Glory? I'm moving

Posted on January 17, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Writing, “Ben & Abby’s wedding shower, 2pm” completely blew me away. My eyes blurred thinking about our sweet son, nearly 4 years sober and his beautiful bride-to-be. Only God can bring about change and blessing like this! Again my promise came to mind…

You are the God Who brings the dead back to life and makes something out of nothing. Romans 4:17

I feverishly wrote in my journal: “You ARE faithful, You ARE good, Look at all You’ve done!!! We were NOT lost, we were NOT forgotten, You did NOT leave us like we were! You bore EACH sin, You carried EACH sorrow, You healed EACH desease & I have the people IN this very house to prove it! How can I doubt that You hear me now? How can I stress over what’s ahead? Or pout about another move? You know best and I want YOUR plan- I trust You- I’m all in.

As Isaiah 26:7-8 says, “Who You are and what You’ve done is ALL we want.” Another translation states, “LORD, we show our trust in You by obeying Your ways, our heart’s desire is to GLORIFY Your name.” 

I just love when God brings a verse home to me, like a punch. Sometimes after I read, it takes writing it all down to see the bigger picture. Haven’t I prayed for years and years: “Show me Your Glory!” Ex.33:18? And He has in all of us.

We are to be reflections of His Glory… In our trust, in our contentment, in our attitude, in our hope. I guess moving – again – isn’t that big of a deal, even with a wedding coming in March! Bring on the boxes, lets do this. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

…not again.
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Isn't it?

Posted on January 15, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

To be read to yourself:

Isn’t it amazing to think He created me?
Isn’t it overwhelming to realize He loves me… unconditionally? Me.
Isn’t it unbelievable to fathom He made a plan involving me and formed it all before He began the world?

Isn’t it incredible that His eyes never look away,  He never misses a thing; He will never leave me?
Isn’t it funny that I can not surprise Him, overwhelm Him or stump Him?
Isn’t it curious that He uses ALL things: the everyday, the difficult, the seemingly horrible… all for my benefit… all for His glory?

Isn’t He intriguing? He always sees a way.
Isn’t He patient? He never gives up. 
Isn’t He merciful? Lavishing grace.

And what does He ask in return? 
Love. Only my love.

…Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence and …love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”  ‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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The Spirit

Posted on January 6, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Christmas has passed. A new year started. Some wisdom teeth came out, wedding plans are underway and there’s a constant house-hunt on the schedule… Life is moving fast. Our folks are all preparing for yet another school semester with a lot of change.

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:18

Just like the Spirit blows where It wills, the winds of change come too and I must stay flexible and ready. We are compared to the things affected by the wind (trees, clouds etc…), the wind is compared to God’s Spirit. Both wind and Spirit affect everything in their path. I can easily see the wind outside… the Spirit takes a bit more practice to pinpoint.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16

Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:6-7

The Spirit living in us as God’s children, makes all the difference! We are different. We know who we belong to, who is our Father and what ultimately lies ahead. We have no fear of the future, He can move us where He wills.

I can not be thankful enough for where we have been moved. So many healings. So much blessing. So many things to look forward to. God is good, everyday all the time!

ForGlorySake! -Anna

The next Etheriedge’s

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Jewel

Posted on December 31, 2015 by For Glory Sake!

My dear friend, I’ll call her Jewel, has a heart for children the size of Texas. She is forever helping needy momma’s and their little ones. In addition to her 8, she and her husband adopted of an infant in distress. They were then asked if they could temporarily foster this child’s 3 older siblings. It seemed completely overwhelming. How could they manage?

Finances being critically stretched, not to mention space in their modest home. Other problems emerged with vehicles large enough to transport the family and Christmas was approaching fast. I saw desperation in my friend’s face. How would they adequately provide for all these little ones God had entrusted to them?

Unknown to the family (of now 14), someone submitted their story to a local radio station just before the holidays. Their plight caught the ear of local business folks and a crew of people came knocking on the family’s door… God had brought them to answer so many prayers: food, gifts, money and a large van!

Sometimes it’s not until our breaking point, that miracles happen. But there is grace when we’ve said “yes” to whatever God asks. Many times in my efforts to obey I have found myself overwhelmed and empty. This was where God showed up and provided for me too.

Truly – my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

Sometimes doing what God asks is the hardest thing ever! Yet we are not wrong to struggle through, we are only wrong to disobey. Go ahead and ask for the cup to be removed… then in His strength, resolve to do His will, no matter what.

ForGlorySake! –Anna
 

God will provide

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Gifts from Losses

Posted on December 24, 2015 by For Glory Sake!

I’ve heard that the 1st holiday following a death is the toughest… Christmas is here and my parents aren’t. They’ve always been a part of our celebrations, and it seems strange not to have them around. Our joy over their final rest definitely outshines any sadness, but still, it’s been a loss.

27 years of marriage has brought a few to our family. Everyone has their own list. All those things you hold dear and take for granted until they’re suddenly gone. For me, ONLY God has been left to tie to. Total dependence on Him seems obvious and yet terrifying. Why? Because, I know He’s the One who’s been in control the whole time!

When life looks like a chaotic mess, I want to yell “You’re fired!”… yet I decided long ago He’s the ONLY One qualified to be my God. I can’t do life without Him!
Again and again in those moments of pain, I dove into the Scriptures. Why would He let this or that happen to us? Can He really be trusted? Did anyone in the pages of the Bible ever feel like me?

Each time my soul has been stirred as I read all that Jesus came to do… all because His Father “loved us.” My eyes see a bigger picture. God cares more than I can imagine. Yes, He is trustworthy, faithful and with me for the long-haul. Through my losses I’ve learned to look for mercies daily. I’ve learned to thank GOD anyway and trust in spite of the chaos swirling. I Hope beyond what I see.

