What are you practicing?

As a mom I am learning that to be good at something requires lots of practice.

We informally practice child training every day in our home when someone leaves their clothes on the floor or on top of the kitchen island or in my van.

John practices basketball twice a week because we recognize his gifts and abilities and want to help him improve.

I practice tidying up on a regular basis, regardless of how challenging, so that my children can feel content in an orderly home and I can continue to grow up in self discipline. I would much rather be having coffee with a friend or dreaming up some next big ministry adventure.

In 1st John 3:4-7, John, the disciple Jesus loved, encourages us to practice in another way.....to practice righteousness. Why so important?

Because unlike basketball, child training, or housework,

practicing righteousness identifies us as Christ followers. 

I do believe we can act righteous in all aspects of our lives...even basketball.

Because we have been issued the Great Commission to go and make disciples, we will find many more willing to follow us if we are practicing righteousness than otherwise.

John warns us this won't be easy. "Little children, make sure no one deceives you." There will be constant distractions to pull us away in our thinking and actions from pursuing righteousness.

The key is abiding...

I am so thankful God's principles for living presented in His word give us answers for how to please Him by walking in obedience.  I will spend time renewing my mind with God's truth to know Him more fully.

So, today, I will practice abiding, relying on the power of God within me, to pour out in righteous acts to those around me.

I want someone today to know just how great God is....don't you?

Love,

Pam

The Never Ending Valentine Message

I love it that we still have hearts up at the YMCA on the windows in the lobby. Yeah, I know it's the week after Valentines but there is something happy about hearts, love, and chocolate. It makes my heart lighter going into work each day.

The small orderly part of me wanted to transfer the Valentine decor at home for Easter decor Saturday night because I began the lenten devotion on Sunday but I just couldn't do it....YET

I am thrilled to share with you today that the Valentine message can continue. In my study of 1st John 3: 1-3, the message of love, given by God, can continue forever in our heart and mind. Every day can be Valentines!

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Who is the eternal Valentine...what does He go by?

The Bestower

 Our Hope

 Our Purifier

 and 

Our Lover, especially meaningful to  a single mom.

What does our Valentine give?

Great Love

Purification

Hope

What does He call us?

Beloved

Children of God

Thank you Father for bestowing your great love upon me, calling me your own, purifying me, giving me hope and making me your child. I love belonging to you.

Happy Eternal Valentines Day! May the truth of who God is become evident to you today is a precious, priceless way.

And please, when He does reveal himself, please share it with me.

Love, 

Pam

A Single Mom's Valentine Tribute

My biggest challenge this year was finding someone who still had Girl Scout cookies. All my contacts in the past have graduated out of scouts and I missed the pre-order.

Not to worry thanks to Facebook. I messaged a scout mom. Not only did she hunt down the missing thin mints but DELIVERED them to the YMCA to me at work! Wow! The blessings of friendship.

On another note, regarding the upcoming Mom Heart conference in Raleigh. There is still pleanty of room in my van to join me for a fun road trip, leading to encouragement and refreshment.....

AND SEVERAL BOXES OF GIRL SCOUT COOKIES WHICH I BRING ALONG FOR FUN!

It's my turn today to share at MomHeart online. What does a single mom have to write about on  Valentines that has a little to do with cookies? You can find out  here today.

Happy Valentines!

Pam

On Confidence and Security as Women

I have noticed along life that two areas women struggle with include confidence and security.  As we put our trust in things of the world, whether it be a job or relationship, we often find either one to fall apart or bring pain from brokenness.

Back in 1993, when my marriage was already failing but to last another long 13 years, I was introduced to bible study. A friend knew I was returning to my hometown to live, without a support system. My now ex-husband was an over the road truck driver and absent for long periods of time, leaving me at home with a two year old (yes, I had been a single mom) and expecting our first child together.

That first year of bible study provided much for me: community, fellowship, and support. But the greatest think I learned that year was the following principle or lesson:

"I could try for the rest of my life to please my family, children, spouse, etc but would often come up empty. However, I could please the God of the universe, my heavenly father, with my life without ever wondering how to do so."

Wow, to have spent over two decades trying to measure up or perform to someone else's standards, bound by others expectations. This truth brought freedom and passion into my heart as I began a sweet journey of discovery as God planned for me unfolded through a committed time of study with him.

