So Proud of My Brother!

I have a younger brother that I need to brag on a little bit. I don't get to see him very much, and those times will be even less & less by summer's end. 

He and his family live a few hours away, and we are lucky that they can make time for us with the rest of their family when they come our way. He & his wife have five children and when they come for a visit, our crowd gets even louder if that's possible. If you even hear a distant rumble, its probably us getting together.

Part of the reason that I am so proud of him, is that he and his family have accepted a call from God to be missionaries in Venezuela. This has been a long time coming.They have spent a lot of time and energy sharing their passion for what God has brought to their lives. I can remember when he was just a teenager, so much wiser than his much older sister, he told me that God had told him he was going to be a missionary one day. I am not even sure if he remembers that conversation. But, I do. Part of me was thinking, how could he know that at such a young age? You have to know, at that time in my life, I was saved, and I had drifted very far from the Lord for a long time, yet, I had finally realized that what was missing in my life was a relationship with my Heavenly Father. I thought, one day, maybe I will be close enough to the Lord for him to speak to me and to use me. Through the years, I have watched him grow and serve the Lord, his wife and his children in so many ways. He has said so many times in his life, "I want what God wants for me".

They have such a desire to be in Venezuela that I know their hearts are already there. In the next few months they will take the next step in this journey. Makes part of me sad, but makes me bubble up with pride to see such love and obedience to the Lord. Many people may not understand the whys and the whats of such a calling. I just know that FAITH is the answer to all of those questions. They have put their lives in the Lord's hands and they trust him with ALL that's to come. HE IS ALL THEY NEED!

There are lots of details about how they were called and where they are now in this process. They have a blog, and she updates it as she has time. (not sure how she does it, with all the itinerating -traveling and raising support-, homeschooling the children ages 5-14, preparing to leave the states and dealing with life in general.) Check out their Mission Story at  The Venezuelan Voice as well as her latest blog post 16 Years of Togetherness.

If you don't mind add the Smith Family to your prayers as they follow the Lord. If you have a chance stop by their blog and leave them a note of encouragement and maybe even a donation of support, I know they would appreciate it. I know they would love your prayers as they come to the final months of preparation. 

Love you Scott, Charity and my wonderful nieces and nephews!!! I am soooo very proud of you and what you are doing!!!

CONTENT: Who is Sitting on the Throne of My Heart?

Self: a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality:

Selfish: devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.

Deny oneself: to refrain from satisfying one's desires or needs; practice self-denial.

In a lesson that my husband was teaching to the children at church last night, he asked this question~

Who sits on the throne of your heart, Jesus or Self?

He proceeded to explain that “self” is……

a rebel

always selfish

easily offended

full of pride

thinking everyone else is wrong

going against what authority says

thinking of others before myself

Me, me me me 

When he first asked the question I thought, well Jesus sits on the throne of my heart. (uh, pride!) But, as he explained each thing that “self” is, I realized that “self” was sitting there most of the time. The more the lesson went on, the more I realized that I allow “self” to reign in my heart and rule the things in my life more than I do Christ. It's no wonder things in my life are a MESS!!! No wonder I have a hard time with being CONTENT!

Oh, I pray, read my Bible, learn scripture, go to church, Bible study, etc …..

But when I think of that list of what “self is”

I do rebel…. I am not always obedient to God’s word or what He calls me to do

I am selfish.... I like to control things… I can’t understand for the life of me, why some  people can’t act right??? (I know there are many of you that never feel that way)

I am offended when certain people don’t respond the way I think they should (see that I?)

I am prideful…. Just thinking that Christ sits on the throne of my heart is proof enough.

I don’t always put others before me…. I want to do things when I want, not at the expense of my time and I definitely don’t want to have to go out of my way (more & more I’s)

GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY of “SELF” trying to rule in my life.  

Soooooo… what am I going to do about it???

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24

Now, I have heard this verse over & over. Our pastors have said it many many times. So it isn’t like I have heard it for the first time……

But you know how scripture can speak to you one way today and then in a different way the next time you read it. Don’t you LOVE how God’s word is ALIVE and how it can become ACTIVE if we will let it?

Deny oneself: to refrain from satisfying one's desires or needs; practice self-denial.

I need to learn how to say “NO” to self and not give in to it, no matter if it’s a prideful thought, a desire, a selfish act and say “YES” to allowing Christ to rule in every situation.

Take up my cross: Choose God’s will over my own. Christ was a servant and I am to strive to be more like Him so I should continually work towards having a servant’s heart.

I was reminded of this verse

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Matthew 6:24

Do I want “Self” or “Christ” to sit on the throne of my heart? Because they definitely cannot rule together.

Of course I want Christ, so that I may experience true JOY & PEACE in my life. 

JOY + PEACE = CONTENT!!

Things that I can do to put Christ in HIS rightful place:

Be obedient to His Word.

Set aside time each day to pray and dig into God's Word. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

Not only learn scripture, but know it and BELIEVE it!!

Pray for God to change my heart towards those that I have a hard time with.

Do right.

Honor God in all I say and do.

Let God lead and guide me in all I do.

Rejoice in the Lord ALWAY!

So, who is sitting on the throne of your heart?

Baby C is TWO!!!

 

Isn't he the sweetest??!!! 

Happy Birthday Baby C!! 

Lolli & Pop love you!!!