end, I kept my eyes constantly on Caleb. But with all the people in the pool there were times he couldn’t see me. He would emerge from the water and look around. I would wave my hand to let him know that I was watching and he would give me a big smile from behind his cute masked face. How he could see anything out of that mask, I don’t understand because it stayed fogged up most of the time and it seemed to be so tight that his top lip doubled its size. But he loved it and said it was perfect. Haha!

This went on for about 15 minutes as Callie and I splashed around the 5ft section figuring out ways to make our $1 noodles keep us afloat. It amazes me how those little noodles act as floatation devices. O, but I digress….

Anyway, a little later as I was drying off (without a pool towel, Lol!) I watched my kids playing together and constantly praised God for allowing me to be their mom. As they helped each other do handstands and cannonballs, I looked on in sheer joy as they had lots of fun. I loved seeing them enjoy life but was constantly keeping my protective eye on them. It was in that moment that my Father so gently reminded me of His watchful and protective eye over me, His child. Even as Caleb splashed around the pool and, at times, couldn’t see me; I never took my eye off him. It was only because of the barriers in the way that he couldn’t see me.

How many times have I felt the same way?

There have been times in my life where I would look around and feel as though God was not there, where I couldn’t sense His presence. But its in those moments when I have to dig deep to grasp hold of scripture that reminds me that God is always there with His watchful eye on me. Distractions get in the way and keep me from seeing Him fully. It is never that He loses sight of me. It is only when my view gets distracted. When I let go of the distractions and focus on His Word, I experience His presence and grace in such a beautiful way and His glory shines. O, what a magnificent sight HE is!

I love this Psalm and how it paints such a beautiful picture of God’s ever-watchful eye:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121 (NIV)

Sometimes all it takes is a moment in the pool or some other place for God to remind me of His amazing promises. I’m so grateful of that truth. He is always there! He will never leave me! He watches over His children always and forevermore!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Summer Bible Study is Coming Soon!

In a little less than two weeks, summer Bible study begins! This is the 3^rd year that I have had the honor of facilitating a summer study and each summer I have been so blessed and nourished by my time in the Word. After my struggle a few years ago, I developed such a longing for the Word and knew that my soul couldn’t thrive without the daily nourishment of the Word but also the accountability of more in depth study. I knew I needed other women to hold me accountable for being in the Word and to be in times of prayer together. It was vitally important to me. But during the summer months, most everything quiets down. So, a few summers ago, God laid it on my heart to see if some other ladies would be willing to join me in an in-home Bible study. What a blessing! About 10 ladies would join together each week in my good friend’s home and we would search the scriptures together and pray for each other. Then the next summer, we did the same thing and this time more ladies came! It was such a beautiful time together over those 12 weeks!

This year, I was selected to be on the launch team for Beth Moore’s newest Bible study, “Children of the Day”. It was to be released in May and I was one of many ladies across the country selected to help spread the word, post media clips, and pray as this Bible study would be released. It was an honor to be selected, but it also confirmed to me that more and more women were craving the Word. Over the last few months on this launch team, I have heard from so many women and have listened to their struggles of keeping everything together. The house, their jobs, their kids, all the family activities and they were lacking time in the Word along with the support and encouragement of having others to hold them accountable. I understood exactly what they were saying.

So, this summer, I knew that God was leading me to facilitate this newest study. Yes, summer is hard to hold studies, right? Everyone goes on vacation and no one wants to commit to a weekly study during their down time. Well, I just put it in the Lord’s hands and began to pray. I knew from the lessons on 1 & 2 Thessalonians that this would be a subject matter I needed to go deeper in scripture and felt that other ladies would too. I began making plans for the summer study when I was asked to facilitate it at my own church. What a blessing! So we began getting the word out and praying that God would prick the hearts of women to join together and commit this summer to studying the scriptures together. Not just women from my church but women from all over. Lord, send those that need this study as I do.

Well, here we are, just under two weeks away from the start date and we are expecting almost 70 ladies at this point! Wow! Praise God that women are hungry for the Word and ready to join together in study of the most precious Book ever written!

O, how my heart is bursting as I see other women accept the challenge to go deeper in the Word! My prayer is that each and every one of us begins this study with hearts abandoned to Jesus. I pray that we lay down everything on the altar and commit to gaining knowledge of His Word but that we walk away from this study after 9 weeks with lives that are changed forever. I pray that we walk away with a passion for Jesus and spread the message to all we see! I pray that this will be a summer like no other; that we grow a passion and longing for Jesus and that our hearts are forever changed by the Gospel!

Ladies, who else wants to join me? Who will commit to growing with me in Christ? Who else wants to make this a summer like no other in the Word and take this journey with Jesus? You don’t have to have great knowledge of the scriptures or know 100 Bible verses. You can come even if you will miss a week or two for vacations. Just come! Come just as you are and let God do the rest!

