How can I serve You?

Posted on February 21, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

This month my rambunctious 3rd graders are learning about serving in Sunday school. I’m not always sure how much their little hearts are gleaning… but for me, I’m challenged!

Why do I serve? Who is it I’m serving? Does it matter when and where I do it? What if it’s not a very big job? Or a famous person? Or a known ministry? Or something anyone else ever sees?

(1 Corinthians 10:31) So …whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

How humbling to think that – daily – it’s God alone I’m really serving! No matter when or where or how or who’s involved- If I do it for His glory, it’s as if I am doing it directly for Him.

(Colossians 3:23, 24) Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

Writing a blog, cooking dinner, grocery shopping, babysitting, Biblestudy, cleaning the bathroom 😜 praying for my neighbor and family… all these services done unto the LORD are ultimately for His Glory 🙌🏽 When it’s for His glory, He is pleased.

(Romans 12:11-13) Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.

 ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Far from perfect

Posted on February 12, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

I remember bringing our 1st baby home from the hospital and a dear friend told me, “Welcome to the wonderful world of guilt.” 😂 She was being funny of course, but she was also right, I did begin to feel guilty about nearly everything.

Whatever happened to go wrong with our little one, I felt somehow to-blame. Totally self imposed! And as we added more children and they grew bigger, so grew my guilt feelings.

6 kids have brought some big hairy deals! Going through parent-support with an outpatient  program, brought the biggest eye-opener. We learned The 3 Cs, repeated as a group: “I didn’t cause it, I can’t control it, I can not change it.” This statement brought me face to face with some deep rooted mom-guilt.

Then I thought of God… the perfect parent, with kids that are totally screwed up! He allowed free will for every child, knowing they were far from perfect. Each human reaches the age when they “know how to reject evil and choose what is good,” Isaiah 7:16… yet we all at some point choose evil. Ugh. My children also have made some poor personal choices and the older they became, the harder it is for me to protect them.

It dawned on me that ultimately this protecting job is His! Only He can change a heart, because only He is perfect. He isn’t afraid or befuddled or without resources. He certainly isn’t daunted or worried or riddled with guilt. He knows me. He knows my failings. He’s always had a plan and a purpose. Therefore nothing is hopeless!

All the more Glory for Him as our precious offspring find their way… and so, I asked forgiveness for my shortcomings, opened my hands and let go.

And that’s where I live – guilt-free.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Never Besieged

Posted on February 6, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

To lay siege- the act of surrounding and attacking a fortified place in such a way as to isolate it from help and supplies… thereby making capture possible.

Siege warfare was a horrible thing of the past. Studying this recently helped me understand scenarios portrayed in the Old Testament like Psalm 31. What a hopeless spot when cities were completely surrounded by an enemy until everyone inside died.

21. “Blessed be the LORD, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.
I never before thought of myself having been besieged. This Psalm brought several instances to mind when I have felt pretty helpless, alone and cut-off for a time.

22. I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off  from Your sight.” But You heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to You for help.
Yet I was never far from God. It was not hopeless. He heard my cries and offered me help. Jesus by my side, His Spirit in my heart. No matter what the battle looked like there was always hope.

23. Love the Lord, all you His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
I knew I could not make it on my own. He was the only One who could see a way through! Like verse 21 explains in Hebrew: “He caused His faithfulness to be amazing to me.”

24. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” No need to panic, God aims to amaze. If you feel besieged by the enemy today, take heart – God is bigger still. He is coming to get you!

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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More than anything!

Posted on February 2, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

The question read, “What do you want from God?” I wrote my answer without hesitation. “More than anything, I want my children to want to know Him!” To serve Him and live for Him… are good, but to want to know Him – this for me, was the beginning of abundant Life.

First introductions to their Creator and Savior began when our children were tiny. As parents we tried to be examples, provide environments for learning, proclaim God’s Word aloud and uphold Respect. Those were precious years, shining Jesus into their little hearts.

Yet Personal soul-hunger (deep thirst) comes from the inside. It must be sought and cultivated. I can’t make any of our kids want it. But oh, how I have prayed and fasted and longed for yearning to take root.

For some, it comes easily while others struggle. I remember personally having an insatiable appetite as soon as I found out about Grace – an eagerness to know more! Who was this God that sent His Son to die for me?! Why was I included in the deal? How was I to boldly approach His Throne of Grace?

I just wanted to know the One Who apparently wanted to know me. But that doesn’t hit everyone the same way…

Seeking Him has been so fulfilling, I only want it for everyone I love. He’s AMAZING! I’ve never felt such peace, experienced such Joy, known such Faithfulness. It’s the most incredible and fulfilling journey I’ve taken. The deeper I go- the more I want.

More than anything, I ask for this.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

 

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The GOD of…

Posted on January 19, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

It’s January and I’m beginning to read through the Bible again. This schedule always begins in Genesis with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Their stories come alive when I dive into a different version.

New things pop up as I take the time to journal questions, searching for anything I may have missed before. The stories of these 3 main characters are really messy! And yet afterwards, God is named “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (?)

I began to ponder and so I asked Him, “Do You mind being named for mortals when GOD Almighty pretty much covers it? They were just people after all, so human, so fallible, so disappointing sometimes… like me.”

*Now I want to be careful when I say GOD answered me – maybe impressed on me is better. Either way I’m sure I could not have come up with this alone (here goes):

The response: “I am named after these people NOT because of the choices they made, but because of the miraculous wonders I performed in and through their lives.”

Wow… on that count, He is the GOD of me and my family… He is the God of you and your family too. He has done far more than I ever could’ve asked for or imagined! Everything performed in our lives, was simply for His Glory. Think go it!

