Lies. . . .

I shared this on Facebook about two weeks ago, but I needed a reminder today. ;)

Jesus did not die so that I can have material pleasures in life. What does that stir up in your heart? I’ll tell you what it stirred up in my heart this morning when this thought came to me: I have been holding on to some sort of prosperity gospel for some time now. I know. Is that possible? It’s not like I consciously have said, “I believe that God will give me a Mercedes if I believe in Him.” But think about it for a moment. . . . .

Tim has been unemployed in the traditional sense for almost nine months now. The Lord has provided for us in many ways, but there has been no full-time job offers in 9 months of sending out resumes and applying at hundreds of different places. And, to be honest with you, I go through seasons of being “okay” with this. The times when I am “okay,” there are usually other prospects of a job on the horizon for me to look to. And then when I am not “okay” I am swallowed up by anxiety and grief. So, over the past few days, I have been praying and thinking about this: Why am I so freaked out about Tim’s being unemployed?

I think most people would agree that losing one’s job is one of the worst things that can happen to a family. Why is that? Well, losing a job can mean losing a home, losing a car, losing the ability to buy things when you want to, losing the ability to be comfortable, losing the ability to provide food for your family, losing some freedoms. Okay, look at that list again. . . everything on it is related to money and possessions.

And during this time of Tim’s job loss, I have prayed in earnest that the Lord would provide a job for Tim so that we can resume our lives. So that we wouldn’t have to rely on other people, etc, etc. And when the Lord hasn’t answered my prayers, I have been resentful. Wondering, “where is Your faithfulness, O God?!”

And here’s where it hit me: Jesus did not die so that you could be comfortable here on earth. He did not die so that I could have all the material possessions I want. EVEN if what I desire is good and not excessive. Yep.. . ..

Not very may of you are in the situation that Tim and I are in right now. But I want to challenge you to think about this. We can be really critical when it comes to people believing in a prosperity kind of gospel. Let’s be more critical about what we truly believe. I am horrified to think that this was in my heart for so long, truly horrified. So think about what your reaction would be if you or your husband lost your/his job today. How would you respond? What would you be anxious about? Let’s guard our hearts from consumerism and the temptation to see money as the only way that God blesses His people.

His faithfulness is in what He has already done! He died a gruesome death, raised up from the grave, and is now preparing a place for us while He intercedes on our behalf! Praise God for His goodness and unbelievable grace upon those who believe!.

I have a feeling I will be rehearsing the gospel to myself even more often for a while, and praying that my eyes will be open and aware of any of this sin that could come crawling back into my thoughts. And I don’t know what is in store for Tim and I. But I do know that my salvation is secure, and that I’m here to be used by God, and that’s all that I need to know.

Please share your thoughts! :)

~Larissa

Rivers of Joy

"I will sing of Your mercy that leads me through valleys of sorrow to rivers of joy. . "

I heard this song for the first time today on Pandora.com. I have not lost anyone recently, but over the last 7 years, I have lost quite a few loved ones. But that's not why this song hit me today. There is pain and grief associated with job loss and the journey to employment. I don't talk about it a lot because I would rather focus on the work that God is doing in us and His faithfulness. The truth is, though, that it is extremely difficult at times, and Tim and I have to make a conscience effort to rely on God's grace to continue moving forward to get through this time. We have to purposefully praise Him and "sing of His mercy."

love, love, love

Okay, so I don't normally write about mushy love stuff. . . but I am going to today. :)

In approximately 6.5 hours, the boys and I will be picking Tim up from the airport. He has been in Texas for six days, but it has felt like months have gone by! This is the longest he has ever been away from us.

I really didn't think it would be hard without him here. About four years ago, he was working retail and we rarely saw him, and I was okay. So how bad could six days be? Well, I have definitely learned a few things while he was away:

- He makes me laugh harder than anyone else can

- As much as I think he is the one who leaves stuff all around the house. . . I see now that I do it too :/

- He is my motivation to take care of our home

- Dinners were not the same.

- I do not sleep well at all in bed alone.

- The love that the boys have for him has brought me to tears this week

There are so many other things that I could write. . . .

It's so crazy to think that ten years ago, I appreciated Tim's good looks above almost anything else. I still like the fact that he is good-looking ;) but I love the man that the Lord has made him to be. He is the one that God chose to be my husband, the leader of our home, the father of our boys, and I am so very thankful.

I am deserving of hell, and yet, by the grace of God, I get to be married to this wonderful man! Thank you, God!!

Where am I standing right now???

photo credit: http://soon2be40.wordpress.com/2009/02/

Most of the time I assume that I am standing on the solid ground of Christ. Do you ever do that? Just assume? Well, this is what happens when you assume: You are taken off-guard when you start sinking.
There is so much uncertainty in my life right now. Where is Tim going to find a job? In CA or TX? What kind of job will he have? How will we pay our bills? What or how much should we tell the boys? Financial decisions, etc., etc., etc.
And for the past few weeks, I would say that I was standing on solid ground. . wavering slightly, but on solid ground nonetheless. Last night the rubber met the road. For whatever reason, I was completely overwhelmed and hopeless about our situation. And I allowed myself to stay there most of the night into the early morning hours. Where was I standing then? Definitely not solid ground, that's for sure. I was sinking. It was even a physical feeling of suffocating. I started frantically looking for jobs for Tim online. Reading about the places to live in Texas, looking at church websites. .. craziness. All at midnight.
So I finally went to bed around 1am, only to wake up at least once an hour. The awesome thing is that every time I awoke, the words of The Solid Rock were singing in my mind. It's the old hymn that rings with so much amazing truth. The Lord used this hymn in a mighty way in me today. He is so faithful. I am so undeserving.

The Solid Rock
My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand -
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;
In ev'ry high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand -
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand -
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found,
Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand -
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.

Ahhhhhh!!!!!!

Shouting. Honestly, I don't shout (in fright) very often. When I do, it's gotta be something that has really taken me by surprise.

So I really had to laugh out loud while reading this verse in Leviticus:

"Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces." Leviticus 9:23b-24

Can you picture it? Here is a tabernacle full of people, watching as the priest offered the sacrifices. And all of a sudden the glory of the Lord is made visible, and then the people shouted and fell on their faces. It just makes me laugh. . . and it also makes me think.. .

The people shouted and fell on their faces because it surprised them. But they had been hearing about the Lord and bringing sacrifices, and not expecting anything to happen. . . do you see where I'm headed?

How many times do we pray and not expect to see the Lord work? I can say that I have had many instances when I have prayed for something, the Lord answered my prayers, and then I was astonished. . . almost in disbelief that He made it happen. I have acted like those people who shouted and fell on their faces.

Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't fear the Lord, or be in amazement of all that he is capable of doing. But I am saying that we need to think about how powerful and all-knowing He is, and not let that take us by surprise when He allows us to see Him at work. Also, that we need to pray in faith, knowing that He is fully able to answer everything that is in accordance to His will.

There are so many things in my life right now that seem to be impossible to fix. But I know that my Father who created this universe can remedy all in His timing. And I am so completely thankful that He is capable. And I'm also grateful that He chooses to show us His power, even when we aren't expecting it. :)

~Larissa

The itch. . .

Well, it's been about five months since my last sale on Etsy. I did do a few shows in November and December, but I'm starting to get the itch to begin sewing again.

The studio was closed in January, so all of my studio equiptment is back in our spare bedroom. Which means that space is limited, and there is no way for me to produce on a large scale. And that's a good thing. One thing that I'd really like to see happen this time is more of a balance between sewing and family. It's so easy for me to get more excited about sewing and marketing than washing dishes, doing homework, and taking care of my husband. ;)


So, be watching! There's a lot of new stuff that I'd like to start making. . . like a children's bag line and some accessories for boys! I'm excited!!!!!





~Larissa

This is truly an amazing song that the Lord is using to minister to my heart. Learning to walk with Jesus upon the waves is not easy. . .