His Way Or The Highway

February 20, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

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Ah, choices. The famous Robert Frost poem “The Road Not Taken” was written about our difficulty in making decisions:

The Road Not Taken

BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Choices and our reactions to them are discussed in the Bible, as well.

Mark 8:27-33 says,

“Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.‘ ”

Rebuke. Interesting word. I was pretty confident I knew what it meant, but I looked it up to be sure…because I really wanted to understand what was being said here.

re·buke

verb

to express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.

So Peter criticized Jesus for what He said…Wow. Can you imagine making that choice?!?!

WAIT A SECOND…

Peter may have criticized the Lord in His physical presence, but don’t we often do the same thing exactly the same thing? And with the Holy Spirit living right in our souls…

How many times have you read or heard something Jesus asks of us as Christians to do and rolled your eyes or talked your way around obeying Him? How often do we doubt His Word and His promises? If you’re human (and I’m guessing most of us are), you are guilty of it every single day. I know I am.

But let’s look at Jesus’ reply:

‘Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.‘

S. Michael Houdmann head of Got Questions Ministries says,

” …we must also see how easily we can become an unwitting spokesperson for Satan. This is especially true when we lose sight of God’s plan for us. This comes about when our focus is on our careers, our possessions, our security, the things of the world rather than upon sacrifice and service and the proclaiming of God’s message. When Peter’s focus shifted to his own desires and plans, Jesus rebuked him in order to get him back on track. May our focus always be on God and His plans, that we may never experience a similar rebuke from our Lord.”

I think our loss of focus on GOD’s will for our lives can sometimes stem from prayer we feel has been unanswered. I know I am guilty of losing grasp of any understanding of His purpose for my life when things take an unexpected turn.

But the more I pray, the more I force myself out of my comfort zone and into my Jesus zone, the more I push myself into scripture reading and singing…the more I fall back into God’s grace.

Isaiah 55:8

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

Let’s make a steadfast effort to make the choice for HIS WAY… because I don’t even want to fathom what awaits us heading the other way…

Last night on my way home this song was on and it brought me to tears and my newly found up-raised arm…How powerful.

Make the choice and the change for Christ.

PS – Here are the lyrics for the song above. I just have a feeling you’ll want to know them, and pray them.

“Keep Making Me”

Make me broken
So I can be healed
‘Cause I’m so calloused
And now I can’t feel
I want to run to You
With heart wide open
Make me broken

Make empty
So I can be filled
‘Cause I’m still holding
Onto my will
And I’m completed
When you are with me
Make me empty

[Chorus:]
‘Til You are my one desire
‘Til You are my one true love
‘Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making meMake me lonely
So I can be Yours
‘Til I want no one
More than You, Lord
‘Cause in the darkness
I know You will hold me
Make me lonely[Chorus]

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Christ Will Shine On You!

February 13, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

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About two years ago, I made a decision. Having just gotten married and introducing myself to one of the longest commutes ever, I chose to turn off the argumentative talk radio and the popular music in the mornings, and listen to a Christian radio station. I found that while I was immersing my car interior with God’s love and peace, I was more apt to say a prayer than a swear word at the driver who just cut me off.

Fast forward to 2014. The morning commute is not enough. During the past several months, Craig and I have grown in our devotion to God, and we simply cannot stomach half of the music on the radio or the shows on television.

Read Ephesians 5.

This is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14

When you are truly living in the light of Christ, the things of this world – the music, the movies, the television shows… It all seems foreign. It used to pain me to hear a certain swear word, that I feel strongly blasphemes the Lord. Now? Not only does that word sting my ears, the filthy talk we are flooded with constantly, burns. It hurts. It makes me want to cry for the world who doesn’t know the peace that Jesus gives.

We usually don’t plan our posts, but I’ve felt this one coming on all week. Interestingly enough, I read another blog I’ve subscribed to and found her post yesterday to be oh so similar. Coincidence? I think not. Not where God is concerned. Read her post here. God is speaking to a world that has become all too complacent and lax – a group of Christians who need to take a stand.

One of the bands we had the pleasure of seeing at Winter Jam was Tenth Avenue North… Listen to the song below. One of the pleasures of listening to Christian music versus popular music is such beautiful music. After all, anything written to praise the Lord can’t sound any other way.

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Enamored of Him and His Children: Finding Christ in the Montessori Method

February 6, 2014February 6, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

Good Morning Folks!

Today, Craig & I have such a treat for you! This is our 100th blog post!!! In celebration, we have a wonderful guest blogger who graciously is sharing with us today!

We are thrilled to introduce you to Sarah Thérèse, who writes a beautiful Catholic blog over at Footprints On My Heart. We know you will be blessed by her story below, and urge you to visit her blog – in addition to ours, of course! 😉 Thank you, Sarah Thérèse , for your wonderful story! Don’t be a stranger around this blog! 😉

It was a cool, late March 2012 morning, several weeks after my college’s Spring break and therefore a bit late to still be considering summer employment. Yet there I was, driving toward a preschool 15 minutes away from my house that, until just two days before, I did not know even existed. I was uncharacteristically very excited about this job interview; considering my more reserved personality, I surprised myself realizing that I couldn’t get there fast enough. I was interviewing for a job at a Montessori preschool and, if I landed it, it would be a real dream come true.

I had first learned of Dr. Maria Montessori and her method of education nearly two years before during my first semester studying Early Childhood Education in college. As a graduate of a lifetime of homeschool, the Montessori Method resonated with me deeply and I was seriously interested in learning everything within my reach. Now, two years later, I was writing a research paper on Montessori and pursuing a job opportunity in the field. With that very first step inside a Montessori classroom on that late March morning, I fell completely in-love.

The job was, indeed, offered to me and I spent that first Summer working with the children. It was a learning experience and I loved every moment of it, even the less pleasant ones (and with children, there are many). I continued learning biographical and (for lack of a better word) “academic” information about Montessori and her method; I enjoyed getting to know the children and their different personalities, observing the ways my coworkers interacted with the children and how the children, in turn, responded to them. Before long, though, I began to notice that something still seemed to be missing. Montessori was also a devout Catholic and that was one aspect that I sorely missed while working in a privately owned, yet still secular environment.

I’ve questioned whether or not I should continue working there. I consider it my dream job and it is a good place to be employed, but is it where God is calling me, or simply another stepping stone along the path there?

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a Catholic Montessori school and atrium and, oh my goodness, if I thought I fell in-love with the method when I stepped into the first classroom two years ago, I am completely enamored of it now. Christ’s love so evidently shone through every single one of the teachers and there was an atmosphere of genuine peace and joy that was only enhanced by the presence of everyone, students and teachers alike. But my favorite aspect of this visit, aside from seeing the atrium and receiving a very general overview of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, was learning more about Maria Montessori as a devout, religious individual. The teacher who gave me the tour followed my promptings and offered so much more information regarding the religious aspect of the method and the individual than anything I’d found in researching, and I soaked it all in as if I’d been awaiting this moment my entire life.

Two things in particular jumped out at me: namely, her devotion to Our Lady under a particular title and her favorite verse from Sacred Scripture.

I found her personal devotion to Our Lady of the Chair very intriguing. I wasn’t familiar with this title, but it’s supposedly as well known as it is ancient (fifth century). Our Lady sitting – Our Lady of the Chair – belongs to the category of Marian representations called Theotokos. The decisive feature of this representation is not Mary, but Jesus Christ whom she holds on her lap, mostly in a frontal position. In fact, she is the throne upon which Christ is seated; not she is wisdom incarnate, but the throne on which wisdom (Christ) takes place. Theotokos means “Mother of God”: like a mother, she holds the baby on her lap; however, the whole posture indicates reverence and respect due to the Son of God and, at the same time, Mary’s gesture is one of demonstration. She holds the child so that he can be seen by the onlooker.

I was drawn to the example of Our Lady as she embraces the Christ Child, and the example that Montessori leaves us in that message by sharing her personal devotion. As was aforementioned, Theotokos means “Mother of God,” and I believe Montessori’s devotion to this image is a call to Spiritual Motherhood of all the children her method has and continues to form.

–John 3:30–

The words spoken by St. John the Baptist referring to Jesus basically sum up the entirety of the Montessori Method. Montessori teachers are not there to strictly “teach,” their purpose is to guide and simply be present for the child. The Montessori teacher’s goal is to allow the child to shine and be his or her self, without any pressure and with complete trust and confidence in the individual. Children are the most amazing miracles in the world and each is a precious gift from above. They should be treated as so.

Visiting the Catholic Montessori school was a very real dream come true and I cannot even begin to express how much I look forward to returning for another visit. If you think the Lord is calling you somewhere or to do something, don’t be afraid to respond and test His call. You never know what adventures might lie ahead… And thank you, oh my Jesus, for calling me to love You through serving Your precious children and for teaching me through them about Your great love for me.

Sarah Thérèse is a homeschooler-turned-Montessori teacher assistant currently in her final semester of College and very, very ready to graduate in May with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She blogs about journeying toward a deeper relationship with Christ, and hosts an ongoing series about the Saints at Footprints on My Heart.

Craig & I have a special guest post coming up at Footprints On My Heart February 22nd about a saint very near and dear to our hearts! Stay tuned!!

Sarah Thérèse, thank you, again, for your beautiful testimony! We are blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful brothers & sisters in Christ as we journey through life!

Join us again tomorrow for Food For Thought Friday!!

All Our Love,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Psalm 50:15

January 30, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

Being home these past two days has been both wonderfully restful and thought-provoking. Craig & I have certainly enjoyed our ice-in, but we have also been pelted with stories of those who weren’t as lucky in their treks home on Tuesday as we were. People all over the city are still stranded, and while this is horrible, this unique situation in the South has brought some real Christian hearts out of the woodwork. Click on the picture below for a beautiful story about Chick-Fil-A helping the stranded:

In today’s commerce-driven (and often greed-driven) society, stories like this are so rare, but here is another one from Tuesday evening, as well! Click the image for the full story of this good Samaritan!

Stories like these are beautiful, and truly show a heart for Christ. They give so much hope, all the while making me feel disappointed that Craig & I didn’t get back out there and help these past couple days. It gives us a challenge to help out as much as we can the rest of 2014 – and beyond.

Being at home, we were able to watch the 700 Club this morning – it’s one of my favorites, and has the ability to really get your head in the right place for the day. Today this verse was shared, and I think it hits home big time right now.

Psalm 50:15

¹⁵Pray to me in time of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.

What a beautiful verse in times of trouble and always.

xoxo,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

With The Faith Of A Mustard Seed

January 23, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres4 Comments

Good Morning & Welcome to Thirsty For Christ Thursday – Craig’s Favorite Day of The Blog Week!

Do you know how awesome that is? I was listening to “The Bible From 30,000 Feet” in the car on my way home this week – as I usually do, and Skip Heitzig mentioned to all the young women in his audience they should seek a God fearing man for a husband – first and foremost. I certainly prayed for one…and God blessed me so.well. God is GOOD, and by good, I mean unbelievably wonderful.

We have been telling you about the healing power of God we experienced at the service we went to almost a week ago, led by Joan Hunter, but I promised I would explain our encounter further today. Let me begin by sharing this quote from Kenneth Copeland:

The impossible. That’s what we experienced last Friday evening. Faith in Christ, & Jesus’ power – that was all it took for healing to occur. We all know the verse:

Luke 17:6

6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

Do we believe that with all our heart and soul? Take a moment to meditate on that verse, and ask God for the faith of a mustard seed.

Craig & I entered A Call To Salvation church last Friday evening, and had no clue what to expect. Neither of us had ever been to this church, or to a healing service of any kind – Catholic, Protestant, or Non-Denominational. All we knew was that God led us to Joan Hunter’s book, and then to come to see her in the small town of Jefferson, Georgia. We just needed to be there.

