Overwhelming

Today God has overwhelmed me with His love. I can't really explain it but the Holy Spirit has just confirmed in me His truth in several areas that I have been struggling with. Nothing in particular happened. I listened to a podcast on Revelation from my pastor and then another message on the radio while driving.

It could be that just taking in God's word, His Spirit was able to speak to me. What ever it was, I needed it today. :) I love the overwhelming feeling of God's love. I just feel so at peace, like nothing could shake me or move me from the foundation He has placed me on.

The three simple truths that God confirmed in my spirit today are:

1. God is not a God of fear.

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afriad of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

2. God is not a God of condemnation.

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17

3. God is not a God of confusion.

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33

I am thankful to serve and know a living God who cares enough to speak His truth to me and confirm it in my spirit when I need it most.

Something I heard in this video I want to share and really love is: God is still God. God is still good.
Have a blessed weekend in Him!


A Story | Tears of Hope from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Always.

Hold on to Jesus
Erin O'Donnell/ Janna Long


You're a little piece of heaven
You're a golden ray of light

And I wish I could protect you
From the worries of this life
But if there's one thing I could tell you
It's no matter what you do
Hold to Jesus, He's holding onto you


The world will try to tell you
That might is more than right
And beauty's on the outside
And being good's a losing fight
But remember what I've told you
'Cause the world will make you choose
Hold to Jesus, He's holding on to you

Hold on to Jesus, and cling to His love
Rest deep in His mercy, whenever things get rough
And don't lose sight of His goodness
And don't ever doubt this truth
That when you hold to Jesus
He's holdin onto you, Yeah

Hear me dear Jesus
Rock this little one to sleep
Keep her close when she's scared
And give her grace when she is weak
I know she'll stumble, but I know she'll make it through
If you hold on to her, just like you said you'd do
Hold her Jesus so she'll hold on to you

These lyrics touch my heart so much. If I am able to communicate anything to my sweet, precious baby girl {she will always be my baby girl, even when she's a grown woman} it would be the message of this song.

I've blogged about struggling with fear before. I am a worrier by nature, God is redeeming that everyday more and more. But more than just fear in general I really struggle with fear in regards to my kids. It can be a paralyzing reality to think that I won't be able to protect my baby girl from all pain, evil and wicked thing in this big world.

But...


There is one, and only one who can protect her and when bad things happen {and we all know that they will...} He will always be there for her to comfort her and to redeem all that is forsaken in this fallen world. Praise Jesus, that He is there for my baby, always. And that He is capable of keeping her from so much more than I ever will be able to keep her from.

So not only does this song bring comfort to me in my fears by reminding me that Jesus is holding my baby, even when I can't. It also reminds me that my deepest desire and job as her parent is to love her and point her to the only one who will always be there. And to cling to Him, no matter what.

I think I'll start practicing teaching her this by first doing so myself.

Dread.

Yep, it's true. I am actually dreading the weekend...

Stud Muffin is going out of town for a work trip. He leaves bright and early tomorrow morning and doesn't come home until Monday. Although I will miss my husband dearly, I am a big girl and can manage on my own, when I have to. Of course I prefer to be with my best friend whenever possible, we have fun together :D

But what I am dreading most is not having the tremendous help and much needed relief that my husband offers me. He is an amazing dad and loves to spend time with his daughter when he can! That is usually the weekends, so I know that it's going to be a long couple of days for him too. But with E figuring out what her sleep schedule is going to be and sticking to it, Stud Muffin and I have been splitting the night in to two shifts, so we can both get some quality sleep! Maybe we will experience a miracle and Cupcake will sleep all night every night... {a girl can dream...}

I'm planning to keep busy over the next couple of days, not with housework necessarily but with fun stuff! We will probably frequent Gymboree Play & Learn a couple more times than usual. I hope to spend some time with dear friends of ours and then we will be at church for service and for youth group on Sunday!

In other news, E has gone from sitting like a pro....

to getting up on all fours and wanting to crawl really bad....

She will be on the go in no time! And then I'll get on that exercise routine that I so desperately want to start but just haven't yet!

Fear tactics

Does anyone else have this problem? Maybe you can relate.

It seems like every time I make time to spend reading the Word and really focus on seeking God I am haunted by spiritual warfare. I've started to notice this trend lately and it's really starting to bother me even though I know that it shouldn't because God's word warns us about this very thing happening.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

When I have made time during my day {usually during cupcakes first nap time} for quiet time, to read my bible and to pray, it seem that through out the day and especially at night I am tempted with fear. For example, after I put cupcake down for the night {I'm alone until Stud Muffin gets home from work because he is working a swing shift} I spend time in the kitchen, cleaning bottles, loading the dishwasher and just getting ready for the next day. We have a window at the sink and then the front door is directly to my back. I get spooked so easily and feel like someone is watching me and thoughts of someone breaking in.

Some times the fear is greater than others, but no one should have to be afraid when they are in their house {especially with an alarm, which is always set}!

But even with this trend, even if the enemy continues to haunt me, to try and stumble me and tempt me from spending time in the word and seeking my God,

I will not cease.

Because my God is bigger than that. He is greater, He is mightier than any fear. I will praise Him for who He is. And no matter how the devil tries to scare me into not seeking my God, I know that God is the only one with true power and He will watch over me.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. Psalm 37:39-40

I will take refuge in Him.