No Surprises Here

Sometimes when my kids want to run around and be loud, I send them to play in the basement. If I'm cooking or busy, I'll check on them frequently to make sure they're not tearing up the place too much. On one such occasion I noticed I wasn't hearing as much noise as I usually do, so I went to investigate. As I made my way down the stairs, my heart sank and I groaned inwardly. Swipes from a green marker were on each step and, as I continued my descent, basically everywhere my eyes landed. Doors, walls, carpet, toys, furniture, nothing seemed to be exempt. I was shocked to discover that the culprit wasn't my rambunctious and fun-loving daughter, but my mellow and mild-mannered son. There he stood, green marker in hand and an expression of glee on his face. Trust, that expression didn't last much longer. As I started cleaning up the mess (fortunately the marker was dry-erase!) I kept thinking, "What got into that little boy?".

Aren't you glad that nothing we do takes God by surprise? Psalm 103:8-14 says, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.". What a comforting and beautiful passage of scripture! God is slow to anger, doesn't reward us according to our sins, and remembers that we're dust. How amazing is that!? Take some time and read Psalm 103 in its entirety. It beautifully illustrates God's goodness to us.

The next time you don't feel worthy to approach God's throne because you're struggling with that same sin, remember these verses. God never tires of our sincere pleas for forgiveness and knows we're flawed. Go to Him, get things right, and praise Him for being a God awesome beyond human comprehension.

In Christ,

Christina Gibbs

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.

Go Get It

Tonight's post is one of my new favorites, "Go Get It" by Mary Mary. I am sharing this with you tonight instead of an original post, to prepare you for tomorrow morning. Every morning, along with my morning talk with God... and devotion, I've been playing this song since its debut. This song takes the place of my morning coffee :)

Don't believe me? Hit play tomorrow morning and prepare to be encouraged. Learn, Lov, and Own your virtue ladies!!!

KPA

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.

Two Fathers

This past Sunday was Father's Day, so I want to take some time to honor my dad Ronnie Hartwell. My dad grew up in a single parent home, since his parents divorced when he was a baby. Fortunately, his father was a part of his life while growing up. He was the baby of the family, but was never "babied". His siblings were much older than him so it was his responsibilty to do much of the chores around the house. He got his first job at age 13 and has worked ever since. Around that time period my dad was hanging with the wrong crowd and giving my grandma a bit of grief. At that young and impressionable age, he got up one morning and made the decision to drop those "friends" from his life, give his mom the respect she deserved, and move his life onward and upward. He met my mom in high school and they married the summer after graduation. They both entered the military together and my dad went on to become a career soldier while my mom left the Army due to my birth a year later. A couple of years after I arrived my parents became Christians and began to live for God. My dad was a young husband and father, but never shied away from those responsibilites. He's always worked hard for his family, earning his undergrad degree when I was a child, and more recently his Master's degree all while working full time. He took on a paper route that required him to get up in the wee hours of the morning, before going to his regular job, to help put me through college. He's always been the rock in our family, handling times of crisis with strength and composure and letting all of us know that God will get us through. I could write many more paragraphs in praise of my dad, but I'll end here and say God blessed me with a great father.

I hope if you have a great dad like mine that you showed him some love this past Sunday. Unfortunately, I know there are many out there who don't. Even the greatest earthly dad isn't perfect and can let you down. Thankfully there is a heavenly Father who'll never let you down and who can step in when your earthly dad doesn't choose to stick around or leaves this earth before you do. Romans 8:15 says, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.". When you accept the Lord, you're adopted into the family of God. He isn't a taskmaster, waiting to crack the whip over us when we fail. He's a loving father that we can run to in time of need. Invite Him into your heart today and discover for yourself that He's the best dad you could ever have.

In Christ,

Christina Gibbs

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.    

Transparent

One of the most intimate times that I have shared with my husband is praying with him. I can remember during our first year of marriage we had an argument. We were both so upset that he went to one room and me to another.  After putting our son down for bed, my husband asked me to come into our living room to kneel down and pray with him.  I was so angry and still in my pride so I told him that I would listen to him pray but that I would pray on my own time. I still felt like I needed my own space. As we got down on our knees, I listened to my husband as he asked for forgiveness in the way that we had been treating one another. He asked God to help us to grow in His word and to show us how to honor His covenant of marriage. Listening to him pray, my pent-up anger and the pride stirring deep inside of me began to escape. I began to humble myself. As my husband ended his prayer with an “Amen,” I began my prayer (both of us still kneeling) with “thank you God for giving me a husband who wants to pray with me and for me even when I don’t.”

We must be transparent when we go to God. God knows us better than we know ourselves. In order for Him to answer our prayers we must first come to Him as if we need Him, and not as if we’re doing Him a favor. We do a great deal of wasting time when we go to God with negative hearts and thoughts, thinking that God is going to bless our desires. If you’re heart is not in it, God’s ear is not in it.

The Bible encourages us that God is listening to us when we pray. He seeks to hear from us and answers our prayers when they are in His will.  John 14: 13-14 states, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
Let’s all work on humbling ourselves before conversing with our Father.

Working to be more transparent,

KPA

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.

Be Considerate

As a child one of the most important lessons that my mother taught my brothers and I, was to consider the needs of others first.  Now as a mom, I find myself repeating this same thing to my young sons; put others before yourself.  Tonight, I want to share with you some of the examples that I am teaching my boys when it comes to considering others:

-          When calling someone on the phone- Say hello. Then ask how they are doing, and listen with sincerity, before jumping right into your own problems. (This says I care about what you have to say also).

-          When going to a family member/close friend’s house for dinner, ask if there is anything that you can bring or take something with you.

-          If a close friend comes to you needing to vent, don’t begin talking about your own life. Listen!

-          Try not to talk so much about yourself and your possessions (it’s very unflattering).

-          Arrive on time for work, events, and activities (others are always affected).

-          Pray for others, even when YOU need prayer the most.

Can you relate to any of these lessons or do you have lessons of your own that you could share with others to help show God’s love?

While some of the items from the list above are comical, we are all guilty of doing these impolite gestures on a daily basis. But God’s word commands us to consider others before ourselves, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others,” (Philip 2:3-4).

When we put others first, we are simply showing love-God’s love.  Let’s do a better job of representing our Savior.

With LOV,

KPA

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.

Christ's Beauty

On Mother's Day all mothers in my church usually receive a carnation in recognition of that fact. However, this year we received a devotional booklet entitled "Reflecting the Beauty of the Lord". For this installment of LOV I thought I'd share some thoughts from the two devotions I've completed so far.

Our society places a premium on physical beauty, yet inner beauty is what's more important. Outer beauty fades, and I'm sure most of us know or have known someone who's beautiful to look at but an annoyance to be around due to an ugly personality. How do we cultivate inner beauty? By looking at the beauty of Christ on the cross. To the human eye, the cross isn't beautiful. When Jesus hung there his body was so broken and bruised as to look inhuman. The sin of all humanity was placed on Him and it was such an ugly sight that the Father had to turn His back on Him. Yet this ultimate sacrifice gave us the chance to accept Him and with that acceptance comes the Holy Spirit. The help of the Holy Spirit enables us to live a life of beautiful holiness if we submit to Him. We'll never be perfect, but by God's grace we have the means to strengthen our inner man and portray God's beauty to those around us.

2 Cor. 4:6 says, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ". Let the beauty of Christ shine through you this week.

In Christ,

Christina Gibbs,

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.

Can You Answer This With Honesty?

If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?

KPA

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.