A New Commitment!

I have been unsettled lately. I would have moments of contentment but nothing lasting. I can only thank my Lord for that.


Thank the Lord for not being content?!


YES! If I were content in my walk with Him right now, I would not be motivated to change and there is so much I need to change.


How thankful I am for a Pastor who preaches from the Word. Straight up, not watered down. I take my notes and am excited about what I want God to do in my life. "Tomorrow is going to be different! We are going to get so much done, I am not going to yell, I will be the example I want to be for my children......" Then, I wake up.


I try to read my Bible and have a little quiet time but it seems like the earlier I try to wake up, at least one of my children wakes up before me. I try to respond differently, but my children do not react in the way I want them to.


Do you see a theme here?


It's all about ME. Years ago the children's choir sang a song called "I Trouble" As much as I hate to admit this, I have been suffering from "I Trouble"!


"I" have to lay down all of my plans and desires. I have to start taking my own advice and live in JOY (Jesus Others Yourself).

I KNOW that this is the only way to true contentment. I know that I will be blessed when I stop putting me first and my desires first. It is not enough to know these things, I must live it! It's time to put my faith in action!


I have been blessed with a godly husband who loves me. I have 6 precious children that I am privileged to homeschool . I have a Pastor who loves the Lord and a church home that desires to do the work of God!


I have been coasting too long. It is time to lay it all down and live for Him.


Hebrews 12:1-3 (New King James Version)
Hebrews 12
(From Biblegateway)

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Thank you Lord for the hope You have given me to change. Thank You that You are not done with me. Thank You for giving me everything I need to change to be the wife, mom, friend, the Christian You created me to be. And Lord, I thank You for my discontentment and the motivation to more closer to You!

I Have a Choice!

On Tuesday mornings, I get to go to a ladies Bible study at my church. This time we are doing Esther by Beth Moore. The video for this week (session 4) spoke directly to my heart. Oh, that I will live out what Beth shared from Scripture!
We are at the point (4:11-17)in Esther where she must make a choice: "self-preservation or brave determination."
How many of my decisions are made out of self-preservation?
- Will this hurt?
- Will I be embarrassed?
- What will people think?
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost?

When I let these thoughts motivate my actions, I step out of God's will for my life and cannot claim His promises, yet when I follow His lead, no matter the cost:

Genesis 46:3So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.

Numbers 14:9Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”

Deuteronomy 3:22You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you.’

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

Matthew 10:30,3130 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

I have a choice to walk in fear or walk in confidence.
I don't have to continue in fear & self-doubt. I am a child of the King and in Him, there is hope!

Who Gets to Claim Gods Promise of Hope?

"Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope."Ps.16:9



*HOPE - Betach-Those who are in a proper relationship with God will dwell securely.



A few years ago, dh and I went to the Basic Life Seminar by Bill Gothard. One of the main things I still remember about it today was the illustration of God's umbrella of protection.

When I am in obedience to God, I am under His umbrella of protection; nothing can get me there, I am protected from the fiery darts of Satan. There is no place safer. There I can rest in God's promises, there I have hope.

Hope that everything will turn out o.k.

Hope that despite ME, my children will walk with the Lord.

Hope that despite the economy, we will thrive.

Hope for a peace that passes all understanding!

Hope that I will fulfill my purpose for being alive "for such a time as this."

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of hope. Help me to walk in YOUR ways that I might remain under Your umbrella of protection!

How to Start?

I have had this blog set up for a while and now that it is set, I have a serious case of writers block, lol.
I guess I will start with why I wanted to start a blog.
I plan on using it as a source of accountability on my commitment to study the Biblical meaning of hope.
Prayerfully, as I grow this year, my hopes will change, I will change. I will loose more of myself and leave more room for Him.
Not sure why the tears are welling up. I guess it comes from fear of never changing for the better; never being where I want to be in my walk with Him.
And that, my friends, is the reason for the word hope.