wellspring

Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

A wellspring has water flowing in and water flowing out. This is like our hearts in that what we put in lives in our hearts and flows out of it. What we do and say is a clear reflection of what is in our hearts.  There are a couple of important things to consider when caring for your heart: 

1. Concerning the river flowing in and the river flowing out: Are there any blockages? Debris from past can build up into a dam of lies filtering and dirtying what goes in, which can shut down the life of the well spring. The same is true in what goes out. As the Lord & self clear out the dam on the "in" side and pure living water starts to flow in the junky water in the spring will start coming out and its our choice to dam it up and not let out the junk for good or to let it out, choose not to entertain it, and give it to Jesus! This creates a healthy wellspring, a healthy heart. 

2. While all this clearing debris is going on, it is so important to feed our hearts with intention.  Purposely not watching, listening, or reading things that are clearly unhealthy spiritually. Purposely watching, listening, and reading things that are uplifting inspiring growth to the spirit.  This promotes a spiritually healthy heart. 

I've learned so much how this is true. Six months ago I preferred watching tv over doing just about anything else and I would rather do anything else than read 3 words of scripture or pray for even 5 minutes. It was that way for quite some time, and my life showed it. My attitude showed it.  As lies I've believed have been smashed out by the truth, the Lord can fill me with more of Himself and I can then choose to pour Him back out for others to see. This is the purpose of the wellspring: to constantly be filled and to constantly pour out. We do this no matter what we put it; for what we put in does come out, my heart is a wellspring. I don't say any of this to say I've already attained a healthy vital wellspring, I know I still have junk to clear out and I'm doing that as the Lord reveals it. It's all a choice. Start pouring in good things so the dams can start getting broken down. Pray for a change; ask God to help you believe or to take you back to the joy of His salvation, or to grow in Him. Godly-spiritual health is vitally important. 

find info on wellspring art work here

Get Dressed, then Stand and Jump

She is 2 days shy of 15 months old.  She wants this shirt on and she squirms away to get to the next thing while we're still on this thing. This shirt. Transition. Waiting to go, she is held in place being dressed by her Mother's hand and she screams.  She wants to be dressed faster so she can go; so she can stand and jump. And I do this thing that a 15 month old does; screaming to go while HE is still dressing me in HIS gifts, before this next thing... this figurative standing and jumping.  What do I need to dress myself in Lord? I see your guidance to find these verses... 

1 Peter 5:5, "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
**the greek word here for clothe yourselves is enkombōsasthe meaning to "bind on" figuratively like an apron of servitude. I so often have this urge to pride rather than humility and the choice to be humble is certainly like binding on a girdle more so than an apron. I suppose with more practice it will be as comfortable as the aprons I love to wear at the stove making delicious fall dishes for friends and family, which is also humble, servitude... in a way.

Colossians 3:12-14, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV) Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

(NLT) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity.(ISV)

**the greek word  for clothe yourselves is endysasthe gives the sense of "sinking into a garment" its the picture of Christ holding a jacket for us, like a husband for his wife, to just turn and sink into. :) LOVE THAT!

Romans 13:14-15, "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.(NIV) Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong(NLT).

** the greek word for clothe yourselves here is endysasthe the same as in the Colossians 3

Ephesians 4:22-24, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

 to clothe yourselves with the new nature, which was created according to God's image in righteousness and true holiness.

*the greek word "put off" is apothesthai means to cast it off, lay it aside. The old self is like a magnet, maybe that's why the picture is to lay it aside.  If a magnet sits to close to it's opposite it will cling again, like the "cat that came back"... Lay it aside!! not too close. CAST it!! Throw it as far away as you can... give it over to the Lord, choosing everyday instead to PUT ON, Clothe yourself with the new nature, just sink into it!! 

** the greek for "clothe yourselves" is endysasthai is also that same 'sinking into a garment'

1 Peter 3:3-4, "You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

** the greek word here is endyseōs is an investment of clothing, putting on.  It gives a picture like that of investing in clothing and jewelry to make ourselves look more beautiful, but he is saying we should be investing in putting on a gentle and quiet spirit (this kind of spirit does not nag or criticize, which is why it's quiet, the greek for quiet means peaceful!) doing this is an investment of our inner beauty which is far more valuable to God than how we invest on our outer. 

