Getting Serious With God & Dayspring Good Things Teacup & Tote Review

Have you been slacking in your time with God?  I {honestly} totally HAVE!! My excuse: homemaking responsibilities, homeschooling, the boys, a business to help run, a ministry I serve in, the list can keep going! On and off I would have time with the Lord, without interruption, but again I wouldn't get up! Back in February, during a homeschooling conference, one of the speakers talked about her time with the Lord.  Something she had to do intentionally, due to the business of life, she spoke about a special box she had that helped her.

I have had this picture of a special box in the back of my head since then and kept telling myself that I have to go out and get a box.  So obviously that did not happen!  But what did happen was a box came to my door with this! Dayspring Good Things Collection Tote and Teacup!

As soon as I opened it, I knew this was my "box"!  I know it's not a box but I know exactly what I was going to use it for.  I am getting SERIOUS with my Lord.

Here is how I am getting serious with God:

1. I am intentionally waking up early, before everyone in my home.  I have found and seen the difference it makes to go before the Lord and have some time to get in the Word, pray and be encouraged by Him.  If you struggle getting up early, but want to, my secret is, I pray to God the night before (actually beg Him) to wake me up early because I want to spend time with Him ... and He wakes me up (YES! I do believe He wakes me up!) - the time: 5:00am ( I know early! but I have one hour for prayer and time in the Word, reading my books, and then laundry starting my day) - 8:00am
2. With getting up early - I now am going to bed early!  NO MORE COMPUTER in the wee hours of the morning... this is a good thing... time with my husband, a good nights rest and time with the Lord bright and early and a JOY filled day!

The benefits:

1. Draw closer to Him
2. Knowledge in His Word
3. Getting serious with God will also benefit in my marriage.  My husband said to me the other morning,  I love to see you before I leave the house.  It is nice to share the early morning with him with no distractions, even if it is for 10 minutes. And when he comes home, I can greet him with love!
4. Take away my frustrations!
5. I will be so encouraged by the Lord that I know my children will see a difference in my attitude!
6. I will be spiritually, emotionally and mentally filled with the Word and God's presence that it will  over flow in my home, marriage, children, our school, our business, our ministry... even my blog!
7. I will have JOY filled DAYS!!

The Plan:
I am taking the same idea for the speaker and making it suitable for me.  My tote will contain everything that I need to help me to draw closer to God.  Every morning I will grab my tote and my cup of ? and to my special meeting place with the Lord.

Here is what is going in the tote:

1. My Bible
2. A small binder with sections
1. Notes from sermons that I have listened to
2. Letters to God/ Journal 
3. Scripture that I want to reflect more on in areas that I feel I am struggling - Scripture memorization
3. Pen, marker, pencil, pencil crayons
4. MOM books I recently purchased/ given to me
1. Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson
2. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
3. The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
4. Education the Wholehearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson
5. Chasing after God and the Kids too by Cheryl R. Carter
5. I will also have my Dayspring encouragement cards that I get monthly.  I want to be able to send a card to whomever God lays on my heart
6. My address book, that way I don't need to get up and go into my office area - IN THE BASEMENT!

If my husband were writing, he would tell you that I am a "bag lady"!  He would tell you that I have a bag for everything in my life!  IT'S TRUE!  So, to no surprise to him, I would have a "bag"/ tote to carry all my "utensils" to draw closer to God! The tote says, "I will bless the Lord." Psalm 103:2 and that is exactly what I am and want to do.  I want to bless Him with my time ~ I know I will be extremely blessed! If you are wondering if it can hold all of these items - YES! it does! It is great!

Oh and the teacup, I love!  I don't drink coffee, well really I have never tasted it, so I have never had my own cup for anything!  NOW I do, I can sip in my cup of tea or hot cocoa every morning!  It says "He will fill my life with good things!" ~ AMEN!

I hope this encourages you and if you find your self in my shoes and want to get serious, find yourself a beautiful tote and put everything you need in it to draw closer to Him!  I will give you updates on how it's going for me!

For His Glory and By His Grace,
Monica

I was given this tote and teacup from the Dayspring (in)spired line of products in exchange for a review. Although I was given a free product, all opinions are all my own. This disclosure is in accordance to the FTC guidelines. 
I am a Dayspring Affiliate. Links are Affiliate Links.

The Truth About Modesty

Source: modsquadblog.com via Monica on Pinterest

Modesty? hmm..

What do you think of when you hear Modesty?  Skirts? Dresses?

