Dax Update

For many of you who know Dax's story, know it hasn't been the easiest five years of his life, but it hasn't been the worst either. 

A couple of weeks ago Dax had some more testing done. 

Allergy testing to see where he was, simply because his poor skin, nose and headaches were not getting any better no matter what meds he took. Those results showed his allergies have doubled  since 2012. 

He was such a trooper. Here are a few pictures. He is such a big boy.

This is just a hint of how bad his skin is. This has been all over his body.

His other arm. :(

These popped up not even a minute after they applied them. 

I failed to get a finale pic of his back after the 25 minutes due to his discomfort and severe itching.

We now carry an EPI pen, and will begin allergy shots twice a week for the next five years. 

We also had his MRI done due to the headaches. This went great. The cyst has not changed, it's not gone but it's not growing. Praise The Lord!

We now can confirm the headaches are all sinus related. 

He had his blood tested again, we do this every six months to see if his IGA is coming up any. Unfortunately they are not, and his vitamin D is extremely low. 

Though we were disappointed about those results we are thankful and feel like we are finally moving in a good direction with this sweet little guy of ours. 

He is so strong, sweet, funny, hyper, busy, smart and challenges us daily with his questions. 

I just couldn't love these three boys of mine anymore than I do. My heart often feels like erupting because I love them so much. 

They humble me, teach me things about myself that I desire to change to be better for them, and their love for me, well, there is nothing greater.

👀

Hello Sweet Ones,

I have missed each of you so much and am so thankful for all the prayers. They were very, very needed, as my eye surgery turned out to be a lot more painful than I ever intended. 

I am doing much better and actually get the bandages off this morning. Due to the complications in my left eye it is extremely blurry so I am depending more on my right eye. 

But it will get better and I am so thankful. I have learned how much I have taken my sight for granted, not just physically but spiritually as well. 

This is the longest I have gone in 33 years without being able to read and study God's Word. I have been able to listen which I am so grateful for, but reading it and writing it is my passion, so I look forward to being able to see His Word soon.

My husband and Avery have been a true blessing, reading your emails and texts and replying for me. 

I am truly blessed to have such a sweet and caring family. My mom and dad came and stayed and helped with the boys which is always a treat. 

I hope God has filled you with amazing new glimpses of His presence and truth. 

Is He found in You?

"Love does no wrong to others."  The Lord said. 

I sat there and listened as He spoke those words over and over to me this morning. 

Jesus, I know this and desire this but there is so much hurt in this world. There are so many broken families, broken people, lost people, hurtful words, anger and violence.

"Because there is so little of Me found in man. I am love." Jesus replied

Will you be love today? 

Don't Be Fooled

"Riches won't help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death." Proverbs 11:4

Need the Lord clarify anymore? Riches, nor popularity, nor fame, nor believable speech or outwardly put together appearance help you on the day of judgement. 

Rather it's an obedient and loving heart that matters most to Him. 

It's the one who seeks to please Him, honor Him and tell others of Him.

Most importantly it's having a personal relationship with Him. 

When you have that, you will have a heart that desires to live a godly life for the One whom you love more than breath itself. 

Don't be fooled by the worlds standards. Trust in the Word of God. 

Overcome

"The father instantly cried out, 'I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!'" Mark 9:24

Let's be over-comers.

Over-comers of…

doubt
sin
addiction
lies
jealousy
gossip
bitterness
anger
selfishness
insecurity
laziness
adultery
murder
homosexuality
greed
pride


Let's cry out just as this father did, (my paraphrase) "Jesus I do believe, but help me overcome ______________." You fill in the blank.


To be an over-comer is to literally rise above whatever enslaves you. In order to rise above it, you have to believe Jesus can and will set you free from it, and when He does, you have to leave it at His feet returning to it no more.

Overcoming something takes time. Remember you didn't crumble or become addicted in a day, it was a slow fade.

Sunday School

We have already begun our study of the Book of Exodus, but would love for you to come join us. If you are unable to, let me know, and I will send you my outlines for each chapter.

We are only on chapter 4, we are breaking each one down, desiring to learn and know as much about our amazing God has possible.

Be blessed sweet ones.

Are You Honest?

"Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty." Proverbs 11:3

Honesty, its rare these days, yet when found and received you can't put a price on it.

When we lack honesty, we lack trust, faith, confidence, and even integrity.

Dishonesty is found in one who is fearful, lazy, jealous, bitter, and insecure.

Honesty is found in the one who knows who they are in Christ.

Honesty is found in the one who understands the Holiness and Power of God.

Honesty is found and given by the one who understands that they will be held accountable for every idle word spoken. They speak the truth because God is truth and God lives in them. They are honest because they desire honesty in return. They are honest because Christ commands them to be honest.

Don't let dishonesty be found in you or heard out of you.

Jesus reveal any dishonesty that is within me. May my words always be filled with Your truth. Amen

We All See Differently

"Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!" Psalm 119:5

It might not be your conviction, but it could be someone else's.