The service began with some great worship music, and we were really able to set our hearts and minds in the right place. This is the song that touched both of us the most that night:

Oh, it gives me goosebumps to even talk about that evening. God was there. You could tangibly feel Him. After the worship music, we settled down to listen to Ms. Hunter speak a little bit about her ministry and some of the wonderful things God has used her for and done through her.

In her book, “Freedom Beyond Comprehension”, she writes, “Today, I am doing exactly what God has called me to do and ministering wherever He guides me to go. Every day is an exciting adventure. I love to lay hands on the sick and see them recover. Wherever I go, the power of God goes with me as evidence that I am walking out His plan for me.”

And lay hands on the sick she did. Many were healed Friday night right in front of our eyes, in Jesus’ name. One woman was having issues with her rotator cuff and when she stretched out her arms, one was about 4 inches longer than the other. We watched as the shorter arm grew to meet the longer arm in amazement. But why were we so amazed? We serve the God who created the Heavens and the Earth, why would He not be able to heal His human creations?

The faith of the individuals present that night was, for the most part, astounding. An elderly woman hobbled to the front of the church, hunched over and stumbling. She had suffered five fractured disks in the past year. Jesus healed her. Right then and there. We watched as her spine straightened, and she bent forward to touch her toes. She thanked Jesus each time she bent and each time she thanked Him, the lower she was able to bend, until she was able to touch the floor!

I sat in tears, my heart overflowing with faith and love. What a wonderful God we serve.

When I went up to the front of the church at the end of the service, Ms. Hunter’s daughter, Melody, told me praying for babies is her favorite thing. It made me smile, and as she laid her hands on me and asked Christ to heal me from PCOS, to grant me a new right ovary (again, we did not specify to her which ovary was affected), and a new pancreas, this amazing, tingly warmth crept over my stomach. Jesus is healing me.

Thank you, Jesus.

Matthew 8:17

17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

(Note Isaiah’s role in that verse…Haven’t I told you the book of Isaiah has been popping up in all of our scripture study?! 🙂 )

Luke 7:1-10

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

7 After Jesus[a] had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

The second half of verse 6 (above) is one of my favorite parts of the Mass, and it is the epitome of the power of faith and Christ to heal us.

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

For further healing scripture, you can click here.

We will end today’s post with one final scripture. I’m going to be using this one as my ‘mantra’ if you will, and maybe you would be blessed by doing so, as well.

James 4:8

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Keep Him close to you, and He will heal you.

All Our Love,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

It Only Takes A Spark…

January 16, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres5 Comments

“Pass It On (It Only Takes A Spark)” – that was a favorite song of mine growing up. My mother used to hum it while she played it on the piano for me, and then I learned it and would sing it for her while she played. All I pictured back then was a campfire, but today there is a lot more truth & meaning.

Matthew 7:12

12 “Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is the meaning of Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets.

Today, on the way to work after my work-out, I was in my hurry mode. I cannot STAND to be late, not even a little bit, and to me, “late” is “on time” and “on time” is “early”. If you’re Type A, maybe you understand this concept! 😉 I was on the verge of “late”, but I had not had enough caffeine and so I pulled into the LOOOONG line at Starbucks for my Venti Chai Soy Latte Extra Hot (Thanks, Jenna!) No Water With Whip. I waited and waited…I was anxious because I could see the minutes ticking away on the dashboard clock…But when I approached the window to pay for my drink, the barista said, “The person in front of you paid for your order. Would you like to pay for the person behind you?”

Wow.

Of course, I said, “Yes!”, and paid for the order behind me – which was actually a dollar less expensive (See good things come to those who do the right thing!;-)), but that little incident changed my perspective for the entire day. It only takes a spark…

Maybe a “little thing” like that doesn’t strike you in your heart, but man, this morning, that simple act changed my whole demeanor for the day. What are we doing each day – things that seem insignificant to us – that make a huge difference in the life of another? And is that difference positive or negative? It only takes a spark…

My favorite radio station (proudly posted on the sidebar of our blog), Victory 91.5, has a segment each morning called, “Scripture & Spurgeon” – referring to the late, great Charles Spurgeon and a dose of correlating scripture. I was really affected by today’s and thought I would share it:

“Short prayers are long enough.”-C.H. Spurgeon

Matthew 6:7

7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

We’ve been discussing prayer a lot recently, it seems. We ask and ask and ask. We thank and thank and thank. But it’s such an awesome reminder – for US, especially – we ought to LISTEN more than anything else. Maybe if our ears and our heart and our minds are simply open to His Word, we will truly hear his answers.

