What's so wrong with asking questions?

I have this conversation so many times with people that I felt that I should write about it. So many people especially young people, myself included (especially in my teens), are told not to question your faith or religion. I was told that my faith should be strong and asking questions showed that I had a very weak faith. I was told that faith is something that you just believe in; you should not ask for nor want proof. Blind faith is truly not faith. I know many will gasp and will be angry but, I see it as stupidity. I will explain further later.

My question at 14 was the same as it is now, "What's so wrong with asking questions"? I do not care what age you are, nor do I care what faith you are, whether you agree with me or not on God and who He is. There is nothing wrong with asking questions? Nothing wrong with questioning what you believe is true. What's the point in believing in something if it is a lie? None. If it is not true, then it truly does not matter whether you believe it or not, it matters what we believe is true. Truth is the only thing that matters.

Of course my world view has changed over the years, thanks to God, and that's another story for another day. I do not have all the answers and I still ask questions. I have learned that there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Take a young child, learning about life, always asking their parents how things work and why. Though we may get annoyed from all the questions at times, we are still so excited that they want to learn and that they are learning. The same is with God though God is not annoyed with our questions. I believe He actually wants us to ask questions, even the questions that we call the HARD questions, the Controversial questions. No question is too hard for God and no question is controversial to God. 

God wants a relationship with you. A relationship that has no secrets. He knows all our secrets already, He just wants us to be honest about them. He wants us to be open and honest about what we think, how we feel and what we believe. That is not weak faith that's a strong relationship. God is omnipotent (HE can do anything (Matthew 19:26) within His character. It goes against His character to lie, therefore He cannot lie. (Titus 1:2, 2 Timothy 2:13), omnipresent (HE is everywhere) (Psalm 139:7–10, Psalm 11:4), and omniscient (HE knows everything) (Job 24:23, Psalms 33:13-15, Romans 8:27). God knows your thoughts, He already knows your questions so, your not going to surprise Him. He wants us to voice them, it is not showing weak faith, it's showing you want knowledge. There is nothing wrong with wanting knowledge. God wants us to have wisdom. How do you get wisdom? By asking questions and knowing God. There is no wisdom apart from God.

The way God gave a way for us to know Him and have an intimate personal relationship with Him, through Jesus Christ. If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". Therefore, with Christ Jesus we can boldly go to the throne of God, humbly asking God our questions, and ask for His Help. (Hebrews 4:16)

It's not about having all the answers it's about knowing the One who has all the answers.

Hold on. GOD knows He is doing.

So many times we struggle with our circumstances, they can be so overwhelming that they over flood our focus on anything and everything else, especially our focus on God. We focus more on what is going on in our environment, with people around us, and our own selves and abilities. We don't lose faith in ourselves and others, it truly should of never been there in the first place. This does not mean that we can not have confidence in our self or others but faith is only in God. He is the one that we ask for help, for guidance, for patience, for peace... He is our helper.

We cannot make people change, nor can we fix ourselves, nor are we in control of our circumstances. Who is the creator of our world? Who is in total control? Our focus and faith is all suppose to be on God. Where are you going to put your trust: In others? In those who you cannot change? Your circumstances? In things which we cannot change. Yourself? Are you the creator, in total control of universe? Me, you and everyone, we are all alike, the answer is Nope and never will be. When we are focusing on our circumstances, others or ourselves; we cannot focus on God or what He has planned for us.

Many of us then ask the question on why we are experiencing these tests, trials and totally UN-fun events in our lives. The answer is to trust, have faith, believe God, His character and His plan. To know Him, His character and His plan, you must know His word, and trust in it. Trusting in His word is trusting in Him. 

What it comes down to is, HOLD ON. GOD knows what He is doing.

crocheted beanie and my Beloved!

I have been learning how to crochet and decided to make my hubby some beanies for the cold Montana winters that are coming. He is a great sport and my beautiful model. :) Some people have asked what pattern I used and I wanted to say thank the person who posted the pattern. Great Christmas presents to come this year!




http://www.thecrochetcrowd.com/adult-wearables/mens-beanie-hats.html#ixzz27cFnnQMj

top photo: camo cotton
                  (RED HEART CAMOUFLAGE LOT. 4080)


bottom photo: wool, bamboo, rayon, silk yarn from Yarnia, an incredible yarn store in Portland, Oregon. (http://www.yarniapdx.com/) I so want to buy more yarn even though  I literally live across the country now.


