Marriage: Forgive

Last week I discussed Respect in a marriage & this week I will discuss Forgiving in a marriage.

I think forgiveness is a touchy subject & in a marriage it can be even harder because that's the person you see every day. You may have to look at them each & every day & forgive them for something they have done.

But also remember - your husband may be doing the same thing.

Forgiveness is a battle, an ongoing battle. I wrote an entire post over forgiveness but not specifically in a marriage.

Forgiveness.

A challenge again this week for the wives.

At our wedding our pastor read this challenge specifically to me.

Forgive - in marriage there are times where you will need to forgive. Forgiveness is an important tool in marriage. God calls us to forgive one another. There will be moments in your marriage where you will need to forgive Chris. When we forgive one another its a letting go and not bringing it up, many times that is so hard to do. Strive to make forgiveness happen in your marriage.

Forgive the small things, forgive the big things. Remember God forgives you OVER and OVER for the things you repeat. Your spouse is bound to repeat his mistakes. But be Love as God shows love & compassion to you.

Maybe the spark of repeated forgiveness will start to reflect in your husband.

Ephesians 4:32 -- Be kind & compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

source

Your challenge this week -- strive to forgive, forgive & forgive. God will give you the strength to.

A Special Day

Mark 10:16

Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Last weekend we had the opportunity to dedicate our son Weston (8 mos old) to the Lord at a special Saturday brunch that our church held.  It was such a special day for our family and I want to share it with you! 

A parent-child dedication is a special time where the parents stand together with their pastor, family and friends to publicly commit to pray for their child, love their child and raise their children to know the Lord. This is something that took place in the Bible - Jesus himself was dedicated!

In Luke chapter 2, Jesus was dedicated to the Lord at just 8 days old...

Luke 2:21-22 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 

In 1 Samuel, Hannah dedicated her son to the Lord...

1 Samuel 1:27 I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to theLord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.

When our son Wyatt was two we had him dedicated as well.  What a precious time both dedications were to us as parents and to our families!  I am so thankful that our families have committed to standing beside us as we raise our children in a Godly home.  We understand that we can't force our childrens' faith or salvation.  God gave each of us a choice who we will follow in our lives and that is our childrens' right as well.  But you'd better believe that I will teach my children about His love, His forgiveness and His sacrifice to us.  I will do my best to live my life as an example of my faith to them and lay a foundation for them that they can build on when they are old enough to make their own choices.

Check out the 10 Commandments to Parents below, I thought it was neat!

My sweet boy (sorry about the closed eyes!)

Happy Valentine's Day & Giveaway ***WINNER***

(source unknown)

 

He is the best Valentine's anyone could ask for!

If you think that you are alone today...he is true love.

Happy Valentines Day beautiful reader!

 

You are LOVED!

 

****************************

 

Thank you all who entered in our FIRST ever Giveaway here on GOGH!

You are amazing!

 

Are you ready for the winner?

Here she is...

 

 

*************Abbey Harris ***********

Please email us at girlsofgodsheart@gmail.com 

to claim your prize.

 

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

 

Spiritual Religion Vs. Godly

It is not a secret that Satan is after the Church. He wants to see us fall. One way he will do that is with spiritual bait. Oh yes...Satan is very knowledgeable and active in your church. We think just because we attend church, hang out with church people, dress like we go to church and sing on the praise team, we are safe from Satan's schemes within the church. Beloved, he has some of the church members by the throats. Why, because we lack wholeness. We have never fully allowed God to perform his miraculous work IN US. Sanctifying us through and through.

When I was growing up, my parents belonged to a church where most{not all} of the members were out of control. As a kid I could see it. What appeared to be holy (spiritual) on the outside was not so holy on the inside. Satan had a hold of so many members. They stuck to the church "rules" dressed appropriately, sang what they were supposed to, prayed how they were supposed to. They had a outward "spiritual" appearance. As I became of age I knew in my heart what I was accustomed to was not right. I had to establish my own "Godly" relationship with God...outside of that church. I wanted a relationship with God and not a religion. It may have took me longer then it should but eventually I learned how to have a relationship and not a spiritual religion.

What I learned from going to church as a kid; being spiritual about Christian things does not make you Godly. With all my heart I want to be Godly.

I am going to try and not be too wordy, because I will lose you. I feel that this is a topic some need to hear. With the world we live in today, we have come accustomed to leading Spiritual lifestyles. SO....

Let's define the two terms:

Spiritual: of or pertaining to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature: a spiritual approach to life.
A spiritual approach to life...ie: Church only on Sundays or maybe holidays. Partaking in Spiritual rituals. Tiffany also brought it to my attention that "Karma" is another example. What goes around comes around. That is spiritual thinking. Not to mention certain Spiritual "items" can become idols.
What does the bible say about idols? (an idol can be anything you put before God)

Exodus 20:1-15 ESV    
And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...

Leviticus 26:1         
“You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God.


