Is Your House a Haven?

home

From the time I was a teen girl, I remember praying for my unborn children, the husband I hadn’t met yet, and the home I couldn’t envision.  I remember desiring specifically that God would–when the time came–help me create an atmosphere in our home that was restful and welcoming.

The one common thing people say who have been to our house is that it is warm and inviting.  People who have slept overnight here often say, “Wow!  I got the BEST sleep last night.”

I love that.  I love knowing my house is a haven of rest for all who enter it,  a place where people feel comfortable.  I want my children to grow up wanting to hang out here.  And when they someday leave, I want their memories to be so fond of home that they’ll want to come back–often.

So what makes a house a haven?  From my experience, it should be…

1)  a place where God is welcome.  God and sin don’t dwell in the same space.  God refuses to have anything to do with sin, except to get rid of it.  So anything inappropriate or resembling evil in any way has to leave.  Not only should we allow God to show us the impurities of our hearts, and repent, we should invite Him to show us what needs to leave our homes.  For example books, television programs, pornography, anything we idolize over God, addictions, or anything that would hinder us from experiencing His presence.  Get rid of it!

2)  a place where God is honored.  It’s one thing to create an atmosphere where God is welcome, but it’s quite another to actually honor Him.  Play worship music regularly, and make it the norm, rather than the worldly music that fills most homes in America.  Remember if it’s not of God, it’s of this world.  There’s no in between.  Make prayer and being in God’s word a priority in alone times, but also in the ins and outs of our days with our families.  Talk about everyday life in the context of what God thinks about the subject.

3)  as clutter free as possible.  I know what’s considered clean to some may not be clean to others.  But most everyone can agree on what looks cluttered and what doesn’t.  If you’re not sure, try this.  Choose a room to work in.  Pick up everything off the floor except furniture.  Take all of the knickknacks and pictures frames out of the room.   Now, you’re looking at a clutter-free zone.  Being free of clutter helps create a more restful environment, visually and physically.

Now I’d like to tell you completely clutter-free is the norm in my house, but it isn’t.  It takes work and intentionality.  This is the most difficult thing on this list for me!!  My side of our bedroom is more cluttered than my husband’s.  So this is challenging me too;)  My house is not perfectly clean, nor is it free from knickknacks and picture frames.  But there’s a sense of order and purpose to most of the things I have in my home.

4)  a place where laughter is always welcome.  Laugh often and much.  The Bible says it’s good medicine.

5)  a place where we REALLY DON’T cry over spilled milk.  Mistakes are allowed and forgiveness is quick.  And we try to make sure our kiddos know that quality time with them is way more important than a spotlessly clean house.

I’ve only listed a few things here.  I want to hear your input.  What works for you?  How is your home a haven of rest?

Giveaway

31 Days of ForgivenessMy apologies for forgetting to announce the winner of the giveaway on today’s post.  Sydni, congratulations!  You won 31 Days of Forgiveness by Tracie Stier-Johnson.  I will be in touch via email, so I can get this out to you right away!  Thank you for stopping by and entering to win.  I pray God uses this book to refresh your soul.

…When Anxiety Creeps

Carole and Rivera flyerHave you ever known what you were supposed to do, but then when you said yes and the time came to do it, you started back pedaling?  That’s me this week.

I know what God wants from me.  I know what I’m supposed to do.  I’ve known for years.  But now that it’s beginning to happen, I hesitate. I don’t feel capable.  I don’t feel worthy.  Actually, if you want to know the truth, I’m plain scared.

I don’t consider myself a writer or a speaker, necessarily.  But I know I’m a communicator.  I’m an influencer and encourager.

My heart is for justice and truth.  I want people to know Jesus, like really know Him personally, and not just from a distance.  I desire healing  for the hurting and wholeness for the broken. I want to be a spark that God uses to light a fire–Holy Spirit fire–in people.

Here I am faced with opportunity to be His vessel to speak truth, and Fear is trying to overtake me.  But I’ve decided to politely refuse Fear’s offer.  I’d rather trust God and stand in awe of Him than be crippled by Fear.

I’m at a crossroads where I have to go with what I KNOW rather than what I feel.  I know if Jesus is for me, who can be against me?  Right?  And,  Jesus IS for me!  He will sustain me.  He will give me what I need, when I need it.

