Thirsty For Christ Thursday

No Fear!

Thursday

I remember, back in middle school, all the ‘cool guys’ wore t-shirts with this on the back:

Craig, did you have one of these? 🙂

Why is it that having “no fear” is something we only apply to our secular lives? Jesus calls us to have “no fear” when it comes to our relationship with Him and where He leads us and guides us.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

But when He calls us to do something, we think:

“I can’t make that happen. I’m too busy.”

or

“Our schedules don’t allow for that.”

or

“I’m not good enough.”

“Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!” Isaiah 44:8 NLT

So, we are left at a crossroads

Craig and I have been at this crossroads. And last night it became very apparent that there were three ways to go at this particular crossroads (as with most all of them):

others

So, we are thanking God for leading us and gently guiding us to this place of peace. We are choosing His Way – knowing He is our leader, and the only one we should be following or fearsome of at all.

But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”Mark 5:36 NLT

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My Choice Monday · TTC Tuesday

Matthew 6:26

double dose day

You’re in for a double dose of the Newlywed Lefebvres today! Being off for the holiday weekend meant finally getting to sleep in a little bit late, and completely spacing on writing our normal Monday post. To be completely honest, this weekend was such a blessing my mind was elsewhere. 🙂

So, better late than never, we have two posts for you today: Monday & today’s regularly scheduled programming!

Monday

Typically, neither Craig nor I are much of the movie-goer type. I think the whole time we were dating we went to the movies once – maybe twice. There just hasn’t been anything worth going to the theater for — until recently. Especially as Craig & I grow closer in our relationship to Christ, more and more of the aspects of “Hollywood” in the world hurt our hearts, and we steer clear of those items. Whereas once upon a time we were able to go to the movies and see anything that ‘sounded good’ to us, now we are more discerning about what we take in.

So far in 2014 we have been truly blessed with the amount of Christian movies airing on the silver screen:

Even the questionable Noah…

Last night, we had the privilege of enjoying this one:

We didn’t even realize this movie had a Christian influence until Casting Crowns posted about it on Facebook:

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While Craig and I, obviously, aren’t parents – yet (Hurry up, Jonah Elizabeth!!! 🙂 ), this was a refreshing film for any Christian. It was funny without being vulgar. The language was colorful without being crude. The costuming was beautiful and vibrant without being immodest. This storyline was compelling without being full of sex or violence.

Trace Adkins even spoke about Jesus’ amazing love for us, in spite of who or what we are.

If you’re looking for a night out, this is a movie for the whole family to see! Be sure to support films like these!!

And now, for our regularly scheduled programming:

Tuesday

Folks. If you still don’t believe in the power of prayer, let me tell you know that you better open up your heart and your ears.

I have been praying for something to happen for about six months now – maybe a little bit longer. I won’t divulge what that is to protect the person for whom I have been praying, but know this: I knew I couldn’t change the situation. I knew God was the ONLY ONE who could do anything in this situation. I prayed for His Hand to work. For His Will to be done – not mine.

And the impossible happened.

In all seriousness, it would be like my telling you I wanted to wake up and find our neighbors on our doorstep, check in hand, letting us know they felt sorry for us and knew we were ready to move, so they were going to buy our house – with cash. And then that happening.

What I prayed for is something I felt God wanted to occur, but I knew it was just outrageous to even begin to consider. I didn’t know how to get from Point A to Point B, and so I asked Him to take over. I told Him that if it was really His Will, He would have to handle things because it would be a miracle if it happened.

And people, it HAPPENED. It may have taken a little time and a little patience. But it happened. My prayers were answered and His Will is being done.

To God Be The Glory.

If there is anything you are struggling with, ask for His help and have faith.

take your cares to the cross

All our love to you friends. We pray for all God’s blessings upon you.

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Thirsty For Christ Thursday

What Does A Christ-Follower Look Like?

ThursdayHave you ever thought about the answer to that question: “What does a Christian look like?” 

Josh and Julia

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Best Man & MY Best Man <3

 

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Do any of the people above look the same? Not in the least on the outside. But they all follow Christ. So our hearts should ALL LOOK THE SAME.