1 Kings 19:11-13

11 And he said to him: Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord: and behold the Lord passeth, and a great and strong wind before the Lord over throwing the mountains, and breaking the rocks in pieces: the Lord is not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake: the Lord is not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire: the Lord is not in the fire, and after the fire a whistling of a gentle air. 13 And when Elias heard it, he covered his face with his mantle, and coming forth stood in the entering in of the cave, and behold a voice unto him, saying: What dost thou here, Elias?

It isn’t hard at all to notice an earthquake or a fire, and surely God can be there, as well, but we cannot hear a whisper unless we are listening intently.

Tomorrow, Craig & I are heading to Jefferson, Georgia to witness an amazing woman of God, Joan Hunter, lead a healing & miracle service.

Ms. Hunter is quite an author. After being told she would never even be able to read or write, she has now written more than ten books. She has such an inspiring story! We cannot wait to meet her in person and experience God through her ministry!

After a friend of mine loved and raved about this book by Joan Hunter, I just had to read it.

And I shared it with Craig, and with members of our family, and our friends…and now I’m sharing it with you, because remember, IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK…

Remember as you go through this day, this weekend, the next week…it does only take a spark. Is your spark filled with Jesus and His love, or is it filled with anger, selfishness and this world? We can change the world, as Jesus called each of us to do in His Great Commission – and it only takes one spark at a time!

Matthew 28:16-20

18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

All Our Love,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Perfect Love: It’s What God Wants For Us!

January 9, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

This week has been a lot about soul searching for me. As I’ve mentioned, I have the distinct privilege of guest blogging at The Veil Of Chastity on Monday, and in preparation for writing that post, I really sat back and recalled the work of the mighty hand of God and the role he played in bringing Craig and I together.

I mean, honestly, I get chills (and not in a good way) when I think about my life before Craig – OUR lives before each other – or what life could be like if we hadn’t followed God toward each other. (You can read the whole story on Monday at The Veil of Chastity)The one God has chosen for you loves you like Christ loves the Church.

Meditate on that for a moment.

Ephesians 1:4-5

4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. 5 For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [[a]because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]—

My “Drawing Near” devotion (By John MacArthur) this morning had the following to say about Christ’s love for us:

“Moses told Israel that God didn’t choose them because of their great numbers or any inherent goodness on their part, but as an expression of God’s sovereign will and sacrificial love (Deut. 7:7-8). That’s true of you as well if you’re a Christian.

The Greek word translated “love” in Ephesians 1:4 speaks not of emotional or sentimental love but of love that seeks God’s best for others at any cost. It is marked by sacrifice rather than selfishness–giving rather than receiving. It seeks to forgive rather than condemn–to dismiss offenses rather than count them.

Such love is epitomized in God Himself, who loved you so much that He sacrificed His Son on your behalf, who willingly laid down His own life for you (John 3:16; 15:13).”

Ephesians 5:25

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her

The love your holy spouse should have for you (and you, for him or her) is so magnificent, so powerful, so amazing, that it is life-changing.

Leon Suprenant, writes an article on Catholic.com, which says:

“…even more profoundly and positively, we are “pro-love” in the sense of laying down our lives for our beloved, which is a sign of contradiction for those who think love is merely about self-gratification. Love is the greatest of the virtues, the greatest of the Commandments, and it consists in giving of ourselves to God and neighbor.”

If you’re married, do you experience this type of love from your spouse? Do you give this type of unwanting, self-giving love to your spouse?

If you’re single, have you ever experienced this type of love or felt this type of love toward anyone you have dated?

If not, perhaps the the Lord has not lifted the veil which covers you. Cindy of The Veil Of Chastity, explains it this way:

“Think of The Veil as a simple metaphor: It is the idea that God places a protective veil over all of us and the purpose of the veil is to hide us from every possible suitor except the one that God intends for us to marry. I call the person God wants us to marry our ‘holy spouse.’

This protective veil makes us ‘unclear’, similar to looking through a Mylar plastic sheet, to those suitors who are not our holy spouse. These suitors may be attracted to us but they hesitate to pursue us fully because they can’t fully see us; we are hidden by the veil. This may feel like rejection but it is really God’s protection.”

How beautiful is that bit of insight? Christ loves you so much that He chose someone for you, and protects you – as much as you allow Him – until you follow His will and guidance to meet your holy spouse. I urge you, if you’re single, to call out to God for His guidance. Christ is the only way to this amazing sacrificial love. It is a gift, solely from God Himself.

Suprenant further writes in his article:

“Married couples truly are “made for each other.” Supernatural grace that comes with Christian marriage builds on the natural complementarity of man and woman. Through their mutual gift, the two really do become one flesh (Eph. 5:31), just as Christ completely identifies himself with his Bride, the Church (cf. Acts 9:4). This two-becoming-one of husband and wife is brought about, symbolized, and recalled in the marriage act.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical God is Love, calls us not to settle for a self-seeking erotic love, but to a Godlike, self-giving love that builds on and perfects all the lower forms of love. In this context, chastity gives us the strength not to be reactive or controlled by our passions and lusts, but rather the freedom that comes with self-mastery—the freedom to love as Christ loved the Church. This strength is the fruit of a lifelong battle in which we cooperate with the Holy Spirit as we strive to imitate the purity of Christ.”

Don’t settle for earthly ‘love’… It does not even begin to scratch the surface (and I mean that literally) of the love the one God has chosen for you will give. This type of amazing sacrifice and self-giving love can only possibly come from God above, who loves each of us in that same way, and beyond.

Reflect on love today – Christ’s love for you; your love for Christ; your love for your spouse… If you are unmarried, pray. Ask God to first create in you a pure heart for Him, and then to guide you to the one whom He intends.

I promise you, the blessing of sacrificial love in your marriage cannot be described in words, and there is no substitute for the fruits it brings. The love Craig and I have, the love we share for one another, is the glue that binds us when things don’t go as planned, perfects every good day, and grows each moment. Our marriage as THREE, with God at the center, is life sustaining.

In Christ,

♥

PS: If you haven’t had the opportunity to answer us yet, please let us know what your thoughts are! 🙂

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

A New Habit To Form!

January 2, 2014January 2, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Good Morning Folks!

Is everyone back to work and settled into their routines this morning? I know we are! Craig and I got up bright and early this morning at 4:15 AM. He headed to work, and I raced to make Pure Barre at 6 AM, then on to my office at 7 AM. After two weeks of short work weeks, road trips, vacation days, family, too much food, and too many presents, “real life” has returned and we are blessed with a new year. I don’t know about y’all, but I wasn’t ready. Not yet. A few more days, please! 🙂

As we all know, new years are ‘supposed’ to start with resolutions – commitments we make to live better and differently, changes for a more fruitful year ahead. I know one of mine is to finish reading straight through my Bible. (The Learning Bible is one of our favorite versions of the Bible to read with and study from.) I’ve just begun 1st Samuel, but I dilly-dallied and getting to that point took all last summer until now. Getting into daily Bible reading means developing my relationship with the Lord. Craig and I are in the midst of one ‘heavy’ devotional right now, plus two daily devotionals – and while, to some, that might sound like ‘more than enough’, it just isn’t.

As Christians, we are blessed with this amazing gift of being able to spend time with God, our Creator, our heavenly Father – to spend time with Him! Wrap your head around that one…

Shouldn’t we take as much advantage of that as possible? Is reading a chapter or two from our Bible each day really too much to ask – even if that is in addition to studying His word with our spouse or friend or family member daily? A dear friend of mine said something to me about 20 years ago (oh my goodness that was so scary to think it’s been THAT long), that has always stuck with me… She said, “Think of the Bible as a long love letter from the Lord, written especially to you.”