Godly: conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devout; pious. Conforming...talking with /to God daily. Being of good measure. Performing Gods work within your life. Being a witness. Living as is God was standing right beside you. He is after all. Remember that saying...what would Jesus do? Being Godly is performing your every day tasks with his guidance and will over your life.

After reading through the different definitions of Spiritual and Godly, where do you think you are? Where would you like to be?

The bible also talks about false prophets being deeply Spiritual and not Godly. My biggest fear is falling under the schemes of a false prophet. Someone who appears to be spiritual, but is lacking the godly integrity. How do we know?

By being of Godly character ourselves. Keeping that open communication with God. Daily prayer and devotions. Cross reference what you are being taught with the actual WORD of God.

Even a believer can pose as righteous and spiritual. It is up to us to seek out God and strive for that Godly relationship with the Lord. Being Spiritual is an outward show for all to see. Just as a Religion is thought to be. Being Godly is a relationship. Which is what God looks at on Judgment Day.

2 Cor 11:14-15 ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

I think after growing up in the kind of Church that I did and seeing and hearing all the stuff that went on, it turned me sour to religion/God for quite some time. It wasn't until I was well into my adulthood that I sought after God for myself. I have learned to cross reference sermons with the actual word. Listen to what God is telling me and establish that Godly relationship that he desires us to have. I am far from being Godly, as I am human and sin. But I am not where I used to be. It took a bad experience for me to realize the difference between Spiritual and Godly. I pray that if you are stuck in a similar place or position as I was...you begin to really study the word and seek Gods face. He will give you the revelation that you need. He desires all your attention, your whole heart and wants to reward your for your faithful stewardship.

John 4:23 ESV    
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

Religion got in the way

Today, we have a special guest writing for us, Mimi!

MiMi is a very proud mommy of 2 boys. When she's not embarrassing herself with potty humor and awkwardness you can find her blogging about it at Living in France or with her hands covered in glitter and Mod Podge while she tries to craft. She's also set a goal to finish the Bible in a year or less. Currently she is in Romans. At the end of the day when she's done being awesome you can find her with her nose in a book.
blog // twitter // etsy // facebook

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So here's the deal with me. Ya see, I don't speak with much knowledge about God. I don't have quotes, psalms, passages or anything from the Bible memorized. I haven't even read it all the way through. In fact I just recently started attending church regularly. As in, last year. I had quit going for about 12 years. There were lots of reasons why, and I don't want to blab too much about the negative environment at this prior church, but it was one of the principal reasons I decided to quit. Oh, and also, I was too lazy to get up early on the weekends. Do you get what happened there? With the quitting of the church? Think of this:

Religion got in the way.

I know it sounds weird. But there are so many religions with so many rules and ideas about the best way to come to God.I think they sometimes forget that the business end of church is not what church is about. And that the only way to come to God is through Jesus. Religion doesn't buy you a ticket into heaven. Clean living doesn't get you in. You can't squeak in by the skin of your teeth because your will states that all your money goes to the poor. Recently, I had an acquaintance say something astonishing to me. She said, "MiMi, I just don't understand why you are attending church now...I've been trying to convert you to Christian for years." This felt like a blow to me. Like she had punched me in the gut. She may as well have said, "MiMi, I just don't understand why you have two eyes a nose and a mouth." I was insulted, indignant, mad, sad, all of those things. Finally I stammered out with tears in my eyes that I am Christian. I don't remember a time in my life where I didn't know Jesus. It made me think, though. What about my life said to her that I wasn't Christian? And I really thought about it. I didn't just get indignant and walk away and forget it. I've been pondering this question for weeks. In fact, this is the first time I'm really talking about it because I've just been holding it for a while. I decided that there were reasons, for sure, why she would think I'm not a Christian. From her point of view, and her legalistic philosophy of the Bible, of course she thinks I'm not a Christian. No matter that we discussed the Bible, God, Jesus, everything about Christianity and I had said many times I was a Christian, I guess I didn't show it. Here's the rub though: Some peoples' view of a Christian is flat out whacked. Completely insane. There's a difference between being a Christian and being a good Christian. Or even a mediocre Christian. I have not always been a good Christian, but I have always been a Christian. Heck, some days I struggle really hard to be a mediocre one.

But I do know this:

Because I cut my hair short and dye it doesn't make me not a Christian.

Because I sometimes (or a lot) cuss, does not make me not a Christian.

If I'm covered in tattoos and drink beer, it doesn't mean I'm not a Christian.

If I think you can drink wine with communion instead of juice, it doesn't mean I'm not a Christian.

If I have to fight the urge to punch the dude behind me in line at they grocery store because he is irritated waiting for me to check out and makes a sigh into a 3 syllable noise, that does not make me not a Christian.

If I wear makeup and have my ears pierced, that doesn't mean I'm not a Christian.

Because I like loud rock 'n roll doesn't mean I'm not a Christian.

Because I read, eat junk food, laugh when people fall down...still doesn't make me not a Christian.

