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As Christmas day approaches, I can’t help but think of all the traditions my family has during the holidays. We have a fancy dinner two days before Christmas, dinner Christmas evening, I cook or bake a new treat, cinnamon rolls Christmas morning, opening one gift Christmas Eve….

But, where does Christ fit in? I mean, it’s His birthday after all. Opening gifts and having dinner as a family is all fine and dandy, but this time is supposed to be about God’s gift to the world.

Something I think and pray about a lot is my future family. I pray for my future husband and my future children to run as fast as they can towards Jesus. It is crucial that the family traditions my future husband and I will one day make help us and our children come closer to Christ.

We are surrounded by advertisments and lights and elves that we forget to really appreciate the “reason for the season.” There are countless movies about spoiled children getting loads of gifts and immature parents who fight over who’s Christmas lights are better. Come on, people! This is not a time of selfishness and materialism, this is a time to come together as family and friends and worship the God who delivered His promise to send a Savior!

How does one center their Christmas around Christ? You’re in luck because I have put together a list of 12 ways to keep Christ in Christmas:

(See what I did there? 12 days of Christmas…12 ways to keep Christ in Christmas… I thought it was funny.)

1. Volunteer as a family

There are so many opportunities around town to help out our neighbors, whether that’s baking cookies for a friend in the hospital, taking care of a neighbor’s children while they go grocery shopping for the holidays, giving meals to your local homeless shelter, etc.

2. Donate gifts for advent

Instead of opening a little cardboard cutout and eating chocolate for the 24 days until Christmas, donate a toy or household item that is gently used to your local Salvation Army.

3. Make a birthday cake for Jesus

This one is one of my favorites. I love this because it makes us feel like Jesus is really there and we are celebrating Him in His presence. Instead of setting out cookies for Santa, bake a birthday cake for Jesus and blow out the candles for Him.

4. Fill a bag with toys

Now this is a cool idea: On Christmas morning, fill a Santa bag full of toys that your children don’t play with anymore (gently used and not falling apart, mind you), or clothes they don’t wear or fit and donate the bags to a shelter. Instead of having stockings full of gifts for them, they can fill bags to give to others.

5. Read the Nativity story together

On Christmas Eve, read the story of Jesus’ birth with your family. It’s a sweet reminder of God’s love for us and why we celebrate such a wonderful holiday.

6. Memorize Bible verses

For Advent, memorize a different Bible verse each day. These can all be themed for Christmas, or pick your own theme.

7. Fast

On December 1st, write down 3 things you will “give up” until Christmas morning. That could be worrying about a certain challenge in your life, a food, TV, going out to eat, whatever helps you remind yourself of God’s ever present presence in your life and helps you depend on Him for strength. Note: I do NOT recommend getting rid of food completely for 24 days; that’s extremely unhealthy.

8. Keep gifts simple

Something they want, something they need, something they can wear, and something they can read.

9. Get rid of Santa

Alright, I am going to step on some toes. Emphasize Santa as only a helper to bring joy, not the reason for the season.

10. Hide and seek with baby Jesus

Instead of “Elf on the Shelf” try putting the little baby Jesus from your nativity set around the house each day and have the children find Him. You can be as creative as you want.

11. Have a stocking for Jesus

Hang a stocking on your mantle for Jesus and fill it with little pieces of paper with prayers or gifts of surrender from your life. For example, this year I’ll be writing down “money” to surrender all of my worry about finances.

12. Christmas card prayers

Take 3 of your Christmas cards you get in the mail each morning and pray for the family on the card.

Some of these ideas are weird and radical, but I promise they are worth it. I know Christmas is in two weeks, but it isn’t too late to start some of these new traditions!

I hope you all have a happy Christmas!

God bless,

M.A.

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It’s time to open up about my recent journey from Texas to Minnesota. God has been doing so much in me since I moved and I feel as though I’ve been in His arms this whole time as He’s knit together a new person these past nine months.

My last year in Texas was awful. I broke up with the man I had been with for 2 years and planned to marry, I was deep in a depression and fought to stay alive, I was diagnosed with a disease and had surgery, I was on four medications, gained weight and was the heaviest I’ve ever been, I was barely paying my bills and my parents were helping pay for groceries, mice were tearing up my kitchen and my apartment complex refused to fix the issue, two of my close friends from college told me they didn’t want to me my friends anymore, I was isolated and didn’t want to go to church or find community, purposely went against Scripture to fulfill my needs, and tried to find fulfillment in online dating.