The point is that, as Christians, we are all called to be ‘ambassadors’ or ‘representatives’ of Christ here on Earth. This not only means we CANNOT judge someone by how they appear to us; it also means that we need to keep in mind that when we present ourselves as Christians, we are now in our peers’ minds as representatives of Christ in ALL THAT WE DO.

That can be VERY powerful – in either a good or a bad way, depending on how we handle ourselves!

Read through Phillipians 2:1-18 below:

Philippians 2:1-18

Thinking Like Christ

Are you cheerful because you belong to Christ? Does his love comfort you? Is the Holy Spirit your companion? Has Christ been gentle and loving toward you? Then make my joy complete by agreeing with each other. Have the same love. Be one in spirit and purpose.

Don’t do anything only to get ahead. Don’t do it because you are proud. Instead, be free of pride. Think of others as better than yourselves.

None of you should look out just for your own good. You should also look out for the good of others.

You should think in the same way Christ Jesus does.

In his very nature he was God.
    But he did not think that being equal with God was something he should hold on to.
Instead, he made himself nothing.
    He took on the very nature of a servant.
    He was made in human form.
He appeared as a man.
    He came down to the lowest level.
    He obeyed God completely, even though it led to his death.
        In fact, he died on a cross.
So God lifted him up to the highest place.
    He gave him the name that is above every name.
10 When the name of Jesus is spoken, everyone’s knee will bow to worship him.
    Every knee in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow to worship him.
11 Everyone’s mouth will say that Jesus Christ is Lord.
    And God the Father will receive the glory.

Living Like Christ

12 My dear friends, you have always obeyed God. You obeyed while I was with you. And you have obeyed even more while I am not with you. So continue to work out your own salvation. Do it with fear and trembling. 13 God is working in you. He wants your plans and your acts to be in keeping with his good purpose.

14 Do everything without finding fault or arguing. 15 Then you will be pure and without blame. You will be children of God without fault in a sinful and evil world. Among the people of the world you shine like stars in the heavens. 16 You shine as you hold out to them the word of life. So I can brag about you on the day Christ returns. I can be happy that I didn’t run or work for nothing.

17 But my life might even be poured out like a drink offering on your sacrifices. I’m talking about the way you serve because you believe. Even so, I am glad. I am joyful with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and joyful with me.

We are the gateway to His Amazing Love for so many out there. Christians should look like Christ – inside and out. 

The more we allow Him to lead us, the more He transforms us.

We are His light to the world!!! SHINE BRIGHTLY!!!!!!!!

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Food For Thought Friday

Cry Me A River

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Happy Friday Everyone!!!!!!!!!!

For Food For Thought Friday, we do have something certainly thought-provoking, and interestingly enough, having to do with this week’s posts involving tears. There are all sorts of occasions to cry…SAD times, HAPPY times, ANXIOUS times… But did you realize that it isn’t only the occasion for tearing up that changes, but also the tears, as well!?!?!?

Click here for an article that tells you all about it.

What’s most interesting to me is that this is just another indication we aren’t here by some random sonic boom! Science proves the existence of God over and over again! You can’t tell me it is by chance that the tears we cry for different reasons have completely different chemical compositions!!!

That’s just how AWESOME God is!!!! We are His by DESIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Friday All!

xoxo

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Grace, Guidance & His Everlasting Love

ThursdayAt the top of our prayer list is a request for God to guide us along the path He has chosen for us. Over the past couple of months, as we have walked down those paths and continued to pray for His guidance, He has led us and spoken to us in some utterly amazing ways.

I mentioned on Tuesday that I spent a large part of Mother’s Day evening in tears. Whenever I let the enemy remind me of past failures and regrets, sadness and sin, it gets me into the pit of depression. (Does this sound familiar to any of you??) I feel injured and helpless, hopeless and despairing – but that is NOT the state of mind God wants for His children. Not in the least!

And He is an the answerer of prayer.

This past week, He sent His messengers out with the following Word for me:

I love you with an everlasting love.

