No Need Of Spoil: blessing

Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Faith Spoken Of: Stay

Faith Spoken Of: Stay: It’s hard to fully express what I felt God working in my heart last night when my husband was reading the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook to our kids.

Visit the link to read the full story.
I will likely be adding new devotional-type posts over at Faith Spoken Of, and keeping this blog to more personal/family posts, and of course DIY and recipe posts.

Have a blessed week!
Nicole

Friday, February 27, 2015

Let There Be Light

The first thing God created was light.

Because light gives life.

Because by light we may see His works.

Even from the beginning of creation, He was revealing Himself to us.

And then He brought another kind of light.

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Psalm 112:4 NKJV

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:4-5 NIV

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22:5 ESV

And so He bookends His precious words to us.

Light.

His desire to reveal Himself to us.

Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Romans 1:19-20 NIV

And then He becomes not only light to us, but He becomes our fullness. Our sufficiency. That we need no lamp or sun.

God’s very first recorded words were

“Let there be light.”

And there was light.

Gen 1:3

And from the beginning, His powerful words came true.

From the beginning, the whole of creation is influenced by Him. Unchangeably marked.

And without Him, the earth was not formed.

It was a void.

Dark.

And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:4 NKJV

…The light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:4b KJV

Yes it should.

Let there be Light.

Friday, January 2, 2015

What I’m collecting this year

For the last few years I’ve tried to pick a word for the New Year in lieu of making any resolutions. The idea is to be able to focus on forming new habits or traits and not being overwhelmed with a list of hard-to-achieve goals. I’m all for goals, don’t get me wrong, but finding a single word to work toward makes it a lot easier to focus.

Here’s the way myoneword.org puts it:

“The challenge is simple: lose the long list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick ONE WORD.
This process provides clarity by taking all your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single focus. Just one word that centers on your character and creates a vision for your future.”

In the fall, through some excellent studies I’d been participating in, one theme kept sticking out to me in the verses I would read.

Wait on the Lord.

But my soul kept asking me, ‘what does that really even mean?’

So my word this year is wait.

WAIT.

And it will become a matter of deeper study and reflection for me as I discover what God meant when He tells us, yes, urges us, to wait on Him.

From time to time you’ll see a post here delving into some of those reflections and discoveries- like today! What better way to start the new year than to be in God’s word?

Today, as often happens, I went on a daisy-chain search through the Bible, finding what I wasn’t really looking for. I was looking up the cross-reference listed in my Bible to one of the Jesus Calling daily devotional verses for today. (I highly recommend Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, by the way! You'll probably see me reference it a lot in times to come.) When I arrived at the cross-reference verse, I started looking at all the verses on that two-page-spread that I’d marked or underlined. And that’s when I landed on this verse:

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Psalm 27:14 NKJV

And I cried. God does know His children.

He knows me.

I decided to look up the word wait in Strong's and was very blessed. I think you will be too.

Wait

To wait, look for, expect

Waiting (participle)

To linger for

To collect

What if I linger a little longer, and my collections were God – could I gain more enjoyment from collecting God than any other thing collected?

I linger at the window when my husband goes to work.

I linger a little longer in the coffee aisle at the grocery store than the other aisles.

I linger at the doorway when I lay my sleeping sons in their beds.

I linger to witness the sunset, sunrise, clear stars or breathtaking sky.

Would I linger at God’s word and allow Him to offer me strength in return? Will I linger in prayer a little longer instead of becoming distracted with my to do list for the day? Would I linger in an attitude of worship before moving on to the next thing?

And what if God was my favorite collection?

And why do we collect things in the first place?

Because we really like them.

Because we can’t get enough.

Because looking at them makes us happy.

Because we like finding them at all the places we visit.

Because there are so many varieties and we just love all the different kinds.

And aren’t these all great reasons to collect God?

Let’s develop insatiable appetites for Him! Let’s take joy at looking at our collection. Let’s look for Him everywhere we visit. Let’s be in awe at all the different marvelous facets of Him.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for anything you order through them, but the price will be the same for you either way. Thank you for helping to support this blog!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Thankful

I'm not gonna lie. Life is hard. SO hard. But I'm remembering to be thankful. I'm remembering to savor. Because even if life is hard, it is my life. My only life. These day-to-days even when I accomplish nothing other than keeping my little boys alive and fed, these are my life. We're in the thick of it. We're smack in the middle (and at the beginning, depending on perspective) of doing the thing, and we get one shot at it.

I'm extraordinarily hard on myself. I am realizing more and more how many people are hard on themselves and I am no exception. I didn't really think of myself as a perfectionist, but perhaps there is a bit of that in me. It could just be plain ol' insecurity. It could be a lot of things. (By the way, I'm going through Beth Moore's So Long Insecurity with four precious daughters of God, and it is like a fresh glass of iced tea in July. Every person on the planet could benefit from that book and I strongly recommend you get a copy!)

