The Fish Tank

I was porch sitting the other morning. Porch sitting. It's my new lingo for Scott. I tell him I am going to go do some porch sitting for a few minutes and he knows that means this mama needs some quiet time with God. I have a favorite spot on my porch where I read and pray and sometimes just sit. So, I was porch sitting the other morning in my jammies and an overwhelming sense of rest came over me. I was thinking about the friends (my peeps) in my life. I realized how extraordinarily blessed I was and am. I started mentally listing my friends and how they bless me in my head. I was astounded by how many people love me and how they care for me in an exceptional way. Each person plays a pivotal and distinct role in my life and I absolutely love their unique touch on my life. A few verses came to mind when I thought about my friends. "People learn from each other just as iron sharpens iron." Proverbs 27:17 I can honestly say that I have many "iron sharpeners" in...

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12 Sometimes you have to do what is unpopular. God calls us to a life not of this world. He asks us to be happy living this way and reminds us that our reward is not here but in heaven. Sometimes, though, that's really hard. Today marks me and Scott's 12 year wedding anniversary. We started dating 18 years ago (me-oh-my) when I was a mere 18 year old high school graduate and he a young 24 year old fresh out of the military. He was so cute (and still is). When we started dating, Scott was not a Christian. I had just graduated high school and was heavily involved in our youth program. I fell in love and honestly ...

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom...

Every summer since we moved to Texas seven years ago we have taken a vacation. Whether we went back to California to visit friends and family or explored somewhere new, we went somewhere. I don't remember doing this as a child. We went on two big vacations (Hawaii and Washington DC) and several small getaways (San Diego, Lake Arrowhead, and the Central Coast) but we did not travel every summer and we for sure did not experience elaborate vacations every year. And you know what, I look back on my childhood and do not feel like I missed out because we didn't go to Disney World or Cancun so why on earth do I feel the need to go on crazy expensive vacations every summer? I am writing this blog as a confession because I was bummed out for totally selfish reasons. I was on Facebook witnessing all my friends and family go on these fun family vacations having the time of their lives and we weren't. It changed my attitude and demeanor and I did not like that at all. Scott and I de...

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 Last week I posted a thought I had about how we should treat one another. I said we should allow people to do what they can for us not what we expect them to do. Have you ever been in a predicament where you felt absolutely alone and like you needed your army to surround you in a certain way and it didn't play out the way you envisioned? People came, loved, and helped but not the way you would have or not to the extent that you imagined? Have you ever helped someone but you felt like you didn't do enough for them; not because you didn't try but because their expectations were too high? I have lived both experiences and quite frankly, I am done. I have been disappointed in people too often and felt inadequate too many times. I will instead act justly, be merciful, and humble when serving others and receivin...