Category: 366 days of novice motherhood

Place: dome

Poison: Chai latte

Favorite things: magazines and quietness

How do we remain in someone or something.

Today’s reading implores us to remain in Christ…but how do we actually achieve this?

Lenten Blog

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
“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. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! (John 15:4-7 NLT)

I am the ultimate planner. When I am down south I am planning who I can bring back to enjoy this moment.

When I am in a cafe with my favorites, I’m thinking about what I can do the next day.

The question I ask my husband nearly everyday is What’s the plan?

He is a spontaneous, fly by the seat of his pants, lover of the moment…

So there is rarely a plan.

However Christ always has a plan…

Yet I am the one who is racing ahead of him trying to work everything out on my own terms.

It is really difficult to remain in the moment and enjoy the present. That’s what my book capture is mostly about, finding inspiration in the moment and surrendering to it.

However the walk of faith is all about trusting that God has an ultimate plan for our lives and if we remain in him, if we trust in Him, if we seek him, his plan can come to pass.

Are you willing to humble yourself and seek Him with all you have so to can remain in Him?

That’s what Lent is all about…

Remain

A

Place: home

Poison: Pepsi max

Favorite things: family dropping by all day…

Trust is not a highly advocated commodity in our society.

Trust is built.

Trust is broken.

One of the greatest strengths we can build in our everyday is our trust in God.

How do you build trust in God this Easter?

How do you trust something/someone who you cannot see?

The only way I have built trust in a power greater than myself…is by belief…

Believing in a greater power, believing their is purpose in everything, believing beyond our today…

Who do you believe in?

Who do you trust?

“Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.” (John 14:1-4 MSG)

This Easter I implore you to search out and seek God. Develop trust.

It’s only built by discovery and relationship.

Relationship builds trust.

In whom do you trust?

A

Place: home

Poison: banana bread

Favorite things: a domesticated husband!

It’s not until we feel a bit a pressure that the true substance of our character is revealed.

It is in the details, it is in the hard times, it is in the mire that we are proved.

A newborn screaming for attention at 3am, a work colleague that is representing you with disdain, a season of hope deferred.

What area of your character needs to be sharpened to reveal humility in the tough times?

Even the disciples struggled…

Lenten Reading

“Don’t be so sure,” Jesus said. “This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times.” Peter protested, “Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you.” All the others said the same thing. (Matthew 26:34, 35 MSG)

Pressure is a part of our everyday life and as the world gets darker and faster, the pressure in our world will increase.

From natural disasters, to the speed of our media saturation our world is in a pressure cooker, that one day will need release.

The only way we can survive though is humble ourselves and grow our character, so that in seasons of intensity we can fare well.

Don’t run from pressure, it is a proving ground, however be smart about the pressures that you expose yourself to.

We all have the capacity to slow our pace and our walks down, increasing our awareness of fruit of the spirit in our lives.

So that when the day comes that appointed pressure is applied we can display a character rich in Gods word and truth.

This Easter firstly assess where you can relieve unnecessary pressure in your world.

Secondly develop your character in the everyday so that you can withstand the seasons when pressure is duly applied.

Our work as God’s servants gets validated-or not-in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; (2 Corinthians 6:4-6 MSG)

Hmmm, challenged much?

A

Place: the car

Poison: water

Favorite Things: my husbands passion

Everyone of us has moments of denial, moments where we deny the reality of what is happening in our now.

In the walk to the cross, Jesus’s best friend, his companion, his brother, denied ever knowing him.

When it got hard, when people were yelling abuse and lies and shame at Jesus Peters darkest moment came when he denied ever knowing Christ.

Lenten blog

Peter said, “Master, I’m ready for anything with you. I’d go to jail for you. I’d die for you!” Jesus said, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me.” Then Jesus said, “When I sent you out and told you to travel light, to take only the bare necessities, did you get along all right?” “Certainly,” they said, “we got along just fine.” (Luke 22:33-35 MSG)

Have you ever had moments where you have been in denial?

Are there people when you are with them you are not your true self?

Do you need to change who you are to fit in, do you change your morals and beliefs so as to not rock the boat?

Denial is not a pretty place, as it’s one filled with regret and shame.

This Lent, what areas of your life are you in denial?

This Lent, what people encourage and demand denial of that which is really sacred and important to you…

Praying truth prevails in every situation, for every person reading this blog today.

Amen

Place: our car

Poison: Pepsi Max

Favorite things: road trips with my boys!

I love it when I meet someone for the first time and there is an immediate recognition.

Charl and I find it so inspiring when we meet a couple, when we meet a person who immediately there is a sense of synergy and we’ve found a new friend.

We have a large group of friends, which we love doing life with.

We are on our way down south to a wedding and a group of our friends will be gathering to celebrate a friends special day.

Recognition is a powerful world. In a society that tries in every way to create sameness, recognition with a fellow soul, a friend of your future, an partnership for purpose…

Lenten reading
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples-when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34, 35 MSG)

Jesus insists as he walks towards the cross that people should recognize us by our love for one another.

We should recognize one another by our love.

How is your love walk this Easter?

Do you feel misunderstood, do you feel alone and isolated? How are you loving others?

Deep recognition for the search for deeper meaning is always shown through love.

A