Under & Over The Weather

November 2, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Happy Monday Y’all,

I don’t know where you might happen to be if you’re reading this post, but if you’re in or around the Atlanta area, you just might be over this weather we’re having! RAIN. Enough is enough! Typically, I don’t mind too much…as long as a fireplace, a blanket, a good book, my husband and a pup or two are available…but not only am I over this weather, I am currently under it, too.

This is a current, real-time view. I cannot stand being sick and at the office. Boo-hiss. If this continues, I will be staying home by my lonesome tomorrow for sure!

In the meantime, I have several ‘go-to’ remedies that are necessities in our house when a sinus infection creeps in:

Homemade Vicks Shower Tabs

All-Natural Pineapple Cough Syrup

This + **REAL** Sudafed, and a Hot Green Tea with Honey!

What are your go-to remedies for feeling better fast when you get sick? I’d love to hear what works for you!

Achooo!!!

What's Up Wednesday

Catch-Up/Catch-All

October 22, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Today’s post doesn’t fit in any little category…Not Thirsty For Christ Thursday, not What’s Up Wednesday…Perhaps, I should just call today Catch-All Thursday – Because there’s a lot going on with this post-er’s brain today and I’m gracing you with my presence and scatter-brained monologue.

You’re Welcome.

~~Someone~~ Several of you have reached out to me, oh so sweetly, and said you miss the regular posting on this blog. I can’t tell you how much that warms my little heart. Thank you for the love and for sharing it with me! Sometimes the day just gets away from me…Ever happen to YOU? 🙂

So to catch you up on the Lifestyles of the Not-so-Newlywed Lefebvres, we shall begin with Minnesota. You all know we traveled to Minnesota for the baptism of our beautiful Goddaughter, Charleigh Mae:

Miss Charleigh is so adorable! We are so excited to watch her grow up and honored to be her ‘spiritual parents’. If you haven’t had a chance to read about the absolute miracle that Charleigh is, go back to this post to read Dani’s story!

While in Minnesota, we also got to spend time with our beautiful little niece, Eden:

Isn’t she just precious?? I’ll give you one guess as to who bought her that shirt… 😉 It might just have been a Georgia grad and her husband. 🙂

Miss Eden particularly liked her Uncle Craig – She just couldn’t take her big beautiful eyes off of him – I don’t blame her! 😉

We took some fun family shots will we were up north, too:

We also made a trip to the Foshay Tower in Downtown Minneapolis, which is an especially special spot since that’s where Craig’s grandfather proposed to his grandmother. #swoon

While we were there, we found this vintage photo:

And decided to re-create it, with a modern touch:

I don’t think it’s half bad! 🙂

Since we have been home from Hawaii and Minnesota, our enormous moving truck from Maine arrived – We are officially completely in Georgia! Although, in our tiny rental house, we are overgrown with boxes now and have completely filled one room from floor to ceiling with boxes, not to mention the entire garage, all the closets, and one POD – which is now at the storage facility. I just keep telling myself…In less than a year, God-Willing, we will be alllll settled down in one place.

We celebrated a little bit by returning to the restaurant Craig and I went to on our third date…

I’m so glad we made it past that third date…not our best. 🙂 I truly married the most amazing man in the universe! #sorryladies

And when we haven’t been busy, we have been thoroughly enjoying the arrival of our treasured bikes from Maine! Yay!!

We did 16 miles this past Sunday, in under 2 hours. Not bad for the ‘non-serious’ casual bicyclists.

And I’ve been baking/cooking, too:

I made this lasagna from scratch (well, the noodles came from a box – but otherwise…) for Craig to take on this week’s trip. I just love to cook! I wish I had more time to do it and more calories to devote to eating the food I make!!! #alas

And this past weekend, Craig finally got to join my side of the family for University of Georgia Homecoming to enjoy his first ever SEC Football experience and Georgia game! We had an absolute blast!

