Evaluating what we are searching for

"Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2

We search for a cure, we search for answers, we search for the perfect job, we search for our spouse, we search for the right house, we search for ways to make more money, we search for the best doctors, and we search for the best counselors, church, and even friendships.

Not only do we search for all those things, but we search for ways to meet our needs and our wants and we go to any extent to do so, thus putting our whole heart into it.

The problem with putting our whole heart into those things is that they will never fulfill us and their temporary satisfaction is just that, temporary.

Through this phase in my life I have begun to realize some very valuable lessons when searching for the Lord and obeying His laws.

1.  I can read and study God’s word 24/7, but if I don’t listen it defeats the purpose.
2. I can search for the Lord, but if I am only putting half my heart into it than I am not giving Him or myself the very best we both deserve.
3. I can search and study God’s word, but if I don’t apply it I am not going to make a difference in my life or in others.
4. I can say I am a believer,  I can go to church, I can even be a good person morally, but if I am picking and choosing parts of His word to obey, or doing any of it for my own glory, than I am placing myself above Him.

My goal of doing the S.S.A.L.S (Study, Store, Apply, Learn, and Share) was and is to learn more about our amazing Creator and walk away after one year having stored more of His word in my heart. And through these last 36 weeks today I have learned that I must search and put all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength into. For then I can expect great change in my life, my family’s life, and all those around me. Plus walk away happy!

Prayer: Jesus I need You more than I need the ability to breathe. Amen

S-E-A-R-C-H

"Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2

Do you know what is so great about searching for Jesus? He can always be found, even when we are not looking. He is just that great! And He tells us to search for Him at all times and with all our hearts.

So search…

Search even when you don’t feel like it.

Search when you are tired

Search when you are sad

Search when you are hurting

Search when you are afraid

Search when you are worried

Search when you are sick

Search when you feel like life is falling apart

Search when your marriage is falling apart

Search when you are angry

Search when you are bitter

Search when you are happy

Search when you are joyful

Search when you feel good

Search when you are in the middle of trials

Search when you are tempted

Search even when you feel like giving up-especially when you feel like giving up

Just keep SEARCHING!

Prayer: Lord teach me how to search for You with all my heart, at all times, in my ups, downs, my good times and my bad. Thank You for always being found. Amen

Unexpected News

  

"Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2

(Monday Jan 31, 2011)

Dax and I headed in for his second round of allergy testing and a CT scan to follow later that day. The first round of testing was quick and simple and went better than I thought, which was only because he did not have an allergic reaction to anything in the environment or to animals.

I was kind of expecting the same thing with this second round which consisted of food, but I was hoping he would have some reaction because then we would be able to fix by removing it and make him feel better, but again just like round one, nothing.

As the frustration set in with the doctor and myself we both agreed we had to keep ruling out things until we found out why our little busy thing never felt good, so off for some lunch and then over to the hospital for the CT scan.

Dax and I loaded up and headed off to some very needed Chick-fil-a ! We finished up our lunch, grabbed a quick ride on one of the dollar rides, and headed for the car and straight to the hospital.

Dax of course fell right to sleep on the way, which was great because it gave me some time to visit with the Lord. We discussed the procedure and I asked Him to help Dax be very calm and still and to give us a really sweet CT tech that would be quick and comforting, which He did, she was great.

So we get in there, lay him down on the table and she wraps him up and places a vest over the top of him to help cut down on the amount of radiation. During that time Dax started to get scared and uncomfortable,so I leaned down to tell him how cool it is going to be and if he stays really still he might be able to see Buzz Light-year fly by.

 That went over great and he got really still, which allowed her to run back and start the test. She did her thing and then got up to come in and I was thinking sweet that was quick,  but she walked in readjusted Dax and said she needed to do it one more time because it didn’t come out as clear as she wanted it to. Dax still looking for Buzz began to get a little upset but stayed still. I was so PROUD of him-my baby is getting big!

So we finished up and headed home to pick up Avery from school. I love driving because it allows for a lot of great discussions with the Lord. This discussion; Lord let everything be okay and help us figure out why he has been sick.

            -Fast Forward to 8:45-

The boys are fed, bathed, and in bed, G is in Jasper and I am sitting in my chair unwinding, when my phone rings.

“Kristi this is Dr. Sharky, I am looking over Dax’s CT scan and he is full of fluid. He is completely blocked behind his cheeks, his eyes, and partially blocked between his eyes. He also has fluid in both ears, plus the CT scan shows that Dax has a cyst on his brain.”

