Sacrifice, the act of giving of oneself for another. In Hebrew, this word is Korban, which signifies “an offering that brings us closer to God.”  Our heart will have a hard time sacrificing, if our heart has a hard time receiving love. Sacrifice is an overflow. Not necessarily of the physical that we have, although that is sometimes the means,  but rather our heart of gratitude for another. A home cooked meal when exhaustion is setting in, a cloak laid down for a king, or the greatest sacrifice of our Saviour laying down His life for us.  

This past year has been difficult, tough… ugly, even. You know the kind I am talking about? When life brings out of you a whole new side of ugly that you didn’t even know existed. It took me off guard. I already had quite the armor; I had learned to be resilient… until I wasn’t. I had learned strength through forgiveness. I valued turning the other cheek. I walked this path; it wasn’t new to me to be hurt and forgive.

God's provision does not always come in the exact way we may think, but if we step back and look for the ways that God is providing for your every need, we will learn to be thankful in every circumstance. God is so good and faithful. He knows your exact needs even when we don’t, So hold onto the things that are true: God loves you, He is your provider, and He has abundant provision for your every need.

So if you are offering your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave the gift before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come offer your gift.

As I journey through life, I am surprised that pain takes me so off guard. Pain is inevitable in a fallen world, stemming from Adams decision so long ago, and still reeking havoc in our lives today. The question is not if...

Here’s a little secret… marriage is hard! After a long day of wrangling kids, doing the ever mounting dishes, folding the Leaning Tower of Pisa laundry, you may collapse on the couch wondering, is there really time or energy for your spouse?...

Teaching your kids how to learn certain life skills takes energy, patience, determination, and flexibility as they learn and make mistakes on the way. Yet, the value of teaching how to do chores not only benefits you, but also your child for...

Jesus...the crux of the salvation story. The pillar of the Christian faith. Why Jesus? Why believe in a God you don’t feel you know, and a faith you don’t understand? Would you listen if He prodded your heart? If you fully believed He saw you right where you are at with all your brokenness and baggage and yet still loves you. There is a biblical account of a Samaritan woman, searching for love, filling her life with empty relationships. Her void in her heart was as deep as the well she sought water from. Yet, Jesus saw her, offering her wholeness, despite the emptiness she felt. Would you allow Him a second of your time to reveal to you, that He loves you despite all the wrongs that you have ever done?

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control, who wouldn't want their kids to exhibit these attributes? It's a beautiful thing to watch our kids show love to others, but sometimes life looks messier than how facebook portrays. It's a daily, purposeful quest to live focused and free. So when I can make a craft that helps encourage attributes that I am aiming for, I am all in. I wanted to share a simple little craft about the fruits of the Spirit that I used to help encourage a spark in my kids to do the right things, and hopefully you will also find value in it too!

A sandy-haired boy with deep ocean blue eyes and a strong stature, coyly sits. He reminds me of a young David in the Bible; fearless, handsome, and loveable. His emotions dangle off his sleeves as he lives his life in extremes. Hate and love are often on his lips... as he either disdains something or can’t imagine life without it. This boy, a warrior at heart, filled with passion and emotion is my son, Jayden.

A Father’s hands tell his story. Dedication and sacrifice are how he spends his days as his life no longer becomes about himself. It has been broken for another. He tirelessly rises and grinds so as to make sure his family is...

Give the gift of showing Christ to others this Christmas season, by showing kindness to those He loves. Join me on these 24 Intentional Acts of Kindness!

My feet are resting under our chipped Ethan Allen coffee table. It's near midnight and there is a stillness in the air. All the kids are asleep, and the day is drawing closer to a new day. My thoughts don't rest, although the time is telling me to, as I try to eke out a few more minutes of this gift called "today". So many good, hard and beautiful moments etched onto today's page... written in sacrificial love. It's effortless to walk in creek beds, receive hand drawn cards, and enjoy my kids because they truly are a gift. That's easy love. Yet, the love of a child, goes beyond the easy, and allows you to love when it's hard. Disregarding selfishness, and transforming your life so that you think of someone else's needs above your own.

Busyness is all around us; cluttering our life and thought process as though it belongs. Pressuring us to hurry instead of being still. Life can almost feel like a siren; repetitious, loud, and making it hard for us to think clearly. How much of this is warranted, and how much of this is unnecessary? God is so gracious. Sometimes we are the Martha’s of the world, striving to achieve our own "self-validation", while God is saying, “Come sit next to me. Rest with me, because you are my beloved. I loved you when you were the vilest of sinners, and I love you now.”

Hollow words fill the room. It is normal. It is accepted. So, as robots, people exchange back and forth this nugatory vocabulary. Perhaps, it is because many feel like the words they speak...empty, depleted of what is needed to carry sustenance. Yet, just like your words carry weight, so do you. Your influence is sending shock waves to those around you, whether you are on board for this responsibility or not. What if we stopped the trajectory we are heading on, and started placing value on ourselves and those around us? Realizing that, perhaps...the words we speak can and do make a difference.

My son has always been a natural born leader... Some call these attributes strong-willed. :) It depends on what paintbrush you grab, or what lens you view it through. His candle is bright, and his presence is unhidden. Each day he is being molded and shaped; crafted with God’s hands through time and experience, knowledge and love. As I look at my sweet boy, I am motivated to grow, to learn truth, to live out truth, to abandon excess baggage in myself so I can guide him with a clear mind and heart. His eyes are watching, and emulating everything to the umpteenth degree, because whatever he does, he does big and loud... Because his roar is meant to be heard.

Do we even fully grasp the significance of a God who is willing to meet us where we are and love us? We are so frail, so broken; from the least to the greatest, we are as dust. The sad reality of our humanity is that even those who loved God with as much as they could, struggled with remembering their humble place. Provision, love, faithfulness, mercy... God has never lacked in any one. His very essence is love, and His character has no flaws. Why do we seek for lesser things? Why do we allow ourselves to wander when God is all we need as our daily bread, and our fullness of life?

Each day we have moments where we desperately need God’s forgiveness and grace. Wake up calls to our imperfections and depravity. Perhaps like me, you remember a season that you realized the depth of this chasm. God's grace and mercy was not just the cherry on top, but the necessary glue to keep you together. We sometimes get so comfortable that I think we forget the love we had at first for the God who gave us hope. That elated feeling of peace and joy, when we tossed all our garbage aside and said, "I trust You."