June 16 we begin the journey! It’s not too late! Come and bring a friend and let’s make this summer ALL about HIM!

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NET)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

The simple things in life…

“The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)

The simple things in life…

O, how I am enjoying the simple things right now. Seeing Caleb’s sleepy face as he walks in to greet me with a “Good morning, mom”; or Ben as he picks on his brother and sister in a way that can make them laugh; or Callie as her motherly nature takes over and she gets protective over her little brother walking through the woods; or my precious husband as he fixes his fishing poles with great anticipation of the next fish caught and sharing strategies with Ben. Drinking a cup of coffee while reading my Bible on the back deck that overlooks God’s magnificent creation.

Simple but most important!

I will be honest in saying that it took me a good 24 hours to get that feeling of; constant schedules, work to be done,  or calls to be made, off of me. I even woke up earlier than expected the morning we were to leave because I couldn’t remember if I had made a copy of something at work (which, I had) and I had to check it.

Make. It. Stop. Hahaha!

Then after we checked in the resort I immediately made out the grocery list and headed to the store, Wal-Mart nonetheless, came back and unloaded, took a quick walk with Callie, and back to cook dinner. I will say that this Wal-Mart was so much nicer than our Wilmington one. I didn’t feel the need for a bulletproof vest or the need to shower after I returned. It was clean, neat, and safe! Shocking…I know!

Routine…it is a hard thing to break, even if it is for a little while. It wasn’t until our family worship time Sunday morning as we all gathered in the outdoor amphitheatre (or outdoor chapel as I see it) with my husband opening the Word to share with us and hearing each of my children pray sweet prayers of thanksgiving for God’s Word and our family that I finally released the “norm”.

Yes, Allison, it is time to put the crazy, busy year behind you and really live in this moment of God and family.

This year was busy. It was crazy. It had me on my toes but at the same time on my face in surrender to God of all He had in store. So here I am, finally on vacation, after the numerous trips we had to cancel in the last year, it was finally here. Time to relax and enjoy and it took me 24 hours to detox. Lol! But I did it!!

We spent a beautiful afternoon at the pool and I watched my children play together and thanked God for the amazing bond the three of them have. I got to see my husband relax and enjoy reading a book and then join my whole family in the pool as we threw each other around and splashed and laughed. I got to enjoy an afternoon where there was no work brought home to be done. An evening exploration with Callie and Caleb where we walked and talked about all the beautiful things in God’s creation and just as each one grabbed my hand, I fell in love with those sweet masterpieces all over again. I watched my husband and teenage son stand on the bank of the lake and cast their fishing poles together, as they love to do, while the sun began to set.

Yesterday we explored again as a family. We took time to stop and “smell the roses” (okay we didn’t see any roses just a lot of horse poop on the trails and we did forego smelling that, but you know what I’m getting at here). Lol! We took time to explore God’s beautiful creation of mountain views, rolling hillsides, and grand trees in full bloom.  We also enjoyed playing putt-putt and other outdoor games, more pool time and I even had some one-on-one time with my amazing 17-year-old son as we talked about life and relationships.  Relaxing as a family, away from the busyness of life, and talking about God’s will for each of us and our family.

These moments right here….

You see, it’s not that we weren’t close before we came up here. We are a very close family and enjoy our times together. But when God allows you these moments to pause, away from your normal routine of life, they are not to be taken for granted. Live it to the fullest and grasp every breathtaking moment with your family.

I love my life. It is not perfect. It is messy sometimes. It is crazy a lot of times. It is busy all the time. My kids don’t always obey the first time and argue with each other. My husband and I aren’t always lovey-dovey. We do have “intense moments of fellowship” and days when, although, we love each other we don’t necessarily like each other at the moment. We can stress over the family finances sometimes. The chores don’t always get done. The house can get messy and I wonder if the health department will come shut us down. Lol! It is life…

But this is my life that God has allowed me to live; a life that through all the craziness finds solitude and contentment at the feet of my Jesus. It is there where all craziness subsides and His presence is all I need to go another day, to live life fully right where He has me, and to find joy in it all. God is not a god of chaos. He is a God of peace and when I’m in His presence, I find it. He takes the messy and makes something beautiful out of it!

I’m thankful for my crazy life! When I return from vacation at the end of the week, it will wind up again. But I’m going to enjoy the moments; these precious moments away from reality, in this beautiful nature setting, with my family and refresh my soul in God’s Word. This life is ALL for HIM! I desire to walk in His will and allow Him to lead me where He wants me to go. I won’t waste it!

It is time to be still and listen…to breathe God’s sweet aroma and let it fill my soul!

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)