So you GOT the book!!! Now what?

We have heard from several people that have ordered or bought the book "Lord, Only You Can Change Me" by Kay Arthur!! We are so excited that you are joining us by studying and reading this book along with us. Ashley and I both have our books as well and are ready to begin with you!!

A WONDERFUL CHRISTIAN WOMAN HAS OFFERED TO DONATE BOOKS TO THOSE WHO NEED HELP FINDING/BUYING THEM!!! PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFO!! unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com

Just as a reminder or if you missed it: (See blog post: Unshakable: {Video 1}) We are starting a study in the book mentioned above. Ashley and I will do monthly videos where we overview and answer or discuss the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. We will do one chapter per month for the next nine months to cover the nine chapters in this book. We ask that you follow along with us, check out our videos as we publish them, and even get involved by sending us comments or questions to our email!! (unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com)

This book is about growing in character from the Beatitudes!! I believe this is a great way to begin, rekindle, or grow in your relationship with God. With all studies and all aspects of your relationship with God, He can only come in and help you make miraculous breakthroughs in your life if you have your heart open to it!

Please open your heart and pray for results!! I got them while reading this book, and I think you will too!!!

Start in Chapter 1: Getting Beyond Our Masks... this is a five day study that you will have a month to do! We understand busy... Ashley and I are busy and we both think this study is so important that we want you and us to be able to take the time to do it. Go at your own pace and if you get ahead of us, just come back each month for the video... or take it slower and do one chapter per month. I think you will know what is best for you when you get things started!!

Our next video is scheduled for February 19th... which means it should be uploaded by Feb. 20th!!

I am so excited about this and praying that each of you receive a blessing like I did from reading this book with an open heart!!

Love,
Andrea

Can you answer these questions?

My sisters all over the world--I have a couple of questions that God wants me to ask you. These questions I had to ask my own self.

1. Have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven, or is that something you would say you're still working on?
2. Suppose that you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say to you, "Why should I let you into my heaven?" What would you say?
Think about those two questions, if you will, while I tell you a little more.
Maybe you came up with "I have been a good person." "I have kept the Ten Commandments" "I try to live by the Golden Rule--that you treat others as you want to be treated". Or maybe you came up with something else.
If you will give me a few more minutes of your time,  I have something extraordinary that I want to tell you about! It is called grace.
Heaven is a free gift. In the Bible there is a scripture that says this:"the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life .." Romans 6:23
This gift is not earned or deserved. For a long time I have to tell you that I thought that I had to become good enough--then I realized it is a gift--unmerited and undeserved.
I also realized that "mankind" is a sinner. The Bible teaches that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
In every way we all failed to keep His commandments--both by sins of commission and sins of omission-- that is, the things we have done and the things we left undone. We also have sinned in word, thought and deed.
Man cannot save himself. There is not one of us good enough to get into heaven because God's standard is perfection! Jesus says"be therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect," Matthew 5:48. This is why none can earn our way into heaven.
God is merciful though! He does not want to punish us. The Bible says "He is love"! 1 John 4:8. We know He is loving, gracious kind but at the same time He is just, holy and righteous.
God is just --He must punish sin.
He must deal with sin. But he doesn't want to punish us because He loves us! That is where Jesus Christ works out that dilemma!
Jesus Christ is the God-Man.
Jesus is part of a "trinity". According to the Bible, Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity, the Creator of the universe. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" John 1:1,14. God came down in human flesh! And when He did-He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty of sin and to purchase a place for us in heaven.
Imagine a scale and all my sin lumped on one side -- I mean everything I've done in secret and open including thoughts and motives  all weighed down heavy! What a burden. And Oh! how I will be judged!
But on the other side of the scale is Jesus. My sin prevented me from rising up to God until my sin was transferred to Jesus. Christ bore our sins in His body. When He died, He was buried in the grave for three days, but He rose again and went to heaven to make us a place ready-- for eternity-- as a gift! And this gift is received by faith. How do we receive this thing called faith?
Faith is not intellect. People believe who Napoleon was and who George Washington was without meeting them. They were real people in history and so was Jesus. So people can believe that He was a person, but they are not trusting Him to do anything for them now! That is not faith. That's just intellect acknowledgement. The Bible says that the devil believes in God. And even demons, but they were not saved.
Faith is more than just trusting for health, finances, protection, or guidance --things of this life that will pass away.
Faith is trusting Jesus Christ alone for eternal life! He didn't come to help us that one time for an operation or to safely get us to our next stop on earth. He came to get us to heaven.
The Bible says "Believe in The Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved " Acts 16:31. People trust in one of two things -- self or in Christ. And I was trusting in my own efforts before  and those efforts would never be good enough!! I had to start trusting Christ! I received the gift of eternal life. I did not deserve it, but by His grace, I have it.
It's like a chair.. Do I believe that a chair would support me if I sat in it? Yes, I do. But until I sit in it, it cannot support me. How do I prove that the chair will support me? By sitting in it.
To receive eternal life, you must transfer your trust from yourself to Christ!
What then is my motive for living a godly life if this is free?? Gratitude for what Christ has given. Thank you, Lord for what you have done!
Does this make sense to you?
This is the greatest story EVER told and the greatest offer ever made by the greatest person who ever lived!
Now the question God is asking you is this: "Would you like to receive this  gift of eternal life?"
If you said "yes" that means

• You are transferring your trust-- your hope of eternal life from what you had been doing-- going to church, being a good neighbor, living by the Golden Rule-- to what Jesus Christ done for you on the cross. He takes our sin and we receive His righteousness. 
• You acknowledge that He is your Savior.  
• You receive Christ as Lord of your life. Are you willing to yield your life to His control because of your gratitude for eternal life?? 
• Repent. You have to repent of your sins and follow Him. 

If you answered YES. God is there with you!
Father, I pray that you would grant the gift of eternal life. May the Holy Spirit draw and bring understanding what You have done. Grant her faith to believe your promises,and  repentance to turn from her sins. Reveal Christ crucified today!
Ask Him now to take your life. Confess that you are a sinner and need a Savior and accept the gift of eternal life.
Father you have heard their prayer and I ask that you give them assurance, In Jesus name, Amen!
Trust Christ for eternal life!

If at first you don't succeed.... (by: Andrea)

There are so many things in my life that are being changed right now. These things are happening to me becuase I have opened my heart and truly let God in.... and he is certainly doing some cleaning!
 

Some changes I am not ready to elaborate on just yet.... some I have already talked about.... and the ones that are still an everyday struggle are the ones I am scared to totally give up and ask for help on.  I am still HOLDing on to some things... and yes, I am fully aware that I am holding them tightly. In my post "Opportunities" I talk about my youngest daughter and her "security items" ....her blanket and pacifier... turns out I have a few blankets and pacifiers that I need to outgrow myself!!

I've been SO surprised that the things I thought would be SO HARD to give up are so much easier than I ever dreamed because I had faith and asked that God would help me... and HE did!!!

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 

So, this verse says to me: this is normal...it happens to a lot of people and I can fight it... I can handle this ... God has made me strong enough to fight this and will even help me by providing a way out!!! Oh, but this involves some effort on my part...  to go stand up under that "way out".

GREEN TEA!!!

No, I didn't just lose my train of thought. Green tea is sooo healthy!! I once did an article for our local newspaper listing the top 10 most healthy things we could put in our body. I'm no scientist so I couldn't actually test these foods SO, I took tons of top ten lists off the internet, spent hours comparing them and counting them to come up with a "super top ten" of the most talked about foods. Guess what was clearly and with no competition the number 1 most talked about and most beneficial food?.... green tea.

I decided a couple of months ago to start eating healthy, and put green tea on the top of my list to include in the new diet. Although I didn't stick to the diet, I did have green tea on hand when I decided to quit another even-worse-for-my-health habit.
I now drink green tea 4 or 5 times a day. It helps control cravings for that other habit AND I know it's good for me. I really believe that this was my "way out" for this particular habit. I didn't replace one habit for another, really... I just have a nice warm and healthy place to go when that temptation gets so strong.

So I guess I kind-of spilled the beans on my current bad habit, the one I am holding on to... it's life long, it's my security... IT IS FOOD or more like too much food and not the right kinds of food... because we need food, of course.  The other habits that I thought would be harder to break I gave up easily... this one I am still trying to pry it out of my hands and put it into God's!

Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

I am going to keep trying. I am making progress... and now by writing this, I hope I can hold myself accountable for this particular needed change. I am going to work on self-control and finding the root of the need for the security that I find in this particular habit. And not to shift one bad habit to another, but to find a healthy place to go when the temptation gets strong... I think I am maxed out on my green tea per day!!! So something else... God will provide this for me... I have faith.


To all that can relate with me and are possibly fighting this battle as well:
"Tis a lesson you should heed:
Try, Try, Try again
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, Try, Try again"
-W.E. Hickson

Re-read the verses above.... give God your habit, place all your insecurities in him and he will provide a "way out" for you.
(this final statement is directed towards me, but if you can use it too, please DO!!!)

Love,
Andrea

Modern day frenemies

David said to God, " I am in deep distress, let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great; but do not let us fall into the hands of men." 2 Samuel 24:14

Have you heard of the word "frenemy"? You may or may not have. It is a word that was actually added in 2009 to the Merriam- Webster dictionary. Apparently, the chaps saw a great need for its inclusion, giving an official name to the practice of backstabbing.
The meaning of frenemy can be found in the blending of two words -- friend and enemy. So the meaning makes straight forward sense--it is the one who pretends to be your friend but actually is an enemy. But you will know them by their fruits.
Although officially recognized in 2009, the female -frenemy relationship has been around much much longer.
The Bible gave the real first account of the  spirit of frenemy when the devil pretended to befriend Eve. That account described how that sly slippery serpent gained Eve's trust, and enticed her into a life of sin.  That crafty critter compelled and used persuasive words to win Eve. Eve was snared by her new best friend and a desire to be like God, but here's the kicker--she already had been made in His likeness. That devil was smooth. So smooth he landed on his belly. But
Eve forsook God's directive, and joined in the serpent's spirit of disobedience. That exchange unfortunately set a precedence and the state of frenemies was spitefully established.
"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel. " Genesis 3:15. 
That scripture pretty much describes modern-day frenemies.
And it is a state that many today stoop low to take.
The serpent learned that once Eve's eyes were opened that she saw the lie. And though frenemies try to distract with deceptive charm,
God gives us insight into false friends.
They give compliments and jabs at the same time, trying to get us a notch lower. They deliver their agenda at any expense, especially yours. They operate selfishly with no regard for you, unless it fulfills some purpose for them.
 The reason they want us lower is because they want to be elevated.
But Jesus recognizing how this spirit of hostility can cause bitterness, addressed both sides of the issue. He said,
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44.
Then he appealed to those with rife with ambition,
 "The greatest among you will be your servant." Matthew 23:11.
True friendship trumps a fake one any day. But if a relationship cannot be repaired then it may be time to walk away, lesson learned.
We all have a place in God's world that has been skillfully prepared, no sense in trying to make another.
Father I pray for those that are operating in the spirit of hostility and those that have bitterness. I pray that you forgive us of our hatred and put us in the right attitude. Remove those people out of our lives who walk in total disobedience with a swagger. And I pray that You surround us with true friends that love and encourage us. Help us Lord to overcome our trust issues. We honor and glorify you! In Jesus' name, Amen
Praying for you and me! Ashley

Submission... Is that REALLY the solution??

In one of my first posts "Return to Faith" I talk about submission in marriage. I left it very short and kind of open for interpretation as it related to me personally.... I did this because I realize it is a touchy subject with so many differing opinions! It was a touchy subject for me at one time too!! But once I put the word out there... that submission saved my marriage... I had every intention of returning to the subject. SO here we go!! First, let's look again (starting at the beginning this time and taking it a little further) at the passage in the bible about submission.. and then take it from there. :)

Ephesians 5:21-33
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head to the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church- 30 for we are members of his body.  31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery- but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

What is the definition of submission as used in this passage?
I looked it up and saw many different meanings, then came upon this one ... I think this one comes as close as you can to defining what it means in the passage above.

