Where do you draw the line on sin?

 

Where do you draw the line on sin?

 

 

For many of us, we aren't really sure about the answer to that question...

 

 

 

 

One thing I have learned and I plan to teach to my kids, is that any question in life and any problem you face, the answer or remedy is found in the Bible, God's Holy Word.

 

 

I prefer King James Version, as it is a word for word translation.

 

 

I honestly get confused when I have to read the more "simple" versions.

 

 

Call me crazy!

 

 

 

 

I ask these questions to people who are and who aren't a Christian...

hopefully you'll get my point.

 

 

 

How many cuss words does a movie need to say before we leave the theatre or turn the show off?

 

 How many drinks of wine is ok?

 

How many times is it ok to talk back to your authority?

 

How many times is it ok to look at pornography?

 

How many times is it ok to gossip behind someone else's back?

 

How many years is it ok to hold a grudge against a family member?

 

How many lies is it ok to tell before it makes it a "real" lie?

 

How many hamburgers can you eat before it's gluttony?

 

How many times can you turn your spouse away sexually before it's considered wrong?

 

How many times is it ok to yell at your kid until it's considered emotional abuse?

 

How many times should you pray each day without it being considered neglecting your relationship with God?

 

How many services at church can you miss before someone will call you backslid?

 

How short can your dress be?

 

How much cleavage is ok to show?

 

How tight can your shirt be?

 

How many times is it ok to check your social media daily before you become more dependent on others approval of you rather than God's?

 

How many tattoos is it ok to get?

 

How many piercings can I have?

 

 

How many times .....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to start by answering this with God's Word. Because nobody can argue with that...

 

 

As for over eating, drinking, smoking, your attire, tattoos and piercings...

 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1

 

 

and...

 

 

 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

1 Peter 2:9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If, I say IF you're seeing/looking at stuff that you'd be embarrassed of your grandmother looking at with you on Social Media.. I'm talking to you!

 

 

Also, any dirty movies, porn, magazines, anything that makes ya stare longer than 2 seconds, it is pretty obvious that it's feeding your flesh.

 

Here's a verse for you.

 

 

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

1 Thessalonians 4:7

 

 

and

 

 

 

Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:27

 

 

Honestly, I feel like that verse could cover it all. By using common sense, we could really save ourselves a lot of heart ache.

 

 

We want to try to get away with just enough to let our flesh feel good, but to not do too much that makes our "spirit" feel bad.

By not going to church, you're missing out on opportunities to grow spiritually, to be fed spiritually, to help pray for others, to tithe, to encourage someone, to worship God with others...

By checking Social Media, you may be causing yourself to develop a lust or even a jealousy problem that you never had before.

 

 

Hear me out...

 

 

Don't go places that don't glorify God. I don't drive down the Casino drive which sometimes would be faster to get on the turnpike when driving to Wichita, because I don't want a single soul who is there to see me by chance and to have any question on whether or not I would go there. I don't agree with the stuff that goes on in there, therefore I don't want to be seen driving through their parking lot of even through their toll booth. I don't care that I have tinted windows either. Everyone has their own convictions on things, and this happens to be one of mine. I'm not saying I'm better than you if you drive by there, or go there, but I am saying that I am not giving the devil a place in my life for temptation, for someone to start a rumor, or for me to cause someone else to stumble who is a new (or old!) Christian or who isn't even saved. My witness for God is more important that anything inside a Casino!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You who yell at your spouse, kids, gossip about others and can't control your mouth...

 

 

 

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The woman (or man) who isn't pleasing their spouse.

(not just physically... emotionally and spiritually too!)

 

 

 

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:21

 

 

and...

 

 

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Ephesians 5:28&29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all the other "questions" the main verse I like to always go back to is this...

 

 

 

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:27

 

 

 

 

 

 

This blog post was for me as much as it was for you. I don't ever, ever claim to be perfect and have it all together, I'm still learning every day. But, I felt very compelled to write on this subject, so I must do as the Lord impresses.

 

 

Have a great rest of your week.

 

side note: my little girl, Raylea had her first day of homeschool today!

If you want to see what she did, just click on the link below!

www.ourhomehomeontherange.blogspot.com

 

 



Waiting in the Rain

 

 

 

Life has been kind of hectic lately.

