"For the eyes of the LORD are on the
righteous, And His ears are open to
their prayers; But the face of the
LORD is against those who do evil."
1 Peter 3:12
This is a powerful verse. Simple
and to the point. God's eyes are
on us if we are righteous (living
as He calls us to live in love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
gentleness, faithfulness and self
control - among other things).
We are told in the Bible that our
righteousness only comes from
Jesus. So the only way to live
in righteousness is to draw close
to Jesus & spend time w/him.
Easier said than done, but with
God, we have the VICTORY. We need
to pray, because His ears are open
to hear what we are saying. He is
there wants us to spend time
coming to Him and pouring out our
hearts to Him. Let's not
have anything to do with evil deeds.
Let's not make any excuses for our
sins. If we know Jesus, then God
sees us as holy and forgives all
our sins. He helps us, changes us
and uses us to bring Him glory.
Let's keep fighting the good fight
and not get tired in this race-
keep your eyes on the finish line:
Heaven and on the ultimate prize:
Jesus Christ and eternity with our
Creator God! Be encouraged!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Hard times, Good God
Job 1:1
"THERE was a man in the land of Uz,
whose name was Job; and that man
was blameless and upright, and one
who feared God and shunned evil."
I'm jumping ahead in my 1 year
Chronological Bible Reading and
doubling up (I got an early start)
because I want to read the entire
Bible this year. I'm in Job and
this is a book about a godly man
who goes through the toughest times.
Although he feels beat down
and wishes he would have never been
born, he never stops trusting in
God! He was a real man, with real
pain and heartache. He cried out
to God but he never turned away
from God.
Verse 1 above says that Job was
blameless and upright and that
he shunned evil and feared God.
This man was set apart for God!
But that didn't keep him from
going through unbelievable losses
and tragedy over and over. I
know so many people and keep
hearing new stories of how many
people are affected by cancer and
it breaks my heart. I have been
praying for these people and I know
they have others praying as well.
I think about the families who just
lost loved ones in Tucson from an
evil murderous rampage that is so
senseless. I am reminded that this
is not our home, but also that we
need to continue to press on, to
persevere and to look up to God
who is the only one who knows how
it will all turn out. He restored
everything and more in Job's life
and even if God didn't restore it
before Job had died, Job would
enter God's kingdom and would never
again have any tears, heartache or
pain. We can't understand God- "His
ways are not our ways and his thoughts
are not our thoughts". Remember this:
"His ways are HIGHER than our ways!"
He LOVES us, we just need to keep
loving Him and running to Him. I
pray that God views me as He viewed
Noah- with God's help I desire to
live a blameless life and shun evil.
I fear God as I give Him complete
reverence and worship. Hope is in
God alone and His Son, Jesus Christ.
No matter what, He is in CONTROL!
"THERE was a man in the land of Uz,
whose name was Job; and that man
was blameless and upright, and one
who feared God and shunned evil."
I'm jumping ahead in my 1 year
Chronological Bible Reading and
doubling up (I got an early start)
because I want to read the entire
Bible this year. I'm in Job and
this is a book about a godly man
who goes through the toughest times.
Although he feels beat down
and wishes he would have never been
born, he never stops trusting in
God! He was a real man, with real
pain and heartache. He cried out
to God but he never turned away
from God.
Verse 1 above says that Job was
blameless and upright and that
he shunned evil and feared God.
This man was set apart for God!
But that didn't keep him from
going through unbelievable losses
and tragedy over and over. I
know so many people and keep
hearing new stories of how many
people are affected by cancer and
it breaks my heart. I have been
praying for these people and I know
they have others praying as well.
I think about the families who just
lost loved ones in Tucson from an
evil murderous rampage that is so
senseless. I am reminded that this
is not our home, but also that we
need to continue to press on, to
persevere and to look up to God
who is the only one who knows how
it will all turn out. He restored
everything and more in Job's life
and even if God didn't restore it
before Job had died, Job would
enter God's kingdom and would never
again have any tears, heartache or
pain. We can't understand God- "His
ways are not our ways and his thoughts
are not our thoughts". Remember this:
"His ways are HIGHER than our ways!"