Submission- yielding and obedient attitude, cooperation and support of another person

YEP, there is that word obedient!! That is the word - I think- that we trip over and gasp at!
Look at the rest of the words -yielding, cooperation, support- they are more like team words, right? Those words basically mean you should respect one another. Most of us know that if there is no respect in a marriage, then the marriage is not working!

As adults, the word obedient has left the building, right?
Wrong!! If you are a Christian and living like one, then you know that obedience is something we do everyday. We have to be obedient to God and His word.

Here is where I was messing things up! I refused to be obedient!! I refused to be obedient to God and certainly to my husband. Maybe I didn't consciously make a decision to be disobedient, but that is exactly what I was doing. When I made the decision to give my marriage problems to God.. and this is the first scripture he pointed me to... I knew I had a major change coming! I chose to OBEY GOD first... and by doing that I HAD to respect my husband. Not everything my husband says is 100% correct (he will probably try to correct me on that!) but I had to give him enough respect to try things his way. He is the head of our home, marriage, and family. It turns out, I don't even want that role although I've been trying my best to play that role for years now. As a wife, mother, and woman there are SO MANY important jobs for me... I was ignoring those to try to take over where my husband was FULLY capable of carrying his own. I was so intent that I would be in charge, I neglected the areas where I actually WAS in charge. I am telling you... when I finally gave up my rebellion, I felt a weight lift and shift over to my husband ... he gladly took it and I gave him the respect he deserved for taking it... and he gave me love for finally giving him a chance. And that is where we are now... I'm not going to say we will never have another problem... or even that we won't have a power struggle now and then. But, I know that he listens to me now and he knows that I am letting him make the final call on decisons. We are being respectful to each other and he does take into consideration what I think, feel and say. You can see why before this change, there was total chaos in my marriage. I was trying to be Mom and DAD... I was trying to be husband and wife... I was trying to play God in my life and for my family... shamefully, shamefully... I admit.

Let me tell you where the road to disobedience leads:
ME, ME, ME... disobedience is selfish
When there is no submission, there are no Laws that apply to you!, your morals will start to shrink and disappear, you become a bad example to your children and the people around you.

Let's try this...
Next time there is a conflict: Say to yourself US, US, US... not ME, ME, ME
TRY... even just one time... to put the other person first. Try to trust God and not yourself to see you through the next battle. I believe a miracle will happen... If nothing but your own heart and bad habits change, that is an EXCELLENT accomplishment.
Just try it, I dare you!!!

Swallow your pride, let God wash it away... it will be easier than you think it will be if your heart is in the right place


Here is a great verse to repeat to yourself when in doubt about how to handle a situation:

Matthew 7:12 
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

THIS SUMS UP THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS!!!!... pretty sure that means that this is SUPER IMPORTANT ;)

Love,
Andrea

Choose to praise!

Faith in the name of Jesus Christ comes easy when compared to faith in what Jesus can do in our lives.
We can believe in the work on the cross, believe that He is the Christ, but find it hard to believe in the power of the cross in our everyday lives--and I am no exception.
We worry. We worry about everything from possibilities to probabilities.
The wonders of the mind can multiple rapidly.
"I wonder if I will die young." "I wonder if I am going to get sick." "I wonder if my job will..."
Wonder can have a two-fold meaning. We can wonder in the awe of something wonderful and spectacular or we can speculate and torment ourselves in thought.
It's the belief behind the wonder that we have to focus on.
If we fear, we produce worry. If we stand in awe at the power of God to work in our lives--we produce faith.
How easy do you think it is to change torment to praise? As easy as it is to bring fear under subjection to what the Word of God says.
We have to capture our thoughts before they capture us!
If you are facing bankruptcy, losing your house, losing your car, bills behind, kids disobedient, job in an upheaval, relationship strife, court proceedings, disease, surgery, impairment, imprisonment, divorce, marriage crisis, or any other real life issue that is weighing heavy on you then you are in a place to praise. You have to praise! You cannot remain silent-- If you do, worry wins. You become faithless, hopeless and tormented!
Open your mouth to thank God for His power! The same power of the cross that persuaded you first to believe, is alive still today!
I am facing tough life situations right now. I am saying this to me as much as I am saying this to you.
But I am praising God because He has always been faithful!
And if I must learn a lesson of faithfulness I want Him to teach me and not learn another lesson under torment!
I am praying for you this morning, please pray for me!

• Mark 9:21-24-"And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
• Matthew 6:25-"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on..."

Father, I love you. I praise you and I thank you! Your power is amazing. Your works are incredible! Thank you for the promises of your Word to keep, protect, bless and prosper me! In Jesus name- Amen!

Praise and pray! Ashley 

Pride goes for a ride

The mind is a beautiful thing to waste on mere human reason. 

Smart people confuse me. I mean the ones that are too smart for God and sneer down their noses at the poor lowly close-minded Christians. These "intellectuals" remain in a constant mind provoking process. They are ever-evolving in thought. They reason there is a reason for this reason, and they reason there is a reason for that reason--all the while reasoning through. There is no end to their reason!
 They do not take things at face-value ---because they are too deep to face it.
Explanations are their god. They search their own mind for the answer, leaving God out of the equation-- without question, what they are thinking is doubtful.
They note in every season, making meticulous methodical observations on change--but still can never change the weather. The weather is the weather, whether you note it, or not!
They are ever-making mind policies to uncover the next great thought revealing the matter of the mind--does not matter.
They think themselves wise fearlessly searching knowledge in this fallible state of doubtful wonder that proclaims--"If". When if only they would fear their infallibility, instead.
For only when a man recognizes that his state of uncertainty is purposed for more than wonder, can true revelation come.
Human reasoning changes over time. But there comes a time when reasoning must be left behind, shook off, and the Truth, that stands separate, eagerly embraced. He waits to be searched out.
The fear of God is the beginning of everything. He is the Creator of all things. That is the starting point from where all knowledge must flow. The mind is a beautiful thing to waste on man's mere reason.
#think-God-first

• "The fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7
• "If we are "out of our mind," as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 2 Corinthians 5:13
• Read: Acts 17: v16-34 & 18:1-6. 

If you have been too smart for God and recognize pride has played a role in keeping you faithless, but have a desire to change-- then ask God to forgive your pride!
"Father, I pray for those who recognize pride as the motivating factor in their quest for the truth. You are the source of all knowledge and wisdom. Please forgive our pride. We acknowledge You as the divine teacher of all! In Jesus name, Amen!"
Pride takes us for a ride, send it for a ride instead!
Praying for you and me! Ashley

Highly favored or highly-flavored

I love a good omelette! I fixed three this morning. I added some spices to flavor it up! I added a little cayenne, some paprika and green onions, topped off with some Colby jack cheese--it was delicious! Both my boys told me how delicious it was --that omelette got me some favor from them. And, of course, as any mother would, I ate it up!
But that got me thinking how we flavor our lives to get favor from people. 
Although, pleasing people is a good thing at times,  pleasing God is paramount!
Pleasing others above God means relinquishing worth to a lessor purpose.
God says in His word that He is jealous for His people. He expects loyalist and nothing less. And when He has it, He will show favor. And that means that other people will show favor.
There have been projects that I absolutely had no business doing! I was using God's time for my time. And I missed out on that superior favor.
Other times, I did things because I was trying to earn a spot that if He wanted me to have He  could have easily placed me. And still there are other times, when I put my self-worth in people, I completely handed my soul over to them, only to be used for their pleasure or purpose. God did not create us for that!
He created us to connect with Him,  and then He will add all things.

Now, I like to dress up and wear my costume jewelry, but sometimes I get carried away and put on too much adornment. And honestly at times, I look in the mirror and tell myself, "You just got complicated. Girl, take some of that off!"
I ask you to ask yourself where you are flavoring things up and over-complicating things in your own life.
Ask God to show you. Pray, "Father, you are the source of my favor. Show me the things that I need to let go and I ask that You add those things in my life that I need ---that brings you pleasure and me pleasure, for You are the Maker of my soul and know what I need. " ~Amen

• "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
• "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 

Praying for you!! ~Ashley 

I dreamed about you, YES YOU!!! ~by Andrea



I dreamed I was standing at the front, second story window of a two-story home. I was looking out at a large area of dirt in the yard in front of the home. Suddenly, a car came from around a curve and somehow ended up in this large area of dirt. The area of dirt turned into soft mud or sinking sand and the car began to sink. I watched in terror... unable to move out of fear.

Finally, I felt like I could move.... after I knew the car had become almost entirely buried and all that was left showing was part of the windshield,  I bolted down the stairs and towards the front door... I screamed out "there is a car, it is being sucked in by the earth... please help me help them". A voice said from the back of the house, "Are you crazy? There is no car being sucked in by the earth... and even if there was, how are you going to help?!" I screamed "NO, there is a person in there, help me help them!". Silence from the voice while I thought to myself... "I am going to open the door, and they won't be there, I was seeing things, this can't be happening."

Reluctantly, I opened the door. There in front of me was the car.... or what was left showing of the car.  I could see a woman; dark skin and hair, she was frantically trying to break the window. I found a baseball bat laying in the yard and ran to the car. I looked at her again and her face had changed... now she was a light skinned woman with brown hair. I swung that bat and... as dreams go... I busted the windshield just enough so that I could pull large pieces of it out without harming the woman... whose face had one again changed into someone else and continued to change throughout the entire dream.

I asked the woman "Are you ready to get out?" And she nodded yes, but was looking past me at something. I turned and saw a tree type shape. It was glowing and radiated feelings of  peace and goodness. It was beautiful and I realized that I had become connected to that tree. I became a very small part of it, but in a unique position allowing me to reach this woman.

I could look in her eyes and see that she only wanted to get close to that tree. She never locked eyes with me, she never spoke to me except the one time she nodded her head. I kept talking to her though, telling her where to place her foot, her hand, and when it was time to give it her best push up and out. And she did these things, never taking her eyes off that tree. And when she was finally free.... SHE BOLTED for the tree!!!! I couldn't see her anymore but I knew she was safe and she was in a better place than she had ever been. I knew that her life was changing. As for me... my life was used. And I was so humbled and felt unworthy to be the one to help her out. But I knew... I was placed in a unique place that allowed me to help her break free... I was just a small part, but I did what I was supposed to do.

I woke up 2:30 am this morning and started recalling parts of the dream... I typed notes in the "notes" section of my iPhone... because I knew that this was my next for me to write on this blog... and I didn't want to forget the details.

Another thought occurred to me as I wrote my dream notes....I need to ask you if you need a church to attend. Ashley and I are familiar with LOTS of the churches in our county and surrounding areas.... if you are local and need to start attending, please contact us and let us connect you with a Pastor, a woman or teacher of a church, give you directions, or even just times of services! If you are not local let us pray with you that God will lead you to where he wants you to worship and fellowship. Email us at unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com

My prayer for this day:

Thank you God for letting me be a small part... even the tiniest branch of Your amazing tree. Please lead and direct me so I am serving You and ONLY YOU. Please continue to use me and keep me on the right path.
Thank You again for everything,
AMEN

Love,
Andrea

Unshakable: {Video 1} Introduction of Blog... Our Mission... & a book to study with US!

Please take the time to watch this video (click the link below)... the email address mentioned in the Video is unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com, the book mentioned in the blog is "Lord, Only You Can Change Me" by Kay Arthur (available online at amazon.com and more). We encourage you to purchase this book and start on Chapter One with us... our next video blog will be at the end of February where we will go over Chapter One: (Getting Beyond our Masks) with you and the discussion questions at the end. Even if you don't or can't get a book at this time, please check out the next video and we will hit the highlights and give an overview of the chapter. We look forward to starting this study with you!!! This book is a GREAT eye opener and I can't count, at this point, how many times I have been in tears by the end of the chapter after being shown my own short comings as a Christian woman. This book is the study of the Beatitudes... these are extremely important teachings by Jesus and they perfectly define the character of a Christian!! I hope this book opens your heart up to this part of the bible in a new way and shines light on the parts of you that need to and can be changed by God's will... that is what it is doing for me!!!!

Thanks so much...
Please send your prayer requests, questions and any bible needs (if you or anyone you know needs a bible) to unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com
Love,
Andrea

Here is a link to our video now on YouTube!! :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vytwk09sBXs&feature=youtu.be

Here is how you can join us:
1. Get the book!!
2. Have your Bible handy!!
3. Start in Chapter One... (Chapter one will be a 5 day course but we are going to take a month and     take our time on this)
4. Watch for our post about the next video (end of Feb.) we will discuss Chapter One then
... Ashley and I are working on finding out ways to be more interactive and make this into a book club type thing... for now email any ideas or insights to unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com and we will all learn as we go!! :)

Jesus Christ!

"For  this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant with God. Yet, one, meant to be temporary, and to be replaced by an eternal covenant open to the world." Hebrews 9:15

It is uncertain who wrote Hebrews. It could have been one of a list of men called by God to seed the gospel into the hearts of the newly converted Jewish Christians.
My mind takes me back to that time and what it must have been like for a small group of people to go against a well-established dogmatic legalistic system of authority that had been established through a new convenant.
Since the Garden of Eden--the cradle of civilization, God made covenants with mankind. Then with a nation of favored people--Isreal. These agreements always came with promises.
Some had conditions and came with blessings or curses.
But the new covenant which comes through a belief in Jesus Christ is an eternal one that is open to all that will receive it.
The New Covenant
Jeremiah 31- o“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it ton their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Jesus did what all the other convenants could not do and that is establish an eternal right -standing relationship with out Creator.
"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." Romans 3:23
That is until we accept the new convenant ---Christ Jesus.
How do you do it?
Do you want salvation from an addiction? Do you want salvation from a life that is messed up from the ground up? Do you want salvation from a world that hurts?
If so, salvation is here for you! Repent of that life and surrender your life to Him.
Pray "Father in heaven, I believe in this new agreement through Jesus. And I want you to reign in my life over every area. Jesus is the way to the truth and by him I believe."

God is faithful! I can promise you that! Begin reading in Matthew~~and let His power transform your life.

~Ashley

Happy Birthday to my middle child

Happy 19th Birthday, Aaron!

God blesses me everyday, but 19 years ago today, 

he went over the top!

Man, I am getting old. --Ashley

Rescued, refreshed and renewed

Coming out of the cave

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20 

I am excited again. 

But that hasn't been true these past few months. In fact, I can say that these last couple of months, I have been living like a hermit--even withdrawing from social activities. And that is not me! I was beginning to think, "This is it! I am officially old and set in my ways." 

I didn't want to do anything, go anywhere or get involved with anyone! Just let me be and give me my warm fuzzie pj's, my couch, my phone, a good book, or a good movie and life will be just fine, thank you! Since, I have no husband and the kids are basically grown, I did not have to answer to anyone. No one. No man.

But in that seclusion came a delusional idea that I didn't even need to go to church. I have this, I thought and God knows that I love him, so I am A-okay. I didn't need a pastor. If God wanted to tell me something, He could directly tell me.  I -do- not- need -a -man.

And so, pretty soon without the structure of studying and being united with other believers, I found myself in a wishy-washy state.  I recognized that I had no focus and felt no direction.

Of course, I have a loving family and rewarding career, but what was I doing for God? That question followed me. 

Rescued. 

So, I asked God to help me with that. And  He did. First, he sent a trusted friend to tell me that I needed to be united with other believers. Then God made it clear that I needed to submit under a local  leadership. I needed a spiritual leader. If I couldn't  submit to authority, then how could I submit to God? I had to be apart of a body of believers. Pure and simple.  He rescued me from my delusional mindset. I needed man. I need The Man Jesus and I need mankind. 

Then he sent Andrea, my co-blogger, to give me an outlet that could feed my thirst. This blog. And by doing so, she and I have become accountable to each other.

• "A righteous man or woman may fall seven times, but he will get back up again."   ~Proverbs 24:16~

Refreshed.

Then a great thing began happening. I began feeling alive again. Refreshed. He is faithfully renewing  my thirty soul. I have a renewed desire to read and dig in the Word,  and I am in a prayful mindset. I am encouraged! I am refreshed daily by Andrea, my co-blogger,  who is definitely a source of encouragement, as well as other believers in Christ. We are on this journey together. 

Renewed.

God is the source of living waters. 

I know you have heard the old adage-- you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Well that about sums it up. I knew where the well was, but I didn't take the time to drink. I let the cares of the world and my own desires reign. I am telling you the truth, the riches of this world cannot compare to knowing that you are in God's will doing what He made you to do, and that's serve Him first, and then all things will be added accordingly. 

• Hebrews 2:1 --We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 

What is preventing you from getting to the well?

Ask God to show you.

My prayer: Father, I pray for those that are reading this and thinking-- "my cup is not running over--I feel empty and dead inside. I lack direction." Lord, they know the way, but they are drifting away.  The world is taking their source of comfort, strength, peace and so they are being robbed of life itself ---disconnected from the source of life--You. Forgive  us of those things that have taken 1st place over you. Please rescue, refresh and renew in your perfect ways, so we can be a blessing to You and to others.

In Jesus name, Amen

Ashley

My messy den

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/_mobile/home/heloise/house-cleaning-guide-feb06

Time to check out Ms. Heloise's helpful household hints!! Check out the link.

My den's a little messy! It just gets that way sometimes, don't it? Atleast for me it does. Between being a single mom, grandmother,  having a busy job and social activities... Some things get untidy at times-- and I just don't mean the house! 

To be real, sometimes I get stressed and overwhelmed with the whole routine and want to disappear for a year just to regroup. That's usually when I'm spiritually starved. Do you know what I mean?  
I mean, being in the Word of God and having a healthy prayer life helps me to handle stress!

I wonder if I left that load of laundry sitting on my couch and keep hoping it gets done--if it will? Nahh, you're right, it probably won't. It's my responsibility to do it. In the same way, it is my responsibility to keep the faith up--- through daily Bible reading and active prayer life.

If I  don't maintain my chores at home, playing catch-up drains me and it also weighs heavy on my mind that someone could pop-in to find me in a mess! 

That is how my spiritual life goes, too. Life is gonna get messy--no doubt about it! So I gotta keep the faith up! 

~Ashley

Your Prayer Requests!!



We all have areas of our lives that need prayer. Sometimes the need is so great that we would like for others to join in our prayers.

We have created a page just for this purpose!!

If you have a prayer request, please send it to us at: unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com
We will add you to the Prayer Requests page so others can begin to pray for you as well.