Do you know you’re beautiful, Ms. Isabella? We, as women, sometimes question our worth, our beauty... We seek admiration by the way we dress, the way we talk, the choices we make. We want so bad to feel loved. Our heart cries for this attention, and when we don’t receive it, we criticize ourselves as though we didn’t reach the standard that we needed to achieve. We question if we are of value. Well, sweet child, I pray this is not a vice for you. I pray you know you don’t measure your worth with these shifting scales. You are beautiful... Because you are YOU.

There are people in our lives that grace the doors of our heart, and leave unforgettable impressions. I can proudly say I carry the namesake of mine. My grandma, Svanhild Kristoffersen, was strong and reserved, living a life of love for Jesus with her...

Money has a way of blurring lines, it immobilizes us to dwell on our innate desire for security and comfort, rather than assessing the overarching situation. This election is capitalizing on those fears, forcing people to question what is best for our divided country. The hope is that somebody will relieve the financial burden that is pitted on them and their children's shoulders. This mirage has steered many away from the looming moral issues, and has formed a distraction, rather than get us any closer to a resolution.

This year I started homeschooling. Pause for a cyber five to all my homeschooling peeps. :) It’s been fun... and challenging... and rewarding! I remember in the beginning doubting even the ability to homeschool. Now, after almost a full year of kindergarten... still having days where I can doubt my ability to homeschool. Let’s be honest with ourselves, even in parenting we can find ourselves here, questioning if we have the strength and capabilities to do a good job. There always will be people who seem more put together than us and those who seem less. Yet, I am grateful for the opportunity to spend the extra time with my daughter and have the privilege to watch her learn and grow throughout the day.

Sin corrupts our heart and draws our praise and focus away from a loving God. The people of Nineveh struggled with this depravity. Their harsh forms of dominance and control permeated who they were. Sin consumed them, and overflowed for all to see, blinding their eyes to truth. They worshipped false gods and goddess’ in order to fill their desire for worship, but this idolatrous lifestyle only drew them further away from the one true God.

As parents, we are bombarded with information on how to be a good parent. It's overwhelming. Society tells us. Our kids tell us. Other people tell us. It is easy to feel like a failure, even when you give everything you have. We need to quiet out the excess noise, and pare down the hundreds of do's and do not's to what really matters. Setting priorities is essential to avoid the extra unnecessary stressors that distract us from what needs to be our focus. Take the reigns on what's important in parenting and focus less on the frills that won't make or break your child.

My journey with God began before I could say “mama”, and today as a woman I have let Jesus into my heart. I am Shannon, a mom, wife, cook, maid, coffee barista, friend, daughter, sister, and child of God’s Kingdom. Below is my walk in faith, and a heartfelt testimony that God is real! He stands by you through thick and thin.

Have you ever prayed and pleaded with God over a personal matter and still had the answer be no? Have you ever laid your heart bare and thought surely God will have mercy on me? Yet, what if God's mercy didn't look exactly like the manuscript you sent up to Him? What if God's mercy came through hardship, as your tears fall to the ground? Our faithful and just Creator looking beyond our desires and reaching our needs.

Each day brings with it new opportunities to learn faith and trust in God. Kids sprinkle in more of these opportunities as we rely on God with their safety and provision (can I hear an Amen). Yet kids can also teach us...

I look at those around me, from the Believers who sit next to me in the pews, to the non-Believers who have never felt the presence of God's love wash over them. Yet, as we mingle in the world, the lines are blurred. It's kind of hard to tell anyone apart. Is there anyone who looks different? Who sets themselves apart with convictions in their heart that screams that there is a God? Or do they look and act like everyone else? Does your desire to fit in cause you to be stuck in the elementary teachings about Christ, forcing you to mull over the same struggles you've had for years? This begs to ask the question why?

As a society, we live busy, hurried, loud lives, rushing from one place to another, or one thing to another trying to allow our feet to catch up to our agenda. Even when we have time to pause our minds are cluttered. It would take a big theatrical display of God’s majesty to stop us in our tracks, in order for us to really pay attention to God. Yet, God is not a puppet on display. He is the God of the universe that deserves our attention.

My body is tired from a long day, I have a slight headache, and some crazy hair. Yet, as I sit here, I fully comprehend why God called the man blessed who has kids. It is not the temporary discomforts that affect anything in a large scale; your body will have good and bad days. So as I sit here with my youngest on my lap, I am extremely thankful. I am thankful for the impromptu dance parties, the silly jokes, the brilliant way that children's minds work, the sweet cards, the time they want to spend with me, and their pure faith. The list could going on endlessly. How do you show your appreciation to the ones who mean so much? How do you bless your children and express your thankfulness?

In America, you rarely see someone without clothes because they don't own any. Some voluntarily go that route, but that's another issue. Due to our prosperity, we almost cultivate an environment of greed and acquiring excess material just because we can. This should not be. Whether you are blessed with much, or little, if you can stay focused and grounded on the basic principles of giving you will be amazed how much more your joy will feel complete.

We serve a God of the impossible. Do you truly believe this? As you say your prayers, do you pray within the realm of possibility or impossibility? Do you realize that God’s abilities go beyond your situation, limitations, and even other people? Fears and worries creep in when our faith is limited to what we can do within our own ability, ultimately accepting a limited view of God.

I know what you are thinking… trivial. In the big scheme of things, saying blessed instead of lucky has nothing to do with salvation, however, for me it's something I make a conscious effort to do. Here's why. With each word we say we are making a statement. What our beliefs, ideologies, and passions are. Luke 6:45 says, “Out of the heart the mouth speaks.” The power of the tongue is very influential.

Sometimes we get so busy that we forget that God desires our love. He prefers a simple card that comes from our heart, rather than a thousand eloquent words with no meaning behind them. God wants us to sit at His feet and listen to Him. He wants us to stop rushing from His presence, in order to do things that breathe temporary value, because even the good things, if not done with God in the midst of it, will not have lasting value. They will be a chore list to get done, rather than an offering of love.

When 9:00 am rolls around, the Houle kids know what time it is; it's Bible time. A time we've set aside each day to teach them about God. Our teaching is not limited to one small block of time, life is filled with lessons, but it's a way we have instilled in our kids that making time with God is a priority. My kids are 5, 4, 2 1/2, and 31 wks gestation :) My kids love devotional time. I commonly hear the phrase, "Yay, devo time!" as I announce it's time for the morning devotional.

