For when I am weak, then I and strong!

Our faith directs us away from illusions of competence and causes us to confront our helplessness and dependence on our gracious God. When we recognize our weakness, then Christ's strength can work through us.


2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

I started reading one of my Christian counseling books for school because I am too eager to wait until a teacher assigns the reading to me.  I came across a scenario of a client seeking help for his indecisive feelings about his faith being tested and ridiculed.  He wasn't sure what he believed anymore and I am suppose to "diagnose and help" my client.   I was running through the possibilities in my head and how I would go about "helping" him and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 came to mind.  "for when I am weak, then I am strong."  How great is our God to lift us up even in our moments of doubt and weakness.  It's such an awesome feeling to know that no matter who or what is bringing you to your lowest, that God is working through you and making you even stronger than before!

God's Grace

My Grace is enough for you; for my strength and power are made perfect and show themselves most effective in your weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weakness and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Most people do not advertise their limitations. Why? Weakness is not very popular. But Paul in 2 Corinthians asks us to boast in our weakness because God's strength is great in the midst of our infirmity. When we admit our frailty, God pours His strength. For His Grace is sufficient. Thank God for His power is made perfect in our weakness.

Let me encourage you to wake up every morning, love God, let peace and joy overflow in you, be nice to the people around you, God has placed you to be a light in their lives and do your best in every situation. God will do the rest. Remember, God is not surprised by our inabilities, imperfections or faults. He has always know about those areas of our life, even if we are just discovering them now. Only God is perfect; He chose us anyway, and loves us in spite of all our shortcomings! Allow God to be the strength of our lives. Have a blessed day!

Identifying Child Abuse

I recently wrote a final paper on child abuse that I would like to share. With the help of my Stephen, my husband, we were able to put this together.

Identifying Child Abuse

     Child abuse presents in a variety of forms and although physical abuse is the most widely known, there are many other forms of abuse. Emotional and sexual abuse, as well as negligence, are all forms of mistreatment that should never be tolerated. I will briefly describe these forms of abuse as well as their respective warning signs and how to recognize and help a victim of abuse.
     We all have seen some sort of physical abuse portrayed in movies and TV shows, however, the majority of the public fails to realize that the scars from abuse are not just skin deep. Although scrapes, bruises, and broken bones can result from physical abuse, these injuries can heal over time; however, the mental scars from the abuse will take much longer to heal. There are several different warning signs or indicators that are fairly common among physical abuse victims. Obviously the most common indicator for physical abuse is consistent injuries such as bruises or cuts. Due to the visibility of these injuries, the victim will often wear loose fitting clothes in an attempt to hide their wounds. Another sign can be a change in behavior where the child will begin to remain quiet and will prefer to be left alone.
     Another type of mistreatment is emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is usually caused by a close friend, family member, or caregiver verbally insulting or demeaning the victim. Emotional abuse tends to be the hardest to recognize because the effects of the abuse typically increase over long periods of time. It may take years of verbal assaults before the victim begins to show signs of emotional abuse. One fairly common sign of emotional abuse is a noticeable sense of worthlessness. The victim will often feel helpless and useless along with depression. Another indicator that someone is being emotionally abused is their preferring to spend as much time away from home as possible. This is a natural response of trying to avoid the source of the emotional cruelty.
     Sexual abuse, in my opinion, is by far the most detrimental form abuse. This usually involves a young child being taken advantage of. Typically, the victim is abused by a family member or a close friend of the family. Sexual abuse will usually lead to long-term issues with trust and self-worth. It is very important to recognize symptoms of sexual abuse early. Some of these signs include; the child will prefer to either be in a large crowd or by themselves, the child may obtain knowledge of sexual behavior and language that surpasses their age, and in a worse-case scenario the victim may contract a STD or even become pregnant.
     The last form of abuse that I will be discussing is negligence. Neglected children are usually isolated to one room or segment of their home and left by themselves. These children are hardly ever bathed, fed, or checked on. Sometimes, the neglect of a child is a product of the parents’ drug or alcohol abuse. Other times, the caregivers could be suffering from a chronic illness or severe depression which inhibits their ability to care for the child. However, more often than not, the negligence is caused simply by the parents’ selfishness or laziness.
     Although child abuse will typically result in short-term damage, long-term impairments are very common especially if the abuse took place over an extended amount of time. These impairments can include depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, eating disorders, sleep disturbances, disassociative/anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Of all of the negative side effects of abuse, lack of trust is one of the most common. Children who are abused by the ones who are supposed to care for them and love them often have extreme difficulty in trusting people in their lives. This causes the abuse victim to struggle with future relationships.
     Early detection of child abuse is the best way to minimize the tragic effects associated with abuse. Knowing the warning signs and having the courage to ask questions and seek help could greatly improve and possibly save an abuse victims’ life. Education, attention to detail, and diligence are the most effective tools in identifying and helping victims of abuse. There are several educational programs that help children understand what abuse is, how to know the difference in the “good” and “bad” touches, and how to talk to someone without being afraid. There is a book called Let’s Talk About Taking Care of You: An Educational Book About Body Safety for Young Children. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network ( 2009) This book takes a fun helpful approach to teaching young children instead of scaring them. Educating a child at a young age to know the difference between “right” and “wrong” treatment will greatly improve the chances of avoiding an abusive childhood.

