Sometimes I forget how much God loves me. Sometimes I think I am so used to hearing about His love that I push it aside and forget just how true and powerful it is.
One of my brother's has just been getting hammered by some tough trials. In my attempt to come up with something profound to say that would encourage him, I heard the Lord say, "Just tell him that I love him."
So if you've forgotten or didn't even know that God loves you, well, He does. He's crazy about you.
"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
He loves you so much that He rejoices over YOU!
This is a great song... give it a listen.
Blessings my friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Words.
Some words of encouragement for you today.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
"Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20
"The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." Isaiah 49:15-16
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14
"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
"Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20
"The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." Isaiah 49:15-16
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14
"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Baby #2.
I now have 2 children. I cannot tell you how weird and wonderful it is to type that. I feel like I just got engaged to my husband! And here we are with 2 beautiful daughters. Life is crazy.
Well, on Monday, April 8th at 7:24pm, Havalah Janes Briggs was born. And she was not tiny like her sister either. She weighed in at 9lbs. 2 oz., and was 20 inches long. She was (and still is) the cutest, chubbiest thing I had ever seen!
I love her name. Havalah means "life" in Hebrew. Her sister Zoe's name means "life" in Greek. And believe it or not, we didn't even plan it that way. But God did. Her middle name Jane means "Jehovah has been gracious." Indeed He has.... Indeed He has.
I'm not gonna lie, having 2 babies under the age of two is hard. But for the record, I've only had to call my husband home to help once. Or maybe twice... Can't remember now... But as challenging and exhausting as it is, I would never trade the joy I get from being a mom to my amazing girls.
Here are some pictures of my little chubby bunnie :)
First time meeting each other. Love this.
A tired daddy.
Finally home in her own bed.
The first time my mom got to meet Havalah.
The cheeks kill me...
Smiles for her daddy.
Sisters.
Livin' the life!
Not many things cuter than those toes!
Well, on Monday, April 8th at 7:24pm, Havalah Janes Briggs was born. And she was not tiny like her sister either. She weighed in at 9lbs. 2 oz., and was 20 inches long. She was (and still is) the cutest, chubbiest thing I had ever seen!
I love her name. Havalah means "life" in Hebrew. Her sister Zoe's name means "life" in Greek. And believe it or not, we didn't even plan it that way. But God did. Her middle name Jane means "Jehovah has been gracious." Indeed He has.... Indeed He has.
I'm not gonna lie, having 2 babies under the age of two is hard. But for the record, I've only had to call my husband home to help once. Or maybe twice... Can't remember now... But as challenging and exhausting as it is, I would never trade the joy I get from being a mom to my amazing girls.
Here are some pictures of my little chubby bunnie :)
First time meeting each other. Love this.
A tired daddy.
Finally home in her own bed.
The first time my mom got to meet Havalah.
The cheeks kill me...
Smiles for her daddy.
Sisters.
Livin' the life!
Not many things cuter than those toes!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Loving.
My daughter Zoe is 17 months old. She is wild and crazy and hilarious and adventurous. She is also one of the most kind-hearted, loving children I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whenever we are out and about, she unabashedly smiles to everyone (even the cranky ones!), waves hello and tells them "bye-bye." She blows them kisses and likes to explain to them the details of her day. When she sees another "little" person her size, she runs to hug and kiss them... Sometimes accidentally tackling them. (Usually scaring them off... much to her dismay.)
She loves to love people. I love that about her. I love that she loves without reservation. I love that she is too naive to comprehend that some people are too cranky to wave back, so she waves anyway. I love that she's not afraid to love. It's like she enjoys making people happy.
So as we're walking through Albertson's the other day, and as I'm watching my child "love," I hear the Lord whisper, "Love like she loves."
Holy smokes.......