 

 

Fuel pump went out in my car last week. Even though it's been a little inconvenient without having my own ride like I'm used to, it's been nice riding together as a family of four in Grant's truck. This morning I worked more on preparing for Raylea's first official school year with me as her teacher. I know it may sound nerdy to some, but I seriously am beyond excited for September 7th to finally be here. One year ago, you would have gotten a big laugh out of me if you would have told me I would be homeschooling the following year. I have only had a clear peace from God on a handful of things in my life, and the decision to homeschool my kids was one of the most clear ways He spoke to me. Nobody else could have talked me into it. He had to, and He knew that. (of course!)

 

 

I recently decided to start a blog about our homeschooling journey, photos I take here and there, and just some of my random daily activities I feel like sharing on the world wide web.... you can check it out if you would like.

 

 

www.ourhomehomeontherange.blogspot.com

 

 

 

I'm just days away from entering the last trimester of my pregnancy. Which is also my last pregnancy, but oddly enough, I am not too terribly sad like some may presume. Grant and I feel like Arrow is the final piece to our family. A few have said "I see you with four kids though!" And it dawned on me in that moment and I replied, "Well, baby August is in Heaven, so I do have four!"

 

I'm blessed.

 

 

 

This next month alone I will be starting homeschool, a "Widow and Widowers Banquet" me and another woman are putting together at our church, helping throw a baby shower for a friend who is having twins, and a little mini-session of fall family photos I am taking for some people.

 

The month after that I have both of my kids' birthdays/parties and then the first part of November, baby Arrow will be here. So... I am trying to write as often as I can right now.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How often do you hear someone say they are waiting on God? I know I have probably said it numerous times, maybe in different wording, but that's what I was insinuating.

 

 

 

 

But, how often do we say....      "God is waiting on me."

 

 

 

Let's read Isaiah 30:18 real quick...

 

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

 

 

 

So, not are you just waiting on Him... He's waiting too!

 

 

 

I was married at 19. I didn't have to exactly "wait" very long for my life long spouse to come along.

 

 

 

But, I have several friends who waited for years and some who still are.

 

 

 

Why?? Well... let's read James 5:7.

 

 

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord, Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

 

 

 

 

 

God knows when it's best. He knows when the fruit will be ripe! He knows when the field is ready to harvest! He knows when it's time to tell you "Go!" and "Yes!"

 

 

He knows when you'll be spiritually ready to receive blessings for your gain and His glory.

 

 

 

 

 

I talked to a friend this morning and come to find out we both have had "one of those weeks." (Yes, I know it's only Tuesday!)

 

We agreed that when it rains it pours!

 

 

 

 

As I type this though I am reminded that for a harvest to come, there has to be watering. Where does the water come from? Rain! So, when those dark clouds come rolling in over your life, over your situation that you already thought couldn't get any more hopeless... just remember that God is not mad at you! He isn't punishing you! He isn't ignoring you! Instead, He is pouring out SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS.

 

 

 

 

God waited to do something for many more years than anything you've ever waited for...

 

Galations 4:4 speaks of "when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son...."

 

 

 

 

Maybe you're waiting on your spouse to finally come around so you can get married already... maybe you're waiting on your spouse to treat you the way God commanded them to... (or perhaps God is waiting on you to treat your spouse the way He commanded...) maybe you're waiting for God to save your lost brother and sister... maybe you're waiting for a good enough job to pay the bills... maybe you're waiting on God for something that nobody else knows about....

 

 

 

He won't be late. He won't be early either, though. But, He will be right on time.

 

 

 

Don't give up and quit the fight just because you feel knocked down, the air has been kicked out of you and you can barely see through your teary eyes...

 

 

 

God is watching you, and He cares. Place your trust in Him. Not people. They let you down. Even your best of friends. Even your kids and your spouse. Even your pastor. Just like you will let them down...

 

 But the Lord will never fail you and it is impossible for Him to do so.

 

 

 

 

I pray you are encouraged today. I am waiting on some things in my life. But, God is waiting too!

 

 

Don't forget that!

 

 



In the Wilderness

 

With the Believer, everything is a test. How will we act? How will we react?

 

 

 

Today, if you want something, you can usually find a way to get it.

 

 

New car? Head to the dealer.

 

Don't have the money? Head to the bank for a loan.

 

Cheeseburger? McDonalds.