Daddy & Craig 🙂

Mama & her BFF from Law School – in deep legal discussion, I’m sure! 😉 #precious

My little brother & his lovely girlfriend

And us! 🙂 (Notice the super enthusiastic man behind us… #photobomb)

And in other news, I spoke last night to a beautiful group of women at St. Francis Catholic Church in Cartersville, Georgia. Honestly, I just love love love sharing my faith journey with other people! If you are part of a group you’d like me to speak to, just send me a message! You can visit my ‘website’ here for more information, and links to some recent events.

Well, I think you’re now all caught up with us. 🙂 I promise to be better at blogging in 2016. I’m excited to put all of our suitcases away (and boxes too, soon!) and begin to nest again, as we get fully settled back in Georgia.

Uncategorized

Your Choice

October 16, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Good Morning Folks!

I penned this post one year ago today, and even though I am not an active Youth Minister at the moment, I think it bears repeating because ‘church begins in the home’. Truly, you are doing the greatest disservice to your children if you are allowing them to decide whether or not church involvement is ‘for them’. They are children. You are the role model. We may not have children of our own, yet, but as a former Youth Minister, I am speaking from experience here. Read on… 🙂

The (Not-So) Newlywed Lefebvres

Yes, I know. I’m the Worst. Blogger. Ever. If that award is anywhere to be awarded, send it my way. I deserve it! One of our last blogs already detailed how busy we have been, and the past few weeks have been NO EXCEPTION, but, at any rate, I feel guilty for abandoning my blogging family so much since our move! 😦

Forgive me?

Since taking on my new role as Youth Minister for two parishes in Southern Maine, I have been faced with new thoughts about our faith – some of them, I never thought I would have to look face-to-face, but therein lies the joy of life! Nothing is ever what you THINK it will be!

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

⁴Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with…

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What's Up Wednesday

Aloha!

September 30, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a (nearly) Wordless Wednesday, but since our return from the great state of Hawaii left us with some pretty amazing pictures, now seems like a good time. 🙂 Enjoy & Mahalo!

Our first leg of the journey was to Houston, TX. We arrived, booked a room at a hotel we chose randomly, and when we arrived...who should step off the elevator, but our long-lost friend Josh!! Small World! — Our first leg of the journey was to Houston, TX. We arrived, booked a room at a hotel we chose randomly, and when we arrived…who should step off the elevator, but our long-lost friend Josh!! Small World!

We made it on the Houston to Hawaii flight!! (Note: Our Big Smiles!)

Hanauma Bay

Waimanolo

Punchbowl Cemetary

From Our Hike Up Diamond Head

Our Sunset Dinner Cruise.

Pearl Harbor & the USS Bowfin Submarine

Pacific Aviation Museum

Y'all...see Monday's post about my CRAZY ISLAND HAIR! This WIND and my MANE really didn't help with our picture-taking! — Y’all…see Monday’s post about my CRAZY ISLAND HAIR! This WIND and my MANE really didn’t help with our picture-taking!

Our Dinner Cruise Catamaran

USS Bowfin Submarine

Kona Brewing Company

Polynesian Cultural Center

Hawaii Baptist Academy – Where I Attended Middle School

Diamond Head – Again

On the flight over…while my hair was still behaving!! 🙂

And there you have it folks – the highlights reel!

Until tomorrow…

TTC Tuesday

Dani’s Journey: My Victory Over Infertility

September 29, 2015September 28, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Good Morning Folks,

We have a special special treat for you today! One of my dearest did us the honor of authoring a guest post for this edition of ‘Thank You, Jesus! Tuesday’ and boy, does she have a powerful journey to share!

So…a Looooonng while back I was asked to share my experience with infertility and how waiting on the Lord was a challenge. I’ve been married 3 years this November and when we were married I wanted a baby like “yesterday”!

However, there was a button on pause for us. I had been on the Depo-Provera shot for 3 injections prior to marriage to help with my hormonal imbalances, but this caused my pituitary gland to essentially “turn off”. With this crucially important gland not functioning, my body was not able to create the proper hormones which make uterine lining, ovulation and proper mucus.

The doctor’s rule was I couldn’t be considered infertile until I tried naturally to conceive for one full year. I can’t put into words how hard it was to know that for one year “all I could do” was pray. Sounds silly that I was disappointed by this, right? I didn’t feel that way at the time.

