Don't hold too tight...

Have you ever fallen...I mean like hard! Have you ever thought you had it all in control and just all together? Let me tell you...I have and when it was taken from me I hit rock bottom. It was a tough blow! My mom once said it's when you let your pride get in the way there will be a fall to come shortly...she was right!!  Three years later from this particular instance I can say I am a better person from my fall. I am thankful God took all I knew (at the time) away. I will even say in the midst of it, even though it really hurt, I remember being prayerful and having peace it would all work out...and it has.

Jesus Calling is such an incredible book, there is always something you can apply to your life. Yesterday's was one of those I know it's true, but ouch...and thanks for reminding me ones...

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. *Remember all good things--your possessions, your family and friends, your health and your abilities, your time--are gifts from Me. Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude. Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!"

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.     (What a powerful prayer...be ready to be convicted though)

1 Peter 5:6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.      (In our microwavable society we want it NOW...God doesn't work that way. We are living out His movie and we can only handle one snapshot at a time. His timing is perfect--ALWAYS!)

We live in a society where many feel entitled to all and then some. Don't let the world and worldly desires creep up on you. Remember what my mama said...with pride comes a fall!  Don't hold too tight to the things of the world.  Remember He can take it all away.

Job 1:21  He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave.  The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away.  Praise the name of the Lord!”  (If you have never read the book of Job...do so! You will be blown away!)


I encourage you to constantly communicate with God and let him know how thankful you are for your loved ones, your health, your job, your car, the tires on your car, your home, your comfy bed, the yummy food you will put in your mouth...We are so beyond blessed. It is so easy to think of the mess in our life or focus on the negative...today (and everyday) try to thank Him in the midst of ALL your circumstances, you will be blessed!   1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.   Ephesians 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Consistent, isn't He!


1Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.   2 Corinthians 1:9 ...stop relying on yourself and rely on God...   James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.


Psalm 34:19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

John 13:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”


2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

Are you deeply troubled by sin?

This weeks sermon was about Paul, A Blueprint for Reaching People.
(FBCR:Bro. Zach)

Acts 17:16-23
     While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.
     He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, "What's this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he's picked up?" Others said, "He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods."
     Then they took him to the high council of the city. "Come and tell us about this new teaching," they said. You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it's all about." (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)
     So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follow: "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your alters had the inscription on it: 'To an Unknown God.' This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about.

Paul was disturbed (deeply troubled v. 16) by sin/lostness.

• People who are so sensitive to God that they are troubled/concerned when they see sin, people hurting, starving, etc...
• Samuel stayed up all night weeping because of sin
• In Luke: Jesus looked out and wept..."If you only knew peace  was coming"

The Alternative:

1. Entertained: Even if it's on the sidelines...sometimes we aren't broken by sin...we have a good time watching it happen (but we aren't doing it right?!?! hmm...)
2. Numb: The World is too much of an emotional investment, so we just turn off our feelings--Thank God Paul didn't!

• What upsets you?
• What troubles you?
• (Lost, on a fast track to eternity separated from God? The Hungry? Poor? Human Trafficking?)
• Who decides what bothers you?
• Who influences you?
• We walk around all the time letting people influence and tell us what ought to upset us or trouble us. We ought to let the Word of God tell was should upset/trouble us. Open your heart and be affected by what God says. Don't let people tell you when to be happy or sad.)

Paul made it his priority to engage the darkness (respectfully (v.22&23), consistently (v.17-daily), with compassion and mercy)

The Alternative:

1. Ignore: "Ostrich Syndrome" putting your head in a hole. Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed and just hope someone else will do it, but God did not save you to ignore the lost.
2. Complain: God did not call us to point out the problem, he already knows them, but to be part of the solution. What are you going to do about it?
3. Participate in it (darkness): participating in what we condemn, solution: engage in the darkness.

Paul, like Peter (Acts 3), capitalized on opportunities.

• When he had a chance to speak, he spoke..."about the unknown God."
• EVERY door God cracked open, Paul barrelled through.
• Can you say to yourself each day, "I have done everything God has called me to do?!"
• "Have I capitalized on every opportunity?"

Don't be satisfied just by knowing Jesus...but SHARE it with others.

I have been blessed the past several weeks with these incredibly convicting and applicable sermons. Thank you Bro. Zach! (Hope you don't mind me sharing)

Jesus is the boss of my life!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

 

Tonight was a very special, memorable night... 