My exact response, “Ok”

Dr. Sharky, “Kristi I am an Allergy and Immunologist so I know nothing about this, but I will be happy to refer you to a neurologist. And as far as the fluid goes we need to get him into an ENT so they can take a culture of the bacteria that is sitting and has been sitting in your son’s face- In other words surgery.”

Me, “Ok”

We finish up our conversation I hang up and sit there a minute absorbing all this new information that I WAS SO NOT PREPARED FOR.

I call my husband share the news and here we are today, wading through all of this and believing in God’s power and healing ability.

We have made good and bad decisions, we have bickered to no end due to stress of a new job, a move, and now this, but we know that right now we need to put our frustrations, worries, and fears aside and stand firm in the Lord.

So if you would, PRAY-pray for Dax, our family, and the doctors! It would mean more to us than you will ever know.

Prayer: Lord we know You are in control and we know You are right here with us giving us the peace and comfort we have today. We pray for Your will to be done and we thank You for what You are going to do. Amen

Don’t expect happiness

 “Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.” Psalm 119:2

Today the perfect opportunity arose for me to seek out the Lord with all my heart and allow Him to make the best decision for my family. And do you know what I did with that opportunity? The complete opposite of what I should have.

Because I chose to act off of my emotions and seek audible advice first, God once again intervened and got my attention, and I must say, when we choose the opposite of His word you can be sure that “happy” is NOT what you are or feel. How could I expect to be happy when I did the opposite of what makes me happy? I can’t and I shouldn’t expect it either.

Learning to seek God is learning to trust Him to answer and when He does peace and happiness will always be sure to follow!

So as of now the decision has been made and I am praying and BELIEVING that this amazing God of whom I serve is in control and is working all things out for the health of our baby.

If I could give any advice to whomever even takes time to read this blog (thank you by the way) it would be to SEEK God first! Don’t act off of your emotions but off of the leading of the Holy Spirit and trust in His power and leading.

Then no matter what, it will all be great because it was His leading and His decision, which is far greater and more important anyway!

Prayer: Lord thank You for teaching me a very valuable lesson today. Thank You for making this verse come alive and for showing me the importance of seeking You first. Thank You for the audible advice I did receive because it came from those who love us the most, but who also love You more! Amen

It’s not in the idea, it’s in the name!

 “Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.” Psalm 119:2

Whether it is peace, happiness, joy, love, money, success, or friendship, we search for it. We search for it in hopes to fill or even satisfy the longing that resides within us.

Some of us spend our lives searching for these things and we miss out on the one thing that is the most important and satisfying.

JESUS

The Author of this Psalm experienced happiness because he searched for God the author, creator, inventor and giver of the very things he longed for and that we long for today. It was not the idea of what he thought would make him happy, joyful, successful, loved, or have lots of friends. It was filling his whole heart with the one who owns them and lavishes him with them.

Through our obedience and our whole hearted search to know Jesus our thoughts and feelings will begin to reflect not the idea but the name.

Prayer: Lord Jesus I want the happiness that comes from my desire to obey and search for You with all of my heart. Not the idea of what I think will make me happy. From my own experience the joy I feel when I am with You is greater than any joy I could ever try and create myself.  Thank You for the joy Your name alone brings to me. Amen

Joy…ful of integrity

“Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord.” Psalm 119:1

It is moments like tonight when you receive unexpected news that test your integrity, and not really so much your integrity but your faith. Which to me go hand in hand.

I have come to realize tonight the reason the Author starts out this Psalm with the word “Happy or Joyful.” It is because those who exhibit Christ-like integrity are also those who have received that eternal joy.

For me that eternal joy is capable of starring stress, sorrow, pain, frustration, sickness, and even unexpected not-so-good news, in the face and still be joyful because of the fact that those things don’t even compare and are not even capable of robbing eternal God-given joy.

AMAZING joy!

Prayer: Lord fix our thoughts on that eternal joy. May we never allow our thoughts to fixate on stress, sorrow, pain, or sickness. We know that You who is in us is greater. Amen

Integrity is developed in the privacy of our quiet time with the Lord

“Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord.” Psalm 119:1

Integrity to me is something you can’t put on when you walk out in public, just like you can’t pretend to know the law of the Lord and use it when it is necessary.

Integrity is something God clothes us in when we study His law and make it a part of our everyday life. It is done in the privacy of our quiet time with Him.  

Jesus is seen through those who are clothed in the integrity of His word! Their lives display honesty, and they do not compromise with evil, the world, or sin. They are full of Jesus and not the corruption of lies, gossip, deceit, anger, jealousy, pride, greed, or self.

Prayer: Lord silence our lips and let our real integrity show.  Amen

Tiny men of integrity!