THEN... STAND AND JUMP ;)

This post is just something to meditate on. How are we living? Are we living like we don't believe, wearing the rags of unbelief like we're the best dressed--or-- are we making the choice, believing & taking off the old.  Clothing ourselves with Jesus Christ, with humility, with love, with the new nature, with gentleness & peacefulness.  Let's get dressed girls; it's a daily choice spiritually as it is physically, but for some reason we walk out spiritually naked just like little 15 month old Amelia would do if I'd let her. 

All Biblical & Greek Reference came from Bible versions & Strong's concordance on Biblos.com

structure melt down

Living here, managing a family of 6 requires intentional structure. I thrive on it. I do not; however, thrive on creating it.  I like finding a warm little spot and sitting there reading or watching tv all day while at the same time watching my children play & interacting with them.  This is not my life and I'm so thankful for that!! When it did mirror what my days looked like I was a huge mess and the only reason I didn't commit suicide was for fear of the One who Created me because I thought He surely must hate me. I was a mess.  My days don't look like that picture anymore because God has very patiently taught me how to live otherwise and with purpose & showed me all over again just how much He loves me. Living in my warm little spot-- probably the very picture of agoraphobia-- was killing me.  The enemy loves to try to distract me back to that.  And if not to that same picture then at least toward shirking off any and all of my responsibility.  That's kind of what the last couple of days were like-- ok, this week-- its easier in a way to ignore responsibility while at the same time it is entrapment and it most definitely feels that way.  Easier in that my brain shuts out the onslaught of my ever coming to do list that circles my thoughts constantly & starts to consume the pleasures of entertainment, shopping (internet or otherwise), & sugar.  I feel kind of sick. 

Last night I'm thinking to myself, "what is going on with me? Dang!"  This morning, I start praying and realize that I haven't since Sunday!!... Sunday??!! When all last week I was constantly in prayer.  What changed?  I think this entire month was a constant trickle of structure melt down.  I do not do well with no structure!! And Jesus said it, "the Devil desires to have you, that he may sift you as wheat."  Today while praying I suddenly understand one of the reasons the Lord wants me to get my schedule back to the way it was last school term.  I would get right up and the children and I would go straight to the gym. In terms of routine this works well for me because if I can get away with staying up until 2 am and sleeping til 10, that's what I'm gonna do.  Not that anything is wrong with that if your family thrives on it, but for me, for our family we don't thrive on it-- we melt down. 

It is most definitely time to get all these routines back in place, especially now that home-school has started up. I thrive on structure. Tons more gets done! The children learn more, chores happen (better than not), I enjoy my children so much more, I actually cook, I have time for friends, time for the important stuff when I stay structured.  When I'm not structured I don't do most of these things.  Structure above all else is what keeps me close to the Lord, what keeps walking in obedience to Him, what keeps me growing in Him, what keeps me loving Him more and more...  Living in a lack of structure sitting on my couch mindlessly doing whatever strikes me is what shackles me down to the bed of depression, because it is there that I'm not living-- rather dying. 

I choose life. 

So tonight, I read her blog, and she's talking about habits. Coincidence? I think not. It's great! I'll be downloading her free printable.  Here is the verse she quoted for this entire subject of time: 

“Teach us, O Lord, to number our days, that we might have a heart of wisdom.” ~Ps. 90}

Click here to visit her site to glean from her wisdom-- Ann Voskamp.  

Multitude Mondays: pounding out depression

The past few days depression type issues keep surfacing. For no reason really crying would feel good if I could only do it.  Old intrusive thoughts are rising up. There is no outside circumstance setting me up to feel this way, it just is.  But I have this new tool.  A tool to fight.  A tool to pound out the nails that cause depression.  Nails of ingratitude. Nails of self centeredness.  The tools? Heartfelt, intentional gratitude to God & service to others. To fight, to pound this crap out of my heart I stop and find something to give thanks for.  Thank you Ann Voskamp for sharing this tool you found in God's word!   I used to live depressed, now its typically only an issue when I'm hormonal. I can fight using this tool even when it's hormonal issues tempting the depression to rise up, the battle ends up in my mind after all even if it is difficult and constant because of the hormones.   When I'm thankful to Him it doesn't make the pms go away, but it does keep my thoughts from going in the suicidal direction. Thankfulness also keeps me from wanting to act violently by word or deed. 

#268. roses showing up on the bush at the end of August after they all burned up & turned brown in July!! unexpected beauty!

#269. naps for the entire family 

#270. time with friends.