He LOVES us, we just need to keep
loving Him and running to Him. I
pray that God views me as He viewed
Noah- with God's help I desire to
live a blameless life and shun evil.
I fear God as I give Him complete
reverence and worship. Hope is in
God alone and His Son, Jesus Christ.
No matter what, He is in CONTROL!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Are you a Christian? Are you willing to be challenged?
I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Some
people call me "really religious" and
I say that I have a "real relationship"
with my Lord and Savior. When I began
to care about what the Bible taught and
really wanted to know God, one thing that
really jumped out at me was that as people
met Jesus, they could not encounter Him
and not be affected in some way. Either
they hated Him because He called Himself
God's Son and had complete authority on
earth, or they loved Him because they
believed it was all true. Too many people
say they believe in God but if we were to
get into a discussion about who God is,
they would have no idea (or just some
made up ideas or ideas of other religions).
I used to be that person: I said I believed
in God, but I lived in a way that showed
that there was no way I truly knew and
was following a holy, perfect God who will
judge the world one day. It all changed
when I began to "follow" and "seek" God.
With that being said, the Bible is very
challenging and convicting! We are sinful
and we NEED God's help to be Christlike.
If you go to a church just to walk out with
a "good feeling", be careful! When God is
truly working, He is moving in our hearts
and showing us the areas He wants to change
in us but will always give us the strength
to make those changes. I know this is a long
post, but if you are still reading this,
and if you are a serious Christian (I only
way this because early on for me, this
information would have shocked me), then I
encourage you to read these two books below.
They are all about the Bible and how we
need to live like the Bible teaches us to.
Only read them if you desire to surrender
to God! They have challenged me so much!
Like one of my friends who is in ministry
said, "Besides the Bible, Radical is the
most challenging book she has ever read!"
I've posted some information below about
both books. If you read all this and read
these books, I would love to hear your
thoughts on them.
Publisher's Description:
WHAT IS JESUS WORTH TO YOU?
It's easy for American Christians to
forget how Jesus said his followers
would actually live, what their new
lifestyle would actually look like.
They would, he said, leave behind
security, money, convenience, even
family for him. They would abandon
everything for the gospel. They
would take up their crosses daily...
BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE
THAT? DO YOU?
In Radical, David Platt challenges
you to consider with an open heart
how we have manipulated the gospel
to fit our cultural preferences. He
shows what Jesus actually said about
being his disciple--then invites you
to believe and obey what you have
heard. And he tells the dramatic
story of what is happening as a
"successful" suburban church decides
to get serious about the gospel
according to Jesus.
Set Apart: Kent Hughes
"The church must be distinct from the
world to reach the world." From Chapter
1"But you are a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people
for [God's] own possession, that you
may proclaim the excellencies of him
who called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).
Holy and dedicated to declaring the
excellencies of Godthis is the church,
or is it? Can we really call the church
holy? A minority of those who claim to
be born again say they believe in moral
absolutes (Source: Barna Research).
One third of evangelicals between the
ages of 18 and 35 have no problem with
unmarried men and women living together
(Source: Evangelical Alliance).Evangelical
Christianity is becoming increasingly
worldly. Materialism, hedonism, violence,
sexual misconduct, pluralism, and divorce
are becoming as common within the church
as without. As a result the church is
losing its distinct identity as a people
set apart to reach the world.In this book,
R. Kent Hughes builds a case for godliness
in the church a case that echoes the
biblical call to holiness. The church
can reach the world only if it keeps
itself from being ensnared by the world.
Hughes is not simply urging Christians
to say no to worldliness he is calling
the church to say yes to Christ and to
his call to reach our lost world.
people call me "really religious" and
I say that I have a "real relationship"
with my Lord and Savior. When I began
to care about what the Bible taught and
really wanted to know God, one thing that
really jumped out at me was that as people
met Jesus, they could not encounter Him
and not be affected in some way. Either
they hated Him because He called Himself
God's Son and had complete authority on
earth, or they loved Him because they
believed it was all true. Too many people
say they believe in God but if we were to
get into a discussion about who God is,
they would have no idea (or just some
made up ideas or ideas of other religions).