"Happy are people of Integrity, who follow the law of the Lord." Psalm 119:1

Right now I am sitting on the floor in our bathroom watching my two precious boys play in the tub. From where I am sitting all I can see are there sweet little heads peeking at me from over the top of the tub and it makes my heart leap with joy-truly leap in a way that only Jesus could make it leap. Thank You Jesus!

You know what else makes my heart leap? Knowing that one day these two babies now 4 and 2 will one day grow up to be men of integrity who follow the law of the Lord. I know that because I believe it! I believe they are His right now! 

I hear the passion they have for Jesus through their prayers and at night when they listen as we read the Bible together! I see it in their actions and it reassures me Jesus is alive within them.

I believe it because I pray it over them and I know that if G and I are living our lives with integrity and following His laws-so will they! 

I also believe when we make Jesus and His word seem like a food, drug, or drink we can't live without, so will they!

I just believe God is going to use these two boys to do some really, really amazing things for His glory!

I told you my view was great!

Prayer: Lord control every area of their lives. Fill them with a type of hunger for You that goes way beyond the occasional feeding of Your word. Let it be a hunger that lasts forever, never growing old, or getting full. Amen

Until then

“Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord. “ Psalm 119:1

We are sitting in the motel tonight and our two year old so far has done everything he has been told NOT to do. Finally after the millionth time (yes should have stopped at one) Garrett grabbed him and got his attention and then made the following comment.

“He is the perfect example of living in the flesh. He does everything he is not supposed to.”

That comment was so true, not because he was being bad but because as of right now our two boys are living in the flesh and will continue until they ask Jesus to come live in their hearts and be their personal Lord and Savior.

I must say I do believe our 4 year old has sincerely done that and when the time is right the Lord will impress upon his heart to follow him in baptism. And I know “bubba” will follow!

It is a hard realization but one that is very real. I know this fleshly living will not last long because I already see their love and need for Jesus developing and I also believe that a child is never too young to grasp and understand the importance of Jesus.

Until then we will continue to teach them the word of God, we will continue to teach them the importance of pleasing Jesus and living for Him and in His timing it will all be perfect and they will sense Him calling!

Prayer: Lord Jesus hasten the day! Amen

The Oxygen in my blood

"Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord." Psalm 119:1

How do you live out this verse? How do you actually apply it to your life and make it become an action?

How do you apply any of God’s word to your life? By obeying it, right, well that is easier said than done, and for the life of me I don’t get it, especially when you love Jesus so much. Just maybe it is because we are in a constant spiritual warfare, or maybe because we try to be in control and do it ourselves, of which I am also realizing is another big struggle of mine.

I know right now, at this very moment that if I want to apply Psalm 119:1 to my life then I need every word to penetrate to the core of my bones and all throughout my mind. In order to get God’s word to those places I have to say it over and over and over and over. One time will not suffice.

God’s word needs to become the oxygen in my blood.

I want to be full of Him and His word so much, yet I, at times pick and choose the things I want from His word to be full of.  Does that even make sense?

Do you know what else needs to be done? I need to get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit take control-which is SO HARD at times!

Prayer: Jesus teach me to put mySELF aside so the great Counselor can take control. Keep Your word constantly on the forefront of my mind. Thank You that Your word never comes back void. Amen

Clean Slate

“Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD.” Psalm 119:1

The Press: “You must have a lot of money Garrett.”

Garrett: chuckling, “Why is that?”

The Press: “Because we called tons of people and dug around to try and find something on you, but we never found anything, nor did we ever hear one negative thing about you. You must have had to pay a lot of people.”  The press laughing

Garrett: speechless

That was a recent conversation my husband had at the School Board meeting upon waiting to be hired as the new Athletic Director/Head Football Coach in Jasper TX.

It was a conversation that has lingered in my mind and one that has made our passage come alive in a way that could be seen and heard. It is always wonderful to hear people say good things about your husband, but this good thing surpassed them all.

My husband whom I have always thought of as a man of great integrity was literally clothed in it. He is a man of honesty who does not compromise with evil or corruption. He is that “person” who is happy because he follows the law of the Lord. And all people who meet him and know him see that within him and that my brethren is something I admire and hope to be clothed in as well. Not for the sake of praise from man, but because of the happiness that comes from it, and because of the pleasure it brings to our Heavenly Father.  

Prayer: Lord Jesus thank You for clothing my husband in integrity and for the happiness that falls off of him because of it. May we all strive to live lives that are full of integrity because we follow Your law. Lord we love You and we want to show You our love by living out Your word. Help us to do so. Amen

The longest book…bring it on!

      

"Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord." Psalm 119:1

Awhile back the Lord impressed upon me to study Psalm 119 and to store it. So I have been doing just that and have challenged my precious college babies to join me. 

