Walking is a Sign of Faith?

A few weeks ago one of the pastors at my church made this statement in his sermon "Walking is a sign of faith." You can watch live or on demand by clicking here.   This scripture is used often by many people from different walks of life.  What resonated with me, was how our pastor described that in times of trouble and danger your first inclination would be to run.  Other words I would use for run- dash, sprint, rush, dart, escape, and if you're from the South tear outta' there!

My mom always jokes with me, because in a fight or flight situation I am usually flight...and by flight I mean you've never seen an ol' gal move as fast as I can.  For example, I'm still scared of noises at night---too old for that?  Yes, I know...but I just am.  So one night there was a large rumble in our garage.  My mother laughs saying that before she could turn around I had scooped up my dog and was high-tailing (ooh another good southern saying for run) it to the back of the house.  She thanked me for my concern for her and my sister ;) .

In other words, one would usually be in a rush from "the valley of the shadow of death" or "evil" but a sign of faith is walking through. We don't have to run, because as unfathomable as it seems we have the God who is bigger than anything walking with us.  He is holding us through that valley so we can walk safely through.  Will there be battle wounds?  Likely.  Will there be scars on our heart? Maybe.  But in the end God is still bigger.

So next time you feel like you need to run, or have to run, or have no where to run- just put one foot in front of the other and walk.

Perfect Love

I saw this picture on Ann Voskamp's site. It really spoke to me during this "month of love."  My darling husband spent the day of love/Feb. 14 snaking a pipe so that our plumbing would quit backing up into our basement.  It was a really memorable day, one I hope we look back at next year and laugh.  But I thank him for it- that selfless act of spending the day is grossness, saving us money by DIY, doing it with a mostly sweet spirit ;)...all was a great picture of love- and how our marriage has layers of love.  Love that isn't always the lovey- dovey kind, but servant heart love.

But love even greater than spending the day in the septic trenches, is the love that God has for each of us.  It is the kind that after we have been hurt beyond measure, when disappointment has replaced love in our life or marriage,  when our heart is so broken there is no room for love-still makes it's way into our hearts.  It's the love of God meeting us at our darkest, weakest, most hopeless moments and carrying us.

It is also the love that is sometimes forgotten in the good times.  We get so lost in how good we have it that we neglect thanking God for His love and recognizing that He still provides it even when we forget to thank Him for it.

So today I am thanking God for His unconditional love- in the good and the bad.



John 15: 13"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

We Find Rest

This was my devotional from today and I really found comfort in these words:

When we pause to focus on the truth that God is God, we find rest.
If fear has been creeping into your heart lately, pause and remember that God is your protector; His presence is with you, and He is in the highest position of authority over this broken world. Ask Him to settle the anxiousness in your heart. Then, just breathe.
- See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions

You know you look at everything around us and it is hard not to be worried.  Now that I am a mom, I feel like I am experiencing fears I never knew I had.  I want to protect my little love from everything, but I know that isn't possible.

I also think that I over-work sometimes to keep my head from filling with these fears.  So instead of taking that blessed assurance and finding rest, I make it worse by over-committing and running myself down.  Can anyone else relate?  I figure if I focus on work, family, and friends I won't have time to worry.

When really what I need to do is focus on the gift of my salvation, my husband, my daughter, and my family.  Enjoy the opportunities He has provided me and do them to the best of my ability.  However, not use distractions as ways of filling a need for peace.  I already have the peace and the rest- I just need to take it.

Hope for You

The Reverend Billy Graham addresses the nation.  Please take the time to watch this amazing message:

http://myhopewithbillygraham.org/programs/the-cross/

For A Sweet Little Girl

I came across a blog today about a sweet little girl named Avery.  She suffers from a rare genetic disorder.  It is such a moving story, and so courageous for her parents to choose to celebrate her in this way.  As I look towards the years in my life where my husband and I hope to become parents, I am so grateful for families like this who share their stories to educate and help other hopeful parents.  Please support Avery and her parents, and get the word out about SMA.

Canahuati Family thank you for your bravery and sharing your journey.  May God bless you and keep you all.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Here is the link to the blog:
http://averycan.blogspot.com/

So What's With the Name

I am currently reading Fearless by author Max Lucado.  The catch phrase of the book is "imagine your life without fear." Now I must be honest, I am a huge worrier- bad dreams, don't watch the news, the whole nine yards.  It had come to a point that the fear I felt for losing someone important, not being in control of the future, having children, end of the world, blah, blah, had become so crippling I was miserable. My fix was to keep myself so busy I couldn't worry. Wow- now I am really putting it out there.

I finally came to the realization that I am not in control of anything and that God is the author and finisher.  I also realized I was missing out on the beautiful life He had given me- including happiness.  It is still a struggle, sometimes even a daily struggle.

So why blog about it?  I recently talked to a co-worker who was comparing how our generation is more willing to put information out into the open- especially on the internet.  My thoughts for adding this blog was to share my personal struggles, triumphs, answered prayers, and hopefully to encourage someone else who may be experiencing similar struggles.

So where did the blog name come from?  On page 37 of his book Lucado shares this scripture followed by this statement:

"His perfect love expels all fear." 1 John 4:18 NLT

Tether your heart to this promise and tighten the knot. - Max Lucado  Fearless page 37

So I am trying to do just that! I encourage you to read it- as a devotional, or just a quick read.