I used to be that person: I said I believed
in God, but I lived in a way that showed
that there was no way I truly knew and
was following a holy, perfect God who will
judge the world one day. It all changed
when I began to "follow" and "seek" God.
With that being said, the Bible is very
challenging and convicting! We are sinful
and we NEED God's help to be Christlike.
If you go to a church just to walk out with
a "good feeling", be careful! When God is
truly working, He is moving in our hearts
and showing us the areas He wants to change
in us but will always give us the strength
to make those changes. I know this is a long
post, but if you are still reading this,
and if you are a serious Christian (I only
way this because early on for me, this
information would have shocked me), then I
encourage you to read these two books below.
They are all about the Bible and how we
need to live like the Bible teaches us to.
Only read them if you desire to surrender
to God! They have challenged me so much!
Like one of my friends who is in ministry
said, "Besides the Bible, Radical is the
most challenging book she has ever read!"
I've posted some information below about
both books. If you read all this and read
these books, I would love to hear your
thoughts on them.
Publisher's Description:
WHAT IS JESUS WORTH TO YOU?
It's easy for American Christians to
forget how Jesus said his followers
would actually live, what their new
lifestyle would actually look like.
They would, he said, leave behind
security, money, convenience, even
family for him. They would abandon
everything for the gospel. They
would take up their crosses daily...
BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE
THAT? DO YOU?
In Radical, David Platt challenges
you to consider with an open heart
how we have manipulated the gospel
to fit our cultural preferences. He
shows what Jesus actually said about
being his disciple--then invites you
to believe and obey what you have
heard. And he tells the dramatic
story of what is happening as a
"successful" suburban church decides
to get serious about the gospel
according to Jesus.
Set Apart: Kent Hughes
"The church must be distinct from the
world to reach the world." From Chapter
1"But you are a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people
for [God's] own possession, that you
may proclaim the excellencies of him
who called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).
Holy and dedicated to declaring the
excellencies of Godthis is the church,
or is it? Can we really call the church
holy? A minority of those who claim to
be born again say they believe in moral
absolutes (Source: Barna Research).
One third of evangelicals between the
ages of 18 and 35 have no problem with
unmarried men and women living together
(Source: Evangelical Alliance).Evangelical
Christianity is becoming increasingly
worldly. Materialism, hedonism, violence,
sexual misconduct, pluralism, and divorce
are becoming as common within the church
as without. As a result the church is
losing its distinct identity as a people
set apart to reach the world.In this book,
R. Kent Hughes builds a case for godliness
in the church a case that echoes the
biblical call to holiness. The church
can reach the world only if it keeps
itself from being ensnared by the world.
Hughes is not simply urging Christians
to say no to worldliness he is calling
the church to say yes to Christ and to
his call to reach our lost world.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Snow Day
We took a trip to Wrightwood today to
play in the snow! I went with my brother's
family and my sister-in-law's dad and
his kids.
Luke started off by crying because
he got hit with a snowball in the
first 10 minutes there, but eventually
he had a lot of fun.
He wanted to ride in the sleds a lot.
We found some good hills.
We hiked to find better hills for us
All the kids
Today was a lesson on staying away from
yellow snow. There was way too much of it
around! Once we made sure it was clear
and white, they couldn't wait to eat it!
The snow was soft and perfect for
making a snow man! My sister-in-law
made a snow CAT too but my camera
battery died so I couldn't get a
picture of it.
We found this huge hill and at the top
it looked like it was a straight drop
down. The kids started sliding down
on their rears, so the adults had to
join the fun. I love that kind of
stuff. Jake is at the top of the
hill in this picture.
Hannah and Luke enjoying the ride
We had a blast today!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Prayer Jog
I have signed up for the 10K Mud
Run at Camp Pendleton on June 11
with 4 other girlfriends of mine!
Hoping that was a good idea! Here
is what the details say about it:
This is a challenging 10K run with
hills, tire obstacles, river crossings,
two 5-foot walls with mud on both sides,
reservoir crossing (3 feet deep), tunnel
crawl, slippery hill climb, and the final
30-foot mud pit. Along the course there
will be 6 water points with medical
personnel staged at each. A hint: Loose
clothing and pockets hold mud!