Marriage is a commitment filled with promises that are made between two imperfect people, yet tied together with love and a vow. With the words "I do", you promise to love and cherish your spouse. Although society says love can be temporal and disposable, and that it is okay to disregard your vows; God paints a different picture. His is one of perseverance, companionship, love, and devotion.

Little clothes, big clothes, I fold the basketfuls of laundry that are always awaiting me. The dishes that once enveloped my sink are put away. The house is picked up to the best it will be for now. There has been many...

Fear limits. Faith builds up. I am not referring to the fear of God, out of respect for His authority, rather the kind of fear that limits our obedience to God rather then drawing us closer to Him. Obedience that requires faith, also has an antithesis known as fear, and it is knocking on the door. The unknown breeds a slew of emotions, especially if we question our circumstances rather than the God who called us there.

It was one of those not so proud moments of motherhood, where instead of speaking life and encouragement to the ones I love, my words came out hurtful. It was undeserved. Through the grind of day to day, we need to be conscience of the words we speak, and the tones we speak them in. We impact those around us, whether we know it or not. Thankfully, sometimes even when we mess up, we are shown God's grace, through the undeserved love from another, and hopefully, we can glean from those moments, reciprocating the same love to others.

We all have our foundational beliefs that form the framework of our core. Where does your truth stem from? From society? Your parents? The Bible? Perhaps you don’t even realize where they came from, they are just so embedded in your personality you continue to live them out. I challenge you-to strip down your preconceived notions of truth, and start building your ideologies on the Word of God. Because ultimately when we say our parting goodbye's here on earth, the only One we have to give account to is God.

I watch my precious kids grow up before my eyes. Each 24 hour period passes almost as quickly as it arrives. I try to balance all of life's details, while still prioritizing my kids. Despite the slew of stuff that bombards each day, I want to stop and breath in the moments that make each day special. I want to appreciate my kids and savor the moments that I don't want to pass by. Hopefully if I pause long enough I can create a memory that can't be taken from me. So as I hear the laughter bubbling through my house, and the joy that kids bring, I want to put aside my tiredness, my work, my distractions and remember how fleeting these moments are. I want to soak in just one more memory.

Crafts are a great way to engage kids in learning. For me, I have a craft cabinet to keep everything for their crafting needs. It doesn’t always look pretty! But it is everything in one spot. I was teaching the kids about Elisha and the Shunamite women the other day, and couldn’t find the specific craft I was looking for, so I made up this simple craft to help remind my kids of this historical event. Hopefully you will be able to get some use out of it too!

You were so young, still forming in my womb, as anticipation of motherhood filled my heart. Everyone around us was so thrilled to hear the announcement that you were on the way. Each passing day I grew more and more excited, longing to hold you, to meet you.

“He doesn’t have to say he's sorry” my 4 year old daughter's said after I told my son to apologize to her. It wasn’t in a disrespectful tone, but one of forgiveness. True forgiveness, one that can't be bought or faked. She got it.

In Exodus 17:11-12 we see two companions of Moses, Aaron and Hur, standing alongside Moses through this battle, when Moses raised his hand with the rod of God they were winning the battle, but when his arm grew tired, and started to stoop they were losing. So Aaron and Hur stepped in, and helped raised Moses hand. They were all in the battle together. In the end they all won.

One step at a time we take, as we realize that our faith is not just a one and done phenomenon; but rather a lifetime of drawing closer to God through the highs and lows of life, and believe me their will be both. Yet, despite the peace and joy that God brings, drawing close is still an intentional daily choice of obedience and sacrifice, to stay cultivated and fresh.

Sadness, the aching of a bleeding heart, the kind that sometimes seems unfillable? A void. A stillness in the air that echoes in your heart. Have you ever had days like this?

It was 2002, my boyfriend (now husband) and I decided to take the next step in our journey of faith. We both had accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and were ready for whatever God had in store for us. So in a local hotel’s pool we openly confessed to others the proclamation that we so intimately made between God.

Her favorite blanket was missing. Sure she has others, but this is her new favorite. A cute blanket with a cow on it that she lovingly refers to as 'moo-moo'. We looked for a while, but nothing showed up. So she stopped and said, “I know what to do!” With her eyes clinched together she prayed, “Lord, please help me find my Moo-Moo, Amen.”

The snow has already fallen, the Christmas decorations are hung, and thoughts of what Christmas truly means fills my mind. A time of reflection of our Savior, a time of peace. Yet the true meaning of Christmas sometimes slips away as commercials and the "me" mentality take its place. We write lists of what we want, and what will make us feel special.

After coming home from the Real Housewives Retreat, I could not stop thinking of the enormous flock of black birds that swarmed the dining hall that last meal we had together. It was enough for us all to get out of our seats and stare out the windows (nobody dared to go outside though!).

I think it is so important to be a good steward of all that God has entrusted to us, including our finances. When we were a family of 4 we were spending approximately $150 per week in groceries and toiletries. Since then we have implanted some simple transitions to our grocery shopping and although we have increased our family size to 5, we have still saved approximately $50 per week. Here are some of my inside tips.

I was born in the 1950's and was adopted by hard working immigrant parents which gave me an idyllic start to my sometimes controversial life. They provided a stable & peaceful home filled with kindness and generosity.

I am excited to announce that Poured Out His Love won the Liebster Award! It's an award given to blogs with less than 200 followers in any one social outlet. It's designed to show recognition and appreciation for an up-and-coming blog. Poured Out His Love was nominated by Living Story, a great blog that you should definitely check out; you're sure to receive an extra dose of encouragement this morning!

Blink. The moment has passed. Someone else has run out of time. The specific number of days that only God knows, yet because of the busyness of life procrastination trumps the most important decision. Where will you spend eternity?

In today’s busy society, multitasking seems essential to keep up with all the demands of daily living, yet with this mentality sometimes we don't pause long enough to show proper respect. I think teaching children respect at a young age really makes a big difference.

Lies come in many forms, whispering our insecurities as though they carry some entitled information. Whether these lies are self imposed or negativity spread from those around us, you can't dwell on these things. It will suck the life right out of you. Focus on who God sees, a person of value,  a person with purpose, a person who is loved.