Faith was hanging out watching football with Daron while I was laying with Will. He and I were chatting about our weekend and he said, "Mommy, is Jesus in my tummy yet?" I thought a moment and said, "you mean in your heart?" He said "yes!" I said, "Well, have you asked him to be there?" He said, "No, but I want to..."I asked him what it meant to have Jesus be the boss of his life...he said Jesus died on the cross for his sins, that God is his real dad, he loves him, and will live with him forever.  I said, "Would you like to ask Jesus to be the boss of your life and live in your heart?" He said, "yes," so we prayed together (he repeating me) asking Jesus to be the boss of his life. After "Amen" out of no where he started singing "God hears me, God hears me when I pray...." (he has never done this before which only makes me think it was more sincere). After putting both kids to bed and talking to Daron about this he told me that this afternoon when they were outside playing Will told him that God was his real dad and that he (Daron) was just his dad for a little while...Daron explained that was true and that they are actually brothers in Christ. Don't know about you, but a really cool thought.

So then I went to lay down with Faith

(Preface: she had not been anywhere around, I only point this out because they are siblings that often try to copy or one-up each other...so it makes me feel like this was more sincere. She asked Jesus to come in her life several months ago but did not want to get baptized. Daron and I never pressed the issue because we wanted her heart to be there and it be all her...)

she said, "I want to get baptized!" I said, "Wow that's great!" She said, "Yes, at the end of the month celebration service." (the Church we have been visiting baptizes once a month and they call it the celebration service...we have not talked about this at home, tell me she doesn't listen at Church! :) LOL) She proceeded  (all on her own) to tell me she needed to read her Bible more and learn more scripture, that she knows her life will have to be different and she will try to obey us more, get along with her brother more, and be a good example to her friends. She yelled for "d-man" (Daron, her dad) to come in the room to share her excitement! Told him all about her decision and prayed with her arms wrapped around both our necks. ~precious moments~

Afterwards, she said, "I'm really excited about this, but do I have to wear my earplugs?" (For those of you who may not know, she has had three sets of tubes and can not get her ears submerged in any water--even bath water) I told her yes, she seemed a little bummed, but did not waiver in the most important decision she has ever made.

After putting the kids to bed, Daron finished watching the Texans get hammered by the Packers...I went on a walk around the block and thought to myself what an amazing God we serve...even more, this privilege of being a mom and raising His children. When you really think of it, it's like the most overwhelming, important responsibility we have...we are only here on earth because of Him, to serve Him and show others about Him! I know my job will never be over sharing the Good News and being a constant light in my home (and World around me), but this is a very proud mom moment. I feel so blessed!

If you would pray for:

1. Faith and Will to continue to understand what it means to follow Christ daily
2. Daron and I to be good role models

Thank you friends for being apart of our life and our story. Have a wonderfully blessed week!

AMEN

If you are reading my blog and don't know where you would go if you were to die in...1 second...if you have questions email me: shawnamoulton@gmail.com I would be happy to talk with you, answer questions...and if I don't have the answers, I will find someone that does.

~Be Blessed~

Mexico with Friends

Cancun, Mexico

Aug.31-Sept.5, 2012

With Daron's brother & new wife, Stevie & Ashley

and wonderful friends (like family) Chris & Summer

Just landed in Mexico...

Stevie's shirt had a lot of people in the airport talking...

leave it to him! :)

The gang--here we go!

VIP transportation was the way to go!!

Summer & Chris

Stevie & Ashley

Daron & Me

The girls

ahhh...first glance at the pool area

Day 1 of the trip--chilling in the pool

The first night we ate at the Steakhouse--delish!

Then off to theme night, bacchanal white party & DJ

We only had 3 hours of sleep the night before...this espresso was the only thing that kept my up til midnight!

 

Day 2

and, I was up at the crack of dawn morning #1

Decided to take a walk on the beach so I wouldn't wake Daron up

May have been one of the most peaceful, relaxing mornings!

As I gazed over the Ocean, I thought, how can you see all of this and not believe in God?!?!

So thankful my Father is the creator of this amazingly gorgeous universe!

More fun in the sun with friends

Stevie's so tough, LOL

Day 3:
Daron and I took the ferry to Isla Mujeres, rented a golf cart and enjoyed cruising around the island ending with a wonderful massage on the beach.

Stevie, Ashley, Chris & Summer to a day tour to the same island and snorkeled.

Beauty

We went to a turtle farm on the island. These turtles were born the night before. They keep them for three days, then release them.

This is where the turtles lay their eggs, pretty interesting.

We were told to eat here...it was good, nothing amazing

Ferry ride home...plenty of sun

We thought of our sweet Will, he would LOVE to go on those ships!

 

Date night at the Wok--my fav!

tempura ice cream

tempura bananas

Love this brother pic!

Day 4=lounging in the sun all day, ahhhh

Italian night

 

Day 5

 

the following pictures of from the Italian night before

 

Enjoying our last full day in paradise

 

Day 6:

Daron and I couldn't just pack up in leave, we enjoyed an hour on the beach!

 

going to miss this

successful group trip!

Farewell til next time