You might not find anything wrong with it, but someone else might.

You and the Lord know what actually went on, but to someone else it was perceived differently. 

Your expression of frustration might have been just that, but to the one listening it could have been taken quite differently.

We must always be mindful of how our actions and speech affect others. 

The way you act, the things you do, the words you speak, will either draw others to Christ or away from Christ. 

Never do something that will jeopardize or hinder someone from coming to know Christ. 

And ladies always be wise with your words and the conversations you have, especially if you confess to be a follower of Christ. 

If a new believer or lost woman hears you utter words of hate, dislike, and gossip about another person, it portrays Christ in a negative light, and it reveals an ugliness about you. 

If we are going to claim to be Women of God lets live as Women of God who reflect Christ in every area of our lives. 

Altar Sunday

If there was no one there to lead worship, would you still worship?

If there was no one there to teach you the Word, would you open it anyway?

If you woke up and found everything gone, would you still praise His holy name?

They Way They Communicate

God made men able to relate to one another in ways, we women often don't understand. For these two, it's found in the most unusual ways. 

Sometimes they communicate in silence, other times they communicate with a simple look. Lately, they have been communicating with music. 

If you know anything about this little man of ours, he seldom stops moving. It is very rare to find his body in a manner of calmness, but lately, his daddy has been able to calm him, comfort him, communicate to him, and fill him up with an unexplainable amount of peace and contentment. 

I am thankful for an extremely patient, talented, loving, compassionate man of God that G is. I am thankful for the time G now has to invest more in the lives of his boys. I am most thankful for his ability to communicate to our two boys and for the desire he has to set a Godly example for them. 

I pray they grow up to be the amazing men G is today. 

The Truest Expression of Love

The truest expression of love is not found in flowers, or chocolates, or candlelit dinners. It's not found in money, or kisses, or cards.

The truest expression of love was found on the Cross.

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:9-10

The Most Thankful is the Most Joyful

"You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done." Psalm 92:4

Our greatest joys can be found in the simplest of things.

The most joyful person is the most thankful person.

She Said...

"Be as creative as you can be. The sky is the limit." 

We laughed the entire time making this. Thanks to Pops it turned out great. 

Are You Godly?

Two ways to tell

1. "The godly person gives good advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off." Proverbs 10:31

2. "The godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt." Proverbs 10:32

This Doesn't Come Close

He was my Pastor for 4 years. He has been my mentor, best friend, accountability partner, and even my competitor in dominoes, for the last 7 years.

There are an endless amount of words to describe how amazing he really is. G and I could spend hours on end telling you what a blessing he has been in our lives. We have laughed and cried with him and his precious wife many times over.

We have spent many Thursday nights competing in dominoes, stayed up late visiting and doing lots of eating.

There has not been a time G and I have not savored being with him and his precious wife.

He is the most humble man who oozes integrity and Jesus in the most amazing way. He never takes credit for anything, rather he always gives God the glory.

He is loving, yet firm in his faith. He never sugar coats the truth. He is passionate about the Lord, the Word, the Church, and people.

He has a love for his family that radiates out of each one of them. His wife is his greatest companion who is always keeping him on his toes and making him laugh. She is the greatest encourager and helper to him. There are only a few like her and God blessed him with one of them.

Do you know there are people God gives you specifically? God gave me him. He has been the greatest encourager in my walk with the Lord, in this blog, and in my teaching. Most people use commentators, I use him. (We laugh about this)

His knowledge of the Lord amazes me daily.

I can't express how much I love and respect him. There is a not a day that goes by that G and I don't thank the Lord for two of the greatest best friends.

I could fill page after page telling you about the amazing qualities God has filled him with and the way he has blessed me and my family. But rather I want to tell you that this man, today much like Paul is struggling with illness.

His body is tired, but his Spirit is as willing and strong as ever. Like Paul, he keeps pressing forward doing all that God has called him to do, sharing the message of Jesus Christ. These words from Paul describe him exactly.

"As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God." 2 Timothy 2:6

Tonight, he could use faithful prayer warriors, those who commit to praying when they say they will. He could use many flooding the Most Holy Place on his behalf for healing. And not just prayer for him, but for his family as well.

Would you commit to praying for him for the next 10 days, PLEASE!

Why just 10, because I believe that our God can do abundantly more than we could ever dare to ask or hope for, and I believe that our God can move mountains. I also believe that with unwavering faith that God can and will do something amazing and jaw dropping in 10 days. And please understand, as we have already visited about this, he and I know that however God chooses to heal him, is gain!

So with that, I am asking you to pray for one of the most precious and amazing men in my life for the next 10 days.

I have left him nameless, due to the fact that he never wants attention draw to himself, rather he wants God to receive all the attention. He is humbly crazy amazing like that!

I will give you a few specifics to pray specifically for.

1. Wisdom and discernment for the doctors
2. Peace and comfort for him and his family
3. Rest for his tired and hurting body

My tears daily flood the Most Holy Place for you sweet one.

