Conviction

Conviction-The state of being convinced or convicted

So I was a little disappointed in this definition so I thought oh the root word.

convict- 1) To prove guilty or to find guilty 2) To awaken a sense of sin

Ok the second one got me good, you caught me red handed.

It took me a while to come to those terms but I guess that is what you could call what I am getting ready to tell you.

So back in July I went to camp with our church. I don't really follow the camp schedule. But I do try to make it to the evening services, I love the praise and worship time and when my 5 year old lets me I really enjoy the sermon. So on one of the nights the camp pastor starts asking people who has read the bible all the way through. Not many in this crowd. So he goes on to explain as Christians that it is our responsibility, he also gave us a little parable about these guys on the radio station that was asking questions about a biblical question and they wouldn't listen to anyone who hadn't read the bible all the way through, they felt that the person could not speak with authority unless they had read the whole bible finally after many calls they received a phone call from a woman who had read the bible in it's entirety 3 times.

So began my conviction, I haven't read the bible all the way through, I have read books of the bible but not the whole thing. The camp pastor was definitely on to something. So that little tiny seed of conviction was planted and God watered it and it grew.

A few weeks later, I was reading one of my friends blog, this has kind of become my morning routine, drink some caffeinated beverage and scroll through all the blogs that I am following. When the blog came up and I read through it I yet again felt conviction. How would I respond in this situation? Do I truly have enough knowledge in the Bible to make an educated comment about this article.

So I started researching "methods" on reading through the bible. I like to be educated on stuff like that for some sort of reason. I came across a bible that you could read through in 90 days by merely reading 12 pages a day. Sounded easy, right. So I went to Mardel's looked at the book and purchased it. Wham bam thank you mam.

I though hey this will be a breeze, WRONG. You actually have to pick up the book and read it. I kept thinking oh I will start tomorrow. Tomorrow quickly became 6 weeks.

Then I started noticing our worship pastor talking about how he had finished Genesis and then Exodus and last Sunday he was talking about Leviticus. That little voice that we all know so well kept saying, Jessica you have the book, you actually have 3 copies of the book, pick it up read it, You can do it.

So as I began to ponder and kept feeling the urge to read more and more. I was looking at my I touch and as all good Christians do I had downloaded a bible app. So I thought I will just start reading the bible and check it off in my book when I get home. As I looked through this app, it also had reading plans. I should have known since we do live in a technology age, but seriously who da thunk it. It so happens that it has the exact same 90 day reading plan that I wanted to start. So I made me a little account and I began reading. I now have a blackberry application and can view it on my computer and when all else fails I have the Book.

I always hesitate telling people, because what if i fail. What if I don't finish by my deadline. Well I decided OH WELL. My deadline for 90 days is December 27, I am trying to read ahead and finish by December 25. But if for some reason I get behind January1 works for me as well.

Now some of you might say that is pretty fast to read through the bible, I agree. My goal right now is just to read through it. I am taking notes on what I don't get and notes on what speaks to me and I will go back and do a more in depth study on them later.

My challenge to you is try it if you haven't already :) Make Satan mad, stir it up and see where it takes you.

Click here to see the book I am refering to

Click here to visit the website and see the phone apps available-there is multiple plans you can choose from, pick one that works for you

Happy Fall Ya"ll

Well it's my favorite time of the year yet again! It put a smile to my face to see the temperatures dropping, being able to put back on my jeans and cowboy boots and most importantly being able to decorate for fall. So here are some pictures of my decorating. My favorite part is the window, I bought a year or more ago and it has set in my floor ever since, I couldn't figure out how to hang it and I thought I would put it in the kitchen and then inspiration hit me and I am in love!

So there you have it folks, I know I am amazing and I know you just rolled your eyes. Have a happy day, do something productive and remember Never say Never

Or you will have to answer to him!

Choo-Choo!

We spent labor day at the spring. Ryan and I went down early to spend some time with my mom. We did some antique shopping and then we decided to go up to the state park. It's a beautiful drive and we haven't done it in forever. When you get to the state park they have a little choo choo train that takes you on a 2 mile train ride through the state park. It's fun and Ryan loves that sort of stuff

Here are some pics

Judging a book by it's cover

The very common English idiom "don't judge a book by its cover"(common phrase)is a metaphorical phrase which means "don't determine the worth of something based on its appearance"

How many of you judge a person by it cover? Is it right? Can you judge some one's spiritual value by their cover.

Here is my opinion...Yes you should be able to judge a book by it's cover in the spiritual realm.

A person who has an amazing relationship with Christ has no choice but to put on a splendid cover. There joy seeps out and covers them. There relationship is obvious and is made known.

When you are deeply in love with someone, is it obvious to other people? I think it is, the way you smile and gush over them, how you think about them constantly and can't help but telling everyone about that special someone.

