My Life is a Zoo

Not really, well, kind of a little ;-) But it is so awesome. I had to share another great step of success in this amazing journey! I took the the boys to the Zoo today all by myself for the very first time! The weather was perfect and so were they! We not only went but walked around for two hours. For those of you who know what this journey has been know what a huge deal that is!

Last Wednesday thru Saturday Chad and I got the opportunity to go away for our anniversary. We haven't gone away for our anniversary since Parker was born, so 5 years. It. was. amazing. We rode our bikes pretty much every where we went, physically amazing. I even did the gym every morning we were away! More great success. Last year, on our 10 year anniversary, we spent the evening getting me through an allergic reaction to a medication and pretty much crying the whole evening and the next morning to the point of doubting the very existence of God. I know, so low, so horrible, but we could only climb up from there and we have.

This year has been the year of taking back what the enemy stole on top of gaining new ground in the Kingdom of God. It's been incredible to say the least.

I would love to say that all the mountains in my life have been removed, but they haven't. Not yet. I will always put my hope in God's Word that I can have complete restoration here in the land of the living.

Isaiah 55:11, " So shall my Word be that goes forth from my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

3 John 1:2, " Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers."

Whatever the future holds, I choose to believe the Word of God first and foremost. It's the best way to live. No matter what, period.

Praying that all of you are celebrating the things that may seem small to others but are so very big in your world and to God! 

Strength Training

So today, I started re-incorporating strength training into my morning workouts. Up until now I have just been running everyday out of concern that I might irritate some things in my body if I tried the whole lifting weights etc. I have been praying about it and the Holy Spirit finally said it was time so today was the day!

You know how when you first start lifting again or even just working out after it's been awhile and afterwards your muscles feel like jello? Yeah, that's me right now and trust me I started out nice and light.

As I was praying and buffing up ;-), I realized this totally applies to us spiritually. If you have followed this blog for any amount of time you know how passionate I am about the Word of God and the power and authority it holds in our lives when we truly use it and wield it the way God intended us to. I started to think about this in conjunction with my strength training.

I remember when I first started to wield the Word, it was hard, it was like working out a muscle that had never or had not been worked out in quite some time. It burned and felt like jello at first but then it became second nature to pick it up and wield after some time of working out that muscle. And then eventually, I had to increase my weight in order to continue to see results and not grow stagnate. That's where I am now spiritually.

Isaiah 40:31, " But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint."

While it is so important to work on the condition of our heart, cardio in exercise land, it is also super important to tone and strengthen our muscles. To wait on the Lord and renew our strength. To wield the Word so we can run even faster and not grow weary in our journey. To walk and not faint at the slightest test of our faith.

We have to get it all working together in order to see results. And we need results. When I say we, I mean me! I need them every moment, every day. No going back for me. I pray it's that way for you to. Exercise that muscle and watch God strengthen you in a way you have never seen before. 

I Just Want To Cry

Do you ever have those days where you just want to cry? Sometimes you don't even know why, sometimes or most times it's because God is so good you just can't do anything else to express your thankfulness to Him. Or maybe the world is beating you down and you just can't take it anymore. Or maybe you have just started homeschooling a kindergartner and a pre-schooler, in the midst of the pre-schooler potty training (I know, let's not talk about it :-). Whatever  it may be you know that if you could just have a good cry, it would just feel really good!

Sometimes, we cry out of passion, sorrow, happiness and pain. I find that I have cried tears in all of these areas! A lot. Emotion, sheesh, I don't know what God was thinking! It sure does make things difficult sometimes, especially when you are an introvert who'd much rather keep things to herself. Keep it all bottled up.

Over the years I have learned that it's obviously okay to cry. Even Jesus wept (John 11:35). Shortest scripture in the Bible, right? He wept, He cried out, He had emotion when He was happy or sad. Well, we were made in His image so there you go. 

Honestly, most of my days these days are filled with tears that are expressing my absolute gratitude to God for all that He has done and all that He is doing. I am just so speechless and the only way to get it out is tears.

I am seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. My favorite chapter in the Bible, Psalm 27:13, " I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

I believe this Word and every word out of the mouth of  God with all of my heart. His Word is my lifeline. I know I've said this so many times it's probably annoying at this point, but I don't care. The Word of God, Jesus, Himself the living and active Word, if given attention in your life, WILL change you from the inside out. It will redeem, restore, convict and set you free.

 John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This has really been a word that is changing me because I realize that it's not just the words out of God's mouth that are setting me free but it's God Himself, the living Word fighting on my behalf every day that I confess and wield Him as the weapon He is. Amazing right? God Himself, fighting on my behalf. Now that's enough to make you cry for joy. In the midst of it all, mountain high or valley low, God is God and He is sooooooo good.