Mug Swaps Are Fun

There are over one hundred million blogs on the internet. Thankfully, I've found myself in a small little circle of bloggers that are fun, creative, and intelligent. One of these internet lovelies is ACUPPAKIM. She recently hosted her second mug swap with over 200 blog readers. Even though penpal-ish activities aren't really my "cuppa" I really wanted to participate. I'm so glad I did!

When I walked up to my door and saw a small little package smiling up at me, I knew instantly it was my new mug.  A complete stranger picked out the prettiest mug for me. What is so great is that I would have totally picked it out for myself, but never would have bought it because I rarely buy cute-for-no-reason-whatsoever stuff for myself. Thank you so much Ashley! 

Doesn't it look great in my hand? 

I also had fun picking out a mug for Megan. Thinking it would be a fairly easy process, I waited until the last minute to do my shopping. I carried around five mugs and finally forced myself to just choose! This sweet little daisy mug captured my attention. 

Tazo tea needed to be included because I'm not a fan of coffee. 

While packing it up I giggled at myself almost continuously because I'm just not crafty.  

I didn't want it to break and it looked very unstable in the box so I added some not so earth friendly styrofoam. The mess I made is very indicative of my real life. 

But, I didn't want my new mug friend to be greeted by ugly cut up styrofoam so I threw some festive ribbon on top. 

Whew. I'm dorky and I know it. Don't pity me.  

Thanks for hosting, Kim! It was great fun. You've inspired me for some great fun within my own community. 

Each year I'm blessed to lead the women of my church on a retreat to seek Jesus, laugh together, and get away from every day life. Every year each woman brings her own mug for coffee, tea, or chai. This year, I'm asking everyone to bring a new or vintage mug and we will spend an hour or so engaged in a white elephant type exchange. Won't that be wonderful? Don't judge me, but I've already bought three. I wonder which one I should use?! 

Moxie Memorizers :: A Guest Post

My friend, Jonathan, is sharing some wonderful thoughts on living a righteous life with us today. It is obvious he love God's word. He is a man who invites the Spirit to speak deeply to him and when Jonathan hears from God, he seeks to obey. Please don't read his word just for information. Let them challenge you. Think deeply about your own pursuit of living a holy life to the glory of God. How is the scripture you are memorizing transforming you more into the image of Christ? 

Jonathan, you had some "awesome" pics to choose from on Facebook. I think I was merciful in choosing this Hello Kitty photo.  This one highlights your style and your smile, two of your terrific outward qualities. 

There are few things that get me more pumped than to tell people how God enabled me to live righteously. Why? Because it's so simple, yet the results are so profound.

Trying to live a righteous life can be one of the most tiring and frustrating aspects of following Jesus. For most of my life I struggled with living righteously; but now, thanks to the grace of God it's not hard. So, what is the secret? I think the best way to see how it happened in my life is for me to share my journey.

I've had the deck stacked in my favor. Born to parents who are both believers, I received Christ as my savior when I was about five years old and I've been going to church ever since I was born. I went to Christian school for 8 years and seminary for 5. See the secret? You just need a lot of Christian education... actually no. 

One would think a person surrounded by so much Christian stuff would have figured out how to live righteously; but honestly, even while in seminary sin would get me defeated and I'd feel like a failure.

Everything started to change when a friend shared a teaching series based on 

Philippians 3:9 (ESV) 

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith 

This was totally new to me. It isn't as if I had never read or heard the verse before, but no one had ever pounded into my spirit that we have “righteousness from God that depends on faith.” He went on and on and on about how we don't work for righteousness, but that it comes to us by faith. So, what is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 (ISV) 

1 Now faith is the assurance of things we hope for, the certainty of things we cannot see. 

Faith is my confidence in the things I hope for with certainty in the things I cannot see. So, putting these two things together I have to believe that righteousness comes by my belief in God's truth even in the midst of not seeing it in my life. When I don't see myself living righteously I must believe that I will be living Christ's righteousness. 

Let's take it a step further. Even in the midst of my sinning, I must believe that I have the righteousness of Christ. It's not that I had it or that I will have it, but that I have it in that very moment.