In the famous scene at the end of Schindler's List, Oskar Schindler looks at his remaining possessions and helplessly reflects on lost opportunities. His anguish is palpable as this strong man's heart begins to break. He didn't boast about the hundreds that were spared in his factory, but mourned for those that didn't get to see the light of another day.

I do not take my words lightly, but I can honestly say Life Beautiful is my favorite magazine that I have ever read. It classically invites you to read its article. Each page is purposeful and well laid out. With awesome photography and applicable Bible verses to encourage and challenge their readers.

My daughter Isabella Grace Houle is almost four. For a while I was convinced she was going to be primarily a daddy’s girl and I was going to take a back seat. To put it bluntly… we did not always see eye to eye.

We have goals and hopes that drive us. We know there will be sacrifices and dedication, yet sometimes our goals fall flat on their face before we can even get out of the starting gate. We compare ourselves to others. But God's not comparing us to that person, so why are we?

I am about to get all #realtalk for a minute. Some times people annoy us. It could have been the person who stole your parking spot, or a rude comment; perhaps, it was someone being unsupportive or cold. Whatever the reason, sometimes we are on our last cherry coated straw, and it wouldn't matter if the situation deserved our annoyance or not, they are going to get it; because at that moment, that final straw equals the stubbed toe from earlier, the burnt breakfast, the lost keys, the extra bill, the friend who you don't talk to anymore. It's a culmination of annoyances that haven't been shaken off yet.

Don't get me wrong; it's not that I am not excited for you. I am. I know you will excel in school and do awesome. You are super smart; you always have been. You recognized the alphabet at 2 years old. That seems advanced to me. You love to learn. Your teacher already picked that up at kindergarten evaluation. They flattered me with the notion that they almost wanted to advance you to first grade. Your brightness shows.

I have to admit, I have trouble overlooking words that scorch the heart and leave a bad taste in my mouth. I question the intentions of another when their actions seem so blatantly negative. Trust is a big deal to me. So when I feel vulnerable enough to offer my heart, this does not come lightly. It builds over time, and takes a while to feel that security. It’s not that I fail to acknowledge my own faults; I know they are there, yet I don’t want it to be the highlight of the conversation. Despite my trust issues, God still calls us to not pay attention to every word people say. To brush it off our shoulders as though it were a fleeting moment. How do we do that? I am still trying to figure that out.

Whether consciously or subconsciously thoughts are constantly filtering in and out of our heads, as we establish game plans for our days, weeks, and months, but how often does it go as smoothly as hoped, or exactly as we originally desired?  Sometimes we can become so focused on what we think should happen, we ignore God directing us down a different path.

I stand at 5 foot nothing, with medium length dirty blonde or brunette hair (depending on who you ask) and blue eyes. I have three kids, ages 5, 3 ½, and almost 2 years old. I don’t have many hobbies, nor do I excel at many things, primarily because to do most things (even average) takes me a lot of energy and dedication. My thoughts can come out jumbled, and I occasionally say the most clichéd statements wrong. I get nervous when telling people what they don't want to hear (even though I still do it), and I carry the emotional weight of a lot of situations around me. I don’t say this as a “woe is me moment,” but I can empathize with Moses who felt inadequate for the tasks that God called him to do.

It was 8:20pm, the kids were in their room winding down for the night. Me and my husband were relaxing on the couch, as I hear the pitter patter of little feet. This is a normal occurrence at night, the kids seeking their one (or three) last goodnight interactions.

Lately, I have been hearing a lot of people angry over legalism. What is legalism? I am sure if you asked multiple people what it is you probably would receive various answers. This seemingly attainable type of mindset eliminates the need for a Savior and yet it falls so far from the truth because no one is perfect (Romans 3:23). Bottom line, we need a Savior. Jesus fills the gaps of our imperfection and provides a means for salvation. However, sometimes I feel people take the term legalism too far, falsely assume many matters the Bible discusses as debatable. This too is dangerous because it undervalues the fact that God placed it in the Bible for a reason.

Blah. Blah. Blah. I wonder if that's what some people hear when I talk. I want to make a difference, an impact on others' lives, but I know it takes more than words to grow someone's trust, to show someone love. They have to believe the words themselves and apply it to their lives, or no difference will take place. This transformation starts by getting to the heart of the matter; what is lying in the depths of your heart that only you and God know about?

I flip through the television channels as magic and sorcery is strewn through cartoons masquerading itself with innocence and enchantment, blurring lines with childlike imagination and deep spiritual darkness. The thought that these could go hand in hand is weird, yet they almost seamlessly do. As though it's a game of ring around the rosies. On main stream television it is almost impossible to find something without magic. Then the pick and choose battle begins, or as some parents I respect do, go without TV. Wondering what will cause the greatest impact?

On May 9, 2009 at 11:24pm I gave birth to a 4lb, 11oz son. The first time I held him I didn't fully comprehend what it was to be a mom, and yet I knew I loved this child I carried for 36 weeks. The sacrifice, the devotion, the love had not sunk in as I confidently assumed mothering in its entirety would come as naturally as riding a bike... perhaps I was thinking of a bike with training wheels?

As parents we need to be at the front lines for our children as their number one advocate and protector. Taking the first blows as situations come charging at our kids, whether it be filtering what they hear, protecting their steps, or nurturing their heart we need to invest in our kids with passion and conviction, teaching them what true love is and learning it ourselves. There are few days that go by that some foreign food substance hasn't lodged itself on my shirt, or that the coffee pot has run dry way too early; yet, we need to plow forward. Not because it's easy, but because we love our kids, and we are going to be held accountable for how we parented them.

Hello everyone, I had to share my new victory: chores for kids that they actually enjoy doing. It's a magnetic chore chart, that they call a "game", and voluntarily ask for... No, really! I've seen this concept on other websites; my biggest inspiration was from a website called A Spotted Pony. I gathered what worked for our family, omitted what didn't and added my own twist on the subject. I'm a huge proponent of anything that keeps my sanity in tact.

The door shuts, as disagreements mount. There is a progression of pain, that escalates as one wonders where is this person I married? Does he hear the cries of my heart? Does he care? In a marriage you love deeply and hurt deeply. Each spouse knows the others buttons, and they WILL push them. What are some practical ways to make your spouse loveable again?

The night was still as the Star of David announced Jesus’ birth. Swaddled in cloth and appearing to have all the same attributes as the sweet babies that have gone before, God makes His appearance to man. After the anticipated journey, the wise men arrived, and in an instant they fell down and worshiped Jesus. They didn't question what they should do, rather they immediately showed the respect God deserves. They were clearly called wise men for a reason.

