Frugal Friday- Free Family Fun

In keeping with Crystal's at Biblicalwomanhood tradition of Frugal Fridays, I thought I would post about how I am going to have some free family fun. Since we are experiencing inclement weather conditions here in Arkansas and will probably be house bound most of the weekend I decided that for my Frugal Friday, I am going to go home and give my children the freest gift I can- my time. I am going to focus on making this wintery day their day, and bake and just sit up and watch girly girl, or wintery movies and just hang out! The cost- totally free! Have a blessed and safe weekend. smfg

Lighthouse Musings

If you were to ask me what my favorite iconic landmark is, I would have to tell you that I have a love for light houses. To me they are the most amazing structures, and the history behind them is inspiring. Its amazing to me that in the merchant days of old, ship captains would look for the light reflected from the light house as a beacon of safety and refuge during those tempestuous storms, just as God does for us. He stands there during our fiercest storms, beckoning the much needed light that determines the route to his safety.

Its an awesome and powerful feeling when you finally reach the inner sanctuary of that lighthouse and to know that you have made it safely into God's arms. Many times the waves seem so strong and violent, so overwhelming and undertaking but we have that peace of knowing that there is a light out there, that is guiding us to refuge; and when the storm finally blows over there is the quiet lull of peaceful waters. Be blessed today and always seek refuge in the light of the Almighty. Below are parts of the lyrics to one of my most favorite songs. It was on my heart today.

THERE'S A LIGHTHOUSE ON THE HILLSIDE THAT OVER LOOKS LIFE'S SEA.

WHEN I'M TOSSED IT SENDS OUT A LIGHT,THAT I MIGHT SEE

AND I THANK GOD FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE,I OWE MY
LIFE TO HIM. FOR JESUS IS THE
LIGHTHOUSE,AND FROM THE
ROCKS OF SIN;

HE HAS SHONE A LIGHT
AROUND ME THAT
I COULD CLEARLY SEE

AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE,WHERE WOULD
THIS SHIP BE?

Written by Ronnie Hinson Copyright 1971

Mustard Seed Faith

mustard field graphic from art.com
I took a small weekend hiatus from blogging as I just needed some time to myself to think and mediate before the Lord. I never want to post on my blog for the sake of using blog space, I only want to post those things that are glorifying to God as he leads me. I would like to share with you what has been on my mind heavily the past few days. I feel at peace sharing my most intimate thoughts with my readers, this helps me stay focused. It keeps me accountable, and I ask for your prayers that I will grow stronger in this area of my life.

As women, I believe there are times when then enemy tests our faith. Not our faith in the things we desire or ask of God, but our faith in ourselves. We have these nipping insecurities that will rob us of our joy and peace. Mine is a battle of self doubt. With this being said we have to constantly remember that we are daughters of the highest lineage and when we keep his commandments and prove him to be true to his word,then we are deserving of all the blessings he gives us.
I find it so odd that when we are growing up, we place so many unnecessary expectations and time lines on ourselves and our lives. If not careful we let society dictate where we should be in our lives at a certain time in our lives. When we start to reach those self imposed time-lines we want to panic if we are not close to our goals. This all happens simply because in our planning stage we planned, we planned and not God! Hence the anxiousness and undue burdens some women carry about daily. (myself included)

There are certain things that I have been before God about, and now that I am seeing that he is proving himself to me, I find myself battling fear. Fear of unworthiness, fear that I simply am not prepared to receive the gift I have asked for. Fear of my current place in my life and all those unreached goals, and just plain old fear of the unknown. I battle fear that I should be at a certain place in my life in comparison to others who's situations are not even close to being similar to mine.
The funny thing is that this is all how I measure myself, and not how God sees me. I feel strong in my heart that He is pleased with me, so why the fear? Well I guess the fear is there because the enemy needed to clock in to work today. The enemy keeps showing me all the ways that I am not prepared in relation to my measurements. However, God is so faithful, that he will not leave us or forsake us and he will give us victory over our fears and allow us to grow into his blessings. I don't believe one bit that he blesses us before we are ready and able to appreciate, and accept what he gives us.
As I pondered in this thought, I came across the thought for the day that my pastor sends out daily. It was fitting for me at the right moment in time and I wish to share it with you. May it be a blessing to you as it was to me.

thoughts today
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Years ago my father-in-law gave us a rack of different types of seasonings. The rack holds 30 bottles of seasonings such as paprika, garlic salt, curry powder, etc. I accidentally knocked it down yesterday. While putting the rack back up, I noticed a bottle of mustard seed. The seeds are very, very small.

Jesus talked about mustard seeds. Although these seeds are very small, they are still 100% seed. The seed will produce a plant, and the plant will produce a crop. All of this comes from such a small seed.

God wants us to have faith as a grain of mustard seed. Your faith might not appear to be as large as the next person's faith, but it is still 100% faith. Use it, and watch it produce a large crop.

Matthew 17:20-21 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. KJV