A Back to School Prayer

Motherhood

A prayer for the children in my home and yours starting a new year of school today. Fill in the blank with the child’s name.

“And may ____________ have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

May________________ experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.

Then ________________ will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19

The next verse is a prayer for your child’s teachers, homeschool mom or classroom teacher, along with all involved in educating your child. God is the one at work in whom we trust to accomplish the things he has planned for our children, this year, and every future year to come. We join together now and agree on this and trust the One who is ABLE!

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen”  Ephesians 3:20

We are entering into our fifth year of homeschooling. This former public school teacher has tried all sorts of methods and ways of teaching her kids at home. But this morning, God was so good to remind me of the above prayer, that they would grow in the ability to understand God’s love for them, and therefore be made complete.

I don’t want their heads be full and the heart being empty. Do you feel me, mama? I don’t want them to rush through their work, get the boxes checked off and finish this school year without experiencing the LOVE of Jesus that has the power to give them a FULL LIFE, on this side of eternity and the next.

So I’m asking Him to do what verse twenty states and do infinitely more than we might ask or think in our kids this school year. I’m asking it for you kids too.

Will you join me?

Amy

For the ones we left behind

Adoption

IMG_1457“I want you to pray to God and ask Him to let you be my mommy.”  The child clinging to me in the hot African sun looked up at me with the brownest set of puppy dog eyes you could imagine.

“I am sure God has good plans for you and He loves you very much.” I responded as I choked back tears at the irony of the moment. We had traveled around the world to welcome a child into our family who at the moment was so scared of us she played on the other side of the playground while this one begged me to adopt him.

But he persisted. “NO!”

He turned my face to look at those big brown eyes. “Ask HIM.” 

I was taken aback by his determination.

“I will.” I said.

And I did. When our family of four went back to the house we had rented, crawled under the mosquito net and closed our eyes, I asked him, just to make sure He got it right. (Do you ever do that too?) Sometimes it’s good to just confirm He knows what He’s doing, especially when you’re doing something huge like adopting a kid!

Alas, God showed within the next few days that our little girl, Sharon was definitely the match he made in heaven (and through our adoption agency)  to be the third child in our family, and that he would take care of his child who was begging me to be his mommy.

A few weeks later, Sharon and our family hugged and waved goodbye to the brown eyed boy as he held on to the hand of one of the aunties and hid his face. We were engulfed with the task before us, to give just one orphan a family and a home, and the next few months in Uganda, I would have to walk by needy child after needy child while holding on to the hand of just the one that we could help.

And believe me, just the one was a huge task for the moment. Adopting a kid is, like I said, kind of a big deal and the next few years were an awesome time but also an adjustment period in our family. We would talk about her friends at the orphanage but as days, months, and years (3 now) passed, we talked about them less and less, until we mostly just reminded her and our other two children about the fact that the kids at the orphanage were still eating rice and beans for dinner when they turned their noses up at my cooking.

In America, we get busy. Raising three kids, managing a home, homeschooling, (aye) pretty much takes up my time. But every once in a while, we get the opportunity to help the ones we had to leave behind.

This fall, we are teaming up with our adoption agency, Carolina Adoption Services, to help fundraise so they can keep connecting kids like Sharon with families like us. 

Kids like the big brown eyed one we had to leave behind with families. 

I was there.

I held him.

There are so, so many like him, in America and all over the world.

Waiting.

Wondering.

“Will I ever have a family?”

I know, you are like, seriously, Amy? My family doesn’t feel led to adopt, don’t guilt trip us.

And I hear you. Believe me, I am not encouraging everyone to adopt.

I am encouraging everyone to consider how they could help and to hear some of the beautiful ways God sets the lonely in families through adoption. (Psalm 68:6) He uses adoption agencies like Carolina Adoption Services to make this a reality.

If you live locally, (Greensboro, NC) we would love for you to come support this endeavor on one special night. Details are in the link below!