Altar Sunday

Awaken Church! Let the power of God move you to revival!  

When Clarity is Given

When God clarifies your purpose, and opens your eyes to the reality of what it entails, a sense of understanding and peace fall upon you.

"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you." 2 Timothy 4:3-5

How to Stay Focused

How do you keep your focus on Christ in the midst of all the craziness?

Three ways

1. Pray
2. Read the Word
3. Trust His Promises

When You Work

"Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically." Romans 12:11

When you work…

Work joyfully
Work diligently
Work enthusiastically
Work thankfully
Work selflessly
Work lovingly
Work humbly
Work intentionally to please Him, honor Him and reflect Him.

"Work hard and cheerfully at WHATEVER you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 3:23

Brotherly Love

This is the sad face of a little boy who LOVES his brother so much he cries when he leaves.

This is what we hear every morning,"Bye Avery, I love you so much. I am going to miss you. I love you." Then the door closes and it's tears for this little man. 

Heartbreaking but heartwarming all at the same time.

Love that these two love each other so much. 

Always

10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." Isaiah 55:10-11

All we have to do is make ourselves available and useful to The Lord and He will do the rest. 

You are never a waste. You are loved and desired. He wants to help you fulfill the purpose he has placed within you. 

This should excite us. It should drive us to do more for Him. Jesus never fails! His Word will always accomplish what He wants it to and it will always produce fruit. 

11 
    

You Choose

I am loving my study of Proverbs. I love the simplicity that is found within every verse.

The Lord makes it so clear the benefits of being godly verse the destruction of being a fool. Every passage gives us a choice. Will we choose to be godly and live a godly life, reaping the blessings, OR will we choose to live foolishly reaping the consequences?

Here's a little example of how I break each passage down, and yes I am going passage by passage. I want to make sure I digest every ounce of wisdom God wants to pour over me.

This is one example.

"Disaster strikes like a cyclone, whirling the wicked away, but the godly have a lasting foundation." Proverbs 10:25

The Fool
-Will be whirled away

The Godly
-Will have a lasting foundation

It's our choice. Will we choose to be the fool that will soon be whirled away or will we choose to be godly and stand on our lasting foundation, which is Jesus Christ?

Then to really grasp what the Lord is saying I do some major cross referencing along with what I call CAB (Command-Application-Benefit)and I LOVE IT!

Matthew 7:24-25-"Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on a solid rock."

     -What Command is God giving in this passage?
            *To Listen and Obey

     -How can I Apply this today?
            *Speak less and listen more-then go and DO what God has commanded me to do. Jesus help me to always have my eyes, heart, mind and ears open and ready to hear from You. 
            *Listen to the advice of the godly. Listen to the voice of God. Listen to my family when they speak.
            *Do what God has commanded of me-love, be gentle, react calmly, react when the Holy Spirit prompts.

    -The Benefit (s)
         *I will grow in wisdom, I will remain on Christ's lasting foundation that is solid and unwavering.

There is so much to gain when choosing to be wise.

Psalm 15:1-5 is a continuation of the benefits of being godly.

"Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and DO what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent. Such people WILL stand firm forever."

I don't know about you but I choose to be godly and live a godly life. To me the choice seems simple and the benefits of living a godly, wisdom filled life far outweigh any worldly benefit.

What will you choose today?

Altar Sunday

Jesus came to set us free. He paid the debt for our sin, let's walk in His deliverance. Let's approach the altar of freedom and be set free from the bondage of sin.

Ladies, A Challenge.

Ladies as we approach another new week, let's seek to build our spouses up.

Our sweet men carry such a big load. 

They carry the load of...

Being the leader of the home

The finacial leader

The provider

The protector

The Spirtiual leader

The need meeter (I know meeter is not a word, but is my lovely word.)

The mind reader (Yes ladies we do expect this)

The encourager 

The helper

And so on. It's a heavy load! 

So here's the challenge.

Rather than place more on them by expecting things from them only Christ can fulfill, let's focus on helping ease their load. 

How do we do this, for starters, let's nag less and encourage more. Then, let's look to Christ to be...

Our Leader

Our Provider

Our Protector

Our Need Meeter

Our Helper

Our Encourager

When we take this off our spouses and place it upon Christ, not only will it lighten their load, but it will place our trust in the One for whom it should be in, in the first place-Christ!

Ladies, if we put Christ first in our lives and focus on serving, pleasing, and honoring Him, we will then desire to serve, honor and please our spouses. 

Christ should always be our main focus! 

This Sweet Lady

Kassie Garlock is the precious woman who did an amazing job updating my blog. She is very talented, and knew exactly what I wanted, even when I was unable to explain it. I am so thankful for her vision and guidance in making this blog so amazing. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. If you are ever in need of a face lift for any of your Social Media, give her a shout. You will be blessed! Thanks Kassie for making this experience so wonderful.