So after half my life has past, do I still ever struggle with insecurity or lack confidence. Of course. Those feelings just last for shorter periods of time and the Spirit of God, within me, is quick to remind me, through remaining in His word, promises like the ones found in 1st John 2: 25-29:

As a believer in Christ, I am:

a practicer of righteousness

a receiver of eternal life

 anointed by God who teaches me about ALL things

given confidence

given truth

abiding in Christ

So, today, as the winds of wordly philosophy blow against me that my parenting isn't enough..my relationship skills aren't enough, I fight back with truth, securely, (abiding in Him) and confidently.

Will you join me? Will you appropriate these truths into your own life. If they seem foreign to you, would you ask God to reveal Himself to you through these truths and make them real in your own life. We are secure in Him and we can be confident in Him.

Blessed,

Pam

Being Drawn Into A Story

I have not engaged in a good book, fiction or non, other than the bible since the summer. I found myself with alot of extra time on my hands last night, which is almost foreign as a single mom with five children. However, it was 8:00 then 9:00 and I was still trying to decide what to do to get off facebook, which had become terribly boring by then.

Housework was not an option I wanted to consider, nor did I long to begin a new project. I remembered a book by Charles Martin, shared by a friend last spring, which was still among it's friends in my bedroom.

Not sure if, as usual, I would fall asleep within the first 5-10 minutes, I picked it up and began around 9:30. It wasn't until 2 hours later I put the book down. In two hours I developed a relationship with not only the author but the main characters as well.

It's what a good book does, it draws you into the story, making you part of the redemptive process battling to win in the book.

It's the same with God's word. 

The story of redemption begins with the conflict between Adam, Eve, and Satan in Genesis, the first book of the bible and continues throughout scripture ending in Revelation of God through John regarding the end times.

In the same way as any great book, the author of my faith, God draws me in developing a deeper relationship with me as he reveals himself to me through the study of his word. It keeps my mind focused on Him and what he is saying about me.

Today, God says to me, "let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you will also abide in the Son and in the Father." (1st John 2:24)

I long to part of a great story, a wonderful adventure that includes me slaying evil forces and being a part of bringing justice to those treated unjustly.

And I am part of such a story...God's story..

...whether I am comforting my youngest child who constantly feels picked on by his older siblings, or buying gatorade and speaking healing words to a sick child, or teaching truth to a room full of moms, who have never heard the truth.

What are you being drawn into today....

If you are longing for God's adventure in your life yet pulled by the forces of this world and feeling strained, take heart. Christ has overcome the world. And He has a word for you....

"Come to me all ye who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

May you learn today by abiding in His word, the truth.

Love, Pam

What doesn't need to change in the New Year

 

The New Year brings about resolutions and changes in many lives. We want to start something new, do better in an area, or stop some bad habit all together. Yet, regarding the word of God,and the presence of God we are to abide. To abide means to to remain, stay, and continue.

From studying the first five chapters thus far of 1st John, the apostle repeatedly states who the believer is and how the believer can know and be confident in their standing with Christ.  He uses statements in 1 John 2:18-21 like...

"because you do know the truth"

"you have an anointing from the Holy One...and you all know."

"as for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning."

I think back about the many things over the years that have gotten me off track. Not, that I am indicating I was out of God's will or doubt His sovereignty.

There are SO many great opportunities to be a part, which are true acts of love and service to others, allowing us to live out the great commission.

However, I know there are times I have been so lost in the ministering, I have been no where near remaining, or abiding in Christ. Irritability, tension, critical spirits surface allowing me to later see how I am attempting to operate in my own strength.

God has used these times, upon reflection, to recognize my need for greater dependency on Him and less on myself.

I was challenged to give 2013 a "Name", which I vehemently fought, since the word that kept coming to me was persist or persevere. I wrestled with God wondering why I couldn't have a fun word like "joy" or "contentment". I am tired of persevering. Also, I didn't want to revisit persisting with God about the opportunity for companionship as a single adult.

But the Father made it clear the persevering is about Him and for His glory. I am to keep on keeping on..taking truth in, letting it remain, continue, abide in me. AND persevere in sharing the truth of who God is with those He brings into my life.

I have learned the hard way I am only content and joyful when I am thanking Him for revealing Himself to me and walking in what He has called me to....

so I will persevere for 2013...I will continue, remain, and abide in Christ.

What will you abide in?

I would love to hear from you!

Happy New Year!

Pam

What Resolutions Have You Made

Mom Heart Intensive, Colorado, 2010

Today I get to share over at www.momheart.org. You will find out why I am so excited about what 2013 has in store especially in regards to Mom Heart ministry in North Alabama. What resolutions have you made this year regarding support or community in your parenting journey. Find out in today's post the difference strong community can make.