Counting the cost

Posted on October 6, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

Who builds a house without preparing financially? Who goes to battle without planning ahead?These parables (Matthew 14:27-33) by Jesus explained how following Him was going to cost us. Really? How hard will this be? Will it take everything? All I have… even my life? Apparently so. And now having been at it 40 years, it’s definitely taken ALL I am.

Had I known that at 11 years old, it might’ve terrified me. Perhaps it was mentioned by someone, but I wasn’t listening. Would I have raised my hand and come forward anyway? You betcha! They told me I could actually speak directly to God anytime, anywhere.

Communication has been my thing since childhood, so to find out the Creator of the Universe wanted to listen to me was too awesome. It took longer to understand sin and the total identity swap…

ALL of me – for ALL of Him.

That comprehension has been slow, and far bigger than I thought! The older I grow, the longer we walk together, I understand a little more what He did and I love Him more for it. More than life itself, more than any possession I have. Yes, it has cost me everything. But the trade was abundant life here and eternal life after! He will never leave me or forsake me. And the treasures he offers are untold!

Oh my Great Big Awesome God, YES, You will always be worth the cost!

ForGlorySake! –Anna

God signing His Art ❤️

Posted in Devotional, Practical Life, Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Counting the cost

And the gift goes on

Posted on October 4, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

In 2009 one of the big kids that played in our front yard, began to live in our house. Our children were: 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 at the time. This special young man moved almost seamlessly into our lives and hearts. He brought amazing strengths and determinations.

Instant big brother!

“I want that child,” I had told God, While I stood looking out the window. And He let us have him! For 5 precious years, before he bought his 1st house. Then soon after, married his beautiful wife… and now, a baby girl. ❤️

Sweetness is being a Grandma.

Ah, the joy of seeing God fulfill our hopes and dreams… years of prayers! Far beyond what could possibly have been asked for. He is so very good -to the last drop. In places I can see Him moving …and places I can not. I will forever trust He has a plan.

I remember times of feeling completely inadequate, utterly unhelpful, without a clue what to do or how to pray. Yet, He was there, ahead of my pitiful game. Prepared for my lack of skill, already weaving and working all things together for good and of course… for His Glory!

Because that’s just how He rolls. With gifts that keep on giving.

“Bless Yahweh, O my soul, and all within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless Yahweh, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loyal love and mercies, Who satisfies your life with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1–5

ForGorySake! -Anna

precious pie

Posted in Children, Devotional | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on And the gift goes on

When the “what if” happens

Posted on October 2, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

What if my loved one gets a terminal illness? What if I’m injured at a critical moment? What if my child becomes an addict… or goes to jail? Utterly fails? What if my child tells they are gay or not the gender I believe? What if there’s a car accident, a fire, a huge financial loss… ?

It’s an everyday battle that rages around us – the “what if’s” of life. Some are ridiculous, some terrifyingly possible. Some actually happen! What’s a mom to do??? I can either hide in my closet and shake (been there-done that), or I can take up my SHEILD of Faith and Trust God.

Personally I can not function in daily life with the constant strain “what if’s” – I need a break. I need peace of mind. I need rest. The only place I’ve found that break is in prayer… after I’ve cried and complained and after I’ve worried a bit. There’s a calm that comes, usually with a Psalm reading.

The worst has happened to me and God stayed in control. It all seemed chaotic and hopeless and confusing… but there was that moment He gave me peace in my heart to just Trust Him. And as I did (trust), more came. I think He likes to prove Himself, at least that’s how it seems to me.

“Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy with burdens and I WILL give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

The “what if’s” are not going away any time soon, it’s how you handle them that matters.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

Posted in Addiction & Recovery, Children, Devotional, Illness, Trust | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on When the “what if” happens

Armored Up!

Posted on September 29, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

When I became a Christian, my mom taught me about God’s Armor (Ephesians 6:20-19). She told me to put in on in-prayer EVERY day, and so I have… and I cover all those I love as well 🙂

HELMET of Salvation (Greek: “of Deliverance“) -May we know Who’s we are and where our Deliverance comes from! Give us the mind of Christ.

BREASTPLATE of Righteousness– We are righteous because of the blood of Jesus! Even when we are unfaithful, He remains Faithful and True… it’s not dependent on any works. Help us see.

SHEILD of faith – (Greek: “of Trust”) I love this: all we have to do to deflect those fiery darts of the enemy, is TRUST! God will take care of it- He knows your name; has counted every hair. Help us Trust.

SWORD of the Word – (Greek: “given by the Word”) The Word = The Bible to be exact. We’ve got to read it and know it, to be able to use it. And WOW, is it full of promises and directions! May we read.

SHOES of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace – a tad confusing to me until I saw the Complete Jewish Bible translation: “readiness that comes from the Good News.” – You hear about Jesus and just can’t wait to run off and share! (John 4:28) Make is ready to share.

Always available, always usable, always fits 😉 This is Good stuff- this is Good News. Cover us in Your Armor, LORD.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

Posted in Children, Marriage, Practical Life | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Armored Up!

When I Pray

Posted on September 25, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

When I pray,

I have the ear of my Father. He’s never distracted or too busy. He isn’t looking at his phone or computer (or whatever they have in heaven…) He isn’t thinking of the gazillion other things He needs to be doing. He’s all in: listening, understanding, already knowing.

How is that even possible? And yet He waits – for me to speak. He loves that I come. He’s ready, waiting with rest for the weary. Jesus said:

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke on you and learn from Me, because I Am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and My load is not hard to carry.” Matthew 11:28-30

Time spent praying, is time well spent. Agreeing with God in the Spirit, about things I may never fully realize is the highest calling. Prayer motivates me every morning. It’s easy, available, ready to plug in to and more valuable than can be imagined.