He is my Beloved and I am his. :)

The Challenge

A good friend of mine challenged me to read one chapter out of New Testament a day along with one chapter out of Proverbs and one out of Psalms. This has changed my life this year, learning more and more each day and going deeper and deeper into His word. I have read all of the gospels, Acts, and now onto Romans. I am amazed at the Word of God and how God puts things together. He knows what I need to read on the exact days I need to read it. Absolutely love it!

I pity the fool!

            You never know or completely understand what someone else is going through. Everyone has bad days, everyone lets things get to them, and everyone has issues. It's hard to feel for someone that is angry, sometimes it makes your blood boil but we need to realize that their anger started first with being hurt. It is not excusing their bad behavior but trying to understand what they are going through. Getting angry is not going to change their anger, their attitude, but it will only fuel it more. Like throwing gasoline on the fire.

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
                                                                                                                           - Ecclesiastes 7:9

            Ran into this tonight and God really touched my heart, to realize that this person though they were red hot angry and rightly so, they were not very kind to those around them that had nothing to do with the incident they were angry about. I began to ask how would I be in their place? How would I act? How would I feel?

“Anger and bitterness are two noticeable signs of being focused on self and not trusting God’s sovereignty in your life. When you believe that God causes all things to work together for good to those who belong to Him and love Him, you can respond to trials with joy instead of anger or bitterness.” ~ John C. Boger

          Our first reaction to someone who is angry is to be angry back, to lash out and "set them in their place" - for me that would of been me putting them on the floor not nicely years ago along with MANY ugly words. Though that would be my first reaction years ago, God has been really changing that part of me. He has given me empathy, mercy, love and grace where there once was anger, wrath and hate. I want to have understanding of those around me nor do I want to be a fool. I want to reach out to those who are hurting.

“Is all anger sin? No, but some of it is. Even God Himself has righteous anger against sin, injustice, rebellion and pettiness. Anger sometimes serves a useful purpose, so it isn’t necessarily always a sin. Obviously, we’re going to have adverse feelings, or God wouldn’t have needed to provide the fruit of self-control. Just being tempted to do something is not sin. It’s when you don’t resist the temptation, but do it anyway, that it becomes sin.” 
                                                                                                                                  ~ Joyce Meyer

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. - Proverbs 14:29

          Wondering what to say and how to say if I knew what to say. I tried to listen intently as I prayed. I continually asked them calmly to come in, sit down and that we would love to talk with them. They declined and walked away.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  - Proverbs 15:1

          We cannot deem our actions on how others act or react. Right is right and wrong is wrong no matter how others are acting. This person will not leave my mind tonight and know that God has put them there for a reason. For them to know the peace, comfort and joy that God has exchanged for my hate, wrath, malice and hurt. He exchanges beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3)! Thank You LORD!

         Thinking of them that struggle like I struggled, I pity them, my heart breaks for them. Yeah I know that many people use to pity me too. It made me laugh when I heard in my head Mr. T's voice, "I pity the fool! Don't be a fool. God's got a plan, trust in Him. Give Him your ashes and He'll exchange them for a crown of beauty.

My Goal

As many of you know I have been having some health problems for a long while now, especially in the last couple of years. For over 8 months now I have had some major MAJOR female problems with my cycle and hormones. I thought I was going to have to have a hysterectomy which is the very last thing I want to do but, felt I was running out of options. Since we just moved I could not get into a doctor until the end of June. I began to pray for me to see someone, anyone who could help me. I knew I could not wait 2 1/2 months so my best friend Shelly helped me find Dr. Secklinger online. Thank you Shelly!! XOXOX He is in a city not too far away and so I made an appointment.