So today I went out for a jog. I ran
3 miles and normally I don't pace myself
and I get tired really fast. Today was
a nice easy pace and the best part was
that I prayed the whole time I jogged!
I was able to cover a lot of people in
that amount of time and I ended the run
refreshed both physically and spiritually!
I may not be great at the Mud Run, but
this prayer jog will be a really good
thing for me if I can keep it up!
Run at Camp Pendleton on June 11
with 4 other girlfriends of mine!
Hoping that was a good idea! Here
is what the details say about it:
This is a challenging 10K run with
hills, tire obstacles, river crossings,
two 5-foot walls with mud on both sides,
reservoir crossing (3 feet deep), tunnel
crawl, slippery hill climb, and the final
30-foot mud pit. Along the course there
will be 6 water points with medical
personnel staged at each. A hint: Loose
clothing and pockets hold mud!
So today I went out for a jog. I ran
3 miles and normally I don't pace myself
and I get tired really fast. Today was
a nice easy pace and the best part was
that I prayed the whole time I jogged!
I was able to cover a lot of people in
that amount of time and I ended the run
refreshed both physically and spiritually!
I may not be great at the Mud Run, but
this prayer jog will be a really good
thing for me if I can keep it up!
Time flies
Time Flies . . .no matter what! Whether
you're having fun or not having fun, it
just flies by!!! I mean, where did last
year go? Yesterday at lunch we were
talking about the time that Tommy surprised
me as our whole family went out to eat
at The Cheesecake Factory for my mom's
Birthday. It was also my 10th Wedding
Anniversary and Tommy was working in
San Diego. I was so sad that he wouldn't
have found a way to spend the day with me
and he tricked me and showed up with Roses
and completely surprised me!
My sister-in-law swore that is was last year,
but it was 2 years ago! We couldn't even
remember what we did last year on that day!
I think it's the fact that we are so busy
that makes time go by so fast. Everyone I
know is just as busy as me.
Somehow this past year I found time to:
Homeschool my oldest son
Have a 4-yr old play a season of T-ball
Take a family trip to the mountains for
a week
Do a homeschooling co-op with 17 kids
every Tuesday til May at my house
Play soccer every Friday night (when I
was in town!)
Do 2 1/2 Beth Moore Bible studies w/my
friends
Serve in the church nursery every other
Wed night
Do the Friday Study at Church in the
spring
Give softball lessons weekly
Speak at a Women's Retreat for Shoreline
Put on Heart of a Princess Event
Do 3 ESPN Games for College and Pro SB
Take a Family Vacation (w/Tommy's family)
to Disney World for 5 days
Coach the Under Armour All-American HS
Softball Game in Orlando
Beach Trips
Camp in Zion for 9 days
Feed the homeless every other Thur night
Speak 17 times in Ohio and Coronado for
Sportsworld
Tape 12 shows for More Than Conquerors
Attend Women's Events at church
Attend a Beth Moore Conference
Go to lots of dentist visits for the kids
Speak to softball teams, martial arts
athletes, nursing students, and more
Throw out the 1st pitch at the Angel's
Game
Attend 1 day of FCA Camp at UCLA
Travel to Virginia(2X), Oklahoma,
Florida (3 times), Texas (2X),
Indiana, Louisiana (2X), Ohio,
Arizona, New York, New Jersey,
Sacramento, Minnesota, & Pennsylvania!
Just to name a few things! I know, that
covers a whole year, but it also makes
it FLY by! My little ones are not so little
anymore. My baby is turning 4 in a
couple months. It goes by fast and I
need to do my best to make it count.
I desire to grow in my faith more every
year, to be right in the middle of God's
will for my life. Another year will
bring "new" events and opportunities in
our lives, but will also bring new
challenges. My goal is to rely on
God through it all. I want to draw
closer to the Lord and gain more godly
wisdom so I can be used by God as He
has planned for my life. Like my
pastor said this past week, "When we
serve God, we experience His presence."
