Renewal and refreshed

So much has happened since I last posted...

• lost my sweet momma
• marriage broke up and got back together
• my child is being held back
• relocated my dad
• separation from in-laws over hurtful criticism
• gained all my weight back that I had worked so hard to lose
• found out after getting a new administrator that I am getting another one
• close friends moving away

Lots to talk about and a lot to complain about: but this morning as I sit here the last week of school and I am struggling and striving to find a renewed spirit.  I want to breath God's goodness and warmth and leave this all behind... not to forget, but to make me stronger.
I plan to journey in praise in the book of Psalms this summer to allow my spirit to reminded that all is well with my soul and I should be encouraged and uplifted by that.

Psalms 1

Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked,
who don’t go where sinners go,
who don’t do what evil people do.
² They love the Lord’s teachings,
and they think about those teachings day and night.

I have a choice in how I view things in life.  Yes, things have been a challenge this year and yes, I have strayed and lost focus, but it is time to pick myself up and choose to love the Lord in all things that I do, say, and encounter.
Thank you Lord for that ability to rise above the wickedness of the world!

Refreshing Water

Isaiah 58:11
¹¹ The Lord will always lead you.
He will satisfy your needs in dry lands
and give strength to your bones.
You will be like a garden that has much water,
like a spring that never runs dry.

Lord, this is the water I needed this morning.  I so feel that I worn and weary.  Thank you for this encouragement this morning as I deal with so many obstacles and struggles that are personal and family related.  Thank you for the people you have placed in my life to give me encouragement and uplifting words.  Help me find the strength and words to say to those I encounter and work with to be the same encouragement to others. 

A Renewed Beginning

Romans 13
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.^[c]

I am continually amazed at how God speaks to me.  I have strayed this summer, fought depression, fought weight again, fought relationships, fought God, yet I found myself this morning digging deep to try and pull myself up and out of it all and try to overcome this worldly affect.  And what does God do, He directs me to this passage... exactly what I need.  Life lesson for the day, Straighten up and do what you are supposed to do!  No more woe is me stuff.  Just do it!  I guess that God really does knows me best and was setting me straight.  This weight thing... I have to exercise like it or not.  I have to embark on another long journey and another long trial of hard work.  I only feel like I can't do it on my own this time... I will need to depend on God's encouragement.  So Lord,  be with me always and direct my path so that they are in your ways!

Having the End in Mind

^{Jeremiah 29: 11} I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.¹² Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.¹³ You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!¹⁴ I will let you find me," says the Lord. "And I will bring you back from your captivity. I forced you to leave this place, but I will gather you from all the nations, from the places I have sent you as captives," says the Lord. "And I will bring you back to this place."

God has already told me of the victory I will have with my weight struggle.  I will get over this.  I have to remember that it is not the victory, but the journey that will make me stronger.  HELLO.... do you hear that????  God wants me to turn to Him, not all these fad diets.  He wants me to not focus on all the frustrations and disappointments I am experiencing with marriage, motherhood, health, shortcomings in my eyes.  He want me to turn to Him.  I have known this, heard this and thought I moving towards this, but I believe since my struggles continue, I must not be focusing on what I am supposed to. 

God you are so great.  Why do I allow the evils of the world to downtrodden me so?

You are the Father who just wants us to need you and love you and to say it often.  I need you Lord.  I need you take these habits I have with food, self degradation, pity, and envy away from me.  I need you to be the focus in my life so that I can enjoy the blessings you have given me daily.  Take the burden of food and dieting away.  Help me to turn to you in all I do.  Help me to focus on the end product today and already see the victory.

LIFE GROUP: RUTH...If you haven't, you may be surprised at the Blessing you will receive.

History: Customs: practices of the Jewish people during that time; Important that a male heir relative would marry the in law to carry on the family name: Naomi encourages the girls to go back to their home life, but Ruth says she wants to stay with Naomi and wants her God in her life. She is making a stand to commit to her life to Naomi and God, even if it is against the "norm" of her customs. 
Bethlehem is "the house of bread" to Moab, "the trash can". She praises both daughter In laws and tells them to stay where they are.

Food for thought; Ruth is the great grand mother of King David

The prodigal son: leaves something wonderful to go find disparity, only to return with nothing: repeated passage and theme over and over

Chpt 2: God shows his grace in this chapter by delivering and honoring Ruth in her devotion to Naomi by giving a gracious situation that could have been a difficult situation. Ruth is trusting Gods law, and God is rewarding her by providing for her and protecting her in the worst of situations

Chpt 3. What is a kinsman redeemer? Someone in the family who would marry a widow so she could have children and take care of you.
Naomi is bitter prior to this. She changes in this chapter. She begins to think of Ruth. Selfishness leads to destructive behavior and bitterness. Putting others ahead will lead to change of heart. " rest for you" is seeking refuge in the lord.

Including other descendants in lineage is a sign that Christ came for Jews and Gentiles

Chapter 4:Kinsman redeemer is parallel to Christ
Related to us:

• Christ became man
• Take responsibility to take care of the problem for someone else
• Have the price to pay: life and precious blood was the only way to bring us to him
• Shows how relationships with Christ can develop. When Ruth lays down at Boaz's feet ( complete submission). God directs our steps... Can't have that relationship with Christ

What do I need to do to completely surrender to be the companion of Christ?

 

 

 

God.. the Superhero

Also always remember, Aimee, it is written;
 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
( Philippians 4:13 ) Because; You, dear children,
are from God and have overcome them, because
the one who is in you is greater than the one who
is in the world     ( 1 John 4:4 )  So, Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever
you go."   Amen!  ( Joshua 1:9 )

There has been a lot of conversation nowadays about the Avengers, and Ironman, and right in our home- Batman.  Kids including my little guy are facinated by super strength and powers, heck, so are adults.  To feel invinciable and capable to overcome all adversity and defeat all that is evil.  Sounds absolutlely AMAZING...exspecially when you find yourself facing daily battles and struggles that you just want to stop fighting.  I feel that way a lot.  Just yesterday I started my day off strong, ready to conquer this weight fight yet again, only to come home exhausted, drained and ready to cave in and throw in the towel.  I know this is a troubling time of year when I get exhausted so easily and I know that I must find the strength to be strong and courageous.  But maybe that is where my frustration lies... I am trying to find it within myself.  But I am not the strength and keeper... it is the Lord who is that strength and I must turn to him when I am weak to find that strength.  I must not be discouraged for in Him is the victory.  Only He is that super force.

Training me for Something

^{Phillipians 1:6}
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.

Just this morning I was thinking on the way to school "Why does this battle to lose weight never end?"  I actually thought about there being something I was to learn from this continual trial, and why I often ponder why I haven't learned it yet (while on earth) only to think that maybe, just maybe it doesn't have anything to do with me being on earth.  God clearly has a plan for me and He is surely molding me for eternity with him.  I know that I don't know my role and maybe will never have an understanding of this, but I am sure that God is trying to mold me and prepare me for something.  So, begins my search and quest.  What is it that God is trying to train me for... endurance, patience, compassion for those that struggle?  Will I be a leader to advise others?  That is a really cool thought!  That may really help me in this struggle- to think that God sees something in me that is worthy to mold me.  That may just make me thankful for the daily struggle and battle.