” And so those whom God set apart, He called; and those He called, He put right with Himself, and He shared His glory with them. In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? Certainly not God, who did not even keep back His own Son, but offered Him for us all! He gave us His Son — will He not also freely give us all things” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28-32‬

ForGlorySake!–Anna

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Marinating

Posted on December 8, 2015 by For Glory Sake!

When I pray and pray and see nothing happening, I can get so frustrated. “Move, God, move!” …I’ve known Him for years, and I still long for progress reports from His side. It’s not that I want – Poof, you get your wish, But I so desire acknowledgment. Still, God makes me wait. 

Marinate – “to soak, soften, cleanse, and extract some elements.”

Marinating is about adding flavor, soaking to bring out the best in a tough piece of meat. As I wonder why He makes me wait… I see that using time, the time in between, softens up any hardness of heart. Walk with Me by faith, child, NOT by sight.

Waiting isn’t pointless. It’s not even that God needs more time to work out the details. I assume more than any other sin God wants to extract pride from me: I know best, I can figure this out. I can do it my way. Surely, if I were God, I would… Ugh.The waiting has a purpose. I’m the one who is changing, softening, being purified and flavored with good things. 

 LORD, as You make me wait on You to move, have Your way. Take my pride and leave me soft.  Use this time for Your Glory as I soak in more of all that You are.

“My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; For my hope and expectation are from Him.” Psalm 62:5 

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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I Can Totally Live With That!

Posted on November 19, 2015 by For Glory Sake!

I need to know there’s a chance things will work out for good. That there’s a chance I can change or learn or simply be better than before. I need at least the possibility that what I long for will actually come to be. I need the hope that God hears my pleas and will answer me… even me, no matter my age, condition or status!

I think the thing I love the most about Jesus is the hope He gives me. I have hope for today and then all over again, I have hope for tomorrow. Hope is what I crave… without it… life is just so… hopeless.

Hope in Jesus offers me all these. I dare to hope because the Bible says:
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” ‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬

And

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” ‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬

God is, God will, God does… for me and for you today and forever! Hope beyond hope. I can totally live with that.

ForGlorySake! –Anna
 

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Me, a Professional?

Posted on November 17, 2015 by For Glory Sake!

Plugging away at my new office job has granted me a new respect for the 9-5 workforce. There’s much to learn and I’m thankful for any help from patient teachers who explain new tasks. I’m learning from their experience.

After  months, I look like I know what I’m doing behind my desk, however I’m just getting started. In my other job, many years of being a wife and mom have granted me the title, professional. Surely if you’ve done something more than 20 plus years you’re considered an expert 😉

I actually have something I can teach on these subjects. In God’s word we are called Ambassadors, for God. Just as Paul wrote in the New Testament we have been commissioned, as long-time married women: to lead the younger women coming along behind us. 

We are exhorted to encourage newer wives and mom’s to do what is good, to love their husbands and children, to live wisely and shoot for purity, to care for their homes and live with respect toward their husbands. We are to boldly lead by example.

This is a job where those yielded to God are truly considered professionals. Both mistakes and successes are treasures of wisdom. With our confessions, areas where we blew it can be avoided and successes we enjoyed can be passed on. Our experiences are valuable gifts to be shared.

I so appreciate the older women in my life who have encouraged both my motherhood and marriage. They have been teachers of blessings with professional expertise.

ForGlorySake! –Anna   

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Little Princess

Posted on November 8, 2015 by For Glory Sake!

I remember the day our first child entered the world. How can a mother forget that labor? After we settled her down from the rude spank of life, she lay in my arms with eyes WIDE open, fingers and toes spread out. It is hilarious looking back… she took life in gulps from day one!

Oldest sibling’s (bless their heart) are none other than  guinea-pigs. We parents cut our teeth on the first-born, yet God creates them out of some tough material to withstand the blunders. Prince, or Princess these are special folk. Thankfully, I married a first-born kid, he’s responsible and practical and patient and quiet. all the things I’m not. 

It has been a challenge from that first labor-day to get each of our crew to conform. All of our children were born with strong wills. What a joy to be witnessing the positive outcome of this gift. Not to mention, all the effort they put into training us that’s paid off. We have each been made better from being a family.

I look now at our first little princess, a beautiful, confident, woman – eyes and hands still open, gulping in life. I’m amazed at God’s gift of all these babies to us! His patient and merciful plan. He has not left us as we were. He has transformed every will, nurtured each personality – and all for His Glory.

LORD, help us to recognize Your plan for each of our children and continue to have Your way in us.

ForGlorySake! -Anna 

I’m here!

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Need a Re-do?

Posted on October 16, 2015 by For Glory Sake!

I walked my old neighborhood with a close friend. We reminisced about the former neighbors and many events that we had shared. Funny how it’s the scandalous stories that stick out in the memory. No new news popped up, but we did tend to harp on some gossipy tales.

Passing by my former address, I wondered how many folks remembered my family’s past… blunders, dramas, scandals?? Believe me, there have been several. I was overwhelmed with thankfulness for second chances and new beginnings.

God is gracious with His re-do plan. It’s not like anyone can ever really go back and undo,  escaping natural consequences, but He does offer a total wash from His end and a chance to start over fresh, everyday. For that I’m truly grateful.

After dropping off my friend, I ran another lap around. This time I prayed silently for those same neighbors and their stories. I asked God for Grace to cover them as He had so graciously covered me. I asked for a wonderful testimony from their past and a re-do on their future!

My family is not some special breed- Mercy is for everyone’s taking. Anyone willing to receive. Hallelujah & amen!

ForGlorySake! – Anna
 

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