S.O.A.P. It!

     Hi Friends! It's been so long and I apologize but I'm just going to jump right back into blogging away! The fall is moving in quickly, the kids are back at school (I have a Kindergartner and a 1st grader this year...AH!) and our routine has transitioned out of summer and into school! We stay on a loose "schedule" in the summer because we eat meals at camp throughout, but of course, when school starts we tighten our belts and get on a little bit tighter schedule.

     That being said, I've been looking for ways to get in the word and with the Lord early, before I face the craziness a day can bring. I'm so excited to have found some online accountability at www.womenlivingwell.org! There is a program called Good Morning Girls (GMG) where women hold each other accountable for time spent in the word. We'll be starting our journey through the Bible in Esther on the 31st! If you think this type of accountability would work for you please go over there now and sign up!  All the information you need to know is on the site. I'm in the "stay at home mom" group.

     The reason I share this is that Courtney, the founder of GMG, uses the S.O.A.P. method to study scripture! I used this for a long time in college, but have not used it in years so I'm motivated to start again. I remember things sticking with me more throughout the day using this method. I know that writing verses out and praying about them specifically worked well. So here's how it works.

S-is for Scripture-write down any verse/verses that stand out to you from the passage. Some even write out the entire scripture they're reading. This gives you a chance to slow down and digest the words as you write them. I've never used this method, but I'm sure it's great!

O-is for Observation-What do you observe in the passage? Who is writing? Who is the audience? What words are repetitive?

A-is for Application- How do I apply this passage to my life? What does this passage say about who/how how God is? Is there an area of conviction? Is there something in my life that needs to stop/start because of what I've read/heard from God?

P-is for Prayer- Whatever you have learned, pray about it. Confess sin, ask for forgiveness and take whatever action necessary to follow the God who desperately loves you.:) Sometimes people even take the very verses that stood out and put them into personal prayer. This can be a powerful way to pray!

     So there you have it! Courtney has all of the guidelines to the S.O.A.P. method and much more about how the study and accountability works on her site. I'm so pumped to see if this is going to work for me. It does mean I'll have to take more time then usual, but I know that it will be worth it! I also plan on posting what the Lord is teaching me as we go along. I hope it will be an encouragement to you!

"Those who fear you will be glad when they see me because I have hoped in your word." 

Psalm 119:74

www.womenlivingwell.org

Here's a pic from the 4th of July! 

God Wanted to Talk to Me

This morning got off to a bit of a late start for me. As I was rushing from one thing to the next, I felt several promptings from the Lord to just sit with Him for a few minutes.  A couple came through my husband and a couple from the Holy Spirit in my own heart, but each time I told myself I would right after I did this or that... and the list never ends. Well, I finally sat down after breakfast and kitchen clean up, getting the kids dressed and the girl's hair done and off to school, and cracked open my Bible. I'm reading in Matthew right now.

Let me backtrack for just a sec. As I was walking to the couch I picked up a devotional book and thought I'd get a couple of verses to focus on for the day, but something in my heart said to go ahead and progress with my daily reading through Matthew. I'm in chapter 6 starting on verse 16.

Yea, it's about fasting. How we shouldn't do it show others how religious we are, but we should do it in secret and, "your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you." Those words leapt of the page at me and the Lord wasn't giving me any more insight into fasting.

As a mom I often struggle with all the jobs I have to complete that I get no love for whatsoever. All of my life I've had so much support and encouragement, and although my husband does make a point to tell me thank you and I noticed this or that, I still feel like I'm alone on the Island of perpetual motherhood too often. Call me vain, but I like a "great job Kendra" or a pat on the back every once in a while. Not necessarily for approval but for encouragement.

Well, guess what? Being a stay-at-home mother of 5 children, six and under, there aren't many pats on the back or great jobs from a whole lot of people. Most of the hard work I do day in and day out IS in SECRET.

But nothing is hidden from God's eyes. 

It was such an encouragement for me to hear those words from my Heavenly Father this morning...Kendra, though the world may not see ANYTHING you're doing here, I see everything you're doing and I have a great reward for you. That's what he spoke to my heart this morning.

Was I excited to do my picking up, organizing, reorganizing, diaper changes, nursing the baby (and a million other things) today? Yes, I actually was. He knows how much I long to get that high five for a job well done and The God of the Universe chose to give it to me today. I only gave him 3 minutes of my time and focus. He gave me so much more.

Purpose, focus, hope, Himself.

