Sometimes Being Stuck is a Good Thing

It started off simply enough. We were sitting around the restaurant table, the evening of our first full day of vacation, sharing about our favorite parts of the day. My husband, ever the diplomat, shared 2 things, one about each specific daughter.

"I enjoyed biking with G, and jumping the waves with C." Then as an afterthought he added, "And of course I enjoyed spending time with mom." How my 8 year old responded was the thing, "Well you might as well," she said. "You're stuck with her."

Stuck with me. In an 8 year old's mind we were married, that was it. Stuck together. And you know, that may not be a bad thing.

As a formerly divorced woman, I know that there are some big problems in marriage. But I also know that we sometimes make little problems big. What would happened if we lived our married lives as people who "might as well enjoy it, we're stuck together." What would happened if we quickly forgave the little things and worked hard to fix the big things. Would the big things become smaller if we let them go?

Not all of them. My first marriage contained some "big things,"and I'm glad I'm not stuck there . But the words of an 8 year  old can give all of us some thing to think about. Marriage is hard. But you might as well enjoy it...and stick it out.

Marriage should be honored by all. Hebrews 13:4

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Children's Book Review - Rosie and Scamper

Rosie and Scamper is the first book in the four book series "Sonrise Stable," by Vicki Watson. It is a sweet series that, in the words of the author, are "stories about family, friendship, horses, and a great God who works all things in our lives for good." 

While learning to ride at Sonrise Stable, eight-year-old Rosie dreams of the horse shows she will win with her pony, Jet. Two years later, nothing is exactly the way Rosie planned it -- she's riding a new pony, Scamper, and learning that life isn't always easy. But it's as Rosie reaches out to the new girl next door that she truly begins to see that God works all things together for good in our lives.

Sonrise Stable is owned by Rosie's Grandma, (and names Sonrise - not Sunrise - to give "Grandma" a chance to share her faith.). Grandma is a strong horsewoman who loves God. Rosie loves to visit Grandma and learn about horses, but her adventures also give Grandma lots of opportunities to teach Rosie about Jesus. 

This series would be wonderful for any young girl who loves horses, adventure, or reading about other girls. The main character in the series is 8, but the book is written at higher reading level. I would recommend this book for 9-12 year olds, or for the advanced younger reader. If you have a hard time finding reading material for your advanced reader that is appropriate for her age, this would be the perfect book. It is also great if you are a parent or grandparent who likes to read chapter books to your younger kids.

My daughter enjoyed Rosie and her adventures, and I think the young girl in your life would too.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

Are You a Singing Hypocrite?

Has this every happened to you? You're at church, singing a praise song, and suddenly as you really pay attention to the words, you realize they don't reflect your personal life at all. You realize that you have become a singing hypocrite.

This happened to me a few Sundays ago. We were singing "As the Deer," and as we sang I realized that what I was saying didn't match my life.

"You alone are my strength, my shield." God ALONE, my strength? I am most likely to pull myself up by my won boot straps, than to lean heavily on God to be my strength.  My shield? Do I allow God to protect me? Or do a live a calculated and careful life, trying hard to keep out of harms way, protecting myself. I live a safe life. Do I trust God...alone...to be my strength and shield?

"To You alone may my spirit yield." Yielding to God alone? I think I'm more like the Apostle Paul who said, "I do not understand the things I do. I do not do what I want to do, and I do the things I hate."  It seems I yield to the things I shouldn't, yet when God tells me to do something - my stop sign comes out. I lack the trust to truly yield to God.

"You alone are my heart's desire." God alone as my heart's desire? Then why I am running to the coffee and dark chocolate all the time? If you were to ask me my heart's desire I might say being a mom, writing a book or seeing my future grandchildren grow up as heart's desires. God, ALONE, as my heart's desire? I've got some work to do.

So that was when I realized I was a singing hypocrite. Or am I? Maybe that was a divine moment with the Holy Spirit to change me. Maybe that was the moment where I stopped being a hypocrite, and started focusing on God, alone. Maybe that was the moment where I stopped singing a song, and started singing a prayer. How about you? Are you ready to stop singing about it, and start living it?

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Rules and Laws

My kids have lots of different rules they must follow. They also must distringuish the implication behind the rules. For instance, some rules are non-negotiable. "No R-rated movies." My 12 yr old knows that this rule is not only in place at our home, but even if she goes to a friend's home, she still may not watch an R movie, even if her friend is allowed too.

Then there are negotiable rules. An example is our livestyle of moderation. But my kids know that if they are at the grandparents house - anything goes! They can watch more TV and eat more dessert than usual, realizing that when they come home the moderation rules come back into play.

Finally there are rules where the meaning can change. Playing outside until dark may mean coming in at 4:30 in the winter, and 8:30 in the summer. Yet, my kids do a great job of understanding what the different rules mean and which are negotiable.