 

(sorry, I am six months pregnant and that just came to my mind...)

 

Clothes? Drive to the mall in your new car while you eat your cheeseburger.

 

 

 

Get my drift?

 

 

 

 

The want it/get it mentality we Americans are used to makes it tough for God to speak to us. We usually have little reason to trust Him when we are placing matters into our own hands in every situation.

 

 

 

It's so easy to say we trust God, yet we take care of a matter ourselves.

 

 

We have mostly everything we want.

 

 

Everything looks and feels good.

 

 

Fresh food sitting in your cold refrigerator, half of it will go to waste because you'll be eating out so often.

 

 

Clothes packed away in tubs because your closet can't hold them all.

 

 

Painted nails and new hair.

 

 

New lawn mower, way cooler than your neighbors of course.

 

 

Getting paid over time. Vacations. Endless shopping. Usually online so you don't have to leave your house.

 

 

Hunting. Fishing. Golf. And all the stuff that goes with it.

 

 

Air conditioning in your car.

 

 

 

We have it easy, people.

 

 

 

I opened up to this scripture randomly, and several things jumped out at me...

 

let's first read the text.

 

 

 

 

 

All the Commandments which I command you this day shall you observe to do, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore unto your fathers.

 

And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, and to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His Commandments, or no.

 

And He humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with Manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that He might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the Mouth of the Lord does man live.

 

Deuteronomy 8:1-3

 

 

 

 

 

Well, that's convicting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought of times I felt I was in the wilderness, so to speak. I'm almost 28, so obviously I wasn't wandering for no forty years. I wasn't without food, a home or clothes.

But, I thought of times I felt I was left alone, even forgotten.

 

 

 

 

It's in the wilderness that God wants to humble you. Prove you. To know what is really in your heart. To know if you will really obey Him. To let you learn that it isn't by bread alone that you will survive, but by every single word from the very Mouth of God.

 

 

 

 

Have you ever been abandoned by someone? Your father? Your mother? Your spouse?

That's a wilderness.

 

 

Have you ever been so low on funds that you can't pay rent, can't put gas in the car and can't feed your little children staring up at you?

That's a wilderness.

 

 

Have you ever been molested, perhaps continually by someone who you thought was there to keep you safe?

That's a wilderness.

 

 

Have you ever been betrayed by your closest friend?

 

 

 

Have you ever felt so down on yourself that you sat alone at your house with a gun held to your head?

 

 

 

Have you ever messed up as a parent and years later, your adult child still doesn't want a relationship with you?

 

 

 

Have you ever felt condemnation for sin that you've asked for forgiveness for, but you just don't understand how God really could forgive and forget such a dirty lifestyle? Or maybe a sneaky lie?

 

 

 

Have you ever woken up after being married for 25 years only to find out that day; that your spouse has been living a double life?

 

 

 

Has your baby ever been diagnosed with an incurable disease?

 

 

 

Have you ever had to lose a baby in your stomach in which you've never met?

 

 

 

Has someone ever attacked your looks? Made you feel even worse about yourself?

 

 

 

Have you been told by the doctor that "you'll never be able to have your own children?"

 

 

 

Have you ever lost your home in a fire?

 

 

 

Have you ever sat on the side of the road, holding a cardboard sign in the middle of a winter storm, wandering if anyone would believe your story and just offer you enough money to get you a single warm meal?

 

 

 

 

Those are all wildernesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some ask, why do bad things happen? If God were love and if He loved me, then why are these things happening?

 

 

 

 

I don't have the answer.

 

 

 

I do have this scripture though, which tells me, that through trials, He strengthens His children. Through the fire, He turns us into gold. Through persecution, He is building us up to be mighty warriors of the Cross. Through the wilderness, He is learning what is in our hearts...

 

 

 

 

 

What are you facing right now?

 

 

 

Is your future up in the air? Not sure which road to take?

 

 

Let me ask you this, are you being obedient to what God asked of you? Often times we want to point our fingers at others or even at God if "His will" isn't quickly revealed to us, but God is so much bigger than that. He is personal. He will speak to you in a still, small voice. And not usually when we are expecting it.

 

 

Just a few nights ago, Raylea and I lay in bed as we do every night during our reading and prayer time. She said, "Mom, why can't I hear God talk to me?" I said, "what do you mean?" She looked up towards the ceiling and said, "God, how much do you love me?" Then she turned her head and looked back at me and said, "See? He didn't say anything."

 

 

 

She tends to ask me the hardest, most deep questions when my brain is the most tired.

 

 

 

 

I thought for a moment and then explained to her that God doesn't usually speak to us in a voice like what her and I use, but if we are still and listen, we can hear His voice in our heart. So, she sat there and was quiet and said, "Okay, He told me He loves me bigger than the world."

 

 

 

 

 

Same goes for me. And you. God will speak to you. Sometimes He wants to do more than just speak to you during the wilderness. He wants to get to know you. The question is, do you mind letting Him?

 

 

 

 

 

God is about to do something amazing in your life. Sure, you may be right smack dab in the middle of the hardest storm of your life... but remember, it get's the darkest before the dawn.

 

 

 

 

 

 It's easier said then done, it's much easier to say we trust God and will obey Him until our back is up against a wall. Then a few years later, it's up against a different wall. But, I want to encourage (that means to cheer, uplift, and fire up!) you today, whoever may be reading this, that things may look bad, they actually look awful, but if you place your hopes and dreams along with your trials and pains into the hands of God, He will lead you out of the wilderness when it is best for you.

 

 

He's humbling you. He's proving you. He's learning what's in your heart and if you will truly obey Him.





Keep your head held high, the King of Kings is turning you into gold.

 

Grant stood in Oklahoma sometime ago with his Uncle Zane, as he told him about how he built with this old weathered tin as a boy. Grant took a big sheet of it home to make him something special. Just recently, Grant made a cross and a crown of thorns out of it. He wrote on the back a special message to his Uncle Zane, explaining how while he was a young boy building a chicken coop with this tin, God was building Zane up to become a mighty builder for His Kingdom one day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, as you see, perhaps his Uncle Zane felt as a young boy he would never amount to much or be used greatly as he built with that tin. But, today, he's in the middle of building a larger church because they've outgrown the one they are in! (I also was saved and baptized at his Uncle Zane's church.)

 

 

 

 

 

Don't let your stinkin' thinkin' or the naysayers you may have surrounded yourself by, persuade you any longer that you won't be used by God. It's hard to see it while you're in the wilderness, but he's making you into exactly what He wants and needs you to be. Don't question Him.

 



Morgan's Story- A testimony of a heart changed

 

 

 

I am honored to write on my sister-in-law Hannah's blog.
Hannah, you are such an annointed woman of God in everything you do. Thank you for being 100% REAL in your walk with God.

 

 

 

 

I have asked God to show me what to write about. And as I have read scripture, everything I read I think "Wow! I want to write about this." But, of course you can only say and talk about so many things on one blog before people get completely bored and confused and leave the site completely. I will keep this short and simple!

 

 

 

 

As I slipped my head in my daughters bedroom door while she was taking her afternoon nap, I couldn't hardly stand there much longer as my eyes filled with tears and my heart swelled with pride. I felt such a strong warmth of Gods love wrap around me like an oversized furry blanket during a winter snow storm sworming about. 
I immediately went to the altar that I have in my bedroom and knelt. I thanked God for loving me even when I was a stubborn girl who thought time was in my hands. I did what satisfied my flesh and was decided that I would get saved when I was older. (Salvation doesn't work that way)

 

 

 

As I was praying in my room today, my mind went back to the night that I was changed forever; at a Tuesday night youth service. The preacher preached, but the message I can not remember. During the altar call I recognized before God my brokeness that I had been living with for a long time and I was only becoming more broken each day I lived without Christ as my saviour. 
Standing infront of the altar of the church, all I could see in my mind was Jesus Christ standing up looking down at me with his arms opened wide. The most tender look was in His eyes. I knew what He was doing. What He had been doing for a long time; waiting for me to jump in His arms and be rescued from sin and bondage! All I could get out of my mouth in the midst of crying was "Thank you for still loving me. Thank you for still loving me." over and over as I gave my heart completely over to Christ. I had never been so grateful for such merciful love in my life. I was free! Free forever.  I didnt care anymore what people thought. It wasnt worth living alone any longer and it certainly wasnt worth eternal death in hell.

 

 

 

 

If you havent ever heard or maybe have forgotten, Jesus loves YOU!