What else does the Bible say? What else should we believe? 

Matthew 5:6 (ESV) 

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

Jesus said that if we long for righteousness we shall get it. Boom! Done! This is a wonderful promise! And still God has more for us.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (ISV) 

30 It is because of him that you are in union with Christ Jesus, who for us has become wisdom from God, as well as our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 

Jesus IS our righteousness and we know that his righteousness has no darkness in it. So, even in the midst of our sinning Christ is our righteousness. It's not just His, it is ours. Your righteousness is perfect.

This is so wonderful, but wait, there is even more!

2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV) 

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 

Do you notice what this passage says? It says God HAS granted (Past tense)  ALL (nothing missing) things that pertain to life and godliness. This comes through the knowledge of Jesus, which comes through Scripture (John 5:39). Additionally, He HAS granted to us “his precious and very great promises.” And we HAVE “escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” 

If this passage doesn't get you extremely pumped to know Jesus more and more, and to find God's promises in Scripture then you should probably read the verse several hundred times - at least.

These verses alone would be wonderful enough, but let me tell you about how God did even more amazing work in my spirit. He took me through a familiar passage into unfamiliar territory.

Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV) 

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 

I had gone to church many years and my mind stopped at verse 12 and I thought I had to work so hard to mature, but one day He opened my mind to verse 13. 

I saw truth I had not seen before. God is working in me. And if there is one person I can trust to do a perfect job it is God.

There has been no more influential verse in my life over the last several years.

Jesus is the “founder and perfecter of our faith.” If God is working, then I don't have to stress out about the challenge that stands before me when I face temptation. I might mess up, but God is still working. Why do I stress out about messing up when I know God is working on me?

Since God is working on you, you will surely have His holy will and you will surely do His righteous works. He wants to take pleasure in you. He loves you. That is why He never gives up on you. 

In the midst of messing up, remember that you have the righteousness of Christ and God is working to make it manifest in your life. Remember that your righteousness comes from believing this truth even when you don't see it.

As my journey in righteousness continued God taught me how I should think about my forgiven sins. Part of feeling defeated about my sin was that I remembered I failed – that I had sinned.

One day God reminded me of verses I had heard many times

Isaiah 43:25 (ESV) 

25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. 

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV) 

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 

Since I am called to imitate God, and He remembers my sin no more for his sake, then I should remember my sins no more. Of course, this had always been hard on my own, but when I realized that this was God's will I asked Him to change me. It's pretty awesome when you know you messed up, but by God's grace the remembrance of past sin is fuzzy.

This revelation along with Philippians 2:13 have radically changed my life. If I sin, I ask for forgiveness. I don't remember it and move forward. For freedom Christ as set us free! (Galatians 5:1) We are free from our past!

Lately, I've been meditating on 

Psalm 1:2–3 (ESV) 

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 

I have seen this verse be true. As I have dwelt upon God's truth, He has grown me. He has brought forth fruit of righteousness. It didn't happen immediately. The tree brings forth its fruit in its season. 

Your fruit of righteousness will come in its season. God is patient with us and He wants us to tell stories of supernatural changes that happened instantaneously as well as the supernatural changes that took years to manifest. Each fruit has it's own delightful taste. Rest in Him. He will do it.

The process took time, but it was simple. I sought truth in Scripture. I asked Him to conform me to it. I dwelt not on my efforts or failures, but on His ability and victory. I left it up to Him and saw change happen to me.

And so I leave you with this

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (ESV) 

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 

Please post your verses. Also, pray for Jonathan as he seeks to live a life of freedom that is pleasing to Jesus! Pray also for yourself that you will be obedient to God's call to be holy as He is holy. Ask Him to deepen your understanding of living the righteous live that He is working in you for His good pleasure!

Looking for Fall

About this time of year I start getting a feeling inside that fall is about to arrive. This is proof that you shouldn't often trust feelings because since I live in Tucson, summer will stick around to mock us for at least another month, probably longer.

But, a girl can pretend.