Click to access Get-Tickets-for-the-Blue-Jean-and-Pearls-Gala-October-28-2017.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refocusing for Summer Rhythm 

Refocused Study

It’s halfway through the year! With the changing of the seasons into summer I felt the need to open back up the Bible study I wrote,  “Refocused: fixing your eyes on Jesus for the year ahead.” 

In this post, I’ll share how the Lord has prompted me to Refocus and find the best summer rhythm for our family in these four areas:

God and Me

Marriage

Motherhood

Home

The study will help you focus on God’s best plan for you in the season ahead. You can get a copy here.


God and Me 

Come away with Me

My summers are always extremely different than the other three seasons of the year. Before I had kids I was a teacher and that meant long hours laying out by the pool during the summer. Then my kids were babies and toddlers, which meant chasing them around the pool. Now that my kids are independent swimmers it means laying by the side of the pool and jumping in for some fun periodically.

Summer is absolutely 100% my favorite season. As it was approaching I felt the Lord gently telling me it was the season for me to rest. To rest from so much blogging, so much social media, so much preparing messages to share with others. I felt his Holy jealousy for me luring me away for  intimacy just for him and I. Much like Israel in the book of Hosea, He wants more of us for just Himself, because He desires our hearts totally sold out for Him.

I felt His luring and followed.

““Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I jumped off social media for the last few weeks. This is the second summer in a row I’ve retreated to a quiet place. Last summer I practiced “Basking” in God’s presence and shying away from social media. 

So, for my summer rhythm with God, I’ve been stepping outside for some outloud prayer on my back porch in the early morning. 

I’ve been reading a paperback copy of The The Messsge Bible. 

I’m back in Genesis, reading my favorite story from the beginning. It’s so good! I bought this paperback copy so I could toss it in my pool bag when I’m headed out the door to the pool.

Marriage 

Finances

There’s nothing like being on the same page in marriage. One area that causes so much tension and conflict in many marriages is finances. Over ten years ago, Nick and I took Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Unversity course at our church. It gave us a firm foundation for handling our finances and we started a journey to get out of debt. 

Fast forward ten years: when we went into full time ministry and our salary was reduced to half what we were currently making six years ago, we went into survival mode. It took a while, but we adjusted to our new income, and God is always so faithful to give us what we need, with extra blessings abounding.

A few months ago, we decided it was time to buckle down again and get serious about our student loan debt. Once again, the Lord has helped us get the “snowball” rolling pretty quickly. Plus it feels so good for us to be so motivated together as a couple in our finances. We just want to be faithful with His money. He’s shown himself so faithful to us.

Motherhood 

Fun.

A few days ago, a friend of mine told me that her word for the year was “fun.” Not super-spiritual, but don’t be fooled,  it’s in the Bible.

“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 8:15 

The wisest man in the Bible, Solomon, wrote that near the end of his life. Mind you, he said it in the context of also honoring and obeying  the Lord. Good news, though – you can do both!

Our kids are ages 7 and 9 this summer, and we are having oh so much fun! I want them to remember their mom playing with them throughout their childhood, especially during summer. So I’ve been doing just that. Being off social media has helped me be present to seize the opportunity to do this and to make awesome memories with them in the month of June!

Home 

Cleaning one room a day 

In our summer rhythm with no homeschool (well a tiny bit of homeschool) we’ve been successful at cleaning one room a day. The first week of summer I had a scrubbed clean house by Sunday. It felt amazing. The kids have a checklist on a dry erase board in the kitchen to complete every morning. There is a “daily” chore and a “scrubby” or “room of the day chore”  so we are maintaining spaces but also getting one room scrubbed a day. This is huge for me. I have always struggled to keep house, but now that my kids are getting bigger I’m determined to break this cycle and the Lord is so good to help!

June Reflections 

God has been freeing me from being on a “Christian hamster wheel.” The world says, “what’s next,” go faster! Produce!

But Jesus says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 

So I’m practicing remaining. 

I challenge you to do the same the month of a July. Really practice Jesus’ presence. Give Him thanks for those around you. Enjoy their presence. Read his Word like it’s the newest love story. Pray like He’s your best friend.