Here are, specifically, the messages He sent my way:

“Times like this are when I sing “I Have Loved You” over and over. He loves us with an everlasting love, and we are His! If He loves me that much, who am I to question my worth or why I am sometimes lonely?”

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(Here’s a close-up!)

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If you can’t read that on your screen, it says “He loves us with an everlasting love and nothing can thwart His Will. This means we should be at peace. We should set aside our worries. We should remove our fingers from our ears that we might hear the music of the rolling spheres magnifying His name.”

And then last night on Facebook, this came across my news feed:

I’m sorry, folks, but this just brings me to tears (of joy!) even as I type this. God loves us so much that He wants to calm our silly fears and concerns and worries! He SPEAKS TO HIS CHILDREN!!! He wants a real RELATIONSHIP with YOU. That’s right – The One who CREATED THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE FROM NOTHING wants to be your FRIEND, your FATHER, your FIRST LOVE!! How could that not phase you!?!?!

You could be cynical and say this was coincidental – but God doesn’t work in coincidence! I am a firm believer that He speaks to us through His faithful people, through the world He created, and through His Word.

Last night, just before I fell asleep, I caught a brief snippet from Max Lucado on television, speaking about how, historically, the world’s religions have been based on attempting to find favor with their gods – through their lives, their actions, their own doing. But we don’t have to worry about that!

Christianity does not work that way. God gave us this precious gift called GRACE.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

We could never even think of doing anything remotely good enough to deserve an OUNCE of His love, but we don’t have to. All we have to do is accept Him as Lord over our lives, to believe in Him and believe that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins. That’s it.

God’s absolutely amazing grace takes care of everything else.

His reminder to me this week was that He loves me with an unstoppable, unchanging  unbelieveable, otherworldly love – A love I cannot begin to fathom; and I don’t have to be “good enough” for Him to bless me (us). I don’t have to be “good enough” to do His work with singles (I can’t WAIT to begin!). I don’t have to be “good enough” to share His love and mercy on this blog. 

All I have to do is love Him back – and even when I fail at that (which is often), He loves me STILL.

{Yes, you will have to watch and listen to this in a browser! And do listen…This is a beautiful hymn…Sung by a men’s quartet beautifully!}

God’s Blessings To You All,

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TTC Tuesday

Tears of Joy

Tuesday

I spent a majority of Mother’s Day evening in tears.

Do I doubt God? Do I doubt Jonah Elizabeth’s introduction into our little family?

Not one little bit.

But the enemy is trying – hard.

I am a redeemed child of the Most High God. He died a criminal’s death to forgive me for every single sin that I have committed. He protects me and He loves me – unconditionally.

Does that sound like someone who would constantly remind you of all your failures and regrets and hurts?

Does that sound like someone who would repeatedly say you aren’t good enough?

I used to think God was punishing me by not giving us a child – but that isn’t how He operates. That voice of doubt and fear and sadness and regret – That isn’t God!

When those thoughts pop into your mind, push them away and have FAITH in the God who loves you as the child of His you are. He doesn’t break His promises, and He doesn’t throw things back in your face.

Little Jonah will be here just as He promised. And the only tears I have to cry are those of joy from being loved by the King and Creator of the Universe.

Keep the faith – and remember the character of our Creator!

xoxo

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

A Whale Of A Tale

Tuesday

Happy Thank You Jesus Tuesday!

By now, I hope you have all watched our vlog from last week… If not, watch it here and the rest of the post will make more sense to you. 🙂

Craig and I have completely surrendered our fertility to God, and everything that goes with it – and if you’ve watched the vlog, you know that included our long held onto “baby girl name” of Olivia Florence. We are excited to one day welcome into our home and family a little girl named Jonah Elizabeth! What a blessing total surrender to our Lord is!

So, we all know the story of Jonah in the Bible, right?

God asked him to do something, and Jonah was scared. He ran away and was thrown off a ship, but instead of drowning, he was saved by God and swallowed by a whale. He lived in the belly of the fish for three days (the Sign of Jonah), and was delivered by the Lord – this time deciding to obey His commands!

