Yesterday, I sang these words as my soon to be son-in-law lead worship. ” No guilt in Life, No Fear in Death – This is the power of Christ in me.”  There is such freedom in these few words – no guilt, no fear.  In Christ Alone my Hope is found…

As we sang these words, the message of Easter was once again confirmed for me and all who claim His gift of gift

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtL_li4GbE&w=420&h=315]

“For I am His and He is mine, Bought with the precious blood of Christ”….

I am so thankful that I am His and there is no guilt and no fear because I was bought with the precious blood of Christ and I pray that you also know this freedom….

Yesterday at MOPS, I gave this devotion again.  I was asked to share this message again – a message that I know I need to remind myself often.  I promised the MOPS Moms that I would post it again on my blog and so here it is.  May it be a reminder to all of us, to let God be the one to turn to fulfill our needs, expectations and desires…

Believe it or not, your husband is just a man

A couple of months ago, a former MOPS Mom came up to me and told me that she thinks about something I said every day.  My initial thought as she said this was, “oh no – what did I say”, but I was assured by her words when she stated these words back to me… “My husband is just a man.”

As Bill and I prepared for our marriage, my anticipation was that Bill would be the one who would always make me happy, secure and loved.  And while the Lord gave me a wonderful man to journey through life with – he is just that – a man.  He has never been (even after 29+ years of marriage) a prince, a superman or a perfect man.

For years, I had huge expectations and put pressure on Bill to be my all in all, to make me feel loved and secure.  I  was so frustrated and disappointed each time he did not live up to my expectations.  I tried all kinds of woman manipulation (you know, crying, nagging, silence, Bible verses ….) to get him to do what I wanted.   Yet, I was disappointed, not because Bill wasn’t trying, but because I needed to learn that no man/woman/child/friend can replace what only God can provide.  My desire to be loved, secure and happy can only be found through my relationship with the living God.

I remember the specific time and place when God reminded me that only HE could provide what I was wanting Bill to do for me.  The Lord made it very clear to me that Bill is just a man – and God did not make him to meet my every need.  Only God Himself could do that.

So my dear friends please remember, that just as God reminded (and continues to remind) me – my husband (and yours) is just a man, created in God’s image but not created to be everything we need.  He is going to make mistakes, disappoint you and fail – all men and women do.  We, as the women who journey beside them need to allow them to be just a man who deal with their own inadequacies (remembering too how we are also just women, human and broken).

Then allow God to be the one you ultimately trust, long for, put your security in and provider.  Only God can be what you want and need.  All humans, husbands, parents, children, friends and even ourselves will disappoint us again and again - but God is all we  need.  He can fill our longings and that will free us to love our husbands as the men that they are.

Bill – if and when you read this – thank you for being “just my man” over these past 29+ years and for allowing me to be just a woman.   I pray that we will always remind each other that only God is capable of meeting our needs.

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.” Psalm 91:2

One of my favorite causes to raise money for is Adoption – I love the way God has adopted us into His family and I love to see families that have been able to build their family through adoption.  If you are local to the area I live (Beaver County, PA) please consider coming to this fund raising event to support the Adoption Connection, PA .  I will be there supporting this event with Blessings Unlimited — I hope to see you too!

I am excited to announce that Kim, comment #9 was picked by www.random.org as the winner – she has been a faithful follower of my blog and has tried numerous times to win Blessings Unlimited products.  I love Kim’s statement … “I love aprons, and this one is especially cute! It would be perfect for when I bake!” Congratulations Kim – please contact me at sandrajoseph@windstream.net with your contact information.

Come back next month (April) for the next Blessings Unlimited Giveaway.

Thanks again for entering and if you did not win this month – please be like Kim and enter again (and again)

Blessings,

It is time to Celebrate!!

I have a new blog look thanks to a wonderful graphic designer who I am also privileged to call my friend – thanks Beth!

I wrote my 500th Blog Post!!

(many thoughts and experiences have been shared ~ recognizable moments recorded to be remembered)

AND

It is past time for the Blessings Unlimited Monthly give away …

This month’s Hostess Special includes the Grace and Gratitude Apron

 This pretty ruffled apron has rows of colorful prints with the message,  A grateful soul is truly blessed, scrolled just under the waist band.  This makes a wonderful gift for a new bride, for Mother’s Day or for yourself.  You can find this apron on my website http://www.myblessingsunlimited.net/sjoseph/Products/Detail.aspx?product=83716 (please cut and paste in your browser).

I am giving away one Grace and Gratitude Apron as a blog giveaway.  To enter you can receive a point each time you do one of the following:

1. Leave a Comment on my blog telling me who you would give this to.
2. Become a follower of my blog by subscribing to my blog (upper right hand corner) or add me to your reader.  Leave me a comment that you did so.  (If you are already following me, leave a comment that you are doing so.)
3. Tell a friend about this giveaway. (Just let me know that you told someone.)
4. Post on Facebook. (Again let me know that you did this.)
5. Post it on your blog (Again, leave me a comment with a link to your blog so I can check it out.)
6. Let me know that you want to receive Blessings Unlimited Inspirational Living online Newsletter. (If you already receive it, leave me a comment that you receive it.)
7. Order one for yourself athttp://www.myblessingsunlimited.net/sjoseph/Products/Detail.aspx?product=83716 or by contacting me personally and I’ll enter you in this drawing to win one for a friend.

