Family Life - September & October 2024

 Fall is a favorite season of mine and this year, though busy, was beautiful and filled with sweet memories, family time, and the continuance of the Lord's sanctifying work in our family and in my life personally. 

For one of my morning devotions in early October, the Holy Spirit had me in Psalm 34:4, "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." 

The Greek word for "all" has the meaning of "everyone, not failing by one, encompassing all; the entirety." Isn't that a beautiful picture? It comes though from seeking the Lord, laying the fears at His feet, and allowing Him to lay them to rest in the truth of His promises. This will mean a surrendered and dependent heart and one that is humble to understand and acknowledge our needs, which our prideful heart is hesitant to admit to. So step toward the Lord, dear sisters, in humble need and He will dazzle you with how He will meet your needs, heal your heart, and satisfy your deepest longings.  

And now, a photographic recap...

In early September, Dad, Olivia, Hope, and I took a trip out west for an 
event. On the way home, we took the opportunity to visit some cattle 
ranches. I enjoyed seeing a new part of the country and getting lovely
pictures of the scenery.

Having some beautifully fruitful devotion time with some coffee!

With the pro-life fundraiser approaching, I spent
a good amount of time with paperwork and texting individuals!

While in town for the fundraiser, my sweet cousin, Chase, took 
me to dinner and we had a great opportunity to catch up on life.

The fundraiser went so smoothly and it was a joy and blessing to be 
apart of the planning and execution of the evening.

Leah's 16th birthday!

Remembering WW2 2024!

Years ago, in Linden, Tennessee, a group of families put on a yearly World War
2 event, to honor veterans and remember the sacrifice they made. About 6 
years ago, our family attended, but that was the last year they held it, but 
this year, in honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day, they brought it back! 
Ella is devotedly passionate to that period, studying battles, 
individuals, and the worldview of the time, and so we worked it out 
that she and I went down as volunteers to take part in the day.

Visiting with a  veteran and having him sign one of her books
on the war.

Hope, Leah, and Joel took part in the Kentucky Junior Cattleman's 
competition this year, participating in contests such as cattle 
photography, judging, and creating a sale ad. 

After months, and months, and months...and months of planning, meeting
with potential contractors and countless discussions, we officially broke 
ground for the addition of an apartment for my grandmother!

The results of a Sunday afternoon with a camera!

"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." Psalm 16:5-6

Because He Overcame!

 

The names of our Lord are precious, numerous, powerful, and strengthen our faith. Proverbs 18:10 says “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and is safe.” We find refuge and comfort in the names of the Lord, which are a depiction of His character, and the proclaiming of His attributes are part of worship, praising Him for Who He is as His names describe Him. I have found that a simple way that I can do this during my morning devotion prayer time is to praise Him through His names by using the alphabet for reference, so for example, Alpha, Bridegroom, Creator, Defender, Everlasting, Father, Giver of all good things, Hope, I AM, Just One, King, etc. Though this may sound silly, it has been a helpful way for me to balance praise and adoration of Him as my King while laying my needs and petitions before Him as my Father.

    Recently, my focus has been on the Lord as The Overcomer. Isn’t that a precious name? It has been a precious meditation for me. I rejoice and glorify Him who sits on the throne because He overcame, He overcomes, and will overcome in the final day! All things are because He overcame!

“...and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings” and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14b

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“And one of the elders saith unto, Weep no: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed (same Greek word as overcome in John 16:33) to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Revelation 5:5

I can take so many different scripture passages from any book of the Bible and find “Overcomer” in them.

“Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:6-7

~Because He overcame, my heart can be at rest amidst the trials of this life!~

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

~Because He overcame, we have eternal salvation through the Perfect Lamb!~

“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” Proverbs 34:10

~Because He overcame, we are supplied with all good things!~

“For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh then, beareth them on her wings: so the Lord alone did him…” Deuteronomy 32:10-12a

~Because He overcame, His love and protection know no limits!~

“If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

~Because He overcame, He offer full and free forgiveness and restoration!~

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1

~Because He overcame, He is capable of meeting and overcoming each and every fear!~

Rest today in Him Who overcame the ultimate curse of death through His death, Who overcomes, through His grace, the challenges we daily meet, and Who, on the last day will completely overcome death, hell, and Satan himself with the ultimate show of magnificent power! That is the God we serve, ladies! He Who was and is and is to come! He alone is worthy! He alone can open the seven scrolls and break the seals...because He overcame! Revel in Him as your Overcomer! Meditate on what that means to you, how He has overcome specifically in your life, and rejoice and glory that we are in Him Who is the final Overcomer in the last day! We have the ultimate reason to rejoice and glory in the name of our God!