But I'm easing up a bit.

I am a week behind on my scripture memory. Or a year plus a week, depending how you look at it. I started the Romans Project last year and drifted away from the habit around the end of July or August. Life happens, and I allowed it to get in the way. So I started back with it this year in the middle of July, and am behind.
I was beating myself up about this. This and a host of other 'started but unfinished' projects... like the laundry for example.

But there is grace. God offers grace abundant, and we've only but to receive it.

And I am behind on my scripture memory, but, God graciously reminded me, at least I'm doing it. God's precious words, while maybe not in the quantity or at the pace I would have liked, are still being trained into my heart. Little is better than none at all; praise Jesus.

We took a walk yesterday. The dinner dishes weren't washed. My son may have still had a bit of pizza sauce on his face.
But we laughed together.

My hair is graying and I'm not even 30.
But I have hair.

My best girlfriend is states away.
But I have a precious friend.

The sink is full of dishes and the diapers need washed.
But I have a family to clean up after.

My back aches and my arms and neck are sore.
But these are all likely from caring for and carrying my kids.

These are hard eucharisteo and gifts only from God.
Every good and perfect gift comes from God. Our father.
I have a Father.
I have gifts from that Good Father.
I am thankful.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Sabbath

This Sabbath carries little rest

My heart cannot be still

It's breaking full of unbelief

Could this have been His will?

I stare at spices sweet prepared

For the body of my Lord.

His body! Dead. Alive no more

I long for Living Word

How could my Jesus, Son of God

Be gone away from me?

How did this happen? O my soul!

I writhe in agony.

Was it I who sent Him there

To the cruel cross?

Why would He love me - me - so?

All I am is loss.

He wasn't recognizable

His face and body torn

But those eyes, yet filled with blood

Met my gaze alone

They did not cease to love me

E'en in the midst of pain

One look from Jesus and I knew

My guilt and all my shame

I wait, for now, to go to Him

His lifeless body there

One last thing I'll do for Him

One way to show my care

It should be me there in that tomb,

Mangled. Torn apart.

I wait this Sabbath, grieving sore

I cannot feel my heart.

O Sabbath, pass. O sun, please set.

Let me try to sleep

Up before the morning sun

His body I will treat.

But lo, someone has been here

The stone is rolled away

Who are these shining men?

What is that they say?

I cry. I still cannot believe.

This is a cruel trick.

Not understanding, I weep the more

My heart is sinking, sick.

Afraid and bowed, I process words

They said "He is not here",

"Why seek the living with the dead?"

I scarce believe for fear.

"He is risen!" - I hear them now

My Christ, alive, is it true?

My heart dares hope. My Lord's alive?

O Lord, I must see you!

"Why do you weep?" the gardener asks.

"Who are you looking for?"

"His body" is my sad reply.

"The body of my Lord."

Then I heard Him speak my name.

He knows me? my heart cries

I turn, my Jesus standing there!

He reaches, dries my eyes.

I weep for joy, remembering now

His words about third day.

"Go. Don't stay here; tell my friends."

With joy I do obey!

-NR 4/19/14

Friday, March 14, 2014

Choosing Pearls

Today, I’m drawing strength from my Jesus. The journey I’m on right now is learning to trust Him, and love Him, no matter what is going on right now.

No matter if He’s waiting to answer my prayer.

No matter if I’m hurting.

No matter if I, secretly, deep down, blame Him for my pain.

Gasp. Yes. You read that right. No, you may not be as surprised as I was to realize it. But I did. He helped me realize it. In an ever-so-loving way, He helped me realize that a seeming unanswered prayer that has seemed to go from bad to worse has been standing in the way of my faith. Standing in the way of my love for Him.

I was guarded against my Jesus. I still am, I think, a little. It’s going to be a whole healing process, and we’re just beginning. But Jesus is up for the challenge, and so I will be too. I’m learning a few things along the way.

He does ache for the situation to be better. Not just better – resolved. Healed. Perfect. He aches for it more than I do. More than I can even comprehend.

He aches to reach in and fix it. He has to really restrain Himself from doing just that.

He can fix it. He holds the power to fix it all.

Why is He restraining Himself, then? Why, when He has the power, and wants to fix it, does He not? This was exactly my struggle.

Because He knows better. He knows that the pain is an unfortunate part of the process; of His better plan.

“Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” Mark 14:36

Not my will but Thine, Father. Abba. Daddy. You know best.

Because He knows that to take it away now, to fix it all without due process, in this situation, is not the best way. It would not foster greater faith in me. There are numerous other effects this might have on the outcome that I could never even realize, none of them best.

Because my Daddy wants the best for me. My Jesus wants nothing less for His Princess. The daughter of the King.