#271. extended time available to be in Bible Study

#272. hearing the girls pray! They prayed for a friend after she went home that the next time she came she wouldn't cry when she left.  

#273. Nathan doing a head stand and giggling in his little almost 3 year old voice "look Mom, look" 

#274. my washer & dryer!!!

#275. unplanned date nights!

#276. Madelyn's eagerness to learn!

#277. Amelia's new puckered kiss and sound effects "Mmmmwwwaaa"  haha. She'll be 15 months old on Saturday. 

#278.  Amelia's dance: waving her arms and shaking her head.

#279. God's direction

#280. friends to text with regarding spiritual growth & God's word. <3

#281. kiddie pool play,  4 children giggling,  the sun kissing us warm in the last few days of summer

#282. my husband coming home early simply because he wants to be with us :) I love him!

#283. the mailman leaving mail even when a car is parked practically in front of the mailbox. 

#284. hugs from my children

#285. Isabelle becoming more independent

A Holy Experience: Multitude Mondays Link

mouse traps and forgiveness

I don't know about you, but growing up our family would have little mice move in and Mom set traps for them.  Pretty gross. Once my sisters and I tried to save this mouse that was quick but not quick enough. It went for the cheese and when it realized it was a trap it turned to run, but its foot still got trapped. We released it but it got away only to be found dead later. Dead leaves a stench so it was easy to find. 

Luke 17:1  Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.

In other translations "things that cause people to sin" are translated into one word pictures such as, temptations, offenses, or stumbling block. With prompting from this wonderful Bible Study I've referenced over and over I went to look up the greek word for this myself. Beth does tell you what it means in the study.  This is the greek word "skandalon" which also translates "trap stick". 

So in other words people can become a trap stick to us; where as, we become entrapped.  Whether the person realizes the consequences to us or not, our enemy has no intention of letting us out of a trap, he intends for us to find spiritual death there.  Christian or not.  Once we're born again, thus a real Christian, we have been saved from the trap of eternal death, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty more traps for us to be lured into that won't take us and kill off any spiritual growth the Lord intended for us.  For the born again believer getting stuck in a trap is like becoming a spiritual feral child, with little to no contact with other believers or making the choice to be with God. If we choose God we can get out of the trap, but with no contact with other believers or the Bible how would the feral child know he/ she could turn to God?

If that is not serious enough for you, then get this! 

Luke 17:2-4

It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Not rebuking (or "calling a fellow Christian out"-- in love and gently)  and not forgiving is in and of itself how even the most mature Christian can become the "trap stick" causing another believer to be trapped.  Of course there are plenty of ways people can become the trap stick to children & to new believers, but these are the 2 least obvious which is why Jesus pointed them out. 

Forgive!!

Forgiveness is way more serious than I have believed for a while.  I knew it was really serious and necessary & if you have chosen to open the gift of God's forgiveness, receiving it as your own then you are capable of giving real and pure forgiveness. But get this! Beth gives this next verse in her study and I'm like..."oooooooOOoooooo" serious Aha! moment for me. 

2 Corinthians 2:10-11

If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Un-forgiveness is an outright scheme of the devil!! Which is why he wants us to become the trap stick by not forgiving. Un-forgiveness traps the child and it traps the new believer so the enemy can play games with their minds.  Think about it.  Can you remember being a child and knowing something was your fault and having asked forgiveness the other person stayed angry and became more and more bitter toward you? Even as an adult when I've asked forgiveness and was truly remorseful and did not receive it, it really messed with my mind.  But not in not forgiving we become the trap stick for ourselves too, and there we are trapped in this cage of un-forgiveness and spiritual stagnancy. Ever smell a stagnant pond before? Stagnancy stinks like death! Let Jesus flow through & you'll be able to forgive! 

I've come across a couple of different people on FB who made my elementary years hooorrribbbbllllle!!! Get this, my mother transferred me to a different school to get away from all of it. Yeah. So...as an adult I cyber run into them & see they have children and find myself wishing the worst for these kids so their horrible parent would get a taste of what being made a victim of bullying feels like. Yeah. I know. BAD!! and the Lord immediately convicts my heart!  and I suddenly realized I was hanging on to something from more than 20 years ago. I had no idea up until that moment!! Seriously! I immediately forgave her and all these other former children who were so mean to me.  Then yesterday I come across this "trap stick" thing and felt a serious need to put this importance out there! 

Rebuke.

