I'm moving!

Come check out my new "Wifey/Lifey" blog at The Pippi Narrative! See you there:)

Happy Wife, Happy Life?

I have been reading a significant amount of scripture about being a wife lately, mainly because I'm going to be one in 43 days.  -Insert massive smile. 

There are many scriptures on the family.  So Ive been attempting to read, apply, learn, apply, soak in, apply... You get the idea. 

Though I'm not concerned enough about its origin to do any significant research, I must state that I have always abhorred the phrase 'Happy Wife, Happy Life'. (I must also include the phrase 'If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!' ) It seems rather self-seeking.
In a nutshell it says, If I'M happy, I'll do my best to make the lives of those precious, God-given gifts around me happy. But if I'm not happy, then they will have to suffer too.
Throw in a bit of  'My happiness is not from above, but based on temporal circumstances' and you  have summed up entire quote.

So My little wifey learning curve has reiterated some important truths that I'm happy to be reminded of. I thought I would share.

1. In a Christ-centered relationship, both parties will seek out a relationship with Jesus on their own. Daily renewal and strength comes from a commitment to prayer, fasting, and Bible intake. It's the ole' Airplane Oxygen Mask concept. If I'm unhealthy, how will I help anyone else? However, if I'm healthy spiritually, my ability to invest value in a relationship significantly deepens. 

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12 KJV)

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2 KJV)


Bingo! 

2. In a Christ-centered relationship, the couple will spend time with Jesus TOGETHER.
Though this concept seems self-explanatory, it is very often overlooked.  Are we praying together? Reading good books together? Submitting and loving the way Scripture teaches? Challenging each other to spend time in fasting and the Word of God?  Simply, keep each other accountable in spiritual disciplines. 

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:21-25 KJV) 

How could this be done any more beautifully than in a time of prayer, devotion and sharing?

So, as I'm learning, it was ok that I really disliked the quote 'Happy Wife, Happy Life". Mainly because, my happiness isn't based on my circumstances or relationships. My happiness is from above.  If I will choose to invest my time in a relationship with my Savior and my husband, I will be a happy wife. My husband cannot make or break my happiness. This doesn't make our world or relationship perfect, but it puts it in perspective.

What is my Definition?

I have always wanted to be great. Not Super-hero great or Presidential great. Just "me" great.
Great defined by ....the best me I can be.

So periodically, I look at what is powering my life. Where am I getting my inspiration? What am I doing with my time? What am I investing in? Who is influencing me and who am I influencing? Is my heart ok with Jesus?  What is MY definition?

By definition, the word "definition" means:


1. the act of defining or making definite, distinct, or clear.

2. the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, idiom, etc.,  can give users direct, immediate access to the definitions of a term

3. the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined.

4. Optics . sharpness of the image formed by an optical system.

5. Radio and Television . the accuracy of sound or picture reproduction.

It's clear from the above definition, that this word is deeper than the mere appearance of something. It goes deeper than what that object wants to be or intends to be....It's what it ACTUALLY is.

Admittedly, I am consumed and overtaken with what seems a singular purpose right now. A November 16, 2012 Wedding. Every day it seems the strongest pull on my time and the greatest power on my To-do list. Happily, (and maybe a bit stressfully) I have been conquering it. But it's not the wedding that will be my life's definition.

 It's not my education. Or my goals. Or my career. Or my friends. Or what anyone thinks.

It is who I am in my walk with Jesus. It is what I do with my time. It is what I do with my resources. It is my everyday choices that define me. 

Thankfully, my life's definition can be whatever I'd like. I can realign when necessary. But I want it to be clear. I want it to be definite. I want it to have significance. I want it to be distinct. I want it to be sharp. I want it to be accurate.

My life's definition,  or its clear outline, must remain singular in purpose: A life lived well for Jesus.

I thank God for a man that loves truth, cherishes my moral purity, will fight to do the RIGHT thing, lives in integrity, and truly loves His Savior more than anything. What a gift God has given me!

Tyler

God has given me a prayerful, annointed, wise, understanding, intelligent, handsome, kind, godly, sweet, even-tempered, level-headed, financially sound, pure, passionate, patient, loving, goal-oriented, driven, health-conscious, happy, challenging, gentleman, minister and friend to spend my life with.
And he likes to read. And exercise. And travel. And dress classy. And laugh with me. And I've never opened my own door.

There is not another man walking who fits my dreams like Tyler Bryant does and God knew this before we were born.

How good God is to me.

:)

First Love, Forever Love.