I've recently been studying God's rules...his "laws." Did you know that there are civil, ceremonial, and moral laws in the Bible? Civil laws were the laws of that day to maintain order in society. An example is Gen 9:6, "Who ever kills a human being will be killed by a human being." That isn't a requirement. It is a civil law, like today we have the death penalty. "Drive 55" is an example of civil law. We have our own civil laws today, and are not bound to the civil laws of Israel's Biblical era.

Next are ceremonial laws.Ceremonial laws include the animal sacrifices and atonement. They were required before Jesus came as the last blood sacrifice to pay the price for our sins. We are no longer bound to ceremonial laws because Jesus fulfilled those laws.

Finally, there are moral laws. The moral laws are still in effect today. They show us our wickedness, because we cannot keep them perfectly. They show us our need for Jesus, and they show how we should act and treat each other. The moral law keeps it's followers from being perverse.

It can be confusing negotiating all the laws. But I'm glad to have discovered the different types of laws, as I try to learn more about what God calls me to do. I don't have it all together, but this is what I am understanding thus far. 

My kids do a great job keeping up with my rules, and they know they are in place because I love them and care for their safety. I'm thankful for my heavenly Father who has his rules and laws in place for us, for the same reason.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

What Would You Give Up to Win?

The Olympics have started. I love watching the events, the feel good vignettes, and even the Olympic commercials. While the Visa commercials have been my favorite Olympic commercials through the years, this year Citi has some great ones.

My favorite commercial is here. (If you are reading my blog via email, you may have to visit my blog at www.chattykelly.com to see the actual commercial.) 

Some of the lines from the commercial include "I haven't ordered dessert in two years." and "I haven't watched TV since last summer." When you think about the time spent training, and all the items that these athletes give up, it's staggering. Yet, I'm sure none of them say, "Boy, I wish I would have watched more TV and eaten more dessert" when standing on the medal stand.

As followers of Christ, there are some things that we must give up. Some of the things may seem pleasurable,  like dessert to an Olympic athlete. Yet, when we are disciplined and obedient to God's word, we will succeed.

The Apostle Paul said, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Cor. 9:24-25)

I am thankful for grace and mercy. But I can't just lay on the couch and expect to get a medal. I must run in a such a way to get the prize. I must live my life actively for Christ.

Are you living in such a way to win the race? It takes hard work and dedication. And yes, we have to give up some worldly things. But at the end of our race, we won't just get a gold medal. We'll spend eternity on the streets of gold, with our heavenly Father; a crown that will last forever. Run to win.

Question: The Olympic athletes all have trainers and coaching. Are you keeping godly people in your life to train, coach and hold you accountable to walk the Christian walk, and run to get the prize?

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Are You Devout or Intolerant?

I believe that the Bible is the inspired, true word of God. As one of God's followers, it is my duty to do my best to obey and stand for what it says. That's doesn't mean I always "like" everything it says. "Wives, submit to your husbands." Ugh! But as a follower, I must believe that God knows better than I do, and I must do my best to obey.

I am sinner! I have broken so many of God's laws. I am a divorced woman, remarried- an adulteress! Does that make me a hypocrite for saying I am a believer and follower of God? No! It makes it all the more clear that I need Jesus. Without Jesus my actions have forever separated me for a perfect and Holy heavenly Father. Because of Jesus' death of the cross, paying the price for my sins, I can be forgiven.

I stand for the Biblical definition of marriage. One man - one woman. Does that make me intolerant? No! It makes me devout. I do not hate homosexuals. I believe that should be welcomed in any church to come and learn about the power of God, and the love and mercy of His risen Son. I am a sinner. I pray people will show me the same mercy of love the sinner, hate the sin. I pray I would never be turned away from church for my sin, but be welcomed.

The world wants tolerance. Yet, they refuse to tolerate the Christians. The United States is no longer a place of freedom of religion. It is a place for Freedom FROM religion. It is time for us to be bold in a faith. Stand firm. Do not hate or persecute others. Show them God's love, but don't diminish God's word. Be tolerant but devout. 

The people who know their God will display strength and take action” (Daniel 11:32, NASB)

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Empty

Empty - that's what I notice about people who don't have Jesus in their life. They are empty. That may seem like a self-serving thing to say as a believer, but I don't mean it to be. The people I know who have a strong, living and active faith in Christ seem full, content, alive.

My heart breaks for those who are empty. They look to the world to fill them up.  Sometimes they try to fill themselves with good things:.  Exercise, family, philanthropy. Sometimes they try to fill themselves up with bad things: Alcohol, drugs, sexuality. All looking to be filled.

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."* With Jesus, you will be full. Never empty. Never hungry. Never thirsty. 

Without Jesus you will always be empty. Some people may not believe that. Some people may say I am just "full of it." And what they don't know is that they are right...I am full.  Full of Jesus. And I've never be empty again. 

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

John 6:35