November. More thankfulness...more pumpkin pie please?

I say it every year. I can't believe we have arrived upon the holiday season. I think one of the reasons it hits us differently is the weather change. The leaves are golden, orange and plum, and our eyes are given a treat. We gather together where it's warm and toasty with warm drinks and yummy soups and chili. 

This morning I've made bacon and cheese quiche and all is good.

And I don't have much to say but.....

 Happy Birthday to my funny, loving, and quick witted sister in law, Erin.

With Love,
Lindsay

September brings lovely things.

I can't believe we're here in September. I've started it off with a not so lovely sinus cold, going through a box and a half of tissues, and almost blacking out in the bathroom this morning, crawling back to my room.
Sometimes, you have to learn the hard way. No matter how much I tell myself...'you need to exercise, boost your immune system, eat better, drink tons of water, remember to take that multivitamin you love to swallow so much!' I've never had any weight issues, but that definitely does not mean I am as healthy as I could be. I've always gotten sick easily, though I do believe it has improved over the last couple years. 
When I was two, I had Gillian Barre Syndrome, a virus that paralyzed me from the neck down for a few months. I believe this may have taken part in suppressing my immune system. Frightening to think about, but the Lord has given me a body that is free and able. It is now my responsibility to nourish my body, make healthy choices, and prepare my immune system so it can fight the good fight of keeping me well. 


1 corinthians 6:19-20 tells us...
"19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."


I believe this not only means to Glorify God with our body through not taking part in the physical sins such as adultery or other such things, but the Word tells us also to nourish it, be active, and take in the good and pure things He created such as water and fresh fruits and vegetables that supply us with proper nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
  

Isaiah 55:2 "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

and delight yourselves in rich food."

Currently I've been waiting for my state inspector to approve my massage therapy room. It has taken so long to get to this point. A lot of stress, money, prayer, sweat, smelly paint and chemicals, do-it-yourself labor, etc. I really want to be prepared for this new and exciting step in my life. This is my first business, and I've been trying my best to educate myself for the road ahead. I also need to prepare my body for what is ahead. And that means, no more getting sick. Though I am not an ultimate food junkie, I do have my moments when I want to pig out. 


My husband Matt has been really motivated, and it's really inspiring to watch him exercise almost everyday, doing P90X, which is a really intense workout series. Matt has lost almost 20 pounds so far and I am so proud of the limitations he gives himself through his diet, and the motivation he has had working out daily. And here I am, eating a juicy cheeseburger...or whatever I want. I'm definitely lame. 


Though I have pigged out here and there while Matt has been on his diet and routine exercise, I've seen the impact it's made on me and how I've found myself to be eating some of the same things. I've noticed a progressing difference that when Matt is eating well and exercising, he's in a better mood, motivated, self confident, and most of all, in the Word. I can't give healthy food and exercise full credit for my husbands motivation to being in the word, but I know it has made a difference.
We only have one body; one life here on Earth to nourish it well so we can serve God well and strong. Taking responsibility and the extra time and research to give ourselves the proper nutrition is worth it. Worth feeling more energized, more lively, more ready for the days to come. Above all else, we must nourish ourselves with His Word, the true and rushing waters, the plentiful feast of goodness, sweeter than honey and rich in good health.
September brings lovely things. Good health, good weather (hopefully), and goooood apple pie.


1 Corinthians 10:31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."





Love,
Lindsay

Be still.

This isn't quite the read for men, since it is full of lady agenda, but read on if you must. 

The past week my mind has been stirring. It is unfortunate the lack of focus I can have during hormonal changes month to month. I'm saying this, because they do exist for women, and sometimes we're called crazy when we act abnormal, or cry about everything. I am getting rid of the "hushhush, that doesn't exsist because we don't talk about it" stuff. Well, there is a reason, and though I would love to blame my moodiness and lack of focus on the unlovely season, I can't ignore the fact that I am still a sinner. I must MUST, always be reminded in every season, no matter how short that season, that the Lord has brought me redemption; I cannot give up because I am weak, I need strength to push through these times without negativity. 

This strength can never be found in myself, but only in the Lord God Almighty. 

Though I believe the body works as a whole, and imbalances create problems, in these short and frustrating times, I can't blame my attitude all on bodily changes, and I can't expect that my negative actions not bring consequences when I am not daily in The Word and prayerful. 

I feel like this is something that isn't normally discussed because it is a private matter for women, and most of the time, all that is really shown is how crazy and irrational we can be. We need to be strong women in the Lord, even in these times. I'm sure each woman has different struggles during this time, but for me, my lack of focus and patience effects my life, as though everything is crashing down around me. I feel like I am not able to make decisions; I have little faith in myself and what I am able to do. I am tired, my thoughts consistently stirring, hungry all the time, moody, snappy, dizzy, clumsy, unfocused, negative, in the midst of hot flashes, and in all of this, affecting my husband through my attitude. Sure, each month differs, but I am sure a lot of women can relate to all of this. The point and focus I am trying to make, is that I wish I had focus to Love the Lord through my actions, thoughts, and words in this time. I don't completely give up on the Word and prayer, but each time I try pushing forward, I feel like I fail at giving God my complete concentration. This long week can seem like a month, full of disappointment and a roller coaster of emotions, but the Lord is always waiting. Even through these times of panic, 'the Lord is still fighting for me, and I need only to be still.' (Exodus 14:14)

The Lord doesn't make us face the things we cannot handle and He delivers strength to us through these small battles. It is so easy to give up and say, 'Why Lord? And why even try when I seem to always fail?'  But even in these times, He is trying to teach us, and He wants to be close to us.

