A Heart Captured by God ~ "The Heart of the Matter"

What do your words reveal about your heart?

"As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person." Proverbs 27:19

Our heart (tangible) not only sustains our body. Our heart (intangible) also performes the fuctions of: feelings, desires or longing, relating to others, relating to God, choosing, sinning, showingnour character and thinkng. (Laura Wilcox, "Capture my Heart, Lord", p.5)

With that in mind, God has left us well equiped with His word (and the Holy Spirit) to understad the different attitudes a heart that is captured by Him should have...and the ones that should not. As you read these verses, think of what attitudes (functions) of the heart are implied. Meditate on that.

"But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul" Deuteronomy 9:4

"Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you "Because of my own righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess the Land," but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you." Deuteronomy 9:4

"Now, therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel" Joshua 24:23

"The fool has said in his heart, "there is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good." Psalmn14:1

"When you said, "Seek My face," my heart said to yoi, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek." Psalm 27:8

"The wise of heart will receive commands, But the babbling fool will be ruined." Proverbs 10:8

"Who can say, 'I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from sin'?" Proverbs 20:9

"The heart is more deceitful above all else qnd is desperateky sick; Who can undstand it?"      Jeremiah 17:9

"(Jesus speaking) But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, slanders." Matthew 15:18-19

"Now flee from youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22

The more we seek the Lord, the more we allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts. A heart that knows its creator is very much blessed...

"After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.'" Genesis 15:1

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. (...)" 2 Chronicles 16:9

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3

"(Jesus speaking) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29

God wants to work in your heart. In order to do so, you need to give yourself fully to the Lord. 

How are you expressing your surrender to God's work in your heart? How are you avoiding it?

"Pursuing wholeness and healing of the heart begins when we comform to God's definition of the changed heart and follow His passion for our hearts." (Laura Wilcox, "Capture My Heart, Lord", p.13)

Capture my Heart, Lord (series)

Hello dear ones,

This last year I have had the priviledge to co-lead one of the small groups of our women's ministry at our local church. It has been a blessing. The ladies in my group are just a blessing beyond imagination.

However, our study is coming to an end. {tear}. This year we studied the book "Capture my Heart, Lord" by Laura Wilcox. It was great. She really helped us see (and understand) God's word from a deeper perspective.

So, since I have been so blessed by this study, I only find it fitting to share some of it with all of you. Tis will also help me not forget what I just studied!

What I will do is only share some of the Bible passages that she used to help us learn about a specific quality of the heart that is captured by God. Hopefully this way I will not inccur in copyright violations.

To start off then the series will be called "A heart captured by God". So look out for a new post on how to allow the Lord to completely capture your heart!

Have a blessed day!

Unplanned project!

Does it hapen to you that, you think of a project. Go out and buy the materials. Get home, get started and...not enough! Not even close!

One solution is to go back out and get more or a different material. Sounds good to me. However, I was not in the mood to continue with that same project. But I did not want my money (just a dollar! Hehe) to be wasted. I needed a new idea for my clothes hanging rope. It was pretty enough to use it for other than hanging clothesm from it.

Well, yesterday and today I have been in the crafting mood. Out of the blue, it hit me and I have been working on small projects.

Then, we had beans for dinner. {say what? Where did that come from?!...just read on, will you?} I didn't have enough home made beans (I make big batches from scratch and freeze them :)) so I decided to add some of my back up canned beans.

*************OOOOOOOOOh*************

{supposed to be the angels background sound}

I new I could find some use to the empty can, and I did!

Wrap the rope around it and...tah dah! New storage! :)
Pretty simple. All you need is the dollar store rope, empty (and clean!) can, some hot glue, and patience and time to wrap and wrap...and wrap.

Here are the pictures:

What pretty projects have you worked on lately? 

Happy crafting!

F.

She keeps growing!

Hello dear ones!

It's been a while since you saw/heard from Amelia. I thought you would like a little update!

Time is really flying! My little bundle of joy is now 8 month and crawling her tiny legs away! She started by doing it "push-up" style and then moved on to the "normal" arms and legs. She learns quick! It only took her a week to figure it all out. Of course mommy's hands off most of the time helped!

Here is quick video:

So funny! And here is a week later:

After she got down the crawling, she started pulling herself up. That is all she wants to do now. She crawls to the couch, the chairs, coffee table or anyone close by and helps herself up. Needles to say, we are very happy and proud. However, not surprised. We are trying to have high (within a healthy range) expectations. Or better said, trying not to have too low expectations of our kids. Children are smart and learn quick, if only given the chance to show it. 

Anyways. We will be moving back to SP, closer to our family (an our and half from where we are now) in just 6 weeks! I am super excited. Amelia will have lots of friends to hang out with and a few cousins to bond with! :). I will too have the chance to deepen some relationships (I hope!). 

Back to Amelia, a recap of the last three months: 

She went on her first plane ride to Peru in January. It went well. I'd recommend traveling during their bed time if possible. That way they sleep all the way, just like she did on the way back to the U.S.A. 

She started babbling and giggling more. Her "words" sound like "dada" but she could be talking to the cats or her socks...we don't think it's meant for DH yet. (I hope she says mom first! But we'll see!...oh young mom! Don't know how things happen! Haha).

She was dedicated to the Lord the Sunday before Easter! We are so thankful to God for entrusting us with her precious life. However, we will need his guidance and strength, as well as wisdom to raise her! We will also need of our church family for support, advice, counsel, encouragement ...and babysitters!! :). All the family was able to come. That was real special!

Anyways, too much blah blah, here are some more pictures!!

She adapted so quickly to Peru and loved being held by all the Peruvian ladies!

Christmas pictures by Gale Schoenecke (our aunt) at my in-laws backyard.

Meeting great grandpa Matherly for the first time...and teaching him about computers...

I can't wait to have more of these wonderful little people!! I love you Amelia! never forget that! (and so does your papa!)