First the Suffering

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, established and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. 1Peter 5:10

"Why do we have to suffer?" "If God truly loves us why do all the bad things happen to us?"For 1000's of years I am sure people smarter than I am have asked and wrestled with the same questions, and they still haven't discovered the answers. I dont even try to answer those questions anymore. I do have a statement I would like to say right there though. "If God only blessed us after we became believers- if he took away all suffering, hardship, and turmoil for Christians- wouldn't it be a way to bribe people into the faith?"
Thats not how God works. The Lord wants us to come to Him out of love and because we know we're needy- so needy that only He can fill those needs for us.
The reality is that from birth until we go home to be with Jesus we will suffer at times. Some have harder times that others, but suffering is still suffering.
I also think that when people watch us as we turn to God for help in our hardships and they see our victories, it provides a witness to them. That witness may not always make them turn to Christ, but it does show Gods presence in our lives and makes them aware of what they're missing.
Yes, we will suffer as children of God. The other day I had a thought about this; Suffering results in thanksgiving. When our lives turn to chaotic and we dont know what to do, we turn to the Lord for help, and He answers us. He answers our prayers and sets us free. And as a result- WE ARE THANKFUL!
I believe the time between suffering and thankful is when satan really attacks us in our thoughts. He may begin by saying, "if God really loved you, you would not have to go through this." It is satans subtle way of saying to us that serving God is useless.... I BEG TO DIFFER!!!!! The truth is problems will come if we are believers or nonbelievers. AS BELIEVERS- we will have VICTORIES! As a believer we can have peace in the midst of a storm, we can enjoy life even with the storm raging, because we can know that God is working on our behalf even when satan is raging all around. I KNOW THAT MY GOD WILL DELIVER ME!
The next attack is satan whispering how it is not going to get any better. He (satan) tells us we have served God for nothing. Satan will tell us if this happens when you serve God what could be worse if you don't. If God truly cared, he wouldnt let you suffer.....
THIS is where we have to stand firm and know without a doubt that GOD is working for us.
Job lost everything; his children, posessions and his health. But he continues to say"I..... thought He slay me, yet I will I wait and trust him" job13:15---
Job refused to allow satan to attack his mind and make him question God. How often do we allow satan to attack our mind? Job never said he understood everything, he simply knew that God was with him and he never doubted the love and presence of God.
THAT IS THE ATTITUDE I am strieving for. We dont have to understand it or explain it----
We just must know that God ask us to always trust Him.
Obediance is a requirement-understanding is optional..... (simple enough huh)

I love you!

Just a little note to say I love you! Brian you make my life complete and I didn't even know it until it was almost too late. God is faithful in all things. I am so proud to call you my husband. I see God turning our mourning in to dancing and our tears into joy. You are more than a conquer through Jesus Christ. I know you are frustrated right now but God is FAITHFUL! He has moved in our lives in a way I had not dreamed. I am thankful GOD DOES NOT LIVE IN OUR BOX!!

Much love to you baby today and always. I will not move one step away from your side. Thanks for sharing life with me..

My Three precious Jewels!

As the end of the day comes and night falls I have a full heart to share with my GIRLS! It is said our blogs are kinda like a scrap book so here goes.
MAddison, Hannah & Mikel Briann...... I love you more than any words could say.
In the last two weeks we as a family have gone thru some stuff. Somedays you girls were what made me get out of bed.
I am so proud of what I see you becoming. Right before my very eyes you are growing into little ladies. You are beginning your journeys as Christians and beginning to move in the realm of who you are in Christ.
I love you all. You have enriched my life greatly. I cannot imagine not being your mommy. I can't imagine you not being in my life.
You three are beautiful. I love you all.......

God knew what He was doing when He gave you to me. I pray for you daily and I am thankful to Him. God gave you to me and I pray I am doing everything He has for us as a family. Much Love my precious jewels!

Calming the Storm

Some people love the howling winds, flashing lightening and crashing thunder during a storm. Other people cower in fear. It's easy to look at others reactions when you feel safe. But when your security is gone and you're staring destruction in the face, it's not easy to be courageous.
I think of the disciples in Matthew 8... They were in great danger. Their fear was not unfolded. When we hit "sudden" storms what do we do? We all face furious test. Some are more dangerous than some but some are out of our control. I have found that Jesus sleeps until we ask him to help. I see so many times in my life where I "bailed" water if you will before I woke Him and handed it to Him. I often wonder how people around me calm their storms? Do we immediately turn to God or do we carry it alone. In terror the disiples wake Jesus. "Lord save us" . In our personal storms how much are we like the disciples? Do we sit in secret and wait for the storm to pass. I am guilty of both.
I am amazed at each time Jesus steps into the waters and calms my storms. Notice He usually doesnt step in until I have called Him. And most of the time He ask some questions if we will listen, Are the waves still sweeping over the boat? I don't know about you but it is so easy to trust and be calm when the storm has passed. My God has asked me in the last week to TRUST HIM in the storm. I don't ever want to wavier or surprise God, I want HIM to know I will and DO TRUST HIM!
~~Fear is a normal human reaction. But it is not how we should live our lives, even when we are walking through a storm. When I am afraid I pray I can do as David did. He says, When I am afraid I will TRUST in God. Psalms 56:3
I believe (and am being tested) that fear is an opportunity to expand our faith in God. It is an opportunity to run to the Lord as your shelter, WE find refuge "under His wings". (Psalms 91:4)
I know that when we bring our fears, anxieties, and concerns to God, the only ONE who is fully able to calm your storms and defeat the giants that come against you and your family.
Be blessed today

Thank you Father!

So today started like any other day. Getting three kids up for school hitting doctors appointments and well just life. We here in the Taylor house are really learning to appreciate the little things. What I didn't take time to do this morning is pray over the girls. Maddison has been going through a lot lately. With her changing schools 3 weeks ago she is a little uncertain. When I realized I had not prayed with them I prayed immediately. Throughout the day I said a few extra prayers for her. She had band practice after school, so when I picked her up at 5 here was our conversation.

Me: Hey babe. Did you have a good day?
Maddison: Mom it was good.
Me: PTL. Well what happened today that made it better than before.
Maddison: Well today I realized you forgot to pray with us before school. It is ok. I know you have been stressed lately.
Me: Baby I am so sorry. I am never too busy to pray with you.
Maddison: So when I got in class I prayed for you mom. Then I asked God to be with all us girls at school today. And you know what Jesus heard me and I had a great day!
Me: Maddison I am so proud of you and how you are learning to lean on Jesus.
Maddison: Mom that's what happens when you let the holy spirit in. Now I know why you find comfort in him, mom. I am telling you I got the Lord now I will be okay mom.

*************************************************************************************
What you guys may not know is Maddison went to a youth retreat 2 weeks ago. She for herself had an awesome experience with God. She got filled with the holy ghost and wow what a change I have seen in her.
Thank you father for touching my girl. And reminding me that she is YOUR GIRL!

Black Friday Shopping are you serious???

And here we are. We left at 10pm Thanksgiving night. I have to say it was unexpected but I had a good time. My stepmom, sisters, g-ma, aunt, & cousin. It was great. The pictures say it all.
Good memories made and hey who knows I may do it again next year.... NOT!

Thanksgiving at Oma's

Thanksgiving at Oma's (Jackie my step mom) was a great day. These pictures are of me and my sisters. There is one of me and Molly and Cale Michael & I. I absolutely am so blessed to be with them during this season of our lives.
Thank you Father for my family.. More pictures on facebook. Check them out!