life beyond the well…

Author Archives: erin.almond


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2013- Second Quarter/First Half-Year Review

And just like that, it’s July! I can’t believe that we are in the second half of 2013.  It seriously seems like we were just celebrating the new year.  Preacherman and I are doing well, continuing to learn and grow together and becoming increasingly excited about the plans that God has for us.  At the beginning of the year, we committed some things to the Lord, and it’s been so wonderful to see how faithful He has been to us.

I’ve seen progress on both my dissertation and my exercise routine. I also wanted to focus on healthy eating and honoring God with my body and what I consume.  Though it’s been challenging (I love all the wrong foods just a little too much), the discipline of eating and exercising has paid off.  Since our wedding, I’ve lost about 10 pounds and I successfully completed my first 5K.  God has truly been faithful in these pursuits, and for that I am so grateful.

While it’s easy to just rest on what has happened so far, I’m challenged to believe God for more.  The faithfulness that God has demonstrated to me and Preacherman during the first half of the year is encouraging and empowering.  I’m looking forward to see what can happen next if I continue to exercise my faith and believe.  This is important for me, because it’s so easy to become complacent with what God has done, and adopt a “business as usual” mindset.  I don’t want to be on auto-pilot or cruise-control with God.  I want to be fully engaged, pressing for more, believing for more, trusting for more- in every area of my life.

So that’s what the second half of 2013 is like for me.  More. Lots more.

More of God.

More belief.

More worship.

More faith.

More faith in action.

More trust.

More love.

More love in action.

 

I’m excited to see what God has in store for the remainder of 2013, and I hope you are as well.  I know that there are many people who have struggled through the first part of this year, and I’m praying that you will continue to see and believe God for the things to come.  If what you’ve been believing God for in 2013, know that there is STILL time.  Trust that God will keep His promises.  Be encouraged that His ways are not our ways and His time not our time.  What takes us years can take God seconds.  Your waiting is not in vain!

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!

 

“I am persuaded, Lord to love you.  I have been changed, to bless your name.  I am constrained by this great gospel, forever to worship you.”

“Lord your love for me gives me everything I need, and it keeps me wanting more…You are my delight and with you I’m satisfied. Your love keeps me wanting more…”


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Because I Said So

When I was a kid, there were a few times when my parents asked me to do something and I was bold enough to ask, “Why?”  Immediately following the “stare of death” (which caused my short life to flash before my eyes), I heard this response: “Because I said so”.  And that really settled the situation, because for my parents, you really had no option but to be obedient- whether you understood the “why” or not.

As an adult, a former teacher, and a parent- I can now see both sides of this.  There are times when I need my little one to just do what I say- without question (whether it’s because I need for us to get somewhere on time, or I need to make something happen, or because she really just needs to understand that you do what you are told).  At the same time, I do believe that it’s important to understand the “why”- and as much as possible, I try to explain that as well.  It’s a delicate balance, that I haven’t completely mastered but that I’m working on daily.

This morning, I could tell that my little one was not particularly happy with the outfit that I selected for her to wear to school.  Sometimes this results in conversation, other times it doesn’t.  Today, though it showed on her face that she wasn’t excited about her outfit, she put on the clothes without question and we were able to continue with our routine.  As I reflected on that while I was getting dressed, I realized that her response to her discontentment was a lesson for me.  There are many times when God tells me to do things, and my tendency is to wonder why (or ask why, or drag my feet, or mull over when I plan to do it).  If I’m going to be a successful, mature believer, I need to master doing things because God says so.  Though I may not like it, I need to do what I’m asked to do without question.

Obedience is greater than sacrifice, and disobedience oftentimes leads to HAVING to sacrifice.  One of the best things that I can do in my walk with God is to be obedient, and trust that while I may not understand the “why” now, it will be revealed to me later.  And even if it’s NOT revealed to me later, the real test is in my willingness to be obedient to what I’ve been told- because He said so.

Do you struggle with being obedient to the things that God tells you?  Let me encourage you to be obedient- there are some doors that are only opened for you, some blessings that are only received because of your obedience.  Be open and willing to do what He says, because He says so.

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!