Just today I was texting them to see how they were coming along when it dawned on me to challenge all my brothers and sisters to study and memorize Psalm 119.

I know so many of us already have verses out of this book memorized which will make it even more special, fun, and exciting when you come to it. Also we will do one verse a week, that way we have enough time to really study it, store it, and live it out.

So join us, the more the merry and the better the accountability. If you are up for it shoot us a comment. We would love to hear from you and also it will help us all keep one another accountable.

If you want we would also love to hear what God teaches you from each verse. You can email me and I will copy and paste it, or place it in the comments section. 

I am super excited, there is nothing I love more than basking in the word of God with others.  

Prayer: Lord we are so excited to store Your word. But we are even more excited to see how quickly it spreads from one end of the earth to the other. Make this become contagious for Your glory! Amen

Midlife Crisis…not really

"Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11

Okay I feel like I have hit my midlife crisis at 30! I know that sounds ridiculous, it sounds ridiculous to me as well. To be honest I am not even sure what a midlife crisis is nor am I sure if I even believe there is such a thing. But today I love the saying because I have no other way to express the confusion I feel.

Do this or do that, will I be happy doing this, will I hate doing that? Will this be best for my family or would this be better? These are just a few of the thoughts running through my mind. I am sure it makes no sense whatsoever and I am sure it would help if I was a lot more specific but at the moment I just am not ready to be specific. I am laughing because I don’t think those thoughts would even be considered a midlife crisis, and like I said I don’t even know what a midlife crisis is. I just like it because it makes me laugh.

I can tell you that I love the conversations God and I are having about all of this. Today this was one of them.

Kristi: Lord You made it so clear to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Paul what You wanted them to do. I mean seriously You stopped Paul in his tracks and then You spent almost three years with him teaching him one on one. You made it specific to Abraham exactly what he needed to do in order to be the Father of many nations, You even gave him the exact instruction on who to sacrifice and where. Then Noah, wow, Father You were so specific with Noah. You laid out for him exactly what material to use and exactly how to build, design and fill the Ark. And Moses, You came and met with him, talked directly to him, Your presence was so real with Moses he would walk off the mountain and be glowing from Your presence. Can You be that specific with me, I mean You even made it clear to Mary exactly how the conception of Christ would happen and the reason for doing so. There are just so many stories throughout Your word where You have made it so clear to those whom You wanted to use in a specific way. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John knew exactly what to write because You spoke with power through them. I am not asking to be more than what Your will is for me, I am just asking that You show me what You want me to do and what is best for my family. You know my desire Lord, You created that desire within me, and because of that I know I need to continue to be patient and wait for You to act. Please just help me see the path You are laying out before me and keep me from taking a path I am trying to create on my own.

God: Kristi be still and know that I AM GOD.

So brethren I am going to be still-the best that I can!

Prayer: Lord thank You for meeting with me today. Help me to be still and wait patiently for You to act. Amen

A better kind of rich

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

I came across this passage today and it struck something within me that made me realize the importance of investing in my relationship with the Lord more and investing less in my relationship with the world, and when I say that I mean materialistic things that are of no value.

In Luke 12:21 it says, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

God is telling me something here and I don’t want to miss it. In order to better my relationship with Him and become rich, I have to put more into Him. His word needs to become my savings account. I need to deposit into my spiritual bank account and stop depositing into my earthly bank account that is benefiting only me.

I need to be writing checks to those who are need of Christ’s love. I need to become more concerned with how wealthy I am in Christ and not here on earth.

I want to be so rich in my relationship with God that my bank account overflows with His love, joy, peace, mercy, kindness, hope, and complete contentment in what we have together.

Prayer: Lord thank You for Your word and for filling me with the hunger to become rich in my relationship with You. Forgive me for the times I have wanted earthly richness. Amen

Just stay awhile

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

Every time I reflect on this passage, I can’t help but to wonder what these times were like for Moses. I just envision him being so peaceful, so relaxed, happy, but also full of questions, and the urge to look at God and say, “Please let me just stay here with You a little longer.”

I have those moments with the Lord when I never want to leave His presence. In those times I just wish I could  stay forever.

Do you have moments like that with Lord?

Prayer: Jesus thank You for making the time I spend with You so amazing that I never want to leave. Amen

Catching up

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

I am sitting in the lobby of our hotel surrounded by men and women laughing and talking. I am assuming it is a big family reunion. I am tucked away over in a little corner and I can’t help but to watch them as they mingle with family they haven’t seen in a while.