Sometimes, God's gifts to us are moonlight sparkling on deep water or warm summer days full of bare feet and green grass... how I love these gifts! More perfectly, God always bestows on us His greatest gift, agape love, and we are left humbled by the completeness of His care. "In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore"--Truly! God touched the secret places of my heart that no person ever could reach to give me the perfect gift my soul desired.


And then sometimes, without rhyme nor reason, He decides we are ready for the gift of our Forever Love. This earthbound Forever Love only lasts a lifetime, but to our feeble understanding, it is everything. How beautiful! He gave us this kind of Forever Love so we could better understand His agape love.


So when it happens, this Forever Love, and we can't breathe or reason. Time is altered, days are spent waiting and everything makes sense. I've dreamed of receiving this gift since my days of hot pink Barbie Cars and frilly dresses. Every Valentine's Day brought me a year closer.

This year, finally, God decided that it was time.

My First Love has given me my Forever Love.

The Christian Woman

..rejoices in her femininity, expressing it through her attitude, appearance and bearing. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

…does not compete for equality with men or chafe at God’s design for male and female, but delights in and understands the importance of her calling to complement man’s role. (1 Timothy 2:11-12, Ephesians 5:22-24)

…values the cultivation of her mind and diligently seeks after wisdom and knowledge. (Proverbs 22:17-21, 2:2-6)

…realizes her imperative need to allow the Holy Spirit to control her emotions and expressions of them. (James 1:19-20)

…does not wallow in self-pity or make a habit of voicing complaints, but radiates cheerfulness and joy. (Proverbs 15:15, Proverbs 17:22)

…appreciates her father’s protection, and respects and submits to his authority. In so doing, she is preparing herself to exercise the Biblical role in her relationship with a possible future husband. (Ephesians 5:33-6:3, 1 Peter 3:1-2)

…is trustworthy and gains the respect of those around her. (Proverbs 31:11)

…restrains herself from listening to, or participating in gossip, but instead speaks with wisdom and discretion. (Proverbs 11:12-13, 22, 20:19, 3:11)

…encourages and builds up those around her instead of criticizing and tearing them down. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:29)

…does not have a nagging, contentious or manipulative manner in which she deals with others. (Judges 16:16, Proverbs 21:9, 19, 26:21)

…is not boisterous or loud in her speech or actions but is characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit. (Proverbs 9:13, 1 Peter 3:4)

…portrays chastity, modesty and reverence in her manner, and wears the ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is her true beauty. (1 Peter 3:3-4, Titus 2:4-5)

…is not offended by respect shown her through gentlemanly courtesies (opening doors, etc.) but cultivates the differences between the sexes that make her worthy of this deference. (1 Peter 3:7, Mark 10:6)

…seeks to make God her number one desire and the Lover of her soul, knowing that only He can fully satisfy. (Psalm 73:25, Psalm 63:1)

…uses her years of singleness to seek and serve God without distraction, and is content to leave the details of her future to Him. (Psalm 73:25, Philippians 4:11)

…does not relate to members of the opposite sex in a forward manner, but instead saves all her passion for her future husband. (Thessalonians 4:3-8, Proverbs 6:25, 1 Corinthians 7:1)

…holds her virginity before marriage sacred and will not compromise it for anything. (1 Timothy 5:22)

-Philip Hainline

As God Wills

Pain's furnace heat within me quivers, God's breath upon the flame doth blow; And all my heart in anguish shivers And trembles at the fiery glow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And in the hottest fire hold still.

He comes and lays my heart, all heated, On the hard anvil, minded so Into His own fair shape to beat it With His great hammer, blow on blow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And at His heaviest blows hold still.

He takes my softened heart and beats it; The sparks fly off at every blow; He turns it o'er and o'er and heats it, And lets it cool, and makes it glow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And in His mighty hand hold still.

Why should I murmur? for the sorrow Thus only longer-lived would be; The end may come, and will tomorrow, When God has done His work in me; So I say trusting, "As God will!" And, trusting to the end, hold still. --Julius Sturm

I Wont Go Back!

This song has been on repeat for days during my prayer time...I love it!

Through Prayer!

Transcribed excerpts from the sermon "Voices" by Rev. Lee Stoneking

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22

"I am convinced, thoroughly convinced, that through prayer there is no problem that can't be solved. There is no sickness that can't be healed. There is no burden that can't be lifted. There is no storm that can't be weathered. There is no motive that can't be uncovered. There is no devastation that can't be relieved. There is no sorrow that can't be erased. There is no poverty cycle that cannot be broken. There is no sinner that can't be saved. There is no perishing that can't be rescued. There is no fallen that can't be lifted. There is no hurt that cannot be removed. There is no difference that cannot be dissolved. There is no hindrance that can't be shaken. There is no limitation that cannot be assaulted.