Please take the time to visit this page to find other's needs that could use your prayers.

Matthew 18:19-20
19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Also, email us with requests for coverage on topics that you would like discussed... we hope to incorporate some of these into our blog posts especially if we know there is a need.

If you have a particular problem that you would like discussed, we may not always have the answer. If we don't feel like we can get a clear understanding of what the bible says on the issue, we will take your request anonymously to a preacher or counselor to get advice. We are not experts or licensed counselors. We are women with the desire to reach out to other women and to be there to help in any way that we can.

Please include in your email if you wish to remain anonymous or if we can use your name!! This is important to us because we will never include your name in the prayer request without permission from you ... but would prefer to use your name so other's prayers can be directed specifically towards you!  Please be clear on the intentions of your email (for example... I need prayer, I need advice, I need someone to explain)

Both Ashley and myself will be checking these emails. The emails themselves will never be copied or published without your permission. Email content will be strictly confidential unless specified otherwise by the writer.

We would also love to know if anyone needs a bible!!!! We are determined to find the means to get anyone who does not already have one, a copy of the most important book you will ever read!! So please, PLEASE email us if you or someone you know needs a BIBLE!

again, that email address is unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com

We are looking forward to building a group of women and working together to become UNSHAKABLE in our faith in God!

~Andrea

Women and the roles that they play

Women and the roles they play

Paul, from jail, writes to Timothy. 

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived 

in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded

 now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5

I am reminded of two women that influenced my own Christian faith. 

One was my grandmother's neighbor.  She shared Bible stories on a felt board using cut-out bible characters that made the stories come alive. Her name is Mrs. Stewart. 

Another woman who influenced me is my aunt. She often took me to church. Her name is Genae Hall. 

These two women played a role in establishing my Christian faith. They did this for no other reason, except their own love for God.  

And their love affected me. 

• Now who can I affect? 
• And how can I pass this love forward? 

Ask yourself that, too. I'd love to hear your ideas. 

If I could, I would

If I could, Lord I would.
I would feed all the hungry
I would clothe all the destitute 
I would heal all the hurting
I would protect all the innocent  
If I could, I would! 
But I am a single 45-year old woman --
So I can't.

And He answers back:
If my children could feed all the hungry, clothe all the destitute, heal all the hurting--
They would be the innocent. 
They can.

~Ashley

OPPORTUNITES!!!

Ephesians … only 6 chapters, and yet so much is said and so much is speaking to me from here. Today’s post, like yesterday’s "Return to Faith" is once again coming from what I am learning in this book.

Ephesians 5:15-16

15 Be careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but wise 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

This morning, like most mornings around my house, was hectic. My oldest son needed clean school clothes (which were washed but not dry). My youngest son, who suffers from painful and undiagnosed digestion issues, informed me that he is sick to his stomach… and I can tell by his face that he is in pain. My oldest daughter, 4, informed me that she does not want to go to school anymore. My youngest daughter, 3, decided this morning that she wanted her pacifier back (after about a week without it). She came into the kitchen, where I was, and said “I don’t want to do this anymore.” When I asked her what she didn’t want to do, she replied in tears “I just need my pappy back”. On top of that, the list of things I need to do today like pick the dog up from the vet, laundry, dishes or just being in two places at one time (here at home with my son who is sick and going in to work). And on that note- all of the things I need to do at work … all these things are mounting in my mind… along with a headache creeping in.

I feel panic setting in… I feel overwhelmed…

This isn’t my first morning like this. It is a common occurrence. But, it is something that needs to be addressed. I can’t panic… I am supposed to be on the road to becoming unshakable!!

I feel like I need God to direct this day for me, and so I let Him.

 After successfully getting 3 out of 4 children taken care of for the day, I return home to get myself ready… but first get on my knees to ask for guidance. These words come to me:  TIME MANAGEMENT, PRIORITIES, and most of all OPPORTUNITES.

With each request, compliant or problem from each of my children, I have the OPPORTUNITY to plant a seed. My oldest is 18… it is time to start taking responsibility for his own clothes. We need to work on doing this the night before; it is my job to teach him to be responsible. My 11 year old son; I do believe a huge part of the problem is what he is putting in that stomach of his… an opportunity to teach about good eating habits. My 4 year old daughter was happy when I told her I would wait for her to get out of school to pick up our dog for the vet… because this is the main reason she didn’t want to go to school … she is terribly worried about our sweet dog. I took this opportunity to teach her that she is an important member of our family and she can have the important job of holding our dog in the car on the way home, that made her feel very valuable… I could see this in her eyes. My little one that wanted her pacifier back… this was her security (her blanket and her pacifier)… so why at that moment did she feel like she needed it? Possibly because of the chaos surrounding her? Possibly because she sees her Mommy running around trying to hold it together and on the verge of panic? So I used this opportunity to kneel down to her eye level, give her a big hug and say “Everything is okay, you are a big girl and Mommy is so proud of you”. I didn’t hear another word about her pacifier after that. She just needed a little reassurance.

My to-do list, even at work, is not as important as  GOD and my family.  I will, for today, cut it back as much as possible so I can be with my son who is not feeling well.

I must:

Always make GOD and my family the PRIORITY (in that order... because it won't work if it isn't in that order)

Work on a solution to my TIME MANAGEMENT problems (while realizing that with 4 kids and running a business there will always be time issues.... things will always come up that are unexpected.. and I have to pray, breathe, and not panic)

Take every OPPORTUNITY to teach my children about GOD.... along with that comes values, morals, responsibility and self-worth.

Proverbs 22:6

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

For all of the parents out there… here is a prayer for US!!!!

God,

teach us today, show us and guide us. Life gets stressful… the little things mount up and become mountains. You and only You can move these mountains. Help us to remain calm, help us to prioritize our lives in the way that is most pleasing to you, show us where to spend our time and help us to use every opportunity for Your will. Thank You for our precious blessings, our children and our families.

~ Andrea

Is modesty a virtue or a weakness?