A strong willed child? A rough marriage? Financial problems? What will cause our knees to bend? We all have trials and tribulations that force us to question the purpose of our troubles in the big scheme of things. We wonder why we couldn’t be stronger and overcome this adversity in our own strength.

These last couple of weeks have been dicey. The busyness that accompanies a transition to a new house has certainly effected me and my family. It has taken time to fall into a new routine; no wonder God reminded me to pray for patience this morning.

Although time was limited this past month, I still felt privileged that Fly By Promotions gave me the opportunity to do 2 book reviews; with the incentive of being able to gift these 2 books to one blessed individual.

Parents have a big responsibility. We are supposed to train and guide our precious children to the best of our abilities. 24 hours in a day does not seem like enough time for this monumental task. Just the other day I was picking up some cold cuts at Walmart when a fellow customer stopped me and asked me what my youngest son was eating. "What" I asked, because I hadn't given him anything. To my horror he had ripped off a piece of plastic from the shopping cart handle and was happily sucking on it. “Am I fit for this task?” I questioned myself.

Playtime at McDonalds was over. It was time to wrap things up and get going. Of course telling three children that it's time to leave is easier said then done. After much repetition I finally got all three kids in the van. Relieved, yet frustrated, I sat down and stated, "You know you guys really have to listen and obey mommy" Isabella's response, "Why?"

We live in a land of abundance. We have two of everything, and what we don't have extra of it is on our wish list. We have three kids; my husband works hard, and we are good budgeters knowing what monetarily comes and goes. Lately, I was yearning for extra: extra in the bank account, extra to go out to eat or buy a new outfit. We are buying our first house, so our tight budget is even tighter. I guess I am feeling the squeeze. Yet through this moment I took some time to reflect on last year.

God is faithful to all His promises (Psalm 145:13). So when God makes one we should stop and listen. Do you look for a rainbow after a rainfall? Sometimes I do. Perhaps it’s the beauty, perhaps the wonder? My four year old listed the colors to me today :) I am not sure I know too many four year olds who actually list indigo in there, but if you knew my Timmy it wouldn't come as too much of a surprise.

Who else feels the need to cover their eyes while passing Abercrombie and Fitch? Anyone, anyone? We live in a very lustful society, our minds are being polluted on a daily basis, just from merely turning on the tv or passing a billboard. We are constantly bombarded with the notion that open sensuality and promiscuity are ok, but God desires so much more for us. Nobody else will guard your mind for you, you have to make a conscience effort to do that, or you too can fall prey to the norm.

Investing in kids is a great honor, whether your own or someone elses. They want to be guided and loved, they just need people to take the time and invest in them. Sitting around with my children, we reviewed the story of Elijah after he ran from Jezebel.

As a Christian, it is hard to assess how to handle conflict, at least it is for me. Verses like “keep no record of wrongs,” and “turn the other cheek,” play in my mind as I question how to deal with this mounting frustration. In a perfect scenario I would be able to overlook every offense thrown my way, unfortunately I have not reached that point yet. Things still bother me. I still have hard days where someone cutting me off on the coffee line could initiate the stink eye. So how do we address people Biblically? Does God expect us to brush everything under the rug?

The truths of a loving relationship penetrates my heart. The simple truth that God wants everyone to know and hear. When Jesus died on the cross, it was before we had a relationship with Him. He was dying for those who spit on Him as He walked the road to the cross, for sinners like you and me.

Peaceful that is what I’d call this moment. How is this possible with 3 kids? When I had no kids I felt frazzled, and yet now I am relaxed? What caused this paradigm shift? I stopped living as though I had no kids.

Because most toddler's attention span is all of a nanosecond, I find the simpler the craft the better. Age and personality type also play a factor when finding applicable crafts for your sweethearts. My children have two very different personalities. Even by age 2, my son could stay on a task for quite a while, whereas my daughter is just like me, “blessed”, with a very small attention span. We both start a hundred things at once and don't finish them.

Thank you for all who read the book review, and participated in “Hey God, I’ve Got Some Guy Named Jonah in my Stomach and I Think I’m Going to Throw Up!” children’s book giveaway. I loved reading your favorite Bible verse… even...

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that wives are important. We have big shoes to fill when we say, “I do” and step into this role as a “helpmeet” with our spouses. In the Bible, there were clearly woman who helped their husbands, and those who hurt them.

FlyBy Promotions presented me with the opportunity to do a book review. I get to give a book to one of my readers, and receive one myself, pretty cool deal! I always love getting new books for my kids. We read 3 books every night before bed, 2-3 before nap time, and more throughout the day (especially if the kids butter me up). So needless to say… we love to read!

Do I trust God and believe He is who He says He is? Do I have faith to believe without doubting? These questions are invoked when I think of the Christians who have gone before, who walked the talk and saw people's hearts changed. Do I take God at His word, and am I willing to stand on the front lines professing God to be the one He says He is, the One and Only true God?

I sit and watch as snowflakes hit my windshield one after another. I am amazed at how detailed and beautiful these handcrafted drops of ice are. How often have I had the chance to even pay attention? How easily it would have been for God to disregard the details in the snowflake, because, unless you really stop to pay attention, who really cares if they were just balls of snow with only a practical purpose? But God cared. It makes perfect sense, aligned with His nature, that the Artist that created the world paid attention to the details we rarely notice. Life can be like a good movie; the more you watch it, the more you see the details that were placed there by the director.

Kids are like sponges, absorbing everything we teach them and observing the priorities we set. As I watch these precious little children mimic my actions, it has made me conscience of who I was as a person and what I strive to be. What are my priorities, and what do I feel is the most important values I want to instill in my children?

For the past 2 weeks we held a contest asking your guys input on your favorite articles and to join us on Facebook. Thank you for those who participated. The winners are announced below… 1. $20 CBD.com gift card Lori LC 2....

Who doesn't love free stuff! 2 people are going to be chosen at random to win either a $20 CBD.com gift card or a CD from the "Worth it all Project" at The Chapel (all proceeds going to Agape International Missions which rescues and restores children from sex trade in Cambodia)

It’s all perspective. We complain over trivial matters; yet, there are people who have a reason to complain, but don’t. For the same energy it takes to complain, we should use those mental resources and think of things we are thankful for.