There is no mourning that cannot be comforted. There are no ashes that cannot become beauty. There is no heaviness that can't be covered with the garment of praise. There is no thirst that can't be quenched. There is no hunger that can't be filled. There is no dry ground that can't be flooded. There is no desert that can't blossom. There is no congregation that can't be revived. There is no preacher that can't be unctionized. There are no church pews that can't be filled. There is no church board that cannot become one. There is no community that can't be Christianized. There is no nation that cannot be transfigured.


There is nothing, there is nothing, there is nothing, there is nothing, that God cannot do by prayer. If we will pray, we can change anything because inside of us there is a power that reaches out to God and never returns empty. It's like a hand; it's like a hand; it's like a voice ...You can throw your hands in the air; you can lift your voice to God and He will answer by fire!...But in spite of all I have just recited for you, you have to somewhere decide, on an individual basis, how much of Jesus you want? And how much of yourself you are willing to give? Your entire future in God depends on the answers that you give to those two questions. How much of Jesus do I really want? How much of myself am I willing to give?

Pray Against--

I was incredibly stirred by an email I recieved from World Network of Prayer this evening-- The following list was extremely applicable for my own life and will probably be for yours as well!

Take a few minutes to ask for God to protect his people and foil the enemy's hindering tactics:


1. Physical and mental distractions
2. Feelings of heaviness or tiredness
3. Feelings of hopelessness
4. Accusations that you're not worthy to pray
5. Misleading satanic opportunities
6. A sense of panic
7. Self centered or selfish thoughts
8. Interruptions
9. Bombardment of thoughts
10. Worry and lack of trust
11. Opposition to godly Pastoral authority

-John Hanson

Click Here. Read this. Excellent!

Possess the Promise!

If you want to see true motives, true intentions, true levels of character and true committment, fast and pray. It NEVER fails to bring all the dirt to the surface. Despite deep spiritual attack, I am blessed to be part of the deepest move of God I have yet to see in our church. Thankful God exposes sin, saves the sinner, reaches the hungry heart and protects His annointed.

What Are You Doing With Your Pain?

A deeper look into the life of Chicago lawyer, Horatio Spafford, gives us his heartbreaking interlude with loss. This man bravely penned the beloved hymn It Is Well after enduring the loss of his young family in a tragic accident.
I have forever been intrigued with this story, simply for the huge amount of submission to God's sovereignty it requires. The painful, dark place he found himself in was an oppurtunity for further pain...or an oppurtunity to heal. He choose, with God's help, to heal.

Have you ever prayed for God's will, then secretly expected your own plan to happen? I can answer yes, a million times!

I'm learning that my will and plans pale in comparision to His. So the most important thing I can do is allow my heart to get so lost in His that I can do nothing but WANT His perfect will. I must not react in hatred, vengence or worry. Unforgiveness cannot reign over forgiveness. Though it never comes easily, and at times I lack understanding, healing CAN come. Healing comes ONLY thru Jesus, nothing else can satisfy that part of my heart.

Even at the point of your life-altering loss or pain, you can go to a quiet place and pen the words It Is Well!

I am going to do something good... for Jesus... with my pain. I hope that is what you choose, too.

It Is Well
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

The elder Norman Paslay I used to say, "The Will of God, at any cost."


"Is it well with thee?... And she answered, It is well." -2 Ki. 4:26

"Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul." -Psa. 146:1

The music began and the bride walked in. No, I take that back. She "tromped" in. White dress (albeit her 4th or 5th marriage, I can't recall), Harley boots, and tatoos covering her bare back. She tripped on her dress multiple times, finally just yanking it up and marching forward in a huff. And she snorted multiple times.

This was the scene from a wedding I recently attended. It was unlike anything I had seen before. Of course, the groom was none the wiser and it is safe to say that in their minds, it was a beautiful day. And no, they won't read my blog. :)
I was reminded of this experience during my recent study of Proverbs 31.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:1-3

The bride represents certain things in our minds. She has grace. She is not thrown together or disheveled. She is beautiful. Her beauty is not only outward though. She represents prayerfulness, faithfulness, sincerity, reliability, confidence, intelliegence, tenderness and passion. Those essential traits that prolong and maintain her ranks in the true league of beauty.