I was impatient and frustrated and sad as the months passed with no period and therefore, no possible pregnancy. After a year of marriage, I was ready to get into that doctor’s office and “DO” something! At first, I was put on hormone medications to hopefully, kick-start my brain into producing the hormones naturally. Oh how I prayed to God that He would make this work! I wanted Him to give me instant results, as my heart was aching for a precious baby.

After many long talks with God, I still didn’t understand how He could put such a strong and deep desire in my heart for a baby, but was making me wait. I knew that I’d have a baby someday, but what I didn’t know was when or how my child would come. My doctor was confident that I’d be able to have kids one day, and this kept me on the path to get pregnant.

After almost six months on hormone therapy my periods started!!!!! I was ecstatic! I was praising God for His miracle that now pregnancy was a possibility. Although I got my period back, it was not consistent. I had an ultrasound done to see if I was ovulating and I wasn’t. After finding out this information, I was devastated and found myself once again asking God why? It seems silly now to me how I went from happy bliss towards God to disappointment so quickly…

I began praying more often but wasn’t truly letting go and letting God take over. For the next 3 months, the plan was to start taking a medication to help me ovulate and then to plan conception. For two years I had been crying regularly and couldn’t understand why God needed me to wait. After all, He was the one who put this desire in my heart…

After two of the three months passed on this ovulation medication, I was a complete mess. I was sick and tired of feeling helpless and disappointed! I mentally, emotionally and spiritually could not handle it and fell to my knees in prayer. I made the decision to stop the treatment to get pregnant and to let God take over.

This was HUGE for me! I had been trying to do this for months but always had one foot in and the other out. I now had to trust God completely that He had a plan… and sure enough, He did! I had continued to track my cycles but had no more medical intervention nor did I have that heart, heavy with disappointment. I stopped the medication in April of 2014 and conceived in September 2014! The Lord had answered my prayers and given me that baby He promised! 🙂

Within days of finding out I was expecting, I then knew why I had to be patient for this gift. I was very sick with hyperemisis gravidarum until week 16, followed by migraines that could knock a full grown man to their knees. Both conditions caused hospital visits due to pain, dehydration, blindness, etc. I was pretty much bed ridden from week 4/5 to 21. It was awful.

Then, the migraines, vomiting, and blackouts let up. I found out at week 22 that we were having a girl!

I knew it all along but was always told “you never know”. I was so happy and once again, thanking God!

Little did I know that just a few weeks later, what I thought was my turn for the best became my turn for the hardest. At twenty-seven weeks along, I developed gestational hypertension. The following week, I was admitted to the hospital for 3 days due to high blood pressure and water retention. Within days of coming home, I went into kidney failure with Pre-Eclampsia and was told that without immediate intervention I would lose my life and my baby’s.

My daughter was born at 29 weeks to the day at 2lbs 7.2oz. She was a fighter, but I became more ill after delivery and ended up with Post-Eclampsia. It was days before I pulled through and could see my own daughter!

I still had a long road ahead with our stay in the NICU and my own recovery to health. But because of my faith and reliance on God, I was able to handle the situation.

He knew if He prolonged my waiting for a child, I would eventually surrender (I’m very stubborn) and rely on Him wholeheartedly – and I did. Without His timing I would not have been prepared mentally, emotionally or spiritually. God gave me a peace when I had to deliver her. I was not concerned with anxiety but had faith it would all be okay. “God’s got this!”, I thought.

Each day I prayed for something new of healing with my daughter and every day each prayer was answered! God is amazing and works miracles!!

Because of His timing, I’ve gained patience, understanding and have learned humility! These were all my worst traits before, but now, they are my best! God knew what He was doing when He had me struggle with infertility. He was teaching me and preparing me for His bigger purpose…His bigger plan.

For anyone struggling with a desire of their heart they know the Lord placed there, rely solely on Him for it. He placed the desire, and will fulfill it one way or another. It may not be the way that you expect or take the you on the journey you thought you were prepared for, but He has a bigger plan for you than you have for yourself.

