a Surrendered Life

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When I think of the word surrender more often than not I envision an army surrendering to another army who just gives up.  Sometimes I think of a person surrendering to the will of someone else.  But instead of thinking of the word "surrender" as a verb--as an action--I want to challenge you to think of surrender as an adjective.

I know that this goes against every rule in the English language, but hear me out.

God wants us to move past this action of surrendering into a surrendered life.  In other words, God desires us to move past the process of surrendering every problem as it arises in our life.  He wants us to move into a new realm of trust.  He deeply desires us to always live in this complete trust state.

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Trusting completely without reservation is difficult, but when we recognize who God truly is and when we step into a realization of His sovereignty, trust does come much easier.  Nonetheless, this comprehension can only be achieved when we leave our understanding of God on an intellectual level and cultivate heart knowledge of who God is.  I love what J. I. Packer says in his book Knowing God.  He writes, "A little knowledge of God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge about Him."

I feel so deeply that God is calling His church, the very Love He died for, back to Him and back to a knowledge of Him.  Not who He is or what He did or what He's like or even what He can do.  He is calling us back to Him.

In Revelations 2, Jesus is speaking to the church at Ephesus.  Jesus commends the church for their love of good deeds and for their perseverance but Jesus says this, "I hold this against you.  You have forsaken the love you had at first.  Consider how far you have fallen!  Repent and do the things you did at first" (Revelations 2: 4, 5).

I hear the voice of the Holy Spirit saying the same to us today.  "I love how you love the broken and hurt.  I love how you show my compassion.  I love how value the poor and the needy.  You're doing a wonderful job at showing my compassion.  You're doing a great job at not giving up.  But you've forgotten to love for Me."

The Holy Spirit has put a hunger in my heart to know God again...to return to my first love.  I find myself missing Him and His presence.  I know who God is and I know what He's done.  I've seen Him work miracles and I've experienced His power.  But all of these signs of God are pointless without an understand in my heart.  I what to know Him.

Tonight I'm finding myself praying as the psalmist of Psalm 42 prayed, "As the deep pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, my God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God."

It's here, in this place of a surrendered life, that we can truly know God not for what He is, but for who He is.  And for that, my soul lives.

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my piece of earth

There are those pieces of earth that heal your soul.
     They remind you who you are
           Who you're called to be
           How you think
           How you feel
That plot of soil calls me to it's bed of green
      and when I'm there I feel home
          peace
          self assurance
          trust
     Peace in the friendships
     Self assurance in the education
     Trust in the memories
I love my piece of earth and I feel it calling me now, and every more, to be more, to love more, to give more--
               to serve even more

Today I got to go to my "piece of earth."  Not to be Scarlet O'hara are anything, but it's my home...it's a place that I remember who I am and the relationships that changed me life...the experiences that molded me...and I find a renewed solidity in myself and in God.

Thanks for letting me share.

All My Love for All My Days,

Danette

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No Sermon Needed

Sometimes we forget that God's Word is God's word.  He inspired it.  It's directly God breathed for our encouragement, teaching, correction, and comfort.  To try and add something to make His Word more clear is kinda...well...arrogant.

In recent weeks I've felt like I've been in a cloud partly because it's insane in my life right now, partly because it's blistering hot outside, and partly because of some emotional grief that I'm working through.  But in spite of the insanity in my life, I'm standing on the promise of these next verses and believing that as I trust God He will make me more than a conqueror.

I hope they encourage you.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that our faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1: 6,7

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.  This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be save--and that by God.

Philippians 1:27,28

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4: 6,7

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15: 4

The Lord detests men of perverse heart but He delights in those whose ways are blameless.

Proverbs 11: 20

But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73: 28

You might also want to check out Psalm 1, Psalm 119, Proverbs 3: 5,6, Psalm 27, Psalm 35 just to share a few.  Ultimately, we have to remember to take into authority every idle thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).  I am a daughter of God through Christ Jesus.  I am a joint heir through Christ Jesus.  I am victorious through Christ Jesus.  I have power through Christ Jesus.

Have a wonderful week finding and declaring who you are in Christ!

All Scriptures taken from the New International Version

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Sponsor Spotlight: Clara from Happy in Life, Young in Love

Clara from Happy in Life, Young in Love

I'm so, so happy that Clara is sharing here today.  I have no doubt that you will love this post.  I did.  Make sure you hop on over to her blog and follow along with her.  You won't regret it.

Hey there readers of "All My Love for All My Days"! I am Clara and I blog at Happy in Life, Young in Love. I am beyond excited to be on Danette's blog today! She is so sweet and has been so generous to allow me to ramble on today. This is me and my husband Ryan in this picture! {Don't you just love his bow tie!} I blog about anything and everything from recipes, my faith, our furry child {Sox} and lots more! I do hope you will drop in, but today we are talking all about the essentials: colors, music, and women role models. 