The following is one of my favorite excerpts from The Christian Wife by J. R. Miller and is a masterful description of what we should strive to be:

Commonly, today's bride doesn't represent goodness. In fact, their dependence is weak, indolent helplessness. They lean—but impart no strength. They cling—but they sap the life. They put forth no hand to help. They loll on sofas or promenade the streets; they dream over filthy novels; their homes are in disarray. They are utterly useless—and being useless they become burdens even to manliest, tenderest love. Instead of making a man's life stronger, happier, richer—they absorb his strength, impair his usefulness and hinder his success.

Yet, dependence is beautiful when it does not become weakness and inefficiency. The true wife clings and leans—but she also helps and inspires. Her husband feels the mighty inspiration of her love in all his life. Toil is easier, burdens are lighter, battles are less fierce—because of the face that waits in the quiet of the home, because of the heart that beats in loving sympathy whatever the experience, because of the voice that speaks its words of cheer and encouragement when the day's work is done. No wife knows how much she can do to make her husband honored among men, and his life a power and a success, by her loyal faithfulness, by the active inspiration of her own sweet life!

So when his heart is crushed, beneath her smile it gathers itself again into strength. De Tocqueville wrote of his wife: "You cannot imagine what she is in great trials. Usually so gentle, she then becomes strong and energetic. She watches me without my knowing it; she softens, calms and strengthens me in difficulties which distract me—but leave her serene." An eloquent tribute—but one which thousands of husbands might give. Being a true Christian woman, as the one described in Proverbs 31, is the best thing I could ever devote myself to becoming.

Shameless Love

The day Hosea found Gomer living as a prostitute, she was dressed like one. Her hair was wild and her nails were not manicured. Her face tired and wet with tears. She stood alone on the slave table in the marketplace. Men of ill-repute were probably jeering about her and talking obscenely. But not Hosea; he was reaching in his pockets for money to buy her.

"Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:
And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee." Hosea 3:1-3

Despite her seeming insatiable desire for sin, he bought her back. She had committed the deepest kind of betryal and in return, he spills out his deepest committment to her.

I have been angry with Hosea and Gomer's story more than once because I can't imagine love with a depth like that. Yet, I must acknowledge I've been shown that love. And so have you.

We are the one that want what we want, at the cost of others. We are the ones that shirk our duties for pleasure. We are the ones that have betrayed His confidence and abused His mercy. We are the ones that lapse back into a mentality that Christ had brought us out of. We are the ones that have needed perfect mercy to cover our shameless pasts.

So He does what others won't do. He mends us and restores us, knowing we will never fully know the depth of His love. He will buy us back, show us love and promise us a future with Him.

This is one crazy love story.

"He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love."
-Song of Solomon 2:4

True love is a high and holy principle, altogether different in character from that love which is awakened by impulse and which suddenly dies when severely tested."

~Ellen G. White

"Not called!" did you say? "Not heard the call," I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

Post Thanksgiving Thankful List

1. My faithful, patient God that is ever teaching, changing and healing me. I love Him the most and only care to complete His perfect plan.

2. My strong, passionate daddy. The epitome of Pastor... ever concerned for the spirit & soul of people. The epitome of provider..He has taken such good care of our family. He gets more done in a day than most men do in weeks. If I can marry a man that loves God's work just like him, I will be blessed.

3. My proverbs 31 momma. Sweet, gentle, Christian. Nothing like the sound of her praying everyday, fervantly. I am what I am, because I have a praying momma. I love her so.

4. My entire family. They are my joy and strength. My sweet gram. My siblings and their spouses. The cutest, smartest nephews in the universe. And all the others.

5. "Kindred spirit" friends that remain throughout each of life's seasons. I am blessed with several dear ones. Sometimes words aren't even necessary. What a gift they are!

6. A warm, happy home.

7. My church...the people that make it up! Ever growing, ever exciting. Full of new faces, new converts, best friends, a sweet spirit of unity, revival and Second Chances. God has blessed us!

8. A paid off car and financial provision.

9. The oppurtunity to be in full-time ministry at my church. My love, my heart, my passion. Love working alongside an incredible team of gifted people that LOVE God's work.

10. Books


11. Dreams.


12. Prayers that have yet to come to fruition.

13. Smiles, Hot tea, warm sheets, perfume, high heels and bubble baths.

14. Laundry out of the dryer and Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice.

15. Christmas music and trees

16. Good Running shoes

17. Steamables (which I eat everyday of my life and which my family makes fun of me for.)

18. Challenges

19. Things that are clean. Organized. And clean. But mainly clean. :)

20. Coffee. With Cream. Or Organic Skim milk. And Stevia.

In my lifetime, in this order, please and thank you.

One of these.


And we'll go here.


...and here.


One or two of these..

And one or two of these...


Best pictures ever, eh? :)