As swift as the day comes, so it leaves. Life is swirling by faster than we would like to give it credit for, as our clocks and calendars remind us of our routine oriented lives.

It's so easy to go with the flow. Who wants to be the salmon swimming up stream? Yet, I think that is what we are called to do. We need not be guided by what society says is right or wrong but guided by what God says is. We live in a society that encourages us to do whatever comes naturally, or makes us feel good, but is this really for our benefit or detriment?

I was heading down the road in our 2006 Toyota Sienna with my precious cargo in tow. Timmy and Izzy were in their car seats, and Jayden was in my womb. Thoughts of the day were filling my head, as I traveled the same route I had driven many times before. It is kind of scary how methodical driving the same route becomes. Stop sign, go, stop light, go. Sometimes we are kind of on auto pilot as we travel the all too familiar paths.

Some Bible versions say honor, other translations say respect, but the underlining meaning holds the same, it is intended to place value on another human being. People we naturally respect may range from God to a family member, perhaps someone in an authority position. I admire when people show respect to others because it is just as much an earned privilege as it is a choice from the one extending this gracious offer. I feel there are those who earned respect due to noteworthy characteristics and then there are those times we show respect to another because it is the honorable thing to do, whether they deserve respect or not.

Today is the day for obedience. Oh wait, that doesn’t work for me...ok, how about tomorrow? Wait a second that’s my hair appointment; can I take a rain check? Obedience is a funny thing, you either are or you aren’t going to be obedient. Our slew of excuses range from almost understandable to silly, but no matter what the conclusion is to failing to adhere to the direction God is sending, they all fall into the same garbage heap under the title “excuses.”

Financial distress, natural disasters, death, illness, the list goes on of the tragedies that happen on a daily basis, yet, if we aren't personally involved with these tragedies, does it really affect us? We sit comfortable in our cozy homes with our bellies filled and our priorities set. We plan for the future and try not to dwell on the pain that others are experiencing. Perhaps we say a prayer or watch the news with sympathy in our hearts. Sometimes, if we are directly affected we make changes. Perhaps we start praying fervently over fear of the unexpected, but as weeks and months pass so does our urgency to change. Why does it take so much for our heart to be softened, to change our actions before negative consequences ensue, or to have compassion on those dealing with tragedies enough to become involved?

Where is God? The question emanates from those around me. I see their longing, their desire for peace, the feeling deep down that there is something more. But they still haven’t experienced the life changing power of Christ and wonder why? The assumption soon rises perhaps it is what it is. I can’t dwell on something I can’t change, so I will just enjoy this life, and hope everything works itself out at the end. Unfortunately, we can’t wait till the end to make amends with God. We have to make proactive steps now to receive His presence and solidify our hope in what is to come.

Why God? Why me? Why do hardships come and trials rage around us? We question. We grow discouraged. Yet, aren’t we supposed to be thankful in all things? How is this possible when we can barely keep our head above water?

Are they going to like me? Why aren't I as pretty as her? Are they going to listen if I share my heart? Am I dispensable? Am I capable enough? What person doesn’t deal with insecurities of some shape or form? Sometimes if they are bad enough, they take on a life of their own, even directing and controlling our actions. I struggle with insecurities; it seems like they manifest more heavily when I am feeling tired or already drained emotionally. I don’t think we have to stay in the position of succumbing to our insecurities. We can rise above them, but in order to overcome insecurities we have to learn what it means to be secure.

What must one experience before they bend their knee? Whether we are a Christian or not we still struggle with our independent ways. Although we may not think it, sometimes our actions portray that we think our ways are higher than Gods, as we follow our “own” path, whatever feels good or makes sense at the time, even if it is sinning, and not beneficial. God cares about us too much for that. So He will draw us to Him with whatever means necessary.

Awakened at the crack of dawn by a 31" girl and a 37" boy. I stumble half awake as my children ask for “dinks”, a.k.a. drinks. We start our routine of breakfast, cartoons, devotional… the list continues.

After you ask Jesus into your heart a question still remains, are you willing to have “Agape” love for God or “Phileo” love? Are you willing for your life to be transformed and make a difference in others, or are you going to sit on the sidelines and just be comfortable?

I am so thankful for second chances. Life is such a journey filled with ups and downs. Sometimes we are on our “A” game, other times we fail. We are reminded in our human state how imperfect we are. Yet, through our moments of imperfection, we are humbled with the realization of Gods grace and mercy as He forgives us and gives us a second chance.

If only life was always filled with roses, where no pain could penetrate our heart; or our clocks would stop long enough for us to revel in the moment and be thankful. Then, it would always be easy to maintain our joy. But what happens when life isn’t going smoothly, when it takes all your effort to stay above water? What then? I have felt pain, and I have felt joy. Here are some ways I am able to keep my joy a little longer.

Procrastination, oh how you taunt me! Our list is a mile long of things to do, people we want to encourage, people we need to address. It is easy to push some things to the bottom of the list and literally never get around to them. And because we are staying busy, it relieves some of the guilt involved of achieving those things on the "to-do" list.

We live in a very open minded society. Anything and everything goes. Dare we say anything contrary to the “Live as you please” mentality it is considered judging. But does everything really fall into the judging category? When does accountability take effect and how can we avoid judging?

A friend is a trustworthy confidante and companion that you share your life with, some stay for a season, others for a lifetime. It is the necessary companionship that we all long for; the deep binding friendship that ties our heart to another.

Life doesn’t always seem fair. We struggle with seeing the big picture because we are so fixated on our current struggle. We feel overwhelmed and wonder why God would allow us to walk through this. But God will use even the darkest moments of our life, and breathe purpose into them, if we let Him.

We lay a prayer before God, a prayer for healing, financial stability, or perhaps for the salvation of a loved one. Whatever the case may be, these prayers resonate in our hearts. We sit; we wait. We check the clock and calendar for time passed on unanswered prayers. Maybe being still and patient is what is required of you, but sometimes God wants us to put our money where our mouth is. He wants us to establish our faith by an action.

The wedding ceremony, joining of two lives in perfect harmony. You feel complete, whole. Then, something happens on the way home from the reception. You realize your soul mate is completely different than you. You have different opinions and dreams. You can't even agree on the thermostat. So what now? How do you honor your husband with love and respect despite the seeming different worlds that you live on?