I recently read something that went like this: When I say I'm a Christian I'm not announcing that I'm clean living or better than you. I'm saying that I'm a sinner and I know that Jesus died for my sins. That's all. And that's everything!! No matter what religion you are...don't let it get in the way! There is one person between you and God and he sits at God's right hand, waiting for you. Waiting for me. Although, I'm sure he wants me to clean up my language before I get there. I saw this video the other day and it reminded me of the one who thought I wasn't a Christian. Click here to view. It's a little over a minute long, and it's hilarious, definitely worth watching if you like tongue in cheek humor. Now, I don't know if this post makes any sense whatsoever. It looks nothing like what I originally planned. My thoughts ran away with my keyboard, I guess. I just wanted to put it out there...what I believe. I am a sinner. But I am saved.

 

Marriage: Respect

So I am the "newlywed" of the bunch & during our ceremony I basically stood their in awe at what was being said during MY ceremony.

I had never thought anything sounded more beautiful & perfect at any other wedding I had been to. Of course it being my own I may be a little one sided..

We flew to Mexico to have our ceremony & reception. Of course it was not "legal" but as a commitment to God & my husband, it was more real to me than what I could ever imagine.

My husband made the decision he wanted a longtime friend, Adam, now a pastor, to marry us. I didn't know Adam but of course if Chris wanted him to marry us, I did too. 

I had been around Adam once or twice before, but when he got to Mexico I immediately liked him. We ate lunch one day together to "plan" the ceremony & how I wanted it to go.

He brought the idea to me of "challenges" he wanted to give me as wife, Chris as a husband, us as a couple, & our family & friends as witnesses. 

I thought to myself, challenges.. Sounds challenging. But why not!! He didn't tell me what the challenges were beforehand & boy was I glad he didn't. When I heard them for the first time, like I said.. I was in awe.

This week I am going to start by challenging the girls - as wives. 

Respect.

You hear this word everywhere, but the most important form of respect is told to us by God Himself. This word in itself is an extreme challenge. A challenge that I somewhat battle with & Chris will be here firsthand to tell you, it's true. I try my best to respect Chris & his wishes, his demands, his wants, his needs.. As all of us wives do, we try but after awhile sometimes we just throw up our hands & say I AM DONE. I want to do it THIS way & TOUGH. We've all been there. I know you have.

But as a Godly Woman - that is NOT how I want to portray myself. I want to live the way God wants me to live. And most importantly He wants to respect who He has chosen to be my husband.

Adam stated these words at our ceremony - Tiffany: Respect Chris - you have a unique voice to encourage, build up, and strengthen! Ask any married man in here, that when his wife gives him a bit of encouragement the man feels like he can do anything! So use your unique voice to respect Chris inside your marriage. Most men need more encouraging in their lives, so let your marriage be strengthened by your words to Him. Speak well of Chris around your friends and family don't allow yourself to tear down your husband for a quick laugh or propping up of yourself. When you speak well of your husband to others you can honor and respect him without him even knowing it! 

Now - who wants to sit back & say WOW? Because I know after rereading that I sit here & I am instantly back at the ceremony listening to it for the very first time being like HE NAILED IT!!

Ephesians 5:33b -- And the wife must respect her husband. 

1 Peter 3:1 -- Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.

Proverbs 25:24 -- Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 

I challenge you this week to take 1 of these 4 verses OR ALL 4, write them on a notecard & carry them around with you wherever you go. Bite your tongue, fill your mouth with His Word & full out respect your husbands this week. Even if you don't agree, go out on a limb & do it his way all week long. 
 
Next week I will be talking about being a wife & forgiving. 

Loaded Baked Potato & Chicken Casserole

I decided to give you some food for soul, but literal food. I figured Sunday would be a good day because that gives you ALL week to plan to make it :)

This recipe has been a HUGE hit with my family & friends. 

Loaded Baked Potato & Chicken Casserole
 

Potatoes mixed in bowl of sauce

Bake the potatoes

Marinate chicken in left over sauce

Mix toppings together in a separate bowl

Add chicken on top of the potatoes then the toppings

Finished product

Serve it up with a little sour cream, ranch or hot sauce!

Ingredients

2lbs chicken breast

8 potatoes

1/3 cup Olive Oil

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 TBS fresh Ground Pepper

1 TBS Paprika

2 TBS Garlic Powder

6 TBS Hot Sauce

{Toppings}

2 cups Shredded Cheese

1 cup crumbled Bacon

1 cup diced Green Onion

Instructions

 Preheat oven 500F

In a large bowl mix Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder & Hot Sauce

Cube the potatoes & add to the bowl

Coat a 9x13 dish with cooking spray

Add potatoes, allow for excess sauce in the bowl

Bake the potatoes for 45 minutes, stir every 15 minutes

Cube the chicken & add it to the bowl with the left over sauce

Mix together cheese, bacon & green onion in a small separate bowl

Once potatoes are done, add the uncooked marinated chicken

Then layer the toppings over the chicken

Bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked