I'm not needed...

The title to this post may sound a little crazy and as a mom of three little ones I agree. It seems I'm constantly needed, "Mom, I'm hungry!", "Mom, she hit me!", "Mom, I can't find my shoes!" You get the idea and if you're a Mom, you understand. But my thoughts are running a bit deeper as I think about a phrase our pastor shared a couple of weeks ago.

He said, "People don't need me, they need Him (Jesus)." How true that is! And as I step further and further out of my comfort zone as I follow God into the land of the unknown, it was just what I needed to hear.

You see not everyone is in favor of or understands what I'm doing. They think I'm being too religious and can't put their minds around why I would share some of the things I am sharing in my book that will hit the shelves this summer.

As this all becomes a reality, worry about what others think seems to be running a bit deeper. There have been times my desire to please people, some close loved ones especially, has tempted to push stop. Those worries cause me to question so much.

I find myself thinking, "Am I sure?" "Did I hear God right?" "Is this really what He wants for me?" Then I think of my pastor's comment.

People don't need me, they need Christ. Though I fear my steps of faith may damage some relationships, I know these people could survive without me and though it's hard to say, my life could go on as well. God is there to carry me through - He will comfort me, protect me and guide me even if those who did those very things for me as a child don't.

But my prayer is really two-fold - 1, that He keep reminding me of my pastor's words. None of this is about me, but what He can do and how I, just like everyone else need Him! My job is to obey because what was true for Paul is still true for us today. In 1st Thessalonians 2:4 he says, "...so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts." Lord, help me live that way!

My second prayer is that through all of this, those who don't understand that they need Christ would come to know Him more. Just this past Sunday we focused on and celebrated the resurrecting power of God and if He allowed His own Son to walk through the suffering He endured, I shouldn't be surprised with the pain I'm feeling. At the same time I shouldn't worry, if He can raise Jesus from the dead, He can restore my situation as well.

So though my kids seem to need more than I want at times, today I will try to remember that really what they need is Him in me. Maybe we'll work on patience today...

The Joy of Easter Morning

Easter morning joy is more than the looks on my little ones' faces. It is in remembering what happened years ago on this very morning. Though kids are excited because of the candy, baskets and eggs our Pastor reminded us all what the excitement is really about.

During the children's sermon, he took a little time and built a house out of dominoes. And with piece he laid down he explained what it represented in our Christian life - he began with the birth of Christ and then came to the middle "board," the resurrection. He then continued on until he was finished and said, "What happens if I remove the center piece of the foundation?"

The kids were right, the house would fall. And as he took out the resurrection piece the house came tumbling down, which is the same thing that would happen with our faith had there been no Easter morning. Had the tomb not been empty, our pastor's job would be pointless and our faith would be worthless. But thankfully that is not the case - He has risen and like Pastor taught the kids to say, "He has risen indeed!!"

The beauty in that goes beyond the joy of yesterday morning, but ultimately it gives us great reason to trust the One who created us. If God has the power to raise Jesus from the dead, what do you think He can do in your life? His resurrecting power is still alive today!! Trust him, there will be joy in the morning!!

Good Friday Reflections

"From the Garden to the Hill"
It all began in the Garden
when Satan first deceived
and man began to fall.
Sin broke God's relationship
with the ones He had created.

Sacrifices were made,
but restoration was not complete,
so God sent His Son for
a job no man could do.

The boy was born,
He grew and began to teach...
Until God's plan was carried out -
Jesus, the babe from a manger,
the One who'd done no wrong
was sentenced to die.

He endured the pain,
carried the cross and
died a death He didn't deserve.
But because of His obedience,
His Father's plan was complete.

The bridge has been built -
though man is full of sin,
Jesus provides the way -
He has taken the punishment
and God gets the glory.

So what began in the Garden
was finished on a hill
when God poured out His love
and man started to believe.

"Why?"

Why would God send His only Son to die?

...because He so loved the world.

Why would Jesus endure the suffering?

...because He submitted to His Father.

Why would He forgive those who hung Him on the cross?

...because it's what He wants us to do.

Why would God do what He did?

...because He wants to live with you and me!

thoughts for Easter

He walked a path

no man had taken.

He bore a cross

no man could carry.

He experienced pain

no man could survive.

He died a death

no man would want.

He rose from the grave

so no man shall die.

He lived a perfect life, mine is full of sin.
He walked a difficult road, but with Him my burden is light.
He paid the price, but the gift is mine.
He suffered the pain, which was all for my gain.
He felt the nails, while I held the hammer.
He died on the cross for those who hung Him there.
He rose from the dead so I might live.


I pray you have a blessed Easter!! Take time to reflect on what Jesus did, why God did it and what it means for you.

No Fear

I have begun reading Micca Campbell's book, An Untroubled Heart. Two chapters in I'm looking forward to what lies ahead. Fear, whether we want to admit it or not, is something we all live with, deal with and struggle with.

Chapter 2 is titled, Fear Factor, which probably sounds familiar, but Micca's words have nothing to do with the TV show. Instead as I read, I thought of a popular brand of t-shirts back in the day - No Fear!! As an avid athlete and sports fan, I enjoyed their message, but I rarely lived it.