So I wear my pearls today. The pearl is for me a reminder – because God knows I need visuals – that the suffering is worth the wait. That pearls come from discomfort, time, patience, more discomfort, that itch you can’t scratch, pressure, more discomfort and more waiting. The longer you wait, the more valuable your pearl will become. Bigger, more visible and more precious.

I used to not like pearls. And today I realized why. And also why I like them now.

When I didn’t like pearls, I was a little girl, and the only pearls I was acquainted with were on my costume jewelry. I didn’t like them, because the shiny coating would chip off, and I’d be left with a string of ugly off-white plastic beads – and not always even the same color as each other.

Those were false pearls.
Those were not made with the same discomfort as my grown-up pearls.

Real ones.

Real pearls made from real pressure and patience. From pain.

And so many times we look at false pearls and think they’re the real thing, and then wonder why our faith isn’t stronger. Wonder why it seems as if satan worked a little better in a situation than our Jesus did. Wonder why we’re left hurting.

Satan makes false pearls.

But those false pearls may be the very ones that leave us guarding our hearts from the very One who wants to heal it. Protecting our hearts from our Abba. Our Daddy. Our Healer and Protector and Provider.

And then one day the shiny paint chips away and the pearls are ugly and the beads don’t match. And it makes us despair.

But our Abba makes real pearls. They’re irregular and each one is unique, but the paint doesn’t chip away, and they’re worth a whole lot more. They’re stronger than plastic.

Dear Jesus, help me wait for the real pearls. Thank you for making real pearls with my life.

Not my will, but Yours. The pain will one day be worth it.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

God's Perfectly Planned Will and New Picture for 2014

I have a word for this year. Not necessarily my 'one word' for 2014, but a reminder I wish to carry with me always.

Boulé
The Greek word used to describe counsel, decision, motives, plan, or purpose is used 12 times in the New Testament.
(Luke 7:30; Luke 23:51; Acts 2:23; Acts 4:28; Acts 5:38; Acts 13:36; Acts 20:27; Acts 27:12; Acts 27:42; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Ephesians 1:11 and Hebrews 6:17)

This word was emphasized in a recent session of Bible study I participated in and I was so blessed.
(It was Beth Moore’s A Woman’s Heart, session 7. Download the video here)

Here’s an excerpt from the workbook on that day.

“Purpose” — Greek transliteration, boule, “will, project, intention, as the result of reflection; counsel, decree, aim, or estimation, as it denotes deliberation and reflection.” “Boule as the first stage of inward ‘deliberation’ … thought …. Secondly, boule denotes the final result of inward deliberation.”

It carries meaning both of our purpose, God’s will for us; and of deep thought and planning regarding our lives.

I loved the emphasis on God’s purpose always being for our good. He may allow us to go through suffering, but only if it will result in our ultimate good. Better character, lessons learned, empathy gained, or something else Divinely appointed.

Even Christ submitted to God’s purpose, will, and planning for His own life in Luke 22:42:

Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." NLT

Acts 2:23 “this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.” NASB

God gave me a picture that day, and here it is for each of you to be blessed by as well. May it serve as a reminder that God’s boulé will, His deliberately planned purpose for you is based on His great love for you and He will cause it to result in our ultimate good. Be encouraged that today is only temporary, and one day, we will experience that good that comes of the plan He has for us.

print is available here

Ephesians 1:11 “Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.” NASB

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”” NLT

His plan is good, amen.

Order the 8x8 print from my shop Nouvelle Mere on Etsy

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Apparent Project

UPDATE January, 2014: I am leaving this post up so that you can see a sample of the beautiful jewelry you can get through the Apparent Project. I did have to send the remainder of items back, however, so I cannot fill any orders from the pictures below. Learn more about how you can still help here.

~~~~~~~~~

To all my sweet readers, you get to help some families this week!

Nouvelle Mere on Etsy is sponsoring an Apparent Project virtual party. The Apparent Project is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization that helps families stay together in Haiti.

Read more about the Apparent Project at their website http://www.apparentproject.org/

Did you know? Most of the orphans in Haiti still have one or both parents living? It's true. But they are orphaned because of poverty; being sent to an orphanage or to other homes because there is not enough income to support the entire family.

Here's where we can help. The Apparent Project has taught Haitians a craft that they can market, and then brings their products up to the US to sell them. And then the money gets sent back to the artisans so they can afford to keep their family together.

I ~~currently have~~ had a box of this beautiful stuff! It is primarily jewelry, and some purses, and Christmas ornaments and decor. I encourage you to please look through the pictures and select something for a last minute gift or something just for yourself.

Apparent Project- Beauty Changes Things from Corrigan Clay on Vimeo.

So let's look at the beautiful stuff!

We'll start with the Christmas decor

and some close-ups of those items, plus prices

You are loved!

The artisans use recycled materials, such as cereal boxes to create all the beautiful items. Do you recognize these? I spy Mountain Dew, Coca Cola and Diet Coke! :)