Seeking God, Part Two

Random Question, from Edie and Rich Gifts-- part Two.....

When did you seek Him with all your heart and what did finding Him look like?

I began seeking God with all of my heart shortly after becoming married almost 13 yrs ago. We moved 4-5 hours away from our family and close friends. This was an extremely exciting time for us as newlyweds but also kind of scary. We both were young and a little self centered. We were forced to cling to each other because we did not know anyone else! We sought out a church family and began to do nightly devotions together. The more we studied the more we realized we had a lot to learn. We began praying together...... praying God would hold us together, as we learned how to work as a team.

Those years, though tough at the time, are remembered fondly, since we know the outcome. We sought out God for support during a time we were "supposed to be grown up" but felt inadequate for the task at hand.

We still feel inadequate as new challenges come our way almost daily in our marriage, parenting adventures, church, and careers. We still need to cling to each other, but most importantly to God as He holds it all together. In our weaknesses and inadequacies He is given glory.

So we seek.....

God is our salvation, our restorer, our protector, our counselor......

Dear God,

I am so thankful that You are there in our weaknesses and inadequacies lifting us up showing others that You are what is strong in our lives. You have carried us through the challenges life has given us thus far, and blessed us immeasurably. May we continue to seek you, by studying Your Word and spending time in relationship with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Romans 12:10b

"Honor one another above yourselves"

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Psalm 25:4-5

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long."

2 Corinthians 12:5, 9-10

I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

For how I seek please link here....Searching for God Through Out the Day

Random Question Part One: God Sought Me.....

Edie, from Rich Gifts asks this question: This one is huge so I will answer in two parts.

When did you seek Him with all your heart and what did finding Him look like?

I grew up in a Christian home. I went to Sunday school and church on Sundays and youth group on Sunday nights I sang in children's choirs, and the bell choir. I went to Kids Club, Logos, on Wednesday night and after I aged out, I helped with younger children. God was always a presence in my life. I studied the bible but only when lead to by a Sunday School teacher or youth group advisor. I did not feel confident enough to go at it alone. I prayed to God but mostly about things I needed, not for direction or about what God needed me to do.

My teenage years were a bit rocky. I wandered in the wilderness with no sense of direction and with no sense of whose I was..... God's child. I let myself, my parents, and most importantly my God down. Even down in the lowest pits of my life my God was still there. He was seeking me out. He was pulling me up out of the pit in my life....the pit I was in, due to my bad decisions. He loved me in my sin and imperfections and was showing me through people he placed in my life.

My husband and I were friends long before we ever dated. I think this was important for us, as it laid a trust foundation, on which later our love was built. I felt a lot of shame from my rocky teenage choices. I felt these were simply my burden to bear and would be on my shoulders for life. These burdens were heavy and full. My husband, then only my boyfriend, taught me about unconditional love and the forgiveness that Jesus brings. My husband loved me right were I was and showed me that God does to.

I began to seek.................God to me looked like a shepherd, who sought me out, saved me from the pits of my sin and loved me.... ugliness and all.

Dear God,

I thank you for loving me. I thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. I thank you that You sought me out. You came looking for me, seeking me until You found me. And when You found me You rejoiced. You love me that much. You were prepared to do what ever it took to bring me back home, into relationship with You – even the cross. Because of Your amazing love my heart daily longs to seek You everywhere I go and in everything I do. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Psalm 40:1-2

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."

Psalm 119:176

"I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant for I have not forgotten your commands."

1 Peter 2:25

"For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

John 10:11

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Luke 15: 1-7

"Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.' Then Jesus told this parable: 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

It Was A Beautiful Day In Our Neighborhood

Halloween gave us an excellent opportunity to open our doors (well our garage) and have a pre- trick or treat dinner with our neighbors! My husband does not get to see all of our neighbors as much as I do because he goes to work before I go to the bus stop with the kiddos and he is at work during the day. We were able to actually talk to people instead of the obligatory wave that often times in our busy society is given.

Most kids and kids at heart all dressed up!

Well, the kids were definately the cutest!

It was a great day for a get together. The weather was perfect. We borrowed tables from neighbors and served hot dogs. Each family brought a side so we had plenty to eat.

We had games and a costume contest where each outfit was a winner!

The best part of all was the fellowship with friends!