My dear friend, right now, take a quick trip down memory lane, and I do mean quick. Don't dwell on your past sins longer than just to repent (If you haven't already) and thank God for STILL loving you! No matter what youve done. No matter the people you have hurt or who has hurt you and you have been carrying around unforgiveness.

GOD STILL LOVES YOU.

 

 

 

 

He's standing here with arms open wide waiting to rescue you!

Please don't miss this opportunity to be forgiven. Cleansed. Free forever. 
God can make brand new what Satan has torn down and nearly destroyed.

 

 

 

 

II Corinthians 5:17 
"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away behold all things are become new."

 

 

This verse has encouraged me so many times! Old things are passed away!! I and everything in me became new when I surrendered my life to Christ! The old me is gone. Thank you Jesus!

 

 

 

 

My only desire is to worship you, Lord. I pray that when your eyes come across me, you find a heart that is just like yours. In Jesus name!

Ray, a man of Faith

 

 

 

 

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

 

 

 

Oh, Ray, the things you're seeing right now that God prepared for YOU.

 

 

 

 

Ray Torres went to be with the Lord a few hours ago. I not only was privileged enough to go to church and worship with Ray, but I also got to work with him at my job for two years.

 

 

 

 

 

Ray came down with cancer a few months ago. He is a fighter but for whatever reason it may be, the Lord wanted Ray to come to Heaven to be with him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I worked with Ray, I got to see a man who lived it. I mean, he lived Christ-like on the job, and I worked with him for a whole two years. I watched some customers be short with him, and him keep a smile on his face and never lose his cool. I never saw him get angry. Only kindness came out of Ray. Not too many people can I recall that being the case.

 

 

 

 

When I was pregnant with Raylea, I had horrible morning sickness, (which lasted all day.) I was having to leave work once and he stopped me before I left and asked if he could pray for me. It was a large business we worked at, and there were people standing all around. He didn't care one ounce. He asked a few people that he knew were Christians as well to join him. It meant so much to me that a man cared about me just being upset at my stomach!

 

 

 

Another time at work, it was closing hour and since he was the manager he had to wait until I had everything put up. A horrible storm rolled in and we got stuck there! I have never owned a "fancy" car, but I have always cared for and taken much pride in whatever vehicle I was driving! I had a little Honda car that had liability insurance on it and baseball size hail was pounding everywhere outside. Ray's vehicle, along with all the other company cars were able to fit into the garage, but mine was left outside in the middle of the parking lot. I was so upset because I knew my car would be ruined and probably windows smashed. Street signs were even flying in the air! Ray said real calm, yet boldly, "Well, let's just pray and ask God to protect it." I am sure my eyes got big as I looked at him in shock. I definitely wasn't having faith in that moment as I watched my car being pounded, and at that point we had to get away from the windows because we were worried it may break. So, Ray prayed. I can't remember if I prayed or not, but I knew regardless of what I prayed, my car would be totaled!

 

 

The storm eventually passed and we walked outside. I stood in shock as me and Ray walked around my car looking for just a SINGLE dent. A single mark! NOTHING! Houses all over South Wichita had to have their siding and roofs completely replaced because damage was so bad. It was Ray's prayer of faith that saved my car that day!

 

He wasn't amazed at all and just kept laughing at me because I was in SO much shock! That situation increased my faith!

 

 

 

Ray has always been very good to mine and Grant's kids. Raylea has called him "Mr.Ray" for as long as she could talk and he always met her before or after service at church to give her a jolly rancher or whatever candy he had brought for her that day. Today when I told her he went to Heaven, she wanted to put on the gold boots he got for her 4th birthday. At Jack's first birthday party, Garrett, my brother in law, had brought his horse down to the barn where the party was held. While Jack was opening his gifts, Ray came in the barn on top of the horse! It was a good laugh we all had!

 

 

 

I could tell many stories of how Ray has been good and kind to me, Grant and my kids. So could anyone else who knew him.

 

 

 

Ray was one of my very good buddies and I miss him so much already.

 

 

 

A few weeks ago when Grant and I got in from a vacation, Ray was doing bad at the hospital, so we went to see him before heading on home. I stood over him and cried and cried. Grant sang to him as we held his hands, "What a day that will be." Ray had the sweetest grin on his face the whole time.

 

 

 

And what a DAY, TODAY IS!