He says He has a purpose for you and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11) Take a moment today to reflect on what it may be that you are struggling to let God take control of…now try to think why? If you keep it simple, then the answer is simple – because you are not ready. But thankfully, He knows when you will be, and He’s preparing you! 🙂

In Christ,

Dani

Wasn’t that a beautiful story of God’s grace and love? Keep this one in your pocket, or on your bookmarks bar to uplift you when you feel like His Promises aren’t for you. They are. Remember, God doesn’t play favorites. (Acts 10:34) Craig and I are the proud Godparents of this amazing miracle, and can’t wait to share pictures from her baptism this weekend!

My Choice Monday

The Lion (Mane) Tamer

September 28, 2015September 28, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Good Afternoon & Happy Monday!!

We’ve been absent, but with September as crazy a month as it is for our family, we had a good excuse – we’ve been preparing for and then vacationing in Hawaii! (More on that Wednesday!)

As much as I love the island that was my middle school stomping ground, I had almost forgotten how much my hair despises the humid island air – even more than it disagrees with the Georgian breeze. Thank goodness I:

Don’t have bangs anymore.
Remembered to bring a HUGE supply of hair rubber bands.

Do any of you remember Monica’s hair debacle from the Friends episode (#26) above? That’s me. While the other girls at the luaus had long, silky, freshly ‘coiffed’ hair, mine was in a big puff on top of my head, or strung up in french braids.

While my crazy, puffy head of hair didn’t deter us from having a marvelous time, I thought I would share with any of you who are fellow curly/wavy/thick haired girls my favorite ways & products to tame my mane:

Chi Keratin Shampoo & Conditioner

It all starts with the right shampoo & conditioner. Some may disagree with my on this, but I have tried A LOT of products, and these are my favorites. Not only do they smell fresh & clean, they work. I typically wash my hair 2-3 times with the shampoo and leave on the conditioner for about 10 minutes. If you have thick & crazy hair like mine, you can try not thoroughly rinsing out all the conditioner. This is more important if you’re in the thick of a humid summer stretch.

2. The Wet Brush

The Wet Brush. What you brush your hair with matters – most of all when it’s wet. And trust me, when it comes to tangles and being gentle, this brush has it all. I use it when I get out of the shower, after I towel dry my hair, and then again after I apply a ton of product (more about that in a second!).

When your hair is dry and styled, my favorite brush is one like this:

The Spornette Ion Fusion Brush is my favorite, but any large paddle brush will do! I like this type of brush because the bristles are long and sturdy enough that I can feel them on my scalp – believe it or not, this is rare. Plus, the brush is large enough that it covers a lot of ground at once. (Anything to lessen the amount of time I spend styling this mane!!)

3. DermOrganic Argan Oil

As soon as my hair is super towel-dried, I apply this oil, mixed well with another product and apply to all of my hair, concentrating on the ends. Say it with me: Life-Sav-Er!! But it’s important to read below and see how and WHY I mix it with the other product!

4. Outshine 01 – Redken Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk

This stuff works like a dream, and mixed with the Argan Oil (above), I apply it to towel-dried hair from root to tip, concentrating on the ends. For some reason, the combination of a cream and an oil really helps my hair to lay down, and decreases the frizziness quite a bit more than either product on it’s own.

5. Conair 3-in-1 Ionic Styler

This hairdryer has been my best friend since I was a kid. I use one of the 2 comb attachments it comes with and blow-dry my hair, all the way through. Those of you with fine, thin or straight hair, may be able to get away with air-drying or only drying halfway…or using a regular hairdryer with your head upside down…but not I. Dry your hair fully after towel drying and applying the products above.

6. Creme of Nature Argan Oil Replenishing Sheen Spray

Ok, before you say anything, let me say that I was a skeptic too…but WOW. This stuff has changed my hair life. Now, having said that, be sparing. More of this is less. After you dry your hair, spray on this. Not too much. Just enough to lightly coat it. When you begin straightening, you can use this again to spray (lightly) on each piece before you use a flat or curling iron on it. Just be sparing. Otherwise, you will look like a greaseball. I promise you.