And here is the truth: I don't love half as well as she does. I am selfish, and rude, and afraid, and insecure. Granted, I am a grown person who also understands that there really are scary and creepy people out there who I can't go blowing kisses to. But that's not my point. My point is a matter of the heart. I don't want to be too selfish and insecure that it stops me from being cheerful to someone! I don't want to be afraid that I'll look like a loser for being kind. I don't want to think at all! I don't want to consider myself and my feelings more important than someone who may need a little encouragement. I want to love whole-heartedly, putting others ahead of myself.
I want to love like Zoe loves..... like Christ loves.
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
1 John 3:16-18
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
1 John 4:7-11
She loves to love people. I love that about her. I love that she loves without reservation. I love that she is too naive to comprehend that some people are too cranky to wave back, so she waves anyway. I love that she's not afraid to love. It's like she enjoys making people happy.
So as we're walking through Albertson's the other day, and as I'm watching my child "love," I hear the Lord whisper, "Love like she loves."
Holy smokes.......
And here is the truth: I don't love half as well as she does. I am selfish, and rude, and afraid, and insecure. Granted, I am a grown person who also understands that there really are scary and creepy people out there who I can't go blowing kisses to. But that's not my point. My point is a matter of the heart. I don't want to be too selfish and insecure that it stops me from being cheerful to someone! I don't want to be afraid that I'll look like a loser for being kind. I don't want to think at all! I don't want to consider myself and my feelings more important than someone who may need a little encouragement. I want to love whole-heartedly, putting others ahead of myself.
I want to love like Zoe loves..... like Christ loves.
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
1 John 3:16-18
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
1 John 4:7-11
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
NEW Pictures.
Let me start you off with this bad boy. My husband is a great cook and he really enjoys baking (lucky me :) This is his chocolate chip cookie/brownie thing. And let me just say... It's a beautiful thing.
Then there's this beautiful thing. As you can see, she's practicing being a big sister.
I wish I could pull off this outfit :)
Life is good.
My mom and Papa Bob came for a visit.
Someone's going to have a curly head! (P.S. She's so serious sometimes!)
Collecting sticks... She loves sticks.
First morning in our new condo... Eating breakfast... Didn't have our table and chairs yet.
Snuggle time with Lambie.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
LOTS of pictures and stuff.
So here I am thinking that I am doing such a grand job of "blogging", but really, SO much has happened in the last month and a half that I haven't even "blogged" about. Therefore, I don't think I'm doing such a good job :(
My response: Just keep trying.
First up is... My youngest brother Ben. He is a Senior at Biola University majoring in Communication Disorders. He is also a stud soccer player on their soccer team. He endured many setbacks and injuries, and we are so incredibly proud of him. Here we are at his last game...
Zoe's into it.
Zoe not wanting to be still. Shocker.
Love this guy.
Husband and brother. Handsome aren't they?
Us. We love each other.
HALLOWEEN! Honestly, my least favorite holiday of the entire year. However, this time is was highly enjoyable thanks to my adorable daughter. She was a cupcake! And not just your average cupcake. More like the cutest cupcake you have EVER seen!
I told you! The cutest cupcake ever!!
To die for.
Next was Thanksgiving. Now this is one of my favorite holidays. It makes me happy, warm and fuzzy, and very full. This year we journeyed to L.A. to my Aunt & Uncle's home. They are so weird and wonderful and we love them.
The cooking of the turkey. Ben assisting.
Ben and my beautiful cousins.
The cutting of the turkey.
Skyping with Grandma.
And the rest are all of my Zoe girl. My sweet, wonderful, beautiful girl.
My sleeping beauty.
Reading time with Uncle Benny. She still thought she was a cupcake :)
She is obsessed with pushing strollers.
She woke up and the first thing she did was put on her cupcake hat.
Being silly. And once again, in her cupcake hat.
Seriously.... words fail me....
Those eyes......
All bundled up!
I love her.
Zoe and Sully.... Pals.
My response: Just keep trying.
