I stumbled upon this video tonight and it really touched my heart. Often I find myself struggling with being rebellious towards my husband and this video was a blessing and I really think the Lord put this in my path for a reason. Please look below to link to it.
Also, please feel free to follow my family blog below. Sometimes I post on this blog a bit more.
Acker Family
I hope you are all doing wonderful and please message me any prayer requests and I pray that you pray for me and my road to being a virtuous woman. :)
Blessings!
-Melanie
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Count Your Blessings....
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July. What a blessing it is to be in a country full of freedom. Today's blog is about the emotional day thatl led me here because I always feel better when I write things down or....nowadays...blog!
Today we went to visit my grandpa (my mom's dad) at the nursing home. He usually lives with my grandmother but due to some pretty rough health problems he is there for awhile. Grayson and Ella enjoyed seeing him and the nursing home he is at seems great. They had little glow sticks (for fireworks) and the elderly were singing along to a guest playing a guitar and they enjoyed hot dogs and root beer floats. Grandpa was overjoyed to see us but unfortunately some dementia is really stepping in which is causing a lot of confusion for him. My granny (my dad's mom) is also really dealing with this, as well. It really breaks my heart to see such important people in your life not too sure about who you are. In my grad school classes for counseling, we studied some mental health diseases in the elderly. Book wise and in my head, I understand it but when it's family members you love and that you have so many memories with, it's difficult. Well, being at the nursing home already had me emotional over my Grandpa and then thinking about my Granny, too, but then as I sat there watching the other residents of the nursing home, I teared up. So many people forget about the older population....about what they have been through, who they were and still are, and what they have lived. Many of them gazed at Grayson and Ella....I think for two reasons. One, they are just too darn cute (haha)...and two, they were probably thinking about when they were my age and had their little ones, probably reminiscing when they had all of their family and their home. Then, it made me realize that I need to count my blessings.....Joey and I are blessed by the Lord with a wonderful time in our lives. We are starting out and raising our precious family and these are times they we can never get back. It also made me realize how important it is to spend time with the elderly and not take grandparents for granted. I am just so thankful to God for putting this on my heart today and really opening my eyes. Please keep my Grandpa and Granny in your prayers and kiss your babies, husband, wife, mom, dad, or whoever is next to you and just be thankful for this time in your life~
Today we went to visit my grandpa (my mom's dad) at the nursing home. He usually lives with my grandmother but due to some pretty rough health problems he is there for awhile. Grayson and Ella enjoyed seeing him and the nursing home he is at seems great. They had little glow sticks (for fireworks) and the elderly were singing along to a guest playing a guitar and they enjoyed hot dogs and root beer floats. Grandpa was overjoyed to see us but unfortunately some dementia is really stepping in which is causing a lot of confusion for him. My granny (my dad's mom) is also really dealing with this, as well. It really breaks my heart to see such important people in your life not too sure about who you are. In my grad school classes for counseling, we studied some mental health diseases in the elderly. Book wise and in my head, I understand it but when it's family members you love and that you have so many memories with, it's difficult. Well, being at the nursing home already had me emotional over my Grandpa and then thinking about my Granny, too, but then as I sat there watching the other residents of the nursing home, I teared up. So many people forget about the older population....about what they have been through, who they were and still are, and what they have lived. Many of them gazed at Grayson and Ella....I think for two reasons. One, they are just too darn cute (haha)...and two, they were probably thinking about when they were my age and had their little ones, probably reminiscing when they had all of their family and their home. Then, it made me realize that I need to count my blessings.....Joey and I are blessed by the Lord with a wonderful time in our lives. We are starting out and raising our precious family and these are times they we can never get back. It also made me realize how important it is to spend time with the elderly and not take grandparents for granted. I am just so thankful to God for putting this on my heart today and really opening my eyes. Please keep my Grandpa and Granny in your prayers and kiss your babies, husband, wife, mom, dad, or whoever is next to you and just be thankful for this time in your life~
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| Sweet Granny Clark-please keep her in your prayers! :) Isn't she too cute? |
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| Grandpa Fabon-please also pray for his health! |
Thursday, June 23, 2011
I thank the Lord for tomorrow!
Tomorrow, June 24th is two special occasions all rolled into one! Tomorrow I have oodles to do with a haircut, shopping, taking our little guy to see Cars 2, preparing for Ella's party, and our anniversary date so I decided I will go ahead and blog this today!
Before I start, aren't you amazed at how frequently I have been blogging? I am...haha! Gotta' love summer break!
Five years ago, God blessed me with the most wonderful man. The Lord surpassed my prayers when I met Joey. He is everything I could have asked for and much more. Here are some things I just love about my husband....
-He is a man of God. He loves the Lord and devotes himself to being a Godly man and leader of our family.
- He is the best daddy to our two kiddos. He wakes up with them, gives them their bath, plays on the floor with them, comes to their rescue when they are upset, and leads them in the way of the Lord.
-He treats me like a lady and treasures me. He worries about me going places or if I feel sick. He takes care of me and always makes me feel special.
-He still tells me that he thinks I am beautiful. (after two kids, sometimes I need to hear that)
-We have fun together!
-I can always trust him and he is always there for me.
-He is such a gentleman and too darn CUTE!
So, Joey, here is to many more happy years to come with our family and maybe more babies (depending on what God thinks) and lots of love with each other and with the Lord! (oh and thanks to Joey's parents for raising such a wonderful son)! :)
Now for a HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY to our sweet Ella Grace. It does not seem like it can even be possible that she is already one. Time really does fly by. When we had Grayson, we thought that we could never love another child as much as we love him and then we had Ella and now know that you really can love two kiddos sooo much!
Ella is what we call our little fireball. She is very sassy but has a whole lot of sweetness to her. She is what we call our Scottish princess because she has reddish hair and big blue eyes.....and here I am half asian! Ella is a blessing to our lives and does a great job as a little sister to Grayson. She plays with him and gives him hugs and has also tackled driving him crazy! We look forward to all the future memories that are in store with our sweet family and thank God for our sweet little girl!
Before I start, aren't you amazed at how frequently I have been blogging? I am...haha! Gotta' love summer break!
Five years ago, God blessed me with the most wonderful man. The Lord surpassed my prayers when I met Joey. He is everything I could have asked for and much more. Here are some things I just love about my husband....
-He is a man of God. He loves the Lord and devotes himself to being a Godly man and leader of our family.
- He is the best daddy to our two kiddos. He wakes up with them, gives them their bath, plays on the floor with them, comes to their rescue when they are upset, and leads them in the way of the Lord.
-He treats me like a lady and treasures me. He worries about me going places or if I feel sick. He takes care of me and always makes me feel special.
-He still tells me that he thinks I am beautiful. (after two kids, sometimes I need to hear that)
-We have fun together!
-I can always trust him and he is always there for me.
-He is such a gentleman and too darn CUTE!
So, Joey, here is to many more happy years to come with our family and maybe more babies (depending on what God thinks) and lots of love with each other and with the Lord! (oh and thanks to Joey's parents for raising such a wonderful son)! :)
Now for a HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY to our sweet Ella Grace. It does not seem like it can even be possible that she is already one. Time really does fly by. When we had Grayson, we thought that we could never love another child as much as we love him and then we had Ella and now know that you really can love two kiddos sooo much!
Ella is what we call our little fireball. She is very sassy but has a whole lot of sweetness to her. She is what we call our Scottish princess because she has reddish hair and big blue eyes.....and here I am half asian! Ella is a blessing to our lives and does a great job as a little sister to Grayson. She plays with him and gives him hugs and has also tackled driving him crazy! We look forward to all the future memories that are in store with our sweet family and thank God for our sweet little girl!
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| 10lbs 5 oz |
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
My Number One Ministry and Pudding Paint
I have always wanted to do mission work. I would love to go to Africa or a third world country to spread the gospel and humbly serve others. It has been on my heart for many years. Yet, I was reading Proverbs 31 where it discusses a woman's role, specifically a wife and a mother's role. God has truly touched my heart through this verse. My number one ministry is my husband and my children. Of course, I should still share my faith and spread the gospel but my first focus should be making sure I am a Godly wife by supporting my husband and a Godly mother by raising our children with God's word and the characteristics of being humble with servant's heart. I am just so thankful for God's word and the way the Holy Spirit convicts me when reading it. Praise the Lord! My husband and I hope to one day be able to home school our children, so prayers in that would be greatly appreciated. We are both elementary teachers right now and have the wonderful opportunity to be home with the kiddos in the summer, so that is really nice.
Today, Grayson (my 3 year old) seemed bored. We had made an earlier trip to the library and for pizza but he was wound up in the house. We didn't want him out because his asthma and the Texas 105 degree heat would be a yucky mix so I thought it would be fun to make pudding paint.
All you need is one box of vanilla pudding. Make according to the box. Then I got a couple of small glass bowls and poured pudding in each. I added food coloring to make the desired colors and I let the little rascals fingerpaint and lick their fingers. They L-O-V-E-D it!!! They were literally squealing as they painted and ate it. My almost one year old, Ella, did more eating than painting but it was a fun, cheap activity that they really enjoyed!
What are some cheap things you do with your kids???
Today, Grayson (my 3 year old) seemed bored. We had made an earlier trip to the library and for pizza but he was wound up in the house. We didn't want him out because his asthma and the Texas 105 degree heat would be a yucky mix so I thought it would be fun to make pudding paint.
All you need is one box of vanilla pudding. Make according to the box. Then I got a couple of small glass bowls and poured pudding in each. I added food coloring to make the desired colors and I let the little rascals fingerpaint and lick their fingers. They L-O-V-E-D it!!! They were literally squealing as they painted and ate it. My almost one year old, Ella, did more eating than painting but it was a fun, cheap activity that they really enjoyed!
What are some cheap things you do with your kids???
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| She ate most of her pudding paint! |
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| After they were done painting, we crushed some fruity Cheerios and added them in for an after-painting dessert! |
Monday, June 20, 2011
My first blog award!
I received my first blog award from Rachelle at Pink Ministries. So a big hug and thanks out to her! I am really trying to build my blog, followers, and blogs to follow...so it is so exciting!
How It Works:
-Thank the person who gave you the award by linking
back to them in your post.
-Tell us 7 things about yourself.
-Award 15 or 16 recently discovered bloggers (I don't know anyone yet but will be on the lookout to add more blogs)!
-Tell us 7 things about yourself.
-Award 15 or 16 recently discovered bloggers (I don't know anyone yet but will be on the lookout to add more blogs)!
-Contact those bloggers and let them in on the
exciting news!
1. I love the Lord with all of my heart and enjoy blogging my struggles, convictions, and praises! I am a sinner who is saved by grace alone and am amazed at how by repenting from my sins and trusting in the Lord, he can wash away my sins!
2. I am a wife to the most amazing man who is pretty cute! We have been married for five years this Friday and he is a wonderful leader for our family who leads us closer to the Lord.
3. I am a mommy of two. Grayson is three and Ella will turn one this Saturday. I love being a mommy and thank the Lord for blessing us with these two sweethearts!
4. I am a teacher and have been a counselor. I have a bachelor's in education and a master's in counseling. I love both and am happy doing either! :) Oh and I am also half Filipino~
5. I love Starbucks. I enjoy their drinks and their atmosphere. That's where I spent a lot of time when my husband and I first met! You know how spinach is for Popeye? Well, that is how Starbucks is for me...haha!
6. I enjoy shopping.....I love accessories, shoes, dresses.....just shopping in general!
7. I love sushi and I love baking for family and friends. Okay, that was a strange mix!
Friday, June 10, 2011
A Virtuous Woman?
So my sister let me borrow a book called For Married Women Only.....it is by Tony Evans. I was a bit skeptical as I read it at first but as I read it I became more and more convicted that I have not been a submissive, Godly wife. The book discusses how women should be submissive to their husbands and how when a wife is not respecting and honoring their husband, they are not respecting and honoring God. That broke my heart and scared me because I have not at all been doing what I should or could. Joey has done an amazing job leading our family and I as I read the book, I felt like I have failed him. The book in no way condemned women or the fact that they have choices and a mind but it brought God's word to light in the matter and that's ALL I needed to hear. I am a person who has my own thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Thank the Lord I am married to a wonderful man who values those and gives me freedom to enjoy things independently, at times. Reading the book made me thankful for having Joey but God really used it to convict me of how I have been....stubborn, defiant, need I go on??? :( I really wanted to ask for prayer and also most importantly to pray for the Godly women who are submissive to husbands that are not saved and who may not be doing their job of leading their family. It also discussed how a woman should still be submissive to her husband even if he is not being favorable and I think those ladies need prayer for being obedient to God's word and prayer for their husbands. I also found a site tonight that is a pretty cool resource for being a virtuous woman.
http://avirtuouswoman.org/
Enjoy and please pray for these ladies and also for Christians persecuted around the world. God Bless!
Love, Mel
http://avirtuouswoman.org/
Enjoy and please pray for these ladies and also for Christians persecuted around the world. God Bless!
Love, Mel
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Voice of the Martyrs
Today I would like to share an organization that God has really put on my heart. It is called Voice of the Martyrs and it is an organization that reaches the persecuted Christians around the world. It is an ever humbling organization that makes you really think of what it means to take up the cross even if it means losing everything.
It has not only given me a heart to help others and to be a servant but it has truly humbled me and convicted me. There are days that I pray and read some verses on my iphone or browse my bible. But, as ashamed as I am of saying this, there are few times where I read in an in depth matter. My goal is to read as much as possible this summer and to start reading a chapter a day...now.
Many times we take our bibles for granted. Yet, being in His word is the most important thing we can do and unfortunately there are people in other countries that long for God's word in their language or have to keep their bibles in secret in fear of being harmed for it.
So I would just love if whoever is reading this to take some time out and visit: http://www.persecution.com/
Please keep these individuals and families in your prayers. Glory to God!
God Bless.
Love, Melanie
It has not only given me a heart to help others and to be a servant but it has truly humbled me and convicted me. There are days that I pray and read some verses on my iphone or browse my bible. But, as ashamed as I am of saying this, there are few times where I read in an in depth matter. My goal is to read as much as possible this summer and to start reading a chapter a day...now.
Many times we take our bibles for granted. Yet, being in His word is the most important thing we can do and unfortunately there are people in other countries that long for God's word in their language or have to keep their bibles in secret in fear of being harmed for it.
So I would just love if whoever is reading this to take some time out and visit: http://www.persecution.com/
Please keep these individuals and families in your prayers. Glory to God!
God Bless.
Love, Melanie
Monday, May 2, 2011
Talkin' Bout the Benjamins.....
Okay, so that is a Puff Daddy or P Diddy or whatever he is called....it's one of his songs but it came to mind when I thought of a problem that I have dealt with and deal with at times and I know many women (actually PEOPLE) deal with as Christians. One of God's commandments is Thall Shall Not Covet. I never thought about that commandment until I was truly saved. I have always wanted things and enjoyed shopping (what girl doesn't) but when I was truly saved I realized how much of a serious problem it is. You see, we are all programmed to the world in a way. Society has created these standards to which we feel we need to meet. I guess it all started when I began working as a teacher for the first time. I began to see cute things that other people had or I would watch shows that enhanced my desire to be more like someone else or to have more things. It is something I still struggle with today. Yet, I now realized that when it creates a desire to focus more on my self and to covet, that is where it can become more of a sin and less just wanting to have fun. I felt extremely convicted last week and since this is a blog about helping other Christian women who face similar issues, I will share it. Last week, I had a list of needs and a list of wants. I bought all of my needs and then I quickly bought all the items on my wants....again not necessarily a bad thing but then it turned into spending close to 300 on ME! It was not a holiday, I had been shopping three weeks before and it was just because I wanted it. This is where harmless fun shopping turns into sin. My goal when I made our budget for the month was to sign up to sponsor a Compassion kid. Compassion is an organization that helps poverty stricken children in third world countries that is gospel centered. Well instead of helping a child and spreading the gospel, I spend all of the money on myself! It makes me cringe as I write this but I am so thankful for the Lord convicting me and putting this on my heart. Joey and I have been trying to have a new perspective financially. Before, we hoped to move to a bigger house one day, buy brand new fancy cars, and just get to what is considered the "American Dream." Now that God has truly changed our hearts, everything has changed. We want to pay off any debt we have and still live comfortably but give more to others and live a humble life. None of deserve to even live comfortably for we have all broken God's law and fall short. But through repentance and trusting in Christ, we are giving a chance....we are saved from the wrath that we truly deserve. So I guess I am writing this so that we all can reexamine what it is in our lives that tends to control us sometimes more than the Lord does. I ask for prayer with my own battle (which may seem humorous and so little) so that I may grow more in Christ and not in my worldly desires. I will be praying for you dear friends and please feel free to comment for any prayer needs!
I am off to read and no it is not going to be a catalog tonight....it will be a book on submission to your husband! :)
Love,
Mel
I am off to read and no it is not going to be a catalog tonight....it will be a book on submission to your husband! :)
Love,
Mel
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Busy Body
God has put a lot on my heart lately. I have really been struggling with being busy. Now, if you know me...you know I love being busy. Right when Joey and I first got married, I began my first year teaching and then I started grad school and then got pregnant and have just been going and going ever since then! Yet, I heard a Paul Washer sermon that discussed being busy. In it, it discussed a very valid point.....being busy is not a sin but when you're too busy for God it is. We should have time for God each and every day, to pray and meditate on His word, and to give Him praise. I now see that this may be my biggest struggle. As a mommy of two, wife, and teacher...I am ALWAYS doing something. Time is scarce and when I need it, there's not enough. Yet, what does that say about my relationship with God? He has given me life. He has saved me from Hell and my sin. He has blessed me with a wonderful home, amazing husband, and precious children. So how is it that I can watch my favorite show, browse online, or go do things BEFORE I take time for Him. I feel very convicted and pray that God gives me strength in this area. I was talking to my sister, Megan, awhile back. We were talking about how when people are upset or going through a traumatic experience in their life that they pray in anguish. They will make sure to pray ALL day long. They have a need for God. Well, that's how we should pray all the time. We should not just cling to God in our time of need, but we should cling to Him all of the time.
I just wanted to share my conviction and hopefully this can help someone else out there. Have a blessed week! :)
Love,
Melanie
I just wanted to share my conviction and hopefully this can help someone else out there. Have a blessed week! :)
Love,
Melanie
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
What is a Godly Wife?
Just a warning....I already know that this may upset some women but this is how God views a woman of God and a wife.
Times have changed so much and being a biblical wife seems to be a rarity in this day and age. I am guilty of not being a biblical wife, at times. Until I was truly saved, I never knew what it meant.
It is 2011 and many women feel that they are equal to men. They can make as much money if not more, they have children before even thinking about the possibility of marriage, they run for vice president, they are the heads of households.....but what does it mean to be a woman of God? What is our role?
I know that I used to try to lead our family, I cared about being successful, I put 110% in everything I did whether it was teaching, graduate school, anything. Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing bad about some of those things but when it takes away from your role as a wife and a mother, then it's a problem. When your standards are based on society's and the world's view, then it's a problem.
I used to want to be pleasing in society's eyes. I had to do everything in the right order, I wanted to be successful, have nice things when I wanted them, be well liked, I even wanted Grayson to grow up to be super trendy and well liked when he grew up. Yet God got a hold of my heart and he changed it. Now, I want to fulfill my duties as a wife and a mother first and foremost. That is my ministry that God has given me. I want to raise Godly children and I want to make sure I support my husband as he leads our family.
My sister has really been an inspiration to me through her faith in the Lord, as well in this matter. What we both realize is that it's not what we want or what our plans are, it is about following God's plans and that starts by looking at His word to see what a woman's role is.
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,(D) not slanderers(E) or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled,(F) pure,(G) working at home, kind, and(H) submissive to their own husbands,(I) that the word of God may not be reviled."- Titus 2:3-5
This verse is a wonderful example of what it means to be a woman of God. Most of society now would say that it is so aged and "old school." Yet, God's word is unchanging and stands true throughout the times. I am personally convicted by this because for so long, I have wanted everything to revolve around me and my plans (which I may stumble upon at times) but it's amazing to have a clear directive of what God wants me to be. Since he has chosen to save me through His grace, the least I can do is strive to fulfill His requirements of a woman and to stand beside my husband as he is the leader of our family. Many women are so caught up in the Sex and the City lifestyle or find themselves coveting that life but how much sweeter is it to serve your husband and raise your children in the way of the Lord as opposed to the way of the world?
I am not here to judge or condemn as I face some of the same struggles but I just ask you to please think about what kind of wife and mother you are or strive to be?
We all fall short of the glory of God but he sent His only son to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sinful and wretched selves. Once you repent and turn from your sin and trust in Him, He will take a hold of your heart and change it all. How amazing is it to have a God that is so just and holy? I pray that this has touched your heart and makes you think about your duties as a wife and mother...I know reading that verse really made me think! Now for movie time with my wonderful husband...
Goodnight, God Bless, and Lots of Love!!
-Melanie
Times have changed so much and being a biblical wife seems to be a rarity in this day and age. I am guilty of not being a biblical wife, at times. Until I was truly saved, I never knew what it meant.
It is 2011 and many women feel that they are equal to men. They can make as much money if not more, they have children before even thinking about the possibility of marriage, they run for vice president, they are the heads of households.....but what does it mean to be a woman of God? What is our role?
I know that I used to try to lead our family, I cared about being successful, I put 110% in everything I did whether it was teaching, graduate school, anything. Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing bad about some of those things but when it takes away from your role as a wife and a mother, then it's a problem. When your standards are based on society's and the world's view, then it's a problem.
I used to want to be pleasing in society's eyes. I had to do everything in the right order, I wanted to be successful, have nice things when I wanted them, be well liked, I even wanted Grayson to grow up to be super trendy and well liked when he grew up. Yet God got a hold of my heart and he changed it. Now, I want to fulfill my duties as a wife and a mother first and foremost. That is my ministry that God has given me. I want to raise Godly children and I want to make sure I support my husband as he leads our family.
My sister has really been an inspiration to me through her faith in the Lord, as well in this matter. What we both realize is that it's not what we want or what our plans are, it is about following God's plans and that starts by looking at His word to see what a woman's role is.
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,(D) not slanderers(E) or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled,(F) pure,(G) working at home, kind, and(H) submissive to their own husbands,(I) that the word of God may not be reviled."- Titus 2:3-5
This verse is a wonderful example of what it means to be a woman of God. Most of society now would say that it is so aged and "old school." Yet, God's word is unchanging and stands true throughout the times. I am personally convicted by this because for so long, I have wanted everything to revolve around me and my plans (which I may stumble upon at times) but it's amazing to have a clear directive of what God wants me to be. Since he has chosen to save me through His grace, the least I can do is strive to fulfill His requirements of a woman and to stand beside my husband as he is the leader of our family. Many women are so caught up in the Sex and the City lifestyle or find themselves coveting that life but how much sweeter is it to serve your husband and raise your children in the way of the Lord as opposed to the way of the world?
I am not here to judge or condemn as I face some of the same struggles but I just ask you to please think about what kind of wife and mother you are or strive to be?
We all fall short of the glory of God but he sent His only son to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sinful and wretched selves. Once you repent and turn from your sin and trust in Him, He will take a hold of your heart and change it all. How amazing is it to have a God that is so just and holy? I pray that this has touched your heart and makes you think about your duties as a wife and mother...I know reading that verse really made me think! Now for movie time with my wonderful husband...
Goodnight, God Bless, and Lots of Love!!
-Melanie
Sunday, March 13, 2011
My Testimony
So...here I go starting a fabulous (at least I hope so) new blog! This will be my own personal journal/information on my personal journey as a biblical, Christian young woman in a modern society. I hope to post things to help support ladies seeking to be true women of God and my own personal account of my struggles and experiences.
I guess I should start, first and foremost, with my own little personal testimony. So here it is.....
Since I was a kiddo, I always prayed to God. I would just have "talks" with God and I would pray about everything. I can still remember praying oustide that I would get to spend the night at my friends house or that I would get something that I was wanting. I always thought that I had a relationship with God because I believed there was a God and I prayed to Him. Fastforward years later to when I was in high school. I went to church, went to youth group, talked to others about God and thought I was a good person. Yeah, I made mistakes but I asked for forgiveness and didn't do a lot of bad stuff...I must have been a Christian, right? So WRONG!!! Next we have the college years....I tried not to drink a lot and made some stupid choices at times but I stayed out of trouble and I tried to do what society says is "good" and "what you're supposed to do." I was in a sorority (which I do love Chi-O) and graduated and got married(met my hubby at church), became a teacher, bought a house with my husband, had babies, finished grad school and did everything I had planned and wanted to do in order. Perfect, right? While I am so blessed and thank the Lord every minute for it, it was not until last year that I was TRULY saved. I know that God used my husband as an instrument in me being saved. Joey, my hubby, had attended the Ambassador's Alliance in LA 2 years ago. He came back with a new heart and a new mind. God opened Joey's eyes to the truth.
Now, let me tell you this before I proceed and this is the scary part. All along since Joey and I had started dating...we thought we were Christians. We went to church everyday, prayed together, helped others, and thought we were good-law abiding citizens. Well, back to Joey's experience. When he came back it was extreme. I had a hard time understanding it all and I was actually fighting him on the some of the changes he wanted to make for our family. I kept thinking..."We ARE Christians, why is he acting like the way we are living is not okay?" Well, slowly God began to change my heart and mind.
The day that I realized I was a wretched sinner (I know that sounds harsh) is the day that I was truly saved...I know it sounds crazy but the day that I realized that I am nothing without God and his grace is the day my life changed.
I repented of my sin and began to trust in the Lord and I am so thankful that he chose to save me...
You see we have all fallen short of the glory of God....we are all sinners. As much as we don't want to admit it, we all have selfish motives in our hearts. We all want what we want more than what God wants. Now, I want God's will to be done and not my own. Do I still struggle? Everyday. Everyday I fight a battle....I want to live for God and I want to be a biblical wife and a gentle, loving mother....everything that God commands us women to be. Yet, I battle the temptation of getting caught up in the world and breaking God's law.....coveting for example. I will see an absolutely gorgeous pair of shoes or I will begin to want that Louis V sitting in the window and I just have to have it. Am I saying that wanting those things are bad? No. But putting my effort and time and thoughts in obtaining something rather than focusing on Christ is. He died for my sins and was the ultimate sacrifice. Our God is so amazing to save us from an eternity in hell. On top of that (how can you beat that?), he gave us all His word on how to live. He made it so clear but many are so lost.
I just pray that this blog will be a way to gain support from other Christian women and maybe will help other women who have the same struggles that I have. I hope you enjoy and I look forward to this blog!!
Love,
Melanie
I guess I should start, first and foremost, with my own little personal testimony. So here it is.....
Since I was a kiddo, I always prayed to God. I would just have "talks" with God and I would pray about everything. I can still remember praying oustide that I would get to spend the night at my friends house or that I would get something that I was wanting. I always thought that I had a relationship with God because I believed there was a God and I prayed to Him. Fastforward years later to when I was in high school. I went to church, went to youth group, talked to others about God and thought I was a good person. Yeah, I made mistakes but I asked for forgiveness and didn't do a lot of bad stuff...I must have been a Christian, right? So WRONG!!! Next we have the college years....I tried not to drink a lot and made some stupid choices at times but I stayed out of trouble and I tried to do what society says is "good" and "what you're supposed to do." I was in a sorority (which I do love Chi-O) and graduated and got married(met my hubby at church), became a teacher, bought a house with my husband, had babies, finished grad school and did everything I had planned and wanted to do in order. Perfect, right? While I am so blessed and thank the Lord every minute for it, it was not until last year that I was TRULY saved. I know that God used my husband as an instrument in me being saved. Joey, my hubby, had attended the Ambassador's Alliance in LA 2 years ago. He came back with a new heart and a new mind. God opened Joey's eyes to the truth.
Now, let me tell you this before I proceed and this is the scary part. All along since Joey and I had started dating...we thought we were Christians. We went to church everyday, prayed together, helped others, and thought we were good-law abiding citizens. Well, back to Joey's experience. When he came back it was extreme. I had a hard time understanding it all and I was actually fighting him on the some of the changes he wanted to make for our family. I kept thinking..."We ARE Christians, why is he acting like the way we are living is not okay?" Well, slowly God began to change my heart and mind.
The day that I realized I was a wretched sinner (I know that sounds harsh) is the day that I was truly saved...I know it sounds crazy but the day that I realized that I am nothing without God and his grace is the day my life changed.
I repented of my sin and began to trust in the Lord and I am so thankful that he chose to save me...
You see we have all fallen short of the glory of God....we are all sinners. As much as we don't want to admit it, we all have selfish motives in our hearts. We all want what we want more than what God wants. Now, I want God's will to be done and not my own. Do I still struggle? Everyday. Everyday I fight a battle....I want to live for God and I want to be a biblical wife and a gentle, loving mother....everything that God commands us women to be. Yet, I battle the temptation of getting caught up in the world and breaking God's law.....coveting for example. I will see an absolutely gorgeous pair of shoes or I will begin to want that Louis V sitting in the window and I just have to have it. Am I saying that wanting those things are bad? No. But putting my effort and time and thoughts in obtaining something rather than focusing on Christ is. He died for my sins and was the ultimate sacrifice. Our God is so amazing to save us from an eternity in hell. On top of that (how can you beat that?), he gave us all His word on how to live. He made it so clear but many are so lost.
I just pray that this blog will be a way to gain support from other Christian women and maybe will help other women who have the same struggles that I have. I hope you enjoy and I look forward to this blog!!
Love,
Melanie
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