7. Moroccan Oil Styling Clips

Yet another lifesaver. It is a must that I section out my hair prior to styling it. There’s no other way. However, most clips out there do NOT hold my hair (read: in the past week, I have POPPED, while wearing, 7 rubber bands.), so I found these babies – made for big, thick, crazy hair. They hold it and they do it well – and no pinching.

8. Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium Straightening Iron

Now that your hair is dry and protected from the heat and sectioned out, it’s FINALLY time to flat iron. This is the best flat iron ever. I have had it for more than 4 years, and it is still going strong! And it straightens my mess of curls and frizz in one pass. Amazing.

9. Vavoom Freezing Spray

Okay, I don’t care what anyone else tells you. This stuff is the BEST. If you don’t want you hair to move – rain or shine, it will NOT. And you’ve just spent a good chunk of your day perfecting your hair, so you would be a little snarly if it were to get messed up after all the work, right? 🙂

10. Batiste Dry Shampoo

Considering you’ve now spent two or more hours on your hair, you may not want to wash and style it every. single. day. And I’ll let you in on a little secret…days 2 and 3 are often my BEST hair days. But just because you may want some morning free time, doesn’t mean you can neglect your flowing strands. Keep your hair fresh and clean with dry shampoo! I have tried MANY brands and Batiste is my favorite by far. The one I’ve linked to above is specifically for blondes, but they make a brunette version, as well, in addition to many different fragrances. I haven’t found one yet that I don’t like!

So there you have it. I may not always be on time, but now you at least know WHY! 😉 Even with all the products above, I still don’t have great island hair…but that’s one reason I *usually* keep my locks long enough for a knot on top of my head or braids. They are life-saving styles in case of humidity!

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s “My Choice Monday” – Please note that we were not sponsored or commissioned by any of the above brands. All opinions and suggestions are my own and I am not a hair professional. However, should you wish to send us a sample of your product for review, please contact us here.

Join us tomorrow! We have a very special guest post I just can’t wait to share!!

My Choice Monday

Intentional Living

September 14, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

I just noticed I haven’t posted anything in the month of September so far…and for that I apologize! The other day, I received an e-mail confirming my speaking to a women’s group in October, and at first, I thought, “Well, that’s still a long way off…”

Well, no ma’am, it is not! October is just around the corner! Time sure does fly, doesn’t it?

We get so bogged down in everything we have to ‘take care of’ and before we know it, a week…two…three have passed by. In today’s world, where everything whizzes by in an instant, we have to be intentional about our time, and make the best use of what we have been given.

Now, I don’t say this because I am a particularly good steward of my time, but it is certainly something I am working on!

Several weeks ago, Craig and I went to see ‘War Room’…and it was so moving and heart-wrenching, I saw it a second time with one of my best friends. Once again, I was deeply affected by the film, and if you have been in my vicinity in the past couple of weeks, you have been urged, begged and pleaded with to go and see this movie! (And here I go again, “GO SEE WAR ROOM!!! It is worth the noise and crowds of the theatre. It is worth the cost of the ticket, Diet Coke and popcorn! The Holy Spirit will speak to you in that theatre, so be prepared with a box of tissues. You will NOT be sad or feel you have wasted your evening. I promise.)

And therein lies my whole point about being intentional with your time.

In John 21, beginning with verse 15, Jesus is speaking with Peter:

When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” He answered, “You know I love You.”

Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”

Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.”

Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?”

“Lord, You know all things;” he replied, “You know I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.

After He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.” John 21:15-20

This scripture says more to me than what it appears on the surface. Jesus is saying here, if you want to follow me; if you want to be a Christian (AKA Christ-follower, which is what that means literally); if you love me, your life is about more than just living. Your life is about more than just attending church on Sunday, saying a prayer before bed, reading your ‘Jesus Calling’ first thing in the morning. Your entire life and being should be intentionally devoted to your walk with Christ.