The truth is… I can’t do this, but HE CAN!

He is faithful.

During my moments of fretting, He pointed these verses out.  He showed me these simultaneously, not just one but two times, over the past week.

“For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.  Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth…”// “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you.”  ~Jeremiah 1:7-9, 17

“Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”  ~2 Chronicles 20:15b

Not only do His words comfort, they confirm.  They tell me to trust.  They tell me I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.  They tell me I have nothing to fear.

So with reminders from God and prayers from some really incredible friends, as anxiety creeps, I choose joy.  I choose confidence.  I know I’m called, and by the power and authority of Jesus living in me, I can rest. He will give me all that I need.  I’m excited for what God is about to do.  I expect Him to, once again, leave me and everyone else in awe of Him!  Amen!

** If you are so moved by God, I would love for you to stand with me in prayer for this coming event.  I pray God’s glory all over it!  I pray for revival.

Grace Hoarder…

Enjoy my friend Tracie Stier-Johnson who is graciously guest posting for me today.  I will be giving away a copy of Tracie’s new book, 31 Days of Forgiveness.  To be eligible to win, simply leave a comment below, or subscribe to this blog.  The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 9.  Be sure to check back to see if you won.

grace-and-mercyHello, my name is Tracie and I’m a grace hoarder.

Sound a little crazy? Let me explain …

In talking with different people and reading various posts and articles, I sometimes wonder if there’s something wrong with me. You see, I take and accept all the grace I can get my hands on! I’ve been promised it’s mine for the taking and so I take it.

But when I hear others say they aren’t worthy or deserving of God’s  crazy-wonderful gift of grace, it’s then I begin to question why I accept it so easily. Is it possible I take advantage of, or take grace for granted?

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 {NLT}

And then I read His promises. And again and again, I’m reassured … there’s nothing wrong with  hoarding grace. Saving up, stockpiling, banking, and carefully guarding  what’s rightfully mine.

Does that sound selfish? I suppose it could. But I don’t think it is.

I believe those of us who deny His grace, His forgiveness, His gift, and  His sacrifice are letting the enemy rob us of the most extraordinary gift we’ll ever know.

While researching for my book, 31 Days of Forgiveness, 31 Days of Forgivenessthe top two questions I came across were whether or not God really  forgives us, and how we can forgive ourselves. It’s seems there are  countless people who are living with the belief they can’t really be  forgiven for their past sins and therefore are unable to forgive  themselves.

Friends, I’m here today — as a sinner of some  unspeakable and shameful acts — to assure you, this line of thinking is  exactly what satan wants for us to bury deep into our hearts and belief  systems.

I think it’s important to understand when we start  tucking these destructive thoughts into our belief system, we’re  actually putting ourselves before God. When we believe we aren’t worthy  of the forgiveness and grace we’ve been promised, we’re telling God, “No thank you. I’ve got this and don’t need You.”

That’s dangerous ground to be on my friends!

God sacrificed His son so we could live victoriously. There’s encouragement, hope, grace, forgiveness, and victory in His promises! Will you believe it today?

I’d like to close by sharing a couple of excerpts from 31 Days of Forgiveness:

“The things we’ve been through, even if they are shameful or destructive,  could very well be things God wants to use in our lives to help others.  And if we’re standing in the way of our forgiveness, healing, and  freedom, how can God do His work in our lives?

Wouldn’t we rather have God bring glory to those undesirable seasons in our lives?

The Bible tells us story after story after story of God’s love and  redemption. Many a prophet, king, and disciple sinned against God, yet  as soon as they repented, God provided restoration in their lives.

The same is true for us today.

God loves us. With an unconditional, unending, unfathomable love. Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

But in all these things we are completely victorious through God who showed his love for us. Yes, I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor  angles, or ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no  powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the  whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that  is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 {NCV}”

My name is Tracie and I’m a grace hoarder. How about you?

tracie stier-johnsonTracie is a redeemed child of God and the momma to four vivacious daughters.  She’s passionate about finding hidden blessings in the trials of life,  living it out in an honest and open way, while encouraging those around  her to believe in better. She is the author of 31 Days of Faith {finding joy in your anguish} and 31 Days of Forgiveness {through the eyes of grace}. You can find chronicles of her journey in this life at TracieStierJohnson.com