For the past year, this flag has hung in our front window, a Service Flag showing that our family had a service member serving in the war (you can learn more about these flags here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_flag)

On Tuesday evening, this flag was no longer necessary as our son-in-law came home from a year’s deployment in Afghanistan. Please give thanks with us as you view the following photos of  that evening

250 Soldiers marched in

The first hug

Joey welcoming his Daddy

Our son-in-law, we are so proud

The happy family

Joey’s shirt says My Dad is Awesome

Let’s go home!

Take your boots off Daddy…

My window today.

Thank you Josiah for serving our country – we are so proud of you and so happy you are home.  God is so faithful and worthy to be praised.

“Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? 
   You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” Psalms 89:*

Blessings Unlimited Gratitude Gathering featuring 1000 Gifts Blessings Unlimited Products

Date: Friday, March 9

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Place: Holiday Inn Express, 3045 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio

For: You and Your friends – all are invited.  Even if you can’t attend we would love to host any family or friends that you have in the area.

Blessings Unlimited inspiring products will be available to order

Give Aways!  Everyone who brings a Guest will receive a gift and your Guest will receive a gift.

I am looking forward to meeting several Blessings Unlimited Consultants coming to this event.  Plus I am excited to meet new friends at this event.  If you are in the Columbus area, I would love to see you there.

Blessings,

~~~~~~

In the last little while – I have had the humbling opportunity to share many of my prior struggles, failures and pain with others who are going through similar experiences.  In almost every situation, I have shared that all my experiences are certainly not the way I thought my life story would go, but I am now certain that I have lived God’s exact plan for me.

This morning God reminded me of this verse…

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

God has redeemed all of my experiences in His time and in His way to bring Himself Glory.  As I have had the privileged to share my pain, shame and struggles with many in the last while, I am humbled that God can use me at all.  And to those of you who are going through so much right now, GOD has not forsaken you, He is not punishing you – He is so very near to the brokenhearted and He collects each of your tears.

Continuing on in 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul shared more hopefully words ….

“ We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,  as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 2:8-9

Keep Trusting God My Friends, Do not give up, do not despair.  God is writing your story through brokenness and pain, He is so aware of each struggle that takes your breathe away.  You are Never Alone – Your Father is Holding You through each moment.  And you will find in days to come that He will redeem it ALL and it will Bring Him Glory.

 Prayerfully,

Happy Leap Year!!!!

Today,  I am offering a sale that happens only every 4th year on Leap Day - all Blessings Unlimited products at my price – you pay my cost and shipping and handling. Order $40 and you will qualify for the hostess gifts, order $300 and I will give you the As for Me and My House Wall Hanging.

You must order by contacting me personally at sandrajoseph@windstream.net or by phone – you can find my number on my Blessings Unlimited website http://www.myblessingsunlimited.net/sjoseph by midnight to take advantage of this offer.

Let’s Celebrate…

Blessings Unlimited Celebrate Plate…

“You are special, loved, adored. A gift from God, a sweet reward. Your smiles light up every day. You bless the world—hip, hip, hooray! You’re fun to be with, fun to love, a happy treat from God above. So thankful He created you—let’s celebrate with much ado!”

Oh How He Loves Us Sign (and a great blog post) can be found at this sweet blog

http://www.susieharrisblog.com/2011/10/how-he-loves-us.html

Living with our middle daughter and our toddler grandson for a year was both a reminder of my past and a learning experience for me.  Many thing reminded me of my days as a young mother especially the sigh of relief when bedtime came and there was a peaceful, beautiful little boy laying in his crib (why do children always look so innocence when they are sleeping – it makes a Grammie’s heart tender and joyful).

Watching my daughter’s daily interaction with my grandson reminded me of the deep love a Mother has for her children.  Joey could be so disobedient and bad and frustrate his mother to her end – yet she still would pick him up, hold him tight, show him  love by showering him with hugs and kisses.  This happened almost everyday and it never failed to bless me.  How Joey’s Mama loved him regardless of his actions – a mother’s love is so strong and powerful.

Every time I watched this play out in my home, I was reminded of how the Lord does the same with me.  My selfishness and sins are just like my toddler grandson – I am selfish and focused on what I want and think I need.  Yet, my Heavenly Father loves me in spite of myself – He picks me up, hold me tight, shows me love through grace.

Laryssa, you are such a good Mama – you love your son so well and I am very thankful for the daily reminder of how true love really is.

Father, God I am so thankful for your love for me each day …

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgeUrD4MHI&w=420&h=315]