So, Jonah is associated with a whale…And Jonah is typically a boy’s name… and all things whale and little boy are typically blue…

But after we received our revelation from God, and shared it, in faith, with all of you, Craig and I were walking through Target this past weekend and saw these things:

ALL THINGS PINK AND WHALEY!!!!!!!

Craig looked at me and said, “This is definitely an affirmation from God! We have to buy Jonah’s first blanket in faith!” and so we did:

How awesome!!! We serve such a wonderful God, and if we only ask He will respond. Never think your prayer or request is too small. Have faith in Him.

The point of the story of Jonah is that God rescues His people – and He doesn’t require earthly measures to accomplish His rescue! It doesn’t matter that doctors say I can’t ovulate on my own. It doesn’t matter that doctors don’t believe I can become pregnant without their assistance. God doesn’t rely on science and human knowledge. He created science and He operates in the supernatural.

Psalm 46:10

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

10 Let go of your concerns!
    Then you will know that I am God.
        I rule the nations.
        I rule the earth.

xoxo

PS – Don’t forget about Love On Purpose Week! Today is Intentional Kindness Day! Do something for someone else! #loveonpurpose

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My Choice Monday

#loveonpurpose

MondayHappy Monday Everyone!! I hope everyone’s weekend was as gorgeous as ours! The weather just couldn’t have been any more perfect!

This week marks the beginning of Love On Purpose Week and “my choice” for you today is to get involved in your community by loving on purpose!

Monday: Today is all about saying THANK YOU to our first responders – police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, armed forces.

If you can’t think of anything else to do, pray for our troops, police, firefighters and EMTs’ safety and well-being! Let them know they are loved and appreciated with baked goods!

Tuesday: This is Intentional Act of Kindness Day. Do something intentionally kind, for no reason at all – other than sharing the love of Christ. Pay for the person behind you in line at Starbucks. Buy lunch for your co-worker. Bake brownies for your neighbor. Wash that dirty car in your cul-de-sac.

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Wednesday: 
 Make an INTENTIONAL effort to spend time with the Lord today. Learn about His Love by worshipping Him and spending time in the presence of His Holy Spirit.

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Thursday: Thursday is the day to show your appreciation for teachers! We don’t have children, but we do have a very good friend who is a teacher and she is getting dinner out tomorrow on me. 😉 If you do have children in school, here is an awesome idea I saw this morning on Facebook:

Friday: Friday is the day of the Paulding County Meth Walk – Click here for more information. If you live in the area, you can walk or run to support the fight against this horrible addiction, or, if you live in another area you can make a donation by clicking the same link!

Saturday: Saturday is the day I am most excited about! We are collecting women’s (gently worn) clothing and shoes, and new, full-size containers of women’s hygiene products to create Princess Packages in support of a ministry called Out of Darkness” which rescues women from the world of sex trafficking and prostitution. By clicking the link, you can find out how you can help! If you live in the Atlanta area, you can drop items off to me at my office or our home (e-mail me), or to FullTurn Church. I’ve begun a collection at my office for items, as well as raided our local Dollar General and my closet! Help us help these women turn their lives around!

And on a lighter note, this little “app”/game I found on Google Chrome this morning has me entertained…

I’m stuck at “59” elements…Help. 🙂

That’s all for today folks! Let’s show Christ’s love all over the world this week (and always!)! And take pictures to post, using the hashtag #loveonepurpose all week long!

xoxo

 

 

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Leave YOU Behind

ThursdaySurrender.

It’s one word, with a lot of power.

Who do you surrender your life to now?

crossIs it the One who died for our sins, so that we might live eternally?

Or do you surrender to your career, your hobbies, money, your earthly desires?

I will tell you one thing I know for certain. If you truly surrender your life to Him, you will look back on your life and see drastic changes and movement and blessings. It’s absolutely amazing. I sat in church last night, and thanked God for the unbelievable blessings He has poured out on us over the past year and half. We put a toe into the pool of His mercy and have been IMMERSED. Truly.

In 2014, never having been anointed with oil and healed by God through His servant in my entire life, I have been anointed, prayed over, and had a laying on of hands 3 times now – all because we trusted Him to lead us and guide our steps.

Last night, I learned an important lesson:

Hope is for the future.