Father, no wonder You use fallible humans, it’s in our weakness, Your strength shines. What an amazing GOD You are. Never defined by our choices and failings, but by YOUR awesome works. May Your name continue to be made great. ❤️

ForGlorySake! Anna

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So glad I’m not young anymore-

Posted on January 16, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

We love old movies! ❤️ Thanks to my husband, our kids grew up well versed in all the classics – cartoons, westerns and musicals complete with singing and dancing.

Gigi is one of our favorites. A french love story that promotes marriage over cohabitation, it shows love through the eyes of the young and the old. One song states, “I’m so glad I’m not young anymore” and I quite agree.

It’s a blessing to grow old while living with the love of my life. Experiences and adventures have weathered me and softened me. Made me more gentle.

My husband and I laughed this weekend that with age we care far less what others think of us. However, we care far more where they are headed – both practically and spiritually. We marveled at the predictability of human-nature… and how recurring life lessons are.

We admired our old love: rich and well-seasoned from years of memories, requiring no explanation to one another. Just a look, or a laugh can say so much! My husband gets it… he longs for what I long for concerning our children. Our dreams are the same.

I may miss tighter skin and smoother muscles, quick recall and energy ALL day. But, I so appreciate the gifts of wisdom that hindsight and age bring. I am grateful today, though not in my prime, to be a little older and a little wiser.

Lord, I’m glad I’m not young anymore. Now please, help me to finish strong in this next half.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

50 isn’t so bad…

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Tidy Up

Posted on January 9, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

I watched this Netflix show while I was un-decorating from Christmas. I loved the tiny Japanese host with her interpreter from Tidy Up . They tackled giant, family messes offering help with organizational tips. –Hope.

Her gentle way with cluttered homes impressed me, as did her respect for each person’s space and belongings. Although she does not worship the God of the Bible, she started each project on her knees, thanking the house (?) for its protection.

I felt ashamed…

When was the last time I had thanked God for my house? For providing us with shelter for our family and making it a home? I stopped packing ornaments for a minute and got on my knees. Forgive me, Father and Thank You… -Repentance.

Thankfulness is a curious thing, it can completely change a perspective. As the little woman on the screen encouraged family members to keep only what brought them “sparkle-Joy” and to gratefully donate the rest… I decided to do the same thing. Gratitude.

As my pile to donate increased, my happiness grew also. I began to walk through our home asking God, “What else can I give, LORD?” He brought me inspiration room after room. -Generosity.

It’s fun to let go and give someone else the opportunity to use things I don’t need. -Joy.

There are life lessons everywhere if we are seeking too please God. He can speak to our hearts even through a tv show. “Sparkle-Joy” is now a catch phrase for me as I declutter and continue to let go this year! – Peace.

ForGlorySake! –Anna




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He Do!

Posted on January 7, 2019 by For Glory Sake!

25 plus customers stood holding packages in the post office line before Christmas. The long row of folks went out the door. 3 haggard workers stood behind the counter waved us forward one by one. A second group was scrambling in the lobby with mailboxes and the prepaid package machine.
My turn finally came and the exhausted postal lady looked like she was on her last leg.

I made my transaction then stopped to catch her eye…

“God bless you,” I said. And added “I pray God gives you mercy… and patience… and grace.” She closed her eyes and raised her hands saying, “Amen, Thank you, Amen.”

She opened her eyes  and looked at me, “ I know He can.”  Which prompted my favorite phrase: “Yes, He can, He will, and He… “ She finished my sentence with a big “DO!” So I agreed, “Yes, He DO!” And we both laughed hard at the mistake.

That slip of the tongue is now my new favorite saying: “He CAN, He WILL, and He DO!”

Sometimes we all need reminding. Friend or stranger, in private or in public. It only takes a minute to let another weary soul know, God is bigger and stronger than whatever the burden. And He will carry not only our load but us too.

He DO!!

ForGlorySake! –Anna

He loves you!
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I Give Up!

Posted on December 31, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

For this new year – I give up!

My will – for His.
My need to know why – for trust in His plan.
My want list – for His desire.
My timetable – for His timing.

I am surrendering in a good way. God has heard my plea and reminded me again: change begins in the heart. Only He can do that kind of work.

It’s His alone to initiate. He will bring it to completion. I choose to be at peace with His pace and His progress. And remember just because I can’t see what’s changing, He’s always working behind the scene. He has promised me, the outcome will be more than I could ask or think.

No place will offer me a better view than here, at His feet… eyes fixed on Him… waiting expectantly for His will.

What a good place to start any new year.

ForGlorySake! –Anna


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Learn to Discern 

Posted on December 29, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

Why do I read through the Bible yearly?
Why do I look up the day’s verses in multiple  commentaries?
Why do I want to understand the meaning and message behind the words?
Because, God says over 64 times in the New Testament alone that some will try to deceive me just because I am a follower of Christ… “Beware! Stay alert! Be on guard!”

God’s Word holds the highest standard of Truth. And knowing His Truth gives me the clearest form of wisdom available. So I read and study and hide His Word in my heart, that I might have a wealth of Truth to draw from.

“The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:15‬ ‬‬

This treasure is a growing discovery as “God’s Word is living and active, sharp as any surgeon’s knife.” It convicts me down to my soul, “dividing right or wrong actions by the intentions of my heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Knowledge of God’s Word promises discernment: “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:103-104‬ ‭

“Father,  spur Your people on to read and study Your Word! Guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, so we will be wise, alert followers of Your Truth, ready at any moment to discern when deception appears!” 

ForGlorySake! –Anna




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