In an effort to let you know what I love and to hopefully introduce you to some new things, I thought I would share my favorite colors, in the form of an outfit, my top music right now, and a woman I greatly admire and why. 

COLORS

Essentials by clara-hodgin featuring low rise jeans

My all time favorite color is deep purple. I think it is extremely flattering {it is the new black ladies, but much less boring!} and it is fun! It goes great with white in the summer and is really deep and pretty in the winter. Oh and looks good no matter what you hair color, another positive!! 

As far as essentials, I can't live without my Jack Rogers {the shoes} and Longchamp {the purse}. 

I bought both of them 4 years ago and haven't bought new dressy summer shoes or a new purse since!!

MUSIC

If you know me in the least, you will know I love some jams! 

Not on my toast silly, but the kind you dance to, worship to, and bang your head to. 

Yes, I love variety.

I feel like music has the ability to be so many things to us that is why it is so important to me to have different artists for different times.

I thought I would share my top 3 artists on my IPod with you all today. 

#1 Ellie Goulding

English Singer and Song Writer

Genre: Indie Pop

This is my go to music right now. I love her sound which is mostly soft and really unique. 

She sounds English, which makes her different from US Pop artists. You may know her for her radio hit "Lights" but I suggest you listen beyond that song. I promise you will love every song!! 

I did.

#2 Mumford and Sons

British Band

Genre: Folk and Rock 

Mumford and Sons may not be new to some of you, but they are such a great band. They have a sound like no other. I am NOT into rock and I love Mumford and Sons. I think that their lyrics are so meaningful and can really make you think hard!

This is an album to listen to all the way through!

#3 Jesus Culture

Genre: Christian Worship

Once again you may have heard of Jesus Culture, but I don't think I can sing their praise enough. {no pun intended hehe} I find that one of the best ways I can stay connected with my Savior is to constantly stay in worship with him through music. That is why I love Jesus Culture. The lyrics are scriptural and the music is contemporary. 

INSPIRATION 

So now you know a lot about me, but I think that knowing who I admire and desire to be like would truly show you my heart. 

I think that I am most inspired by the story of Esther in the Bible. I am sure you are all familiar with the story of how Esther was chosen to be Queen and went through the 12 month beautification process. But in order to save the Jews, Esther must intercede to the King in order to save her people and she had no idea how he would respond, because she herself has hidden the fact that she was a Jew.

Esther's character is so strong and beautiful that it encourages me in my daily walk. 

Although I am sure I will never encounter the same situations, I can learn from her lessons and apply them to every situation. I want to be a woman of God in every situation from being a wife to being a mother and in my work situation. 

Thank you so much Danette for having me on your awesome blog! 

It is an encouragement to read your posts!

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Parenting Series Week 1

This month I'm starting a parenting series.  These post will be about every other week and will last through the summer.  Now you might be thinking why would someone with no kids want to do a parenting series.  Well, quite frankly, I believe very much in the importance of family and in raising children with both roles of a father and mother.  Further, I look forward to the privilege of child raising with much anticipation and I want to be as prepared as much as possible for when God gives me that responsibility.  (Right now I'm working on the privilege of marriage, but all in due time.)

Today we have a special guest blogger...my mom.  You can read more about my mothering experience with her here.)  Linda Dillon is her name and child raising is her game.  Over the course of her 53 years she has raised 4 children into adults.  But besides her own kids she has been a godly influence in many children and young adults lives.  As a pastor's wife she pioneered a youth ministry for the past 3 years.  That youth ministry is now fully functional and thriving with over 35 students, van ministry, and youth pastor.

Just one quick plug before her advice...Don't forget to enter into "All My Love for All My Days" very first EVER giveaway.  That giveaway will be running for an entire week and we're working on day 2.  Help me spread the word!  Here's a link to the post.

Now I give you Linda Dillon.

"When Danette asked me to write for her something on parenting I was trying to think of some profound saying or statement to make but I realized that some may just be starting their journey as a parent.  Others maybe thinking of planning their families.  Still others possibly are well into the parenting of their kids and may just need help.  So I must go back to the beginning where we started...reading.

No, no.  I'm not encouraging reading information books (while I'm sure they will help), but reading the Bible to the child whether born or not.  My husband and I started reading to Danette as soon as we realized we were expecting.  Each and everyday!  Out loud!  The Word of God came alive in her life at a young age and it helped us also.  It gave us peace in the night when we were up because fo those nasty ear infections.  It gave us comfort when the doctor told us they were running tests for meningitis.  It gave us wisdom to tell her no to things that might have lead her the wrong direction.  And the same was true for all our children.

Reading helped us bond with Danette, Dallas, Destiny, and Dalayna, and God.  We gained the wisdom and understanding we needed to raise our kids to be respectful, loving, kind people.  We also learned how to point them to Christ.  So read to them, the Word of God, and you will not just make it, you will thrive."

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