It was such a refreshing reminder that what I do within these walls to serve the family the He has given me HE SEES and HE WILL REWARD.  To think I may have missed it. Many times I have. But, praise God, not today!:)

 Has God done the same for anyone else recently? If so, please share!

In the Valley

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

When I read this verse, I'm reminded of the times in my life when I have encountered this walk. The long and often slow journey through the valley. Whether it has been the death of someone I love, the death of a relationship, the death of a sinful part of me that I was so comfortable with, that line brings back memories of those dark, seemingly endless valleys.

During some of my journeys I can say that I knew the Lord's comfort and that He was with me. I felt Him offering peace and wisdom in the midst of them. In others, I can't say I knew it was Him, but had He not been there walking with me, carrying me, I would not have been able to make it through. His grace was there long before I was aware.

Have you had many of these walks? The gut-wrenching kind that cause you to collapse on the floor, crying out for comfort-for help. I have encountered more then I would choose, but not more than God has chosen.

Each encounter with the valley of the shadow of death has brought new light to who God is and how He chooses to bring glory to Himself. 

How He chooses to bring me to Himself.

I'm so thankful that with Him, I don't have to fear these valleys and I don't have to be alone in them. The Psalmist writes, "I will fear no evil..." It's a choice of his own will to place his well being in the hands of his shepherd. He chooses to believe, with certainty, in the midst of his valley that His Lord has not been caught unaware and is with him. Comforting him.

When evil takes place- I mean when it hits really hard and fast, knowing that God has an eternal purpose and even a "right-now" purpose is a comfort to me. You know that saying, "everything happens for a reason?" That is such an annoying saying when there is no reason good enough to explain the things that have taken place in your valley.

I prefer, "and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son..." Romans 8:28-29

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

All those words of truth offer exactly what I need when the valleys are deep and dark. I can say that I'm grateful for them because each valley allows me to know God in a deeper way and each has been a good reminder that this life is not about me. He's given wisdom, perspective and a truly grateful heart for all the times on the mountaintops and even simply level ground.

Thank you Lord for the valleys and for carrying me through them. Thank you for the comfort and truth your word offers to a world full of them. Please comfort all of us who are in the lowlands of the valley of the shadow. Breath your peace and comfort into the broken places in our hearts.

Thank you Lord.

For His name's sake...

"...he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Psalm 23:3b

Father, help us to understand that all you've said and done, past, present and future have been for the glory of your name. Let us not be so quick to sing "just for me" when we know that you have said in your word that will not share your glory with another. Remind us that we carry your name wherever we go if we call ourselves Christian's and help us to paint a better picture of who you are for the world. It is true that you died for us. It is true that in all your actions you have our best interest at heart, but we think we know our best interest and that's why we get so confused. Ultimately all that you do is to direct each eternity seeking soul to the one true God, eternity's creator...You. Thank you for always leading us to paths of righteousness, for always providing a way out of temptation. If not for you, we like sheep would graze the same fields of sin and death without relief. We would go our own way, and Lord we battle that still. It's hard to admit at times. Most of us would much rather and much more quickly admit that we're disciples of Christ then admit that we're seeking to bend your will to ours with our prayers and our actions. Please lead us to your paths Lord... your pastures. I know you do this anyway, because that's your grace for your people, but help us to walk in them Lord, the paths you choose for us. Help us to carry your name in truth. Help us to live uprightly and with integrity OF HEART, not just an outward appearance that keeps everyone thinking we're your disciples. Make us your disciples. Help us to lie down in the pastures you've provided by the still waters you've led us to. Remind us to look to you in everything for your leading and your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

He Restores My Soul...

I read it in another translation. Psalm 23:3 said, "He renews my life..." This language sank in deeper with me. As I've always read, "He restores my soul," and often thought, yes, He has and will restore all things lost on a spiritual level, concerning my soul.

When I read, "He renews my life," it made me think of daily renewal and refreshment. Renewal in the midst of life happening. Something the attentive shepherd offers the oblivious sheep. Even the details of my personal sin. He renews, or gives me a new chance, daily, by the moment, if needed.

He certainly renewed my life when His message of sin, grace, forgiveness and love hit me square between the eyes in college and still today those same messages need constant renewal in my life. As I catch myself responding harshly, thinking judgmentally, or being selfish with my time. Not giving of myself as He would have it, but instead trying to make something of myself when He simply wants me to be like Him. He always renews my life when I come to Him with an open and honest heart.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9

It's always available, this renewing, this clean start... Thank the Lord, literally.

