We Are Different But the Same....

My husband's cousin said to me a few weeks ago that they loved how my three boys were so different and how we allowed them to be different.  They appreciated how my husband and I "celebrated" their differences.  The following week someone else not even previe to the previous conversation or related made the same observation, "how different my three boys were and how they admired that about our family.
I was actually taken back by the comments.  In reality, I've always known that they are different from one another but I always thought everyones' kids were, right?
I have a "mighty hunter."  I have a "farmer." And last but not least our "athlete."  I don't know if "celebrate" is the word to describe how we raised them, but I do remember when my oldest was little and he didn't understand why is brother wasn't like him.  I shared with him that God made us all different for a reason.  First of all, it would be so boring if we were all the same but also that God made us different so we all had different roles and jobs in this life.  God made farmers so non-farmers like myself can go to the store and purchase their products. I am grateful that I gave birth to a "farmer" so I can reap the benefits of the garden he's grown.  I can't grow anything green.
I had the awesome privledge of speaking to the women of our church at our yearly prayer retreat.  Before I began with what God had laid on my heart for our time together I shared with them that God had made me a "passionate" person and not to misunderstand my passion for judgement but that it was just how God made me.  One of the ladies later shared with me how she has a granddaughter who is very passionate and realized that day that God made her that way, different than they other family members.

Romans 12: 4 -13

"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same

function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually member one of another.

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them

accordingly; if prohecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who

teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;

 he who gives, with liberality;

he who leads, with diligence, he who shows mercy with cheerfulness.  Let love be withouthypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;

give perference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit,

serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."

I was 18 when I made a profession of faith.  I knew I needed a Saviour to save me from my sin.  I strived to dress, act and do like a "young Christian woman" should dress, act and do.  I struggled with my sin and I struggled with the "whys" in my life.  I didn't understand why He did why He did.  I struggled to be conformed to the image of a "Christain woman".  I struggled with my will over His will for my life.

I left the church within the year of my profession of faith.

Three years later I rededicated my life to Christ.  I had no more "whys" because now I knew my need for my Saviour and my Lord. I no longer asked why because I saw His Soverign Hand in my life.   I knew that He needed to do the transforming work in me,  not me.  He put women in my life who showed me His grace.  He showed me through the example of these women ....that I can snort when I laugh because He gave me my sense of humor.....when I have nothing in my pockets to give I can open my home and serve Him by serving others .....I can be a strong woman but also a submissive wife.....that becoming a believer doesn't mean that I have no joy in my life but instead my face lights up with the "joy that surpasses all understanding" no matter what my day entails.

God made us all different to display His glory in us, not for our own glory.  It's what He's doing in my life to change me.   It's His work in me, not my work in me.  I don't have to conform to the image of a "Christian woman"....because when He saved me He made me a woman who wants and desires to be "Christ-like".  He is conforming me to the image of Christ. Thank you Jesus for your grace.

Winners of the "Comforts from the Cross" Giveaway

Sorry it took me awhile ....didn't realize what a crazy week the 11th would be (my husband's birthday) and followed by a trip out of town. I decided to give away two books because of the overwhelming response to the giveaway. If you layered the reposting it gave you extra layers to the "giveaway"...so drum roll please! BONNIE & GRIG are the two winners of the giveaway!
I really was overwhelmed by the positive comments and responses.  Thank you to everyone who participated. 
 More giveaways coming in the next few weeks and months to come!

"Comforts From the Cross" Giveaway

I am a newbie to blogging, if you couldn't tell, but one thing I've noticed in my own bloggin' endeavors is that there are "giveaways" from time to time for visiting or commenting on your blog.  I've decided to do the same.....so I am giving away a book close to my heart, Comforts from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick.  I've read this book and will continue to read it throughout my life.  It truly is what it says, there are 31 small chapters designated to take you to the foot of the cross in daily increments.  Each chapter,even though only a few pages in length, takes you to the cross in ways you have never contemplated your Saviour and what He has done for His beloved. I have given this book to friends as gifts and they would agree how much it has blessed their soul.

If you become a "follower" of my blog - you will be entered for the giveaway.

If you leave a comment on my blog - you will be entered for the giveaway.

If you repost the giveaway on your Facebook and/or Twitter - you will be entered for the giveaway (Make sure to tag me on your repost).

I will announce the "giveaway" winner on January 11th, 2011.

What Would the Movie Say?

We tend to watch old movies in our home.  AMC or Turner Classics is a channel we watch quite frequently.  A movie we watched this week was, The Comic, with Dick Van Dyke as the main character Billy Bright.  The movie opens up at the funeral of the main character and the main character is the narrator for the movie.  Billy Bright takes you through his life and ends again at his funeral.  It ended up being a very sad movie.   He returns to the end regretting the course of his life and the choices he made.  He was a very selfish man and only lived to gratified himself.  He ended up dying alone and with nothing left after all his selfish ambitions.  I think Billy Bright would agree with King Solomon, "Its all vanity!"

If there was a movie of your life, what would the movie say about who you are? Would it reveal what you love and strive for?  If you were to play it back in your mind, is it regretful or joyful?
There is a movie playing currently that people are watching.  Believers and unbelievers are watching how your story plays out "live".  What do they see? What would they say? What do believers say about you? What are you characterized for?
Apostle Paul commended the Thessalonian church by saying, "constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfast of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father," (1 Thessalonians 1:3). 

Are we known for our work of faith?

Is our labor of love active ingredient in our relationships? 

Are we characterized for our steadfast hope in Christ?

Would believers and unbelievers alike say.....

"how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come."

I Thessalonians 1:9-10



What will the movie critics say about the movie of your life when it comes to an end?

Jonathon Edward's Resolutions

#6 "Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live."

 #7 "Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do,

 if it were the last hour of my life."

May we all live with the Audience of One all to the glory of God!