Studying...

Don't you just love God's Word? I am in constant awe of His greatness and how His Word continues to speak. I spend a lot of time studying and researching the Word (by far the greatest part of my job). I just love this passage and wanted to share it with ya.

Matthew 7:14 "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life - to God! - is vigorous and requires total attention." MSG

I love this - I think it clearly speaks to this generation. We are constantly wanting a "shortcut" to get whatever we need. Seriously, if you want God, it's not gonna take some of your time but all of your time. It's going to require your TOTAL attention. We make the mistake of only wanting to give ourselves to Him during the convenient times, but when it comes to giving ourselves to Him and sacrificing something that hurts, we back off.

Living for God isn't a part time job...which so many think they are signing up for. It's a full time 24/7 job. It's not an option for life - He is your life.

I love how the scripture even warns you about people falling for the "shortcuts" but don't follow it! It's not always the popular choice, but it's the daily choice to follow Him.

"But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 NIV

"Blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart." Psalms 119:2 NASB

I don't know about you, but I want to seek Him and His Kingdom with everything I've got. Let's raise the bar and not take any "shortcuts" to God; let's give Him the best of ourselves everyday.

The Irby's

I'm so thankful for true Godly friends that God just flat out ordains and no one could have even placed together.

One of my precious friends I've known since we were 5/6 years old. We grew up on the same street and logged countless hours together playing house, riding bikes, swimming, and everything and anything young girls do (and then some).

She felt God calling her into the mission field after High School and followed God wholeheartedly to the other side of the world, and she lived there for a couple of years until her prince charming (her high school sweetheart) proposed to her and she returned to the states. PRAISE THE LORD!!

Not long after they were married, they were both feeling God call them back into the mission field. They waited to follow God and His perfect timing - with that said... just this past month they packed up their home (with an adorable toddler) and headed to Cyprus where God was calling them.

With all that said - I would love for you to join me in praying for The Irby's; that God would use them to spread His love and His Word to the people in Cyprus. I know God is going to do some amazing things through this family and I just love them so very much!

Here are a few pics of B'linda and I:

She was one of the bridesmaids in my wedding...

She and I dancing at my wedding.

Happy Love Day

I'm so thankful to be celebrating "Love Day" with the man of my dream. God truly knew what He was doing when He set us up together...and I love doing life with him.

I wanted to share with you a poem my man wrote me years ago that I just recently came across...

An Angel

A light emerges from the moonlit sky

The darkness is pierced by the silvery presence

It is an Angel

I panic at first as to what to do

Never have my eyes seen anything so breath taking and beautiful

It is an Angel

She takes my trembling hand in hers

She calms my fears with her words that fall so softly

Like rose petals

She is my Angel

To: Rachelle. My Angel

I married Mr. Romantic, right?

Happy Valentine's Day!!! Know you are loved.

Valentine's Day

Ok. So I know I am suppose to be finished showing you my seasonal centerpieces, but I changed up my Valentine one and wanted to share it with you...

Valentine's is one of my favs. I know people say it's just a holiday Hallmark made up to make more money, but if that's the case, then I want to say thanks to Hallmark. I love random fun holidays to break up the everyday stuff. I love that we set aside a day to share and tell the people we care how much they are loved. We should do that all the time though...you don't need a holiday to do so, but it sure is fun to go all out when there is a day set aside for that purpose. I still need to figure out all the details for what I am going to do for my man this year....

I'm going to leave you with this scripture:

"But the man who loves God is known by God." 1 Corinthians 8:3 NIV

I don't know about you, but I sure do love God! What an honor we get to be known by God when we love Him.

Romantically Challenged

I have posted a couple of videos in the past from these guys, and I'm sure I'll post more in the future. I love the Skit Guys. They deliver an awesome message with great humor. With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought this would be perfect...

Siesta Scripture...

I'm so excited to be joining thousands of women memorizing scriptures with Beth Moore. I have been memorizing Scriptures for years on my notecards (thankful for youth leaders and parents who instilled the importance of this at a young age), but this year I joined these ladies. You had the option of getting these cute notecards (which I did) or you of course could just use your own cards at home.

There is such an importance in storing God's Word in your heart.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16 NIV

"I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." Psalms 119:11 NIV

"I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word." Psalms 119:16 NIV

I love the richness those scriptures bring talking about storing God's Word in your heart. One of the best examples of showing the importance of storing God's Word in our hearts is shown so clearly in Matthew 4. Jesus himself was tempted by the devil and He defeated the devil by using the Word of God.

If we don't put God's Word in our hearts, when the devil comes to tempt and test us (and he will), we won't have the Word inside of us and it's not going to come out to help us fight.

If you haven't been taking the time to memorize and make sure God's promises are ingrained in your heart - START. Start now. Post them on your mirror, the dash in your car, on your computer screen... wherever you want so you can see them on a daily basis and have in front of your eyes to remind you of the promises.

Let me end with this - what goes in will come out. When we start putting God's Word in our hearts on a daily basis, then His Word will start coming out of our lives. Trust me - people will notice and it will be obvious you are living for something more.

"But if anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete in Him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:5-6 NIV

We can't walk like Jesus if we haven't opened the Bible to see how Jesus walked. Let's all get in the Word and start living Him out in EVERYTHING we do!

2 New Additions!!

We have 2 new additions in my house!! Yep....

They are both Boston Terriers...full of energy. Even though they are 5 days apart, they haven't spent a moment without each other since we've had them home.

First, meet Sadie.

Description: Loves to be cuddled and loved on. Super excited (all the time) and can jump to any height if you are holding a treat. If she is bored with the toys she has been given, she will for sure find other things in the home to entertain her (my man says, that's putting it mildly). Laughing.

Second, meet Sophie.

Description: Loves to please...never wants to be in trouble and if she does something bad she instantly runs for her life and hides under the bed (good luck getting her out). She is super, super tiny for her age and the Dr. says she will be very small for her breed. Super independant but can't resist getting under the covers and snuggling with ya.

They are just so precious to us and add a ton of crazy to our home (since it wasn't crazy enough).