“Oh my God”, "For God's Sake", "Swear to God" are phrases used by Christians and non-Christians alike. They flow off the tongue without hesitation, but should they? The Ten Commandments are the most fundamental of laws, ranging from don't steal to don't murder. In this cluster of valuable commandments "Thou shalt not use God’s name in vain" is listed third. Yet, it has been tossed to the side over the years. It may seem trivial to some, but in essence, it’s lowering the name of God to a filler word. Eeks!

Love is the greatest commandment, the core and force of the Christian faith. In a world filled with pain and hurt we lose sight of this beautiful gift. We not only fail to receive, but we also fail to give. Then, just when we feel overwhelmed, we are reminded of Gods love through the joy of our children, the friendship of our spouse, the caring ways of a friend, or just a random act of kindness from a stranger. I step back and pause as I am humbled. These outward expressions remind me that I am not alone, that I am loved.

Who knew humility would be served to me by a three foot tall toddler. My first child, Timothy, bright eyed lover of life, has stolen my heart, but has also caused me to eat some extra chocolate (for medicinal purposes). I am the mother who strolled into the grocery store, only to stroll right out, because their child was screaming bloody murder while trying to leap from the cart. I am the mother who had to straight arm my child to try to get him into his car seat long enough to buckle him in. I am the mother who tried to get two kids in the house, while one is screaming "help" loud enough for neighbors 5 blocks away to hear. I am “that” mother.

Today's the day. We lay our prayer before God, the same prayer we've prayed for months, possibly years. Waiting for a miracle. Waiting for a loving God to bestow mercy on our particular request. What is the delay?

Love is the catalyst of the Christian faith, no longer tied to condemnation; we are freed to love God without guilt or shame. “Though our sins are as scarlet they shall be as white as snow. (Is. 1:18)” This agape love is sealed by the blood of Christ on the cross, as He points to you and me, and says you are worth it. God has given you a free pass to love and be loved. Your past does not define your future. There is forgiveness. So lets live as though we are free.

We wake up, and our feet hit the floor running. Our agenda is filled to capacity, and we can't imagine rationally adding anything else to our plate. What can shift our focus from our daily agenda to God's daily agenda? How can we find time, and what is the importance of reading God's word?

In our self gratification society, the idea of making the right choice out of pure obedience kind of blows our minds. Shouldn't we be able to pick and choose what seems right to us? Where does faith and trust fall into this limited world view of obedience? Why is the difference between obeying God out of choice versus emotion so important?

What is the difference between sharing information and gossiping. What does the Bible say about gossip? A biblical definition of gossip is: one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger. So how do we carry this into our everyday lives?

My mind drifts as I think of everything I need to do. Is their time to pause? Is their time to pray? Maybe I could multitask? Watch the kids, clean the dishes, plan my day's agenda all while giving a shout out for uncle Jim’s stubbed toe. Sure, God hears us anywhere we pray, but are we praying in a reverent way? In a way that we expect mountains to move? In a way that we are bowing to a risen King? I have tried both types of prayer, and from personal experience, pausing, and taking my time to focus and humble my spirit to Christ is the way to go.

Sometimes we need to look at the heart of a child to remind us of the timeless truths God has tried to impress upon our hearts for years. We look at what we have or don’t have and feel limited. How could God find favor in me, or use me, when all I have doesn’t look good in comparison to what we see others offer. This is not how God weighs our offerings. God looks at the heart, and values the unseen things above all else.

Resentment, gossip, pain, and anger, these are some of the effects of unresolved conflict. Hurt by those we love, whether it be intentionally or unintentionally, our emotions stew up inside us. Instead of confronting our accuser we either talk to everyone but the one who hurt us, or bottle up the hurt convincing ourselves we should not have been hurt in the first place. Where does this get us? No where.

Sharing my faith and convictions can sometimes get discouraging. Not everyone is going to share the same mindset or come to the same conclusions in life. Yet God gently reminded me that everyone is going to be held accountable for there own choice. I cannot make that choice for them. This personal choice cannot be forced but lovingly and patiently shared. I always tried to grasp this concept, yet God really sent the message home when my son struggled getting in the pool.

When times are good isn’t it easy to trust the God who holds the world in His hand? But when times are hard our insecurities mount. Our trust and security start to flee. It is then that we are unmasked. Do we truly trust? Are we holding on strong enough to our Fathers hem, believing Him at His word.

As we view how our children respond to us, we receive a visual of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. My daughter (Isabella, but we call her Izzy) just started crawling; wherever I am in the house, she will find me. Her determination makes my heart soar, because I am her prize. She huffs and puffs, crawling until she can’t push any farther. She rests for a second and then keeps on going.

In Genesis 4, two men offer a sacrifice to God. Abel is respected for his offering, Cain is not. Was God against vegetables, the offering brought by Cain? Shouldn't just bringing a sacrifice be sufficient? What is the deeper meaning here?

We've all heard the saying, 'patience is a virtue'- now are we sure that's in the Bible? I didn't realize how much I struggled with patience before I had kids. The daily struggles of motherhood are uprooting a lot of things that I realize I have to work on. With one step in front of the other I go. Yes, God, I understand it is Your timing not mine, but please can you just let me follow my personal agenda today.

The smell of coffee in the morning, the laughter of children when you are tired with exhaustion, the faithful husband who works to provide, the quiet moments with God. Thanksgiving is an intentional action of gratitude for our many blessings. Unfortunately, in today's society, it is much like the Robert Frost Poem, “The Road Not Taken.” We are so overwhelmed with our day to day tasks, we lose sight of our many blessings. We fail to stop to and be thankful for all that we have.

When we express the desires of our heart in prayer our prayers do not fall on deaf ears. Yet, sometimes when we don't get a quick response, or exactly what we desire, we huff and puff and say God isn't listening. God sees the full picture even when we only see a small piece of the puzzle. We just have to keep the faith that God knows what's best. Don't be discouraged if you don't get an answer right away. Keep on asking until God answers, and when He does answer, pray that God prepares your heart so you can accept the outcome.

There is no simple answer to this complex question. I am attempting to answer it the best I know how, and that is through the knowledge provided in the Bible. We may never completely understand it because it may be beyond our comprehension. But one thing we can be confident in, is that God is good, and God hates evil too.