I want more of God, so I just need to
give more of myself to Him! Here we
go 2011- let's see what God has planned
for this year!
you're having fun or not having fun, it
just flies by!!! I mean, where did last
year go? Yesterday at lunch we were
talking about the time that Tommy surprised
me as our whole family went out to eat
at The Cheesecake Factory for my mom's
Birthday. It was also my 10th Wedding
Anniversary and Tommy was working in
San Diego. I was so sad that he wouldn't
have found a way to spend the day with me
and he tricked me and showed up with Roses
and completely surprised me!
My sister-in-law swore that is was last year,
but it was 2 years ago! We couldn't even
remember what we did last year on that day!
I think it's the fact that we are so busy
that makes time go by so fast. Everyone I
know is just as busy as me.
Somehow this past year I found time to:
Homeschool my oldest son
Have a 4-yr old play a season of T-ball
Take a family trip to the mountains for
a week
Do a homeschooling co-op with 17 kids
every Tuesday til May at my house
Play soccer every Friday night (when I
was in town!)
Do 2 1/2 Beth Moore Bible studies w/my
friends
Serve in the church nursery every other
Wed night
Do the Friday Study at Church in the
spring
Give softball lessons weekly
Speak at a Women's Retreat for Shoreline
Put on Heart of a Princess Event
Do 3 ESPN Games for College and Pro SB
Take a Family Vacation (w/Tommy's family)
to Disney World for 5 days
Coach the Under Armour All-American HS
Softball Game in Orlando
Beach Trips
Camp in Zion for 9 days
Feed the homeless every other Thur night
Speak 17 times in Ohio and Coronado for
Sportsworld
Tape 12 shows for More Than Conquerors
Attend Women's Events at church
Attend a Beth Moore Conference
Go to lots of dentist visits for the kids
Speak to softball teams, martial arts
athletes, nursing students, and more
Throw out the 1st pitch at the Angel's
Game
Attend 1 day of FCA Camp at UCLA
Travel to Virginia(2X), Oklahoma,
Florida (3 times), Texas (2X),
Indiana, Louisiana (2X), Ohio,
Arizona, New York, New Jersey,
Sacramento, Minnesota, & Pennsylvania!
Just to name a few things! I know, that
covers a whole year, but it also makes
it FLY by! My little ones are not so little
anymore. My baby is turning 4 in a
couple months. It goes by fast and I
need to do my best to make it count.
I desire to grow in my faith more every
year, to be right in the middle of God's
will for my life. Another year will
bring "new" events and opportunities in
our lives, but will also bring new
challenges. My goal is to rely on
God through it all. I want to draw
closer to the Lord and gain more godly
wisdom so I can be used by God as He
has planned for my life. Like my
pastor said this past week, "When we
serve God, we experience His presence."
I want more of God, so I just need to
give more of myself to Him! Here we
go 2011- let's see what God has planned
for this year!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy. . .
Anniversary to my husband of 12 years!
I love you Tommy! God has truly blessed our
family.
AND
Happy Birthday MOM!
You are the best Mom and I am so
thankful for you!
I love you Tommy! God has truly blessed our
family.
AND
Happy Birthday MOM!
You are the best Mom and I am so
thankful for you!
Thank You Armed Forces
I pray for our Armed Forces often. Not
as often as I would like to, but this
email below is a reminder of those men and
women who are serving with their lives
on our behalf in the United States of
America. My service to God seems small
when I think of those who leave the
comfort of their homes, and leave all
their loved ones to answer the call to
protect our country. Please join me in
praying for ALL the men and women in
the Armed Forces! I was humbled by
what Kevin wrote to me. In my opinion,
they are the TRUE heroes! And I'm
grateful for our show, More Than
Conquerors, that is being shown around
the world! Thank you Kevin too, for
your sacrifice! God Bless You and use
you in mighty ways!
Leah:
I want to thank you and AC Green for
your bravery during the interviewed
on your faith in Jesus Christ. Although
I cannot remember the program which
broadcasts it, I was happy to see that
AFN (Armed Forces Network) allows
Christian-based programming overseas.
One thing you mentioned in the interview
which struck me especially hard was that
you said Winning is a bi-product of
character and integrity. These are two
of the 7 army values which I live by
every day. I hope to return home to
Southern California this summer and
rebuild my life. Anyway, I hope to meet
someone like you who is strong in their
faith and has a champion spirit. Once
again, thank you.
Kevin
Pristina Kosovo
as often as I would like to, but this
email below is a reminder of those men and
women who are serving with their lives
on our behalf in the United States of
America. My service to God seems small
when I think of those who leave the
comfort of their homes, and leave all
their loved ones to answer the call to
protect our country. Please join me in
praying for ALL the men and women in
the Armed Forces! I was humbled by
what Kevin wrote to me. In my opinion,
they are the TRUE heroes! And I'm
grateful for our show, More Than
Conquerors, that is being shown around
the world! Thank you Kevin too, for
your sacrifice! God Bless You and use
you in mighty ways!
Leah:
I want to thank you and AC Green for
your bravery during the interviewed
on your faith in Jesus Christ. Although
I cannot remember the program which
broadcasts it, I was happy to see that
AFN (Armed Forces Network) allows
Christian-based programming overseas.
One thing you mentioned in the interview
which struck me especially hard was that
you said Winning is a bi-product of
character and integrity. These are two
of the 7 army values which I live by
every day. I hope to return home to
Southern California this summer and
rebuild my life. Anyway, I hope to meet
someone like you who is strong in their
faith and has a champion spirit. Once
again, thank you.
Kevin
Pristina Kosovo
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Where's the Line?
A friend sent me this video, but since
I'm always going in so many different
directions, I didn't watch it until now!
I love it, but wish I would have watched
it a couple weeks ago!
I'm always going in so many different
directions, I didn't watch it until now!
I love it, but wish I would have watched
it a couple weeks ago!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
I want to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW
YEAR in 2011! I love new beginnings
and when a new year starts, it feels
like we all have a chance to start
something new. For me the holidays
are a chance to slow down. I know
that sounds crazy and I am still
extremely busy, but all my attention
is focused around what's going on
at home. When we get back into
homeschooling and I take trips
and get into my routine, my mind
goes in many different directions.
During the Christmas break, all
other obligations take a back seat
and it's all about family and
friends.
I'm looking forward to 2011 and
what it will bring!
My father-in-law will be heading
back to Boston in 2 days, but Nana
gets to stay for 6 more weeks!
We were the lucky ones this year
because for their Christmas gift,
all the boys (Tommy and his 3 older
brothers) and their wives pitched
in and wanted to send them to a
very nice dinner and we had the
honor of spending the evening with
them.
We originally were going to take them
to Laguna Beach to an Italian Restaurant,
Ti Amo. Due to the crazy weather
we've been having, we decided to stay
closer to home and went out for a
tasty steak dinner.
I was excited because that meant a
night out for Tommy and me too!
The food was excellent at New
York Grill, and the dessert was
the perfect ending!
It has been so great to have Nana
and Papa visit, and especially during
Christmas!
Happy New Year!
YEAR in 2011! I love new beginnings
and when a new year starts, it feels
like we all have a chance to start
something new. For me the holidays
are a chance to slow down. I know
that sounds crazy and I am still
extremely busy, but all my attention
is focused around what's going on
at home. When we get back into
homeschooling and I take trips
and get into my routine, my mind
goes in many different directions.
During the Christmas break, all
other obligations take a back seat
and it's all about family and
friends.
I'm looking forward to 2011 and
what it will bring!
My father-in-law will be heading
back to Boston in 2 days, but Nana
gets to stay for 6 more weeks!
We were the lucky ones this year
because for their Christmas gift,
all the boys (Tommy and his 3 older
brothers) and their wives pitched
in and wanted to send them to a
very nice dinner and we had the
honor of spending the evening with
them.
We originally were going to take them
to Laguna Beach to an Italian Restaurant,
Ti Amo. Due to the crazy weather
we've been having, we decided to stay
closer to home and went out for a
tasty steak dinner.
I was excited because that meant a
night out for Tommy and me too!
The food was excellent at New
York Grill, and the dessert was
the perfect ending!
It has been so great to have Nana
and Papa visit, and especially during
Christmas!
Happy New Year!
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