Isn't your relationship with Christ suppose to be the same way? Absolutely.

"Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit"  Matthew 7:17

" Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" Matthew 7:19

What kind of fruit do you bear? What does your facebook status say about you? How do people judge your cover?

This is what I want my cover to say about me...

A God fearing mother, a woman who is trying to raise her son for the glory of God. A woman who is trying to teach her son what a godly man looks like. A woman who doesn't give up and doesn't give in. A woman that people respect. A woman that is marked by the blood of Jesus.

I am not afraid to be the woman God has intended for me to be. Some days I fall very short of what His intentions are, some days I have my own intentions and I fail miserably.

There is one thing you need to know about me despite every ones "good intentions" I want "God's intentions" I want what He knows is best for me and I want it in His perfect timing. I am willing to wait and I am ready to go the distance.

" Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17

My True Love

To all of you self proclaimed chef's and Susie homemakers out there, you will want one of these. I am in love. I cannot afford one, but it is still love.

 So since  I cannot afford the famous Le Creuset, I settled for the Lodge brand.

Do I hate my Lodge cast iron dutch oven that is in red, no of course not. Would I like for it to be bigger, yes. Would I like for it to say the name of Le Creuset on it, absolutely. But sadly I do not have $200.00 to spend on it.

 However, in the newspaper today I read that Le Creuset is doing a give away to celebrate how long they have been in business. You could win $5000 in Le Creuset products. I jumped for joy. What's the catch? You need to submit photo's on why you love your Le Creuset.

PROBLEM.

A) I do not own a Le Creuset, so I can't possibly have a picture with it. (Maybe I should stop by Bed, Bath and Beyond and take a picture of me drooling over it.)

B) I do not have a story for me to tell about Le Creuset unless you count me telling them how much I want to win the grand prize.

Well maybe one day I will get one and all will be right in the world.

Until that day, if you own a Le Creuset and think they are as fabulous as I do, go right on over to that page and register to win that grand prize. If you win, I would more than happily take any kind of appreciation gift (aka, the batter bowl, a dutch oven in any color, purple, red, orange you name it I love it)!

Happy Wednesday!

*This blog is of my own opinion, I only wish Le Creuset would have given me money to write it!

List

As I read a blog, written beautifully, about what they have foreseen their future as and what they yearn for. I began to ponder mine. I want a husband, but not just any husband a perfect one. I know I know there is no such thing. But when I say perfect I mean perfect for me. So I begin with the list and requirement I want out of my future spouse.

There is the spiritual aspect-
I want a godly man, that truly knows what a relationship with Christ is. A man that will be the spiritual leader of our family. A man that is guided by God's wisdom and says yes to whatever He may ask of him. --- Can I say I even do that? I am not sure but I can tell you that I am trying and that is what i ask of him.

The financial aspect-

Has a steady job/income, drives a decent car, preferably no debt.

The physical aspect-

no tattoos, no piercings, no smoking.

other requirements-

That he 100% loves me and accepts me for me and that he loves my son. That he doesn't criticize how I raise my son. He should help and guide me in a way that is beneficial to everyone involved.

There are way more things on my list this is just a brief list.

So I began thinking about this and all the requirements I have and begin to wonder is this right? Should I even think this way. Now don't get me wrong there are some things that I won't falter on there will always be requirements. But if I am saying I want to marry a cowboy, who drives a truck and lives in the country but God is saying here is this man that lives in the city works downtown and likes to eat fish for every meal. Will my heart be ok with that? So maybe I will have my list and if he doesn't meet every requirement then I will trust in the Lord, not my own understanding and accept His perfect will for me.

But I do know my God has someone in store for me. I will trust in him, I will strive to be the kind of wife that glorifies my God, that makes my husband proud, someone he can boast in and not be shameful of.

"Charm is deceptive beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Prov. 31:30

One of my favorite songs the week of camp said it best.
"When all is said and done may it be enough to rest  in you and the mercy of your wind"

Fantastic Five!!

So Ryan's 5th year has been a little crazy. I had surgery and was out of commission from September to about the end of November. It was so hard on Ryan, we managed and I think he came out more of a mommas boy after. Then he got switched to a new school, I love it and I think he does also. So to celebrate his 5th year we obviously had a great birthday party. Birthday party's at McDonald's = madness  great fun. It was all out of control and I was so done by the time it was over, but Ryan had a great time with friends and got a lot of great presents!

Christmas Day a.k.a worst blizzard in Oklahoma history

Valentines day spent at mickey's rocking road show

Winter night

Birthday Party time

Fun with friends

blowing out candles

and this is what you feel like when you have spent to much time at a 5 year olds birthday

I love him so much!! I can't wait to see what the next year bring us, so stay tuned cause I am sure it will be a crazy year!