By: Stephen and Stephany Burcham :)

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

“She does him good . . .” (Proverbs 31:12a) Bless your husband by praying for him! The Apostle Paul instructed all Christians to pray for one another (Ephesians 6:18). This includes wives’ responsibility and privilege to pray for their husbands. Earnest prayer for your husband is good for him, for you and the spiritual health of your home (Proverbs 31:11-12).

Satan desires to destroy your husband, especially his character and his leadership in your relationship. Trust God through prayer as you daily surrender your husband and marriage to the Lord’s wise, loving care.

Day 1 Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)

Day 2 Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)

Day 3 Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)

Day 4 Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)

Day 5 Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)

Day 6 Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Day 7 Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)

Day 8 Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)

Day 9 Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)

Day 10 Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)

Day 11 Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)

Day 12 Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)

Day 13 Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)

Day 14 Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)

Day 15 Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)

Day 16 Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)

Day 17 Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)

Day 18 Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)

Day 19 Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)

Day 20 Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)

Day 21 Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 16:11)

Day 22 Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)

Day 23 Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving them unconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the things of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)

Day 24 Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)

Day 25 Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Ps. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Ps. 27:14)

Day 26 Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)

Day 27 Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)

Day 28 Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)

Day 29 Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)

Day 30 Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)

Day 31 Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

Article from Revive Our Hearts 

THE SERVICE OF MOTHERHOOD

THE SERVICE OF MOTHERHOOD

Philippians 2:1-11

Children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). Motherhood is a great honor and privilege, yet it is also equivalent to servant hood. Every day women are called to selflessly meet the needs of their families. Whether they are awake at night nursing a baby, spending their time and money on less-than-grateful teenagers, or preparing meals, moms always put others before themselves.

Sometimes this constant serving can be exhausting and even discouraging particularly for a first-time mother. But you can take real encouragement from Jesus. One of the best examples of gracious servant hood is found in John 13:3-16. By kneeling to wash His disciples' feet, the Lord showed that the key to true leadership is humility. And it is humility that leads to eternal reward.

Unless you are willing to stoop down and get your hands dirty, you will miss the real blessings of motherhood. By dying to your own want, desires and needs and pouring your life into someone else, you become like Christ and create a godly legacy that will carry on for generations to come. What greater blessing could one hope for? Of course, the motivation for serving others is not to reap benefits, but when we follow God’s plan for our life, that’s what happens.

In giving us children, God places us in a position of both leadership and service. He calls us to give up our lives for someone else’s sake—to abandon our own desires and put our child’s interests first. Yet, according to His perfect design, it is through this selflessness that we can become truly fulfilled.

I for one can vouch that God has blessed me and continues to work through me because of these wonderful women in my life whom have helped me grow, learn, and become the best mother I now how to be by leading from their examples!  Thank you all so much for taking part in raising and teaching me to live a Christian life and instilling that into my children!  I will forever be greatful for all of you!  I love you so much!!  Thank you so much for my amazing Mother Ramona Hinton,  My step mother Melanie Simpson, My amazing Mother-in-law Brenda Burcham,  my so sweet and loving grandmothers Judy Hart, Alice Poole, Ann Burcham, Jan Seay, and Peggy Mann!  Thank you all so much!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!!!

~Philippians 2:1-11

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,

    being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father

~Psalm 127:3-5~

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,

    offspring a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

    are children born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man

    whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame

    when they contend with their opponents in court.

~John 13:3-16~

3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Each Day...

To restart my blog I want to share with you from one of my favorite authors.  Max Lucado has written amazing books that I highly recommend to anyone!  One of my favorite pieces of his has inspired me beyond words!  I hope you get a lot out of it as well!  It's called "Each Day..."

It's quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

     For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE

No occasion justifies hatred;

 no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. 

Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. 

I will refuse the temptation to be cynical . . . 

the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see 

people as anything less than human 

beings, created by God. 

I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than

 an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE

I will overlook the inconveniences 

of the world. Instead of 

cursing the one who takes my place, 

I’ll invite him to do so. 

Rather than complain that the wait is too long, 

I will thank God for a moment to pray. 

Instead of clinching my fist 

at new assignments, I will face

 them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. 

Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. 

And kind to the unkind, 

for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS

I will go without a dollar before 

I take a dishonest one. 

I will be overlooked before I will boast. 

I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS 

Today I will keep my promises. 

My debtors will not regret their 

trust. My associates will not 

question my word. My wife will not question my love. 

And my children will never fear that 

their father will not come home.

I CHOOSES GENTLENESS

Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. 

If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. 

If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. 

If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSES SELF-CONTROL

I am a spiritual being.... 

After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. 

I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. 

I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. 

I will be impassioned only by my faith. 

I will be influenced only by God. 

I will be taught only by Christ. 

I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, 

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-

control. To these I commit my day. 

If I succeed, I will give thanks. 

If I fail, I will seek his grace.

 And then, when this day is done, 

I will place my head on my pillow 

and rest.

~When God Whispers Your Name 

Max Lucado