hope

romans 8:18-27

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that^{h]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[h]} the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

i usually read the first verse in that and stop. it's so true.... our present sufferings are NOT worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.

I always thought of Heaven and eternity. I always thought about how our suffering here is not worth worrying about because of an awesome eternity that awaits us. What I did not do was realize that God wants us to hope for more... not just eternity, but now.

Pregnancy is 9 months (or more if you're me) of anticipating a child... a life that will be brought into the world. At times pregnancy can be exhausting. At times pregnancy can be a pain. But, I was also definitely eagerly expecting what God was going to give me. And, I am SO happy with what he did give me!

Sometimes the process of life is like pregnancy. The difference for me is that I want change, but I'm not hopeful and I don't have that eager anticipation that I had with my pregnancy. I just want out of the situation that I am currently in.

After reading that passage last night I feel like some hope was birthed in me :) Sure, I want out of the situation that is hard and hurting, but I am praying for peace during the "pregnancy".... or hard time.

God is good. He has plans for our family. And, I am expectant! I fully commit to seeking Him and am eagerly anticipating what is to come! Yet, I will also enjoy the "pregnancy". I will follow God today and do what He is telling me to :)

Be blessed!

beauty.....

1 Peter 3:3
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

This society sucks.

todays mazism

you can learn a lot from kids. today maz was talking to someone (a 50 year old someone) who said they could use a friend. and maz said, "really? if you need a friend all you have to do is ask Jesus for a friend. he'll give you one. and if you want a brother and sister you have to ask Jesus too."

not only is my kid freaking hilarious... my kid is full of wisdom :)

Jesus feeds the 5000

Michael was reading that Bible story to Maz tonight before bed. At the end of each little story in the Bible we have for Maz there is a question or 2. After the story it talked about how the little boy gave Jesus something little and Jesus turned it into something really significant. Then it asked the question, "What could you give Jesus?" And, Maz said to Michael, "hmmmm... i don't know.... some meatloaf or something.... meatloaf is good."

Once again, my kid is freaking hilarious.

who am i?

“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.”- 1 Peter 2:15-16

do you ever hear a message and thing, "so and so needs to hear this."? or do you ever read scripture and think, "if only so and so read this this morning."? or do you ever hear a song and think, "wow... that fits so and so's life perfectly."?

this is something i have dealt with a lot in my life. it's just a form of judgment. and, it's not where i want to be. i am commited to being who God wants me to be... i am commited to being concerned about my life... and not always trying to "fix" others.

let me clarify... i don't think it's wrong to think of other people in an encouraging way. i just think it's wrong to pin a verse on a person in a simply angered or judgmental way. you can sort out the differences for yourself, but i understand what i mean :)

the whole chapter of 1 Peter 2 is pretty awesome, and i learned a lot by reading it today. i learned a lot about myself. i am grateful that i have been given the faith to believe easily that what God has for me is good.... even if it is sometimes not fun or isn't easy.

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

yay.

Sanctus Real - Lead Me (Lyrics)

wow

so, my day has been full of blessings. first, i woke to 2 little voices down the hall... mazerick had his cousin brody spend the night, and they had a blast. they are a joy. second, i got to blow the rest of the leaves off of our lawn... with my moms new snowblower. it was awesome and fun. third, i got to spend some quality time with the man i love. he is amazing. that leads me to a song that i heard later in the evening by sanctus real that is awesome... the song is on my next blog. anyway, yeah. it's good. i am so happy with where God has me in life. it's not always easy, but i know he's in control, and that makes me full of joy... and fortunately i'm in a spot in my life where not only is m life full of joy, but it's also full of happiness. sure, some days are extremely hard, but i know that i've got a great support system... my husband, my family, my friends... shoot, even my kid. lot's of people to love. God is good. anyway, on with my list of blessings from today.... so, there was the quality time with my husband, and after he went to work i got some quality time with my computer :) facebook, browsing blogs, etc. then... i had quality time with "my girls" minus the lovely jenni blye who is now serving in sunny and warm florida. congrats to jenni! and then, i got to go to a "training" for the holy walk. i am really, really excited about it. you should definitely go. I found a pretty good description in the Chicago paper online... "This walk-through living history presentation features volunteers who portray characters from Roman soldiers to shepherds tending sheep, the Holy Family and a live nativity. Check the website for more information. Dec. 3-4, 2010."

anyway, it should be fun... hmmmm, my font changed.

after the "training" was over i went to pick up mazerick from my mom who so graciously watched him last minute so i didn't have to take him. as i was leaving i opened the door and said, "and he told me all about the chocolate." and maz said, "did you just call me andy?" the kid is freakin hilarious.

the end.