I was an absolute mess… but God wouldn’t leave me there.

Through my best friend from high school, God connected me with an online women’s Bible study group that met every Tuesday. At the time, I hated the idea of joining a women’s group, but even I knew I needed socialization. So, I joined and somehow kept showing up even when I thought of every reason not to come every Tuesday at 5:00pm. I’m so glad I went anyways. Through that group I met women who genuinely wanted to know the Lord and live out Scripture. I met my now close friend and mentor who took the time to patiently answer all my questions and show me a love from God that I didn’t think was real.

Then she, my future roommate, and my friend from high school came to visit me! I’d been in Texas about two years at this point and none of my friends wanted to visit me. I’d never met two of these girls in person and yet they chose to fly across the country to love me where I was at.

Fast forward a couple months. By this time the Lord had been working in my heart to accept that I needed to move to Minnesota to join my friends’ church. I desperately wanted to stay in Texas and fought Him until my roof caved in and I lost a lot of my stuff. I joke that all it took for me to surrender was my roof caving in in the middle of a “midlife crisis.” Talk about a sign that the Lord won’t take “no” for an answer.

Leaving Texas with no hope that I’d be coming back was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Texas was my home. My ex’s family had become my own and I loved them with all my heart. To leave meant I was giving up on all I had worked for and planned. I bawled my eyes out in the airport, on the plane, in the car on the way to my parents’ house, and during the drive to Minnesota.

Surrendering to the Lord is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also been the most transformative and rewarding. And everything He’s done has been promised in Scripture since the beginning. Since I’ve moved to Minnesota God has…

1.Healed me of my kidney condition.

James 5:14-15 “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”

2. Gotten me off 3 of my medications (I’m in the middle of weaning off the fourth one).

Psalm 103:2-3 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”

3. Given me a full-time job that I enjoy and significantly elevated my income.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”

4. Paid off one of my loans.

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

5. Provided a new car.

Matthew 7:11 “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

6. Given me a church family with a pastor who disciples me.

Ephesians 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

7. Given me friends who live life solely for Jesus Christ, encourage me, and lead me closer to Him.

Romans 12:10-13 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

8. Re-built my self-confidence.

Proverbs 3:26 “For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”

9. Changed my self-care routine to be more disciplined in exercising, spending daily time with Him, meal prepping, regularly attending church, and more.

Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

10. Brought me closer to Him than I’ve ever been in my life. I hear His voice more clearly than ever before.

Psalm 65:4 “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!”

I’m sharing this because if God can do all of this in me, He’s more than able to turn your life around, too. People will talk about how my life fell apart – the man I wanted to be with forever giving up, becoming so broke that my parents paid for my groceries, friends who claimed they cared about me not showing up and others leaving, all of my “high maintenance” health issues – but let them also talk about how God came in and saved me. How, while I was making decisions that went against His Word and cursing Him for my horrible life, He left the 99 to find me and bring me into His flock.

I plead with you to seek the mercy, grace, and love of God through surrendering your life to Him. I know it’s hard to be obedient (boy, do I know it), but man… if you knew the other side and the fulfillment of the One who brings satisfaction to the deepest parts of the soul… you wouldn’t look back. Am I still struggling in some areas? Yes. But God is patient with me and will finish His work in me until it’s completed (Philippians 1:6).

Thank you for reading this far! If you want to share what all God has done for you, leave a message in the comments below or feel free to reach out to me personally. I’d love to answer any questions and give more encouragement.

God bless,

M.A.

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“You’re a catch.”

“You’re a wonderful woman. What guy wouldn’t want you?”

“He is definitely interested in you. I’d make a move.”

“You’re what every good guy wants.”

These are things I’ve been hearing from my guy friends this past week. If I wasn’t so frustrated, I’d be flattered. If I’m a catch, why won’t guys pluck up the courage to ask me out?? What is wrong with men these days that they have to be given so many hints from a girl before they ask her out? If they want me, tell me!!

These thoughts have been swirling in my brain ever since I started dating again. It’s an endless cycle fleetingly interrupted by hope.