We all desire peace. The inner contentment that leaves us feeling free from burden and worries. Christ offers us this peace, through times of trials and times of joy. However, more often than not, we do not receive this wonderful attribute of Christ. We are left feeling as defeated as everybody else. When we have a personal relationship with Christ, there should be a peace that others desire and seek out. Why is that not always the case? I’d like to propose some suggestions.

As parents we desire the very best for our kids. We want to love them with all that we are, but it does not take a rocket scientist to realize that parenting is hard. We mess up daily. This conflicting interest of desiring the best for our kids while being imperfect is a tough battle. Not only do we fall short with things we can change, but feel overwhelmed by things we can’t change.

Handcrafted by a loving Creator, you were etched from your toes to your head. You are not a mistake. Society may say you don't fit the beauty mold, but God looks at you and smiles, knowing that He created you just the way He wanted. Do you think God failed to get the latest fashion magazine to see if you fit today's view of what is beautiful? Over the decades our society's view of beauty has changed but God's has not.

My prayer is that I can be the best wife and mother I can be. A task that would be easier if I had a Ken Barbie husband and children who lived at Super Nanny’s house, but the reality is, I am not perfect and neither are they. I have to keep my head in check and focus so I can love my family as much as they deserved to be loved despite our big ball of imperfections. Today I'd prefer not to focus on what our family needs to change, but rather how to work on ourselves.

How often do we feel like we take one step forward and two steps back? Why is that? What can we do to have victory in Christ on a continuous basis? Life throws some whirlwinds. We live in a battlefield. Life is not easy, and sometimes it seems like we are never given a chance to reach up for a breath of fresh air. We start to get weak in the knees, and bingo! Satan is right their prepared to attack.

Receiving forgiveness is in many ways harder than giving forgiveness. You not only struggle with feeling unworthy of this undeserved gift, but also are dependent on if the person you wronged will forgive you. How can we transform our mind to release our heart of guilt and accept forgiveness?

Life is short. Every day we go though our routine of life just trying to make it through till the next day. Would you please take a few minutes to help choose what you will do for eternity? We are sinful; God is sinless. Who could bridge the dividing gap? There is only one way and that is through Jesus Christ. Hanging on the cross, beaten and bruised, Jesus Christ willfully died for you and I.

I have to admit that I've been in a funk lately… Ok for 2 years on and off. We moved to Western, NY about 2 ½ years ago. A week after we moved 6 hours from all our family and friends we found out we were pregnant with our first child. No family, no friends, new beginnings.

Humility has been a prayer of my heart for quite some time. My head knowledge knows that Christ is the only one deserving of praise, yet my heart tries to convince myself that I deserve some of it. This false humility leaves a distaste in my mouth because the very virtue of humility is so pure and genuine. Is anyone in the same boat? How does God say that we can acquire this much desired trait?

Pride is a venomous poison that seeps into the lives of even the mightiest of men. It claims self-sufficiency and independence as a focal point for one’s accomplishments. I struggle with this form of pride. Who wants to be dependent on anyone or anything? Yet God is desiring a humble spirit, to realize that we can't live this life in our own strength. Even when we don't give praise and honor to God, He is still where the strength is coming from.

Matthew 18:1-4 tells us to become like a child, but what does this mean? Are we to physically transform into a child? No, that would be impossible. What is God telling us here? What are the attributes in a child that God is looking for?

We are a society always on the go, looking to the future instead of appreciating the present. We work ourselves to the bone emotionally and physically, trying to get ahead, to some day attain rest. For most of us rest is an enigma. Even while we are "resting" our mind wanders onto what has to be accomplished the next day, the next week, the next year.

I know God gives gifts to certain people, evangelism being one of them. Some people open their mouth and the power of God speaks flawlessly through them. I on the other hand open my mouth and am socially awkward to the T. However, although I don't feel it is my natural gifting to evangelize, I feel it is all our responsibility, not only as an act of obedience, but also out of love for others.

With God all things are possible". That is the verse I found myself clinging to when days at the NICU soon became weeks. My daughter, Isabella Grace Houle, was born 6 weeks early with Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and battled Pneumonia the first week of her life. I was beaten emotionally, physically, and mentally as we carted our 1 1/2 year old around to different babysitters because he wasn't allowed in NICU with Isabella.

Christians are supposed to be known by their love: love for God, and love for their neighbor. So why is there so much controversy over the issue of homosexuality? Why is the Church against Homosexuality?

In a world where we desire tangible or scientific proof to validate what we believe, why would we believe anything by Faith? Many things require faith whether we like it or not. Everyday things, like stepping into a car, flying in a plane, or even going to sleep.

Who is the man who walked the earth many years ago? Some claim he was a prophet, a good teacher, a moral man. Others claim He was indeed the Son of God, but not actually God. What is the truth?

We have to admit life is hard sometimes. We struggle to find time for the basic essentials of life, like eating and drinking. So why would we even fathom the idea of adding something else to our busy schedule? I was reading about Peter today; the all too familiar passage where Peter denies Christ three times (Mark 14:66-72).

It is tempting to focus on everyone else’s strengths, puffing them up in admiration of what you are not. Unfortunately, this tends to leave an empty place in your own heart, wondering what is your purpose in this vast world? Becoming a parent has pulled on this concept of purpose. I know God has blessed me with two beautiful kids that are my heart, and my sunshine.

Why fear? Every day we are faced with our fears. Phobias consume the pages of the medical books, as we grapple with the enemy of our mind. It is debilitating and restrictive.My hope was that the one realm that fear would not venture would be my testimony of Jesus Christ. It seemed like a reasonable desire, considering I have been saved for so many years.

I felt led to write about forgiveness. Not because I am an expert on the matter, but because I think it is so vital in living a joyful Christian life. Forgiveness is hard, nobody claims it is not. When somebody hurts us, it is hard to rebuild trust and move on from the wrongs that they committed. What reasons are we to give that would force us to forgive, instead of just abandoning the friendship, or avoiding the person all together?

Once saved, always saved? When meditating on this profound issue, some questions arise. Were you ever saved to begin with, did you experience life changing impact of Jesus Christ? Can you lose your salvation if you truly accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?

Tithing is an act of worship. It is an expression of the heart, that we trust God with our finances even if the numbers don't make sense. We give God the first fruits, the best off the top, that we have set aside to give. It doesn't matter the ebbs and flows of our financial stance. I know God provides for my needs, as He has proven faithful time and time again, and I will trust Him.