When we saw ‘War Room’, one thing that struck me was the intentional time being set aside for prayer. I don’t want to ruin the movie for any of you who haven’t seen it (because I know you are going to finish reading this and immediately purchase a ticket to see it tonight), but Jesus tells us in the Gospels:

“But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 (Berean Study Bible)

I know that much of the time, I get up in the morning, quickly read my devotion and rush to get ready and head out the door to work. I listen to sermons, praise and worship music, and/or Victory 91.5 on my way to work. And honestly, by the time I get home in the evenings I am dog-tired – right alongside our precious pups, who always seem to be dog-tired, no matter how little they’ve done all day! I lay on the couch in front of the television, scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. I may do a few dishes or a load or two of laundry, but my evenings are always haphazard. By the time Craig and I have our evening phone call before bed, our prayer together is only half-conscious being that we are both so exhausted.

Since seeing the movie, I have a strong desire to make my life more intentional. Ecclesiastes tells us:

“Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Nothing God does is coincidence. Everything has a purpose and a plan, and I think then, if we are striving to follow Him and become more Christ-like, so should our lives. I know I do better at the office if I plan my day, so how about my evening?

What if I returned home from work, fed my pups, changed into comfy clothes, ate dinner and then retreated to my war room? What if I was as intentional about prayer and spiritual warfare as I am about making sure I feed myself and my fur-kids?

How much would my life change from this one intentional addition?

Would He give me the strength and the means and the opportunity and time to serve Him with my whole heart, to feed His sheep, to shepherd His sheep if I only made room for Him in the way He asks me in my busy schedule?

Food For Thought Friday

Food For Thought: Are you a Light or a Flicker?

August 28, 2015August 28, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Wanna know something funny?

This Facebook post:

…received 40 likes.

This one:

…received 35 likes and 5 comments.

But this one, on the other hand:

…received one ‘like’.

And this one…

…only got “one”, as well.

So why am I mentioning this? Do I really care about how many “likes”, comments, shares, or re-blogs we have?

Not in the least.

But I do find it ‘funny’ – and not in an “LOL” way – that we are so quick to “like” a ‘pretty’ picture, “share” bad news, or comment on a post about fashion or friendship…and yet, we stray away from sharing, posting, liking or remarking about our faith on social media.

Craig and I certainly don’t author this blog for the income it provides (read: zero). We don’t share our faith because we desire fame, or tons of “likes” or “followers”. This blog is up and running today not because I have a wealth of time to write it, but because Jesus calls us to stand up for him!

In a world where violence is rampant; evil is portrayed as ‘good’ and normal, and the name of Jesus is a dirty word… We are called by him to shine like a light on a hill:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16

How are you interpreting that scripture? Do you think being a LIGHT for all the world to see means fading into society so that no one out there knows your beliefs? Do you think it means hiding your faith? If that is how you’re living, you aren’t truly being a Christ-follower…

Now, listen. I am not here to judge, nor am I judging. But I love you people. I pour my heart and soul out to you weekly, and have (on and off) for almost three years. I write to you because Jesus has called me to do so, and because I love Him and long to follow Him more closely, I must obey.

Trust me. I am not perfect, nor am I claiming to be. I am a sinner. I mess up every single day, but that doesn’t stop me from striving to be the daughter of the Risen King I know I am.

Don’t shy away from sharing your faith – from letting others know what you believe and WHO you follow, and WHY. If you truly love Him, then don’t you want others to know the indescribable joy with which He fills you, in spite of all circumstances?

Be different. Shine like a light in the darkness. Do you know how many people have said to my face, behind my back, or behind the mask of a computer screen that I am a Jesus Freak? That I am “taking things too far”? That we take this “church thing too seriously”?

So. What.

It doesn’t matter what anyone else says, but Him.

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23

So, therein lies your ‘food for thought’…Are you shining the light of Christ for all to see? I don’t care if you “like” my posts or share them or comment on them. But I do hope that you will never be ashamed of or afraid to reveal your faith.

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Not Too Thirsty

August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Thirsty for Christ. What does that phrase mean to you?

I’ll tell you what it means to me – hungering after following Him, being consumed by wanting a deeper relationship with the Father, realizing that nothing else can satisfy your soul the way He does.

