No Matter What

November 3, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Here at The Newlywed Lefebvre’s blog, Tuesdays are for thanking Jesus, and there just isn’t a better month for that ‘theme’ than November – Thanksgiving time!

As I’m reading (straight through) the Bible, I’m noticing that the book of Psalms is a lot more than what I had at first envisioned – a book of (boring) poetry and songs and flowery language. Quite the opposite, actually. As I read the book (actually five separate books, combined into one), I’m realizing that David (and the other authors of the psalms) had a heckuvalot in common with me and the rest of us average joes (janes?)!

Psalms are beautiful prayers; cries out to God in anguish, in joy, in hope, in fear, in sorrow; deep shouts of praise and thanks! Just open your Bible to the middle and I’m almost certain one of the psalms you come upon will speak to your heart.

Today, we will look at two psalms that denote thankfulness – perfect for Thank You Jesus Tuesday and for this time of year:

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.” Psalm 107:21-22

It is so easy to thank God when things are going well. When everything is moving along and life is hunky-dory, we are almost quick to forget to thank Him for His goodness. But the question is how on earth do you thank Him when things are NOT going well? How do you praise God in the midst of suffering?

You thank God during times of trouble because you remember the cross. Hebrews 4, verses 15 and 16 say:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We can thank Him during our times of need and weakness because He is not some lofty god who rules from on high, apart from his creation – He came to earth in human form and lived a human life, ending with His suffering on the cross as the one and only sacrifice for our sins.

We can thank Him at all times because “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

No matter what – I will praise Him in this storm and in the sunshine that follows.

So today, as I sit here with a yucky sinus infection, and my sweet Mama Dee is in a brace and awaiting orthopedic surgery for her broken patella, I am thanking my Savior for the beautiful life He blessed me with, and for the gift that is my grandmother. As we await His beautiful promise of our precious Jonah Elizabeth, I thank Him that He not only knows us by name – but gave such a beautiful name to our future daughter.

What storm are you waiting in today, and how can you be thankful in its midst?

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.

The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

That peace, strength and JOY is Jesus and our relationship to Him, my friends. It’s nothing short of amazing, and He is all you need.

My Choice Monday

Congratulations & Recommendations!

March 17, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Happy Monday!!

I don’t know about your particular neck of the woods, but here in Georgia, it’s dark and stormy outside – DEFINITELY THE KIND OF MONDAY THAT MAKES GOING TO WORK MORE DIFFICULT THAN USUAL!

So let’s cheer things up around here a little bit! First, we have a winner!

Congratulations, Peggy O’Flaherty (an appropriate name for St. Patrick’s Day!!) of Creating Space In Your Life on winning our giveaway for a One-Year Free Subscription to iParent.tv! Please contact us to claim your prize!!

And now for the recommendations! This week, we have two:

Son Of God (2014) You must go see this movie, and if you’ve already seen it, invite others. We saw this film last night and were both physically moved by it – tears pouring down in the theatre and all. It is POWERFUL, folks.

“On Purpose” by Alan Mushegan, Jr. We have been doing a bit of weekly moonlighting with a non-denominational church in our area the past couple weeks. Two of our very best friends attend the services weekly at Full Turn Church, and two weeks ago, I begin accompanying on Wednesday evenings for praise and worship. Craig came with me last week, and it was an amazing experience. It’s where I discovered this song:

(I thought it might be beneficial for y’all to see/hear a version with lyrics…I hope it gets stuck in your head! Just sing along and praise the Lord!)

Anyways…. The pastor at Full Turn Church wrote the book above, and gave Craig and I free copies when we visited… I have just delved in…but I urge you… READ THIS BOOK. It is so full of God’s Word and hope….Here is a quote:

With the right perspective, every error or mistake will give us a deeper sense of purpose – an opportunity to learn and grow. Why? Because in God’s eyes we are never failures.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve made some big mistakes along the way and reading this gives me peace. He backs this logic up with Romans 8:28:

And we know all that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Whatever has happened in your past; whatever you’ve done; wherever you came from; no matter the trial you’re going through right this second… God is ALMIGHTY and He can use ANYTHING and ANY SITUATION for His purpose. How awesome!?!?

So there ya have it, people. Read this book and Watch that movie. It’s an order.

We hope to see you back here soon – Especially next Monday…We have an amazing deal for y’all!!! Keep in touch and stay tuned!

We love you!