Lately, I have been hearing this song when the spirit of ME! rises up. LOL! click here to hear!!
Is modesty a virtue or a weakness?
In today's modern world the word modesty makes some women CRINGE!
Modesty can be a behavior, a manner or modesty can be a mode of dress. And I have to input here, ladies--because I am like "who am I to talk about modesty, Lord???!!" He knows what we need to learn, so I have to press on over my stubbornness and concede to His Spirit to explore this topic--He is teaching me something here! 
And since we girls like to dress-up, I want to talk about modest apparel first.
What is dressing modestly? 
Images of women cloaked in a submissive state of blackness is the most extreme state of modesty my mind conjures up.  And blackness/darkness is a perception of evil.
So wrapping my head around that, I look past that to recognize that standards vary from culture to culture. They also change from one generation to the next. My gramdma's bathing suit, back in the day, is a lot different than mine! If I ever dared to wear a suit-that is. 
So with time and fads coming and going, what can a modern smart Christian woman wear and be okay by biblical standards? That's the great thing about the Bible--it is solid, unwavering. The world changes but the truth of the Bible is ever constant.
I brought  "smarts" into the equation because according to my Bible, God gives us a sound mind, (2 Timothy 2:7) to make solid choices and we share in His Spirit. He is wise beyond my human comprehension. But he promises to give us wisdom, if we ask. (James 1:5-If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without fault, and it will be given to him)
So, this is where I stop, pray and ask for wisdom, this is a touchy subject for me!
Something rises up and says "You are grown, NOBODY is going to pressure you about clothes!" 
And so maybe that is the key. NO person should. Only God can convict the heart. Only God can whisper to your soul--look beyond the outward appearance into the soul,  and only then will the outward appearance reflect what is happening on the inside, in the heart.
So leaving my dress code for a moment, let's look at the manner of modesty. Another word for modesty is humility. YIKES!
Modesty and humility. Words that have a negative connotation in our aggressive "whatever you can do, I can do better! Just watch me and see!!" world that we live in. 
But scripture has a different view. It really has the opposite view. Where the world sees humility as a weakness, the Bible says that it is a strength.
Some verses, you ask? Thanks for thirsting.

1. Proverbs 11:2- When pride comes, then disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
2. Proverbs 15:33- The fear of The Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes with honor. 
3. 1 Peter 5:5. -All of you clothe yourself with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

How can He work if we do not submit? It's not that he wants to humiliate us into a state of humility. 

Submissiveness is a state of great honor when we are submissive to a great God that is far wiser!
But we are to be submissive to each other, as well. Yep, I found it in the word.
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,~Jesus <<< if that's not submitting ourselves to each other then I don't know what is!

I know this seems to have taken us away from the modesty "what do I dare to wear" question, but it's necessary to set the right attitude inside because that dictates the action of pulling out that low-cut blouse or skin tight britches or spiked so high heels that cause a nosebleed--either from altitude or falling face first! I so would fall face-first, just saying.
But now am I rushing out to buy my abaya-- that black cloak, head scarf and face veil?
No, I'm not. Some women do, and some must--but what I will be doing is keeping modesty in mind. So it will be affecting my behavior.
~Ashley

My prayer today: God please set the right attitude in our hearts today. One that uplifts YOU first and secondly uplifts others around us. Every time the wrong attitude arises, I pray, that YOU rise up and caution me so that I can readjust and redirect my actions. I acknowledge you as the source of strength and humility as a place of honor. Thank you for teaching me and not leaving me in a puffed up world of my making! In Jesus name, Amen!

ABOUT US

Andrea Graham

Andrea Graham is a wife and mother of four children and stepmother to one. Spending time with her children, ages 18, 16, 11, 4 and 3, is what she enjoys doing the most. She is also a business owner and professional photographer.

Ashley Barnes Downing

Ashley Barnes Downing is a single 44 year old mother of three children who recently became a grandmother. She is Editor of a local newspaper and enjoys organizing community events.

 

Both Ashley and Andrea desire to use their everyday life experiences to grow as Christian women and have faith through all life brings. They created this platform to do this openly and outwardly in hopes that other woman may join them in their quest to become UNSHAKABLE by faith in GOD.

 

Paul encourages us not to be faithless

2 Timothy 2:11 (Paul the great teacher/apostle writes from a prison in Rome encouraging Timothy to be faithful. Paul is incarcerated  for his faith.  Timothy, who is like a son, is a teacher in the church in Ephesus. Look at the map and how far Paul traveled from Jerusalem and Timothy, with the gospel. Although, Paul's circumstances could appear to be the worst possible outcome for remaining faithful, he does not let the situation cause him to become faithless. Paul could have justified in his carnal mind to be faithless, he encourages the opposite.)

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself.

What is faithless?
Jeremiah 3:11 sheds some light.
11 The Lord said to me, “Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah.
Both Israel and Judah were faithless. The verses preceding v11 details their crimes in the following manner:
 “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. 7 I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. 8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. 9 Because Israel’s immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. 10 In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the Lord.

They broke convenant with God.

11 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Listen to the terms of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem. 3 Tell them that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the one who does not obey the terms of this covenant— 4 the terms I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.’ I said, ‘Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. 5 Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey’—the land you possess today.”

We are under a new convenant  with God through Christ. But Jesus warned of this same stubbornness of heart  that keeps us from our blessings. Idolatry kept Israel and Judah from God and Jesus told Satan before starting his own ministry Matthew 4:10 "" ..Away from me satan! For it is written:" Worship The Lord your God and serve Him only."""
There are many circumstances, projects, and trinkets that can take our faith away. Make time for God everyday in your life. He is your creator.
My prayer today: Forgive us our Father in heaven, of our stubborn and rebellious heart that leads to backsliding away from you. Give us a heart to forgive others of their wrongs against us,  and bless us today. We acknowledge you above all things. In Jesus name~Amen!
~Ashley

Return to Faith

Ephesians 4:22-24 (Today's New International Version)

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

About a month ago my sweet friend Ashley (co-blogger) invited me to a sales meeting about skin care products. It was just in time because I had been sitting there at my desk at work thinking "I have to do something about my skin problems". I am a ten year sufferer of adult acne issues and every once in a while, I get the urge to try once again to fix and cure it. So, her text came in and I thought... "wow, ok this is what I need to try". Little did I know there was much more in store for me than skin care.