My favorite way to pretend fall is in the air is to cook up tasty pumpkin treats for my family. Muffins, cookies, fancy desserts, and pancakes regularly make appearances in my kitchen starting this time of year through about February or March. Oh, who am I kidding? I make pumpkin muffins/bread year-round.

I'm sure many of you eat pumpkin pancakes. I'm also sure many of you want to eat pumpkin pancakes.  So let me do the google work for you. After experimenting with several recipes, this one rose to the top as my family's favorite.

I always double it for three reasons. First, my kids eat a lot. Second, a double recipe gives us enough for breakfast the next morning. Pop them in the toaster and ta-daaa! Third, I prefer to use a whole can of pumpkin rather than just one cup. Often I would end up throwing away whatever was left in the can because it would spoil and I hate throwing food away.

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 c flour (I use mostly whole wheat and add flax meal)
3 TBLS brown sugar (I cut this in half because syrup is sweet enough)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger

Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin (make a double or be good at using what is left.)
1 egg
2 TBLS oil (I use olive oil)
2 TBLS vinegar

Mix wet ingredients then add it to the dry mixture. Then griddle them up!

I love the color of pumpkin batter.

Wow! Look at those cakes of awesomeness.

While your at it, you should just go ahead and make your own syrup. Why pour carmel color, high fructose corn syrup, or preservatives all over your homemade goodness? It is so easy to make. One cup of sugar to 1/2 cup of water makes enough for my family. I cook it until it bubbles clear and then add a a teaspoon of maple flavor. If you don't want to make syrup at least splurge and buy real maple syrup. 

A giant stack of fall on a plate. That's right. Even though there are a ton of pancakes. It is only two breakfasts worth for all my little piggies. 

I like mine topped with chopped pecans. Oh my goodness. Fall in my mouth. If you are going to pretend you might as well pretend with food! 

Happy autumn to you! What is your favorite part of fall? Do you do anything special to pretend it is almost here? 

Strength of my Heart

Awhile back I made a list of my personal values. I've written about that list before. Today I've been thinking about the fact that I truly value strength, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

I notice people who are emotionally strong. Drama frustrates me, so when someone processes difficulties in life with thoughtfulness and a heart to grow I take notice to learn from them. 

Chad's hands are strong man hands. The strength of his hands are one of my favorite things about him. He has a killer grip. I've seen him twist and turn such tightly stuck pipes and trinkets that his knuckles were white with strength. His grip and inner grit give him the ability to unstick just about all stuck junk. I dare you to play mercy with him. 

My parents taught me when I was younger if I'm ever in a situation where someone is working that I shouldn't just sit and watch or turn away and ignore. I should get off my derriere and help! If there is work to be done, do it! Therefore, if Chad is scraping tile and glue off our floors until midnight I feel compelled to help. If we are cleaning the yard, I don't stop until it is finished. My desire to be strong enough to finish the job often overtakes the logic in my head telling me to go to bed. Hard work makes me feel durable and tough. 

Today I am reflecting on a personal situation with which I am dealing. In taking the first step to open my mouth to share I feel like a deer in headlights. I just don't want to talk about it.  

Because my desire to be strong betrays me. 

Because admitting I am worried makes me feel weak. 

Because physical pain is often difficult for me to discern. I struggle with wondering whether it really hurts or am I just being fragile. 

Because re-telling the story over and over or answering sincere questions of how I'm doing is a constant reminder of the possibility that I could just be an impotent weakling. 

My heart and brain wrestle with the truth of His Word. Jesus whispers a reminder of strength that is found in weakness. His power rests on those who delight in Him.  Surrendering these frustrating lies of how strong I should be to Christ is my hope and goal. 

Strength is displayed in allowing people who love me to carry and pray for me. 

Strength comes in knowing that the name of the Lord is a strong tower. 

Strength from God brings peace, trust, and hope that He will complete the work He began in me.

The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 

I'm taking my wrong thoughts about strength captive and surrendering to the Spirit weaving His strength through my heart and mind. My self-centered ideas of strength exhaust me. To believe that as my heart grows in commitment to Him, that His very eyes are on me, strengthening me. There is no strength that compares to the strength of the God of the universe. 