First up is... My youngest brother Ben. He is a Senior at Biola University majoring in Communication Disorders. He is also a stud soccer player on their soccer team. He endured many setbacks and injuries, and we are so incredibly proud of him. Here we are at his last game...
Zoe's into it.
Zoe not wanting to be still. Shocker.
Love this guy.
Husband and brother. Handsome aren't they?
Us. We love each other.
HALLOWEEN! Honestly, my least favorite holiday of the entire year. However, this time is was highly enjoyable thanks to my adorable daughter. She was a cupcake! And not just your average cupcake. More like the cutest cupcake you have EVER seen!
I told you! The cutest cupcake ever!!
To die for.
Next was Thanksgiving. Now this is one of my favorite holidays. It makes me happy, warm and fuzzy, and very full. This year we journeyed to L.A. to my Aunt & Uncle's home. They are so weird and wonderful and we love them.
The cooking of the turkey. Ben assisting.
Ben and my beautiful cousins.
The cutting of the turkey.
Skyping with Grandma.
And the rest are all of my Zoe girl. My sweet, wonderful, beautiful girl.
My sleeping beauty.
Reading time with Uncle Benny. She still thought she was a cupcake :)
She is obsessed with pushing strollers.
She woke up and the first thing she did was put on her cupcake hat.
Being silly. And once again, in her cupcake hat.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Devotional.
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed." Romans 4:18
Abraham's faith seemed to be in complete agreement with the power and constant faithfulness of Jehovah. By looking at the circumstances in which he was placed, he had no reason to expect the fulfillment of God's promise. Yet he believed the Word of the Lord and looked forward to the time when his descendants would be "as numerous as the stars in the sky" (Gen. 26:4).
Dear soul, you have not been given only one promise, like Abraham, but a thousand promises. And you have been given the example of many faithful believers as a pattern for your life. Therefore it is simply to your advantage to rely with confidence upon the Word of God. And although He may delay in sending His help, and the evil you are experiencing may seem to become worse and worse, do not be weak. Instead, be strong and rejoice, for God usually steps forward to save us when we least expect it, fulfilling His most glorious promises in a miraculous way.
He generally waits to send His help until the time of our greatest need, so that His hand will be plainly seen in our deliverance. He chooses this method so we will not trust anything that we may see or feel, as we are prone to do, but will place our trust solely on His Word - which we may always depend upon, no matter our circumstance.
Remember, the very time for faith to work is when our sight begins to fail. And the greater the difficulties, the easier it is for faith to work, for as long as we can see certain natural solutions to our problems, we will not have faith. Faith never works as easily as when our natural prospects fail.
(From Streams in the Desert.)
Abraham's faith seemed to be in complete agreement with the power and constant faithfulness of Jehovah. By looking at the circumstances in which he was placed, he had no reason to expect the fulfillment of God's promise. Yet he believed the Word of the Lord and looked forward to the time when his descendants would be "as numerous as the stars in the sky" (Gen. 26:4).
Dear soul, you have not been given only one promise, like Abraham, but a thousand promises. And you have been given the example of many faithful believers as a pattern for your life. Therefore it is simply to your advantage to rely with confidence upon the Word of God. And although He may delay in sending His help, and the evil you are experiencing may seem to become worse and worse, do not be weak. Instead, be strong and rejoice, for God usually steps forward to save us when we least expect it, fulfilling His most glorious promises in a miraculous way.
He generally waits to send His help until the time of our greatest need, so that His hand will be plainly seen in our deliverance. He chooses this method so we will not trust anything that we may see or feel, as we are prone to do, but will place our trust solely on His Word - which we may always depend upon, no matter our circumstance.
Remember, the very time for faith to work is when our sight begins to fail. And the greater the difficulties, the easier it is for faith to work, for as long as we can see certain natural solutions to our problems, we will not have faith. Faith never works as easily as when our natural prospects fail.
(From Streams in the Desert.)
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