Let Him set your summer rhythm.

-Amy


She Laughs Without Fear 

Proverbs

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s the last day of Proverbs, a chapter a day in May! I hope you all have grown in wisdom of God and closeness to Jesus through this book. Our mission here at Refocused Bible Study is to encourage and equip women to engage in God’s Word in practical ways, and to know Jesus more intimately. Stay tuned to find out what is next for the month of June!

For the last time, let’s look at a verse from this chapter using the quiet time pattern, WISE. 

Write the verse: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:25‬ ‭


In my life: I am clothed with the armor of God – The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, shoes of the gospel of peace, and the sword of the spirit, the word of God. (Ephesians 6)

This is my strength. Jesus is my dignity. Having a creator who loves me so much he came down from heaven to die for me gives me dignity. I am the object of his affection.

My strength comes from the armor I wear as a woman in God’s army. Life can be tough but I am prepared to fight the good fight and my sword is sharp because I am in the Word of God daily.

Although life is hard and tiresome at times I laughed and I am lighthearted because I know my future in Christ. I know he has gone ahead of me to prepare a place more glorious than I could imagine. Even if the near future looks sad, stressful, maybe even horrifying, I can see beyond to eternity so I am not afraid.

My God is causing all things, even tragedies of the moment, to work together for the good of the kingdom. My future with Jesus is bright and secure because of what he did. I am released to relax in the blood he spilt. Do I sit back and take his gift for granted? No. I work with him to build his kingdom. I find great for fulfillment in being a part of his team.

Yes sisters, these troubles are momentary though sometimes heart wrenching. Let’s look past the moment with our armor on and be joyful in our future with Jesus.

Speak the verse aloud

End in prayer: Our Source of strength and dignity, we praise you, Almighty,  for giving us the armor of God to put on daily. Thank you for showing us how worthy of dignity we are when you came down from heaven and died for us all. Help that act of love always translate into our hearts that we are worthy of love. Help us to be so full of your love that we walk strong and dignified through this Life, knowing our future is secure and better than we can imagine in you.

In Jesus’ mighty name,

Amen.

What was your verse today? Stay tuned tomorrow to find out what’s next at Refocused Bible Study for June!

Growing in Humility 

Proverbs

“Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s day twenty-nine of Proverbs, a chapter a day here at Refocused Bible Study. This book of the Bible is so full of wisdom. If you’ve fallen behind or are just joining us, jump in at the chapter of the day corresponding with the date. Everyday you pick the verse that spoke to you the most and follow the quiet time pattern below.


In my life: Grow in humility. Look to Jesus as the example. He was willing to humble himself in so many ways to bring us salvation.

He was born in a stable.

He submitted himself to the authority of the Father in all circumstances.

He submitted himself to his earthly parents.

He endured the ridicule, beating, and even the torture of the cross even though he had the power to stop the situation and end all his suffering, for he is God.

My favorite passage on the humility of our Savior:

3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.5You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.6Though he was God,he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.7Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:3-11 

Isn’t that passage powerful?! It moves me to swallow my pride and say,

“You’re right.”

“I’m sorry.”

I just cannot wrap my mind around a God who would go to such lengths of humility. He’s too good to comprehend. Since he humbled himself so low, since he thought of us instead of himself, I can certainly take the charge the apostle Paul laid out here and ask the Lord to help me have the same attitude Christ Jesus had.

In my marriage.

In my motherhood.

In friendships.

In ministry.

Thinking of others as better than myself.

Making myself a servant and not one to be served.

Where in your life could you grown in humility?

Speak the verse aloud.

“Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.” Proverbs 29:23


End in prayer: Lord Jesus, we praise you for your unfathomable humility. Thank you for showing us what true humility looks like. You humbled yourself to bring us salvation. Your love for us brought you low. Then the Father lifted you up into the place of highest honor. Help us to hear your promptings for humility when we want to exalt ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What was your verse today?