My contrived notions of what it means to be and act strong are a pitiful imitation compared to being a woman who is clothed in the strength and dignity of Christ. 

Whom have I in heaven but you? And the earth has nothing I desire besides you. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26

Just Some Photos

Roswell, New Mexico July 4th week

Time with my family 

Archery lessons for the whole clan. 

Looks like trouble! Kyle with his cousins, Mark and Luke. 

I love this shot! 

Meeting their new sweet baby cousin. 

Every time we visit my parents home Grandma and Grandkids have a prank war. Usually Grandma wins because she is very mischievous. This year the kids ran her granny panties up the flag pole, marched out, and saluted. My mom laughed so hard. They won! But, I have a feeling she will have some witty revenge up her sleeve for our next visit. Grandkids probably can't outwit Grandma. 

Do these kids look like the kind of kids that would run their sweet old grandma's undies up a flag pole? 

My brothers! I love these guys so much! 

My proud parents with all their grandkids

The whole family trying to act like we are a dignified bunch. 

This photo is a bit more accurate. 

Moxie Memorizers

I often have "Angel moments" when I'm completely engrossed in thought and forget what I'm supposed to be doing.

Sometimes while I'm instructing my spinning classes we will be in a simulated heavy uphill climb and I'll start daydreaming and forget to tell the class to take a break.

Sometimes I'll make tortillas and put in baking soda instead of baking powder. That does not work, friends. It's actually pretty gross.

Sometimes I'll be driving across town to a meeting and be reviewing my memory pack and get so involved in a particular passage, get all choked up, and drive a couple of city blocks passed my destination. Today, Titus 3:1-11 did that for me. Oh man. So good.  Thankfully, I was only a few minutes late to my meeting.

Are you reviewing? I hope so. Not to sound extreme, but unless you are one of those amazing people who remember everything forever, you will probably forget your verses unless you review at least two times a week. I go through my packet 3-5 days a week depending on attitude and time.  Sometimes my attitude is lazy and stinky so I ignore the very thing that can revive my mopey spirit.

You've heard my say over and over....review, review, review. This isn't the post with some fantastic new idea. This post is a friendly reminder to not forget what you've already learned.

Over the next couple of weeks I will memorize Colossians 2:6-7 to add on to verse 8 that I memorized a few years ago.

Colossians 2:6-7

So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

The next verse goes on to talk about not being taken captive by a humanistic world view. I'm adding verses six and seven because without being rooted in Christ and continuously walking with Him, I have no sure footing to avoid my brain being tricked into thinking the way the world thinks. Since Kyle and Esther are at the age where they are hearing a lot of interesting opinions and thoughts in school, they will also be memorizing this passage with me.

Post your verses, friends. Thanks to all of you who jumped back in the game last time around! It encouraged me greatly! I'm so thankful to be growing in my knowledge of God with each of you.

*Guest posts are returning soon

Moxie Memorizers

Let us not become weary in doing good for in the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 

Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8 

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:18-19

My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation. He is my Fortress. I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2

O God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods. With singing lips, my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:1-5

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering becoming like Him in His death and so somehow attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:8-11

I could go on and on, but I'll stop for now. One of the excuses I hear (read excuses) about not memorizing scripture is not knowing what verses to memorize. My first question in response is, "Are you reading your Bible?" My second response is to offer some of my favorite passages. 

When I have been really at a loss, I've tackled my favorite chapters. It kept me busy for awhile and I felt a sense of accomplishment when I finished. My first chapter to memorize was Psalm 139 way back in 1993. The Spirit still consistently uses it my heart to refine me. 

There are about 1000 excuses a person could come up with for not memorizing. Don't get caught up in an excuse. Make it happen. You will be changed and blessed. I promise. But, more than that, He promises. 

All scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training for righteousness so that the man of God will be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Word of the Lord is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword. It penetrates even  to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight, but everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. Hebrews 4:12-13

How can a young man (or woman) keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart. Do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11

Post your verses, friends. If you aren't sure what to learn next, feel free to pick one or all of the ones I typed out from memory. Please give grace to any missed words.