Do you ever wonder why God does what He does? Where on earth did He get the idea that I wanted to be single right now? Well… He isn’t earthly, for one thing, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts… but still!

Okay. Thank you for letting me throw my little temper tantrum.

Wanting to be in a relationship isn’t a bad thing. In fact, our relationships are to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church, so they’re meant to be good and God-glorifying. My problem is that I want it more than I want God.

How does God pursue us? How does He show that He is indeed a jealous God who wants all of our attention (Exodus 20:4-5)? Can we ask Him to “woo” us? What does asking for intimacy look like when it comes to God?

One of my favorite books is Praying For Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer. This book goes through different ways to pray for your future husband and one particular chapter is “Praying for Intimacy.”

What hit me was that the authors pointed out the intimate relationship between Jesus and John at the Last Supper when John laid his head on Jesus’ chest (John 15). Imagine having that intimate of a relationship with Christ. One where you can rest your head on his chest, cry, and feel no shame in coming to him and confessing your sins.

I want that kind of intimacy with a man, but do I want that kind of intimacy with Christ?

Before the Fall, Adam and Eve were completely unashamed to be naked in front of each other, and in front of God. They didn’t mind be naked physically, emotionally, or mentally. God wants us to come with everything we have into His open arms because He loves us and desires a relationship with us. He longs for us to lay our head on His chest and vent to Him about our rough day. No matter how big or small we think our problems are, He’s ready to comfort us and encourage us.

Think back to the Last Supper. Jesus was being betrayed at that very moment and He knew that he was going to be crucified the next day, yet He still let John put his head on his chest. When we have that kind of relationship with Christ, we’re not the only ones who get to talk. God wants to share Himself with us and invite us into His heart to see what He sees.

At first I didn’t understand what that meant or how it could work, but then I thought of all the times when my heart broke for this world and I would lay in bed at night praying and sobbing for the millions of people out there who don’t know Jesus. God was giving me a glimpse of His broken heart. He wanted to show me how much His heart hurts from seeing His children in pain. What an intimate thing. Who am I that I should be allowed to glimpse into God’s heart? Who are we to boast in our love for Christ when He loves us more in one moment than anyone could in a lifetime? We are nothing in this world, but yet we are everything to Him.

So, what do I do until my man comes? How do I allow myself to be wooed by God? I find myself looking for specific things that would make me feel wanted or special, but not being open to God pursuing me in different ways and accepting those ways as His reaching out to me.

Here’s what I know:

God doesn’t withhold blessing out of spite, but out of knowledge and love. In fact, He doesn’t withhold anything good from those who love Him (Psalm 84:11).
God satisfies us with good (Psalm 103:5).
God’s blessings come without sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).
He pursues us with kindness (Jeremiah 31:3).
No one can come to Him unless He brings us to Him, so He has to be doing something if we’re searching (John 6:44; James 4:8).

Let us rest on these truths as we grasp onto hope. I pray that we will become more intimate in our relationship with God so, in turn, we will be intimate with our future husbands when the time comes.

Thank You, Lord, for Your longing to come to us and draw us near. Thank You that You wait for us with open arms and beckon us to come with no shame. Thank You that You love us completely, sins and all. I pray today that my future husband would also seek an intimate relationship with You so, when the time is right, we will have an intimate relationship with each other that shares in one mind, body, and spirit. Amen.

God bless,

M.A.

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It’s time, ladies. It’s time to go on an adventure with God.

Let Him woo you. Let Him hold you. Let Him love you. Because He’s the only One who can love you perfectly. It’s time to pack our bags and follow Him because He’s going to take us places we never knew existed.

You want to go on a missions trip? Great! Ask God for provision to get there.

You want to go to college? Sweet! Go learn more about our Heavenly Father.

You want to travel the world? Awesome! Take God’s hand and fly.

Our Father longs for us to come to Him with our hopes, dreams, and desires. During this adventure, find out what makes Him happy. Find out what makes Him sad. Bring Him gifts of your time, money, and heart. Now is the time more than ever.

“But, Mackenzie,” you say, “how do I go on an adventure with God?”

Well, my friend, that’s a good question, but it’s not easily answered.

“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 7:29-38

OK, maybe it is easy. It’s funny how God’s Word does that.

Yes, being married is a holy thing. God makes it holy when we follow His commands. Yes, being married is a good thing, but it’s not the only good thing God gives us.

In whatever season we’re in, there will always be a chance to run after God wholeheartedly, but when we’re single and waiting on God to bring us our future husbands, that’s when we can fall deeper in love with God than any other time.

When we are in a relationship, we get so focused on trying to please our boyfriend that we forget that we need to please God first. We were created to have an undivided heart for the Lord.

2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

God will give us strength to wait for our future husbands if we devote our singleness to His Glory.

Below is a poem that I kept on my inspiration board in my dorm room. I read it quite frequently in order to remind myself of how blessed I was to be single in that season of life. I hope it speaks to you as much as it spoke to me.

“The Single Gift”

How blessed you are, you single one,
Don’t talk of care and woes.
You’ve got too much to be thankful for,
Oh what, you’d like to know.
It’s no mistake, no misdirection
Of God’s perfect plan
That you’ve not found your special lady
Or you, that certain man.
God loves you so and has much more
To give than you’ve ever received.
That He’s giving His best to you right now,
You really must believe.
His best is Himself, do you have it in full
Or only a bit on the side.
No man can meet your needs like God,
Nor can a lovely bride.
If your life’s not complete, you know that Jesus is
And your life He will fill
If you’ll only put Him first each day
And live to do His will.
He’s gifted you for undistracted
Devotion to the Lord.
There should be nothing that can interfere
With Him and prayer and the Word.
Unless you let down the guard of your heart
And let others take His place,
Then you’ll lack joy and peace and hope
And not experience His grace.
So give your heart right back to God,
Let Him keep it safe for you.
And when it’s better than His best,
He’ll make your one into two.

Donna L. Mihura

Let’s pray:

Abba, we thank you for another day we get to spend with You. Whether we’re in a relationship or single, we choose to chase You. Thank You for always chasing us. Thank You for getting us through the good and the bad. Thank You for our love and this time we get to spend with You.

Amen.

God bless,

M.A.

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I came to a realization this past weekend and it made my day clear: Sometimes I get so bogged down with what I feel I need to do, that when I ask myself “what do I want to do today,” it’s like I’ve never asked myself that question before.

I realized that when I asked myself that question, I wanted to do the things that I needed to do. Just the thought of me actually wanting to do my to-do list made it all the easier to actually do it.

I knew I needed to do laundry, clean my apartment, and meal prep for the week. I wanted to go on a walk, get coffee, crochet while listening to an audio book, and take a nap. However, it dawned on me that I love to clean and I enjoyed the feeling of being prepared for the week. So, before I got coffee, I cleaned my apartment!

As simple as this sounds, it changed my world.

I’m really good at heaping guilt onto myself for not being as responsible as I expect myself to be or as active as I need to be or as healthy as I need to be (can you relate?). When the Lord’s whisper came to me that Saturday morning, He freed me from myself and the weight I put on my shoulders.

Sure, getting things done, being responsible, and listening to what the Lord requires of you are all important and crucial for living. However, the Lord is also the inventor and epitome of rest, relaxation, and order. He’s not a slave driver, a mean professor, or a merciless boss.

When He asked me what I wanted to do that day, He also asked me to do it together with Him.

Are you feeling bogged down by the weight you carry? Cast your burdens on the Lord because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). He will never allow the consistently righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:5-7

Is He asking you to finish your tasks and then rest? Be comforted in the fact that our God provides rest when we need it, exactly when we need it (Matthew 11:28-29; Ezekiel 34:15; Mark 6:31).

And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14

“Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.”
1 Kings 8:56

Is He giving you the freedom to choose what you do today? Honor Him with your decision and take Him along with you as you go about your day (Proverbs 3:9-16) and rejoice in the freedom He’s given you (Philippians 4:4).

God will not reject a man of integrity,
Nor will He support the evildoers.
“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
And your lips with shouting.
Job 8:20-21

Go in peace knowing the Lord is ready to go with you wherever you go throughout your day.

God bless,

M.A.

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Good morning! I recently started a new adventure and I wanted to share it in hopes that others would be inspired. I quit my 9-5 (really, 8-5), full-time, life-sucking job and traded it for a 8-1, part-time, peace-giving one.

I used to work at my local Appraisal District Mondays through Fridays, 8am to 5pm. Now I work at a church Mondays through Thursdays 8am-1pm! It was a big shift — especially in income — but I am able to make it work and I feel so blessed.

My former job paid me well, but not in time or peace. The environment was awful — so much work drama and my co-workers were mean. Don’t get me wrong, there were many benefits and I enjoyed making as much as I did, but I felt like I was losing myself.

Not just losing myself mentally in working day in and day out, but physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. I was sitting in a chair staring at a computer all day and rarely getting excerize. I loved that there was free food all the time, but it was often unhealthy and in combination with sitting all day, I gained weight. I was getting picked on by my co-workers (and on occassion, my bosses) and there was always so much gossip and drama going on in the office. It wasn’t a healthy environment for anyone. Socially, I was so exhausted by the end of the work day/week that I rarely had time for family and friends.

All of this weighed on me spiritually. I felt like I wasn’t where God wanted me and I wasn’t involved in my church as I had wanted to be. This is huge because I literally moved across the country to attend my church, but with my job, I was barely active in my church community.

My pastor found a job opening at a bigger church and I jumped on that opportunity. Sometimes I feel like the new things in life come out of no where and too fast, but with the Lord’s guidance they become blessings.

Now, I work with amazing, kindhearted people, and I love the work that I do. Do I wish I could work more and have more income? Yes, but I’m still able to pay my bills with the smaller income God has given me. I’m also able to get involved in my church! Now I feel like I can interact more with friends, family, and church members because my weekends aren’t full of chores, errands, and preparing for the next week. I can actually REST like the Bible commands (Matthew 11:28-30; Psalms 4:8, 127:2; Hebrews 4:9-11; Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-10).

For those wanting to know how to make the same step, I advise you to do these things…

Pray (Matthew 6:33; Psalms 32:8, 119:105; Isaiah 30:21, 58:11; Philippians 4:6): First and foremost, go to God. Ask Him if He wants you to stay where you are or if you can move.

Budget (Proverbs 3:9, 15:22; Luke 14:28-330): If you don’t already have a monthly budget, make one. If you do, check your budget to see if you can live off a smaller income. See if you can cut some things out of the budget for the time being while you work a lower-income job.

Ask (Proverbs 1:5, 20:18, 23:4-5): Ask others for advice. See if they have any suggestions of where there are part-time openings or they know anyone hiring.

Plan (Proverbs 21:5, 27:23; 1Timothy 5:8): Don’t leave your current job until you have another. Plan out this life change. Will you working a different job affect the people around you? What are you going to do with the new amount of free time that you have? How can you get more involved in church and serving those around you with your time?

If you don’t think the Lord has another job for you, what things can you do to manage your time better? Are there thingsd you need to cut out of your life or say “no” to in order to be more present with friends, family, and your church community? Pray and ask the Lord for direction. He sustains in every season and in every opportunity (Pslam 23, 55:22; Colossians 1:17; Philippians 4:19.

Want to share your story or ask questions? Comment down below or send me an email!

God bless,

M.A.

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The online world has enough girls showing other girls how to do makeup. What we need are godly women who know how to do hard things for God’s Kingdom.

However, wearing makeup is a normal thing and should be discussed in Christian circles. I’ve met people whole-heartedly against makeup and others who would don’t feel beautiful without it. I’ve been both myself.

So, how can we find a happy medium and something that is simple yet effictive?

I’m a huge advocate for the “no-makeup” makeup routine. I like to look and feel clean even when I’m cleaning or in the garden. The no-makeup makeup routine brings out the natural beauty of a woman while also covering up minor flaws.

My morning routine is pretty simple: I wake up, have Bible time, make myself look presentable, meal plan for the day, and let my dog out. All of this takes just an hour before I head into work at 8am. Getting ready for the day is so simple and quick (less than five minutes!) that I can spend more time reading my Bible and meal prepping before work.

Here’s what I use:

NuSkin Nu Colour® Bioadaptive BB+ Skin Loving Foundation – Ivory

https://www.nuskin.com/content/nuskin/en_US/products/product.01550038.html

Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Pencil

Carmex Classic Lip Balm

Now, on Sundays when I dress up for church, I use a little more:

Nuskin Curl & Lash Mascara

https://www.nuskin.com/content/nuskin/en_US/products/product.01102851.html

Clinique Blended Face Powder

https://www.amazon.com/Clinique-Blended-Powder-Brush-Shade/dp/B00021VI3A

I hope this helps you in figuring out a no-makeup makeup routine! Not only will it save you time and is simple to do, but help you look your best!

Do you already have a no-makeup makeup routine? What products do you use?

God bless,

M.A.

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I don’t know about you, but I love interior design (if you haven’t figured that out already). The thought of having my own house someday where all of my design ideas are put into place, all of my ducks in a row, and everything organized sounds like heaven.

When you make something your home, you abide there. Jesus calls us to abide in Him by making Him our home, our safe space, our comfort, and our protection. When we abide in Him, He comes to take residence in us and, just like we’re at home in Him, He makes our souls His home.

Lately I feel as if God has been rearranging my home. I don’t mean my apartment, but my mental cozy bubble where I run to when life gets out of control. I got ahead of myself when I asked, “Lord, I want you to transform every inch of my life for your glory.” But then I cry, “except that part, Lord!”

Our souls are like the houses on Fixer Upper: broken, run down, on the market for too long, slowly diminishing in value from the lack of care. And in our pride we tell God we’re fine and don’t need His help fixing the foundation or the leaky roofs. When we claim He can take over our lives and that we’re here to follow His plan, most of the time it means one bedroom and some landscaping or one thing we’re “okay” with giving up.

He can work on His little room under the stairs and on all the landscaping He wants, but to let Him tear down walls that we’ve put up to keep our hearts safe from opening up to change…that’s different.

John 15:4-9 says, “‘Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.’”

The Son of God wants to live in our broken down homes and make them new. That means we cannot fix them by ourselves. Talk about a do-it-yourself disaster!

In order for Jesus to take up permanent residency in our homes we need to let Him knock down some walls, get rid of some doors and install new ones, open up rooms, and paint new colors on the walls.

“No, not that wall,” we say. “That one is up so the world thinks I’m a hard-working student who always gets straight A’s.”

“No, no. Don’t paint that color. That doesn’t go with the theme of me having it all together.”

“What are you doing? That room is full of my sins! Don’t knock down those walls to open the floor plan!”

“Hold on, not my kitchen. That’s where my cook all of my dreams and desires. What if they get crumbled in the renovation?”

If we are to live in Christ, we’ve got to let Him build a house. It’s vital that we let Him make us into something new because without Him we’re just homes with cracked windows and sagging door frames.

Jesus is saying to us, “if you’d only trust me and give me full power in the construction and after, I’ll make you into a home worthy for kings and queens full of life, love, and laughter.”

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He’s doing. He’s getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof, and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you’re not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abdominally and doesn’t make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building a quite different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, and making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come live in it Himself.” –C.S. Lewis

How do we do this practically? Give Him more time in the morning or evening. Sing praise to Him while you work. Reach out to someone who needs to hear about His love. What are some things you can do this week to allow God to move in your life?

God bless,

M.A.

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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t just the Queen of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, she was also a daughter, granddaughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Arguably the most famous person in the world, she had the support from her people and people from other nations. But what little people know is her astounding faith guided her until her last day.

Queen Elizabeth II is a role-model of mine — almost like the grandmother I always wanted. From the moment I first learned about her in history class I admired her for her strength, her stiff upper-lip, her style, her faith, and her sense of humor. Her inspiration is part of the reason I even have this blog, Royally Simple.

When I heard of her death, I was at work in my office. I was on a lunch break and when I opened up Facebook, the news was everywhere. My heart sunk and my face felt cold. It felt like I had lost a family member. I never personally knew her, but I know all about her.

As the period for mourning her death is still going, I hope people will lean on the Lord or even find Him in their greif just like the monarch we miss did so.

She relied on her faith in God, not just to run a country, but in her daily life.

“I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God!” (2002)

She knew the world needs a Savior.

“Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) – but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.” (2011)

She cherished Scripture.

“To many of us our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.” (2000)

She lived by Christ’s example.

“For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.” (2014)

She wasn’t ashamed of the Cross.

“Christ not only revealed to us the truth in his teachings. He lived by what he believed and gave us the strength to try to do the same – and, finally, on the cross, he showed the supreme example of physical and moral courage.” (1981)

She had a servant’s heart.