Isn’t it fun to visit family you haven’t seen in a while and catch up on what’s going on? I enjoy it so much; the only bad part about my last couple get together’s has been because of death. But even so, it is still nice to catch up and invest a little more into your relationship.

Just like when we slow down enough to catch up with Jesus and invest some time into our relationship with Him. There is never a time we don’t walk away loving every minute that we spend with Him.

We should really do that more, you know, invest quality time with Jesus like Moses did.  He met with God a lot. We should meet with Jesus a lot.

There is so much joy and laughter in this room, it just feels good, and sounds inviting. That is how I want my relationship with Jesus to be. When we meet I want there to be joy, laughter, and feel and sound so wonderful that I leave wanting to invite others to join us next time.

God is good brethren and I know He is in this room tonight, mingling!

Prayer: Jesus thank You for this huge family. Thank You for bringing them together to catch up and spend quality time with one another in joy and love. I pray that You are the center of each life and that every day they will invest their time in You. Amen

Friendship

 “Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

Moses’ relationship with God is one I desire to have with Jesus. Listen to this conversation Moses and God had.

“Moses said to the Lord, You have been telling me. Take these people up to the Promised Land. But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You call me by name and tell me I have found favor with you. Please, if this is really so, show me your intentions so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do. Besides, don’t forget that this nation is your very own people.

And the Lord replied, ‘I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest-everything will be fine for you.’

Then Moses said, ‘If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place. If you don’t go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on earth?’

And the Lord replied to Moses, ‘I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and you are my friend.’ Exodus 33:12-17

Did you notice what God called Moses, His friend! I want Jesus to call me His friend. I want to carry on a full blown conversation with Jesus just like Moses did with God.

In order for that to happen I have to become a better friend. One that gets to know Jesus more, one that talks less and listens more, one that spends time each day checking on my friend.

I also need to become the friend that wants Jesus to be more glorified than me. I need to give more and expect less! I need to serve Him more, devote the time we spend together getting to know Him instead of always making it about me.

Not only do I need to be a better friend to Jesus but I need to be a better friend to my husband. I need to listen more and talk less, I need to give more and expect less. I need to be a better friend so I can become a better wife.

Studying the relationship between Moses and God has taught me a lot about how my relationship with Christ and my husband should be. They both need time, nurturing, trust, intimacy and a lot less of “me, me, me.”

Prayer: Jesus develop within me the type of friend You desire me to be. First and foremost with You and secondly with my husband whom You have blessed me to be with here on earth. I am so thankful to have him as my best friend. Amen

Visit with Jesus first

"Inside the Tent of Meeting,the Lord would speak to Moses face to face,as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11

When was the last time you met with Jesus face to face and spoke with Him as you would your best friend?

We find it so much easier to speak with a friend than we do with the very one who created us.

How can we get to the point where we would die if we didn't get to talk to Jesus at some point in our day, just to tell Him all that is going on and what all has happened.

I mean isn't that how we feel when we don't get to talk to someone we are really close to? So why not God?

Let's make a point to visit with Jesus first-face to face!

Prayer: Lord strengthen our relationship with You. Amen

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy

Two of our favorite people! Today is our precious "adopted" sons birthday-Weldon.

Prayer: Lord God thank You so much for this amazing young man. He has been such a wonderful godly example to so many, including us and his two baby brothers. Lord thank You for the love he has for all of Your creation. I pray you bless him beyond what he could ever imagine. Fill him with wisdom beyond his years. Guide him and direct him in the way You want him to go. May he always walk in Your footsteps and stick to the path You have set before him. 

Lord He is so special to us and we love him more than he will ever know. Thank You for blessing us with such a sweet young man. We are truly a better family because You brought him into our lives. Amen

Weldon, we love you more than we could ever express in words. You have been such a blessing to our family and we could  not have asked for a better "adopted" son! Thank you for loving our boys and us. We pray God's richest blessings to fall upon you sweet boy. 

Claiming the truth...we are precious to God

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2

Does your condemnation on others come from the sins that have taken root in you?

Does your condemnation on yourself come from the lack of faith you have in Christ?

Do you listen more to the lies of Satan than you do the promises of God?

Do you spend more time pondering on the negative than you do the positive?

Are you always comparing yourself to others and then pointing out the negative in them because of your own insecurity?

If so, the next time we begin to condemn ourselves or someone else; we need to stop and claim this following verse over ourselves and over them.

“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!” Psalm 139:17

Claim the truth that God’s thoughts about you and me, His very own children, are not that of condemnation, but are precious, loving, forgiving, merciful, and full of joy.

Prayer: Lord thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Thank You that I am made in Your image, loved by You, adored by You, of value to You, and of worth to You. Amen