At the end of the meeting, I decided to hang around to help clean up. On the other side of the room, much to my surprise, were two young ladies who had asked for prayer over some issues in their lives. Ashley and I stood in the kitchen area of the building while this prayer was going on (lead by a Preacher who had attended with his wife). Ashley informed me of the issues at hand for these ladies and I listened to the prayer. After the prayer was over, with tears in my eyes, I looked at Ashley and asked "Do you think this will work?" She looked me square in the eye and said "this is called Faith, Andrea" followed by her beautiful laugh and a big hug.

That moment hit me like a ton of bricks. Why would I need to be told about faith.. I was raised in church, I believe in God, I have faith. Why did I ask that? And it occurred to me... I had very, very little faith.

At the same time my home was in turmoil. I felt like my family was unraveling and in honesty, my family was unraveling. I had tried all my ways to fix things but none of my ways were enough. I thought okay God, I am going to turn to You. I realize now how far I have fallen away. Please bring me back, please help me. I kept thinking of that one word: FAITH. I realized how shaken my Christianity had become. How unfaithful I was to God. I took out my bible and thought... just let me find what I need.

There was a bulletin visibly stuck inside my bible from the Church I grew up in and was attending on a not so regular basis. I know that most of the time you can't just open the bible and get the message you ask for, but on this day that is exactly what happened for me. The sermon in the bulletin was from the book of Acts but the page it was stuck in was in Ephesians. The first thing I read was:

Ephesians 5:14
"This is why it is said:
WAKE UP, SLEEPER
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you"

I thought to myself, yes that is a great place to start. WAKE ME UP!! I have been a sleeping Christian for far to long. I opened my heart to hear His word. I kept reading.

Ephesians 5:22-24
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do the Lord. 23 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. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

I know, I know! This is a tough pill to swallow... especially for someone like me: independent and hard headed. I knew these words, I considered them old fashioned and not necessarily the rule of today. I was wrong in my way of thinking. What is in the bible is good for yesterday, today and tomorrow. I swallowed my pride. I got the message loud and clear that my ways and my words would not fix things. My actions and my attitude toward my marriage and my family... that is the starting point. I knew that God wanted me to shut my mouth and listen to Him. Only HE could fix this.

That is where this journey began for me. I am changing everyday. I have opened my heart to God and his Holy Word. So, you may say... I know Andrea, I know where she has been... I know things she has done. But I am telling you, those things are forgiven. My life is for God. My heart is filled with thankfulness that God didn't turn his back on me all the times I was so wrong. I can't help but share these things with anyone who will listen.

Are you where I was? If so, there is help. There is someone who wants so badly to help you. There is hope and happiness in faith. There is a life you never dreamed possible...  but you must open your heart to it.

God, help us all become unshakable in our faith. Thank You for putting me in a place where You once again attempted to reach for me. Thank You for not giving up on me. I am so thankful I allowed You back in. Things are changing in my life for the better and I know that You and only You made this happen for me.

~Andrea

UNSHAKABLE (by definition)

un.shak.a.ble
/en'SHakeb(e)l/
adjective
(of a belief, feeling, or opinion) strongly felt and unable to be changed.
"an unshakable faith in the righteousness of their cause"
- unable to be disputed or questioned
- not easily panicked or upset
- utterly firm and unwavering
- marked by firm determination or resolution

Jesus' life is the true definition of unshakable. He faced many battles and trials while on this Earth but He remained unshakable through all of them.

I want to be unshakable in my faith and by my faith in God.
 ~ Andrea

A modern day journey

There are people that walk into our lives and immediately find a place. Although separated for a span of time, they have walked the same journey. 

Somehow the minute part of the journey distantly shared through cousin choices or kindred circumstances. Those are kin--- so that person has genuinely been there. 

And when the peoples' two paths merge,  dots are connected and life is shared---from that moment forward you realize that you have a friend. 

That is my Andrea. 

We met on the stage of a local theatre in the late 90's and became friends. Through the years, our lives cross-crossed. One of those God things---those serendipity  
things--but God-ordained and not luck. 
We felt connected somehow, like family. We even became neighbors and co-workers for a short- time. Then life took us, again, on separate roads. But as God would have it, we were reunited again. But this time our friendship came with a renewal of faith. 
We soon recognized that we were both at a level ground--
leveled by life circumstances that shook us to a realization that for years, we claimed Christ, but where was the power of Christ actively working in our lives? 
2 Timothy 1:8 -11 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner(Paul) (Ashley)(insert your name). But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace...11and of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day". 
We can claim Christ  but do we lay hold of the power of Christ--the nature of Christ? Scripture is clear, we play an active role! 
What do we entrust to Him?  What power do we default to use when faced with life circumstances? 
Fear, a spirit of timidity, manifests itself when we worry, doubt, and when we are unassertive in our Christian faith. And there is a power at work in being unassertive that gives way to a life of it's own. 
Fear is the opposite of faith.
Fear keeps us immobilized in our circumstances. Keeps us imprisoned in a mindset of defeat. 
We can claim Christ, but if we don't walk in the nature of Christ, we are beating our own drum. A drum worn-out, tired and one that needs to be retired and replaced with a new heartbeat of faith that drums out power, love and self-discipline. 
What power do you default to use?  Where do you put your trust? 
When we confessed Christ, we were given a deposit of faith. This faith is power. This faith 
is love, and this faith is self-disciplined. But it must be fanned. There is a wind and breath of God that lives inside of us! We were given a new breath of life! 
True, we are the sum of our lineage. We are our fathers and mothers who were before us. Our DNA houses generations and we are its collective output. We are the best and the worst of our lineage and our human nature bears that witness. But when we accept Christ we accept a new Father with him, and become a first-fruit of a new lineage---an off-shoot of a vine that God sees as pleasing and very good. 
But a vine that must be pruned or it grows wild. Pruning cuts away the unwanted parts, the superfluous bits that are more than enough! And by doing so, the plant grows more fruit. What a trade-out!  We become more and more pleasing. We become more and more Christ-like. 
Think about it, does a branch have any power to control the gardener? 
We are pruned by life circumstances. 
That is our lot in life. 
But, we, in our human power, do play an active role on how we react to and in life's circumstances. There is a power struggle at play, always.
And I am on a mission to face life with a faith in God who is unshakable, my nature concedes to His. 
~Ashley