Sure this post seems like a joke...really, you're writing about that time of the month? It is a little funny, but when we're in the middle of a tiring battle of a week, we think otherwise. We think "Oh Lord, strengthen me, use me even in this time when I feel completely useless." He is in every pocket of our lives; every cranny and corner. And He deserves to be.

All my Love,

Lindsay

I can't expect to get anything or anywhere without consistent prayer and thanksgiving with God. It is a life lesson to keep on my belt. I can't expect to know whether to go here or not go there without God's knowledge and understanding. I have to trust in Him with all my strength, and pray the Holy Spirit will work in me, mold me, use me. I can't discipline myself without the Lord's help; I can do nothing on my own initiative. 
This I pray, that I would find focus and the Lord's understanding for my daily life, and roles as a wife, daughter, sister, and friend. That I would be transformed into the likeness of the Lord, and not by my own accord. To be a prayer warrior, fighting sin, and feel urgency for these things. 


Philippians 4:4-8:

   ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

   ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 

Momma T.

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered, forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives, be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you, be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous, be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow, do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough, give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway” 
{Mother Teresa.} 

Thank you Mom, for helping me up the stairs, and not letting me spill my Easter eggs.

Thank you for always encouraging me, giving me guidance and an example as a godly wife and mother. 

I Love you, Mom.

Then who could stand against?

Hello my lovely friends,

I am really not a consistent blogger. But you know, I only really blog when I feel like I have something to say. That's not so bad now, is it? 

The Lord is miraculous. 

I say this because He truly works throughout our lives in a way I cannot even explain. When I think the Lord is doing nothing, when my spirit is low, and when I feel defeated...I am brought out of struggle and disbelief, and I find a Holy and Trustworthy God, waiting for me with open, loving arms. He is our teacher, and we learn so much being in tune with Him; listening patiently.

Just when I think I cannot climb out of my struggle, His hands reach down to hold me and I let go of what I thought would keep my spirit luke warm. Thank the Lord for His Wisdom and His understanding, because without it, I am lost in darkness. 

I have peace that if I place my full trust in Him, He will do extraordinary things. 

He will provide!

If God is for us, then who can stand against?

Romans 8

Deliverance from Bondage

   ¹Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

   ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

   ³For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

   ⁴so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

   ⁵For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

   ⁶For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

   ⁷because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

   ⁸and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

   ⁹However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

   ¹⁰If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

   ¹¹But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

   ¹²So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--

   ¹³for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

   ¹⁴For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

   ¹⁵For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

   ¹⁶The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

   ¹⁷and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

   ¹⁸For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

   ¹⁹For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

   ²⁰For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

   ²¹that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

   ²²For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

   ²³And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

   ²⁴For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

   ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Our Victory in Christ

   ²⁶In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

   ²⁷and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

   ²⁸And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

   ²⁹For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

   ³⁰and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

   ³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

   ³²He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

   ³³Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;

   ³⁴who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

   ³⁵Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

   ³⁶Just as it is written,
         "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
         WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

   ³⁷But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

   ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

   ³⁹nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Use Me.

I'm really happy where the Lord is leading us. Here is why.

I grew up in a Christian home, and I am very thankful for it. I'm thankful that I never stopped asking questions and that I wanted the light on the truth. I felt like I have had a concrete base knowledge of the Lord, being built up and encouraged to walk in Christ through growing up with dedicated youth pastors and their wives. Their passion for the Lord drew me into wanting to know Him more. Though I didn't always have a strong relationship with the Lord, I've always felt like the Lord has pursued me and I him. I was very young when I asked for the Lord to be in my heart. I actually can't even remember how old I was, I was that young. But I vividly remember kneeling beside my sister's bedside with my Mother, and telling her 'I wanted to join, I wanted to be saved.' Even though I was practically a baby, I know I remember this memory for a reason, and believe the Lord's hand and provision was over my life from there, and that I would continue to grow in His Love. Through many doubts and turning around and around in my faith through childhood, I've grown to trust in Him greatly. There was significance to my doubts and to my lack of understanding, because once I learned the significance of my life in His hands, I understood I was redeemed by the Lord from my sin by the blood that was shed on the cross.


I am realizing more and more this year the Grace the Lord has for me through stories in the Bible, and through providing for us everyday. I am learning how unreachable and unattainable the Lord's knowledge is and that relying on His knowledge and understanding is essential each day.

