Obedience.

On March 21st, Chris received an email from our good friend, who is also the Children's Director at our church. This email stated that internships were changing (Chris was currently an intern in Children's Ministry) and that we needed to pray about whether or not we wanted to accept the new internship which included things like more hours and more training among other things.

We prayed and both felt the Lord pulling us in the direction of accepting the new internship. This meant a few things for our family. Part time work for the Church. Part time work for Chris' current job as he basically would demote himself to a lower position to continue to provide for our family. This also meant trying to find a family to house us for this season so as not to put an unnecessary burden upon Chris to work more than he should (a recommendation for anyone accepting these new internships).

A little back story. Since we met, Chris and I have both felt that obedience would look a little crazy for us in the eye of the typical person. We felt that the Lord would call us to do some pretty abnormal things for the gospel. It makes sense doesn't it? Jesus did a pretty abnormal thing, in laying his life at the cross, paying our penalty for our sin? In light of that crazy, amazing, act of a blessing - our lives should imitate his and be abnormally different to share the good news of a savior with the world. Right? Right. Because we knew that the desire had been placed in both of us, we were prayerfully considering every opportunity that came our way since being married. At the end of last year, a few came up, but I didn't feel peace about any of them. So we continued to pray and wait.

After we prayed, talked, and decided that we would accept the internship more began to change. The Lord began tugging at my heart to raise funds for this season. He helped me remember my previous three stints in raising support and how his name was glorified and how he provided every penny that I needed. The next day another one of our friends mentioned Great Commission Ministries and how we should consider raising money through them. Then we received more news to pray about.

We were asked to pray through accepting a full time unpaid staff position for our church. We prayed and talked and decided. It was so peaceful. Is raising your salary 100% peaceful? Is moving two times into two different families homes 100% peaceful? Is quitting your job that is providing money for your family 100% peaceful? Is telling your family and friends of this crazy opportunity 100% peaceful? In the world's standards? No. It's not. But it has been! Gloriously peaceful. Every decision that we've made has been laced with Jesus' peace and for that I am SO grateful. I know this is his plan. His will. His timing.

Of course, you may have questions. That makes sense. We want to answer them the best we can. But we don't know everything. Just like four months ago we had no idea that any of this would be happening. But the Lord slowly revealed it and it is good. So, if you have questions please, please ask. If you need clarification - I will do my best! And, if you support the gospel going out and want to support us you can go here and type in Chris Knight. But truly, we covet your prayers for Jesus to do work to allow us to work and serve him.

Here is the letter that we sent our a few days ago.

I'm grateful to be able to finally fill you in on the details.

We are SO encouraged, SO excited, SO ready to continue to be obedient to the call on our lives.

fear not.

It is definitely a typical Seattle day here. Rainy & stormy & dark. I actually don't mind it, to me it's kind of comforting. But that does not mean that I am not totally looking forward to next weeks vacation.

I am struggling though. Struggling with fear. We are not supposed to live in fear. However, every time I am about to fly - something just overtakes me. The enemy knows how to assail me that is for sure. I can't stop thinking about all the what ifs and my mind is bombarded with things that could go wrong.

Job 39:22
He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

2Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I have to cling to these promises that God gives me. I have to listen, obey, and be sanctified to be more like Jesus so I won't fear this life. I have to yield my heart, mind, and soul to the Holy Spirit so I don't give in to lies.

My mind needs to be transformed.

Transformed into trust
Transformed into thankfulness.
Transformed into laughing at the time to come.
Transformed into love.
Transformed into grace.
Transformed into _______.

What does your mind need to be transformed into?

JOB Day 21- Write down two ways that the LORD has transformed you.

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If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my posts that relate to thankfulness. I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

declare HIS praise

Last night CK was watching March Madness and ... if you know me at all, I don't understand it nor does it interest me. But, like a good wife, I sat with him on the couch and replied to his groanings when his team was behind and his excitement when they were ahead. During the other moments however, I was reading Luke and I couldn't stop reading a verse.

And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
-Luke 16:15

Woah. An abomination! Dictionary.com says abomination means a vile, shameful, or detestable action. Very strong language. I decided to read the footnotes of the passage in our ESV study bible and it says that everything not done for the Glory of God is detestable to him. Why, you ask ? We were created for a purpose. A purpose that far outweighs anything that we think we are here for. Some think that their purpose is to be a loving and faithful wife, a comforting and attentive mama, a reliable and hard-working employee, a enthusiastic and eager sports fan, a beautiful and put together fashionista, on and on this list could go.

But none of that is our purpose.
Well, if those aren't our purpose, what is??

Isaiah 43:20-23 says,

The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
that they might declare my praise.
“Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices.

Our purpose is to declare HIS praise. To glorify HIM. To testify about HIM. The verse in Luke is clearly stating that anything we do in life, anything, that isn't glorifying HIM is detestable because that is taking away the purpose for doing things. So, it may sound ridiculous, but even the smallest act of getting a glass of water, changing a diaper, washing your car, cheering for a sports team, talking to your neighbor... they can ALL be done to the glory of God. We can choose to understand that we are stewarding (managing) well the body that he has given us by drinking water. We can choose to think about how by changing our baby's diaper we are taking care of the blessing that he has given us and therefore are glorifying him in that act. All things can be done with our Creator in mind, therefore glorifying him instead of ourselves. If we chose to glorify ourselves instead of Him, we would do those things to get other's praise, to think highly of ourselves, and to attain something. But this way, the pure and true motivation to go about life is lived out; Glorifying Him. This is something that is beyond hard for me. I find myself constantly doing things for praise, adoration, and the happiness of others. But this is not the point and I wrestle with that constantly. I want to do all things for the glory of God through the work of the Holy Spirit.