I have been seeing Dr. Secklinger, ND/nutritionist (love him) for over a month now and I am feeling much better. :) He has taken a lot of things out of my diet: no gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast or sugar. So basically, I can eat vegetables, fruits and meat (of course no pork). If you would of told me that a month ago I would no longer crave sugar or chocolate; I would of told you that you were crazy! I could not live with out chocolate! I gasp as I say I don't care if I ever have it again. *GASP* Yeah I know your freaking out right now especially if you know me. MIRACLE!! Many cannot believe that I made it 3 days. lol!! That's okay I can't either!

Even after the first week, my symptoms began to dwindle. I am already off all my medication!! No asthma meds., no acid reflex meds. no artificial progesterone... I am taking the supplements and vitamins he suggested so, yes Mom, I am getting my vitamins. ;) I feel ten years younger! I have only had one headache the second day of detox and it was not too bad. I just laid down for a while and it was done. My stomach problems have lessened, my cycle is starting to straighten it self out and I am even starting to even sleep better. I know it will take a while to get there and I am okay with that. I don't own a scale so I do not know how much weight I have lost but, my pants hang on me and are about to fall off. I don't want to go buy new clothes just yet cause I will just have to buy more when I lose more. So I am hanging on to what I have until I can no longer wait.

My goal is to be healthy, though I know that will happen as I go. Everything else is a bonus!! I am to eat like this for 120 days and I have less than a 100 to go. (It takes 120 days to get all new red blood cells.) Though I wouldn't mind if this is the way I had to eat for the rest of my life so I quit counting the days. Though I do spend more on produce and meat, my grocery bill is not bad at all. I know many people think I am crazy; some saying I am going too extreme. Though I cannot seem to care. No offense. :) I still have bad days and hard times but, looking forward to what is to come. I'm starting a new season in life and really enjoying the journey! Thank you for those showing their support, calls, emails, advise and prayers. They mean so much to me!! I love you all!!

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" - Hebrews 12:1-2

" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13

Reference:
image from: http://www.adventurepostoffice.com/cards/thoughts/scripture/s30.jpg

Bitter Sweet Mother's Day

               This week has been a rough one so, I knew that this weekend might be just as rough. This morning I woke up with a headache but went ahead to get ready for church service. As I played worship music and did my hair, I began to cry a little but when I went to go get into the car, it was really raining and the tears begin to fall. I got in the car and realized that I had a text from my mother-in-law wishing me a Happy Mother's Day and such a sweet note. I began to cry as hard it was raining. I was thankful that I did not put on make up yet. I got to the red light to turn to go to church and realized that I could not stop so, did not go and I went on to my Grandma's house.

                Today is Mother's Day! It is a hard and bitter sweet day! Day I love to celebrate my mother and the mother figures in my life, it is also a hard day missing my little ones. It's hard to realize that we would have teenagers now. One that would have a driver's license and two in high school, two preteens and a toddler in tow. Though I can see their faces and hear their laughs it is hard to imagine my empty house full of youngins'. It makes me laugh and cry at the same time.

Steven Austin-
'96- would 16 years old

Mary Dawn-
'98- would be 14 years old

Patrick Issac-
'00- would be 12 years old

Chasen James-
'01- would be 11 years old

Mercy Leigh-
'02- would be 10 years old

Shalom Marie-
'09 - would be 3 years old


                Today is the day I honor my children. Today's verse from my daily devotion touched my heart and reminded me the hope I have.

"And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News."
- 2 Timothy 1:10

                   It's was like God tapping me on the shoulder asking me if I remember the dream He gave me of our children. That they are happy and content with my Lord excited for when He calls me home. Because of Him and His sacrifice I will be with them when that time comes. Thank you LORD for taking care of my children and taking care of me. Giving me peace and comfort in the midst of this storm. Mother's Day is bitter because the loss that is felt is great; it is sweet to know the promises of Christ will always stay the same.

                  

God gives the desires of your heart...

               Many times we might  second guess if God loves us or wants good things for us because, our dreams, wants, and desires seem to just pass by with everyone else living their big dreams. Ever since I was a child I have wanted to move back home to Georgia. At 18 I had friends buy me plane tickets, told me they would drive out to get me, even one friend who had a run to California and stopped by to see if I wanted a ride back. But none felt right, and I never went.

                I then met a guy who became my best friend, fell head over heels in love with my Beloved Aaron and then we got married. That was 12 wonderful years ago. I cannot believe it's been 12 years, seems like it was yesterday and at the same time has flown by and that we have been together forever. Now I realize why I never left. I love my Red!!

               We have been looking on moving over the last few years  to where he is working, but it just doesn't work right now.  His work is always moving and being very expensive to live there in oil country (as well as very cold in North Dakota - no thank you -40 F degrees :b). We then decided that we would think and pray about Georgia, being more affordable for us to live as well as some where I felt safe and love to be. For over 8 months we thought, researched and prayed about it. God gave us the answer;  it is time to move. I have been watching Malissa's kiddos (which I so enjoyed!!) while she has been in school and know that she is done,  and I'm out of school for 3 weeks, it is now the time to go. I know that many do not agree with our decision, some even stopped talking to us. Which makes us very sad. :( I hope they realize we love them and care about them. It is time to Trust in God; when He says it is time, it's time.

                So on April 3rd, 2012 is the day that we moving early am. Please come see us in the next few days before we leave. We want to give hugs and luvs before we hit the road. We will be traveling across country to Georgia to begin a new adventure together. I can't wait!! So excited!! I know that God has a big plans for us!!
      

            We may not know what lies ahead but we know the Guide, we know that He has laid the path, and we trust in Him that leads each of our steps. God knows the desires of our heart. He knows the best plan and time for that plan and His plan is bigger and better than anything we can imagine!

            I will miss our family, our friends, our church family, and even these beautiful red dirt mountains which I have so grown to love. My dear sister Malissa says such a true point that I will have some day on my wall, "No matter where you are; you will always miss someone. Love has No boundaries". That is so true!

             So please know we love you soooo much!! That we will love you forever and will remember you always. That Georgia is not that far away and you are always welcome to come to visit and we will be back to visit y'all with a big southern accent. :) We will be back in October for a visit and every six months. Thank you for you support! It means so much to us!! We love Y'all!!

 



Sources:
Dream picture: www.cyber-nation.com
Love i fell picture: http://www.scenicreflections.com/media/263219/I_Fell_In_Love_Wallpaper/
moving boxes picture: http://fantasticmovers.com/page/3/
state plates map: http://www.movingacrosscountry.org/
my love has no boundaries: http://www.meredo.com/image/1177/my-love-has-no-boundaries.html

Ooooo Lala LOVE!!

For our 12th Wedding Anniversary we went to Sand Hallow Lake 

and went camping in style in my Dad's 5th wheel. So nice! 

All weekend long we just relaxed and really did nothing!! 

What a blessed weekend!! Woot Woo!!!

                                                      Petals and Kisses show the way!

                                                       Kisses always points the way ;)

                                                               What matters most?!!

                                                                    Oooooo Lala!!!!

                                                        The sunsets were breath taking!!

                                                                       Lake view.

                                                                  Red Hot Sunset!!

                                                                 My Red relaxin'!!!
Sources:
I will always love you no matter what.

 picture: http://www.makeadare.com/dare/it-okay-still-love-you

MOVE!!!

               What is your favorite verse? What gives you peace when you hear it? What changes your direction when you hear it? God gives us His Word so we are not just touched but moved - moved to follow Him. This has been on my heart for awhile now. I am not here on earth to feel good all the time; I am here to move towards God and follow Him no matter what is my path.

"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

                I do not know about you but, I love to work hard though I love to play hard. My rest maybe reading a book, talking with a friend, listening to music. I have been convicted that resting does not mean do not move and just sit on my butt. Rest means move towards God, place all your burdens on Him, rest in knowing He has my back, and continue to follow Him. When we rest in Him, we have peace no matter the battle ahead or around us.

               Knowing that God is in control at all times gives me peace and I am able to rest and trust in Him no matter what is going on. He is amazing! Rest in God - by Moving towards Him.








Source: Get a move on picture: 
http://www.ymcadallas.org/Index.cfm?FuseAction=Page&PageID=1001995