We currently have a world population of more than 7.3 billion people. Roughly 31% of those 7.3 billion people claim to be Christians. That’s over 2.1 billion people. 2.1 billion.

If all two billion of us were truly thirsty for Christ, would this world be in the state it’s in today? We live in a world predicted by the prophets:

“ Be sure of this. In the last days hard times will come. People will love themselves. They will love money. They will talk about themselves and be proud. They will say wrong things about people. They will not obey their parents. They will not be thankful. They will not keep anything holy. They will have no love. They will not agree with anybody. They will tell lies about people. They will have no self-control. They will beat people. They will not love anything that is good.They cannot be trusted. They will act quickly, without thinking. They are proud of themselves. They love to have fun more than they love God.They act as if they worshipped God, yet they do not let God’s power work in their lives. Keep away from people like that.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Um…that sounds like now to me…but regardless, shouldn’t we Christians (all 2 billion of us) be shining SO brightly that we overshadow the over 69%? Shouldn’t we be so loving and forgiving and helpful and full of JOY that people can’t help but be drawn to us?

Why is it then that instead of striving to be like Jesus, we are fighting, assimilating with the secular world around us, insulting, blaming, judging…

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

We are called to be transformed – to be different, outsiders! We should have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, and therefore, have the mind of Christ – making it more than a little obvious when something isn’t right.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” John 15:18-24

I pray for all of us to strive to be more Christlike – to thirst for Him. Christianity is not passive. It is not a club you belong to and never visit. It is a LIFESTYLE that affects every single decision you make, and every single thing you do. It is a CHOICE to follow Him, no matter what is thrown in your path.

A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but “to reveal His Son in me…” (Galatians 1:16). (from ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ by Oswald Chambers)

Are you willing to thirst and hunger after Christ at all costs?

My Choice Monday

My Choice Monday: Joy

August 24, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Let me be brutally honest.

Life is hard.

It’s hard to be alone every week. It’s hard to watch all my friends post pictures on Facebook and Instagram of their beautiful children. It’s hard to accept that some people don’t want to rekindle friendship with you and your husband. It’s not fun to wake up and be on the road before the sun in the morning, every morning, and arrive back home – to a husband-less household – after the sun has gone back to bed.

But in spite of all of that, and any other circumstances I may have glossed over, people continually remark at my cheerful demeanor, how happy and carefree I seem to be…and I can honestly say it isn’t my doing at all.

Job 13:15

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Have any of you recently read the book of Job? I’m currently reading and studying this book of the Bible, and if you haven’t read it closely, WOW, Job had it pretty bad. I feel almost embarrassed to complain about anything in my life because, well, there but for the grace of God go I!

Job was not only the wealthiest man around; he also was “…a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8 ESV) He was blessed with ten children, numerous servants, countless livestock…probably the nicest tent on the block! And not only these material possessions were taken away, but his health fell away too. Job 2:8 (ESV) says, “And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.”

Here is a man who was on top of the world, and now he sits on top of ashes, where his belongings had burned. His children are gone. His servants are gone. His livestock is gone. And he is covered from head to toe with itchy boils and sores covering his skin, and all he can do is scrape at himself with a shard of pottery, broken in the midst of everything.

Job’s wife, almost understandably so, says to him, “…Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” Job 2:9 (ESV)

But his response to her is a lesson for all of us:

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:10 (ESV)

Job trusted God. He praised God, and he accepted his circumstances.

Not that my own circumstances come close to those of Job, but I have found in praying about and trying to find reason and comfort for many of the things going on in our life, if Jesus calls you to experience something, He gives you everything you need to get through it. And not only survive, but to do so with JOY and PEACE.

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give it to you. Let your heart not be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

It’s the very thing that allows persecuted Christians to get out of bed every morning: their worlds may be falling apart around them, but they are BLESSED with a RELATIONSHIP with the CREATOR – “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

It’s amazing what Jesus can do with circumstances in our lives that seem to be only painful at first glance. I am so blessed to be asked to share Jesus with so many people simply because they hear a part of our story and are amazed at the peace and calm and joy in our lives.