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Showing posts with label Spiritual Growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual Growth. Show all posts

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Let’s Chat! | Growth During Struggles

Let’s Chat! | Growth During Struggles


If your new around here, you probably don’t know this but I’m not the typical blogger. I randomly take breaks from blogging because, well life happens. Real life. Don’t get me wrong I love blogging. I love writing. I love forming the connections I have made through this digital life but I have priorities. Or at least I try to because let’s me honest we all get sucked into the scrolling mindlessly through social media while life happens around you. However, I’m breaking that cycle. I won’t allow it to hold power over me anymore of having to see every single post ever posted by this person or that person or needing to know who is doing what at this moment in time.

Now hear me out, there is absolutely nothing wrong with checking in on your favorite blogger or social media influencer but when that profile or person gets the best of you instead of the people in your real life, in your home. There’s a problem. And that’s me. Hi, my name is Stormie and I am a social mediaholic. I love catching up with people on Instagram but I hate having phone conversations. I love posting and watching instastories but I’m actually an introvert and don’t like talking in person unless we are already close friends.

So this social media break has happened for quite a few reasons. The main reason was the Lord was speaking to me. I have always wondered when people would say “The Lord spoke to me” or I’m following the Lord’s command and I always wondered like how? Did you hear a big booming voice “Stormie get off social media” with an echo? Well no. It was subtle and over time. The Lord spoke to me through books I was reading, through people I was following on social media, conversations I was having in my bible study group, etc. There was a common theme being brought to my attention across all areas of my life and it felt so strong that I knew it was coming from the Lord.

Short back story, my husband was laid off (I spoke about it some here and here) and we were dealing with unemployment for 6+ months and now underemployment. Around the same time I’m hearing the Lord speak to me, Anthony and I both also feel the Lord telling us it was finally time to say goodbye to our house. In hindsight, we were wrestling with the Lord for months and months before this without realizing it (or wanting to realize) so when we did make the decision to list our house for sell, we were at such peace because we knew it was the Lord’s will.

So the time-frame for us to be out of the house lined up with the holidays which I thought taking the whole month of December off would be the best because one it would give us time to get all moved in and settled and secondly what perfect time to create a new rhythm and routine with my children. I was also planning to use this time to intentionally plan what my life would look like on social media and how I needed to create boundaries and balance my priorities on my spiritual life and my family life first.


But alas, the Lord had other plans and other familial obligations popped up that took majority of my attention in December and half of January. Now that things have slowed down on that front, I have been trying to find my way back to my initial mission. Getting the fire back in me of being intentional with my spiritual life and my kids. Creating a new rhythm and routine with a purpose. And eventually get back to blogging with a game plan.

As of right now, I have been checking in on Facebook and Instagram every so often but not being active much other then selling stuff on marketplace. I have felt I wanted to wait until I was in a good place in my spiritual life and my family life. It’s not to say my faith has been wavering, in fact it’s quiet the opposite.

During this last year and a half, this is the most dependent and closest I have felt to the Lord. I feel like when everything was going great, it was so easy to put God on the back burner and say a prayer here and there. Head to church on Sunday’s, attend bible study and go through the motions all while neglecting to ever open up my Bible. My God has shown me so much and has taught me so much in trusting in Him, leaning not on my own understanding when things aren’t going the way I planned. I try so hard to control so much out of fear and I have learned that’s not okay.

I’m not saying you should never make plans or goals, it’s great to plan but it’s also very important to remain flexible because we don’t have the whole picture. God does. And guess what. His plans are so far better for our lives then we could have ever imagined. The good and the bad.

Side story about the “bad”: I do not know the reason I had to grow up without my biological parents (in case your unaware, my parents died when I was really young and my aunt who I call mom raised me) but what I do know is I would not be the mother I am today to my children if it wasn’t for that significant lost in my life as a child. For that I am thankful that I am more in tune to the needs of my children. I am far from the perfect mother but I am proud of the mother I am. No one could ever take that confidence away from me. That confidence comes from the “bad hand” I was dealt and honestly, looking my children in their faces the way I do, there is not one thing I would change in my life that lead me to this point and that is thanks to God.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28 ESV

What is something you have felt the Lord speak to you lately? Do you try to plan or control your life out of fear? How has your childhood shaped you into the parent you are (or plan to be)?
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stormieariel
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Friday, April 18, 2014

Change of Heart


Around this time of year, I think most believers start really thinking of where they were before Christ changed their hearts. Let me rephrase, I'm sure they think about it often but Good Friday probably puts a little more emphasis on the leading up to them being saved. I know it does for me.

I recently watched this clip by Jackie Hill Perry were she addresses Christians dealing with same-sex temptation. The point that stood out to me and convicted me the most was when she said:

"If God was to completely save you from 
homosexuality but not give you the power 
to walk by the spirit in everything, you'd still be a liar...
we are holistically in need of God in every area..."

