on the road...

this is my fist post from the road... not going far just a few hours south to visit my dad and his side of the family.  so i thought i would try out posting from my phone... i must apoplogize for no caps and bad punctuation and probably spelling too i guess there is a limited amount of things i can do on here.   i just want to remind everyone about the 31 days of prayer for your spouse that starts tomorrow.  there are facebok accountability groups chats the ebook and so much more.  plus what could be better than starting the year off praying for your spouse.    there is a link to the right where you can purchase the ebook and learn more about it...but dont wait we start tomorrow.

31 Days to Build a Better Spouse

What is the one thing you could do for your spouse that would make the biggest difference in their life in 2012? 

PRAY for them everyday!  I have joined up with 31 Days to Pray and their month long campaign to pray for your spouse everyday for the month of January!

I have read most of this book, actually printed it out and have it in my Quiet Time Binder and love it!!!

During the month we will be praying for things such as their salvation, their work, love for others, peace, and even YOUR heart! :) 

Click the above link and join me on this wonderful journey to pray for your spouse everyday and see what God has in store for your marriage!

Courageous... what does it mean?

So I was planning on writing about my verse for 2012 this morning, but on the way home from taking Greg to work, I was given the prompt to write about being COURAGEOUS and what it means... So now I am researching a little so I too can learn to be courageous. 

I am sure you have all heard the lyrics to Courageous by Casting Crowns...

We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains
We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight
The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted handsMake us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution
Our answer to the call
We will love our wives and children
We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion
That we buried deep inside
May the watchers become warriors
Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

Seek justice
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

We were made to be courageous
Lord, make us courageous

{ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/courageous-lyrics.html }

I know the song is written (and the movie) more toward the husband/father, but if you just switch out a few words, it is for moms/wives too!  We are called to have strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger or difficulty (definition of courage from www.wordcenteral.com).

Isn't that something we do everyday with our kids?  With our spouses?  But do we carry that strength over to speaking out about our faith?  Now in our country there really is not that much danger for speaking out about our love for Jesus...  Most likely we will not be killed for loving Jesus (at least not right now, but we do know that day is coming...)  the worst that happens is a little ridecul from others... Just look at Tim Tebow... There is a man who is speaking out about his love for Jesus every chance he gets, and yes many of us love him, but there are so many others that make fun of him and tell him to stop, but does he?  No, he stands up and tells everyone even more how much he loves Jesus!

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

I just love the line:
The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands

Isn't that the way it is... we are to stand strong, but when we are the strongest is when we are on our knees, humbling ourselves to God, surrendering our lives to Him and yet being so free? 

Ok, well I think that is all for me today... If you haven't seen the movie Courageous it comes out on DVD on Jan. 17th and I really recommend it!  Don't just watch it for your husband, look how you could take the lessons in the movie and apply them to your life!  Well I hope I make a little sense this morning... It is early for me, and well, I am still adjusting to 3 kids! Just keep asking yourself daily: 

How can I be more COURAGEOUS for God today?