 

 

 

 

 

I hugged him tight and he said, "I love you, Hanny." He always called me that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Raylea today, right after she put her boots on that Ray got her last October.

 

 

 

 

 

We love you, Ray, you man of FAITH! We will see you SOON!!!!

 

 

 

At my birthday dinner in 2010. I can hear Ray's laugh now!

 

 

 



The New Kitchen Table

This winter will be mine and Grant's nine year anniversary.

Kind of weird to say, or type.

Makes me feel border line old. Not really.

This fall we will be welcoming our third baby to bring home from the hospital and with that, comes the need for one thing.

A bigger kitchen table.

The one we had was a beautiful dark wood, a perfect little square.

Just right for the four of us.

But, with Arrow, we will need to squeeze in another seat, and that just wasn't happening with our sweet, five year old table.

So, I saw at a store my dream table. And when I say that, I'm not kidding.

It was the perfect rectangle shape, just big enough for the five of us, plus a couple more if we have company. It was a farm style table. A vintage/rustic look.

A few weeks ago I was at a doctor check up with Raylea and Grant was home keeping Jack. I came home, walked into the back door and what do I see before my eyes???

THE DREAM TABLE!

I stood in shock and slowly walked towards it. Wandering if this was real life...

I stood and looked at it in amazement and then noticed he even purchased the bench that came with it separately. I hugged him. Stood in shock. And finally a tear made it's way into my eye ball.

I was too shocked to cry I think. I'm pretty emotional too.

So, roughly three weekly later, Grant and I started noticing some stains. I took a hot soapy rag and scrubbed them the best I could. Most of it came out, but you can still see a couple spots if you look hard enough.

I did some research online and found out that when you have an organic untreated wood (which is exactly what this table is,) you have to put either an oil on it, or a paste wax which creates a barrier and seals the cracks, which makes for easy clean up and makes it stain resistant.

So, I got in my mom mobile (Grant calls it the man van, but since it's mine, I refer to her as the mom mobile...) and took myself to Lowes this morning. The people who worked there didn't even know they had a product called paste wax, but they found it on their inventory and told me which isle it would be on. $10 later, I walked out of there, holding the can of exactly what will protect my beloved table.

So, you may wander why on earth I felt the need to share such a random story with you...

well, I'm glad you wandered!

Although it was pretty painless for Grant to go get that table for me and set it up, I thought to myself today, that that kitchen table is a lot like salvation.

Salvation is given to us. So was that table, given to me, as a gift.

After Grant gave me that table, it was up to me what center piece I wanted to put on it, if I wanted a table cloth, table runner, place mats, or leave it plain, which is what I did.

But, since I never created a barrier on my table to protect it from getting dirty and stained, that is just what happened!

I read the directions on how to use the paste wax. It looks like I will have to use some elbow grease to get it done, but I am determined to keep my table clean and unspotted the very best I can, because I am so thankful for it!

A simple thought, but are you doing what you can to keep your "kitchen table" clean? Or are stains and crumbs building up to where you can't see how beautiful it originally was.

It takes work, effort and heart for God to keep a "table" (your Christian example, your heart, your life...) clean and unspotted.

Just like it was up to me what I chose to do with my table once I received it, it's the same for you and what you choose to do with God and the gift He freely gave to you.

If you come to my house and see my table clean, you'll surely get the impression that I work to keep it that way and I do so because I care for it.

I know my table is a measly example of God's forgiveness for my sins, but it's a little visual hopefully you'll ponder on today.

Now, go wipe down your table!

 ray and jack eating breakfast together



What's on my mind...

Today, I have too much to say.

 

 

 

 

Or, type.

 

 

 

 

It'll be hard to title this post because it's going to be just what's on my mind...

 

 

 

 

I want to always be transparent.

 

 

 

 

 

I never want someone to look at me and think just because I married a "Ledbetter" and he is preacher, that makes me untouchable, perfect and un-human.

 

 

 

I don't say things on my blog to boast of what I know and what you don't know about spiritual things, because, trust me, I am still learning and I will learn until the day I leave this Earth.

 

 

 

 

One of my biggest pet-peeves is having a conversation with someone who knows everything about everything and already knows everything you have to say.

 

 

 

 

I tend to keep the conversation about the weather with those kinds of people...

 

 

 

 

I wanted to say all that before I started to speak my heart on what God is doing in my life.

 

So you'll know I'm just being me, Hannah, nobody extra special.

 

I know that.

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

I have aloud God to speak to my heart more in the past several weeks, than I have any other time in the decade I have been a Christian.

 

 

 

 

He has shown me that I was made in His image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have realized by making a set time each day to read my Bible, that God's Word really is food for my soul. Being a mom has been a little bit of an excuse I have used in the past to make myself feel better for going a few days without unzipping the cover to my Bible. I'm speaking for myself here, what I have done and what I have felt recently needed to change for me to grow spiritually.

 

 

 

 

I've started in Genesis and I have taken my time not just through each chapter, but each verse. Thinking about what it means, how can I apply it today and just how amazing God is.

 

 

 

 

I have never read it front to back, straight through, so I'm excited about this journey. I'm not trying to do it in a year, just taking my time to learn each story.

 

 

 

 

 

I have realized being a people pleaser will just wear me out. I've done it most of my life, but I've learned that just stepping back, and being a good friend and being sensitive to God's voice when He urges me to do something more, is exactly what I'm supposed to do. Not worry if I'm doing enough all the time...

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have learned that I am to "take the good and leave the bad" in every relationship I have. I can't change people. Whether it's Grant, whether isn't my mom, my father in law, my sister, my friend, or a complete stranger, I can't change anyone to fit into a mold I think they need to fit into. Only God can.

 

God changed me and each day is changing me... no person is changing me. He gives us a will to sin, a will to serve... I get to choose. You get to choose. Every moment we get to choose between sinning against the Lord, the One in which made us, or we can choose to serve Him, and honor Him.

 

 

 

 

I believe when you have a tender heart you'll say sorry. And mean it. If I slapped you across the head and said sorry and two minutes later did it again, I not only have zero self control, but I care little about your feelings. I feel it's the same way with willful sin. You can't keep saying you're sorry to God after you look at pornography and then turn your computer or phone on and go to those sites again a day or two later and say you just are fighting something. Well, use the brain God gave you, and FIGHT the devil. Throw your phone in the trash. Sell your computer. It's not worth the damage it will cause. That goes with drinking too. I understand some people try so hard to stop drinking, stop smoking, doing drugs, cussing, lying, gossiping, listening to ungodly music and watching ungodly television. But, my answer is the same for all of these willful, continual sins, GIVE IT TO GOD. Each day, and each day, it'll get easier and become more sick to you to sin against the One who died to give you life. I believe in repentance and I believe in turning from sin. NO, I'm not perfect. But, if I have sin in my life, it hurts my heart, I repent and I change my attitude to line up with the Lord's on the subject. Big, small and in between, God wants you to just line up your thoughts with His. It truly isn't that hard. You must take action though. Yes, ask for prayer, yes, go to church, yes read your Bible, but also, get rid of those friends who bring you down, get rid of your TV if you can't control watching junk on it. Get rid of your phone if all you do is look at ungodly filth on it. Get rid of your clothes that do nothing but make men lust after you. USE COMMON SENSE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have realized that Grant isn't going to be the perfect man. Who am I to think he should be? Who am I to think he should always be the one to say sorry first or take out the trash without me asking? Who am I to think he was made to be my help meet?

 

 

 

 

I have learned that Grant is Grant and I am Hannah, and together, we are Grant and Hannah. Exactly what God wanted. Two separate people, joining together to compliment each others strengths and weaknesses.

 

 

 

 

 

I have realized Grant has a more special call on his life than what I ever thought or dreamt of before. Some of it has unfolded, but I believe only about a quarter of it has come to surface. The best is yet to come for Grant and I. We are team. I am to put him above our children, parents, friends and other interest, and he is to do the same. That's scripture, not me talking.

 

 

 

 

I have realized I am made to please God. I am made to be a servant for Him and to help add to His Kingdom. Not tear it down. Not be a bad witness. I'm to share the GOOD NEWS with everyone, not just a person or two a month.

 

 

 

 

 

Let God speak to you. Open His Word. It'll come to life if you just start reading. Start in Genesis and just keep reading a chapter or two a day. Pray. LOVE. Don't be judgmental. God's the judge, not you. Keep a sweet attitude and don't be around people who bring you down and make you feel bad.

 

 

 

 

 

Mostly, SEEK HIM WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND...