Its Not in YOUR control.....

You know I write these blogs when something is burning inside my heart- and its not the heart burn that comes with being 7 mos preggers... It is not my desire just to vent and let you know what I have been learning or struggling with but it is truly my desire that someone will read this and will be ministered to...that they may be in the exact season where this is a word for them....

How often do we worry? I personally struggle with anxiety and worry alot. I think alot of it is in ones personality as to whether they are a worrier or not. I am. Andrew is not. But as adults and Christ followers we can make the decision to CHOOSE not to worry. My life long struggle with eating disorders, I believe, is rooted in anxiety...and that is something I can choose to overcome..

There are so many dimensions to "worry" it is amazing. We engage in it more often than we even realize. Have you ever thought about those situations that make you angry when it comes to another believer as "worry."? To get angry over what someone has said, or didnt say? what someone was wearing? How so and so spends their money? that this person watches this tv show or that one? Or listens to this kind of music? havn't you ever gotten angry about how someone else lives their life? I am talking one believer to another....we are so quick to judge each other..and I am not talking a righteous anger...when we hear or see someting that just ticks us off.... and we dwell on it and play out scenarios and wonder "how in the world could they do/think/say/believe that?....

Jesus tells us that by worrying we can not add a single hour to our life...When I get to the end of my life I want to have spent as few minutes and hours worrying about things that are out of my control as possible. Sure, people are going to do things that tick us off, close friends are going to do things we don't approve of, organizations are going to thrive that are ungodly, politicians may be put in office that didn't get our vote, fellow beleivers are going to hurt us....But it comes down to this: How other people live and what they do is not within our means to control and therefore worry about....All we can do is live our lives and choose to respond in a way that is honoring to the Lord. I believe it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said that noone can make you feel inferior without your consent....How we respond and act is our choice....the choices others make are ultimatley their own and will be for God to judge....take a load off and stop worrying about other people...live your life...He has given you a blessed one....

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Whats is a name?

I have always been fascinated with names.It is usually the first thing we get to learn about someone we meet. It often carries with it a family tradition or a story. When I was pregnant with Roman I couldn't fathom the responsibility that came with naming a son. I scoured baby name books and the bible. I prayed and sought wisdom...I knew I wanted something bold and strong.I wanted something with a meaning that he could grow into...a story he could learn.. With this next pregnancy I wanted no different...a future warrior for Christ would need a bold name, I thought...

I have been studying the name of Jesus this week. This name that we call upon in prayer,..for healing..in despair...and in praise...the name that is above all names..., Jesus. I always cringe when I hear someone misuse this name....the name that is so powerful..the name that could move mountains for them if only they knew....

In biblical culture names were chosen for meaning or for prophetic reasons. Jesus was named "savior" because he was to save people from their sins. I love that in biblical times Jesus was a common name...HE did after all come to save common people...like me.

Do we really understand the power that is in the name ,Jesus? I think too often we tack it onto the end of a prayer or say it when we are supposed to. But when we have faith behind it and in it..the name,Jesus, enables us to live a life with power and purpose.

The early church was hoppin' with activity. healings and exorcisms heappening all over the place. I believe that these early Christians knew and understood the power in HIS name..and they used it...they released faith in this name and they experienced miracles because of it......

The name of Jesus- I have never experienced anything more powerful than His name. It is the name above all names (phil 2:11). There is life in HIS name (John 20:30-31).. It is the name that has the power to save (Acts 4:30). I get chills knowing that one day every tongue will confess His name..(phil 2:9-11)...Jesus !