I have been recently reading a lot about modesty and it got me to thinking... am I modest? Should I be wearing skirts everyday?  With the thousand other questions that followed, I went and spoke to my husband.  I asked him how he defines modesty and what does modesty mean to him.

Before I continue I want to let you know I am the only girl in my family with three brothers and I am the only woman in my home with four males (and one male cat).  So I thought, I really need to get to the bottom of this whole modesty thing.

As I was saying I spoke to my husband.  He really did not define modesty for me, instead he explained it. My husband I must say is such a man of God.  I truly admire him because when he shares his heart he is careful not to offend.  He knows how to approach.  He explained to me that when he looks at me and what I wear, the first thing that he thinks of is how other women will see an example in me.  He said that I am example for the women and young ladies in our church and the women around me.  He then went on to say that I set an example for our SONS!

In I Timothy 2:9 and10 we are told: “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes but with good works, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

My husband never came out and said, Monica I want you to wear skirts all the time, no, he gave me greater insight to what modesty really is.


The key to understanding what constitutes modesty in dress is to examine the attitudes and intents of the heart. Those whose hearts are inclined toward God will make every effort to dress modestly, decently, and appropriately. Those whose hearts are included toward self will dress in a manner designed to draw attention to themselves with little or no regard for the consequences to themselves or others. 


Modesty starts with our heart and relationship with God.  What good is it if I wear dresses and skirts and cover myself up, but I inside of me there is anger and bitterness.  What good is it to dress in this manner if I constantly yell at my children and have an attitude with my husband (no self -control), if I cannot forgive those around me....

IF I CAN NOT SET AN EXAMPLE WITH MY ATTITUDE, HEART and LIFE.


WHAT GOOD IS IT TO DRESS THIS WAY IF MY WORKS ARE NO GOOD! 

My way of dressing cannot cover up what goes on in my heart, in my home nor in my marriage.

Modesty:  
1. free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, conceit or great pretensions. 2. propriety in behavior(conduct), speech, dress


So interesting that even the dictionary tells us that modesty has to do with our conduct and our character.


If my heart is inclined towards godliness, everything about me: what I do, what I say and what I wear will reflect God. 


Modesty in dress is simply, and should be, a reflection of modesty and godliness of the heart.  This should be our greatest desire.  I do not just want to dress modestly to please God and my husband, but I want to reflect that the fruit of God dwells in me and pours out of me on a daily basis.

¹² Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ~ 1 Timothy 4:12

Modesty is humility expressed in the way we dress.  Modesty is the desire to serve those around us. ~ CJ Mahaney

Jerry Bridges calls good works – “deliberate deeds that are helpful to others” (The Practice of Godliness). Our good works are acts of kindness that are evidence of our salvation (that Christ lives in us). 

 CJ Mahaney asks these questions, that I ask myself and that you can meditate on as well.

Which do you think about more – shopping or good works?

What are you most noticed for – what you wear or your kind deeds?

What is most eye-catching about you – your clothing or your character?

Bottom line is this:  I am not saying do not wear skirts, dresses, etc.  I believe that what we wear needs to reflect God in our life.  I believe that we need glorify and honor God with how we dress. I believe that we need to honor our husbands with how we dress.  I also believe that we need to glorify God in our conduct, speech and life.   The first place to do this is in the ministry that God gave me called HOME.  My conduct and speech towards my husband must not be boastful, filled with "me's", but should be humble and submissive.  My conduct and speech toward my children should bring them closer to God and be an example for them. 

May all we do: serve our husbands and children, keep no record of wrongs, especially when our husbands say something that, honestly they do not mean, or when our children do something wrong or misbehave; be a joyful wife and mother, even when things don't go as planned; maintain a home where God's presence dwells, even when we have had a rough day.... honor God and bring Him glory.

Before we go out to change our entire wardrobe in our closet, let's do a heart check...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Living By His Grace,

Monica

 Linked up to the blogs in the Link up PAGE ABOVE!

My blog has been featured this week at  What Joy is Mine - Naomi has such a beautiful blog and testimony, please stop by, visit and follow!  I know you will be encouraged!

Resurrection of Me Through Christ

Source: Uploaded by user via Karla on Pinterest

Growing up I remember that Easter was about Jesus, but remember more bunnies than anything else.  As a teenager when I came to Christ my whole perspective about Easter changed.  There were no more bunnies!! I understood the connection there was - spring, flowers, life - but knew that life did not come though a change in season, but through a decision to change who will govern my life; to follow the Giver of Life. At that point I had LIFE!