It made me think of when I first started going to church on my own as an adult; the very first thing I changed was my cursing habit. I simply made a behavior modification to make myself feel better. I think this is something we as humans typically do by thinking we fixed a certain behavior in our life that said we are sinners, we are now okay with God. 

I stopped cursing yet I was still an adulterous (having sex outside of marriage), a coveter, a liar, etc. 

Instead of trying to focus on one sin in our lives, we need to focus on the root of all our sins: our heart.

But that change can only come from God and by the work that was done on the cross by Jesus Christ.
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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Sovereign Over All


I was going through my coat closet stuff a few days ago since we are in the process of renovating it (blog post to follow once completed) and I found my outfit I wore to my mommy's funeral.

It reminded me of the day Michelle, my cousin, told me my mommy died after picking me up from Babcia's house. It got me thinking how hard it must have been for her to tell me that I lost another parent (I lost my father five years earlier when I was 3 turning 4) and I think of the kids I work with who are 4 and 5.

If I were to tell them their dad died than 5 years later their mom died, I would think they are in for a rough life with rebellion and most likely depression. Who wouldn't think that after what a child went through with experiencing death so young? But I didn't have to go through that thanks to God and His grace. He made my aunt brave enough to endure raising a potential problem child. I have so many values that she instilled in me. If it wasn't for God putting it in her heart to raise me, I can only imagine how much of a mess I would be in right now. 

God has a perfect plan and is sovereign overall. Do I wish I had my parents raising me? Of course! Who wouldn't however I now understand The Lord knew what he was doing. I may not have a complete understanding but I know going through that has helped shape me into the woman I am. It is helping shape me to be the mother I will one day be, God-willing.

I can joyfully give God all the glory for me not being bitter and depressed. It is because of Him that I have joy and I want to extend that grace to others for His glory.

Can you look back on a dark time in your life and now see God's hand in it all? Doesn't it give you great comfort that he is in control and we are not?
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Friday, December 21, 2012

Life is more than food


"For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20

I was listening to this song called Beautiful by PRo and a verse in the song said "she eats and it ease the pain." This lyric reminded me of a time when I was younger; I was about 15 years old...
My mom and I were strongly disagreeing to where I was really upset to the point of tears. I hadn't ate dinner yet so when I got out my room to go to the kitchen, my mom began to tell me I couldn't eat; I remember so clearly that I yelled at her saying she wanted to starve me. She replied with no, it wasn't good to eat when your upset because you could get sick.

Well I never understood her and always thought she was just being mean at the time. However, I've realized it wasn't about her being mean, it was about my mom helping me not to become an emotional eater.

As an adult I have never struggled with this issue as an emotional eater that so many women are faced with daily. Even though I am not faced with being an emotional eater, I do struggle with over eating. I have to eat the last bite or if the dessert looks good I have to try it. But I don't really have to.
So how do I deal with this? I must learn to "discipline my body and keep it under control..." (1 Corinthians 9:27) in all areas. But most importantly I must repent and seek God's counsel.


Father God,
I pray that you continue to show me my sins. That I may turn away from them and look towards You and Your perfect Son Jesus. That I will strive to mirror His image not only in my own life but in my marriage. I will shine my light so bright before man that You will be glorified as Matthew 5:16 stated.

In Jesus' Name.
Amen.
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stormieariel
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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Accountability


"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
-Proverbs 12:1

When I was younger, I remember my mom would go through my computer and my emails. I use to think it was an invasion of my privacy. I now know it was accountability. She wanted to teach me how to be accountable towards my own actions. I didn't understand it than but I appreciate that more than anything now!!
Walking with Christ, my husband, my brothers and sisters in Christ help keep me accountable to the Word of God. It is that much easier allowing them to take that role in my life since my mom started doing it at a young age for me.
When I am a mother, I want to teach my children about godly accountability.

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you"
-Hebrews 13:17
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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Looking back to look foward


With the New Year approaching I started thinking about this past year: all my accomplishments, failures and what I want to accomplish with the upcoming year.

Around this time last year, I had the thought that I would begin going to church to become a "better" person and I will accept Christ (as if He needs the accepting, I am the one who needed Him - of course I didn't realize this than). However, glory to God for opening my eyes and changing my heart of stone to a heart of flesh. That I was able to see how wicked of a person I was - and still am - according to His standards. My lifestyle was completely hostile towards Him and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit He picked me up and turned my life around.

I hit two of the greatest milestones of my life this year..

The Lord granted me my salvation, I believe this is the greatest milestone of all and pray that I continue to grow (as my pastor would say just as it is unnatural for a child not to grow physically it is unnatural for a Christian not to grow spiritually). Knowing now, there was nothing I could have done to ever become saved. God drew me to Him; my decision to start coming to church was planted by Him. He is sovereign in everything He does.

The Lord also gave me a wonderful man of God to marry, to be my provider, leader, teacher and my partner in this life. I am truly blessed to be able to find my soul mate and have the true understanding of what a marriage is especially at my age and at this time in the world.

Furthermore, there are still things in my life - and in everyone's - for improvement. I created a list of goals I have for this upcoming year but I think it's best if we all keep the serenity prayer in our minds when making our "resolutions"

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr
My 2012 Goals:
1. Grow in my prayer and reading life by making a consistent schedule and sticking to it.
2. Improving my role as a godly wife by staying in the Word and prayer and being a wife before being a student.
3. Having better discernment picking movies/TV shows to watch by researching them using christiananswers.net or watching the trailers/reading the summary.
4. Getting back into shape by joining the gym and create a schedule (I know so cliche... but unlike the cliche I will accomplish it because I have already started; I'm not waiting for the 1st because the day doesn't have magically powers to motivate people)

I hope you all have a safe and blessed New Year!!!

Verses for encouragement:)

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2


Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.
Proverbs 18:31-32

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18



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Sunday, December 25, 2011

The BEST Gift of all gifts


I will let God's Word do most of the talking for this blog:)
Merry CHRISTmas!!!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. Romans 3:21-25

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

For by grace [I] have been saved through faith. And this is not [my] own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Thank you Father for this wonderful gift of salvation!!! I pray Lord God that I can continue to grow in knowledge and faith to be the light to others so that YOU may be glorified. That everything I do is for Your Will and not my own because You work out everything for my good Father God!! I pray Father that your name may be kept Holy everyday and not just on certain Holidays or just once a week but everyday of our lives on this earth and to the day of eternity Father. I pray that we will be ready for the second Advent Lord just as the five virgins were prepared by bringing extra oil that we are all the more prepared and not like the other five who were unprepared. Father, forgive us of our sins and teach us so that we can repent from our hostile ways by learning your commands. Help us to forgive others who sin against us, show us how to be humble and loving to one another God. Help us choose Your way when we are faced with temptation for you always provide a way out and will never allow us to be tempted more than we can handle. Thank You Father. In Jesus' holy name, Amen.
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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanks be to God for giving His Son


Growing up I was always thankful for all the yummy food I was able to eat, especially on Thanksgiving day (btw I love to eat so a holiday set apart just for that was the best idea anyone came up with). I was able to spend time with my family, eat a ton of food, laugh a lot, watch a football game and the list goes on. But what is the true meaning of this day?

Lately, I have been feeling people can create an idol out of food on this holiday. And I'm most likely one of those people who have idolized food because every year Thanksgiving meant food. This year, it has been different. Let me explain...
For one of our gatherings we had a thanksgiving meal together; which I was excited for because of all the food. Now usually I can eat and eat, there is no stopping me on Thanksgiving. However, I only ate one plate. ONE plate. Not only that, I have been pondering for weeks and weeks of how thankful I am for this past year, I have been more worried about what I'm thankful for than the food (ask my family and they will tell you this is not normal). Of course, I am not complaining about this change in my heart because that is what I am most thankful for this year.
"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NLT

So as a Christian, Thanksgiving is more than just a day for family or the food, it's about thanking God for giving His chosen people grace. I am blessed to now understand what Thanksgiving is about as a born-again Christian and I pray that I can continue to grow in grace and understanding that is glorifying to God.

This year, I am thankful for my salvation, my husband, and our new friends and family God has placed in our lives! God is a sovereign God, "and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 ESV)

What are you most thankful for this year?

 Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:15 ESV
"For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

Ephesians 2:7 ESV
"so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Psalm 100:4 ESV
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! "
 
Psalm 50:23 ESV
"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"
Happy Thanksgiving!!
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stormieariel
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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Making mistakes is inevitable not learning from them is inexcusable.


Last semester, at HCC, I was running late to school and I was rushing up the stairs to get to class. I tripped and fell on the staircase; instead of getting embarrassed and going to hide, I got back up and continued on forward.

The other night when my husband and I were on the way home, I mentioned to him that I noticed I get embarrassed when I'm wrong - in the classroom setting and in real life - which is not healthy because ultimately I'm not perfect and there will be times (and have been times) when I'm wrong. But I also know that when I realize I am wrong, I am too prideful, most of the time, to admit it (which is a characteristic I am not proud of).
Now, even though I am imperfect it does not jusifiy my sin of not being humble as God as called me to be.

When I tripped on the staircase I could have easily justified it with my imperfection of being clumsy but if I wasn't late, in the first place, I would have been more cautious.

When we realize our sins, we are to repent and turn away from them; not jusifiy them. There will be times that we fall but we must get back up and keep moving forward.

I need to pray and turn away (repent) from my pride and become humble, as glorifying to God.

Verses:
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6 ESV)

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a HUMBLE mind." (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you" (1 Peter 5:6 ESV)

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:1, 2 ESV)

"Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7 ESV)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 ESV)

I am linked up to Wedded Wednesday.
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