Getting called out is no fun. It is something I've pretty much always hated, mainly because of how painfully insecure I was up until now... which I'm not yet "there" but you can certainly take "painfully" off the description... I'm still working on the insecure part.  I give it over to God every time it rears its ugly head... I'm sure He'll wash it all out. Anyway... It is hard stuff to get called out for something I'm not totally paying attention to. And guess what! I HATE confrontation, especially when it's about something serious!! hate hate hate.  But look... I so much don't want to be a trap stick that I'm willing to receive and give a "calling out".  I'll do everything I can to be loving and gentle, please do the same for me.  

As Beth also points out rebukes are for fellow believers.  I didn't care a thing about acting like  Christ before I was a Christian and you can be certain that I won't expect anyone who isn't to act like Him either.  We should however lovingly and gently lead people to the one who saves, hearing is how we all find Jesus who gets us out of the trap we're born in.  We are born there because Adam and Eve first sinned which brought death into the world; we all inherit that.  Christ died to conquer death therefore giving us the choice of life which is salvation (see Romans).

Realizing some of these things are in our own lives is like eating a mouth full of sand. It's not fun, but it is important. I'm pretty sure no one wants to be a trap stick, setting someone up for entrapment.  It's important to recognize it for others and for ourselves lest anyone of us end up trapped for death.  It is equally if not more important to realize we are in a trap!! Traps can be constructed of plenty of different things, but I'm certain of this: they are all made up of lies we believe. Ask God to wash the lies out and replace them with truth!! It's something I've been asking for myself recently, God is willing and able! He wants us set free! 

giving credit:

mouse trap picture found here 

money trap picture found here

Love

It is true that whatever we do outside of love will not last or amount to anything. We'd be wise to meditate on & memorize 1 corinthians 13, it answers what love is! Lord, please help me/ us to love you, & others in your terms. Help us to recognize it & practice it! Remove all that is not love that is trapped in me!
Love, me.

balance and priorities

Luke 10:27,   "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

This 1 command, the golden rule, is the summation of the entire Bible & all God wants for us.  We can love because He first Loved us!

A couple of points I read today in "Jesus the One and Only" Bible Study:

Read Luke 10:25-41 by clicking here  It's the Parable of the Good Samaritan and Jesus at the Home of Mary and Martha, back to back.   Beth Moore points out that the man who loved His neighbor was the one who hadn't just come back from spending considerable time with God as the priest and Levite had on the road down from Jerusalem in the parable. In Luke 10:25 you see that an expert of the law was questioning Jesus who would've picked up on why the priest and Levite would be traveling that particular route. They would've been coming back from "performing their brief tenure of service in the temple.  We would expect that at no time would they have been more humbled, grateful, or willing to meet someone's needs. That's not what happened..."(Moore). It's pretty incriminating to view 2 people who "served in the temple but refused to help a dying man".  

Flip to the very next story, when Jesus visits Mary & Martha's home. Beth calls Mary "a servant far too busy helping to hear from the heart of God."  What Martha was doing was a good thing, but if she had prepared before Jesus was actually in her home she too would've been at Jesus feet learning which is the better thing, according to Luke 10.  

What I gathered from these two stories being back to back is that God wants us to be balanced, to spend time with Him, loving Him completely and totally  and He wants us to love others as ourselves which is ministering or service to others.  It is a balance.  God wants us to Love, give, & live a balanced life.

Another quote from Beth: "In our fight for right priorities, many things vie for the top of the heap, but only one is necessary.  Ultimately, our relationship with Christ is the one thing we cannot do without. 
Christ's message is not that we should neglect family and responsibilities to pray and to study the Bible. If that were true, the man in our previous lesson would have died.  His message is that many things are important, but one thing is necessary: Him.  Incidentally, Mary turned out to be one of the greatest servants of all, lavishing Christ with her most expensive offerings (see John 12). 

...look at three simple words from Luke 10:42 "Mary has chosen"  That's how it will always be.  A choice.  Right priorities will never choose us."

All our purpose in this life must be balanced or purposely positioned on the fulcrum that is Christ and our complete devotion to Him.  What is the load and effort (our purpose & the efforts of our individual purpose) that the fulcrum (God) is supporting is best and most useful when directed by Him.  As I wrote about a couple of days ago, balance is something the Lord is teaching me how to do. This includes what to balance and what to take off the scales. How we spend our gift of time is eternally important for ourselves and for those we influence. Balance with Christ at the Center, effecting our entire life.