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17~ NLT

The word is not speaking of a physical change - but a spiritual one - our spirit is redeemed, through the sacrifice of Jesus. Our lives are no longer worldly; they are now spiritual. Our “death” is that of the old sin nature which was nailed to the cross with Christ. It was buried with Him, and just as He was raised up by the Father, so are we raised up to “walk in newness of life”.

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."  ~ Romans 6:4 ~ NIV

Now we truly belong to God - we are His children!  Now we can understand the language of Christ - understand all that is written in the Bible.  Discern when the Holy Spirit is guiding us or when our old flesh wants to tell us what to do. We receive the Promises that God has given us from the beginning of time! 

BUT most importantly WE COME TO LIVE OUT OUR PURPOSE!!!

We were formed in the mind of God and created by His power and for His glory.

¹ You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,God!
How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

~Psalm 139~

I have said yearly, I want to be more disciplined in reading my bible, in studying the Word more, in fasting, in praying, being a more encouraging wife to my husband, a better mom to my children and the list can go on, but one thing that the Lord has reminded me of during this season is that through Christ He has resurrected the me He had destined - I am living out what He created me to be - HIS DAUGHTER and I am a work in progress.  Accepting Christ, as the REDEEMER AND SAVIOR of my life is the greatest decision in my life that my family will benefit. It is greater than all the desires I have for my family, because now they have a wife and mother that desires to walk with the Lord and live in the Lord's will!

Through His sacrifice everything is possible. 

And by His MERCY AND GRACE

I am a better DAUGHTER

I am a better WIFE

I am a better MOTHER

BECAUSE OF WHAT CHRIST DID FOR ME

He gave me a NEW LIFE
He gives me A PURPOSE

Today you are living out HIS PURPOSE just by living! 

Your decision to FOLLOW HIM

will ECHO INTO ALL THE GENERATIONS THAT FOLLOW YOU!!

That is the IMPACT that you HAVE made onto your CHILDREN today and always!!

Walking in Grace,

Monica

The Blessings and Responsibilities of Believers Bookmark - Printable

I never want to write a post just to write.  I pray daily to God about what He wants me to write.  I believe that everything that is on this blog comes from His heart and I want to always Glorify His name.  So with that said,  I have been studying the book of Ephesians with Good Morning Girls and have been so blessed.  I came across this beautiful chart in my bible; not sure if any of you have it, but I thought I would make a bookmark of it so that you may have it.

• Just print below.
• Laminate it for durability.
• Add a ribbon if you like.
• Invite your friends or family members to this blog so they can share in the joy of seeking God

Many Blessings,

Monica

Linked up to the blogs on the LEFT - Check them out !!  They are wonderful women after God's heart!!!

The Blessings - Responsibilities of a Christian Bookmark

God's LOVE hasn't RUN DRY...

The night is ending and it was a beautiful day.  Spent the day with my boys making cards for mima and pipa, went out to lunch with mima and pipa; came home, made my husband one of his favorite meals... it was a day of showing love.

Well all of this had me thinking about LOVE.  And as I thought and thought God led me right to him.   I had read recently a comment about how for some it's Valentines Day and for others it's Tuesday.  I actually laughed when I read it but then I realized, there are many people that can't stand this day for the very reason of showing, giving, acting in love.  I don't believe its because they don't want to, I believe it's because they hurt.

The more I thought about this I got to the point where I asked myself, "am I LOVING OUT LOUD?"  "Do I share God's love to others?"  And not just to my family and friends, but those around me that I don't know, those I come in contact with at the supermarket or the mall.  Do I come to someones aid when they are lashing out at another person because the price is wrong on an item!! Do I share God's love? His unconditional love?  His son? Jesus? to the world around me?

When I heard this song sung by these two beautiful women of God from The Better Mom I was blessed, because I know I am loved by God, because of His grace and mercy.  BUT, what about those who don't know who their awesome Creator is?  And what about those who do know and have just forgotten or walked away?

So even though Valentine's Day has come to an end, 
God's Love hasn't.  

My prayer:

Lord, help me to not be selfish with your Love.

Help me to share your love and not be ashamed , because you were not ashamed of me when you sent your Son to die on that cross for my sins.  

You just loved me.  

I want praise your name and lift it up, 

that all those around me come to know you.  

Be glorified Lord!  Every knee and tongue confess your GREAT NAME!!

Fill those empty hearts with your LOVE... 

Use me for a GREAT WORK... to LIFT YOUR NAME ON HIGH!!

Amen

I pray that you are blessed as you watch this video:

YOUR GREAT NAME - YouTube - Ruth and Kathleen from The BETTER Mom Blog

Monica



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