I'm really enjoying our community group from our church as we go through the old testament, studying the story of God; the foundation and happenings that took place, pointing to the Lord, and leading up to the time of Jesus on Earth. All leading to Him, to show that He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is the Messiah!

 In my life, I've never been able to connect this deeply into the old testament, and it's really exciting. I've never really been deep in the old testament for several reasons, one being I've not really been able to find a connection with it in my life or the Lords on my own. I don't believe I could study the old testament and understand the parallels without some guidance, so having this time to deepen my knowledge, is deepening my awe of the Lord.

Because I've never been an intellectual person, it's always been something that has affected me negatively. It has held me back from reaching out to others, when I felt called to pray with them. 

The devil has very much a way of holding us down and keeping us far away for pursuing others and the Lord.

But God has taught me so much in the last few years that He wants to use all of us and that through having differences in knowledge, character, and strengths, He is able to use us. I believe that through having a heart of compassion, He can use me to His advantage. That though I hunger for knowledge and know it is important to keep feeding myself, He will speak through me; He will use me.

It's amazing what weight the Lord can place upon your heart when you pray and ask for His will to be done. The Lord has been working in Matt and I a lot the past few months. We've been asking for His will to be done in our lives, to use us beyond measure. The days have been turning and the Lord has been at work faithfully and fast. I'm seeing how He has been preparing both Matt and I even before we met. He places so many layers into our lives to be used, and though a lot of work has been put into making us, I feel that this to Him was effortless. He has prepared so much, and I am seeing it all come together into a full orchestra. Like every resonant moment has been a musician, and that He just keeps adding to the orchestra; He keeps providing and keeps delivering.

If you're reading, please pray for us. Pray that the we will follow the Lord's guidance and that we would have a clear understanding of where He's leading us.

How is the Lord working in your life these days?

With all my Love,

Lindsay

He is bigger.

Ahhhhh...Springtime!

Been spending lots of time outside.

Well.

I've been trying to. So far I have a sunburn, so there's the evidence.

But, today felt more successful only because Matt was right beside me.

Cool and collected about the bees and wasps that buzz and frighten me.

While he doesn't budge when they come a buzzin'.

If I'm alone, I flinch.

If they continue to buzz around me, I run inside and yelp so loud, the sound echos in the neighborhood.

Other than being around things that both buzz and sting...

I think I'm pretty calm most of the time.

Onto more important topics...

I love the rushing waters that come when being in consistent prayer and devotion to reading His word. 

If I could describe our marriage lately in one word, I would say unity.

Now, although we were unified in Christ through our marriage, the water doesn't always feel to full and rushing. When our priorities have been unorganized, we begin to thirst for things of the flesh, and our focus is not only selfish, but misguided. 

I've learned more than I can explain in the past year and 9 months of being married, and one of the most important things I've learned is keeping Christ's will for our lives the focus. We were called to be disciples; we should yearn for the Word and to hear from the Holy Spirit. 

It's amazing what Christ has done in our lives the past month. I have seen so much change in my husband as he has taken a godly leadership position in our Marriage. He motivates and encourages me to read and be in consistent prayer throughout the day, not just by a gentle vocal reminder, but by leading an example in reading and praying himself. 

The Lord knows our hearts, but He wants to hear our prayers. And it's so easy to get caught up in worldly worries and productivity and forget all the things that should take up our time and energy. 

I just want you to encourage you. Whether you are married, engaged, in a relationship, or single. 

Christ is bigger than all of this. He is worth the time and the energy. There are people in the world who have never heard His name, who know nothing about His Grace and Love, who are living in desolate places full of sin and hopelessness. It is worth it in the end to struggle and seek, even give up our dreams, when others find freedom in His Kingdom and Lord is glorified.

Matthew 6:25-33 

²⁵"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
   ²⁶"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
   ²⁷"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
   ²⁸"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
   ²⁹yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
   ³⁰"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
   ³¹"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
   ³²"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
   ³³"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

With Love,

Lindsay

So what? Who Caaaaes?

So I've been out of the blogging world for a while.

I would have to say my excuse is sleepiness, but most of all, busi-ness.

Today is my birthday! It wasn't very adventurous since I worked all day, but last saturday we got the Goss and Douglas family all together to eat out at Nakato...

And then we went for fro-yo. You know, frozen yogurt. I learned that slang in Cali, ya'll.

In other news....

I feel that God has been preparing our hearts for change. God only knows when our careers are going to take flight, when we'll have our own home, or begin to have children, (which is a few years away, we hope.) But all we can do is prepare ourselves practically, and spiritually; Be attentive to obey Him, pray for guidance and patience. I thought about this the other day while on my way to work...

 We make plans for our lives, how we're going to succeed at this or that and what we want for ourselves. And I believe that is valuable. But when it really comes down to it, Christ gives us answers, leads us. His will for our lives is better than what we want for our lives. Why? He is our ultimate provider;  We were created to give Him glory. 

Why would we want to give up a great joy in following Him?

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

—Psalm 16:11 

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

—John 15:11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

—Philippians 2:1-2

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

—1 Peter 1:8

With Love,

Lindsay