Cinderella,

Your "fourth" month of life was different all the time! You were at the stage in your young life where you did not want to be put down. All day long your tired mama held you. Some days for around four hours and other days for up to eight. While you were sleeping I read, blogged, prayed, and talked to friends and your Grammie when she would visit. It was pretty hard to leave you with anyone during the day because I would explain that you only napped in their arms. Because of this, when you were awake (instead of playing with you) I would rush around cleaning the house like a mad woman because I couldn't at any other time of the day. You were a great eater at all times even when someone fed you out of a bottle. To get you to sleep, daddy and I would have to bounce you around the house sometimes with your binky and other times without. We would gently lay you down and MANY times you would wake up instantly and we would have to do the whole process again. You started teething this month and were very unhappy for about a week and a half. For the first two weeks of your fourth month you slept from 10pm-8am. It was glorious! You were very well rested as well! You laughed for the first time this month and we were at the Dean's house for dinner with the MacEwens. From then on I could get you to laugh occasionally especially when I would blow raspberries at you. You loved playing on your play mat! You got sad and cried for the first time when Daddy scared you one day. He came home from work for lunch and did a big silly noise and you got scared and cried. It was really sad to me but daddy thought it was a little funny. He picked you up and we both told you how much we loved you. During this month you were wearing 0-3months and 3months clothes. You were (and are) so cute. You rolled to your side for the first time and we thought for sure that you would roll over soon. (You still haven't & that's ok!)
We love you so much baby girl,
Love Mama

Straight Paths

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Instead of relying on our own strength, it is so important to rely on the Lord. So many times we try to rely on ourselves and end up walking back and forth not knowing where we are going. If, like this verse states, we acknowledge God in our days, he will make our paths straight to our destination.

Where are you relying on your own strength?

Personally, I've been relying on myself with my planning and "to do" lists. I plan so many things in my head, write down so many things, and have so many desires to do things and forget to include the Lord. Because of this I forget things, feel stressed, and upset when something doesn't work out.

On another note, be sure to check back here in the next few days... you won't want to miss the next post!

JOB Day 13- Write down ways that God has given you straight paths when you have acknowledged him

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

In Faith

We are to thank God in Faith. We are to know that he will work. We are to know that he loves us deeply. We are to know that sometimes what we want is not the best for us.

And in that we thank him too.

Karen talks about thanking God for what he is going to do. We may not know the answer yet or the exact way that the story is going to play out. But he does. That is what is important. To be humble, faithful, teachable. To be used in God's story. To play the background as Lecrae puts it.

Psalm 31:21 says, Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. This verse really brings joy to me. During the time of sickness and trial that we have been having over the past month, the Lord really has shown his love for us. Our amazing church body has surrounded us with prayer, friends have brought meals, and family has watched Siena. It has felt like we were in a besieged city. Satan was getting us at every angle. Communication was lacking, health was failing, sleep was nowhere to be found. But still there was light.

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. We are to overflow with thankfulness. All the time. Not just in happy go lucky moments and easy seasons of life. In all circumstances and in all situations. Even the hard ones.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Sometimes we do not see the next act of the play. But we are certain that God loves us. We can most certainly ask him for things, sometimes getting a yes, sometimes a no, and sometimes a later.

JOB Day 12 - Write down something you're grateful for that you do not yet see the outcome but you know God is working

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

Sweet News...

Jesus tells us to not be anxious about our lives. I really struggle with that. Even down to little weekend trips like we just had. I get anxious that it won't be restful, that we won't have fun together, and that we wished we would have just stayed home.

I really understand why Jesus says do not be anxious. Sometimes cruddy things will happen. But most of the time, the time you spend worrying does nothing but make you feel like your heart is going to jump out of your chest or you end up acting like such a pessimist no one wants to be around you.

This weekend was really really restful. We really enjoyed ourselves. We ate good food, read, and most importantly spent good quality time with amazing people. One of the most restful parts for me was Chris watching Siena with Grandma M so that I could go to Starbucks. I totally just unloaded when I was there, drank coffee, blogged, and read. The night before I was talking to Chris about reading scripture and how I really wanted a bible study because I felt like I was just in one of those seasons of opening my bible and reading whatever was on that page. I've been there before and it's not my favorite place.

He reminded me of something though and it was such a fruitful conversation. He asked me what it would be like if I only had scripture to lean on. Did I think it was enough to sustain me? The words that surpass all cultures, times, and seasons in life. Was it good enough for me?

At first I was a little caught off guard. I explained to him that I needed a study to help me read and get things out of God's Word. But then I started thinking about what he said and it came to me. What he said was true. This does not down-grade any studies out there because I have learned SO much from many that I have done. Studies are good/beneficial/uplifting, but if we didn't have them would we still be filled? The Lord through his Holy Spirit can reveal to me truths through just reading his word. Chris challenged me to just start reading a section of scripture even one or two verses and really meditate on them. So while in Starbucks I just went to Romans where I had been reading the last few days.

I read Romans 1:16 that says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." I am NOT ashamed of the gospel. I read this over and over and over again. Am I ashamed? I cannot be ashamed! It says right in that verse that it is the power of God for salvation for all who believe. If I, someone who believes this, is ashamed of the gospel, how can I tell people? How can I explain that it is the sweetest news that they have ever heard?

Make that my life Jesus.
I am not ashamed of the good news.