Wow.

I challenge you in this new year to develop a new habit, not try to kick one. Get in the habit of beginning with just one chapter of the Bible per day – just one, followed by a short prayer of thanks – and see what amazing changes God will make in your life, just with this one little addition to the daily routine.

Here are a few verses to get started (beginning with Craig & I’s favorite – God spoke these words to me on a bike ride almost a year ago, and they have been a banner over our household ever since):

Matthew 6:33

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Peter 2:2

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

I’ll leave you with this verse and corresponding song, sung by Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith:

Psalm 119:105

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Enjoy your 2nd day of this glorious new year, and check back in with us tomorrow for Food For Thought Friday!

Much Love,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Be Near Me, Lord Jesus, I Ask Thee To Stay

December 26, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Merry Day After Christmas!

We hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas! As we posted yesterday, we spent a wonderful few days in Minnesota with family, and while we are exhausted after our drive back yesterday/early this morning, it was such a blessing to be able to celebrate Christmas with our northern family!

On this Thirsty Thursday, I thought I would share with you an insight from a devotional book I just love – we both do – The One Year Book of Hymns. Today’s entry focuses on the song “Away In A Manger”… Did you know this hymn’s first two verses are somewhat of a mystery? The author is unknown…For many years, it was said to have been written by Martin Luther, as it appeared first in a Lutheran hymnal, but no one really knows for certain. Regardless, it is a beautiful song…Take a minute to really listen to the words:

The final verse’s author is known. It was written by John McFarland, between the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, and its words are profound:

“Be near me, Lord Jesus. I ask thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray.”

Jesus as a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger… and then we read in Isaiah 53:1-6 :

Who has believed what he has heard from us?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men;

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces.

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

Don’t you find it astonishing that we, as Christians, during Advent and Christmas, honor this tiny baby, born in a manger – Emmanuel, God With Us. God’s only Son, sent down from Heaven to save this world from its sin…

And after Christmas, we let our joy and our heavenly peace fall away. We allow the world to creep back in, and we all go astray. We follow society, the media, and all that we know in our hearts to be wrong. We are all guilty of this. Just like sheep – following blindly the wrong shepherd.

This day after Christmas, let’s make it our resolution to keep that joy and that heavenly peace in our hearts, to remember all year long why we celebrate Christmas in the first place, and to let that reason be shepherd of our souls.

All Our Love,

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Christ: The Ultimate Bridegroom

December 19, 2013December 19, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

Greetings Y’all!

Yesterday, a friend and I were discussing weddings – believe it or not, right? Two women discussing WEDDINGS?!?! Never! 😉 And, in true wedding talk fashion, everything (flowers, venue, cake, dress, etc) was mentioned but the groom. Why is that the norm?

Today, I want to share with you a song I found by searching for “wedding” online – just because that conversation yesterday had me all reminiscent about a certain September 15, 2012… and God intervened. He led me to this:

Wow.

Talk about a conversation involving a wedding day that is centered on the most amazing groom, Jesus. Isaiah 54:4-8 (ESV) says:

4 Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5 For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
the God of the whole earth he is called.
6 For the Lord has called you
like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
says your God.
7 For a brief moment I deserted you,
but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing anger for a moment
I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
says the Lord, your Redeemer.

“The icon of Christ the Bridegroom portrays the selfless love of Christ for His Bride, the Church (Isaiah 54). He is dressed in royal colors as the betrothed King, corresponding with Sacred Scripture’s account of His mockery by the Roman guards before His crucifixion. The crown is a symbol of His marriage to the Church; the rope, a symbol of the bondage to sin, death and corruption which Jesus untied by His death on the Cross; the reed, a symbol of His humility.” (Borrowed from the Christ The Bridegroom Monastery)

What an amazing God we have who takes us just as we are, cleanses us from our sin, and pledges Himself to us – all the while, not just forgiving but forgetting our past and our wrongs. Christ: The Ultimate Bridegroom.

Until tomorrow….

Blessings To You All,