He renews my life when...

I feel like I can't go on because I'm simply physically exhausted,

When I fail to see things from other's perspectives, which may be very different than mine,

When I forget to breath as I watch my children grow,

When my husband forgives me over and over and over for too many things to list,

When I come to Him and cry out for wisdom and patience in raising my little blessings,

When I come to Him and cry out for forgiveness because I lost my temper...again,

When I come to Him for protection from evil and wander if He'll work out the plans He's shown me for our future,

When I tell Him I just can't do this right now, but I'm required to,

When I'm honest with Him, the good shepherd, about the things that are weighing on my heart and mind,

I could go on, but I'll sum it up with this.

He renews my life, restores my soul, in the deepest, most convincing way. Showing me His perfect and unfailing love for His daughter whom He knew before I was born.

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet, there was none of them." Psalm 139:16

Jesus had a brother who was in great need of restoration and renewal. Peter had a special and significant relationship with the Lord. Toward the end of Jesus' life being seen as one of His followers became more and more dangerous and Peter failed. He didn't fail once, or twice, but three times-in one day. Really, in probably like an hour of time. Can you imagine that? (I sure can) His failure, specifically, was complete denial that he even knew His Lord.

After Jesus resurrects he has several conversations with many different people, but His conversation with Peter speaks very pointedly to that fact the He restores souls and renews life. What I love about His conversation with Peter is that He restores Him the exact number of times Peter denied Him. He spoke specifically to each occurrence of denial by giving Peter a chance to confess His love (agapeo twice, phileo once) for Him.

I also love Jesus' references to sheep and shepherd in this passage. It leads us right back to the 23rd Psalm. God's word is cool like that! Here's the conversation...or at least most of it. If you want the whole thing, open up your Bible to John 21:15-19

"Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?  Yes, Lord, He said to Him, You know that I love you. Feed my lambs, He told him. A second time He asked him, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Yes, Lord, he said to Him, You know that I love You. Shepherd My sheep, He told him. He asked him the third time,  Simon son of John, do you love Me? Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, do you love Me? He said, Lord, You know everything! You know that I love you. Feed My sheep, Jesus said."

With each question asked, Jesus gives Peter a chance to confess His love and to show it by obeying His command to feed and shepherd His sheep. Both of those things are so important because Jesus taught that if we love Him we will obey what His teaching. (John 14:23, John 15:14) He gives a us chance to confess with our mouths what we know and believe and then a chance to work that faith out in action, by obeying what He tells us to do. Both of which cause us to feel completely restored.

In what areas do I need renewal today? Are there things I need to confess and obey?

Be assured that our God is faithful to respond to our honest pleas toward Him and go to the Good Shepherd today for the restoration and renewal of your soul and your life for He does indeed restore the believer's soul and then leads us along righteous paths for His name's sake... More about that leading soon!

It's been a long time...

Whew! It has certainly been way too long since I have taken the time to blog! It was a fast and furious summer at Citikidz. My head is still spinning. We are in the midst of settling into a new schedule for my three oldest kids and awaiting a transition to come sometime around the end of October when we welcome our baby girl (at least that's what they told us) Susanna Grace. (Don't forget to breath momma)

Fall is in the air and I couldn't be more happy about that. Pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING is a favorite of mine! Leaves turning, cool comfortable nights with bonfires, hooded sweatshirts and pumpkins on the porch are just a few of my favorite fall things.

It's been on my mind to write for a solid three weeks now and I've just decided that I need to make time to do it. After all, I never completed "A Mom's Journey Through Psalm 23" and the Lord continues to bring me back to it for encouragement and hope.  As I've said before, blogging totally helps me process life and I often will find encouragement when I look back at posts that I know God has inspired me to write. Most recently, the "Stay Home" post has truly helped me reenergize and refocus.

Soooooo, all that to say, I've really missed blogging, hearing from old friends and new friends on here, and hope to post my next Psalm 23 post by the end of this week...

We'll see.:):)

Here are just a few shots from our summer...

Kayla hanging out in the yard after swimming.

Our trip to Idlewild.

Fourth of July

Judah eating very aggressively after swim time one afternoon.

I snapped this pic walking to lunch at camp one beautiful afternoon.

Special day at the pool with daddy and friends.

 And some projects I finally finished... Before...

After...

Before...

After...

2012 Citikidz Sprint Highlight!