“…the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” Revelation 5:8

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” Revelation 8:3-4

Our Prayers are offered in heaven before the throne of God. They matter. God wants us to pray. And so I will because this is the best part of my day!

ForGlorySake! –Anna

Posted in Devotional, Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on When I Pray

“Oh, be careful little eyes…”

Posted on September 14, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

I used to sing the song to my kids, “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…” It reminded me every time I turned on the TV or radio that they were also looking and listening to what I was playing. It made me sensitive to my choices.

We found out early on that some of our children had nightmares from the simplest of cartoons. They’d end up in our room in the middle of the night. For their sake and my sleep, we didn’t even watch Scooby Do!

I remember neighborhood families mocking my older kids for not being allowed to do such-and-such. Sad. And yet, that’s what family does! We sacrifice for the sake of the others; sometimes we love until it hurts.

As parents, we learned by trial and error. What seemed harmless to one child, caused another to stumble. And love says: I will bend for you, even at the expense of what I want.

It did not hurt anyone to turn off a movie, or TV show, or simply not bring that book/magazine into the house… Too sensitive? Did we go too far?

“So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” – Paul (Romans 14:13)

“…For the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see”

ForGlorySake! –Anna

Philippians 4:8

Posted in Children, Devotional, Practical Life | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on “Oh, be careful little eyes…”

Why so disturbed soul? Put your Hope in God.

Posted on September 11, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” – Corrie ten Boom

These are precious words I seem to forget when a day turns all higgledy-piggledy. ” Sooner or later I’m reminded, He’s with me… even in this.

Car trouble, unexpected bills, dying refrigerators. These don’t hold a candle to someone’s loss of hope… loss of direction… loss of faith… those are the biggest and hardest to wade through. No quick fix, no easy words.

I had such a day yesterday, and I felt shaken, heartsick. Running to my closet and falling on my knees, I told God everything He already knew. Asking Him to intervene. I was reminded in a very tangible way, only a short time later, that He heard me, He was all over it, and on the job.

Hope was not lost. I could rest because the battle wasn’t mine but His. Oh what a great -big -glorious God I serve! He cares about my cares and listens to all my concerns – reaching right in and, shedding light on my shaken heart.

Silly me- Don’t trust in what you see, trust the One who brought you a Savior. Who always has all the answers. Stand on the Solid Rock!

ForGlorySake! Anna

Posted in Devotional, Trust | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Why so disturbed soul? Put your Hope in God.

White like snow?

Posted on September 5, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

We just had our deck surface rebuilt. A much needed repair, as it had become dangerous with popped-up nails and boards… sometimes you just wait too long. How wonderful it was to return from vacation and walk onto a new deck!

Suddenly I realized, however, the old railing looked anything but white. Finding paint, I set out to give it a fresh coat. ❤️ All the cracks and scars covered over like magic. You can’t even tell that I accidentally painted over a few dead bugs and spider web pieces.

“Come, let’s consider your options,” says the LORD. “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

When God cleanses us from our sin, it’s not a white-wash, it’s a total redo. In His loving eyes my dead bugs are taken away, as well as all cracks, scars, and old webs! I am made NEW through and through in His Image.

But what an amazing thought, He didn’t stop there. He is at the business of making my life abundant – to match what He’s already accomplished spiritually! I am being remodeled bit by bit: to think like Him, to love like Him, to serve others like Him.

“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

My dying life in exchange for Eternal Life through Jesus. How is this possible? Who would ever have the patience to take on such an exhausting project as me? Who would have the vision to see the possibilities? Who would have the faithfulness to stick it out?

Only my God! He Can, He Will, He Does. Why?… you know,

ForGlorySake! – Anna

Posted in Devotional, Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on White like snow?

The heart of the matter

Posted on August 25, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

I love finding hearts: on sidewalks, in fruit, in a stain or a rock shape! They remind me of God’s love for me. He’s always out for my good… if only I stop take notice.

Apparently God looks for hearts everywhere too. Hearts that wonder about His existence and those that actively seek Him… hearts that deny Him and those that pridefully reject Him. He sees them all.

2 Chronicles 16:9 –“Certainly the LORD watches the whole earth carefully and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to Him.”

Reading through 1 and 2 Chronicles recently, I was struck by how many times it’s recorded whether or not the will of a person was – set on wholeheartedly seeking God or against turning toward Him.

God notices. He records it.

I hope my will is always found wholeheartedly longing for Him. I hope I will be found encouraging others to look for Him and believe in His goodness. May I be found at any time and in any place firmly set seeking. And may God write it in His Book of Remembrance.

“Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name.” Malachi 3:16

I hope it makes His day… just like He does mine ❤️

Posted in Devotional, Spiritual Growth, Trust | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The heart of the matter

I’m the one

Posted on August 19, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

I’m the one who gets to hear their hearts, share their joys, carry their sorrows.

I’m the one who gets to say “good-morning” and “goodnight,” with a kiss and a hug.

I’m the one who has the privilege of praying over them every day in every way. Near or far, they’re close in prayer.

I’m the one who gets to bless them, encourage them, tell them about their incredible, valuable worth in Christ!

This is the best job I’ve ever had: hoping all things, enduring all thing, loving through all things… motherhood ❤️ Right up there with being a wife. I could not ask for richer riches!

I am blessed -blessed -blessed, to be mom to these.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

before baby Amelia and with Lydia for good measure!

Posted in Children, Devotional, Practical Life | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on I’m the one