Now Micca isn't encouraging us to live with reckless abandon, but she does remind us of God's words, "Fear not!!" And as she says that actually appears in the Bible 366 times! Do you think He's trying to make a point?!?!

God calls us to do things that require no fear. I am in the midst of a few of those experiences right now - writing a book that shares my life story, one that puts a quiet, shy girl out there for the world to see. Scary? Yes!! And as many of you know, I'm also working to help organize a women's conference that will bring Renee Swope to Iowa. Beyond me? Yes!! Then there's the role of mom and the fear of what if I mess up? Possible? Yes! Probable? Even more so.

But does God want me to be fearful of these and every other situation? No! He calls me to move past my fears and trust in Him! The only fear I need is fear of God and then He will help me overcome all the fears Satan creates to bring me down. Because like Micca said, that is what he will do. He deceives because it's a given if we live in fear, we will never do and be all God created us for.

I loved how Micca put it, "Sadly, most people stay in the safety of the boat their entire lives and wonder why life seems so empty, miserable, and dull. Those who live with anxiety are living below the mark of what they were created to be." That's not where I want to be!

So again using her words, I'll remind myself and all of us what we need to do - "Relying on our faith allows us to live fearlessly."

I just might go find that old "No Fear" shirt! The slogan holds a hole new message today!!

Real Moms, Real Jesus

Today I’d like to welcome author and speaker, Jill Savage. Jill’s recent book Real Moms…Real Jesus, just released, and I wanted to ask her about her real mom moments..

Jill, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
Mark and I have been married 25 years and we have five children. Anne is 24 and married to our wonderful son-in-love, Matt. Evan is 21 and married to our beautiful daughter-in-love, Julie. Erica is 18 and a college student at Heartland Community College. Kolya is 15 and in the 8th grade. We adopted Kolya at the age of 9 from Russia---the God story about his adoption is included in the Real Moms…Real Jesus book. And Austin is 12 and in the 7th grade.

Tell us about your newest book Real Moms...Real Jesus?
Real Moms…Real Jesus is a book designed to help moms understand that when Jesus lived on this earth he was fully God, yet fully man. We don’t often think about the fact that he was a human being and he lived the full human experience: pain, hunger, fatigue, frustration, betrayal, disappointment. He experienced it all!

There’s one verse in the Bible about Jesus that simply says “large crowds followed him everywhere he went.” Well, isn’t that the life of a mom? Large crowds follow her to the bathroom. They follow her to the kitchen. To the grocery store. She’s in high demand! And when Jesus lived on this earth, He was in high demand, too.

Why did you want to write this book?
Most of us long for a friend who understands. Yes, we need girlfriends who understand what our life is like. But we also need to understand that we have a friend who understands in Jesus. Too many of us think of God as being distant and unable to relate to our daily struggles. But nothing could be further from the truth! He understands and he wants us to build our friendship with Him. He wants to not only be our Savior, but also our Friend.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?
I hope that readers will gain a new perspective about their relationship with Jesus. I also hope to weave God’s truth into the daily life of a mom.

What unique elements will the reader find in Real Moms…Real Jesus?
Each chapter looks at some character trait in Jesus’ life that can help us in our life as a mom. In between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into our real, messy, busy lives.

There are also questions at the end of the chapter for further consideration and suggested Bible reading in the book of Matthew. If the reader chooses to pursue the suggested reading, she will have read the book of Matthew completely by the end of the book!

There is also a leader’s guide in the back of the book so it can be used in a group setting.

This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?
Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!


Any closing thoughts?
I am very excited about this book! I believe that if a mom can strengthen her relationship with Jesus Christ, she will feel more equipped to be the mom she wants to be. I’m also offering an online book discussion on my blog beginning Tuesday, April 7. If you’d like to join us, you can subscribe to my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

I’d love to hear a reader’s thoughts after they read the book, too! You can connect to me through my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

Thanks, Jill, for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your real mom, real Jesus moments with us.

You can purchase your own copy of Real Moms…Real Jesus by clicking here.

And be sure to check out Hearts at Home, their conferences for moms, and all their online resources here.

Mark your calendar

It is official, I along with 4 other women are following God into the land of the unknown and organizing a women's conference. Here are a few details, with more to come!

Rise and Shine Women's Ministries (Women from Northeast Iowa churches) presents:
Rise and Shine Women's Retreat
Be Encouraged...Refreshed...Renewed

The Rise and Shine Women's Retreat is designed to:
Encourage you to "rise" up to who God created you to be
Refresh you on your walk of faith
Renew your strength to "shine" His light.

Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)

Proverbs 31 Team Speaker, Renee Swope will be our keynote speaker...speaking twice at the retreat. There will also be a time of reflection ...a time set apart for reflecting, sharing, connecting and applying. We'll also enjoy worship time, friends and fellowship.

When: Saturday, October 31, 2009
Time: 9 AM to 3 PM
Where: Orchard Hill Church
Cedar Falls, Iowa

We pray you will be able to join us as we all come together to "Rise and Shine!"
Stop back again for more details and post any questions as they arise!