Made to... Inspire, Encourage and Equip

The last few days as I've been  reading my Bible these verses have stuck out to me "But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3: 13b-14.  I have been asking Jesus what it is that he is wanting to tell me and so far this is what I've  heard.  "MOVE FORWARD"  So often I get stuck in my mistakes and fears from yesterday, the day before, years ago, or two seconds ago.  I don't keep my eyes where they belong.  Fixed on my goal, the pursuit of Jesus.  I've had to examine every motive lately.  Asking myself  "Is this fear driven or God driven?"   Having teenagers is so hard.   I worry about the things I say or do and the effects of things I've said or done in the past.  I want to be perfect.  I want to wrap my arms around my kids and keep them safe from ...

A few years ago God gave Bryan and I a vision for a place where people can come for rest and healing.  A place with animals, a huge garden, and an orchard.  Since then I have been under constant spiritual attack.  Usually focused on the animals.  I absolutely love my cow Lucy.  Milking is something that I enjoy (most of the time).  And working in the garden is  healing for me.  I can just relax and not think about anything else.  Well Lucy calved a week ago and since then has had  milk fever.  I have  been stressed about it all week.  Then on Friday I ran over my daughters dog Benji.  I was so  discouraged.  The thoughts going through my mind went something like this.  "Who the heck do you think you are, God could not have called you to any kind of work with animals!  All you do is kill them or they get sick.  Besides why would God want to use you.  You obviously don't have the...

Drama on the farm as always :)  I am so paranoid with poor Lucy that every little thing is a huge question mark.  I was reading everything I could get my hands on about calving before the big event, and now I'm reading about milk fever, ketosis, freshening and normal behavior after calving. I am as worried about her as I would be about one of my kids :) She has a touch of milk fever so I'm treating that but in the midst of all the stress, worry , and being on the internet 24-7 looking up symptoms.  I had a brilliant idea!  Pray....... You would think I would have done that first but I get so caught up in crisis that I forget.  So I stopped and prayed.  I can't say that there was a brilliant light and everything is perfect now.  But it did remind me who is really in control.  Surprise, surprise, it's not me!  So today in the midst of all me chaotic life, kids with attitudes, and all my work and worry.  I WILL remembe...

We have been waiting for a month on pins and needles for Lucy to calve.  We got home late last night and saw the she was sliming pretty good so Bryan and I stayed up for a few hours just to keep an eye on her.  Nothing!   At just after 7:00 this morning  Bryan woke me up saying he heard Lucy.  Ahhhhhh! Panic time! I jumped out of bed in my pajamas slipped on my shoes and rushed out to the barn.  I was greeted by the sight of Lucy in the midst of hard labor with two little hooves poking out.  I rushed in the house to wake up the kids hollering "If you don't want to miss it you better hurry!"  And rushed back out to the barn.  In about 15 minutes we had a beautiful all black bull calf.  He's a big one too! What an amazing experience.  I am always in awe when I see something being born.  God is awesome :) Yes, I'm still in pajamas :) Tonight he's all dry and fluffy So far Momma a...

Often I'm taken off guard by the subtlety of satan.  He's a slippery bugger!  Today I'm feeling kind of down and I was praying about it, asking Jesus what was going on.  I realized that worry, fear, and anger are quietly hovering under the surface.  Too often I just ignore it and struggle through my day.   Today I recognize the battle and can win it.  The verse that has been floating around in my head all week is 2 Timothy 1:7 " For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."     Another is John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." He has been trying to steal my joy and distract me from the life God wants me to live.  No more! Back off buddy, In Jesus' name! If you're feeling down maybe stop and pray and see what exactly satan is trying to steal, kill or destroy in you.