“In difficult times we may be tempted to find excuses for self-indulgence and to wash our hands of responsibility. Christmas stands for the opposite… we need to go out and look for opportunities to help those less fortunate than ourselves, even if that service demands sacrifice.” (1980)

She practiced spiritual disciplines.

“For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God’s love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.” (2013)

She gave God her heart.

“This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son ‘to serve, not to be served’. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others. The carol, In The Bleak Midwinter, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: ‘What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part’. The carol gives the answer: ‘Yet what I can I give him – give my heart’.” (2012)

Will you join me in praying for the salvation of the people of the United Kingdom and for the new king, His Majesty King Charles III? May the Queen’s death bring about a longing for the Lord and hearts surrendered to Him. May the royal family find comfort in the Savior the Queen served. Pray for God to send missionaries to the people of th United Kingdom and for the Gospel to be preached.

God bless,

M.A.

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We are on our last week of our series 6 Characteristics of a Godly Husband! Woo-hoo! Take a moment to reflect on all we have learned and shared…

When I originally wrote out my plan for this series, the sixth characteristic, loves God, was going to be put into two parts. But instead I am going to do a brief overview because we could spend weeks–months even–on this topic: a godly husband loves God with his entire being.

1. A godly husband has an eternal perspective.

Godly husbands, godly men in general, have an eternal perspective. They know that this earthly home is only temporary. He is confident and prefers to be at home with the Lord than here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:8).

God calls us to a different life with an inheritance that “can never perish, spoil or fade” and is kept in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). A man who knows this life is but a mere breath compared to our eternity with the Father, also knows his hard work is never in vain because he works for an inheritance of the Lord.

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Pay attention: this life is not all we get. God wants to give us much more. A godly husband not only understands that, but he shows that he does through how he speaks to his children when they frustrate him or when the car breaks down for the billionth time.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” Philippians 3:20

2. A godly husband is bold for the Lord.

Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” A godly husband sticks up for God and when he’s persecuted for doing so, he boldly continues because of God’s grace and love for him.

This doesn’t give men an excuse to be haughty and egotistic. This means that they’re confident in God because they know they don’t have strength without Him. They “humble themselves before the Lord” knowing that He will “lift them up” (James 4:10).

Because of the Cross, we have the grace to come confidently to the Lord in all circumstances. Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” If people are against us because we’re followers of Christ, a man who loves God stands firm in God’s protection.

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” Hebrews 3:6

3. A godly husband leads his wife spiritually.

1 Corinthians 11:3 says, “But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” If our husbands are the head of the family, they are to set an example spiritually. Not only for their wives, but for their children as well.

Imagine waking up every morning to pray and praise God with your love. It is such an intimate thing. We can have sex with our husbands all we want–notice I said husbands–but it will never be as intimate as speaking to God together.

If our husbands don’t take the initiative to lead his family spiritually, then he’s not fulfilling his role as a godly husband. Men are meant to lead and it has been that way since the beginning (Genesis 2). We shouldn’t have to remind him to read his Bible or to pray with and for the kids. That should come from discipline in the Word and daily prayer. But he needs to keep himself responsible.

“For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:23-24

4. A godly husband looks to God for wisdom.

Life is going to hit us in the face, that’s just how life is, but a man who looks to God for wisdom knows how to handle grief, trials, and challenges. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” A man of God humbles himself because he knows that God’s ways are higher than his ways (1 Corinthians 1:25).

When we’re married, do we want our husbands to freak out at each challenge satan throws at us? No! We want to be level headed and to lean on God from the start. There is nothing stronger than a child of God who leans on His strength for wisdom and waits for God to move.

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:6-7

If our husbands are to have an eternal perspective, is bold for Jesus, leads us spiritually, and turns to God for wisdom, he is a man who loves God indeed. When it all comes down to it, the only characteristic on our list for a future godly husband is that he loves God.

If he loves God, everything will fall into place. If we love God and trust Him, everything will fall into place. Not on our own timeline or in our own control, but on God’s time and His leading.

Heavenly Father, You know our hearts and our deepest desires. Help us to love others deeply and genuinely. Help us to wait for our future husbands who love God with their whole beings. Help us to wait on You and Your timing. We can’t wait in our strength, but in Yours. Thank you that You’re more excited about our joy than we are. Amen.

God bless,

M.A.