Faith is for the here and now.

We don’t HOPE for His blessings. We WAIT on them in FAITH because we KNOW He has blessed us, and is in the process of blessing us!

Have faith in Him. Have faith that if you lay all of YOU behind, He will lead you where you need to be.

You won’t be sorry.

Surrender.

The video/song below says it all. Ask Him to flood your atmosphere – all the time. Live in His Presence, in complete surrender. {view in browser}

xoxo

Food For Thought Friday

His Death Was For Our Life

goodfridayToday is Good Friday, and in keeping with the theme of yesterday’s post on Maundy/Holy Thursday, it isn’t a time to post about us. It’s all about Him.

He died a criminal’s death on a crucifix, in place of us.

…by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Yesterday’s video…declaring we all are Barnabas – criminals – sinners – deserving of such pain and agony; and HE TOOK OUR PLACE. Do you realize the kind of pure love that is? There is nothing like it in this world. Nothing at all.

This song (video below) is a pre-release edition by Hillsong Live for the movie (we absolutely loved!), “Son Of God”:

And we have a great Good Friday treat for you, you can have this song’s download for free by clicking here. Hillsong will send you an e-mail with the download information.

Here are the lyrics to “Calvary“:

The Savior alone
Carried the cross
For all of my debts
He paid the cost

Salvation complete
Now forever I’m free

Chorus:
CALVARY
Covers it all
CALVARY
covers it all

My sin And shame
Don’t count anymore
All praise to THE ONE
Who has ransomed my soul

CALVARY
Covers it all

No power on earth
Not even the grave
Can separate us
From mercy and grace

He is faithful to save
Oh His blood never fails

CHORUS

No one But Jesus
Can make us pure
Like snow
We stand in your freedom

CHORUS

All praise to THE ONE
Who has ransomed my soul
CALVARY
Covers it all


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Mark 15

New English Translation (NET)

Jesus Brought Before Pilate

15 Early in the morning, after forming a plan, the chief priests with the elders and the experts in the law and the whole Sanhedrin tied Jesus up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He replied, “You say so.” Then the chief priests began to accuse him repeatedly. So Pilate asked him again, “Have you nothing to say? See how many charges they are bringing against you!” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Jesus and Barabbas

During the feast it was customary to release one prisoner to the people, whomever they requested. A man named Barabbas was imprisoned with rebels who had committed murder during an insurrection. Then the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to release a prisoner for them, as was his custom. So Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to release the king of the Jews for you?” 10 (For he knew that the chief priests had handed him over because of envy.) 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead. 12 So Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call king of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 14 Pilate asked them, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they shouted more insistently, “Crucify him!” 15 Because he wanted to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them. Then, after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.

Jesus is Mocked

16 So the soldiers led him into the palace (that is, the governor’s residence) and called together the whole cohort. 17 They put a purple cloak on him and after braiding a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 They began to salute him: “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Then they knelt down and paid homage to him. 20 When they had finished mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion

21 The soldiers forced a passerby to carry his cross, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country (he was the father of Alexander and Rufus). 22 They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which is translated, “Place of the Skull”). 23 They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 Then they crucified him and divided his clothes, throwing dice for them, to decide what each would take. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge against him read, “The king of the Jews.” 27 And they crucified two outlaws with him, one on his right and one on his left.29 Those who passed by defamed him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself and come down from the cross!” 31 In the same way even the chief priests—together with the experts in the law—were mocking him among themselves: “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! 32 Let the Christ, the king of Israel, come down from the cross now, that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with him also spoke abusively to him.

Jesus’ Death

33 Now when it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 Around three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 When some of the bystanders heard it they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Leave him alone! Let’s see if Elijah will come to take him down!” 37 But Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last. 38 And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” 40 There were also women, watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they had followed him and given him support. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were there too.

Jesus’ Burial

42 Now when evening had already come, since it was the day of preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a highly regarded member of the council, who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him if he had been dead for some time. 45 When Pilate was informed by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 After Joseph bought a linen cloth and took down the body, he wrapped it in the linen and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone across the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was placed.

In His Love,
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